The girl who put Leonardo Da Vinci to shame! (Any)

[Anonymous]

"Vampires don't mate, they have sex. We don't reproduce through sexual means, it would be a physical impossibility." Zek said suddenly as he turned his attention towards the other male vampire, Jares. He wasn't so sure about this one...he didn't seem to want to drink the blood laid out for him. His eyes quickly moved to the piano, watching Bella for a moment. Something was off...maybe the piano? The tune just didn't seem...good...it was...morbid. Not to say it wasn't a good song how ever, it just sent a shiver to his spine though.

"I'd rather not have any painting, drawing, or story written about me thank you." Zek said to her as he looked at her, his arms crossing. He wasn't going to model for her, nude or otherwise. He didn't even want to be in a story...what was the point? The things he could say though as he took a seat, one hand on his neck. With a quick twitch left and right, he cracked his neck, popping the joints and such back into place..

"Who knows what the young one wants." Zek said as he jabbed a thumb in the direction of Jares. He could have made a remark about the nude part, but he thought it was best to keep his mouth shut for the time being. He didn't know these people, and didn't feel all that comfortable with the idea of stripping naked.

What the hell was up with that stupid tune anyways?! It just seemed....it kept invading his thoughts, but what it wanted, he didn't know. There was something though...he felt...he felt sleepy? Was that even possible? He only tranced, not slept...this was...this wasn't very good. He couldn't help it though...his eyelids started to droop, but the more he fought, the more it seemed to hit him. No something was off indeed. His hand fell to his lap, to rest on the pommel of his dagger.

"Stop...stop playing please." Zek said as he looked over to Bella. He couldn't be sure that a spell was being palced on him. There was a good chance that he was simply entering a trance state because of the energy he had exerted in the fight...but...he had fed. He had fed! It had awoken him, and yet here he was almost nodding off to sleep. There was foul play in this room.

[Rhindeer]

Oh my...Jares had really found himself a dramatic duo! He watched as Bella drained the paralyzed man of blood after going through that rather interesting transformation, and he didn't make any effort to stop it. Hey, the guy had it coming and besides, his back was broken. If none of them had killed him, he would have done it himself--even if he wouldn't have drank a drop--just like he would put down an animal that had been crippled too badly to survive on its own. It was a bit of a shame, but hey, the human population was already large enough and it wasn't like the guy hadn't provoked them first. Huh. And then there was still the grand mystery of who had sucked the necks of other villagers. Either one of the other two were lying, or there was a fourth vampire out there.

Huh.

Jares snorted a little when Bella reprimanded Zek like a child for slaughtering the other mortals. Still on the couch, he yawned a little as Bella went over to the piano and, couch all to himself, he sprawled out fully on it, back against one of the cushiony arms and one leg thrown over the back of it. Yep. He was quite at home here, now, but he could make himself at home in the middle of a swamp, too. It didn't take all that much to please him. He turned his head over in Zek's direction and gave a wry, toothy smile, both long fangs bared. "My, my, so <I>literal..." Jares said, snorting at the other vampire and rolling his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, I know it's sex. Yay, great fun, that. That, buddy ol' pal, was what is called a joke. A lame one, I know, but still a joke."

He folded stretched his arms up and folded them under his head, and then his grin got just a bit wider when Bella went on about portraits and stuff. Ooo. A nudie picture, eh? He gave a little yawn as the girl played piano, not really finding anything odd about her playing yet. Sure, it was depressing and he rather hated depressing music, but he didn't yet notice that it was the cause of his sudden drowsiness. He just thought that was because, well...he could be a lazy bastard and this couch was comfy. Jares only gave her a lazy smile, then flashed a rather devious one Zek's way.

Ohh...he didn't want any pictures or stories written about him, eh? Did it make him uncomfortable? And what was with the "young one" bit? Oh well.

Jares smirked and brought his left hand down to cover his mouth as he yawned. Zek may have kept his mouth shut about the nude part, but that didn't mean Jares was going to! "Hmm...I'd like a portrait. A nude one. And I'll pose...right here...like this." He swept his left hand through the air, emcompassing the area where he was currently sprawled out with one leg flung over the back of the couch. Not really the most modest pose, so say the least. "Only without my clothes." He waggled his eyebrows suggestively and yawned again, then tapped a finger to his lips. "I'm afraid I'm a bit too comfy to move at the moment though...heh...at the rate I'm going, you may just have to undress me..."

He only keeped on grinning sleepily.

That was when Zek told Bella to stop playing, and he blinked over at him again. Eh? What was up with him? Sure, it wasn't the greatest--yawn--but...it was...kinda pretty...

[Anonymous]

It was working. The piano was starting to put them to sleep and once they were asleep they wouldn't wake up for about two hours, giving her just enough time to draw them on her canvas, whether they wanted to be drawn or not. She knew that she only had to continue playing for a moment longer and soon they would be out cold, especially with the blood. The blood she had given them was a very sweet blood and would probably put the most persistant to sleep. The only trouble was that Zek had had none, but all the same he had fed before he came up, making his stomach full and his mind weary. A comfortable position. She listened to Zek's words, but dared not stop playing. Her fingers graced themselves along the white and black ivorys as the tune of the piano became softer and softer. It did sound depressing, but at all the same a very good tune. One of those morbid kind of tones. She loved to sit on hours end playing the piano for no one in particular. But today it was put to good use, seeing as how she would at least haev two new museses. She continued to play, her hands moving down the keys to the very bottom, making it sound like she was playing the basemnt, while her other hand was up and above, playing soft high A# notes.

Once asleep she would undress the Jares. She would leave Zek clothed for that's what he had chosen, but just a little secret, she wished she could at least undress him this one time. At least put it down on paper, but no she would at least repsect one of his wishes. She looked over at him, seeing him sturggle to stay awake. It wouldn't take long, for the piano was a very powerful instrument. It was given to her by an old sorceres, but more like an old friend. She had given it to her because she knew that Bella was an artistic person and that this piano would be put to good use.

And it was.

She looked over at Jares, almost smiling her pearly smile as she listened to him, telling her that she might have to undress him, which was what she was going to do anyway! She must have stared at him for the longest time, getting lost in his delicate features....his beautiful black hair...his...

No. She shook her head. She musten't talk about him like that. She only just met him and she didn't know anything about him! But still, she couldn't help it.

She looked over at Zek. He was also very handsome. Oh how she wished she could draw him nude! That would be an experience he would never forget. It wasn't like she was going to draw it, she wanted to draw mostly his upperbody. Maybe she would at least just take off his shirt. She deepened the tune of the piano, now adding a pedal. The pedal made it sound weary and even more morbid, and she also knew that it was an extra boost to the sleeping aid. They would be out in no time.

[Anonymous]

It had to be that blasted tune...he knew it was. He had to get angry. He had to get the rage that came with his people. What would get him angry? Well...this woman was trying to put him to sleep for one. Yes, that was a good start...she didn't stop playing either, that worked.   The dagger slipped from his sheathe, but his movements were starting to become sluggish. He couldn't think of a better thing to do than to just fall asleep right here, but he knew he couldn't. It was survival after all, and despite this Bella woman seeming nice, she could just as easily kill him if he fell asleep.

The bloodrage wasn't there however, he just couldn't muster it properly. His head turned to look at Bella and that piano. He could easily put the dagger into her neck, but maybe just damaging the piano would work? Letting his fingers move to the pommel of the dagger, he kept his focus, knowing that he had to block out the sound of the piano some how. It was the only thing his mind wanted to focus on.

Zek knew he couldn't go feral in this place. If they thought he was mean as a sentient being, then one bent on destruction and pain would just be worse. He had to get her stop. Pushing off the chair, he now stood, dagger in his hand, facing her with a glare to his eyes.

"Stop playing." Zek said, his voice firm. His eyes softened for a moment, his mind was starting to shut down. He had to do this quickly. One step forward...two steps...then three, and four. Getting a better grip on the dagger he took another step forward. His legs gave out, and he fell to one knee. No. No he couldn't let this happen. He was right there! Right at the piano! The dagger raised, and fell with a thud into the side of the piano. The tip barely went into it, sliding down the side slowly. Unless the piano could be  hurt with cosmetic damage, then Zek had failed to stop the piano.

HIs eyes closed, his shoulders slumped, and he fell over, onto his side. The dagger in his hand however he did not let go, he kept that firmly in his grip. His mind was still awake how ever, still thinking, still aware of the danger. This had been a bad idea. Wake up. He had to wake up. It was so peaceful though, wasn't it? There were no troubles here, no worries....no...he had to wake up. He couldn't let this happen. For all he knew she was going to stake them right there. The scale armour he wore would protect him...but...if she removed it, there would just be the silk body suit that covered his entire body left...and his scarf mask...she would...she would take that off before she killed him wouldn't she? He hated people seeing his face...He didn't know why either.

He had to wake up.

[Rhindeer]

[Heehee, Jares told Bella his name. ^_~ And he hasn't drank any blood!]

What was up with the other guy? Jares watched him through half-closed eyes as he told Bella to stop playing, as he staggered over toward her with his dagger out. Yikes. Not his type of music, he took it? Well, it wasn't his either but he didn't get all huffy about it. That guy just needed to relax. Yeah. He needed a big, comfy sofa like this one--but not this one because there was no way in hell Jares was sharing!--and to just...relax. Chill. Take of his clothes and just...hang. Yup. Then he probably wouldn't be so stressed out and freaking out over a little music. Huh. This situation could probably end badly...somewhere in the back of his mind, Jares thought that maybe, just maybe, he should get up and go over there in case Zek tried to stab Bella.

But then he reconsidered, because he was too comfortable. The girl could fend for herself; she had nifty vampire powers too, didn't she?

Yeah. She could.

Well, in any case, the guy fell over, but Jares was only aware of that because he heard the thump of something landing on the wooden floor. Yeah. He definitely needed a nice, comfy sofa. The floor couldn't be that great and he had looked tired. After killing all those people, it seemed only natural.

Maybe Jares should have been a bit more cautious, but the thing was, well, he had always lived rather dangerously, and he had more tolerance for various things than was probably healthy. Hey, after four-hundred or so years of living, there really wasn't much he minded anymore! Some people might get more uptight and bitter with age, but Jares had only gotten increasingly laid back, so while the whole nudie thing had really, truthfully, been just a joke and an attempt to make everyone else uncomfortable, well...if Bella stripped him, she stripped him! He had no issues with his body, or with other people seeing his body. He just...really didn't care. It was that whole tolerance thing.

Of course, he also didn't know that she had taken him seriously.

But, oh well!

Just as Zek was soon asleep on the floor, Jares drifted off as well, one arm beneath his head and the other flopping over the side of the couch, making the many colorful, wooden bracelets clack together.

[Anonymous]

She continued to play when she noticed that Zek had suddenly stood up and announced in a firm voice to stop. At first she was a little nervous, thinking that the piano spell had brooken loose on Zek, but then she smiled seeing his eyes falter as he came crashing down toward the floor. She looked over at Jares and noticed that he was also finally asleep. They were both out cold. Exactly what she wanted. She played for about twenty more minutes, making sure that they wouldn't wake up, and then.. very slowly stopped, ending the morbid song that had put them both into la la land. She came out from behind the piano, grabbing her canvasas and pencils o the way, and plopped a seat in the love seat, next to the couch. She would draw Jares first. She first situated herself, making sure that all her supplies were there and ready for use. Then she stood up, making her way over to Jares to start undressing him. She figured she would only take off his shirt for that was what she liked to draw best. The upper part of a man's body. With great ease she lifted him up and pulled off his shirt, revealing his musceled tan chest. She stared for a moment, looked him up and down, and smiled, laying him in a position that she thought would be great to draw. She looked down at Zek. She just had to draw him.. she just had to! His form and body was so perfect that she just couldn't pass up the chance. That was why she had used the piano spell.  She sighed, smiled again, and then turned back to Jares.

She had placed Jares into  somewhat innocent position. He was laying on the couch with his one hand under his chin, his fingers pointing out. HIs other hand was near his middle chest, his fingers slightly curved into small arches. She watched his chest rise up and down, rhythmatic almost. She smiled. It was the most beautiful sight she could have ver seen, she had a good eye for men didn't she? She lifted up a pencil to the snow white canvas, now ready to begin. She would have to make haste, and then play the piano for a second time, to keep them asleep so she could also draw Zek. She began doing the shaping and outline of his body, amking every little detail seem almost exactly like it's original. She started to draw the details of his eyes and nose, his perfect curved lips. The way he looked so peaceful, it was so unbelievable. She stared on his black locks of hair, shading in and making every little strand look exactly the same, or almost as much as she could. Her eyes would dart to and fro between him and her drawing. Now she began to shade, show in the small shadows that were casted by his own features, such as an arm or hand. In about an hour she was finished with the drawing part, now for the colouring. Her couch was black, and so that was what she shaded it in, making some spots lighter than others to so creases, or where wight was and weight wasn't. She started to shae in his skin, a perfect blend to match his, making sure to get every shine of light on his face, and every dark markt that his body with held. She started to color in his hair, making it look more exact then the shading had. AFter she was finished, she noticed that he was a little blah, so she decided to quick add a crimson red dhaw that would drap across it. After a few more touches she was done. She smiled and signed it on the bottom. That was finished.

She stood up and streched, being in the same position really put a crick in your neck. She walked over to the piano, cracked her fingers, and began to play again, the same soft morbid tone. Even if they were stilll asleep she wanted to maek sure that they would stay asleep for a couple hours more so she could draw Zek and then also make copies for herself. It was going to be a lot of work but she knew that in the end it would be worth it. She played for about thirty minutes, feeling the soft notes of the piano linger in the air. AFter she was finished she stood up and quickly lifted up zek, putting him on the love seat now. She breathed a sigh of relief when he didn't awaken. She started to take off his shirt, exposing his raw pale chest to her. Fact was he was very handsom to and she could not help but stare. She figured that she would leave his scarf on, for it would probably add to the portrait. After she had put him into a position that she liked (hands laying softly by his side) she sighed and sat down in a chair, starting the process all over again. It took her about another hour, but soon she was finished, making every detail and color exacltty the way she wanted. She got up, played the piano again, for about thirty minutes, and then sat down, taking the two portraits too her, examining them. She sighed, now she was geting bored of this.. but if she wanted to keep one for herself she would have to copy it. And once again she started the process all over again, twice actually.

It took about four hours but she was finally finished with all four portraits, all looking like the other. She smiled at her greatness and then quickly set them down. She put her penciles and colors away and then moved quickly toward the two men. She put Jares shirt back on and then Zek's. She put the chair she had been sitting on back into the other room and then quickly sat on the edge of Jares's, well actually her, couch.

"Hey, hey wake up... I'm finished..."

[Anonymous]

Wake up

"I can't!" Though his body had shut down, entered a trance state, his mind was fully awake still, and it was arguing with itself. This was often the reason that Zek opted usually to drink blood to stay away, rather than to enter a trance to sleep.

If you don't wake up you will die. The voice told him. Zek struggled, his mind reeled to try and wake up the body, but it was no use. He remembered something though. Weaker minds would be affected by his psychic powers, but stronger mind...vampire minds...they would not...they wouldn't even feel it. His mind lashed out around it, trying to find the thoughts of Bella. It found them.

I must draw them. I simply must. What did it mean? Was she going to bleed them? Draw their blood from them? His mind raced with questions, until a more rational voice made itself known. Had she not indicated she simply wanted to draw a portrait of them? Would that not be what she was doing then? True, Zek didn't enjoy the idea that she had to put him to sleep to draw him, and that even after his refusal she still did.

No, that didn't impress him, and as his mind talked amongst itself, it grew a bit to hatred, to wipe her from this land with a quick motion of his daggers.

Wake up.

The words echoed as Zek tried to stir himself. That melody. It was...it was playing again. She was going to keep them asleep them. Just ensure they never woke up. He felt something, like...like things were moving. Was he being moved? Perhaps more townspeople had come? Who knows. Zek was terrified, terrified that he didn't know what was happening around him. He hated the unknown, it scared him.That melody had stopped thankfully.

It wasn't before long that he...heard it again drifting through his thoughts. That damned song! He was going to break her piano after this. He was going to smash it, remove each one of her fingers, and then light the whole mess of fingers and piano on fire. Right? That's what he was going to do...yes.

"Hey wake up...I'm finished... That wasn't him...that was someone else. Someone female. Zek's eyes snapped open, focusing on Bella. There was a hatred in his eyes, a burning rage. He was on his feet before he even knew it, his other dagger in his hand. He noted his black dagger had been left by the piano. He began to spin the dagger in his hand, weaving over the palm and through his fingers.

"Ten seconds. You have exactly ten seconds to tell me why I shouldn't kill you. After ten seconds I will plunge this dagger into your neck and remove your head from your body." HIs voice was firm, commanding as he kept his focused gaze on Bella.

"Ten seconds."

[Rhindeer]

Jares slept like, well, the dead through the whole thing, hardly even twitching when Bella shifted him around and rearranged his position. Nope, he was totally out of it, having slipped off into a nice, deep, dreamless sleep, totally oblivious to everything that was happening around him--and to him. His lip twitched a little when she removed his shirt, but only because he was ticklish and that sensation was able to permeate through to his sleeping brain, but other than that, there was nothing. No reaction or anything, not even any yawns or shifting in his sleep. He was perfectly still for the four hours or so that it took Bella to draw everyone.

And then, finally, sensation began to return to him. He could feel the soft couch beneath his arms, and his fingers flexed slightly against the fabric. Eh? Hey, wake up...I'm finished... A female voice. A familiar one. Oh...wait...finished with what?

His eyes clenched shut tighter, as though fighting against consciousness for a moment--because sleep, after all, was good--before they opened, and he blinked tiredly for a moment before sitting up a little and spotting Bella sitting at the edge of the couch. Goodness...he hadn't fallen asleep, had he? He gave a loud yawn and ran a hand through his black bangs and over his face, trying to wake up. Wow, that was totally unplanned, he swore! It wasn't like he was narcoleptic or anything, after all! He liked sleep, but this was ridiculous, keeling over in a random stranger's house two seconds after laying down! Especially given that the two seemed to have...a bit of a reputation going for them. Sure, Jares wasn't all that worried or anything (it was probably amazing that he'd lived as long as he had given he had this annoying habit of throwing caution to the wind) but he also didn't want to end up as somebody's dinner.

And, to be quite honest, vampire though he was, he really wasn't too up to date on vampire etiquette. He didn't hang around many vampires, if any.

It was a nice couch and all, but man...stop falling asleep in random places, Jares! Bad vampire!

"...Oh dear...I fell asleep again. So sorry! That musta been rude; I wasn't trying to say your company was boring or anything!" he said, sitting up completely and swinging his legs over the side of the couch. "I didn't snore or anything, did I?"

That question would have to be answered later, because that was when he noticed Zek. Who was on his feet with a dagger in hand. And, yep. He sure looked ready to do exactly what he said he did.

...Somehow, Jares had the strongest feeling that he'd missed something terribly important when he fell asleep.

"...Wow. You two really are like an old married couple," he murmured, glancing from Zek to Bella. "I don't know what I missed, but...now, now, mister Zek...sir. I think you should put the knife down. It's bad form to kill the hostess when you're a guest. Everyone knows that. That's why you shouldn't kill her." He leaned back against the couch, watching him and smiling a little. He wouldn't do anything just yet.

[Anonymous]

OOc: okay I'm really tiered and the thread in the general discusioons board has got me wacked so sorry if this post is crappy.

IC:

She quickled glanced over at Jares who told them that they really did quarrel like an old married couple.. Well he wasn't helping much! "Ten seconds? Okay." She quikclyed walked over and picked up the two portraits of both of them. Showing each to their origionals. She kenw that it was a masterpiece and that they should be proud that she had captured them so well instead of butchering them. She stared uneasily at Zek. She had to admit.. he didn't want his portrait done, but come one! He had to admitte, even to himself, that he was a beautiful thing when asleep. "I only put you to sleep because I thought it would make the portrait look more dramatic.. what do you guys think? I think I captures you well!" Truth be told she didn't like to brag or anything but she thought that she really did do a fine job, better than she usually did. She moved back towards the piano and picked up the dagger, gripping the blade with her hand and not the handel. She raised it, wanting to give it back to Zek. It was his dagger, she had no use for it, even if all her might that she didn't want to give it back, fear that he might actually chop her head off, she reamined brave and handed it back calmly. Oh how she hoped that they liked their portraits! She had worked really hard on them just to get every detail! She went over and took a seat on the couch, next to Jares. She sighed, exhaling a large amount of air. She knew Zek meant business, but could he really be mad at a wonderful portrait like that.

She had to admit, even if that portrait cost her her life, it was worth it.

" Seriously Zek, I didn't mean to scare you or anything but come on, look at that! You are simply one of a kind that no one would want to pass up upon!" She had to admit she was a little dissapointed that he had acted the wa he had. He shouldn't have been all angry and ready to chop her head. Why did he have to be such a cruel person when all she tried to do was give him something, a mini him on a canvas. For once she almost felt like she could cry! But only for a moment, a moment and then she was back to her peppy self.

"I'm sorry, if you really want to chop of my head, then so be it..." She knew she had betrayed his wishes and she guessed that it was only fair that he kill her. She stood up and walked straight up to him. She grabed part of his hand and purposly brought the dagger up to her neck, then she let go, letting him choose. She closed her eyes.

"Go a-ahead". Her voice qauvered for a moment, fact was she was scared, but she would never tell anyone, for as long as she lived. Which was, I guess, not long!!

[Anonymous]

The daggers were precious to him. There was no question of it. When she handed it back, he held it against his chest for a moment before returning it to the sheathe. His eyes were still glaring. Paintings and songs, what good were they? He had no use for them after all. They were just canvas and paint.

"Keep them both, I have no use for a painting of myself, and where would I keep such a thing?" It was a good point after all. His clothes had no pockets, and his armour had no hidden slots. He wasn't simply going to wrap it up and keep it in his bodysuit, it might...it might get ruined.

"You could have said something. Something to convince me to make me stay. Instead you play that...that piano and PUT US TO SLEEP." It was rage, but he was keeping it in check.

"If we want to talk about bad manners, let's talk about putting a spell on your guests so you could...what looks like take their shirts off and paint their portraits." She...she painte dhim well...but...in his weakest state. Sleep. That's one thing that really bothered him. He liked to appear strong, to appear deadly and deceiving...and yet...he was asleep. He cursed himself for not realizing it was the piano. Zek did admit he had trust issues of course, but that was besides the point. She approached him, and brought the dagger up to her own neck, letting his hand go. He had the dagger hover there, his eyes narrowing. He had his chance. The killing blow! A vampire who would openly let him steal their life away.

"My question to you is, what would anger you more? If I ripped up the portraits...or..." His free hand went down to his side, to grab the dagger he had sheathed. Pulling it free he began to twirl it around his hand.

"Or if I broke your piano." He wasn't going to take her life. That was obvious as he lowered his dagger. Though, with a quick slice across her shoulder, he drew a small line of her blood. Pulling the scarf down with the dagger tip he extended his tongue and licked the blood from the cold steel surface. The dagger went down, back to the sheathe, and his arms crossed over his chest. He let the scarf hang for a moment before retying it up, remembering he had left it down.

"Why though...why did you have to paint up shirtless?" Zek knew he was athletic, didn't look all that muscular, and he had a sort of paleness to him, yet that didn't seem to matter to her. It confused him, but...somewhere, it interested him. What the hell did she see that he didn't. He pushed those thoughts away from his mind, and he returned to his seat.

"I never did catch your name." Zek said finally as he turned his attention to the other vampire in the household. He still found it amazing there was three vampires all in the same area. Maybe it was some sort of invisible, unknown pull on all of them...or the Siren Call of Bella perhaps.

[Rhindeer]

Jares blinked and took the portrait as she handed it to him, and soon he found himself looking at a topless, sleeping version of himself. Aha! Guess she must have drawn him when he'd fallen--wait, shirtless? He glanced up at Bella, then snorted and shook his head, an amused grin replacing his sleepy smile. Had she seriously taken off his shirt, or had she just guessed? Heh, if she'd just guessed, it was a striking resemblance; he guessed she really had taken him literally about the whole undressing thing! Even if she seemed to have chickened out and hadn't done a full nude. Er...then again, if he hadn't even woken up to her taking off his shirt, who was to say she hadn't stripped him completely and just hadn't drawn it! Interesting. "Ooh...I look hot," he said with a playful wink Bella's way, puffing out his chest a little. "Of course, I already knew this. Thanks."

Zek, however, didn't seem too happy about the whole thing. Okay, that was an understatement, he was pissed--because, after all, he had threatened to remove her head. And Bella was, in Jares' opinion, being a bit...foolish. C'mon, the guy had just threatened to stab her in the neck and saw her head off, and she was handing him one of his daggers back! Still a little confused, he listened in, and then...wait, put them to sleep? The other guy had passed out, too? And...it was the piano? She'd seriously put a spell on them?

Tricky, tricky girl...all right, he had to admit, that was a bit creepy. After all, he knew that at least on his end he'd been perfectly willing to pose all on his own! No convincing was needed on his end, and he had to say, he didn't really like the idea of being, well...put to sleep. She could have killed them or drained their blood or molested them or something, and he wouldn't have felt any of it because he slept so deeply! Could have, but she hadn't; she'd just drawn them, and it had been kind of his own fault if anything went bad for letting his guard down. Still, creepy as it was...the bad things that could have happened didn't, and Jares had lived too long to worry about the past. Instead, he had a tendency to just...forget it. Let it slide.

That was just because he'd always been forgetful, though.

He did, however, sit up straight when Bella went and...put the guy's knife against her neck and told him to go ahead and do it. What. The. Hell? Slapping the palm of his hand to his forehead and groaning, Jares was about ready to get up and intervene--what was wrong with her?! It must be some vampire thing he hadn't caught onto--but instead Zek went on about breaking her piano and instead just cut her shoulder. Jares relaxed again and stared at the two.  This was so weird...both of them were so...dramatic, with all the killing and whatnot. Kill mortals, kill each other, kill themselves! Yeesh. Never mind how he had managed to live as long as he had, how did they make it through each day alive? Or...moreso...how did Bella make it through each day alive, since she was the subject of all the current death threats.

Oh well...none of his business!

Turning his attention over to Zek, he nodded at him. "I'm Jares, and...you're Zek, right?" Poor guy seemed so worried about the whole shirtless thing. After all, that's what he seemed to bring up the most! Maybe he was self-conscious. In any case, Jares took it upon himself to soothe his fears! "By the way, I don't know why you're so worried. For what it's worth, from what I saw of the portrait, you have a nice chest. Though..." Here he turned his attention to Bella and narrowed his eyes a little at her, frowning and waggling a finger at her like he was chastising a child. "It's still rather naughty to put sleeping spells on people so you can strip them." He gave a firm nod, then smirked a little. "Though, of course, some people are into that kind of naughty. Still, that's beside the point, right?"

[Anonymous]

OOC: I'm pretty tiered so this post will be crappy sorry!

She had to sigh in relief as he only sliced across her shoulder instead of cutting her head off. She listened to his words, asking her what would make her more upset. Ripping the portraits or breaking her piano. Fact was both were very precious to her and she knew that deep within that she wouldn't be able to choose, which seemed like a good thing because Zek seemed to have forgot all about it as he sat back down and asked the Jares his name. She breathed a sigh of relief and then quickly made her wy over to the couch naxt to Jares. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you guys that I was puting you to sleep, but come on, really, what could I have said Zek that would have made you stay here? Do you really thing you would stay if I said Hey I'm going to paint you topless! No, you would definietly leave.."She wasn't angry, she was just telling the truth.  She looked over to Jares who was admiring his portrait, saying how he was hot but he already knew it and gave her a wink. She couldn't help but laugh and smile. She listened to him tell Zek he had a nice chest (YEAH HE DID!!)  and then told her that she was naughty in puting them to sleep. "Yea, I know I was... but they're nothing you can do about it now!" she exclaimed, a little to happy. Then with that she stood up and walked over to Zek and sat next to him on the black love seat. " I can see that you're really not happy with the whole sleeping, shirtless thing, but in my opionion I think it makes you look fiersom, you know why?" she questioned him, her features only now starting to change for she realized that she had forgto to change them.

" I think it makes you look fiersom and mystierious, almost like they don't know what you're thinking. Are you really asleep? Are you about to lash out at them with all mighty power? In my opinion it makes you look pretty strong!" Then she herself did something she couldn't even believe. She leaned forward and pulled him into a hug, a warm embrace from a friend to a friend. She noted that they were the oddest bucn hever. One minute he was going to cut her head off and she would allow it, the next she was giving him a hug to make him feel better. What was up with that? She pulled back and smiled, her pure emerald green eyes looking into his. Then she turned over to Jares and smiled at him. She quickly got up and hugged him too, not wanting him to be left out. "Thank you guys so much for letting me draw you, I have to say it was all worth it, becuase you two are simply a masterpiece! You guys can stay for dinner if you like.. I promise, I won't pull any more tricks!" she exclaimed raising her pale arm up in pure honesty and commision. "Or if you like, you can....leave..." IN all honesty she hoped that neighter of them would leave and both would want to stay, for at least a couple more hours. If they stayed she would make a wonderful feat for them, and they would dine like rich folks.

She got up from the comfortable couch and was just about to make her way over to get her glass of blood when there was a bump upstairs. She looked up toward the ceiling and then at Jares and Zec" I'll be back in a moment..." she said with a fake cheeriness. Who in gods name could be at her house at night bumping around upstairs. How did they even get up there? She set down her back down her glass on the oak side table and quickly made her way out of the living room and into a hallway. She traveled down that and quickly made her way up to a set or large marble steps. With a click and clack for each step she made she finally reached the top and stood there. Silent. Bump. There it was again. She quickly made her way down the ornate hallway and towards the last door. Her bathroom. Very slowly she opened the door and then, when it was all the way she flung it open. There were two men standing in her pure white bathroom, eaching wielding a badly made sword. They looked fearful at her. The one whispered to the other. "I told you we weren't ready for this! How could I have let you talk me into this! We're gonna die!!" She only leaned against her door as she stared at them both. They're knees were trembiling and their swords were shaking. Hmm.. should she drink them, should she get rid of them.. decisions decisions.

"Let's get out of here!" said the other starting to head for the window in which they had climbed in upon. She moved in front of them quicker than a flash. By doing this one of them lashed out in fear and slid the sword across her side, making a thin line of blood. Oh, she as pissed now. "Quick, get it out, get it out!" the one had said quickly motioning to the other as Bella was about to lash out at them. The one man pulled out a somewhat small vile filled to the brim with emerald liquid. She stopped, staring cautiosly at it, afraid of what it contained. One of the man uncorked it and through it at her, making it land on her chest. The thing exploded and she was thrown back in mid air, hitting her head hard agasint the wall, knocking her unconcious. The green vile had left her chest somehwat in a very small (very small) green fire. God damnit! One minute she was so strong and the next she was supper weak!

OOC: So tiered....need coffee....*drinks some coffee* IS AWAKE!! :shock:  :shock:

[Anonymous]

Zek wasn't too sure how to reply to Jares compliment. So he just kept a level gaze on the man for a moment. That's when Bella excused herself, his attention turned to focus on her as she left the room. She said they had a choice, they could stay for a feast, or they could leave. Zek stood up, one hand moving to dust himself off. He was starting to dry off thankfully, but his clothes were still soaked with blood. It was time to do something about that.

With eyes closed he held his arms out, focusing his magic. He had learned this trick a while ago, and even though his area of expertese were in dark magic, he was pretty sure this would still work out. That strange darkness fog seemed to appear around him again, but this time it stayed about him, as if it were becoming his clothes. In retrospect, it was simply weaving through his clothes, sucking up the moisture from the blood. It wasn't until long that the fog had a crimson tint to it, despite being a midnight colour to begin with. When the fog disappeared, his clothes were dry once more, and he seemed rather pleased with himself.

Then...he sat back down. He would stay. He didn't know why, but he would stay and see what happens. That's when he started to hear the faint sounds of yelling. HIs ears began to focus, and he started to hear things. People...that didn't sound all that good. That of course got worse when a small explosion filled his ears. That wasn't something he expected. He was already on his way upstairs, his feet moving in rapid succession as he tracked down the source of the noise. His weapons were out, the daggers gripped by the pommels. When she got to the bathroom, he saw a bit of a horror scene.

Two men were fighting over who climbs out the window, while Bella was on fire and unconcious. The daggers left his hands, the men barely had time to turn around as the whistling blades sunk into their necks. They wouldn't die just yet, but they wouldn't be able to escape out the window now. He knelt beside Bella, watching the fire on her chest. Choices...choices to make...He grabbed a nearby towel and began to smother the fire. After all, fire couldn't breathe without oxygen. Zek was very unsure about the green fire, but it seemed to be working, as smothering the fire had apparently put it out. He kept the towel over her chest though, just in case. Besides, she might be a bit burned. Burned? She would need to heal. His eyes shifted to look at the dying men and he smiled.

Dragging one of the men over he removed the dagger from the man's neck, and held the man in place over Bella's mouth. He figured if she drank, she would get her strength back, and no doubt wake up in the process.

"Come on, drink." Zek muttered to himself, his free hand moving to lightly slap her cheeks. Hadn't he just cleaned up all the blood from earlier? Now it was staining his hands and sleeves. Well, that was discerning then wasn't it?

[Rhindeer]

[Sorry this took so insanely long. o__o I couldn't think up a reply for the life of me, so forgive me if this is lame, not much I could do anyway. XD I just...didn't wanna hold it up any longer. *feels bad*]

Whoa, hugs! And...she had hugged mister Anger Management, too! Wow. She...really was pretty forward and fearless, he guessed. Or just oblivious. Though, the two were a bit interconnected in a way, weren't they? Oh well, no matter! In any case, he got a hug out of it, and Jares rather liked hugs. They were awesome, though, unlike her, he didn't think he'd want a hug from Zek...because...well...the guy would probably take his head off as he'd threatened to do with Bella but hadn't carried out. That was interesting, the fact that he hadn't done it. And fortunate, too, because Jares didn't like the idea of someone he actually knew being offed. Not that he actually knew Bella, but she'd painted his portrait! Same difference!

Still pointedly ignoring his own glass of blood, he nodded as she promised not to pull anymore tricks before she left to...get something he guessed, leaving him alone with the violent guy. He looked over at him boredly as he got up. Oh? Was he going to leave? Pity...the guy was scary (then again, Bella kind of was, too--must be a vampire thing, he must just be some crazy fluke because he was the most not-scary vampire he knew, not that he knew many) but he was kind if cool, too. In a scary way. He could do some pretty cool things, like that fog thing...though...what the heck was he--oh. Jares blinked, watching the fog turn crimson, and then it disappeared and the guy, once covered in blood, looked perfectly clean again.

Jares smirked. "Nifty trick, there."

And that was when the yelling began. Followed by the sound of an explosion.

Oh, for the love of--! Bella sure was popular.

With a sigh, he also leaped to his feet and bolted after Zek, and the man was quick to take care of the situation. More people? Jeez. But Zek was already on it, taking the men out, putting out the fire on Bella's chest, and dragging a dying man over for her to drink from. Good thing Zek knew what to do; Jares probably wouldn't have. Well..he would have known to put the fire out of course, but he wouldn't have killed any of the guys. He had no weapons on him, anyway. And he wasn't so certain his blood would work for a vampire like any of them.

So, he was content to stand and watch from a bit of a distance, not wanting to get in the way but close enough to offer assistance if it was needed. Bella would be fine, though, he figured--she'd taken a ton of arrows just earlier! She could pull through a little fire, right?

Right.

"Maybe she should think about moving," he muttered more to himself than anything as he watched.

[Anonymous]

(No problem.. I figured that you had lost you're muse as I sometimes do.


Ic:

At first there was nothing.. nothing but cold darkness. And then There was burning hot.. painful hot.. where was it coming from.. and then it wasn't painful hot... it was ..stinging, burn, hot. What was this? And then she heard something... yelling and screams... man screams... and then she heard... "Drink" She mumbeled and opened her eyes, slightly opening her mouth to obey. She could see a human man in front of her, blood all over his neck, spurting from the freshly made wound by Zek. It took her a few minutes to realized what he wanted her too do and she quickly followed his orders, leaning as far as she could so she could drink the man's blood. Warm irony liquid filled into her mouth, seeping and lingering on her tongue. She could taste the warm crimson liquid and felt it burn down her throat. She could feel her strenght coming back to her as she drained the man of his life source. Once he was drained she sat up and licked her lips, changing back into her human figure, not realizing that she had changed into her vampire figure while drinking. She sat up and rubbed her eyes. She looked down upon her chest to notice that it was crimson red and in the spot there was a large scar. She had healed but not completly. That scar would never go away.. and the crimson would heal normally in time. Right now she was done drinking.



She sat up.. "Wow... you came to my rescue once more..thanks" she looked down upon the two dead men and then back at Zek and Jares. "I don't know what I'm going to do anymore... they're probably going to keep coming at me.. but I can't leave my mansionn.. it's the only place I got to go.." her feelings were that of turmoil. She didn't know how to feel about the whole situation. She had used to be a strong cunning vampire who did not need the help of anyone. She used to be reclusive and used to not see anyone for months on end. She would always stay up in her mansion and draw. But now she was getting attacked from left to right and was always having to lean on the shoulder of Zek and Jares. Even though she secretly didn't want them to leave.  She looked back up at Zek and Jares said "Come.., she said with a smile curving onto her pale pink lips,... you are probably famished from all this fighting.. my house keeper will take care of them.. now.. we feast!" She opened the white door only to see her house keeper. "Ahh, just the person I was looking for! Please clean this up! I will raise you're pay!" her housekeeper smiled at this and quickly went to work, taking care of the gorey little deed.

She continued to walk downstairs, making her way toward the kitchen. But then she stopped. Was that.....was that the piano? If she would play it than she wouldn't fall asleep.. but if someone else did... a same morbid tone.. then.. She turned to Zek and Jares, wide eyed.


(My muse died!)

[Anonymous]

"Good girl. Drink deep." He watched Bella latch onto the man's neck and suck up as much blood as she could. He stood up, brushing what splatter and gore he had gotten on himself. His eyes lingered to outside the window, to check for anyone else. Striding to the window now, his eyes shifted, turning to their heat vision. There was no one outside...no one had come for these...men. This was a good thing. With eyes returning to see the physical world, he heard Bella's comment. Kneeling down he slid his second dagger from the man's neck, making sure he sheathed it.

"I have a hero complex, love to save damsels in distress." There was no amusement in his voice, no mirthful tone or anything. It was hard to judge whether the vampire was being serious, or was making a joke. Quick strides led him back to Bella and Jares, as they were led into the hallway.

"I do feel sorry for that house keeper." He knew he had been pretty messy, he could have been messier of course, but he had to also put a fire out that had taken to burning on Bella's chest. Sure, he was a little disappointed that he hadn't been able to finish off the men as he wanted to, but sometimes you just had to grit your teeth and play through it. A smile actually passed onto Zek's face as he followed Bella now down the stairs.

It wasn't until Bella turned around, wide eyed like a spooked deer did he hear the melody...it was a piano. Not just a piano however...but the piano. Instantly his hands travelled to his daggers, gripping the pommels. He was quick to get down the stairs, literally jumping passed Bella to dash into the main room. Wild eyes scanned the room, looking for the piano. His eyes settled onto it, locking onto the wood and ivory music device. Who was playing it though?

[Rhindeer]

Oh boy...

Jares shook his head at Bella, a wry smile on his lips. She'd almost been killed twice, a large chuck of village men had been wiped out, and...she still wanted to stay here? There would only be more attacks now, and likely fiercer ones; if the villagers were angry before, they would be livid now. Staying...really didn't seem like the smartest idea. Sweeping his orange eyes about the room, he finally looked back at Bella and shook his head. "You're rich, aren't you? Just high tail it to some other city and build another mansion there--only...don't...like...kill off anyone there..." He raised an eyebrow pointedly, then shrugged.

"Unless of course you like being hunted. We all have our kinks, I suppose!" he added in his usual, light-hearted way. "Since you seem to like being rescued and lover-boy there seems to like rescues, I guess it all works out, eh?" He smirked over at Zek and gave a wink at Bella. Yup, perfect indeed--even if he assumed the guy was kidding...or something. He wasn't even going to pretend he understood him or his motives anymore.

As if he had to begin with.

And as for Jares? He was just tagging along for the ride. It wasn't everyday you found a group of instable crazies to hang around.

Bella, in any case, bounced back fast, and that poor house keeper was put to work again as Bella was back in "feasting" mode, acting for all the world like her mansion hadn't just been broken into and she hadn't just been attacked. Twice. Maybe this was a daily occurrance? Shaking his head, slightly amused, he followed after Bella and Zek and...then blinked and paused. Piano music? The stuff that had put them to sleep? He glanced over at Bella, but she looked as surprised as anyone else...and then Zek was going on ahead, daggers ready.

What, was he going to kill the piano, now?

"...Does your piano normally play randomly...?" he asked Bella, staying right where he was. Hey, he wasn't the one with the weapons!

[Anonymous]

Bella stayed where she was, wide eyed and full of surprise. The only one who she knew to play that same morbid tone was her and the sorceress. And she had gotten the piano in the Will! Who was playing it? And how since she was the only one? Had some other vampire licked at her mind and found the right keys? She could feel the soft melody penetraiting her mind..her thoughts. This was not good. She turned to Jares. "Yes.. I guess leaving would be a good idea.. but.. this...is..my...home.." This wasn't good. She was becoming sleepy as the melody continued to play. *Hurry Zek!* She stood in silence for a moment, watching Jares intently but he seemed to be showing no signs of falling asleep. She did realized however that it had taken a long time for her herself to get them to sleep, so the melody wouldn't put them to sleep.....yet. "I don't like being hunted... it's just..." she couldn't think straight and the words just seemed to stop. With a frustrated sigh she threw her arms up into the air. "Oh for god sakes! Come on!" She siad grabbing Jares by the shirt and pulling him down the steps with her. If something had happened to Zek she wasn't going along to defeat this mysterious enemy. She got to the bottom of the steps and then traveled down the ornate hallway in which it led the front door, the piano, the living room. When she got there.. she couldn't believe her eyes.

The piano.... there wasn't anybody there! Or at least nobody she could see! It was playing the soft melody all by itself and the closer she got toward it the more sleepy she felt. "This isn't good...I don't know what's going on!" she said slightly panicked, moving toward the piano to try and do something. She didn't want Zek to destroy it for even if it was a troublesome thing it was still a pretty good instrument. She sat down on the stool in which it creaked and moaned under her weight. She sat down and tried to push some other keys only to have them be as hard as wood. Well, they were wood but she couldn't push down upon the ivorys to make differne't music. IT was as if they stayed locked except for what keys the mysterious player wanted to play. "God....damnit..." She said trying this time to pound against the keys. It wasn't working and she was slightly getting worried now. With what strength she had she changed into her vampiric form. Her blonde hair turning midnight black, her pure emerald eyes turning firey red. She would stop this piano before anything would happen. And after stopping it she, Zek, and Jares would feast. Then she would let them do whatever they want while she packed, getting ready to leave this house.

She loved this house. She really did. IT had so many memories in it, and she truely didn't want to leave. But if these villagers kept showing up then she would have too! It wasn't safe here anymore, and it was also slightly annoying. She couldn't even sit down with her cup of tea without having sombody trying to plundge an arrow through her chest! This was the hosue she had moved in when she was about twelve, deciding to buy it for herself since she was an orphan and had lots and lots and lots of money. She needed a place to live right? Well.. that was beside the point... actually that was beside the whole situation. The keys stil continued to play, even with Bella's constant banging upon them. Soon she got fed up and she lifted the lid. The music began to play, and soon it was the only thing she could hear in her mind. Even if the music was the only thing in her mind her body did the total opposite and continued to search for the mysterious player. WAs it possible that a piano could randomly play at times when it wanted? Well that was all fine and dandy for other pianos but it was surely not good with this one. The sorcerss had warned her a long time ago to not let anyone else play it.. for it could be deadly. These words fluttered into Bella's mind, and she know became a little bit more panicked. She looked over to Zek and to Jares.

"Jares, Zek, you must leave right now! Right now!" she warned, her voice firm and still even though she was falling asleep standing up. She wondered if they would listen to her.. and she even doubted it.. but it would be worht a try.. and it would be better to listen to her, this could possibly just mean their lives. It wasn't the sweet king Bella playing behind the ivorys.. it was someone up to someone, in which she didn't know what. Outside, since all three's sences were dimming, neither of them could sense the strangeman, aiming his wand upon the piano to make the key's play. His plan was starting to fall into place. His golden eyes, that of a cat's, flickered to and fro as he watched each one struggiling to come up with a solution. He smiled, revealing long sharp teeth. But they weren't thatof a vampires.. but one of a dog, or a lagre cat. He had dark brown hair that was shadowed by his black hood. He peered through the open window. Watching. The other goofs he had sent earlier had worked as perfect bait.. and when they had all left he had cast his magic upon the piano, giving it a soft green glow before it dispersed and then began to play. He had been watching them. More importantly he had been watching her. Watching her longer than the rest.... Soon... Soon it would be time.


OOC: Okay.. I created this creepy guy.. but I have absoloutly no idea what I want him for. I'm going to make a thread for us to discuss our plotline in the GD Board okay?

[Anonymous]

You didn't have to tell Zek twice. Well. Maybe you did. His weapons were sheathed, and he glared at the piano. It wasn't having that same sleepy effect on him, but...who knows what was happening to Bella for that matter. He turned his attention to the vampiress, and then to Jares. Well, they had to silence the damn piano first didn't they.

"Just break it already!" Zek said as he approached it, his eyes watching the keys play themselves. He wasn't too fond of this piano, so there wouldn't be any loss, but who knows what Bella felt for this large instrument. She seemed very worried that it was playing on its own, and the fact she had to go into her other form meant something more. Zek didn't much care for all this, and figure they might as well destroy the enchanted piano anyways.

His hand went to his side, to the sheathe, pulling out one of his weapons. He wouldn't destroy it himself, that wasn't up to him anyways, but Bella could rightly destroy the infernal music intstrument.

"What are you waiting for? Destroy it!" After all, no matter how much he despised Bella or Jares, or how angered he might have gotten, these two vampires offered amusement and excitement to an otherwise boring life. That's all he really needed, was to be amused...this was sort of working really. He was amused, but also recognized how serious this probably was.

His eyes turned back to the piano, gripping the weapon in his hand tightly. Fingers drummed along the hilt as he waited. He was in a qaundry really. He wanted to get rid of this piano, but didn't want to have any of the repercussions of it all. Finally he let his blade sheathe once more, his now free hand going to grip Bella by the wrist.

"Let's all just get out of here." He said as he started to tug her away from the piano. If he had to, he'd grab Jares on the way by, but was pretty sure the man knew it was safer if they all went outside...right?

[Anonymous]

Destroy it? But she didn't want to destroy it. It was one of her most prized possesions! Well, maybe she should say that.. because.. the fact was that most of her paintings she would call her 'most prized possesions'. She looked at Zek, her eye lids somewhat like slits. The sorceress had told her not to let anybody else play it but her for other than that it would be Bella's turn to go night night. She grapsed onto the piano for support as she became even more sleepy, but that's when Zek had said that they should leave. That woke her up a little. "Leave! But where would we go? This was her home! The home she had grown up in... her memories, her paintings, everything was here. She didn't want to leave... not at all! She looked around, biting her lip, her vampire tooth piercing it's rose pink flesh so that it bled. Zek started to lead them away.. away from her home, away from her life... away from everything. He was leading them outside and for some reason she just didn't want to go.. she had a strange feeling that outside would be worse than inside. "No Zek! No! Don't you sense that? I'm...I'm falling half asleep...and I..I can sense it.." her voice was slightly slurred and her eyes became somewhat glazed and unfocused, but with an amazing will she stayed awake.

She just had this feeling.. This feelings that outside would definietly be worse...that something,or someone, was outside and that it would definietly be bad. Something would happen outside and she didn't want it to happen to Zek or Jares. She looked at Jares who stayed still. How come the affect of the piano wasn't working on them? Was it only when Bella played that the affects would get to them? Was it because the Sorcess had given it to Bella, and if Bella didn't choose someone it wouldn't work? She was very confused, and her face showed it. Bella bella bella...One who knows nothing can understand nothing. She raced with Zek, but almost tripped as one of the house keepers were laying on the floor, dead alseep. She quickly realigned herself and then said. "Well, if we leave, we shouldn't....should'nt...."That melody, it was so pretty... she couldn't think of anything else but that melody.. Oh how bad she wanted to sleep... that melody...so nice.."We- we shouldn't..." she couldn't think...she didn't want to think. She grapsed on to Zek tigher. "Go!" Now she couldn't even think about what might happen outside... all she wanted to was to get out of there and sleep. Hopefully Zek would know not to use the front door, but the secret door in the basement.

The man outside cast a very powerful spell on the piano...and so he wouldn't have to stand there anymore. Her looked over his shoulder toward his minions and royals. "Surrond the house...they must not escape!" He moved from his spot, toward the door of the basement.. Oh yes.. he knew all about that... Bella, the little blabber mouth. She could never really keep a secret. Upstairs the piano played louder, harder, but with the same sleepy melody. Bella was really struggiling but she would not be dead weight again.. She would not be the damsle in distress once more. She would proove to Zek and Jares that she was powerful. She would proove it. But that melody is so pretty. She couldn't help but think that. She turned to Jares. "B.....Basement.." was the one word that slurred out of her lips. The man with the cat like eyes, stood, waiting.

OOC: This was my faveriot topic and I wanted to bring it back to life. Did you guys get my message about the plot?