If Looks Could Kill

Post by **Tree** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 6:07 pm

Ashleigh sighed, feeling that back-down feeling with him, shaking her head.

stop being that to me. I was not in a competition, i was conveying my feelings.

Post by **Sushi** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 6:13 pm

Darryn glanced up at her slowly. Then, he sighed.

I can't do anything to make you feel better, though.

Post by **Tree** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 6:32 pm

Just love and want me. That's all. It means more then you know.

she purred, moving to kiss him again. her man.

Post by **Sushi** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 6:54 pm

Darryn smiled at her gently.

"I can do that."

Post by **Tree** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 6:57 pm

" promise? I don't wanna be asking too much."

she stated honestly.

Post by **Sushi** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 7:34 pm

Darryn smiled. Then, he just leaned up and kissed at her.

Post by **Tree** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 7:40 pm

After a bit, Ashleigh sighed, looking up at the person who had wondered over, glaring. Summoned, who the hell....

Ashleigh's good mood was ruined as she pulled herself out of the waters. Fine. She'd go. Why? Good excuse to kill him if nothing else.

soon the little woman, firecracker, really, was dry, changed, and 'waiting' on damian. Grrr...

Attire:

<a href='http://www.alotshoes.com/showroom/296/b/28459557.jpg' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'>http://www.alotshoes.com/showroom/296/b/28459557.jpg</a>

Post by **Sushi** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 8:12 pm

Damian walked in, clothed in a red silk shift and black slacks.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. I hope you were treated well?"

Darryn went back into the grounds, lurking.

Post by **Tree** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 8:17 pm

She'd simmered down by the time he showed up, nodding absently, currently lounging on the chaise. Why lounging? Why not? She was no lower then he, she was on his grounds, certainly, but she raised a bit of a snob ( though she could be a mannered snob) when she wanted to be. She could be an angel when she wanted to be, too. So... it was in the air as to what she wanted to be right now. hence the silence.

Post by **Sushi** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 8:38 pm

Damian just chuckled. It didn't bother him at all.

"I wanted to apologize for earlier. No ill will towards you or yours... it was family."

He sat down casually, thumbing through something with a mild disinterest.

Post by **Tree** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 8:44 pm

" apologize by summoning me?"

Yeah, not an apology to any vampire. Try again. oh well, it would be a nice start. She still seemed to be only half paying attention as she left the heels fall off her feet.

Post by **Sushi** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 8:55 pm

Damian chuckled.

"No. Apologize by presenting you a gift."

He did just that. It was a tasteful, impressive gift too. Turns out that Damian did have some class.

Post by **Tree** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 9:04 pm

(( Not to be mistaken by 1 of 2 things. 1) either we're too focused on the movie or 2) I don't wanna pick, so you do it

))

Ashleigh shifted, considering the sparkly little item, looking up at Damian. She wasn't the 'thanks' kind of person, but she did nod slightly, returning to look over the magazine she'd picked up.

Post by **Sushi** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 9:15 pm

Damian sat back in his chair for a while, returning to thumbing through things. He spoke absently.

"I also think that there is a deal to be made. If you leave Darryn alone while he is on his little errand, you are welcome to stay here and no one will breathe a word of your whereabouts until he comes back."

Post by **Tree** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 9:21 pm

" I don't think I can agree to that, knowing what I do. I am not agreeing to anything that would endanger him further then he already must deal with day in and day out."

She replied honestly, not even looking up.

" I can bully people if you snitch. it's not like it's the end of the world. And I could drag your little brother along if I so felt. Politics and all."

Oh yes, she had no intent of agreeing to this unless it worked for her, too, moron.

Post by **Sushi** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 9:35 pm

Damian flipped the page.

"Half brother."

He said it just to settle that point. He was reading at the same time as he was speaking.

"And, I was really just giving you this offer so you could save face. You being with him WOULD endanger him more... and believe me, for whatever I think of him - I am the last person to want Darryn dead. When it comes down to it, he is, unfortunately, the heir presumptive. If he's dead that creates more than a small political mess for me. People don't like not having a next-in-line. Surely you know what I mean."

Post by **Tree** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 9:48 pm

Ashleigh actually, openly, sincerely groaned at this.

" Very true."

she complained softly, looking him over.

" I could careless about saving face though."

she stated honestly, frowning to herself. darryn was his own man. This is what brought a rather uncomfortable moment for her. she seemed to be thinking for real now. Something was tugging at her feeling.... she looked to her hands.

I love you. I don't know what is about to happen to you... but.. I love you.

it felt like the last good bye, to her but she nodded slowly.

" He is your charge for now - in the end."

She stated simply.

Post by **Sushi** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 9:55 pm

Damian smiled, something about his nod seeming to remind her that Darryn always had been under his charge. Either way, the man stood up now.

"Alright then. Have a drink. Stay a while and enjoy our hospitality, M'lady."

Damian poured them both a glass of wine.

Darryn's reply was small and simple.

So do I... The last thing I want is to see you hurt. Be smart.

Because if she was smart, then she was safe.

Post by **Tree** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 9:57 pm

to hell with me.

She replied gently, not touching the glass as she got up and left the room. Where did she disappear? good question. Only the 'brothers' would likely find this now invisible woman.

Post by **Sushi** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 10:10 pm

It was exactly eight days, seventeen hours, and three minutes later before anyone sought out Ashleigh. Or, maybe it had just taken that long for him to find her.

"Darryn is asking for you."

What an odd message for Damian to deliver...

Post by **Tree** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 10:13 pm

Ashleigh looked up, not at all bothered as she pulled herself straight up from the bubble bath she was in, drying off and snatching her clothing, having zero qualms about putting on her dress as she walked down the hall with Damian.

Well if they did ever wed, talk about a peep show by a completely unenthusiastic woman >.>

Post by **Sushi** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 10:33 pm

"He got back only about six hours ago."

Damian led her down to a rather obscure part of his keep. There in the hallway were several vampires milling around. They were all wearing what was soon placed on both Damian and Alyson. It was pretty much surgical quality gear: medical aprons, gloves, masks, and hats. Only then were they let inside.

Darryn was laying on a bed, and from the mere smell in the room, it was obvious that he was very sick. The man was sweating terribly. At the moment they walked in, he was stuck in a coughing fit. The vampire standing next to him used a cloth to catch and wipe away the blood and mucus coughed up. Then, Darryn lay still, wheezing.

It had only been over a week, but... Well, Darryn was displaying a very advanced and mutated type of tuberculosis. It was only for vampires - which also explained why it had advanced so fast. In trying to heal, his body had only progressed it faster. He knew what he had. He knew that he would either die or get better on his own - the medications for it weren't helping at this advanced of a stage. Darryn hadn't noticed the newcomers because his eyes were shut.

Post by **Tree** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 10:37 pm

Ashleigh moved to him without a thought, fingers lightly brushing back Darryn's hair.

Look what you did to him.

She purred softly to Damian. The tone was not harsh though, it could not be looking at Darryn, eyes soft and tender as she spoke to him.

Lovely, I'm here.... I'm sorry.

Post by **Sushi** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 10:59 pm

What makes you think that any of this has something to do with me? I sent him on a harmless task. Do be careful, his mental capacities have been declining steadily.

Damian stood near to the bed.

Ashleigh... Darryn's eyes opened. However, when they found Damian, his gaze was set ablaze. He not only hissed but half-lunged. The older brother stepped out of the way, speaking to the woman.

See what I mean?

"Sedate him."

The restrained Darryn and did just that. It's not like it was a fair match, though. He was far too weak to have much fight for even one of them. His blue eyes crossed Ashleigh for a moment, forming a desperate cry even as he faded from consciousness.

They are lying to you!

Post by **Tree** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 11:04 pm

I know.

She assured him lovingly, knowing good and well of this as she brushed his hair back.

Then let me have him. The worst that could happen is he dies.

she purred gently, glancing back to Damian. the following sentence was dragged from her rather unwillingly, but it was beyond a nice advantage to be presented in his lap.

the worse that could happen is he dies and you have to have a more powerful successor in your pocket.

she was not vampire born. She would not be very likely to contract this, even if she did, she'd battle it off long enough to produce an heir. Long story. Besides, if Darryn did die, and she produced and heir, and be placing her clan in his pocket if she did contract it as well and die. What more could honestly be laid out for him to benefit from?

And if he turned her down, well, if he thought she was leaving Darryn's side...

Post by **Sushi** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 11:19 pm

Damian stood there for a moment, arms crossed. He seemed to be considering it, but... perhaps that was just for show.

I can't do that. It just wouldn't bode well with me. I want to see my little brother through to whatever end comes to him.

Wow... This exposed something. Either Damian really had some fraternal care, or he was still playing at his dark game. If it was the former, then it raised a few questions about politics and family - doing this was a decent move in both. If it was the latter, then that meant that whatever it was - his presence, Darryn's summoning, etc. - really hadn't had anything to with Ashleigh at all and he had been telling the truth.

Post by **Tree** » Sat Apr 23, 2011 11:23 pm

Ashleigh merely nodded, having guessed as much, lightly brushing her lover's cheek lightly.

He's also mine. do not forget.

Damian's charge, but she had just claimed him in a way that left the waters a bit dangerous if he did die. Who cared though, right? Damian had started the game. she was just stating facts in her book. This is why she sat down beside him. At some point or another, it should be noted that the sedative had been switched out with something else. Bot by Ashleigh, but someone. Either way, she caught him before he could completely wake...

If you act like your sedatives aren't working, you will regret it.

she promised, fingers still holding his hand.

Post by **Sushi** » Sun Apr 24, 2011 5:22 pm

Darryn coughed some more, which he had been doing rather constantly, pushing out a horrible mix of junk. However, he was so plagued with fever and the other aspects of this illness that his brain was more than a little addled. Damian had at least been partially right. He understood her comment as a threat. However, he did show that he had some sense of everything, that he at least knew what he was doing to some degree, because he lay absolutely still. He couldn't beat her in a fight. He didn't know if he could stand the beating if she so chose.

You have to flee!

Post by **Tree** » Sun Apr 24, 2011 5:27 pm

You want me to leave you alone?

Ashleigh asked slowly, eyes on the floor as she if she was simply mourning the situation, saddened by what was happening. If Darryn died right now, by claiming him it gave her rights to kill Damian... not to mention if it really floated her boat she could start a freakin clan war. It wasn't uncommon for vampires. ... Considering it was ashleigh that it would be left up to... Oh yeah, great idea.

Post by **Sushi** » Sun Apr 24, 2011 5:44 pm

No! Yes!

Darryn was struggling to collect himself enough to communicate, especially as on his other side a 'nurse' began to stick syringes into him. The vampire didn't think anything of his twitching or slight tossing. That was natural reflex. The worst part of this? He knew. Darryn now knew... but he was too sick to tell.

Damian, by the way, had left just after she had claimed him, offering only a small laugh. He was sitting and having drinks and conversation with some friends right now, just having finished his dinner a little while ago.

Post by **Tree** » Sun Apr 24, 2011 8:32 pm

Ashleigh absently brushed his hair back, not at all caring about Damian. To hell with the sexy fu.cker.

well, how do you really feel ashleigh? Either way, ashleigh shook her head.

I will not abandon you.

Post by **Sushi** » Sun Apr 24, 2011 9:48 pm

Under her touch, Ashleigh might have noticed the layer of sweat or how hot his head was. However, now Darryn didn't say anything. He passed into a sort of half-sleep, his body fighting the tuberculosis for all it was worth.

It was a matter of hours later, but Damian did return. He was all clad in the protective medical gear, and he walked over to the opposite side of the bed, laying a hand on Darryn's neck. Said man gasped in a wheezing breath, starting as his eyes flew open. This caused a massive coughing fit, and (though he waited for Darryn to get over it) Damian didn't look QUITE sympathetic enough.

When all was quiet except for the whistling breaths, Damian bent down, sliding that far hand up to hold the side of Darryn's head. As Damian stood with his face just over Darryn's uncovered ear, it was logical to assume the older brother was talking to the other. Then, Damian's free hand slid under Darryn's back and pulled him so that he was sitting first, then guiding him up to stand.

It was obvious that it was all Darryn could do not to collapse. He was trembling too, sweat pouring down his back. All he was wearing was a pair of sports shorts.

"Are you cold?" Damian asked in what seemed to be a gracious manner. Slowly, eyes never lifting, Darryn nodded. Damian now pulled off the green fabric that had been draped over his shoulder up until this point. It obviously had already belonged to Darryn - it smelled like him. Still, Damian draped it about his shoulders.

It was a thick woolen cloak. This sort of thing was common for people from this clan to wear when they were recovering from a serious injury or illness, as it was a sort of indicator... Not to mention, in those cases it was common for the person to be inadequately dressed and this was just to keep from inciting the wrong opinion about it. Normally people went with black because it hid blood better, but Darryn's was green.

Damian fished through his pockets, and pulled out a cloak pin of his own. Something about this seemed gracious (or perhaps funny to those of us who know the real Damian) as he pinned Darryn's cloak together. It was a gesture that showed Darryn was a 'favorite' - at least right now. Then Damian patted Darryn on the back.

"Go on."

Darryn walked away, though he struggled with every step. In fact, he had to use the wall to support himself and it sounded like he was drowning in his lungs as he made his way down the hallway. Damian just offered Ashleigh a smile at this point. Now, we always said he liked to goad... was he goading Ashleigh or Darryn? The man moved away as two other vampires gathered up the linens and took them to be burned.

"You are more than welcome to stay, given the circumstances."

(( <a href='http://www.thecastlecloset.com/i/Cloaks ... 219114.jpg' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'>http://www.thecastlecloset.com/i/Cloaks ... 114.jpg</a> ))

Post by **Tree** » Sun Apr 24, 2011 9:59 pm

Ashleigh seemed torn. Something clicked, something deathly dangerous, but it was hidden flawlessly, as she moved to Darryn. She did not even grace him with a look as she was already slipping an arm about his waist.

Interesting thing that should likely be noted? She had changed her attire slightly since Damian had been in the room last. she'd had her father's things placed at her feet, and a she now bore not only the crest cuff bracelet, but the crown. She was now fully incharge of her clan. She'd taken hold of it during this time frame.

She was no longer as pressured to wed. Every tried to boss around your boss? Not so good an idea.

But this was not important enough to care about as the woman led Darryn off and to the chambers she'd used in his absence, laying him back down.

This is as close as I can come for a visual aid to her crown, save 1, it's real, and 2, it's solid black titanium, and red diamonds, not rubies.

No earrings. Cuff braclet is solid titanium black, with a red oval diamond-crest carved into the diamond

<a href='http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4146/504 ... 0f34f3.jpg' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'>http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4146/504 ... 4f3.jpg</a>

Post by **Sushi** » Sun Apr 24, 2011 10:24 pm

Darryn looked up at her.

He told me to go to my room...

It was offered feebly, and it didn't seem that he would do much otherwise.

Post by **Tree** » Sun Apr 24, 2011 10:37 pm

He can be glad I don't rip his heart out, piss on it, and then make him eat it.

She replied to him, snuggling him as she looked him over.

" If he has a problem with where I keep you, he can bring his dumb ass to me."

She would kill him if she was questioned on such a tiny thing as the bed he lay in.

Post by **Sushi** » Sun Apr 24, 2011 10:45 pm

Darryn just lay there for quite some time, dozing in and out. Ashleigh was free to do whatever she wanted. After all, there wasn't much that could be done directly for him. However, late the next evening, there came something that was much like a shining ray of hope.

I need to get up...

Darryn was trying to coax himself into sitting to do such. Why? Because he desperately wanted some water.

Post by **Tree** » Sun Apr 24, 2011 10:51 pm

Ashleigh sighed, sitting him up and holding a glass of water that he wished, watching him closely.

You seemed extremely distressed before... what do you know?

Post by **Sushi** » Sun Apr 24, 2011 10:58 pm

Darryn reached out, grabbing the glass. For a second, it seemed like he might drop it, though he didn't.

About what?

Don't get too eager, Ashleigh. You have to be patient. He was still trying to battle this thing off. He could even relapse.

...There was a faint and timid knock on her bedroom door.

Post by **Tree** » Sun Apr 24, 2011 11:03 pm

" Go. Away."

She stated softly to whomever was at the door, looking over Darryn. Alright, fine.

Nevermind, rest.

Post by **Sushi** » Sun Apr 24, 2011 11:20 pm

"Please, Mistress. I'm sorry. I was just sent to ask you if you wanted my help."

It was the sound of a meek female.

"I can watch after Darryn and make sure he is well taken care of - my brother had the pneumonic plague. I know how to do it... No one wants you to miss the Gathering."

It was being hosted here. It was the annual gathering of leaders and immediate blood relatives - a huge socio-political deal.

Darryn thanked her absently, though he shook his head. Never mind? Oh, something important it felt like...