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Post by Chani {♥} on May 11, 2008 14:52:43 GMT -5
Amaya's voice pierced Kevin's thoughts and he listened to her words cautiously. He unclenched his fists.
Pathetic, he thought to himself. Cease this self-pity and make a decision, there'll be plenty of time later to decide exactly how much you hate yourself. He thought hard on what to do. If he wanted to get his things back at his smithy, he needed to leave now. But he couldn't leave her to her own fates when they were still so close to her manor, and how would he find this place once he returned? And what of poor Amaya? Surely her destiny wasn't to live here for the rest of her years. She was an Ashikawa, after all, and captivity would only destroy her. And surely the vampires would find this place eventually and make their camps outside it, just waiting for them to run out of food and wander out into their hands. Amaya wasn't so bad. She could admit she was wrong, even to a vampire, and open her doors to him after that argument.
"I'll stay with you," he decided. He knew that Amaya was probably calculating what they should do next, too, even if it was only a day since her parents had been murdered in front of her. Kevin thought about mentioning that they should discuss it, but then he decided that they could wait another day. He was sure neither of them wanted to talk about what they should do now, because that would only make them think of the reason why they had been brought together in the first place. He turned a little, so that right shoulder was facing her, and looked at Amaya. "Do... you want me to collect firewood and hunt? It's been a long while since I've cooked, but I used to be rather good when I did. It'll be nothing like what you're used to, but I'll do what I can. That is, if you're hungry."
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Post by Angel ♥ on May 16, 2008 12:12:51 GMT -5
Self-pity was something they both needed to cease right now, but dragging herself up from her depressed thoughts was much harder than she had ever thought. It wouldn't last long, Amaya was too proud to wallow for too long. She just needed a little longer to grieve and to decide what to do and she would be as good as new and wouldn't go around doing stupid things like almost saying the 's' word to vampires and asking them to stay and telling them that she actually didn't mind their prescence... What had she been thinking?!?!?! Yet...she was glad that he had said that she would stay. She didn't want to be alone and Jagger wasn't really all that bad when they weren't arguing.
She smiled lightly as he spoke, nodding to him lightly. "Thank you." She murmured quietly, not really wanting him to hear that...almost seeming to forget all about the vampiric hearing thing.
It was better that he didn't ask what she was planning to do as that would lead to a discussion on her parents and she couldn't do that right now. If he brought up such painful things then that would probably lead to tears...and then Amaya would be annoyed with herself and end up yelling at him for it and they would argue and it would all just end terribly (and probably bloody.) Therefore, his topic of conversation was a much better choice. Neutral and phatic, the perfect choice. "I don't eat meat." She told him as she looked up at him, the iciness gone from her voice now. "But I don't have any food here...so...finding something to eat would be a good idea."
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Post by Chani {♥} on May 17, 2008 1:29:34 GMT -5
"A meatless meal it is, then," Kevin said good-naturedly. He decided that it was best, anyway. Meat was much harder to deal with than vegetables and fruits. Plus, he didn't know if he could stand seeing blood again so soon after feeding. Though it came from his fervent hatred of what he was, so he would never admit how squeamish blood made him after a feed and even deal with it if he had to. He was grateful that she was a vegetarian. "I'll go collect a few things and start on supper." He started toward the door when he realized... "Er... can't get out, can I? Could you let me out?"
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Post by Angel ♥ on May 17, 2008 9:39:28 GMT -5
A smile twitched at the edges of her lips as he agreed to a vegatarian meal, half having been expecting him to rant about her not eating meat and such. Hmm, it really did seem that she had got him all wrong, didn't it? Maybe first impressions weren't always right, especially under the circumstances that they had first met.
She glanced up at he moved to the door, tilting her head a little before realising what he meant. "Oh...yeah, of course." She nodded and rose to her feet, going over to press her hand to the wooden pannel on the door, the lock springing open. "Would you like me to leave the door open for you?"
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Post by Chani {♥} on May 17, 2008 12:11:50 GMT -5
"No, I'll knock once I get back," Kevin said. It was unlikely that the vampires had found this place, but he was taking all the precautions he could. Besides, there were other dangerous things about at night, and he didn't want any of them paying her a visit while he was gone. "And we'll let Kevin be a sort of key word, right?" The name had been the second to spring to his mind, after "Daisuke." At first, he didn't remember why, but then he realized that that had once been his name. Kevin... Then why did it sound so foreign? "If anyone else tries to get in, slay them. I don't care if they say they're a friend of mine or what lies they tell." Any other woman Kevin would have told to call him, but he knew Amaya could handle herself. "If you need anything, call for me. I shan't be far, and I'm fast." He unintentionally proved this last statement by flying through the doorway and running into the shadows of the forest, leaving only a wisp of air this haste created in his stead.
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Post by Angel ♥ on May 17, 2008 13:34:57 GMT -5
His chivalry wasn't lost upon her, and she found it rather strange that a vampire was trying to look after her...or rather...anyone was trying to look after her. Her knew that she didn't really need protection, and yet he was still offering her it; in truth she didn't quite know how to respond. Should she be offended that he thought that she was just some vulnernable girl that needed protection, or should she be flattered that he was offering her protection? She wasn't sure, but she did smile to him lightly and nod. "I can look after myself." She confirmed gently, "But if I need you then I will call." She told him, her hair stirring in the small breeze he created as he ran, her gaze lingering on the spot where he had disappeared for a moment or two before she closed the door lightly and went back inside.
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Post by Chani {♥} on May 17, 2008 22:29:48 GMT -5
Kevin felt no remorse leaving her there alone. He knew that, now that they were on good terms, she'd yell for him if she needed him and that, in most cases, she wouldn't require him at all. He didn't think her vulnerable at all; but if there were too many adversaries for her to take care of herself, he expected her to let him know. Though it was all unlikely altogether, he just wanted to be sure. He almost liked her now, when she wasn't screaming at him. She wasn't too bad. If he remembered correctly, her mother was almost as stubborn in an argument, but not quite. He hadn't liked her mother all that much; beautiful to look at, but she had a personality like fire and ice. But Daisuke had found a way to love her, he had found a way to love almost everyone. But Kevin tried rather hard not to think about all that.
He searched the area around the cottage for culinary herbs, vegetables, and fruits that he could use. He found a couple raspberry bushes growing right behind the cottage, but had to go further into the forest to find anything more. He wandered about the bushes and grass for a half hour before he found a few potato plants. He felt lucky to have even found that. He stripped off his shirt, laid it on the ground, piled as many potatoes as he thought would safely fit into it, then grabbed it by the corners and picked it up. He made his way back to the cottage at a leisurely walk, listening to the sounds of the forest and falling into a flashback.
A young Daisuke sat on the bottom branch of a tall, strong oak. Kevin was a few branches higher and still climbing. His friend hadn't ever been quite as good at tree-climbing as Kevin had. He was built too heavy; Kevin was lithe and quick. "Kevin, what do you plan on doing after school?" Daisuke asked, lying down on the thick branch and letting one leg swing from it. He entwined his fingers behind his head and stared into the foliage above, catching a glimpse of Kevin every now and then as he ascended nimbly. "I...," Kevin said, inhaling deeply here as he leaped up for a branch. A bold move, but he caught it and lifted himself on it. "...don't know." He threw his elbows over it and swung the rest of his body up onto it. He sat down and caught his breath, then leaned up against the trunk of the tree. "I needn't ask you, Dai. You're going to be a slayer." "Of course!" Daisuke exclaimed, as Kevin had somehow knew he would. "Not only is it an unbreakable tradition, but I'd very much like to do it. Slayership is a commitment, not a career. You live in it." "I understand," Kevin replied, standing on the branch and balancing himself. "Ridding the world of evil... You are very fortunate. Not only has your destiny already been cut out for you and saved you of making any regrettable choices, but you actually like where fate has pulled you. And what's more is you get the glory of being a hero." "Kev, have you ever thought that you might like to be a slayer?" Daisuke called up curiously. Kevin stopped all movement. He thought for a moment, of how all the people would look at him, of how great it would make him feel to be the hero. Perhaps he'd even save a fair maiden who would one day be his wife. "That's brilliant!" Kevin said, laughing. "We could slay vampires together, you and I. We could fight against the evilest of evil and prevail and everyone would love us by name alone!" He descended skillfully, hopping from one branch to another or hanging onto a branch in a monkey-like fashion before dropping to one below. It didn't take him half the time it had getting up there. Daisuke sat up and watched him as he fell beside his friend and then jumped onto the ground. Daisuke followed. Kevin wrapped his arm around the man's neck, balled his free hand into a fist and rubbed his knuckles on Daisuke's head. Daisuke threw him off and they were rolling on the ground in a wrestling match a moment later, throwing snide, but good-natured, remarks at each other in between gasps for air.
"You win again, Irony," he muttered, but he allowed himself a brief smile before he began running. In a few moments he was back as the raspberry bush. He used his cloak in the same way he had his shirt, though he didn't fill it; they didn't need that many. He then walked up to the door and banged his forehead on it, as both his hands were occupied. "Kevin!" he shouted. It might normally feel odd to someone to shout their own name, but Kevin didn't feel this at all; the name had become such an archaic word in his memory. Or maybe not...
"Kevin! Kevin Pierce!" shouted Daisuke's voice. They were outside the school now, on the grounds for a short break. Kevin turned to face his friend and had to duck to dodge a punch. "I know you kissed her! You worthless friend! I told you that I was going to ask her to the ball!" He swung again, this time he nailed Kevin in the shoulder, causing the man to step back a few paces and his shoulder to feel split with pain. "Yeah, like I told you I was going to ask Yunihime! I heard the things you were saying to her outside class yesterday!" Kevin snarled back. That fist fight had ended rather badly. Daisuke broke a knuckle on Kevin's jaw, which was fractured by the blow. Daisuke's nose was bleeding, Kevin had a horrid headache from having slammed his head into a boulder during a fall, and both were covered in bruises. They had recovered within a week from that argument. They were just women that they hardly knew, after all, and no friendship should be spoiled over such petty matters. It hadn't been love, more like lust or territorial male instincts. Whatever it was, the fight only made them closer.
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Post by Angel ♥ on May 18, 2008 5:48:06 GMT -5
Amaya retreated back to sit amongst the cushions which were scattered around a sunken seating area where Jagger had slept, picking up a picture as she wandered past it. It was black and white, taken by one of those strange things her father had called a camera, and they had to stand still for so long that Amaya's cheeks hurt by the time the photo had been taken. Her parents were looking a little younger than the last time she had seen them, but they looked happy, holding hands, her father glancing at her mother with affection in his eyes. They had adored one another, she had always know that. She was lucky in a way really, most people in the same 'class' as her had parents that loathed one another. Arranged marriages were the norm, but when was her family ever known to follow the norm? They had even promised Amaya that she could pick her own husband, allowing their daughter to fall in love rather than be forced into something she didn't want to do.
She bit her lower lip as she brushed her fingertips over the glass that held the picture in, taking a deep breath tm ensure that she maintained her composure.
The worst thing was that she had hardly any memories of her parents. They had loved her, of course they had, but their occupation meant that they were away almost every night, and their class meant that they were often so busy it was difficult to make time for Amaya. She was sent away to boarding school and spent her summers learning to fight with her father. There were her fond memories, of her father teaching her to fight and teaching her about slayers.
A light smile touched to her features as she remembered, her greif soothed for a moment as she lived in the past. She could still remember their faces and their voices and all their words of wisdom; especially her fathers words of warning about men and what he would do to a man that ever dared to break her heart.
Her gaze flickered up to the door as she heard the thump, the noise dragging her back to the present. He had come back, she shouldn't have doubted him should she? She rose to her feet, setting the photograph back where it should be as she went over and opened the door, "Did you find anything?" She asked, tilting her head to the side a little.
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Post by Chani {♥} on May 18, 2008 14:14:35 GMT -5
Amaya's voice pulled Kevin from his second flashback. He really needed to stop thinking about the past.
"Potatoes for supper," he reported, "raspberries for dessert. Do you know a well or spring that's nearby?" He squeezed past her and sat the shirt and cloak that he had turned into satchels down carefully, as not to bruise the potatoes or squish the raspberries. "Either way, I'd like you to come with me, if it's possible. I'll need someone to watch my back while I carry the water." He was trusting Amaya to protect him? Rather unlikely coming from Kevin. He wasn't a very trusting individual... But he knew that if they came across vampires she would fight with the rage of losing her parents, that she would fight like an Ashikawa. If Daisuke had trained her as he had trained Kevin, then he shouldn't have anything to worry about. He didn't look her in the face as he requested her help, instead he pretended to be looking for something.
ooc;; I forget from the post explaining the house's looks. Is there a fireplace or stove? I researched on the stove and stoves of brick or clay were common in the medieval ages, and Kamui goes by a slightly post-medieval time frame, so she might even have an iron stove, especially considering her family's financial stature. xD It would either be connected to a chimney where it could vent smoke or have a vent set in the wall behind it. Just saying, in case you didn't know.
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Post by Angel ♥ on May 18, 2008 15:09:27 GMT -5
(occ. I don't think I mentioned a stove. There is one in there, a steel one like you mentioned which is set into what looks like a fireplace so that the smoke can escape easily up the chimney. That sounds like the best option, thanks for the help Channnnniiii!)
She stepped out of the way to let him into the house, smiling to him lightly as she closed the door behind him. "Sounds good to me...I'm starving." She admitted, not having eaten in just over a day now. Potatoes didn't sound all that appetising, but she loved raspberries, especailly when they were fresh and still a little sour. "Water? Oh yeah, there is a spring about five minutes walk from here, would you like me to take you now?" She asked him, tilting her head to the side a little. She half hoped that they bumped into a vampire or two, slaying them would be just enough to quench today's blood lust and would set her on the road to revenge. If she bumped into a vampire today they better beware because she would ensure that their death was as slow and painful as possible.
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Post by Chani {♥} on May 18, 2008 21:58:30 GMT -5
Kevin had his back turned to her when he realized that she'd be able to see the tattoo on his back this way. He wasn't sure if he wanted her to see it, to realize that his nickname was derived from two words and not his actual name. What if she asked what his real name is? Would he be able to tell her? Had Daisuke ever mentioned Kevin to Amaya? He wouldn't feel right lying to her, but he knew better than to mix up this poor girl's thoughts anymore than they already were. He spun back, so that the only tattoo visible would be the one spanning from hipbone to hipbone proclaiming "Jagger", and even then it would only be partially visible due to his bulky belt and the fact that it curved downward in the center.
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Post by Angel ♥ on May 19, 2008 5:40:45 GMT -5
It was too late, by the time that he had turned Amaya's amber gaze had already fallen upon the tattoo on his back, tilting her head a little as she studided it. She knew that many vampires changed their names when they were turned, and Jagger just be the name that he had chosen...or rather the name that he had been given. "Jagger, where did the nickname come from?" She asked rather curiously, arching an eyebrow at him as she waited for an answer. She guessed that by the refrence to a 'dagger' was probably referring back to something that he had done that had done.
Her father had mentioned Kevin, quite a few times really. In his moments of nostalgia her father had mentioned his previous best friend, though she had never been able to get him to tell her what had happened to him, why they weren't friends any longer or where he was now. It all seemed rather mysterious to her but she knew better than to push her father for answers. She figured that he had probably been killed by vampires and that was why her father wouldn't mention it.
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Post by Chani {♥} on May 20, 2008 1:10:21 GMT -5
Kevin winced at her question. Should he lie? No, she deserved the truth. He hated having this conscience, but Amaya was opening her doors. Besides, she hadn't asked his real name, and he should be thankful for that.
"Two reasons," he said grimly, turning his back to her again. "Look beyond the tattoo." Under it she would see a scar that looked like a jagged dagger. "My father threw boiling water on me when I was nine, for defending my sister." He kept his back to her so that she wouldn't see his face as he went on. "The second reason came to be on the night of my initiation into the vampiric society. You're an Ashikawa, you know that most vampires won't accept who they are, what they are, when they've turned. I fought the thirst, I thought I could build up a resistance to it and save lives, or something." He shrugged, trying to act as if it didn't matter, but the memories were still there, beating at the iron bars of the cage he kept them in. "I finally gave up and returned to Idaitokai. I was there with a little girl, about eleven years old, the saddest thing I ever saw... She was a vampire. I had been like her big brother for a few months, she'd been with me. Some men realized what we were, all I had was a single dagger with a serrated edge. I killed all twelve of them myself, but I... I couldn't save her. They took off her head. Ripped it from her little shoulders." His expression grew taut as the image threatened to surface in his mind. "Some vampires saw what happened. First they called me Jagged Dagger, but that was too long a name. It was shortened to Jagger with time and I guessed they liked my fighting style. I forgot everything human that was left of me and became a member of their malevolent night clan."
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Post by Angel ♥ on May 20, 2008 14:59:46 GMT -5
She reached out to touch her fingertips to the dagger shaped scar on his back lightly, her flesh oddly warm against his. It didn't occur to her that he probably wouldn't want her touching him, nevermind being close enough to touch him, but Amaya was curious and it seemed that she had never been taught the saying 'curiosity killed the cat'. She was an Ashikawa, she deserved to get all the answers that she wanted, or as she thought anyway.
Her gaze softened as his tale turned toward the little girl. She had heard of child vampires, and in truth she had always pitited them. There weren't many of them, yet they were all made by creatures too selfish to care for them. She didn't quite know what to say to him because she, of course, thought it was for the best that the child had been slayed, maybe not under the circumstances that he was describing, but no-one could live as a child forever, it would drive them mad. "You tried to save her, that is what you have to remember." She murmured to him, his story actually having made her develop a new sort of respect foor him. "I know that you don't want to hear this but she would never have lasted long...being stuck as a child for eternity would drive her mad...and eternity is a very long time." Her hand was flat against his back now, moving up to sit on his shoulder, as if in an attempt to soothe him. "You can't change the past. Don't beat yourself up about it..."
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Post by Chani {♥} on May 22, 2008 12:48:06 GMT -5
Kevin stood there, not moving under her hand at all. He just stared straight forward.
"I know that better than most," he said, almost in a whisper. He almost reached up for her hand as it went to his shoulder, but then he realized what he had almost done. What was he thinking? He turned around and began walking toward the door. "The only thing you can do with the past is analyze it, find out where you went wrong, and make sure you don't repeat it. Lesson learned." Yes, lesson learned. That's what he got for caring. He had cared for his sister and fled to Hagakarin with her, he had came to Daisuke's rescue and been turned into a monster, he had cared for that little girl and she had been beheaded right in front of him, and now, he was making that mistake again, wasn't he? He was here to repay some sort of debt he didn't understand to a friend that he shouldn't even recognize anymore. "Shall we?" he asked, nodding his head at the door. "Do you have any water carriers?"
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