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Post by Gilbert Weillschmidt on Mar 13, 2010 0:20:50 GMT -5
Despite the various rumours the spread across the town over it's many winding paths and monsters, Gilbert always found the forest to be relaxing. Like the beach at night, it was somewhere he could wonder around and stop whenever he pleased without the worry of having to run into someone. He could stop and go when he pleased, relax or go in whatever direction he wanted. It was his own terrain to play in, as not many people often dared venture as far as he allowed himself to go. It was one of the few places he could think, day or night, the sun was almost nonexistent during either point, and he could move about freely without fear of weakening dramatically or getting himself stuck.
"Dammit..." he muttered in a low tone, slamming his fist into a nearby tree. His eyes closed as he tried to swallow the pain that had risen in his chest yet again, the same pain that had been plaguing him all week, but he just as quickly opened them. It seemed that, every time he shut his eyes, a sickeningly familiar pair of violet eyes would dance before his lids and remind him of how he manged to ruin something wonderful without even realizing it. Roderich had been the first person in so long, in years, to show him a kindness he hadn't felt or seen since shortly after Frederick had been killed, leaving him alone for several decades to pass.
Pushing himself away from the tree, he continued forward again, ignoring the throbbing pain in his chest that he couldn't name. The creature in his stomach had started to claw again, and it was doing nothing to help him as his throat clenched uncomfortably, making it hard for him to breathe the air he didn't quite need. "Why....?" he choked, coming to stop in a clearing. "Why... did he run? Dammit... just like all the others. And why do I care so fucking much!? DAMMIT!"
A rustle of leaves from a far distance caught his attention and he turned around, eyes scanning the area wildly. The wind picked up and a familiar scent met Gilbert's senses, making the albino panic as he searched frantically for a place to hide. It can't be... not him. Here? But why...? He didn't give himself much time to think on the matter. He had to hide, fast.
Throwing caution to the wind, he dives into a mass of bushes on his left and moved around until he had a clear view of the path that lead to where he was standing moments before. Whoever was coming, be his guess right or not, he'd be able to see them. Yet he couldn't help but wonder why.
Why would he run into him now? Now when he was in pain that he couldn't explain or understand, and couldn't possibly imagine figuring out on his own. Was this a trick? A punishment for what he was? A test to see if he could prove something? He couldn't think of a reason... but he wasn't going to let the chance, whatever it was, slip by.
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Post by Roderich Edelstein on Mar 13, 2010 0:56:31 GMT -5
One week.
Roderich had spent that morning after fleeing Gilbert's home wandering in a fog. It took him until evening to finally find the only-slightly-filthy inn he'd picked out for himself the night before.
Before meeting Gilbert.
That first night, he stood in the plaza until midnight, playing[/u][/url] until midnight. But no one approached. No silver-haired strangers with crimson eyes were at the plaza that night. Or the following night. During the day, Roderich stood in the marketplace and played his violin, case open at his feet. His eyes closed, he played with only half his soul, not really caring whether any money was thrown at his feet. If he played, he could throw himself into his music and not think. It was when he finally laid his head down on the threadbare pillow and closed his eyes that he began to feel a physical pain as if someone were squeezing his chest until it shattered. He was taking this harder than he'd intended, but he knew that in time, it would fade. Part of it, he knew, was that he no longer took solace in his own music; he was afraid of where it would take him. After playing the piano in Gilbert's home, after having his own magic play itself, he could no longer allow himself to have the same intimacy with the music he once did. The larger part of it was, that no matter what he played... it would sound better if someone played it with himSome days went on like this, until one week later. Roderich stood in the marketplace, bow moving listlessly over the strings as he played. Normally, he felt the passers-by swirl around him with barely a thought, but today, as he played, a harsh note sounded in his music. Jolted out of his half-aware state, Roderich opened his eyes and met the gaze of a violet-eyed elven woman. His heart jolted, and for a moment, he forgot to breathe. As if she'd stepped from a distant memory in the back of his mind, he felt as if he knew her... and those eyes! Without taking his eyes off her, he knelt and hurriedly set his violin in the case and snapped it up, slinging it on his back. maybe this is what i've been searching for all along...Roderich politely pushed his way through the bustle of shoppers in the marketplace and lightly tapped on the woman's shoulder. "Pardon me, ma'am," he murmured, a friendly smile adorning his lips, "But may I speak to you for a moment?"As soon as he locked eyes with her, he could not look away, even had he wanted to. Those violet orbs sucked him in, and she didn't have to say a word. Their eyes met, and it was as if he'd known her all his life. When she finally smiled back and took his hand, Roderich's heart leaped, and as she turned away, she beckoned for him to follow. Without question, he followed her out of the city, assuming that she was taking him to meet her clan... his clan?More content than he could remember, Roderich kept smiling wistfully. Mutti... we're going home[/sub]
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Post by Gilbert Weillschmidt on Mar 13, 2010 1:33:33 GMT -5
Patience had never been one of Gilbert's strong points, at least not when he was actually waiting for something to happen. Crimson eyes carefully the area, waiting for something, anything, to happen and give him some idea of what was going on. He knew he could smell the familiar brunette musician, he'd committed the scent to memory without ever meaning to, yet he was all the more grateful for that now.
However, there was something else.
The scent was both like Roderich, but not like him at all. It was definitely close to wherever the brunette was, but Gilbert was positive it wasn't the musician he'd met in the plaza. The idea of two Roderich's was absurd, and the other odor was far too different. Not as sweet, not as comforting, not as--
"What the hell...?" Gilbert blinked and frowned, leaning forward in his bush to get a better look at what was going on. He'd been right about Roderich, sure enough, there was the musician walking down the path... but the person with him wasn't anyone the Prussian could ever remembering seeing. Her eyes were almost, if not perfectly, identical to the same ones that had haunted him for days, yet at the same time, they were different. Something was off about them, and not just the fact that they weren't Roderich's.
The woman, Gilbert could tell almost immediately, wasn't human, but he didn't have any clue as to what she actually was. Something about her was intimidating, almost threatening, and the albino didn't like the feeling he got from looking at her at all. Unease and nervousness weren't emotions that he often felt himself needing to face, and now didn't seem the best time to start. He couldn't afford to be sloppy or jumpy. Not right now.
Behind her, seemingly in his own world, was Roderich, and the look on his face only made the Prussian's concern rise. It was as if he were in a trance, and for a moment, Gilbert was tempted to throw himself out of the bush, grab the brunette, and run... but something told him not to. To wait and watch; see what would happen. His instincts had never failed him before, and something told him that it was the right idea to hold off and follow after silently. To gather more information and use all that he could to his advantage.
And so he did.
I don't like this lady... but I'm sure as hell not letting her take Roderich alone... he thought, slipping out of his hiding spot once the pair were a few feet ahead. Stealth had always been something Gilbert could pride himself in when he needed it, and it proved to be useful as he carefully avoided the various plant-life and dead leaves on the ground. He had no idea where the woman was taking Roderich, but he'd be damned before he let it happen without his knowing.
Keeping up with them was proving to be quite easy. All that left was waiting to see where things went form where. What is going on...? Old man... I'm going to need all the help I can get. Watch me. I won't let anything happen to this one--not Roderich. Not this time. Even if he hates me... I'll protect him.
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Post by Roderich Edelstein on Mar 13, 2010 16:54:59 GMT -5
They didn't speak for a long time, and for a long time, Roderich didn't need her to. It was enough, after all these years, to have finally found her. She was elven, as he had suspected from his father's few descriptions of her, with eyes the same as his own. Her hand in his was surprisingly rough, callused with the scrape of many years of archery. Slim and slender, she wove through the trees with an almost ethereal grace, each footstep invisible and inaudible. Roderich was content just having her before him, knowing that a piece of his past was suddenly revealed.
For all these years, it had been as if he were trying to piece together a puzzle with half the pieces flipped upside down. Now, one piece had flipped over and fit with the rest.
His boots crushed pine needles and fallen leaves as they followed no path he could discern until they came to a small cave, its entrance almost completely hidden by overgrowth. Somewhere in the back of his mind, a small warning echoed elves don't live in woods this dark... and not in caves, but the thought slipped and vanished from his mind as if it had never been.
Shortly after entering, the cave opened into a wide, surprisingly comfortable space. A bedroll and the remains of a burnt-out campfire sat in the center of the space, but two torches on either side of the cutout kept a steady, surprisingly bright light.
The small elven woman smiled at him and released his hand, leaving him standing until she gently pushed him to sit atop the bedroll. With one hand, she gently brushed his forehead and smiled with sudden understanding.
"Roderich, my son," she murmured, violet eyes shining. "You've come back to me. You've been gone so long, all alone..."
His eyes fluttered strangely, and the small voice in the back of his mind began to scream with terror even as she gently stroked his hair and pulled him to her. He was so comfortable, so warm, so safe...
His head lolled, and the last thing he heard before all went dark was,
"Tell me all about it."
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Post by Gilbert Weillschmidt on Mar 13, 2010 17:46:06 GMT -5
"Scheiße!" Gilbert swore loudly as the pair disappeared from sight. Even if only for a few seconds, he knew that was bad. That person, that creature, whatever it was, it was after Roderich, and if he didn't move, the voice in the back of his head screaming that it would be too late would end up right. "What the hell were you thinking, idiot!?"
Ignoring the various plant-life and animals, the Prussian shoved his way through a mass of bushes and trees as a shortcut. Another curse tumbled from his lips as he saw the hem of Roderich's coat disappear into what appeared to be a small cave. Didn't the brunette know better? "I didn't think he was this much of a fucking moron..." With a growl, he stumbled forward, brushing leaves and twigs from his hair as he went and scurried into the cave.
It was brighter than he originally thought, and much easier to see. His enhanced vision did little to help, as it wasn't needed, but the scene before him made his blood run cold. That creature, the thing, was far too close to Roderich for Gilbert's comfort. It still looked like a woman, but he couldn't tell if she was trying to kiss, bite, or smother the brunette, but he didn't think about it.
"Roderich!" he shouted as loud as his voice would allow. "You idiot! MOVE!" He raised a hand in front of him, crimson eyes glowing brightly in the dark as he began to mutter something under his breathe in rapid German. A black orb of energy formed and levitated in front of his palm before darting forward and slamming itself into the creatures side.
Taking advantage of his surprise attack, he rushed forward and pushed Roderich up against the wall, slapping the musician's face several times in an attempt to wake him up. "Hey! I said move, idiot! Are you trying to get killed?!" He growled and glanced over his shoulder. The creature already looked as if it were getting up and ready to attack again; but he was ready. Spells played themselves over in Gilbert's mind as he watched the monster, for lack of better current term, and waited for it's next move.
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Post by Roderich Edelstein on Mar 14, 2010 15:43:41 GMT -5
As a spectator to the play of his own life, Roderich sat in a box alone staring down at the stage. A faint sense of contentment suffused him as he watched the players on stage enact scenes from his life in a ridiculously fast pace. Strangely enough, however, when he lifted his opera glasses for a closer look, the actor playing his mother was only an indistinct blur. With a frown, he adjusted the lens and looked at the other actors, only to find that his own face was the only one he could see clearly.
that's strange. if i'm down there, then who's up here...?
"The climatic scene is coming up," his own voice echoed behind him. Roderich turned to see himself in the seat behind him, idly flipping through the show's program. "You don't want to miss this part."
"What, you mean like the ending?
"Oh, I should hope that's not quite yet." The other Roderich pushed his glasses up higher on his nose and sighed. "You really don't remember, do you? Mutter, Vater... you've forgotten everything."
"Vater is dead. And Mutter... I've found Mutter. Everything will be the way it should be."
On the stage below, his actor collapsed, a strange, revolting creature with light grey skin kneeling over him.
"Hmm." Roderich glanced up from his program for a moment and raised one eyebrow. "If it were that easy, then what are you doing here?"
"Watching the play, of course."
"Really?" Both eyebrows quirked in mild surprise. "I do believe you belong down there. It's your scene, after all."
Roderich quickly turned around stood, looking through his glasses again. Standing at the edge of the balcony, he peered closely at the stage. All the other actors had disappeared offstage during the course of his conversation, leaving only the grey-skinned creature and himself, crumpled motionless on the stage. Neither moved, but suddenly, from behind the wings of the stage, a silver-haired figure darted across.
"He seems to have forgotten his place," the other Roderich observed from behind him -- too closely behind him. "Best you remind him, then."
Before he could respond, before he could focus his glasses more intently on the silver-haired actor, he felt a hand on his back. With a harsh yell of fear, Roderich tumbled over the edge of the balcony and plummeted toward the stage below.
"Hey, I said move, idiot! Are you trying to get killed?!"
With a groan, Roderich opened his eyes to see crimson eyes staring into his own, wide with... was that fear? Gilbert? And again, he was in the cave, the memory of a theatre vanishing in the face of a small elven woman, picking herself up off the floor. One hand clasped to her side, her face flickered and morphed, then her entire body shifted into that of a tall, grey-skinned, featureless humanoid creature.
"Watch out!"
And the creature sprang.
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Post by Gilbert Weillschmidt on Mar 14, 2010 16:25:37 GMT -5
"Wha...?" Gilbert blinked and tore his gaze away from Roderich when he hear the brunette shout. His eyes landed on the creature he'd been fighting and a loud string of curses spilled from his lips as he fumbled frantically for his sword. His mind was blank, and no spells would come to mind; it was too late for one anyway. He didn't have the time to cast. "Shit-!"
Taking a half-step backward, the Prussian barely had time to raise his sword before the creature had reached him. Crimson met milky-white and time seemed to slow down as both combatants stopped breathing, far too intent on their own method of attack to worry about what went on around them. There was a sharp clang of metal, followed by a loud squishing noise as flesh was ripped, and two cries of mixed agony and triumph filled the cave. The light of the torches reflected off a transparent liquid that coated most of Gilbert's blade, which protruded from the back of the, now very ridged, monster that had just been attacking them.
A triumphant smirk danced on the albino's features as he pushed the blade further into the creature's body, watching in silent satisfaction as it began to writhe, a strange, spine-chilling and inhuman sound emitting from what should have been a mouth. It was shuddering and twitching, fixing Gilbert with what could only be described as a glare, it's movements slowly growing more and more slug-like. It would be dead soon, of that the Prussian was sure. He pulled on the hilt of his sword, intent on removing it and finishing the job with a quick blow, the creature suddenly lashed out in it's final moments of life and Gilbert gasped sharply.
Swallowing thickly, he looked down, his eye widening in shock as he stared at the four-inch nails that had lodged themselves into his abdomen. White-hot pain show up and down his body, causing him to shudder reflexivity and drop the sword, watching the creature fall backward in a daze. "D-dammit..." he choked, wrapping an arm around his lower body as he stumbled backward.
A strong iron-like taste rose in Gilbert's throat and he fell to his knees, shuddering violently as he gagged and emptied a mouthful of crimson onto the ground before him. He shuddered again, suddenly feeling much colder than normal and doubled over, feebly trying to slow the steady streams of blood that poured from the five deep stab-wounds. Another cough sent a second mouthful of liquid to the floor and he was almost tempted to laugh at how pathetic he must have looked.
"H-hey..." he croaked, peering over his shoulder, a small steam of red flowing down his chin from the corners of his mouth. "Y-you okay... young master...?"
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Post by Roderich Edelstein on Mar 14, 2010 16:54:25 GMT -5
Everything was over too quickly. Before a still-dazed Roderich open his violin case and try to cast something to slow that... thing down, it and Gilbert had collided. By the time he had lifted his bow to the strings, it was all over.
"Mein Gott... Gilbert!" Roderich ran forward and skidded to his knees, painting himself in two kinds of blood. He gently cradled the young man's head in his lap and lifted his violin to his chin. "Don't move," he ordered, trying to mask his concern. So much blood... he'd be able to heal the physical wound, but to create blood...? That was not a bard's talent.
Tears in his eyes, Roderich prepared to play. "Don't you dare die," he whispered. "That's an order from your master, understand, Gilbert?"
He couldn't bring himself to be honest with the young man; for all his bravery and swordmanship, he was going to die.
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Post by Gilbert Weillschmidt on Mar 14, 2010 17:30:26 GMT -5
"I-I thought... you didn't want to be a master..." Gilbert chuckled weakly, subconsciously nuzzling into the lap his head was resting on. The warmth that surrounded Roderich was comforting, and combined with the soothing spell cast through music, the pain that had taken over his body dulled slightly. Alas, it did nothing to quell what he knew was coming. His body was still shaking violently, and his immortal body was beginning to react to it's sudden loss of blood. "But... I-I'll take... that cocky order as a sign... that you're okay... I'm glad..."
Swallowing the liquid that had pooled for a third time in his mouth, Gilbert slowly raised a trembling hand and touched Roderich's cheek, smiling faintly. "You're... warm..." he muttered quietly as his eyes slipped closed. "Compared to me... you're so warm. I miss... what warmth feels like..." He was rambling now, but the talking was helping him concentrate more. The smell of his own blood mixed with the creatures was overwhelming, and combined with both the smell and sound of Roderich's veins pumping the "elixir" throughout his body, the Prussian's self-control was pushed to his limits.
"Sh-shit..." he recoiled, pulling his kneels to his chest as he curled into a ball, shuddering against his makeshift pillow. No... not this. Not now. Not near Roderich, Gott, please not near Roderich... I-I can't... he's human, and... His breath was quickly becoming ragged, coming out in short, uneven gulps as he dug his nails into the dirt around them. Pale lips parted, and the albino's jaw hung limply as he desperately tried to cling to his sanity. The fangs he normally kept retracted and hidden behind his lips were protruding forward, glinting brightly under the torch-light.
"Y-you... have to go..." he chocked as he tried to push himself away from the brunette. He smelled so wonderful, so sweet, and his blood was so warm-- "R-Roderich, you... have to go... run. F-find sunlight... somewhere bright and f-far away... and you have to stay there." I can't bite him. He's human. I can't. I won't... I don't want to hurt him...
The Prussian's bright and unique crimson eyes were quickly fading to a hungry black as he attempted to drag himself across the floor and away from, as far as his body was concerned, the closest source of food. He'd never fed from a human before, and he much preferred to keep it that way, but the thought of sucking the brunette dry terrified him from a loss of control terrified him above all else. "D-dammit, you idiot! You have to run! Can't you tell what I am!? I-I'm a monster! A demon! I-if you don't get out quickly... I won't be able to stop myself... and I'll kill you..."
I'm a killer and a monster... humans hate me, my kind... They pay to have things like me killed. If he didn't hate me before... he will now. Whatever the reason, the thought of Roderich hating him seemed to hit the Prussian harder than anyone else he could think of, and before long, his eyes had started to sting and a steam of tears he didn't know he could produce fell slowly.
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Post by Roderich Edelstein on Mar 14, 2010 18:42:26 GMT -5
Roderich barely listened to the words emerging from the young man's mouth, keeping his entire focus, his entire energy on his old violin. Warm blood soaked into his lap and coated his legs as he pleaded with the music. Gilbert's voice faded further and further away as his tune diverged from the song of healing he'd practiced on himself far too often. He gave his own soul to the music, silently offering a piece of his own life-energy as payment. His eyes were closed as his hand moved the bow of its own accord, letting the music take him far away from the bloody cave and his dying friend.
Friend... A single tear leaked from beneath his eyelid a carved a trail through the sweat and grime on his face, disappearing into his now-dirty cravat. He followed the music and guided the magic, gently numbing pain and closing wounds to the best of his ability. This wasn't about technique and form anymore; this was about raw magical power. Roderich was no healer, but he could wield music-magic and shape it to his will.
Then something jolted his elbow, the bow sliding in a harsh squeal against the strings. The magic dissipated as if it had never been, and Roderich opened his eyes, sound rushing back as if in a vacuum. The jostle had been Gilbert's attempt at crawling away, and his frantic words finally registered in his mind as he saw a pair of fangs protrude from Gilbert's mouth.
Mein Gott, he's not even human... Roderich's breath froze in his lungs as he stared numbly at the silver-haired young man. This, then, was that strange aura he'd perceived that night. His bow fell from limp fingers, the previously pristine white horsehair soaking up the blood on the cave floor.
Suddenly, everything regarding Gilbert fell into place in his mind, and his blood chilled in horror as he looked at the young man feebly trying to crawl away, clearly fighting his own body for every pained centimeter of dirt.
And through it all, despite everything Roderich had done to him, despite the fact that he was dying because of him, he was still trying to protect him. Tears brimming in his eyes, Roderich's fingers dipped in blood as he lifted his bow and gave it a gentle shake to rid it of any excess fluid before setting it to the strings once more.
The song he played was different now, more controlled, more technical. The blood on the hair added a strange flavor to the magic, but it should still work. Focusing his will, Roderich played a spell of sleep as he rose slowly to his feet and backed out of the cave. It might not stop Gilbert entirely, but it should at least slow his movements enough give him time.
The haunting melody issued from the strings until he backed completely out of the cave and stumbled several yards away into a small clearing. Though small, the break in the trees created a small patch of sunlight that Roderich sank into, letting his bow fall.
you saved his life and you ran...
Roderich's head fell to his knees, the tears that had been brimming his his violet eyes suddenly pouring forth in an uncontrollable torrent. The only man he had wanted as a friend was a horrible abomination, a creature that wanted nothing more than to eat--
he saved your LIFE! are you going to sit there and cry about it, or are you going to do something?
Short of giving his own life, Roderich could think of nothing. Then a small shadow fell over him, and he froze, wondering for a moment if Gilbert had lost his mind and was now pursuing him.
He looked up to see a huge flock of tiny birds flying leisurely far above him. Roderich almost laughed at his own paranoia and sat back, wincing as his shortbow pressed into his back against the tree.
And then his eyes widened, and he glanced back at the birds.
I won't allow myself to owe anyone anything. Nothing is free, and everything has a hidden price.
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Post by Gilbert Weillschmidt on Mar 14, 2010 21:42:33 GMT -5
As the music suddenly began to change, Gilbert felt his eyes start to drop. His body was slowly becoming heavier and heavier and even the smallest of movements felt as if they were being made through molasses. Somewhere in the back of his mind, a voice snickered venomously as he watched the blurred form of Roderich scurry out of the cave. The effects of the sleeping spell wouldn't last long, he knew that much, but he could only hope there was enough of an effect to let the brunette get a safe enough distance away that he wouldn't be able to find him.
It hurts, doesn't it...? the voice snarled. To see him running away. Just like all the others... No one wants to be near you.
"S-shut up..." Gilbert muttered, blinking rapidly as he tried to clear the tears from his eyes. "Dammit, shut up..." He knew it was his own fears speaking to him, but that didn't make them any less painful. How many times had he been forced to flee the very city his home resided in for a decade or longer to avoid starting riots or being hunted down? It was the same thing, over and over. The moment someone got too close to finding out, he was forced to run; to hide, to erase himself from existence until people forgot who he was, and he was finally allowed to return to the closest thing he had to a home.
He ran away though, didn't he....? the voice said gleefully as Gilbert forced himself to his feet and stumbled out of the cave. The sunlight that forcefully poked itself through the trees hit the Prussian's face, making him wince and the voice hiss in distaste. He needed to get back to his house, before he lost total control. If he could just get blood--get to the icebox--if he could stop the hunger, he'd be able to think clearer; to be himself again... and maybe, just maybe, he wouldn't have to run. Maybe Roderich wouldn't run to the townsfolk and tell them about what he was.
Why wouldn't he...? the voice, the cold, dark cackle of his own voice asked. He ran, didn't he? He's going to the city; the one full of humans. They hate what you are. A monster, a demon. Frederick said humans were good at their cores, but what have they ever done for you? They've only caused you pain! Left you alone! Gilbert shook his head sharply and inhaled slowly. The various scents of the forest sent a fresh wave of clarity over his mind, and he immediately started in the direction of his house. He didn't have much time. Blood-lust could only be fought for so long, and the last thing he needed was to lose control in the middle of the city.
"Dammit... Roderich isn't like that!" Gilbert scolded himself, "He won't tell them. He doesn't have a reason. I... I didn't do anything to him. He just... he just..."
He just hates you... the voice finished. Like all the other humans, he found out what you truly are and he ran from it! You almost had a friend, too. Finally, a true friend--and you liked him, didn't you? Honestly and truly, something about him attracted you... But it's too late. He knows.
More tears trickled down Gilbert's cheek as his steps slowed. His entire body was in agony, and his head throbbed painfully as he continued to push back the force that was working to take control. The darker side he worked so hard to hold at bay; an evil, corrupted part of his mind that had formed from years spent alone with only the comfort of a smiling portrait of the man he'd once called "father" to keep him company.
"...I can't lose control," he muttered. "Not now..."
Don't you understand? You're a freak... He doesn't want to be near you... he hates you.
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Post by Roderich Edelstein on Mar 14, 2010 22:03:54 GMT -5
Clutching a large canvas bag in both hands, Roderich stumbled through the trees, hoping that his spell had held Gilbert in place long enough. "Gilbert!" he called sharply, slowly making his way through the trees and praying that the other man hadn't lost control like he'd threatened. Please let me make it in time...
God damn it all, this was the way he had come, wasn't it? Of all the times to be lost, now...? His heart throbbed painfully, and tears mounted in his eyes from frustration. "Gilbert, where are you?"
And then he heard speech, heard Gilbert! speaking to someone. Roderich broke into an awkward run, hobbled by the bag clutched in both his hands. "Gilbert!" He broke through the trees and stopped short to see the other man standing, eyes darker than the blackest night. "Gil--" Roderich's voice broke, and his tears threatened to fall.
He swallowed hard and set the bag down gently on the forest floor. "Gilbert, you need blood, don't you? There are dead birds in this bag. I hope this will suffice." Could he even hear him? Those dead black eyes, that warped, sinister expression...
The Roderich from one week ago would have fought or fled.
The Roderich after the sonata in the plaza backed away slowly from the bag to give him space, closed his eyes, and prayed. "Gilbert... if that kind, compassionate young man can hear me, please come back. I will be the young master you want. I will be your friend. Just please." He swallowed hard, tears dripping unchecked down his cheeks. "Please come back to me. I'm a young master -- I can't look after myself without you."
"You saved my life, Gilbert. You told me to run. I know you're in there. Please," his voice little more than a whisper now as he stared at his pain-wracked friend, "come back."
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Post by Gilbert Weillschmidt on Mar 14, 2010 22:37:45 GMT -5
Snapping his head up, Gilbert inhaled sharply, his mouth hanging open only enough for his fangs to glimmer in the broke rays of sunlight. For a moment, the Prussian thought he was hallucinating, finally going mad from his blood-lusting hunger. Roderich couldn't have been standing in front of him, he couldn't have returned; not to a monster like him. Yet, there he was, the strong beat of his heart faint, but loud enough for Gilbert to hear. The wind picked up, and the sweet scent he'd become so familiar with (or was he addicted to it? He couldn't tell) filled his senses, mixed together with...
Crimson eyes shifted down to the bag on the ground as his slender eyebrows knit together in utter confusion. He'd heard something vague about dead birds, but that couldn't have been right... could it? But he could smell them; freshly dead, that much was obvious. Their blood wasn't nearly as appetizing in smell as Roderich's, but the appeal of drinking from them rather than the brunette caused a glimmer of relief to flicker in the albino's eyes.
He came back... Came back after running like a coward. This is your chance. To show humans just what you're capable of. You could suck him dry and leave the body for a good scare; wouldn't that be funny? Maybe if you did it to enough of them, they could have a small taste of the loneliness you've felt for so long. Just kill him. Eliminate him... Get your revenge. Gilbert stepped forward, and a high-pitched cackling from the depths of his mind began to echo loudly in his ears. It would be easy to kill the other. It would take little more than a few flicks of the wrist and a bite, but...
"...No," he mumbled quietly to himself. "Any... any human but him." And in the blink of an eye, he grabbed the bag from the dirt and disappeared into a mass of trees and brush. Even if Roderich came back of is own accord, Gilbert didn't want him to see him feed; he still felt shame for what he was, and part of him believed the brunette would suddenly change his mind and feel disgusted if he saw. He didn't care risk that.
It only took him a few minutes to drain each of the small animals dry, but the relief they brought was more than welcome. The pain in his body subsided quickly and the voice in his head was suddenly silent. He wiped his mouth on the back of his sleeve, not caring if it got stained. His clothes were already tattered and soaked with his own blood; a little more wouldn't change much. The bodies were buried with ease, each given a quiet murmur of prayer Frederick had taught him before he finally stood up, a small smile gracing his lips.
You didn't have to... but you came back... Roderich... thank you. He moved with ease back out into the clearing, staring at Roderich's back as he silently walked up behind the brunette. His body was still utterly exhausted; but that would fade with the sun and once the moon was up in the sky, he'd be feeling much better. "You can't look after yourself without me, huh?" he asked in a quiet tone, the smile growing into a faint, but not at all cocky smirk. "I told you I was irresistible. I'm just too awesome to walk away from, huh?" He took another step forward and gently turned the musician around by the shoulders, taking one of the other's hands in his own and dropped to one knee in a formal bow. "...Would you like to know how that contract I mentioned a week ago works, Roderich?"
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Post by Roderich Edelstein on Mar 14, 2010 23:01:21 GMT -5
For those minutes after Gilbert took the bag and disappeared, Roderich just stood there, unable to move or barely even breathe. What if he didn't come back? What if it wasn't enough? What if he'd already lost him before... His breath began to come in short gasps, and it took a moment for him to regain his composure. Taking the opportunity, he removed his glasses and wiped his eyes. Rubbing the glass with the hem of his coat, he took several deep, calming breaths, and steadied himself.
Even if Gilbert didn't come back, he'd managed to save him... save them both. He hoped.
He stiffened as Gilbert suddenly emerged behind him, but didn't answer as he spoke, waiting to see that irritating smirk, those crimson eyes...
And then he took his hand in his and knelt down before him. His cheeks quickly flushed, but he didn't pull his hand away. Those earnest, crimson eyes staring up at him were all he needed to see.
"If a contract is what is necessary for you to stay by my side instead of following me like a dog," he answered finally, the faintest smile gracing his lips, "Then I suppose I have little choice."
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Post by Gilbert Weillschmidt on Mar 14, 2010 23:47:48 GMT -5
"Necessary?" Gilbert repeated with a small snort. "About as necessary as a hole in my head. It's more of a formality. Something to show you have more than just my word that I won't leave your side." The contract itself wasn't a big deal, but Frederick had warned him how serious the contract was. He could make it only once.
"The contract goes one of two ways," he began, holding up a single pale finger. "The first... being you contract yourself to be. Become like me; a fledgling, in a sense. You become mine, and only mine... A vampire, like myself, but... I suppose a favourite source of food as well." He held up a second finger. "The second way, being me contracting to you. Swearing my awesome self, and unending life, to you... and only you."
Lifting Roderich's hand to his lips, he kissed the back softly and pushed up the brunette's sleeve, running a finger down the other's forearm and stopped at his knuckles. A smirked tugged at the corners of his lips as he moved his crimson eyes back up to Roderich's violet hues. "I, more or less, put a seal of sorts on you. It connects you to me, even if we're not apart. All you have to do is call me name... and I can find you. No matter where you are, no matter when it is. It lets other vampires know, should you come across any, that you're not to be touched. And... should I ever abandon you, you could easily command me to die, and the seal would ensure it happens. Think of it as a shock collar. It makes sure I listen." He grinned, "The only way for it to break is if one of us should die... though I don't plan to let either happen."
Shifting his position slightly, Gilbert raised his forefinger again, gesturing the number one. "However," he paused for a moment, then continued. "I can make this contract with one person. Only one... even should ours end... I can't make another." His lips curved into a smile, and a genuinely gentle look danced in his eyes. "But I could live a thousand lifetimes and never regret making it to you, young master."
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