[2249] Ring around the Rosey

Orion / Joseph:

I try to concentrate on driving the pink hover car just feeling numb and almost used to the burning infection feeling pulsating though my body. I really had a episode at that last hotel. I've been staying away from Klaus when I don't have to be around him because he really shouldn't know how bad it is right now.
I'm probably going to have to leave him soon. Dying in front of him was too much of a drag.

It was a fun adventure, we didn't find his sister though.

And I didn't find any vampire coven interested in fighting with my father. The ones around had no structure, doing their own things and were aimless as Klaus is. It looks like anyone with ambition of power and glory was slayed.

I land among anther little slum much like the ones before. It seemed to have been attacked recently and was already rebuilding.
Dirty urchins run pass us, none fitting Meradith's looks.

They were blonde...

"This looks promising..I smell human." I say trying to seem hopeful and get ready to check the orphanage.

It says 'for sale' though.

Some locals come over to see why we came to this town and I let Klaus handle it but a young lady addresses me.

(Penelope): "Do you need medical attention?"

(Not quite as old yet 'old Earl'): "Was it hybrids were you followed?"

"No...just a bar fight..I lost."  I excuse the deep bruises and wrappings. I had to transform the other day into my beast form and cant seem to heal anymore from the process.

Klaus:

I wandered into the orphanage and analyzed its staff.

"What is the age of your oldest child?"

I question trying to ignore their obvious interest in my companion.

He looked worse by the day.

I could guess what it meant but for some reason Orion wasn't owning up to it.

I huff and stare at the ceiling impatiently.

Would Meredith even be in a place like this? How old is she again? 

I tap my right foot just about ready to give up and go back home.

Klaus:

My eyes glaze over.

Orion discloses our purpose here.

I would prefer he did not but I suppose if it keeps this busy body from reacting than so be it.

*Glances over at the both of them impatiently.*

The one gets overly excited about "red heads".

.............

Jospeh:

Maybe I shouldn't have said it, but I was tired. Maybe it would be nice to have someone else help. We weren't making much progress doing this again and again. We get attacked alot because we are suspicious looking. These were only humans so they cant hurt us. It was harmless.

"No she isn't nor blonde, she has dark hair and dark eyes. Her name is Meradith she survived a hybrid attack..."
I realize now the signs this place also was attacked by the monsters but ... it wasn't like Klaus's city. Quite a bit was left including weak humans considering the girl and elder man standing before us.

The old man suddenly grew a cold look on his face as if he recognized that.

.....
whoa what does that mean...

(Penny): "We know her, she saved us! She...."
For being 'saved' the old man didn't seem happy nor wanted her to say more.
He slips into his limo and the girl tells us to come with they cant talk out here by the others.

I sit next to her and see the newspaper. It wasn't Meridieth I was looking at but the winged guy also photographed...is that a Starker or a Xern!?

Beolan:

After saving this place we are rewarded with a FEAST at the Old Earl's castle.

"I think this is the best part about the whole hero bis Mer."

I say between bites of some fancy rich human food.

I look out the window enjoying the view quite content.

(Potemkin): "Is there anything I can get you...."
I regard the grandson, he seemed to be really afraid of me for some reason. I mean hes not a hybrid right so theres nothing to fear. The granddaughter was SO nice, totally a fangirl. Shame she had to leave with the old grandpa guy.

"Hmm what do you guys do for fun around here?" I ask excitedly.

(Potemkin): "You know, we have a pool too...and a stable with animals..."

I have no idea what that is. I look at Meridieth.

Klaus:

Orion gets more descript.

I sigh getting slightly irritated but remain silent.

Why don't we announce to the whole bloody neighborhood what we are up to???

We are soon directed inside the foul gits car.

I hiss.

"Orion.."

He leaves me no choice but to follow.

I reluctantly get inside.

"There are a great many young ladies matching that description. Can you provide any more details?"

Meredith:

I smile at Beo mowing down.

The food was really good but I could not help but feel somewhat overwhelmed at all of the attention.

There were so many people everywhere.

I was still trying to get used to it.

One of the boys approach us with some fun ideas.

"I would love to see the animals."

I exclaim.

Orion:

"Are you saying this isn't her?" I shove the news paper into his face and look out the window as we moved upset that he was this close and still so closed off. Maybe I did it first by avoiding him so much lately but...


(Penny): "Umm...talking about the Starkers and the cure is forbidden so.. I didnt want to say anything out there. But the girl is called Meradith and shes pretty much become the face of a new..restitence agonist the monsters..no one was fighting them... till they showed up. She has a real Starker with her..like her pet.. its amazing. If its your sister I dont know but shes back at the castle right now and shes certainly a hybrid survivor."

Wow all this time looking and it sounds like shes doing better then her brother....shes got a pet god and hes got me.

Klaus:

I study the newspaper.

I haven't seen her in years, I can't tell!

*Throws newspaper back at him.*

The woman talks of the Starkers and their rebellion.

A hippy revival with the possibility of my sister being the face of it was absolutely ridiculous.

Meredith was alot of things but a shit disturber she was not.

Orion was moping again.

  

Klaus:

The girl’s look across from us made me almost as uneasy as Orions words.

“I understand you only have the best of intentions but please, do not worry about me; you’re the one that is unwell.”

I look into his eyes for the first time in a very long while.

“I know what you are hoping for but believe me, the life I would give you is not the one you deserve.”

I try not to get emotional.

Bloody hell..

My hand unintentionally brushes against his leg as I change position in the limo.

I had grown fond of Orion, despite our differences he was a strong companion when I needed it most - despite his own low self perception of himself. 
To let his sickness play out was secretly killing me and at times, I wondered if I was strong enough to let him go.

We will see.

Meredith:

The boy calls me princess.

Not sure why?

I follow him to the stables intrigued.

Once there we are met by some of the most curious creatures I had ever seen.

Beo mentions eating them and I try not to snort.

Which of us is the foodie here?

I think to myself as though he were stealing the lines right from my mouth.

The strange boy proceeds to tell us each animals name.

A few of the names sounded human. I wondered why that was?

Beo then gets shot with a dart.

I back up startled.

“Perhaps we should leave?”

I frown knowing if one is fired my way I will certainly be taken out.

Klaus:

My mouth opens slightly ajar but I am unable to answer him.

Was there anything better than this life? At the very least blissful unending sleep?

The car hits a hard bump and blows out all our tires. We spin around before hitting a ditch and flipping over.

"Urgh!"

What was that? 

I try to maneuver my body right side up in the cramped space.

Orion:
 Klaus's hesitation, so close felt longer then the few seconds looking into those blue dead eyes being the only breath between us.

*Penny squeals loudly mostly at us then at the sudden car crash*

I felt familiar presence but cant even process as I feel the impact and out of body moment.

They got out of the siege to find me finely, it wasnt alot of them but they could do damage. 

"Klaus this is for me..."
I slide out from under and already see the girl clinging on him for dear life.
My back already had unhealed slits from the last time I did this but I let my wings out anyway and try to fly away from the car

 ((Charleston!? Why aren't you keeping Xeon company for me?)) I taunt, ignoring the guilt from the little moment back there. 

*flies over the castle alerting the humans in mass panic of the vampires*

(Beo): "Relax Mer. We kill hybrid a little bow and arrow is no swe-" He was ready to brush off the little dart before seeing us.

He whooshes up Mer fleeing with the humans evacuating in terror. 

****they watched Twilight last night and hes not taking changes with the Sulez Hair smell ending up like Bella***

Klaus:

"Stay in the car!"

I instruct the young girl and her father to hide where it was safe before I flash after Orion and am met with an overwhelmningly familiar smell.

It is her!!!

I glance around frantically trying to see where my sister went but am almost swiped down by a dark winged beast pursuing Orion.

Orion's past has finally caught up to us it seems and so far it did not disappoint.

Carry:
TWO YEARS looking for this son of a hell...

Ephrem sent the Neoplanet hankie with Xern blood two years ago. Without much clue since he is still out living a life of sin and debauchery. 
The blood dug out of the dumpster of the last hotel was all it took that and the pink hover ship's cereal number not only did I find him but his coven did too. 

The King would just destroy the whole planet to take out such a threat. Alas it is just me and there are far to many life forms to move in time. I try to calculate how to handle this. The lesser vampire bats were doing damage enough to Raginbar's son as they fought it out in the sky. But they cant take him back ..alive..

I climb up a skyscraper they are headed to in a flash and knock out the window sending every little shard into the wings of all of them at once at full force pinning some of them to the other building's wall. 

Raginbar's son gets loose....looks around confused to what happened. 

(Orion): "Hey?"

He lands confused on the limo and is able to dodge another one trying to grab him. 

Humans run out of the limo so I still cant... get a clean shot. 

(Old Earl): "My insurance better pay for this!"

(Potemkin): "Wow the Starker ran away! They are scared of vampires! Now we know!" 

(Penny): "Whhhat they left already?!" She pats Klaus gently. "Sorry...at least now you know..." 

Klaus:

I glance over at the girl patting me.

*Twitches*

Orion comes out of no where and dodges another... flying creature.

I flash over and try to cover for him.

"We need to head back to the stargate, there is too many of them."

I state the obvious.

Orion:

There's no way Klaus did that glass trick....

I look around feeling unease at the help.

"There isn't alot... its like echo location..but its more then illusion." I explain to him as he tries to motivate the others to evacuate. 

(Old Earl): "Son we surivered the last attack,  Don't be a pussy. Thats why we buy bunkers..."

He pulls out a bazooka and starts shooting as the rest of the family dragged the two grandkids down to the bunker. 

"Go Klaus...catch up with Meredith.. I'll find you later. You know the spot."  I lightly tease him.

I hope he can make it. I did not think I was going to meet with him soon.

I dart the other way trying to get to the foliage away from the people.

Klaus:

Orion does something rash and leaves me to regroup with him later.

Like that was going to happen.

I huff frustrated and rejoin the fighting until something unfortunate happens and it all goes black.

Klaus:

I wake up frustrated trying to remember what happened.

If there was ever a deterrent for becoming like me that whole fight scene back there would have been it.

Useless!

I groan while sitting up on the bed and looking around disturbed.

What… is this?

I bolt up from the bed like it was hot lava.

“BLOODY HELL!!”

Penny:

Klaus was sleeping like a pale cherub then wakes up going completely giant screaming.

Well thats terrifying...  

"Stop it!!

*muffles him with big hat to shut up before coming hears him*

Klaus:

I get smothered by a hat.

How low I’ve fallen..

I yank the hat off and glare at her.

“What kind of hellish lair is this???”

Penny:

 The vampire asks me what kind of lair this was...thats funny...
I smirk dashedly not explaining the over the top pink frilly stuffed animal motif. 

"Oh well the villagers were burning vampire cadavers and they wouldn't have known you weren't one of the bad ones out so I saved you. You are WELCOME."

Klaus:

I tilt my head at her.

Frankly, I did not believe this one liked me. At least not enough to save me that is.

"And what inspired such a selfless thought of charity?"

I asked looking around, wondering if she had Orion too.

Penny:

Klaus's negative attitude reminded me how withdrawn he was during the ride here letting his boyfriend do all the talking about this missing sister. He must be a very distrusting person. I'm sure he has a reason to be, with that hair color. 

"Look I dont know who hurt you but not everyone is like that, you dont have to be so mean. I genuinely wanted to see you and your sister reunite, it was sweet you were looking for her.  Thats it."

I sigh quite tired now. Now he has misplaced both her and his boyfriend so I guess my help mattered very little. I would like to do something meaningful one day, just with my...family and station in life it feels impossible to be a hero.

Klaus:

I take it down a notch for the young girl as I was clearly scaring her.

“Is Orion here?”

I question.

Penny:

Klaus asks about his companion, I was dreading that.

"No... he led the monster vampires away with him...its quiet now.."  

I bit my lip not looking at him assuming the worst.

Klaus:

“So we are hiding?”

I glance around the room finally making sense of things.

“I need to go right now. Do you know which direction he went?”

I question the young woman whilst heading to the door.

Klaus:

“Thanks.”

I respond only waiting for her direction as I did not want to blow their cover.

*Jumps out the window and lands gracefully on the ground.*

I take a deep breath and pick up Orions blood from the wrest.

*Flashes away in the direction it was coming from.-*

Orion:

A part of me regretted not going back with the others to Father and Bellatrix, was that worst then being captured by someone else?

 (Carry): "Raginbar Junior, such a pleasure to finely be alone with you. its just a shame it looks like my work is already done for me. Bless your heart.."

I freeze up in the dark rocky tunnel unable to use night vison so all I could make out was a brim of a cowboy hat.

I don't think he wanted me dead either, it was back to the Neoplanet and this time not so freely...

I hesitate.  All this time I was looking for a vampire to challenge my father. Maybe that was completely going about it wrong. This is is the one that killed Auntie....

 He seemed to gauge how to drag me out of my hiding spot with as minimal contact as possible.  I felt myself fly backwards through a cave wall. I felt crushed ever so much and paralyzed for a moment. I snap out of it gaging up blood. Rocks and rubble lightly fell and I could not smell anything but blood. 

It attracted the coven scouts that remained I'm sure.

"I..have a confession please... because he told me too... and and I always  do what he says. " I babble terribly nervous wreck. If I tell him this, he may just kill me on the spot but I would have to hope it would motivate him to go see for himself and confront my father. 

(Carry): "You will tell Sorin, not me." He said tensely sensing the others but I growl into his ear."

"I don't think you want me to tell him about the covens little plaything, your daughter.."
He shoves my face away as I got blood on him.

(Cary): "Shut up.."
I cant tell if he wasnt aware or the rumors weren't true about him and Auntie Raluca at all. Father was insane to make it up.  The others were near enough now so I had one last grasp of proving it either way.

(Xern Scout 1): "Prince Orion look at you, enough!! The whole content can smell your blood.."
(Xern Scout 2): "Spoiled conceited little welp" They shut up at the sight of my captor in horror.

"One of them probably drank from her, you could tell..."

I tempt him hoping he took the bait. He let go of me (quite panful since his claws were in my side) to slash open the nearer ones neck. The other one got between us trying to free/protect me. 

(Carry): "What was he on about...EXPLAIN?!

(Xern Scout 2): "He is a schemer wasting all our time with lies, he will just bring his games of chaos to your Neoplanet so let us SPARE your kingdom and we will take the boy back to our designated space and never bother any of your worlds again." 

I crawl down feeling the warmth of the lava rocks so near and leave a sparkley bloody trail further into a cave pocket trying to find somewhere to shove myself in for now away from them fighting. 

(Xern Scout 3): ((YOU WILL PAY FOR WASTING OUR TIME ORION!))

That sent a shock wave through my head up as he used telepathy and I go still resting in a pool of blood as I drained out far to faster now to heal. 

I cant even look forward to the sweet darkness of death that Klaus was so keen on me having because I'm sure my body will still go to one of these parties and get brought back.

Penny:

I dreamily watch the man leap from the window excitedly. 

(Penny's Father): "PENNY WAS THAT A BLONDE JUST IN YOUR ROOM!!!!!???!"

"DADDY NO YOUR DRUNK!!" I call back down before seeing the volcano smoke raise and the ground shake as if it had become active where all the godly powerful non humans must be sparing for our mortal souls.

*sighs wishing I could see such wonders*

(Grandpa Old Earl): "OK EVERYONE BACK TO THE BUNKER, SHITS STILL HITTING THE FAN!"

I grab my emergency pink bag for the dozen time this week to go to the bunker. 

Oh to not be a human trapped in this boring existence.

Klaus:

I could smell Orion a mile away.

The closer I get to him, the closer I get to a fight involving two others.

*Flashes around them.*

What the bloody hell is going on?!

I questioned somewhat surprised at all the attention Orion was receiving.

Even though I should probably know better..

Once I discover his Orion's body, I fall down next to him and check him over.

He was near death.

I sigh knowing his injuries were far too great for me to heal.

"You sure found a way to go out big didn't you?"

I tease despite not feeling very humorous at that moment.

"Any final requests or do you expect me to be creative?"

I ask smelling nothing but blood.

I was famished and despite my best intentions his vulnerable state was exceptionally tempting for me.

Please die quickly..

I beg, not knowing how much longer I could wait before I finished him off myself.

Orion:

I slightly open my eyes making a low rumble that was to weak for a growl.

"I...did... I told you to go to your sister.." I speak of final requests. 

It saddened me he did not leave before when she was so close, yet I was shocked how much of a comfort he was before me. I half though perhaps he wasnt even real and I was hallucinating. 

Yes that has to be it. I wanted to believe he was with Meredith and this was just some fantasy of my warped mind. 

"Jus..t hold me.." I cling on the cold figment.

Klaus:

Orion was hallucinating.

I hiss and turn away from the sorry sight  in order to regain some composure.

*Lays down next to him instead and stares up at the rocky ceiling.*

This was finally it. After this moment was over Orion will be gone and I will be all alone.

I ponder my own death wondering if such a thing was even possible.

The smell of Orion’s blood distracted me away from my thoughts.

My body reacted instinctively to the bittersweet aroma and I feel my head start to spin.

*Blacks out.*

When I come to I find myself on top of Orion, my mouth lapping the blood off every inch of his body.

*Gently runs fangs over his cool marble skin.*

I feel a very weak pulse from beneath my tongue.

It intrigued me how it could keep on going despite so much blood loss.

I savour his taste until it dawns on me.

I curse and push myself off him in horror.

This was so much worse than I could have ever imagined. Orion was already so far gone and for me to intercede and finish the job was all too much.

I gasp and pace around the cave in shock.

Nothing has changed he was dying anyways… But now I have something to do with it! Can you live with yourself? Could you ever live with yourself.. He dies you lose a friend.. Make another.. He dies you lose yourself.. Was there anything left to begin with？

I close my eyes trying to suppress the voices within.

His blood is on your hands.. You are a monster.. Meredith will never accept you.. that blood tasted good didn’t it? Better than a strangers… better than-

“No!”

I hiss in protest and rip into my wrist allowing my own blood to spill over the rock and soil.

This is the way. It is the only way..

I shove my wrist to Orion’s lips forcing him to drink.

You never forget your first..

I laugh sadly not knowing what I was doing just following my instincts.

The ones I had been holding back for so long..

Orion:

.....
...
I wake up with a forgion taste in my mouth, macabrely every sense was deeply forgion and surreal then before. 

.....and I wasnt in a lab?....it was still the caves. 

Now I could make out in the dark all the crude human structures for minning and the lava pools from afar. 

But most obvious was the sickness I felt for so long was completely gone. 

"..Klaus...y..you ...you.."

I gag trying to laugh, thoart feeling so dry. I was so utterly happy and relived my emotions feeling even more intensified, everything felt so intense.  There was also a cold deep darkness but even that was thrilling just knowing..what i am...

"Did it...really...did it.."

Klaus:

I glance over at Orion once he finally awakens.

He was happy.

That makes one of us.

I stand up and wander on closer to him.

"How do you feel?"

I ask, my pupils dilating frantically.

I felt different too and oh so much better than I did before.

The power I felt when I was around him was.. intoxicating..

What that meant I had yet to learn..

Orion:
I look up at Klaus in awe, the veneration I felt had no words. With his light features he was so so otherworldly to me. So beautiful. I never saw him as clearly as I did now. 

"Better." Is the only word I could think of in that moment. I shakingly get up feeling stiff with crushed blood and mud. I try not to stumble towards him feeling so drawn in by his all consuming presence.

"Wh..y..did...you change..your mind? ..the Feeding?"

I question, I was in and out of it during that... moment so It was hard to work out what happened.

Klaus:

"Yes."

The feeding was the turning point in my decision.

I was quite stupid not to factor that in when I got so close to his bleeding body.

"We must move. Whoever is looking for you might still be out there and until you have fully recovered, confrontations this early on in your transition are not a good idea."

Orion:
I listen to Klaus's instructions feeling hazey as the reality of the situation returns, suddenly thoughts of something else but his authoritative presence hit me.


Oh wow... I opened a can of worms.

"K...laus theres two parties after me now, I'm..sorry to bring you into this.." I look away from him nervously. "They might be watching the exits now.. do..you think we could sneak away.."
I try to think and look around.

"This is a mine, they make...deliveries no?"

Klaus:

“We can now travel alot faster now that you have changed.”

“Are they capable of seeing us if we simply… flash by?”

I question while analyzing the tracks in the mine.

Orion:

I nod slowly.
"Well, they're ..alien vampires... but maybe your kind is faster because magic?" I offer to in awe of him not to believe in anything he wanted to try or do.

I think if they did see me... it would not matter anymore. There is nothing to bring back. I cant be apart of the coven with an outsider bloodline. I would only worry how they would react towards Klaus for doing the deed.

Klaus:

Orion's response was optimistic.

Perhaps his suggestion was better.

"So the other option would be jumping in a cart full of coal?"

That sounds.... unpleasant.

Orion:

I take Klaus's question as a statement because I'm still kinda out of it and all.

*twitches feeling almost out of body but dangerously grounded at the same time*

I leap off the edge down the tracks into the coal. XD

The smell was pungent it should be good coverage.

Klaus:

*Blinks at what Orion just did.*

That was.. unexpected.

I grind my teeth now being forced to follow.

*Jumps in after him.*

"I suppose this will work?"

Orion:
I stay very still as what feels like hours past. Quite a few can be heard coming through the tunnels since it reeked of my blood.

(Vampire 1): ".... do you think he went in the lava?"

(Vampire 2): "...That selfish prick would....."

Ouch..

Finely a truck ship came to dump the coal inside for transport. The sudden movement makes me realize how dry my thoart was.

No no no we are so close.

I thought I could handle this more, not being a human and already a carnivorous species but that hunger seemed like nothing compared to this. It was unautral...consuming...

One of the workers with a shovel was dangerously close.

(worker 1): "Get some more coal for the engine we gotta go! I dont care what freaky shit is going on in this mine everything will be dark if we dont make the delivery."

*twitch twitch*

*grabs his shovel/arm and drags him down in coal with is*