Seconds

:: woot! Awesome job folks! Totally on the fly RP between The Coven and The Righteous. fun fun! ::

It was just the faintest whisper in the breeze, a gentle caress on her ear, calling to the empty spaces in her mind, filling them with sweet longing. Bethany stared into the murky waves rolling with the silver moonlight, kissing the gritty sand over and over. She touched her tongue to her tender lips, tasting the salty sea spray upon them. A memory flickered and faded. Sighing softly in her reverie, she turned to find her sister in the distance, making her way back to the Shop. She hurried her step lest she be left behind.

A glance, a second glance. Could it be him that stood to the side of the Voodoo Shop? His body too close to the young girl by the fortune teller machine. No, not him... They stood as lover's stood, his face against her neck. His eyes rose gradually and held steadfast to Bethany's gaze. Her breath caught in her throat, his hypnotic red orbs claimed her.

"Precious..." He whispered one word and lured Bethany to him with his vampire's compulsion, releasing the young girl to flee. Bethany moved towards him in a trance. His lips curled seductively as he opened his arms to invite her in. His eyes glowed, pleased with her obedience. He embraced her soft body against his and lowered his head, finding her willing vein.

"DUCKIEEEE!" a desperate shrill ricocheted off the brick walls and pavement from afar. "DUCKIE GET OUT HERE!" The vampire didn't move, except to grip Bethany tighter, closer, drinking deeper of her lifeblood.

Gloriana stopped dead in her tracks at the top of the shop steps at hearing the urgent cry echoing in the air. Her head whipped around, searching frantically for her sister and saw her in the arms of the vampire. "BETHANY!" She ran to her and grabbed her arm, pulling her with all her strength from the vampire's hold. "NO!"

Ares had come up from the street and saw her sisters in a scuffle in front of the shop and broke into a run. "Leave her alone!" she screamed at the vampire as she pulled at Bethany's other arm, trying to free her from him. Ares' grip slipped and she stumbled backwards. Her fury mounted and she attempted to summon her Storm, but found her reserves empty. Her eyes started to tear in frustration. She reached for Bethany again.

Duckie wrapped Bethany possessively in his arms and looked at the two women over her shoulder with malice in his fiery eyes. "I will have what is mine!"

Gloriana eyes were blazing and she flexed her fingers slightly, a rush of energy flowed into her. She grabbed a slender tendril of the earth's energy and created a small ball and with concentrated will, she lashed it towards the vampire. It didn't faze him, not even a little. His vampire strength and powers were too great.

"DUCKKKIEEEEE!!!" Out of nowhere, Keanna, the sprite Righteous angel cried as she jumped at the vampire, trying to wrench him free from Bethany. "DUCKIE!! I'M RIGHT HERE!" she made every effort to distract him from his prey, "SERAPH!"

Duckie pushed at Keanna with his free arm to shove her away while never letting go of his embrace around Bethany's limp body. She was like a rag doll in his hold. The sprite angel regained her footing and fought to separate them again. The vampire, consumed in his hunger, nuzzled Bethany's neck and bit her again, her warm blood ran down his chin.

Ares yelled at Keanna and Duckie, "Damn you Righteous bastards!"

Delrith, the fierce demon of the Righteous family, growled between pants as he caught up to Keanna. With instinctive wrath, he leaped at Duckie, grabbing his head like he did the day before, trying to force his fangs out of Bethany. Duckie's head was yanked back and he released his bloody fangs from her neck, still struggling to keep a hold of her.

Over what seemed like only seconds, the frenzy of bodies swirled around the vampire and his prey, desperate to break them apart. Gloriana tried to force herself between Bethany and the vampire. Ares shoved and pushed to no avail. Keanna's face was flushed with tears as she pulled again at Duckie's arm, pounding at his side and lower back as hard as she could. She remembered the thing that put him down the last time and threw a wing between Duckie's face and Bethany, trying to make a barrier as she continued to swing with her fists, landing a solid blow on his lower back, catching him in the kidney. Gloriana slammed a knee into the vampire's crotch. Duckie smarted from the dual attack, loosening his grip on his prey, and glared up at the ones who struck him, licking Bethany's blood from his lips. But before he could retaliate, Delrith constricted his arms around his front and with his brute strength, dragged him away from Bethany. Duckie struggled against Delrith, freeing an arm, he reached out for Bethany as he was pulled back, delirious in his demented thirst.

"KEA! Reach in my coat and pull out one of the blood vials!" Delrith shouted to Keanna as he wrestled with all his might to keep Duckie away. "Kea! Grab the vial!" he urged her to move fast, the vampire's strength nearly overcoming his own.

Keanna turned her head to yell at Gloriana and Ares as she rushed to aid Delrith, her angel wings splayed to block the women from Duckie's sight, "GET HER OUT OF HERE!!"

Ares grabbed Bethany's hand, dragging her farther away from Duckie. Bethany tripped backwards, she was still in a trance, barely aware of her surroundings. Gloriana scanned the scene quickly to be sure things were clear and steered her sisters towards the Voodoo Shop. She snapped, "Shop! NOW!"

The Coven sisters pushed passed the shop door, tumbling inside. Gloriana slammed the heavy door closed, cursing aloud as she hurriedly activated the protective wards on the building to prevent all from entering.

Bethany collapsed onto the floor in the front shop, weak from the vampire's feeding. Ares knelt down next to her sister's slack body, lifting her head carefully onto her lap, stroking her hair, frowning at the blood stains on her neck. Worry creased her brow as she whispered between sobs, "Beth! Come on Beth! Please be okay! Please!"

Gloriana, satisfied with the shop being locked down securely, turned her attention to her injured sister, coming to her side. Ares wiped at the tear stains on her cheek and pleaded, "Glori! Help! I don't have the powers to heal her!"

Gloriana inclined her head, and said with urgency, "Let me try." She cast her hands out and over Bethany's still form, centred on her neck. She cradled the wound carefully, and concentrated. She drew the energy flow into Bethany, a soft glow emanated from the wound, healing it completely with just a hint of the tiny scars from the vampire's fangs. Gloriana shook a little from the exertion of that healing. It felt stronger than anything she had ever done before.

Bethany cracked open her eyes, taking in a slow breath as she looked up at her sisters and tried awkwardly to get up. Gloriana and Ares simultaneously pressed her back down, "Whoa! No, you must rest!"

Bethany shrugged off her sisters' hands and sat up, her head spinning as she tried to focus on the trio still outside in front of the shop.

Delrith struggled fiercely trying to keep Duckie in his grasp. "KEA! GRAB IT PLEASE!" He jerked open one side of his coat revealing several vials of dark red blood.

Duckie resisted the fierce demon's restraints, his legs and arms kicking and punching. He glared at Keanna accusingly, his blood red eyes piercing. "You did this!"

Keanna jumped forward, trying to reach Delrith's coat around Duckie's thrashing body for the vials of special blood. "No, I didn't!" Her movements showed her chest to be covered with her own blood from earlier. Duckie's smelled the heady scent of the angel's blood and zeroed in on it, leaning forward to nip at her. She threw her hand up against him to hold him off of her.

Delrith snatched Duckie's head and pulled it back to force his mouth to point upward, readying him for the ingestion of the contents of the vials. The vampire was being extremely difficult in his possessed state. Delrith snarled out darkly and extended his fangs before slamming his jaw into Duckie's shoulder in an attempt to weaken him. Duckie struggled even more, yelling, his words clipped. "Nooo!!! Blood!!...I still thirst!...I am not satisifed!! Release me!"

Keanna couldn't reach the vials through the struggling, frantic for solution she finally barked out at the demon, "Let him go Del!...DO IT DEL!!"

Delrith snarled deeply like a rabid dog, he hesitated for just a second hoping Keanna knew what she was asking him to do. He released his jaws from the vampire's shoulder. "Whatever you're going to do Kea, do it NOW!" He scrambled to grab the blood vials from his coat before Duckie could get away again.

Duckie stumbled from the crushing clamp of the demon's mouth, knocking the sprite angel down onto the pavement. The vampire fell on top of her and Keanna's eyes flashed with sheer terror at that second. She knew she had to distract Duckie until Delrith could get to the blood vials. She screamed at the vampire, "DUCKIE! BITE ME!" Duckie flared and sank his fangs into the angel before him. She cringed and let out a scream, her light flickered, bouncing from vibrant to dim to vibrant to dim. She closed her eyes and began to glow, trying to block everything out, thinking only on the religion that birthed her.

"KEA!" Delrith shouted in alarm as he saw Duckie feed from her. He lunged at the vampire, grabbing his head, trying to force his fangs from the angel's throat. Duckie took one last swallow of the angel's blood and suddenly, as though intoxicated, his body slumped over the angel and he fell unconscious.

Delrith pushed the vampire's heavy body off of Keanna, pinning him down with his own in case he awoke. He bit off the cork of the blood vial and growled, "Let us be done with this!" He tilted Duckie's head up and ran half of the contents into Duckie's throat. The vampire thrashed in his unconscious state as the blood seeped down his throat. Delrith popped another vial and poured it into his mouth. Duckie coughed and sputtered. Delrith grabbed the last blood vial and forced it into the vampire's mouth, making him swallow it. Duckie groaned and clutched his head as he sat up.

Delrith shoved the blood vials back into his coat and cautiously kept a close eye on Duckie as he returned to his normal state. Then his sharp demon eyes fell to the sprite angel laying broken on the ground, her breathing was light and blood flowed from her neck staining her shirt burgundy. He knelt over her, "Oh no! KEA!" He shuddered for a moment, biting his bottom lip in guilt and anguish, as he gingerly held her bloody body,"...what were you thinking you little idiot..."

Duckie raked a hand through his hair and looked up in horror at the demon cradling the blood-covered angel. He moaned as he crawled over, "Oh no....it...happened again..." He reached out to touch the angel, "No! Keanna!...are you okay?"

Delrith rocked Keanna in his arms. "She's fading Duckie."
Duckie stared at the angel with remorse, " No...it cannot be." He shook her shoulders gently but with urgency, "Wake up...you have to be okay!...wake up!"
Delrith glared at Duckie, "She let you bite her to give me enough time to give you the blood!" He lifted her slight angel body effortlessly and snapped. "We have to go to the hospital. Now!"
Duckie gathered his trench coat and used it to apply pressure to the neck wound to try to control the bleeding. He shot Delrith a pained look. "No, the Vet Clinic. It's closer!"

Bethany watched the demon, angel, and vampire rush in the direction of the veterinarian clinic. Her hand came up to her neck and touched the healed wound, her palm cupped and covered it. She tilted her head to look up at her sisters, the expression on her face was of sorrow and sympathy. She whispered hoarsely, "He looked sorry for what had happened. He didn't mean to do it. To bite the angel...to bite me."

Gloriana rested a motherly hand over Bethany's head and watched the figures disappear into the fog, and for that second hoped it was true.

Spells! Shmells! ARRGH!

Bethany's arms flailed wildly and she shrieked in panic. The upstairs room of the Voodoo Shop was filled with black smoke that smelled awful, like burning plastic and sulfur. Coughing hard, she ran for the door to the balcony and sucked in deep breaths of air, only to choke again from the toxic fumes that drifted from the green waters beyond the beach. She really did need to invest in a gas mask one of these days, and she wondered if they came in pink.

She went back inside and groaned with despair at the charred heap in front of her. Her magick skills were just as pathetic as her combat skills! If anything, thank goodness the rug didn't catch fire. Arc would have had her head. She knelt down beside the catastrophe and wrinkled her nose, frowning in confusion. She picked out her spellbook from the mess with her forefinger and thumb. Surprisingly, it was still intact, only the edges were burnt. She tossed it to the side before she began to poke at the ashes for any evidence of success.

Her sisters had made magick look so easy! What a crock! She sat back on her bottom and sighed heavily, disheartened. She reached for her singed spellbook, tugged the pencil from its spine, and flipped to the page 'Easy Spells for the Beginner Mage' and promptly put a large X through the title.

Diary - Family

::lying on the rug in the backroom of the Voodoo Shop, in her usual spot::
::humming Beethoven's 9th symphony::

Dear Diary,

I've never had a sister before. Now I have 3, or is it 4, 5? ::number is scratched out a few times:: They keep popping up! Don't get me wrong though, I do love them all! They each have their own magickal qualities. Maybe one day they'll teach me some of their little tricks! But in the meantime and in between time, if only they just stopped sitting in my favourite spot on the rug, I'd be a very happy girl! So, I'm a little possessive of my spot, you'd be too if that's where you hid your secret stuff. Thank God, they don't know about it!

Arcann is definitely papa! He calls us his daughters. It's actually rather nice. It makes me feel safe. Although his temper can be quite, what's the word... Stormy. I know now why he was known as Stormbringer. When his temper flares, omigod, beware! Maybe he's just overprotective of us. I don't know. But, to be honest, I kinda like it. Scares off the undesirables rather handily, really. Though sadly, he's managed to deter a few desirable suitors. Gonna have to sneak around him in future if ever I'm going to meet someone! He's definitely our dad.

Regg is with us too. I'm glad he's here, even if he doesn't come by the shop much. He hangs at the Haven alot. At least I know where to find him. I've missed him so much...I wonder if he misses me.

But, no matter how horrible my day had been (usually because of Blue), or how much blood was spilled, or how many innocent and not-so innocent lives were slain. I know I have a family to come home to.

Changing of the Guard

He was known as Stormbringer.

The still air literally crackled around his tall, lithe yet muscular, frame. Arcann Dyrssen, elven mage, stood with a dominating presence in the centre of the backroom of the Voodoo Shop. His sharp, elongated ears twitched subtly, detecting any sounds that disturbed the winds. A wisdom of over three hundred years shone from the depths of his azure eyes which rested on the gathering of the apprentices of The Coven.

He carefully folded the heavy papyrus and brought his arms behind his back, gripping the letter from his old friend tightly with his gloved hands. His lips were set firmly and he slowly released a long breath. The elven mage's aura seemed to glow and encompass the room with pure energy.

The Coven apprentices were silent as they waited for him to speak. He did not need to say a word. They already knew.

The young apprentices nodded to their new leader.

Their Satori.

Shop Keeper

The dense curtain of fog had parted quickly with shuffling feet and bowed low with respect to the imposing figure that swept through it. She had known it was him by the way he carried himself. Confident and commanding. Powerful and intimidating. Dark and mysterious. The Satori of The Coven. Tony Bouchard.

It had been many moons since that encounter, but she had not forgotten the words he had spoken to her.

"It is how you use what you see..."
"...figure out what you want to do with it first...then worry about it..."
"Think about what I said...really think about it."
"...Then come find me again.”

Bethany tapped on the wall to the back room of the Voodoo Shop, she parted the beaded glass curtain and peered inside. The room was empty. She walked to his desk and placed her letter upon it, in hopes he would return soon to read it.



::the penmanship is graceful and elegant in the cursive script::


Dear Mr. Bouchard,

I have wanted to write to you in some time now, but didn't have the courage to pick up my pen. As it is, I will now convey what I have held within for so long.

I wish to thank you for giving me shelter in your shoppe when I was lost and alone. Your generous kindness meant more to me than you could possibly know.

Since our last conversation, I have had the opportunity to think on all that you had said to me. Your words forced me to confront myself, to accept what I am, who I am. I am still discovering and learning about this gift, or perhaps I still wonder, this curse that is a part of me.

As I wander, I see the true faces of hell's darkest creatures. There are some I see with the horrid blood red glow upon them and they will bleed rivers in battle. I have tried to warn some of their fate, but only to be scoffed at. Unfortunate deaths became them. So, this is what it is.

Perhaps, my gift will be of use to you some day, sir, as I am hoping it will.

With earnest sincerity, may I be so bold as to ask for sanctuary within The Coven, sir? It is the only place that has calmed my soul in this dark city.

Affectionately,

Bethany


::the faintest scent of apple blossoms linger::

Shop Steps

It was cold that night and the sky was darker than usual. It weighed heavy on her shoulders. Bethany crouched on the steps of the Voodoo Shop, hugging her knees tightly, her eyes darted nervously around her. Every sudden noise, every sudden movement made her jump out of her skin. Although she had been completely healed of the physical wounds she suffered at Blueray’s hand, mentally she was a wreck. Night terrors blurred into day terrors. The haunting visions became her constant companions.

“Hello.” A rough male voice disturbed the burdening silence of the night. It startled Bethany and she felt her blood drain from her head, making her dizzy. “Is there anything I can help you with?” he eyed her suspiciously, standing with his arms crossed in expectation.
She rose with shaking legs and nodded, “Yes, I...I need to talk to the man…” She gestured over her shoulder to the entrance of the shop, “who, umm, works here.”

The man shifted slightly, he was of average height and build, though his presence was daunting. He tilted his head questioningly, his dark eyes never leaving her. “Do you remember his name?”
Bethany shook her head, her mouth was dry, she tried to swallow. "No, he didn't tell me his name. He looked very powerful though…and he was studying at the desk."
The man grunted as though he knew to whom she was enquiring about, “What is your message? I will get it to him. He is not in town now.”

Disappointment etched her face, "Yes, if you could please. If you could tell him Bethany is wanting to talk to him."
The man nodded briefly, “I will leave him the message that you were looking for him.” He began to walk up the steps to the shop.

Bethany winced abruptly and started to feel a pulsating pain in her head, the unnerving premonition of another vision. She pressed her palms to her temples and leaned against the stoop, weakened by the pain.
The man stopped and turned back to her. “You seem to be in pain.” His voice became soft with concern. “May I lay my hand on you? I am a healer.”

Bethany head lifted and she tried to focus on the man. "It's been getting worse. I don't know what to do." She leaned back away from him, suddenly afraid. Her mind began to swirl with howling shadows of hell.
“I am not going to hurt you.” He said soothingly, “Why are you afraid of me?”
Her eyes turned glassy and she stared at him in a trance. Her body was still and she seemed to look right into his soul. She didn’t speak. The man moved closer raising his hand towards her head. She remained motionless as he approached her. Her eyes brimmed with tears, as though she was fighting to free herself from this catatonic state.

He placed a hand gently on either side of her head and looked deeply into her sea green eyes. “Relax. Let me help you.”
Bethany inhaled sharply and blinked several times, the tears fell down her cheeks. She relaxed at his touch and her body slackened. He moved his hand to support her sagging body. She returned to consciousness, she was quivering. She turned her head and looked intently into his face. "I saw something...in you."
The man brushed the tears from her cheek, “What is that Bethany?”

"Your soul was glowing." she whispered, her voice cracked with distress and her eyes darkened in fear. The vision she saw was the aura of his soul, it glowed crimson with blood. Her voice trembled with anxiety, "I need to see him...soon."

Shop Lights

It was the dimmest light, barely discernable in the shadow of the dead street on the south side of Toxia. Bethany was inexplicably drawn to it, like a moth to a flame. As she came closer, a small shop appeared out of the thick mist.

Bethany pushed the heavy door open, it was already ajar, and it creaked low and long. A gush of dust and incense furled her nostrils. She held her breath and waved her hand in front of her nose to clear the air.

“Something I can help you with?” a deep, masculine voice, smooth as black velvet startled her. A tall man, broad shouldered and muscular, stood behind the front display case. His dark hair fell with roguish seduction across his brow, framing the angular lines of his face. He was alarmingly handsome, which made Bethany ogle like a schoolgirl.

“Sorry, no. I-I didn’t mean to disturb you.” Bethany stuttered and shook her head. She turned a shade of red, embarrassed to be staring at him.

The man eyed her with an air of arrogant authority, “Feel free to look around.” He paused briefly, then sternly warned. “Don’t step behind the counter.”

Bethany nodded quickly to the powerful looking man “Oh…umm…,” she tripped over her words nervously, “perhaps…another time.” She decided it was best she left now before she made a silly fool of herself. She turned on her heel and nearly stumbled as she headed for the door. She grabbed the door handle, and glanced back over her shoulder to the mysterious man.

The cold air greeted her with a chill. She stopped at the base of the steps and looked up to read the faded and cracked store sign, “Voodoo Shop”. A strange tingle ran down her spine. Somehow, she knew she would return…