Anne Bonny Barbossa-Swann:
Anne walked back from her religion class, walking towards home alone for the first time since she'd started taking them. Usually Father Abel or his nice son Isaac would take her home. But part-way through the lesson on Esther, they had been interrupted by a sudden family reunion. Anne hadn't known about the family troubles, but when another daughter suddenly showed up with a mate and a bunch of kids, it was a regular tear-fest.
Always the polite den-guest, Anne had quietly left, not bothering to ask Father Abel or his son to take her home. It was still sort of light out and she could take care of herself, it wasn't too far. She didn't want to intrude on the, what appeared to be, joyous occasion.
It was getting dark as she walked towards her den, but she wasn't afraid of the dark. The Caspian and South China Seas were not far from where Father Abel and his family called home, though it was rather odd to think of a couple of fierce pirate Lords and a priest living so close to one another... But it didn't bother Anne Bonny much. Less of a walk. She lived apart from her parents, but in their expansive territory, unlike her other brothers and sisters, she did her best to stay close. Though it was probably because of an apprehension of living completely on her own.
What could be seen of her pale fur almost seemed to glow in the growing darkness as she walked home, careful to keep her dress from getting dirtied, her veil secured on her prim curls be a couple of carefully concealed pins. She took after papa most, though she had her mother's complexion. Curly brown hair, a penchant for fair clothing and ruffles, she even liked fruits with a passion that equaled the old pirate dog. No one knew where her silver eyes came from, though. Papa had blue, as did four of her siblings, Mama had brown, and her elder brother had gold. Perhaps her father's parents, Papa always said he couldn't remember them.
She was probably the most virtuous cut of her siblings. Her sisters had much more saucy looks about them, and all but her dear baby brother Nathaniel were thieves or rogues of some type. Not that it bothered her, they were family after all and she was convinced that her prayers were strong enough to save their souls.
She paused in her steps to smile at a night-blooming flower just beginning to open. A careful paw gently touched the petals and she dipped her head to sniff the subtle fragrance.
Angelus:
Angelus was skulking, sliding through shadows as he felt the pressure of his past sins catching up with him. He had lost some of his power, he could feel it, he no longer struck terror into the hearts of those in the oasis. With the slayer back...and more dangerous then ever he was forced to cool his heels. His son...hah some son, he was ashamed of connor the son who didn't have the guts to follow his fathers pawprints...or kill him.
He paused and slowly lifted his head his yellowed eyes narrowing into dangerous slits. A slow predatory smirk slipped over his muzzle as he spotted a pretty young female...alone. Then she paused before the lovely soft petals of a night bloomer and he sucked in a slow breath.
For a moment Angelus felt himself hurtled back in time, to when he had first laid eyes on Dru. She had been young and innocent and her corruption was still probably one of his greatest moments...next to killing the slayer. This little female made the wicked core inside him howl for release, he wanted to repeat the past, to spread corruption. His paws were already ahead of him silently drawing him behind her.
"Good Evening...what is such a lovely lady doing all alone this late?"
Anne Bonny Barbossa-Swann:
"It isn't late," Anne replied automatically, eyes still closed as she remained bent over the flower for a moment. A soft smile was one her face when she straightened, turning to open her eyes and look at the stranger who had approached her. He reminded her of someone, or something, though she couldn't quite place it. She might have remembered the warnings she had gotten from her older sister Pearl and her brother-in-law, but she didn't.
"But if you must know, I was on my way home," she added, still smiling, her voice a dulcet soprano that her father once said reminded him of birdsong on a cool sunny afternoon.
"Is there something I could help you with?"
Angelus:
It was almost laughable he even had to struggle not to laugh and yet incredulous words slipped from his mouth.
"Help me?"
Now that was amusing, she thought she could help him with something. Ah, but she could, she could be his next project...his next victim and that would help soothe his bruised ego and the cruelty rising so furiously inside him. He moved in a bit closer his nose twitching as he made sure she didn't have anyone approaching.
"You...are very pretty, did you know that?" He wondered what her name was, probably something soft, sweet, flowery.
Anne Bonny Barbossa-Swann:
"Yes, help you. I don't generally have strangers approaching me for idle conversation," Anne replied, unfazed by neither his tone nor his approach. Her chin rose ever so slightly, tilting her head just so to one side as she gave him a look of mild questioning.
Her smile turned modest and she dipped her head in a nod of gratitude.
"Thank you for saying so," she said, a hint of disbelief in her voice. No, Pearl and Mama were the pretty ones. And Mary was so very... exotic. Yes, she was pretty, but in an innocent, child-like way in her opinion. Of course, it was mostly of her own doing, but she never felt... right, wearing any of her sisters' dresses, and her hair just looked a mess if she didn't keep it in its tidy curls. She blamed Papa for that.
Angelus:
"What? I'm surprised the males don't trip over themselves for a chance to chat with you...oh how rude...you can call me Angel." He flashed a charming grin and slowly sat down, he couldn't risk making her nervous. Slowly he raised a brow at the tone of disbelief in her voice.
"Rather modest I think...or can it be you don't realize your own beauty? You look like you belong here...with the moon making you blossom...like that flower." He leaned in a bit his eyes glowing as he took her in, yes she was like a pretty spark in the darkness. The perfect picture of innocence and no one around to keep her safe, it almost made his mouth water. Should he turn her? No that would be too fast...he wanted to savor this, he would simply gain her trust tonight and then see if he could continue his game.
Anne Bonny Barbossa-Swann:
Anne looked off in thought for a moment.
"No, not really. But then, I don't meet many individuals, none that are not related to me. My brothers have an uncanny ability to discourage interactions with their sisters. It's a wonder my sister has a mate at all," she replied with a small giggle. When he introduced himself, she rose one paw in habit, expecting him to either kiss or shake it.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Angel." Where had she heard that name before? "You may call me Anne."
She blushed a bit at his question and the comparison to the flower.
"I am pretty, but I assure you my mother and sisters are far more alluring," she added honestly, her pale fur no where near dark enough to hide the rosy heat of her flushed cheeks.
Angelus:
He grinned as she offered her paw and took it slowly in his lifting it a bit as he lowered his head to give it a tender caress with his lips. He inhaled slightly the sweet scent of her blood urging him to yank her forward and put an end to her fragile life. He controlled himself and slowly released her paw.
"Ahh protective brothers...but they aren't here now? Perhaps you'll allow me to extend you some protection on a little walk?" He had to struggle to hide the predatory gleam in his eyes. The thrill of this hunt had lifted his spirits, as long as no one intruded on this perfect chance.
Anne Bonny Barbossa-Swann:
"I may, but not for very long. I must be getting home soon, and it would be completely inappropriate for you to walk me home. But a little walk to no where in particular, I can allow that," Anne replied as she set her paw back down on the ground and stood, turning in a direction she knew. It wouldn't take her home or back to the Nightroads', but it wouldn't take her far, either.
"Yes, they are rather protective. One can never be too careful here, they say, especially for us females. As if we cannot take care of ourselves." She shook her head with an amused smile. It was silly. No, she wasn't a thief or a rogue like most of her family, but she, like her mother and sisters, was not helpless. She was a pirate's daughter after all, she wasn't without a few tricks up her sleeves. A little more literal a thought than one might think.
Angelus:
"Of course, I wouldn't want you to think me inappropriate, swayed to impropriety by your beauty perhaps...but not a complete scoundrel." He chuckled at her and moved to walk beside her.
"I'm sure you would be wise enough to stay away from any danger should it cross your path..." Such as himself, he thought with amusement. Oh, and she thought she could protect herself, how quaint. She was perfect, if he could toy with her, break her mind or spirit...and turn her on her own. Who were her brothers? Her family? She looks innocent and sweet, but not one of the Priests daughters, they all had their mothers...fire. He almost groaned at the memory of losing Jedi...damn her, but he would have his revenge.
Anne Bonny Barbossa-Swann:
Silver eyes gave him a quick sideways glance as her lips moved in the growing darkness.
"Oh, I'm sure." The words were so soft, there was no telling if he'd actually caught them, or the look Anne had given him. Try as he might, she wasn't stupid, or blind. She knew that vampires, especially the males, weren't the most proper of otters. Spike and William, they were both rogues at heart and while they were charmers, there was always a darkness lurking beneath it. Even if it was just a desire for a romp with their beloveds. Even Father Abel, she knew a bit of the story, of when he was taken in the heat of battle. But then, Papa had made it clear that she wasn't to trust any male at first glance, because there was no telling what they might want. Brutally honest, her father.
"Not quite. I don't read others as well as I wish I did. But I have my ways," Anne replied, tilting her head upwards slightly as the walked slowly, her silver eyes locking on the full disk rising into the sky.
Angelus:
He smirked a bit and felt the urge to pull her veil away, touch her neck, see if it would snap as easily as he thought. Hmmm...he was getting impatient and he had once been such a careful hunter. He refocused on her voice, soft but not weak, she had good self esteem. She also obviously thought she could take care of herself and he looked at her curiously.
"Oh? He followed her gaze a bit and grinned. "Does the moon reveal her secrets to you?"
Anne Bonny Barbossa-Swann:
"I don't believe the moon has any secrets," Anne replied without even pausing for thought. She did, however, pause in her steps, stopped walking and looked at the world around her. Her gaze was wide-eyed with what could only be wonderment as she looked around. The sun had fully set, it was the world of night and there were many things she saw in the darkness, things she had seen but never truly looked at before.
"But I think she tells me the secrets of other things," she added, turning her eyes back to Angel. She considered him in the growing moonlight. He was a demonic and a vampire, bigger than her but who wasn't? Glowing yellow eyes and spiky brown hair she wanted to touch. Was it soft and springy or would it be hard pokey against her paw?
Angelus:
He let out a mild chuckle at her response, she was probably right, the moon herself held no secrets but she had born witness to many over the eons. Was it not beneath the moon that he had slain so many innocents? Was it not under her beams that he had taken the Slayers last breath from her? Was it not the moon who witnessed the same Slayer re-awaken to torment him night...and day. Yes...in the darkness he had been able to hide much, but the moonlight often found him no matter how deeply he attempted to conceal himself.
He turned his gaze back onto the petite female eyeing her as she eyed him and then smiled crookedly, a charming almost boyish grin. He had practice looking...sweet...innocent...well perhaps not that far, but charm he could manage.
"I'd best escort you back a bit...before it becomes too terribly late..."
He moved to turn and then looked at her with his head raised a bit determined to look hopeful. "Will I have the pleasure of your company again sometime soon? You wouldn't rat me out to your brothers and deprive me of your beauty would you?"
Anne Bonny Barbossa-Swann:
Anne returned his smile with a modest one of her own and let out a slow sigh.
"I suppose you should. I think this would be about the time I normally get home," she said softly, the last part more to herself than to him. She turned around in the direction they had come from and began walking again. Or, at least she started to. When he paused and asked if he would meet her again, she turned back to him, tilting her head to one side.
"No, I wouldn't do that, but why would you bother?" Her silver eyes were wide, the question full of innocent surprise at the idea that he enjoyed this little walk and chat with her so much that he would wish to see her again. That he wouldn't want her telling her brothers, goading them into chasing him away.
Angelus:
"Why bother? You can't be serious? Here I have the chance to have an evening stroll with a clever and pretty female and you wonder why I wouldn't want to repeat the activity? Anne you must be very modest or sorely lacking in males who aren't blind to your presence." He smirked at her and led her back towards the path he had found her on taking her paw to graze it again with his lips.
"It has been a pleasure..."
Anne Bonny Barbossa-Swann:
She blushed again and looked modestly away. If she had to think about it, Anne would probably say it was a bit of both. She didn't think she was that entertaining, and really all of males she interacted with were part of her family. Or Father Abel and his son. It was difficult for her to feel that she was interesting when she was surrounded by far more interesting individuals.
She didn't say anything in reply, not until they were back to where she had met him, the flower now fully open. She smiled and dipped slightly in a curtsey when he took her paw and kissed it, bending her head slightly in a nod.
"I did enjoy my time with you. Perhaps we will see each other again."
Angelus:
"I pray we will..." He smiled and gave her a slow bow before moving back into the shadows. The word pray had felt sour on his tongue, but he would tell any lie to ensnare a new victim. He had best hurry back to Dru though, or his pretty toy would be jealous.
"Anne..." He murmured to himself in the shadows and slowly smirked whistling his way home.
Anne Bonny Barbossa-Swann:
Anne watched as the vampire turned and walked away, listening until his whistling grew faint before she turned towards home.
Before she could take a step, though, there was a rustle in the bushes behind her and she whipped around, just as another otter walked into sight. He stopped when he saw her a surprised look on his face for a moment before he smiled slowly.
"Miss Anne?" His question surprised her, the timbre of his voice... It was almost as if...
"Yes?" she asked, watching as his smile grew slightly. He was also a demonic, but he didn't have the look of a vampire about him. Pearl said it was difficult to tell sometimes, though. Especially with demonics.
She watched as he sat down and a bag slid from his back to his side. He carefully reached in and pulled out a human's pocket Bible, a page marked with a thin metal cross.
"They said you left this, I offered to return it," he replied, holding it to her. Anne took it with a smile, clutching it to her chest with one paw. He looked off for a second before speaking again, managing to add before she could thank him. "And, if I may?"
"Yes?" she asked again, wondering who this young male was. In the blink of an eye he was close to her, too close, slipping something- A sudden fragrance as he stepped back again, she realized he had quickly slipped a strange blue flower behind her ear.
"You didn't have to leave. Mother would have liked to meet you." He paused, grinning sheepishly. "Forgive the flower, but I couldn't resist. Have a good evening, Miss Anne."
He bowed and stepped backwards a pace before turning around.
"Wait!" she said quickly, still too stunned by his speed and manners to move just yet. He stopped, looking over his shoulder and blinking at her.
"Yes, Miss Anne?"
"Who are you?" He gave her a charming smile, the familiarity of it unnerving.
"Isaiah. Father Abel's grandson." And with that, he disappeared into the night, his black pelt making him almost invisible.
All but for his dual-colored, glowing eyes.
:: The Otter Oasis Guild ::
