Daphne Paxton

As expected and perhaps intended, Daphne let go instantly- repulsed- when Nicolas spoke those profane words. She let out a low hiss of discontent and  moved away from him. “Stay here.“ she then said impatiently as she walked away and back up into the room that lead to the chapel.

When Nicolas spoke in her mind, she let out a displeased, little noise. But she couldn’t close her mind. She had to stay receptive. “Don’t you want your strength back?!“ she hissed impatiently, keeping his head in that strong grip, but feeling the wound on her arm closing again. But she did not pull it away, making sure he would smell it and feel the pulse against his lips. “When God sends you a blessing, you do not ask why it was sent. I am giving you my blood. Willingly. Take. it!“

“If I’m leaving then I will feed but not from you” Nicolas mouth was almost pressed to the pale wrist. The blood was calling him, every cell in his body craving for it. His mind tried to see beyond charity and pity, gestures like these came with clauses.

“If I’m leaving then I will feed but not from you” Nicolas mouth was almost pressed to the pale wrist. The blood was calling him, every cell in his body craving for it. His mind tried to see beyond charity and pity, gestures like these came with clauses.

At that, Daphne looked first slightly disappointed not to be allowed in the other’s head again and the proposal that followed just had her staring blankly at him, frowning a bit. “Why would you want to talk to me about that?“ she then asked flatly.

“Because you’re here. Because you don’t know me and I don’t know you. Because I’m curious. Because bricks aren’t very good at replying” Nicolas simply added and resumed his casual massage of his wrists, running his thumb over the marks. “Come on. What harm can a small chat do?”

“I don’t know what you want me to tell you.“ she said, almost sounding a bit frustrated at this. “I can tell you about the bibl-“ She looked up then as some of the movement above them seemed to die down. There were footsteps and a moment later Valentine appeared around the corner. “We are moving.“ he said briskly, looking from Daphne, who quickly stood up, to Nicolas and back to the other blonde. “Take him.“  He then slipped out of view again. Daphne instantly was fully focused on her task then, moving to stand over Nicolas and reached out a hand for him to get up. “We can talk later.”

“Somewhere bigger. This church is too small for all of us.“ she gave as a quick answer. When Nicolas stood, she instantly, hurriedly put her arm under his and around his back so they could move. She then lead him up into the church. The doors were open and members of the coven were all moving outside and disappearing out of sight within a heartbeat. Daphne took Nicolas hurriedly through the church and onto the square with her. The next moment they were up in the air, hastily on their way to the next location before sunrise would hit the horizon.

At that, Daphne looked first slightly disappointed not to be allowed in the other’s head again and the proposal that followed just had her staring blankly at him, frowning a bit. “Why would you want to talk to me about that?“ she then asked flatly.

“Because you’re here. Because you don’t know me and I don’t know you. Because I’m curious. Because bricks aren’t very good at replying” Nicolas simply added and resumed his casual massage of his wrists, running his thumb over the marks. “Come on. What harm can a small chat do?”

“I don’t know what you want me to tell you.“ she said, almost sounding a bit frustrated at this. “I can tell you about the bibl-“ She looked up then as some of the movement above them seemed to die down. There were footsteps and a moment later Valentine appeared around the corner. “We are moving.“ he said briskly, looking from Daphne, who quickly stood up, to Nicolas and back to the other blonde. “Take him.“  He then slipped out of view again. Daphne instantly was fully focused on her task then, moving to stand over Nicolas and reached out a hand for him to get up. “We can talk later.”

At that, Daphne looked first slightly disappointed not to be allowed in the other’s head again and the proposal that followed just had her staring blankly at him, frowning a bit. “Why would you want to talk to me about that?“ she then asked flatly.

She opened the door, hurried in and quickly closed it again behind her. She looked over at Nicolas and saw he was awake. It was her that had taken him to the Chiesa di Santa Maria del Carmine church. It was way smaller than the other one and the movement and unrest upstairs was constant. They would have to move again soon. If not tonight, definitely tomorrow night. Daphne too looked shaken, her blond hair still wet from washing it and her clothes seemingly scrambled together. Her old mind seemed occupied as she looked at Nicolas for a moment, as if trying to remember her lines while already being on stage. She plucked at her bottom lip for a moment before kneeling down before him and rolling up her sleeve. “You must be starving.” she said quite matter-of-factually. “Pray and you can drink.“  She offered her pale arm to him.

She frowned at that, not understanding. “You wouldn’t do it for me, Nicolas.“ she said, slightly on edge. “For yourself. For God. Please.“ She kept her wrist offered to the other while she looked at him, blue eyes searching those dark ones- carefully, testily feeling into his mind with curiosity.

Daphne stopped doing it immediately. “I’m sorry,“ she said, stopping there as if she wanted to say more but refrained from it. “You’re right.“ She eventually said, sitting down on the stone floor opposite him then, pulling back her arm and resleeving it, continuing to fidget at it. He was so stubborn. If only he would pray. “I’m Daphne.“ she then said suddenly, but maintained a silence after that, looking at him intently but keeping herself from prying. 

She frowned at that, looking slightly offended. “What do you mean? What better place is there but to be in the presence of the Lord?“ but her face gave a little grimace then, reliving what happened in the other church earlier. It had instilled fear in everyone, including her. She felt much for going back up into the chapel again to be with the others but she had her orders to be here. With the none-believer.

Her whole body language stiffened when Nicolas mentioned Santa Croce. It was not necessarily the memory of leaving Florence that got to her, but that which followed here in Pisa. It was all too fresh. She could still feel the nails, teeth, talons, beaks… Like sharp knives ceaselessly hacking at her flesh which had felt like it lasted for hours. And that voice… She did not want to speak of it and was somewhat glad he changed the subject. Daphne looked at him without blinking as he went on and on and on. “We have seen the world…“ she contorted with a frown. “We have been to these places and we have observed from a distance. And when the night is almost over, we have each other. I could ask for nothing more.“ she finally said but with a sadness in her eyes that seemed to linger ceaselessly.  A tiredness that was also drawn onto her pale face.

“I have answered you.“ Daphne responded with some sharpness to her voice now. But she fell quiet then. Not in protest but in silent thought. The conversation kept her mind from the horrors and she actually wanted it to continue. “What… what is your favorite place?“ she asked then.

She did not answer but just stared at him. “Can I see it...?“ she then asked quietly, moving her index finger to her temple, asking you permission to look into your mind again.

She opened the door, hurried in and quickly closed it again behind her. She looked over at Nicolas and saw he was awake. It was her that had taken him to the Chiesa di Santa Maria del Carmine church. It was way smaller than the other one and the movement and unrest upstairs was constant. They would have to move again soon. If not tonight, definitely tomorrow night. Daphne too looked shaken, her blond hair still wet from washing it and her clothes seemingly scrambled together. Her old mind seemed occupied as she looked at Nicolas for a moment, as if trying to remember her lines while already being on stage. She plucked at her bottom lip for a moment before kneeling down before him and rolling up her sleeve. “You must be starving.” she said quite matter-of-factually. “Pray and you can drink.“  She offered her pale arm to him.

She frowned at that, not understanding. “You wouldn’t do it for me, Nicolas.“ she said, slightly on edge. “For yourself. For God. Please.“ She kept her wrist offered to the other while she looked at him, blue eyes searching those dark ones- carefully, testily feeling into his mind with curiosity.

Daphne stopped doing it immediately. “I’m sorry,“ she said, stopping there as if she wanted to say more but refrained from it. “You’re right.“ She eventually said, sitting down on the stone floor opposite him then, pulling back her arm and resleeving it, continuing to fidget at it. He was so stubborn. If only he would pray. “I’m Daphne.“ she then said suddenly, but maintained a silence after that, looking at him intently but keeping herself from prying. 

She frowned at that, looking slightly offended. “What do you mean? What better place is there but to be in the presence of the Lord?“ but her face gave a little grimace then, reliving what happened in the other church earlier. It had instilled fear in everyone, including her. She felt much for going back up into the chapel again to be with the others but she had her orders to be here. With the none-believer.

Her whole body language stiffened when Nicolas mentioned Santa Croce. It was not necessarily the memory of leaving Florence that got to her, but that which followed here in Pisa. It was all too fresh. She could still feel the nails, teeth, talons, beaks… Like sharp knives ceaselessly hacking at her flesh which had felt like it lasted for hours. And that voice… She did not want to speak of it and was somewhat glad he changed the subject. Daphne looked at him without blinking as he went on and on and on. “We have seen the world…“ she contorted with a frown. “We have been to these places and we have observed from a distance. And when the night is almost over, we have each other. I could ask for nothing more.“ she finally said but with a sadness in her eyes that seemed to linger ceaselessly.  A tiredness that was also drawn onto her pale face.

“I have answered you.“ Daphne responded with some sharpness to her voice now. But she fell quiet then. Not in protest but in silent thought. The conversation kept her mind from the horrors and she actually wanted it to continue. “What... what is your favorite place?“ she asked then.

She opened the door, hurried in and quickly closed it again behind her. She looked over at Nicolas and saw he was awake. It was her that had taken him to the Chiesa di Santa Maria del Carmine church. It was way smaller than the other one and the movement and unrest upstairs was constant. They would have to move again soon. If not tonight, definitely tomorrow night. Daphne too looked shaken, her blond hair still wet from washing it and her clothes seemingly scrambled together. Her old mind seemed occupied as she looked at Nicolas for a moment, as if trying to remember her lines while already being on stage. She plucked at her bottom lip for a moment before kneeling down before him and rolling up her sleeve. “You must be starving.” she said quite matter-of-factually. “Pray and you can drink.“  She offered her pale arm to him.

She frowned at that, not understanding. “You wouldn’t do it for me, Nicolas.“ she said, slightly on edge. “For yourself. For God. Please.“ She kept her wrist offered to the other while she looked at him, blue eyes searching those dark ones- carefully, testily feeling into his mind with curiosity.

Daphne stopped doing it immediately. “I’m sorry,“ she said, stopping there as if she wanted to say more but refrained from it. “You’re right.“ She eventually said, sitting down on the stone floor opposite him then, pulling back her arm and resleeving it, continuing to fidget at it. He was so stubborn. If only he would pray. “I’m Daphne.“ she then said suddenly, but maintained a silence after that, looking at him intently but keeping herself from prying. 

She frowned at that, looking slightly offended. “What do you mean? What better place is there but to be in the presence of the Lord?“ but her face gave a little grimace then, reliving what happened in the other church earlier. It had instilled fear in everyone, including her. She felt much for going back up into the chapel again to be with the others but she had her orders to be here. With the none-believer.

Her whole body language stiffened when Nicolas mentioned Santa Croce. It was not necessarily the memory of leaving Florence that got to her, but that which followed here in Pisa. It was all too fresh. She could still feel the nails, teeth, talons, beaks... Like sharp knives ceaselessly hacking at her flesh which had felt like it lasted for hours. And that voice... She did not want to speak of it and was somewhat glad he changed the subject. Daphne looked at him without blinking as he went on and on and on. “We have seen the world...“ she contorted with a frown. “We have been to these places and we have observed from a distance. And when the night is almost over, we have each other. I could ask for nothing more.“ she finally said but with a sadness in her eyes that seemed to linger ceaselessly.  A tiredness that was also drawn onto her pale face.

She opened the door, hurried in and quickly closed it again behind her. She looked over at Nicolas and saw he was awake. It was her that had taken him to the Chiesa di Santa Maria del Carmine church. It was way smaller than the other one and the movement and unrest upstairs was constant. They would have to move again soon. If not tonight, definitely tomorrow night. Daphne too looked shaken, her blond hair still wet from washing it and her clothes seemingly scrambled together. Her old mind seemed occupied as she looked at Nicolas for a moment, as if trying to remember her lines while already being on stage. She plucked at her bottom lip for a moment before kneeling down before him and rolling up her sleeve. “You must be starving.” she said quite matter-of-factually. “Pray and you can drink.“  She offered her pale arm to him.

She frowned at that, not understanding. “You wouldn’t do it for me, Nicolas.“ she said, slightly on edge. “For yourself. For God. Please.“ She kept her wrist offered to the other while she looked at him, blue eyes searching those dark ones- carefully, testily feeling into his mind with curiosity.

Daphne stopped doing it immediately. “I’m sorry,“ she said, stopping there as if she wanted to say more but refrained from it. “You’re right.“ She eventually said, sitting down on the stone floor opposite him then, pulling back her arm and resleeving it, continuing to fidget at it. He was so stubborn. If only he would pray. “I’m Daphne.“ she then said suddenly, but maintained a silence after that, looking at him intently but keeping herself from prying. 

She frowned at that, looking slightly offended. “What do you mean? What better place is there but to be in the presence of the Lord?“ but her face gave a little grimace then, reliving what happened in the other church earlier. It had instilled fear in everyone, including her. She felt much for going back up into the chapel again to be with the others but she had her orders to be here. With the none-believer.

She opened the door, hurried in and quickly closed it again behind her. She looked over at Nicolas and saw he was awake. It was her that had taken him to the Chiesa di Santa Maria del Carmine church. It was way smaller than the other one and the movement and unrest upstairs was constant. They would have to move again soon. If not tonight, definitely tomorrow night. Daphne too looked shaken, her blond hair still wet from washing it and her clothes seemingly scrambled together. Her old mind seemed occupied as she looked at Nicolas for a moment, as if trying to remember her lines while already being on stage. She plucked at her bottom lip for a moment before kneeling down before him and rolling up her sleeve. “You must be starving.” she said quite matter-of-factually. “Pray and you can drink.“  She offered her pale arm to him.

She frowned at that, not understanding. “You wouldn’t do it for me, Nicolas.“ she said, slightly on edge. “For yourself. For God. Please.“ She kept her wrist offered to the other while she looked at him, blue eyes searching those dark ones- carefully, testily feeling into his mind with curiosity.

Daphne stopped doing it immediately. “I’m sorry,“ she said, stopping there as if she wanted to say more but refrained from it. “You’re right.“ She eventually said, sitting down on the stone floor opposite him then, pulling back her arm and resleeving it, continuing to fidget at it. He was so stubborn. If only he would pray. “I’m Daphne.“ she then said suddenly, but maintained a silence after that, looking at him intently but keeping herself from prying. 

She opened the door, hurried in and quickly closed it again behind her. She looked over at Nicolas and saw he was awake. It was her that had taken him to the Chiesa di Santa Maria del Carmine church. It was way smaller than the other one and the movement and unrest upstairs was constant. They would have to move again soon. If not tonight, definitely tomorrow night. Daphne too looked shaken, her blond hair still wet from washing it and her clothes seemingly scrambled together. Her old mind seemed occupied as she looked at Nicolas for a moment, as if trying to remember her lines while already being on stage. She plucked at her bottom lip for a moment before kneeling down before him and rolling up her sleeve. “You must be starving.” she said quite matter-of-factually. “Pray and you can drink.“  She offered her pale arm to him.

She frowned at that, not understanding. “You wouldn’t do it for me, Nicolas.“ she said, slightly on edge. “For yourself. For God. Please.“ She kept her wrist offered to the other while she looked at him, blue eyes searching those dark ones- carefully, testily feeling into his mind with curiosity.

She opened the door, hurried in and quickly closed it again behind her. She looked over at Nicolas and saw he was awake. It was her that had taken him to the Chiesa di Santa Maria del Carmine church. It was way smaller than the other one and the movement and unrest upstairs was constant. They would have to move again soon. If not tonight, definitely tomorrow night. Daphne too looked shaken, her blond hair still wet from washing it and her clothes seemingly scrambled together. Her old mind seemed occupied as she looked at Nicolas for a moment, as if trying to remember her lines while already being on stage. She plucked at her bottom lip for a moment before kneeling down before him and rolling up her sleeve. “You must be starving.” she said quite matter-of-factually. “Pray and you can drink.“  She offered her pale arm to him.