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 Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2010 10:24 am
Melantha:
Melantha slunk closer to Angelus secluded home her mind whirling, she didn't know what to do anymore. She knew she should have asked her father or her mother or her siblings for help, but she couldn't. She just couldn't let them know about how she ached to tear into something to drink deeply to sate a hunger that shouldn't even be there. She sat up and ran her claws through her fiery hair in frustration. Angelus had shown her how easy it was, how delicious the mini's were easy prey. She had been revolted by her own weakness and stayed away from Angelus and his dark dangerous ways, but when dawn broke and she closed her eyes she could hear his voice. She had tried to just stay awake during the day and sleep at night not suffering as much as her siblings, but in the end she had failed. She despised the harsh painful light of day, the way her eyes ached and watered. Now she found herself failing again as her stomach clenched and rolled begging for a certain sweet life giving liquid. She looked down her paws back on the earth and then looked over her shoulder. 'Turn back...you don't have to do this' She thought hopefully, but then one paw moved infront of the other taking her dangerously closer to the demons lair.
Connor:
Connor had been moving through the trees, walking across branches and gliding between them to get from one tree to the other. He rarely came down to the ground anymore, and for good reason. His father hated him and he was wary of the older otter. He had a good idea that Angelus would kill him at the first opportunity and Connor wasn't going to let that happen.
Because it was his destiny to kill his father, he just knew it.
He caught the sound of another otter below him and looked down to see a familiar face. Melantha, his father's pet project. His glowing eyes narrowed on the female's form and he fell from the trees, gliding silently as an owl to land a few leaps behind her.
"You shouldn't be here," he growled between bared teeth.
Melantha:
Melantha whirled around and inhaled startled by how familiar the scent was, this was one of Angelus children? Her eyes narrowed a moment before her ears pinned back unhappily. Did he think she was stupid? She was smart enough to know she shouldn't be there, but she wasn't as strong as she was smart. She was too weak to stay away, when Angelus could give her exactly what she needed to take the edge off, to make her safe to be around her friends and family again. Yet Connors tone had her acting defensively her back arched a bit like an angry cat ready to hiss and spit.
"Yeah, what would you know?" She growled out before she slowly relaxed her posture and frowned wiping a paw over her face. "Look...I know...I know...what I'm doing..." Which was quite laughable, she had no idea what she was doing, all she knew was that her insides ached and her heart ached too. She didn't ever want her friends or family to know that she and Angelus had partnered to hunt, that the monster found her...amusing. She probably should have been flattered, but instead she felt disgust and fear because she knew what could happen to Angelus obsessions.
Connor:
"Plenty," Connor growled walking closer to her and moved in a circle around her. His father was trying to corrupt her, like he'd tried to corrupt 'Di. Thank whatever it was that had kept his only mother figure good and alive in her time that she was under his father's paw. He hadn't been able to see her after he took her to Logan, the night his father almost killed her. If it hadn't been for the other male, Connor would have done it himself, unable to let another of his mothers be killed by the b*****d.
He should just let his father corrupt her. She was a damn vampire after all, one who couldn't control herself. 'Di was one of them, but she was careful. She never killed. He doubted this little b***h had the will 'Di had.
"I doubt you really do. You know where getting close to that b*****d will get you? Dead or insane," he added, his ears flicked back and eyes narrowed.
Melantha:
His words stung, more then she wanted to admit, her eyes stung but she wouldn't let even a drop of moisture cloud them. Her lips raised in a sneer as she looked him over and then tossed her head back. "Yeah well...you would know, what's that saying 'Like father...like son'" She knew it was unfair to compare them, she knew Angelus didn't even acknowledge that his children existed. His daughter was some broken plaything for that crazy female he kept, and she knew that his other daughter and his son were never near the den. She wondered what the other children...ha they weren't children anymore, what did they do to occupy themselves. Why was Connor still even around his fathers dark lair, why hadn't the young male left and found a place of his own, started his life over.
A part of her envied him, he had that choice, he could go and be good if he wanted. He wouldn't have to suffer these dark desires, he wasn't Angelus' child he was angeic, pure, almost painful to look at. Melantha hadn't known Buffy, but she had no doubt Connor was a replica of his poor murdered mother. She felt her throat constrict, and she...she was going to go beg that murder to take her out for...dinner. Was she any better then Angelus? She knew what she was doing was wrong...but what did wrong and right matter in the end? Buffy had no doubt been good and she was dead, and Angelus was purely evil...and he was alive. Maybe the world wasn't about good and bad as much as survivors and victims.
Connor:
Connor snarled and rose a paw as if to back-hand her across the face. His eyes glowed brighter for a moment before he let his paw fall. No, he wouldn't strike her, then he would be just as bad as his father. But, damn, he hated it when someone else said he was like his father. Yes, he had once told his father he was just like him. But that was mostly to piss him off.
And all in all, he was a b*****d, in his own way. And he was aware of it. Only in that way was he anything like Angelus.
"Never liken me to him. You don't know anything about me," he growled, his wings flaring aggressively for a moment before resettling on his back.
Melantha:
Melantha braced herself for the impact of his paw her own claws rasping against the ground ready to retaliate. She was surprised when the blow didn't come and her eyes narrowed on the male. What was he playing at? She knew her comment had been a sharp barb, perhaps he just thought himself to tough to hit a girl. Angelus had no such compunctions, stronger or weaker he would still strike and hope to inflict pain no matter how great or trivial. Angelus lived for himself, for lust and blood and violence. She...she liked to think she was different, but lately she had been living for herself and blood...so really she was getting as bad as him. It pained her to think that, she wasn't supposed to do this, she had a family, she could go visit with friends. Anna could slip her a few things to hold her hunger over, but for how long? How long until she'd just come right back...and ask Angelus to take her on a little hunt...just one little hunt. It wasn't like they were hurting anyone...except the mini's, she swallowed. It was getting to easy to make excuses, disgustingly easy. She glared at Connor, it was his fault...if he hadn't gotten in the way the whole horrible ordeal might be done by now.
"If you hate your father so much, why are you still around here anyway? Your a big boy you look like you can take care of yourself." She snorted and frowned eyeing him warily still expecting the strike to come.
Connor:
Connor let out a short, forced-sounding and bitter laugh, letting his face melt into a feral grin.
"Vampire, I've been taking care of myself since I was born, otherwise I'd be dead," he said and moved away from her, though he never fully turned his back on her. Only two creatures held his trust enough for him to allow them to stand at his back. And this Melantha was definitely not one of them.
"I stay around just to piss him off. Besides," he paused there to shrug and turn that dangerous look back on her. "I figure why not spoil some of his plans before I kill him."
Melantha:
Vampire, ugh he made it sound so dirty, as if she were somekind of monster! She wasn't...not yet anyway, she was trying so hard to keep hold of herself. It was just hard, harder maybe then it was for the rest of her family. She was a little larger a little stronger, a lot hungrier. She seemed ruled by her wild instincts and passions more then the logic her siblings seemed to show. She thought of Will and his captive, how strange they both seemed to be allowing their moral compass to stray.
"If your going to kill him why would you tell me, aren't you worried I'll tell him?" She ground out still angry at how he classed her like some alliance of Angelus. Slowly she backed up a little her eyes fixed on him. What was he playing at anyway, and did Connor really bother Angelus or stand a chance at killing the monster?
Connor:
Connor scoffed and shrugged again.
"Doesn't matter, he knows damn well I want him dead. Just as much as he'd relish the chance to get me bleeding, broken, and lifeless under his claws," he replied in a nonchalant matter. In truth, he wasn't sure if his father really would kill him. When he was forcibly removed from his shell with the knowledge of his father murdering his mother, for some reason he also had the weak idea in the back of his mind that at one time, Angelus was good to Buffy and had really loved her.
But whether that tiny inkling was true or not, he didn't know or care. This wasn't the otter that fathered him. This was the monster that murdered his mother, who would have drowned him and his sisters while still in their clams if not for 'Di's quick thinking and kind heart. The monster who enslaved 'Di, who raped and almost murdered her. There was no goodness or mercy at all in his heart. And sometimes Connor decided that was one of the few things he and his father had in common.
Melantha:
Melantha shook her head with a frown she just didn't understand why Angelus wanted to kill his children. What had they ever done to him? Didn't all children deserve at least a chance, a good upbringing? It didn't seem Angelus felt that way at all and it once again made her feel ashamed of herself for seeking the monster out. He would only push her desires until soon she thought no differently then him, until downright murder might look justifiable. Her stomach seemed to snarl and twist as if urging her to just surrender the idea of morals at all and sate herself.
She looked at Connor a long moment her legs trembling a bit before she stepped back again. No way, she wasn't even going to try it, Connor was stronger and there was no way he would let himself be a snack. She snarled and turned away frustrated her stomach snarling in protest. "Just...don't tell him I was even around..." She growled unhappily her ears pinning back at the thought of having to suck down ten or fifteen bottles of Anna's alcohol to get some blood.
Connor:
"Whatever. Only reason I would tell him was so that he knew I chased his new little toy off," Connor replied and finally took a good look at her. Even when he was in the trees he hadn't taken the moment to actually study her, besides it was easier to really see at this short of a distance. He probably would have thought her attractive, if he really cared. There was no room for love or lust in his life. Likely he wouldn't live long enough to experience either. But he could imagine other males found her wild look alluring. Her stance was pained, wary, suspicious of him and yet she was uncertain. He supposed he could give her some sort of credit. She must be at least trying a bit to fight of the side of her he hated. He had yet to meet a vampire he liked, 'Di not included because she was some other thing all together.
Besides, he hated her when she drank blood, too.
He turned his glowing eyes away from her with a small sneer.
"If you know what's good for you, you won't come around here again."
Melantha:
"It might be worth it...just to annoy you..." She mumbled under her breathe and glanced back at him her eyes narrowing a bit. Self-righteous jerk, he was so bright it almost hurt to look right at him, like the sun. His words burned as much at that, yes Connor was a dangerous male in more ways then one. If she were smart she'd be sure to stay away from him and Angelus...but she already knew she would probably be back. Her mouth watered and she slunk away into the darkness her ruby eyes gleaming. She'd prove she didn't need Angelus or Connors so called good advice.
Connor:
When she turned and walked away, Connor spread his wings, flapping up into the trees again. He'd grown much stronger than he had been in his youth, he no longer needed a running start or a place to jump from. Of course, he couldn't carry anything, but he was fine with that. Once in the safety of his higher world, he allowed his grim and angry mask to fall from his features leaving a tired, scarred look in its place. He let his head fall back as he sat motionless on his perch and sighed heavily. His eyes opened slowly, and he tilted his head down to look where he had last seen the troubled female.
He shook his head a bit and sighed, "What are you doing?" in reference to himself before he stood and followed her, keeping quiet and in the shadows of the branches.
Melantha:
Melantha slunk along in the darkness her nose twitching as she moved, she couldn't risk a mini this time, she would kill it easily. She didn't want to kill anything, but if she didn't find a larger source of blood she would just...have to risk it. For a moment she started heading towards Will's pond, he kept that mer there maybe she could just take enough to tide her over. She quickly swerved away, no that was wrong, that poor female wasn't some handy snack. She finally forced herself to sit down and tried to get her paws to stop shaking. God it was getting worse, she was so hungry, she bit her lip hard and lapped at the small beads of blood that appeared. Her ears pinned back and she sighed trying to focus again, it would just have to be a mini...and she would have to be very very careful. She stood and slunk towards the lower river banks where the mini otters were usually plentiful.
Connor:
Connor knew where she was going and he had no idea what was going to happen. He'd seen so much death, the only other otter he wanted to see die was Angelus. But he wouldn't try to dissuade her, either, he decided.
He would just swoop in if she got carried away.
'What are you playing at, her guardian angel or something?' his mind whispered to him. Perhaps he was. Or maybe he was just looking out for the little ones. He didn't really know or care. He was a planner at times, but this wasn't one of them. For the moment, he was just going with his gut.
Melantha:
Melantha crouched low and watched as the little otters scampered to and fro collecting, building, they lived such simple happy lives. She waited for a small group and then leapt snatching on up and caging it between her claws and paws. Her heart thundered in her chest as she stared down at the terrified little creature, she wasn't going to kill it. She just had to be...careful, her nose twitched as she slowly brought him up to her mouth. The neck was too small, she'd snap it if she went for it. Her claws pricked into the small arm and she started to lap away at the welling blood.
Her eyes gleamed and she struggled to pull the small creature away even as she saw it pale. Her stomach squeezed eager for more but she quickly yanked the mini away and almost threw it down on the ground. Dazed but alive the little otter quickly scampered away with a mild limp. She clung to the ground her claws drilling little holes into the earth as she stared hungrily after the morsel...no not a morsel...an otter...smaller then her but just as deserving of life.
"Ugh!" She snarled and slammed her paws against a nearby tree clinging to the bark and burying her head against it. She trembled for a long time before soft sobs finally managed to escape her.
Connor:
Connor tensed on his branch when she grabbed the mini, ready to shoot down and rescue it. But as he watched, he realized he wouldn't have to, for when it paled, she threw it away, refusing to kill it. She had more control than he had originally given her credit for, he decided and started to turn away, intending to head back towards "home".
But her snarl caught his attention and he turned back, expecting her to have change her mind about the fleeing mini, only to find her claws in a tree trunk, head pressed to it. She was shaking like a leaf in a gale and his ears caught the sound of crying.
'Turn away, turn away and leave,' he told himself but... He couldn't. He couldn't leave her alone like that, not after she turned from his father's temptation and spared the mini. He swooped down to her and held out a small square of cloth he kept folded and tucked in his arm-band. 'Di had given it to him, to wipe his little sister's face whenever she needed it and he wouldn't be observed doing so. He remembered when 'Di use to wipe his face when it was dirty from failed attempts at flying or Angelus smacking him around.
"Dry your eyes," he said, his voice low and lacking the aggressive, commanding tone he had used before.
Melantha:
She tensed she she heard the sudden soft swooping and her ears pinned back in anguish at the soft voice. Could anything have been worse then him following her? Did he think she was going to go on a solitary killing spree, she wasn't Angelus. She kept her claws in the wood though terrified that if she freed herself she might turn on Connor. Hunger still ran rampant, her stomach ached for more then the measly drops of blood she had pulled from that mini. Slowly she jerked away from the tree and took the cloth. She dabbed her eyes and took a deep breath trying to stop shaking.
"I...just hurt my paw...trying to climb that tree..." She excused herself lamely and thrust the cloth back out for him to take. She frowned and averted her gaze, he really was bright as sunshine. "What are you doing here anyway?" She finally muttered unhappy to have been caught in such an embaressing state.
Connor:
"You should be more careful next time," Connor replied in the same calm tone as before as he took the cloth back, folding and returning it to his hiding place. It was a tone he used with Darling, not wishing to upset her by sounding angry with her. With Artemis, he usually sounded bitter. Everyone else got the jerk.
He ran one paw over his hair, knocking at the blasted halo he doubted he even deserved.
"Do you really want to know?" he asked, figuring that if he told her he was there to keep her from killing anyone, she'd just get upset again. He had to wonder why she kept looking away, unaware that he was "bright".
Melantha:
"I WAS careful...incase you didn't notice it'd still alive, and I'm still hungry." She snapped at him and then frowned and back up a bit. She hadn't wanted to snap at him, or anyone, she didn't want to be violent. She looked down a took a few deep breaths before frowning at him. "What are you anyway some kind of guardian angel, theres more danger then you'll ever manage to protect everyone from." She gave a soft snort and sighed running her claws through her hair again.
"And Yeah I'd like to know why I'm being followed and spied on...I haven't done anything wrong." She added defensively, her eyes narrowed as she tried to look right at him. His blond hair was probably easiest to look at, it wasn't any brighter then her siblings, well maybe a bit. His wings were such a stark white she couldn't quite focus on them and the halo, ha she averted her gaze from it everytime.
Connor:
Connor sighed and rolled his eyes a bit, unfazed at her snapping at him. Oh, sure, he was ready to act if she attacked him, but he didn't really show it. He never did.
"I meant that about your paw," he explained, but it was useless because the ruse was gone.
"I was making sure you didn't kill someone, even if it was just a mini otter."
"Look," he finally said, shaking his head. "It was a whim. I'm definitely no angel and I know damn right I can't protect everyone. Hell, most of the time, I don't even care."
Well, most of him didn't, anyways. A little part of him did care, did want to help his sister protect others, those who couldn't protect themselves. To be like 'Di and his mother had been. To keep evil creatures like his father from hurting others.
But in the end, he knew the price of caring for others. And it was one he didn't think he could pay.
Melantha:
Of course...her paw...she frowned and tried not to look as humiliated as she felt. She flexed her claws a bit pretending to check for an injury she knew wasn't there. She glared at him and frowned at his implication. "I'm not a killer..." She muttered unhappily, but what was the point in trying, he obviously didn't think her any better then his father.
"If you don't care then you should go home and stay home and just watch out for yourself. You seem better at that then trying to play hero, especially since I don't intend to cause any trouble or hurt anyone. You must really think your so perfect just because you can scoop up a clam or nibble on a fish." She huffed and looked away from him glaring at the small holes in the tree. Great, she probably had bark in her hair too. She quickly ran her claws a few more times through the fiery mass wishing she kept a more dignified look like the twins. Instead her sliced up shirt, black skirt, and mussed hair probably made her look more sinister then she had ever been in her life.
Connor:
"Perfect is hardly the term I would use," Connor muttered back. He had no lofty ideals about himself. He knew he was cruel, stained and tainted in his own way. It was in how he treated others, how he was consumed by hatred. And besides that, he was more often eating birds than anything else. Much as he hated the feathers, he didn't like being on the ground. He was more vulnerable down there.
"Then stay away from that b*****d." He waved a paw in the direction of his father's territory. "You stick around him and a killer is all you'll become. The only ones who didn't, they torture others because it's a damn game to their twisted, broken minds."
Having said all that, the other words of her callous comments sunk in and the sneer started to return to his face.
"I don't care because I know what the price is in the end." The growl began to creep back into his voice again with that statement. He wanted to add how he doubted she knew what he really meant by that, doubted she had ever experienced anything like the pain and torture he and the only females he would ever call family had suffered. But he couldn't. The barb stuck in his throat.
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Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2010 10:12 pm
Melantha:
What was his problem anyway? This male with his lofty little ideals looking down his nose at her just because she and her family were vampires. She had good parents, good siblings and she tried to be good and do good for others. She just had some issues at times, when the hunger rose she removed herself from the presence of others for their own good. Not that he seemed to see a single redeeming quality in her, she had found the strength to turn away from Angelus only to be followed like some monster who wouldn't show any self control left alone.
"Look that monster is no friend of mine, but he was a means to an end. I don't like this feeling, I didn't ask for this particular brand of hunger, but I am what I am and I don't want to hurt the people I care about. If I can come out here and find a way..." She shook her head exasperated.
Connor:
"You won't find what you need here, believe me," Connor short back, not so much in an angry tone, but a bit more forceful than before. He grumbled a bit and the rational part of his mind once more asked him what the hell he was doing. He really should just leave her alone, but he hated his father and what he did to females, especially vulnerable ones like 'Di and Melantha. At first glance, he wouldn't have called either of them vulnerable, but he knew they were. 'Di had the hunger, though she had more control. Angelus had tried to use that against his adoptive mother, and by failing to really gain control over her, she had almost been killed.
Of course, only himself, 'Di, and her new mate were aware that she hadn't.
And that was how he wanted to keep it.
He sighed, looking away and curling his lip a bit at his own actions.
"Look, it's not going to get better here, with him. It sounds like it, because that's what he does. Isn't there someone else you can get help from?"
Melantha:
She knew that Angelus so called help was an illusion, she knew he wasn't what she needed. Still it was better then ripping into someone she cared about. She cringed at the thought of hurting her friends or family, of killing someone near and dear to her. She shook her head and frowned. "No...I can't ask my family for help, I can't let them know how...hard it is for me...let them see me like...this." she gestured to the tree and then gazed off to where the mini had run from her in terror.
Her mother would be so ashamed of her if she knew what a monster her daughter had become. Will probably wouldn't even trust her to take care of his kidnap victim if he knew she would snack on her. And her father...he would want to help...to take her on a hunt...but what would he do, what would she do when he saw how wild she got?
Connor:
Damn she reminded him of 'Di. The only real difference was that Angelus tempted 'Di with his own blood rather than taking her hunting or tempting her with the morsels he brought back. He had so many reasons to keep Melantha away from his father. Firstly, it would ruin Angelus' plans and that was reason enough. Secondly, he didn't want to see what 'Di had to go to through happen to anyone else. And of course, lastly, he couldn't risk her becoming like Angelus, a monster, and he knew it would happen. And then he and his sister would have another problem to deal with. The only creature he wanted to kill was his father. But if she got worse...
"How much... do you need?" Great question, he thought. Did he even know where he was going with it?
Melantha:
She looked away feeling ashamed to have to admit what she needed but he had already seen her loosing it. She was normally so much friendlier, fun loving, she loved hanging around Mrs Lovetts. She enjoyed spending time with her siblings, she wanted to be...normal.
"About three minis every three weeks generally holds me...I've tried less..."
The truth was if she were really a killer she would be draining a full size otter dry about once or twice a month. She had no doubt Angelus gorged himself on blood more often then that. The thought made her sick and her rubbed her claws lightly over her arms to dispell the creeping sensation that she could be just as bad.
Connor:
That actually wasn't so bad, really. By the way she made it sound, Connor had expected a good bit more. Hell, he usually needed a couple birds a night to keep from starving. And that was every day. Though, without a large population of eagles, he was one of the few predators of adult birds. And he had a rule that he never went after a nesting adult. Because if they live, that means more food when the babies grow up.
"Come to me, then. You can go out, hunt minis, rabbits, whatever and I can make sure you don't get carried away or anything," he suggested. In fact, if she went after something that wasn't an otter, he might just let her kill it. Er, well, almost kill it. He'd take the rest, but probably not enjoy it as much if it was completely dry.
Melantha:
"You and me hunt together? Won't your father be...upset?" She asked uncertainly, she didn't want him to end up getting killed by Angelus. Oh sure he claimed he was going to kill the older demonic, but Melantha knew that Angelus was probably still too tough for him. "I just don't want to endanger anyone else..." she sighed softly before looking him over. His offer had merit, he could probably handle her get her under control if she got really bad.
Connor:
Connor shrugged.
"Probably, but he can't get to me and he already wants to kill me anyways," he replied and stretched his wings. He rarely put paw to ground anymore because of his wariness over his father. It was so much easier to just stay out of reach than it was to constantly look over his shoulder for yellow eyes.
His mouth actually twitched up at one corner, just a little bit, but it was heading in the direction of a smile.
"Danger's a lifestyle for me. Don't worry about it."
Melantha:
She laughed softly at his cavalier attitude and shook her head with a sigh. "Alright, I guess it's not half as dangerous as relying on Angelus for help. I'll meet you here tomorrow night?" She asked hopefully. "I don't want to get too close to his area again..." She added by way of explaining why they should meet elsewhere. It was a good thing she hadn't gone and tried to snack on Will's little merotter or she'd have some major explaining to do. Connor would no doubt really think she and her whole family were wicked.
Connor:
Connor nodded and his head tilted slightly. He heard a flapping not far from them and his stomach rumbled at the thought of food. He hadn't eaten anything yet this evening. He stood, looking off into the trees, narrowed eyes trying to locate the source.
"Tomorrow night, then," he said with another nod before turning from her. He crouched like he was about to pounce, leapt into the air, and flapped hard, flying up into the trees . At first his wingbeats were audible as he took the effort to get properly into the air, but once he was high enough, they softened until he made no noise at all and disappeared into the trees in search of night-birds.
Melantha:
She watched him carefully curious by the way his eyes seemed to mirror her hunger. He probably needed to hunt as well, though their prey was different. She nodded softly and watched him take off. Her eyes narrowed trying to follow him until he vanished too far and mixed into the foliage for even her sharp eyes to catch. "Till then..." She muttered under her breath and sighed slinking off carefully into the darkness. She wanted to visit her brother, to see how things were coming along with him and his mer. She knew better though, tonight would best be spent in different company. Will would have hated to go to Lovett's now, in the mornings the place still served pies and offered a good gathering spot, but at nights the domain was strictly Anna's. Lovett's turned into a place for the more nerfarious to come relax, drink, flirt, and wreak havoc...and she intended to join them. anna liked her around, Melantha's wicked striking look was generally pretty good for putting the other predators at ease. She didn't like being counted among them but Anna would slip her some blood laced drinks for her cooperation.
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