Another Mercenary Among Merchants

[Aveilthé]

Taro looked down sadly at his half-eaten plate; there was still food
left enough to finish, for he had been doing more talking than
eating. With a man of his stature, he was pretty massive, and
obviously needed more than what humans usually ate. It might
have been an excellent idea to take the food to go, but he didn't
think about it.

"Alright, comin'," Taro groaned, getting up and fishing out shiny
bronze coins to pay for the food. Luckily, he had plenty enough
to pay, so that was good enough for both Taro and December
(since they would not have minded to steal anyway, or at least
Taro wouldn't). Good souls they were, but darn it, life was too short
to not have a bit of adventure. That was also contradictory since
they kill people for money as a living. But regardless of the
obviousness, Taro slumped after December with Dog at his heals,
though Taro was a bit annoyed at this.

"Guess I am keepin' dat damn dog," he growled. Dog, seeming
to comphrehend this, huffed weakly. "What good are ya, yuh
dumb pooch? Yer old, prolly senile, n'... awe, shhhiiit." He shrugged
and walked with December, looking behind him at the store
that he alone nearly cleared out of customers.

"People seem too friggin' sensitive n' all. But dat not da only time
I cleared a place out," said he, grinning slyly. "Once I passed
gas so badly that people scatte'd n' a heartbeat. It was
fuggin' awwwesome."

It was while he was talking did Imi return, and Taro
immediately grinned. "Damn, where'd 'choo run off to in a hurry,
eh?" He then harkened toward December when she spoke.
"Whoo 'choo callin' n' idiot?" There was then a pause, for he
didn't know if he heard properly. He thought he heard the word
'vamp' in her sentence, but he must have been mistaken. He
was sure that December was referring to a vampire.
"Who da hell are ya talkin' 'bout?" Even though he wasn't the
brightest bulb in the lamp, his curiousity was piqued.

The poor lad turned and looked into his brother's eyes. He had
calmed, though he was still quivering as if he were about to
perform a 100-foot dive. "Sorry?" he echoed, a bit puzzled.
"No... don't be...," he finished dolefully.

Everything felt cold to Fortuné. The air made the hairs on his arms
stand on end. Rubbing his hands together in an attempt to warm
himself, he proceeded following Zayn. Soon, however, he halted in
his tracks. His heart felt heavy, and his mind was buzzing with the
past events. It was all so hazy and almost confusing to him, though
he understood everything completely, but as aforementioned, a
lot has happened in the past twenty-four hours. He couldn't
help but to think mostly of the actions he divulged towards
Rosaline, and that didn't help with how he already felt towards
just about everything. His brother's face was still fresh in his mind,
as well as his attempt to make a point which proved efficient
enough to scare the daylights out of Rosaline, as well as his own
change in demeanor.

By this point, the vampire was in a pessimistic attitude. He felt like
sitting and weeping to release all the stress, but what good would
that do?

[Felypsa]

December snorted amusedly in response to Taro’s story. “People are awfully sensitive,” she remarked. “It seems to me that there are more things taboo than not. The list of what not to do or say is much longer than the list of what you can. People like order, I guess. They like routine. Spontaneity is just not a part of their lives.” She shrugged; it was just how some people were.

While she was talking, she was trying to figure out a way to part from Taro so that she could check up on Fortuné and Zayn. Also, she had to find some reasonable explanation, for Taro had clearly overheard part of her muttered statement. She really needed to stop talking out loud to herself. “I’m calling myself an idiot,” she said after a moment. “For I had learned about a, er…a possible job this morning, but I didn’t go there immediately, and now Imi just told me that it’s taken. I was just too late—”

At that moment, there was a flash of blonde hair, and to December’s surprise, the girl from last night ran past them, heading towards the cathedral they were just passing. Without thinking, December reached out and grabbed Rosaline by the arm roughly, enough to make her stop. The girl looked up, terrified, her face streaked with tears. Imi was right, December thought. She’s clearly not in her right mind…

“Are you well, miss?” December asked her politely. “You look distraught.” Before Rosaline could answer, she turned to her fellow mercenary. “Taro, I think you should take this girl to her home and make sure she’s protected. Were you attacked?” she asked Rosaline. The girl moved her head, but it was hard to tell, with all her shuddering, whether it was an affirmative nod or a negative shake. “I’ll go report to the authorities,” she added briskly.

With that confusing jumble of events, December ran off before anyone could stop her. Of course, she had no intention of going to the authorities. She just wanted to get Rosaline away from the vampires’ house and Taro away from her for the moment. So, she stuck Rose with Taro and hoped that they would be too confused to follow her.

Of course, Imi knew exactly what was going on and followed her with no problem.

December hurried until she reached the house. Then, making sure no one was watching her, she entered it discreetly. She hesitated, for the place was eerily silent. Not exactly the place she would have expected two rampaging vampires to be in…although, perhaps she overestimated the significance of the situation. Still, it made her wonder. Why was Rosaline so upset but here, no one seemed to be about?

She slowly drew Seraphim out of its sheath, though the dim grey morning light was enough to see by. “Fortuné? Zayn?” she called softly, not loudly enough to disturb their sleep (if they were sleeping), but enough to alert them to her presence if they were awake. “I came as soon as I heard…is everything well with you?”

As Rosaline ran through the streets, she was suddenly stopped by someone grabbing her roughly. Afraid of an assault, she looked up, and through her tears saw someone vaguely familiar. The…mercenary? But before she could say a word, the frightening lady tossed her at a huge giant of a man, asked something about an attack (not even Rosaline was sure if she said yes or no in response), and ran off. Rosaline was left standing by the enormous giant, who was terrifying to look at.

“I just want to go home,” she whimpered, not even wanting to see Father Hyde after her blatant failure. “Oh, take me home.” Tears flowed freely down her cheeks. Rejection by itself hurt. Rejection with such a fearsome threat hurt even more.

[Mama Z]

When Zayn felt that he was no longer being followed, he stopped as well. His regularly square shoulders fell forward in a slump and he turned to look over at Fortune. The poor boy was confused, angry with what had happened and Rosalines poor attempt to change what cannot be changed, can now no longer be changed. 'Come now, lets go create some music to chase these obscure thoughts from our heads.'

He wasn't sure if Fortune was the same from when he was just a mere boy, but they used to make such nice music together. Especially Zayn being the perfectionist to please those around him, to maybe move up higher in the social ladder, and in his grandparents eyes.

[/color][/center]

[Aveilthé]

"Hey, wait a mo'--" said the flustering giant of a man, gingerly
holding Rosaline like she was a dirty wet rag. "Dec, you son o'
a biatch! Get yer glorious seraphic ass back hea'! I ain't gon' do
no babysittin' fer some wench!" He grumbled then turned his
attention back to the girl wearing the big tent. "Oh, sorry, miss,"
said he, attempting to be polite - for he didn't think that the girl
was listening in, or perhaps he simply had no thought at all at his
actions.

"So m' I supposed tuh lead yuh to yer home?"

Fortuné's eyes brightened at the mention of music. "Oh, my brother,
it has been forever..." At that moment, his ears harkened to a
distant, familiar voice. His stomach made a flip. "That seraphic
girl is here. I can hear her voice through the walls. Perhaps I
should go to her..." His mind was racing, for he wasn't quite sure
what to do. A part of him felt like ignoring her, but his heart
fluttered, and he couldn't deny what feelings he had for the girl
in his current sane state. He understood that it was himself
controlling such a feeling in a sense that his vampiric instincts
couldn't. It was quite different.

Then another part of him was battling these feelings, and he was
not sure where it exactly came from. He only just met the girl
yesterday, or... was it yesterday? Time itself was long. But this
feeling told him that it could not possibly be real love, that it was
just another illusion pulled over his eyes to blind him. At least
these thoughts would be something Zayn would undoubtedly
say.

"Zayn, forgive me. I feel lost, but I won't badger my sordid affairs
to you. We have been separated for so long... I feel more
concerned for you... and... I'd like to sit and speak with you about
your past, and I shall share mine, if you'd wish to hear it. All I
wish to know is how you became in such a state, as you are in now,
like I am; but it is only obvious that you and I, ambitiously managed
to succeed in discovering that hateful evil spirit. I am implying
that you tell me where you have continued, and all that you had
to endure for the past two centuries. December is waiting, mayhap
we discuss such later... I take my leave..."

With that, he lumbered off down the staircase, but went slowly,
deliberately.

[Felypsa]

Rosaline stared up at Taro; his words and manner were frightening. She felt so small and pathetic beside him. When she spoke, she spoke in a whisper: “Oh, please, sir. It’s just on the coast, by the beach…there.” She pointed in the direction, where a little trail of smoke was winding into the sky. “I think my granma might be waiting for me. Just…make sure I’m not being followed.” She cast a nervous glance behind her, as if expecting to see a raging, foaming-at-the-mouth Fortuné chasing her. Involuntarily she stepped closer to Taro.

[/color]



The mercenary waited, breathless. All that answered her was silence; she feared the worst. And then, a moment later, she heard the clattering of someone coming clumsily down the stairs. She almost smiled; it had to be Fortuné. She moved towards the sound, and climbed up the stairs to meet him. “Wait, I’ll come up there,” she called. “No need to be separated from your brother. I just wanted to make sure you were all well after that encounter…”

Of course December was unaware of Fortuné’s borderline passion for her; if she had, what would she have done? It was not logical for someone to fall in love after only knowing someone for a day and night. One had to get to know one before making such a decision on love. That was where the girl was wrong, naturally; one did not make a decision regarding love. It was not a voluntary thing. It was unpredictable. All December knew was that Fortuné was a friend who had shattered all her stereotypes and misconceptions about the creatures of darkness. Well, love had to start somewhere, didn’t it?[/color]
[/center]

[Mama Z]

He only stood looking straight in the direction he was going. Listening quietly as his brother said his final words and took his leave. Slowly, very slowly, towards Decembers call. Behind his mask he closed his eyes and let his head fall into a bow. A vampires place was not to love, and Fortune was falling quickly. At least, he thought turning to look in the darkness where his blood did once stand, at least he was trying.

[Aveilthé]

OOC: Teeeheee hahaha. *Rolls about on the floor giggling like a mad young schoolgirl.*

"Kay... uhm... lets go, den." Taro allowed his arm to her, though
him being a giant of a man, would at least try to show that even
though he was a big bald beastly man, he could amount to be
a gentleman like everyone else in the city.

"Alrighty. Nobodeh followin' us," he replied gently, leading
the girl to where she was pointing at. When they approached
closer to their destination, Taro narrowed his eyes and thought.
They were apparently following the route of which the many
posters about a certain vampire pointed to via maps. Taro
didn't say anything of this though, and locked his jaw shut.
The house was even precisely what the posters had described.
Oh, snap, this girl... and Dec... and... Holy crap, he thought.
It was all coming to him now.

Fortuné almost smiled too as he heard December's voice, but he
didn't say anything. In his mind, however, he wished to be away
from his brother for a moment; the seraphic girl sounded just like
his mother... that gave the vampire a slight stab of annoyance,
but he brushed that though off immediately. After all, he was the more
passive type, and would unconditionally let December walk all over
him if she wanted. The spineless sap halted and faced the girl
whom his true heart was confusing over, and he felt himself redden
in the spot out of embarassement. What would she think about him?
Well thank God that it is almost impossible to read minds.

"Encounter?" he then replied, feeling his mind's metaphorical
hamster running on a wheel. He felt it best not to lie to December.
"Yes... all is well." At this point, Fortuné felt adrenaline racing
through his veins as he imagined being closer to the seraphic
girl. He shivered at the thought.

"December... I... I'm really sorry..."

With that, he stepped up close to her, and if she allowed it, he
would take her gently in his arms. And in an an attempt to close
in on her, he would lean toward her and try embracing her with a
soft, warm kiss. All was done very gently, and of course, was an
attempt; it was up to December to allow or to prevent this.
Apparently, Fortuné did not care what would happen, or what
December would think of him.

[Relairah]

OoC: Damm y'all, ya went ahead again lol jk... anyway, wow this is so awesome! Must reply xD

The sound of clattering dishes was heard in Jolene's little home
as she hurredly placed everything aside. She wasn't all that
hungry anymore anyway, for the whole time she had been
eating, she had been running things over in her mind from the
past twenty-four hours and had made her feel rather anxious.
She was unsure of what exactly, but she had an awkward
feeling. She stepped out, looking around momentarily, as if
expecting something, then grasped tighter the dagger that she
held in her hand and moved foward. Its golden hilt shone in the
sunlight above, as it was of course no longer night, and as she
moved to a slightly quicker pace someone familiar caught her
bright orange gaze.

It was the girl from last night, that she and December had spent
who knew how long chasing down, along with Fortuné, the damn
fool. There was no mistake, but the girl seemed much different
than before. Jolene began moving toward her, and noticed that
she traveled now with a rather large man. She was curious as to
who he was, for when she had caught a glance of December on
her way to her home, she had noticed a man December was with.
The image in her mind of that was quite vague, however, and so
she didn't rack her brain about it.

She slipped around easily, following them. 'Where the hell are
they going?' she wondered. She knew she was being
distracted from her search for December... but, curiosity once
more had taken her, as it had just only the night before when
she had followed December and Fortuné into that old, worn
mansion. That was where all of this had started, somewhat. She
bit her lip as she continued to follow the two, wondering what
she'd say or do if they noticed her... it wasn't much longer until
she realized where they were headed, and she pieced it together
that the house they were heading to was the girls, Rosaline's
that is.

She concluded that perhaps she'd follow the man if he decided
not to stay at the house. Although, if he did, she'd simply resume
her search for the mercenary. Somehow, she had a thought in
her mind that she already knew where the other was, but now,
she was not to go and see if her little thought were right. Neh,
now she was busy with something else, which she knew wouldn't
last too long. How could taking someone home take that
long?

OoC: Blargh, it sucks... sorta just catching Jolene up heh ^^;

[Felypsa]

oOc| like, whoa. =O Scandalous!

Rosaline only nodded in response to Taro’s reassurance. Tiredness was seeping into her. All the energy she had spent that morning, pleading and running and crying, was draining out of her, leaving her completely worn out. Her emotions were taxed; never had she felt so much in her life. As they approached her house, she managed a smile, relieved; and her grandmother came to the door, looking very concerned. But before she could go to her, Rosaline, sapped of her strength, swooned and fainted. Unless Taro caught her, she would fall to the ground. The grandmother let out a cry and hurried towards them, afraid for her only granddaughter.



December halted when Fortuné came down to confront her. On the one hand, she was relieved that he was fine; on the other, she was annoyed with him for frightening Rosaline. Torn between these emotions, December’s face was expressionless as she listened to Fortuné. When he apologized, she felt all her annoyance dissolve, and realistically knew it wasn’t his fault. “Don’t be silly,” she said, though that was like telling a bird not to fly; “you’re not to blame. That stupid girl—”

She didn’t to finish exactly what she had to say about that stupid girl. Suddenly she was aware of how close Fortuné was to her; suddenly she realized that he was holding her in his arms, and that he was leaning in towards her. December was so stunned—so inexperienced—that she just stood without moving and let it all happen. She could neither back away nor respond in kind. And then he kissed her—and her purely logical mind scrambled to figure out what was going on.

After a few seconds of this one-sided romance—Fortuné might have felt like he was kissing a statue, she was so stock-still—December’s brain kicked back into action. She gently disentangled herself from his embrace, pulling away from him. She was absolutely shocked. That had never happened to her before. She didn’t know how to react. She wasn’t furious (it still hadn’t registered in her mind how bold Fortuné had just been!), but she wasn’t immediately won-over by the romantic vampire.

“What…?” she asked. “What was that?” She looked at Fortuné as if she had just realized he was standing there. “What did you just do?” Her tone was surprised and just a little angry. She didn’t like being so confused. She had just come to check up on Fortuné and his brother, and make sure they weren’t blood-hungry or scarred by that stupid girl’s cross. And all of a sudden, she was standing here with this vamp she had just met the previous day, utterly confused. “Were you trying to suck my blood?” The question burst out of her. Of course, it was completely irrational, and she regretted it the moment it came out of her. She hurried to erase the hurt she might have just caused. “No, no, of course you weren’t—just forget about what i said, I hadn’t meant that, obviously that wasn’t your intention.”

But if it’s not, she thought to herself, then what is? Love was a foreign concept to her; it didn’t even strike her as a possibility. It was simply outside her sphere of comprehension.

She looked around for Imi, but the bird wasn’t there. My friend, she thought sarcastically. She turned back to Fortuné, hands on her hips. “So just what is this all about?” she demanded, irked by her own confusion.

Imi had flown away from December the moment she saw Fortuné to find Zayn. The bird was wiser than she perhaps looked; and besides, she was drawn to those who had no one. That was why she had joined December in the first place. Imi enjoyed being the companion to someone who would otherwise be alone. So she found Zayn, who was standing there contemplating the empty space before him as if seeing something else. She chirruped to announce her arrival, then landed on a shelf, tilting her head to look at the more withdrawn vampire.

She whistled again, but if Zayn listened closely enough, her musical notes might actually sound like slurred words. Why do not love? She twittered these same, hauntingly-understandable notes two more times. No, the bird was not completely incomprehensible; she made others understand her when she wanted to.

[Mama Z]

All was now quiet. There was no sound of movement, nor sound of voices. Just the deafening silence that he was often so accustomed too. Then Imis soft flapping wings echoed as she landed and proceeded to chrip away, breaking the line of thoughts that he was currently drowning in. His lead lifted, a strand of hair falling loosely from its otherwise perfect position. Gently it fell, resting right over the proclen of his mask. Speech seemed to spill from her small moving beak. If she were human, he could only imagine what she was saying. But thats all it was, he assured himself, a dream that she was asking the vampire a question.

For once, he gave a short smirk at his childish thinking, for indeed, what bird could talk. Then the echo of murmurs, Decembers voice he was guessing, reached his ears. He didnt know what she said but confusion rang out through it. Why did he not love? He did, once, long ago. It was the world who did not love him. He felt the solid pang of jealousy, jealousy for his brother and jealousy for the normal people out there. "I've learned to be lonely,' He whispered, whether it was answering the question Imi asked or his own musings, either way. He learned. With a quiet sigh he headed back down to where he was lying before. Music, he had to play his organ or his violin. Something, anything to get away from these self-pitying thoughts.

[Aveilthé]

OOC: Who wants to roleplay ze grandmuzzer? I could if there are no takers.

Taro was merely lumbering alone, but issued a great gasp as
he saw the young lady beginning to fall. "Watch yerself!" he
shouted, taking one massive stride then reaching out his arms
to catch her. "Dat wus close," he breathed, irked that the silly
girl would do such a thing. "Evenin', ma'am," Taro said after a while,
albeit in a bit of a dark tone at the elderly lady that dashed outside.
"She'll be fine, she on'leh fainted. Can we git her inside? N' the
meantime, can we talk 'bout yer thing...", he cleared his throat
in a businesslike way, "with dem posters n' all dat stuff?"

The lad stood there helplessly, his arms hanging loosely, but he'd
look at December with no emotion on his face. His stature
appeared more so as if he were nothing more than a young boy
being punished for breaking expensive china, but bravely
accepting the criticism his parents would have thrown at him.

"No... no...," Fortuné responded quietly once December ended
her bout of confused inquirations. For a moment, he didn't
understand why she was so confused. He didn't realize that
she was inexperienced. It did not take long for that realization
to dawn on him, however. Suddenly, guilt gripped his heart.
He was once again taking advantage of someone he cared for.

Clearing his throat slowly, he thought carefully of how he would
present his next words. He would attempt to give them out
scrupulously. The situation was dire, and anything he could say...
well, he was not sure how December would react then. To upset
her was the last thing he wanted.

"It... it is something... it is how I feel... for..."

There was a long pause. Fortuné did not exactly know how to
tell her what he was thinking, and what he truly meant.

"I'm sorry. Forgive me. Just..."

Another long pause. The poor vampire did not want to tell
December off like he did to Rosaline. It did occur to him that what
he had just done was very wrong, and done so quite rashly. The
situation might have been easier if December understood why
he did that.

[Felypsa]

oOc| I guess I will just for this post...but if someoe wants to take grandma, they can go ahead =D

[/color]

The grandmother reached the side of the giant, who had caught her precious darling just in time. "Thank you so much...oh, the poor dear's been faint of heart since her granpa died. Come inside, come inside..." She felt the forehead of Rosaline, who stirred but did not wake yet. The grandmother looked up at Taro's last words, her eyes dark. "The posters? Are you here to talk business? Then, you are more than welcome to come inside. Especially because you helped my precious darling." She beckoned Taro and held the door open for him. Once inside, she gestured to the couch in one of the rooms, "Please put her there." The grandmother rushed to get some tea, having already put on the kettle for the morning. "Come into the kitchen, so we can talk." The grandmother showed Taro to the table and turned away to work on the tea. "So, what is your interest in my posters?" She asked, her voice hard.

Once Rosaline was there, she mumbled something and looked as if she might wake, but she did not. Indeed, she was troubled by dreams that involved vampires and crosses, demons and angels, blood and fire. She tossed and turned but could not wake. The names she mumbled often in her sleep sounded vaguely like "Fortuné" and "Zayn"...[/color]



December stood there staring at Fortuné, waiting for his response; but when it came, she still did not understand. The poor merc was an innocent as Rosaline when it came to affairs of love, and the emotions she was feeling were not helping her better understand the situation. This, she thought, is outside my range. I did not come to this plane for this!...Did I? "Feeling?" she repeated. "What does your feeling have anything to do with...?" And then, finally, it struck her.

"No," she said, simply disbelieving it. "Fortuné, I knew you were ridiculous, but this is simply absurd...impossible...it cannot be. You must be confused. Please, you don't know how strange that is!" She laughed, but it wasn't very funny. "Did you know that I never knew my mother? Do you know why I never knew my mother?" This was the most of any emotion December had displayed in all the time she had known Fortuné. "Because she was a mortal, she was from this plane...my father is from another plane, the angelic plane, and they simply can't mix. Otherwise, you get me...a mixed-up, confused mutt who never knew her mother."

She turned away. "Fortuné, I don't know what you feel. I can't know what you feel. All I know is you had better feel it for someone else...not me. Even Rosaline is a safer bet. At least she is of your plane; at least such a liaison would not be impossible!"

December let out a sigh, releasing all her emotions and being practical again. "Forgive you? Of course I forgive you...you didn't do anything wrong. Just don't...you can't..." she paused, "do it again. Do you understand?"

What December didn't understand was that she was suppressing emotion with her ever-present rationality.[/color]

Imi fluttered over to follow Zayn, for the truh was, she was seeking company too. And what better company was there than a musician? With luck, she would be treated to his music, and she was sure it would be wonderful. She remembered Fortuné's violin-playing the day before, and surely such musical talent ran in the family. She twittered in happy anticipation. She no longer seemed capable of the words she had seemed to speak earlier.
[/center]

[Relairah]

Bright orange eyes watched from a near distance as the girl
fainted and the two people she was following went inside. She
stood there a moment, biting her lip, wondering if she should
turn back or go further. At last she let out a gentle sigh and
moved foward once again. It wasn't long before she reached the
little cottage where the girl and her grandmother lived and she
stood next to a window, not wanting to be seen, of course. As
she stood, trying to breathe softly so as to be able to hear what
was going on inside, she would be able to heare faintly what
was going on. Of course, she could not hear Rosaline's faint
murmers in her sleep... for that she'd have to be in the room and
all, but she could hear Taro's voice and she could here the
grandmother's voice, faintly.

She only needed to listen a moment to piece things together.
For, as they were talking about the posters, she was able to
figure out some of the questions she'd had bothering her young
mind. She now understood who'd put out the posters, and why,
and how all of this fell into place. And then she realized, the man
in there was a mercenary. How she hadn't noticed before was
beyond her... after all, a mercenary would have a sword on them
no doubt. Which meant... he'd be after the two vampires she had
only met the night before.

She frowned, it would be just too awkward for her to just run in
there saying that the vampires were innocent and all... it wasn't
they're fault they had to feed to survive. And so, she moved
away from her positioin. She felt she now had a reason to go
back to that dark place the vampires lived in, and a thought
passed through her mind as she did: perhaps she'd run into
December on the way there. She hoped she would. As she left, if
any of the people in the house were looking in the window, they
would catch a glimpse of her as she ran off. This had become
quite interesting, and was getting better... and worse... all the
while, she thought to herself.

[Mama Z]

(HEy go on ahead, I cant really do much as of now...so cha..)

[Aveilthé]

OOC: Okay. Sorry about that! But you could still post, because of Imi.

"Yuh, dat," Taro replied darkly, finding a chair to sit on but only
fell with ease. His size was immesurable. It made the house
almost look like a miniature-people's house.

Once he got comfortable, he placed his hands on his knees and
leaned over a bit as the old lady worked on the tea. "Thank yuh
kindly ma'am, but dat's not necessary." Taro may have been mean
and sometimes unbearable, but he at least had enough decency
for his mannerisms. Though he spoke modestly, he still hoped
for some tea anyway (he was poking his head around hopefully
with his nose in the air).

"So yes, da posters. Well let me tell ya one thing, dat I live ter
kill. Always git da job done," he said proudly, raising himself up
some. "N' I'm yer best man ter do it. And I think I know where
ter begin," he finished, looking at the knocked-out Rosaline
in a suspicious manner. "I've killed far worse dan vampires."
There was an icy grin seen upon his face as he thought of killing,
including the thoughts of the older days when he was with
December and all their mercenary pals. "Da name's Taro, so if
ya ever need ter call 'pon me, you'll know muh name."

The vampire was still standing clammed up almost like December
had done when he had first kissed her. And in his mind, he felt
anger spark up for the first time being with her.

"So what am I then, a duck?" he retorted darkly. "You say that
we are different, but I assure you, we are not so different. Try
living for centuries." He then moved also, but as he did so, he
was shuddering a little. "There is a part of me that is also
otherworldy, so don't you dare say that I am from the same
plane as every other miserable human here. There's a part of you
that is human too, isn't there? Just like me. Thus, I conclude,
you and I are pretty much on the same stratum." He crossed
his arms haughtilly and glared at December, but became a bit less
angry, but was intent on trying to prove his point. Perhaps this
was due to the fact that he could subconsciously feel December's
level of insecurity, and in this way he could finally coerce her.

"I can't help with how my true feelings are," he spoke quietly,
turning his head away. "Perhaps later I'll get over that." At this
point, there was a pause. "Truly I am sorry that you never knew
your mother. It must be difficult."

We all have our problems, Fortuné thought warily as he rubbed
his temples due to sleepiness. It's more real than I thought... we
were the lucky ones, I suppose.