rozenblitz | Open Post

[Aether is an experienced adventurer. He's been in this line of work ever since he was old enough to carry a sword and he's faced many powerful monsters up till now. Some of those encounters brought him fame but at the end of the day he's still just a human.

He's currently on his way to another adventure, passing through a mysterious dark forest. The mist hangs low in here and silence fill the air making ever little rustle of grass or leaves sound like a bad omen. Aether could've sworn it was early evening when he entered and sun is yet to set, but the forest seems to ignore the day. It feels like a kingdom of eternal night.

A perfect place for a vampire.

Before choosing this path, Aether has heard that the forest is very dangerous and that a blood sucking monster is lurking in the shadows. No one who set foot into this land has ever returned. Aether isn't afraid. He is confident in his skills... maybe overconfident. And he can tell there is someone watching him from the darkness. He doesn't act for now, merely waits. He's faced all kinds of monsters, it'll be fine, he reminds himself.]

[The night is cool and fresh, the moon bright and the shadows plentiful. Sunday enjoys the darkness when it is like this. It's refreshing and clean, filling his lungs full of cool, crisp air. He inhales slowly...

And smells something... sweet.

Sunday was not expecting to hunt tonight. Not when he had fed only a few days earlier, and Sunday doesn't make it a habit to overeat. But something about that scent has Sunday's amber eyes peering through the darkness. That smell... It's sweet. Like light and sunshine on a spring day.

When was the last time he tasted the sun?

He quietly stalks through the trees, silent as the dead. And only when he's behind the traveller does he softly call out,]

Lost, traveller? The night is dark. [And full of terrors.]

[Aether isn't sure how long he's been walking through the forest. It shouldn't be too long and yet it's hard to tell with how dark it is. And there's always that presence watching him.

He never realizes that someone is right behind him and the soft voice startles him, making him turn around sharply. He's eyes widen. Despite the darkness it's easy to notice that he's facing a handsome man, young, but with sharp eyes.

He seems to be all alone, too, and Aether has no doubts that it was this stranger who was observing him all this time.]

I'm just passing by. I'm not looking for trouble.

[Is this man the fabled vampire of the forest? Aether watches him carefully, preparing for anything that may come.]

Of course. I am not looking for trouble, either. I am simply a wanderer. The same as you.

[Sunday has long stopped trying to use lies and excuses in his stalking. It's much easier to tell part of the truth than make up stories like he's a "merchant" or something like that.

His smile is soft.]

I know my way around these woods very well. I know that the wolves can be testy at this time of night.

[A wanderer... Aether finds it hard to believe, but he nods anyway. The stranger knows these woods and he smiles in a soft way like a kind-hearted guide, yet Aether is aware that not a single soul returned home from here.]

I see.

[His words are spoken slowly.]

Then... perhaps you'd be willing to show me the way to the other side of the woods?

[Maybe it's dangerous, but he wants to know where the stranger would lead him.]

[Sunday can sense the slight tension in the air. But his expression remains soft and unchanged. The human can think all he wants. It won't truly matter in the end.]

It so happens that I had been travelling that way, myself. Then let's go together, Traveller.

[His wings innocently flicker slightly as if he's happy. Just a simple guide in the woods. He motions with his gloved hand for the blond to follow him.]

Is this your first time travelling so far?

[Aether hesitates, before joining the other, allowing him to guide him through the darkness.]

I've been travelling for a very long time, but this is the first time I visit this forest.

[He has no reason to hide that information and chatting with the stranger doesn't seem like a bad idea either. Maybe he'll learn something useful.]

[In other cases, Sunday may not have struck up a conversation with his dinner. But there is still that lingering smell of the sunlight that makes Sunday consider it.

Would this be considered playing with his food...? Hmm.]

Your first time? And such a long ways to travel. There isn't a town close by for miles. I'm surprised you were brave enough to come all this way.

[Aether is watching the man quietly, still wondering where they're going. Every corner of the forest seems the same, messing with his sense of direction.

And then there's the question. His guide seems to be surprisingly talkative and... Aether doesn't mind.]

I travelled through dangerous places many times. I faced all kinds of creatures, too. As an adventurer I'm not afraid to take any job.

[Then he quickly adds:]

I'm not here on any commission, though. I just wanted to pass through and head to the next town. You could say, it's for a personal reasons more than anything else.

[Sunday is still contemplating if this is him playing with his food by striking up a conversation like this. It must be a bit unbecoming of him. What would his sister say...?

But Aether's comments have Sunday surprisingly interested. He listens carefully, eyes still gentle and his smile calm.

The surrounding trees are growing thicker and darker, despite them staying on the beaten walking path.]

I see, so you're a brave traveller that is exploring without a single fear in mind. That's commendable. [...] Would you mind telling about an adventure or two of yours? Just what kinds of creatures have you faced?

[He's very interested in that part.]

[Aether can see the darkness growing thicker along with the trees. He's not sure what awaits ahead, but he remains calm.

It's curious that his guide is this interested in his adventures. Aether doesn't mind answering that question. He's confident it won't give that much away. He is just a simple human, after all.]

I'm not quite sure if it's really commendable. [He's searching, after all, for his sister, for a place they could both call a "home" eventually. Because of that, he can never give up and never turn back.]

I faced dragons and other monsters in the past. Some of those creatures were man-made, others created by powers out of this world.

[Oh, how very interesting.]

It seems you have a knack for the incredible, if that's the case. I've never met a soul that has survived a dragon. Let alone creatures made by powers... out of this world.

Those battles were never easy and I can't say I faced everything all alone either.

[Which, he realizes, may be a dangerous statement to make, considering he is alone now.]

I simply help out those in need as I travel. That's my job as an adventurer.

[A very dangerous thing to say, indeed! Sunday sees or hears no companions with the blond, so he assumes that he's a bit vulnerable now.]

How very noble of you. I assume you have made quite the name for yourself then. Creature-slayer.

[Sunday is quietly contemplative.]

[Aether frowns ever so slightly, pondering his next words.]

None of that matters to me much. There's a different reason why I'm on this journey.

[He falls silent for a moment, then suddenly asks:]

Do you have family?

[Sunday's wings might very subtly twitch at the question. He was not expecting to hear such a question. And one that he would usually never tell anyone the answer to unless he needed to. Or at least he would guard the answer. It wouldn't do for anyone to go after her. He's murdered enough people for that. So he very cautiously answers,]

Hm. I do, I have one younger sister.

[One who he fiercely loves.]

[Aether looks at his companion in silence, the answer surprising him.]

What a coincidence. I also have one younger sister.

[He lets a small puff of laugh.]

We're twins, actually, so the age difference between us is insignificant. [He continues to smile for a moment longer, before his expression falls.] I would do anything to protect her.

[She's his only family.]

[Sunday's expression remains neutral and calm but...]

What a pleasant coincidence, indeed. It seems we have something very important in common.

[Then a small smile appears on his lips.]

Minutes or years, an old brother's job is to protect a sister. No matter what the cost.

[He nods. It seems they both think alike and cherish their family deeply.

Aether's expression falls after a moment.]

But sadly, my sister and I have been separated. She was taken away by a being that I have never encountered before. I've been searching ever since: for my sister and for the thing that took her.

[Which is why he became an adventurer and took all the commissions to slay various monsters, all in hopes of tracking the mysterious creature responsible for the twins' separation.]

I know my sister is out there, alive and well. I gathered enough evidence to confirm that, but I'm yet to see her again.

...

[Now, it wouldn't do Sunday at all to have a feeling about this. But he can't help the slight hollow ache he feels in the centre of his un-beating heart.]

I can imagine how painful it must be. To be separated from her, as you are.

[He glances at the blond.]

And if you met this being that took her? What would you do then? Would you aim to kill it?

[It is painful and it's not often when Aether talks about it. His eyes are downcast as he walks by the other's side and thinks his question over.]

I'm... not sure. I'm still very angry, but I also want to know why.

[The image of that night plays vividly in his mind.]

I remember this being looked like a tall woman floating above the ground. She was talking about punishing us for our arrogance... but I don't recall ever doing anything to offend her. My sister was acting strange that night, too.

[His voice drops, his heart aching. There's so many question and yet despite his long journey, he's found so little answers to it all.]

[Sunday's eyes linger on Aether as they walk and he notices that the eerie moonlight shining on Aether's blond hair makes it look like shining gold...]

A tall floating woman...

[If Sunday has any better guess, he might guess that it was a vampire that kidnapped his sister. But that is not an observation that he can give up to Aether. Not now.]

If I had lost my sister in the same way, I would do anything in my power to get her back. [Even ugly, bloody things.] I do hope that you find her... And that you find the answers you want.

[He is curious...]

You don't seem the arrogant type...

[Aether isn't sure if this is a good thing, but there's some sense of connection to this stranger overtaking his heart as they continue to talk. They seem to really have things in common and he appreciates the well wishes from Sunday.]

Thank you.

[His tone is sincere, somewhat relieved even.]

I will do whatever it takes to get her back. [He repeats those words like a vow to himself, to this stranger, to his sister.]

...I think I never got your name. Mine's Aether.

[Hearing the other boy's name has Sunday looking away. He shouldn't be allowing himself to hear things like names.

He glances at the other again and nods quietly.]

My name is Sunday.

[Now he wonders if he'll be able to eat at all tonight. How could he kill a brother who's looking for his dear sister? The story is exactly what makes Sunday second guess himself. So. how did such a simple person make him feel this weak so quickly?]

I have to admit, you're quite fascinating, Aether.

[He gives the other a curious look, wondering why he looked away like that.]

Fascinating? Me?

[He lets a soft laugh.]

I can't imagine what could be so fascinating about me.

for Sunday (vampire AU)

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject