A/N: Here's chapter eight! A Crystallia-heavy chapter, with their respective partners. ;) Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Bloodlines, but I do own my OCs. And, yes, another lemon…it's Halcyon, what do you want from us?
It was one of the rare and pleasant moments where Iphigenia was at the Chantry, Harmonia was in bed, and Halcyon had just come home, but still seemed lively enough for a conversation, at least.
He threw his walking stick so it landed perfectly in one of the umbrella buckets, immediately calling on his Obfuscate power. Offering to aid Iphigenia while she was homeless sounded nice on paper, but having three women constantly cavort about and having to keep a secret identity bound only by the shell of Mask of a-Thousand Faces was gradually beginning to infuriate him. Luckily, being Strauss's assassin, he had plenty of excuses for whenever his blood pool was dangerously low.
"Samuel." She called, stretching her arms, "How've you been, dear?"
Although that made up for most of what he was complaining about earlier. He made his way towards the doorway, "Fine, I've been fine." He gave her a hug, "Everything going alright with you?"
"Yes, they're fine." She knew she would reek, "It's time for me to apply my mask. Let me to go the shower."
"Yes, dear." He let her go.
Her bathing sessions allowed him to put down Mask of A-Thousand Faces at least, for a enough time for him to get more blood. But when he heard her come back downstairs into the living room, he quickly put it back up, "Darling, how many secrets should we keep from each other?" She asked, wearing nothing but a robe, which she simply tied around her waist, leaving most of her chest and stomach exposed.
"Secrets?" He asked, facing her, "Whatever do you mean?"
"Your mask does nothing to my mind. Maybe my eyes, and my hands." She paused, "And my tongue."
"What is this mask business you're referring to?"
She raised a brow, a smirk on her green lips. She stepped forward, toying with his tie, "What, you still want to play with me? We can play all night long, but I still see the reality of it."
"The…reality…?"
"Samuel…" Her voice dropped to a low level that he could feel, like when her sister yelled at her and the whole house rattled.
He watched her play with his tie. It was a hypnotical observation. He finally met her eyes, "I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about."
"Hmm. It matters not. I merely see fascination, watching you hide things I already know. Like a mother who hides the child's Christmas presents, when they already know the gift. The sense of appreciation is still there." She rubbed his chest, "And my value for the gift has not changed, just because I know what it is. It still excites me."
He narrowed his eyes, "I want to hear what you know." He said. Perhaps it was the detective in him that wanted to figure out her process. If he ever was one.
Then it occurred to Halcyon that Sam had never told her anything about both his personal life and life as a human. Even his current life was more or less a mystery. She knew he worked for Strauss, which was great, but, other than that, there wasn't much.
"I know very little." She admitted, "You are quite the closed book, dear." She got up on her toes so she could kiss his cheek, "But I know this is a mask. Your real appearance does not frighten me." She met his gaze, for once, a serious look on her face, "I've never seen it, but I have seen your soul, and that does not startle me. That is all I need to love you."
"How did you know? How did you see it?" He asked, with urgency, "I cover my tracks better than the best assassins."
"Your secret is safe." She assured, holding his face, "Nothing but my mind told me."
He grit his teeth uneasily, "This is my real self…there is nothing else…"
She giggled, "Aye-aye."
He looked towards the window, greatly disturbed. Maybe he should just tell her, she knew most of it anyway. She was owed honesty. Or, was she? He didn't like being shared at all, he knew what she did at night whenever he wasn't around. But one could argue that a Samedi deserves that. A Samedi should just be thankful a girl as good-looking and sharp as Halcyon was giving him any attention at all. Although, the only reason he caught her interest was because of Mask of a-Thousand Faces.
She cocked her head to the side as she stepped forward, "I do admit, I am dismayed that I am not enough for you to trust. But, it is understandable. I cannot even trust myself! My own head goes running without my permission."
"Halcyon…"
"Mmm…" She held her hands out, "The way you speak my name reminds me of its meaning." She twirled around, "I don't think a name has ever had as much irony."
"It is a heavy burden to carry a name that has so much meaning behind it."
"A burden I've dropped. It's broken now. Halcyon to many means many different things…"
"The name translates to its raw meaning with me, at least."
"Does it?" She asked, "Then if so, why do you not tell me so? Why do you not tell me your inner workings? I will not break them."
"My inner workings are those of darkness, and the coldness of death. Those who are able shan't seek it out unless absolutely necessary."
She didn't seem satisfied with that. Regardless, she said, "I understand. I will love you, nonetheless."
He wanted to tell her more. Badly, he did. He wanted to call himself a stupid fool for closing himself off to everyone else, even Halcyon, "Don't take it personally." He said, "It is merely a Jyhad precaution. You know how much secrecy is involved in our politics."
"Mmm, yes. I understand. I know enough." She walked closer again, "Did you want to attend the bedroom?" She asked, "If you run low on the energy, you can take mine."
"Hmm…let me see if I have my own provisions…" He said, heading to the refrigerator, then he froze, "You…you know of my Obfuscate Discipline…and my mask…I daresay you know what I really am…"
"I might not know what you truly are, but I know you are not as you present yourself. You mask yourself like Golden when he Embraces girls."
"We are separate men, he and I. I do not operate as he does."
She laughed, "Of course not. You would never!"
He took out as many blood packs as he could, drinking from them. (Most of the packs he had to keep hidden from Harmonia, as with anything else connected to his vampiric life).
"Why don't we head upwards?"
He followed her upstairs, never being more in disarray. Was she owed the truth? Was this going to be permanent, or was it going to be a passing few affairs?
She hooked a left into his bedroom and untied her robe, still letting it hang over her shoulders, "Do you have any plans for this evening?"
He grabbed her and starting kissing her, walking her up to a wall and continuing the make-out session. He grabbed her breast, it being only modestly protected by the robe. She sighed into his mouth, slowly bringing a leg around his waist as she kept up with the kissing. Her hands frantically unraveled his tie and pulled at his blazer to tear it off. He aided her in taking all of his clothes, rubbing at her sides, and then at her hips, as he pressed her against the wall a bit rougher.
She shrugged her shoulders to let the robe fall to the ground, rubbing her hands up and down his back, "I like this side of you…"
"You have no complaints about these developments?" He asked, taking just about the last of his clothes off.
"None." She grinned, then leaned in to lick along his jawline and claw his chest.
He gave a relaxed sigh, reaching out to grab both breasts and squeeze them, only stopping occasionally to give her hips a rub.
Her hips rolled over his, maybe to tempt him, or to taunt him, to show him what was to come. She held his shoulders to keep herself grounded, letting her body serve as a show for him.
The ambitious grip on her breasts only got worse. As he leaned in to kiss her neck, he teased both his thumbs over her nipples.
Her breathing faltered, "S-Sam…" She shuddered, reaching up both legs up to wrap around him.
"I will tend to you, my dear." He took his underwear off, letting the blood flow through his system, "If you're ready."
She gave a quick and erratic nod.
He didn't want to think about her being forced up against the cold, hard, wall, so he did what he could to wrap his arms around her and cushion as much of her as he could. She didn't seem to mind the pressure at all, really. In fact, any sort of hardness supplied by the wall aided her considerably. She was able to push herself up against him and minimize the distance between them.
He thrusted towards her eagerly awaiting womanhood. The penetration was all the rougher against the wall, so he held onto her all the tighter. She gasped out for air between the love bites she left on his neck and shoulders, letting out scattered groans as her body rattled once she reached her peak.
He decompressed quite a bit as they both went through their orgasms, following their rhythm until the both tired out. She held his shoulders and slowly dismounted him, resting a good amount of weight on the wall as she panted, "You may…drink from me now…if you'd like…"
"Not necessary." He said, looking around for his clothes, "I'll use one of the packs from the fridge. Then I'll see what work Strauss has in store for me."
"Very well…" She picked up his tie, "Thank you…I'll rest now."
"…apologies…" He kissed her lips.
She fluffed his hair, "I'll see you next eve."
"Yes, good evening, Halcyon."
Damsel handed what she couldn't finish to Skelter. He promptly downed it, setting the mug back on the counter and getting back to his highlighting. Since he couldn't bite into things to feed anymore, he was never one to turn it down.
For once, it was quiet on the first floor. The Anarchs had gathered around Skelter as he had a massive map unfolded on the table, a pencil, pen and old highlighter there as he marked up a plan. They all watched in some sort of hypnotic fascination as he plotted out their next plan.
It had been fairly silent, even before this planning. After Cadmus's visit, tensions were extremely high, but no one wanted to bring it up. No one wanted to be there, to see each other anymore.
Damsel spoke up, "Wait, wait, can't we go through Phoenix?" She asked quietly, "It'd be quicker, wouldn't it?"
"It would." Skelter said, "But we'd risk running into something. I wanna go around it. I want to avoid cities."
She nodded, "Yeah…okay, that makes sense." She said, "Do you know how long it might take?"
He sat back, jotting down some numbers on the side, "We're looking at nine hours, at least. Provided my truck doesn't break down."
"We got any other vehicles?" Sirius asked.
"I don't think so." Catalina said, "Even so, where would we find another one on such short notice?"
"There's my car." Killian said, "I was gonna sell it so we had enough cash."
Damsel paused, "Maybe we could sell Skelter's truck instead. Jeeps are good for off-roading. Your truck…really isn't." She looked over at Skelter.
He paused, "You're right. How many people can it hold?" Skelter looked up at Killian.
"Five. If we put up the back seats. Damsel's tiny anyhow, we can stuff her in the back." He smiled.
"Hey." Damsel crossed her arms.
"Sounds like our best plan." Sirius said.
Catalina nodded, "Jeeps are typically good for any terrain."
"Well, it still wouldn't hold everyone. There are seven of us. Even if two of us squeezed in the trunk, it'd be dangerous." Killian said.
"Catalina and I could fit in the back." Cissy smirked at Catalina.
"We…we could…" Catalina said slowly, looking at Cissy, "I think I would be fine back there. I don't mind being in the back." She looked at the others.
"I'd be good to have a shooter back there too, if we get trailed." Damsel said, "Alright. And then Skelter, Anastasia and I could squeeze in the back seats."
"Sirius could get shotgun then." Killian said.
"We could handle the shooting requirements." Catalina said, patting her Desert Eagle.
"Yeah, we got your covered." Cissy smiled.
"Alright." Skelter nodded, "We should be fine then." He pushed the map aside and went to get more blood, "We oughta call it a night before the sun comes up."
As people started filtering out, Damsel sat at the counter and looked over the map a few times, rubbing her weary eyes, "It feels so unreal." She said, "It feels just…so fake…without him."
"It'll be done." Skelter said, "Whether we're ready or not."
Damsel toyed with a pencil left on the counter, "What do you think are the chances we're all going to make it?" She looked up at Skelter, something raw and innocent in her eyes.
He couldn't meet her gaze, "I think it'll be close to impossible for us to all make it. Let alone make it long enough to find other Anarchs."
She looked away, "It'll be the younger ones, won't it?" She said softly. There weren't any 'young' Anarchs there anymore, but she still felt wrong for the assumption.
Skelter agreed with a shake of his head, "This is no more dangerous to Cissy than it is to me. It could be any of us."
Damsel crossed her arms, "If you die, who are you….who are you passing this onto?"
He sighed, "You'd get it, you'd be the oldest."
She felt her eyes tear up, "Well shit…" She hugged herself, "This is terrifying…"
"Don't think about it like that." Killian said, "We'll cross that bridge when we get to it, alright? Relax."
Anastasia watched the other three remaining Anarchs converse, something cold, lifeless and empty since she observed them. Like she was above worrying for their movement, their survival, and their little joke of a road trip. Being in Arizona versus California wasn't going to change anything for her. Hell, going to Antarctica wasn't going to change how she felt, how she was viewed, and how everything around her that she loved came crumbling around her.
Damsel rubbed one of her temples, "Alright. I'll…go sleep then. Night." She looked around at the others, then went into the living room.
Skelter looked a little uneasy Killian was the only one still lingering. "You can go now."
"I wanted to talk." He crossed his arms.
"And I don't."
"Look. Are you blind, man? What the hell are you thinking?"
"What do you want?" Skelter growled.
"Do you not notice that she's hurting? Isn't that your job to comfort her? Isn't that what you wanted?"
"You get your head out of this before I tear it off."
"Well, you're too much of a moron to deal with it yourself." He looked over at Anastasia, who was on the verge of tears, "Look, she just lost all the trust she had for her brother. Don't leave her like this."
Skelter got out his gun and aimed it for his head, "Out. Now."
Killian's brow fell, "She's gonna sleep outside too, you know, because she sure as hell isn't sleeping with you."
"Now!"
"Keep it down in there, you idiots!" Damsel screamed.
Killian cast one last glare at him, "I'm leaving my car unlocked if you need somewhere to sleep." He said before he left, slamming the door shut.
"You are not sleeping outside." Skelter looked over at Anastasia.
She gave a rather creepy and disheartening laugh for a few minutes. After what felt like eons she finally said, "Why…I…I've always belonged outside…haven't I? Outside…outside…that's where I go. Like a dog."
"Look, then I'll sleep outside. I don't want you near him."
"I'm free to go where I'd like." She said, "Isn't…isn't that what we're all about? Being free?"
"It's dangerous out there with him. I don't know what the hell he's been up to, but he's way too cocky for my liking. He'll lash out again, and it'll be you he goes after."
"I'll take my chances."
He sighed uselessly, "I didn't mean to piss you off."
She sniffed, "Everyone does…"
"Well, we're not trying. Everyone's pissed with everyone, it's no secret. It's what happens when we gotta spend every fucking waking moment in confined quarters, cornered between a rock and a hard place."
"That's not what I'm talking about." She said, heading for the doorway, "Whatever, forget it."
"Look, what do you want from me? You think you're the only one here who wants to cut ties from everyone and run away into the woods? My 'Cadmus' has been dead for years, and I had to shoot him in the back of the fuckin' head. Hell, the only reason I stuck around in the Anarchs is dead too! It's a goddamn miracle I'm still standing here at all, operating with any of these motherfuckers, but I got a duty to fulfill. I'm not leavin' them behind at this point, and I'm sorry I happened to ignore you while I was trying to save our asses."
She was facing away for most of his speech, trying to leave, then she whipped back around to face him when he was finished, "If you were really trying to save us…we would be in Arizona right now…but you're too busy flinging yourself into a fiery death by Victor. You shouldn't even pretend to know what you're doing, because real leaders are concerned about survival first, and settling the score later."
"Heading to Arizona is not survival. It's running. We don't need to run if he's dead. I'd be saving us a lot of pressure."
"Killing him wouldn't solve anything. Do you know how many Kindred they have? We would still have to run! How would just eliminating Victor make any differences?"
He eyed the clock, "Look, just get to bed."
She opened the door, "Gladly."
"Anastasia." He growled out.
"What, are you just going to senselessly grab the things you want, like Killian? How original."
He snarled, then just went to the staircase and went upstairs.
When Anastasia turned and went outside, Killian was sitting there, watching the sky turn a light blue color over the horizon. He reached in his pocket and held out a pair of keys.
"I can't…I can't accept your offer either…" She said, "I'll…I'll find somewhere else…I won't be far…"
He looked up at her, "Just be careful. You want like a blanket or something? My jacket?"
"I'll be okay, I've slept outside before."
He nodded, "Yeah, alright. Night." He watched her walk behind the house, then stuffed his keys back into his pocket and shook his head.
He wondered what would be different if Lark was still alive. Even if they broke up, at least she'd have Lark. He remembered Lark gushing about Anastasia. He remembered Lark talking about cutting her hair like Anastasia, remembered her wanting to invite her over all the time.
He looked back up at the horizon before he headed underneath the deck, listening to critters there skitter away. It'd be over soon, right? They'd find their freedom soon, right? Or would they all die before the chance even opened up?
Iphigenia didn't try to be a justice officer. But if she saw some sort of slander, she wasn't one to let it pass by. When she saw someone walk into a shopping mall with a camera, she was a little confused. When she saw this same man head to the girls changing room, she became suspicious. After showing him her sledgehammer, he quickly backed down, and after a knee to the groin, he handed over the camera.
She didn't want to go to the Chantry. She didn't want to go to Sam's house, and she certainly didn't want to go to the red tower.
But what was she going to do with a camera?
She walked to a nearby diner and sat at a booth, laying the camera on the table and taking out her phone. She dialed a familiar number and waited. She liked that it only rang twice before he picked up, "Edgar. Hello, sweetheart, I hope I'm not disturbing you."
"It's rather hard to disturb creatures like me." Edgar's voice replied on the other end.
She chuckled, "Well, I know you're not one to make a public debut, but I have a goodie I've…confiscated. I thought you might like it." She looked around, "I can't remember the name of the place for the life of me, but there's a dingy little hole next to the shopping mall in downtown. The lighting is awful, and there's no service. I get it if you're busy."
There was a pause, "I'll be there as quick as I can."
She seemed surprised, letting out a little chuckle, "Alright. Take your time." She crossed her legs and looked out the window as a light rain picked up and left smeared streams down the panes.
It was only about fifteen minutes before the door opened and a figure walked in, briefly looking around before they sat across from her. She smiled and pushed the camera forward, "Some creep in the girls changing room was kind enough to hand it over, after I removed my knee from his genitals."
He took the camera, "Oh…so it's not…Masquerade stuff?" He asked, "Well, I'll still find a way to have fun with it, I'm sure."
"Mmm, yes, I'm sure." She chuckled, leaning in on the counter, "Please be a good boy with it."
He crossed his arms, "Now, whatever does that mean?"
"I know what Mister Golden likes to do with cameras. I'm not very dense. I'm sure he drags you into his little games."
"Of course, I'm one of his most loyal followers."
"I don't doubt that." She sat back and crossed her arms, "All has been well below the surface?"
"Things have been fine." He said, "Aside from Halcyon ghosting us…Gary assumes we scared the poor thing off…"
"Oh, it takes a lot to scare her." Iphigenia chuckled, "I ran into a…strike of cash. She's been catching up on sleep. I don't want her to get sick from working too much and staying up at ungodly hours. And I'm sure Gary tormenting her does wonders for her already broken psyche."
"Well, he's not for those with weak constitutions, exactly."
She chuckled softly, "To think, I found him polite when I first met him."
"He's polite if you know how to play him right."
"Yes, and if he's planning to Embrace you."
"I mean, the last time we spoke, you did say you would be better off as a Nosferatu than a Tremere…"
"I'm constantly contemplating it. Not that I could do anything about it. I suppose 'regretting' is the word I'm looking for." She sat back, "Though I'm completely useless at a computer."
"Then you'd be one of our warriors."
She looked away, "I know." She said, lacing her thin fingers together and resting her hands on the table, her rings catching in the light, "I'm not at home there anymore. I'm not at home anywhere." She stared at the table, wondering why Edgar was the only person she could think of who she felt comfortable opening up with, "I don't even know if saving up for a new house or apartment is worth it, if we'll even be able to stay there."
"What exactly is your living situation now?"
"I'm living with Halcyon's lover. Well, her most…reoccurring lover, I should say. Our last apartment was destroyed by the Sabbat."
"Hmm…sounds more than a bit complicated…"
"That's the reason for the money scramble. I think we have almost enough…" She sighed, "My Magister, a Tremere leader, he forked over hundreds for me. This isn't the only time he's done it either. He stabs at my pride every time he hands me cash. He's…he's patronizing. I know he isn't trying to be, but it is, especially when he adds a lecture to the mix. Doesn't help that I'm the weakest Tremere in the Chantry now…we lost our weakest against the Anarchs and…an illegitimate has more power than me now. Naturally they've been putting more stock into her." She sighed, realizing she was venting, but she just had so much to get off her chest, "I'm not jealous, I'm just shocked things changed so quickly."
"Well, that's what happens in the Jyhad." He shrugged, "Alliances shift, friendships dwindle…new enemies are always constantly found…and the worst part is it will never end."
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to rant…"
"No, it's fine…it's not the easiest situation to be in."
She sighed, "I hope Halcyon hasn't been too much of a headache…she told me an interesting story the other night…I'm not sure if I interpreted it correctly."
"A…story?"
"Yes. Apparently Gary paid her a very good sum of cash to spend the night with you." She leaned in, "And apparently, you turned her down, but she was payed for it."
"Yes…that was…a secret…meant to be kept from Gary."
"I can't thank you enough, Edgar. It's one thing to…go against orders. Another when the order is Halcyon." She met his gaze, "I really appreciate it. You have nothing but respect from me."
"It wasn't really that hard." He said, adding quieter, "I didn't want to cause harm to your family."
"Thank you. Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?"
"It's alright…keeping it quiet from Gary will be enough."
"Alright." She smiled, sitting back again. She brought a hand over her hair and just chuckled softly, "It really has been a while since we last spoke face to face. I had no clue how much I missed this."
"Am I really one of the only Kindred you can trust?"
She nodded, "I had…I had a girlfriend, not too long ago…but she became Primogen after LaCroix's death…we drifted apart…I didn't want to make anything complicated for her, so I broke things off." She sighed, "She was too pretty for me anyway. Out of my league. Whenever I was with her, I felt like some sort of gremlin."
"You were with Miranda?"
She nodded, then smirked, "What, don't believe me?"
"No, I believe you…damn…her pictures…were…were nice…very nice…"
She chuckled, then very quietly said, "She's also quite nice in person."
"I can imagine." He said, "That must have been a fine time of your life…"
"I still felt like I didn't deserve it. She was far too perfect for me."
"No one's perfect. Not even her."
"Her figure was, at least."
"I know…" He started tapping his foot, "I…took the pictures…"
She chuckled softly, "It was an experience at least. I always…identified as a lesbian but…she was actually the first woman I was ever with…"
"I can't imagine a better first woman."
She laughed, "I suppose you bear a good point." She looked out the window, "It just made me wonder…if I should…at least offer it a chance."
"Offer what a chance? Being with Miranda?"
"Being with men."
"…I thought you said you were a lesbian…"
"Well, that's the thing…I'm not sure I can say that without…experiencing what they have to offer." She leaned in and smiled, "It's like saying you dislike a certain food without trying it."
"I guess…" He said, "I always thought sexuality was more…stable than that…"
"Well…" She leaned her head on one hand, "When you have all of eternity to exist…you can…grow bored…curious, I suppose."
"You're telling me…all I do is sit around and wait for Gary to tell me what to do…"
"I'm assuming that's why you came over here so quickly." She smiled.
He nodded, "It's a nice change, the sewers…"
"Mmm, I can imagine." She waited a beat, "We should spend more time together."
"Spend more time together…you don't mean…"
"I can understand if you'd rather keep what we have. Really all I do for you is rant and complain."
"I…I don't think this has ever happened in the history of…ever…"
She shrugged a shoulder with a little smirk, "Probably not."
He looked her up and down, "You…you do know I'm a Nosferatu…right?"
"Yes, and I'm no model myself. I'm not a Nosferatu, but I do have the blood inside me, distantly."
"So what…only your ears are messed up!" He protested, "You…you deserve someone normal…"
She chuckled, "I don't want someone normal. I want someone I can talk to."
"Well, I certainly can't complain." He looked her up and down again, "It's just that…I'm…horrendous…"
"Oh please, I've never been one driven by appearances anyway." She sat back, "I'm quite flattered you seem content with this."
"Part of me still thinks it's a dream."
She chuckled, "Well, I might not want to…invite you over until I get a place of my own. I think it'd be quite rude…"
"I get it, I could help you too…if you want."
"Oh, no, that's alright…I should be fine…"
"Alright." He nodded, "Good luck on that."
"Thank you. I guess I…should go to the Chantry…" She mused, getting to her feet, "You take care then. I'll see you when I can."
"Goodnight Iphigenia."
A/N: A sick part of me feels like even if Lark was alive, she'd be dead, you know? Well, anyway, thanks for reading!