A Fracture in the Balance (Translucentfeathers & Beelzing)

[translucentfeathers]

It was a beautiful evening; stars were able to be seen sparkling between the occasional cloud trailing thinly through the night sky. With a frown twisting over her lips Claire left the window she was gazing out of to return to her preparations for the masquerade. If it wasn't required and likely that she would cause a scandal if she refused, Claire simply wouldn't go.

It was all just a play for power, the races of men, vampires and werewolves all making a grand show of their supposed peaceful negotiations and acting treaty they were all under. It was all just a disgusting display of hypocrisy and a game. Claire knew full well how the other races viewed her type and she couldn't say she viewed them in any kinder of a light.

With a slight huff of only mild irritation she smoothed pale hands over the formfitting silk evening dress that hugged her curves before flaring out just below the swell of her hips before adjusting the straps that were designed to fall and rest just over the curve of her shoulders. Her attire lacked the usual dark reds and cold black coloring that she felt was far too cliche and typical to her kind. No, it was a dark green that showed off her pale skin and set fire to her hair. The normally wild red locks had been swept off of her neck and onto her head, save a loose tendril or two that fell over her nape. The neckline of the gown was cut dangerously low and she knew she wouldn't be permitted to wear any adornments on her throat as was customary of one born to the life of a vampire.

It was a show of class to have her hair pinned and her throat bare, revealing no scarring from being turned, showing herself to be one born into the coven rather than changed. It was as political of a statement as she would make, and she hated that she even had to stoop to that level, but if she dared appear at such a large function hiding her neck she knew it would get back to her family and she would never hear the end of it. It all felt so petty and wildly beyond her understanding as to why such things mattered, but if the Patriarch of her coven demanded it then it was her duty to obey...just as it was her duty to go and be civil at this event.

Claire plucked a delicate little mask off of its resting place on her desk. The simple little thing lacked any feathers or wild decorations and was a simple dark gold with black accents that framed the eyes. She understood the metaphor that the ambassadors were aiming for by requiring all of those to attend to wear the masks though she never quite agreed with it. Hiding your differences under a simple piece of stiff cloth that fitted over your face to pretend everyone there was the same. It wasn't the skin that was hidden that left distaste in her mouth, it was the putting on an act while knowing everyone there was tense...except for the humans and sub-races who showed to get in on the fun.

With a brief shake of her head Claire pushed the mask into place before making her way through her home and outside, locking the front door behind her as she took in a deep pull of night air and steadied herself the evening as she waited to see who was picking her up and would be required to spend the event with.

 

[translucentfeathers]

RE: A Fracture in the Balance (translucentfeathers x beelzing)

A werewolf. Of course she would only be so lucky. Claire eyed the extended hand with a brief moment of apprehension before her eyes met the golden ones of the were currently seated in the back of a car with her. She took the offered hand briefly before turning to glance out the window and watch her house disappear in the distance as the driver eased them down the road, taking them to their destination. "Claire Delmonte," she offered easily in response, her eyes glancing back to the woman next to her when she could no longer see her home.

She wasn't quite sure what they would have to say to each other for the rest of the trip, let alone the entire evening. Her nose was filled with the heady scent that werewolves tended to permeate. It wasn't all together unpleasant, but it was certainly a sharp contast to the softer muted scents of humans and some of the lesser spieces like shape shifters and witches. Something to do with the blood and biology, she supposed. Claire's eyes grazed over the woman's form, taking in her appearance to find something to comment on or compliment the were on.

"Your dress...the color is lovely on you," she offered, her tone neutral and diplomatic. This evening was going to be a disaster and she could feel her desire to simply tell the driver to take her home tempting her tongue. Hell, just opening the car door and throwing herself out was tempting by comparison of the company she was sharing.

Claire scolded herself, leaning back in her seat, hands folding in her lap delicately. This were, woman, had been nothing but curteous thus far and she could overcome basic instincts and hatred to deal with her for at least a few hours. Her coven would be ashamed if they heard her thinking so poorly of her current situation. Granted they would agree, but for the sake of diplomacy she would receive harsh reprimand if they heard she had been anything but charitable towards her appointed partner for the evening. All the more reason to hate this ridiculous function they were headed towards and the act she was going to be forced into playing.

"Are you a member of one of the local packs?" She asked, eyes straying to pluck loosely at the folds of her own gown. Something easy like the topic of their alliances and familial ties could be the best way to attempt to break the ice that she didn't care to have broken to begin with.

 

[translucentfeathers]

RE: A Fracture in the Balance (translucentfeathers x beelzing)

Claire's eyes narrowed and her lips twisted into a frown. The woman's taunting about small talk and not bothering with simple pleasantries had her feeling relieved and disarmed at the same time.

Against her better judgement and upbringing, Claire snorted slightly, not bothering to hide her disbelief at what sounded like amusement coming from the werewolf next to her. She wasn't sure if the were knew what a tooth baring smile in the Vampire world meant but it was a display of power. For this woman? It seemed to only add to the possible mocking tone she offered.

Claire hated to admit she felt a little impressed by the werewolf's answer in regards to her affiliation to pack structure. The idea of being permitted to exist outside of ones coven was never something that was tolerated. Stray vampires who wouldn't submit to their coven leader's direct council and law were marked as a threat; the chance of a rogue that they would never permit to run free. You were either born into a coven and carried the bloodline as she had, or you were initiated when turned. The 'lone wolf' cliche simply stayed that, she supposed, a cliche that was too dangerous to entertain according to her family and and within her race.

It set Claire's teeth on edge if she was being honest, the idea of being eternally chained to her coven with no chance of existing outside of it. The only chance she had of ever leaving was to be offered into an arranged union with someone of a neighboring coven, and that was more revolving around the ideal of strengthening the blood lines and producing more worthy offspring for the family title than anything else. Just trading one guided collar and leash for another.

When Leona turned the question to her while single handedly guessing correctly her upbringing she glanced at her, turning her head in a slight incline. "Right on all accounts," she hummed, noticing the way the woman's attentions were turned singularly to her while she made her speculations. "Born under the coven to the leaders of our sector," she said with a slight lift of a pale shoulder. "And expected to uphold some level of propriety while in the presence of those I may not particularly enjoy to be around," she said, sending the other woman a small smirk, not bothering to hide her own flash of sharp teeth within the smile."But since you have let me know you don't appreciate the idleness of small talk or the diplomatic ways of simple pleasantries then rest assured I won't subject you to it." The fact that she hated the meaningless exchanges of words as well would be left unsaid.

Her eyes met the woman's golden gaze head on, locking on to it and holding. It was a foolish thing to do according to everything she had been told, but she had grown tired of the games that she was expected to play and the manners she was told to keep. "Don't complain if you come to regret it later," she said, her smile darkening a fraction at the idea of not being forced to play the role she was bred for even if it was only for a single evening.

The car came to a stop and suddenly the driver opened the door for them and Claire slipped out of her seat. She made her way to the entrance, not waiting for the werewolf behind her to climb the stone steps leading to the large town hall where the masquerade was held every year. It was customary for one to enter with their partner, but she took Leona for her word, and wasn't going to mute herself to play the game with her.

Claire did take a moment when she reached the entry way to appreciate the gorgeous decorations and grand flair the masquerade offered. Dark velvety blues and deep violet fabrics swathed the walls and met in geaceful arches over the high ballroom ceiling, knotting around the large crystal chandelier that hung low from the ceiling. Candles graced the walls and long banquet tables, casting a dim glow over the golden scene that afforded it a beauty electrical lighting could never truly replicate. Claire smiled a bit to herself, enjoying at least the beauty of the evening before it was sullied by the people filling the space with masks and shakey trust.

 

[translucentfeathers]

RE: A Fracture in the Balance (translucentfeathers x beelzing)

Claire felt a slight blush staining her cheeks at those whispered words, the image they painted not entirely unappealing and she was grateful for having fed earlier that day so she wasn't left struggling with thirst after those teasing tones. She was left, however, struggling with a slight flare of arousal though and it had her narrowing her eyes as the werewolf slipped into the ballroom and left her behind.

Claire was rarely presented with the opportunity for a live feed that tempted her, settling instead on blood donations in bags designed as a type of prepackaged meal. It was often cold and bland, the flavor and intricacies found from a fresh source often lost in the process of testing and packaging for mass distribution that the blood servicing centers offered.

It wasn't as though live feeding was deemed illegal, in fact a large majority of the elder ones and leaders of her coven chose to only drink from live hosts. There were many laws and regulations that had been put into place to stave off the practice of keeping blood slaves and unwilling victims and required a sort of verbal agreement or written contract to be put into place offering the donors any required medical care after any feedings along with promising to leave them with their will and not subject them to the thrall mindset.

Most of the vampires she knew were not simply interested in a simple transaction for blood from a fresh source and the same went for those who willingly submitted themselves for feedings. Usually the terms extended beyond simple medical care, vampires 'requesting' their host live with them and providing them with a bed and food along with most basic necessities in exchange for the donor submitting to the vampires desire for a feeding at any time. More often than not it devolved into something sexual quickly, the intimacy of the feeding and sating that desire for thirst making it easy for the lines of blood lust and physical lust to become blurred. It ususlly became a game of ownership, and most of the people willing to submit themselves to such a lifestyle wanted to be owned, playing into the romantic ideals of being kept and submitting to a creature more powerful than they.

Claire had been tempted before by the thought of having someone available for live feedings, it was definitely preferable to the blood bags she fed from. The idea of having someone tripping over themselves under her foot while incessantly vying for her attentions would drive her mad though. It left Claire craving the idea the werewolf left her with more than she should. The idea of a strong partner who wasn't intimated by her and refused to submit, quite possibly flipping the stereotypicsl situation, left her thoughts wondering what it would feel like to sink her teeth into Leona's warm skin, wondering what her blood would taste like when it first hit her tongue. The woman's smell wasn't unappealing, the lingering scent she had left behind of freshly dampened soil and foliage reminded her of how the woods behind her house smelled right after a storm, layered with hints of something warm and inviting like a spice she just couldn't quite place. It left her wondering if the old wives tale about werewolf's blood being foul due their biology was true or went into the same category as garlic being able to fend off one of her own kind. Honestly, it was one ofthe most ridiculous notion she had ever heard of.

Claire smoothed a hand over the side of her throat before entering the ballroom, searching for her partner of the evening in the crowd while trying to force back and keep at bay those tempting thoughts she was now struggling with. When she finally caught sight of smooth brown skin swathed in purple she lingered back as far back as she knew she could get away with, already noticing the watchful eyes of some of the local covens sire's taking note of her presence before nodding in her direction.

Hiding her scowl with a neutral expression, Claire moved closer to Leona after selecting two glasses of wine, for those watchful eyes' benefit, before attempting to see just what sort of indecency the dark haired woman was probably subjecting the people around her to. She extended a glass to Leona once she reached her side, refraining from simply thowing back her own in hopes that the alcohol would be quick enough to have an affect before ot was worked through her system. Maybe if she just drank from the bottle itself it would ease this tension she felt growing beteeen them before she did something irreparably foolish.

 

[translucentfeathers]

RE: A Fracture in the Balance (translucentfeathers x beelzing)

Claire's eyes widened slightly at the growl she heard Leona's ex-pack leader send their way from Leona's teasing, reprimanding tone. She glanced over at the other woman who was leading her away, mildly impressed by the way she had so easily played him. Leona was suddenly asking her if she wanted to dance, wrenching Claire from her thoughts. "I suppose if you wanted we could-"

Before Claire could finish her response though, the wine glass was plucked from her fingers and she found herself being dragged onto the dance floor. Leona's arms slipped around her as the other woman took the lead, easily guiding her through the motions of the waltz. She could feel the eyes on them, the attention they were gathering and it had her skin crawling so she focused on the movement of their feet and the rhythm of the music, letting herself get a little lost in the fluid steps.

Claire's eyes snapped open when she felt Leona drag their bodies together, the were's warm embrace throwing her, the feel of the woman's heart beating against her own chest causing her to become distracted. She heard the casually made statement, of her hoping for Claire's forgiveness when she found herself being spun before the world tipped and she was gazing up at a pair of amber eyes, Leona's body leaning over hers in a way that had her breath catching in her throat. She let out a soft gasp when the werewolf leaned in for a kiss, hoping it was lost in the chorus of startled noises from the crowd.

When she had been righted, she felt a blush flare over her face as she simply stared at the smirk of amusement on the other woman's features. Claire wanted to slap her, to shove her away and storm off but couldn't risk the scene it would cause. Instead she grabbed hold of the woman's hand, dragging Leona away from the prying eyes of the guests to duck into the shadows behind some large pillars.

"Just who in the nine circles of hell do you believe yourself to be," she hissed once they slipped out of sight. Claire released the woman's hand, eyes locking with the were's the way she had seen Leona stare down her old pack leader. "I understand you may have the luxury of playing against the stereotypes but that is not something I can afford," she said as her green eyes narrowed on the other woman's golden gaze. "And I may have agreed to forgo idle pleasantries with you but that did not mean I was agreeing to do so for everyone to see." Claire took a step forward, hands shaking at her sides as she felt anger swirl through her. "I still have an image and a reputation to uphold, a name to represent. You can't simply go around-"

Claire's voice cut off when she heard someone clearing their throat next to one of the pillars. She stepped away from Leona when she saw who it was, her head ducking in shame at having been caught speaking out against her partner for the evening as she felt a judgemental pair of ice blue eyes rake over her.

"Well, well, here I thought from that display and quick exit I was going to find you tucked away enjoying a stolen romantic moment with your...partner," she heard Daniel hum distastefully. He was the son of the lord of a coven her's dealt with regularly, his fine clothing and slick black hair cut an intimidating image as he approached them, ignoring Leona entirely as he focused in on Claire, causing her shame to grow when he mocked her, a smooth smile covering his handsome features. "And instead I find you hissing and throwing a tantrum. Whatever would your father say?"

She was about to answer when Daniel quickly cut her off with a curt "Excuse us," tossed Leona's way. An arm swept around Claire's shoulders to drag her away from the werewolf, tucking her tightly against his side. Claire cast a glance back at Leona as Daniel led her into the light of the crowded ballroom guiding her back to the dancefloor.

“Such an interesting dance partner you chose,” he said easily, though she could hear the tight tense tone behind his words. He pulled her through the crowd before slipping his arms around her to force her into following his lead in a dance. "She certainly seemed able to sweep you off of your feet. Is that why you refused my offer for a union earlier this year, Claire? You prefer to roll around with a dog? Or do you simply prefer women…”

Claire pushed back against the tight hold Daniel had her on as they danced, her feet dragging as she attempted to slow him. "You are overstepping, Daniel,” she said darkly, again attempting not to slap her second dance partner for the evening. The embarrassment and shame he had made her feel was beginning to slip away as she felt the slow steady thrum of anger take its place.

Daniel’s fingers tightened as he dragged her back in, his pace never slowing as he forced her to keep up, dragging her through the measures of music. “See, I disagree,” he said, his eyes training on hers, a dark smile flashing sharp teeth down at her. He leaned in, closing the distance between them. “It would take merely a request for your hand from my coven to yours that would have you bound to me out of duty to your covens leadership,” he hummed coldly, any false niceties having dropped from his voice. “I would prefer it if you came willingly,” he added. A long pale hand reached out to slip along what portion of her cheek had been left uncovered, cold fingers tracing over her skin. "But you can't expect me to sit back and watch you enjoy the company of one of those beasts. It is insulting to you and to what our kind stands for."

She reached up to clasp her hand over his in what would appear to any eyes possibly watching as a welcoming gesture before her fingers twisted his in a way that had him grunting briefly in pain, freezing when the song ended. Her grip tightened and her eyes narrowed as she eased the hand away from her face and between their bodies, twisting it into an unnatural position.

“I am not some silly little girl for you to attempt to subdue and you can be sure I will never willingly accept your offer,” she hissed, fingers jerking his roughly though the smile on her face didn’t give away her anger. “She is my assigned partner for the evening, Daniel, not that it is any of your business, and if you ever touch me again without my explicit consent, I will make a request of my own to my coven to have your family blacklisted on account of your inability to conduct yourself in an appropriate manner in my presence." It was a threat she could make good on and she knew he recognized it for what it was when a moment of fear flashed over his face.

Claire released his hand then, and with a very slight incline of her head left him to go move away from the dance floor and slip through the crowd. She felt rage at his attempts to control her, to back her into his will and forcibly attempt to mold her life around his. She swallowed back the inhuman growl she felt threatening to leave her throat as she made her way to one of the refreshment tables. It was off to the side, towards the back of the ballroom, and once she reached it she let her hands fall onto the sturdy wooden surface, fingers curling around the edge so tightly she felt the wood crack beneath her grip.

Claire was tired of the games, infuriated by the control. And for him to try and subject her to that, playing to the public setting while knowing she wouldn't be able to cause a scene? At least Leona's advances were somewhat welcomed, his were-no, absolutely not. She would not entertain the idea that what Leona had done was any less welcome than the attempts Daniel had made were. She pushed back the pleasant warmth she felt at the memory of how nice it had been to have a warm body pressing so close to hers even if it had been only for a few momentd. She ignored the way letting the other woman take the lead during their dance had felt natural and almost easy by comparison to how Daniel was trying to force his dominance over her.

She let out a slow breath, fingers reaching down to smooth the rich blue table cloth over the edge of the wood she had cracked before she grabbed a single glass of wine for herself, since Leona had so kindly freed her of her last one. Claire's light green eyes flicked over the crowd casually, her expression having been smoothed out as she searched for her partner, knowing she should rejoin her side before too many people noticed her without the person she was supposed to be with for the evening.

 

[translucentfeathers]

RE: A Fracture in the Balance (translucentfeathers x beelzing)

Claire found herself slightly startled by the appearance of Leona next to her. She didn't let it show, though, her sense of control tucked securely into place as she continued to sip her wine. Claire leaned against the table quietly as she watched the people on the ballroom floor interact. "I will be sure to spare five minutes of silence for the tables demise later," she mused, the anger from Daniel's behavior hidden behind a monotone state of calm. She raised her wine glass to her lips while she listened to Leona continue.

Claire found herself laughing at the next comment, lowering her drink so she didn't risk spilling the wine over herself. "He is more than a mere jackass, the bastard is a full fledged misogynistic rat bastard who deserves to be castrated with a dull rusted spoon...since we are speaking plainly," she added, glancing over at the woman at her side. It almost felt cathartic to release some of the pent up rage and anger with and honest exchange of words, releasing her anger. "And nice reference," she added with a chuckle, "Though I doubt he would find the humor behind it." Her gaze went back to sweeping the ballroom idly.

The next portion of Leona's words made her pause, brow furrowning slightly beneath her mask as she considered the options before her. Logic dictated that she accept the offer gracefully. To use the woman's promise to place a safe distance between them. But what was the point?

Almost everyone in attendance had seen the dance and kiss and the gossip and rumors were going to press onward regardless of whatever they did now so why not enjoy herself a little. Claire let her eyes scan over the woman next to her. Despite the issue of their races, she had to admit Leona was beautiful, and the woman was awakening desires in her she had been leaving unsatisfied and ignoring for more important things like the coven's every need and whim. Besides, it was only one evening, unlikely they would ever be in the same circles let alone ever see each other again after tonight.

"If I don't forgive you, would you continue?" She asked, a small teasing smile attempting to tug on the corner of her lips while casting the dark haired woman next to her a curious glance, her eyes meeting Leona's briefly. "If I did not somewhat welcome your touch," she hummed softly, "I would have let you know in a physical manner." Like she had with Daniel and his hand. A part of her wondered if the woman would see it for what it was, a silent permission to continue without stating it obviously. Claire tucked a stray curl behind her ear before she finished her wine.

 

[translucentfeathers]

RE: A Fracture in the Balance (translucentfeathers x beelzing)

Those teasing warm fingers left a trail of heat and slight blush of borrowed blood under pale skin in their wake. When the woman's dark fingers cupped her jaw she felt herself lean subconsciously into that warm hand. Leona's thumb was brushing over hrler lips before slipping past them to sweep over the pointed fang closest to the appendage. A moment later, the smell of Leona's blood was in the air and so close to her tongue.

There were traces, subtle hints of the woman's blood left on the fang the woman had pierced her thumb with and it had her delicately tracing her tongue along the sharp smooth surface for a taste. It wasn't bitter or vile as the stories had led her to believe, no...it was rich and smooth with a thrilling bite to it. Claire's eyes hungrily swept over her companion then, lingering on the smooth swell of her breasts, the long curve of her throat. She wanted a better taste. Wanted more. "Practice," she purred before flashing her a sharp smile.

There was a bit of a commotion as the attentions of the guests of the evening were called to review the negotiations. While Claire's interests were currently more invested in potential the evening could take by this woman's side, she knew it would be important to be seen at least pretending to listen. So, with a slight brush of pale fingers against the soft warm skin of her arm, Claire offered her an apologetic smile before joining the masses gathering for the debriefing.

As she moved closer she noticed something was wrong. Rather than the ambassadors all standing together at the head of the floor, it was simply the representatives of the vampire race along with noted leaders of local covens and Lords of any higher ranking families...her own father standing at the head.

"Ladies and gentlemen," she heard his silken voice begin. Claire recognized the subtle tones and charms he was using in his voice, the evidence of him attempting to calm and put the humans under a state of thrall only slightly terrifying. "Unfortunately this evening has taken a less than favorable turn for most of you. Your ambassadors are dead-" The crowd erupted in sounds of anger and shock.

"My dear fellow citizens, this is the dawn of a new age," he breathed, eyes flashing over the crowd dangerously. "A new beginning. My dearest brothers and sisters," he soothed, his attentions being turned towards the rest of his kind in the room. "This is our day..." Claire listened in disbelief as he went on to describe the old ways and the revival of the belief systems and codes her kind used to aspire to. Hunting werewolves and those deemed 'unedible' for sport, the rest being sorted out into servants, blood slaves and cattle to feed the masses and reproduce. Horror sank in when she noticed how the exits had been barred and the windows shut while he continued. His voice carried a sense of calm to the humans in the room, though the collective snarling and obvious discord from the werewolves was going to drown him out soon. He called to them then, her family and any other vampires within the hall to join them in their rightful place dominating the world and other races. She watched in shock as so many of her kind stepped forward, joining the group of radicals.

Claire felt herself grow cold when she noticed one of her coven spot her in the crowd, unmoving, and brought it to the attention of her father and the newly established brotherhood of vampire lords and coven leaders. She saw looks ranging from disapproval to hatred as some of the leaders bared their teeth at her, others stepping forward to no doubt end her for her refusal to step forward. Claire watched as her father merely held up a placating hand, silencing the otherd at his side. He moved towards her then, stepping down off of the stand he had been preaching his insanity from to approach her with the grace in movement of an century of living.

"Claire...you dare defy the will of your own?"

She held his gaze quietly for a moment. "This is senseless...you're talking about attempting to wipe out entire races and enslaving the rest. This isn't right," she said with a quiet shake of her head. "You can't-"

The sharp crack of his palm across her cheek sent her head snapping to the side, the mask on her face becoming free and flying off. "Weak," he hissed. "You are no daughter of mine." He turned then, addressing the others. "Kill her, if she or any others of our kind wish to die with these mutts let them-"

There was a flash of someone rushing her father as a faceless male werewolf tackled him, spurning on a shift in the atmosphere. The hold over the humans shattered and she could almost taste the panic and fear in the air. Pure chaos broke out as the other vampires rushed forward to aide her father, werewolves all around her snarling and running to meet them, some remaining in human form while others turned, using their teeth and claws on anything unfortunate enough to fall across their path.

With a panicked gasp at the sharp metallic smell of blood in the air Claire back peddled away from the carnage, turning to glance around desperately for an exit.

 

[translucentfeathers]

RE: A Fracture in the Balance (translucentfeathers x beelzing)

The whole thing was terrifying. The vampires would kill her if they saw her for her betrayal and the werewolves and humans would never offer her a place with them and would be just as likeky to kill her if given the opportunity. She felt the panic and chaos in the room begin to affect her, bleeding into her and mixed with the fresh smell of blood it was proving tempting to lose herself in a rage of blood lust and simply lash out at whatever she saw.

Biting down on the swell of her bottom lip she glanced over and fell back a step, sharp teeth flashing defensively as a large were came towards her. It took a moment before she noticed the wolf's scent over the bitter metallic blood tainting the air. The smell of damp earth just after storm with an undercurrent of something warm and spiced-"Leona?"

She recognized the calm golden gaze that held hers and her eyes widened as the wolf all but ordered her without a word to climb on her back. Claire glanced back at the hellish disorder behind her. A few of the more powerful vsmpire lords including her father were alive and well. In fact, it seemed as though her race was going relatively well for themselves. She needed to get out of here and as far away as possible if she hoped to live.

Without much thought on it, Claire glanced back at that golden gaze before she nodded. Hurrying over she quickly climbed onto Leona's back, taking as much care as she could not to pinch or pull any of the gorgeous dark fur under her hands.

She offered one glance back at the leaders of the rebellion and her eyes met and held her father's. She saw the snarl he was preparing to emit, a look of anger and bloodthirsty rage covering his face. She swallowed, fingers tightening minutely in Leona's fur, "Let's get out of here."

 

[translucentfeathers]

RE: A Fracture in the Balance (translucentfeathers x beelzing)

Claire was still reeling from the events of the evening, though the ride had left her...exhilarated. The sheer rush she had felt from practically flying through the streets had left her breathless by the time they reached their destination. She eased her hands from the dark pelt and slipped off of the werewolf's back when they stopped and she felt the woman beneath her motion for her to get down.

Only a moment later there was a blonde and she, well, it sounded as though she almost scolded Leona and the werewolf actually looked slightly reprimanded? If an animal could display a bashful expression she was sure that this was it and the humor behind it left her mouth twisted up in the corners despite the evening's events.

Claire watched as the other woman brought Leona a robe for her change, and she let her eyes slip away from the pair while the werewolf shifted, not wanting to be rude snd stare. After short introduction that had her nodding in greeting and a brief conversation between the two women the blonde disappeared and Claire was left with Leona onnthe sidewalk.

It took a moment for her to register the words the other woman was speaking and when she did she stoof there weighing her options. She really didn't have many though, did she? War had broken out with her own coven at the head, her own father as the mouth piece. A hand reached up to smooth over the cheek he had struck, her mouth twisting into a frown.

She couldn't imagine herself being welcomed into Leona's ex pack's territory if the brief interaction between her and Leona's old alpha had been anything to go off of. Though, she couldn't go home and the rest of her kind would be hunting her, what safer place than a wolfs den? She nodded quietly, glancing up at those wild golden eyes and untamed hair. "All right, but...do you have something I can wear?"

The question seemed so small and frivolous, her long pale fingers plucking at the dress in an irritated fashion. "Pants if you can spare some." She asked, a brief smile crossing over her face. She was going for amusement but wasn't sure if she hit the mark. She never would have believed it if someone had told her she would be standing outside of Leona's apartment at the start of the evening.

 

[translucentfeathers]

RE: A Fracture in the Balance (translucentfeathers x beelzing)

Claire followed the werewolf through her home, shocked at how...normal it all seemed. She wasn't quite sure what she expected though, some sort of caveman-esque style living arrangements? The bigotry was hard to overcome, having lived the entirety of her life exclusively with her own kind left her feeling shockingly out of her element. The notion she was never going to see her home or her family again? Had her feeling numb, as though the events of the last hour had been some sort of nightmare.

Shifting she followed Leona to her room, eyeing the stacks of books with mild curiosity. She wanted to ask the other woman what she read, but such a normal conversation didn't seem like it would be welcomed. Leona was different from how she had been, the joy and humor gone from her eyes as her face took on a much more intense expression. The werewolf moved with a purpose and her actions seemed to command respect and attention. Claire guessed she should have known the woman for an alpha by the way the transaction between her and the other blond male at the ball had gone down. Pissing contest is what she liked to call it.

At her motioning to the dresser drawers, Claire began digging through the fourth drawer for a pair of pants that would fit. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed Leona stripping once the were had packed two suitcases and...it had her blushing. Leona didn't seemed all that bothered being nude in front of someone which, she supposed, made complete sense seeing as she was a shifter and one with pack mentality ingrained within her.

The same didn't apply to Claire though and she found herself averting her gaze quickly. Vampires were by no means prudes and but everything was sexualized within the culture of her race. There was truth behind the push and stereotype of her kind being seductive and having charms. She wasn't sure if it was something biological to help allure prey or if it was merely an adaptation. Either way, skin wasn't something you flashed without intent and it had that damn blush spreading over her cheeks and down the back of her neck. She turned her focus on clothing, plucking a plain blsck shirt at random from the third drawer before debating following suit and changing in the open.

With a roll of her eyes at her own insecurities she reached back and eased the zipper of her dress down, shrugging out of the top half of the gown easily until the fabric slipped down and pooled around her waist. She tugged the shirt over her head, ignoring the way it snagged on the pins in her hair, wincing slightly. With a bit of a shimmy she pushed the dress from it's resting place on her hips until the soft fabric fell to her feet and she stepped out from the pile. Leona had a few inches on her but Claire's hips were a little wider so the jeans fight tightly around her, hugging her frame despite the fact that she needed to roll them up a few times st the feet. Long psle fingers reached for her hair, tugging the pins from it and letting the long loose strands fall to her mid back unhindered and unburdoned.

"Size seven, sometimes seven and a half," she hummed easily as she brushed her hair out with her fingers.

 

[translucentfeathers]

RE: A Fracture in the Balance (translucentfeathers x beelzing)

Claire slipped on the socks and laced up the thin pair of chucks, keeping her mind focused on something so she didn't completely lose herself to the events of today. She caught the hoodie and raised an eyebrow at the comment of keeping her from being cold. It was a kind gesture, even if unnecessary. The cold was an aspect of her biology she couldn't escape, alleviate perhaps with certain things but never truly escape.

She followed behind the werewolf, noticing the way she looked over her home with a silent fondness, appreciating how hard it was to leave. She wished she had a moment to go back to her own, to gather a few things. She pushed the wants back though, ignoring it for the petty and dangerous hopes that they were. Going back would surely be a death sentence and no level of sentimentality was worth that.

Leona guided her down to a lower parking deck beneath the ground and she followed suit and climbed into the other woman's vehicle. There was silence and she didn't mind the quiet calm between them. She settled into her seat, eyes studying the way the city sped past them in a silent blur throigh the window. It wasn't long though before she heard Leona start to speak. She asked questions that...Claire wasn't sure she had the answer to.

"You don't strike me as the type who would listen if I did tell you to 'fuck off', " she said, though the tone was teasing. She considered the question with a hum, glancing over at the werewolf before shrugging quietly. "I suppose I was simply tired of being expected to go along with their every whim, regardless of how I felt on the matter." She turned to glance back out the window with a tired expression. "They want to...enslave the world and it's wrong."

 

[translucentfeathers]

RE: A Fracture in the Balance (translucentfeathers x beelzing)

Claire hummed mildly at the laughter, easing a little bit more into her seat when Leona seemingly resumed the playful air their interactions had earlier in the evening. It was silly but it made her feel more comfortable, the teasing tone and comradery that the werewolf was offering her. It was definitely more friendly of an interaction than she had shared with the majority of her own kind even before tonights disowning. Leona wasn't using slick words or double meanings to try and lure something from Claire with their discussions, and it let her feel as though she could relax more around this supposed enemy than her own coven who was always searching for what they could gain from you.

Claire nodded in agreement with Leona's response to her own reasoning behind leaving her race. "I doubt it is so much about their belief they can win," she said idly. "The old ones have become tired playing peaceful docile and are going to be willing to watch the world burn for a pipe dream so long as they can live according to their old world ways. The young ones are going to be foolish enough to swallow whatever story their elders spin and fight a never ending battle for that dream, just a tool for the elder ones to bring about chaos and corruption." She shook her head, glaring slightly out the window at the dark road as it passed.

And then there was her, someone who defied the orders of joining her brothers and sisters to run off in hopes of what? Finding a place or acceptance in the other races? Despite what her fellows would have the rest of the world believe she knew her kind had weaknesses, ones that would be dangerous not only to her own livelihood but the lives of anyone foolish enough to open their home to her.

After a few minutes of that train of thought she heard Leona ask hard questions she wasn't sure she had an answer to. Ones that left her unsure as to what her role would be in this new mess of a world the Vampires had thrown them all into.

"You mean if the resistance will have me," she said, glsncing over to tilt her head at the other woman. "I am going to be a danger, people will think I am a spy or simply loathe me because my own kind are the ones who started this mess. Not to mention with the havoc this is going to bring blood supplies aren't going to be readily available..." That thirst, that hunger going unchecked scared even her a bit. "I wouldn't be surprised if your friends don't even let me step foot on this property you are taking me to."

 

[translucentfeathers]

RE: A Fracture in the Balance (translucentfeathers x beelzing)

Claire went to respond in regards to the blood source, struggling to quell the slight hope that flared within her chest. The notion that this might actually work for her and those involved on a basic fundemental level. Granted it didn't provide answers to the drama that would revolve around race. There would be many stereotypes and blanket assumptions she would need to overcome but she supposed her opinions on werewolves and humans were no better. Claire stole a brief glance over at Leona, about to thank her when they had come across a road bock not far from their destination. From the light hearted smile and banter that was cast between them, Claire was hopeful until the other were male were, identified as Charles, got a good look at her, a good smell of her, that had him becoming closed off and almost immediately disgusted by Claire's simple presence.

Not being one to openly cause a scene, she sat in silence, watching as Leona took charge of the situation, asserting her terms over the phone with Jared again. Claire wondered what type of alpha was willing to negotiate the way they both seemed to. Those who held the mantle of power and leadership in her race, her culture, were not willing to discuss the terms they lay in place and insubordination and questioning was dealt with in a harsh, merciless manner. These two, despite their differences seemed able to coexist around their individual strength and dominance while still adhering to some slight level of respect for one another.

With a simple hum, Claire watched as they passed through the barrier, snickering slightly. "That is what you would call mostly? As long as they don't expect me to be collared and leashed to your side I suppose I will try and keep from taking advantage of the hospitality. Would hate to risk you getting into trouble on my behalf," she said, though there was a smile on her face. "As for the blood supply, that should work fine. I have survived off of blood donations most of my life." Claire shrugged as her gaze fell on the darkness of the night surrounding them outside as they drove.

 

[translucentfeathers]

RE: A Fracture in the Balance (translucentfeathers x beelzing)

Claire shifted a bit in her seat, ignoring the blush that flared over her cheeks at the idea of Leona discussing options they could look into in regards to collaring, refusing to let the woman's jesting mean anything more than it was. The next question in regards to coffins had her groaning as her hands came up to cover her face. "Don't believe everything you hear," she muttered. "I love retiring in a large soft bed just like everyone else. The coffin thing is a gimic, though some do implement it or something similar to it...sleeping in a tight enclosed space that keeps them safe from sunlight," she said with a shrug. She had never been tempted, prefering large thick curtains and shades over a cramped airless space.

The winding roads would have left her frightfully lost, but Leona seemed to know just which turns to make on the weather worn mountain path. When they pulled to a stop in front of a little cottage, tucked away from the road in a clearing Claire eyed it quietly. After a moment she followed Leona's lead and slipped from the car, tying the sweatshirt sleeves about her waist as she followed the dark haired were into the little home.

It ws cute, comforting almost. She did as instructed and removed the large white sheets from the furniture in the living room, watching as small tendrils of dust flew through the air in the moonlight that came pouring in through the open windows. The house smelled musty from its time being abandoned but the sweet evening breeze was rushing softly in, brushing away the lingering stuffiness.

Leona was back then and approaching Claire, asking about blood and if she was in need. Claire was a little thrown by the...offer. She remembered the tone of their teasing earlier in the night and found herself considering the other woman. She should say no, brush it off and ignore the tiny pangs she felt brought on from the sight of all of that blood earlier in the evening, the small twinges of thirst and hunger rushing through her from the offer. Claire eyed the other woman's throat, gazing a little too long at the smooth warm skin revealed from Leona tugging on her shirt collar.

"I thought the throat had some sort of symbolism with wolves, wouldn't letting a vampire gnaw on it be a little taboo for your kind?" She asked, eyes slipping up to lock onto Leona's. Claire raised an eyebrow though she took a step forward, nodding at the were. "Would hate to cause an uproar on the first night..." But oh how she wanted a taste and Claire felt her mouth watering at the prospect of a live feed.

 

[translucentfeathers]

RE: A Fracture in the Balance (translucentfeathers x beelzing)

Leona made a tempting sight, sitting on the couch with her neck arched beautifully dark room. Claire felt her thirst seep into her very soul as she was overcome with a sheer sense of primal hunger. She heard the play Leona made in regards to the factor of submission not being a problem between them and struggled to tamp down on the heated blush that swept over her cheeks and slipped down the back of her neck.

Pale hands easily slipped down to untie the sweatshirt she had draped around her slim waist, dropping it onto the couch next to Leona as instincts took over and she approached her with a slow sway of her hips and steady step. Claire's arms reached back as she stood in front of the were, knotting the thick red hair loosely at the nape of her neck, sweeping the loose strands away from her face to tuck gently behind her ears.

Claire leaned in, kneeling on the couch, straddling the other woman's thighs before settling into her lap. The feeling of a warm body pressing against hers, the sound of a heart beat thudding in Leona's chest, the intoxicating smell of her blood had Claire leaning in, tucking her face into the crook of the other woman's neck as she simply took a moment to breathe in the other woman's scent.

She still reminded her of wet damp earth after a storm laced with some sort of warm spice that she still couldn't name. Claire tucked her nose against the hinge of the woman's jaw before she pressed her lips against her pulse, sucking gently at the warm dark flesh to raise the blood to the skin before she sank her teeth into the skin quickly.

Claire let out a soft noise of pleasure at the sharp taste of blood welling up under her lips, withdrawing her mouth for a moment to gaze over the bite and the crimson blood forming around her marks she had left. Claire leaned in and ran a tongue over the wounds, lapping at the skin gently for a moment, soothing the initial sting of the bite before she closed her mouth back over it. With a long drawn out hum seeping into the warm skin beneath her lips she suckled and drew the precious crimson liquid into her mouth, drinking down the other woman's life essence. Pale hands smoothed up over the werewolf's waist and tangled in the front of her shirt, tugging briefly as she struggled to remain in control of herself. The warmth and heat of the live feed felt absolutely intoxicating.

 

[translucentfeathers]

RE: A Fracture in the Balance (translucentfeathers x beelzing)

Claire felt herself getting pulled in closer, her chest and torso being lined up and pressing against Leona's as the other woman ran a soothing hand over her back. The fingers in her hair had her humming and the gentle words being whispered in her ear caused her comfort and confidence to grow.

She began drawing more deeply on the wounds, pulling larger quantities of blood with each pass, reveling in the way the hot blood rushed through her. Claire felt warmed in a way that bagged blood always fell short of and knowing she wasn't hurting the other woman too badly, that Leona wanted this, had her crawling up further in her lap until she was pressed fkush against the warm body she was curled around.

Claire's grip slipped from the other woman's shirt, a hand rising up to cup the other side of that long throat and hold her in place as she bit down harder. Her feeding began to take on a more hungry, primal edge and she felt her senses soaring, adrenaline rushing through her as pulled back to gasp, panting against that dark smooth skin before latching on again. She suckled the skin of the wound, her tongue stealing long heated swipes over the flesh of Leona's throat, remembering the werewolfs admittance to it being a sensitive area. The moan that slipped out of her own mouth around the feeding sent slight tremors through Claire, and she grew more aggressive in her feeding.

After a while she had to stop, knowing if she went much further it would leave Leona weak from bloodloss and she didn't want that for her. Claire leaned back, one hand still cupping the uninjured side of the werewolfs neck, the other having smoothed down to rest at Leona's side.

Claire knew she looked wild, perhaps even rabid. Blood staining her lips red as her tongue darted out to smooth over the corner of her mouth and catch the bit that had escaped. Her hair was wild from the other woman tangling her fingers in it and her chest rose and fell in heavy pants and soft gasps as she attempted to calm herself. Her dark eyes strayed over the bite mark and she licked her lips again before she returned to meet that golden gaze.

 

[translucentfeathers]

RE: A Fracture in the Balance (translucentfeathers x beelzing)

Claire shifted under the werewolf's gaze, a slow smirk covering her features as she tipped her head to the side and ran her eyes over the dark haired woman. The growl that and accusation that Leona had uttered, caused by Claire's teasing tongue had her arching a playful eyebrow, the feral noise having struck a cord in her very core.

"Prove it," she practically purred, her hands falling away to rest back behind her on Leona's knees, propping herself up as she remained in the woman's lap. She wasn't sure exactly what had come over her, her senses having been heightened, arousal edging around the border if her consciousness. She wondered if live feedings always left a vampire feeling this debauched, if so it explained the sexual tones vampires had with their donors.

Claire noticed the way Leona's eyes lingered over her lips and it had her smirk broadening as she hummed. "Such a shame I don't have a reflection to see for myself," she said with a casual lifting of a shoulder, hands remaining on the werewolfs knees as she continued to lounge in her lap. Her nose wrinkled at the mention of blood bags and she grimaced. "Won't be anything compared to the real thing," Claire said with absmight shake of her head.

The idea of using cold stale blood with no flavor, no taste and no warmth? It had her recoiling at the very thought. It was no wonder the old ones fed exclusively on live sources.

 

[translucentfeathers]

RE: A Fracture in the Balance (translucentfeathers x beelzing)

Those golden eyes seemed to glow in the darkness as they raked over her. Claire watched as the werewolf sudied her every move with those eyes and it left her feeling a little like prey. She wanted to push back a bit, to tease. The tug on her hair left a spike of heat rushing throigh her so she gave into the temptation.

"I wil make sure to ask, then," she hummed brightly. "And might? Seemed like you enjoyed it quite a bit yourself," Claire teased, a hand coming up, finger tracing over the other woman's throat, grazing the edge of the skin where she had bitten. "Unless the way you seized up and struggled to restrain yourself was fake..." she tipped her head a bit more, showing off and baring her own smooth, unmarred throat now that she knew what it meant to the were. "What would have happened if you gave in?"

The kiss had her gasping as she suddenly felt her nody getting dragged in tightly against the warm heated one in front of her. She felt a different kind of hunger run theough her, lust overtaking the level-headed side of her that normally would have had her pausing or pulling away. Claire poured herself into the kiss, the werewolf's warm body and mouth leaving her craving more. Her hands flew up when she was dragged in to tangle in the dark beautiful hair of the woman she straddled, cool pale fingers getting a little lost in the waves to tangle and tug.

It was a slight play against Leona's dominance, something the other woman hopefully wouldn't let slide. Claire had seen the way Leona had pushed and edged the other alpha earlier and wamted to know if she would do the same for Claire, if Leona would push back and force her into what Leona thought was her place. The idea had tendrils of want and excitement weaving through her at the mere prospect.

She leaned in, her body pressing as flush against the were's as possible, arching slightly when she felt a pair of warm hands smoothing up, touching the skin under her shirt. Claire let out a hungry gasp when she felt nails dig into the skin at the small of her back. It had her push further, hands tugging harder in that dark hair as Claire dragged Leona in and continued kissing her, tongue tracing over the other woman's bottom lip, begging for entrance.

 

[translucentfeathers]

RE: A Fracture in the Balance (translucentfeathers x beelzing)

Claire let out a startled gasp when she felt herself being flipped onto the couch underneath the werewolf, eyes widening under Leona's golden stare as the dark haired woman loomed over her in a way that left Claire's fingers and toes curling. The kiss was reinitiated and she moaned softly against the other woman's lips at the pressure she felt being applied gently to the juncture between her legs.

The kiss was hot and wet and left her wanting, leaning up as much as she could for a deeper taste as she explored the werewolf's mouth with her tongue. She felt it then, the woman grazing one of the sharp fangs and for a moment she worried about Leona having injured herself before she realized as the werewolf tangled their tongues again that it had been intentional. The dark heady taste of the were's blood was intoxicating and it had her eyes sliding shut as she felt her arms getting stretched out over her head, wrists pinned by firm hands.

She was immobilized, held down and wanting. There was more pressure being applied by that well placed knee and she let out another gasp as she broke the kiss to pant against the other woman's mouth, hips arching and rocking slightly. With her hands caught above her she couldn't do much more than writhe until she worked her free leg up, curling it tightly around the other woman's waist as she pulled her close. She arched her back to brush her torso up against the body hovering over hers, wanting to feel the way Leona could push her deeper into the couch cushions.

"Remind me to tease you more often," she managed to get out on the edge of a shaky breath. She leaned up as much as her stretched and restrained body could, then, latching her lips to Leona's to suckle a bit more blood from her wounded tongue, tracing over every bit of the were's mouth she could.

 

[translucentfeathers]

RE: A Fracture in the Balance (translucentfeathers x beelzing)

Claire's eyes narrowed when her leg was detached and Leona teased her about only taking whatever it was the werewolf was willing to give. "Well maybe if you were able to finish what you start," she hissed out despite how the other woman was staring down at her in a way that left Claire's mouth dry and another blush racing across her cheeks.

And then she was gone, the warmth and heat lifted off of her and moved away, leaving her trembling and wide eyed. For the briefest moment she worried over what she had done, if she had said something or moved in a way that the other woman hadnxt liked, offending her somehow. That is until she noticed the smirk and teasing look on Leonaxs face. She listened to what the dark haired girl said before her mouth fell open. "What?" Claire stared with a look of frustration and shock that quickly melted into anger when the werewolf stood and left.

Sitting up she ran a hand through her hair trying to get the wild mess under some sort of control as she swallowed back the irritation and want flaring through her in a conflicting manner. She ignored Leona's winking and well wishing and waited until she heard her bedroom door shut before she let out a frustrated grown muffled against the hands she brought up to cover her face.

This was exactly why she avoided dealing with people. Too many variables, and if Leona thought Claire would just lay out and take whatever the werewolf had to offer then she was more daft than Daniel. Though the idea of completely submitting and just giving herself over to be taken and claimed however Leona pleased was very appealing and left another heated spike wash through her as she tried to ignore the want she felt. The thought of being dominated had always left a bitter taste in her mouth but this was something she found herself wanting, almost craving.

With a resigned, disgruntled noise Claire stood and grabbed the suitcase by the door, pausing only for a moment as she passed the room Leona disappeared into before shaking her head and ducking into her own.

She made to change and her nose was affronted by that damn near intoxicating scent that was Leona that seemed to cling to the packed clothing. She wondered if it seemed so strong because of the recent feeding or if it was due to the painful arousal she had been left teetering with. Either way Leona found she didn't care and she stripped off the clothing she wore to shrug into a shirt, not bothering with shorts or pants before climbing into the bed.

The events of the day had left her reeling and she burrowed into the bedding, eyes sliding shut tightly against the warring emotions on how she should feel. Her entire world had been tossed upside down, everything she ever knew lay in shambles at her feet. Claire closed her eyes tightly and tucked into herself, body curling under the heavy blankets as she focused on the calming scent the shirt had to offer of a forest after rain and warmth, finally managing to drift off.

 

[translucentfeathers]

RE: A Fracture in the Balance (translucentfeathers x beelzing)

It was a slow rise to consciousness the next morning and it took her a few moments to gather herself and her surroundings. Where was she, exactly? With a slight frown she sat up, pushing a hand through her hair before the events of the previous night came flooding back. The masquerade, her father, the overthrowing of the joint treaty which all lead to her being disavowed by her own people and stuck sharing a place with a werewolf who may or may not be the eventual death of her after the events on the couch from the night before.

Stretching slowly Claire climbed out of bed and her eyes studied the darkened room. It took a few moments but she made her way to the shower to wash, throwing on another simple pair of jeans of Leona's and a long sleeved dark blue shirt. The sleeves were too long, as was the torso of the garment, better to fit Leona's longer taller frame, but her curves made up for what she lacked in actual height.

She smoothed her hair back into a tight braid at rhe back of her neck and leaving her pale neck bare before she slipped to the front of the house. The vampire pulled the shades and curtains in the Eastern part of the houee, blocking out the raising sun and it's early morning rays. She moved quietly around the kitchen, searching for something before settling on a small box of tea. Dusting off the packaging she went about boiling the water and preparing it so she had something to sip on until she could get more blood.

The very thought of blood had her mouthwatering hungrily, despite the scorching liquid she poured down her throat in attempts to distract herself. The memory of her live feeding the night before had heat flashing through her and left her cursing softly. That had been...she couldn't do that again and keep her sanity.

There was a sound of the door opening and Leona calling out to her with a mentioning of gifts and she rolled her eyes. "In the kitchen," she hummed before glancing down at her tea.

 

[translucentfeathers]

RE: A Fracture in the Balance (translucentfeathers x beelzing)

Claire glanced over the cooler of blood bags and nodded in thanks, ignoring the slight feeling of disappointment at the sight of the bland flavorless bags. It was nothing like a live feeding, nothing like the sharp heady taste of werewolf blood she had sampled the night before.

With a quiet hum she lifted her tea back up to her lips, considering the other woman's offer of joining her for a sort of town meeting. "You are certain I would be a welcome addition to this little festivity your pack is planning?" She asked with a raise of an eyebrow.

Claire listened for the werewolfs answer before she studied the counter top she was leaning against briefly. "I will go, but if it is during daylight hours I will need to wear your sweatshirt and any other sort of coverage you could offer like sunglasses." She glanced up at the other woman's golden gaze and held it briefly. "As long as you are all right with showing up with an abomination of course," she hummed, a slight tug on the side of her lips and playful flash in her eyes showing she was merely teasing.

 

[translucentfeathers]

RE: A Fracture in the Balance (translucentfeathers x beelzing)

She rolled her eyes, "Trust me, I've experienced enough of the 'pissing people off' first hand that I have absolutely no desire to go through it again," she muttered before finishing the last of her tea. She grabbed one of the blood bags then, throwing the rest into the fridge easily before she punctured the bag, teeth ripping into it easily before pouring it into the now empty mug.

She took the gloves and slipped them over pale fingers, tucking the sunglasses onto her nose before she dragged the sweatshirt, from where she had shed it the night before, over her head. Claire ignored the memories of what had happened, or almost happened on that couch and scooped up the mug to distract her from the slight hunger she felt at those memories.

The bitter bland and flavorless blood almost made her recoil but she drank it, before nodding for Leona to lead on. She knew she looked a sight, her braird hair swinging loosely over her shoulder, a large sweatshirt covering her form, the hood protecting her face as she hid her eyes behind the dark shaded sunglasses.

 

[translucentfeathers]

RE: A Fracture in the Balance (translucentfeathers x beelzing)

The laughter, while pleasant had her glowering as she stalked out of the house. "Trust me, it isn't like this is an intentional choice in fashion," she muttered. "And laugh it up, puppy," shd teased, "I will find a way to create a cone of shame for your neck when you transform next." Granted the sheer size of the werewolf alone would make it a difficult feat. Claire followed Leona to the vehicle, sliding in as she tugged the hood closer around herself. She watched as they drove back down the winding forest road they had taken last night. It was beautiful, seeing everything washed over in warm sunlight and cast with the shine of the day. Not that Claire never went out durning the light hours, it was just that she preferred not to look like some sort of crazed hermit wearing multiple layers and hiding herself like she was now. Making an exception for this day, this meeting and ultimately for Leona was easy though, her wanting to help and return the favors the werewolf had so easily offered her by simply showing up at a meeting with hr was enough to swallow her pride for a bit.

When they reached the town she glanced around, studying the little streets and small businesses. It was remote and quiet and just the perfect sort of base of operations. The vampires wouldn't focus on a small distant township where they held no sway, they would focus on places nearby and surrounding their own, where they already had a foothold they just needed to strengthen. Meanwhile, a place like this could gather its own strength and become fortified.

When they reached the town hall, Claire followed Leona's lead. It was a long walk into the quiet halls of the building but once inside she quickly slipped off the sweatshirt to wrap the gloves she wore inside it's pocket, the sunglasses getting perched on the top of her head. The room they entered went silent as they walked inside. The smell of humans and werewolves was a bit overpowering and she was grateful for the meal she had that morning to stay any residual thirsts she msy have had from the night before.

They walked through and a small part of her may have been shocked to her vary core that Jared had acknowledged her presence without any sort of threat or demands of her being removed from the premises.

But then there was a woman, a werewolf who snapped at them as they passed, her biting words seemed to equate to a lowlevel threat despite the cool gaze and warm smile she recognized for the smirk it was.

The defense that Leona offered her was kind and she felt a little settled knowing the other woman was on her side in this thoigh she wasn't sure what had offended the golden eyed alpha more-the insult to Claire or the betas attempts to dictate what Leona did. It didn't matter all that much to Claire because she felt herself snap a little. She wasn't willing to be viewed as something she wasn't and she certainly wasn't about to allow someone to talk about and insult her as if she wasn't even in the room.

So, with a slow smile of her own she made sure to meet the females eyes, gaze locking onto hers steadily, not caring what the protocol was in a pack setting. "Well you know, I am not completely house broken yet," she hummed quietly, being sure to speak barely above a whisper so no one besides Leona, Jared and this woman would hear. "Can't be trusted on my own, I guess she thought it would be better here than risk making a mess at her home. Is that why you were brought? I can see your not exactly trained to behave in social situations yet."

 

[translucentfeathers]

RE: A Fracture in the Balance (translucentfeathers x beelzing)

She listened as Jared started the meeting, a bit of a blush racing over her cheeks that she promptly ignored at Leona's compliment and pride she saw on the werewolfs features. It wasn't something she was used to, sincere praise or even approval. Claire wasn't sure how to take it.

When the outcry against her came she had been expecting it, though not the defense the alpha offered on her behalf. It left her slightly stunned and appreciating whatever it was Leona had done earlier to coax the werewolves in at least tolerating her presence among them. Though, when the human male continued to push and press, his eyes falling onto her and not bothering to hide his distaste, she felt her own lips curl up into a diplomatic smile despite the icy glare of her own she returned. With a glance towards Jared she rose to her feet, knowing there would be those battles she needed to fight for herself, and claims to dispute that would fall flat if coming from another.

"Just as with most family affairs my reasons are my own and will remain as such," she began her eyes locking onto the brash and loud mouthed man. "I don't expect you to run about the room and flaunt your families dirty laundry and in fact would prefer it if you didn't," she added in clipped neutral tones before turning to address the group of humans and werewolves as a whole rather than simply that one man. "I understand your hesitations towards me, and given recent circumstances I can not blame you for them. I will not, however, attempt to rewire your opinions on our kind by trying to defend myself. We are ruthless, we are cold. We have very little regard for life simply because we have either never experienced it or the ones that have? Are too old to remember their mortality. As a whole we feel it is our right to dominate and rule over you and use you as food and prey...it is in our nature. It is something you can expect from any 'neck biter' you come across. It is the belief though that I don't share with my kind. While I can't ever understand your positions or your views, and I would never know how fragile a life that is susceptible to age and disease would be...I don't see that as giving me any grounds to declare myself your superior.

"The harmony of the previous treaty worked," she continued with a shrug. "It gave me what I needed and it allowed us to live in some sense of peace together. This so called war is not something that can be won by any sense of the word-and the idiots of my species that initiated it would rather see the world burn before admitting that their supposed utopia lifestyle would leave the world bled dry and wouldn't work if put into practice." She paused and continued looking over the people in the room. "I may not be one of you, and you don't need to like me, but we can still work together. I know things from my rank in my coven that will help tear apart this foolish idiotic power play the other vampires have started...and because of this I have a bounty on my head set by my own father. I can help, and as cold and logical as it sounds I refuse to prattle off emotional promises and reasoning behind what I am doing because there is no way I could convince all of you of my intentions that way. I don't need to share my personal story," she bit out with a glare sent the human labeled as Kent's way. "Just know this. There is truly nothing to gain from the world they are trying to carve out and I had enough sense to see that so I am trying to offer you all my help. Anyone here who still wants me to leave, speak up now."

Her eyes roamed over the crowd waiting for a reaction or some sort of protest. A man near Kent named Zachariah raised his hand, "What about your need to feed?" He asked, eyes glancing between her and Jared. "No offense but if I get hungry the worst I might do is clean out half a fridge, not rip someones throat out..."

She shrugged a bit before opening her mouth, "All beings are dangerous when starved, people, werewolves, shapeshifters, sirens..." she said as she rattled off some different races. "With this possible war there is a chance that food could get cut off, supplies run low or even starvation could strike any of us. I am not an animal and I know how to keep myself in check. Leona set up a source for me through the local hospital that will barely put a dent in their blood supply. As long as there are willing donors there shouldn't be a problem. Anyone else?"