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Post by venomania on Aug 23, 2011 19:15:36 GMT -5
Alaric had a dark grin across his face as he led Eden to the fighting ring. At the moment, the vampires and werewolves alike were loud and so densely packed in, he had no idea as to whether or not to be was in the rin through the wall of obnoxious watchers. He had been a fighter once, but was never one to watch. He slithered through the crowd, mainly unnoticed and only having to elbow and shove a few times. Small browd, then, he thought. Ordinarily one had to fight tooth and nailto move. "I can't see him!" He called to Eden, wich meant only one thing. Ibterrogation time... assuming he hadn't already fought and lost...
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Post by Zaerox on Aug 23, 2011 20:57:53 GMT -5
Eden slipped swiftly between the crowd around the ring, always keeping Alaric's back in view. She heard Alaric call back, "I can't see him." That could be good or bad news. Either Daemon wasn't in the fights at the moment or he had already fought and lost. Eden gritted her teeth, hating every single person around her. The sick bastards. It was true, she loved the fight and the blood, but not this way. Not with collars around their necks like animals and people betting on the outcome. One side usually with a huge advantage or disadvantage. This was not true battle, these was the grimy and twisted games of pathetic weaklings. And they will all pay, she thought with a grim smirk. Finally catching up with Alaric, Eden caught her first glimpse of the ring itself. Two werewolves snarled as they clawed and bit ferociously at each other's throats. A fight to the death. They broke apart for a moment and Eden saw their sides heaving as they gasped for air. Cuts and bites marking their hides were already starting to heal. They lunged again at each other and the larger of the two finally managed to get his fangs around the other one's throat. A gush of blood hit the floor as the victim's throat was ripped apart. Falling to the ground in a huff, the weaker werewolf panted rapidly for a moment, blood pooling around him, before finally falling still. The stinking smell of its blood met Eden's nose and she looked away, disgusted, as the crowd roared in approval. Glaring up at Alaric, she hissed, "Let's find who is in charge."
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Post by venomania on Aug 24, 2011 14:36:09 GMT -5
He rolled his eyes. The collar institution was silly. As were the obvious differences. The winning werewolf could've taken on three like its opponent. Where was the fun in that? Well, all entertainers these days are cheapskates, he thought. Eventually, his companion growled out "Let's find who is in charge." Easier said than done, but he was wiser already than to tell her that. "From my experience... this way..." He jerked again, this time having consideration to shove and push apart the people to leabe path for Eden to follow him through. The next fighters were a scrawny, young werewolf and a rather crazy-eyed, muscled vampire. And this was entertainment,... how? Honestly, if you bet on the werewolf, you're a fool. Before too long he'd reached the tiny, hidden door that hid to the underground chambers where fighters were kept and managers watched over during fights. Even if the person in charge was currently not there, if he were alive, Daemon certainly would be.
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Post by Zaerox on Aug 29, 2011 22:00:07 GMT -5
... Four days. They had searched four days without finding Daemon. The Underground was vast, tunnels running all over Nightcrest City. Dozens of fighting rings were located all over the place, each with their own fighters, gamblers, and managers. Eden and Alaric had spent so long searching, following rumor after rumor to find the young vampire. It seemed he was moved, more than once, from one ring to another. He was still alive as far as she knew. However, they were running out of time. This was her last hope. Eden had learned a lot about the Underground culture, something she had shied away from, disgusted by the pathetic fights and the stink of the place. She knew the managers of the fighting rings were dangerous, yet now she knew how much true power they really held. They oversaw everything, the fights, the bets, the holding cells where the fighters were kept, everything. And they often knew much more than they let on. It was lucky Alaric had such high influence within the Underground or Eden would never have gotten this far. She had learned that reputation meant far more down here than mere threats. She had, had to hold herself back on more than one occasion as Alaric cleverly wheedled information out of individuals. If she had it her way she would extract the same news with her fangs at their throats... Still, it was worth holding herself back. They had finally found the on place Daemon had to be. Word was that a young vampire had quickly risen to be a top fighter, his fans calling him Demon. It HAS to be him! she thought desperately. Please, please let me find him. I need him. And it was true, Eden had never felt emptier inside. Daemon had filled the dark whole in heart where her brother had once been only to be ripped away from her just as quickly. Even though she had only known him for a short time, Eden loved the little boy. She wanted him safe beside her again. "I'm coming Daemon, I'm coming," she whispered. Eden glanced up at Alaric who strode along beside her down the dark passageway. He had been incredibly helpful the past few days. Although she suspected that his generosity stemmed from a desire for his own personal gain, it felt nice to rely on someone. He was definitely worth keeping around. She would be eternally grateful for his help, something that she was not entirely comfortable with. However, if it meant saving Daemon, she was willing to pay any price. "Thank you Alaric," she murmured. "I wouldn't have gotten this far without you. I just hope this wasn't all in vain. If Daemon is here I'll have to use force to get him back. I know how the system works. So if it comes to it, do you think you can get me into the fights?"
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Post by venomania on Aug 30, 2011 5:02:03 GMT -5
He gave her somewhat of a smile. Over the course of four days, he'd had to admit to himself... Eden wasn't so awful. Still ever weary, especially of women, he'd never feel comfortable asking upon HER for help, but in a way, the repeated company was nice, and helping her was now much less of a hassle than ever.
"You really need not thank me," he dismissed. "And trust me... if Daemon were dead, the sort of people who hang around the fighting rings wouldn't bother mentioning him." He recaled his early days after Helena, practically a slave to the ring... He remembered hsi name cheered 'til the day he bought freedom... and the near instant he was gone, he was forgotten almost entirely. Comforting to someone like him. It meant no long haul commitments, or time enough for him to accidentally put too much credit to one person.
"If needed, I can easily flash a few shiny things in front of the director's eyes and he'll be persuaded to nearly anything. Are you sure you'd do it, yourself? I could likely have similar effect should I go in. As I said, I've.... seen around the Underground rather well." Why had he pffered that? The mere fact he had was... odd. Ordinarily, he would give much honest attempt, but never to a level of personal sacrifice or attention.
Something about the connection she had to the young boy intrigued him, and awakened a long-ignored empathy, and there was, though he never would admit it, some shred of fondness
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Post by Zaerox on Aug 30, 2011 15:36:27 GMT -5
Eden smiled. " I have to do this with my own hands Alaric. They took something precious of mine and I want to make them pay. I'm looking forward to ripping them apart piece by piece. Making them squirm as I..." She paused, bloodlust filling her eyes and her sharp fangs protruding. Take a deep breath. She sighed and the crazed look faded from her eyes. "The most important thing is to get Daemon back alive and safe. I need to make sure that we succeed, that's why I have to be in the fights myself. However," she chuckled, "if you really want in on some action in the ring, I suppose I could spare you a few enemies."
Eden needed to remain in control of her emotions or mistakes might happen. When she had let herself go last time she was in a fight with Daemon he had almost gotten killed by a hunter. She was, however, slightly disconcerted with Alaric's willingness to enter the fights in her stead. She thought this was entirely about his own personal gain, pushing away the thoughts that perhaps he had grown friendly toward her. Right now though he was being so self- sacrificing. She wouldn't have offered to take such a big risk for anyone, at least not till she had met Daemon. It might not be so bad, she thought, having a friend. Or as least as close to one as she could and would ever have. Deep breaths, she told herself, as she glimpsed a light ahead. Daemon and the fights were waiting. As was her long awaited revenge.
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Post by venomania on Aug 30, 2011 18:57:54 GMT -5
He smirked, eyes flashing slightly. "I think you seem fairly capable... Though if you're having trouble I can likely sneak myself in, no problem." He liked her humor, and in her second of distant bloodlust, he knew the exact feeling. Her control was what shocked him. He, himself would've struggled to not simply lose control and nearly annihilat anything and everyone. For a moment, too, her eyes seemed to show a hint of human compassion... fondness... something he'd abandoned centuries ago... but the memory still remained clear, and the reminder teasingly jabbed at ordinarily abandoned emotions, wrenching at old parts of an unbeating heart. Ah, damn it. He needed to pull himself together and forget all the stupid old impediments he'd once let trouble him. He had been mostly content for years, despite an unending hunger for a stake of power, for a say in fate, for some sort of relevence or importance, his walls had served as good safeguards against trust, and he was going to keep them.
Now the focus was making sure this woman didn't get herself or the young vampire killed. In logical terms, then it all was a waste. She, in a totaly un-emotonal view was a way to the top, fond of her or not, he needed to help her. It may be nice.. an ally he trusted... ah, who was he kidding, someone like this likely only saw him as her dog. All ambitious, attractive vampire women did. Well, he'd be one hell of a dog until he was the one holding the leash to the actual dogs! "How to get in... Do you wish to fight, yourself? Or is it more of some sort of diversion to slip him out? Both require precise, yet different planning."
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Post by Zaerox on Aug 30, 2011 19:25:04 GMT -5
"I want to fight," Eden stated calmly, "knowing how popular he is among the crowd, I don't think we will be able to just slip him out the back. It seems to me that the managers keep a very close eye on their fighters and we don't know what number of vampires and werewolves are in the back protecting the stock. I'd rather be sure of what I'm facing."
Not to mention, she added to herself, fighting them one by one will be much more satisfactory revenge... This was a good compromise. By fighting in the rings themselves she got to have her fun and also systematically eliminate the very individuals who might stop her from rescuing Daemon later on. This was the best way to keep Daemon safe and in one place.
"I don't think it will take long to find Daemon. All I need to do is put on a good show and become the new favorite of the crowd. Using my usual techniques, that shouldn't be too hard." She flashed a grin at her word techniques, more like me running around and ripping heads off, she thought. "Then, it's only a matter of time before the crowd demands that Daemon, or Demon as they're calling him, fights me." She spat out the name "Demon" hating the gamblers for their choice of words. I'll show them a demon, she thought, angrily.
"Once both of us are in the ring together I'll grab him and we'll make our escape. The ring is much less protected than the back rooms. The crowd will also add to our chances of escape seeing as they will slow down the movement of any pursuers. Of course, getting us out of the ring is where you come in." She smiled playfully up at Alaric. "Think you can make a good distraction? That is of course if you agree with my plan?"
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Post by venomania on Aug 31, 2011 20:47:07 GMT -5
He was impressed, he had to admit. She'd come up with much the same idea he would have. He allowed himself a smile in return. Weird... often he ignored such familiarities. Actully, in most situations, his interaction with another would be done by now. "Naturally. If something goes wrong, I can likely slip myself in. Not that I doubt your ability to annihilate cheap underground gladiators. Would you like some sort of weapon, by the way?" he offered. He had a few on him for quick dealing purposes, and it wouldn't hurt to offer. If she wanted one of his katanas... he may object. They were probably the only possessions of his he actually took pride or care in. Yet with the effectiveness of them, they'd be possibly useful... maybe he'd HAVE to lend one... what was he thinking? He'd normally never consider such a thing!
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Post by Zaerox on Aug 31, 2011 22:19:26 GMT -5
"No thanks," she laughed, " I already have weapons." She flashed a wicked grin, exposing her teeth. I wonder what weapons he has though, she thought. Alaric clearly had his quirks, she had never met a vampire who fought with anything but tooth and nail before. It was odd how he had immediately offered her a choice of weapons. As though maybe he really was concerned for her well being. Eden was not used to being looked after before, it was an odd feeling. Somewhere right in the middle between unpleasant and comforting. Pull yourself together, she lectured herself, you're getting too soft.
"So now that we know what we're doing," she began, "where exactly can I get myself one of those fancy gold collars? I hear they are the most popular accessories in a fight to the death." She was actually joking, what was wrong with her? Focus, you need to get Daemon back, she thought, stop deluding yourself into thinking you can have friends. You can't and you never will, you can only count on yourself.
Maybe the semblance of companionship was unearthing the human inside of her. When you live for the fight and the blood, thrive on pain and death, your humanity slowly fades to be replaced by animal instinct and your darker side. She hadn't been human in so long. As a human, Eden knew she wouldn't survive. They were weak, greedy, and predictable. Their senseless emotions got in the way, which was why Eden destroyed that part of herself long ago. Eden Brooks is dead, she told herself, Eden Blackthorne is all that remains. Yet, wasn't she giving into the very emotions she had killed off by trying to save Daemon? Who was she now?
They had finally reached the entrance to the ring. Pushing away these troubling questions, Eden thought, time for Alaric to work his magic.
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Post by venomania on Sept 5, 2011 0:23:13 GMT -5
Alaric smiled softly. "That wonderful looking gentleman over there. Shall I 'sell' you or would you like to offer yourself to him?" He gestured to the gruff, thug-like vampire in a corner, haggling with a man with three lash-bound werewolf children cowering behind him. This was odd, his willingness to lend her his precious weapons.. it scared him, too, that something about the vampire made him willing to. Alaric feared his humanity, long forgotten may be silently showing. That he was bearing his weak, most sensitive vulnerability to this woman, and that same human vulnarable side was allright with leaving itself in her hands. Alaric, the vampire was weary and closed, yet Alaric Pryce, the human long-dead, trusted Eden Blackthorne and had enough compassion to help her. He shrugged it away, as he led her to the gisgusting ring where she could save her small vampire boy.
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Post by Zaerox on Sept 5, 2011 10:47:29 GMT -5
Eden laughed. " 'Offer' myself up to him? Well when a young sweet-looking individual such as myself offers herself up as a slave for an arena with fights to the death when she appears to have no skills whatsoever, dont you think he might get suspicious? No, I think you should "sell" me to him. I hope you get a decent price for me." She grinned. " I'm just worried that he might get ideas. I mean a pretty little girl all by herself... Oh well it'll be the worse for him if he tries anything." She was eager to let out some of her frustration from the past few days.
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