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An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure || T x V
The truth was that she’d been ready to accept her next patient at the scheduled time, but as soon as the secretary had slipped her the file that said ‘V i c t o r i a C l a r k’ , she’d frozen. Of course, the file was empty. The date of birth definitely faked. The health card number was made-up, and the doctor figured the vampire had compelled her secretary to let it slide anyway. Since then, the young Supreme had holed herself up in her office, twenty minutes’ worth of spelling various objects, in anticipation of a trap or some kind of ugly altercation. What on earth could Victoria Clark want with her otherwise?…
“Come in.” She offered shortly, almost forty minutes later as she led the statuesque blonde to her office. Tatiana rounded her desk quickly, not wanting to have her back to the vampire any longer than absolutely necessary. She ignored the woman’s attempts at small talk and got right to the point.
“So why are you here? What did you come for? My blood? What do you want?”
"Depends. Are you offering?"
It was meant to be a joke. A mere attempt to diffuse the tension in the room. But as was clear by Tatiana's expression, her stab at humour had not gone over well. It made Victoria begrudge the fact that any talent in the area pertaining to wit had been passed down through the genes to Nicolas--having skipped her entirely.
The ancient vampire cleared her throat and tried a different tactic. "Excuse me. I was merely kidding." She took the liberty of sinking herself down into one of the vacant seats in the office, since Tatiana hadn't asked her to take a seat, and folded her arms in front of her. "As you could probably tell by now, I’m not here because of any medical reasons. Nor am I here to verbally spar with you. I come waving my little white flag, Tatiana. Just wanted to have a chat about ..." She paused wondering how to segue in to the heart of the matter with some tact. But it was hard not to feel so contrite when her thoughts reflected about how many lives must've been affected because of her brother's actions. And harder still not to blame Tatiana for her harbouring the suspicions about her kind that she did. "... about what happened at the Carnival. Were you there?"
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Yes, the vampire seemed an almost perfect factor in which to mess with Nicolas. It would be more than entertaining trying to get close to her – and if he could actually make her like him – well, that would be even better. Even more of a slap in the face to the enemy. It was entirely like William to have enemies whom he hadn’t actually met.
“I shall take your word for it, then.” It was true that he was picking and choosing his words with the utmost caution. “Oh, I didn’t mean–” He started, purposely tripping over his tongue. He could be one hell of a good actor when he wanted to be. “My slight morbid curiosity doesn’t always take to well when spoken to strangers,” He smiled. “It’s just, the body is rather insensitively placed. Like it was just dumped there and not thought about again,” Which it probably had been.
Victoria pressed a finger to her chin as she considered his observation about the corpse. "I suppose you're right about that." For a murder, it was awfully sloppy work. Someone clearly inexperienced she deduced.
"Have you got any ideas about what we ought to do with it?" She asked moments later. "I don't think it'd be a good idea to leave it lying around." Vic supposed the sensible thing to do would have been to report the body to the authorities. But she had to admit she wasn't awfully keen on that prospect.
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“Oh, that it does. Around Christmas everything seems to have to be served hot, all of a sudden.” He was kind of glad no one got the idea of doing that to whiskey. That would be sacrilege, in his eyes. He settled down near the fire, ignoring the surprised looks of the visitors of the bar. He was Jacob Dashwood. He did not need to explain himself to a bunch of villagers. He did gratefully accept his drink when he slowly felt the warmth of the flames through his sodden clothes. “Would you be surprised to hear if that is nothing much, to be honest? I even played the Good Samaritan for some lost girl…”
"Did you now?" Victoria felt her curiosity flair when Jacob declared that he'd been a help to someone and found herself leaning in for a good story. It amused her to see that for someone who was very proud to be a vampire, and liked to reap the spoils that came with such a nature--including the gruesome elements. Jacob seemed awfully proud to declare that he'd done anything good. Although, she didn't voice it out loud, she couldn't help but think that he was just proving one of her un-spoken points. People like Jacob, and Erik and Nicolas often made it out to be as if they merely take actions so as to gain something in return. But that didn't explain why even the worst of people seemed to take pride of their altruistic moments.
"Vying to jump off the naughty list, were you? Pray tell, what invoked a benevolent gesture on your part that had you jumping to help out someone in need?"
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“Honesty.” It was the only thing Lana had done right in that entire mess. Not have him find it out for himself, not hear it from a slip of the tongue from Erik, but fess up to him what had happened. “Maybe I do.”, he shrugged. “Maybe loves makes me blind, but I also know that she wanted to be there for me all the time, even when I couldn’t tell her what was going on. She… she feels like a link to humanity I don’t deserve anymore after the past year.” He smiled a bit when his friend tried to comfort him. “It… kind of sucked, yes. But believe me, with the weeks I’ve head, this was kind of the least of my worries.”
He sighed. “Listen… it’s not worth the drama, ok? I almost died after that. I found out I regretted more that the last thing I would have done to Erik was punching him than that I was angry about the kiss. Let it go, ok? I’m handling it. I hope.” He chuckled. “There hasn’t been that many lately, actually. Kennedy and Lana now, as far as I know. And he’s single not…” He shook his head. “Don’t, ok? I’ve said I’d give her time. Then that’s what I should do.”
When he insisted that she let it go, Victoria simply nodded and decided she'd do exactly that. Though it did take a little more internal willpower to stifle the meddlesome flame inside of her. "Alright, fair enough. I won't talk to her. Even though, I'd really like to. But I hope she's wise enough to make the right decision."
She was forced to let the subject drop anyhow when he let it claimed that his life had been endangered. "What do you mean you almost died?" Vic asked--her tone laden with concern.
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“I think I’m coming down with something.”
He’s twelve minutes into a tirade - pacing back and forth in the quaint little bedroom of his sister’s home. Betrayal is by no means a new concept to the old Immortal, but he finds that the years have done nothing to lessen the bitter taste in his mouth; the coating of slime along the inner column of his throat as he so much as thinks of the evil that was done to him. And so one might say he’s distracted - rattling off the names of culprits as well as the exquisite punishments he has in mind for each one of them.
- Until she says those few, fateful words.
It’s enough to stop him dead in his tracks, and in as much time as it takes her to draw breath, he’s at Victoria’s side, fingers digging into her pale skin as he grips her by the shoulders. Nicolas’ eyes travel quickly over her features; taking in ever inch of her skin - every possible sign of impending illness. He can hear his own heart slamming fearfully into his chest; that long-forgotten roiling of his stomach as past and present briefly meld into one.
“Nic,” Her voice called out in a hoarse whisper, barely audible. She held her hand up for his, waiting to speak until he took it. “You need to leave. If you stay you will get sick too… Our fates are sealed…yours is not. You can still be happy… Have a family. Grow old.” She closed her eyes, wincing again as the fever sent her into a moment of dizziness, the room spinning around her. “Promise me…promise me that you will go away from here. That you’ll leave and never come back.” She paused to try and squeeze his hand, her strength failing her to even do that simple task. “Promise me.”
He hadn’t promised her then… And he’d be damned before he’d ever consign himself to such an oath. “Stay here.” Nicolas’ hand found hers briefly, tightly enough so that she wouldn’t notice the tremble in his own limbs. “I’ll be back within the hour.” With that, he left to get help. And this time, he knew exactly where to start.
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“Wake up, I want my presents.”
Leave it to his sister to be absolutely unimpressed by his latest feat of combat. He’d taken out a group of eight hunters in under two minutes, and had used the vast majority of their weapons against them in order to do so. Play fair, they said… Meanwhile, Victoria had watched the end of the surprise attack in silence, waited until the last body had dropped before making her presence known. And then, when he’d fallen to the ground, heaving triumphantly for air to fill his lungs, she’d merely stepped over his body to get to the front door - adding insult to injury.
“Y e s, Victoria…. O f c o u r s e, Victoria…” He gasped, plucking one the stake from of his leg and trying to bite back the pained cry that was clawing up the back of his throat. “Anything for you, Victoria.” Nicolas growled instead, as he stumbled to his feet and watched her walk primly up the steps that led to his home. He didn’t know which was worse; the fact that his sister had such little appreciation for his exceptional skill in warfare — or the fact that all she wanted was her Christmas gifts, and as he stalked up the steps after her, he knew he’d end up ceding every last one.
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Mr. Jeepers & Creepers
He watched her with that unrepentant smirk still on his lips as she paused, catching the candy he threw in one, quick reflex. And a part of him - that childish and undoubtedly immature part of him that hadn’t changed in so many years - wondered whether she’d make good on her word, just this once. But alas, Victoria’s inner angel won the war over her temper. Rather than retaliate, his sister dropped sourly into the couch, switching to railing at him verbally. Always her preferred method.
Nicolas couldn’t help a chuckle, deep in his throat as he decided to throw the dice and risk another approach. This time, he moved swiftly to sit next to her, and stole the bowl of candy off the coffee table. “Because she’s dead, sister dearest.” He replied neutrally, a smile still playing over his lips. “So you see, there’s little I can do to change the spell. Now we can continue this game of musical houses, but you know as well as I that if I can find you once - I can find you again. And again…. And again.” Nicolas reminded her lazily, picking a salted caramel out from the bowl and leaning back against the couch as he unwrapped it for her. He handed it over to her with an open palm - let out a dramatic sigh when she refused to take it, shooting him a glare instead. “Come now, sister. You know that everything I do is because I care about you. Can you fault me in that?” Innocence threaded itself into his tone, his eyes filling with as sincere a gaze as he could manage before Nicolas reached for his little sister’s hand, and tipped the candy into her palm.
"She's dead?" Victoria's rage vanished instantly. Replaced by dolefullness in it's stead for the woman she never knew. "How can she be dead?" A grim thought occurred to her then. One her mind seemed to refute the moment it had manifested itself. "You...Nic you didn't have anything to do with that, right?" He wouldn't go that far. While it was true that her brother didn't always play fair, she couldn't believe that he would go so far as to kill the witch who'd cast the protective enchantment over her house, just so Victoria wouldn't be able to seek it out and have it undone.
Ever the smooth talker, her brother dropped down next to her; a charming grin across his handsome face. His reassurances helped ease her conscience. It also made her consider that just this once, she could let it go. Although she didn't agree with his methods, he was looking out for her. Victoria accepted the candy he held out to her--unwrapping it before swiftly popping it into her mouth. "As long as you understand that that goes both ways, that I too have my ways of looking out for you Nic, I think you and I can come to an understanding." As the little cube of caramel melted on her tongue, so did her worries and temper along with it. Leaning against the arm he'd put around her, she gave him a little nudge. "And now that we've called a truce of sorts, mind cementing it by indulging your sister with a movie?"
---------- The End ----------
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Merciless || Vincent and Victoria
@victoria-clark
“i find it very hard to believe…”
a subtle lull of words, nothing invasive. as if a conversation had been going on between the two already. but - no - he’d seen the beautiful blonde, standing aside, a little further away from the center, and when he’d neared, there had been a rather – distinctive – scent. expensive perfume, luxury, overlaying the rather tell tale notion of something – not human. how very interesting.
“…that a lady, such as yourself…”
moving a little closer, slow strides, attention diverted from the display in the sky. in each hand there is a cardboard cup, filled with hot chocolate, topped with cream and marshmallows. it seemed rather fitting for the wintry event.
“…would be alone on a night like this, with festivities all around…”
coming to a stop, just a short distance away.
“…that is, unless, she chose to be.”
one of the cups is offered. a gesture. but perhaps the elusive blonde would rather remain in her solitary repose. maybe she was simply taking a brief break from the clamour close by. he rather hopes otherwise.
“perhaps - you would care to choose not to be alone. at least for the span of a cup of hot chocolate? and i, would certainly welcome the company.”
When the tree lighting ceremony was announced in celebration of the holiday season, Victoria was determined to attend it. Not because she wished to absorb the festive spirit thrumming through the Christmas market even though she would delight in that. No, this time she was here to remain on guard; to watch over her brother who'd left quite a mark the last time the entire town had gathered in one place.
It seemed, however, that she was in need of quite a lot out practice in the art of spying. So far she had been lurking behind trees and ornamental displays--her focus and gaze keenly peeled on the masses.
For this reason, the vampire found herself caught off guard when approached by a man who's rugged looks contrasted the smooth charming tone he wielded when addressing her.
"Sometimes, circumstances make the choice for us. " Victoria replied, having recomposed herself. Her eyes landed on the cup of hot chocolate he held out in offering.
For a mere nanosecond, the voice of her brother flitted across her mind--insisting she not accept a drink from a stranger. But Victoria reached out and accepted the cup anyway. The trusting nature for which brother often reprimanded her, was a trait she took pride in.
"Seeing as I've been yearning for a cup of hot cocoa all evening, I'm hard pressed to say yes to both the drink and the company. " Bringing, the warm liquid to her lips she drank, and smiled as it filled her with a sense of comfort. "As far as being alone however, I'd have to ask the same of you. How does a man who offers both charm and hot drinks find himself alone at a Christmas market?"
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Bah Humbug
If it wasn’t the blonde hair that caught his attention, he’s sure the accent would have. The girl from the shop. But not even that little bit of familiarity was enough to turn his frown upside down, especially when he recalled parts of their conversation. “Turns out I should have gone with the black suit after all” He replied simply, eyes turned downward, refusing to meet her gaze.
All the joy seem to zap right out of her in an instant upon hearing the despairing tone to his voice. “W-why do you say that?” Victoria asked, her shoulders beginning to droop as she remembered the gist of their conversation the last time they’d met--about funerals and the rising death toll in Arcadia. She sincerely hoped that he remained untouched by such factors.
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“I burnt my hand trying to roast chestnuts.”
“And you’re a thousand year old vampire.”, Zach smiled when he saw Victoria come to him. “I think you’ll live.” He outstretched his hand, inviting her to show the wound to her, a wound that was already slowly healing. “See? Nothing to worry about. You’ll be fine in a few minutes.” He grinned when he saw her pouty face. “I guess that’s no more chestnuts for you this Christmas?”
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“Kiss Erik.” He knew Victoria had heard it the first time, but somehow he couldn’t help but stress it again, even when it was the least of his worries these days. He shook his head. “I hadn’t expected it of her either, but that doesn’t mean she’s bad immediately, Vic… She was the one telling me herself. That counts for something.” That didn’t mean it had hurt less, but it had been worse if he had to hear it some other way.
“Erik… she’s his ex. Didn’t you know that? It’s kind of complicated… I slept with her immediately after they broke up, and now…” Not that it was that important, but complicated kind of covered it. “It’s… not ok, but trust me, I have other things on my mind. Maybe it’s for the best now. I’m not exactly on my prime when it comes to stability, so having a human girl around might be dangerous.”
Perhaps Victoria was being too critical. “What exactly does it count for?” she asked, giving her shoulders a brief shrug. “It sounds to me like you’re giving her more credit than she deserves.” Letting out a breath to expend her frustration she leaned over and gave his shoulder a firm squeeze to impart some sort of assurance or comfort through the gesture. “I can’t imagine that it was easy to see your girlfriend suddenly seem confused about whether she wants you or your brother. I’m sorry you’re going through that Zachary.”
She had even less sympathy in regards to Erik. “Complicated my foot! Seems awfully convenient if you ask me. I do vaguely remember that they had history. I just...happened to forget it. Since, I’m not in the habit of keeping tabs on your brother’s flings. Listen...do you ... want me to talk to Lana maybe?”
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“Thank you, love…” He said when he was back in dry air instead of in the dirty water. He shivered a bit. Even when cold didn’t influence him that much, it was not comfortable. “I don’t think anyone walks around with a towel, darling. I can’t blame you for that.” He nodded. “A fireplace does sound good… and by the time I’ve reached mine, I’m afraid my clothes will be frozen, so I’m all for the option of the cafe.”
“Mmmm, I could use a warm drink myself. I think this season calls for it.” She muttered, as she began walking with him in that direction. Which fortunately, was a short walk. Once inside, she wasted no time in getting herself a festive latte. As well as something for Jacob, since she suspected he was going to need some of that heat to help him thaw. “So tell me...” Victoria said, as she sat herself down opposite to him. “What have you been up to these days, Jacob?”
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What in hell’s name...
“I’ve worn suits a lot over the years, I think I still own most of them, but you know, times change and so does fashion.” Erik looked down at his jeans and tshirt, then back at her and shrugged his shoulder at her question. “I was a carpenter for a while when I was human, not exactly the career path my father wanted me on, but it was something to do. Why?”
“Hey, do not knock the unholy trinity until you’ve tried it for yourself, Victoria.” He rolled his eyes a little at her expectations of there being something more to him than that. There was, but he wasn’t going to give it up that easily. Still some things he liked to keep to himself after all.
“Actually, I don’t adjust that well, I’m usually pushed and pulled into a new era. Mostly by Zach who can’t stand being around me when I don’t change my view point on things.” But if it wasn’t for Zach, Erik would still be a sexist pig and wouldn’t be sat here with her without making at least a few comments about her first. “Then you’re like Zach, adapt with no problems. Some of us just take time it’s better to let us adjust at our own paces.”
“Well...then I may just have some good news for you. I’d be willing to hire you, if you’re still good with a hammer and nails. I’ve still got the upstairs portion of my house left to renovate. If you’re still interested in finding an occupation...I’d be willing to talk. No old fashion suits needed.” Vic raised her glass one more time, and drained what remained of her drink all in one go before slapping down a bill on the bar counter in payment for the drink. And then swiftly pushed herself off the bar stool.
“Take a few days to think about the job offer. Give me a call if you’re actually interested. In the mean time, good luck hacking away at the unholy trinity.”
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure || T x V
One of the biggest lies Victoria had ever come to know was: “The doctor will be with you in a couple of minutes.” Well, a couple of minutes, had come and gone half an hour ago and the mousy receptionist at her desk had not looked up since. Which only made Victoria wonder whether healthcare workers operated on according to clocks much different than the layman’s. Back when she’d been a nurse, she swore that patients didn’t need to endure such long wait times.
Though in all fairness, she wasn’t in need of urgent care. Having a vampire’s constitution meant that she had an immunity to virtually every disease known to man. Which had given her no choice but to fake one just to see Dr. Brown.
Another full ten minutes passed before Tatiana finally emerged from her office and called her name--frowning when she seemed to recognize the name. Victoria gave the witch an innocent smile before following the doctor into her office.
“My...this is certainly ... a lovely office you’ve got here.” The office was unremarkable, yet unusually sterile. It also awfully tidy for a doctor’s office. Having taken a fill of the office space, her eyes came back to settle on Tatiana who regarded her with a certain suspicion. “Come now love, don’t look so alarmed. We did deliver a baby together not so long ago. And can I assure, I don’t come here demanding another bargain for blood bags.”
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Mr. Jeepers & Creepers
He flashed her a dimpled smile as she moved towards him; one too innocent for the devil tucked away within him. “And disappoint your cloistered sisters? Heaven forbid, Vika.” He hummed in mock horror, falling a step back as he evaded her hands smoothly. He couldn’t help it; she was so rarely riled up, so rarely visibly angry with him… And unlike most other times where guilt and anger chipped away at him in response, he felt neither emotion this time. Because he couldn’t bring himself to regret an action he’d undertaken for what he perceived to be her own good ― whether or not she liked the underhanded means he’d employed.
But their dance was cut short by the abrasive sound of her doorbell. The male rolled his eyes as Victoria walked dutifully towards it with her pail of goodies. He leaned his weight against one of the sofas and drummed his fingers against the fabric until she’d returned. Then, he shot her another brilliant smile. “Who was that just now, sister?… A little ghoul? A wee vampire, perhaps? Why reward those monsters with treats when the very best of them is starving within the gilded walls of your own home?” He asked her with a pout that was purely for her benefit. Yet again he daned out of her grip when she approached. “No treat for me, then?”
“I shall not. Not until you start making those same decisions for yourself, dearest.” He paused, letting her put distance between them as she sought to unwind her frustration. Lazily, the vampire picked up one of the wrapped candies from the pail she’d set on the coffee table and tossed it in her direction. “Oh, don’t give me that look,” He huffed when she glared daggers at him. “Besides, I couldn’t undo the spell even if I wanted to. Which by the way ― I don’t.” Nicolas admitted unrepentantly.
Still fuming, Victoria continued shooting daggers at her brother. Who, to her frustration, had somehow built an immunity to them. But her hand still shot out, to snap up the candy he chucked her way--a quick, and sudden reflex. “Oh, I’ve a mind to give you something alright, brother.” The blonde vampire muttered with an acrid tone to her voice. But as Nicolas often said, Victoria’s bark was usually worse than her bite. Which is why she found herself standing there, unsure of how to retaliate against her sibling. One thing that definitely hadn’t changed despite the centuries, was that he had a way of boiling her blood just through the mere gesture of sending one of those boyishly delinquent smirks her way.
“You’re purposely being difficult about this. You will get no treats, until you tell me just why you can’t have this curse undone. Do you have any idea how inconveniencing it is? You will have it undone!” She demanded, resisting the urge to stomp her feet the way she would’ve when they were children. “Or...or I’ll change houses. And ... I won’t tell you where I move this time. Is that what you want? I shouldn’t have to sneak around my own brother.”
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What in hell’s name...
erikhawtcrn:
“No, actually, I don’t work because I can’t find anything. And I’m bored of being a suitcase carrying, fake laughing at jokes office idiot. Been there, done that.” Erik shrugged his shoulders. “I do a manner of things, get drunk, fuck, hunt and feed.” He just smiled at her now. “I’m not a saint, Victoria, I don’t spend my free time sitting around, reading books.”
Taking his phone out of his pocket, he looked at it and placed it on the bar. “I’m pretty stubborn about adapting to new technology and it took Zachary years to get me to use a smart phone, even now I’m not too sure how to.”
Victoria found herself pursing her lips at how adamant he was about not wanting an office job. “That’s too bad.” She muttered, a tongue in her cheek. “Would’ve been a change of scenery to see you in a suit. But that aside, you know there are various other occupations available that don’t involve working at an office.” Those types of mundane jobs didn’t strike her fancy either. An interesting idea seemed to pop into her mind nonetheless. “How are you with tools?” She asked him after awhile.
She merely rolled her eyes when he mentioned his other interests. “Ah yes, the unholy trinity. The sex, booze, and blood lust, you’ve already made blatantly clear, Hawtorn. I’m curious to know what there is to you beyond that. And for the record, I by no means hold any saintly expectations from you. I ... don’t hold saintly expectations from anyone for that matter.”
The blonde vampire still not over the surprise of learning that Erik had trouble with techonology. “You seem to adapt so well to so many of the other aspect of modern life, I just didn’t suspect that you had trouble adjusting to it. I guess in that, you’re very much like Nic. He was almost disturbed when I mentioned the existence of hover-boards to him.”