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Post by Amaya Ashikawa on Nov 15, 2012 17:33:30 GMT -5
Jagger and Kazu could bicker all they wanted but Amaya had more important things to do, keeping them alive being one of those things. They still had a couple of hours to go before dawn and the workshop had already taken a battering in the first attack, so Amaya wasn’t confident with how it would do in the second wave. They were trapped, waiting for the sun and even then they would be cornered because Jagger wouldn’t be able to escape with them. She needed to come up with a plan fast but she wasn’t really getting anywhere.
She was back in the kitchen when Jagger came to find her, sat cross legged on top of the dining table with her swords in her lap, carefully sharpening them. A variety of other weapons had been laid out around the place, concealed from a casual glance but she knew where they all were. There were a couple of rough traps too, but nothing fancy; they just didn’t have the tools or the time.
“If we last the night it will be a miracle.” She mumbled to Jagger without looking up at him, “Though, I think I would rather take my chances out there against the vampires than sit in here and listen to you and Kazu go at each other. It must be his time of the month or something because he’s especially petty tonight.” [/size][/font]
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Post by Jagger on Nov 15, 2012 18:03:31 GMT -5
Jagger shook his head. "I haven't an idea what's wrong with the bastard," he admitted, looking as if he didn't particularly care. "I tried to keep from strangling him to save you some stress, but I don't know how much more I can endure." He watched her hands for a moment as she worked, then flicked his eyes back up to her face, and then to the doorway. Yasakazu entered a second later, still appearing to be in a terrible mood. He leaned against the wall opposite to Jagger, glaring over Amaya's back at him. Jagger pointedly ignored him, moving his gaze over the wreckage of his kitchen instead.
"I'm going to go grab a few things from my bunk," he announced. "Rest while you can, Yasakazu. We'll pick up where we left off when I get back." Yasakazu spit in his direction before finding a nice crack in the wall to stare at. "How mature," Jagger mumbled, disappearing out the doorway.
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Post by Amaya Ashikawa on Nov 17, 2012 6:45:13 GMT -5
With Jagger and Yasakazu at one another’s throats and a hoard of blood thirsty vampires on their doorstep it was going to be a very very long night. It was almost a relief when the vampires actually turned up; it gave her something to do while the boys bickered. The attack was heavy and just how they survived it was beyond her. They’d been forced back into the kitchen by the end and just when Amaya was sure that they were going to fall dawn lightened the sky. They were alive, just about.
Amaya stood in the door way peering up at the sky as it changed colour, her swords still held tightly in her hands, blood languidly dripping down the blades to the ground. The slayer was as much of a mess as the room around her, splattered with blood and sweat, hair wild, clothes ripped. The faint ghosts of bruises already mottled her skin and she was covered in minor scratches and slashes. She was pretty sure that she had broken a rib or two too, her breathing pained and slightly laboured.
Amaya was exhausted and battered and bruised, but she was alive. Just about. [/size][/font]
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Post by Chani {♥} on Nov 19, 2012 6:27:17 GMT -5
It was in his room that Jagger found the cause of Yasakazu's aggression. As soon as he stepped in he could sense that Yasakazu had been in there. Then he saw something that would've made his heart skip a beat if it had had a beat at all -- Daisuke's cloak was laying on his bed. It was torn and bloody from Jagger's last battle as a mortal. He had kept it well hidden, but the vampires must've found it when they ransacked the place and left it out for Yasakazu to find. He cursed inwardly. Yasakazu must've walked right by the kitchen doorway to get in here. How had Jagger not noticed him?
"Guess you're not such a terrible slayer after all, Yasakazu," he hissed quietly. He had no choice but to tell Amaya before Yasakazu now. He had intended on telling her for a while, but he didn't know how she would react. He heaved a sigh and moved to pack his things. He found that his sister's necklace was gone -- he guessed the vampires had probably stolen it since it was gold. After storing a couple changes of clothes and Daisuke's cloak into a leather satchel, he went for the door.
That was when he heard thumping. There were vampires and they wanted inside. His eyes flickered to a golden color as he unsheathed his katana, then he went to give them a warm welcome.
Even though Jagger and Yasakazu had sealed the windows and door, it did not take the vampires long at all to get through. They were strong, angry, and ready to see the Ashikawa line ended once and for all. The reinforcements kept them from coming in hoards at first -- they had to enter a few at a time until a few of the stronger vampires managed to make proper breaches. Jagger had his hands full keeping an eye on Amaya (who was thankfully handling herself) and guarding an exhausted Yasakazu. The slayer-mage had spent himself welding the windows shut and could hardly stand, let alone fight.
Jagger was relieved when the sun threatened the vampires back into their holes for the day. The cuts and bruises he had received in the battle were already beginning to heal, but his throat had began to itch. He looked at Amaya and deduced that she was injured from the way she was breathing. He knew better than to baby her -- he really didn't feel like being beheaded at the moment. When he glanced over his shoulder he saw Yasakazu in a lump on the floor, asleep.
"Leave it to him to fall asleep during a battle," Jagger mumbled to himself. He bent over to pick up Yasakazu, slinging the slayer-mage over his shoulder, who in turn snored loudly. "Let's stay in my room, since it's about the only one without a giant hole in the wall." The vampires were gone, but Jagger knew they weren't finished yet. There were a few amongst his race who had a long arm. Surely they would be reaching out to the weaker race by now, the kind that could work during the day.
"Do you want help, Amaya?" he asked on his way to his bedroom. He knew she'd say no, or possibly throw her sword at him, but he didn't particularly care. He'd had swords thrown at him all night. It hurt him to see her battered and exhausted. Every day she had to endure this madness was another day he had failed. He found himself hoping viciously that a few of the vampires had been slow enough in their retreat that they had been caught in the sun.
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Post by Amaya Ashikawa on Nov 21, 2012 14:28:38 GMT -5
At first it didn’t seem like Jagger’s words even filtered through to Amaya. She didn’t react for the longest time before she finally breathed out a heavy sigh and her shoulders slumped as the tension left her. Normally she would have taken the vampires head off for even suggesting that she might need help, but the last few days had left her drained. She didn’t have the energy left to hate him and his sympathy. Hell, right at this moment in time she felt like she deserved all of it.
“How long can we actually live like this?” She mumbled quietly, turning her head a little to glance back at Jagger out of the corner of her eye. “Fighting our way everywhere, barely able to step foot in a town before we have to leave again. Constantly hunted.” She looked away again, gaze flickering back out of the door. “If I went now it would all be over for you and Kazu. You could have your lives back and I will take my trouble with me. I could just disappear.” Amaya sounded sorely tempted to just leave now while Yasakazu slept and Jagger couldn’t follow her. By the time they were on her trail she could make sure that she couldn’t be found.
She returned her swords to their sheaths before turning around properly to look at Jagger, her exhaustion obvious. As much as she liked to pretend she wasn’t, she was only human and it was all too much to handle. “You shouldn’t have come to the manor. You shouldn’t have saved me.” [/size][/font]
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Post by Chani {♥} on Dec 8, 2012 16:06:50 GMT -5
Jagger stopped in his tracks when Amaya began to speak, perturbed by the evident distress in her voice. His golden eyes shifted back to green and softened as he listened to her. He readjusted Yasakazu's body on his shoulder before replying.
"What life would you have me return to, Amaya? Look around you," he whispered, gesturing at the wreckage that surrounded them. "Even before my smithy was destroyed, I had nothing and was nothing. This is the first time I've had a purpose since I was mortal." He stepped closer to her and reached his hand up to brush her cheek. "And I have something else, too; something I never had when I was mortal." He dropped his hand to his side. "I can't stop you from leaving, but you can't stop me from following you as soon as the sun goes down. You won't get far with those injuries and I know your scent like my own." He shook his hair from his eyes and turned to carry Yasakazu to his bedroom.
"Besides, I'm a traitor now," he said with a shrug. "They hate me just as much as you. We are a lot better off fighting them together. Let me go lie Yasakazu down and I'll be back for you. Don't move." He walked into the hallway. "Please," he added, hoping that would dissuade her from doing it out of spite.
After slumping Yasakazu on his bedroom floor, he returned for Amaya. His hair was disheveled, his clothes were torn and stained, his eyelids were heavy, and his throat was burning irritably. The scent of Amaya's blood was torturous. He tried not to use his nose as he gingerly lifted her into his arms, one arm under her knees and the other behind her back. He walked through his broken smithy, avoiding bits of rubble, and stepped sideways into his room where he cautiously lied Amaya down on his bed.
"I will have to feed as soon as we wake," he muttered, trying to hide the shame in his tone. He sat down in between the bed and Yasakazu, putting his back against the nightstand and crossing his arms over his chest.
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Post by Amaya Ashikawa on Dec 9, 2012 10:45:38 GMT -5
Her eyes closed as he touched her cheek, her skin still tingling lightly where he’d touched even when his hand dropped away again. She didn’t say a word, too tired to even attempt to argue with him. Plus, she wasn’t really sure she wanted to walk away from the only friends she had left; she was running low on anyone that cared about her right now.
The sun was just starting to creep up above the rooftops, the sky painted red for the dawn. It seemed appropriate after all the blood that had been shed through the night. Amaya was still stood in the doorway when Jagger returned for her, all the tension draining from her body as he swept her into his arms, her head flopping to rest on his shoulder. “I can’t offer you any sort of life.” She murmured to him quietly. “My life is the fight. I’m bad news, Jagger.”
Pain flickered through her eyes as he laid her down on the bed but she pushed it back; she didn’t have enough time to deal with the pain right now. She leant down to unlace her boots and slip them off, glancing to Jagger as he spoke and nodding silently. Moving was difficult and uncomfortable, but she managed to strip away all the weapons so she could sleep, one dagger still in her hand as she slid from the bed to kneel in front of Jagger.
“I’m not sleeping in a room with a hungry vampire.” She murmured softly drawing the blade over her wrist in one swift motion, clenching her fist to make the blood flow faster. “Here, while we’re on our own and we have the time.” She lifted her wrist to offer it to him, the blood looking dark against her skin. “Please.” [/size][/font]
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Post by Jagger on Dec 9, 2012 15:53:42 GMT -5
Jagger winced as Amaya slit her hand open, almost as if it cause him physical pain. As the blood pooled in her palm, it did. The burning sensation in his throat became more acute and he found himself leaning forward against his will, unable to protest. He hated Amaya seeing him like this and would have refused if he had been able, but as it was he grabbed her wrist and brought her palm to his mouth, sucking at the blood eagerly.
When he regained his awareness, he pulled back immediately, looking at Amaya concernedly. He had surrendered conscious thought, as he often did while feeding, and had no idea how much he had drank. At best she would feel light-headed, at worst her wounds would heal slowly and she would be too sickly to travel that night.
"Are you alright, Amaya?" he asked, realizing that he was gripping her wrist tighter than he should have. He released it quickly and leaned back against the nightstand. "Sorry," he muttered, shifting his gaze to a spot on the wall behind her.
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Post by Amaya Ashikawa on Dec 9, 2012 16:05:43 GMT -5
He took too much, but she didn’t stop him. Dark spots danced in front of her eyes by the time he sat back and she had her other hand against his chest to keep her sat upright. Feeding Jagger while she was hurt probably hadn’t been the best of ideas, but it was better than letting him get too hungry. It was better to be safe than sorry. She smiled softly as he asked if she was alright, reaching up to brush her thumb across his lips to get rid of the excess blood, sighing lightly.
“I think I’m going to pass out.” She murmured, not even looking to the bed; there was no way she had enough energy to get back up there. She slumped against his chest, letting her head rest on his shoulder, her bleeding hand clutching his shirt weakly so it would soak up the blood. “Don’t be sorry, it’s better this way.” She whispered to him, letting her eyes slide closed. Jagger was cold so she was shivering, but it was obvious that she had no intentions of moving away from him even if she could have.
“Goodnight, Jagger.” [/size][/font]
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Post by Jagger on Dec 9, 2012 21:55:43 GMT -5
Jagger was startled when Amaya touched his lips, but pleasantly so. When she fell against him he didn't even bother hiding a fanged smile, though its usual wolfishness was absent. He pushed her hair from her face as her eyes closed and felt an overwhelming contentment. He tried to convince himself that it was merely the energy her blood had given him rushing through his body, but he knew better.
He tilted his head against hers. "Sweet dreams," he responded softly against her hair. He lied there for a few minutes, lost in his unusually cheery thoughts. Amaya's trembling made him start, though, and he looked at her confusedly. Heat and cold did not effect vampires the same way it did humans, so at first he thought she might have lost too much blood.
She's shivering, he realised silently, his puzzled expression shifting to one of concern. He was always less cold after feeding, but unless he'd drained Amaya completely he couldn't hope to be warm. He thought to lay her on the bed himself, but he knew he couldn't do it without hurting her injuries. Well, I can't let her stay here. She'll fall ill. Also, I dare not think what Yasakazu will do if he wakes before us and finds her like this. The coward will probably fry me in my sleep. He narrowed his eyes and glanced at Yasakazu, who was still sound asleep.
Finally, he shifted out from under her as gently as he could, continuing to support her with an arm. He very carefully adjusted her body so that she was lying on the floor. He then tore some bands of cloth from an old shirt and bound her bleeding hand, just as much for her good as his, before taking the blankets from the bed and lying them over her. He looked at the bed as if he meant to climb onto it, but he decided against it. He lied next to her, a finger's breadth away, until her shivering stopped. Satisfied, he folded an arm under his head and fell into an easy sleep.
Yasakazu woke first, still feeling a little weak but unable to sleep any longer. He stood stiffly, causing the floor to creak slightly. This was enough to pull Jagger from his slumber; his acute hearing and newly-obtained protective nature yanked him into consciousness. He sat up swiftly and silently, his eyes going golden and snapping on Yasakazu. The slayer-mage could see little more than the vampire's faintly glowing eyes in the darkness. Jagger was thankful for that.
The slayer-mage glared at him for a moment vehemently, then gestured toward the door and stepped out it. Jagger followed quietly with narrowed eyes, already having guessed what Yasakazu wished to discuss.
They could not stray far from the bedroom since the sun was out, pouring light through the many holes that riddled the smithy's walls, but it was far enough to be out of Amaya's earshot. They went to end of the hallway where Yasakazu leaned against a wall and eyed Jagger haughtily. The vampire waited impatiently for him to say something. When he didn't, he took it upon himself.
"I know what you found," he said with a lowered voice, his eyes still narrowed. "I also know what you're likely thinking. I mean you and Amaya no harm -- in fact, quite the opposite."
"What do you take me for?" Yasakazu hissed. "I've seen you hurl yourself in front of danger time and time again on our accounts. You are loyal to us, that is sure. What I'm... we're unsure about is your motives and your intent. What I saw last night only stirred up more questions. Why do you hide your past from us? We have a right to know."
"You have less of a right than Amaya," Jagger responded, though not unkindly. He shook his head. "I must tell her first. She will never forgive me otherwise. She may not forgive me anyway. We will see." Yasakazu heaved a sigh.
"Fine. Tell her by sunrise. Whatever happens... Well, what I mean to say..." The slayer-mage fumbled, blood rising to his cheeks. Jagger gave a sharp smirk.
"I know and I thank you," he said. Yasakazu looked at him gratefully before going to wake Amaya. Jagger followed.
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Post by Amaya Ashikawa on Dec 10, 2012 13:58:40 GMT -5
Yasakazu and Jagger’s conversation wasn’t quite as private as they would have liked as they would discover as they returned to the bedroom for Amaya. The slayer was stood just inside the door, the suspicion and hint of betrayal in her eyes making it obvious that she’d heard every word they’d been saying. Could she not trust anyone? Was it not enough that the whole world was out for her blood? She really had been a fool to think that she could trust in Jagger.
“Tell me what?” She was still pale from the blood loss the night before, the blankets around her shoulders to keep off the chill of the dusk. Sleeping only meant that her joints were stiff and she ached all over, her body complaining at every movement, and making sure that Jagger was well fed last night only meant that she would take even longer to heal. Fool, how could she have been such a fool?
“What are you hiding from me?” She demanded, fire in her amber eyes despite her weakness, gaze flickering between the pair of them as though daring them to try to lie to her. “I have enough on my plate dealing with the treachery out there, I don’t need to have to worry about the secrets my so called friends are keeping from me.” She snapped, fists clenching at her sides. The more she thought about this the angrier she got. “You’re right, I might not forgive you, so spit it out and let me make my mind up and be done with you. I should have followed my head and left at dawn when I had the chance to be rid of both of you.” [/size][/font]
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Post by Chani {♥} on Dec 10, 2012 17:06:42 GMT -5
Yasakazu froze in the doorway after having caught sight of the distaste on Amaya's face. Jagger almost ran into him. The vampire was confused as to why he had stopped until Amaya spoke. He had to ignore the urge to wince as her words lashed him like a whip.
When the slayer-mage showed no sign of moving out of Jagger's way, the vampire shoved him aside and stepped through to face Amaya. It pained him to see her so angry, but he hid it out of habit. He walked to the leather satchel near her feet and picked it up, opening it to pull out Daisuke's cloak. He threw the tattered, bloodstained thing on her lap and dropped his satchel behind him.
"Did your father ever speak of a Kevin Pierce?" he asked quietly. He heard Yasakazu inhale sharply, but ignored him.
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Post by Amaya Ashikawa on Dec 10, 2012 17:23:36 GMT -5
At first Amaya had no idea what the rag was which he threw into her lap, but on opening it out the emblem of the house of Ashikawa was unmistakable. She scowled as she brushed her fingertips over the bloodied needlework, her confusion evident. “This belonged to my father.” She murmured quietly, unable to hide the hint of sadness in her voice and the quiver at the end, blinking quickly to stop the tears. The death of her parents was still all too fresh in her mind and she could still feel the weight of her sword in her hand as she brought it down on her father’s neck. “Why do you have this? What did you do?” She snapped, automatically thinking the worst.
“Kevin Pierce was my father’s best friend. He was killed by vampires. I know the story.” She confirmed, nodding slowly. “Where are you going with this?” She frowned in confusion, lifting her gaze up to Jagger. “We don’t have the time for games and spinning tales. For once in your life tell me the truth.” [/size][/font]
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Post by Jagger on Dec 10, 2012 19:12:49 GMT -5
Jagger tried viciously to obscure his sudden vulnerability, but he found it an impossible task. He could see the accusation in Amaya's eyes and it felt as if someone had torn out his innards and tossed them in his smithy.
Yasakazu thought he had heard the name before, and when Amaya elaborated, he remembered where. "You killed him, didn't you? This Kevin Pierce?"
"He was not killed, though he very much wishes he had been," Jagger hissed, his expression swiftly turning from sadness to anger. "He was turned. In a way, Kevin did die. He gave up his friends and his family, his future and his past. He became me." He paused, forcing out his next words with reluctance. "I was Kevin Bradley Pierce."
"Daisuke-sama would not lie!" Yasakazu spat hotly.
"He did not know!" Jagger growled, then his voice softened. "I don't know how much he told you, Amaya, but the night I was attacked by vampires, I was wearing his cloak. He had left it behind in the tavern when he escorted your mother home, so I put it on before I left. The vampires saw the crest and must have assumed I was the Ashikawa's heir. It was not unknown that he was staying in Hagakarin for his studies. Daisuke often talked of initiating me into slayerhood, but when I turned, I did not take my own life as a slayer would have." He shook his head. "I didn't tell you initially because I didn't think you would believe me. After that I held back because... Well, I suppose because I knew this would happen." He turned around to grab his leather satchel, mentally preparing himself for a verbal onslaught of some sort.
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Post by Amaya Ashikawa on Dec 11, 2012 15:11:42 GMT -5
“You were my father’s best friend…” Amaya had sat in silence and listened to what he was saying without interrupting, scowling as he told his story. “So why are you here?” Yes yes, his story was sad and heart breaking and all the rest of it, but Amaya didn’t have much sympathy for anyone else right now.
“Is all of this some sick revenge?” She snapped, rising to her feet. “Is all of this just to get back at my father? All just some twisted game because you died instead of him.” Amaya couldn’t help but think the worst even after everything Jagger had done for her. The rest of the world was out to get her, it only made sense that Jagger was in on it too. That made more sense than him actually wanting to help her. All the help, and the kisses, they’d all just been to earn her trust so that he could finally exact his revenge.
“I knew I couldn’t trust you. I should have put a stake in your heart the moment we met.” She rubbed at her forehead before moving to grab her boots and brush past Jagger, trying to hide her limp. She had already wasted too much time on Jagger, she needed to leave now before he talked her around. He’d done it too many times already, she couldn’t trust herself.
“Yasakazu, we are leaving.” [/size][/font]
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