The Wedding

((Taken from Rp))

After escorting her into the church, Ethan and Brit lit a candle at the door together. Brit’s shaking hand was steadied with his. She focused intently on lighting the candle while Ethan stole quick looks at her. Many had come to join them and both wondered how so many knew so quickly. Hild, Gweneth, Omega, Nikita, Larissa, Lorne, Pieter, Kishi, Kytara, Merma, Poncho, Katinka, Nicholette, Sinco, Carlos, Arcann, Komali, Xelion, Pix, Tony, Spirit, Kaya, Tanika, Choi, and Jon were there to bear witness. Brit clasped Ethan’s arm tighter not use to having so many watch her and she struggled against the distraction of so many near. Even so, she wished Ellie, Vlad, and Denny could have been there.

Ethan walked down the aisle with Brit on his arm. Continuing to steal glances at her, he whispered, “You are stunning.” It never occurred to Brit how many set aside their differences to be there for their wedding. She smiled to their friends as she passed them as she walked to the front of the church where Stacy stood. Ethan gave Stacy two rings, which she held in her right hand and said, “It is the right hand of God that blesses, to the right that Christ ascended, and to the right that those who inherit life eternal will ascend. Blessed are these metal symbols, given by me unto you to prove among any observers true faith, concord, love, and that in marriage the weakness of one will be compensated by the strength of the other. There is perfection within a union of imperfections.” Brit’s hand tightened on Ethan’s as she listened.

Stacy’s right hand seemed to gleam brightly as she prayed, “Welcome these witnesses forgiving them of their transgression this day of blessed unity. Two souls bonded in unwavering union protected here until come judgment. Amen.” Ethan took Brit’s hand entwining her fingers and gave her a comforting squeeze. Stacy continued, “Welcome witnesses. Ye are truly blessed to witness a holy union granted in the gift of free will. God’s gift to mankind.” Stacy pulled from her pocket a small coloring book and opened it to take a small piece of paper. Looking from the paper to the audience, she said, “This book given as a gift to me possesses an excerpt from which I will read. This excerpt will have special meaning unto these two as they take their steps into union.”

Brit listened carefully to each word along with Ethan. Reading from the book, Stacy’s voice filled the church. “’What is Real?’ asked the Rabbit one day, when lying side by side near the nursery fender before Nana came to tidy the room. ‘Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?’ ‘Real isn’t how you are made,’ said the Skin Horse. ‘It is a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long long time, not just to play with but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.’ ‘Does it hurt?’ asked the Rabbit. ‘Sometimes,’ said the Skin Horse for he was always truthful. ‘When you are real, you don’t mind being hurt. It doesn’t happen all at once. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get all loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand.’” Outside, gunfire blazed, but neither Ethan or Brit heard anything except for the unusual reading from the Velveteen Rabbit.

Stacy placed the tattered book and the paper back into her pocket. Looking from Ethan to Brit, she smiled before looking up at the audience. “Dearly beloved. We are gathered here in the sight of God to join together this Man and this Woman in Holy Matrimony; which is an honorable estate instituted by God in Paradise, and into which holy estate these two person present come now to be joined. Therefore if any man can show any just cause why they may not lawfully be joined together by God’s Law, or the Laws of the Realm, let him speak now, or else hereafter forever hold their piece.” The crowd grew quieter as eyes shifted about. One scratched her ear while another narrowed his eyes. Merma chuckled thinking that someone would have to be suicidal to object.

Ethan took Brit’s hands in his and looked directly to her. He mouthed, “You are beautiful” causing her to beam up at him. Stacy refocused on the couple, “I require and charge you both as ye will answer at the dreadful day of judgment when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed that if either of you know any impediment why ye may not be lawfully joined together in Matrimony, that ye confess it. For ye be well assured that so many as be coupled together otherwise than God’s word doth allow are not joined together by God; neither is their Matrimony lawful.” Both Ethan and Brit smiled at each other and then to Stacy feeling completely at peace with what they are doing.

Stacy smiled at the couple, then asked, “Ethan, wilt thou have this Woman to be thy wedded wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour and keep her in sickness and in health; and forsake all others, keep thee only unto her until judgment and divine wrath cometh upon this Earth?” Looking directly into Brit’s eyes, he responded to Stacy with a simple and meaningful “I do” as another smile hinted on his lips. Pausing, Stacy asked Brit, “Ms. Brit, wilt thou have this man to be thy wedded husband, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, and serve him, love, honour, and keep him in sickness and in health; and forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him until judgment and wrath up this Earth cometh?” Processing each word, she smiled up to Ethan and lisped, “I will” as she gave his hands a tight squeeze.

Stacy directed Ethan take Brit’s hand and repeat after her. His voice was clear as he said, “I Ethan take thee, Brit, to my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse. For richer or for poorer, for fairer or fouler, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish until judgment cometh, according to God’s holy ordinance, and there unto I plight thee my troth.” Several noted that Ethan did not blink once. With a nod, Stacy had Brit repeat after her. Brit lisped repeating each word slowly and ensuring that she said each and every one, “I Brit take thee Ethan to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to be bonny and buxom at bed and at board, to love and to cherish until judgment cometh, according to God’s holy ordinance and thereunto I plight thee my troth.” Ethan actually blinked at part of the plight and squeezed Brit’s hands slightly.

Bowing her head, Stacy said, “Let us pray. Bless these rings, O merciful Lord, that those who wear them, that give and receive them, may be ever faithful to one another, remain in your peace, and live and grow old together in your love, under their own vine and fig tree, and seeing their children’s children. Amen.” Ethan quirked slightly at the last part of the prayer. Stacy gave each one of the rings to give to the other. Ethan placed his ring onto Brit’s finger repeating after Stacy, “With this ring, I thee wed; and with my body, I thee honor; and with all my worldly goods, I thee endow. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” With the last word, he slowly slid the ring onto Brit’s finger before looking up to her with the triumphant expression of a 10-year old after his first kiss. Brit then repeated the same vow as she slid a ring onto Ethan’s finger. She could not resist bouncing slightly as it settled in place and her smile mirrored his happiness.

Both knelt as Stacy placed her hands on their foreheads and said, “Let us pray.. O Eternal God, Creator and Preserver of all mankind, Giver of all spiritual grace, the Author of everlasting life; Send thy blessing upon these thy servants, this man and this woman, whom we bless in thy Name; + that, as Isaac and Rebecca lived faithfully together, so these persons may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant betwixt them made, whereof this Ring given and received is a token and pledge, and may ever hereafter remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to thy laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Those whom God hath joined together let no existence put asunder. Amen." Removing her hands, both stood. Opening her arms in a wide embrace, Stacy addressed the audience. “For as much as Ethan and Brit have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company by giving and receiving of a ring, and by joining of hands; I pronounce therefore that they be Man and Wife together, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

A chorus of Amens could be heard from the crowd, including a few who had not ever said it before. Facing one another again, Stacy said, “May God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit bless, preserve and keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favor look upon you; and so fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace, that ye may so life together in this life, that in the world to come ye may have life everlasting.” Someone whispered, “Blessed be. Amen.” With a warm smile, Stacy said, “Let now this union be witnessed by all present as now. Ethan, you may kiss your bride, and go forth from this house forever your union in grace.” Ethan did not need to be prompted twice and very slowly pulled Brit to him placing her hand where his heart was located. Then he pulled her even closer lifting her up for one single sweet kiss. Their lips barely touched before it turned into a more lingering kiss.

After the kiss, Stacy said, “As these two conclude, there is a request f a ceremony of common cup. Let all witness to look upon.” Ethan picked up the chalice and took his necklace to use the point to cut his wrist slightly dropping blood into the goblet. He then guided Brit’s fingers to do the same with her wrist. Guiding the cup to her lips, words are heard, “My blood, your blood, our blood…unites as one.” She sipped from the cup while watching him the entire time. He drank the rest and whispered, “Mine” before putting the chalice down and walked her back down the aisle and out of the church. Pausing a moment, an invitation was given to all to celebrate their union with music and drink.

Going to the Chapel

Ethan watched her leave and then made his way to the church. He had planned every detail of the wedding except for inquiring whether Stacy would officiate. The memory of his first encounter with the archangel gave reason to feel a bit anxious. Still, Brit cared a great deal for her and he wanted all to be perfect. From the small gathering outside of the church, he was directed to Stacy within. Ethan paused a moment seeing his chylder waiting. Gweneth had arrived quickly, which pleased him. He nodded to both Stacy and Gweneth in greeting, but turned to Stacy and said, “There is a matter I wish to discuss with you and ask your assistance in.” Stacy granted that he could pose his request. Ethan continued, “I know Brit confides in you. And you are amongst His followers and are one of uncrushable faith. I wanted to ask you to perform a different kind of union ritual. A wedding, if you will. But somewhat adjusted to the nature of both involved.”

Stacy looked Ethan over. Rather than seeming arrogant as he had in the past when he encountered her, he stood there seeming quite anxious looking at her with big eyes while waiting for her response. Stacy pondered for a moment, her eyes shifting from the book in front of her to Ethan. She said, “I will do as you ask of me, taking into consideration your nature, and my own as well.”

Ethan felt that things were coming together. He said, “I do appreciate that and know you will find the best way possible to combine both our natures..with respect for what is different but keeping the heart of the blessing itself untouched.” Gweneth hinted a grin as she listened. Stacy responded, “It is seen in this world as a blessing but, to the Father, it is what it is: a union. Two souls bonded for as long as they both shall live, a mortal soul mating.”

After ensuring that the church would be kept safe during the ceremony and advising that a few of his kin would be joining as witnesses, he excused himself to greet Gweneth and prepare for the ceremony that was to start within the hour, which is the time he had given Brit to prepare.

Meanwhile, Omega and Larissa had their hands full assisting Brit who was bouncing from one area to another as they struggled to dress her. Omega was not surprised to see such garments as what was pulled from the trunk. Ethan had not selected the more modern versions, but rather authentic fashions of a much earlier era. It took a moment to sort each item after removing the tissue that cushioned each against wrinkling during transport.

First, Brit slid on the silk stockings that were almost opaque. Omega remembered when the sheerness were scandalous for the day and assisted Brit to connect each stocking to the antiquated garter that tied it in place. The pantalets were cut to fit Brit perfectly, and the brushed Egyptian cotton was edged with an icing of lace that dripped over each stocking-covered knee. Larissa tried to keep Brit’s focus while Omega tied on the first layer of petticoats. Again, yards of lace-edged, brushed cotton that tied prettily around Brit’s waist followed by a pretty ribbon-covered hoop petticoat frame only to be topped with yet another full petticoat. Both Larissa and Omega struggled to adjust each layer while Brit nearly danced in place. The gown settled over Brit and both helpers hushed for a moment. Omega commented on how pretty she looked and praised Ethan’s taste in clothing as well as brides. Larissa took hold of Brit’s hands to attempt to keep her in one spot as Omega buttoned the tiny buttons on the back of the gown. Excited chatter filled the room as one secured Brit’s crown of flowers and the other tried to find her feet to slide the slippers in place. The last thing item worn was the locket given to her by Denny and Viviane.

Larissa arranged Brit’s hair until it was perfect. “You are lovely, little girl.” Swallowing hard, Omega said, “Denny wanted to be here…but he will be very happy for you, I know.” She watched Brit flounce and twirl. “You look…so beautiful, Brit,” Omega told her as she fought back some emotions. “You really are a princess now,” Omega said. Taking Brit’s hands, Omega smiled to her, “The perfect bride.” She gave Brit a final look-over and said, “I know Ethan picked this out, but I think seeing you dressed in it will quit undo him.”

Larissa lengthened her own lovely dress with a snap of her fingers. Omega had already dressed for the wedding. Friday night rabble-rousers shot at each other down the street. “If they shoot my dress, Ethan will be way upset,” lisped Brit. Ethan was waiting at the door of the church with a bouquet in his hands. He stopped pacing and seemed speechless when he saw Brit. Omega said with a flourish, “Ethan, may I present your bride.” Omega walked up the steps and kissed Ethan’s cheek whispering, “A little more notice would have been nice.” Nodding to Omega respectfully, he regained his voice and said to both Larissa and Omega, “I think you both truly for bringing her to me.” Stepping forward, he took Brit’s hand and offered the bouquet. Larissa followed Omega inside. Ethan stared at her as if to burn her into his memory. He slowly kissed her hand and placed it on the crook of his arm, and then he walked her into the church.

A Most Proper Thing

At sunset, Ethan walked into the library and made his way directly to Brit. Brit had been talking to Larissa. Without a word, he gave her a triad of kisses before offering his customary greeting to others. Larissa started to speak, but Ethan’s look of impatience caused her to postpone her discussion. Ethan quickly explained that he wished to take a walk and pulled Brit along behind him. They left the library quickly with Brit having to scamper to simply keep up. He escorted her up to the rooftop where he first met her. She looked over the city and toward the rooftop across the street to where he had been standing when she first saw him. “Look,” she lisped. “Someone has taken your standing spot over there.”

Ethan pulled her much closer as he glanced across to where Brit pointed. His eyes narrowed ensuring that there was no danger from the observer across the way. “They can have that roof,” he said. “I have all I need right here in my arms.” His hand ran over her cheek before he stepped back a bit. “Now,” he continued, “there is a reason that I brought you here in such a hurry. This is the place where we exchanged our first words.” Her hand slid down his arm holding his hand and she lisped, “It was summertime.” He nodded and moved toward the edge where they could view the shoreline. “It was,” he replied. “And you looked so cute doing your handstands.” His hand wriggled free from hers so he could slide it around her waist. “Though, this time, I did not bring you here to make you remember our first meeting. I wanted to talk to you about some things of faith.”

His words seemed to meander a bit. He first told her of the things that he had told her before: His human days when he was a monk and his discussions about the faith that guided him then and continued to guide him today. Ethan said, “Do you remember how you asked me what lovers are?” Of course she remembered. He explained that lovers were more intimate than beloveds. Reaching for Brit’s hand, he said, “Exactly. Amongst that, other things that….well…for example, my faith…the one I told you about.” His words began to meander again, but she seemed to follow. He suddenly stopped and moistened his lips as he realized that he had gone on another tangent. Regrouping, he said, “Well, in that faith, lovers….and beloveds also, I would say…” He stopped again and his hands gripped her tightly. Starting yet again slowly, he said, “It is the most proper…and honorable thing…and blessed by God…that they are joined in his eyes for all to know….it completes their union as a couple in the most spiritual way there can be…”

Brit’s head tilted slightly toward him listening. She repeated, “A most proper and honorable thing…” Ethan nodded mechanically and continued, “It is what people call ‘marriage’….what validates the union of a man and woman in the eyes of God. What makes their union pure and untainted….” He grins for the first time adding, “A lot like you are.” Tracing his fingertips over hers, he clasped her hand tightly and looked down at the floor before looking up again. She giggled to him remembering asking him about marriage in the diner and when he described how she was to him. “And like you are too,” she added.

Her remark surprised him that she thought of him as pure or untainted. After a pause, he said, “Well, yes…..marriage!” Another deep breath and he said, “It is only suppose to happen once…and only with one person truly meant for you. It is a most serious ritual. For my kind, it would be slightly different, how the ritual goes, but…the meaning is the same.” Shifting nervously from one foot to the other, Ethan’s second hand joined the first one still holding her hand. Brit looked up curiously as he seemed to be struggling for words. She whispered, “It sounds most romantic…and God approves.”

Brit’s voice caused him to look down to her and he nodded several times. Ethan’s stance changed drastically as if he had made a decision. He turned her toward him, and she saw his chest rise and fall as if he had taken a deep breath. Keeping her hand in his, Ethan knelt down before her before looking up to her. He said, “There has been no night or day since we met that I did not crave your nearness and did not find absolute comfort in your presence. You are what fills my existence with meaning and are the only one I want to be with in any possible way. I can not imagine my unlife without you anymore, and I want to make this union sanctioned in God’s eyes….what I wanted to ask you, Brit, is…would you chose to become my wife…to be the one I am bound to in God’s eyes forever and for me to become the one your bonded to in his eyes forever?” He looked directly into her eyes not breaking eye contact at any moment. “I want to be yours always and for you to be mine always as well.”

Her lips parted slightly in astonishment when he sank to one knee. Processing his words, she replied, “I…I want to be yours always and forever, Ethan…and you to be mine…always and forever.” Nodding to him, she bit her lower lip and felt a blush tinge her cheeks. “Always and forever yours…my one and only.” After a few seconds, she blushed deeply and nodded, “Yours…yes.”

Though he stayed kneeling, he was obviously less anxious. “Well then,” he said, “we will marry each other tonight.” He sounded much more like his usual self and said, “I’ve arranged some things that you shall need. They wait for you in a chest in our resting place. But it is bad luck for the groom to see the bride before marriage so I will meet you at the church. Do be there in an hour.” He pointed toward the clock tower. Then he added, “A lady will need to help you dress.” Blinking hard, she said that perhaps Larissa could help. He stood nodding and motioned for her to run to get ready. She bolted for the library and burst through the heavy doors like they were screen doors attached to a country store. “I’M GETTING MARRIED,” she yelled, “AND I NEED HELP GETTING DRESSED!”

Omega was there holding Ethan’s letter in her hand. “That explains when.” With a warm smile to Brit, Omega said, “So you didn’t refuse him?” Brit shook her head no and was swept up in a warm hug by Omega. Omega then paused to question, “And…he did actually ASK you, didn’t he?” Brit quirked slightly and lisped, “Of course, he did.” Omega grinned and chuckled, “How very startling.” Larissa and Omega then left with Brit to help her dress and to get her to the church on time.

Formality

The horizon was beginning to show hints of color as the silhouette of a small boat appeared near the docks of the city. Even in the dim light of the newborn moon, the figure of the man in the boat would strike fear in the hearts of the most valiant of souls. Of course, he was a member of the Nosferatu clan whose appearance is both their gift and their curse. Before he stepped foot on the dock, two others appeared carrying a rather large chest and followed him onto land. Out of the shadow of the warehouse, Ethan appeared wearing a trench coat. Pulling on work gloves, Ethan approached the three men and exchanged warm handshakes with the massively disfigured kindred. The sound of the waves splashing against the dock covered what was said, but an envelope exchanged hands. As quickly as it had arrived, the boat disappeared into the night leaving Ethan with the chest, which was lifted to his chest and taken in the direction of the Voodoo Shop.

The next evening, Ethan woke alone. Usually he seeks out his beloved as soon as possible upon waking but, this time, he did not go to the library first. Instead, using the cover of every shadow, he made his way back to the Voodoo Shop via every back alley. Once there, he went to the Victorian desk located in the back of the building, moved it, and retrieved the chest hidden there the night before. Ethan sliced his finger open with an exposed nail and touched 12-points on the chest triggering the lockless chest to open. A silvery glow reflected on his skin as the lid opened, but what was removed seemed rather unspectacular: two pieces of papyrus, a quill, and a little bottle of ink along with a seal set. The chest disappeared behind the desk again and then the vampire took a seat at it and began to write.

Later, Ethan made his way to the library in anticipation of possibly finding Brit waiting for him. The thought of exploring the world of schemes, plots, betrayal, and manipulation with the approach of an untouched soul that sees and knows no evil brought a hint of a smile to his face. Finding the library actually empty, he did not seem disappointed and made his way to Omega’s private work place. Ethan quickly looked over his shoulder and a fine black mist appeared momentarily covering his narrowed eyes. None were near as his princess would have said, and he took the folded and sealed sheet of papyrus out of his mantle. After giving the golden seal a final check, he laid the note on her desk. The only writing on it was “Ω” ((Omega)).

Lady Omega,

With this letter, I wish to formally notify you that I have decided to ask Bridgette to bond herself to my being in every way my background as a mortal would command. Before the sun has disappeared in the sea the following morning, and should she accept my proposal, she will be wed to me. This is no affair of public interest, but certain measures have been taken in the last 24-hours to allow for the ceremonial part of this to be possible. There is only her adopted father that I deemed proper to inform besides you, but I have failed to find him as of yet. Since you seem to share a bond beyond the boundaries of distance, I rely on you to extend this information. You will hear of me moments before the ceremony, should you choose to attend.

It was signed elaborately “Ethan” and had a drop of blood in the middle of the signature.

A sly grin appeared on Ethan’s face as he looked back to the note and moved downstairs in the library. He noticed it was still empty. He brought his hand to his blood necklace clasping it and closed his eyes again. Words whispered into the wind with no sound or form. Traveling across land and sea, they reached the attentive ears of his chylder. Delivering a message to her, he reopened his eyes and made his way to the streets to continue his search for Brit as there were important questions to be asked.

The Hunger

Two hours before sunset, Brit woke starving. A glance at Ethan reassured her that he would not be waking prior to his usual time. After unwrapping her body from his, she dressed while still under the thick blankets and made her way to the diner. There, Annika, the waitress who seemed to always be present, brought her a heaping platter of pancakes with succulent blueberries and slathered in butter and maple syrup. Rather than dissecting out the blueberries and attempting to soak up as much syrup in each bite, Brit devoured it and ordered yet one more pancake that was consumed along with two large glasses of juice. Her tummy was slightly swollen having eaten so much, but the craving that she had upon waking still remained.

She made her way back to gather up items for her morning shower. Letting the water run to get rid of the thick rust coloring, Brit brushed out her hair, and brushed her teeth with the small bottle of water she had with her. The mint taste mingled with the maple syrup that remained. As she undressed, her thoughts turned to the hunger. She felt hungry. It was a feeling that came and went but, even after eating, sometimes it lingered. Pulling off her clothing, she stepped under the sporadic stream of water. The feeling of it splattering against her skin seemed to sooth the lingering hungry feeling.

She could hear music from outside of the building. A blasting speaker somewhere from someone determined to share their musical taste with the rest of the city. The song was slow in starting. Like a frozen music box, grinding as if reluctant to start. The gravelly sound of the singer and the smoky beat caused her to sway under the stream of the water as she reached for the shampoo that smelled strongly of vanilla and sugar cookies. Pouring shampoo into her hand, she slathered up her long tresses. The splattering sound of the water pattered like raindrops on her skin and the tile beneath her feet. As the singer crooned “Closer, move in closer…Closer now than…Than ever before,” her hands started to feel the soap as it oozed down her arms even as she continued to move to the rhythm. The song continued, “I doubt it that you can survive…So far from your trenches and your friends.”

Losing her self to the music and moving her body under the stream, Brit’s mind wandered as her hands rinsed out her hair. Reaching for the matching-scented milled soap, she ran her hands over the bar until she looked as if she were wearing mittens made of suds. The singer’s voice demanded, “Step into this room and dance for me.” Her hands washed the bite marks on her neck and she could feel her heartbeat quicken. The singer’s voice coaxed, “Step into this room and dance for me.” Her eyes closed as she danced to the music feeling the patters of water continue to pelt her skin.

She thought of the gala the night before. Opening her eyes while dancing with Ethan and feeling surprised at how many were near. Even in the crowded room, she could feel only Ethan’s nearness. “Come on, lady, dance for me. Come on. Come on. Dance for me.” The deep hunger she woke with grew slightly thinking of the warm ballroom, perfumed scents, and Ethan's closeness. Tilting her head back, she ran her hands over her body soaping her skin. The water trickled over causing rivers of suds to pour down making puddles around her feet.

Not so long before, Brit tried to explain this hunger to Ethan while they were on the rooftop overlooking the city. When he offered to take her to the diner, she told him that it was a 'different kind of hunger.' Brit stretched in the shower while she continued to wash her skin and danced to the song that seemed to permeate every corner of the room. “Step into this room and dance for me.” She wondered if Ethan felt similar hungers.

Her mind thought of other times when the hunger would start to grow. Her fingers stretched up toward the water that was cooling. The music seemed louder. All of the suds were off her body when she finally opened her eyes to see an amused Ethan watching her dance in the shower. Before he could say anything, Brit walked to him leaving a trail of water. Reaching up, she looped her arms around him, pressed her body against his, and kissed him deeply letting his Victorian suit absorb the water off of her soaked skin. She was completely oblivious to his expression of surprise.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBxGj3R0za0

The Art of Swooning

Ethan walked into their shared resting place just in time to see Brit’s hand gracefully touch her forehead and, with a fluttering of her lashes, she slowly started to sink to the floor. Dropping his pack, he crossed several meters of space between them in record time to catch her before she landed. She was dead weight in his arms. He bounced her lightly to get a better hold and carried her to the mound of blankets. If he had a heartbeat, it would have been racing as he looked down at her crumpled form before him. With his hair falling forward, he worked quickly to check her pulse, heartbeat, and coloring. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary except for the fact that she was non-responsive. Thoughts flooded his mind as he methodically went through a sequential flowchart trying to diagnose what had happened to his baby beloved.

He swallowed hard quelling the rising anxiety and reminded himself that he had been careful to not drink too much. A brief thought: Could another? His jaw muscle clenched as he checked her throat. Only his marks were there and her strong pulse let him discount that possibility. Just as soon as the current thought left, another sinister concern arrived. Perhaps she had been poisoned. His frown deepened as he looked in her mouth, and felt her face and neck examining her skin for any sign. A dart perhaps? Grabbing the lapel of her new red coat, he yanked it open scattering the ornamental buttons to see if she was marked or cut. Anything!

As buttons clattered on the cement and tile floor, Brit exclaimed, “Hey! What did you do that for?” Ethan fell back astonished and, for once, was the one who was sitting simply blinking. Brit’s eyes opened and she sat up searching for the scattered buttons oblivious to his expression of dismay. Reaching for her, he hugged her tightly feeling the tension and fear drain from him. For a moment, he thought he lost her. Burying his face in her hair, he felt suddenly possessive of her few short mortal years and silently vowed they would not be lost to accident. “Are you okay,” she lisped.

“Am I okay?” His mind was struggling to make sense of the entire situation. He repeated himself which caused her to wonder if he was unwell, “Am I okay?” His hands touched her face, neck, body, and hair to ensure that she was truly fine. He crushed her to him again.

She started to squirm and said, “Yah. Are you okay?” Her voice was registering concern as she tried to loosen his hold on her.

Holding her away slightly so that he could look at her, he said calmly, “Yes, yes. I am fine.” They watched each other silently for a moment. Ethan blurted, “What just happened, Brit? You almost hit the floor!”

Brit broke into a smile. “Oh! That.” She beamed up at him. “I was practicing swooning. The book that Larissa gave to me had a whole chapter about swooning. I have never swooned and so I thought that I should practice.”

This time, it took Ethan a moment to process. Crossing one arm, he regarded her a full minute with one hand covering his mouth. “Baby, like other things in that book, it is better to let nature progress on its own.” Her disappointed look made it impossible to be cross with her. He stood and helped her to her feet. With a slight grin, he added, “You have been studying hard. Take a break from reading for a while.” With light kisses, he opened the door and ushered her out. “Let’s take the book back to Larissa.”

An Intense Day

((Taken from RP))
The man came to the library like so many do. He asked Brit for books regarding the history of his kind. In time, he filled out a library card application, sat down to color with her, and told her a little bit about himself. While watching her color, he struggled to remember how he left this world the first time around. He described an abyss-like existence. Then he started to tell her about the centuries old war between his people, lycans, against vampires. Brit was stunned as she thought of many. Omega, Nikita, and Ethan to name but a few. Besides, Brit had not seen such a war. Perhaps it was over, and so she told him that all vampires were not cruel. Larissa and Lorne had come in time to see his shock as he wondered what had happened in the past five centuries to make people sympathetic to those he considered the embodiment of evil.

Brit explained, “Ethan is my beloved…my one and only. And he would not hurt you or anyone else.” The man looked at her incredulously.

Lorne looked up from the book he was reading to Brit. Creasing his brow, he said, “He bloody well would hurt people. He would kill people. Or has he taken to loading those enormous guns of his with flowers and music, and replacing his claws with marshmallows and happiness?”

Pouting, Brit replied, “You and Ethan don’t like each other. So… what happens with you and Ethan is…um…different.”

The man interjected, “I’m in too weak a state to make any boast or threat. But I hope you are right. Eventually, I’ll regain my strength. I’ll return to the war in full and hope that your…vampire idol never enters the reach of my claws.”

Tilting her head, Larissa commented softly to all in hopes of soothing the growing discomfort. “I would say he seems to be a great warrior, but someone wise once said that wars do not make one great.” Brit heard nothing Larissa said as she processed and felt the man had just issued a threat. It unsettled her. Plus, she knew that idols were not supposed to be good things. Larissa continued “What is this war you are talking about, if I may ask. There are so many.”

The man smirked as he mulled over thoughts himself. He told Larissa the war was one of the originals between the bats and the wolves. Larissa smiled to Brit, “And is Ethan a…bat?”

Lorne’s brow creased a bit more and, before she could answer, he said, “You said Ethan would not hurt anyone else. If someone gave him reason to, he would. I am someone else. Disliking someone does not justify gunning them down like he did with me.” The volume of his voice increased, “Ethan sat on the throne of the Shadows, killed them one by one, and cursed him with nightmares. You would have chosen to die rather than live without him, and he would have died thinking he failed you even though you were not benefited in any way by the violence he sewed.” Lorne was all but yelling. He sat back adjusting his chair and scowled at Brit waggling a finger at her. “He is good with a strong heart and noble spirit, but do not presume to mislead strangers into believing he is harmless and non-violent. It simply is not so.”

Brit stared at Lorne clearly hurt. Whether by his tone or his words, it mattered not. She never intended to mislead anyone! The man drummed his fingers along the spine of the history book and he handed it to Lorne saying he did not feel he needed to borrow it after all. Lorne took several deep breaths releasing each one slowly and accepted the book silently looking it over. Larissa blew some cool hair on Lorne’s heated skin and stayed silent while watching him seem to boil. After a moment, Larissa straightened and smiled to Brit. Brit stood and filed the library card application then fled upstairs obviously very upset.

“An intense day, it seems,” said Larissa quietly The man said low that some people do not see what they do not wish to see. “Perhaps,” replied Larissa feeling concern. The man offered apologies, exchanged some words with Lorne and Larissa, and then left after a few reassuring words from Lorne that said no offense was taken. Larissa struggled whether to go after Brit, but she stayed massaging Lorne’s shoulders and neck.

Watching Brit’s empty chair, Lorne clasped Larissa hand. “Some simply see what is there. It is an overwhelming way to live.” He continued to hold Larissa’s hand that had been massaging his shoulder. His thoughts rolled over and over his words and he wondered at the flare of emotion. Not anger. Pain.