Newford

[The Diamond God]

Arcadia turned her gaze towards the crying human. She moved over to Anya, pulling her into her arms. Arcadia was about average, for woman nowadays, made even more so by her lovely black pumps, matching her dress; she hadn't changed since she'd left the restaurant. Anya fit snugly into Arcadia's warm arms; her borrowed blood from her meal was still flowing nicely through her body, heating her up. She petted her, as if she were a treasured cat, stressed with undue reason.

"Poor child...What did you do? Why were they fighting over you?"

Arcadia, with all the skill of her ten thousand plus years, had captured Anya into her chocolate brown eyes, into her glamore. Winter, meanwhile, had reached down, pulling Cain physically off of Eve, and dragged the stake out of Eve's chest. Cain watched Arcadia warily, half afraid of what she might do. Eve was just happy not to have her life dangling over her head; she tensed her muscles, setting into a subtle attack posture, ready if Cain was idiotic enough to try for her again. This time, there won't be that b***h of a human between us. I'll be ready; he won't find me so easy!  

[The Diamond God]

Cain reached Anya a minute too late, and heard her head smack heavily against the ground. He might've winced in appreciation if he wasn't sure that it wouldn't bother the turning process. He bent down, and scooped up his unofficial ward, carrying Anya up to her room. Cain figured she'd be fine, until the next night when he arose again. Carefully, he drew the curtains in Anya's room, and tucked her in the bed. Almost as an afterthought, he brushed a kiss across her forehead.

"Spakoynay nochi i priyatnyh snof, Anya."

Cain closed the door behind him and retired to his own room. It was plush and rich in color, painted a lovely blue color. There were a pair of arm chairs in opposite corners, and two lamps in the remaining corners. Lovely pictures were framed and scattered here and there along the walls. There was plenty of space; Cain had no windows in his room. He saw no reason to sleep underground if he didn't need to. A big bed took up most of the room's space; black sheets with black blankets and two black-covered pillows finished off the bed. He changed in silence and climbed into the bed; dawn was maybe a hour off, he could feel it coming.

♪ ♫ ♫ ♪

Eve followed Arcadia and Winter, sulking in silence. The couple paid their moody companion little mind, and chatted happily about noting and everything.

"Eve. Stop that sulking; it simply does not suit you. You live too far away to get home tonight. You may stay with us. For the day, at least. We have a half-way house near by."

Eve mouthed some kind of pleasant agreement, and followed Arcadia and Winter into their half-way house. All the windows were covered and most were boarded up. Winter glanced back at Eve.

"Pick a room, Eve, and relax. Arcadia and I are in the last door at the left."  

[songbird1676]

The next night, she awoke to the sound of her door opening. Moaning softly, she sat up and winced slightly at the aching in her head.

"Oww....my head hurts worse then it normally does when I get knocked out...." she mumbled, and tried to ease her way out of bed, and ended up falling on her butt because her legs gave out beneath her.

She sighed, "Well, That was graceful...."

 

[The Diamond God]

"Are you hit on the head often, then, Anya?"

Cain's creamy voice came from the doorway. He was standing calmly, almost idly, his arms crossed.

"How do you feel, better? Arcadia only took a little blood, but her glamor can be a it...strong. Vot, let me help you up."

He shrugged himself off of the doorway, moving closer to help up Anya.  

[songbird1676]

Anya laughed, "I guess you could say that....more like its the first time I wasn't fighting against it...."

She sighed and took his hand and let him help her up, the coldness of his skin not bothering her as much as it would have before she knew.

"I just wanted to know...Why did you help me? I know you feed on humans like me...but you didn't try...and you even threatened that rogue...and when Eve tried to kill me...you tried to kill her for laying a hand on me...."

 

[The Diamond God]

"You're a girl, and a human at that. When I was a mere sprout of a boy in the Motherland, I was raised to help those who can't help themselves."

Cain wasn't about to go into the fact that his very existence meant that those who can't help themselves, those weaker then him, were his food, his prey. Anya didn't need to know that, not yet. She'd understand in a few nights, when she would rise as one of them. Cain dropped Anya's hand almost immediately. She was warm, warmer then he'd like; every beat of her heart, every pulse of her blood reminded him that he hadn't fed in the last night, or even the night before that. He'd gone longer without blood, and of course, he had reserves hidden around the house, but nothing was like the sweet, fresh taste of new blood from a new "donor." Cain cleared his throat.

"You know where the shower is and fresh clothes are in the dresser over there. Food is waiting for you down stairs as well. When you've eaten your fill, we'll talk again. Izvinite."

He left, closing the door softly behind him.  

[songbird1676]

Anya watched as Cain left and even looked at the door for a moment before shaking her head, clearing her mind.

Anya...stop this! He's a Vampire! You can't fall for him!

She blinked and eventually picked out some clothes and went to take a shower, traipsing down the stairs moments later. She ate her fill and took her dishes to the sink, just as she was accustomed to doing her entire life. After she had put her rinsed off plate and silverware in the dishwasher she smirked.

"Cain, I know your behind me," She turned to face him, "What were you going to talk to me about, by the way?"

 

[The Diamond God]

Cain took a moment to sip from his cup before replying. He'd made sure to use an opaque glass around Anya. He'd warmed up some of his reserve blood, just to take off the edge; Cain had hopes that maybe just maybe he could feed off of his ward tonight. He was, however, nothing if not rational. Thus, the blood milk-shake.

"Ground rules. Since Arcadia's declared you to be changed, this means that you're now, offically my ward. "  

[songbird1676]

Anya raised an eyebrow, "What exactly does that mean? I mean, okay....I can accept that...but explain?"

She was standing, her back facing the counter, and she was slightly leaning on it.

 

[The Diamond God]

"It means I'm in charge of you. It means, for now, at least, you're my day time servant."

Cain stirred his cup slowly, moving the blood around so it wouldn't congeal. He took a long drink of the crimson liquid.

"If you run away, which you're more than free to do so, know that you're removing yourself forever from my custody and protection, as well as removing all chances of a voluntary, pain-free change. I cannot vouch for any other vampires, but myself; I won't pursue you, if you so choose to leave."  

[songbird1676]

"I have no intentions of leaving, but at least tell me I don't have to wake up at the crack of dawn and stay up later then I can keep my eyes open...or work in cotton fields. As long as I don't have to do that, I would be fine."

She crossed her arms and smiled slightly, "Is it against vampire law to go after a rogue or someone who massacred your family and continually tried to kill you when you were human and kill him? Because I want to go after him...."

Anya unfolded her arms and clenched her fists. "I promised myself that I would someday avenge their deaths...."

 

[The Diamond God]

"No you don't have to get up at dawn, not usually. On days I need my errands run, I'll leave a note out on the kitchen counter with instructions for you. At least until you're turned. Arcadia has specified that you must have completed the turning process within the month, but the actual date is up to you."

Cain shook his head slowly.

"No, not specifically, it is not. I highly recommend though, that you leave the killing to those who do it best. Oliver broke the council's rules, meaning that if and when either you or I report his malfeasance his life for the next millennium will be very...uncomfortable."  

[The Diamond God]

"For certain parts of it, if you'd like. Others...other are only privy to the tortures, council members, and elders. In other words, not us."

Cain tossed back the last of the mostly warm blood in one swig, and went to go rinse of his cup. He licked away the crimson mustache left behind with a deft flick of his tongue.

"Just a couple of days? If you wish. Do you have any loose ends to tie up? Friends you'd like to say goodbye to? You won't be seeing them for a brief while. A decade or so. Not too long; just enough time to get acquainted to the blood lust and some of the power you'll need to control; just the basics, if you will."  

[songbird1676]

Anya shook her head, "No...I don't...like I said, Oliver killed everybody I knew and loved...including my two best friends...I have no one now."

She sighed, and smiled weakly, "Yah...a couple days is fine...but Cain..."

She looked away, hoping he couldn't see her blushing.
"What will happen to me once I am turned?"