I STILL don't own this. Never will. Not sure if I ever WANT to... ::muses::
I had lived in Walter's castle for nearly a week, and in that time he never broke bread with me, though he often sipped a glass of red wine. After dinner we would retire to the salon to talk. Walter, as I expected, knew little of what had passed in recent years, though his grounding in history was quite thorough. In time, I had told him everything of my life and why I had sought out his forest. He smiled when he learned of my enmity with the sun.
"We are not so dissimilar, you and I," he said. "We are both called daemons, and yet we are not. How happy mankind is to give the label daemon."
I was puzzled, for my host had spoken little of his past. "They call you a demon? Why ever would they do that? Why, you have shown me naught but hospitality!"
Walter's eyes flashed briefly, as though in anger. "The face I show to you is not what humanity sees. You intrigued me, Joachim, caught my interest as none have done for a century!"
Fear tingled in my breast for the first time since leaving my father's house. "Walter, your words confuse me. Speak plainly, I entreat you!"
"If you wish, Joachim," he replied, standing. The moonlight shown from behind him, and his shadow fell over me as I sat in my chair. He became, for that moment, a creature of menacing power such as I had never known. I whimpered and looked to run but in the midst of my fear, Walter spoke gently to me. "Do not fear me, Joachim, my friend. I do not wish you harm. I wish you only the best. I would give you a gift." As he spoke, he seemed to lessen, until he was only the man I knew. Now, however, I was aware of the edge of power and menace that had always accompanied him.
I tried to speak, swallowed, moistened my lips, then croaked out, "A gift? To frighten me to death?"
"I sought your understanding," Walter countered. "You asked me to speak plainly."
"You're… you're not human." I stood and stepped toward him. "What are you? You are not a man, yet you deny the name of demon!"
"Indeed I do, for I am not from the pits of hell. I am a vampire." Walter spoke with such dignity and pride that I did not immediately understand his words.
I stumbled back into the chair. "What do you want from me?"
Walter glided over to me and caressed my cheek with a grave-cold hand. "I want you, Joachim, simply you. Immortality grows weary when spent alone. This week I have been fulfilled as never before. I want you, Joachim, forever." His voice shook with passion, and his ruby eyes filled with pain as I flinched from his hand. He turned from me and walked to the window. "I have pained you. My gate is open, if you wish to leave."
I remained motionless, frozen by my conflicting feelings. If I left, I knew I would have to leave the forest, or in time I would answer Walter's plea. If I stayed, I would simply be succumbing earlier. And why should I not? I did not fear the Church's warning. And if I could not die, then I was free from karma as well. I stood and approached Walter.
He turned when I was a dozen steps away, his face impassive. I didn't hesitate in my journey. He lifted his arms, and I walked into his embrace. There was only a moment of pain.
The overtones in this chapter were NOT intentional. Oh well. To the reviewers.
Kitala: Here you go, then.
Daenis TooShy:Thing is, I know just how he feels... >.
Kadaj: You must be a fan ofFF7... No, there aren't NEARLY enough stories of Joay...
And the story keeps on! Chapter 4 coming soon.
