#lostfledgling

The suffocating heat was not as bad as in other places, but the humidity made it almost unbearable. Thank god for large stone architecture and discreet air movements that cooled off most of the inside places of the city. And even AC.

Lyle had to dress weather appropriate, even if he wasn’t that affected by the heat or humidity. Short sleeve dress shirt and lighter linen pants, when in the Hotel. Léopold had gifted him another tee (with a pinky and the brain taking over the world graph), but he couldn’t wear it when in a professional setting, and he wasn’t really in a mood that would allow him to fully relax with his.. friend? Acolyte? Acolyte. The long months of Saaleha’s blood addiction cleanse had turned him into a hawk, always on watch, always ready to keep himself awake during the day and make sure she wouldn’t endanger herself.. or others. Most probably others. Restrains were used a few times, and he had lost his temper as well, but he had managed to stand strong and not give her the precious vitae. It is for her own good, you can’t be the instrument of her damnation just because it’s more convenient. Even if she says she wants it, it’s not her, it’s the addiction.

Claudia tended to ease the tensions a bit by being a naive enthusiast girl. Lisa was a helpful but cryptic presence whenever she came around or offered to accompany her out of the golden cage. Lyle didn’t really impose rules, he didn’t keep her locked, but it was safer, especially with elysium just across the street.

The rush from the blood was still very new. Nero didn’t entirely know what was in the drink he received from his new employer, but he certainly didn’t mind it. Didn’t mind the way it made him feel.

What he did mind was how irritable it made him when he went long enough without it. Snapping at everything and everyone, and checking his phone non-stop to see if he would receive that special little message to take the elevator up.

But he didn’t. And soon enough he grew restless, shutting his laptop with enough force to hear the plastic crack. That too was new, but he didn’t reflect on it.

Later that night he would come back, hurrying to open the door in-between breathless kisses and partial undressing that has been going on ever since he exited the elevator with his date. They were both intoxicated after hours of drinking. Slamming the door behind him he hurries to push her towards the bed, the girl laughing when she falls against the soft surface.

Soon enough things heat up and Nero is leaning over her when a hand brushes against her neck, and for a moment he is more focused on her breathing, her heartbeat.

Everything else fades into nothingness with only those two things staying in focus. He can see his own hands move towards her neck, grasping around it. At first she smiles, laughs and gasps. Before her face twists into an uncomfortable frown and she pats his hands. Within moments she is punching him, clawing at his arms and chest, kicking out with her legs as their nightly activity takes a morbid turn. 

But her panicked response doesn’t match the harsh grip around her neck, and soon enough her body goes limp. The shocking part is that Nero doesn’t stop until her windpipe flattens under the pressure around her neck, until her lips turn blue. Until her heart stops. Only then does he release the grip, and realizes how sore his fingers felt after holding on for so long.

@lostfledgling

It wasn’t a hard trip to make. So it was one he tried to make every so often. Step out of the shadows in one of the alleyways and make sure he didn’t look like a walking ballroom. Then walk to the bakery.

Saaleha was one he would consider a close acquaintance. Especially after she had been so helpful. 

“Honey, everyone I knew before this is dead.

“And yeah, I tried. I even stayed for a while, but it was… hard. I spent every night fighting the urge to go into my parents’ room and suck them dry. I had to take one of the cows. I ended up leaving, let them think that I met a real hotshot in the city.

Harpy

Jervis stumbled a little, finding his footing- as he stumbled, wings in place of arms flapped instinctively, helping him gain his balance.

What?

Wings?

Jervis stared at his new wings, the cream feathers somewhat ruffled. He looked down at himself, greeted by the sight of clawed and scaled bird legs.

“I could have sworn I wasn’t like this just a moment ago.”

@lostfledgling

He had been planning to head straight back to his motorbike and head home. He had done enough exploring of this place for one day, but he definitely planned to come back again. 

However, a delicious smell made him pause. He quickly glanced around, trying to locate the source. It wasn’t long before he found it. A bakery. Well, it might be nice to pick up something for a friend. 

One of the Baron’s greatest strengths was his sound, or rather his lack of it. He could move in almost complete silence and be upon his foes before they even knew he was present. This did also have disadvantages though. It meant sometimes people wouldn’t be aware he was coming, and so more often than not, someone would end up walking into him as he wandered into view.