Halcyon Halls

When: After Sunset
Where: In the city
Who: Asya and Diarmad
What: Confession time

So much to talk about, so much Asya didn’t want to say. So much she had no desire to face. She just wanted all of this to be over. To leave and never look back. There was so much she feared now, fears that she’d never held before but now nearly crippled her. She feared the demon, of course, Sergio. She feared what he would do to her, and what he might do to others. But most of all she feared what he would do to Diarmad. She was a fool, such a fool to risk telling him anything. Diarmad was already in such danger. This would only make it worse.

And of course, Sergio was not all she feared. In fact, he, and what he might do, was not even the worst of her fears. No. More than anything else she feared Diarmad knowing the truth. She feared the disappointment in his eyes. She feared the hate she knew he would hold for he.

Where once she had expected it, and been accustomed to it, now she feared it. The memory of that loathing was so fresh, and the hint of it’s opposite… so inviting. Asya clung to the truth, keeping it buried deep away, hidden so that Diarmad might never see the truth. Maybe then he might look beyond all she once had been, and see only what she now wished to be. If he knew all the truth he might only hate her even more than ever.

Then again, on the plus side, maybe he’d then actually take that freedom she had given. Maybe then he’d accept it. He’d be safe then, wouldn’t he? Maybe it would all be for the best.

Funny… that thought did nothing to hasten the vampiress’ uncharacteristically heavy steps as she found her seat in the back of the dimly lit bar. With a glass of wine in her hand, she waited, knowing he would be right behind her. Feeling him near already. With a shaky, unneeded breath, she took a drink, and steeled herself for what she must do.

Who: Anastasiya and Aqzlece
Where: Aqzlece's office
When: During office hours when Aqzlece has free time
What: Anastasiya has a score to settle


Human children were always such a nuisance. Of course, weres were no more human than vampires, but they certainly seemed to be most days of the month. And they were short-lived enough to seem human still. Regardless, that was not currently the point. The point was, a were boy who, through his oafish attempts to gain her attention, had mortified Rebecca at a time when she was feeling most vulnerable.

Times had indeed changed for the vampiress. In years past she would have punished him in ways he'd not soon recover from, if ever. But Diarmad would not appreciate that, and Asya understood as well that it was unneeded really. Overkill. A word she had for many years not understood. Now it did make sense.

Not Anastasiya's first use of a witch. In fact, the first part of her life had been filled with witches and mages. In those days they were more common, and certainly more trusted, than doctors or scientists. Anastasiya still turned to them when the need arose. Though this would be her first time turning to this particular witch.

Aqzlece Errona Szczyk. The name on the door. Anastasiya raised her hand and knocked, a tight rap against the heavy oak. In silence she waited for an invitation to enter.

Who: Beauty and the Beast Anastasiya and Sergius
When: Early Tuesday morning, hours before the dawn
Where: The Black Forest, just outside Freiburg, Germany, One of Sergio's many places

Months of debate, and yet Anastasiya knew there was no other choice. Sergio already had shown his displeasure, his knowledge that his game no longer interested her. Not that she had fully played it before, but where she once allowed this or that, or even facilitated it for her own benefit, Asya no longer wished to play. Nor did she wish to keep a blind eye. In short, she wanted nothing to do with any of it, and that was what she wished to tell the millenia old demon.

And she would too. If...

If she were the only one she had to think of. Of course, if she was the only one she had to think of it was doubtful she'd be second guessing any of it ever. Much had changed within that dark heart, no matter how the vampiress often missed it or denied that truth. So much that she simply could not understand.

Like Diarmad's reaction to her command. Sure he should be grateful to have her out of his hair for a few days. But hadn't Asya put him in such a position that her well being would matter so completely to him? Her death after all, would mean his own.

Of course, there was more to it. Yes, deep down she knew. Deserved or not, as she knew it was not, and had no understanding of why, or how. Deep down she knew there was cause not at all selfish, for the concern in his words, and in his voice. Couldn't he see how it killed her to deny him in this? The fear she felt in facing Sergio alone caused her to stumble nearly every step of the way. The fear she felt in making a deal of any sort... not to mention the assault on her very pride. Asya knelt for no one, she bowed down to no one, she made deals with no one...

And here she was, hands clasped nervously behind her as she paced, waiting, waiting, waiting... for an audience, with a man whom she knew could, and would, kill her so much as think about her. Perhaps his patience would hold up longer than her own. She could only hope. For Diarmad's benefit.