Cati's blog

We made it back to the cave.
It was a long, silent walk back. Lith mumbled something every now and again about 'Beast' and 'Darvire' and something about the end of the world.
Darvire and I didn't say a word to each other on our way back.

It was around twilight when finally reached the base. Third placed Lith on one of the blankets we had and balled up a shirt for a makeshift pillow and got to work.

I got ready to talk to Darvire.

He was scanning the cave, glancing every now and again at Lith who was still out cold.
I walked up to Darvire and tapped him on the shoulder,
"Hungry?" I asked.
He looked up at me, his black/red eyes full of humor.
"I'm a vampire, remember?" He chuckled to himself as he watched my face.
"Oh, right." I said a little embarrassed. "Then what... ummm... how..."
"I'll be back in 10. And don't worry, I won't cause a scene. I'll find something to eat."
I shivered a little, Dravire grinned and was gone in a second.

I walked over to Third and Lith, Third was stitching up her leg and had put a cool cloth on her forehead.
"How is she?" I asked calmly.
"She could be doing better." He said in monotone. "She's a little bumped and scratched. Nothing that a few days couldn't heal along with some rest. But those..." I could tell he was gesturing to her damaged arm and leg, "could take some good R&R."

I saw a faint outline of his head looking around.
"Where did Darvire go?" Third asked.
"He went out to... catch something to eat." I said. "He'll be back soon."

About 5 minutes later Third was done with Lith. I was nibbling on some dehydrated food by the fire and he came to sit next to me.
I felt a strong arm come around my shoulders and he pulled me closer to the warmth of his body. I didn't realize I was even cold till he did.
My heart had stopped and I couldn't say anything for a moment, I still wasn't used to him being so close to me. But I liked it. The tingling feeling was exhilarating.

"So," I said when I could speak, "Are you going to help me question Darvire? Or do I have to do that all on my own?" We both had our doubts on Darvire still... even if Lith trusted him as much as she did me. And I was going to interrogate him to the fullest of my extent. I mean, Lith with bad wounds, and Darvire found carrying her towards our base... It all kind of seemed fishy.

Third laughed his laugh.
"No, I think I'll be able to help you with that." He pecked me on the cheek, "That is if I can get a word in before you're done with him."
I smiled, "Shut up."
He chuckled.
"See?"

Suddenly Darvire was sitting next to me.
He grinned at me and said, "Well, that was cute."

I pushed Third away a little, embarrassed, that he'd heard our private conversation.

"So, is it question time yet?" Darvire asked and sat up straight and put an innocent face on.
I glared at him, which was hard because he looked like a kid in school waiting to be taught.
"Yes, actually it is question time." I answered softening my expression.
"Can you please tell us what happened in the headquarters?" Third asked taking over seeing that I was a little frustrated.

Darvire just nodded and his face was very suddenly serious. And he told his story. His voice was very melodic... very unusual for a vampire of any kind. Good or Evil.

After he had explained what happened--in great detail--I wasn't so mad at him. He had, after all, saved Lith's life. So I owed him for that.
Darvire put his snow white hand to his chin,
"Well," He began, then his head flicked over to Lith.
"She's awake." Darvire said and was instantly beside her along with Third and I...

Ink©2007

Cati's blog

Third and I quietly crept out of the cave, I was relieved that we were finally going to get Lith, but worried at the same time in what condition we might find her in.

I was creeping around with Third on our way back to the Develia's head quarters, when I heard a slow shuffling.

It was barely audible, I almost missed it, then I saw a shape forming... two...
one was holding the other. The first one was a man, the other was a woman. Something was wrong with the woman, she obviously couldn't walk...
They were heading right towards our hiding spot... I needed to stop them, they could be working for The Mistress...

I felt Third touch me gently on the shoulder, taking me from my thoughts, and I snapped back into reality. He wrapped his arm gently around my waist and pulled me silently behind an old oak tree.
We needed to stop them.
I got ready to pounce, arching my back slightly, and lowering myself...

They were close enough now.
I pounced out from behind the tree, Third right behind me, and knocked both of them to the ground. I was on top of the male, sitting on his chest. When I realized who he was...
"Darvire?"
He took advantage of my shock and quickly picked me off him and got to his feet.
"Yes its Darvire! Why did you do that?! Where's Lith?"
"Right here." I heard Third say.
I saw a limp body hovering in the air.

It was Lith.

"Oh my gosh! LITH??? Are you okay?" I ran over to her and started checking her damage.
"She's out cold." Darvire said coolly, "She got hit by a tranquilizer dart. A-"
"She what?" I cut him off, I had stopped examining Lith to glare at him.
"Well, long story short. We were getting away, I was carrying Lith, and someone shot us with a tranquilizer dart." He has stopped looking me, and was looking over at Lith.
His face was twisted with worry as he continued,
"I saw it coming and knew that if I got hit then we'd have no way to escape. So I... I decided to have her get shot with it. I knew that she couldn't carry me if I got shot so... that's what happened."

Third had put Lith down then and I heard the shuffling of him going through a bag. No doubt looking for the first aid.

I stood up and looked at Darvire, he looked relieved to see us, but at the same time he couldn't stop looking at Lith for more then a few seconds at a time...
"Thank you for bringing her here Darvire." I said in a slightly cool tone.
"But," I continued. "I do have more questions as to what happened when we get back to the hiding place. Can you help me with those?"
"I can." Was all he said.
We stood there looking at each other for a moment, both guarded, both ready for the other to reveal that they were with the Mistress at any second...

Third interrupted our little stand off at just the right moment...
"Guys," Third said gently, "Come on we need to get Lith to the hiding place. She needs medical treatment, and I'd be able to work better with light and shelter. Lets go."
Lith's body floated into the air, I grabbed the bag that Third left there and motioned for Darvire to follow...

Ink©2007

Lith's Blog

I woke up with my head rested on Darvire's chest. We weren't moving.
I hadn't realized I had fallen asleep... But then... where were we??
I tried to recall what had happened.

We left the shed... Then we were almost spotted as he tried to sneak around the side of the building...

Then what?

Everything went black. Like a huge blank in my memory.

I tried to look up at him, but found I was looking up at his chin. "Mmm, Darvire??" I asked, my voice husky. He jumped slightly at my voice. "What is it?" He asked quietly.
"Where are we?"
"Look."

If I didn't have night vision, I would say in a middle of a black hole. The moon hidden behind a cloud. Everything was cloaked in a an almost material-like darkness.

But I could see perfectly. And I perfectly saw we were in a middle of a forest clearing. Ferns edged along the edges, while the wild spruces planted themselves behind. The trees loomed up after them.
"Oh..." I said faintly. "What happened?"
Darvire shifted me so he could look at me. "They shot you with a tranquilizer. I managed to get you out there..."
That confused me. "Tranquilizer? I thought they didn't care if I was alive or not..."
Darvire looked sheepish. "They were aiming at me..." He started walking off in a random direction, me still in his arms. "Remember? They were trying to extract information from me."
"Yeah... but did I move in the way?"
Darvire looked away. "Will you forgive me?"
I struggled a bit in his arms. "What for?"
He kept me close, and didn't set me down. "There was no way I could avoid being shot. You were still in my arms. You were in no condition to carry me if I was knocked out. So I..." He faltered, obviously grieved in his decision.

"You protected yourself with me in order to keep moving." The idea didn't exactly please me, but I saw the reasoning behind it. "Thanks... I think."

"I'm sorry..." Darvire apologized. "I couldn't think of anything else at the moment..."
I waved my hand at him. "I forgive you. Jeez. If that's what you needed to do, then I can't ague with it." My head was still very groggy.
"Okay... If you say so..." He was unsure of my forgiveness.

He kept walking.
"Which way to your... base?"

I thought about it. Base... Hm... "Um... Dat-a-way..." I pointed vaguely to his right, grinning foolishly.
Darvire smiled down at me. He brushed his nose along my forehead. "Okay then. I'll go 'dat-a-way'. You get some sleep. You're ditsy."
I shrugged and turned my head into his shoulder again. My eyes slid shut.
Darvire mumbled, "I'm just afraid when you wake up you'll in your right mind and be mad at me..."
I weakly punched him with my good hand. "Happy now?"
Darvire chuckled. His chest rumbled beneath me. "I guess I might have to be..."

He walked on. But I couldn't sleep.
"Daaaarviiiire..." I cooed softly.
"What now? I thought you were asleep."
"Entertain me... I can't."
"Can't fall asleep?"
"Yes."
"Entertain you?"
"Correct."
"And how I'm I supposed to do that?"
I shrugged. My eyes were still closed, but I could hear the smile in his voice. "By doing anything."
He stopped walking. "Now?"
I opened my eyes a crack. "Yes now. Silly. Unless you want me to bug you the whole way there..."
He chuckled again. "How about a lullaby?"
My eyes snapped open and I leaned up a bit. "You can sing?!"
He was grinning. "Believe it or not, yes. Yes I can."
I settled, still slightly surprised by Darvire's sudden surprising talent. "If you think that'll make me shut up and if you don't sound like nails over a chalk bored, go a head and shoot."

So he started to sing.

And I instantly fell asleep...

Crying.

Lith©2007

Unknown Thirds blog

I woke up to Cati gently rubbing my shoulder, it was covered in a blanket so she could see it... somewhat.
"Third?" She said softly, "Third? Come on get up!" I slowly sat up and rubbed the sleep out of my eyes. I looked around a little and then remembered where I was.
"Oh, right." I mumbled sheepishly, "Lith. Is she back yet? Have you heard anything?"

Cati sighed. "No nothing. That's why you need to get your sleepy butt up, so we can go look for her!" She still rested her hand on my shoulder, and was ready to go right in that moment. I
could tell by the look in her eyes. Her wonderful, fierce, intelligent eyes...

"Okay," I said getting up. "I just need some food and my battle gear on then we're out of here."
"Well, come on then. Get moving." She said forcing a smile. I could tell just by looking at her that she was really nervous about Lith.
I was too.

I got up and grabbed my battle gear and it turned invisible as I put the light armor over my clothes.
"Here. Food." Cati said as she handed me a left over of a sandwich. I shoved half it in my mouth and said a food stuffed, "Thanks."
Cati was just finishing putting out the fire when she said, "Lets go!" She started to jog out of the cave.

"Wait!" I said stopping her in mid jog. "We need plan first. How are we going to get in there? If we do then where do we look for Lith?" So many other questions were running through my mind too, like... would if Lith is already dead? I didn't ask though, I knew that some questions were better left unanswered... or asked, as it were.

"I don't know," Cati said slowly. "But I know that the longer we take to get there the more likely Lith could be in worse trouble. Lets just figure it out on the go, okay? If we die trying then at least it will have been for Lith."
She started pulling me towards the front of the cave, I didn't hesitate to follow either. I knew that she was right...

Ink©2007

Lith's Blog

"Lith?" Someone said distantly, like someone saying my name from across a room. Again they said my name. "Lith, come on..."

My head was floating through the clouds, and my vision was dark. I had the pleasant feeling of nothingness, but something was bringing me back...

Back where? I wondered, and giggled, feeling absolutely ditsy. "Back, back, back..." I heard myself mutter gleefully.

A slight shutter racked me. "Hey... stop... it..." I slurred my words, like I was drunk.

"Lith, you got to wake up." Something shook me again.
"Wake up? I'm up, you silly goose..."

A wave of coldness hit my face like a load of bricks. "AH!" I shrieked. I jolted up, just to find my head spinning, my vision blurred, and pain all over. Groaning, I laid back down... to figure out my pillow was soaking wet... as well as my whole head.
"Um... sorry." A familiar voice said from my left. "Here." I felt strong hands slide under my back and under my knees to lift me up and lay me back down amongst rough material that was warm. My head fell on a soft material, that I sighed in relief... to only realize I was out of my combat suit.

My eyes snapped open, to only recoil in pain as the bright light hurt my eyes. "Ow..."
"Oh, um... sorry..." I heard a flick of a switch.

I slowly opened my eyes.
My vision slowly unclouded, and I found Darvire looking at me, slightly embarrassed. As soon as he noticed that I had realized he was there, he shifted the gaze to the floor. I saw, now, that I was on a stack of sacks of some sort... potato looking sacks to be exact. I slightly fingered the cloth that rested under my head with my right hand. It was his jacket. Looking down, I noticed I was only dressed in my sportsy bra and spandexy shorts. "Oh..." I said, tonelessly. "Why?..."
"I... uh... Had to see your... um, wounds." Darvire muttered sheepishly. "You, uh... fainted from loss of... um, blood." He spun around... in a swivel chair?! For some reason this just hit me odd+funny. Why and how did he acquire that?! The whole randomness of it all was weird.

There was the awkward silence and I just starred at the very low, rafted ceiling.
"Where I'm I?" My voice sounded horse to me. I now realized my left arm was bandaged, as well as my right leg where some blood had already leaked through, and there was a large band aid like patch on my face.

"In some sort of shed behind the kitchens..." Darvire found it easier to talk to me when he wasn't looking at my boobs.

"Oh." Was my reply. I tilted my head so I could look at him more closely. He was the same from before, but without the jacket. He wore a dark red collared shirt that he rolled up his sleeves. His shaggy hair hung in his face, and I saw him stare at his bloodied hands, almost ready to start licking them.

Instead, he stood up, went over to a near by sink on the wall, and washed his hands clean. The shack was the size of a large closet. So not exactly big, but big enough to house kitchen supplies and trash.
I looked at the floor. One large sack on the ground was obviously used as some sort of mat and it was covered in blood... My blood... And one other sack was stuffed to make a pillow--that was now soaking wet along with its surrounding ground. A bucket lay near, still half full of water, and strips of clean material that he could of only be the dinning room table cloths. One big sheet was starched with red, and laid crumpled beside the bucket--half damp. A large bulb hung from the ceiling.

Understanding hit me.

Darvire had taken me from Building five, took me here, undressed me to see my wounds more clearly, to then address them, and bandaged them up. All out of his own kindness...

"Thanks." I said softly.
His body stiffened; his whole back straightened and his muscles tightened. "For what?" He asked casually, not turning around, and continued to wash his arms off.
"For most likely saving my life." I turned back to looking at the ceiling.
"Oh... um... your welcome?" He said, uncertain what to actually say.

I asked in his uncertainty: "Is there a different Vampire custom to thank each other?" In my studies, I learned that some Vampire's had different customs than humans... I just couldn't remember what they were. Maybe because my position in the Deman'eraz didn't need me to know the customs of others when I only killed or captured. "As there are with other races."

"Um..." He turned, wiping his hands on a dish cloth, "Do you mind getting dressed first?" He still didn't look at me. He waved at some clothes that were folded near my feet. "You're suit was pretty torn up... I managed to find some, I think, that fit you." He paused and sat down in the swivel chair again. "I got a good eye for size..." His eyes widened, "I-I don't... D-didn't mean..."
I held up my hand for him to stop. "I know what you meant." A grinned played around my lips.

I attempted to sit up, but found it beyond my strength. I collapsed back onto the sacks.

Darvire, unexpectedly, leaned down at my side, and helped me into a sitting position. He let go of me, and I wavered perilously. He automatically put his hands on my back to steady me.

I mournfully looked into his eyes. "Why I'm I so weak?" I croaked. He steadily looked back at my eyes, "Like I said before: you're too weak from loss of blood."

I looked down, not really seeing anything. Just spacing. I was thinking the best way how to say what I wanted to say next. "Can you--? I mean--will you be willing too... Um... ah..."
"Get dressed?" He asked in my same embarrassed tone. "It's okay..." He picked up a black sweat shirt that obviously needed a wash. "This shouldn't be any different than dressing my siblings..." He trailed off in thought.

"Um, where exactly did you get the clothes??" I asked.
"The laundry... hamper, thing." He held the sweat shirt out. "Can you lift your arms?" I raised my right arm easily, it was my left arm I had trouble with. "Ugh..." I grumbled. Darvire held out the sweat shirt, and slide my right arm into the sleeve. He then rolled the left side up, had me hold on to one side of the opening, he held the other, and he gently and carefully slipped my hurting left arm though. When it was almost though the sleeve, he pulled it funny. I made a hissing noise by gritting my teeth, and sucking the air between them.

He stopped. "Sorry!"
I shook my head. "You're fine... fine..." So he continued. I pulled the rest of the sweat shirt over my head with some difficulty. The hood stuck to my head, and before I could take it off, Darvire did it for me. He didn't look at me as he shook out crumpled dark gray capri's. He rolled one leg up, slide it up my leg, giving me goose bumps. His hands were cold. Still not looking at me, Darvire rolled the other and did the same. I managed to hike them the rest of the way. Leaning down, he snuck socks on both feet, unlaced two worn tennis shoes, and laced them on. "Come on." He lifted me up and headed for the door before I could thank him or much less speak.

I was flustered.
He wouldn't look at me.
And now he's mad or something, and wont even talk.
Moments ago, he was all hunky dory!!!

Vampire's are as complicated as guys.

Lith©2007

Cati's Blog

I woke up sweating, and I jerked my body up to an almost sitting position. I had just had some nasty nightmares...
With about 1,000 different ways that Lith could die without me being able to help. Same with Third. I don't think that I've had a worse night.

I wiped the back of my hand across my forehead and sighed. I heard soft footsteps coming for me slowly. Then a *poof!* next to me and I felt Third beside me.
I shoved my blanket off, starting to run my fingers through my bed head.

"Are you okay?" Third asked.
"No. I'm not actually. What time is it?" I said digging around for some form of a watch. He ignored my question and instead asked.
"What were you dreaming about? I heard you mumbling, and you were sweating, and thrashing around." I sat down, giving up my quest for a watch. I felt Thirds arm around my shoulder and I looked down at the blanket not really wanting to answer him.
"I... well... I was dreaming about..." I sighed. "Okay, I had dreamed that I saw Lith and you both die about a thousand times. And I couldn't do anything about it but scream. I saw Patchwork kill you over, and over, and over. Or rather I saw your blood. Same with Lith... It was..." I felt hot tears forming in my eyes.

I don't think that I've ever dreamed anything so real or terrifying in my life.

"Shhh..." Third said. "Its okay, I'm here. Nothing is going to happen to Lith, she'll be fine. She's got Darvire with her." I had shoved my face into his chest (Which was a little weird because I could see right through it...) and silently cried a little.
Third held me closer, I sat in his arms crying for about a minute.
I stopped, pushed myself off him, then looked around a little then asked.
"What time is it anyway?" I sniffed, embarrassed that I had just cried in front of him over a dream.
"I don't know like... ummm..." He pulled out a watch from the bag of food sitting next to us.
"Its 3:37AM"
"Oh my gosh." I said. "Have you heard anything from Lith or Darvire?"
I heard him sigh. "Nope. Nothing. I've tried to contact Lith but there's nothing."
"Okay," I said standing up feeling more like myself. "I'm not going to just sit here anymore and do nothing. I'm going to go and help her if she's not here by 4:00"
"You can't-" Third said but I cut him off.
"I can and I will. You can't stop me. Now turn around, I'm going to change." I was on my feet then, getting ready to pull off my tank top that I had been wearing all day, and put my real battle gear on.
"What makes you think that I can't stop you?" He asked teasing me a little as he turned his back to me (I could see his outline faintly).
"I think that if you ever want me to kiss you again you won't try and stop me. I'm done you can look now." I said as I finished putting on my long sleeved sliver and black shirt that could withstand bullets.
"Fine." Third said giving in to the kissing threat, I felt a pouting thing going on as he turned back around to face me (However much he can 'face me'). "But I'm going with you. And we have to wait s couple hours before we go and look for her, I really need some sleep."
"Well I-" Third cut me off saying.
"No. You. Are. Not. Leaving. Alone. If you ever want me to kiss you again then you'll have to wait here till I get at least two hours in."
I scoffed at him, "You think that you not kissing me again is going to stop me?" I put my hands on my hips like I do when I get a little worked up.
"Maybe not," He replied, "But you going in alone will. I can go in unseen, you can't. I have an advantage that you don't. Plus, we need to give Lith a bit more of a chance. In an hour or two we'll go and look for her. But you have to promise me that you won't ditch me okay?"
"Fine," I said "I won't 'ditch you'."
I felt Third get up then there was a hand on my shoulder and my whole right arm went all tingly on me.
"Goodnight then." He said softly.
I felt him kiss my cheek, and my face went red.
"Good... Goodnight." I stuttered. He laughed a little, then I felt him walk away and there was a rustling in the blankets.

I went toward the front of the cave, at an angle where almost nobody could see me, but I could see everything outside perfectly.
Now, it was time for me to wait and watch.
I didn't know what was going to happen. Lith could show up here any second. If she doesn't though I'd have to go back and save her and Darivre with Third.
Unless both of them are already dead.

Ink©2007

Unknown Thirds blog

I finally got the kiss from Cati I've been waiting for since the moment I saw her.

After the kissing went on for about a minute, Cati broke away from me. Breathless. I didn't want it to end yet. But I knew that it had to sometime.

I was grinning from ear to ear, so was Cati. I was still lost in the kiss when she looked up to me and said, "Well," Cati was smiling, looking beautiful, "That was... uhhh..." She sighed, "Great."
"I'd have to agree with you on that." I said to her, still emitting the same emotion as when we were kissing.

I was moving in again when Cati suddenly took a shocked breath in and said,
"Oh my gosh. LITH. I have to see if she's still alright..." She was mumbling into her mouth, asking if she was alright, and if she needed back up. Her eyes widened, and I knew that Lith wasn't responding. That was never a good sign. "Lith... LITH!" she was practically screaming into the chip...

Cati had a look of fear on her face. I've never seen her scared before. Her being so scared, or even scared at all, was new to me.

Cati looked at me with wide eyes and said,
"She can't be dead! This isn't happening! I HAVE TO GO AND HELP HER!!!" She was getting up and her fear had turned into sheer anger.

"Cati," I said in a calm tone, "Lith is fine. Trust me. She's not dead, I know that for sure."
"How could you possibly know that?" She said in a slightly angry tone, but scared at the same time.
"Well," I sighed, "I went over to check on her when I was getting the food, she was fighting Beast. And I-"
"Did you try and help her?" Cati asked.
"I couldn't. Not with Beast--that's between it and Lith. I did help her by taking out a bunch of guards and a few specials that were coming... She didn't have a clue they were coming."
Cati was running her fingers through her hair like she always does when she's thinking or stressed.

"She would want us to stay here," I said softly. "She's going to be fine."
Cati sat down in the back of the cave again, where the blankets were.

"I just hate it when I'm useless." She said quietly.

I sat down next to her and brought her close to me and almost whispered to her,
"You are never useless. Now go to sleep... I'll take the first watch."

Within 10 minutes, she was out cold. I was just hoping that some sleep would take her mind of Lith for now.

Thing is... was...
I really wasn't sure if Lith was going to be alright.

Ink©2007