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Post by Roderich Edelstein on Mar 15, 2010 7:54:58 GMT -5
Roderich's flesh prickled as Gilbert spoke, unable to take his eyes off the young man -- vampire before him. He examined him closely, carefully weighing his options. Knees, weakening, he lowered himself gently to the ground, keeping Gilbert's hand in his. "I... I..."
A flash of that younger man crawling away feebly, of black eyes staring at him from a piece of Gilbert's soul Roderich had barely glanced through his music. "I do not wish to become a vampire," he answered finally, staring into Gilbert's eyes levelly. "Yet neither do I want you to be reduced to that... ever again. And as I've told you, I am no one's master." He took a deep breath, steadying his nerve before he continued. "I don't want you to have to be alone again when I die, and I can't order you to do so."
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Post by Gilbert Weillschmidt on Mar 15, 2010 11:02:41 GMT -5
"I can't imagine anyone who would want to be a vampire..." Gilbert muttered softly, looking down at the hand wrapped lightly around his. Even though his gloves, he could feel the dull warmth that seemed to radiate off the brunette. It was so different than any other human he'd ever come across; it was confusing and yet alluring at the same time. "Immortality, I guess. That might appeal to some... but no one would willingly become a monster. Hahaha... even I can't make that awesome. I'm just as corrupted as the rest."
Sighing, he turned Roderich's hand over in his slowly, staring down at the unique web of lines that stretched out over the other's palm. Each one would branch out in a random direction before meeting a second and repeating the same pattern. Beneath them, he could see the faint outlines of blue veins that lead down to the ends of his fingers and back up to his wrists, branching out into the rest of the arm. "Frederick, ah, an old friend... the one who... changed me, said that it was better to shine brightly with just one person if only for a moment, then to spend forever alone. Sure, it's corny as fuck and sounds like something out of some half-hearted faerie-tale for the kiddies, but... he had a point."
Moving his free hand, he cupped Roderich's cheek and smiled sadly, a dull look in his crimson eyes. "Contract or not, Roderich... If you die, I'll be alone. It's a deal that isn't meant to be made between two vampries; not unless you take the first option. Honestly, I can't see any human ever accepting what I am... You... you're the first human, no, first anything who has ever given me the time of day since the old man."
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Post by Roderich Edelstein on Mar 15, 2010 12:07:40 GMT -5
Tears welled in his eyes again as Roderich stared down at him, trying to fathom the loneliness Gilbert my have felt. For him, it was like a daily ache that constantly pushed him to keep searching... for Gilbert? Roderich had no way of knowing for how many years he'd been waiting, showing humans every kindness until they eventually pushed him away.
"Your old man seems like he was a wise man," Roderich said slowly, wrapping his fingers tightly around Gilbert's black-gloved hand. "You've seen a taste of what I constantly fight against." His lips thinned at the mention of battle, but he swallowed hard and pressed on, blinking away his tears. "If that's how you truly feel..." Voice hoarse, he lifted his hand and lightly laid his atop the hand on his cheek.
"If you bind yourself to me, you'll not have a single place to call home as long as I'm alive," he warned. "I'm searching for what's left of my family, and I will do so until I find them... or I die. It will not be an easy road. More often than not, your only bed will be a blanket or two in front of a campfire.
"But, I can see that you're going to follow me even though I push you away." With a sad smile, Roderich clasped both of the other man's hands in his and stood, staring down at him. "I would rather be your friend, but if you truly want me to be your 'young master'..." he swallowed hard and forced himself to meet the other man's eyes, trying to show him the sincerity within. "Then I will be who you need me to be. I will be the voice of reason when everything and everyone else is against you," he added in a barely audible whisper. "So please... stay the kindhearted young man I know you are."
He shook his head and almost laughed at himself, smiling down at Gilbert. "I will be whoever you need me to be," he repeated firmly. "Human... or vampire..." he swallowed hard again and gripped the other man's hands tighter. "I leave the choice up to you."
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Post by Gilbert Weillschmidt on Mar 15, 2010 12:27:36 GMT -5
"You don't want to be what I am..." Gilbert muttered in a low tone. "Who would...? I'm a demon, ja? You shouldn't leave your humanity up to me. I'm the selfish type, you know. If I could keep you with me forever, I'd probably find a way. Being alone... sucks." With a quick shake of his head, the depressing thoughts were shoved aside and he straightened, beaming as he looked off into the distance and began to nod rigorously, as if answering his own silent question.
"The old man was awesome..." he said in a fond tone. "He was a lot older than me, but he saved me from..." Gilbert paused, shaking his head. "Well, he saved me from a lot of things. I probably would have ended up a complete asshole without him around. I really... hated humans. It had nothing to do with be being a vampire, but... I was just pissed off. I wanted revenge for things that I didn't have control over, and..." Pausing a second time, Gilbert shrugged the thoughts away and turned back to Roderich.
He had set to move from his position on the ground, still bowed faithfully as he gingerly cradled Roderich's left hand in his right and placed his left on top. "You do know I've been calling you 'young master' all this time, just to annoy you, right? You look like someone fresh out of a castle, so I thought it'd get under your skin." He grinned. "I didn't think you'd take it so seriously, but you're already my friend, Roddy. The contract won't change that, I promise--and I'm too awesome to go against my word."
The crimson colour of his eyes took on an eerie glow as several small strands of black and red mana leaked out from Gilbert's sleeve and wrapped themselves tightly around Roderich's wrist, working their way up to his elbow where they twined together and formed several braid-like ropes. "As for a home... You're an idiot. Homes aren't always a roof over the head, Roderich. I don't need a bed, as I rarely sleep. I'd be the guard during the night while you rest unless I truly need it. My home... is right here in front of me. "
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Post by Roderich Edelstein on Mar 15, 2010 13:09:03 GMT -5
With a gasp, Roderich felt more than saw the waves of mana flow up his arm. More than just the sight, he felt the energy sink into his flesh and sink into his muscles. His arm shook and his breath quickened.
It was like that night in the plaza, except instead of Roderich using his music to peer into Gilbert's soul, it was as if Gilbert's soul were pouring into him. He closed his eyes and grimaced uncomfortably at the feeling, only to continue to sense the young man before him as if his eyes were still open, feeling every nuance and every uncertainty in his heart. It was terrifying, and at the same time strangely liberating. The knowledge that he wouldn't be alone was something that he'd been searching for with his lost family.
And now he'd found it. As the energy around his arm faded, Roderich stared down at the other young man. "Would it be considered improper," he mentioned, freeing his hand from his grip and shaking it in an attempt to dispel the tingles he wasn't sure if he was feeling or imagining, "To order you to stop calling me "Roddy"?"
He offered Gilbert his hand with a smile. Later, perhaps, he would think on the enormity of what had just happened in the span of less than an hour. For now, he was content just knowing that he and Gilbert would be together.
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Post by Gilbert Weillschmidt on Mar 15, 2010 13:56:41 GMT -5
"Improper?" The Prussian snorted and took Roderich's hand, pulling himself up with a soft tug. "No, but I might ignore that one. I think it suits you. Sir Roddy the Feminine. Kesesesesese~ I like it." He grinned, crimson eyes dancing with the mischief they held once before as he felt the final effects of the contract fading away.
Tired... he thought dully. His eyelids drooped as his body swayed. The world around him seemed to be shifting in and out of focus as he blinked rapidly, trying to push back the sudden case of fatigue that plagued his mind. To most, the situation might cause panic, but Gilbert would only chuckle softly. How long had it been since he last passed out? A decade? Two? Perhaps even longer. It was one of the few things he had left that made him feel somewhat human.
"...I'll apologize later," he mumbled in a slurred tone as his forehead connected with Roderich's shoulder with a soft 'fwump'. "Tired now... Sleep... suddenly seems totally awesome... Make a nice pillow..." And with that, the albino's body fell limp, slumping against Roderich's chest and welcomed the sudden black of unconsciousness.
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Post by Roderich Edelstein on Mar 15, 2010 16:22:17 GMT -5
"Good God," Roderich sighed, catching hold of the other man as he fell into him so he wouldn't plummet straight to the ground. "I thought you were supposed to be my support."
Gilbert weighed far less than he looked, giving Roderich little trouble as he started to walk in a direction he fervently hoped was in the direction of town. He'd never had a good sense of direction, and the fact that he wasn't exactly himself when he'd come this way didn't help matters.
His lips twisted at the thought of the creature that had bewitched him. He knew what they were; doppelgangers, creatures who fed on the memories of their victims and disguised themselves in their flesh. His heart froze suddenly, and he stopped in his tracks, eyes wide. What if...
what if that had been his mother, and she had been killed already? that would make everything pointless, wouldn't it? what if...
Roderich shook his head and resumed walking. If he'd been that delicate, he'd never have been able to make it this far. Even if the face that creature had worn was the face of the mother he'd never met, it meant that her clan had to be around this town somewhere... perhaps in this very forest. He snorted through his nose and shook his head again. He'd never confirmed that his mother was elvish, anyway. From what he could remember, he'd once had evidence that she was...
His grip slackened as he thought, almost dropping Gilbert. Tightening his grip, Roderich glanced down at the silver-haired man and smiled. What had he gotten himself into? He thought he could still feel his left forearm tingling, but he knew he was imagining it.
you said you didn't want to be a master. now look at yourself. fool. presumptuous, pretentious fool. you didn't argue as hard as you could have. you could have just said no, i don't need nor want your help, i want to be on my own you son of a bitch. so which part was the lie?
But he did want a companion. Someone to travel with, someone who he could sit with during the cold nights in the wild, when it was too dangerous to light a campfire for fear of what the light might bring. Someone to reassure him when his hunt seemed to be in vain. Someone to just give him a smile and a nod when everything seemed hopeless.
And with that, Roderich broke from the forest and, strangely enough, saw the town not too far away. In fact, if he remembered correctly, the gate he was at was the one for the Residential District.
And from there, it was only a few wrong turns and dead ends to the walkway leading up to Gilbert's house. It was strange, Roderich mused as he carried Gilbert up the sidewalk, arms burning from the effort of carrying him, but it seemed a far less ominous place to be.
Probably just because of the daylight.
The door was unlocked, and Roderich nudged it open with his shoulder. "I don't know where your room is," he muttered, "So you're just going to have to stay here." He gazed up at the staircase despairingly and sighed before climbing the stairs. Pushing open the door, he lowered Gilbert slowly, finally down onto the guest bed he'd stayed in that night. A piece of paper fell out of his pocket and landed on the floor as Roderich shifted Gilbert to lay fully on the bed. Idly picking it up, he froze as he recognized his own handwriting.
It was the note he'd left in his haste to leave that night. Roderich smiled sadly at it and wondered what himself of a week ago would say if someone told him what would happen.
Sitting on the bed beside Gilbert, Roderich adjusted the pillow and lightly brushed his silver hair away from his eyes. His hand lingered against his cheek for a moment, then he shifted over and laid down beside him, closing his eyes and exhaling softly.
Gilbert...
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Post by Gilbert Weillschmidt on Mar 15, 2010 16:47:16 GMT -5
Despite his lack of consciousness, the Prussian was able to vaguely make out what was going on around him. The arms around him were soft and comforting, giving him the well-needed reassurance that everything was going to be alright, and he wouldn't have to worry about waking up in the middle of the forest at odd hours. It wasn't that that he believed Roderich would abandon him, but the assurance was nice. As they walked, he unconsciously leaned into the brunette's chest, his nose just barely brushing the crook of Roderich's neck.
Sometime later, the arms suddenly disappeared from around his waist, and he fell against something soft. As comfortable as it was, Gilbert's lips still formed a slight pout as he shifted his weight into a more natural position. When the mattress beside him dipped down, he grunted quietly and rolled closer. He was too tired to open his eyes to see what was going on, but if his nose was anything to be trusted (and it often was) he knew who was next to him.
Smiling, he buried his face into what he assumed was a pillow (but was actually Roderich's chest) and sighed quietly. He couldn't remember the last time he'd actually been able to lie down and relax completely in his sleep without the worry of someone breaking into his house or some other form of threat. His mind was slowly starting to follow his body into the realm of sleep as his arm wrapped absently around Roderich's waist.
"Mmn..." he grunted again, eye-lids fluttering slightly before he finally managed to go completely still. His chest remained frozen, the need to breathe useless to one who was already dead, and had it not been for the occasional twitch of his fingers or eyelid, he would have perfectly resembled a lifeless corpse.
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