*More or less... after awhile, the great dog noses the door open, and steps into the hall where Aesc and he had come before. The dog, (Who, btw, can only be played by me. Sorry!) whose eyes are sharp and clear as day, gazes about with profound alertness before he moves out of the way, allowing his master to come in afterwards, assuring safeness. Aesc chuckles.. the prince reaching down, scratching the large dog between the ears.* "I know it's safe, you silly mutt!!"

*Aodhan rumbles in his chest, "grinning" so it appears..before the dog falls into step by his master's side.. the man walks boldly toward the bar, seating himself again, and looking for Waterbearer... that kind, beautiful woman who had helped him before. He must get to know her... it's like an aching in his very eternal soul, an ache that cannot be drowned in alcohol nor satiated with food... nor will he speak with any other woman. Though, he does happen to notice a strange woman, and the one called Oezeom. Yet, still he sits with the huge, frightening dog laying down near his legs, guarding him faithfully.

Aesc waits for Waterbearer....*

~she slips out from the darkened back room, closing the door behind her with a soft click and her violet eyes survey the room until her gaze once again falls upon the traveler that had taken her advice, and slept upstairs... the dog at his feet drawing a smile from her red lips...

~she approaches him... sitting there so silently... and smiles softly...~

I trust you slept well, my friend? You're probably hungry now, will you allow me to fix you something to eat, and perhaps a drink?

~her head tilts inquiringly...~

*He looks up... blinking, his silver eyes flashing in the candle light.. he smiles... inclining his head, and shaking it gently back and forth.*

"No, m'lady... I .... I wish to speak with you, however..." *There's a faint flush to his once pallid cheeks, his hair falling over his eyes as he drops his head. Aodhan stands on all four legs, moving forward to lean his weight against her thigh gently, peering up with adorable brown eyes. Aesc just blushes even more...*

~she smiles again and gestures towards the fireplace... the embers glowing bright red... the rocking chairs inviting with their elaborate hand engraving in the red oak...~

Shall we sit by the fire then? ~her hand falls down to rest on Aodhan's head... lighty teasing behind his ears absentmindedly~

"Yes." *Aesc nods... Aodhan leaning his head into the woman's hand.. Aesc stands, smiling and still blushing slightly... he walks to the fire, and pulls out a chair for her at the table.. and then seating himself..*

"You're a very beautiful, woman, water...." *Licks his lips nervously..* "...I admire you for your kindness and your strength... but there is always something very strange about you that I don't understand."

~she smiles into Aesc's eyes and looks down at the dog... scratching him under his chin, then behind his ears as he lays his head on her leg... settling back in her chair... she snaps her fingers and two tall crystal glasses appear on the table... filled to the brim... his is more of her "medicine" and hers... is unknown to all but herself... seeing the dog is startled, she snaps again and hands him the large bone that appears in her hand...~

~Her eyes rise to the man's and she smiles again... the golden light flickering briefly inside her violet eyes~

The only beauty I have ever recognized ... comes from within, my friend... so I thank you very kindly for the compliment... as for the other question... what do you mean by strange?

"What are you?" *He blinks.. licking his lips.. Aodhan settles down with the bone between his huge paws, chewing away... Aesc closes his eyes.. sipping his medicine, which he takes with less pain than before..* "Are you some sort of ..magician.. something magic? Or are you some dark creature of ill?" *He jests at this last part, smirking a bit.* "What is it you do when there are no others around? You fascinate me..."

~her eyes twinkle merrily~

I am... myself... ~she scrunches her nose with a grin, feeling rather playful at the moment~

I have a history... as we all do... I have experiences... as we all do... I have a life I lived and a life I am living... as we all do... don't fear me Aesc... for protection is my goal, and I will not falter from that path... some of my "abilities" may seem odd to you, but in time... you will come to expect it, as others have before you for years...

When there are no others around? ~smiles saucily~ I test my limits... we all must...

~props her chin in her hands, and smiles again~

and what of you my dear Sir... what illness is it that has been plaguing you... and of what do you dream ...?

"I see..."

*Aesc has grown accustomed to no straight answers... but his curiousity was not born of distrust..merely an itching curiousity to know who she is. Her smiles cause a warmth to spread over his legs, toward his torso, and he chuckles to himself.. leaning back.. the only sound now is the sound of the large dog chewing the bone..

At the mention of his dreams, his expression falls blank. Almost cruel. The pallid nature of his skin returns, only because of his discomfort..*

"My dreams...?"

*A smirk...*

"Nothing. I dream of nothing."

really?

~snaps her fingers again and a 8inch diameter faceted crystal appears in the middle of the table... a purple mist swirling within... she raises her eyes to his and asks again~

Now, what are these dreams that are plaguing you my friend, or shall we watch them together?

~one brow raises and her eyes bore into his... searching within... to find whether or not this man is strong enough to handle the truth~

(Is afraid this post will seem very stupid and.. yeah, okay... here we go!)

---------------------------------------------------------------
*He looks at the crystal... then looking toward her... narrowing his eyes..*

"I said, I dream of nothing..." *He says firmly.. Aodhan looks up from his bone.. at Water...watching the crystal, interested in the shiny pretty thing. Aesc adds, in a low voice..* "Nothing that you need to know... but I'll tell you why I'm sick..."

*He clears his throat.. coughing slightly..* "I was a vampire's close friend... I don't jest - we were very close, he and I." (Yes.. which means that Aesc is bi. *Smiles*) "I took on some of the needs associated to being a vampire..like, blood..thoughts. The kind of vamprie that feeds not only on blood, but other things. This dog you see here is not a normal dog, either. Aodhan was my lord's dog..."

*Aodhan whines..*

"So now, without him, I'm sick... And I've been traveling in the cold for days and days... I have no one. I *need* no one... Aodhan is all I have left of my lord..." *He reaches down..patting the dog between the ears.. wondering if he'll be hanged if he speaks so freely of vampires in here..*

~tilts her head back and looks at Aesc with narrowed eyes... then stares inside the crystal... eyes peering within the purple mist.... she looks up at him again and speaks sternly yet kindly~

Speaking of Vampires in this establishment will -not- garner you any issues... however... lying to me will result in the lack of my trust. If you wish to not speak of what I see in here... which I know for certain to be true... for the crystal cannot lie... then I will accept that...

So ... the beast and yourself need blood? If that is so , speak up now... I will see your needs met...

*He sighs.. her coldness isn't rather great...* "You needn't ask me if you have that crystal... I dream about a growing darkness...it consumes me, it..." *Shakes his head, taking a breath.. speaking softly..* ".....does things to me. Things I do not talk about in public. Not here..."

~nods at Aesc, and smiles softly~

When you are ready, I shall help you through this...

...until then...do you need blood? I have the resources to obtain it for you... if that is what would make you more comfortable...

~she looks at his glass and slowly raises golden glittering eyes once again to his...~

or for the dog if need be....

~her gaze does not waver ... waiting for his answer...~

*Aesc grasps the cup with the medicine in it... his eyes glassing over as he considers. To have blood again...? He closes his eyes..* "Aodhan does not require blood.. he was merely his protector... and he came to me, escaped with me, from the rage of the hunters..." *His voice breaks as he lets go of the cup and takes a few shaking breaths. He can practically smell the blood in the room. It's everywhere. He can't escape it. The scent of his own blood is now maddening...* "Yes...Blood. I ..N-Need it..." *After a pause, he bows his head.* "I'm sorry...."

~smiles softly~

No need for apologies my friend...

~she hands her own goblet to him, and smiles softly~

This should help...

Is there anything special that the dog requires ...?

*Aesc does not answer until after he takes the cup, and takes a long, deep sip of the goblet... taking a breath he sets it down.. chuckling, feeling much better already.*

"No. Merely food, water, a bone, and love...and he will be loyal to you forever..."

*And ever and ever and ever. He closes his eyes as he takes another drink.. licking the blood from his lips.. his heart thundering in his chest, but steadily calming a bit more. He bows his head and smiles in thanks.. his silver eyes flashing as he looks up past his bangs at her face. Then he reaches across the table..resting his hand over hers, and squeezing it gently. Silent.*

~she watches him drink from her glass... a soft smile on her lips... her eyes searching the features of his face once his eyes close... watching the tension in his face dissolve and ever so quickly swipes away a tear before his eyes open again... turning her gaze to the dog so he may not see the emotions she has such difficulty hiding... knowing the repercussions... her hand reaches down again... stroking the dogs proud head and she feels warmth on her hand for the first time.... in ... as long as she can remember... the free offering of a human's touch ... a soft gasp from her lips as she turns her gaze.. searching his eyes... *silent* as well....~

*He frowns slightly.. tilting his head to one side..noticing her eyes, the tears.. he almost draws his hand away, but with all his will he keeps it there.* "What's the matter?" *He leans forward some.. his eyes not going anywhere else but her face... the desire to stop this sudden pain that comes over her is almost overpowering, so frightening that he doesn't stop to think of why he's feeling it at all. All that matters NOW is that she is crying..*

*Aodhan stands up... resting his head on her lap, his big pouty puppy dog eyes gazing up at her.. whining low in his throat, as if to sympathize.*

~she smiles softly at the care in his voice and then.... shakes her head... and a soft mutter makes it's way from between lips that grow paler...~

You cannot... touch me...

~she freezes... her body stills as if stone... and her skin begins to turn gray... no movement.... no breath... her eyes begin to glass over... nothing at all from her... one hand frozen on the table, the other.. resting atop the dogs head...~

*He stops..lifting his hand from hers abrubtly.. his body stiffening slightly in shock. Aodhan pulls his head from her lap, skittering back a few steps, growling softly.*

"Waterbearer...!?"

*He stands up..* "Wh..What did I do!?"

~as the man drops his touch from her... a soft color returns to her pallid skin... she gasps after a moment... drawing a breath... her eyes... unfocused look toward him and she cringes... ~

~a sputter~ don't... don't fear... ~another breath from between dry, parted lips... and she speaks again... ~

no need to fear... you ... couldn't... have ... known...

~her fingers slowly draw within her hands and she looks pleadingly at the man and the dog...~

don't be afraid... it's not your fault...

~her head hangs in sorrow and she watches as the tears fall from her own eyes and splash into a puddle on the table.... a whisper from her lips again... not heard through the room~

...i ...am sorry....

*He sits again..slowly... his nerves calming a little more...*

"I...I don't understand...." *His voice is hurt..* "I don't understand..." *Softer...*

"Why did you turn to stone when...when I touched you?"

*His silver eyes glisten with strange tears...* "I only meant--" *Stops altogether..bowing his head, not understanding, but simply being silent.. to listen, if she wants to explain..*

~her head rises... tears soaking her cheeks...~

I am -so- sorry.. I just -never- expected... or I would have warned you...

~looks straight into his eyes while the tears fall freely and silently... her eyes are pools of tears turning to waterfalls as they continue to fall onto the table...~


When...... *shudders* ... ... when I was embraced and before I took my first drink, my Sire was kind enough to grant me a wish, as he was also from the magick arts... I will be granted an enternal supply of blood to drink... for myself and others... witout ever harming a human... forever... but...

~her shoulders quake silently~

no... human.... may ever touch me in kindness....

~she raises wet violet eyes to him~

I may never be loved.... that is the price for the protection of humans.... I will not drink from, therefore, I may not touch...

*Aesc finds this news very disconcerting..so he nods.. nodding his head, and he looks away... a pain as keen as the old throbbing in his chest twisting in his gut..* "It's... alright..." *he looks up toward her..* "..And it can't be changed, can it...?"

*He shakes his head to himself, as though answering his own question. He smiles at her, though, sadly... for that's all he can do now. Though, finally, he reaches to touch her hand again..though his skin hovers only an inch or two above hers... the warmth from his body reaching out toward hers.. then he drops his hand away, it resting against the table next to hers..*

"I'm sorry, too..."

Changed? It can only be changed by one thing... and it is what I would never ask of a human... ~eyeing the hand so close to her own... desiring the contact... she says nothing of that and... she opens her arms to the dog... offering her embrace to him...~

The human ... who loves me... must willingly submit to the first available vampire... trusting that I will keep him safe from harm.. and still release himself to a stranger... for me...

... that ... is submission and pain... something I would never ask of anyone...

and in addition... he would be bound to me for eternity... even if I were dead... that is also too high a price to pay...

~looks deeply into Aesc's eyes and waits to see if the dog will return to her embrace...~

*Aesc returns her look, though now, he thinks, maybe it was wrong of him to look for her. Aodhan comes up toward her, coming up and resting his front paws across her lap, leaning against her with a low whine in his throat. Aesc seems to be thinking, looking through her before his eyes once again focus on her face..*

"If that is the price," *He says softly,* "then I will gladly pay it." *He bows his head...* "I cannot bear to see such pain within you... It is ..it is blasphemy that you hurt so!"

~she gasps at his offer ... but shakes her head slowly...~

I ... cannot allow it... to be bound... for eternity... even if I were to die... it's no way for anyone to live... I'll ... be... fine...

~she bows her head and wraps her arms around the dog... her head resting atop his...~

see... animals are fine... their love is untouched by the decree... it's not everything... but enough...

~a smile crosses her lips and she gazes into Aesc's eyes...~

Though.. your offer... is -quite- tempting.. and ... well... untouched by any other... it is ... ~she is actually speechless for a moment~ ... it.. is... very special...

... I hope you will both stay here with me for awhile... your company is a blessing... and I can provide for your needs without you ever harming another...

~her head bows again and a single tear.. hidden by her deep red bangs... falls to land upon the head of the beautiful animal resting in her lap...~

*Aodhan backs up..only to jump up, his whole weight suddenly oppressive in her lap as he sits there, pushing his shoulder against the table so he can turn to lick her face.. Aesc grimaces... Aodhan is quite the large dog...* "If you want him.. he seems happy with you. You can take him... but then again, I'm not leaving so he'd still technically belong to me..." *The man closes his stark, silver eyes and leans back in his chair.. sighing a shaky sigh...* "I will stay as long as you want me to remain... but my offer still stands if you still want it..." *Clears his throat, reaching to take another drink of the blood, and then settling in his chair comfortably, the warmth of the fire reaching to warm his cold and lonely heart.*

~she giggles like a child at the dog's antics... grinning and keeping her mouth away from the lapping tongue~

~her eyes twinkle merrily as she looks at Aesc... ~

I am -very- happy to hear that you will be staying... and I would -never- ask you to give up this beautiful beast...

~her eyes become more solemn as she looks deeply into his eyes... a warm loving look towards him... ~

As for your offer... I... will ...not forget it my dear...

~she continues to stroke the dog with thin pale fingers as she watches the man make himself more comfortable...~