“I believe that is everything that I will need.” Zacharias checked through his bags once again as Tammy carried in the last small pile of laundry that she had just finished folding. He was off on another trip, as was the usual these nights. Zacharias didn't stay for long, usually just long enough to tie up any loose ends in the city before heading out again for work. “You’ve done well to keep an eye on everyone while I have been away, Tammy. Thank you and I apologize that I have been quite busy as of late.” The rare frown adorned his face as he packed away the final belongings that Tammy had provided for him, closing the suitcase with a sense of finality. “I will be leaving for two weeks. One of my associates on the east coast has requested my services. A relatively simple job, in theory.”

Tammy picked up the implications in his words, noticing the slight crescendo of violins as he spoke his words. This job was dangerous in one way or another, but he refused to say as much aloud. Instead of speaking up about it, she nodded along to his words while she stared at him, realizing that he was so busy lately they hadn’t really had time to talk about the last few months like Zacharias had promised. It wasn’t the time to bring it up, but when would be, especially if every job he took on was more and more treacherous. “Zacharias…” Tammy began to speak, softly finding her courage to stop dancing around the subject neither of them knew how to begin. 

“Yes, my childe?” Looking up from his final preparations, Zacharias failed to notice just how much those words struck pain into Tammy’s heart. More formality, slipping back into old habits now that they were back from their trip. He was distancing himself, whether it was by accident or on purpose, but Tammy refused to let the gap between them widen to the extent it once was. “Is there an issue?”

Tammy turned her gaze away from him, down at the suitcases and his cane leaning carefully against the bed. “No sir, it's nothing.” She shook her head, putting on a more neutral expression as she looked towards him but refused to look him in the eye. “Do you have anything more that you need for me to take care of while you are away?”

If he noticed any of her hesitation, Zacharias glossed over it as he turned and picked up a note he had left in the middle of his otherwise empty desk. “A few things, yes. None of these are pressing issues, so if you find the time I would very much appreciate any that you are able to accomplish for me.” Tammy knew that list would contain the various things he always had to get done between one job or another. The less she did, the longer he had to stay in Reno. Tammy would, of course, do nearly everything on that list before he returned.

“Yes sir.” Tammy gave a silent, distant nod as she took the note in her hand, reminding herself to take a look at it later. “There is one more thing, sir.” Tammy pocketed the note so as to not lose it while she heard the tempo and volume of the near constant background noise intensify. Zacharias tilted his head questioningly, waiting for her to continue before she stepped closer to close the gap between them. Before he could speak to question her, Tammy leaned up on the tips of her toes and left a soft peck on his cheek. Her voice was soft but she carried it to his ear, nervous and hesitant. “Come back to me safely. Okay?”

Dappled Leaves felt the wind whip by her ears as she ducked just in time to dodge her sparring partner’s spear as it swung overhead. Refusing to be caught off guard by the surprising maneuver, she charged forward with her training axe in hand and barreled directly into Lumi, flashes of red and blue hair swaying as her partner quickly brought their spear back down to block as much of the force as they could, though Daiana’s strength still pushed the pair back towards the edge of the training field. “Have you had enough, Lu?” A confident, brash smile decorated Dappled Leaves’ face while she sized up her opponent. The two had been apart for so long that it was their first spar after reuniting and neither wanted to give in. 

Lumi’s dark grey eyes narrowed as they sized up her opponent, something that they hadn’t had time to do in the heat of battle when they reunited. Everything since then has been a whirlwind of confusion, misunderstandings and explanations. Daiana–no, Dappled Leaves–had been surprisingly patient with Lumi and how caught by surprise they were by all of this. At first Lumi had felt betrayed that Dappled Leaves had hidden her exaltation from them, as the two of them had been inseparable since childhood, and Lumi thought they knew everything about Dappled Leaves. Everything began to make sense as they thought more on it though, the sudden extra strength their best friend had gained, how quickly she filled her father’s shoes in the mercenary company despite being so young, how she was able to be strong enough to support her mother throughout it all while Lumi had continued working with the town guard.

Lumi felt almost as if they had been left behind, that was until they learned that Dappled Leaves had chosen to pursue Lumi’s resistance force in an attempt to stop the impending massacre… The very battle where instead of their blood staining the battlefield in one final act of defiance, they exalted into a Lunar. The Lunar pair to Dappled Leaves’ Solar, to be exact. It was too much all at once. Lumi shook their head, both to drive away the buzzing thoughts from their head, and to answer their sparring partner. “I’ll never get enough of you, not that I’ve found you again.” Gripping their training spear harder in their hands, Lumi launched into a running slide and swung low to trip up Dappled Leaves. The surprise tactic worked, catching her off guard and throwing her to the ground. 

Shadowrun AU - Plucked Feathers - WIP

Tammy wished with all her heart she had never left her apartment this morning.

2. Shadowrun AU - Flocking Together - Unpublished

Tammy felt uneasy as she walked through the lobby, into the elevator and down the hall towards her boss’ office to begin her first day back at work following her accident.

3. Shadowrun AU - Rise from the Ashes - Unpublished

When faced with certain death, people become desperate.

4. Shadowrun AU - Birdcage - Unpublished

A sigh slipped from Tammy’s lips as she stared at the door in front of her, eyes glued to the nameplate on the door that read Senior Vice Finance Executive.

5. Shadowrun - Homebound - Unpublished

“Mama, can I come home for a bit?”

6. Shadowrun - Coda - Unpublished

“You're sure you only saw four guards?"

7. VTM - Making Moves - WIP

It wouldn't be long now until Tammy and Zacharias had arrived back at her apartment, and Tammy fidgeted nervously in the passenger seat the entire ride home.

8. VTM - A Gift Never Recieved - WIP

The embrace was a gift, Thorne thought.

9. Legend of the Five Rings - As Spring Begins Without Her - WIP

Would this be the last time I ever see them?

10. VTM - Tender Moments -Unpublished

“Come along, Tammy.”

“Maybe don’t dust a guy this time, bats.” That phrase was akin to a battle cry for the duo at this point, years after their first battle together where Valerie accidentally kicked off their entire relationship with a bang. Her compact never let her live it down, most of all Dark. She knew Dark didn't actually care and sometimes actually wanted Valerie to rip and tear through their enemies. Back to back, as the pair was face to face with hunters, Valerie was well aware it was one of those times.

They were human, yes. But they were also trying to kill the girls. For Valerie, that was enough reason to stand their ground and show no mercy. Forming her hands into claws and tossing her gloves to the ground, Valerie lept into action at the same moment as Dark. The battle was difficult for Valerie to keep up with everything going on around her, with so many dangerous foes, it required a little luck to not get shot by one of the flying crossbow bolts.

Valerie wasn't as lucky when of all things, a net was thrown around her after being tripped by one she had been ignoring for the most part. It was annoying, it was dehumanizing, it pissed Valerie off. Frenzy was a familiar friend to Valerie, the sound of her beast just behind her ear, whispering for her to rip and tear and kill everything that treated her like an animal. The hunters stood no chance against her fangs and claws, but how could they? Their skin was as useless as paper to defend against a rampaging gangrel once she ripped through the net trying in vain to keep her contained. Between the beast egging her on, the thrill of the battle and the darkness of the alley, it wasn't until she was sitting on the ground surrounded by bodies and everything was quiet at last that Valerie had simply one questioning thought. Where's Dark?

A quick glance around didn't give Valerie any clues as she stood and began to inspect every single body on the ground around her. Kine, all of them were human. Grimacing at the sheer number of them, Valerie stepped past while glancing into every shaded spot she could find. “Dark, I know you're hiding. You're gonna try to scare me but you can't do it that easily.” Eventually she found Dark, slumped against an overturned dumpster, motionless and paralyzed with a stake sticking out the front of her hoodie. Her regularly emaciated form looked even more so as Valerie yanked the stake from her companion’s chest and began to freak out slightly when Dark didn't move or speak. “Oh. Oh fuck. Dark you can't be torpored. Not right now, not after we just killed like…” Valerie glances around, counting under her breath. 

The gangrel is so preoccupied muttering to herself that she doesn’t notice the small, translucent girl in her arms reach up and grab her until Dark’s fists have her collar in a tight grasp and she’s already pulled Valerie into a smug, forceful kiss. “Gotchu, bats for brains.” Chapped, broken lips curled into a smirk as Valerie scoffs and drops Dark before standing up and dusting herself off. Erupting into laughter as Valerie walks off to inspect the scene, Dark pushes herself to her feet to follow, a snide grin never leaving her face. “Come on, don’t be that way Val!”

A loud, overly audible sigh comes from Valerie as she readjusts her beanie and hoodie while she waits for Dark to join her. “Better call the reeve and tell her some hunters found us. Damn, she’s gonna be pissed.”

“Drink.” Tammy stared at Zacharias, her gaze flitting from his eyes to the wrist held in front of her and then back to his eyes. It was a familiar enough demand from the Prince but rarely did he offer when there were other kindred nearby. They sat on the balcony, listening to the waves crash below and the muffled sounds of partying Ventrue on the ground floor. They were well and truly alone for the moment, and though more could be said, and more could be argued, Tammy knew there was no good reason to refuse. She dipped her head and bit down carefully into her sire’s wrist, taking her time as she felt his free hand rest itself in her hair. “It's harder for you to feed here. Take what you need, Tammy.”

She was never sure how to feel when it came to feeding like this. At first it had been embarrassing, especially after the first time she hunger frenzied on him after her injury. This was a way to cover up her mistakes, a way to ensure if she lost control while feeding she could be controlled. Back then she had been sure that he was inconveniencing himself for her, but as the years passed her outlook changed and as the two grew closer, the meaning changed as well. Rather than Zacharias donating blood to his childe out of pity and responsibility to her, it was clear that he did so out of compassion for her. The blood rushed into her mouth as she blissfully, but slowly drank from the offered wrist, careful to not take more than she needed or more than he could safely offer. The only sound that could be heard over the rushing of the ocean against the shore was a soft hum from Zacharias as he brushed down her hair softly as she pulled away from him, closing the wounds left by her fangs with a lick.

The hum switched to a soft chuckle as she lifted her head to look up at him ready to thank Zacharias, but was stopped by his hand moving forward to cup her cheek softly. “Even when you’re trying not to, you make such a mess of yourself, my little songbird.” Though Tammy tried to turn her head away out of embarrassment, Zacharias instead leaned in closer, leaving a soft kiss on her lips. Relaxing into his touch, Tammy barely had time to start to return the favor before the sound of the balcony screen door clattered against the hinges and the sound of heavy footsteps made the presence of another well known as Zacharias pulled himself away quickly by the time their guest had made his way next to the clearly anxious couple.

Of all the kindred it could have been that had access to that balcony, Tammy was horrified to realize it was Godfrey that had his hand sitting not quite casually on Zacharias’ shoulder. Godfrey’s expression was unreadable, but not because he hid his emotions well, but because to Tammy he always seemed some level of angry, upset, or annoyed. Whichever it was this time, Tammy was quick to scoot all the way back in her seat and make herself as small as possible as his eyes glanced at her for a moment before returning his attention to Zacharias. “Zacharias, could I have a word with you? Inside, away from your fledgling.” At this point she noticed Zacharias staring at her for a moment, his calm and emotionless persona fixed once more before nodding and standing up to follow Godfrey inside. Before leading Zacharias into the hotel, Godfrey pulled a tissue from his pocket and handed it to Tammy, pointing at his left cheek subtly as he walked away and she scrambled to wipe away the quickly drying blood from her face.

Zacharias was quiet as they walked across the balcony up until the door to the outside closed shut behind him and he narrowed his eyes while glaring at Godfrey. “I believe you should forget you ever saw any of that. I’m sure you saw more than you should have, Godfrey.” Zacharias was rolling down his shirt sleeve as he waited for Godfrey’s answer, unknowingly ticking off the elder Ventrue more and more as the seconds passed.

Godfrey stood standing with his arms crossed, scowling at the younger of the pair. “I’m supposed to simply forget the disgraceful manner in which a pair of sire and childe have conducted themselves? Zacharias, I had no reason to ever believe you to be one of those kindred, I thought you had better sense than that. Hypocritical as well, considering your years of aversion to blood bonds. Yet here you are, blood bonding your childe, showing her a side of yourself that is not truly there, just one that you know she would want to see.” 

Zacharias frowned, glancing back out the door at Tammy who hadn’t moved from her seat and then back at Godfrey. “Are you accusing me of toying with Tammy’s emotions for my own personal gain?” Zacharias’ volume was low, as to not allow anyone outside the room to hear the conversation, but his tone was beginning to turn sharp and insulted all the same.

Godfrey thought for a moment before nodding, giving Zacharias the only answer he needed, though Godfrey offered a spoken reply as well. “If that is the way you are describing it, then yes. I am. Your childe deserves better than that, I would have thought you would agree with me on that simple fact.”

Zacharias shook his head, taking off his glasses and wiping his eyes with his free hand. “What if I told you the blood bond was mutual and has been for over a year now?” Zacharias watched the cracks in Godfrey’s argument widen bit by bit as he continued his explanation. “What Tammy deserves is for you to not jump to conclusions on her behalf.”