Finally "home"

[Lucia Drusa Severa]

Please don't... I can't die... I don't want to die.
The plea entered her mind quietly, going unnoticed at first. There were far more important matters at hand at the moment.

Lucia could feel her heart pounding in her chest and head as she slowly drained the life out of the Werewolf beneath her. Somehow, Pablo's struggles and whimpers to keep her at bay only made his blood taste that much sweeter, and the corners of her lips lifted slightly in an awkward grin. She tightened her grip ever so slightly on the wolf's hair, running her fingertips over his scalp, and placed her other hand on his chest, below his wound, holding him still. The Hybrid could honestly say she'd never felt anything like this before; the unfamiliarity with the sensations, however, was not enough to make her want to stop. Never before had feeding given her such energy and life, and never before had she felt so close to the being she was feeding off of.

Please don't...
There it was again. The cry was more prominent now, itching at a part of Lucia she'd always associated with anger and passion. However, she didn't want anyone talking to her mind; she'd purposefully tried closing off her mind to the probings of others, especially Szandor's. Her initial reaction to the intrusion was hostile, and a low growl came from the back of the girl's throat, threatening and hateful. Yet Lucia already had the young man in her jaws, his struggling had proved for naught and his blood was depleting; there wasn't much else she could threaten to do or take away from him. In truth, she wasn't angry with the Werewolf for trying to reach into her mind, she was frustrated that the connection was interrupting the sheer pleasure she was getting from this contact.

Alena's daughter could hear the plea in her mind again, feel it searching for something within to connect to, until it finally hit home. He doesn't want to die... I wanted to keep him. Oh gods, I'm killing him. The realization hit her suddenly and harder than she was expecting. She exhaled, a soft moan escaping; she still wanted more, but knew that taking more would mean Pablo's death. She didn't want that.

After a concentrated moment, Lucia forced herself to stop taking in the Werewolf's blood. A moment after that, she pulled her fangs carefully from Pablo's neck; a sudden, quiet feeling of sadness over-coming the girl though the act of releasing the grip on his neck was almost as satisfying as taking his blood had been. Softly, she licked up the drops of blood that bubbled up from the four puncture points her teeth had left until the wounds themselves healed. Only then did she release her fingers from the young man's hair and sit back on her knees. Licking her lips, Lucia looked Pablo over, slightly out of breath. The haze had retreated from the Hybrid's eyes, and the color returned to their crisp crimson hue. The Werewolf's own color had paled significantly, though it appeared as if the wound in his chest had healed considerably, and Lucia could feel him desperately cling to the life she'd left in him. Sudden shame rose from the part that had consented to letting Pablo live, and Lucia covered her mouth with one hand, "I... I am so sorry. I had not meant to..." To drink so much. She could not find it in herself to finish the sentence. Why had that felt so... good?

[Pablo]

Over and over Pablo sent out the mental message. The end was near, as he loss more blood the lights in the room grew brighter. Accepting his fate the lycan closed eyes expecting the comfort of death to overcome him. It never did though as the loss of blood came to a sudden end. A few seconds later he felt the teeth pull out of his necks. Exasperated he took in a deep breath and opened his eyes. Though was it over? She continued to lick his wounds until he healed, throughout the entire time Pablo stayed very still. To not make matters any better she hovered over him. Was she going to jump right back in? The thought was torturous. Every second was another opportunity for her. He kept his eyes locked on her until she finally pulled away. It was met with a sigh of relief he let slip out of his mouth. He relaxed his shoulders, finally letting his body go limp.

It brought no comfort though, as the ecstatic feeling of her bite was replaced by pain across his entire body. Nearly every inch of his body was bruised, not to mention that his face was exploding in pain. Aside of the pain, he felt a variety of emotions, all of which he managed to bury. Ow.... I nearly forgot I got my ass kicked. He reminded himself. Certainly the hybrid bite had everything to do with that. Yet he believed he would always chose this painful existence over a pleasurable death. Typical vampire behavior, always turning themselves into the victim. I'm so sorry that my blood taste so good. Those were the words he wanted to say to her, but the chance at sass wasn't worth angering the lycan. It sucked terribly knowing he was at the mercy of a part-vampire. Stop acting like this is the first time you've been a vampire's prisoner. You can't let her think you're weak. He slightly nodded his head in agreement with his internal monologue. Summoning what strength he had left, Pablo lifted up his hands and grabbed onto the chains. Despite the burning sensation he pulled himself to an upright position, before resting his back against the wall. Struggling to keep his head up Pablo spoke. "It wasn't that bad." His was weak and raspy. "So where am I? And what does a man need to do to get some water around here?" Those were the last words he would be able to manage for quite a bit.



Dane had gone to his room and straight to the computer by his bed. After a couple minutes of waiting and tinkering he pulled up a view of Lucia's room on his computer screen. A perfect view of his two prisoners, it's what thinking ahead of time and hidden cameras could do for a vampire. He then watched with great interest the events that transpired in the room over. It was quite impressive how she managed to stop herself mid-feed, there were few vampires that had this control. This was something that not many souls; damned or not ever got to witness. A hybrid feeding on anything alone was a rare scene, but on another creature of the night made it only that much more special. Had she fallen into a frenzy? Though he couldn't say for certain without a view of her eyes, the boy's face said plenty. Dane could see in Pablo's eyes that the lycan had come to grips with dying. It took much for a lycan to get to that point, especially one of his renown. He continued to watch their behavior, while also contemplating how he could take advantage of this new development.

[Lucia Drusa Severa]

It took a great deal of will not to openly grin at Pablo's assertion that the draining of his blood 'wasn't that bad.' She knew it hadn't been bad, for her at least. Still, she said nothing against his claim, and flicked her long hair behind a shoulder as the Werewolf struggled to speak.

The Hybrid remained kneeling in front of Pablo as she considered his first question and what to tell him. She couldn't see much immediate, direct harm in being honest and telling the man exactly where he was; there were likely not any other Werewolves around to reach out to mentally for kilometers. That being thought, part of her consideration in being honest, she suspected, was still influenced by the man's cry to her empathy, and was probably not the best course of action. Though it didn't seem as if Pablo was entirely himself and attentive at the moment, Lucia kept her face a trained neutral as she debated amongst herself on how to handle his question. Despite Pablo's current state, there were probably already a few things the Werewolf had deduced about his current location. The smell for one, was not something easily ignored. Going from a Werewolf dominated habitat to a Vampire dominated habitat was taking it to extremes. There was definitely a difference; and it didn't matter where she was anymore, whether one haven or the other, Lucia could always tell that she stuck out. Neither race smelled particularly horrid to the Hybrid, but ever since her first transformation, it had become clear that her smell was different, and that others would mark her as different, often unwelcome.

Mentally, Lucia shook herself out of such thoughts, and rested her gaze firmly on Pablo. She licked her lips, searching for any remnants of his blood, and then spoke, "You are amongst many enemies, but you are in my care." Pausing briefly, Lucia smiled inwardly at what she'd just said. My 'care'. She watched his expression solemnly, and added, openly admitting for the first time in years to anyone about her race, "I brought you with me because I wanted to have both sides satisfied. There are many Vampires around, but I wanted a wolf with me as well." After a pause, Lucia stood gracefully, dusting off her dress, and turned on the ball of her bare foot, leaving the cell and closing the door a crack behind her.

Out in her father's room, Lucia looked around for something suitable that could be used for Pablo's water, finally finding a clay bowl she had made almost a decade ago sitting on the bottom shelf on the stand by the bed. In the adjoining bathroom, Lucia cleaned the bowl of dust and filled it high with fresh water. She'd have to go hunting for meat later. Opening the cell door with one foot, Lucia approached Pablo and set the bowl of water down within his reach. The girl smiled pleasantly at her pet, baring her teeth in a grin, "Make yourself comfortable."

There was more she wanted to do to play, but figured Pablo should heal a little more. Leaving the cell once again, Lucia closed and fastened the door shut. Resting her back against the cold barrier, she looked around her father's old room. The memories came flooding back, but Lucia's mind felt somewhat more sound since feeding off the Werewolf, and she managed to keep most of her composure. Everything appeared as Lucia remembered seeing it six years ago. Of course, she wasn't likely to recall every little detail from that long ago, but enough was the same that Lucia felt completely safe and welcome; at least in this room. Gliding over toward the bed, Lucia grabbed one corner of the sheet, fingering it absent-mindedly as she physically held herself back from flopping face forward onto the blankets in tears. Satan, how long would it take being here for her to get it through her thick skull that Daddy wasn't coming back, even though she was home again?

After what felt like forever, Lucia pulled herself away from the bed, away from her father's hypnotic scent, and moved over to the outside wall where an old piano had been set up for as long as the girl could remember. Carefully, the Hybrid slid into the wooden bench and rested her dainty fingers on the stained ivory keys, pressing down lightly on the C chords. The piano proved to be terribly out of tune, but that did not stop Lucia from plucking subconsciously at the keys as the night wore on.

[Pablo]

In her care? Was that some kind of joke? If so it was only a little funny, more than anything it was making the lycan angry. Though he couldn't let Lucia know that. "Sounds pleasant." He smiled weakly. Maybe that was to aggressive and not enough passive. Pablo noted to watch his words more carefully. There were many things he wanted to say that he filtered out. As Lucia continued to speak the list just piled on. "Can't say that doesn't make sense." Despite it coming out weakly as spoke as if carrying out casual conversation. He rolled his eyes as Lucia made her elegant exit. The lycan flinched slightly at the loud crack. He needed to get out and immediately was the time to start planning. So what did he know? His captor was a hybrid, Alena's daughter and possibly also the former vampire king's; if the rumors were true, oh and judging from the scent he was in bat country. He shook an arm weakly rattling the chain. The less he moved the less they burned, they also seemed rather sturdy. But perhaps a lycan transformation could fix that. Not that he could transform now, he was too weak, and there was far too much blood loss. It could and would probably kill him.

So what was there to do now? Learn more about his captor? As Lucia re-entered the cage the last thing he wanted to do was talk to her more. To be honest there was no body he hated more right now. A vampire's bite was vile and sick, a hybrid's could not be that much better. He ignored her for the most part, simply nodding his head as she spoke. Pablo would gather his information in time. There was a short moment of him waiting for Lucia to leave before he desperately reached for the water and began gulping it down. It was cool, soothing, but only temporarily. His head burnt with a fever, he felt light headed, his body ached, and the chains were continuously burning. How was he supposed to sleep like this? Yet despite that question and that discomfort, Pablo found himself half-balled up snoring lightly in the corner of the cell.


Strangely satisfied with the events that transpired Dane stood up and out of his chair. There was certainly at least one troubled youngling in that room, perhaps he could find himself with another? The lycan could prove to be instrumental in his future plans. With the final scene being Lucia pathetically sitting on the bed for some time Dane shut off the computer. He would go speak to her soon, but there were a few things that needed attending to. So many vampires that needed him, so little time. The Vampire King made his exit through the window a trail of bats followed as he moved throughout the forest and into the city.

Some few hours later Dane returned to the mansion. He entered the same way he left, through the windows in his room. With his lips covered with blood the vampire made his way to Lucia's room. Before entering he licked the last of the blood of. He knocked once, warning Lucia that she was entering. However, judging from the piano playing, she was probably not doing anything to private. Inviting himself in Dane opened the door. "I see you're still playing piano." He entered the room smiling kindly. "I was going to offer you food, but I can see... or rather smell that you already helped yourself." The vampire sniffled his nose lightly at the scent of lycan blood. Slowly he made his way to the cell before peeking inside. "I can see he's still alive, that's good I guess." He turned to face Lucia. "How are you settling in?"

[Lucia Drusa Severa]

Dane's footfalls were light and unnoticeable as the new Vampire King approached her room. For hours, Lucia had been sitting, playing at the piano, eyes closed, just listening to the sounds of the mansion, trying to re-accustom herself with every sound; trying to guess where each pair of footsteps were going to. It was surprising just how much the Hybrid could hear through the stone walls, and it didn't take long for Lucia to associate a creak over in one direction as meaning someone was going down to the lobby, and footsteps over in another direction meant that someone was probably heading outside from the back of the mansion.

The girl opened her eyes as Dane knocked on her door, but did not stop playing. Though grossly out of tune, the song Nocturne by Frederic Chopin was recognizable as Lucia's fingers deftly stroked the piano keys. The easy, happy-go-lucky tune distorted slightly on the particularly high notes, making the piece sound like some sort of twisted carnival version of the Romantic time period song; yet somehow Lucia would not have had it any other way. The bastardization of the song felt natural and comfortable for her mood, and as the girl reached the end of the song where the notes danced quickly back and forth to a final end, the off-key balance stood especially pronounced and wicked on the very last defiant note. Chopin was perhaps turning over in his grave at the amateur performance that just occurred, but Lucia smiled softly with great satisfaction; sometimes the imperfections made things even more valuable and perfect than the strict, rigid rules they were meant for. Finishing the song in Dane's presence put Lucia in a strange zen, and she turned to face the Vampire calmly, smiling happily, surprised and glad that he remembered she played.

Getting up from the piano bench, Lucia stood to meet the Vampire who'd brought her home, her hands clasped behind her back. For a moment, shame resurfaced in the girl's mind as Dane mentioned he could tell she fed, but her facade remained calm and she tried to stifle the nagging voice in her mind. Raven had told her to never feel ashamed of her desires and who she was. Now that she'd tasted Werewolf blood, she did not envy Dane his meal of Human, fresh or not. "He may be feeling better if you wanted to have a taste, yourself." Her offer was more to be polite, she could see Dane's distaste at the Werewolf's stench in his eyes and in the subtle way his lip curled as he entered the room.

"It feels good to be home again." Lucia smiled softly at Dane, deciding to be frank with the man. Though painful, this was the happiness the girl had been in years. "I would like to pick up some clothes tomorrow evening, but this is perfect. I will be able to settle in just fine." The Hybrid walked over to Dane, looking to the ground briefly before admitting, "I never wanted to leave here. I suppose it was best that I was gone at the time, but I never wanted to go back to... Sweden." Lucia had no real quarrel with her mother, so she chose to say 'Sweden' instead. Living as strictly a night-walker among a building full of Werewolves who were on the go 24/7, it was difficult to handle, to live like that. The girl hesitated for only a moment, "Thank you, Dane, for bringing me home." Lucia wrapped her arms tight around the Vampire King in a hug, falling into him.

[Dane]

As she mentioned the lycan Dane looked into the cell again. "No thank you, he's not my type. Besides, it does look like he could use some more rest. He appears to be rather pale." As if that had ever stopped him before. "Though I do see the improvement." The gash in the lycan's chest had completely healed, it was only a scar now; a reminder of what it was once. In time thought it would fade away, just like the teeth mark on his neck. "I don't mean to intrude, but may I ask if he's spoken much?" The vampire turned away from the cell. "After all, he may not be your enemy but he is mine. Any help in the war would be appreciated, in fact, if you would allow it. I'd love to poke and prod his mind a bit, not literally of course." If it wasn't for the present company Dane would have a vile smirk across his face. He had an image to maintain, that of a not extremely twisted vampire. A surprising amount of effort went into not allowing himself to appear insane. All though to him, he was the only one who saw and thought clearly. Maybe he was twisted; it was at least what others would call it. Oh well, it wasn't his fault he was able to think on a higher level of thought than anybody else.

This was the perfect example. She 'missed' her home. The concept alone was sickening, a sign of weakness and if had any real respect for Lucia; she would have lost plenty right there. Becoming so attached to something that it's lack of presence could control influence your emotions? Now that was crazy. Of course he didn't let her know that, instead he stayed smiling. "Trust me, I know the feeling. There's nothing like being home." Talking out of his ass was surprisingly easily, though to be fair, getting through a thousand years of non-life meant you had to be good at lying; lying gets you what you want and keeps you alive. "Maybe you should find some for the boy as well." Most lycans were use to nakedness, Lucia didn't seem to mind. But he wasn't a lycan and preferred that most of his prisoners wore clothing at all times. That is unless he wanted to degrade them... and for a lycan there was nothing worse than being chained to a wall.

"I have good news for you. You never have to go anywhere ... you never did. Go wherever you want whenever you want.” It was then she hugged him and to his own surprise the vampire flinched slightly. Not because he found the hug warm or affectionate even if it was her intention. He very much wanted to shove her off him. She’d caught him slightly off guard, a hug save for the type Pablo gave him not a day ago was one of the few things he wasn’t prepared for. Not many people have tried hugging this vampire king, not many had ever wanted to. He let her hold him for a short while before slowly and gently removing her arms from around him. “Don’t thank me yet, there’s one thing I” He paused. “we need to do in memory of your father. However, first you need to prepare. Find a sparring partner and train… when you’re ready we’ll complete the task. We can talk about the matter late, I have a few things that need to be seen done. I’ll see you tonight.” He said before leaving again. Surly she more than anybody understood how busy a vampire king could be.”
Dane made a beeline straight to his second in command’s room and began knocking heavily. “Wake up Ahmad, we need to speak.” He said in a loud demanding voice. It was followed by another series of impatient knocks. “You’ve slept plenty for one lifetime; get your ass out here.” That latter was added in a lighter tone.

[Lucia Drusa Severa]

There was a brief moment's hesitation after Dane asked if her pet had spoken much, but finally she answered, "He has not said much with any weight. He seems fond of making quips." The Hybrid stiffened slightly as Dane asked about speaking with Pablo, something about the request made her feel a little edgy. Her initial reaction was to get defensive, though Lucia couldn't exactly pinpoint why other than perhaps she'd grown more fond of her Werewolf heritage in the time since returning to Alena than she'd imagined. That Dane was asking for her blessing to go ahead with his questioning, however, made Lucia feel in charge of the situation, and her initial discomfort faded into the background of her mind. She was actually interested in learning more about her new charge, herself. Alena had mentioned that a Pablo would be arriving in Rome to take the reins of the Den from her, and Dane had called the man Pablo when they were in Rome earlier. He had already shown great feats of strength in his conflict with Dane, even though he'd fallen in the end; but he must also have been valuable to her mother. It was almost a surprise Lucia had never been formally introduced to the Werewolf before.

"I do not mind you interrogating him at all, yet... Do you really think you will be able to get anything out of him?" The question wasn't meant to be rude; Lucia just wondered how much the Werewolf would reveal, true or not, no matter what means of questioning were used. "Please do not hurt him unduly. I am most interested in what the Werewolf has to say as well."

Lucia did not notice Dane's flinch as she moved quickly in for her hug, but savored it, feeling quite connected with the Vampire. As soon as Dane mentioned having one last thing to do to avenge her father's murder, Lucia immediately put on a serious face. Victor. It was clearly the only explanation, and she was glad. Lucia had spent six years hating the Vampire and pouring that hate into physical training, imagining various ways she could kill him and what it would finally feel like in that moment. To look in his eyes as he accepted death at the hands of a girl, the daughter of the master he betrayed. She'd waited years for this, and listened gravely to what Dane told her, nodding when he mentioned she should find a sparring partner to work with. Lucia assented again with a small, curt nod as Dane dismissed himself, "Have a good morning, Dane." She, in fact, knew full well how busy the position of Vampire King was. The fact that Dane had taken the time of night to track down Lucia in Rome and bring her back to London, itself, spoke volumes and made the Hybrid feel incredibly important the new King. She felt whole here, and that she mattered. Dane had done all of this to accommodate her and make her feel welcome once again in the Vampire mansion. Dane had bothered to come and bring her home, when Lucia knew full well that Szandor would have arrived soon after Pablo to bring her back to Alena. Not even her own mother would take the time to personally see to Lucia's safe return.

Locking the door to her room as Dane left, Lucia took one last peak into the cell at Pablo, watching him for a moment. She walked to the adjoined bathroom and disrobed, starting the water for a hot bath. The night had been long, and Lucia was finally starting to feel the exhaustion hit her. So many things had happened, good and bad, but the end had been good, so that justified that deaths of the Werewolves to the girl. She was home now, for good; she could do as she pleased. Scrubbing vigorously to get the smell of dog off her, Lucia lounged in the tub for a good half an hour before drying off and heading to bed. The sun would be rising soon, but such thoughts were of no concern now: most of the mansion would be feeling the lethargy that came with daylight coming upon them; she would not be alone in that feeling. Entwining her legs and arms in her father's sheets, Lucia fell asleep with a small smile on her face.

[Pablo]

"So much for an overnight rescue." Those were the words Pablo spoke upon waking up; dismayed but not surprised at the fact he'd woken up where he had fallen asleep. It had been of course wishful speaking, but he knew that. Pablo didn't count on anybody rescuing him, not from this place; he could feel far too many vampires. If he was getting out it would be on his own. All he needed was a plan. Of course at this moment that was easier said than done. His head still ached like one that had been punched by a thousand vampire fist. Then there were the chains, if the constant burning sensation around his wrist and ankles weren't enough, he could feel them draining his power. I feel like I'm as strong as a human... ugh. There has to be a way out. He gave the chains a strong shake, sending a rattle into Lucia's room. They were strong, but no chain could hold a transformed lycan. Managing a transformation was a little too much for him right now, it required a certain level of strength he did not possess at the moment.

To make matters worse he wasn't getting any stronger over the next couple weeks. The last full moon was what... a week ago? Give or take a day or two. It was funny how quickly things change. Then he was frolicking in the forest under a fool moon with two of his best friends and Damian. It was a pleasant memory, but at the moment only meant the moon wouldn't be able to help him out, not at least for a few weeks. That was unless he could find another way to rid himself of the chains. Then it would be fair game and all he'd have to do is escape from a vampire haven. So there really wasn't much of a plan, to be fair there wasn't much he could do from his position other than wallowing in self-pity at the fact he let his den down. There was nothing to do but wait. His stomach rumbled in hunger but the lycan found ways to ignore that. Yes, he could try getting the hybrid's attention and demand food at the risk of starving to death but he wasn't particular fond of being somebody's dinner.

There wasn't much more to do than wait. His opportunity to escape would come eventually, he always got at least one. Unfortunately, that opportunity would more than likely come through Lucia. Gain her trust, fool her? Was that even possible? Yes, she wasn't her parents. They were great leaders and earned their respect from him. Lucia was just a girl, younger than him from the looks of it, but that could be deceiving to say the least. Another grumble, he needed food, when was the last time he ate? His last meal had come before being announced as the new den leader. The nerves had left him without much of an appetite, that was what, 3 days ago, maybe four? "Hey Lady," The lycan rattled his chains loudly and sat upright. "How does the room service work here?" His voice though weak should have been loud enough for the hybrid to hear.

[Lucia Drusa Severa]

A tinkling clangor woke Lucia from her dreams. Initially, the girl woke smiling, hugging the blankets tight to her, "Good night, Daddy." She thought at first her father was the one waking her, so strong was his smell in the bed. Yet it became clear almost immediately that that wasn't the case.

Her dreams dissolved quickly as her surroundings became clear to her. This was the third different room she'd woken up to in the last month; but this room was more familiar to her than the other two had ever been. Sighing softly in disappointment, Lucia rolled over and closed her eyes again, hoping to fall back asleep. In her dreams her father still lived; in her dreams she'd never left his side. Curling up into a tight ball, Lucia could feel herself drifting off as her immediate surroundings dropped into the background, as her mind took over, telling her to sleep. She didn't get very far when a louder chiming woke her again, followed by a voice.

Unmoving, Lucia opened her eyes, glaring in the direction of the voice. Her first reaction was to snarl something about having some manners and to be quiet, but then she remembered whose voice it was that was calling to her. She had a prisoner in her cell. Satan, that was going to get annoying if he persisted on waking her every night with that. For a moment, Lucia wondered how her father had dealt with such annoyances, and then something she'd read in a book once came back to her. The Silence of the Lambs, 'It rubs the lotion on its skin, or else it gets the hose again.' The thought of spraying her Werewolf with a hose made the Hybrid burst out laughing, and it was then she remembered she had things to do today. Not only her own errands, but Lucia also had to find a sparring partner as per Dane's request. So much to do, and the nights were only growing shorter.

Hopping happily from bed, Lucia pulled on the clothes she'd worn last night, trying in vein to brush the purple blood stain off the breast of her blue dress. Tightening the strings of the dress behind her back, Lucia ignored Pablo's question and went about looking for a pair of her father's boots that would fit her decently, as well as any loose case that might be hidden around his room. After gathering the items she needed, she pulled a soft leather bag out from under the bed, slinging the well-loved bag over her shoulders. She was just about to leave the room, when she remembered something, and turned back to the mirror on her father's old wooden dresser. Smiling at her reflection, Lucia took up the antique brush and straightened her hair, gently working loose the knots from the night before, and combing it to perfection.

Lucia left the Vampire mansion without a word to anyone, making her way through the streets and pedestrians to the local thrift store for some clothes for her new pet Werewolf. She spent a considerably amount of time picking out the perfect clothes for Pablo and then moved on to look for things of her own. The only dress she had that fit at the moment was the stained one she was already wearing. Moving from store to store, Lucia bought boots, leggings, skirts, dresses and shirts to match her moods, stopping to try on a few outfits just for the Hell of it. The boots she put on immediately after purchasing, throwing her father's boots into the leather backpack.

The only thing now left to do was to secure some food for Pablo. Lucia thought a lot on the walk home what she might get for him. A child seemed the most likely course for the Hybrid, but there was the problem of finding or luring a young child this late at night away from their guardian; so Lucia tried to think of other alternatives. Some kind of animal sounded feasible, but the Hybrid quickly crossed off raccoons and skunks, deciding they would be too dirty. Cats seemed ideal, but small. Lucia grinned at her genius when she decided on dog, but then frowned again; wolves and dogs were of the same family, and that might not go over so well with Pablo. There weren't a whole lot of deer around that Lucia could remember seeing...

Sighing, Lucia turned around, walking to the nearest neighborhood. It was easier than she might have thought to lure the first fat cat she saw over to her, which Lucia plopped into her backpack; and then walked calmly home.

Back at the mansion, Lucia scaled the stairs all the way to new room, throwing the bags of clothes on the bed and changing quickly into her new clothes. She chose a bright red dress, tying a black corset tightly over the dress around her stomach and waist. Kicking off her new boots, she pulled on deep, rich purple leggings, wiggling her toes in their freedom.

In the small, barred window in the door of the cell, Lucia grabbed the bars, grinning in at her pet. "Good night, Pablo, I hope you slept well. I brought fresh food for you, and clothes!" Grabbing the leather backpack and one of the plastic bags, Lucia unlocked the cell and entered, closing the door behind her. She set the bags down carefully, and opened the leather backpack, allowing the cat to poke its head out and sniff around. With one hand, the girl scooped the cat up, plopping it in front of Pablo. "I can try to search for something bigger tomorrow. I can't stay long at the moment. Pick a shirt you like, and I can sew it on you later." Lucia's smile was genuine and friendly. She turned and left, taking the leather backpack out with her and locking the cell door once more.

Flicking her long, auburn hair over one shoulder, Lucia left her room, locking it, and descended the stairs in hopes of finding a Vampire who might be willing to spar with her.

[Pablo]

(Co-written by Dane and Pablo)

There wasn't much a response from the hybrid, only laughter, the pitter patter of her feet and the sound of a door being slammed shot. "Great, now I'm just a man alone with his thoughts..." He looked around the room, settling with staring at a cobweb in the top right corner of the cell. "And a spider, I'll name you Steve." Pablo said with a lackluster smile. Once again he scanned his new, but temporary home before settling with a nod. "Steve you're terrible company, I'm bored out of my mind." He slouched his shoulders and closed his eyes. Sleep was a prisoner's best company, save terrible nightmares it was the only time true comfort could come. Not to his surprise rest came easy, before he knew it he was re-awoken by the opening door. Still with his closed the lycan paid close attention with his other senses, she was placing some things on her bed, a new scent from the room permeated into his cell, was that a cat? "Did you just get us a new pet?" He opened his eyes, despite the chains there was the slightest bit of excitement in his voice.

As the hybrid showed her face the lycan held his head up and looked back at her. "Thanks, my sleep went great. You know, considering the circumstances. I hope yours went just as well." Wait... I don't smell any food... does she mean the cat? "Oh my god you mean the cat!" His eyes opened widely as she plopped the feline in front of him. "What the fuck is this?" There was true aggravation behind his voice. "Another of your cruel jokes? Do you honestly expect me to eat a cat like this?" He gestured to his chains. It was considerable in his lycan form... It could go down in one big bite, but he couldn't find it in him to snap the cat’s neck with his bare hands "I guess I'll just have to wait until tomorrow." He stayed silent until he left. But damn he was hungry. None the less the cat made its way to Pablo's side, where in a rather adorable fashion it purred and rubbed its head against his leg. He frowned and looked down at the cat. "I'll never hurt you Tibbles." Pablo picked up his new best friend, checked its gender and then plopped him on his lap.

"You know Steve, you can learn a thing or two-"

"I see you've made a new friend, how delightful." Stepping to the cell window and looking in was Dane. Pablo tried not to look surprise, but he looked dumbfounded and when it became clear he spoke again. "Where the fuck did you come from?" His said, not angry but honestly curious. "Your girlfriend just left the room, have you been here the whole time?" The vampire smiled genuinely. "No I have not." He opened the door and stepped inside. Stepping forward he knelt beside Pablo, blood could be smelled on the vampire's breath. "But that's beyond the point. I'm here to make you a proposition." The lycan folded his arms and began shaking his head. "Sorry, I don't negotiate with terrorist." The vampire smiled at the remark. "Do you know what I find strange? That despite being locked up you're a lot more... friendly than you were yesterday, to say the least. Sometimes vampires talk about the lycans they've encountered... sometimes they talk about you... Did you know that?"

The lycan did not respond instead the smirk turned into a scowl, he immediately saw what the vampire was building up to. "Among other things they always mentioned your quippyness." The vampire explained, well aware of the fact he made up a word. "Needless to say you disappointed me yesterday, but to be fair it looked like you were in a bad mood. Why was that? Was it the smell of lycan? To be fair it puts me in a full mood myself." What was there to say to that? Pablo dropped his head and stared shamefully at the floor. He couldn't ignore the fact he let his den down... He couldn't even die fighting in their honor? "Don't cry," The vampire leaned in closely, grabbed Pablo by the cheeks and forced him to look eye to eye. "I think my proposition will cheer you up. Later tonight I'm going to come by again and ask you a few questions about your lycan friends, give me the answers I want and I'll let you go free. Don't and I'll make your life a living hell." Dane let go of Pablo's cheeks and smiled fondly. "Fuck off." The vampire shrugged. "Fair enough." And without warning or hesitation he snatched Tibbles out of Pablo's lap, tore its head off and dropped both pieces back down. The young man winced and looked away. "Well then, enjoy your evening." Dane said while backing away. Without another remark he shut the door behind him and left Pablo to his own devices.

It was time to go find his guest. It only took a few minutes, the vampire always had eyes on the hybrid. Dane rounded the corner opposite from Lucia, smiling 'happily' upon seeing the half-breed. "Hello Lucia, I see you've already done your shopping. You look absolutely lovely. I feel under-dressed." He wore khakis and a plain buttoned down white shirt with the ends tucked in. Of course he still managed to look particularly dapper. "I don't mean to pry, but have you found a sparring mate yet?"