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I walked out the door and acted as if mad at Drirletlan. I stalked out, annoyed looking, showing no true emotion except hate. I was mad, I didn't have to pretend that. I was mad that I hadn't noticed these bottled emotions within Drirletlan before, mad that I couldn't get the picture of him crying out of my head, and especially mad that there was nothing could do, I was at the mercy of my memory, and his.
"Good night Aubrea," Moonbay said smoothly.
Trying not to show the startled look on my face I turned to his door and smirked, "Awake already? Didn't expect you up for another day or so."
"Well, you know that I can never sleep good when I need to think," he replied solemnly.
"Wha- What?" I questioned.
"Oh, c'mon, I heard someone in your room sobbing. At first I thought it was you, but still being transformed I realized that it was your friend, what's his name again?" Moonbay looked quizzical. Poor guy never could remember anything from his transformations.
"Drirletlan," I said, then froze. His eyes became sharpened at the sound of the name. He tensed slightly and I tensed greater. "Wh- Wha- What is it?" I asked, my voice shaking.
He seemed to snap out of it, "Oh, um, nothing, just a memory is all."
"O-o-ok," I stammered, "Well, you better get back into bed, I'm fine, it was just Drirletlan. I'll be ok tonight, go and rest and I'll see you tomorrow night."
"If you insist," he replied, reluctant to leave me.
"Here, I'll come in with you, until you're asleep."
I followed him into the room where he silently rested his head on his pillow. He stared at the ceiling for a while, then I turned out the light, pulled the open curtain, and sat down in the chair beside the bed. I sat there stroking his hair like I had the previous night with Drirletlan. I settled in, I was in no rush to leave, I had fed the previous night and was ready for almost a week without food if I needed.
As I sat in the almost pitch black room memories of the previous night floated back to me.
FLASHBACK
I turned to him and saw tears going down his face. I wanted to say something but he broke the silence again, "It has hurt me for 1,000 years, and all along I thought that I was alone with this pain." He seemed so calm, yet he was shaking and the tears were coming faster.
He turned to me, "I killed my sister, you know? Right after I was transformed, I had to feed, which I'm sure you know. I was so hungry, there was no one else there, I became desperate and..." he didn't have to say anymore, I knew how that ended.
"Later on I killed off my dad and mom, after they found out and tried to kill me. I try and convince myself," he pauses to sniff, "I've tried t convince myself that it was self defense, but to this day I know that I murdered them. A 1,000 year old murder, and yet it haunts me as if just yesterday. I can still remember all their last words. My sister said 'Brother, your eyes are so dark, what is the matter', my mom said 'Deliver me from the devil, God rain down on the person who killed my daughter', and my dad said 'You never were much of a son, only a person I was forced to raise'."
I swore that I was starting to tear. When he had stopped he turned away and silently started to shake, I knew he was crying. I walked over silently and placed my hand on his shoulder. He turned and I could see his wet face, a once proud vampire, now sobbing at me waist on a bed, in a hotel room, in a God forsaken place. I felt sorry for him and showed that I would gladly embrace him. He took my offer and I remember wrapping my arms around his back and rocking him slowly back and forth until he was too exhausted to cry. Then he backed out of my embrace, looked me in the eyes and said something I could never forget, "You are the kindest person I know, Aubrea, and don't you ever stop being that way. You are a great vampire, with an even greater heart, and I hope you never change." He then got under the covers and drifted off into well deserved rest.
At about noon he did wake up, not for long, but he did. He turned and saw me watching TV at his side.
"So, couldn't sleep?" he asked groggily, the crying still apparent in his voice.
"No," I put simply what was obvious.
"Why not? It's not like you care about me, do you?" he asked, a quizzical look crossing his usually calm face.
"I don't know," I answer unsure, "I mean, I thought I didn't but when I realized that I wasn't alone I realized that we have a lot in common. We both have haunting memories, we both have regrets, we both feel the pain."
"I don't get it," he started, such a sincere look in his eyes, one I had never seen in anyone before, "I just don't get why we do this. We hunt for food, but why do we kill? We could just as easily drink and then be on our way. Nature made us this way. It's unfair. I had no choice in whether I was a vampire or not and now look at me, I'm being forced to kill others, even family."
"One more thing in common," I added blandly, "I had no choice either."
"Really?" he asked.
I turned and smiled, "Really."
"My clan, the Nighshifters, they forced me into death, it was either me or my sister, doesn't seem like it was so great though, she ended up dieing anyways. How about you, what's your story?"
"Spike was stupid and thought that I would be a great addition to the team, so he sired me." A beat, then I started to laugh hysterically, "Yeah! Great addition! Don't make it to the battle on time, watch your one friend run, then another get announced as dead, then another die at your feet, and finally the last one runs away! I did nothing to stop that! NOTHING! What a friend, huh?"
"I think you're a good friend," he tried to cheer me up, then fell into unconsciousness again.
"Thanks," I said, smiling inwardly and stroking some hair out of his face where it had fallen. "So are you."
END FLASHBACK
I snapped out of my thoughts and realized that Moonbay was asleep. I go up quietly and walked out the door and back to the room Drirletlan and I now shared.
He noticed me without looking up, "Did you get any sleep last night?"
"No," I respond, "Why?"
"Go to bed," he refused to answer, but would command me. He had some nerve, though I did obey on the count that I was exhausted.
"Thanks," I whispered into the now dark of the room.
I heard him get up and approach my bed. He sat on the edge and leaned down, kissing my forehead and then rising to stroke it, "For what?"
"Being here, and being a friend," I answered.
I saw him smile, I saw that smile shine, and that was the last thing I saw as I fell into a beautiful, peaceful, rest.
When I awoke I was greeted by the smell of fresh coffee. It wasn't a pleasant smell to wake up to either. The coffee (from what I could tell) was a very strong blend, mixed with loads of sugar and creamer. I turned my head, eyes remaining shut, towards the source of the strong smell. The more I turned the better I could tell that it was Drirletlan who was drinking the coffee.
After what seemed like an eternity I opened my eyes. What seemed to take longer than opening my eyes was how long it took for Drirletlan to realize that I was awake. When he finally did he smirked and used a smart tone to say, "Morning sleeping beauty."
I growled, but didn't allow for him to get anymore pleasure from my annoyance. I turned to the coffee and asked, "Anymore left?"
"Yeah, sure, it's in the pitcher over there. Don't ask me why they give you a PITCHER for it but then again..."
"... We aren't the every day type of guests that actually care," I finished for him, starting to smirk myself.
"How'd ya sleep?" he asked, not really concerned, just something to talk about.
"Good, good," I answered, casually nodding my head as I answered.
"You know what?" he seemed very bothered
"Not unless you tell me," I answered in a smart tone.
"It's 9 o'clock in the morning, you're just waking up, and I'm making coffee that is sure to allow no rest."
"I guess we'll be tired when tomorrow comes around then," I stated simply.
He huffed a small laugh, "Guess so."
I looked around as I poured some coffee for myself. We sat in silence for awhile, not eerily, just uncomfortably. Finally I spoke, "Wonder if Moonbay's awake..." my voice trailed at the end.
Drirletlan tensed, the same as Moonbay had the previous night. "Wha- What di-did you s-say?" he stuttered, very scared, too scared for me to be comfortable.
I shifted, "I was just wondering if Moonbay..."
"Get me the hell out of here," he cut me off.
"Drirletlan, what's wrong?"
"Get me the HELL out of here, I have to get away!"
He started to run out the door. I grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and pulled him back in. I threw him onto his bed and pinned his hands down. "What the heck is wrong with you?" I growled in his face, "First Moonbay," he growled at the name but I continued as if he hadn't, "last night and now you! What is going on here?"
"Aubrea, this is over your head, just let me go and I'll never bother you again," he commanded, unlucky for him I never was too fond of taking commands. I walked over to the door and locked it up as tight as I could and I put the key in a pocket in my shirt.
"What the heck did you do that for? Are you trying to kill me?" he yelled.
"Maybe yes, maybe no. I'll let you go when you tell me what is going on."
He was starting to plea now, "Please just let me out. I'm sure Moonbay would proudly tell you the story, I'm just sure of it."
"Relax," I commanded.
"Why should I? How can I?" he stammered.
"Look, I'll get the story faster if you just relax, now please, hold still and relax."
He actually did as he was told and then I put my hand on his forehead. My memories started to flow...
It was my first time in the bar and I was a little nervous. There were Strykers and the infamous Nightshifters there. The Strykers were no problem, it wasn't a full moon and them being werewolves, they were almost harmless. The Nightshifters were another story. They were rumored to have the toughest leader in the history of their clan these days, a 'no crap, or else' type of fellow. I was scared. I watched warily from my seat at the bar as the leader and his pawns sat down and ordered up the finest blood and wine. Not the best combination, but of course you have to have some class, even as a Nightshifter. Nightshifters were well known for their rivalry with the Stryker clan, and any vampire clan that they could easily defeat. The clans they could defeat they would make a part of the Nightshifter clan, or they would wipe out the clan as they chose. The Stryker's had a problem with this, even though vampires and werewolves have an infamous hate for each other, wiping out your own kind, on either side, is treason, and you must pay the price for treason...
The Strykers could feel the Nightshifters, even as they entered the room, and new precisely what had to be done. A werewolf, in human form, has an aura EXACTLY like a normal human, so the Strykers had the element of surprise.
Angel saw my wariness, I could tell, but he stayed quiet, not wanting to get himself involved in the fight that would inevitably begin tonight. He just took my arm and made me look at him, a signal not to stare at either clan.
A good half hour went by and luckily neither clan had done anything, except the Nightshifters had decided to take the bar seats instead, for easier access to the drinks. I sighed, maybe they won't attack each other after all. To this very day I feel that I jinxed it because right as I got out of my train of thought, the Nightshifters stood to leave on their leaders command. This was the perfect chance for the Strykers to make their move.
As the leader turned and headed for the exit, the apparent leader of the Strykers stood up and walked casually over to the door. For anyone this was the one chance to move, but fear kept me in my seat. I watched as the Stryker bumped into the leader, HARD. Hard enough to make the leader lose his composure and fall to the floor, as I watched him shoot a deadly glare I gulped. If looks could kill that glare would have taken out everyone in the room.
"'ello Drirletlan," the Stryker spat mockingly.
"Well I'll be... If it isn't Moonbay," Drirletlan said, calmly, with a hint of ice.
"Why yes, didn't think you would recognize me," Moonbay replied slyly.
"Oh, come now, you know I could never recognize you in werewolf form, that's near impossible," Drirletlan pointed out, his tone was seductive and dangerous, like fire, as he swayed getting up.
"Oh, my mistake," Moonbay commented. After that the fight was on. It seemed to me like it droned on and on, but it only lasted a matter of minutes. Both leaders walked away, both clans had ended it in a draw, both leaders walked away with broken pride, both leaders would be cast from their clans...
... when I had seen what I needed I took my hand away, allowing the painful; memories to drain away and my regular ones to come back.
"I see now why you are afraid and I'll call you dumb to be afraid of that," I started in a low tone, but in the end I sounded harsh and cold.
"Please," Drirletlan continued to plea, sounding like someone who's killer is towering over them, "just let me go, Aubrea, please."
"No," I was very hard, "I will not let you go just to have an age old memory haunt you. I will not let this battle keep going. Had I known these many things about Moonbay and yourself back then I would have stopped it before both of you made a move, but it is too late for that now. I see now, clearer than ever, that this battle must stop, I must atleast stop this battle between you two. You are both broken, both in pain, both of you have been cast out of your clans, forced onto the streets. You both share the pain of the past and you still insist on fighting, even when you are not part of your clans, just STOP IT already! Stop the pain, the fighting, the constant bickering, stop it all NOW!"
I was steaming and he was cowering. I had been yelling, I was sure the whole hotel heard me.
"I'm sorry," Drirletlan whispered in defeat, "It is silly, you are right. If you wish for me to leave I will."
"No, Drirletlan, I don't want you to leave, that's why you needed to hear that. I love you and Moonbay and I never want to see either of you leave," when I finished I realized that I had been holding his shoulders. I embraced him and he fell into my embrace, and for the second time, in a short span of time, Drirletlan fell asleep, crying in my arms.
When he awoke it was 10 o' clock at night. I had eventually gotten up, put him in bed, and then fell asleep myself. I awoke approximately an hour and a half before him and I was still tired when he got up. I had been planning to go out while Moonbay was still asleep, but since my time with him seemed to be thrown off while he was in human form I decided against that, knowing the next night he would be wide awake and guarding the downstairs hall again. I would go out there and talk with him about leaving, just Drirletlan and I, then.
"Well, this is becoming a sure fire way to put me to sleep," he moaned out, still half asleep.
"Oh, and what's this 'sure fire way' to get you to sleep, may I ask?" I answered in a very testing tone.
"Make me feel guilty," he simply answered, not sounding the least bit annoyed.
"Guilty? Is that what you felt? Jeez, I was trying to help you by pointing out something that you and Moonbay insisted on and you go and say it made you feel guilty. If that's the way you're gonna be then I'm going to find Moonbay." I stormed off. I went out the door and over to Moonbay's room. I walked in without invitation. Stupid git, he always leaves his door unlocked. Lucky, or maybe unlucky, for me he was awake. He didn't seem tired either so I thought he would be willing to talk with me. He wasn't willing to talk to me.
"I heard what you said last night, you know?" he growled when I entered.
"Really? And what do you have to say to it?"
"That I can tell you like him better than me," Moonbay got really depressed, just like that.
"Like him better, I can barely stand him half the time..."
"But what about the other half," Moonbay cut me off.
"The other half he can be alright. But, that other half is NOT when he starts fights! I hate it when YOU start fights and I'm not about to have him in our room fighting with you in here!"
"You just said 'our room'" Moonbay pointed out.
"What?" I was exasperated.
"You talked about your room but you said 'our room'."
"God! You know what I mean though," I yelled.
"No, I don't," he answered.
"I didn't come here for a fight."
"No, but you got one Aubrea."
"You know what, I don't have to take this, if I wanted a fight I would have stuck you in a room with Drirletlan. I'm leaving," and without looking back I stormed out of the room. But, I didn't stop there, I went down the stairs and outside. If that's how it was going to be let's see what happens when I REALLY get in trouble, I thought. With that, I was on the hunt.
I was growling and mumbling, "That idiot, those idiots, how dare they go and cast ME out, well, let's see here. If I play my hand right this game will get very interesting." I kept on mumbling while searching for the perfect fight. If I got into a fight that I could never win and they saved me together, who knows what possibilities that could bring into play? I started to laugh. It wasn't a very loud laugh, more like it was caught in my throat, but that made it louder in my ears, drowning out my hearing, not allowing me to know that there was someone right behind until it was too late.
I was on the ground, the laughing had died instantly with one hard blow to the back of my head. The blow was strong enough to through me onto the concrete, causing me to break my left arm, which took the biggest hit. I wasn't worried for my arm, it healed almost instantly, but I wasn't so sure that this was the fight that I had been looking for. When I turned around I saw a clan. They were vampires of course, with the leader out front, he was the one who had punched me. I had seen these guys near the hotel when we were headed to the bar, they had been smoking next to the entrance.
I stalk out the doors. Here I am met by the sweet smell of the night. The night is an intoxicating smell. But, this smell is quickly covered by smoke. I look to my right and see a clan of vampires smoking right next to the entrance. I keep walking. One throws a cigarette (still burning) in my way. I falter a second, but put it out with one stomp and keep going. Drirletlan, right behind me, turns and growls while Moonbay holds him back. The clan looks a little nervous, but not enough to stop what they're doing and start a fight. I call to Moonbay and Drirletlan and they follow.
"Well, look who it is," spat the leader.
"High and mighty she may be, but only within her gang of three," another growled, the best resemblance would be to say he had the voice of an orc.
"Go away, I'm not in the mood to fight you," I snarl.
"Who said you had to be? We want to fight you, and if you don't want to fight back you'll just be making it easier on us," the leader states.
Where are you guys, I thought in desperation, but I show no signs of my nervousness to the clan in front of me, as I have said many times before emotion in the vampire community is a weakness you don't want to have.
"Come and get me, if you can," I challenge them.
"Within a group you shall win, but outside of there your luck runs thin," states the orc vampire.
"Would you stop rhyming," I keep on stalling, "Jeez, what are you? A poet? You would make a good one it seems.
"Stop stalling," the leader says.
Can he read minds? I wonder. Then I see it. It's a shadow in the alley. It's a shimmer of moon light off of leather. It's Drirletlan's coat, I would recognize it anywhere.
"You know what? You're absolutely right. I shouldn't try and stop the inevitable, I should just take my beating," I say. The leader smirks with pride. I continue, "I SHOULD play by the rules. Don't stall what must happen."
The leader is now enlightened by the fake fear I add to my voice.
"One problem though," I growl, "I DESPISE rules," I hiss and with that Drirletlan and Moonbay charge from the shadows, disorienting the leader.
The fight lasts a matter of seconds after this. Once Drirletlan made sure they had all left he turned to me, "That wasn't smart you know?"
"Yeah, but hey! Look at this! You two worked for the same side WITHOUT killing each other!"
"I guess so," Drirletlan stated.
"You wanted this to happen, didn't you?" Moonbay asked, amusement in his voice.
I laughed, "You caught me red handed."
"So you were willing to risk your life to get us to work together?" Drirletlan asked.
Jeez he's thick.
"Hey!" he yelled.
"Yes, Drirletlan, that's what I was planning all along."
"I still don't like him," snarled Moonbay.
"I dislike you more!" yelled Drirletlan.
The whole way back to the hotel they fought, but I knew that this was only the beginning of a friendship much like that of Angel and Spike.
A/N well the end of yet another chapter. I love to write this story. You can always tell by reading it what type of mood I'm in. Tomorrow I get to see Spiderman 2 so, as you can tell I really made the story end happy. Oh, and if you don't know what an orc is you might want to ask someone who likes Lord of the Rings, they'll tell you.
I walked out the door and acted as if mad at Drirletlan. I stalked out, annoyed looking, showing no true emotion except hate. I was mad, I didn't have to pretend that. I was mad that I hadn't noticed these bottled emotions within Drirletlan before, mad that I couldn't get the picture of him crying out of my head, and especially mad that there was nothing could do, I was at the mercy of my memory, and his.
"Good night Aubrea," Moonbay said smoothly.
Trying not to show the startled look on my face I turned to his door and smirked, "Awake already? Didn't expect you up for another day or so."
"Well, you know that I can never sleep good when I need to think," he replied solemnly.
"Wha- What?" I questioned.
"Oh, c'mon, I heard someone in your room sobbing. At first I thought it was you, but still being transformed I realized that it was your friend, what's his name again?" Moonbay looked quizzical. Poor guy never could remember anything from his transformations.
"Drirletlan," I said, then froze. His eyes became sharpened at the sound of the name. He tensed slightly and I tensed greater. "Wh- Wha- What is it?" I asked, my voice shaking.
He seemed to snap out of it, "Oh, um, nothing, just a memory is all."
"O-o-ok," I stammered, "Well, you better get back into bed, I'm fine, it was just Drirletlan. I'll be ok tonight, go and rest and I'll see you tomorrow night."
"If you insist," he replied, reluctant to leave me.
"Here, I'll come in with you, until you're asleep."
I followed him into the room where he silently rested his head on his pillow. He stared at the ceiling for a while, then I turned out the light, pulled the open curtain, and sat down in the chair beside the bed. I sat there stroking his hair like I had the previous night with Drirletlan. I settled in, I was in no rush to leave, I had fed the previous night and was ready for almost a week without food if I needed.
As I sat in the almost pitch black room memories of the previous night floated back to me.
FLASHBACK
I turned to him and saw tears going down his face. I wanted to say something but he broke the silence again, "It has hurt me for 1,000 years, and all along I thought that I was alone with this pain." He seemed so calm, yet he was shaking and the tears were coming faster.
He turned to me, "I killed my sister, you know? Right after I was transformed, I had to feed, which I'm sure you know. I was so hungry, there was no one else there, I became desperate and..." he didn't have to say anymore, I knew how that ended.
"Later on I killed off my dad and mom, after they found out and tried to kill me. I try and convince myself," he pauses to sniff, "I've tried t convince myself that it was self defense, but to this day I know that I murdered them. A 1,000 year old murder, and yet it haunts me as if just yesterday. I can still remember all their last words. My sister said 'Brother, your eyes are so dark, what is the matter', my mom said 'Deliver me from the devil, God rain down on the person who killed my daughter', and my dad said 'You never were much of a son, only a person I was forced to raise'."
I swore that I was starting to tear. When he had stopped he turned away and silently started to shake, I knew he was crying. I walked over silently and placed my hand on his shoulder. He turned and I could see his wet face, a once proud vampire, now sobbing at me waist on a bed, in a hotel room, in a God forsaken place. I felt sorry for him and showed that I would gladly embrace him. He took my offer and I remember wrapping my arms around his back and rocking him slowly back and forth until he was too exhausted to cry. Then he backed out of my embrace, looked me in the eyes and said something I could never forget, "You are the kindest person I know, Aubrea, and don't you ever stop being that way. You are a great vampire, with an even greater heart, and I hope you never change." He then got under the covers and drifted off into well deserved rest.
At about noon he did wake up, not for long, but he did. He turned and saw me watching TV at his side.
"So, couldn't sleep?" he asked groggily, the crying still apparent in his voice.
"No," I put simply what was obvious.
"Why not? It's not like you care about me, do you?" he asked, a quizzical look crossing his usually calm face.
"I don't know," I answer unsure, "I mean, I thought I didn't but when I realized that I wasn't alone I realized that we have a lot in common. We both have haunting memories, we both have regrets, we both feel the pain."
"I don't get it," he started, such a sincere look in his eyes, one I had never seen in anyone before, "I just don't get why we do this. We hunt for food, but why do we kill? We could just as easily drink and then be on our way. Nature made us this way. It's unfair. I had no choice in whether I was a vampire or not and now look at me, I'm being forced to kill others, even family."
"One more thing in common," I added blandly, "I had no choice either."
"Really?" he asked.
I turned and smiled, "Really."
"My clan, the Nighshifters, they forced me into death, it was either me or my sister, doesn't seem like it was so great though, she ended up dieing anyways. How about you, what's your story?"
"Spike was stupid and thought that I would be a great addition to the team, so he sired me." A beat, then I started to laugh hysterically, "Yeah! Great addition! Don't make it to the battle on time, watch your one friend run, then another get announced as dead, then another die at your feet, and finally the last one runs away! I did nothing to stop that! NOTHING! What a friend, huh?"
"I think you're a good friend," he tried to cheer me up, then fell into unconsciousness again.
"Thanks," I said, smiling inwardly and stroking some hair out of his face where it had fallen. "So are you."
END FLASHBACK
I snapped out of my thoughts and realized that Moonbay was asleep. I go up quietly and walked out the door and back to the room Drirletlan and I now shared.
He noticed me without looking up, "Did you get any sleep last night?"
"No," I respond, "Why?"
"Go to bed," he refused to answer, but would command me. He had some nerve, though I did obey on the count that I was exhausted.
"Thanks," I whispered into the now dark of the room.
I heard him get up and approach my bed. He sat on the edge and leaned down, kissing my forehead and then rising to stroke it, "For what?"
"Being here, and being a friend," I answered.
I saw him smile, I saw that smile shine, and that was the last thing I saw as I fell into a beautiful, peaceful, rest.
When I awoke I was greeted by the smell of fresh coffee. It wasn't a pleasant smell to wake up to either. The coffee (from what I could tell) was a very strong blend, mixed with loads of sugar and creamer. I turned my head, eyes remaining shut, towards the source of the strong smell. The more I turned the better I could tell that it was Drirletlan who was drinking the coffee.
After what seemed like an eternity I opened my eyes. What seemed to take longer than opening my eyes was how long it took for Drirletlan to realize that I was awake. When he finally did he smirked and used a smart tone to say, "Morning sleeping beauty."
I growled, but didn't allow for him to get anymore pleasure from my annoyance. I turned to the coffee and asked, "Anymore left?"
"Yeah, sure, it's in the pitcher over there. Don't ask me why they give you a PITCHER for it but then again..."
"... We aren't the every day type of guests that actually care," I finished for him, starting to smirk myself.
"How'd ya sleep?" he asked, not really concerned, just something to talk about.
"Good, good," I answered, casually nodding my head as I answered.
"You know what?" he seemed very bothered
"Not unless you tell me," I answered in a smart tone.
"It's 9 o'clock in the morning, you're just waking up, and I'm making coffee that is sure to allow no rest."
"I guess we'll be tired when tomorrow comes around then," I stated simply.
He huffed a small laugh, "Guess so."
I looked around as I poured some coffee for myself. We sat in silence for awhile, not eerily, just uncomfortably. Finally I spoke, "Wonder if Moonbay's awake..." my voice trailed at the end.
Drirletlan tensed, the same as Moonbay had the previous night. "Wha- What di-did you s-say?" he stuttered, very scared, too scared for me to be comfortable.
I shifted, "I was just wondering if Moonbay..."
"Get me the hell out of here," he cut me off.
"Drirletlan, what's wrong?"
"Get me the HELL out of here, I have to get away!"
He started to run out the door. I grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and pulled him back in. I threw him onto his bed and pinned his hands down. "What the heck is wrong with you?" I growled in his face, "First Moonbay," he growled at the name but I continued as if he hadn't, "last night and now you! What is going on here?"
"Aubrea, this is over your head, just let me go and I'll never bother you again," he commanded, unlucky for him I never was too fond of taking commands. I walked over to the door and locked it up as tight as I could and I put the key in a pocket in my shirt.
"What the heck did you do that for? Are you trying to kill me?" he yelled.
"Maybe yes, maybe no. I'll let you go when you tell me what is going on."
He was starting to plea now, "Please just let me out. I'm sure Moonbay would proudly tell you the story, I'm just sure of it."
"Relax," I commanded.
"Why should I? How can I?" he stammered.
"Look, I'll get the story faster if you just relax, now please, hold still and relax."
He actually did as he was told and then I put my hand on his forehead. My memories started to flow...
It was my first time in the bar and I was a little nervous. There were Strykers and the infamous Nightshifters there. The Strykers were no problem, it wasn't a full moon and them being werewolves, they were almost harmless. The Nightshifters were another story. They were rumored to have the toughest leader in the history of their clan these days, a 'no crap, or else' type of fellow. I was scared. I watched warily from my seat at the bar as the leader and his pawns sat down and ordered up the finest blood and wine. Not the best combination, but of course you have to have some class, even as a Nightshifter. Nightshifters were well known for their rivalry with the Stryker clan, and any vampire clan that they could easily defeat. The clans they could defeat they would make a part of the Nightshifter clan, or they would wipe out the clan as they chose. The Stryker's had a problem with this, even though vampires and werewolves have an infamous hate for each other, wiping out your own kind, on either side, is treason, and you must pay the price for treason...
The Strykers could feel the Nightshifters, even as they entered the room, and new precisely what had to be done. A werewolf, in human form, has an aura EXACTLY like a normal human, so the Strykers had the element of surprise.
Angel saw my wariness, I could tell, but he stayed quiet, not wanting to get himself involved in the fight that would inevitably begin tonight. He just took my arm and made me look at him, a signal not to stare at either clan.
A good half hour went by and luckily neither clan had done anything, except the Nightshifters had decided to take the bar seats instead, for easier access to the drinks. I sighed, maybe they won't attack each other after all. To this very day I feel that I jinxed it because right as I got out of my train of thought, the Nightshifters stood to leave on their leaders command. This was the perfect chance for the Strykers to make their move.
As the leader turned and headed for the exit, the apparent leader of the Strykers stood up and walked casually over to the door. For anyone this was the one chance to move, but fear kept me in my seat. I watched as the Stryker bumped into the leader, HARD. Hard enough to make the leader lose his composure and fall to the floor, as I watched him shoot a deadly glare I gulped. If looks could kill that glare would have taken out everyone in the room.
"'ello Drirletlan," the Stryker spat mockingly.
"Well I'll be... If it isn't Moonbay," Drirletlan said, calmly, with a hint of ice.
"Why yes, didn't think you would recognize me," Moonbay replied slyly.
"Oh, come now, you know I could never recognize you in werewolf form, that's near impossible," Drirletlan pointed out, his tone was seductive and dangerous, like fire, as he swayed getting up.
"Oh, my mistake," Moonbay commented. After that the fight was on. It seemed to me like it droned on and on, but it only lasted a matter of minutes. Both leaders walked away, both clans had ended it in a draw, both leaders walked away with broken pride, both leaders would be cast from their clans...
... when I had seen what I needed I took my hand away, allowing the painful; memories to drain away and my regular ones to come back.
"I see now why you are afraid and I'll call you dumb to be afraid of that," I started in a low tone, but in the end I sounded harsh and cold.
"Please," Drirletlan continued to plea, sounding like someone who's killer is towering over them, "just let me go, Aubrea, please."
"No," I was very hard, "I will not let you go just to have an age old memory haunt you. I will not let this battle keep going. Had I known these many things about Moonbay and yourself back then I would have stopped it before both of you made a move, but it is too late for that now. I see now, clearer than ever, that this battle must stop, I must atleast stop this battle between you two. You are both broken, both in pain, both of you have been cast out of your clans, forced onto the streets. You both share the pain of the past and you still insist on fighting, even when you are not part of your clans, just STOP IT already! Stop the pain, the fighting, the constant bickering, stop it all NOW!"
I was steaming and he was cowering. I had been yelling, I was sure the whole hotel heard me.
"I'm sorry," Drirletlan whispered in defeat, "It is silly, you are right. If you wish for me to leave I will."
"No, Drirletlan, I don't want you to leave, that's why you needed to hear that. I love you and Moonbay and I never want to see either of you leave," when I finished I realized that I had been holding his shoulders. I embraced him and he fell into my embrace, and for the second time, in a short span of time, Drirletlan fell asleep, crying in my arms.
When he awoke it was 10 o' clock at night. I had eventually gotten up, put him in bed, and then fell asleep myself. I awoke approximately an hour and a half before him and I was still tired when he got up. I had been planning to go out while Moonbay was still asleep, but since my time with him seemed to be thrown off while he was in human form I decided against that, knowing the next night he would be wide awake and guarding the downstairs hall again. I would go out there and talk with him about leaving, just Drirletlan and I, then.
"Well, this is becoming a sure fire way to put me to sleep," he moaned out, still half asleep.
"Oh, and what's this 'sure fire way' to get you to sleep, may I ask?" I answered in a very testing tone.
"Make me feel guilty," he simply answered, not sounding the least bit annoyed.
"Guilty? Is that what you felt? Jeez, I was trying to help you by pointing out something that you and Moonbay insisted on and you go and say it made you feel guilty. If that's the way you're gonna be then I'm going to find Moonbay." I stormed off. I went out the door and over to Moonbay's room. I walked in without invitation. Stupid git, he always leaves his door unlocked. Lucky, or maybe unlucky, for me he was awake. He didn't seem tired either so I thought he would be willing to talk with me. He wasn't willing to talk to me.
"I heard what you said last night, you know?" he growled when I entered.
"Really? And what do you have to say to it?"
"That I can tell you like him better than me," Moonbay got really depressed, just like that.
"Like him better, I can barely stand him half the time..."
"But what about the other half," Moonbay cut me off.
"The other half he can be alright. But, that other half is NOT when he starts fights! I hate it when YOU start fights and I'm not about to have him in our room fighting with you in here!"
"You just said 'our room'" Moonbay pointed out.
"What?" I was exasperated.
"You talked about your room but you said 'our room'."
"God! You know what I mean though," I yelled.
"No, I don't," he answered.
"I didn't come here for a fight."
"No, but you got one Aubrea."
"You know what, I don't have to take this, if I wanted a fight I would have stuck you in a room with Drirletlan. I'm leaving," and without looking back I stormed out of the room. But, I didn't stop there, I went down the stairs and outside. If that's how it was going to be let's see what happens when I REALLY get in trouble, I thought. With that, I was on the hunt.
I was growling and mumbling, "That idiot, those idiots, how dare they go and cast ME out, well, let's see here. If I play my hand right this game will get very interesting." I kept on mumbling while searching for the perfect fight. If I got into a fight that I could never win and they saved me together, who knows what possibilities that could bring into play? I started to laugh. It wasn't a very loud laugh, more like it was caught in my throat, but that made it louder in my ears, drowning out my hearing, not allowing me to know that there was someone right behind until it was too late.
I was on the ground, the laughing had died instantly with one hard blow to the back of my head. The blow was strong enough to through me onto the concrete, causing me to break my left arm, which took the biggest hit. I wasn't worried for my arm, it healed almost instantly, but I wasn't so sure that this was the fight that I had been looking for. When I turned around I saw a clan. They were vampires of course, with the leader out front, he was the one who had punched me. I had seen these guys near the hotel when we were headed to the bar, they had been smoking next to the entrance.
I stalk out the doors. Here I am met by the sweet smell of the night. The night is an intoxicating smell. But, this smell is quickly covered by smoke. I look to my right and see a clan of vampires smoking right next to the entrance. I keep walking. One throws a cigarette (still burning) in my way. I falter a second, but put it out with one stomp and keep going. Drirletlan, right behind me, turns and growls while Moonbay holds him back. The clan looks a little nervous, but not enough to stop what they're doing and start a fight. I call to Moonbay and Drirletlan and they follow.
"Well, look who it is," spat the leader.
"High and mighty she may be, but only within her gang of three," another growled, the best resemblance would be to say he had the voice of an orc.
"Go away, I'm not in the mood to fight you," I snarl.
"Who said you had to be? We want to fight you, and if you don't want to fight back you'll just be making it easier on us," the leader states.
Where are you guys, I thought in desperation, but I show no signs of my nervousness to the clan in front of me, as I have said many times before emotion in the vampire community is a weakness you don't want to have.
"Come and get me, if you can," I challenge them.
"Within a group you shall win, but outside of there your luck runs thin," states the orc vampire.
"Would you stop rhyming," I keep on stalling, "Jeez, what are you? A poet? You would make a good one it seems.
"Stop stalling," the leader says.
Can he read minds? I wonder. Then I see it. It's a shadow in the alley. It's a shimmer of moon light off of leather. It's Drirletlan's coat, I would recognize it anywhere.
"You know what? You're absolutely right. I shouldn't try and stop the inevitable, I should just take my beating," I say. The leader smirks with pride. I continue, "I SHOULD play by the rules. Don't stall what must happen."
The leader is now enlightened by the fake fear I add to my voice.
"One problem though," I growl, "I DESPISE rules," I hiss and with that Drirletlan and Moonbay charge from the shadows, disorienting the leader.
The fight lasts a matter of seconds after this. Once Drirletlan made sure they had all left he turned to me, "That wasn't smart you know?"
"Yeah, but hey! Look at this! You two worked for the same side WITHOUT killing each other!"
"I guess so," Drirletlan stated.
"You wanted this to happen, didn't you?" Moonbay asked, amusement in his voice.
I laughed, "You caught me red handed."
"So you were willing to risk your life to get us to work together?" Drirletlan asked.
Jeez he's thick.
"Hey!" he yelled.
"Yes, Drirletlan, that's what I was planning all along."
"I still don't like him," snarled Moonbay.
"I dislike you more!" yelled Drirletlan.
The whole way back to the hotel they fought, but I knew that this was only the beginning of a friendship much like that of Angel and Spike.
A/N well the end of yet another chapter. I love to write this story. You can always tell by reading it what type of mood I'm in. Tomorrow I get to see Spiderman 2 so, as you can tell I really made the story end happy. Oh, and if you don't know what an orc is you might want to ask someone who likes Lord of the Rings, they'll tell you.