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RPOV
After I dropped Caelwyn off last night I raced home to report back. Charlie is always anxious when I go out; he was especially anxious tonight.
I managed not to die at the speeds I was going, haha like I could die…again.
Charlie met me in the driveway not allowing himself to patient, wagging his tail like he had to power a small country with it. Slightly excited, are we? I thought at him much like I had done with Caelwyn earlier this past night. The small difference is that we have been doing this for a much longer time. We know each other's mind like one would recognize a face or a handprint.
Only a small bit, He answered wryly, Well, how did it go?
It went fine. She didn't seem disgusted or anything. She even smiled at me before disappearing behind her door.
Charlie thinks for a moment before saying, That sounds dandy but how do you feel?
I feel like a man again. I'm not sure what to do with this feeling. You know, I was thinking about her being more than just some woman, about being a… mate, for lack of better phrasing. She sure is one spectacular woman. I could just not wrap my head around the fact that I might be…falling for this woman.
What do you want to do about her? Charlie asks me slowly.
I do not know, Charlie, I don't know at all. She has a significant other already. She seems happy with him. Maybe I should just disappear from her life. Pretend like this all never happened.
That would probably be the worst idea I have ever heard out of you. She is beautiful and sweet and intelligent. This is the happiest I have seen you in the past 700 years. There is no way I'm going to allow you to just throw this all away. That would be ludicrous and if you feel like be selfless for a moment, I want to stay. I want to see her again. She makes me happy too. Charlie finished with a sigh. We really needed to get out more. This is ridiculous that one small human woman can come in here a mess us up this badly. Why should we miss her when we barely even know her?
After a seconds more thought, I'm glad Charlie doesn't want to leave, because neither do I. Even if all I ever get to do is watch and wait with this woman. That is better than never getting to know her at all. I was not planning on leaving, sir. So don't become all defensive and whatnot. It was just an option that I had to present. I'm actually glad you do not wish to leave, because selfishly, neither do I.
Good, now that's settled. What do we do?
For now? I tell you about tonight. For later? We rest and then go visit Caelwyn tomorrow. Sound good?
Yep! He enthusiastically wags his tail.
Alright…I begin the story that was this past evening. He ooh's and ahh's in all the right spots. He loves that we managed to pick the correct play to take her to. He also can't wait to find out if he can always speak with Caelwyn mind to mind. He needs new company besides myself. With only each other for conversation, it gets dull.
Happiness has finally found us again.
ChPOV (Charlie)
I have been with this lug for as far as either of us can remember. He was my friend when we were human, soldier brothers actually in, what is now called, The Teutonic takeover of Danzig. (This is an actual happening, I swear! Go google it!) We were both twenty summers old that year, just coming into our prime. I had come into my heritage only seven years earlier and was still learning all I could do.
He knew my secret, though, yet still paired with me; he even saved my life once. We were everything to each other.
Then he was taken.
I went after him, naturally. I eventually found him. He was sitting in a dark, secluded alley way muttering, 'don't come near me. You'll regret it if you do.'
Someone or something was with me because when I did find him, I was not a man, but a dog. Knowing what I know now, that was a minor miracle.
He looked as if he had been through a sewer. Four days without a wash can do that to a person. I could only whine at him to show I was there and concerned. His response still depresses me to this day.
-flashback-
"Oh Charlie, why are you her? You cannot be here. Get away! Get away as fast as you possibly can. It's not safe. I'm not safe." The last was said in complete defeat.
The only reassurance I could offer was a bark of resolve not to leave him alone. He didn't seem to notice me at all and began to mutter again.
"They came out of nowhere. I tried to resist, but as you can tell, I failed. I blacked out from the pain and woke up three days later. I woke up as this." He brought his head up from his hands and looked straight into my eyes. There was a wildness there that I had only seen in men about to be sacrificed, in an untamed animal. "I killed a man Charlie. I drank his blood." He finished with a shudder.
-end flashback-
I had vowed then to help him in any way I could. This was just a renewal of our brotherly vows of before. To make a long story short, after finding an excuse for me to leave, we fled into the woods. I helped him learn to control his thirst and his newfound abilities. The frustrations have been great over the years but we've managed. Most of that survival can be attributed to me being what I am, a Were. If I was anything else I would have surely perished because of him.
We shared abilities finally: Strength, speed, shape shifting, and the ability to heal. Oh, I have immortality too. As a man, I age. As a Were, I do not. Vampires and Were's have much in common. They have known to be at odds with one another so our partnership is a rare one.
He decided after about one hundred years that he needed a job, even though we were providing essentials. We had worked out a system. He needed blood; I needed meat. Deer have always been plentiful. It worked out nicely.
The hunt came with little to no guild considering we both ate venison as men. This is how we've lived over the past 700 years. Along those years, I've managed to forget how to shift back into human form. The old adage of, 'if you don't use it, you lose it.', seems to apply in this case. He feels guilty about it but what can we do about it now? Nothing is the correct answer. Life always goes on, and if not life, existence.
Now this woman has come out of nowhere and shaken us both up completely. We've felt more like men in the past month than we have in 700 years. This can either be really good, or really bad…
CPOV
Ugh, that was the WORST night's sleep I've had in my entire life. I thought just before I opened my eyes knowing they're going to be exhausted still. Today is not going to be a good day.
That thought was confirmed when I managed to not only burn the coffee but also spill the molten lava of liquid all down my front, after I showered.
I trudged (To trudge: the slow, weary, depressing yet determined walk of a man who has nothing left in life except the impulse to simply soldier on.) back upstairs to wash up and change, again. I also realized this morning that no laundry has been done for over a week. I shake my head, this is not my day.
I decide I will just be late to work and that instead of fighting the day, I will just embrace it. I throw a load of laundry into the washing machine then move to go do the stacked dishes. Hopefully work isn't going to be this bad. I call Gwen to make sure everything is fine, it is. I also let her know that I was going to be late for work and explain why rather angrily. Oh well, I'll deal with them later.
I finish the dishes successfully and turn around to see Lot just staring at me.
"Hello beautiful. Late for work I see." He says putting his arms around my waist.
"Yep, no one can do chores around this house and today started off badly. I'm doing much better now though." I say with a smile, linking my hands behind his head. "Shouldn't you already be at work sir?"
He kisses my forehead and replies, "My new trainee needs a couple hours on his own. I want to see how he fares. If he does well, he will have one morning a week to work with on his own. That means I will have one morning a week off." He says with a mischievous smile of his. I knew exactly where his thought process was going. Goofy testosterone driven males.
"Well that's good. You can get extra sleep then. You'll need it." I say with a wink. Two can play this game.
As I turn away to finish up drying off the counter and everything else that had gotten wet during the dishwashing process I hear a cough and, "Would you like a ride into work madam?"
"I would enjoy that very much sir. Can you give me a minute to collect my things?"
"No need, they have already been collected."
"Really now? What have you collected?" He really is just perfect. I thought of Raven just then, I'm not sure why, but I did. Would he do these little things like memorize what I bring with me to work or just know what I'll need for the day?
"I have collected a driver's license, a credit card, a book, a hairbrush, a hair tie, and house keys."
"Wow, the perfect man. How did I get so lucky?"
"No, you're mistaken. I am the lucky one here." Aw, man he really did have to say that and throw me on a guilt trip, didn't he.
"If you say so, sir."
We make our way out to his car. As we got in he asked, "How did last night go?" I think I also detected a hint of jealousy. Today really isn't my day.
Cautiously I say, "It was fine. We had dinner then saw Romeo and Juliet live." I try for nonchalant but he knows me too well.
"That's one you've wanted to see for forever now isn't it."
I nodded, slowly, "Yes it is. I would have enjoyed it better if I was sharing the experience with you though." I said trying to make him feel better.
It worked, thank god for small favors. "Yes you would have. Then you would have had a handsome gentleman sitting next to you the whole night." He says with a cocky grin.
I should never count all my eggs before they hatch. I just flow with it, knowing it'll work better that way. "Yes I would have, love."
The rest of the car ride is filled with a comfortable silence. One thing I love about Lot is that not every second has to be filled with senseless chatter. He can be just as content silent as he can be while talking.
When we reach the bookshop Lot gets out with me still having time to spare before he has to return to his establishment.
"Hey girls, how's things?" I ask as we walk towards the back.
Gwen answers me first, "Things are good. We had a rush about half an hour ago, and there was a person who asked for you."
I look at her in mild surprise, usually when someone asks for me she goes into detail about who they are and what they look like. This is new and cryptic. It can only mean one thing, Raven.
"Okay, when are we expecting the next rush? And is the person still here?" I didn't want to look around the shop and appear eager, especially not with Lot there.
"He said he'd be back. And we're expecting the next rush in about another hour."
"Good work. Be back in a bit." Lot and I go back to the office and sit down.
"Who do you think called for you?" Nothing gets past this boy.
"I don't know. It was probably in the height of the rush because Gwen didn't give me name or description. Means she really wasn't paying attention." I shrug. "I guess I'll find out when they come back."
"Okay, be careful though. I like you alive and whole." He says in mock seriousness.
I reply in the exact same tone and stature, "I shall be very cautious sir. I like being alive and whole too."
He laughs at me and just says, "Good," before wrapping me in his strong warm arms. I love being here. It is the safest place in the world. The next hour flies by like no other. Needless to say I get very little work done with Lot there. Thank goodness he has to leave as the rush starts. Otherwise I'd end up leaving the girls to fend for themselves twice in one day.
RPOV
I am nervous to talk to Caelwyn again. A woman has never made me nervous as man or Vampire. Part of me cannot understand how she holds such sway over my emotions. It is almost silly.
Charlie notices that I'm nervous and throws me a 'It'll all be okay' look. I just tilt my head slightly in affirmation that I know it'll all be okay, but that I'm going to be nervous anyway.
The car ride was left to the radio for noise, classical radio to be exact. There is something about classical music that offsets and augments all other music. It's either calming or infuriating and in this case the former is true.
We make it to our destination, Charlie bounds away. He seems to enjoy announcing our presence before absolutely necessary. Crazy mutt.
It looks as if a rush is coming to an end. The girls are look like hell just came by on wheels, fast wheels, twice.
"Hello Gwen, is Caelwyn in today?" I asked knowing full well she'd be here.
"She's not in yet. She got tied up at home. She'll be in later though." She replied not even bothering to look up.
"She's not in?" The shock is complete. I've never had this happen. I know where everyone is, always. I guess I should say almost always now.
Gwen looks up, "No, no she isn't. Come back later."
All I could do is walk away. Charlie walked docilely next to me, an unusual thing for him. The park isn't too far away from the shop so I just went and sat. I sat down and searched. I had to be able to feel her there. If I couldn't then something was majorly wrong.
Every person has a flame in them, their life-spark so to speak. That spark also has its own signature intensity, much like a voice pattern or finger print. I just cannot believe that I misplaced Caelwyn's. This is preposterous.
I searched in the logical place, her home. Ah, there she is. I think very relieved that I found her. Charlie sensed the release of tension because she nudged my knee with his nose.
"Yep, I found her. I'm sorry to have scared you."
Good, we simply cannot misplace her because of our enthusiasm. We can return later, for now, I wish to run. He said just as if it was the simplest thing in the world to run and play in the sunlight.
He plays around while I sit and think for the next couple hours before we decide to travel back to the shop. I've kept tabs on her flame ever since the morning. I would not lose it again. She had returned some time ago with that man, Lothar. He finally left, presumably to head towards his place of employment.
Think she will be excited to see us? I ask Charlie in our private way.
I do not know. I hope she is. I also want to find out if I can do this with her too. That would be lovely. He said in slight wonder.
Yes, yes it would be. Hoping today would not be a disappointment we enter the store.
"Charlie!" I hear as he rushes to greet Caelwyn. I would rush too if my dignity would allow for it. I didn't realize how much I have missed her since I saw her wave at me last night.
I'm not sure how she is going to react to me being there. "Hello Caelwyn. How are you?" I ask cordially (just to be simple and safe).
"Today is not my day, but things have taken a turn for the better." She replies with a smile. I love her smile. It does wonders for the soul. "How about yourself?"
"I'm doing well. Did you enjoy yourself last night?" I asked again, wanting to reassure myself.
"Yes, I most certainly did." She dipped her head. And I think…I think I just watched her blush.
CPOV
I don't know what to do with him. He just randomly shows up at the shop at some of the most inconvenient times. I don't know what to think about him yet and here he is making things more complicated. He even made me blush! He will pay for that one.
"I think I have a good book for you, how about you follow me." I wanted to get him away from the prying eyes of my best friends. I love them to death, but boy are they nosy.
"Okay, what do you have in mind?" He asked. I beckoned Charlie to follow us too. He does.
"I was reminded of a quote from Nietzsche the other day. It fit perfectly. Ah, here we go." I flip to the page I want because it really does fit with him. "'He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster… when you gaze long into the abyss, the abyss also gazes into you…'"
"Wow I think I will have to reread his literature. What do you think Charlie?" Charlie just nods at Raven. I'm not sure what he's thinking. I wish I could hear him just as I could Raven yesterday.
Charlie? Can you hear me too? He peers up at me. You can, can't you! This is amazing.
Hello Caelwyn. Wow, this really does work. I was hoping to try it today. I just can't believe it! Charlie replies with a furious tail wagging. He gets so excited he almost knocks me over by jumping up and placing his paws on my shoulders.
Don't you dare lick my face. You won't like the consequences if you lick my face. I warn him with a chuckle. I glance back at Raven. He just looks confused until I open my mind to him too. Raven, we can all talk like this. I can hear Charlie too.
Raven just smiles that dashing smile of his, This is perfect. Charlie is happy that he has someone else to talk to. Evidently I've gotten to be boring company over the last seven hundred years. Charlie jumps down from my shoulders and mock growls at Raven.
Of course you have become boring company. You never have anything new to complain about. I just laugh at the two of them. This is so much better being able to speak with them both. Charlie sounds like just as much of an amazing person as Raven is.
Wait, Raven's amazing now? Ugh, this is ridiculous. I'm with Lot. End of story girl. Keep things how they are, life is good. You are not part of some prophecy. You are not special, just normal, human Caelwyn.
Well I think we should leave and let you get back to your job. Raven thinks to me. Will we see you tonight?
He seems so hopeful. I could never tell that hopeful, open face no. Yes, I believe you shall. Nice seeing you two again. I reply with a smile.
I'm glad this works Caelwyn. I cannot wait to get to know you better. Charlie says with a nuzzle before he bounds away.
Same to you Charlie. "Goodbye Raven, Charlie." I say out loud as we near the front. "See you soon." As I watch them walk away I turn to see Gwen looking at me like I had grown another head. "What?"
"You're going to see them soon?"
"I might. He didn't ask me anywhere but I still might."
She just sighs at me. "So, how did last night go? Tell me everything."
"Alright alright…" I go through and tell her everything about the night. She is excited that I can talk to them in the manner I can. She said it's another way to show my ability. I asked what ability. She said she doesn't know yet. And that was the end of that conversation. I'm still left with what if's and unfathomable feelings but those shall wait for another day.