I've lost it all. What more can they take?

“I know it’s scary.” The hug is a gentle, yet firm. He was doing his best to comfort Nirilhe, genuine care showing.

“But you’re safe. As long as we are traveling together, I will not allow you to be harmed or taken.” Ryveth spoke quietly, in a tone that hopefully soothed the scared mer. “It is a big matter. Your fear is justified, and you do not have to apologize or try and hide it.”

          He looks up at Ryveth through his tears, hiccuping as his body attempted to force him to breathe. “Th–thank you, Ryveth.” he mumbled. “I…I can’t go back to that life…”

“No.” He hissed out, orange eyes flashing as he looked at the other vampire. Despite the denial, it was plain to see that Ryveth was struggling with his own hunger. The freshly spilled blood made him clench his teeth together.

Leondas’ tempting nearly made the snow elf let go of the nord so that he might flee the situation, though as it it were, his grip only slackened somewhat. He didn’t think that the bosmer would be all too pleased to be suddenly struck by a flailing human, and given how only one of them was well fed in the slightest, Ryveth didn’t trust that he could overpower the other should it come to a fight.

“Finish him off- So that I may go.” He grit the statement out, clenched teeth muffling the words somewhat.

The creature snorted, knowing that look in his eyes all too well. He could sense the beast within him, begging for just a taste of the banquet before him. How cruel to deny himself such a feast. But, then again, that always meant more for him.

Still, Leondas wouldn’t keep quiet about the subject. ❝ You’re no fun. ❞ he chided. As his attention fell upon his prey once more, the Nord began to squirm, unable to free himself from either of the vampires. The Bosmer grinned, tut-tutting in mock sympathy as he gazed down at the mortal. He intended to drag this out, so keen on tempting the other to join in his horrid feast.

❝ Is it not entertaining? ❞ he mused, half to himself and half to the other vampire. ❝ To watch them try to escape? Silly little mortals.. ❞

He licked at the crimson coating his claws, humming in contentment. ❝ And so delicious as well. I can’t see how you can resist them. ❞

"I hold myself back simply because I do not wish to lower myself to relying on them for anything." He sneers, though it was a lie. He feared the nords, true, but he feared losing the last shreds of his sanity to the beast inside him far more.

He simply nodded and waited, almost immediately following Leondas as he tackled the vigilante. Ryveth pinned the man’s outstretched hands down so that he could not hope to draw his weapons.

A sneer was visible on the mer’s pale face as he watched fear take hold of the now trapped nord. It was clear that he held a certain hatred for humans at least, if not specifically nords, but he made no move to feed.

In fact, should Leondas begin feeding, even the smell of blood wouldn’t make him lose his control even as bloodlust filled his burning gaze. No, he would simply tighten his grip on the man’s wrists, nearly breaking them.

Leondas wasted no time in attacking the man’s neck. Claws gripping his scalp, the creature leaned over him and began to feed. His teeth naturally summoned a cry of pain from his victim, causing him to release his head and instead struggle to clamp his hand over his mouth. He hated the screaming. As entertaining as it was, he wasn’t fond of them yelling right into his ears while he feasted. They were quite sensitive to such shrill noises.

A few moments passed before the vampire withdrew with a content sigh, his tongue making quick work to catch any dribbling crimson from his lips. His companion had yet to accompany him. So he was keeping his word. Leondas found it almost admirable that he had such control over himself, but he was also tempted to break that control. What fun was it to restrain oneself from feeding? It was simply torture.

❝ Are you sure you don’t want a bite? Nord blood is always nice on a cold winter’s night. ❞ he purred teasingly. In hopes of further tempting the other vampire, his claws slowly raked across one of the man’s arms, leaving shallow cuts that quickly began to spill blood.

Leondas' tempting nearly made the snow elf let go of the nord so that he might flee the situation, though as it it were, his grip only slackened somewhat. He didn't think that the bosmer would be all too pleased to be suddenly struck by a flailing human, and given how only one of them was well fed in the slightest, Ryveth didn't trust that he could overpower the other should it come to a fight.

Ryveth stares at the woman, his eyes hard. “I refuse to become little more than a mere animal. If not feeding kills me or gets me killed, then so be it.”

Nightmare Sentence Starters!

@crestfallen-snow

❝ …Alright. ❞

Leondas wasn’t about to press, knowing how vicious nightmares could be to their victims. The night terrors vampires faced were especially damaging. 

He forced a faint smile in hopes of comforting Ryveth.

He muttered under his breath, begging himself to remember that it had been thousands of years since that war had occurred. Thousands of years since he'd watched his prince be slain by a mere child. A human child. Nords.

Tears burned his glowing eyes, though he hid his face from the Bosmer even as he sat there.

          He sniffles, reaching up to rub at his eye with his wrist. As he looks up to see the older mer offer him a hug, he gladly takes it, wrapping his arms around Ryveth firmly and burying his face in his chest.

The confirmation drew a bitter smile to his face. He didn’t dare ask what might have happened to this Agruhek. He already harbored enough anger toward the world, and the fact that their names were taken from them was bad enough. “That sounds like him. He was always a kind, soft hearted child.”

When Nirilhe mentioned his daughter, Ryveth opened his eyes and gave a sympathetic look. “No parent should ever suffer the loss of a child. I’m sorry, Nirilhe.”

          “If he was your son… I’m sure he would have been delighted to know you’re still alive.” he murmurs, with the hopes of comforting Ryveth even slightly.

          “It’s alright. It wasn’t your fault,” he responds. “I…just hope that she’s still around. Maybe still in Cyrodiil.” 

Ryveth stares at the woman, his eyes hard. “I refuse to become little more than a mere animal. If not feeding kills me or gets me killed, then so be it.”

The mer watched as the Vigilant approached. The hateful look in his eyes sharpened as he saw the man’s face beneath his hood. A Nord. Already, he was reaching for his war pick. He wouldn’t mind a little pain.

The Bosmer’s voice made him pause, though, and that red orange gaze slid to meet the other’s. With a slight inclination of his head, he spoke. Quietly, so that the approaching man could not have heard. “I would be more than happy to help you kill him. But I refuse to feed.”

It was a simple admission, and one that may be misunderstood in the moment, but a firm one. Nord or otherwise, Ryveth defeated the thought of feeding. He feared losing who he once was, amongst other things.

“I suppose that means more for you, though. Even if you couldn’t drain him dead, I would ensure he wouldn’t survive.” His gaze was now trained on the enemy once more, and he drew that pick silently. The edge glimmered red and blue, a telltale sign of high level enchantments.

The Bosmer slowly raised a brow whilst the other furrowed, silent as he pondered whether or not he’d heard correctly. He… refused to feed?

He shook his head, deciding to mull over that subject once the Nord had been dealt with. No use in getting distracted now. Surely the fellow vampire would partake in the spoils of their kill. He knew of some that tried to restrain themselves, deciding to feed on lowlifes such as bandits instead of any mortal that crossed their path. But he rarely met a vampire that avoided feeding altogether. It was unnatural! He couldn’t bear the thought of starving oneself intentionally for so long.

❝ Whatever you say, ❞ he mumbled. ❝ Just help me hold him down. ❞

A sneer was visible on the mer's pale face as he watched fear take hold of the now trapped nord. It was clear that he held a certain hatred for humans at least, if not specifically nords, but he made no move to feed.

“Failor… Yes, I knew him. He was in the group of refugees with me and my son after the war. I advocated against accepting the Dwemer’s help. The rest… They were scared, and when people started dying they went without me.” He swallowed thickly. “You might have met my son. Who knows? His name was Nyrrilor.” 

He went quiet for a few long moments, closing his eyes and rubbing at them as though he were holding back tears. “I am sorry.” He hadn’t meant to get so emotional. “I can try to answer questions you have about our people, if you wish. I’d also be happy to assist you with learning our language.” It was an attempt to divert the subject. Clearly, the older mer was still grieving, even if he didn’t show it outwardly. 

          Nirilhe takes in a sharp breath when the older mer confirms that he knew his father, and quickly hugs the journal to his chest. “’Nyrrilor’… It… It sounds familiar.” he murmurs. “The Dwemer gave us Dwemeri names… They refused to call us by our real names, so it’s hard to remember… But I do think I knew him. Your scent reminds me of a neighbor. Agruhrek… He might have been Nyrrilor. He helped me a lot when I was little.”

cry wipe away their tears.

@crestfallen-snow

          Sometimes the stress got to him. It appears tonight would be one of those times. He tried to stay quiet, covering his mouth with his hand to stifle his sobs. Of course, knowing his luck, Ryveth heard him and asked what was wrong.