Of Chainsaws and Egotism {iris}

[High's .Valentine.]

A curious world they have landed in. Dark and foreboding—not exactly his sweet companion’s vision of the perfect world—it was the age of newborn science and underground dark magic. Welcome to London, 1887. Before the terror of the first war tear through the slimy fog misted streets of London, another kind of horror gripped its corrupted heart.

“EXTRA EXTRA!!!”

The tall male winced as a grimy child flopped about his soot-covered newsprint and screamed at the top of his boyish lungs. “SEVEN MURDERED, KILLER STILL AT LOOSE!” Unable to understand just what is going on, Luther could do nothing but push back as people surged forward surrounding the boy and waving shiny circular items at him.

The Mantis King raised his head, watching the sky for any sign of sunshine. The heavens remains promising, gloomy clouds hung about, heavy with rain and blocking any chance of sunlight seeping through into this majestic, maggot infested city. Luther adjusted his top hat. His apparel had changed to match the bland monotone of the city. A black suite, a regal top hat, white undershirt, gold cufflinks, a cane. His hair tied back in a ponytail, Luther was your ideal gentleman of the gentry class. The companion, a short beautiful female with outlandish blue hair had a change in clothing too. He found that he couldn’t help but eye her out of the corner of his peripheral view. The only trace of sunlight he can force himself to bare.

Bah.

Killer in Red. The Crimson.

There was no helping in overhearing. He jolted at the name. Crimson was a favorite grandiose nickname of hers. It was popular among narcissists such as these self proclaimed serial killers, but he couldn’t put it past him. Maybe this time, he was closer to the beast than he thought.

“Can you get the child to give us a copy of that...paper, elf?” He glanced at his traveling partner, knowing full well after traveling quite a way with her that flashing that face of hers was enough to get most people to comply to her wishes. And usually her requests are his desires. A useful commodity. One he would not admit to abusing from time to time. All for the greater cause. “Go on.”

[Iris|Kairi]

How could she deny her most favorite person in all the world..s..?

Really, she'd have never guessed there was more than one actual world outside the crappy one she came from. Until Luther came along and "saved" her, anyway. Yes, that's how she viewed it, and probably always would. In her world, everything was much shinier, even though she came from grim beginnings. And while this world was definitely not her paradise and the gloomy shadows cast made her antsy, she reminded herself she was with strong, valiant Luther and everything would be fine. Dark or no dark..

Ah, but that's a side note..

Faye, dressed in a female equivalent to Luther's regal duds, straightened the heavy fabric of her deep violet dress, finding the thickness to be very confining. She was used to a lightweight, skin tight black bodysuit, after all. The garment was a bit frilly with black lace, poofed out at the waist and bustled about her rear, though the torso was very tight due to the required corset. The neckline was low but squared, accented with some gravity defying black lace all around the edge, even behind the neck. A bright, rose shaped amethyst brooch was situated at the breast level. The sleeves were long and smooth, wide at the bottom but fitted to her wrists with black ribbon. It had the prettiest leafy stitched designs, only subtly visible in the fabric. Since her hair was still so short, and noticeably blue, Faye had a matching had perched off to the side on her head, feathers peeking above the rim, and the the smallest amount of black veil hanging down to obscure her unnatural pink eyes. In the shadow of her hat, her hair looked minimally blue.

It was pretty, but a giant pain in the you-know-where.

With a sweet, if not excited smile, Faye pranced and closed the distance between herself and the paper boy. Small chatter followed, and her unintentional charm took over and did the rest. After a short giggle, the boy yielded her a paper, free of charge, and she thanked him, obediently returning to Luther's side to hand it over. She couldn't read this strange language.

"What's it say, Luther? What's it say?" she bounced, her tiny, now dry-ink dusted hands resting on his arm so he'd keep the paper lowered enough for her to at least see the smudged pictures.

[High's .Valentine.]

How was he supposed to know? Irritated, his golden eyes prowled through the fine print and the obnoxious font at the top of the paper that must say something important. Something that he cannot decipher. Admittedly, even within the world of Latharai, there wasn’t much use for Luther to read. Nomadic tribes that does nothing more than move from spot to spot and raid villagers, the Mantis King’s main priority was that of blending in attacking, not of scholarly ambitions. He turned the newspaper, as if doing so might enlighten him of the scribbles upon the crinkly paper. Luther raised an eyebrow and settled upon looking at the pictures.

And what he’s hearing from the other people whispering as they huddled over their own copy of paper.

“It is not of your concern,” he told the elf, pretending to read the paper.

Victims are both male and female…young…how dreadful!
I never go out at night now.
Killed by some kind of blade. Torn apart!
Some body parts missing.
They say the killer’s a woman.
I say, such atrocities could only be committed by a man!
Not in their right minds, of course.

A woman perked the Vampire’s interest. Luther looked about for the man who had voiced such a strange suspicion. A woman? How so…? Torn apart. It sounded eerily like that disgusting pet of hers. His dear Amie that she had stolen from him. How could it not be possible? Though giant, his Mantis could blend into any wall. And those forearms…like blades. A cold chill gripped him. So she really was here. A killer in red targeting young victims. A large sharp weapon that tears right through victims, as if some kind of violent blade had met their flesh. Missing body parts. Eaten, most likely, by that glutton of a daughter of his.

The grip on the newspaper shook as he ran through all the facts. There was no doubt that he had finally found her. Was he terrified? Pleased? Relieved? Luther took in a shaky breath and turned towards his companion. Hidden under the black veil, her large pink eyes stared innocently at him. He released the newspaper, letting it drop on the spot. A piece of rubbish to add to this dump of a city.

“…This city is going to meet its end soon…you must never leave my sight while we are here, do you understand, elf?”

[Iris|Kairi]

"I mean...it is gloomy and dirty here, but I don't think it's anywhere near its end. Now Latharai was near its end, and this place looks nothing like it.." she babbled on for a moment, her eyes leaving his only to follow the paper's voyage to the gritty stone road. It seemed such a shame to throw away...however, her short attention span kicked in and her eyes raised to reunite with his. A grin lit her face. "But anyway, like I'd willingly leave your sight anyway. I like being near you, Luther!" she giggled, hand still on his arm, only now her fingers wriggled.

The smile faded as a morbid curiosity gripped her suddenly. "Wait...what makes you think it'll meet its end...?" she asked, eyes peering at him through the sheer dark material. Her other hand fussed with her hair, which in this damp environment had decided to curl about her face and brush her cheek. She tucked it behind one half-hidden pointy ear.

The grim look on his face alarmed her. Think...when was the last time she'd seen this look? It was familiar...the odd mix of emotion in his eyes, all fleeting and contradictory. It was always nearly impossible for her to read him, but she tried. Luther seemed...anxious, in both the good and bad way. Sort of like welcoming the blackness of unconsciousness, but dreading the pain of the blow. That's how she related anyway.

"Tell me!" she persisted, tugging his arm gently, stubbornly refusing to be left in the "dark".

[High's .Valentine.]

True. Why in the world did he think that she would leave him when all she ever did was cling to him like an extra limb? Yet…there’s nothing stopping the Vampire from feeling that gnawing sensation at the back of his head that something dreadful was going to happen to the two. Something revolutionary? Nothing to that extreme of a degree but it is going to be something altering. Luther was not going to be the same by the end of this adventure.

He disliked the idea of change. Luther raised his head so Faye could not see the conflict in his eyes.

“It’s merely a suspicion. Do not probe, elf.”

Tall and proud, he lead his elf down the road, towards a corner. Despite appearing as if they were simply strolling, Luther sniffed at the air with the full flair of a snobbish richman, hoping somehow he might catch a whiff of her. The familiar scent of fresh flesh and blood and the metallic pang of…hunger. It was her distinct aroma. Like a certain brand of perfume a lady would put on to bedazzle her suitors.

They passed the park where little children played and young couples strolled about near the lake. The Mantis King pondered over how much his daughter had changed in the past few months. Had she gotten stronger? Was there some kind of power she had obtained, some kind of immortality that put her beyond the shadow of death. Even if he cut her a million times, would she die?

Luther feared death.

“Let’s sit.” Striding towards a park bench, he sat down, his eyes closed in concentration and dread.

“…Are you hungry?” It was the best way to get his mind off of her. Even with his eyes closed, he could see her yellow eyes loom over him. He opened his eyes slowly, ridding himself of that innate fear and glanced around the park. There were quite a few vendors around, selling strange sweet confectionaries he had never seen before, their aroma somewhat similar to that of…grape jelly?

Reaching into his pocket, Luther glanced at the munny in his palm. Just a few strange glittery currency he had picked up.

“Go get something to eat,” he said, handing the munny to Faye as if handing over allowance to a child, all with the air of an apathetic parent trying to rid themselves of their chattering child. In the back of his mind, he once again went over all the possible horrors of facing her. And what he has against her. Practically nothing. Nothing but his broken pride.

The clock tower above them chimed five times. Already, the sky was darkening.

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[Iris|Kairi]

Right as Faye parted her lips to say "no" or something like that, her stomach growled. She'd been intent upon probing him, actually. She didn't trust that look on his face. Something was bothering him. She was starting to piece things together. She may be naive sometimes and innocent, but she was smart deep down. Especially when she wanted to be, or when she felt something was very important. Something bothering Luther--though really everything bothered him in one way or another-- was important enough to bother her. What could make him react this way, and be so concerned with the affairs of a world they'd never been on. It had to be...that. That. Or rather...her. What was her name again? He didn't speak of her often...

Her stomach growled again, causing Faye to lower her head and sigh. The elf shot a scorning glance at her stomach, then took the munny from her Luther's hand and stood. This outfit was annoying...the corset was so tight she could barely breathe normally. How could any woman run in this getup? The thing was so tight and heavy...she trudged across the sidewalk to the nearest vender, and even then she did so with an unusual grace.

A few moments later the elf returned with goodies in hand. She liked this world! They had her grape-treasures. The grin was back on her face, her attention held hostage by the tasties. A large grape lollipop, a paper baggy containing a grape jelly sandwich of some sort, and a cup of tea...She plopped down beside him, ripping the bag open to reveal her sammich prize. Mmmm...

A jelly-filled bite later, her attention turned vaguely back to Luther. "So...What's really going on, Luther?" she probed, unfortunately not that easily distracted, even in the face of grape.

[High's .Valentine.]

Whoever came up with the theory of conditioning was an idiot.

No matter how much the Vampire proved to be cruel and unloving, none of it seemed to get through the thick skull of the elf. Probing was one of those thing he had tried relentlessly to deter her from. No amount of blind disregard, tactical avoidance could tear the elf from her path.

Luther released a stray uncommon expression of irritation on his face. Biting his lower lip and frowning, revealing those pearly white of his so pointed and sharp.

“I think she is here.” He had only mentioned her once, not even giving her enough details to even have a slight clue just what the woman had done that was so terrible, and why he appeared so terrified of her sometimes. The rest was up to her imagination. “No, I have no doubt that she is here. The murderer, it is her,” he whispered, taking the lollipop and giving it a good look over. Smelled of grape. He bit down on it, snapping half of the harden candy off with a crunch. Stick included.

Surprised at how strange the texture of the candy was, Luther chewed on it, wondering just what the appeal of hardened sugar on a stick…OW.

Hacking, the Vampire leaned forward in a hurry, trying to spit out the candy and the splinter that had pierced the roof of his mouth. Blood dripped from inside his mouth which he spat out with sugary saliva and wooden bits at his feet.

“Human food is repulsive…” Luther grumbled before he reached in and pulled out a small splinter embedded in the side of his mouth.

Nearby, people stared at the strange and slightly comical scene of a man trying to devour a lollipop whole. Displeased by the crowd he had gathered up, Luther grabbed the elf by the wrist, tossing the lollipop into the bushes and pulled her out of the park and down whatever street that comes first. To be honest, the Vampire was ashamed of that muss up, and his amber eyes narrowed to a slit at the recollection of giggles among the strung of humans. Stupid mortals. So what if they can eat stick and candy? There was nothing appetizing about it, aside from its grape smell. He was embarrassed…

So lost in his thoughts, he didn’t realized where he was going until he almost walked right into a trashcan. Stumbling back, the Vampire stopped and closed his eyes.

All this thought about her…it was scaring him. He didn’t know what he was doing and paid no attention to where he was going. The Black Mantis was disgusted with himself and his pitiful fear of his own kin.

“I am not myself today, Elf…”

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[Iris|Kairi]

"Sheee..." Faye repeated in a dire tone, as if the word was actually the name of the person Luther had mentioned only once...the only thing that could seemingly ruffle his usual attitude. Faye had her own idea as to what the woman must be like, to scare the strongest person apparently ever in existence. The image was comical...the woman was huge..slightly night elvish with dark gray skin, red eyes...and she was almost 7 feet tall. Her hair was made of scorpions, fangs hanging way below her cracked and drooly lip. Oddly enough, she had no nose...and her hands were huge and made of up three scythe-like claws... She must be an awful person...well, duh. She was a murderer here. How mean. Maybe they could stop her.. Before the elf could finish that thought, she was brought back to reality by an unusual crunching sound and a snap, followed by humanistic hacking sounds. Wha..?

Luther was leaning forward. Her eyes went wide as they snapped to the lollipop. "Uh...I think you ate it wrong...." As usual, before she could truly respond, she was on her feet and being led quickly away, then Luther even bumped into her. Odd.. The elf side-stepped, slowly due to the heavy dress, to get a look at his face as he spoke.

The elf was silent a moment before she simply smiled and slipped close to wrap her arms around his waist, tightly so he couldn't weasel away or otherwise toss her out of his personal bubble. The bubble she invaded more often than not.

"Oh, Luther...it'll be alright.." she smiled, nuzzling her cheek into the front of his jacket. "I don't know much about her, but if he run into her or not, everything will be fine. I just know it." Oh, that bright and shiny light heart of her. So out of place in a night elf. Well, a half night elf? Whatever she was, her optimism would give most of the Princesses a run for their munny.

[High's .Valentine.]

“Will it…?” he muttered more to himself than to the elf, as if it might reassure and comfort his own bruised ego. He knew full well that it won’t be alright. It was his daughter afterall. He took pride in her power, realizing the potential of actually nurturing this demon into a killer that will turn against him one day, but too full of himself to stop it and acknowledge his faults. He was the Black Mantis, raising his successor to be the best of the best, to be merciless, was a given. And it was not because of selfless deeds that he was chasing after her.

Faye’s embrace, as much as it should bother him, comforted the cold Vampire. It was a warmth he was not allowed. Strange that he should have attained it in something he had never thought to be possible, or logical. Little effort was put against the elf, and he lowered his head, closed his eyes, and was unusually pleased by the moment.

For just a few seconds before his cold ego took charge again.

Taking the elf by the arms, he released the girl from her hug, putting distance between the two.

“We should stay away from alleys and dark places.” God knows, she might have found them already in this large city. She certainly had the nose for it. Luther found the idea of getting caught off guard or stuck in a corner chilling to even his eternally cold body.

As they left the alley, and as the people of London—those with a home to go to—headed back to their abodes until the night tide over, in the emptied park on the bench where the Vampire and his elf had sat, a figure sat with full concentration. A woman in red satin, silk and black frills, carrying a parasol of matching colors, long black hair, amber eyes. After several seconds of silence, she stood up, her dress rustling in subtle whispers as she walked behind the bench with delicate steps before bending. She reached into the bushes and pulled out a half chewed lollie with a snapped stick.

After sniffing the grape confectionary, the woman giggled, and gave it a lick.

“Found…you…~”

[/blockquote]

[Iris|Kairi]

Clearly, Faye was aware that nighttime was coming. The darkness. Her worst nightmare...every day it came..on most worlds. She was growing antsy, the easy, smiling expression waning and being replaced by a more nervous, lip biting one that betrayed the fact that she could quite possibly burst into tears at any moment. It was easy for him to pull her away, though her small body had already begun the trembling that erupted from her core and only worsened as the light faded.

"Yes, out of alleys and dark places!" she agreed whole-heartedly, nodding and grabbing his hand to try and drag him somewhere light; somewhere inside. An inn? A house with a spare room? ANYTHING.

With the lowering sun--not that they could see it clearly behind the dense clouds-- came tear pricking the edges of her big eyes. He should be far used to this by now; it happened every night that they were together. She could feel her stomach struggling under the fear to digest the grape jelly sandwich she'd scarfed earlier.

"W-where should we go, Luther?" she asked, voice starting to take on a panicked edge. Her other hand gripped her skirt tightly, pulling it up politely so her legs would have more freedom to move quicker. It revealed her her black and gray button up heels that came to a frilled top around her ankle.

If only she knew that the source of Luther's fear was nearby too. Not that that would have bothered her as much as the darkness. No, she was more concerned with the darkness, but she had told Luther it would all be okay with the woman. Optimism! But...her optimism didn't apply to herself at night.

[High's .Valentine.]

“Away from here…” was his only answer.

Night time was Luther’s time. Yet tonight, he was about as fidgety as the elf. Well, perhaps not to her extreme, with the tears and the whimpering and the unhappy cries. Like a puppy kicked out of her own house. Luther on the other hand, found himself flinching at any slight noise. An obnoxious bang of a stray dog trying to flip a trash can. The tap, tap of a kitten across cobble. A homeless mortal, mumbling mad incantations to himself in the shadow of an alley. The swish of water droplets, the hushed movement of cloth. The Mantis King felt dizzied by the large amount of noises that had all decided to bomb him from all directions tonight. Out of all nights? Why tonight?

Then he smelled something acidic. Tangy. Familiar.

The Mantis stopped, feeling all the color drain from his face. As if there was any color to begin with. Woozy. Wobbly knee. Was this what it felt to be human. He had dealt with similar symptoms of weakness once. But that was because of his physical condition, not the fear that was gripping his entire frame.

For the sake of the elf, Luther’s face, though paler than usual as the moon began to peek out from under the gray clouds, remain void of any emotions. Nothing seemed wrong except for his abrupt stop.

Long behind him, the mortal hidden in the corner, speaking of the end of the world, suddenly stopped voicing his thoughts. Luther’s sharp ears picked up the absence of such a sound.

He continued to walk, hating his shoes for its posh metal soles that clacked against cobble as loud as the clanging of Big Ben in the distance as it rang eight times. Alarmed, he looked up at the clock tower’s yellow face. Had three hours really passed in this time?

Pushing Faye along, Luther guided her around a corner, down a street, and deeper into the heart of London. Her words—it’ll be alright—rang in his ear until he spotted it.

A yellow sign. Bright windows. In front of it, several figures stood, laughing and chuckling away as if there was nothing terrorizing the city at the moment. Even as he drew near them, Luther knew that large crowds stood no chances against her. If she was able to raze a whole world into ruins, one or two chuckling mortals in top hats and monocles could do little against her.

Nevertheless, with Faye, Luther hovered near the group, before ascending the stairs leading to the ‘safe house’, realizing it was not a private home as the men gathered in front of it moved towards the door and into the building. Anything to stall her.

Just before they entered the building though, something tugged on his coat tail. The Vampire resisted the instinct to turn and aim for the throat. With his teeth. His back prickled and he turned. Ever so slowly as if that would save him from whatever was behind him.

...A child.

Luther blinked at the mortal fledgeling, as grimy and disgusting as most snot nosed kid of their age is. This one sported a smart gray cap, his attire in a better condition than most street rats of London.

"Master Lucien," the boy called out, frowning at the cold look the taller male was giving him. His bright eyes stared at the tribal tattoo on his right bony cheek before darting to the lady behind him and narrowed with suspicion. "Master Lucien...the cab is parked in the back. About what time will be be coming back out, sir?"

Luther glanced behind him, thinking himself caught between the boy and the person he was addressing. There was no one behind him except Faye.

"I say, Master Lucien, if you'da forgive me for my rudeness, but when did you get that symbol drawn on your face?" Now the boy was super confused. "An' when did you get a change of clothing? An' who's the lady?"

Brushing him off for a dazed pickpocketer, Luther walked back up the stairs and hurried inside, just as confused as the boy standing outside in the cold.

[/blockquote]

[Iris|Kairi]

For once, Faye was completely silent as they moved, not trusting herself to speak. She wasn't even whimpering. Honestly, her eyes were trained on the light of the building they were heading for in an attempt to keep herself calm. It worked. She heard nothing, in contrast to Luther. It was as if her ears had been plugged. The void of sound was comforting to her, but only because she didn't notice that she didn't hear them walking, or people talking, or the trashcan, cat, chanting man and lack there of soon after. The elf also so nothing but the light they neared, as if she was a horse with blinders on. Mindlessly she started up the stairs with Luther, so it was no surprise she almost fell backward down the steps when he stopped abruptly.

And that's when the sight and sound crashed back into her senses. Light was near enough for her to calm, and the first thing she heard was the child's voice. Her body jerked violently, startled, and she whirled to look at him. Soon after, she calmed..and commenced a head tilt of confusion. "Master Lucien?" she repeated, now tilting her head in the opposite direction. While confused, she did smile. What a cute child. BUt what the heck was he talking about?! "Who's that? Oh! And I'm Faye--"

As usual, before she could finish, her arm was being yanked in the opposite direction as her body and she stumbled up the stairs behind him. "Ack!" The dress really was a pain... Once on flat flooring she recovered her balance. "What was he talking about, Luther? He seemed to know you..." She looked back behind her, then around as if she'd find the answer in her surroundings. Where were they anyway?

[High's .Valentine.]

He would have picked up her up and carried her bridal style for the sake of mobility if not for his own sense of pride. The dress was beautiful, but it served as nothing except an inconvenience for the two. At least Faye was use to such tug o’ war style of moving that she could find balance regardless of what attire and ground she’s on despite the initial stumble and squeak.

When she asked him about the boy, Luther naturally found himself at a loss for an answer. Yes, just who was this Master Lucien the mortal child had talked of? Someone who looked so much like him that the boy could have mistaken him for the other man. Though he must admit, the light outside was poor, simply a yellowish shade from the vintage candle fire that had escaped from inside the building. His top hat’s brim covered his face in shadow.

“A mere misunderstanding of the human child’s,” was the logical conclusion the Vampire came to. Luther, immortal and branded with unique tattoos, was of an intimidating height of six feet nine. The angular cheekbones, pale skin, and stern expression could have anyone mistaken him for an English gentleman with a uptight matronly background. Easy for a boy to mess up, right?

The place was warm compared to the already fogged up atmosphere of the city outside. Men in dark suits stood around, or sat in clusters, chatting and laughing as their peers told drunken jokes or discussed more serious subjects.

“Can I help you, sir?” a fatigued voice jolted the Vampire once more as he turned and stared at the chubby woman behind them. She smelled bitter and oily. Luther crinkled his nose at the sight of her, before glancing at the stairways awhile away.

“A place to rest,” he said, turning to look at the doorway each time it banged. Yet despite it all, Luther’s mask of composed calmness seemed to be holding out. He had expected her to be here sooner. Or have caught them on the way here. Then he remembered her love for games.

“For the two of you?” The Tavern keeper raised an eyebrow as she glanced at Faye. Luther returned her glance.

“…alright, would you like something to drink first, sir?” Luther’s silent impatience told the woman enough, and grumbling, she grabbed one of the key behind her and directed them towards the stairs, explaining about trivial things that Luther cared little for along the way.

Just as they are about to reach the top floor on a rather creaky stairs that Luther was sure would have collapsed under the three if the woman put on any more weight than she already had, the door belong banged open.

A chill went through the room as the wind blew ferociously through. Luther turned, the feeling of surprise forcing a shiver out of him. The wind managed to blow out all the candles in the room, sending it into darkness as shouts of excitement stirred from the pub below. Things bumped about as human eyes tried to accustom to the dark, and Luther, a creature of the night, scanned the room for the figure he dread.

He saw it.

Or saw something that must have alarmed him enough that suddenly, he plowed down the stairways, violently pushing past Faye behind him hard enough to send her maybe even over the stair banister. Out the door he ran and immediately it banged shut behind him again.

[/blockquote]

[Iris|Kairi]

Faye was fine. Faye was blissfully fine and enjoying her light, and the hum of voices, and even the nice old stairs when her nightmare enveloped her and she was so violently tossed to the side. Against the rickety old railing...which gave way. And splintered. Curse this pretty dress...

The elf was helpless as she felt gravity start to take its control of her, mocking her lack of movement in the lethargic material and thus rendering any of her flexible splendor and quick motions void. She was going to fall. No, she was falling. There was nothing she could do...well, but scream. But then again, she'd already been doing that from the instant the area went dark. It's not like she would've been able to keep from falling even if she was free of the dress--her body was locked up from fear except for those surprisingly strong lungs. Her face was already wet with fresh tears, her arms stretched out in vain for anything to take hold of or hug. She was powerless. Death came in the night...she knew it all along!

This was it.

Falling in pitch darkness was the worst sensation she could ever fathom. Time spun off track, too. Had it been seconds, or hours? Was she hovering? Was she in a bottomless pit that magically yawned in the floor below her the instant the light was doused? Why hadn't she hit anything? Furthermore, she was right for the night elf assassinating. Why was there no cool blade to her jugular? No arrows through her heart and neck? No fire to lick up and make her bones weightless ash?

All she could hear was her own shriek-sob and her dress pulling her down, yet fluttering about at her sides.

"EEEEAAAAUUUGGGHH!!!!"

[High's .Valentine.]

“Shhhh, everything’s going to be alright, M’am.” Luther was here. His deep husky voice, warm breath next to her ear. His strong arms, so reassuring as they wrapped themselves around Faye, caught her from her fall and lowered her to the ground, never releasing her, the two kneeling near the stairs. “Don’t worry, I got you.” Luther didn’t run out the door. He was here, calming his elf down, saving her from irrational hysteria.

The arms held her close to his broad chest, and once Faye’s eyes adjusted to the dark [if she had calmed down enough to start looking around] she would see his angular jaw, the muscles of his neck and adam’s apple stretching as he turned his head this way and that, seizing up the situation before turning to look at her. Were those…blue eyes? The shadow of a small comforting smile flitted upon his face as he looked down on the woman he had caught. Not an obnoxious grin or a cold smirk. A genuine smile. It seemed to give the Vampire’s face a rather pleasing humanistic look as opposed to his usual rigid apathy.
Then the candles were once again lighted.

It was Luther. But it was not. No crude black tattoo on his right cheek. No animalistic amber eyes full of a tyrant’s pride. Gone on the top hat and stiff black suite, replaced by an off white button up shirt, raggedy red ribbon tied in a bow around the collars, gray slacks. The face was Luther’s, but it held more warmth than the Vampire could have ever expressed in all his thousand years of lifetime so far. Blue eyes widened when he saw the woman in his hands, hovering especially over her round and attractive appearance.

“Are you alright, M’am?” the Luther who’s not Luther cocked his head, looking her over for some kind of injury. “Can you stand?” He slowly, seemingly reluctantly released his grip on her, helping the elf up. The man still towered over her, his figure regal and commanding, and his long black hair tied back with a ponytail. With the stern expression Faye had seen many times before, he looked up at the stairways that was without a banister. “That was quite a fall you took there. I’ve told the Tavern Keeper time and time again that they must replace that maggot eaten railing of theirs…or the whole stairs, for the Queen’s sakes.” Glancing back at her, he seemed surprised by the traces of tears, fresh from just seconds ago.

“Are you in pain, M’am? I have a cab out in the back, should I take you to a doctor?” the man seemed positively alarmed and worried, the expressions he exhibited might be something Faye had never seen on Luther’s uptight visage, but they seemed comfortable, as if they should have been there in place of the frown. Subtle, but genuine. The seriousness was present, but so was flexibility. In every way, the man seemed like the improved version of Luther…

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