Midnight Aristocracy (DigitalSiren x Sevatar)

[Bunny]

Savannah's days had once been different, though it seemed like a lifetime ago. Days in the sun a nearly forgotten memory, but one she could remember faintly. Things went sort of funny when you died, as if when your heart ceased to beat, time stood still with it. Perhaps that was why vampires did not age, not that Savannah had been a vampire long enough to know. How long had she been a vampire? She... She didn't know. It was hard to even differentiate the nights from one another. In truth, the only thing Savannah knew was hunger; not that normal hunger, but a mind numbing need to feed. No matter how often blood passed through her lips, it was never enough. Like an addict, always needing that next fix, Savannah was always in need of more.

Pulling back, Savannah wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, smearing fresh blood across her cheek. The man she'd been fed from was dead.. They were all dead and for a short while her blood craze had faded. Along the bed were to females, one mostly naked, the other clothed and three men. She'd drunk them all dry; it was only after the sweet flutter of her pulses had faded that she felt sated. Victor had said she had the blood sickness. Laying back along the corpses, Savannah closed her eyes, curling between the bodies of a man and a woman. The sun would be up soon, and it's call drained her. Snuggling closer to the male Savannah closed her eyes.

----
Victor had been a vampire, pretending to be human, pretending to be a vampire. Classy, right? He'd been all the things one thought of when they thought vampire. Suave, charming... sexy. It was maybe why Savannah had let him buy her a drink. Mallory had begged her to come to this vampire bar, it would be fun! They could dress up and have a good time while talking to cheesy guys they had no intention of going home with. That was how she'd ended up in The Castle, a club that catered to vampires, shifters, witches and goths. It had been fun, knocking back shots of Stoli in little black skull shot glasses, dancing with Mallory. She'd learn later it was watching her dance that had made Victor want her.. He'd approached with a smile, oozing that charm. Here, he didn't need to hide, because vampires were not real. At least, that's what humans thought, right? Hiding in plain sight, fangs on display he'd revealed that girls came to him willingly. He'd feed and leave them alive normally. There had been something about her though that had drawn him in. They way her slender figure had moved in the throng of people.

She didn't remember how she'd ended up back at his place, she'd been gazing into his eyes while he'd whispered to her. There had been flashes of memories too fractured to put together. His mouth along her neck. Pain. Sluggishness and then darkness. Waking had not been any better. The taste of something metallic and then searing pain. Always pain with Victor. She'd come to know only that from the short time she'd stayed with him. He'd tell her later what he had done. How he had wanted her, so he'd taken her; made her his. Savanna had been with Victor perhaps a month when he'd abandoned her, unable to curb her blood lust, he'd left. Had he been more of a man, he might have ended her life. He was a coward though, much like he'd drugged her to change her. Nothing about him was honorable, but what did one expect of someone barely one hundred years old?
----

Savannah had been leaving a wake of bodies in her path, unable to stop herself when the craze took over. The sun had vanished beyond the horizon hours ago and the moon slowly made its way into the apex of the sky when she began to stir. Tonight would be no different than the night before, or the night before that. Savannah had no Sire. No one to reign her in, to tame her craze for blood. Victor had been too young to stop her, his blood not enough to soothe the hunger within.

It had been a week since Victor had left and Savannah had been trapped in a circle of pain, guilt and hunger. It would be the same when she woke her eyes. Guilt would set in as she took in the dead around her, the life drained from their once virile bodies. Guilt would only stop her for so long though. The hunger would rise, clawing at her insides until she gave in and then? Then she would hunt. The bodies around her had been druggies, but not all of her victims had been. There had been a party of friends for the first time in New York, found massacred in their hotel room. Their bodies torn into like a wild animal had gotten to them. Then there had been the college kids in the park.. Everywhere Savi went, she left bodies behind... Like breadcrumbs, the trail lead directly to her.

Her heart gave the first lethargic beat. Slowly her dark lashes opened, staring into the dark of the room, the honk of horns just outside. There was a moment, each time she woke where she didn't remember what she had done, but it never lasted. Her senses flickered and she sat up suddenly, eyes scanning the room. She wasn't alone. In the darkness, Savannah looked lovely, if you took out the face she was covered in blood. Her long golden locks curled around her shoulders charmingly, her eyes were a shocking cornflower blue that bordered on lilac. She was dressed for a party in her little dress, the top a shimmering red fabric that transitioned into black just below her breasts, falling to mid thigh. Shapely legs bare, smudged with blood much like her face was, her feet bare. "Who.. who is there?" Her voice was like smoke and honey, burning along the air as she searched, frightened for what had set her nerves on edge.

 

[Sevatar]

Xarl's undead lips were pursed slightly as he eyed the newspaper report in front of him. A group of young adults torn to shreds in their hotel room, as if a wild, rabid animal had been let lose, the bodies oddly drained of blood, leaving investigators stumped and confused. Then there were the college students who had been found in Central Park, quite literally found in different pieces over an area, puncture marks in their bodies, eyes opened in perpetual fear, even in death.

Someone had been... naughty. He sighed. It wasn't uncommon for a newborn vampire, a fledging to lose themselves in the hunger and to hunt humans to the point of recklessness, but they should have had their Sire with them to rein them in, to teach them the laws of their midnight society. Which left him with two options. Either the Sire simply hadn't bothered to teach the fledgling and rein them in... Or the fledging had been abandoned by their Sire. Either way, it left Xarl in an uncomfortable position that would end in one way. The complete destruction of the newly turned vampire, and quite possibly the Sire as well.

While it wasn't against their people's rules to procreate, to birth new vampires to perpetuate their society, risking the mascarade, and exposing their people to the world of humans and other, lesser beings. That was completely unacceptable, and it was a crime punishable by death, with ignorance not being an excuse, regardless of the circumstances around it.

It was a task that Xarl had performed many times over the last few decades, being one of the eldest and most powerful vampires in New York, who had absolutely no interest in politics, which made him uniquely suited for the role of Enforcer for the city. He wasn't interested in dancing around and manipulating his peers, more interested in a solitary life, which was interrupted by the duties of his job on occasion.

---------

Xarl had seen many different things over his long life but he had to admit, he was almost impressed by the debauchery in front of him, especially considering it was a fledging that had carried it out. Bodies covered the hotel room, no less than five different humans sprawled out on the bed all drained dry, with the fledgling nestled in the middle of them. He pondered for a second just how he would end her existence. It was evident she was bordering on feral, ready to lose herself to the blood lust... But curled up on the bed, in amongst the bodies, she was docile, her thirst for blood sated.

He stepped closer, before pausing as the fledgling stirred, the woman bolting upright, and he watched her light blue eyes dance around the room, seeking him out. He could have applauded her senses if the situation hadn't been so dire. It wasn't often that people would notice him if he didn't want to be seen. He considered for a second just what she might have gone through, her pretty face covered in blood, her dress hugging her body in all the right places, and he knew that she wouldn't have had the chance to change, considering her blood lust. She must have been wearing this same outfit when she was turned.

Xarl almost felt... pity for her, watching her frightened expression scan the room for him. He doubted she had asked to be turned, and even if she had, the transition and subsequent violence would have not been what she expected or wanted. It wasn't common knowledge that vampires were real, and the few tales that were made about them were romanticized and made to seem that being a vampire was much more appealing.

As her voice called out, cutting into the darkness that filled the room, he let out a little chuckle, the noise boiling across the room as he stepped out of the shadows, his outfit immaculate. "Hello Little Fledgling" Xarl smirked, a dangerous expression across his ancient face as he walked in front of her, the sound of his shoes echoing out across the floor. "And just what might your name be, Little Thing?" He asked, his eyes glinting as he stared her down, radiating the aura of a predator that could strike at any moment

 

[Bunny]

There was no way she knew exactly how she knew someone else was in the room, she just did. When the man stepped from the shadows Savannah startled obviously; she had known someone was there, but to see him almost appear before her was unexpected. The chuckle had proceeded his appearance but only by a fraction of a second. Large, bright blue eyes watched him. Once more she flinched. Victor had not been a kind Sire, when she wasn't in a blood craze he'd hit her. In truth, it had done little to harm her new found vampiric body, but it had left a mark on her nevertheless.

The man before her reminded her at least in part of Victor, his deadly presence providing the shadow for what Victor had been. If he was more than Victor than it meant... For a moment a look came across her face. Savannah looked at Xarl like he was the last man on earth, her personal Jesus born again. He could save her from herself. Save... herself. Why did she need saving? She tore her eyes away from the threat before her and her eyes fell on the body to her right. He had once been a handsome, living man... Scrambling backwards she hit another body and as Savannah scuttled around on the bed, bouncing from one corpse to the next like a pinball before tumbling from the bed with a soft thud. "No..no..no..no..no"

She had landed in a crouch, but her eyes no longer held that hope; they held horror. Shaking her head quickly she pushed herself backwards away from the bodies until her small back pressed into the corner of the room. That was why she needed saving. Her eyes found him once more. "Please" The word was whispered, though he'd hear it, she knew. A hand reached out, the slender appendage pale and blood flecked. Whimpering she started to brush at her hand with the other, a wave of hysterical panic starting.

This panic happened every night and then, someone would come by too close for her to ignore the call of their blood and she'd be on the hunt again. It was a pattern she couldn't break,the moment she could hear the thrum of warm blooded life, her mind faded from a creature of remorse to a beast with one sole purpose. To feed. Tears came to her eyes and red stains tracked down along her cheeks. Brushing at her cheeks, Savannah made a sound in her throat, a clearly distressed sound. She was crying fucking blood!

This only caused more tears to fall as she devolved into a sobbing mess of a vampire. Though as suddenly as she'd broken down she stopped. Rising to her feet, she was beside him in a moment. She didn't touch him, though... she had considered it. Savannah wanted to die. Perhaps had she touched him he would have killed her without thought. Books, movies and most forms of entertainment gave a sort of appeal to being a vampire. They made it seem alluring, sexy.... It was hell. "Please, kill me"

The words left her and there was no doubt that that raw plea was honest. She couldn't look at the bed, but she gestured to it with one hand. "I am a monster, I can't stop. Stop me, please" In truth, she had been too scared to find out if a stake to the heart would do it and she was always asleep before dawn greeted the world she'd once been a part of, so she'd never been able to try and walk into the sunlight. That part of her that broke, went feral and protected itself. It made sure she was not near the sun, that she was safe, before collapsing in the pile of bodies. Always in the pile of bodies.

New tears started and Savi hugged herself tightly. She hadn't asked for this. She didn't want to kill. He could end it, couldn't he. That's why he was here, wasn't it? She could only hope. Victor had said someone would come for her. He'd known someone would stop her... "Please, I don't want to hurt anyone else'' Her eyes met his. "I don't want to be what he made me'' She looked away, towards the bed. She could feel bile rising in her throat and she swallowed hard. "I am too scared to try myself and.." She shivered looking back. "Once I... " She shook her head. "I can't stop"

Savannah looked at him again like he was her last hope, her savior. “He said you’d come. You’d stop me. Please, I don’t want to be a monster anymore” She sank to her knees with a thud, the pain rippling through her and fading, her blonde head bowed. There was a constant flow of sound from her, the muffled whisper of please becoming a mantra. Face buried in her hands as she repeated the word over and over.

 

[Sevatar]

Xarl stared at the fledgling in front of him, watching the mixture of emotions pass over her face, going from hope to horror, as she took in the bodies around her, her pretty eyes dancing from body to body before suddenly she was scrambling backward, displaying a surprising amount of agility for a woman who seemed to be in a rather poor emotional state. Her whispered words reached him across the room even as she backed herself into the corner.

He inhaled sharply, the scent of blood and other things filling his senses as he glanced around the room again, taking in everything around the woman before his eyes settled back on her, and he watched the blood pour down her cheeks, staining her face red and he observed the fledgling fall apart, and then pull herself together just as quickly, the elder vampire slightly impressed by the woman's resolve. Perhaps she wasn't too far gone if she had the control to do that.

What came next however surprised him, as the fledgling was standing next to him, and she was asking him to kill her with raw emotion filling her voice, gesturing to her handiwork, the dead bodies splayed out across the bed. He wasn't sure to make of the situation, listening to her pleading words for him to stop her. He was truly impressed at this point. Most of the failed fledglings either became nothing more than feral monsters or creatures that reveled in their status, shedding their humanity and preying on their former people with glee. But this fledgling wasn't like that. She had seemed to have retained her humanity, despite everything that had happened to her.

"LIttle Fledgling" Xarl eyed the woman as she hugged herself, his first words during her emotional rollercoaster. "You still haven't told me your name" He whispered, his voice quiet as she locked eyes with him, and she would get the sensation that she was being judged and evaluated in his eyes even as she murmured her last impassioned plea, and sank to the ground, her hed bowed as if awaiting his punishment.

"And I did come Little Fledgling" He murmured, and he lowered a hand, gently resting it against her head as she murmured her mantra over and over again, and she could feel his fingers tense as if he was about to grab her head and twist, and he sunk down onto his knees, before his hand moved, brushing down her face to grasp her hand, moving it away from her face with surprising care, his hands cold to the touch, removing the other hand and cupping her chin, forcing her to look into his eyes.

" You knew I was coming to render judgment. And yet you did not hide. You acknowledged what you did and you even asked me to kill you, to stop you from being a monster" He smiled at her, the warmth ruined by the sight of his fangs. "I am impressed. There are few who would do that in our Society" His eyes wouldn't leave hers, and she might catch a glimpse of approval as if she had passed some unspoken test. "You retain more of your humanity than I would expect for someone who has gone through what you have."

"I will grant your request Little Fledgling" Xarl's other hand found hers, and he pulled her up to her feet. "But not in the way you asked." He eyed the room one final time, content in his choice. "You will no longer be a monster, and you will no longer hurt anyone else out of a lack of control" His face was neutral as he released her, gesturing towards the door. "You will come with me, and what you have done here will be forgotten." He informed her in a firm voice. "And you will receive a gift. One that hasn't been granted to one in your situation for millennia."

Xarl stood back, eyeing the Fledgling and waiting upon her reaction, and his next words were spoken in a quiet voice, his lips curved in a dangerous smile this time. "It would be best for you not to refuse this... opportunity." He remarked. "It was not made lightly." He promised.

 

[Bunny]

She hadn't, had she? Honestly, Savannah wasn't sure what bearing her name held on the situation, but she answered the question. "Savannah" Her voice was miserable and muffled against her hands. She just wanted this nightmare over. The hand that rested to her hair found her locks soft, if not a bit dirty. Bathing was not on the top of her priorities when the blood craze took her over. She likely had once, before all this had happened been lovely; it was that appearance that had doomed her as well. His words brought a sob from her lips, one of relief. He was here to kill her. It was something Savannah had never thought she would desire. Once upon a time, she had her whole life before her. Victor had stolen that from her and she just wanted it all to end. Whoever the man before her was, would give her that wish.

Gasping as he knelt before her and pulled her hands from her face, his free hand tilting her face upwards into his own. Closer up, the pinkish stains of blood still lingered on her skin, her eyes, that brilliant cornflower blue looked almost purple as tears filled her eyes. She listened, as silently as she could, though a hiccup here or there was interspersed through his words. Frowning as he smiled at her, Savannah was clearly confused. Why was he smiling at her? The look in his eyes only added to her confusion, her frown deepening as her brows drew together. She didn't understand, why was any of this good? He was just going to kill her, right? She didn't want to be a vampire... She wanted what she'd been promised by Victor, an endless sleep to never wake from. The very thing the man before her said he came to give her. The kindness of ending her hell.

Hand sought by him, as he offered her what she wished. Rising to her feet, she gazed at him with relief so palpable. He'd end it all. However his next words caused her to recoil slightly. It was obvious she was trying to understand what he said and perhaps that was for the best, for his final words to her had her mouth closing. Whoever he was, he scared her. He was meant to though, was he not? The boogeyman for all little fledglings who misbehaved. Her face pulled into an almost childlike pout. "Some Baba Yaga you are" It hinted at her past, the name she used for him, or her makers. One of them was of Russian descent.

She looked to the door he'd motioned to when he'd released her hand. Eyes watching it with fear. "I.. I will go with you" Her voice was that whisper once more, but she turned to him. "But, don't let me hurt anyone else... please" She headed to the door. Outside of it, in the brightly lit hallway of the hotel they were in, she waited for him. For a moment, Savannah was like a puppy. Following him into the elevator, quiet and reserved. Whatever it was in her that woke to the gentle music of a human heart slumbered for the moment. She didn't know what his gift was. As far as she was concerned, the only gift she wanted was death. Even if he was able to somehow stop her, she'd always know the lives she'd taken as she gorged herself on blood.

It had been like being within a waking dream, aware of what she did, but trapped in her own mind, her own body, unable to stop. The lives, the faces of those she'd brutally torn into forever burned into her soul. Hugging herself within the elevator, Savannah had back herself into a corner and was staring at the floor when the bell dinged. The doors slid open and that beast within her woke. They were in a parking garage under the hotel, but they were not alone. Somewhere within the darkness was a group of fluttering hearts, like little birds within bone cages.

Savanna gave a low, predatory growl. Even then though, she fought. Nails biting into her palms, her dark, thick blood splattering against the dark tile of the elevator. She fought the urge, but her face was becoming feral as she lost herself. She took a step and then another... He'd need to help her or kill her for she was fast losing the battle between her humanity and the beast within.

 

[Sevatar]

Xarl stared down at the woman, Savannah, as she rose to her feet, watching her pull away before her face fell into a pout, and he couldn't help but laugh. "Oh, Little Fledgling" His lips curved upwards in a smile, a genuine one. "It's been a very long time since I've been called a Baba Yaga" He chuckled again in amusement. "But it is good that a child like you know the folk tales of the world. There's truth to them" He remarked.

He headed towards the door, turning to wait for her to follow him. "I promise that I won't let you hurt anyone" He muttered as they walked into the hallway, and then the elevator. Once Savannah was inside the elevator with him, he'd send them down to the parking garage. Leaning against the wall, he watched her quietly as the elevator took them to the depths of the building, and as they arrived at the bottom floor, he listened to Savannah let out a growl, one of hunger, and a desire to hunt.

Xarl casted his senses out, locating the source of the fledglings attention, a trio of hearts, beating away, unaware of the danger that was lurking in the elevator. Returning his attention to Savannah, he saw the blood splattering onto the floor from just how tense she was, her unkempt nails digging into her flesh and he sighed. He had hoped to do this somewhere more private, where the risk of being interrupted wasn't as severe. But he needed to do it it now or he was certain the fledgling would be lost.

"Savannah" He growled, stepping up to the fledgling and grasping her chin again, forcing the woman's feral face to look at his. "You made me promise to not let you hurt you. Remember that?" He asked, talking to what was left of the woman's conscience. "Well. I never said how I would do that, Little Fledgling" He sighed, dropping his hand from her chin, his wrist directly beneath her lips. His other hand came up, clutching a curve dagger, and without a second thought, the elder vampire sliced his wrist open.

Thick blood started to flow immediately, oozing down his wrist and staining part of his suit, but he simply pressed his arm up against her lips, staining them with blood yet again. "Drink" Xarl ordered, pocketing his knife as the scent of his blood truly filled the room, causing his own beast to stir, despite it being his own blood, it was still potent, and awoke the blood lust within him. It had been nearly a millennium since he had left fed on another vampire, but the overwhelming pleasure that came with it weighed heavily in his mind as he moved his arm, rubbing his blood against Savannah's lips, tempting her to drink from him.

It was rare for a vampire to willing their blood to another of their kind, due to both the social stigma of feeding from another vampire, and the real risk of the vampire who was feedig losing control, and devouring the one who was offering their blood, taking all of their precious ichor and consuming it, leaving the donor dead. In a case such as Savannah's, it would tame the beast inside of her, calming it and allowing for the woman to function normally... and it would put Xarl in the position of being her surrogate Sire.

 

[Bunny]

That hadn't been the promise, her mind focusing on the words as her body screamed she find the little birds whose hearts called to her so sweetly. Her eyes met his, even there was the sign of her struggle. Pretty cornflower blue eyes constricting and widening as she fought the instincts. Released, she was far more likely to run off, it was curiosity that kept her in place for the moment. She wanted to know what he intended to do, though that would only last so long. The wrist just below her mouth, she watched as his skin split neatly from the sharp blade and a wealth of thick, dark blood welling up to fill the cut.

She hesitated only for a moment. Victor had not been so generous, though she didn't know why. He shouldn't have been making vampires, he lacked the control and power that others had. Savannah wouldn't have been the first Xarl had dealt with of Victor's. About a fourth of his fledglings went feral and he turned them loose rather than deal with them, leaving Xarl or those like him to deal with his mess. The smell of his blood was intoxicating, washing over her system and Savannah couldn't help but whimper, the sound almost sexual, needy. He rubbed his blood against her lips and even as she grabbed at his arm, her eyes rolled up to him as he mouth opened, her delicate fangs showing.

Her lips locked around the gash and she drank. She'd never tasted anything like it... When she'd first become a vampire, she'd been amazed at the flavors of the blood. She'd thought it would be like blood as a human, the metallic flavor and tang... It wasn't. Blood tasted different from each human she'd taken, but compared to Xarl's blood? It wasn't even close. His blood was rich, decadently so and almost syrupy as her throat convulsed, swallowing greedy mouthfuls. She moaned, gripping his arm tighter. The rich notes of dark chocolate coated her mouth, but his blood was multifaceted. The tartness of dark cherries, sweet mingled with the bitter in perfect harmony with a lingering taste of sage. It's herbaceous, slightly peppery flavor mingling together into a symphony of flavor.

Within the confines of the elevator, Savannah snuggled into him. Her body moving instinctually, curling into his chest as she fed, her thighs rubbing together, as if trying to quell something new. She could feel the beast withdrawing, sated on just a few mouthfuls of his blood, where she'd drained multiple humans before it faded. Whimpering she pulled back of her own volition. Her beast wanted her to feed more, but she was in control, if just barely. Cuddled into his chest, her delicate pink tongue lapped at the cut, her saliva helping aid his own body in closing the gash. However, even after it was closed she lapped up the remaining traces of his blood.

She didn't know exactly what he'd offered her, the gift he'd allowed her. Shivering, Savannah no longer felt that hunger, a new one taking its place. She'd never fed from another vampire and even if she had, not one as old and as powerful as Xarl. The effect of his blood in her system made her cheeks flush. She felt like a kitten, albeit a horny kitten. She wanted to rub against him, as if marking him... but she wanted more than just that.

It took further effort to pull away from him. Her eyes heavy lidded with desire as she gazed up at him, her lower lip stained at the corner of her mouth with blood. His blood. Shivering again, she fought the desires that now sang to her. Confused and horny, she watched him. "What..." She didn't even know what to say, what to ask. How had he tamed that beast? How had Victor not? Why did she feel like this? How could she make the feeling stop? Savannah was a virgin, she'd been pure when she had been turned and Victor while desiring her, had been gentleman enough to not force her.

Whimpering softly she shifted in place, unsure what would happen now. He wasn't planning on killing her, but what would he do with her? How often would he be willing to help soothe her beast like that? Would she always have that beast just lurking beneath? Shaking her head finally she bit her lower lip, one delicate fang exposed. "Thank you.." It dawned on her then. "I don't know your name Baba Yaga" Her tone was almost playful.

 

[Sevatar]

Xarl watched the hesitation that passed over Savannah's face for a fraction of a second, before she was attached to his wrist like a dying woman who had just found the nectar from which she could live again.. Which, in a way was indeed what was happening. He was giving this poor fledgling her sanity and her life back.. though he could never undo what her sire did, making her into one of the undead that were cursed to walk the world.

"That's it" He cooed, the cold feeling of her lips, and the soft pinpricks of her teeth pressing against his skin as she eagerly lapped up his blood, the potent ichor flooding through her body slowly as she drained more and more of it, and he could see the effect it was having on the fledgling. She let out a soft whimper, curling into his chest, and he could feel her legs rubbing against one another, brushing against his as she gulped down his blood.

He went to gently remove her from his arm after she had downed the latest mouthful of his blood, but she did it on her own, dragging her blood stained lips away from his flesh, and he nodded in approval. If she could control herself to stop feeding on his blood, she had promise... And it made him more confident in his decision to save the woman, instead of ending her life. "There you go" He whispered, feeling her tongue dance against his skin, the cut sealing itself, with her lapping up the last of the blood.

Xarl met her gaze as she pulled away, her body trembling, and a blush covering her cheeks, and he couldn't help but chuckle at her confused question. "I'll explain it all in due time Little Fledgling" He murmured, reaching his hand over to fix the sleeve of his shirt, covering the spot where she had been drinking from just a minute before, the elder vampire rolling his shoulders and adjusting his shirt.

"You're welcome" He smiled at her, opening the door, the feeling of those human hearts still assaulting his senses, they were on the other side of the garage, easily out of their way. "As for my name" He smirked down at her a little, reaching over to grasp her hand, leading her out of the elevator just as the machine was dragged back up into the hotel. "You can call me Xarl." He turned, scanning the garage, locating his car, right where he had left it.

He turned, looking down at her, flashing her another smile. "We should go now. The last thing we need is for a human to stumble over us." He let go of her hand, starting to make his way to his car. "You can ask all the questions you want during the drive Savannah." His senses twitched, those fluttering heart beats coming closer and closer, and he stepped back towards her, nudging her towards the car, not wanting to let her beast come back. He wasn't sure how firm her control was yet.

When the two of them reached it, he opened the door for her on the passengers side, before making his way around to the drivers seat, sliding in and sighing, sinking back against the fake leather, before closing his door. He rolled his neck, allowing some of the tension to vanish before he glanced over, watching Savanaah hop inside the car, closing her door. "Tell me Little Fledgling" He asked quietly. "When did your sire turn you?" He turned the key, starting the car, and swiftly, he drove them out of the garage and into the streets, heading towards his home, a penthouse in one of the tallest skyscrapers in the city.

 

[Bunny]

His voice was like his blood as he crooned to her, rich, dark and somehow soothing. Savannah couldn't help the almost greedy fashion in which she fed, her beast lurking within in was gluttonous; though even it could only drink so much of his blood. Drinking from Xarl was like drinking five or six humans dry. Curled into his chest almost like a child with a parent, her eyes felt heavy as she panted softly from her odd found arousal. She regained her wits as quickly as could be expected and stepped away from him. Her cheeks were flushed brightly and she nodded some as he said he'd explain later.

Led like a child to his car, she watched as he opened the door for her, like a gentleman. She looked to the open door before slipping within, pulling it closed and watching him walk around. She could still hear those hearts beating, but her beast was well fed and didn't stir. Is this what it felt like to be a normal vampire? She had no idea, she'd only ever known her hunger. She watched the group of humans pass before the car and she gave a small little growl, but made no move to leave the car. Her bright eyes were drowning in color, her irises pin pricks. She watched the group much like a cat watched a bird outside, just beyond their reach. She didn't chitter like a cat would, only that purring like growling.

It was his question that stopped her growl and she looked at him. When had she been turned? The question was not odd, but she didn't know. A frown worked between her brows as she tried to think, recall when she had met Victor. Finally she shook her head looking out the window. "I.. I don't know" Her eyes watched as the city passed outside the window of the car, the dark and lights making the city look glamorous as they passed by. The shape of the humans blurring into the shadow of the night. "I don't know when I was changed, the only thing I really knew was hunger. Days, months at least.. but they all bled together... I just craved blood like my next breath of air if I was a drowning woman, the surface just one more kick away." Her voice was small, unsure and deeply unhappy.

Falling silent as they drove. She had no questions and for the first time, in who knew how long, she had control of her thoughts. As they pulled into a garage she shifted in her seat. The Baba Yaga, Victor had told her, would kill her; Savannah had been waiting for him to find her and when he did, he didn't kill her. On one hand she was thankful and on the other she was upset he'd not lived up to her expectations. At least in the blood frenzy she didn't remember or at least care about the blood on her hands. Sober, she could recall her victims. Their faces, their pleas... The taste of their blood. Shivering she hugged herself tighter.

What would happen now? He'd spared her, but why? What purpose was there in preserving her life? Victor had called her useless, unable to control her because he lacked the strength. At least that strength to bind her to his will, like most Sires had. He could physically overpower her... he had beaten her more than once... but he couldn't stop her from rampaging through humans like they were bonbons with a liquid center. There were other questions lingering in her head, but Xarl had promised answers later and in truth, named or not he was Baba Yaga. Even unsure if she wanted to continue this cursed existence, she wasn't in any hurry to anger him. He'd given her a gift, one did not repay such a gesture by being bratty. The words of Victor coming back to her.

Parked she got out of the car and followed Carl like a puppy into the elevator. Silent, she wrestled with her own thoughts, demons and fears. Though as the small metal box hurdled them towards the heavens, she looked to him, her eyes once more normal. In the bright lights of the elevator, every stain on her body stood out vibrantly against her pale, moonlight like skin. She'd been pale before death, now she was like an alabaster statue brought to life. When the chime sounded she looked away, waiting for him once more to lead her.

 

[Sevatar]

Xarl watched her quietly, the way she leaned forward and watched the human's, the soft growl that escaped her lips, and he tightened in his seat, ready to move and stop her if she tried to lunge for them. But, she didn't, to his relief, and he leaned back into his seat, humming under his breath as he took them out of the hotel's underground parking garage, the pale moonlight reflecting off the hood of his car as they sat in the quiet, the city passing by them in a blur as he navigated through the streets.

Her response left him quiet for a minute or two, the elder vampire processing what Savannah had said with a cold quiet, doing math in his head and guessing. "I see." He murmured, slowing the car down and taking it around the corner with a practiced ease. "I suppose I will have to have a chat with young Victor then" He mused, his knuckles tightening around the wheel as he finally found his apartment building, easing the car into it's the underground parking garage. "He. at the very least, will have a time table for me..."

Xarl parked the car, sinking into his seat and taking a minute to breath. Or. The undead equivalent of it. He hadn't needed to truly breathe for hundreds of years. "Alright." He sighed, pushing open the car door and sliding out, slamming it shut behind him before making his way around to Savannah's door, opening it and waiting for her to get out, gently shutting it after she was clear of it, and he would lead her to inside, summoning the elevator, silently sinking back against the wall as he waited for the machine to answer his summons

"Little Fledgling" He muttered once they were in the elevator, meeting her gaze for a brief second, staring into those orbs, pondering at just what the fledgling was thinking, what was going through her mind. The experience of becoming a vampire was not an easy one, let alone in the way that Savannah had. Turned and then abandoned, left to face a new existence alone. "I believe you have potential." He grinned at her. "And I am quite curious to see how that potential develops," He remarked as the doors opened, and he stepped out, waiting for her to follow him, humming as they made their way into the hallway. "And I would hate to see it squandered"

Xarl lead her down the hallway, punching in a passcode and watching as the door slide open. "After you" He offered, allowing the woman to head into the penthouse before him, a tastefully decorated space, leather and rich oak wood seeming to dominate the space as he followed her into his living room, and then his attached kitchen. "Savannah." He faced her, a serious look on his face as he grabbed a drink from a minifridge underneath one of the counters. "There are two things we need to cover, before you can ask any questions, or go do whatever it is you would like" He makes his way over, before taking a seat on a beautiful carved oak chair, facing the young vampire. "One. You are now my.. adopted fledgling. Which means you are now under my protection" He remarked, rather plainly for something so important. "And it means you are also my responsibility." He keeps his eyes on her, even as he takes a deep drink, dark red ichor flowing past his lips. "Which means, if you have any questions, or needs, I am here." He states matter of factly.

"On that subject. There is a bedroom upstairs you can use, that we can customize to your tastes when you are more.. adjusted" He chuckles a little bit. "It does have everything you should need for now. There's also an attached bathroom, and there should be a change of clothes for you." He glanced out the window, watching the full moon hanging in the air. "Do you have any questions for me now Little Fledgling?" Xarl asked, turning back to face her, his dark orbs staring her down, taking in her incredibly pale composure, interrupted by the explosions of ichor that coated her.

 

[Bunny]

Violet eyes shifted to Xarl as he mentioned Victor's name. A frown forming between her brows as she went back through the short amount of time they had spent together. The fact that he knew who her Sire was, made Savannah uneasy. "I... Never told you his name" The words held a small tinge of unease. How had he known? Savannah was quite sure she had not named her sire... Though when Xarl had found her she hadn't been quite in her right mind. Then again in the elevator her control had slipped. Perhaps she had told him? The unease switched to worry. Was she still losing time? The idea was uncomfortable and it had been her life since turning. Xarl pulled into a parking space in the underground parking structure and Savannah turned in her seat to look at him, eyes searching his face.

He sat motionless for a few moments before sighing. Savannah watched him exit and slam his door shut, jumping at the sudden sound. Was he mad at her? Or was it Victor that drew his ire? Slipping from the car when the door was held open for her. Victor had seemed old to her at the time, not physically, but in the way a vampire could be. Having met Xarl, she knew the term young, applied to him. Where Xarl was near motionless, his actions seemingly controlled and precise. Victor had moved too much, breathed too often as if the habit had not yet faded from when he'd once been alive. Inside the elevator she was acutely aware of how "alive" she still seemed beside him. Her body didn't need breath like it once had, yet she breathed constantly. A habit from her eighteen years of being a living breathing human. Her movements also seemed clunky, when compared to Xarl. She lacked his almost inherent grace.

When he spoke, those shocking eyes turned to him. She held his gaze for as long as he held hers, unaware of what went through his mind as much as he was unaware of her thoughts, though they both mirrored one another. She wondered what he was thinking of while he held her gaze. His next words shocked her, the simple fact obvious as her eyes widened a fraction. Potential? Her? It was almost laughable. Victor had taken what he wanted and tossed her aside like trash when she failed to be the perfect ideal he had clearly pictured. Following him into the hallway, Savannah wondered what he saw... Why he could see it and Victor could not. She was unable to help the doubts she had, that plagued her mind. She didn't feel worthy of such words.

Slipping past him she waited just inside, unsure what to do. She followed him as he moved through his home, like a puppy. Lost and unsure about everything. Her pretty mouth was pulled into a slight frown. Her name only caused the frown to deepen a fraction. Following him she stood before his chair, hands locked behind her back as she waited patiently. That frown if possible went further and it wrinkled between her brows. Victor had made it clear such things were not done. When he had cast her out, he said someone would deal with her, for a fledgling without a sire was put down like the stray cur it was. It's what she had expected from Xarl as she'd left bodies like a trail of breadcrumbs, leading them to her. In her perverse hungers, she had hoped to lure him faster. To end her existence faster and yet, here they were.

When he asked her if she had questions, after laying out that there was a room above for her she shifted in place, once more uneasy. Her mouth opened, closed and she looked down. "What do you expect from me?" It wasn't the question she had, but in a way he'd answered her question. It even explained why he made an exception for her to a point. Though all together it made no sense. "Am.. I a prisoner here?" She felt like a guest and a prisoner in one. Afraid to touch anything, afraid to leave. She was in an odd sort of limbo. It was never ending, since that first night... When her life had been taken from her and become not her own. Frustration and fear bubbled up in her and her eyes misted red for a moment. "Why didn't you end me?" Her voice broke as she questioned him.

 

[Sevatar]

Xarl raised an eyebrow, staring at the girl and her apparent unease, an amused look crossing his features for a second. "Why yes." He remarked. "You did not tell me young Victor was your sire." He replied nonchalantly as the two of them stared each other down, the man sinking further back into the chair, his eyes taking in her reactions, the amusement plastered across his face still evident as he took another sip of the ichor.

"You are not after all, the first errant progeny of Victor's that I have had to deal with" He remarked, pushing himself to his feet, out of the wooden chair, and he turned his back to Savannah, making his way to one of the windows that gave a view of the majority of the city. "Though. You are the only one who has returned to their senses." He paused, eyes falling shut as he stood there, the elder vampire listening to the pitter patter of the rain that had started in the last few minutes.

Humming to himself, he listened to the woman's question, turning around to face her, his dark gaze settling on hers as she asked more questions, and he watched the wave of emotions crash over the girl, her eyes hinting red for a second, and he stepped away from the window. "Little Fledgling" He let out a sigh, approaching the woman and gently resting a hand on her shoulder, a modicum of comfort in her current situation.

"I don't believe I ever said I would kill you" He gave her a smile full of fangs. "If I had to wager, it would be young Victor who said I would kill you. Correct?" He asked softly, his hand still resting on her shoulder. "I might be responsible for that idea after all" He admitted with a chuckle. "I told him if I had to clean up one more of his messes that it would be.. bloody and violent" He smirked. "I was referring to what would happen to HIM, but, he seems to think I was talking about his next progeny" He released her shoulder, pulling away. "As for why I didn't kill you." He paused. " You are still sane. You came back from the blood craze." The elder vampire seemed to pause for a second, deflating almost. "I have seen too many lost to that over the years." He sighed. "I lost count in the thousands." He turned back to face her. "It speaks volumes of your protentional that you were able to come back, where his childe have not before." He hums. "It could also just be an old man's hope"

Xarl fell silent for a couple of minutes, the elder vampire taking in Savanah as he stood there. "Or perhaps its both" He sighed. "But. As for your other questions." He grabbed his drink from where he had left it, taking a small sip. "You.. are and are not a prisoner" He held a hand to forestall a response. "Not a good answer. I know. But it's an honest one." He hummed. "You are, for lack of a better term, a child again, you do not know what your new body can do, you do not know the society you are in.." He paused, considering his next words. "So. I would not keep you here if you wished to go buy something, or if you wanted to hunt. After I teach you of course" He added as an after thought. "But if you were to try and go out in the day time, to seek harm, or if you acted rashly, I would intervene. It is best to think of me as a... guiding hand, which of course, I expect you to use me as such a resource. Ask questions, learn."." He inhaled, before chuckling and exhaling. "Little habits." He confessed.

"As for what is expected of you.." Xarl finished his drinks. "I expect you to learn, to take care of yourself and to do your best to adapt to your new world." He mused. "I know it is abrupt and rough, and this is new for you, and that you think you deserve death." He sighed. "In time, that will change." He fixed her with a serious stare. "I also however, realize this life is not for everyone... I certainly considered ending myself when I was first turned, even if it was for different reasons, and I have seen hundreds of our kind walk into the final death." He made his way across the room, putting the glass into the sink before returning to Savannah. "So, I will offer you this." He rested his hand on her shoulder again, his grip firm, his gaze steady. "If, after you have adjusted and recovered, you decide you really do not want to live this life, I will not stop you from ending your existence." He fell silent, his eyes searching hers. "But as rough as your transition has been. Unlife does have its.. upsides. And I would see that you experience them. Does that sound fair, Little Fledgling?" He asked, eyeing her

 

[Bunny]

She seemed almost relieved when Xarl confirmed that she'd not told him. Savannah had already lost days... if not more... to her bloodlust. A few moments wouldn't have mattered much when compared to those black spots in her memory, but still, it made her breath a bit easier. She watched as he settled back further in his chair, so much like a throne she almost smiled. Any intention to smile faded as Xarl informed her that she was not the first child of Victor's that he'd had to seek out. The softness of her mouth pulled at the corners, her frown gentle. She wasn't the first... The others had been put down? Thick lashes lowered and her chin dipped slightly as she wondered what they had been like before. Had they also had their lives ripped from them? Had they known what was happening? She'd never known them, but in a way they had been siblings... more than that... they had been like her. Lost, abandoned and left to die by the very person who was meant to guide them.

She had heard him stand and her eyes opened slowly. Watching his reflection in the darkened glass, the strong, handsome lines blurred by the falling rain. She couldn't help that last question. Her restraint is almost non-existent. She couldn't help as her emotions raged through her, that sorrow palpable. The hand that found her shoulder, the richness of his voice drawing her eyes from it back to him. The question gave her pause and after a moment, Savannah nodded. "Yes" Her voice was so soft, lovely eyes wide in her panic. When Xarl explained though, he'd be able to see for a moment the viciousness in her eyes and the dark satisfaction when he said it would be Victor that met with that end. A growl left her throat, deep and almost feral in tone. "Good". There was no love loss between herself and her maker, that much was clear. There should have been something between the two that tied her to Victor. Made her care for his well being, but he'd cast her out like trash and she'd been alone for so long that that tenuous bond had frayed. Now, that bond was more closely aligned to the vampire before her.

There was a moment, when his shoulder seemed to almost sag that Savannah almost wanted to embrace the strange man, that bond that his blood had formed between them stronger than anything she'd felt towards Victor. It wasn't shocking... One had taken everything from her, while the other offered her everything. Savannah however didn't move, unsure if her touch would be welcome. Unsure if she wished to provide that comfort to a stranger. Though, when he said it was an old man's hope, one small hand rose, as if to offer that comfort before falling away. Even had he not seen the movement, there was no lying to his ears. She'd moved, decided better and allowed her hand to fall again.

When he began to tackle her other questions, her mouth had opened and then with an amused, wry smile closed as he held his hand up, belaying any question until after he'd finished his explanation. Her arms crossed as a frown replaced that smile. It was clear she was not thrilled at the idea of being what amounted to a child once more, but she stayed silent. It made sense, even if the idea rankled. Silent she remained as he laid out what would also be expected of her, what he would offer. She watched him walk away, place his glass in the sink and come back his hand on her shoulder. Once more her eyes shifted to it, almost questioning the touch before rising to meet his own again.

Savannah considered his question, clearly giving it thought before after a moment she nodded. "Yes" Where before she'd been full of emotion; fear, anger and sadness, now her voice seemed empty, exhausted. "It does." She paused, head tilting. Around him, she almost felt like a child. Frowning for a moment she tried to decide how to ask her final question. "What are we? To one another" Teacher, student? Sire, Fledgling? Guard, prisoner? The only option she didn't consider was lovers... that was clearly not the answer.

In truth, she didn't know how they would interact. She felt out of place. An unwelcome guest.

 

[Sevatar]

Xarl took in her reaction to his comment of violence against Victor, a part of him happy that she had rejected her maker and another part of him concerned about the viciousness displayed by the Fledgling, but he brushed it off. "I might just bring you along, Little Fledgling" He murmured. "It could be.. educational for you" He mused softly, his mind wandering already, before returning his attention to the woman in front of him as he moved about the room.

He couldn't help but smile a little himself as he saw an amused smile cross Savannah's face, a promising sign of the girl's sanity fully returning. Even though she frowned, his smile stayed, the man happy with the emotional range that she was displaying.

"I am glad" Xarl met her gaze, his orbs peering into hers, the almost empty voice of the girl giving him pause, and he searched her tilted features for a couple seconds. "I don't think there is a good answer to that question" He admitted, removing his hand from her shoulder. "In fact, I know that there is no good answer to that question" He rose to his feet, looking down at the smaller girl.

"In truth, there is no good way to define what we are to one another" He couldn't help but chuckle softly. "At the core, I am your adopted sire, and you are my adopted fledgling." He mused. "But that is only a simple answer. I would be filling the role of teacher among other things, and I would hope that we could be friends." He admitted."But in truth. There is no good way to say what we will be. I suspect that only time will tell."

He stood away for a second, heading over to the window and peering out over the city again. The rain was a downpour at this rate, sheets of rain running down the glass. "I would imagine there is a lot on your mind, Little Fledgling" He remarked. "I would not want to force you to stay here and talk to me if you wished for alone time" He turned around to face her, eyes settling on her face. "That room I mentioned is still yours" He gestured to the staircase.

"But at the same time, if you are feeling up for it, and you wish to ask questions of me, whether they be about our world or anything else that you can think of, I would not want to stifle your mind" Xarl remarked, "There would be nothing off limits, and I would not hide anything from you. It is your right to know, after all." He paused, his mind wandering for a second. "I am also willing to answer questions about myself. If you would like to know more about me." He offered, almost hestiantly. "I would like to develop a relationship build on trust and honesty, not fear or worry." He admitted.

Xarl made his way back across the room, finding a seat on a padded, fluffy chair that was nestled in the corner, affording him both a view of Savannah and the window, and he gestured to a chair across from his. "You are welcome to sit and we can talk. Or you are free to tend to yourself. Whatever it is that you desire, Little Fledgling"

 

[Bunny]

The offer to bring her along didn't thrill her as much. Even now Savannah could remember what it was like to be in Victor's presence. Realistically she knew Victor was no god, but before him? That was another matter. She felt a pull towards him, a compulsion of sorts to do as he asked. It was heady to be in his presence, almost like being drunk or high. She wanted to do what he asked of her with almost no questioning. That power hadn't been able to stop her from tearing into humans like piñatas though. He couldn't control her in the blood rage, when the beast within took over. Shifting her focus back to Xarl she listened as he explained.

Looking up at him, her small moonlight pale features taking him in. She'd been beautiful before dying, but now Savannah was like a porcelain doll. Flawless skin, her hair almost like spun gold. Eyes so bright, so luminous in their periwinkle shade it spoke of the inhuman nature she now possessed. Lips were like a rose, though not red, the rose in question a rich pink. Every aspect of her being had changed in similar ways. His answer made sense, though it lacked the definitive response she'd hoped for. It had been foolish to expect one, she knew this even as she still had hoped. Not even Xarl, the Baba Yaga of their world could see into the future.

Honestly she hadn't minded being in his presence, the idea of being alone scary for the young vampire. Alone.. she had... Shaking her head as it somehow the act could shake the thought free she bit her lower lip and contemplated. "Are there clothes in the room?" If there were it was unlikely to be her size, however it wouldn't matter. Anything was better than what she was wearing. More than her fear of being alone, Savannah wanted nothing more than a shower. To wash the dried blood that she could feel all over. Her clothing, hair, face... She'd slept in a bed of bodies. Shuddering, Savannah hugged herself and looked away. He'd offered friendship, that sounded nice and she was about to impost on his kindness further.

"I'd like to shower and then... I" She blushed and sighed, hugging herself closer. How did one ask to stay with a complete stranger because she was afraid of herself when alone. "I.. I" Afraid of the nightmares. Afraid to wake up in a nest of cold bodies of her victims? "I don't want to be alone" Her voice was small... afraid. He could say no, it was within his rights and she wouldn't have blamed him. Because it wasn't just for a little bit she wished for company, but the morning and day as well. It was a lot to ask of anyone, let alone Baba Yaga. A vampire even Victor had feared. Though, in his presence and in the face of his kindness, she was having trouble seeing why. Even before, he'd been the answer to her prayers. He'd finally stop her, stop her killing. Stop the endless nightmare. How could one fear an angel of mercy?

 

[Sevatar]

Xarl hummed softly, his eyes soaking in the night sky, the rain still pattering against the windows and the moonlight arching its way into the room that the two undead beings shared, illuminating the two of them. "Hmm?" He blinked, turning his gaze to Savannah, the moonlight giving a soft shine to her porcelain-like skin. "Apologies. My mind wanders." He admitted, turning his full attention to the young Fledgling.

"Yes, there are clothes. I do not know if they would be a perfect fit for you, but, I hope it will do for the night." He informed her, the man stretching slightly, releasing tense muscles in his shoulders. "I can take you shopping for new clothes come nightfall tomorrow. I'm sure you could use a new wardrobe." He paused suddenly, the Elder Vampire easing himself to his feet and making his way across the room, retrieving another glass of Ichor from his minifridge, and the man quickly downed it. "I apologize. Giving blood always leaves me.. famished" He confessed, making his way back over to Savannah.

"And then what, Young Fledgling?" Xarl asked, his piercing eyes finding hers, and he stood there quietly. "You what?" He asked, taking a half step closer to her, the man balanced on the edge of his feet, half worried that she was losing her sanity already. But her question... no, request, made him pause quickly. What was he supposed to say to that? The situation almost amused him, him, the Elder Vampire who had lived for centuries, who had seen many a strange thing, thrown off his feet by the request of a scared fledgling not wanting to spend the night alone.

"I.." He paused, finding control of herself before grasping Savannah's hand, giving her fingers a squeeze before he sank down in front of her, finding himself at eye level with the woman. "Savannah." He murmured softly. "I am the last creature on the planet I would advise coming to for comfort" He confessed with a half-smile. "However" He cut her off. "I am here for you. I can spend the daylight in your company." He reached forward, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and giving her a little hug. "And if you need me to leave, or if there's anything you require, I'll be right here, ok?"

Xarl then pulled away, releasing his cold grasp on the girl and stepping back a little. "Now Little Fledgling, why don't you go shower and get changed, and then come find me? I'll be in the room across from yours. I trust you can find that?" He asked with a sweet smile still on his lips as he made his way up the stairs, turning to look down at her. "Oh. I have all of the windows in the house set to automatically dim when the daylight comes, so, there are no blinds." He added as an afterthought, before disappearing out of her sight, and into his room, the dark oak door left adjar.

"My my.." He shook his head once he was in the private of his own room, sinking down onto the bed and sitting there for several minutes, thinking over the events of the night. "Aren't you just quite the surprise Savannah.." He mused, pushing himself to his feet and making his way to his dresser, grabbing a change of clothes for himself before making his way to his own shower, intent on cleaning off the days grime, hot water gushing from the showerhead as he undressed, steam filling the beautiful tile bathroom as he went about bathing and changing, and soon enough, he was back on his bed, dressed in a flannel and a pair of sweatpants, damp hair combed carefully, a book in his hands as he awaited Savannah.

 

[Bunny]

The first thing came to mind was a playful tease, but Savannah didn't know Xarl well and while he was being kind to her, teasing him didn't feel right. However it didn't stop the thought or the small curl of her lips. Nodding she tried to figure out how to ask for what she needed next. The fear Savannah felt would not easily be swayed and something that oddly gave her a sense of peace was being near the man who could stop her. Gazing down at her dress she made a soft sound, perhaps a snort to the comment. The clothing she wore the only clothing she had and it was covered in blood. Looking up she shook her head. "I don't mind" her words were soft and she tried for a soft smile.

There was fear in her still and without knowing why he could easily assume it was because of him. When he gave her his full attention like that, Savannah couldn't help but squirm under the steady gaze. Finally she was able to blurt her request out and she watched him with clear nervousness. He could and likely would say no. It was an absurd thing to request of a.... how old was he? Much older than she or Victor to be sure... She didn't ask for physical comfort, though, if given the choice she likely would have sought it. Savannah simply couldn't bear the thought of being alone, waking alone and wondering if it was just a dream.

Hand taken in his she looked up at him, her eyes wide. When he knelt before her, she looked down, dark lashes hiding her eyes from view for a moment. At her name, she met his eyes and nodded. She thought it was that was that, so to speak, but he was being kind about it... and then... he continued before she could speak and her mouth closed automatically, the answer she had been ready to give dying away. Though she blushed, faintly her eyes shimmered with relief so vivid there was no missing it. His arms slipped around her shoulders in a soft hug and she returned it for a brief moment. "Thank you" The words no more than a whisper.

Released she looked up at him once more and nodded. "Yes sir" She didn't know a better way to say it, phrase it.. Her lips formed a little o of surprise and her eyes flickered to the window. Victor had not had such money available to him and from what she could remember of her nest, it had been dark and damp... a basement? She honestly didn't know. Following him up the stairs she went into her new room. It was tastefully done, though it lacked a personal touch. White walls and floors with a white and taupe bed and a taupe rug. It was very modern looking and Savannah... hated it. Wrinkling her nose she moved from it and into the equally bland bathroom. Stripping down she tossed her dress into the sink before eagerly stepping into the water.

It would take her near half an hour to feel clean. Her hair and body scrubbed more than once and in truth, when she stepped from the shower her skin felt a touch raw from the abuse she'd lavished on it in order to feel clean. Her hair now more than ever looked like molten gold, the long locks falling down past her shoulder to her rear. Wrapped in a towel she made her way to the closet. After a moment or two she pulled out an oversized black silk button down. Donning it and after a moment of debate her panties for they had not fared any better really than her clothing, she made her way across the hall. Knocking on his door a moment she stood in the doorway, finding him on his bed.

Savannah was a tiny female to begin with, but in the large shirt she looked almost doll-like. Her hair was slowly drying in waves, though now it lacked the dark stains of blood as did her skin that was visible. Though he had granted her request she hovered in the doorway, feeling a tad unsure. "Sorry I took so long" She shifted in place, fidgeting, a clear remnant of her life as a mortal. her hands playing with the edge of the shirt, which only exposed her pale, creamy skin further. Her eyes met his and she smiled, shyly.. trying to break the awkward silence of her own making. "What.. are you reading?" She nodded towards the book, still lurking in his doorway.

 

[Sevatar]

Xarl spent the half an hour Savannah was in the shower reading his book and making small edits in a notebook which he balanced on his other knee. He would be interrupted by Savannah's soft voice coming from his door. "Savannah." He fixed her with a look, not one of anger or frustration, but more of amusement. "You need not apologize for taking your time." He stretched a little, releasing the tension in his back. "Time is one thing we have in abundance. You'll come to realize that as the year's pass" He remarked, taking the book and his notes, setting them on top of the dresser.

He met her gaze, "As for the book. It's just a disappointment" He admitted with a sigh. "It was supposedly a book from the Library of Alexandria, but it's just another fake." He turned to her, offering a smile. "Why don't you come inside and make yourself comfortable?" He offered, grabbing another book of his shelf, as well as a separate notebook, making his way back to the bed and sitting down on the right side, patting the bed next to him.

"So.." Xarl found her gaze again, smiling in a somewhat reassuring way as he sunk under the covers. "What were your thoughts on the room? Would you like it changed?" He asked, reaching over to the side table and turning on a lamp, giving him a faint light with which he could read. "And are clothes acceptable? I can always let you borrow some of mine if you think they would be a better fit" He offered. "I promise I will take you shopping for whatever you need, first thing tomorrow night" It was almost silly, how concerned he was about Savannah. But, it had been hundreds of years since he had a fledgling of his own to look after, and truth be told, he had almost missed this, the option to care for someone else in a situation like this.

Speaking of caring for his newfound fledgling, the vampire heard his phone buzz on the nightstand, and he picked it up, glancing at it and suppressing a sigh, seeing a demand to know what had happened with Savannah from one of the other vampires in the area, ones who's hunting grounds had been spooked by the young woman's rabid hunting. 'It's been dealt with. The fledgling will not be bothering your grounds anymore.' He texted the other vampire, before turning off his phone and turning back to Savannah. "I apologize, you have my full attention now." He promised, meeting her gaze again.

 

[Bunny]

A small smile curled on her lips and Savannah nodded. Xarl was not incorrect. From everything she knew from what she'd become she'd live forever, never aging; young and beautiful forever. A small frown touched her lips as she came further into his room. "Disappointment?" She couldn't help but still feel out of place, but the only way to change that was well.. to try. "Do you seek something from your past?" It was an innocent question from a fledgling who knew nothing of their world. She climbed into his bed, curling up under the blankets, eyes watching as he rose to fetch another book. His question made her smile.

"It's quite hideous" Though there was a warmth to her voice. She was being honest, but playful as well. "I would, but there is no rush. It is a safe place to sleep" Though tonight she wouldn't sleep in there, she'd stay here with him. Looking down at the silk that covered her shoulder she nodded. "They are, though in order to go shopping, I might require something else." Her smile grew and she nodded once more. "Thank you" A question came to mind and she sighed softly. She didn't wish to pester him with questions, yet he'd offered himself for such. Opening her mouth, she paused and waited for him to answer the text he'd received. She had no idea the trouble she'd caused others or Xarl himself. She'd been prolific in her hunger, hunting without mercy.

Another small smile. "No, it's alright. I did have a question though" She paused, meeting his eyes. She knew Xarl thought she had potential. It however wasn't the cause for his kindness. He'd not sired her and her sire had been far from Xarl in his treatment of her. "Are you or Victor more common as a sire, in the treatment of those like me?" Rolling to her back, Savannah toyed with the edge of the blankets that covered her. "You're far kinder than Victor was... And you are known as Baba Yaga..." Her cheek pressed against the pillow, her eyes lingering on his face. "I know you think I have potential, but is that why you're kind?" She mused more to herself than him. "You said you were the last creature you would turn to for comfort." Her eyes found his again. "How come?" Savannah was slowly opening up and Xarl would soon learn her fondness for questions.

"What book will you read now?" The fledgling seemed less interested in sleep and far more interested in her questions. In part because she was nervous and after a moment she blurted out "Sorry. I.. I am scared to sleep" Her eyes closed tight and she shifted under the blankets.. Hugging herself tight she let out a shaky breath. "That this is all some cruel dream. I will wake once more in a pile of bodies" Savannah's voice trembled and she could feel tears forming. "And I hate crying blood!" Frustration edging out fear by a smidgen.

 

[Sevatar]

Xarl watched her curl up under the blankets with a smile, pleased to see that Savannah was adapting well enough to her new situation, and to his house. "Yes and no" He sighed as he settled back onto the bed. "I was alive when the Library was burned, but I had never visited it. Most, if not all of the books were lost, but there were always rumors of a couple surviving, and I've been wanting to get my hands on them ever since"

He couldn't help but laugh at her honest answer. "Well, I'm certain we can change it then" He promised, before pausing at her comment at a safe place to sleep. It was like that for her wasn't it? No longer being trapped in a hellish situation that didn't seem to end. "Even so, it's your bedroom Savanah. You should like how it looks" He shifted slightly, turning over on his side to be able to get a better look at her. "I'm sure we can find you something.." He paused as she thank him. It wasn't something he was used to. "You're welcome"

After finishing his text, he returned his full attention to her, listening intently as she asked all of her questions about Sires, and then questions about himself, and he took a second to ponder all of the different questions. "Well." He shifted, drawing himself up more in the bed, meeting her gaze. "I don't really know, in all honestly. The relationship between a sire and their fledgling is different everytime, though, if I had to wager, I could say that it would be somewhere in between. Some are more like Viktor in their harshness and inability, while some are kinder and take a more direct interest, like me" He sank a little further down into the blankets, his gaze locked on hers. "Savannah. You are practically a child. Why would I be mean or cruel to someone who doesn't know better? It is far better to teach and lead with kindness, rather then to hurt" He paused as he considered the question about himself. "I am a that creature has lived for thousands of years. I have seen the rise and fall of empires, and nations, and killed countless people" He shrugged, an awkward movement. "I just don't see myself as someone good at comfort. I suspect my views would be quite different then yours, and I wouldn't be able to offer real comfort"

Xarl sat back up in the bed, adjusting himself to grab the other book, and before he got a chance to answer her, she had blurted out her comment about being afraid to sleep, and he moved the book off of his lap, before scooting over until he was next to Savannah, looking down at her as she hugged herself, heavy tears of blood forming in her eyes. "Hey" He whispered, gingerly reaching down with an arm to wrap it around her shoulders, and he slid down under the covers until he was right next to her. "Savannah." He murmured, reaching up with his hand to gently brush those tears away. "Look at me" He smiled at her. "This isn't a dream" He promised, wrapping her tighter into his attempt at a comforting hug. "You aren't going to wake up in a pile of bodies, ever again. You're safe now. The nightmares over" He started to gently rub her back, trying to comfort her.

 

[Bunny]

Savannah was left to do math in her head and her eyes widened some.. She had always liked history and after scouring her mind for the time the Library was burned she put Xarl at least two thousand. There was a difference from knowing she was all but immortal, knowing Victor was at most one hundred years old, a veritable baby when placed beside Xarl in comparison. It took effort to not whistle as she came to the conclusion of his age. He'd been alive when it was burned, had he already been a vampire? Studying him, she wondered why he had a desire to find them but she felt like asking him further questions about his age, his desire for the books might broach some unknown rule; like asking a woman her age was frowned upon.

She blushed and smiled at him shyly. She had a desire to say thank you again, those words that she was highly unlikely to stop giving him. She would need to think about what she wanted her room to look like.. And how to be thrifty. Something told Savannah his wealth was near limitless, but that didn't mean she wished to take advantage of his generosity. It would be unbecoming and a poor way to show her thanks. As she was trapped here at least for a while without him chaperoning her places, she could do most of the remodeling herself once she had an idea of how she wanted it to look.

It made sense and she'd noticed he'd taken time to truly consider his answer. "Every person is different, I suppose it was silly to wonder if sires were as well" She watched as he sunk under the blankets and she blushed again. She didn't like being called a child, but she really was. To a point, it rankled, but it was still true and Savannah didn't know if that was better or worse. Blinking those large cornflower blue eyes at him, thick lashes rising and falling as she tried to seemingly comprehend what he was saying to her. Her eyes traced along his countenance, a pondering expression on her face. Did he really see himself that way?

When the tears threatened to fall and she was trembling beneath the sheets, she found Xarl closer, her fear out in the open before them. Her eyes closed as his thumb brushed her tears away. Sniffling she looked up at him, the command gently. As he hugged her, no matter how he felt he was doing at his attempt, she curled into him. Accepting.. nay needing it. Her head tucked under his chin, she cuddled closer. Perhaps she was taking advantage of this kindness he seemed to feel he was lacking, but Savannah took what was offered without question. After a few moments she pulled back some, their faces level. "Thank you" Leaning closer, the softness of her lips brushed against the corner of his mouth, the touch chaste before she pulled back. "You may think you are bad at this, but you're not" Her words were whispered and she blushed, for a moment she seemed to consider something. He'd not said no to any request so far...

"While you read, could I curl into you?" She had liked the closeness he'd just provided, the comfort unmatched by anything since her rebirth. "Please?" She would accept if he said no, no complaint given, curling onto her side, facing toward the light. If he said yes however, she would cuddle in close, her back towards him, the length of her body pressing along him. Either way, she would be asleep within a few moments, her breathing slowing and then stopping altogether. She was dead after all, it was her mind that needed to breathe, her body did not.

 

[Sevatar]

Xarl looked down at the precious fledgling who was currently cuddled into his side, and he smiled down at her for a second, before pausing as she pressed a chaste touch to the corner of his lips, he froze for a second, letting out a soft noise as she settled back in against him, the blush covering her face giving her cheeks a rosy tint. "Well.. I'm glad to have your vote of confidence" He whispered.

He listened to her question, and he nodded, before realizing she couldn't see his head. "Of course you can Savannah." He murmured, putting his book down, and opting to wrap an arm around the girl who just seemed to need someone's attention right now. His arm carefully snaked its way around her shoulders, holding her against him as she fell asleep, and he watched quietly as her breathing stopped, and she laid there. "Sleep well, Little Fledgling" He murmured softly.

He would spend the next hour or so reading from his book, before eventually, the elder vampire would put the book down, closing his eyes, and before long, his body was completely motionless as well, the two undead creatures cuddled against one another, the man unconsciously turning in his sleep to press up against Savannah, their unmoving bodies intertwined as the moon slowly set, and the sun slowly rose.

Xarl would be awoken hours later by faint rays of moonlight shining through the windows, and at first, he was confused by the presence of Savannah intertwined in his arm, before memories of the previous night came flooding back, and a small smile crossed his face, and he would make no efforts to move or disturb the woman's rest, one she most evidently needed, and he instead closed his eyes, his body unmoving as the moon kept rising.

Once Savannah woke up and was alert, Xarl would slowly untangle himself from her. "Good morning Savannah" He whispered softly, his onyx eyes staring down at her as he slowly leaned up against the pillows. "Were you able to sleep well, Little Fledgling?" He asked, his arm still resting around her shoulders, the man slightly surprised by how comfortable he was with someone else in his bed. It had been centuries since he had, but the porcelain skinned woman in his bed was a welcome change.

 

[Bunny]

Cuddling against him, Savannah had found the darkness of sleep quickly. It was a small bliss she didn't dream.. it was a moment to the next for her and when she woke she found herself cradled in Xarl's arms. He gently extracted himself, allowing her to roll to her back. Looking up at him she blushed, "Morning." Stretching she felt the tension leave her body slowly and she nodded, smiling shy at him. His arm was still around her shoulders and it felt natural to lean into him as she moved to sit up some. As if she realized the error, or perhaps overstep was a better word, she stiffened and pulled away. The comfort he offered was desired, but the feelings it rose in her were likely just those of a confused little fledgling.

Shifting in place she ran a hand through her hair, sending the golden locks tumbling down her back in waves. "I did." Her eyes shifted to him, thoughts popping up. "It was nice to not wake in a pile of dead bodies. It almost felt like that was the nightmare.. and when I woke it wasn't true" It had been true though and that was likely to haunt the young woman for some time. "Xarl?" Savannah paused and shifted to look at him better. "Do we dream?" It was a fair question, one born from youth and of hope and fear. Hope would be the sweet dreams she once had, fear easily known to them both.

Slender pale fingers toyed with a lock of hair as she watched him, waiting. She'd not given his appearance much thought last night, fear among other things holding her mind tight. He was handsome though. She frowned mentally. Was it okay to find him handsome? While her internal questioning was happening a change was taking place in her as her beast rose within. Her eyes drowned in cornflower blue, her pupils drowned out by the color and her head turned towards him, cocking to the side. Her humanity was draining away quickly and the beast might not know tangling with baba yaga was an unwise choice. If by some miracle it did, she'd try and run... First to get away from the danger, the second to hunt.

For savannah that humanity was slowly being locked behind bars. It was like looking out from within a cage of her mind. Her panic started to rise as the shift occurred. She could feel the feral almost alien presence solidifying it’s hold on her limbs. The desires and needs primal and basic to say the least of this beast. A small growl trickled from her throat.

 

[Sevatar]

Xarl smiled at her as she broke from his embrace and pulled away a little bit. "I am glad you" He murmured, rising up in the bed, reaching over to hit a button, and the large window in front of them became clear, revealing the clear nights sky, the moon hanging heavy in the sky. "Beautiful, isn't it?" He asked, before falling quiet at her question, and he sat there for a second, thinking about it.

"You might dream" He replied, almost hesitantly. "I can remember dreaming. It's a faint thing. I stopped having them a hundred years after I was turned." He shrugged a little. "The nightmares though. They didn't stop for a couple centuries. Though. My turning and the time after was... traumatic" He chuckled at the memories. "It was a hard adjustment to make." He confessed. "But I cannot tell you for certain if you will keep dreaming"

He fell quiet again, his eyes staring out the window and taking in the outside world. There was a heavy cloud layer coming in, which suggested it would rain, and he smiled at the thought. He did love rain. His thoughts would be interrupted by the soft growl escaping his fledglings throat, and he turned to her. "Ah." He murmured, reaching over his bedside to grab the blood pack.. which he had forgotten to grab the previous night.

With a grumble, he instead opted to grab his knife, and yet again, he would slice his wrist open, the pain a minor distraction, and his ichor flowed free and he held up his wrist underneath Savannah's mouth, the blade being discarded almost as quickly as it had appeared. "Drink" He ordered her in a firm voice, the elder vampire eyeing her. "Calm the beast, feed it." He continued. "And then we will talk about how to control it"

It would be interesting, he mused as he waited for her to drink. The beast was different for everyone, and the path for calming and taming it was always difficult and long, but it was a step that Savannah would need to start on, and soon, less she lose the internal battle that had plagued her. And he would have to be here every step of the way, ready to clean up any messes that occurred. He had forgotten how.. busy, having a fledgling, made someone.

 

[Bunny]

When the window cleared, Savannah took in the view before them. The moon hun heavily in the sky and seemed almost close enough to touch, though she knew better. "It is" She smiled as she took in the bunny shape she always saw upon its surface. Never had she seen the man in the moon that people spoke of on it's pale surface. Her eyes were drawn back to Xarl as he spoke of dreams and her smile faltered. Savannah had always enjoyed her dreams, vivid as they were... it was one more thing she would pay for her unwanted immortality. Furthermore, the nightmares might linger far longer than the dreams. It was not an appealing thought. She'd rather have not dreamed another night, if it also meant no nightmares. Slowly she nodded. "I understand. Sometimes it feels like my questions are indeed that of a child."

In that space of time, so quick, Savannah had slowly slipped from one face to another. The beast had not liked coming face to face with Xarl, it's fight or flight response inclined to flee rather than fight. It knew it was outmatched and had no desire to tangle with him. However, the scent of blood drew it in and as his bloody wrist was placed under her mouth, the beast did not hesitate. Hands grasped his arm, pulling it closer to her mouth as her lips locked around the gash. She fed hungrily, as if not just the night before he'd not fed her or the night before that she'd not gorged herself on human blood. Unlike the night before, she did not relent as quickly... The internal battle waged as the thick ichor fell down her throat, greedily with each mouthful.

Slowly though, her eyes changed back and a moment or two later she was able to pull back, licking the wound he'd made to help close it faster. Full lips were a deep burgundy and she looked up at him with a mixture of guilt and fear. She could still taste him on her tongue, the richness of his blood sustaining her. She could feel a drop of blood trickle from the corner of her mouth and she blushed, violently so as she swiped at the blood that linger on her mouth. "Sorry" Her voice held shame, something that would not be easy for her to shake.

Savannah was indeed a vampire, but she still felt the mortal shame of her actions, even if they were now in truth her new norm. Her chin lowered and her head turned away from him, lashes hiding her lilac eyes from him. A part of her knew this was normal, that things were okay... even knew he was not mad with her, but one's own mind could turn on them even knowing the facts. The what if's a dangerous thought train, one that often was the hardest to shut down. In a world where no one ever said what they really meant and in this new world it seemed the game was even more complicated... at least... it had been with Victor.