The Fitzwilliam Hotel, Belfast

9 May, 2011

22:21—Natalie's Perspective

:-:

The Fitzwilliam Hotel, sponsored by Infinity:

This is the haven Theodore chooses for his beloved girlfriend. Their status gives them immediate overnight admission and stay, free of charge.

It's dangerous for Natalie to be around anyone right now. Having lost so much blood, her will as a lady keeps her from attacking Theodore… The urge is strong, very strong. But to drain her own lover: That…she will *not* allow to happen.

Thankfully, Natalie has a special healing factor that doesn't require blood consumption; a gift from her contract. Her flesh is recovering, but, without the proper amount of blood, it's only a matter of time before she succumbs to her hunger. When that happens…she fears…with all her heart…

We're not safe around each other.

His blood…isn't something I should drink…

…One sip and...I'd be done for…

—the consumption of dry blood.

All artificial lifeforms, unhealthy humans and famished nightwalkers have it; a substance that fatally poisons a vampire… Natalie fears her bloodlust may drive her to pursue Theodore's blood out of desperation.

In this cold, dark room where they've taken sanctuary, she may very well drive her fangs into his body and suck him until she's had her fill. But afterwards, Natalie would need to undergo a major surgery: Her body would no longer be able to tolerate her own blood, give or take a few days… Without surgery, Natalie would succumb to blood poisoning within a week…or maybe even less than that.

"...It…is not…a good idea…for you…to be around…me…" The hunger is setting in, and the only thing Natalie sees…is Theodore's veins transporting blood. From the capillaries to the heart, what she sees is artificial; it isn't the type of blood she should be craving, but Natalie can't help herself.

Fortunately, she's a lady of strength; thus, the vampiress sits on their hotel bed and holds onto the sheets…so hard that she nearly bruises her palms.

"You won't be able to puncture my shell as you are now. And you can't come anywhere near me, not with the measures I have taken."

Theodore turns and gazes out their hotel window.

He seems confident, so arrogant that is pisses Natalie off. But as she pays close attention to her surroundings, she notices something: Theodore surrounded their bed with a field of cubic zirconia; thin enough to allow the circulation of air, but enchanted with existential force strong enough to repel a vampire.

The act happened in the blink of an eye. Transmutation so quick that even a master like Natalie couldn't detect or keep up with it.

He's protecting the both of us. TJ pushed himself to create this barrier, ignoring his still injured body… He's suffering, and he doesn't want me to see his face.

That *idiot*! What is he trying to prove!?

…When he's like this…it pisses me off… But I love him, and he knows that. We all do…and that's why he pushes himself so much.

"The doctor should be done soon. I have enough existential force to confine you for an hour and a half. So...so, until he arrives…

—I have to hold out. The last thing…I want…is to see you…like *that*…"

Theodore's pain, watching him collapse onto his knees, suffering for her: Natalie hasn't seen someone do so much since…back then, during the Revolution. The sacrifices her friends and loved ones made… It wrenches her heart to see Theodore like this, as if her heart hasn't been strained enough as of late.

"...TJ...you don't…have to do this… Don't…risk your life…for me…"

"Be quiet, Katherine! You...are going to be...my wife someday...so…

—I have to start now… I…must learn strength…more than I already have… And strength comes with suffering…so if I can't…tolerate this pain…"

The love in his voice makes her remember why she took him in the first place: Theodore is a man who loves beyond words, beyond expression. He'd gladly put his life on the line to ensure everyone's safety… He's so courageous and devoted that he's stupid. But this… *This* is the power of his love.

"TJ, please…stop… Just stop it…"

The golem closes his eyes, and rationalizes amid his sacrifice. "I could take you to the local hospital; it's funded by us, after all. I could also call for backup.

But that would only endanger everyone.

In your current state, you'd slaughter everyone in your vicinity and tarnish our reputation… And...singlehandedly…*destroy…everything you've worked for*."

I've never heard him speak so passionately before.

…Theodore…at this rate…

"I…could rebuild it again…from the ground up… TJ…don't kill yourself for me!"

Hearing Natalie's pain, her worry and her fear: Theodore knows what he's doing is foolish, and he feels guilty for troubling her.

So, as her lover, the golem must ease Natalie's heart.

"Katherine, calm down… I can rebuild myself, but it would take some time. The kind of alchemy my creator used: Even if my body shatters into a million pieces, I'd still find a way to put myself back together again.

I…*am* the Philosopher's Stone. Killing me requires a power equal to or greater than myself… Dead Motion couldn't kill me. So if ending me presented *that much* of a challenge to them, the doctor has already won this battle."

I'm more than certain, Paddy will defeat Dead Motion. When he's *that* angry, there's no stopping that man.

TJ trusts him, and so do I. Of that…there is no doubt.

But what TJ's doing right now… No. I have to trust *the both* of them.

TJ is one half of the unstoppable Hurricane. His existence is strong enough to resist Dead Motion's attack, so something like this…won't be the end of him. Therefore, I shouldn't worry; that would only trouble him.

"...I…have received…your love... Thank you…you idiot…"

Ironically, at the moment, Natalie is expressing her love as well: The strength to trust her loved ones, follow her heart, and face danger straight in the eye.

No matter how quiet this moment is, Natalie and TJ are a danger to each other…and themselves. But through it all, they're fighting; resisting the urge to concede, to give in, to surrender to that which makes them weak.

In this moment, their greatest enemy…lies in their hearts.

"You're welcome…Honey…

—I promise… I won't…give up…no matter what…"

"Yes… And…neither will I…" Resources are limited, and spirits are strained more and more by the second. A battle against time and soul ensues.

In silence, Natalie and Theodore pray their willpower endures.

We…can't give up… For everyone's sake, we *have* to survive this!