Post by Elijah on Oct 1, 2006 22:41:32 GMT -5
(OOC Note: Friend wished not to be known by SN. I respected her wishes.)
Elijah: Chewed his lip in thought, raising his eyes to the cabin in the middle of the woods. Somehow had found his way back here, after being away for nearly a year. But the person inside had expected that.. He'd warned her it would be a while before he made it back, if he came back at all, that was. And though he'd been sad to leave one of the only friends that he'd probably ever had, they both knew at the same time that he couldn't stay there forever.. He had things that he'd needed to be getting on with, at the moment. Things that couldn't wait anymore. Needed to get stronger and branch out a little bit with his powers, and considering he hated seeing her wince whenever he would use his powers, he couldn't get stronger without causing her some kind of pain. But back to his train of thought.
Elijah: That he'd just derailed himself from.. It was the dead of night, probably a little past midnight, but there was still a warm glow in the windows. Tentively raised his bare knuckle and knocked it softly on the door. Waited, but.. Nothing. Maybe he needed to knock a little louder. Rapping smartly on the door a second time, this time louder than before, so that the knock probably echoed through the entire cabin. Putting his hands behind his back and glancing to the shadows, where his Guardian Mautiausi was waiting for the okay to come out. That Elijah would give, once he knew Serena was still here.
Unknown: She coughed uneasily, hearing the loud rapping. She lifted her head from off the couch pillows... She lifted a pale bony hand to her face, rubbing her eyes to focus her vision. She had not been well these past few weeks. Waiting always wore her down, but the winter was especially harsh this year. She pulled a shawl around her shoulders, which seemed quite narrow now. She was always a thin woman, but these days were hard and it showed on her form. She really wasn't a woman meant to be left to herself too long. She clutched the shawl closer, bare feet padding across the floor and towards the door. She was worried, almost frightened, for no one called on her this late at night. No one called on her at all. <c>
Unknown: She held her shawl around her form with one hand and touched the cool doorknob with her other hand, turning and pulling the door open. The heavy door protested with a loud whine, but she figured if whatever it was on one side knocked twice... Well whoever it was wasn't about to go away. Her eyes squinted for the darkness didn't allow her to see the figure, as the firelight was dim and it was a new moon.
Elijah: "Hi." There was an awkward pause there, during which he could disappear into the ground and never surface again. Hi. What a stupid thing to say, to somebody you hadn't seen in over a year. It sounded so childish. Like he was about 5-years-old. Biting his front teeth into the bottom lip, and shoving his hands into his pockets. His voice quiet, speaking to Mautiausi across their telepathic link. "It's okay, you can come out. It's just Serena, like I thought." Having said that to Mautiausi, it was probably best to let the pale and thin Serena infront of him know who it was, considering she was squinting and waiting for her eyes to adjust to the dimness of the light. (Not that there'd been much in there to begin with. But it was still light, either way) "It's just me, Elijah."
Elijah: <C>
Elijah: "I, uh.. wanted to see you again. And you seem really thin and pale again, so I guess I came in time.. I can stay for a while if you like.." Changing that automatically to, "If you want me to." Another pause. Another awkward pause. "It's kind of cold out here.. Not that I mind, but.. you're shivering again." Pointing it out as politely he could, but waiting until she invited him in to step over the threshold. His manners hadn't left him, even if he wasn't technically alive anymore.
Unknown: "O-Oh... I'm sorry." She stepped away from the door, letting him inside with her. She bit on her lower lip, but soon stopped realizing that she was biting very hard and it was quite painful. She stepped back a little further, letting him inside. She didn't even look at him, feeling ashamed she had fallen ill and had gotten so thin. Thin and pale again. She shook her head as that repeated in her head over and over. She felt like the five year old who couldn't even take care of herself... She padded over to the couch again but soon realized the warmth of the fire was dying. She tied the corners of her shawl in front of her and used both hands to load wood into the fire. She avoided his gaze, hoping he would shut the door... and then sit in the light where she could properly see him.
Elijah: "Mautiausi, inside." She hadn't minded the snake in the past. Before he'd left the first time, the snake had taken to laying at the foot of her bed and sleeping with her, instead of him, which he hadn't minded. His room was the crawlspace under the stairs, the room she'd used for storage but had helped him clean out and let him use as a bedroom, because of the fact that he couldn't stand the sunlight. It hurt his eyes and made him want to curl into a dark corner. The door was still closed to his room, and it looked like she'd kept it clean and dust-free, for the chance that he would show up again, though she hadn't known when he was gonna show his face again. Picking up a few logs in his arms, knealing infront of the fire and stacking them into the fireplace for her, the light shining.
Elijah: <C>
Elijah: Upon his face, illuminating it just a little bit. As the fire happily licked at the logs, and more light began to get casted around the room, she saw how pale he remained, though there was more color to his face than there had been before. Raised his blue eyes to her face and tilted his head. "You need to eat something. And you need to lay down." Pointing obviously at the couch and nodding his head to it. Once she sat down he covered up her legs and tucked them in, so her feet were covered, and she was toasty warm.
Unknown: Her silver hair was still forever long. Her face still had some of the beauty that it had when here before, but she had thinned and her face showed that she was still trying to get over her latest illness. Her lilac eyes watched him, something was painfully aware in her eyes which were red rimmed and had slight faint bags hanging from. She did not lay down, or move to eat anything... just watching for now. Her hands selfconsciously reaching for her hair and trying to make it seem more orderly than what it presently was. The pale gold and silver strands glittered, giving her back some of her former etheral glory. There were faint roses in her cheeks, showing she was still somewhat healthy. Always dressed in white, which her skin was very close to matching these days. <c>
Unknown: She dared not meet his eyes, staring down at the cover that was over her legs. "So... How have you been? Where have you been?" She did not come off rude, or aggressive... Her voice was more timid and quiet than anything.
Elijah: Took in everything of her that he could. How pale she was, the fact that she had bags under her eyes. Her clothes hang from her frame. Had she eaten anything in days? Maybe even weeks? She could survive, like he could, without touching a morsel of food. (What they ate was very differnet, but you get the point that I'm trying to make here) Enjoying the rosey circles that were her cheeks, showing some health that hadn't been robbed of her yet. She was still beautiful, despite the hardships that she'd had to endure, and the lack of eating, and probably, judging by the bags under her eyes, much sleep, as well. Shrugged his shoulders, wearing his jacket and his jeans, and his boots. He didn't look well off, and he took the time that the shrug gave him to think up a suitable, yet true.
Elijah: <C>
Elijah: answer. And what could he give her? Well, he'd still have to give the truth, whatever else he told her. "Everywhere. Looking for the other members of my family, and not finding very many of them around. Oh, I don't think they're gone-" Seeing the look of panic for him stretch across her eyes, "I think they're busy or just not around this area. And I've walked everywhere, trying to find a lot of them. It took me longer to get back here than expected. I wandered around the forest for a couple of weeks, looking for way to your cabin.. I'm sorry that I took so long." Adding that quietly while he stared at his hands. Hoping that she wouldn't be mad at him. And if she was, stay that way.
Unknown: She did what he didn't expect. She felt a warmth bubble up in her stomach, race up her throat and out of her mouth. Her lips parted and her hand flew to her mouth. She errupted in laughter. A warm flush spread over her cheeks as she looked at him with eyes that seemed to genuinly light up with something she did not have for the longest time- mirth. She leaned back on the couch, her chest rising and falling rapidly... She soon calmed and turned her head to look up into his eyes. "Why didn't you say something...? Send someone...? I could have found you. You only came here by accident in the first place." She seemed much happier that he wasn't away this whole time. He had made the effort to see her and that meant the world to her. Her cheeks blew up with a blush at this thought.
Elijah: "I don't think anyone could have found their way to your cabin but you, me, and anybody else you've let in. And I didn't trust anybody local around here to send the message to you." What if it'd put her in danger, and all because of him? Couldn't have bared that thought, so he forced himself to keep as much hope in the forest as he could, until he tracked down the path to her cabin. Which was as tricky to find, as it was to catch a baseball through a hoola-hoop. Smiled, though, at the sight of her cheeks blushed and full again, and the twinkle in her eyes. A knot of the worry that had been growing in his chest easing a little, at seeing her so content and care-free again. Maybe now she'd gain some weight and would look as good as she felt right now; very happy and, again, content. <C>
Elijah: Mautiausi, tired of being ignored, slithered out from the inside of Elijah's jacket sleeve, and onto her lap. He was longer than she last remembered, and had a healthy way about him. He was fed and cared for properly, and was flurishing because of it. Flickering his tongue out to Serena in greeting, curling up into a ball on the warmth of her legs. "Yeah, he missed you too." The pair of them dissolving into quiet snickers, though he wasn't sure why they were trying to whisper.
Unknown: She let a hand sneak out of her shawl and onto Mautiausi, very lightly patting the head. Her fingers were chilled, as all the heat was gathered in the core of her body. It was very hard for her to keep warm in the cool months and the wake of illness didn't make things easier for her. She gave Mautiausi a warm grin, something she rarely showed. "I understand... The locals have grown supersititous and more suspect by the day. It isn't that safe for me to wander into town these days. I'm glad you didn't send any of them here." She shook her head, as if shaking it would push a bad memory from mind. "Why don't you sit down? I promise I won't bite." She offered a smaller, softer smile this time, though she tried not to show how terribly lonely the past year had been without his company.
Elijah: Mautiausi lazily licked her fingers as they went down his long body, and closed his black eyes afterwards. He was tired from the long journey, though he hadn't shown or told this to Elijah; he'd gotten a little snippy towards the end of it. "They didn't seem to like me, but they seemed to dislike a direct bite from a Black Mamba even more. Maybe I should lend you Mautiausi the next time I have to go away." A feeble attempt at a joke, but you know, at least he was trying to lighten the mood. Seeing her eyes come back to life, her cheeks not so pale, with circles of rosey red in them, heartened him a little. Perching himself on the edge of the cushion, resting his hands politely in his lap. Mautiausi opening one eye and gazing with amusement at Elijah. Sitting back a little. <C>
Elijah: "You look like you're on an interview for a grubby tavern." Glaring at the snake for a fraction of a second, looking hopefully at her. "Are you okay? I knew I shouldn't have left. If it's okay with you.. I'll stay for a bit." Gingerly patting the top of her hand, and then squeezing it when she showed no signs of retracting her hand from his. "Do you want something to eat?" Searching for something to say, other than resort to his kindergarden-like greeting of, "Hi."
Unknown: Her cheeks flushed a darker shade of red, she turned her hand over so her palm was against his... Her long bony fingers squeezing his hand back. She looked dazed for a moment, a war going on in her mind as she couldn't believe she had just squeezed his hand. She shook herself out of her trance though, not meeting his eyes but choosing to look at his cheeks. "I'm fine... Honestly. I was ill." Her words seemed rather short, as she wasn't going to explain what had actually happened. It was a mess that she did not want to drag him into right now. He had just gotten home after all. Home? She was jumping ahead of herself again. Why was she so hot all of a sudden? A small frown worked its way across her lips, her hand moving from his grudgingly and to the knot at her chest, <C>
Unknown: She undid the knot and shrugged the shawl off. Her pale shoulders seemed to gleam in the firelight. The white nightgown she was wearing was, as always, a modest cut. She knew that she didn't look that impressive under the gown due to her weight loss, she hoped that maybe she could gain some of her figure back now that he was home again. There was that pesky word again, home. Her eyes widened with shock for a moment, why did her figure matter now? Oh, she must be feeling feverish tonight. She decided that she was feverish as this was not her normal character at all.
Elijah: "Must have been a hell of a cold." His eyes blinked in concern to her, but he knew better than to press the subject with her. She would be ready to talk eventually, when she figured out how to say what she wanted to say. And until then, it was best to be patient and let her come to him first, with what was on her mind. Trying to cheer her up, but it was hard, when he noticed how flushed she was getting. Not suspecting what was on her mind, because she'd never expressed these thoughts to him before, so he had no idea, really. Thinking that perhaps she was a little sicker than she was willing to let on about. "I'll be right back." Stood up and stepped over the coffee table next to her couch, and found his way easily in the dim light, that faded the further he went away from the fireplace. <C
Elijah: Mautiausi lifted his head and flicked his tongue in the direction of the kitchen he'd seen Elijah go in, and slid around in her lap to face her, his tongue gently lashing at the side of her hand, to bring her back to reality. Meanwhile Elijah was in the kitchen, getting things ready. Putting a pot of water on the stove, and after some fiddling with her matches, got the old wood stove in the kitchen going again. "I put on some water for soup and tea, then you're going to bed." Jumping over the coffee table and plopping down into the cushion he'd been sitting previously on, propping his boots up on the coffee table and rubbing an apple against his shirt. She knew he ate humans, but they never spoke of that. It was just one of those things better left unsaid, which they happily left alone. <C
Elijah: Offering her a bite of his apple, after it was polished.
Unknown: Her head jerked up, coming back to reality again. She blinked and took the offered apple, cradling it between her hands like a cherished object. She lifted it to her lips and took a rather large bite out of it. He knew she didn't normally eat with vigor, but it had been quite a while since she had eaten anything at all. She had lacked the will and the means to cook for herself for some amount of time, which in part led to her condition now. She chewed on the apple, a large smile working across her rosy lips. Both her hands still held the apple, her eyes admiring the way the firelight highlighed the reds and yellows. She turned to Elijah, though never meeting his eyes, "Thank you. I don't need to go to bed though... I am perfectly fine."
Elijah: "And I like to lay in the sunlight and tan." Raising his eyebrow, which had just gone down, though obviously not for long. Shook his head and pressed the apple into her hands for her to finish it all. He had it all worked out in his head by now: She was going to drink some tea, eat some chicken soup, and then she was going to bed. "Make sure she eats the whole thing, Mautiausi." The snake gave a small nod of its head, before he got up, and carried at least 4 armloads of wood into her room. Stirring the ashes in the fireplace in her room, that was off of the back of the stairs. Kindling a fire in there, laying some warm stones at the foot end of her bed, so her feet would be kept warm in the chilly night. Cold and heat didn't bother him that much, so she knew that he'd be fine. <C>
Elijah: In that little cupboard of his. Rubbing his hands together, holding them up infront of the fire. "Fire's going in your room. Eat it." Making her take another bite of the apple. Leaving the room only to check on the progress of the boiling water. Adding tea leaves to the cup of hot water, and spooning a few ladelfuls of chicken soup into the bowl he found in the cupboard. Put it all on a tray and carried it to the livingroom, depositing it on the coffee table beside her. "K. Eat."
Unknown: Her eyes grew wide with all the food in front of her. She looked up at him helplessly, "I really don't think I can eat all of this... This is a big apple." She eyed the apple for a moment and took another bite, working to finish it as he ordered. Her stomach already felt somewhat stretched and she was nearing exhaustion, though her mind wanted to deny as much. Digesting food was quite a task for her these days after all. She set the apple core aside, and took the cup of tea in her hands. Her eyes closed as a small smile of contentment settled on her lips. Her hands felt so cold and the cup was warm to the touch. She lifted the cup to her lips and took small slow sips, just letting the liquid warm her innards. Her eyes looking up, watching him when he was distracted.
Elijah: He seemed little changed to her eyes. Wasn't any taller than he had been the last time that they'd said goodbye to eachother. He really didn't seem that different, the sorrow that was in his eyes was there, that was at least one thing she'd grown used to seeing, that wasn't gone, and she knew would always be there. Her heart twisting a little with the thought. She knew his story, and he knew her's. She was really one of the few friends that he had, and probably the only friend that wasn't in his family. And she'd been awfully understanding about why he'd been gone for so long. "You don't have to eat it all. I'm not gonna force it down your throat, you know? I just want you to eat enough so that you go to bed with a fully tummy, and go to sleep in a warm bed, for once." Paused. <C>
Elijah: The pause itself feeling like it was stretching on twice as long as what it really was. "You're not mad at me being gone for so long, are you? 'Cause, you know, if you were, I'd completely understand. But I just had to come back, to see if you were okay, you know." You're sounding like a blabbering idiot. Frowning at himself, and looking up at her face and eyes eagerly, for reassurance.
Unknown: She shook her head slowly, a slight smile over her lips. A warm bed, for once. Her bed hadn't been warmed by anyone in ages, literally. She gave in a grin though, as she knew he didn't know the implications of his words. "I'm not angry... Whenever I travel I am always gone for long periods of time. I always lose myself somewhere along the way and have to find myself again. It's quite fine." She was very understanding of his absence. He had things to do, to take care of... and she could relate to that. She drank the rest of her tea, her eyes warily looking at her bowl of soup. There was no way she could eat that. A hand touched her stomach, which already felt stretched. "I can't eat any of the soup. I'm so sorry. My stomach already feels like it will burst."
Elijah: "I'll eat it." Shrugged and leaned over, taking the bowl from the coffee table and dipping the spoon into it. "A change of pace is nice. Human flesh isn't all it's cracked up to be." She was so used to him cracking jokes at what he ate that she just grinned at him in reply. Had never been afraid that she would pass judgement on him because of what he had to eat. He'd been raised by the Dark Lord, because he'd died a certain way, and this was how he lived his life now. It wasn't something he'd planned; it was something that had just.. happened, so to speak. "Just knock on my cupboard when the sun sets tomorrow and I'll fix you something else to eat, so you fill out some more." Couldn't recall a time where she'd woken him up in the daytime; she knew how sensative his eyes were to the light.
Elijah: <C>
Elijah: Could see best at dark, like it was daylight to humans, and went and hunted for most of their meat then. Mautiausi and him, at least. "Come on." Put down the bowl when he couldn't eat anymore, either, and grabbed a hold of her hand, leading her from the couch down the hall to her room, where the fire had been burning happily, and had warmed the room. Adding a few logs to the fire, and turning, to help her into bed. The rocks at the foot of her bed had made the bed nice and toasty warm, along with the nice blankets he'd found in the closet. Tucking her in nicely.
Elijah: Chewed his lip in thought, raising his eyes to the cabin in the middle of the woods. Somehow had found his way back here, after being away for nearly a year. But the person inside had expected that.. He'd warned her it would be a while before he made it back, if he came back at all, that was. And though he'd been sad to leave one of the only friends that he'd probably ever had, they both knew at the same time that he couldn't stay there forever.. He had things that he'd needed to be getting on with, at the moment. Things that couldn't wait anymore. Needed to get stronger and branch out a little bit with his powers, and considering he hated seeing her wince whenever he would use his powers, he couldn't get stronger without causing her some kind of pain. But back to his train of thought.
Elijah: That he'd just derailed himself from.. It was the dead of night, probably a little past midnight, but there was still a warm glow in the windows. Tentively raised his bare knuckle and knocked it softly on the door. Waited, but.. Nothing. Maybe he needed to knock a little louder. Rapping smartly on the door a second time, this time louder than before, so that the knock probably echoed through the entire cabin. Putting his hands behind his back and glancing to the shadows, where his Guardian Mautiausi was waiting for the okay to come out. That Elijah would give, once he knew Serena was still here.
Unknown: She coughed uneasily, hearing the loud rapping. She lifted her head from off the couch pillows... She lifted a pale bony hand to her face, rubbing her eyes to focus her vision. She had not been well these past few weeks. Waiting always wore her down, but the winter was especially harsh this year. She pulled a shawl around her shoulders, which seemed quite narrow now. She was always a thin woman, but these days were hard and it showed on her form. She really wasn't a woman meant to be left to herself too long. She clutched the shawl closer, bare feet padding across the floor and towards the door. She was worried, almost frightened, for no one called on her this late at night. No one called on her at all. <c>
Unknown: She held her shawl around her form with one hand and touched the cool doorknob with her other hand, turning and pulling the door open. The heavy door protested with a loud whine, but she figured if whatever it was on one side knocked twice... Well whoever it was wasn't about to go away. Her eyes squinted for the darkness didn't allow her to see the figure, as the firelight was dim and it was a new moon.
Elijah: "Hi." There was an awkward pause there, during which he could disappear into the ground and never surface again. Hi. What a stupid thing to say, to somebody you hadn't seen in over a year. It sounded so childish. Like he was about 5-years-old. Biting his front teeth into the bottom lip, and shoving his hands into his pockets. His voice quiet, speaking to Mautiausi across their telepathic link. "It's okay, you can come out. It's just Serena, like I thought." Having said that to Mautiausi, it was probably best to let the pale and thin Serena infront of him know who it was, considering she was squinting and waiting for her eyes to adjust to the dimness of the light. (Not that there'd been much in there to begin with. But it was still light, either way) "It's just me, Elijah."
Elijah: <C>
Elijah: "I, uh.. wanted to see you again. And you seem really thin and pale again, so I guess I came in time.. I can stay for a while if you like.." Changing that automatically to, "If you want me to." Another pause. Another awkward pause. "It's kind of cold out here.. Not that I mind, but.. you're shivering again." Pointing it out as politely he could, but waiting until she invited him in to step over the threshold. His manners hadn't left him, even if he wasn't technically alive anymore.
Unknown: "O-Oh... I'm sorry." She stepped away from the door, letting him inside with her. She bit on her lower lip, but soon stopped realizing that she was biting very hard and it was quite painful. She stepped back a little further, letting him inside. She didn't even look at him, feeling ashamed she had fallen ill and had gotten so thin. Thin and pale again. She shook her head as that repeated in her head over and over. She felt like the five year old who couldn't even take care of herself... She padded over to the couch again but soon realized the warmth of the fire was dying. She tied the corners of her shawl in front of her and used both hands to load wood into the fire. She avoided his gaze, hoping he would shut the door... and then sit in the light where she could properly see him.
Elijah: "Mautiausi, inside." She hadn't minded the snake in the past. Before he'd left the first time, the snake had taken to laying at the foot of her bed and sleeping with her, instead of him, which he hadn't minded. His room was the crawlspace under the stairs, the room she'd used for storage but had helped him clean out and let him use as a bedroom, because of the fact that he couldn't stand the sunlight. It hurt his eyes and made him want to curl into a dark corner. The door was still closed to his room, and it looked like she'd kept it clean and dust-free, for the chance that he would show up again, though she hadn't known when he was gonna show his face again. Picking up a few logs in his arms, knealing infront of the fire and stacking them into the fireplace for her, the light shining.
Elijah: <C>
Elijah: Upon his face, illuminating it just a little bit. As the fire happily licked at the logs, and more light began to get casted around the room, she saw how pale he remained, though there was more color to his face than there had been before. Raised his blue eyes to her face and tilted his head. "You need to eat something. And you need to lay down." Pointing obviously at the couch and nodding his head to it. Once she sat down he covered up her legs and tucked them in, so her feet were covered, and she was toasty warm.
Unknown: Her silver hair was still forever long. Her face still had some of the beauty that it had when here before, but she had thinned and her face showed that she was still trying to get over her latest illness. Her lilac eyes watched him, something was painfully aware in her eyes which were red rimmed and had slight faint bags hanging from. She did not lay down, or move to eat anything... just watching for now. Her hands selfconsciously reaching for her hair and trying to make it seem more orderly than what it presently was. The pale gold and silver strands glittered, giving her back some of her former etheral glory. There were faint roses in her cheeks, showing she was still somewhat healthy. Always dressed in white, which her skin was very close to matching these days. <c>
Unknown: She dared not meet his eyes, staring down at the cover that was over her legs. "So... How have you been? Where have you been?" She did not come off rude, or aggressive... Her voice was more timid and quiet than anything.
Elijah: Took in everything of her that he could. How pale she was, the fact that she had bags under her eyes. Her clothes hang from her frame. Had she eaten anything in days? Maybe even weeks? She could survive, like he could, without touching a morsel of food. (What they ate was very differnet, but you get the point that I'm trying to make here) Enjoying the rosey circles that were her cheeks, showing some health that hadn't been robbed of her yet. She was still beautiful, despite the hardships that she'd had to endure, and the lack of eating, and probably, judging by the bags under her eyes, much sleep, as well. Shrugged his shoulders, wearing his jacket and his jeans, and his boots. He didn't look well off, and he took the time that the shrug gave him to think up a suitable, yet true.
Elijah: <C>
Elijah: answer. And what could he give her? Well, he'd still have to give the truth, whatever else he told her. "Everywhere. Looking for the other members of my family, and not finding very many of them around. Oh, I don't think they're gone-" Seeing the look of panic for him stretch across her eyes, "I think they're busy or just not around this area. And I've walked everywhere, trying to find a lot of them. It took me longer to get back here than expected. I wandered around the forest for a couple of weeks, looking for way to your cabin.. I'm sorry that I took so long." Adding that quietly while he stared at his hands. Hoping that she wouldn't be mad at him. And if she was, stay that way.
Unknown: She did what he didn't expect. She felt a warmth bubble up in her stomach, race up her throat and out of her mouth. Her lips parted and her hand flew to her mouth. She errupted in laughter. A warm flush spread over her cheeks as she looked at him with eyes that seemed to genuinly light up with something she did not have for the longest time- mirth. She leaned back on the couch, her chest rising and falling rapidly... She soon calmed and turned her head to look up into his eyes. "Why didn't you say something...? Send someone...? I could have found you. You only came here by accident in the first place." She seemed much happier that he wasn't away this whole time. He had made the effort to see her and that meant the world to her. Her cheeks blew up with a blush at this thought.
Elijah: "I don't think anyone could have found their way to your cabin but you, me, and anybody else you've let in. And I didn't trust anybody local around here to send the message to you." What if it'd put her in danger, and all because of him? Couldn't have bared that thought, so he forced himself to keep as much hope in the forest as he could, until he tracked down the path to her cabin. Which was as tricky to find, as it was to catch a baseball through a hoola-hoop. Smiled, though, at the sight of her cheeks blushed and full again, and the twinkle in her eyes. A knot of the worry that had been growing in his chest easing a little, at seeing her so content and care-free again. Maybe now she'd gain some weight and would look as good as she felt right now; very happy and, again, content. <C>
Elijah: Mautiausi, tired of being ignored, slithered out from the inside of Elijah's jacket sleeve, and onto her lap. He was longer than she last remembered, and had a healthy way about him. He was fed and cared for properly, and was flurishing because of it. Flickering his tongue out to Serena in greeting, curling up into a ball on the warmth of her legs. "Yeah, he missed you too." The pair of them dissolving into quiet snickers, though he wasn't sure why they were trying to whisper.
Unknown: She let a hand sneak out of her shawl and onto Mautiausi, very lightly patting the head. Her fingers were chilled, as all the heat was gathered in the core of her body. It was very hard for her to keep warm in the cool months and the wake of illness didn't make things easier for her. She gave Mautiausi a warm grin, something she rarely showed. "I understand... The locals have grown supersititous and more suspect by the day. It isn't that safe for me to wander into town these days. I'm glad you didn't send any of them here." She shook her head, as if shaking it would push a bad memory from mind. "Why don't you sit down? I promise I won't bite." She offered a smaller, softer smile this time, though she tried not to show how terribly lonely the past year had been without his company.
Elijah: Mautiausi lazily licked her fingers as they went down his long body, and closed his black eyes afterwards. He was tired from the long journey, though he hadn't shown or told this to Elijah; he'd gotten a little snippy towards the end of it. "They didn't seem to like me, but they seemed to dislike a direct bite from a Black Mamba even more. Maybe I should lend you Mautiausi the next time I have to go away." A feeble attempt at a joke, but you know, at least he was trying to lighten the mood. Seeing her eyes come back to life, her cheeks not so pale, with circles of rosey red in them, heartened him a little. Perching himself on the edge of the cushion, resting his hands politely in his lap. Mautiausi opening one eye and gazing with amusement at Elijah. Sitting back a little. <C>
Elijah: "You look like you're on an interview for a grubby tavern." Glaring at the snake for a fraction of a second, looking hopefully at her. "Are you okay? I knew I shouldn't have left. If it's okay with you.. I'll stay for a bit." Gingerly patting the top of her hand, and then squeezing it when she showed no signs of retracting her hand from his. "Do you want something to eat?" Searching for something to say, other than resort to his kindergarden-like greeting of, "Hi."
Unknown: Her cheeks flushed a darker shade of red, she turned her hand over so her palm was against his... Her long bony fingers squeezing his hand back. She looked dazed for a moment, a war going on in her mind as she couldn't believe she had just squeezed his hand. She shook herself out of her trance though, not meeting his eyes but choosing to look at his cheeks. "I'm fine... Honestly. I was ill." Her words seemed rather short, as she wasn't going to explain what had actually happened. It was a mess that she did not want to drag him into right now. He had just gotten home after all. Home? She was jumping ahead of herself again. Why was she so hot all of a sudden? A small frown worked its way across her lips, her hand moving from his grudgingly and to the knot at her chest, <C>
Unknown: She undid the knot and shrugged the shawl off. Her pale shoulders seemed to gleam in the firelight. The white nightgown she was wearing was, as always, a modest cut. She knew that she didn't look that impressive under the gown due to her weight loss, she hoped that maybe she could gain some of her figure back now that he was home again. There was that pesky word again, home. Her eyes widened with shock for a moment, why did her figure matter now? Oh, she must be feeling feverish tonight. She decided that she was feverish as this was not her normal character at all.
Elijah: "Must have been a hell of a cold." His eyes blinked in concern to her, but he knew better than to press the subject with her. She would be ready to talk eventually, when she figured out how to say what she wanted to say. And until then, it was best to be patient and let her come to him first, with what was on her mind. Trying to cheer her up, but it was hard, when he noticed how flushed she was getting. Not suspecting what was on her mind, because she'd never expressed these thoughts to him before, so he had no idea, really. Thinking that perhaps she was a little sicker than she was willing to let on about. "I'll be right back." Stood up and stepped over the coffee table next to her couch, and found his way easily in the dim light, that faded the further he went away from the fireplace. <C
Elijah: Mautiausi lifted his head and flicked his tongue in the direction of the kitchen he'd seen Elijah go in, and slid around in her lap to face her, his tongue gently lashing at the side of her hand, to bring her back to reality. Meanwhile Elijah was in the kitchen, getting things ready. Putting a pot of water on the stove, and after some fiddling with her matches, got the old wood stove in the kitchen going again. "I put on some water for soup and tea, then you're going to bed." Jumping over the coffee table and plopping down into the cushion he'd been sitting previously on, propping his boots up on the coffee table and rubbing an apple against his shirt. She knew he ate humans, but they never spoke of that. It was just one of those things better left unsaid, which they happily left alone. <C
Elijah: Offering her a bite of his apple, after it was polished.
Unknown: Her head jerked up, coming back to reality again. She blinked and took the offered apple, cradling it between her hands like a cherished object. She lifted it to her lips and took a rather large bite out of it. He knew she didn't normally eat with vigor, but it had been quite a while since she had eaten anything at all. She had lacked the will and the means to cook for herself for some amount of time, which in part led to her condition now. She chewed on the apple, a large smile working across her rosy lips. Both her hands still held the apple, her eyes admiring the way the firelight highlighed the reds and yellows. She turned to Elijah, though never meeting his eyes, "Thank you. I don't need to go to bed though... I am perfectly fine."
Elijah: "And I like to lay in the sunlight and tan." Raising his eyebrow, which had just gone down, though obviously not for long. Shook his head and pressed the apple into her hands for her to finish it all. He had it all worked out in his head by now: She was going to drink some tea, eat some chicken soup, and then she was going to bed. "Make sure she eats the whole thing, Mautiausi." The snake gave a small nod of its head, before he got up, and carried at least 4 armloads of wood into her room. Stirring the ashes in the fireplace in her room, that was off of the back of the stairs. Kindling a fire in there, laying some warm stones at the foot end of her bed, so her feet would be kept warm in the chilly night. Cold and heat didn't bother him that much, so she knew that he'd be fine. <C>
Elijah: In that little cupboard of his. Rubbing his hands together, holding them up infront of the fire. "Fire's going in your room. Eat it." Making her take another bite of the apple. Leaving the room only to check on the progress of the boiling water. Adding tea leaves to the cup of hot water, and spooning a few ladelfuls of chicken soup into the bowl he found in the cupboard. Put it all on a tray and carried it to the livingroom, depositing it on the coffee table beside her. "K. Eat."
Unknown: Her eyes grew wide with all the food in front of her. She looked up at him helplessly, "I really don't think I can eat all of this... This is a big apple." She eyed the apple for a moment and took another bite, working to finish it as he ordered. Her stomach already felt somewhat stretched and she was nearing exhaustion, though her mind wanted to deny as much. Digesting food was quite a task for her these days after all. She set the apple core aside, and took the cup of tea in her hands. Her eyes closed as a small smile of contentment settled on her lips. Her hands felt so cold and the cup was warm to the touch. She lifted the cup to her lips and took small slow sips, just letting the liquid warm her innards. Her eyes looking up, watching him when he was distracted.
Elijah: He seemed little changed to her eyes. Wasn't any taller than he had been the last time that they'd said goodbye to eachother. He really didn't seem that different, the sorrow that was in his eyes was there, that was at least one thing she'd grown used to seeing, that wasn't gone, and she knew would always be there. Her heart twisting a little with the thought. She knew his story, and he knew her's. She was really one of the few friends that he had, and probably the only friend that wasn't in his family. And she'd been awfully understanding about why he'd been gone for so long. "You don't have to eat it all. I'm not gonna force it down your throat, you know? I just want you to eat enough so that you go to bed with a fully tummy, and go to sleep in a warm bed, for once." Paused. <C>
Elijah: The pause itself feeling like it was stretching on twice as long as what it really was. "You're not mad at me being gone for so long, are you? 'Cause, you know, if you were, I'd completely understand. But I just had to come back, to see if you were okay, you know." You're sounding like a blabbering idiot. Frowning at himself, and looking up at her face and eyes eagerly, for reassurance.
Unknown: She shook her head slowly, a slight smile over her lips. A warm bed, for once. Her bed hadn't been warmed by anyone in ages, literally. She gave in a grin though, as she knew he didn't know the implications of his words. "I'm not angry... Whenever I travel I am always gone for long periods of time. I always lose myself somewhere along the way and have to find myself again. It's quite fine." She was very understanding of his absence. He had things to do, to take care of... and she could relate to that. She drank the rest of her tea, her eyes warily looking at her bowl of soup. There was no way she could eat that. A hand touched her stomach, which already felt stretched. "I can't eat any of the soup. I'm so sorry. My stomach already feels like it will burst."
Elijah: "I'll eat it." Shrugged and leaned over, taking the bowl from the coffee table and dipping the spoon into it. "A change of pace is nice. Human flesh isn't all it's cracked up to be." She was so used to him cracking jokes at what he ate that she just grinned at him in reply. Had never been afraid that she would pass judgement on him because of what he had to eat. He'd been raised by the Dark Lord, because he'd died a certain way, and this was how he lived his life now. It wasn't something he'd planned; it was something that had just.. happened, so to speak. "Just knock on my cupboard when the sun sets tomorrow and I'll fix you something else to eat, so you fill out some more." Couldn't recall a time where she'd woken him up in the daytime; she knew how sensative his eyes were to the light.
Elijah: <C>
Elijah: Could see best at dark, like it was daylight to humans, and went and hunted for most of their meat then. Mautiausi and him, at least. "Come on." Put down the bowl when he couldn't eat anymore, either, and grabbed a hold of her hand, leading her from the couch down the hall to her room, where the fire had been burning happily, and had warmed the room. Adding a few logs to the fire, and turning, to help her into bed. The rocks at the foot of her bed had made the bed nice and toasty warm, along with the nice blankets he'd found in the closet. Tucking her in nicely.