Slowly opening her eyes, Laraine Lockner Risk was greeted with the sounds of voices. The sun was slowly rising outside and she could feel her body demanding to awaken. With a slight yawn she pushed herself up from the bed she was currently in. Locks of light pink hair floated down her shoulder as she pondered what she could do today to make money. It had been over two days since she arrived in Ketra. Determined not to walk away empty handed. She needed money to live off of soon. Otherwise it'd be back to hunting and fishing.
Stretching out her lithe body, quickly the twenty year old got to her feet, slipping on her clothes and boots. Lastly brushing her locks back into a pony tail and slinging a cloak around her shoulders, pulling the hood up. Glancing around, she spotted a metal plate from her dinner last night and glanced into it, smiling slightly when she didn't see a trace of hair. Eyes the color of amethyst intently met hers and she smiled sadly.
"Alright, let's go." She set down the plate and gathered her bag, exiting the room and down the stairs to start her day.
She spent it mostly looking around for wanted posters or chatting up the barkeep for any information on some odd jobs. But it seemed that this was becoming a fruitless search and she couldn't stay in one place for too long. Before she knew it, she had spent the whole day searching and it was already past sundown. Leaning against a nearby wall she sighed, looking at the ground and simply thinking.
Crossing her arms across her chest, she let out a sigh and closed her eyes. But before she knew it they snapped open as she felt a hand on her arm. Glancing at it, she realized it was attached to a rather drunk and disturbing looking male.
"What's a matter pretty lady? Out here all alone?" he slurred and Raine simply shrugged his arm off, deciding that she didn't want to deal with drunk idiots right then and there.
But she had to hand it to him, he was persistent. He followed after her with chortles of "C'mon!" "Don't be such a..." and even whining and calling her more names. Finally she couldn't take it anymore and turned around.
"Look sir! I'd appreciate it if you didn't follow me!" But before she could even act he grabbed her by her shoulders and slammed her into a wall with a dark look in his eyes. She cursed herself for not being on her guard and narrowed her eyes as the idiot started to creep closer and closer to her.
But Raine wasn't one to take this lying down...or propped up against a wall.
Yup...
She kicked the man right in his special spot.
The scream could be heard for miles.
For whatever reason Dao'bachpa decided to go to Ketra, (which was probably business over pleasure), was something he was dragging his feet on. The job wasn't exactly what he liked to do. But a job was a job, and even vampires had to pay bills. Besides, becoming more or less immortal was a lot more depressing than one would know. So keeping himself busy was always the best option.
His brilliant, turquoise colored eyes flashed as they look in the scene. Though a man who frequents cities often, Ketra wasn't always his favorite one. Too much bad blood. Too many memories. Perhaps it was the noise, the subtle cry for help and the smell of a horny drunkard that lead him down the alley where he paused to watch the events unfold. He was barely seen, tucked in neatly against the building's shadows before smiling appreciatively as the woman kicked the man and downed him in one go.
Deciding it was more or less safe to approach the scene now, Dao did just that, and stood a few feet away as he slowly approached, clapping his hands.
"What an impressive way to down a man. But is it fair to hurt someone as lame and dull as this?" he went on, gesturing to the man on the ground before his lips flashed open and revealed a toothy grin as he laughed, an almost evil laugh, but something that also had a hint of jovality and perhaps even a bit of sadness. It was a weird laugh no matter how one took it, but it was the unique laugh of this man who now paused his applause and his approach to give the woman a suave grin.
His hair was dark, curling at the ends as he swept it out of his face. And the dark color was intermixed with the same brilliant, rich color of his eyes. And his skin tone was just a tad different than the natural, red-hued deep tan of the Adelans, which gave him a unique, exotic look.
Bending over to inspect the gentle men, he asked, "Don't you know it's not wise to approach women when drunk? You probably deserve another kick in the family jewels just for being stupid." And he grinned at the man who only looked at Dao with a face twisted in pain and confusion.
"And shouldn't you be ashamed? Tempting the fool.." he said, looking up at Laraine and giving her a tsk.
Blinking as this new man approached, clapping his hands and laughing, Laraine studied him from head to toe and remained in her position. Wondering if the male was friend or foe she got a odd feeling from him. Not good....yet not completely evil. It was a weird combination and despite his obvious chastising both to her and to the drunk, she smiled a bit. Glad that her hood was still covering her hair.
Still her eyes shimmered and she pushed away from the wall. "Hey it wasn't my fault. I walked away at first but you know men." She shrugged playfully and chuckled. "Sometimes they just don't take no as a answer and are stubborn. And I don't like pushy guys." She took a few steps away from the duo, content to just go on her way and leave this business behind. She had other things to do after all.
"Well as nice as it was to meet you sir, I really should be on my way." She raised a hand and waved a bit, not even glancing back once at them.
However she barely made it five steps before she tripped over a stone sticking up from the earth and face planted into the ground before her.
.........
This just wasn't her day.
He was, of course, content to let her go on with her day, but when he saw her leave and fall on her face, he pointed at her.
"Oh! You!" Did that really just happen!?
He blinked in surprise before laughing suddenly,a nd it was an infectious laughter he couldn't stop.
"Is this your way? Your way to the cobblestones?"
His laughter continued, maniacal and gay.
"You do know there are better ways than down. Here, here," he got down on one knee and offered her a hand. "Let Dao'bachpa help the Cobblestone Swept Princess to her feet."
And he kept his hand out, moving it closer.
"Go on, I won't bite" He grinned, then his expression grew just a bit more serious, even as the mirth sparkled in his eyes. "I can help you."
Raine cursed every cobblestone in existence when she pried her reddened face from the road, hearing the others uncontrollable laughter and then his comments before she saw his hand. Staring at it for a second, she trailed her eyes up his arm to his face which held a grin then a serious expression. Her own was inquisitive as if contemplating the others words.
"Oh, you can...can you?" She slowly put her hand into his, adjusting her body so it'd be easier to stand back up while her other hand reached up, making sure her hood was firmly in place. She allowed him to help her to her feet and although she was smiling, it was sad and maybe a little guarded. "I don't think you can help me." with that she closed her eyes, still smiling and slowly began to pull her hand from his. "But thanks for the offer and helping me up of course." She hummed and dusted her pants off. Her boots also had scuff marks on them but she paid it no mind.
"Well then, it was a pleasure to meet you....what was your name again? As for me, Cobblestone Princess won't do, so just call me Laraine."
"Dao'bachpa Barrocisto, merchant lord of many conglomerations from Hyoite to the seas," he went on, introducing himself through more laughs. "And no, I think I like my pet name for you." And his voice went high pitched and giddy. "MY cobblestone princess!" He told her with another cheek dumpling, toothy grin.
"Dao'bahcaawhatcha?" Raine frowned at the name and concluded that she'd probably never get that name no matter how much he said it. "I'll give you a nickname then as well! You will be Dao! I shall call you Dao. It's less complicated to say." She huffed at the other continuing to call her by that nickname which made her cheeks puff up in a semi childish pout.
"You can call me that but I won't answer to that name! Its way too long too!" She said to the other, trying not to smirk at his teasing. "Besides who is to say that we'll meet again after tonight anyway?" She shrugged and walked past a Wanted poster which made her stop in her tracks. She quickly read it and brightened instantly. "This is it!" She grabbed the paper with much vigor. Now she could have some money to live off of!
But right next to the Wanted poster was another one. This one though made her mood drop considerably. Lowering her face a bit she sighed and reached up and grabbed at it. Tearing it off the wall and crushing it into her hand. It was a Wanted poster for her.
She guessed that time had finally run out. She would have to leave this place as well. Dropping the Wanted poster of her, she turned back to Dao with a bright smile. "Anyway. It was nice to meet you! Goodbye!" She turned to run down the alleyway, not realizing that turning caused a few pieces of her bright pink hair pulled itself loose and slid out, catching the moonlight instantly and shimmering as she spun.
He nodded and watched as she leave.
"Have a good one, Cobblestone princess." Then after a moment, he realized she was heading the way he had to go, and was soon following after, hands in his pockets and his eyes on her.
At first she didn't realize that he was following her, but after a little while she began to hear the others footsteps and she frowned a bit. Uneasy with having someone behind her, following her. She turned a bit and looked at him before stopping and turning around. "Why are you following me?" She crossed her arms against her chest and glanced at his eyes a bit, her own violet were curious and a little uneasy. She had just met this man after all and hardly knew anything about him.
Her Inn was very close by, only a few steps away and she didn't want him to know where she was staying. She wasn't sure if she could trust this Dao.
"Huh? I'm not following you. I'm staying at the inn over there." And he pointed to the one she was staying. "And I normally stay in room 206, but they've seemed to have rented it to another just an hour bbefore I arrived and they said they couldn't just switch our rooms because the guest had paid. And worse off, they used a lame excuse that it was also because it was to a woman! As if gender would dictate order over my room. I've always stayed there. For ten years no problem, I even said Id pay double the price for the inconvenience to both the inn and customer, but they acted like this woman was some big deal." At that he laughed. "So now I think they're crazy for not taking the extra money! They didn't even flinch. They didn't even seem to think it over. Their rental was final."
He laughed again.
"You're a woman. Would you like to be treated as if you had no choice? Clearly if the woman had a say I'd be staying in my room and she'd be richer. And probably happy for it! The room is barely larger than a pantry! It's the smallest one they have, and here I'm stuck with the biggest room in the place." He laughed despite the obvious frustration inn his voice. "Does that even make sense to you?"
Raine blinked as the other spoke, thinking about what number her room was, and actually momentarily forgetting. But It seemed as if the woman who stole his room was a big shot anyway, so it couldn't have been her. After all, she tried to stay as neutral as possible to not attract too much attention. After all, half demon hybrids were rarely looked upon as good members of society.
"Ohhh really now?" She smirked a bit. "I suppose I would have taken the cash myself. But that's just me. I don't' care where I sleep as long as I sleep somewhere." She hummed a bit and then wondered. "What else did they say about the lady who has taken your room? Anything else interesting?" She was just curious now. She had memorized the route to her room, on the second floor and to the left a ways. So once they reached the Inn she opened the door, and walked inside, letting him follow behind her as she listened. She wanted to also know a bit more about him as well. Since they were staying in the same Inn after all.
He gave a shrug.
"They wouldn't say but believe me I inquired."
Just as the pair stepped into the Inn, Dao looked to the inn keeper and the inn keeper looked at him. They didn't say anything, but their gazes were intense, before eventually, both looked away as Dao shoved his hands into his pockets and made his way towards the stairs.
"Ladies first."
He was still a gentlemen after all, and it wasn't like he had any qualms with this woman. Besides, they had only just met. That, and he did like to watch a woman climb stairs. Just a habit, and who knew, she might have a nice ass.
Raine noticed the way the two stared at each other but simply quietly sighed and shrugged. But when the other began to speak saying ladies first, she couldn't help but crack a smile if only slightly.
A memory threatened to cloud her mind, eyes slightly becoming misty. But she shoved it back. Now wasn't the time for such thoughts. "Why thank you, kind sir." She smirked, grasping the banner and took each step as quickly as possible. Somehow this guy made her heart beat rapidly. She wondered briefly if this guy would attempt to kill her. But she tried to think logically. So far, this man hadn't shown any animosity towards her.
Still, she couldn't be too careful. After all, the demons would come for her soon enough. That flyer she saw in the alley way proved it. Lost in her thoughts, she shifted her arms a bit, letting the cloak behind her flutter a bit as she climbed the stairs. It did a nice job hiding her body from prying eyes.
Once she reached the top, she glanced back at the man sweeping said cloak to the side. Showing off her side profile as she sat a hand on her hip and waited for him. Once he was also up there, she continued to walk to her room. Once she reached it she stopped at the door. "Well, this is my room." She said, waiting for him to go to his own room.
Dao was hoping for more of a show, but he just used his imagination. However, as they were about to part ways, he stopped suddenly and pointed, eyes widening.
"Wait... This is your room?" And his eyes couldnt tear away from the numbers.
They read 206.
Raine blinked and glanced at the numbers of the door and hummed. "Well. yeah, huh I guess I am the one who took your room. Sorry about that." She shrugged and crossed her arms. "You really want it? Its yours as long as you tell me your room number. I don't mind switching if your attached to it. Just let me pick up a few things and I'll be out of your way." She used her key and entered the room, walking over to the bed and grabbing a few things from under her bed, bending down.
The cloak around her shifted and fell to one side, revealing her lower half as well as long strands of her rose colored hair. It was a odd color to be sure, not something normal, often strange colored hair was reserved for supernatural creatures. That was why she always covered it up, she knew people would look at her with hatred. Being half demon had its downsides, a lot.
She finished gathering her items and glanced back at the man and blinked. "So? Want me out?"
He couldn't believe this. He could NOT believe this! Of all the women to run into, he had to run into the one that had caused a thorn in his side unknowingly! But even though she seemed so casual about it, he felt himself get all riled up over it and grew suspicious. Had she known the whole time she had his room and was mocking him? Or was she just saying this was her room to pull his leg?
But when she produced the key, he gasped and pointed at it, but was speechless, staring as he watched her step inside, still wanting to say something, but his brain was unable to process anything for him to even sputter. And then when parts of her were 'revealed', he would have appreciated the view was he still not taken by the fact...
SHE WAS THE ONE WHO GOT HIS ROOM.
And by the time he processed what was going on, she was already gathering her things to let him have the room.
And at her question, he simply stared.
But he had to act cool, casual, and tossed his head back in a laugh.
"Tch..." he looked towards the ceiling. "You think the room means enough to me to uproot you when you were unsuspecting. Though I appreciate the offer.." he went on, looking her over. "But are you sure you're actually willing to give the place up?" He still observed her. "The room is quite cozy. And the one I have, it's pretty cold to sleep in when you're alone."
Raine did notice the mans breach in composure and smiled a bit to herself. Seemed as if she could surprise even him in other ways. But when the other finally spoke, she blinked in slight surprise, squeezing her items in her arms once he mentioned it got cold alone. But she simply smiled again and shrugged. "I don't mind. Being alone doesn't bother me." She walked past him to the hallway, her back now to him. She hummed and turned a bit back to him.
"I've been alone most of my life so its not something to worry yourself over. I can tell you really wanted this room. Like I said, I don't mind giving it to you. Its just a room." She shrugged and chuckled, amethyst shaded eyes lightening a bit.
"As long as its bed to sleep in I'll take it. Anyways, you wanna tell me the number to your other room?" She hummed and held out her hand where her key was, going to give it to him. "And exchange keys too I guess." She grinned.
Daobachpa just stared at her, still taken by the fact that well- he was getting his room, no fuss, and well....
There was no fuss!
After a second, he gave a small grin and fished out his own key and held it up, but not out. He was simply showing it after all, and suddenly he laughed, and it sounded nearly demented as his eyes seemed to glow with spirit.
"Yes.. exchanging keys to who they're meant to be with! And it shouldn't take me long to get my things... I er.. pack light."
He gestured for her to follow.
"I'm in room 200. The large suite down the hall." And as they approached, he unlocked the door without hesitation, and opened the door to reveal one of the grandest rooms this type of establishment could offer-
And it appeared as if no one had been in it at all. It was pristine, and nothing even appeared to be touched, or disturbed.
Blinking, Raine expected the other to simply give the key and close the door in her face. Not lead her to the room. Of course she figured the other needed to get his items. It was a reasonable excuse. She followed after him, watching him and once she entered the room, she studied it. It seemed as if the other wasn't too keen on sleeping. It appeared flawless.
Finally her eyes were drawn to the bed and she hummed. Finally, a bed to sleep on. She set her items on the floor nearby and nearly face planted into the sheets, sighing in relief and rolling on her back, smiling happily and glancing back at the man, once again holding out her key. "Alright, here's your key to your room now." She grinned. "You all done gathering your things?" She propped her head up a little with her arm, elbow deep into the sheets.
Her cloak outlined her hourglass frame as she lie there, the moon shining soft light into the room and reflecting off her eyes. She was still hesitant to remove her cloak until the man left however.
Were it any other time, Dao would have loved to admire her without that cloak on, or suggest what they could do on that bed. But he had just one parcel to pick up, and just a few small items to place into it before he turned around and looked at the key.
Taking up his current key, he moved to approach her and tossed his key at her before accepting hers.
"The bed looks good on you." His smile went crooked. "Or should I say you look good on the bed?"
Blinking at the others words at first she was confused, then a blush erupted on her face and she coughed a bit, quickly rolling away from the other into the sheets. "Ah, thanks." she chuckled nervously and glanced back at him once her face calmed down.
"Well then, Goodnight. I hope you enjoy your room." She cuddled the blankets a bit more, hoping that the other would go soon. This guy....he made her heart do weird things that she wasn't sure if she liked.
Still, she knew she wouldn't be sticking around. She'd have to leave this place soon. Maybe tomorrow morning she'd look once more for a job before leaving.
He flashed her a toothy grin and as he approached the door and stepped out to leave, he turned back around to lean in as he whispered in an odd voice, "Sweet dreams." And then he added, "And be sure to use that extra blanket on the settee if you get to cold." ANd if she's observe, that too, hadn't even looked disturbed like how the rest of the things in the room had not.
Raine peeked her head from the cocoon of blankets she had settled in to see the blanket he had spoken about before eyeing the door where he was and swallowed a bit. Once he left she untangled herself from the blankets and got to her feet, sighing. She unclasped her cloak, falling to a puddle at her feet. She spun around, her long pink locks floating in the wind as she reached over and grasped her night clothes. She quickly got changed and then settled back into the bed, staring up at the ceiling and just, pondering the oddities that was today.
"That guy...was so strange.." Muttering, she glanced back at the door and looked at the key he gave her, lying on her side and just wondering what that man was. She sighed and slowly began to fall fast asleep.
She didn't awaken again until early the next morning, although she didn't sleep well at all. It was the same nightmares, they caused her to toss and turn and feel more unrested than the night before.
It was getting closer to the anniversary after all.
Last night had been harder on him than predicted. Five years ago today, in this very room he 'had' to procure, , was the first place he made love to Jada Rein. His Jada Rein, who left him without batting an eye, and all their past memories, the good and bad, left him wallowing in misery. So by the time Rain might be waking up, she'd hear a lot of commotion coming from the main floor. And just by the sounds of it one could deduce it was Dao, with his subtle accent and over all way he spoke. One could also deduce he was shit faced drunk.
At first, Raine didn't hear anything. She simply slowly started to wake up and stretch in her bed before staring up at the ceiling. Then faintly, just faintly she could hear something. Unsure of where it came from, she simply ignored it and stretched, cracking a few stiff joints and sitting up, huffing and brushing a hand through her long pink locks.
As she sat up, she pondered on what she was going to do. She was exhausted still, but something was pulling her onward and so she quickly got dressed, gathered all her belongings and brushed her hair, pulling the cloak on and pulling the hood over her hair.
It was tiring doing the same thing over and over again. But this was to protect herself after all. So she quickly walked out of her room and went downstairs, hearing a familiar voice that didn't sound sober at all.
She was curious and managed to spot Dao, frowning at his obvious behavior. She debated going over there and trying to calm him down maybe. But she was hesitant.
"Dao? Is that you?"
At her voice, the man turned around, wobbling as he did so. He managed to catch himself on the back of a table.
"Hey!" he went on, bursting out with laughter as his eyes shined with drunken mirth. He pointed one finger at her and swayed some from where he stood. "It's Room 206," he told her, calling her by her former room number than her name, his grin growing as he hiccuped and laughed again.
"Hoooooooooooooooow was your sleep?" he asked, his h's pronounced with a lot of flem gathered in the back of his throat. "Look at you... all bundled up."
He laughed and continued to sway. Thankfully he was holding the table, or it appeared as if he might simply fall over!
"I told you it could get cold in there!"
Raine smirked and rolled her eyes a bit, for two reasons really. One, she could smell the others breath from where she was, and two for the nickname he decided to call her at the moment. "Yes, yes, it was nice and cool. You, however appear as if your a bit overexcited." She stated, arms crossed.
"Not that its any of my business, but you look unwell. Want me to bring you back to your room?" She asked with a tilt of her head. She hesitantly walked closer, wondering why she was even bothering. Still, she didn't want to leave him in case he did something stupid. Goodness knows, people do really stupid things when drunk.
"Unwell?" There came his strange laugh again. And another hiccup. "If anything, I'm better than ever. Than the king or queen or emporer!" He pointed at her. "But that..." he paused to grin," thats a good idea. What's yours is mine and mine, yours. Room 206!"He held up his glass and toasted. "To a great room we've shared." And he guzzled down the drink.
Raine looked at the other and sighed a bit, wondering what she could do to get the guy back to his room. He seemed completely out of it. She reached out and grasped him gently on the shoulder. "Dao....c'mon..lets go back.. I think you have had enough to drink." She said worriedly.
"Maybe alone!" He went on with a laugh. "But you know you could join me!"
Raine shook her head and tried to steer him towards his room. "C'mon lets go...I don't have time or the luxury to get myself drunk like you do. I need to find a job or leave." She smiled a bit at him. "And I'm sure you'd like a nice nap wouldn't you?"
"Sleep nothing!"He waved off the idea. "Do you even know how long I can boast without sleep? And how can you care so much about a job?" he went on, pointing at her accusingly. "Shouldn't you be more concerned your new friend needs you to share drinks? Don't the people from where you're from have manners? What if you leave me and I just pass out? Wouldn't you feel bad you weren't there to help?"
Raine blew a stray hair from her face, finding this guys attitude right now rather trying. Granted she had never real learned much in the manners department. She'd been on the run since she was young. And this is why she was trying to get the guy to his room before he did pass out! Oy, what had she gotten herself into?!
"Some of us need a job to live. Without any money I won't eat tonight Dao." She sighed and shrugged. She figured now he was a grown man and couldn't take this much longer. "Your not winning this." She smirked. "Either you come with me to your room now or I shall leave you to your lonesome!"
"Bah, money. If you care so much about money, why don't you marry it?"
Raine twitched a bit, up to her limit and about to open her mouth to say something back when she noticed a figure in the corner of her vision. Turning her shocked purple eyes she noticed a man proudly walking into the room. Short cropped hair, the color of her own. But instead of amethyst orbs, he held fire brimmed irises. Ruby met Amethyst and Raine felt her world slowly fall apart.
Oh no....
"Found you." The man stated, stepping towards her.
But Dao seemed to ignore him.
"Well? You know if you need money that badly I still owe you for the room..."
Raine was still eyeing the man before her wearily, half listening but mostly ignoring Dao by this point. "What are you doing here?"
The man smirked, brushing a hand through his rose locks. "Why else would I be here?" he raised a hand, lifting a semi heavy chain which clinked and alerted others in the room that something was going on. The tension in the air suddenly thickened and Raine cursed a bit under her breath, grabbing onto Dao's arm.
"Not now Dao...we have to run!" The chain flew towards them both and Raine yanked the other away before he could be hit with the oversized chain of metal that once connected with a nearby chair, broke it in half.
Opting to find a place she could fight the demon on equal terms, she dragged Dao through the Inn and out the front door, having no time to remember or worry that she was dragging the poor man into her own mess. She bolted down the road, still grabbing onto him as the demon followed after them.
Before Dao could protest, the woman was dragging him away.
"Hey! Where do you think we're going? Hey!" He tugged on her arm. "Why are we running away from the booze?" he asked, accusingly. "Your friend back there could join us. Looks like he could use a drink."
Raine simply chuckled and glanced back at Dao, while continuing to run. "Sorry Dao but that 'friend' you speak of isn't really one who likes to get drunk, even if you paid him." She snorted a bit. Continuing to run, she glanced back and noticed that the demon relative was getting closer. She turned right down a long path that lead to a dead end and stopped. Glancing around herself and Dao, she realized that this path probably wasn't the best one.
But before they could escape, the robed demon entered from behind them. Raine spun around to face him, pulling forth from her waist a long wand made entirely of crystal. She smiled at Dao before turning back to the demon. "Ah I really didn't want to fight today." Shrugging, she stretched out her arm, holding the wand a bit more steady.
"At least let Dao go, Richard. He really doesn't have anything to do with this." She nodded to the man next to her, signaling him to get away.
The demon, now named Richard smirked. "I see you are on a name basis with this..stranger. Its your fault you know you dragged him into this." he grabbed a chain that had been wrapped around his waist and flung it to the side of the building to the next of them, tearing through it like it was nothing.
"You don't give me orders...half breed."
Dao used a punky to pick at his ear.
"Ha-eeeesh! All this yapping and testosterone is two stories too high. And this party of two wasn't meant to be a party of three," Dao went on. "Besides, I'm no good at sharing and I only do threesomes if the third party is another woman and despite you're whinning, I'm not really seeing a woman before me," the vampire went on with a grin as he stepped closer to Richard.
Raine honestly wasn't sure if Dao was trying to help her or not, especially with that last comment of a threesome. It made her raise her eyebrow questionably but once he took a step closer to Richard, she wondered if this was really a good idea.
"Dao! Be careful!" She warned, already seeing Richard begin to smirk and draw back the chain as if to whip Dao with it. Raine herself didn't want to see anyone else get hurt because of her.
But before she could make a move, Richard flung the chain at Dao full force, wanting to slap that stupid expression off his face.
Though drunk as he was, he was still a vampire; so when the chain whip came at him, he moved quicker than the blink of an eye to dodge it-
but his direction was a little off, for when he did so, he knocked himself into Raine and tried overtop of her and the pair went down into the dirt.
Raine didn't quite know what was happening as Dao slammed into her, knocking them both off their feet. It wasn't until she hit the ground with a heavy body on top of her did she realize that they had both rather fallen in a "awkward" position. His chest pressed up against hers, among many other things pressed up against her and the half witch's face turned bright red as she looked at him. She let out a small noise and tried to help Dao get off her.
Her heart was pounding a mile a minute and she had to admit, this was the first time a male had been pressed against her like this, except her old boyfriend. But he had been dead for at least a year now.
Still, she became distracted again as she put her hands on his shoulders and then glanced behind him to see Richard looking at them both, not amused.
"Well now Cousin. I should have known you'd be as filthy as a whore. Seems all kinda guys get your kicks, huh?" He smirked and swung his chain around again, once more aiming for the two on the ground. "Well by all means, die like the whore you are!"
Raine thought quickly and spread her hands out wide, forming a shield of sorts around the two of them, which the chain slammed harmlessly against. Richard growled, furious at what she had done and Raine took this time to roll them both over so that she managed to untangle herself from Dao and form a defensive position. Although her body was still thrumming from contact she had with Dao, she couldn't focus on that right then. She couldn't let Richard kill them.
She had to think of something!
He too was a bit startled by their position, but even through it, he couldn't help but grin. It felt nice to have a woman this close to him. He not only felt aroused, but also a bit heroic as to what his impulses had done for him. But he sobered when the chain whip smashed off the sudden magical shield that glazed over them and vowed right then and there, the other man was going to pay.
Before any of them would have knock it, Dao was out from behind Raine and standing behind Richard as he tapped the man on the shoulder. And when the demon would turn to look, Dao aimed a punch across his cheek, then chest, then a hard right kick to his abdomen, hoping to send the demon to the ground.
That was the one nice thing about being a vampire- the ridiculous speed and the bit where he was definitely much stronger now than he had been when he had been human. And he cracked his knuckles as he gave a laugh, looking down at Richard.
"You know what, demon? I think I might have fun sending you back to Hell." He cracked his neck. "It's been a while since I've gotten a chance to kick anyone's ass. And hey.. come to think of it.." he went on with a loose roll of his shoulder. "After I spill your blood all over the floor, I can use it to boost my ego. And then the world can know not to fuck witht he great Dao'bachpa!"
And soon following that exclaimation came his playful yet evil sounding laughter as it came out full from his belly, and continued on in the most taunting of manners.
Eyes widening, Raine realized that suddenly Dao was no longer behind her. She glanced back and then before her just in time for Dao to start kicking and punching her cousin. It seemed as if Richard was caught off guard too. For one he didn't expect the supposed human male companion to move so quickly and second, the force of his blows was much more than a humans. The breath was literally knocked from him as he fell to the ground, momentarily stunned at this mans strength.
The strength of something not human.
Raine's eyes were transfixed as she watched the events before her, almost in awe with how easily Dao managed to bring down her cousin and listening to his words and laugh gave a shiver down her own spine. Who....what was Dao?
Meanwhile, Richard's shock had morphed into shame and sudden fury. Before the other had finished his laughing, Richard was back up, red eyes blazing with fire and wrath.
"You underestimate demons, Vampire." Oh he knew that only a few creatures could match a demons strength and it often was something very close to a demon themselves. It wasn't had to put together the pieces after that.
Vampire? Raine's mouth lipped those words, still in a little bit of shock. But she quickly walked towards them both, knowing that Dao didn't know everything about her cousin and it would be best to inform them if they were going to get out of this alive. She grasped her wand and pointed it at Richard as he began to glow red and suddenly the ground itself around them began to shake.
"Dao! be careful! Richard can control any type of metal!" Sure enough, suddenly a barrage of metal forks, knives, tools and even random pieces of scrap of metal shot towards the duo from behind and Raine quickly focused her magic, a wall of energy protecting them as the metal items harmlessly bounced off.
But it didn't stop there. Weird shards of metal began to shoot up from the ground beneath them, jagged pieces of unused metals combining together to form those dangerous stalagmites.
Scoping up Raine, she'd find herself being carried safely away from Richard's attacks. The many simply laughed and grinned over at his opponent.
"You need to try better than that if you think you can be rid of this vampire."
Yelping, Raine grasped onto Dao as he scooped her up, dodging the others attacked effortlessly and with a semi smug attitude she saw. Blushing a little at the close contact. She was reminded of a little earlier and bit her lip, hoping the other wasn't noticing how nervous this position was making her.
Meanwhile, Richard was more than a little livid. A red aura seemed to surround him as his anger was slowly surfacing. He was looking more demon than human at the moment.
"Oh I know, Vampires are quite tricky little beasts. But never forget, Demons will always be far superior right Vampire? After all..you are simply mutations based off us. Fowl beasts, relying on humans of all things. I do not mind so much if you kill humans but to live you must have their blood. How vile." He held out his arm and suddenly large shards of metal shot up from the earth, surrounding the two and imprisoning them in a dome of sorts. The large shards of metal grew around them and bent at the top, cutting off any means of escape through the top.
"Like all creatures. You have your weakness...and that is that you are no better than the humans you associate with, nor the girl you have in your grasp. If you don't want to die, hand her over now." Richard growled.
"Dao, let me down." Raine said, a little worried.
Trapped or not, Dao found himself laughing, and laughing loudly.
"Are you threatening to kill a creature that's already dead?" And he laughed some more.
Raine blinked at the others words and huffed at how Dao was taking this. "Dao let me down!" She managed to squirm her way out of his grasp and looked up at the metal encasing them.
Richard raised a eyebrow at the others laughing and concluded that he wasn't much of a threat if the idiot only laughed to try to get his way out of trouble. "Frankly I could care less about you vampire...my only target to kill is her.."
Suddenly another shard of metal sprung up from the ground, nearly missing Raine by less than a inch, she jumped just in time to get her leg cut up but otherwise she was fine.
Letting out a slight curse she grabbed her wand and muttered a spell which broke apart the metal and literally turned it to dust. Her leg was bleeding but she could hardly care less. She continued to say the spell, trying to destroy their prison.
And at that-
Dao laughed and laughed, pointing his finger at the man and laughed even more. By the time he was trying to stop, his eyes were full of tears and he was holding his belly.
"You're trying to kill her?" he said, with a jerk of his thumb in Raine's direction. "She's only good at stealing other people's rooms at Inns."
He smirked, laughter still glowing in his eyes.
"But even still, you'll have to kill me to get to her, demon," he told him, and a mirthful grin curled across his lips, as he laughed once again with bravado.
Raine twitched at the others words and crossed her arms with a small sigh. "Granted I didn't steal that room.." She muttered under her breath before turning back to the scene before them. But once the other spoke about going through him to get to her, she raised a eyebrow, blinking. She continued to say the spell until the spikes of metal around them vanished completely.
Richard smirked at the duo and shrugged. "I don't why you even bother Vampire, it's not like you'd get anything out of helping her. Just a bunch of pissed off demons on your tail. Don't be stupid.. now get out of the way!" He summed up more metal from the earth and launched it at them again.
"Tch, you annoy me. I think that's all the reason I need," he said with a grin, which only grew bigger as Raine's spell continued to protect them.
The metal bounced harmlessly onto the shield Raine had set up and once the last piece of metal was removed from the area she focused on trying to get Richard out of there. She whispered some more words and suddenly a blast of energy sent Richard to the ground. Smirking, she winced, falling to one knee.
That took a lot out of her.
Meanwhile Richard growled, wounded but slowly started to stand up. "I've had it!!" He rushed to them both swinging his chain around and hoping to get it wrapped around her neck.
But in a blur, Dao intercepted, hoping to catch the demon in a head lock as he grinned, smooshing his cheek against Richard's while laughing into his ear.
"Where do you think you're going? I thought we agreed you'd have to go through me..."
Raine blinked at the two men as Dao had Richard in a headlock.
"Why you!" Struggling in his grip, Richard hissed and flailed his chain out for it to hit Dao and make him let go. "Let go you stupid vampire!" He hissed and even started to step and kick at Dao's legs.
This gave Raine a chance to catch her breath and slowly she got back to her feet. She couldn't do a lot physical wise so she hoped that Dao would at least hold him there.
"Dao don't move!" She walked foreword and held out her arm, a frown on her face before she walked over to the duo and punched Richard, hard.
"Boy, you're a slippery one!" he laughed, grunting a little as the demon struggled beneath his grip. "You know, from her point of view you probably look ridiculous," he reminded him, grinning as the chain moved to strike him, but Dao only let it- putting out his arm as the chain latched around it. He gave a pull, hoping to jerk it from Richard's grasp while still attempting to keep him in place, but when Raine came along to deliver the punch, that was the only force needed for Dao to jerk the chain whip from the man's hand.
There was a few minutes of silence as Richard just stood there, his cheek swelling and body rigid. Now weaponless he felt a little sliver of fear and his red orbs looked into Raine's as she pulled her hand back and smiled down at the demon.
"Well I see our brother has made a nuisance of himself..." A female voice said from behind them all.
Raine turned to see two more Risk demons, both having pink hair and red eyes as well. Both appeared to be in their older years, one wearing a black dress and another in a red dress.
Both women didn't look worried about him at all, in fact one crossed her arms and rolled her eyes at the scene.
While the one in red started to giggle a bit. "You look so stupid Richard!"
"Shut up Rhonda.." That seemed to snap him out of his trance.
"Now kindly return him." The woman in black said, approaching them.
Raine met the woman's eyes evenly.
"Aunt Raven.."
She brushed a hand through her hair and a flicker of a dark aura surrounded her. "Well, if it isn't the little half-breed..."
Dao cocked his head to the side, quite obviously checking out the pair of women before he grinned.
"And what if I don't?" he gave the now hostaged demon a rough, head locked still, shake. "You said it yourself he looks stupid. You should just let us continue to play with him."
Raven narrowed her eyes and sighed. " I suppose not, but I'm afraid our mother is asking for the idiot..so we have to take him back..."
Rhonda hummed and stepped foreword, eyeing Dao before licking her lips. "Ravennnn can I have that man? He looks yummy!"
Now it was Raine's turn to sigh. "Look, sorry Raven, but we won't be giving him back. Not until you all you promise to stop chasing me!"
Raven smirked. "Now you know my dear that would be a lie...you know we cannot allow you to live." She stalked around Raine with a hum and a glance at Dao. "I don't suppose you know what happened to last man the half demon brought into this mess." She chuckled. "We killed him..." With one glance to Raine, who was looking down and not meeting anyones eyes. "Or I guess, because she brought him into this mess..she killed him." Suddenly Raine realized something..
She couldn't move. Raven had stepped onto her shadow, limiting her movement. Glaring up at the woman who walked away towards Dao, Raine tried to move her body to no effect.
She wanted to warn him but she couldn't move her mouth or body at all.
"Now I'm sure.. your a civilized man...maybe we can come to some kind of...arrangement.." Raven hummed and reached out to touch Dao's shoulder.
Dao laughed and simply took a step back from the woman.
"You're a demon. You should have smelled I'm already dead."
He gave a dimple cheeked, leftward grin as he laughed.
"And it's not like she brought me into it, I brought in myself. And the more annoying you talk, the more I'll make it my problem. Tch, it's too bad though. You were both rather nice on the eyes."
"Yes, your dead alright. A vampire. You are more on our side than on that filthy half blood." Raven smirked. "You feed on humans for a living. I'm sure you killed your fair share of them. She's no different. She's half...she doesn't belong in either world." Slowly she started to circle him as Raine was struggling with her shadow. Thankfully, up above a cloud passed by the sun, break the curse on her shadow and she bolted towards the group. Before Raven could do the same to Dao's shadow, Raine was there and stood by Dao, blocking her access to his shadow.
"I think.. that's quite enough Raven." Raine stated.
"I doubt it." Raven shrugged with a smirk. "I do say though, you've moved up in the world.. from a country bumpkin to a undead lunatic."
"Don't you dare say another word about Danny." Raine threatened.
"What? like how he was gutted so ruthlessly before your eyes?" She laughed. "He was such a easy kill...what did you expect? You both to have your happily ever after?"
Raine was slowly starting to get a little pissed. Even Danny's echo in her mind was being drowned out by the rage forming.
"Face it halfing...you will and always have no place in this world..."
Raine launched herself at Raven, who smirked and suddenly held out his arm, tentacles of darkness wrapped around Raine's legs and arms, binding her to the spot as Raven reached out and wrapped a hand around her neck, glancing at Dao once more. "I won't repeat myself vampire....drop him or I shall kill the halfling here and now. Don't think I wont.."
"And if I kill your younger brother instead? I don't think you know who you're fucking with," he went on coolly, his grin still cheeky, but his eyes glinting with a hint of danger. "Vampire is just what I am, not who I am- but seems you can't get over the breed you are. Tch.." he looked the woman over. "A dime a dozen. If anything, at least your half sister or whatever has more class than the lot of you. And apparently has better things to do with her time than hunt after someone because she won't associate.... but I can see why." His grin turned mean. "So how important is he?" he went on, giving a laugh as he held the head lock around Richard tighter and gave a patronizing pinch to his cheek.
Raine gasped as Raven's grip on her neck tightened. "You want to play this game? By all means." She hissed. In all honesty, the demons would let one of their own perish if it meant that they got what they needed, Raines death. While they respected their family, they also knew the risks.
"Don't think yourself superior or special Vampire....even Richard knew the danger when he took up the name of Risk..." She smirked. "We are demons, whatever you think....you have no sway on any of us.." She grinned and tightened her hold on Raine's neck, it was getting harder to breathe now and she struggled frantically.
"Make your choice vampire..."
He wasn't sure his surrender would even work, but with an irritable twitch to his brow, he threw Richard to the ground and stared at the woman, expectantly.
Raven smirked. "That's a good vampire~" with a glance to Raine who was still choking, she raised a eyebrow and for a second it seemed as if she wasn't going to keep her deal. But then suddenly Raine was thrown to Dao, nearly running into him as she tried to get her bearings.
Richard coughed and was helped to his feet by the other demon woman and Raven smirked, crossing her arms. "See? That wasn't so hard was it?" She chuckled then glanced at Raine once more. "Half breed...remember this. We will kill you..."
Raine managed a slight glare to Raven as the trio vanished in a blast of dark energy without a trace left. It was as if they never were there.
Raine finally managed to gather herself and didn't look at Dao in the eyes. But she managed to pull a small smile from her mouth. "Ah, thanks Dao....for your help. Sorry you got mixed up in all this."
Dao laughed simply, seemingly able to shrug off the whole thing as if it were nothing. He patted her on the shoulder.
"Come on. We should go back to the tavern and you can buy me a couple drinks," he suggested, playfully.
With a soft smile and a shrug, Raine chuckled a little. "Why not?" She figured that after all that and getting Dao situated she'd be on her way. After all, not many others liked to deal with half demons. Although she couldn't help but be a little curious. On the way over she couldn't help asking. "So, your a vampire huh? I never even realized. Your really strong. Especially standing up to demons like that." She said. "Are all vampires that strong and fast? You move like the wind.."
"Oh, are you impressed?" he asked her with a grin and puff of his chest. "And I couldn't say- but most vampires have similar traits. But you can think of me as more of a... rare breed," he went on, eyes twinkling and fangs showing as he smiled wider.
Raine chuckled a bit and finally they started to get closer to the Inn again. "I see, well you are right about being impressed. I have never met a vampire before though. So sorry if I am bothering you with questions. Do you really drink human blood as well?" she wondered curious. She had never seen him drink anything but alcohol since they met.
Once they started to get closer though, Raine slowly began to realize that a few people were staring at her, obviously they were noticing her odd colored hair and speaking in hushed tones but she ignored the stares. It wasn't until they got into the bar and the bar itself was hushed that she began to little uneasy. After all, Richard had announced himself a demon with the same colored hair just a few minutes ago. So obviously the group in the tavern were bound to think badly of her now.
It was to be expected and she didn't blame them one bit. After the terrors her family had caused, pink hair was bound to be feared.
If the stares affected him, Dao seemed not to notice. He seemed to easily brush it off and as they sat down he ordered them both a drink.
"As stiff as you can make it. We both had a long day." He gave the bar tender a wink who only stared at the pair before shaking his head and going back to the bar and pouring mixes of liquor straight from their bottles.
Dao could appreciate this strong drink, and once served, raised his mug up to her's as he leaned across the table.
"Here's to hoping after we wake up drunk, we'll forget about those little pests, eh?"
Raine hummed at the others words and did raise her glass when he raised his and once they drank a bit Raine put hers down. She wasn't that thirsty and it was never wise to drink near a man anyways. While this man had helped save her, she was still unsure if she could really trust him or not.
So she let the other drink away while pretending to drink hers but really just nursing the cup and trying to avoid the stares. She grinned a bit at him though and chuckled. "Well..thanks Dao for the drinks, but I think I should get going." She went to stand up, pulling out the last of her own money and placing it on the counter.
Before she could leave he caught her by the arm.
"What? Finished already?" he asked, laughing. "Tch, your drink is still half full."
Raine made a face at the other ad rolled her eyes a bit with a slight smile. She sighed, realizing that she probably wouldn't get out of this without a drink or two so she simply sat back down. "Alright but only one drink. I am not getting drunk tonight. I think you drank enough for both of us." she chuckled and drank her glass and raised a eyebrow. "Happy now?"
Her kept an eye on her before his grin grew. He laughed.
"I'd be happier if you drank another," he said, playfully raising his glass and ordering more.