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Aedan Huntington

"If this is salvation, why was I the only one saved?"

0 · 821 views · located in The Manor

a character in “Mon Coeur”, as played by FaddedFox

Description

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[center][img]http://orig01.deviantart.net/0319/f/2016/171/1/1/ahb_by_pieluver233-da708yk.png[/img][/center][left][img]http://t10.deviantart.net/-88IaGvXjsaiSAVJuVrtIxzqWvs=/fit-in/150x150/filters:no_upscale():origin()/pre00/3d4d/th/pre/f/2016/170/1/3/aedanleft_by_pieluver233-da6wjns.png[/img][/left][right][img]http://t05.deviantart.net/PY-cYizEs_aLRYjmIyrxC4bY8Uo=/fit-in/150x150/filters:no_upscale():origin()/pre04/d721/th/pre/f/2016/170/d/7/aedanright_by_pieluver233-da6wjny.png[/img][/right][center][font=didot][color=#00688B]【"AWW GEEZE, HERE'S A QUOTE"】
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【WHERE TF ARE YOU?】
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[justify][font=helvetica][color=#9D1309]Do your best! :D I believe in you![/color][/font][/justify]

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"Come away, O human child! To the waters and the wild with a faery, hand in hand, for the world’s more full of weeping than you can understand." - W.B. Yeats




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Role
Human 8

Age
22

Gender
Male

Nicknames
Snow Leopard
Soldier
Corner Poet


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Faded visage - calloused accusations. Raze the cheer to leave behind the sear.



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【Solitary】 【Passionate】 【Protective】 【Melancholy】

Aedan is in a state of emotional turmoil and his personality has begun shifting quite a bit. He is practically unrecognizable to those who may have known him before the incident that brought him to Sabine's attention. The young man has become reclusive, needing to be alone to ruminate on the past and his mistakes. He blames himself for a lot of what happened and has grown to resent himself and internalize the views of society in regards to homosexuality and drinking blood. He no longer feels the freedom to be himself since that expression has led to many tragedies in his life. He also experienced much abuse at the end of his 'life' and harsh betrayal. Because of this, his seclusion also stems from a fear of betrayal from others and being hurt. He is afraid of getting close only to end up losing the person so he figures that it is better to be alone than get close. No one gets hurt that way.

The young solider has closed himself off and takes solace in writing. Writing had been a simple pleasure before Sabine and he didn't always get a chance to write but now he finds himself with more time on his hands than he had ever wanted. Poetry offers him an escape and a way to express his emotions and get his words out. It has become his social outlet since he doesn't feel comfortable enough to actually express himself to real people. It gives him a sense of peace since he isn't bottling everything up but eventually he'll need to talk to someone; writing can only do so much to keep one unburden.

Though generally introverted now, Aedan can also be very reactive. This side of him is generally revealed around Sabine or those that push his buttons too much and force him out of his comfort zone. This has eared him the title 'snow leopard' by Sabine thanks to his lashing out and sudden outbursts. He gets very loud and lashes verbally as well as physically. He is very hot and cold towards the demon that had rescued him mostly because of his own confusion about the situation, grief, and disgust about the situation he finds himself in.

And since Aedan is military trained and made his livelihood by being a guard for one of the remaining nobility, Aedan is quite protective and is never without his sword. Though he is very quiet around the others because he is new and uncomfortable with expression, he does see the others as a sort of family and will do what he can to protect them. Even those he hates and does not care for. He will not allow them to be hurt by others. He knows that most of them had sad endings just like he did and they are all stuck in this situation so he doesn't want harm to come to them and he failed to protect those he loved before. He does not want to make the same mistake again.

Beneath it all, Aedan is a softy. He is a romantic and very passionate individual. He will devote himself to one thing with a single minded abandon. He loves sweet things and enjoys romance though it hadn't turned out well for him before. Seeing romance brings out a mix of jealousy and deep seated sadness and longing to Aedan. He often tries to avoid the scene and gets reactive if someone tries to touch him or show him love. It is one of the reasons why he lashes out so strongly against Sabine and Damien who often forgets that he hates being touched. His aversion to being touched has only grown stronger since Damien tried to show him affection which ended up with him feeling trapped and excited. To a certain extent, he has grown to fear feeling aroused towards others.


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Be gone creature in darkness, haunted steps echo in my ear. Remember, never look behind at the demon reflected.


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Appearance

Aedan is a young man standing at 5'8 and weighs 150 pounds. He sports a lean build thanks to his training in the military. He sports a boyish face with defined cheekbones and rounded edges giving him the appearance of being younger than he is. His long limbs add grace to his movements and he is quite flexible. Though he has a pianist's elegant fingers, they are calloused thanks to his sword training, making them rough to the touch. His light blond hair is airy and cascades around his face giving him a slightly more feminine and delicate look though he is far from being fragile physically. Though his hair is a bit long in the back, he generally keeps his hair down and rarely puts his hair in a tiny ponytail. His somber blue eyes spark easily when forced into action and look far more like daggers when he is pissed off though generally they have a forlorn look about them. Aedan is a mix of looking young and vulnerable and being a hardened soldier. In his life before Sabine, he used this to his advantage to throw people off guard with his childish like attitude and disposition.

Attire

Aedan generally likes the fashion of his era. He likes wearing his uniform and the formality it gives him. Since he likes to be alone, he feels like the outfit gives him a physical way to tell people to back off. He is not particular about the color of his outfits though he generally likes white or black and navy blue. His clothing generally is buttoned down and he sports cuffs and gloves when he goes out. It allows a better grip on his sword which he carries with him at all times. This is probably the fanciest part of his outfit. He wears a stylish sword belt with various engravings. The sheath of his sword is black with gold trimmings and the sword itself has a decorative hilt of gold and silver fashioned like a blooming flower that buds around his hand protecting his hand. This was actually a gift he had gotten from his parents and is the only personal possession he has from his past.

Aedan also has a thing for earrings. He generally wears studs but his favorite types are earrings that dangle. Often times he sports studs on one ear and a long earring on the other. Before he didn't have the courage to wear them around his unit but now that he lives with Sabine, he doesn't have to worry about being fashion forward or being teased by 'friends'. He doesn't often go out so he feels relatively safe wearing them.

He doesn't often ask Sabine to buy clothing for him and only has 5 different pieces of clothing though he has asked for his guilty pleasure of earrings. Besides his jewelry, he does bug Sabine for paper and a variety of pens and ink for his writing.

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Color drips with every beat. In memory frozen the face of despair.



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Likes

【Reading】 ▬▬▬ Aedan has always liked reading all sorts of books and poetry. Generally speaking, he likes romances and and legends.

【Writing】 ▬▬▬ To go along with his love of reading he enjoys writing and generally writes poetry.

【Sweets】 ▬▬▬ Aedan enjoys sweet things like cakes and pastries. His favorites generally consist of strawberry flavors or filling.

【Nature】 ▬▬▬ The young man loves nature and can sit among the flowers or watch the animals for hours. It is peaceful.


Hobbies

【Writing】 ▬▬▬ Aedan generally can be seen with a pen and paper writing poetry or short stories in the library or the settee beside the garden.

【Reading】 ▬▬▬ If he isn't writing, Aedan has his head in a book and can read well into the night until he has finished the book.

【Observing】 ▬▬▬ Since his arrival, Aedan has picked up the habit of sitting down in a settee and just watching people and nature. He generally takes this time to reflect or just gain information on the other members of the house.


Dislikes

【Loudness】 ▬▬▬ Aedan doesn't care for loud noises like banging or yelling since it is very disruptive. Trains going by often startle him awake or catch him off guard.

【Himself】 ▬▬▬ He was selfish and then not strong enough to protect the one he loved. He very much blaims himself for what happened to his lover.

【Being touched】 ▬▬▬ Aedan does not like being touched in any sort of manner, especially not in a flirtatious way. He has been hurt by those he trusted and since he was punished for showing affection, any display in kind makes him uncomfortable and angry.

【Drinking blood】 ▬▬▬ Drinking blood makes Aedan feel like a monster but also is exciting so all in all it is something that perplexes and disgusts him.

【Being Dependant】 ▬▬▬ The soldier has always had a distaste for being dependent on others since that means he cannot help himself. His need for blood makes him dependent on Sabine which he can't stand.


Fears

【Getting close】 ▬▬▬ The young poet is afraid of being close to others because that requires one to be vulnerable. Last time he did that, he was betrayed and his lover was murdered for it. He doesn't want to feel that pain again.

【Losing Control】 ▬▬▬ Aedan has a growing sadness and anger he recognizes and is afraid that these darker emotions will suffocate him in the end.

【Losing loved ones】 ▬▬▬ Since he has lost so much, he fears losing anyone that he may get close to. This ties in with his fear of getting close so he isolates himself to protect himself and others.


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Hands stretched skyward, murmured plea 'don't forget me'.



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The Before

Aedan was born from rather poor parents. They didn't have much status or anything really that belonged to them. His parents both worked in factories and he too ended up working in the grueling and dangerous factories as a child. He knew early on that he didn't want to spend the rest of his days working most of the time in factories like his parents. They weren't living; just existing. He wanted to improve his life and at the time, there were no laws that protected children in factories. Aedan knew that his only way out was through the nobility. He had to find a way to get noticed.

So, the young boy decided to try his luck in the military. He snuck into the training grounds and started to train. He did get noticed and though originally he was going to be thrown out or imprisoned, the captains decided to keep him on and monitored his progress since he only came to attention because he showed promise. And so, Aedan found himself training as a soldier. He did get some accommodations for his family so they could live nearby and worked at the castle instead of the factories they had been slaving away in before.

When he was 15, Aedan was transferred to the guard detail for the king's right hand man, a noble adviser. Aedan took to the job eagerly and with much diligence. Since he was still a 'poor' boy he constantly felt the pressure to prove himself against the other guards who were born for this and trained earlier. His eagerness and determination continued to shower him with positive attention and he rose through the ranks quickly. His family was soon living comfortably. They were still poor but his parents did not have to worry about income anymore and factory work was never a threat looming over their heads again. Aedan usually gave them all of his money; far more concerned with their well-being than his own.

At 17, his parents had given him a rich sword that had been part of their family for generations as a mark of his accomplishments and he gladly wore the sword and wielded it proudly. At 18, he became head guardsman and was in charge of 20 men. One such man was Ronan; a younger soldier by 3 years. Ronan was also a rather determined soldier and Aedan saw the potential in him and took him under his wing to start teaching him and training him to be his second. That wasn't the only thing that blossomed however.

It wasn't long before Aedan began to realize he had deeper feelings for the younger soldier. He did his best to keep his feeling secret considering the laws that banned homosexuality. The realization that he was gay often kept Aedan up at night in fear and confusion and he prayed that his 'affliction' would be cured. This often led him to be harder on Ronan as he tried to get rid of his feelings. Ronan to however, had feelings for Aedan as well. At a celebration, the two of them ended up in bed together thanks to liquor encouragement and they couldn't go back.

Aedan was happy and loved Ronan more than anything in the world. Before everything went to shit, he had a optimistic and hopeful view of the future. There was always a mischievous light in his eyes and was coy and teasing with his friends. He was full of life and he loved showering Ronan with his affection. He couldn't hide his favoritism from everyone and his best friend eventually cornered Aedan into admitting his love for Ronan.

And that is when everything changed. His best friend told their lord of the blasphemy and the lord did not take kindly to the accusation and demanded proof of the affair. So, the friend brought the lord and four other men to Aedan's chambers and upon opening the door, Aedan and Ronan were caught engaging in the act. In accordance with the law, The two of them were pulled apart and brought into custody. Since both were under the lord's command, he enacted the punishment himself. He forced Aedan to watch as Ronan was tortured for their shared crime before his best friend ran Ronan through with his blade.

Aedan wasn't spared the treatment. Once Ronan had been taken care off and left on the ground bleeding out, his men began to beat him. The lord himself then used Aedan's own sword to slice him through the stomach before he to was left on the ground like trash beside his lover. Aedan reached out for Ronan's lifeless body before going unconscious. Then, he woke up in Sabine's home.


The After

Aedan has only been with Sabine for a year. His personality and presentation however has changed considerably. He blames himself for what happened to his lover and hates the fact that he lived instead of Ronan. Ronan was far more deserving than himself. Ronan had been so young and had yet to experience so much of life and yet... he is happy he is alive. He is grateful that Sabine saved him and yet, he is trapped in self loathing, guilt, and despair, wishing he to was dead so that Ronan wouldn't be alone in hell.

And thanks to the harsh betrayal still so fresh in his mind, Aedan has a hard time fitting in and opening up. He doesn't want to get close to anyone and lose them or have them betray him in his moment of vulnerability or look at him in disgust though obviously that wouldn't be the case considering Damien's open preference. He has closed himself off and that permanent smile he had before seems forgotten. He never smiles anymore and jokes are absent from his lips. He has fallen into a ruminating sadness with writing as his only outlet to get his confused emotions out. The only time any spark of light enters his eyes is when Sabine makes him uncomfortable, forcing him to become reactive. This also happens when the other pets do the same thing.

Thus far, he doesn't have friends really in the other pets and very much feels and acts like an outsider. He doesn't know where he fits in and is unsure if he wants to fit in. He hates that he is trapped with Sabine, forced to drink blood to survive and being dependent on him. He'd never been dependent on anyone and he hates the monster he is becoming and wishes there was a way to escape though he will never try suicide. He has enough sin tacked to his name; he can't add suicide to them.



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A kindred spirit?

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"Who are you? The first; the one that started it all. What in your heart coveted the Demon to haunt? Dare I look at the similarities in shared gaze?"

Nicholas is a friendly face and the man has offered some of the sweets he created and it is not uncommon for the two to be in the kitchen with Indigo baking so they have ended up having conversations about sweets and baking. Aedan discovered that Nicholas likes to read so the two also talk about books which creates a nice friendly atmosphere between the two. Aedan is also very curious about him since Nicholas was the first human taken in by Sabine. The similarities between the two of them does unnerve him a little and he is not sure if he really wants to delve into their similarities or if it is better off ignored and just taken as a coincidence.




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Fox

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"The one called owl; unlikely of friends. Over crepes and sweet things you've ensnared me. Now I find myself at peace in flour and powdered sugar. Sly fox, pull me from my shell. "

Indigo often forces Aedan to be social with her and though he may not really talk about himself, he'll engage the conversation and somehow she got him to try baking so the two of them have bonded over pastries and cooking lessons. Indigo is also the only person thus far that managed to get his lips to quirk the tiniest bit. A way to a man's heart is through his stomach, or so they say.




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Viper

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"Hellish temper and viper tongue, here cometh one with dagger eyes. Trust not thee inviting lips else be felled by faulty decrees. "

Aedan hasn't talked to Natalia too much but the few times that they have interacted, Natalia made it clear he was not welcome nor liked. Aedan equally detests her attitude. He makes a point to stay away from her and ignore her when she is in the room.




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My Dark Cloud

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"Dark cloud roaming to and fro, why do you torment me so? Eyes smolder beneath thine lashes, steps echo shattered heart. What darkness shrouds upon thee and maketh mine quicken?"

Aedan hasn't had a chance to really talk to Lonan thus far. Since he is new, he doesn't talk to most people but Lonan always drifts in and out of the place and both being quite individuals, there hasn't been much in the way of interaction. Aedan does recognize that there is a bit of physical attraction towards Lonan which makes him uncomfortable and the recluse behavior exhibited by the man and the haunted look also makes him very curious about Lonan and what happened to him. He wants to talk to him and learn more about him but his quiet nature and fear of becoming close has prevented him thus far from going up to Lonan.




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Lady Imogen
Clover
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"Presence that comes and goes. Fire in heart and soft steps. Share in quite words but distance sustained."

Aedan has no particular feelings towards Clover. She is a neutral party. They haven't interacted too much so he doesn't not feel close or angered by her presence. He wouldn't mind just sitting in the same room with her if they happened to be in the same place. Were she to talk to him, he would indulge in pleasantries but nothing else. He does love her eyes however and doesn't assume anything negative. He just finds it interesting.




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Hart

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"Don't touch me with your feverish hand and hasten my fall! Cloying fingers give way to anguished chagrin. Molten cares stir the demon's lust and thirst for things unholy. Leave me be! Why must you provoke that which lies beneath the darkness in haunted gaze? Friendly smile all I asked of thee."

The two actually didn't start off too bad. They had started off friendly, conversing about books and reading silently together. At first Damien's advances had been misunderstood but when he became far more open about homosexuality, Aedan became increasingly uncomfortable around Damien. Though they had friendly exchanges, Aedan has a certain jealousy and fear when Damien turns affectionate towards considering what happened to him when he had expressed his sexual tendencies and tries to avoid any sort of physical contact with Damien. He has also began to lash out more out of fear around Damien when the man does try to touch him or really starts making him uncomfortable in his skin. He is a bit sad about it though considering he was one of the first people he had begun feeling friendly towards.




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Ghost Lotus

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"Sweet ghost lotus. Your silence comforts me and offer solace in madness. A strange serenade, strange duet, with words not uttered by tainted lips. Presence sole balm on shattered nerves. Stay -- don't forsake me. To your petals I cling in silent plea."

The two of them actually started to become friends on accident. Aedan had been working on his poetry and speaking out loud and didn't realize Madison was outside with him. The two of them began talking about poetry and gardening and now often just sit together in silence while they work on their own things and occasionally speak up to assist the other. Though they don't talk often, Aedan has a growing sense of peace around her. Because she is silent, he feels a special camaraderie with her as if she understands the pain inside him though they haven't talked about any of it. Her presence is calming. She is the only person he feels that is genuinely doesn't want anything from him.




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I am just me a man with borrowed time.

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"Doll left behind to porcelain life. Yet still hollow, I remain in shrouded guilt. Hopes, dreams long since grey. Heart beats, eyes wake, soul adrift. Once proud in purpose now still darkness; a soldier with no fire. All ideals faulty decrees. Beed-ed life upon ruptured skin reminds sensation."

Aedan doesn't have much love for himself. He blames himself for a lot of the bad things that happened to him and those around him. His homosexuality is also a cause of discomfort so he is not very nice to himself anymore. He has begun entertaining the idea of cutting himself but has yet to do that. He often wishes he had truly died long before he caused the ruin of his lover. He doesn't know what Sabine sees in him except a broken doll.



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Demon Savior

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"Don't touch me, demon in guise! A savior with fettered salvation. Collector of marionettes - your veins the strings. Toss me in the mire and drag me upon the remnants. Your glacier fingers choke vice. Whispered comfort gives only despair. Why me? Why derive me and not the other more sorry than I? Why torment me with spurious affection in wake of death?
"

Aedan has conflicting feelings for Sabine. Sabine saved his life and he is happy about that and Sabine's almost cute obtuseness endears him to Aedan. In the same vein however, Sabine frustrates him to no end and the demon often makes him so uncomfortable that he lashes out physically towards his captor. Then... Sabine is back to asking him questions and seeking guidance. Aedan mostly avoids Sabine however and so the demon has to come to him if he wants a conversation. And unfortunately, Dami tries to teach Sabine about affection and sexuality and Aedan becomes Sabine's guinea pig often ending with Aedan lashing out and then acting as teacher for the poor confused demon. He also harbors some resentment that he has to drink blood and be dependent on him and views himself as a monster. There is also a bit of anger as to why Sabine only saved him.


So begins...

Aedan Huntington's Story

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Damien Moore Character Portrait: Nicholas Sartre Character Portrait: Lonan Auraxtin Character Portrait: Sabine Cayne Character Portrait: Natalia Catherine Estbury Character Portrait: Aedan Huntington
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【"Stop trying. I’ve held my head up through- well hellooo boys~ Need some help with that? Yes, that. You know what I mean."】
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【The Manor House Dining Room, Sitting to the Left of Sabine】
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【#15155E】
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Dami’s eyes sparkled as he watched the fallout of his little display. While considering it, he had only considered the males true, but it wasn’t hard to notice the affect he’d had on the women as well. No one but Dami himself was amused, but then again, had he been trying for amusement, he had better tricks. No, he’d gotten the reactions he wanted from the men.

Was it wrong that he felt a thrill of power whenever he pulled something like this? Because he did, along with a tingling of revenge, satisfaction…Aedan, Four, even Nicholas, they had all rejected him one way or another, but he could still manipulate them this way. He could make them notice him, knew that whether they wanted to or not, their bodies desired him, desired what he promised with his teasing licks. Shock, red cheeks… as first one, then the other left the room, his smiled grew. Nick chose to stay, pressing closer to the table instead, and Dami could guess why… He winked at him, running his tongue over his lips.

He cared not for Imogen’s disgust, and chuckled lightly at Indigo’s complaint. By the time he formulated his quip about raunchy novels not being nearly so boring, or perhaps something about him wishing he lived in one, she had left to check on one of her goats. Well, Dami could understand concern over their own pets. Though one couldn’t deny that Indie’s goats were more useful than his own rabbits, he knew she had bonded with them.

Guilt only entered his gaze when he noted Madison’s misunderstanding, the village girl choosing him to model her manners off of despite him distinctly lacking any in that moment. She had fled before he could comment, not that he knew how to make it better. He pushed it from his mind then, instead leaning into Sabine’s touch as the demon came around.
”I know…” he murmured quietly, looking up at the other blond with soft eyes. The demon had missed the innuendo, of course he had, and Dami couldn’t say he was upset. He had what he wanted from the demon most of the time… He gazed after Sabine as the demon left the room, until he was stirred from his reverie by Natalia’s snide mocking voice. "Ruin? My dear, you misunderstand. They didn't leave because they felt sick..." Dami paused, then gave a light gasp, as if shocked. "My goodness! Oh, my apologies, dear Natalia. Next time, I'll ensure that I sit so you have a better view. Maybe you'll learn a thing or two on how to properly pleasure a man? I don't suppose you have much experience with that, as you were still unmarried at, what was it, 35?"

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Damien Moore Character Portrait: Nicholas Sartre Character Portrait: Lonan Auraxtin Character Portrait: Sabine Cayne Character Portrait: Natalia Catherine Estbury Character Portrait: Aedan Huntington
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【"Leave me alone!"】
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【Kitchen -> hallway】
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【#00688B】
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Aedan heard the door to the kitchen open and sighed. What now? Couldn't he just be left in peace to calm down? His hands tightened into fists and he kept his gaze down at the soapy water. The foot fall he heard however, didn't sound like Sabine's. It was much quieter, softer. Who had come into the kitchen then? He glanced back to see Madison and he gave a sigh, releasing the pent up breath he had been holding and let the rising tension go. He wasn't mad at her after all. He shook his head and straightened a little but kept his head down as he started to clean the dishes again. He and Madison never said overly much to each other but the company was pleasant and peaceful. Maybe with her there he'd calm. And even if he wanted to say something, he didn't trust himself right then not be cold towards her too and he did not want to break the thread of friendship that they had.




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【"AWW GEEZE, HERE'S A QUOTE"】
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【Kitchen】
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【#FB37CD】
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The deep shade of red that Madison's face adopted followed her into the kitchen. How could she have been so careless? She should have known it was something inappropriate, her child like mind had only just a brief moment too late made the connection. She scolded herself under her breath for being so careless, more or less for the fact that she was still overcome with such profound embarrassment, the other pets would likely never take her seriously, being seen as either an imitator or a dimwit.

Once she pushed past the door and crossed the threshold into the kitchen, she noticed Aedan busying himself with dishes and such. She took in a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. Aedan shot a glance over his shoulder, acknowledging her presence with a brief, blank stare. They hadn't spoken much before, and when they did they kept it brief. Madison cleared her throat timidly, gesturing at the pile of dishes she held in her arms.
"Do..um...you mind if I help? Or would you rather I just set these to the side? I don't want to be in the way...I...I'm so, so sorry if my display in the dining room came off as...anything but appropriate. I...had no idea." It was obvious in the brief pauses of her words that she was struggling to fight down a lump in her throat and hold back tears. She shimmied toward the counter, gently placing the pile down on the counter, being sure not to get too close to Aedan.

Aedan looked back at her and hesitated. He didn't really want help. He'd come in here as an escape but it was obvious this was something she needed to.
"You can help," he answered her. He wasn't going to tell her no. At her comment, he faltered. Her display? He'd been so preoccupied with what Dami was doing, he hadn't looked at her. "I didn't notice what you were doing," he admitted. He was a little curious but he wasn't sure he wanted to know if she was worried about it being inappropriate. "I am sure the way Four and I left the table wasn't much better in the realm of what is appropriate table manner."

Maddie heaved a sigh of relief when Aedan insisted he hadn't seen anything, and it made her feel a bit less tense around him. She began to busy herself by drying the dishes as Aedan washed them, and before long they had put a sizable dent in the pile.

"I just...I was so worried something was going to go wrong, and I feel like my negative thoughts might have projected into the world. I wanted so badly for this to go well. It was my first meal with everyone, and now it's left a bad taste in their mouths, they are going to expect such idiocy of me in the future. I..." She trailed off, trying to hide the fact that tears started to trickle down her cheeks, fighting the urge to sniffle at the snot building up in her nose.

Aedan wasn't sure he was in the right state of mind to deal with this. He was crumbling at the seams himself. There was so much going on in his head. This breakfast had left a bad taste in all of their mouths. Except Dami anyway.

"Don't worry about it. I am sure everyone will forget whatever it is you did. Dami's actions will be what people remembered," he assured her. "Four left before me and then I left. I don't know what happened afterward but Nickolas won't be rude to you I don't think. Doesn't seem like the man to hold a slight against you. You needn't fret. The other two... Natalia might be the only one who'd hold it against you."

Maddie tried to take solace in his reassurance, but she couldn't manage to quite stifle it completely. "If you'll excuse me.." She squeaked, cupping her hand over her mouth before she started to sob uncontrollably. She wheeled around to hurry out of the kitchen, and in her haste she was hardly paying attention, and nearly crashed right into Sabine as he entered the kitchen as well.



"God damn it!" he hissed to himself when he heard the door open to allow Sabine entry and Madison to flee. He'd made Madison cry. He had been trying to console her and he'd failed that terribly. He wasn't cut out for this. He raised a hand to rub his forehead. This time he was well aware that the footsteps behind him where Sabine's. The demon was going to get too close or do something to annoy him and having him close made him very aware of his thumbing heart beat, the need to drink. He didn't want to ask for blood. They all had to do it but he didn't want to look week or sound like he was begging. Sabine seeing that was all he could bear. God above he hated being so dependent on someone else for his life. He focused on breathing again as Sabine came to a stop.

At Sabine's question he shook his head.
"No I don't." Madison had helped a bit and the rest that was there were easily manageable. Besides, this was something he wanted to do alone to try and ease his thoughts. Thankfully the others were still eating and the plates were being used so he grabbed a towel to dry off the dishes and put them away. The others could deal with the other dishes as breakfast came to an end. He had done his part. He rolled down his sleeves and turned away from Sabine.

"If you'll excuse me." Aedan said, echoing Madison's early departure and left the kitchen then. Aedan didn't look at anyone still at the table as he passed through the dinning room and into the hallways. He rested his hand lazily on his sword and just... patrolled. It was a habit he picked up. He knew the house was safe but he still couldn't give up the old habit of patrolling the residence just in case something was amiss. And the wandering sometimes helped him calm himself down and think of other things. Other times it just helped the words come to his poetry.

"Locked in Oblivion to dance
upon his stage...
Agony in the ecstasy upon my tongue.
Light in dark - I burn.
Take solace in silence yet
chagrin the stillness."
he mused. He stopped in front of a window displaying the backyard and reached a hand out to lay it flat against the glass. "Lead us not into temptation, but what do we do when temptation's all that's left?"Aedan shook his head and sat down beside the glass and closed his eyes to try and enjoy the quiet. He was already feeling the anger bleed away with the filtered warmth from the window.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Damien Moore Character Portrait: Nicholas Sartre Character Portrait: Sabine Cayne Character Portrait: Natalia Catherine Estbury Character Portrait: Aedan Huntington Character Portrait: Madison Harper
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【"I suppose you can't ask for much when we have a family meal."】
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【Dining Room --> Vegetable Garden】
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【#2C5D3F】
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More than a bit distracted at the moment, Nicholas had only partially noticed Madison's unfortunate misunderstanding and subsequent embarrassment. He could easily guess what had happened though, as he'd seen her lick her fingers after Dami had. By the time she had fled, the First had become preoccupied with trying to remaining calm and finishing his meal. He took slow bites, allowing the repetitive action to help him clear his mind of the mix of memories, thoughts, and feelings swirling about.

Once he regained his composure, he became aware that Sabine had departed them as well and that someone had just run through the room and down the hall as he heard their rushed footsteps nearby. Nattia and Damien seemed to be having a discussion. Unsurprisingly, the two were going at each other with much disdain and sharpened quips. He'd only tuned back in as Nattia took a brief pause to check the kitchen door for the demon. He too glanced at the door, as if by doing so would cause Sabine to appear and hopefully shut her up. How she could go from being an absolute pain in the ass to a somewhat tolerable but pretentious lady at the flick of a switch was beyond him.

As Nicholas was not involved in the current conversation, did not want to be, and had returned to his usual state, he picked up his plate and excused himself from the table without a word. He paused towards the end of the table as Aedan went by before turning and going into he kitchen where he found Sabine. "Thank you for the family breakfast, Sabine," he told the demon as he moved to the sink to wash his plate. Though his friend had done nothing in terms of food prep, Nick still felt he should thank him for at least trying to hold a civilized family occasion. He also didn't want Sabine to feel bad about the meal abruptly ending, as it was by no means his fault. "It wasn't perfect but it was lovely to sit together for just a bit."

With that being said he turned to wash his plate. Once he had dried it, he placed it back with the others before exiting into the hallway which adjoined the kitchen and led to the vegetable garden. Here, he found Aggy laying on the floor. "Let's get some fresh air, shall we?" Nicholas opened the door leading out to the garden, allowing the large black dog to go first. Once outside he took a seat on the stone bench against the kitchen's exterior wall and took out a cigarette. He placed it in his mouth before lighting it, setting the discarded match on the bench next to him as Aggy laid down at his feet. The day was off to a more dramatic start than usual and he could use a little alone time.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Lonan Auraxtin Character Portrait: Aedan Huntington
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#, as written by Skwidge
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【”Existence is pain and nothing mo- ?"】
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【Under the Sun --> Aedan’s Hallway】
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Desperate to put as much distance between himself and Dami- well all the pets truly, just him in particular- Lonan’s footfalls were heavy and uncharacteristically loud as he fled, heart pounding unnaturally in his chest. The little bird bumped into a few tight corners in his scramble to get to the freedom of unshielded skies, but his only goal was to escape, so the means to achieve it needn’t any particulars. It didn’t matter, then, that he was being loud, or that he might be a little clumsy. Especially since everyone was still in the dining room.

He wasn’t used to his body acting like this out of the privacy of solitude, and the fact that it had gone so easily noticed, that Four had made it so easily noticed by his actions at the table, made it as though he had been dumped in the middle of an endless sea with no means of reaching any shore. Completely out of his element, he was understandably in a bit of a fluster. He wouldn’t be like this though if not for the fault of being gone for so long while Sabine slumbered. These actions were not unusual for Damien, hardly so, and Four was quite used to being at the butt end of them whenever caught in the crosshairs of the lusty tyrant, but Lonan had been absent in the forests for days, pleasantly lost to his own mind… had he truly forgotten about Six’s nonsense?

…Nay. It was a culmination of so many different things; like it always was. Unique cycles of events combining into these end results. Lonan couldn’t possibly prepare for them, no matter how hard he tried. No dawn mirrored another, and no dusk ended similarly to the one prior. This was why he kept his distance. He should’ve just run as soon as he saw that toast trickery. Nothing good comes from not-toast. The boy’s gaze glanced downward for a moment. Nothing good. It was in that moment that he was immeasurably grateful for his baggy sleeping choices, lest he be even more uncomfortable right now.

Two or three sparrows sang cheerfully from the bows of a nearby tree until they were abruptly cut off as Lonan burst forth from one of the manor doors. The door itself creaked in protest as it was flung against its hinges towards the wall, missing by mere centimeters slamming against the bricks, for the offender’s fingers curled against the side of the barrier, halting it in its tracks before pressing the tips of his digits opposite its momentum, resulting in it swinging back and clicking into closed place. Four continued this smooth, purposeful motion by proceeding straight down the single stone step and into the still-dewy grass of morning. The moisture sank into his socks- a wardrobe choice he was not grateful for- and it contrasted cold against the warm rays of light soaking into his form. Damp splotches against his soles soundly ignored, the Blackbird marched a few more steps forward before coming to a frustrated, angered halt. His lips twisted into a frown and his eyes scrunched closed, hands suddenly curling into fists and fingernails digging angry red crescents into his palms. He just- he couldn’t take it anymore. With no remorse, as he was plenty far from all of the other pets, he let out a yell (who was this person?) and dropped his head toward the ground. It seemed to help. Or at least for a small moment before his mind started replaying what had happened at the breakfast table.

He had calmed down after his little episode, but at the thought of Damien and that damned breakfast, his cheeks were flushing once more, unbidden despite his behest. His heartbeat spiked again. He didn’t want any of how his body was behaving right now. Fortunately though, he was only lost to the teetering, unwelcome dizziness of reviewing that lustful scene for nigh but a fraction of a moment, almost more-so not even dwelling on that aspect of the event before suddenly festering at the glaring fact that the truth was, the molestation of that piece of bread had been so openly and uncaringly meant as a display for everyone at the table. There was nothing special about it. Obviously nothing special about him. Clearly. That was what agonized and angered Lonan the most. These sorts of moments only dredged up further the reasons why Four was here, how he wasn’t particularly wanted. Why he was essentially nothing more than another piece of dusty furniture in this God-forsaken household.

His frustration was building again now; why did Six have to do these things? Did he not know how much agony and discomfort he caused? Did he just not care? Did he delight in this pain, hunger for it? It clearly must be so, for Lonan could not fathom a single contrary reason. Just to see how many people he could get under his thumb, surely. Realization hit then. That, once again, Lonan had been reduced to nothing more than someone else’s toy- used only when fancy struck, abused wholly by inconsiderate, heinous hands, and then abandoned all over again when he inevitably became broken or would no longer play in return. It stung all over again. His deepest insecurity… his most hated attribute- something that had been given to him by Sabine. This sudden onslaught of acute sorrow, this feeling of absolute helplessness, wracked his entire body until the corners of his eyes almost dripped. But before they could truly take root in his mind, these feelings were immediately ushered away in an instantaneous maneuver of defense. This hurt was replaced with a burning rage that scoured every inch of his being, singeing away all of that self-pity and renewing instead a sense of seething hatred and fiery anger. Why him?! Why always him? It built up in his throat, pooling higher, higher. Something in desperate need of being purged from his system. A consuming acid he could no longer contain. A freeing utterance that should take flight and then be lost to the wind. His jaw shifted, lips parted, mouth opened.

But no sound came.

No. That one yell was all that he would allow himself. He had been loud enough for one eternity. “Augh,” he breathed instead, defeated. Nothing would change. It didn’t matter. None of it bloody mattered. His index, middle, and thumb fingers curled into the soft maroon cuffs of the sleeves that so carefully hid his arms. Never mind any of that. He slid that same cloth back against his elbows, allowing the sun to hit the lightly tanned flesh that was always, always hidden from sight. The warm, bright rays revealed and illuminated twenty-something odd, whitened scars adorning each forearm, a motley of carvings thrown haphazardly across his skin. They were still in the process of healing away thanks to Sabine’s blood, but at an especially slower rate than they usually would now that it had been such a long time since Four had last fed. Arms now wondrously exposed to the open and cool air, he lifted those same limbs to run both hands over his shut eyes and then into his hair, fingers tangling lightly into the brown locks atop his head. With his back to the house, head tilted up to the clear sky, and eyes closed against the warm caress of the sun, Lonan took a deep breath, hands lingering comfortably right where they were. It may have been difficult to see the scars on his arms from their position at his sides before, but they were now on clear display out of the shadow of the sun’s position and at either side of his head. The frustration seemed to ebb from his form, and he just existed there for a few blissful seconds.

It was then that Lonan thought he heard a sound, and he dropped his hands, taking an instinctive step backwards as he shrunk into himself again, sleeves falling back into place at his wrists. He was suddenly alert, eyes peering around like a hawk’s, face utterly blank other than the natural harshness of his golden orbs. It was quite the contrast to how he had been just a few moments prior. All of his defenses were back up. Four would never allow anyone to see him as he just was- over his dead body. Now, if only he could die. No one seemed to be around though as far as he could tell. If anything, another pet was somewhere far off out of sight. He needn’t worry about that much. If they were out of sight, then he was out of mind. Safe. But Lonan had been outside for far too long now, he had taken enough leniencies, and now a pang of true hunger made his fingers twitch. It was time to return to Sabine.

Turning his back now to the sun, Four walked towards the shadows of the house, its darkness eagerly ushering him back inside its jaws. He closed the door on the fresh air and the warmth and the freedom, and the sparrows resumed their song as though nothing had even happened, as though the Blackbird had never even been there in the first place.

Upon reentry and a few steps later, Four could not help but come to a momentary stop. Irritation ran gently beneath his fingertips as he lay one hand on the wall and leaned over to use the other to pry his damp socks from his feet. They had been sticking to the wooden floors just maddeningly enough to make him notice and do something about it. He stuffed both of them carelessly into one pocket and continued on his way down the halls to the kitchen. He did not get very far though.



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【"Four… what darkness shrouds thee and make mine heart quicken?"】
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【Hallway】
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【#00688B】
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And to be true, there weren’t any pets outside, but there was one who had seen the pretty Blackbird in all of its glory in the sunlight. Aedan was still resting at the window after all. He hadn’t noticed Lonan at first on the other side, distracted by his own thoughts as he wove stanzas of poetry against the cooling, calming glass. But then Four was moving outside, raising his hands, and the motion quickly caught the newest pet’s eyes. Aedan straightened a bit, caught off guard, though what hadn’t caught him off guard all morning?

Aedan just watched him a moment. With the sun kissing his skin, it looked like a halo around him. It shone off his hair and his skin in a tantalizing way. Aedan may not want to face the fact that he was gay and push away all thoughts of desire, which was why he bristled at Damien’s constant displays, but he couldn’t help but appreciate Four’s good looks. Feeling a bit odd watching him, Aedan began to turn away but then something caught his eyes and his gaze fell on the scars at the other’s wrists. His heart tugged at the sight of them; one still healing. Four was cutting at his wrists? Was he trying to kill himself or was there something more behind that gesture? The sight made him ache. How much was he suffering? What did he hide beyond that golden gaze? Aedan wanted to ask, wanted to help but it wasn’t his place. If he asked, then Four might ask about him and he wasn’t sure he was ready to talk about it.

Then Four was coming back into the house and Aedan didn’t have the time to get up from his perch. As soon as Lonan came into the hall, the two caught each other’s gaze and Aedan hesitated. He knew Four would vanish in just moments, a bird in midflight. “...Are you alright?” he asked generally. He wanted to mention the wrists but perhaps it really wasn’t the time.



Eyes nonchalantly gazing about as he went, Lonan strode confidently through the doorway to the next hallway. However, he made it only about a step and a half before those same eyes noticed something that wasn’t supposed to be there. Lonan came to an abrupt halt, his golds going wide with surprise as he automatically froze in place. He was met with a form clad in dark pants and contrastingly white shirt, angel blonde hair and eyes the color of the sky on a cloudless day in a baby hue, and a boyish face with as much surprise as his own. Lonan swallowed.

Aedan.

What was he doing there? Sitting at the window… Four’s orbs flickered over to the glass panes to see what Eight could have been looking at, only to find that the view was dangerously close to where he had been outside. Fortunately, he analyzed in a second, the window was safely too far to the right- if looking at the house- from where he had been standing under the sky. The angles were wrong. Too bad Lonan didn’t realize that from where Aedan had been sitting prior, leaned against the crook of the window, the older pet had been in view of the younger if he looked the right way. Which, unbeknownst to Four, he had.

Nevertheless, the close call still had him uneasy, and it caused Lonan to straighten his form and tighten his muscles in a defensive manner. He was getting ready to bolt before Aedan could comment, to resume his stride past him as though nothing had happened, but then Aedan was speaking, and it caused hesitation in the brown-haired hunter. In that hesitation, Four was captured.

The... sincerity in his voice.... Lonan was completely caught off guard. When was the last- no, when had anyone ever talked to him in this manner? Defensiveness forgotten in his surprise, Lonan found himself rooted to the spot and responding before he even realized what was happening. It had been such a simple, innocent question, but one that Lonan had never been asked before. Not in a long, long time. Before Sabine long. Perhaps that was why he was answering.

”Nothing I haven't dealt with a thousand times before.” He spoke in stark contrast to what Aedan would be used to, which was his spiteful, agitated voice- the one he used with Nattia and Sabine, which consequently was the only time he ever did speak, unless it were to yell at Damien. Instead, his voice was quiet, far gentler, but still carrying well and with no qualms about it. This particular sentence was still a little bit short in tone, almost tired, but that which left little in terms of being able to respond. That is, until Lonan paused, suddenly feeling the very unnatural need to be polite, to express some form of gratitude for being asked it in the first place. That... was how conversations were supposed to go, right? He cleared his throat softly, “And… you? Are you doing,” he coughed awkwardly to clear his throat once more, “A-alright?” He stood a little stiffly, but not for lack of trying to appear like a normal human being. One who could actually have a conversation. A normal, definitely-not-broken person. It… probably wasn’t going very well. At least he was trying. Maybe he could pull it off.



Aedan was honestly surprised that Four had responded. He half expected the other pet to give a nod or some short quirk of the body before running off. They didn’t really interact after all. He’d only ever seen the anger in his motions when dealing with Nattie and Dami and Sabine. This tone of voice was so much softer, an interesting lilt to his words. He was so tense though. Aedan could easily see the man was uncomfortable in the way he had set himself. The body always gave you away. At least it did when one was trained to notice the subtleties of movements.

Even more surprising than the answer was the question Four asked. His eyes widened and he looked up into the other’s face. Not only had the fleeting dark cloud answered him, but he was now asking about his welfare. Again, Aedan had assumed he’d hurry away, not idle and continue conversation. “I…suppose I’m alright,” he answered, a flicker of a smile touching the corners of his lips before it was gone again. Aedan knew the answer was true but also a lie. There was so much more beneath physical well-being he couldn’t bring up. He wondered what it was Four was hiding, locked away behind those smoldering golden hues. Aedan felt trapped. He wanted to grasp at the fleeting conversation but it was coming to an end. He knew he wouldn’t be able to keep him longer and he didn’t know what to say. “Thank you. For asking.”



Lonan was taken aback once again when Aedan's head suddenly tilted up at his question, the boy looking straight at him with surprise so palpable that it made Lonan worry he had done something wrong. But then the boy answered, and, had that been a smile? Was that really because of him? Was it truly genuine? Four couldn’t tell; it was already gone. Still, his heart seemed to tighten in his chest, though outwardly the Blackbird simply shifted a bit, attributing this strange development instead to the fact that it was the first conversation he’d had in a while. Not because it had been the first smile given to him in eons. A smile without strings attached, without malice behind it, and without pity dripping from its fake luster. Still, this smile would not be returned- not only because Lonan was becoming more and more unsure if he had even seen it in the first place, but more-so because Four just did not smile. Ever. He didn’t have a reason to. In fact, the thought did not even cross his mind.

There was gratitude now from the soldier at ease before him. Aedan had thanked him for asking. He had been thanked for talking? Another surprise, and one he did not know how to respond to. All these...- Aedan was the complete opposite of everything that Lonan was used to and familiar with. It made him feel strange and keenly uncertain as well as unmistakably uncomfortable. This was all new territory, or rather exceptionally old territory that he could not remember, and Lonan could actually feel himself being pressed further and further out of his comfort zone by some invisible, moving barrier. But suddenly something stirred, something deep and familiar, something that made him regain control over himself and this situation. It made him chew on his lower lip, but this too helped.

Hunger.

Four was no longer hesitant. Aedan may have thrown him for a bit of an unintentional loop there, but this unnatural need to feed seemed to put him right back on track, right back into the darkness. The hunter straightened, giving a nod to Aedan, indicating that he had both heard and understood him, but also in doing so inevitably signifying that this conversation was over. Though… there was the slightest bit of hesitation to his first step, almost like he did not want to go, but it was gone in the next instance as he executed that step and walked past Aedan.

Four was starving, and he did not want his bloodlust to emerge. Violent and savage, unmerciful and ugly. He was looking forward to Sabine bleeding though, even if the demon didn’t really feel much pain. Lonan shoved his hands abruptly into his pockets, fingers harshly jabbing through the fabric and pushing past whatever was in them. He pressed his socks further into his left pocket, but with his right, the sudden, sharp motion caused something to roll up the back of his hand and hop out. He was only a few feet from Aedan when this occurred, but the boy seemed to have no intention of stopping even as the small object plinked against the wooden floor. Lonan had neither heard it nor noticed that it had left his pocket.



Aedan however noticed said object. He heard its little ‘tap’ as it hit the floor and rolled a little towards him. He hesitated just a moment, assuming the other would have noticed the drop and reach for it quicker than Aedan would have been able to retrieve it, but Four kept moving away. Aedan got up from his seat then and moved forward to pick up the forgotten item, a graphite pencil. It looked worn. Most likely Four used it often. It probably meant far more than that, just like Aedan’s own fountain pens he asked Sabine for.

“Four!” he called. “Wait!” he hurried forward to catch up with him. “You dropped your pencil,” he explained and offered it up to the other male.



As he heard his name called by Aedan’s voice, Four’s whole body froze in place. He did not even need to hear the other beckon his hold, for his name alone, from lips he had never heard it uttered from before, did it for him. As he turned to look at Eight’s hurried form, eyebrow raised in curiosity, the other male suddenly held out his hand. Four’s golden gaze fell to the other’s palm, only to find one of his closely guarded graphite sketching tools. He had dropped it? Lonan didn’t even remember having it in his pocket in the first place. It must have been left there weeks ago and he hadn’t even noticed.

The thing was indeed precious to him. They were difficult to come across, and Lonan absolutely despised asking Sabine for more, which made them even rarer. A sudden sense of relief washed over him at the fact that Aedan had retrieved it for him before it had been crushed underfoot or lost under some bit of furniture for the next several centuries.

The subtlest look of gratitude broke through his stoic façade, and Lonan took a step into Aedan’s form, hand moving through the air atop the other’s to take the small object. Lonan’s fingers brushed gently against Aedan’s palm, like the gentle flutter of a butterfly’s wings, careful and soft and timid despite the callouses adorning their tips. His hand was quick to retreat though, clasping the pencil tightly. Four glanced downward while he reached into his pocket, depositing said item. Upon release, Lonan was looking back up at the blonde, opening his mouth to express his gratitude, but seemed to get distracted once he found his warm golds suddenly meeting Aedan’s cool blues. With a rapid double blink, Lonan quickly looked elsewhere, feeling his cheeks warming for some strange reason. “Thank you.” He quickly spoke, hoping to distract both he and Aedan from this whole unusual situation. How awkward… He thought embarrassedly to himself.

Certainly these unfamiliar feelings were from being so hungry. He was becoming lightheaded because of it. Being lightheaded made a person do strange things and feel weird. Surely that was it. Lonan turned on his heel, giving a slight nod in departure as he quickly made his way away from Aedan. He was uncomfortable with this situation now again, and he could feel his heart thumping oddly in his chest.

It was actually thrilling, feeling so many different emotions that he hadn’t felt in so long- gratitude, honesty, sincerity, concern, awkwardness, a few others he couldn’t quite name at that exact moment, as well as having a real conversation. It was borderline terrifying. He wanted to get away from it and collect his thoughts.

But first, Sabine.

Four hurriedly made his way back to the kitchen.



Aedan watched as Four reached out for the pen. When Four finally touched him, it was feather light, barely there and yet it sent electricity through his nerves. He found himself watching the hand as it drew away. There was an elegance to the motion that was hypnotizing. When the soldier looked up into the golden hues, he felt himself drawn into the mysterious depths. He almost moved forward to follow the man when he pulled away. “You’re welcome…” Aedan called after Four’s retreating form. He was so skittish. Aedan found himself wanting to know Four but if he tried to pry, wouldn’t Four retreat more? He didn’t want to press him. And if he did pester him, no doubt Four would expect Aedan to reveal his past too. It was a natural give and take. Why was he feeling this way? He had no place for this. He couldn’t even entertain it. He sighed inwardly and shook his head to clear the dangerous feelings and creeping thoughts. He was back to being the hollowed soldier. At least until the pang of hunger came again. He gripped his stomach as a wave of nausea hit him through the pain.

“Damn it…” he growled. Sabine was still in the kitchen, wasn’t he? But there were other pets there. Even though he was starving, the idea of others watching made him sick with shame. When would Sabine be alone again? He groaned and made his way back to the little cushioned settee he’d been sitting in before Four came in and plopped down on it and pressed his face against the glass, the coolness of it calming him. He opened his eyes again and watched the hallway, watching for Sabine.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Sabine Cayne Character Portrait: Natalia Catherine Estbury Character Portrait: Aedan Huntington Character Portrait: Madison Harper
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【"My sweet wolves eye me hungrily."】
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【Kitchen --> WC】
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Upon entering the kitchen, Sabine was met with a teary-eyed little figure about to run right into him. He shifted the dishes into one hand, reaching out to catch Maddie with the other."
Hello, little mouse," he said, setting the plates down on the counter. "Do you need any help?" he asked Aedan over her head, but was met with a terse declination. So he turned his attention back to Maddie, brushing the tears from her eyes. "What's the matter, darling?" he asked, concerned. She did not answer, just turned her face away, shining droplets still welling from under her lashes. She pulled away from him with a faint explanation that she was fine, she just needed to be by herself for a moment.

As Maddie fled, Sabine stood for a moment, his hands still out a little, as if he'd momentarily forgotten what he was doing. But then he turned his attention back to Adrian, but the other was already rolling down his sleeves and excusing himself. And then he was gone as well. Sabine stood still for a few more long moments, as if he'd shorted out, and then turned around, tracing the much used path out of the kitchen. When he pushed through into the dining room again, he was greeted almost immediately by Nattia. As she came closer, he lifted her up around the waist so he could kiss her forehead. "
Hello, there, Starfire, " he said, suddenly animated again. "Thank you for coming down for breakfast," he murmured, his voice soft and low in her ear as he continued to hold her by the waist.

After a beat and another kiss on the forehead, though, he set her down on her feet, bending instead to retain the soft voice. "
If you're hungry, my dear, wait for me in the morning room, I'll be there soon," He whispered in an almost conspiratorial tone. He had made her come down even though she didn't want to, after all. He should pay her back for that. But first, the nausea was rising already, his stomach pressing mercilessly against his ribs. Time to purge what didn't belong in his system.

He left the dining room hastily, expression very focused. He had been terribly careful about guarding this secret. He didn't want any of the pets to think him ungrateful. Or inhuman. He'd made this mistake himself, and it was his weight to bear. He liked them making food and sharing it with him. He didn't want that to end, no matter how unpleasant it ultimately made him feel.

Very firmly he closed the door to the bath behind him, locking it, and then closed the door to the WC as well. Then he leaned against the door for a moment, groaning softly, a hand gripping his abdomen, where his insides were starting to squirm, trying to get the foreign material out, heaving upwards. His stomach was where he had later learned humans had one of their lungs. (They had two, who knew.) That didn't stop the myriad of unconnected guts in his abdomen from getting in his digestive business as his stomach sat heavily on what was below. His heart squeezed as his chest tried to rearrange itself, avoiding his too-full stomach, and he let out a little gasp. Oh, that smarted.

He always dressed so nice for family meals, always forgot that this would come after, and his trembling fingers would hasten to pull off his jacket, his tie, his collar, dropping them on the stone floor as his knees met the ground in the most instinctively human act he routinely performed. Sabine vomited. Several times, in fact. There was no stomach acid to ease his quiet purge. Just the kind of pain only his own body could inflict on itself--the twisting of his gut, the burning of his eyes, the pang of his heart and throat and lungs. At length he rose, trembling still, and let out a deep breath. He pulled the chain on the cistern, washing breakfast away, and leaned on the sink with pale palms, steadying himself. When he looked at his face in the mirror, nothing seemed out of place, aside from the disarray of his hair and the paleness of his face. He touched the now crusted flecks of blood he'd missed from Lonan's kick. He'd need to feed him too, at some point. No reason to hunt him down, though, he'd show up in his own sweet time. Everyone would.

Sabine washed the twice-tasted sweetness of honey and powdered sugar out of his mouth--no sourness, thanks to his lack of bile--and then washed his face. Combed his fingers through his hair. Re-ordered his outfit, straightened his clothes, pressed his fingers against his cheeks to bring the blood back to the surface, blinked several times, wiping the dewdrop tears that had sprung up out of his eyelashes. Sighed. All better now.

He exited the pair of rooms and strolled down the hall towards the place he'd promised to meet Nattia. The day had only just begun, after all. It was time to live again.