Into the Woods (Adele)

[Draven]

The sun had just started it's decent over the tress and the air seemed cool and crisp. Draven was in the woods just outside the caravan grounds. He was wearing a black shirt and jeans and seemed to be dancing as he was practicing with his two daggers. Moving as if he was fighting something that was not there. He added kicks and a back flip, landing on one knee. It was a way to relive stress. And he found himself needing it more. Seeing Merry again. And the deal he made with Corvin. His life as a vampire was more stressful then his life as a ghost.

Draven sliced the air with his right dagger then left. Using a tree he planted his left foot on the trunk and pushed up kicking with his right. He used to practice like this when he was a human prince, only with a sword, But now he had new abilities and skills. Yet still he longed for anything now a days to hold onto. He could not tell Merry who he was. It would put her in danger. If he never talked to her again as long as she was safe he would be alright with that.

Draven did a round house kick and tried to focus more on his movements then his thoughts. It worked as he did not notice someone watching him.

[Deleted]

Adele enjoyed the oncoming night, as the sun had just started to descent over the trees and the air turned cooler. She liked feeling its crispness on her skin, on her face, as she was riding out on her horse. It had been too long ago since she last had the pleasure to ride out and be free. Without any responsibilities or tasks. Or anyone looking over her shoulder for that matter. She missed being herself, or at least be able to be herself. It had been too long since she had that luxury. Her eyes were soon drawn to a figure seemingly dancing with something glinting in the faint light and was drawn to it soon enough. She beckoned her horse to be quiet as she rode closer and watched, realizing this was a man dancing... Before realizing this might be a vampire instead.

Her eyes followed his movements, as she got off her horse, with a smile that crept on her face without her consent. "Impressive moves." She said, as she tied her horse to a tree. She carefully walked closer, her training kicking in and actually being impressed by this man's moves. She watched him from the shadows, keeping a hand on one of her weapons just in case. "Maybe try to put your shoulders in it more. She said, watching him.

[Draven]

Draven gave the women a boyish smile. It was the first time in a really long time that he had smiled. To think he needed help with a sword let alone a dagger. But it had also been the first time that he had saw no fear behind a women's eyes. Even Merry showed fear for him.

"So you know your way around a blade do you?" Draven walked closer to the women. He could smell her blood but pushed that out of his mind. He hated the thirst. His craving for blood, some days where more painful then others, But he refused to take human blood. Yet it still happened. He killed a women, drinking her dry. It was then that he summoned Corvin to end it.

"Lets see what you got," He said as he tossed one dagger towards her. They were not swords but would function as smaller ones. He placed his left foot in front and bowed. Then held out the dagger in his right hand as if it were a sword. He pointed the tip at her. "My lady I a sure you myself and my shoulder will be all in it."

[Deleted]

Adele smiled at the boyish charm the vampire had in front of her and her eyes warmed. "I suppose I should after the years I have been practicing with them." She told him. She watched as he came walking closer and wondered what went through the man's head. He was a creature of the night, she knew that. She knew they needed blood to survive, but she wasn't afraid. After all, there was no room for fear in her mind that was so methodically organized. She pushed fear back to a part in her mind where only in her darkest moments, she would think to search access to. Otherwise, it was just a waste of time. A waste of space, really and if something was a waste, she had no room for it.

A smile appeared on her face when he said to see what she got and loosened up her muscles as she looked at him. "Are you sure you want to do this?" She teased him. She caught the dagger he had thrown in her hand and looked at him, eyes twinkling with amusement and excitement. These daggers may not be swords, but that meant this was an even bigger challenge... Whether they had been swords instead. Adele never said "no" in the face of a good challenge, she took it with open arms and a watchful eye. She fastened her grip on the dagger and bowed as well, not thinking too much of the action before her. She took a step back on instinct when he pointed the dagger towards her with its tip, as someone would do with a sword. She smiled when she heard what he said, preparing for the fight, whether playful or otherwise. "That is very good to hear." She said, with a chuckle. His words that his shoulders would be all in it, were good to hear.

[Draven]

Draven charged forward at the women hitting the side of the dagger to the one she held. Then pushing back to come at her again. The smile never leaving his face as he countered her moves. Since the blades were shorter then swords Draven was getting closer to her until he was right by her ear, "My name is Draven," he whispered.

Doing a back flip to give himself some space he brought his dagger down close to her face. He would never hurt her. And was only running on half power. But still he could tell she had skill. "Not bad. But your footwork could use some work." He laughed playfully. "And your holding back." He circled her with the dagger in front of his face.

[Deleted]

Adele cursed her luck when he charges at her, realizing that her focus was off. She realized as well that when he hit the side of the dagger to the one she held, that he might actually be able to notice this. He seemed to be a well-trained swordsman like her, which she appreciated. And it wasn't like he could knock her over, her footing wasn't that off... Just enough for someone that was a little more experienced to notice. A smile appeared on her own face when he pushed back and come at her again, with a smile on his own face, never leaving his face. She realized half-heartedly that this smile brightened up his features and made him seem a lot younger than he probably was. Though she wasn't sure if it was a good thing to ask such a thing.

She fought him back, though she was holding back a little, wanting to test out his skills and abilities. She wanted to do this before she did... Well, anything she might regret. She however barely even noticed how he was getting closer. That wasm until he was right by her ear and she heard what he whispered. Her heart started beating faster, though there probably was no reason for that. His inctroduction made her eyes shoot at him and raise an eyebrow curiously by this. She hadn't quite expected him to introduce himself to her, though she didn't know what to expect either. "My name is Adele," she replied softly, with a smile, as she looked at him.

Adele was impressed by his backflip and raised an eyebrow to how he could do that in the first place. Not even she was that agile. Or should she say... Anymore. She was still agile enough, but not as much as she used to in the past. She felt her heartbeat increased when he brought the dagger close to her face, seeing it glimmer in the faint light of what remained of the day. She wasn't sure if he would hurt her or not, but didn't want to take any chances right now either. So, she pushed the blade aside with her own blade and took a step back. She knew that she had to create some distance between them right now. She shrugged when she heard what he said, a smile creeping on her face, as she relaxed. "Don't I know it." She said, as she relaxed her shoulders more because of how he laughed. It seemed almost playful, if not just plain playful.

She shrugged again when he told her that she was holding back, which was true. She wasn't going to deny it. She had been holding back, not because she didn't think he couldn't take it, but because she wasn't sure how much he could take. How much she could take. She wasn't going to underestimate the strength of a man she had just met. A vampire no less. She wasn't born yesterday, really, she wasn't some stupid girl that just thought she could easily outdo a vampire. She moved her head around to work out the soreness that was starting to build in her muscles. It had all been from a day of training and moving around. She wasn't going to complain, but she wouldn't mind a good night's sleep either. Preferably one where she could sleep uninterrupted. But those were thoughts that didn't matter right now, as she watched him circle her with the dagger in front of his face. "What are you going to do about that?" She asked, sounding amused, intrigued and most of all, interested.

[Draven]

"Well Adele, you will just have to find out," He laughed. Her smile brightened up her face. It was also causing him to lose focus. He had just met this women and already he feels younger and more free. For a brief moment he had forgotten about Corvin's deal and his pain as a vampire. All he felt was joy and happiness. Even the trees around them had disappeared in his mind because all he saw was her. Nothing else mattered.

Draven charged again hitting her dagger then following through with his left leg out hitting her leg at the ankle. Hoping to knock her down. What happened next was an accident. He lost his balance crashing into Adele. If he had not put his hands down he would have landed on her. Draven looked at her as she was under him laying on the ground. His eyes looked deep into hers. He could hear her heart beat increase, pumping that sweet crimson through her veins. For a moment he wanted to taste her skin on his lips. "Adele," His voice was soft and breathy. The lower half of his body pressed agonist hers. Draven leaned down bring his lips toward her neck.

"NO!" Draven quickly got up. "I can't." He extended a hand to help her up. "Am so sorry about that. Maybe you should go." He was sure she would run away from him. How could he let himself get carried away like that. He wore his sadness on his face like a mask for all too see. He could not wait to be free of this cursed vampire life. With out looking at her he picked up his daggers off the grass.

[Deleted]

Adele couldn't help but laught as well, when she heard what he said, laughing like thiat. His laugh was infectuous. She thought it brightened up his whole face and made him look so young, free and happy. She couldn't help but feel charmed by this man before her. She knew that no matter what happened, she couldn't help but like him. Though if he would attack her, she was sure that her instincts and years of training would take over.

Adele blocked his first attack, then when he went for her leg, wasn't able to block that. Her eyes soon widened when he crashed into her, after he lost his balance, being shocked mostly by it. She was happy that he put his hands down so that he didn't land on her full force, though she was still lying on her back on the ground, with him above her. When he looked deep in her eyes, she relaxed a little more and even smiled. She thought that it was probably just something silly that he fell on her like this. Her heartbeat increased because of it moments later, not being able to help itself, as it even fluttered a little. She looked at him, as her eyes darkened ever so little when she heard how he said her name like that. So soft and breathy, it made her blush slightly. She felt his lowe body pushing against her, keeping her in place as well, when he leaned down, bringing his lips toward her neck. She felt like she was in some kind of trance. "Draven... Stop." She said, when her senses came back and she realized what he was about to do to her.

She felt that she was shaking when he got up and she sat up as well, looking at him, slightly confused, then looked at his hand, before taking it. She allowed him to help her up, as she frowned a little, wondering what was going through his head right now. She listened to what he said, then looked at him and shook her head. "No, Draven, no. I see no reason to leave you like this." She said softly, as she looked at him. She could see his sadness and when he picked up his daggers, she walked over to him and placed a hand on his cheek. "When was the last time you fed?" She asked him softly. Her eyes were focused on his face and her heart went out for him, even if he almost attacked her just now. She couldn't really help it, she just... She liked him, no matter how much she would fight against it overtime. She wasn't going anwhere, unless she had to. Not tinight. Not with him... Definitely not with him. She couldn't do that. It didn't feel right.

[Draven]

A shock ran down his spine as he felt her hand on his face. The smell of her engulfed him, not just her blood but the essence of her. The look of shock was still on his face as he turned his head towards her. This women, there was something about her. Her dark eyes seemed to call to him.

He wondered why she wanted to stay. He almost drink her blood. The more time he spent as a vampire the worse he became. He spent his time in a war agenist his blood lust. He would put off drinking blood for as long as passable. Animal blood was not helping like he thought. Two souls inside one body but as of late it seemed the vampire was gaining more control over the ghost. He was becoming Draven and Chris was fading.

"A week maybe longer," he answered her question as he moved away from her hand. It was not that he did not like her touch. But it was not helping cool the fire inside. "I had let the thirst over take me. I drained a women dry. Her face still haunts me. Please don't add your face to that. Am a monster, leave me."

Draven walked away from her and sat on a large rock surround by trees. The wind wiped across his face carrying all the smells of the woods. But none louder then her smell. He ran a hand through his black hair and tried to focus. Maybe it was Draven that needed to leave. He could be gone in a flash, using his powers. And he would never see her again. Then why was he still sitting on a rock only a few feet from her.

[Deleted]

Adele watched as he turned his head towards her and looked at her, wondering what he was thinking. She was also wondering if he liked her being this close, as she was in his personal space most likely. He could always push her away and tell her she needed to back off and she would. There was no doubt about it that she would. But she didn't want to. His warmth took her over, it seemed and she couldn't do anything but be close to him. She had no idea why she wanted to stay, what it was about him that she wasn't terrified of him and wanted to run.

She wanted to help him if she could and oh, she hoped that she did, even though she had no idea if this was true or not. If he needed her blood, she could do SOMETHING to stop him from taking too much. When she heard what he answered in light of her question of how long it had been, she looked at him. She watched as he moved away from her touch and swallowed when she heard what he told her. "I trust you that you won't hurt me." She said softly, as she kept her eyes on him. She wanted to be right, almost prayed that she was, even though there was a chance that she wasn't. A scary, off chance that she wasn't right. That he would kill her.

She watched as he walked away from her and swallowed, straightening her clothes in order to do something with her hands. She didn't want them to hang limply by her side as he moved away from her. She watched as he sat down on the large rock that was surrounded by trees. Her eyes followed his every movement as her body stood alert, yet sure somehow that he would not hurt her. She realized that she was full of contraries... Of opposites. She looked at the wind that wept across her face and looked away for a moment, realizing that she was staring at this magnificent man. "I trust you, Draven, that you won't hurt me."

[Draven]

Something was not right. Even the air seemed to change. And he did not like it. Without another thought Draven was in front of Adele in near seconds. He held and arrow in his hand. It would have pierced her chest. Looking to were the arrow had came from, he quickly had his answer.

Four men headed there fast. "Run!" Draven screamed at her. as he gentle pushed her back. He did not wait for them to come to him as he ran towards them. He knocked one down then grabbed the one with the bow's arm and snapped it over his knee. He kicked him hard knocking him to the ground.

As he was fighting another poured holly water on him. Draven screamed in pain as his face burned. It gave what looked to be the leader time to wrapped a chain around Draven, holding him tight,

"The target's still alive Draven," The man said as he held the chain tighter. "Since you going to not do the job, we are going to have to tech you a lesson."

The other taller man started to wrap another silver chain around his fist. The first blow to the stomach was the hardest. After Draven had spit up blood, the man started hitting his face with the chain. He could barley talk or stand as more wounds were being made, He could feel his face swell. "Stop I just need more time," Draven said as blood poured from his face. He looked up to see Adele.

"Times up!" The man said.

[Deleted]

Adele looked at his face, as she noticed something change. She wasn't sure what it was and her mind wasn't quick enough to wrap around it. So, when he was in front of her in mere seconds, she felt her heartbeat quicken and looked at the arrow in his hand. She realized that this very arrow could have pierced her chest if he hadn't been there in time. She felt sick, who would want to kill her in such a brutal way? Who would want her dead like this? It wasn't like she had many enemies. Of course, she had a few, it was part of the job she was doing. Part of her position within the Brigade.

She then saw the four men that were heading their way fast and hotheaded, clearly. She looked at Draven when he screamed at her to run, why would she do that? So she didn't see how these guys killed him? No! No way! She wasn't going anywhere. Draven did not need to do any of this alone. She watched as he ran their way and knocked one of them down, before grabbing the one with the bow's arm and snapped it over his knee. The sound it made, made her flinch and her stomach turn. The awful snap and the scream of the guy who's arm had just been broken like that, was enough to make her sick. Her eyes followed the man as he was kicked to the ground. Her sympathy wasn't there long though, as she realized that this man just wanted to kill her moments before.

She covered her face with her hand when one of the men poured holy water on top of Draven and because of the scream from Draven that immediately pulled at her heartstrings. She watched what the man did with the chain and looked around quickly, before grabbing the two daggers securely in her hands. They were going to teach Draven a lesson? Seriously? These guys were monsters! She narrowed her eyes, feeling a surge of pain rushing through her when she saw how they hit Draven with the chains. She ran to the guys quickly and right as the man said that the time was up, she stabbed up through the man's chest in one swift and precise motion. As the man fell to the floor, she smiled and looked down at him, with nothing short of anger in her eyes. She did not feel sorry, she did not feel pity, all she felt was the feeling of relief that he was dead now. "You got that right." She said, as she attacked the other man with the dagger that was now bloodied.

[Draven]

Draven's vision began to blur as he saw Adele kill one of the attackers. He body was trying to heal but the injuries were too much. He needed blood and soon. He could feel that a few ribs were broken along with his nose and arm. His face was sizzling as skin was burnt. His thoughts were on his life and if both Draven and Chris died here, would Merry be safe. And what of his new feelings for Adele. It confused him. He had just met her.

He found the strength to stand just enough to finish her job and snap the neck of the last attacker. But that was all he had left as he dropped to his knees, he was losing crossness. "Adele hold on to me please," They had to get out of there. It was not safe. "Where do you live?" It was hard for him to talk. But he had to get them out of there, Draven had just enough to shadow jump them both to her place.

Once she told him black smoke-like mist covered them. When it was cleared they were in front of Adele's house. "This has been a great first date. And I know it is not nice to ask this on a date. But can I come in." He laughed but it. cause him to cough up more blood.

[Deleted]

Adele made sure to kill the attacker quickly and smoothly as she had no idea how much longer Draven would have before he was going to pass out. If he was, she needed to be there with him, giving him her blood if that was what was necessary to save him. She didn't care about her own well-being, she just needed him to be okay, no matter what it took. She needed him to be alive, not just okay. If he died, she would be truly devastated. She would also have the feeling like she failed him. Like she had failed herself. This was terrible to think, but she couldn't help it, even if she was going to try. He somehow got under her skin and already meant this much to her, even if she didn't understand a single bit of it... Which she didn't anyway. It was confusing enough.

When she noticed he found the strength to get up, she swallowed and looked his way, not sure if it was smart for him to be standing up right now. She watched as he snapped the neck of the last attacker, pulling a face at the awful sound that made. When he fell to his knees, obviously losing consciousness like she had feared, she fell to her knees too and held him, right as he asked her to. "Close, I live close." She said softly. As soon as she told him where they lived, they disappeared and re-appeared moments later in her house. She looked at him. "Believe it or not, I probably had worse." She said, trying to lighten the mood a little. Once he was inside, she took him to her bed and helped him lie down. "You need blood" She told him, taking off her jacket and pulling up her sleeve, before turning her wrist towards him, to get him to drink from her. She wasn't going to lose him today, she wasn't going to lose anyone today. He needed blood badly and she could provide him with that, just hoping that he wasn't going to kill her in the process of drinking from her, though she trusted him enough not to drain her completely of blood.

[Draven]

Draven fought to stay awake. His mind screamed for the relief from the pain and if it meant to let the darkness win then so be it. He fell into the softness of the bed. The next thing he knew he saw her wrist in front of his face. "Adele what are you doing. You can't. I might kill you. You can't ask me to do this." He did not trust himself. What if he would take too much. If he would kill her then life did not matter anymore.

It did not used to matter at all. What is it about her. He only just met her and he cared more for her then life. Tears fell from his eyes as he looked into her's. He tried to move but ever muscle screamed in pain. He moaned at the pain as he tried. "It is over." He coughed blood into his hand. "I would die before putting you at risk. Just let me die."

Inside his mind Chris had given up as well, and awaited death. Like an old friend. He had died more times then he cared for. A lest Merry would not find out he was alive and a monster.