warrior

“Sometimes I don’t even trust myself,” Ana pointed out. She was prone to a few bad decisions so she wasn’t always the most trustworthy human being. “Very calming.”

* “That’s not very comforting after I trusted you and your spells.” Fae crossed her arms. 

“Only if you’re ready to lose.” he repeated, nodding his head, a smirk appearing on his features. “I don’t lose, sweetheart, but,” his hand soon reached out to take hers, now getting up from the bench. He was never one to back down. “Alright. Your funeral.”

* “Well, then how about a bet? I mean, if you’re so sure you won’t lose, what’s the harm?” Fae wagered and started to move them in the direction of the closest bar. 

“Oh, she is bold.” he was teasing her, amused that she was up for a challenge. He wasn’t going to deter or back out either, maybe it was wrong to push as well as convince, but it wasn’t like she wasn’t willing. “How does right now sound?” he was jumping the gun, but he was eager. If she could out drink him, he’d be impressed. “Duly noted.” he’d still call her Red, despite now knowing her actual name.

* “Oh she is a lot more than bold.” She teased in return. Fae stood up and turned to face him. “Only if you’re ready to lose.” She suggested with a tilt of her head and a smile. She moved her hand out for him to take if he accepted the challenge.

“You can. It’s just not always wise to trust things in the woods,” Anastasia reasoned. She recognized her though so that put her at ease more than she would be otherwise. “What brought you out here, Ella?”

* “Are you saying I shouldn’t trust you?” She asked. “Just out for a walk. Woods are calming, don’t you think?” Fae questioned but kept her distance slightly. She knew Ana was a witch and a witch who spotted the mark on Ella. She didn’t want to get too close and have her disguise figured out just yet. 

“Maybe so.” Logan glanced over at the familiar redhead with a note of concern somewhere hidden in his expression. After she was attacked she had disappeared basically, and he had worried something might have happened.”Haven’t seen you around.”

* “I’ve been in New York for a couple of weeks seeing some family.” She was certain that was the excuse she gave Riley so that was an easy enough story to stick to. “Have I missed much here?”

“Oh really?” his brow quirked, as if surprised by the boldness coming from the redhead. “Ain’t gonna believe that ‘til I see it, sweetheart.” he would only make that a clear set challenge if she accepted it. Out drink him? She seemed too fragile. “If you gon’ talk the talk, gotta walk the walk, Red.” simple as. Of course he was curious to actually see her statement shine through, hence why he was trying to persuade her to do so, it seemed the done thing to do, after all.

* Fae let out a little laugh and smiled to him. “Name a time and a place.” She challenged. Maybe it would actually be fun. She’d spent most of her time in Mystic Falls being good for the sake of appearances. It would be nice to let loose a little and not have to worry too much about what she says other than the right name. “Ella, but Red works just as well.”

“Well, I’m glad. It’s look amazing, Ella.” Sofia smiled. “Oh, okay. Yeah, sure. I’m alwaus up for shopping. Besides I haven’t done that in a while, so it would be good to do something normal for once.”

* “Thank you! That’s really nice of you to say.” She told her. Fae, of course, knew that Ella was good looking. She wouldn’t choose an ugly vessel but there was also some room for development on Ella that Fae could use. “Yes, of course. How is the whole vampire thing going?”

“You’re welcome.” He chuckled, looking towards her. “Oh?” Riley lifted an amused brow, wondering what favour this could possibly be. Ella never really asked for anything so he was already mostly certain he was going to say yes, just because it was her. “Lock up?” He pondered over it for a couple seconds and gave her a slow nod. “Okay, yeah. Sure. I mean, why not? I’ll get you the spare keys later.” Riley nodded. He didn’t mind and he trusted her, there was no reason that he knew of to deny her. “What happened to your cheek?” He asked, finally addressing the plaster on her face. 

* Fae waited for a reply with eager behind her. She knew Ella had been a faithful enough employee and friend that he’d let her do it. “Perfect! Thank you.” She responded with a bright smile. “How about to say thank you, we could have a pizza night. I make the best homemade pizzas.” Fae suggested.

“Yeah, Ella, I keep telling you, you’re an amazing artist.” Riley curled the corners of his lips upwards. It didn’t matter how many times he said it, he knew she would only believe him in her own time. “Yeah well, they do have to like it for me to permanently mark it on their skin, Els.” He chuckled. “And as for credit? Of course, I’ll give you credit, you deserve it. You’ll deserve it even more if you do the lunch run today. I don’t get a break till after one.”

* “Well... thank you.” Fae managed to say with enough self doubt mimicked in it. “I guess you’re right on that.” She commented. “Fine, but only because it’s you... and I need a favour.” Fae started. It was the reason she brought in Ella’s sketch pads. An excuse. “They’re doing some work in the apartment next to mine and I can’t focus on my art. Do you think one day this week I could lock up for you so I can do some sketching here?” She asked. “You know how inspired I get around your previous tattoos...” In actual fact, the demon wanted to tattoo a demon trap on Ella’s body. It was a self preservation method and especially with the number of hunters that Ella knew, it was a safety precaution. If she could demon trap herself in to her own vessel, if they tried to kill her, they would only kill Ella in the process.

“Three vampires? All by yourself? That’s… Wow”, William had no words. He had no idea Ella got that good in hunting supernatural things, especially after her experience in NY. “Alright, let’s go to the Grill then. On me, you deserved it”, he smiled and fished his phone to send a quick text, “Lemme tell Maddie to not wait for me”, but instead he texted Aria.

* “I think the adrenaline kicked in but I wouldn’t have that knowledge if it wasn’t for you.” Fae congratulated him if not to boost his ego a little. It was bound that at some point people would work out Ella wasn’t in fact Ella so it would hurt people more if they thought they had helped Ella when really, they had just let her down like everyone else had let her down. She could hear Ella screaming for someone to notice. “No problem.” She told him and started to move in the direction of the Grill. “How have you been? How have things been with that vampire you mentioned before? The one you cared about?”