Jaded [[Tristan]]

[phe]

<sup>Fiona stood at the edge of the winding river, shifting lightly through the reeds. Every so often, the flick of one would leave a thin line of blood trailing down her arm, but she didn't so much as flinch when struck. As she moved further into the water, her tattered white dress began to dance around her. The water pushed and pulled at it as if it was begging her to go further. The thick scent of the flowers in the Nile Valley managed to weave around her in the still night air. They had once been flowers for the Pharaohs who adorned themselves with the majestic petals. One of the most intriguing rituals, though, was that of the people. In the year, one day was set as day of the feast of the lotus. During the feast, everyone held a silver pot that intricately resembled a lotus with a candle in the middle. The then traveled to the Nile with the pot in hand and dream in heart and released it into the water. It was thought that if the burning candle continued to float on the water, the dream would come true.

As Fiona ventured out into the river, her dress seemed to bloom around her, the waning moon highlighting her fiery red hair, golden flecks like sparks appearing ever so often. Her alabaster skin was illuminated as well. It was almost as if she were the candle and pot, and in a sense many hopes and dreams of evil vampires lied within her. At Vladimir's hand she had been senselessly trained to kill other werewolves like her, for as she had been, they were murderers, not worthy of existing. Fiona felt that if she could extinguish the monstrous race, she could redeem herself. Then again, what was redemption to someone who's ideas of religion had been destroyed when she transformed into something otherworldly. The myths and legends that Fiona had so loved to listen to of the travelers that passed through her inn gained new life and new meaning. Never would she have dreamed to become a part of what her parents had deemed as nonsense.

My parents...

The thought suddenly pulled her into her recurring nightmare. She had become used to the sensation of being torn away from reality, but could not hold back the intense movements her body made as danced through the sands of time. The water splashed lightly around her as her body jerked. Her arms seemed bound to her sides by some invisible force.

It began to tear into their sweet flesh, the smell of the blood and meat too much to resist. As it delved with its mouth and claws, crimson ribbons of warm blood trickled down its chin and jawline. It howled at the moon in euphoria, a sensation like no other. As its craving was satiated, it sauntered off to rest after exerting so much force; the two lifeless corpses eternally screaming in terror, their eyes and mouth open in shock.

Fiona woke up after the terrible nightmare of the large monster biting at the bodies. She shook her head and swung her legs over the bed, stretching as was her morning ritual, only to realize that her clothes were lying mutilated on the ground. Her subconscious began to ebb away at her eyesight, blackening the world around her as if she were beginning to faint. She dashed quickly to the room across from and collapsed to her knees as the bodies gaped at her in awe, the accusations lingering in their eyes. Immediately, she began to retch and heave, but nothing came up. The fresh meat of those that she had once called Mother and Father would forever be a part of her.

Fiona gagged once as she came back to reality, her body shaking and shivering. Goosebumps erupted down her arms and legs, despite the warm night air. She only found solace in splashing the warm water on her face as if she were washing away their blood. Her pulse had quickened considerably, and she worked to reduce her labored breathing.

After a moment, she had returned to seemingly normal, but was fighting a battle within herself. One part of her was so tempted to dive into the water and never return to the surface, but the other part of her knew that she had a duty to do, and she would not even be able to hope for eternal salvation if she did not complete the tasks set ahead.

Fiona settled for diving into the water and returning to the surface, her feet no longer lingering along the bottom. At some point in her life, she had feared that which she could not understand, which at some point in her mortal life had been what lie below the surface of the now dark water. Now that she had become that which was feared, she had lost any sense of her own.

Her long ringlets had been soaked in the water and they now clung to her face and back. Her white tattered dress had become transparent in the water, but there was nothing sexual about this girl. She was beautiful and thin, but a sort of innocence seemed to radiate off of her. What little crimes she had committed were truly not her fault or she had been jaded into believing were for the greater good. She did not accept that killing her parents was not her fault and she allowed her subconscious to plague her so.

She carefully maneuvered into the water again, dipping under for a short moment and returning without so much as a splash; she pushed her hair back to reveal light green eyes and full prominent lips. A few freckles daintily pattered her nose and cheeks. She appeared no more and no less than 18. As her eyes scanned the banks, they appeared to have life and began darting around. She felt another presence but could not yet see anything amongst the reeds. Her heart began to pound as the adrenaline rushed through her veins.

"Who's there?" she stuttered with a light Scottish accent, her soprano voice ringing like a bell through the night.</sup>

[*Tristan Maguire]

Tristan walked through the crowded streets of the small village he was in. He didn't really have a purpose for being here, just to get away from California for a while....Since the night he'd met Acid, nothing had been...normal. He thought he was going out of his mind. First thing to change was his hearing. He could hear, in perfect clarity, the conversations that were going on down the street from him without even straining. He could hear them as if they were standing right next to him. His eyesight began to change, and he could see things with more clarity than he had ever been able to before, despite his perfect 20/20 vision. The next thing to change was the fact that his reflexes were suddenly much faster, and he became stronger with each passing day. Three nights ago, when he first arrived in Egypt, he had gotten into a fight with one of the other tourists in a night club. They fight got heated, became more than just fists as the other guy pulled a knife on him so close that when he plunged the blade up towards his ribcage, it should have went directly under his ribs...But he'd side stepped it easily, as though the guy was deliberately moving slowly so that Tristan could move out of the way...But the guy had been trying to kill him... And none of that was compared to the fact that when Tristan woke up the morning after Acid had bit him after Tristan asked him to teach him how to kill vampires, the wound were Acid had bitten him was completely healed, and so it was for all the other wounds that he'd managed to get since then, all of them healing up within no more than a day, though most less.

He had to get away from the city, he could hear the cries of small children in their homes, crying. He knew that the couple who lived in the room next to his had recently lost a child, and he could constantly hear the mother crying, even though she was always very quiet about it. So he began to walk towards the Nile, away from the people in the city. He hoped that there, at least, he could get some peace and clarity...He needed time to think, his time was almost running out... Acid had made him promise to meet him in the mountains at dusk on the day of the next full moon...And that day was quickly approaching. He'd promised answers for Tristan when he showed up...Would he keep to his word? Would Acid show him how to kill the filthy leaches with the same brutal efficiency as he did? And why the hell had he bitten him?! These questions had been going through his head over and over again since the night he recieved the bite from Acid in the dark alley way in California...And what the hell was Acid anyway?!

When he got there, he stopped short in his tracks, crouching down as he saw a young red headed woman standing in the nile, her white dress transparent, her curls clinging to her face. Though he did love woman, he couldn't bring himself to look at her sexually, even though her dress now left little if anything to the imagination, so he kept his eyes trained on her face. She looked too innocent to have some street kid looking at her that way...He wondered if she knew exactly what kind of danger she could be in if someone with less than good intentions came by here...She was small, and didn't look as if she could successfully fight her way out of a wet paper bag. She was very pretty, red curly hair and green eyes that were now looking all around her, apparently she had somehow known he was there...Or somewhere close by.

Who's there?

Tristan slowly stood up, raising his hands to the girl, letting her know he meant her no harm. His blonde hair was pushed back, though some loose strands fell over his face, into his ice blue eyes. He wore a black leather jacket, a ACDC shirt, and a plain pair of blue jeans. "My names Tristan...Tristan Maguire. Don't worry, I didn't come here to bother you, promise." He said, flashing her a quick smile, his eyes remaining on her face the whole time.

[phe]

<sup>She began to weave through the tall reeds toward him. She was diligent enough that when she fully emerged from the water, not a single one was bent or broken. Her dress soaked the ground around her as it dripped. She began to wring out her dress, and glanced up towards the man again.

"Fiona Lillie."

Although her voice had a bell like quality, there was still something very warm and inviting about it. Almost earthy. Perhaps it was simply the Scottish accent. She smiled politely.

"I'm not sure it's safe out here for one such as you."

She didn't care to describe what evils lie beyond in the night. She was fairly new to everything herself. There was nothing threatening about him though, and even if he were, she was more than a simple human anymore.

Her lace dress clung to her, highlighting her curves ever so wonderfully. Her alabaster skin glistened softly in the moonlight, the light sheen of the water emphasizing it. She tucked her hair behind her ears and wrapped her arms around herself, something that had become habit for her. It had begun when she was being torn apart by her human and her werewolf side, or in her mind, her good and evil side. Now that she had accepted that her nature was evil, though she strived for good, she no longer needed to hold herself together. Still, she had not yet broken the habit. Goosebumps erupted from her shoulders, down her arms and across her chest. Perhaps it was the difference of the night air to the still hot water, though it was not cold.

"And you're not bothering me." Her smile seemed more genuine this time. Tristan seemed to have a certain humbleness about him, but Fiona was completely oblivious. She had lived in a world void of social classes and stature and such. He was equal to her. No more and no less.</sup>

[*Tristan Maguire]

Tristan raised an eyebrow at her comment about it not being safe for him. Not safe for him? Did this girl have any idea of the fact that he was a lot safer than she was at the moment? This was Africa, there were rapists abound, and most of the time the government didn't do a damn thing about it, becasue there were bigger problems to deal with than some girl getting rapped...And this girl was very good looking, standing there with her red hair shining in the moon light, looking like flames against her pale skin, small flecks of gold glittering within the flame of her hair.

"Fiona, do you have any sense of self preservation what so ever? Because I'm not to sure that you do. You come out here--alone--and you are in a white dress, and you go for a little swim in the Nile...Are you trying to get killed, rapped, or both?" He asked, wanting to give her a little shake. She was in more danger than anyone within a hundred foot radius, and yet she was saying it wasn't safe for HIM?!

He shrugged out of his leather jacket and held it out for her. He knew she wasn't cold--it was very humid still, despite the night and the fact that they were standing near water--but because he thought she might like something to cover up with...her dress wasn't really doing the job anymore, and he wasn't sure how much longer he could keep his eyes from wandering. He was a guy, after all, and he did love women.

He grinned again, the smile making him look rather boyish. Despite how he was raised and the trauma he'd been through at a early age, he could still be playfull and boyish when the situation allowed. And at the moment, there was no reason for his defensiveness to go up, so he was alright, and he could relax a little. After all, he didn't really think that this little red head would attack him and be able to do a whole lot of damage. He'd never been scared of anyone...Except maybe Acid, and even Acid he was more wary of than actually afriad, though he knew that Acid could kill him in a second...Fear wasn't really part of his nature. Though he was certain that anyone who met Acid and heard Tristan say that, they would think that Tristan had a few screws loose. "Good, glad to know that I haven't acquired the reputation of being annoying. I have never been annoying in my entire life, and I doubt that I would start to be so now."

[phe]

<sup>She managed to laugh and roll her eyes at the same time. "I can take care of myself." As he smiled, she couldn't help but smile herself. He was infectious. There was a certain charm about him. She took his jacket in her hand, but chose not to put it on. Just as it hit the ground, Fiona had managed to pounce on him and take him to the ground, her forearm over his neck, but not pressuring it at all. "Am I still the little girl you think I am?" She threw her head back and laughed, her red curls spilling around her. They dripped lightly on Tristan, not that it mattered. He was probably completely soaked now. She rolled off of him and onto the ground, unable to contain her laughter. She propped herself up on her elbows and looked up at the stars.

"Or do you need more convincing?" Her chest rose and fell ever so lightly with each breath. She turned to him and grinned. He was rather good looking, and she could not help but notice. She hadn't met another person her age in years! The travelers that all came through the inn were either old or honeymooners, just slightly older than her. A new sensation warmed her body and her pulse quickened. A light blush rose on her cheeks.</sup>

[*Tristan Maguire]

Fiona had taken him by surprise when she lunged at him, knocking him to the ground and placing her forearm across his throat. She was fast, he would give her that, and spunky too. He laughed, shaking his head. "I never said anything about you being a little girl, and you may be fast, but if I had a weapon, that move could have gotten you killed...Though I am impressed that you got me down at all." He felt the dampness seep through his clothes and mock glared at her little red headed woman who rolled off him and onto her back, proping herself up on her elbows. His face was splattered with water, though that fact hardly registered with him. He pointed to his clothes. "Now my clothes are all soaked because of you. How dare you?" Even though his voice was filled with mock sterness, he couldn't help but let a small smile tug at his lips, revealing a glimpse of his straight white teeth.

His ice blue eyes flashed slightly as he gave her a once over, noticing her slightly blush and he grinned slightly, his ice colored eyes pinned on her green ones. "No, I don't need any more convincing. I can see you're as vicious as any wild tiger cub." He said, grinning at her as he teased her, reaching up to move a red curl that had fallen over her face, moving it to the side of her face. He still thought she was far too innocent for anyone like him to get involved with, but what was the harm in talking to her, right? He could tell from the way she acted that she'd at least not led the same life he had. The girls who grew up on the streets were whores, easy pickings. All a guy like him would have to do was crook his finger at them and they would be stripping before they even got within ten feet of him. She was different, the blush told him so...Those girls had no modisty, no innocence.... Those were the only things that brought out a blush, other than outright embarrassment, and she'd done nothing to warrent embarrassment.

[phe]

<sup>She flinched slightly at his touch, her smile quickly disappearing. It was not because she found it unpleasant; rather, it was an unexpected gesture. Her cheeks flamed once more and for a brief second she avoided the gaze of his ice blue eyes. It was funny how although they were striking and piercing to the human eye, they still seemed beautiful and warm... kind... Her heart raced for a brief moment.

She playfully scowled. "Vicious enough to take you down." A grin of triumph overtook her face. Pushing herself to her feet, she brushed her dress off before offering him a hand to get up. Her smile faded into a mock serious face. "Are you going to admit defeat and take my hand, or sit there on your rump all day?"</sup>

[*Tristan Maguire]

He watched her blush again, and he loved the sight of the blush slowly creeping up from her neck into her pale face, her paleness only making the blush more prominent. He loved how girls were outside of where he'd grown up. The girls in California never blushed, so this was a rare sight, and he was soaking it up, contemplating ways to make the adorable color creep even higher, make it deepen another shade.

Tristan's eyes scanned over her quickly, smiling innocently at her. "Yes, vicious enough to take me down." His blue eyes flashed with mischief as she extended her hand towards him, waiting for him to take it. He reached up and took her smaller hand in his, her hand soft and small compared to his. He had grown up a street kid, living on his own in California, and nothing about his physical appearance was soft, but he did have a soft, sweet and playful side, that he rarely showed to anyone other than women. Instead of pulling himself up though, he quickly pulled her back down to the ground, quickly grabbing both of her wrists in one of his large hands, his other poking her in the side playfully as he grinned at her. His speed was faster than any human could have moved, giving her no time to react. He bent towards her firey red hair, his lips brushing every so slightly along her ear as he whispered to her. "Do you see? You're too trusting, so I win."

Still grinning, he pushed himself up and, in the same motion, pulled Fiona to her feet with him. "I told you...No sense of self preservation."

[phe]

<sup>She squealed as he pulled her down, giggling uncontrollably as he began to poke her. Her nose wrinkled up ever so softly as she smiled, a few freckles dotting her nose. Adorable would be an understatement when it came to describing Fiona. She was grinning from ear to ear, her eyes closed in laughter.

As he leaned in to whisper into her ear, she shied away ever so slightly, her lips pursed together and cheeks ever so red and hot as she felt his steamy breath in her ear. As he pulled her to her feet, she glanced around, slightly disoriented. There was something not quite right, but she couldn't put her finger on it. He was fast enough to keep up with her. In some part of her mind, she knew that this couldn't be right, but she would refuse to believe that anyone else was damned to her future. She shook her head to herself lightly, her red curls spilling down over her shoulders.

She turned her face upward to gaze at him for a moment. As the silence began to fill the night, suddenly her stomach rumbled in hunger, interrupting her from her thoughts. She turned to him sheepishly.</sup>

[*Tristan Maguire]

Tristan smiled slightly when he heard her stomach growl. He bent down and picked up his leather jacket, blonde hair falling into his face in the process. Without waiting for her to take the jacket this time, he instead stepped close to her, putting the jacket over her shoulders so she could wear it. "Come on, Fiona, let's go get something to eat. I know your hungry...And please wear the jacket...I would really hate to get my butt shipped back to the States simply because I had to beat the hell out of someone who even looked at you...And believe me," He said, his eyes grazing down her slender form before returning to her eyes. "they would look. Then I would have to severely hurt some of them."

He grabbed her hand and began walking away from the Nile, back towards the city where there was a couple restraunts that he could buy her something to eat...He wondered how long it had been since she ate anything anyway. His jacket was long enough that it nearly went half way down her theighs, so all she had to do was close the zipper, and she would be completely covered from prying eyes. He wouldn't stand by while the depraved men of this country sat back and ogled at her, contemplating meeting up with her on some dark alley when she was alone...He would discourage any such ideas before they could even start.

[phe]

<sup>A confused look furrowed her brow as he draped the jacket around her. She looked down at herself, and suddenly realized what he was speaking of. She pulled the jacket tightly around herself, and cross her arms, gazing down to the ground, her cheeks redder than ever. A strange sensation pulled at her stomach, the equivalent of a knot. There was no explanation for it's root. She allowed him to take her hand and lead her away.

As they began to make their way into the town, she zipped up the jacket quickly. Suddenly, she began to laugh at herself. It had not occurred to her in the time that she had spent with Tristan that she was not mortal. He made her feel so human. She smiled softly at him, becoming quite fond of his presence.</sup>

[*Tristan Maguire]

Tristan turned around to look at her, stopping in front of a small burger joint, raising one eyebrow at her. "What's so funny?" He asked, cocking his head to one side, shifting his feet onto one foot, his thumb on his free hand in his jeans pocket--his usual stance when he didn't have his leather jacket on. He noticed that the red had deepened in color, and he hid his smile, keeping it to himself.

"Where would you like to eat? My treat." He said, motioning towards the different restraunts. There was Chinese, Mexican, Japanese, Burger joints, and even a few places that catered local foods as well. He would let her choose, he didn't really care where they ate...He wasn't a picky eater. When you spend your whole life on the streets, you learn to eat whatever you can get.

[phe]

<sup>Her hands quickly flew to her mouth as she realized he had heard her giggle. This made her laugh even more.

"Nothing important."

Her stomach rumbled again and she glanced around, suddenly feeling so very foreign. She had never visited a city with restaurants and such. Her family had never traveled farther than the moors. In order to organize her thoughts, she shook her head lightly.

"I don't know where to go." She shrugged lightly, hoping that he wouldn't think her completely inept.</sup>