Jolly sou'wester, boys.

[Caius Smith]

‘Come all you young sailor men, listen to me:
        I’ll sing you a song of the fish in the sea.’

Words strolled in shanty, fluttering from over the quiet roaring of a young river and its crotchety mill. But the one who bellowed mellifluously was a distance away from that ivy-riddled cottage and its counterpart: the mill. The men in their stormy boots trudging along through marshy moss and dampened soil paid heed to him not! For he was just a lonesome boy singing by the river:

‘And it’s–
        Windy weather, boys, stormy weather, boys.
                When the wind blows we’re all together, boys;
        Blow ye winds westerly, blow ye winds, blow!
Jolly sou’wester, boys, steady she goes.’

A pair of barren feet dove into autumn waters, splashing just vaguely as feet kicked without mind to metronome. In the meantime, a creaking door (not far ahead) shut with a simple, innocuous thud. Wasn’t anythin’ to be wary of, no sir! They were just a coupl’a men off in the woods not far away from Crystal Springs. But they were alone – they and their men. That is… until another soles came to make amends;

‘Up jumps the eel with his slippery tail,
        Climbs up aloft and reefs the topsail.’

/Those/ boots, they were worn and familiar. Dual chromatic specs swayed from the water to stare at those boots; then trail along the limber legs that sprouted from such until they locked on the dark features of that distinguishable visage. It was Alistar. Alistar.

‘And it’s–
        Windy weather, boys, stormy weather, boys.
            When the wind blows we’re all together, boys…

This one knew that he’d be there.

‘Blow ye winds westerly, blow ye winds, blow!’

But nothing happened. He simply sat and watched alone.

Alistar O'Riley

[Alistar O'Riley]

How... Long had he been on the sorts of walking through these woods? Personally Alistar was not the type of person who liked to be anywhere closer to nature than he had to be. The pale cyan eyes sparkled with their own mirth, the letter in his pocket directing him to a meeting spot. It had been years since he heard from the man who had addressed the letter. A light heart had brought him to this place. The soft melodic voice among the other noises of nature made the vampire pause. Was someone singing sea shanties? Those eyes shifted slowly, he didn't know what to make of the soft voice so he wasn't going to press on to search for it. Perhaps it was just simple luck that a voice like that would sing softly through the night air. Who was he to question what the fates had in mind? After all he survived this long on his luck alone. Hmmm... Shifting onward he approached the spot where the men should've been, there was little concern to the man. He had lived long enough in his time that he wasn't going to judge when someone slipped through their own, it was then when he spotted the young lad in the river, kicking the bare feet back and forth in the cold torrents of the water. His mouth curled into a smile.



“Upon one summer's morning, I carelessly did stray,

Down by the Walls of Wapping, where I met a sailor gay,

Conversing with a bouncing lass, who seem'd to be in pain,

Saying, William, when you go, I fear you will ne'er return again.”



The Irish voice sang back softly, Alistar had some amusement to himself. Winking to the youth he drew an unneeded breath glancing to the spot where he knew the men were. His feet were light on the ground, worn boots knowing where the path would take them. When he spotted the men in the small clearing he cocked his head to the side as if trying to understand. One hand dropped into the jacket to withdraw the note that was tucked in there. Pulling it out he glanced over the writing and then the men before him. So it seemed he had walked himself right into a trap. Something that became startling clear when he spotted the flash of silver in one of the men's hand. Lady Luck be a lady... Lady Luck were you on his side this night? Those pale eyes held a bemused look to them. “Ello laddies, suppose yer not 'ere for a simple chat, aye?” The soft voice lit in response. Four of them to his one and they came prepared with silver. Goody. His tongue pressed against the fangs in his mouth, brushing against them in a reminder of his own immortality.



The lack of a response made it clear, they weren't here for a simple chat. Such a shame. Just when he had been thinking that everything was getting better now that he was away from the big city. Such a shame. The men flanked him in a circle. Stepping forward he placed himself in the center of their little jolly gathering.



”I didn't think you'd be stupid enough to show your face here Alistar. You should know.” The man paused, the thin irritating voice holding an elated note as he gave a toothy grin showing decaying teeth. ”That Julian is dead.” The voice was soft, but Alistar did flinch at that. Julian had been a brother to him during the years, so those words brought out an almost feral like reaction from the vampire who snarled. The flowing cool composure was no where to be seen. Quicker than a normal eye would've detected he withdrew a blade. ”Suppose you won't just die easy then? Shame.”



His hair it does in ringlets hang, his eyes as black as sloes,

May happiness attend him wherever he goes,

From Tower Hill, down to Blackwall, I will wander, weep and moan,

All for my jolly sailor bold, until he does return.



The Irish voice sang the next part of the song, his eyes distant from this place. Distant from the fact his life was in peril. What did he care in his age? Placing one soft soled boot forward he lunged, blade knocking the silver out of the one man's hand as the other came at him from behind. This was going to be something else. The fangs flashed as he growled in annoyance when a blade went through his shoulder. It stung horribly so, making him pause, before whirling on the man who stabbed him seeing as how he only had one good arm to use now. This was going to be a long night at this rate.

Caius Smith

[Caius Smith]

        My heart is pierced by Cupid,

He could hear it – the rest of this melody.

        I disdain all glittering gold.

But Alistar’s soothing voice soon dissipated,

        There is nothing can console me.

so thoughts carried on instead:

        But my jolly sailor bold.


This interaction between two souls… what an enlivening and invigorating thing to unfold! It brought a subtle smile to coy lips. Splashing ceased in motion. As that surly voice carried off with dextrous boots, a fisherman’s line lured this one to follow.

Alistar disappeared, but his presence remained so prominent. Wet feet collected a layer of grass and dirt and pine needles, too, until they travelled no more once palms pressed against the glass to peer within that deceitful hovel. Inside were those men – and Alistar, too – with glinting blades refracting against the moon. There was no worry, no fear to struck at Harp’s cords, for fortune followed Alistar everywhere.

And when that vampire continued to sing – violence brewing in the meantime, this spectator sang along as he watched in awe. Swift and cautious, yet went unscathed. When one of the opposing men had lunged, he had missed and stumbled instead! Such raucous they were making. Sacks of flour and other tools were cacophonously clamouring – disarrayed! But that one man spun on heel to deftly strike at Alistar’s back. It was up to the fates whether it was a hit or miss.


Alistar O'Riley

[Alistar O'Riley]

Sometimes fighting against the odds was not a fun thing. In fact it was rather rough. The thought of being in such a position was rather lack luster. But if it was how the cards read then surely that was they way it would go in the end. Would he mind if death came to him that night? Perhaps a little bit. After all he didn't plan on dying, he had too much to do on a short schedule. Which meant alas, these lives would be lost. A shame in the end but it did help the fact he hadn't had a proper meal since he came to this little town in the middle of no where. It wasn't like he had someone to feed from regularly. No he had been feeding on animals which meant his normal speed and strength were under par. Something that he didn't like admitting to anyone. In fact the more he thought about it the more it irked him. So to feel the blade in his shoulder was not enough amusement for the vampire. The fact that these were warm blooded humans made it so much more appealing to the vampire who hissed like a panther about to kill its prey. Was there remorse to be found in him? No. Alistar learned a long time ago that mercy and remorse were emotions that could make an immortal life rather intolerable. The thought was amusing enough none the less. Mercy for the people who wanted to see him nothing more than dead. As if drawn from his thoughts he glanced toward the window, those sparkling mirth filled eyes catching sight of the youth before settling on the men before him once more.


Noting that one of the men stumbled in his lunge, Alistar gave better look to the ground about him before looking back to the other three men. There were tools and the likes about and the one thing he was assured of was his secure footing. Never before had he slipped up or been harmed while in the throes of battle with a foe. He hadn't missed the movement behind him as the other aimed to hit him from behind, and he braced himself, catching the man's arm to toss him onto his back into the floor, hard. Shifting to glance to his bleeding shoulder he took a slow steady breath before springing forward in a flicker of movement, the speed being comparable to something out of a mundane's comic book.


The hand holding his own blade remained at his side while the injured one grasped the man's throat, fangs bared wide. Those innocent blues flashed a sinister red hue in his hunger and hurt. The feline like fangs pierced the humans flesh. It was soft and easy to rend, holding the human close he drank his fill until the damn throbbing in his shoulder stopped. The other humans had stumbled away in fear. They had been so certain that they had him cornered. Alistar merely snorted slightly, releasing the man he held to watch the body collapse to the floor. He felt so much better with the hot coppery substance running through his body. ”What ye 'ave tha courage tah come at a man when he's weak but when he bares his fangs ye wet yer self in feah? Mortals...” The vampire grouses his voice slick with agitation. 

”You'll pay for this you soulless monster!”

The man sputtered, Alistar merely sighed to himself, shrugging his shoulders as if beseeching another force to make these men understand. ”After all there's plenty of people who'll pay a pretty price to see you dead, like your own sister.” The words come out in a cruel laugh as the three men rose to their feet, the fourth still remained crumpled on the floor like an abandoned juice box from a child. Allie's eyes locked on the fallen man as he muttered something about littering, those cold eyes shifted up to the other three humans once more. ”Are you deaf and stupid too blood sucker? We're talking to you.” The man snapped. Allie merely blinked before offering a smile, he picked up the note he had dropped from the floor.


”Yer babbling chatterin' bothas me.” The voice mused and he looked to the blade in his hand. How many countless people had he cut down over the years. ”I gave yeah a chance tah turn about and leave. Now I ain't gonna play nice.” He spoke softly, lunging forward, the went sound of gurgling filling the mill for a brief moment as the man was beheaded. ”I can never claim to be good... But I can't claim I'm evil either.” He shifted his eyes to the other two males. ”Go.” He uttered, watching them flee their fallen comrades. You couldn't find a loyal thug any more these days. It made him miss the Twenties.

”My name it is Maria, a merchant's daughter fair,
And I have left my parents and three thousand pounds a year,
My heart is pierced by Cupid, I disdain all glittering gold,
There is nothing can console me but my jolly sailor bold.

He glanced to the window once more, those eyes looking like bottomless pits. Was the watcher still there? Raising a hand slowly to his mouth, the lips puckered to blow a kiss to Caius.



Caius Smith

[/blockquote]

[Caius Smith]

Monstrosity, all of his kin would proclaim! Workings of witches and demons – all foul play. His strength, his speed, such things were not of man. Those voracious fangs ravaging at flesh were unsightly things! Proof of any and all accusations.

And yet… curiosity was enough to immobilise.

It poured down his face, soaking into sullied linens whilst limbs stirred and palpitated. So horrendous, so appalling… One of wit would run away, and yet, those other men remained – they stayed. Why? All creatures could sense impending doom, all reacted accordingly. So what made these mortal fools stay against their wills?

His own body vehemently flinched.
So unexpected, what was that?!
Questions were answered upon seeing a face roll…

So, this is what they called “monstrosity…” And yet, this one couldn’t look away. The innards of this hovel were dark, only the moon poured in to unveil the many forms lying within. Two corpses bled out onto wood panelling, something for others to find surely. Would there be a third? Should something be done if that were the case?

Alas, such ponderings were cut short when the rest had fled – good for them. Still, this one stayed. Ears tuned out the shouting and thunderous clamouring. Instead, eyes licked on to the strangest of gestures… It would seem Alistar had taken notice of him but didn’t mind. Instead, he pursed his lips and..

This fella turned around – back facing his fellow immortal, and in doing such he repeated the same gesture twice. What a peculiar thing… After this practise round, the raven turned around and mirrored the gesture back to Alistar through the grimy window.

Alistar O'Riley

[Alistar O'Riley]

There was always one certain thing in all his years, the very fact that dawn would always come after any rough battle. The vampire glanced to the bodies knowing he'd have to get rid of them, it would be unsightly to leave bodies in the mill to be found by one of the locals. Not to mention they'd be on the outs looking for a vicious vampire. Oh the joys. Despite that he felt a certain peace despite having a witness to such a horrific scene. Should he shoo the youth away and have him forget what he saw? Those pale luminous eyes looked thoughtful. There were so many options to do at that point. Did he want to harm the watcher? No... Actually he was growing rather tired of the constant fighting. It seemed like there hadn't been a time in his life where there was calm. Whenever there was calm it was followed by a storm. After all calm was known as the calm before the storm. More often than not it was the eye of a chaotic storm that would threaten to consume one's very existence. It was a blight but not one he took heavily. In all his years he took very little heavily. Watching Caius turn away from him in the window the vampire had to wonder what the youth was doing. Or rather why a young one such as he would be wandering the woods in such a manner. After all dusk was rarely a safe thing. Especially when the supernatural beasts roamed the night. Should he tell the youngster to head home before danger came a calling? Mayhaps.


Watching Caius, a feeling of nostalgia touched his heart. The grin on his features showing as the angel turned back to him, blowing a kiss in return. Allie placed a hand outward pretending to catch the kiss, and then tucked it into his pocket for safe keeping, winking to the little angel as he did so. Though he once more glanced to the bodies and the decapitated head with a sigh at the tedious task of cleaning up. Sometimes there was little joy to things. He would deal with them later. So in silence he headed for the door, picking the route that had the least amount of tools in the way. Coming to the door he glanced to the moon ahead, the silvery light touching everything with its cool touch. Shifting his glance over he stared to where the angel was. The scent on the wind was one he knew with time, one that brought back memories. Standing there in silent surprise that vampire wondered if perhaps his mind was playing a trick on him in his age. This couldn't be the same scent could it? The last time he smelled it... It had been on a woman. Those pale eyes remained locked on Caius, a frown ever so slightly touching the corners of his mouth. Mmm, perhaps madness had finally come. Many elder vampires had fallen to their own madness in the years so it didn't surprise him in the least.


“Little Raven, what brings ye out here to this place? Surely there are sights more captivating than the disarray of death and the chaos of mankind.” The Irish accent purred softly in the warm evening air, the noise of the instincts and animals the main noise in the night beyond the torrential snarl of the river. Did he blame the youth for being curious of what might've been going on? Of course not. He was just hoping that he didn't need to spill another drop of blood that night. His own list of sins greatly out did his list of good deeds, he was beyond hoping for his damned soul. “Though if you don't mind keeping an old man company...” The voice held a hopeful lit. Alistar had not a clue why he asked that, perhaps it was just the fact he was far more alone in this small city than he ever had been in his travels about the world.

Caius Smith

[Caius Smith]

“Death…” this word emerged from a wise mouth, one that held knowledge but rarely would spout. “It is a necessity in order for there to be life, and sometimes to sustain life.” As dual chromatic hues fell to those that were lost, he continued on in monotone: “Without ends there will be no new beginnings. Without either or, there will be no continuities.

“I cry not for the loss of any. I rejoice in their durability – for as long or as short as that may be. So long as someone survives, I am happy”-there was a brief pause-“surely, that is something an old man can understand? So long as someone is born, survives, and dies, and calm and chaos always wage, existence will never cease.”

After such a speech, this long-haired fellow turned on the balls of shoeless feet. He turned about, looking around, until he was faced with “camaraderie” once more. “I cannot sully my skin,” he began, “however, I wouldn’t mind staying for a bit..! I can tell you that there is a wheelbarrow just over yonder. It rests on the other side of the cottage just beside the densest shrubbery…” Pit-pattering scurried through the grass. In just a blink, this one was already a few feet away. “This way!” And then vanished again, behind the stout building. Where he stood was a rusted ol’ barrow, and to the side of it (covering what seemed to be a pile of chopped wood, an axe, and perhaps some other tools, too, that would be rather handy to use) was a tattered blue tarp. A soft smile lit up this one’s features. How convenient.

“How do you get rid of them? I don’t suggest you sink them, the residents might tell something is off with their water.”

[Alistar O'Riley]

A necessity was it? The pale eyes fixated on the long haired youth, watching. It reminded him much of the way a crow would observe death. A mere carrion awaiting a feast. Alistar had no idea why he was reminded of such a thing from the melodic monotone voice. It was true, death would lead to life. It was a continuous circle. There was no escaping the route they had laid out for themselves in the end. Allie watched Caius in thought before hearing the quip about old men. Those brilliant hued eyes sparkled with their own mirth. So that was how it was? Hmm... He let out a warm laugh, the noise startling against the sound of nature. “You sound so robotic lad.” The warm Irish voice teased in a hearty manner. That scent though... It still hung in the air, cloying with the metallic scent of blood from the corpses. It was going to bother him like a distant memory at the back of his mind. Perhaps he really was going mad like he feared! So long as he wasn't a sad case of pity like King Leer had. “Hopeful, joy..” He mused those words, rolling them in his mouth in thought.

“Su- … Wait I didn't mean in such a manner.” Allie's eyes widened in surprise. “You look a little young for even me to be thinking such thoughts.” Arms lifted in front of his chest, hands waving back and forth in a motion that'd be almost comical. Hearing the youth mention he wouldn't mind staying a bit, Allie calmed himself from trying to save face. That almost ended n a lousy bout of embarrassment. To think he could still get embarrassed at his age. Glancing back to where the bodies laid he seemed almost sad for a moment. The strange lad just kept chattering, Alistar found himself having a moment of nostalgia. This young man really did remind him of someone else. How was it that he'd find luck in the strangest of places? Each path in life brought him to a new place, he wouldn't dispute that much. He'd give the raven one thing, it was quick on its feet as it darted about. Allie followed behind with a slower gait. After all he wasn't too fearful of the bodies being found at this hour of night. Hopefully they were just bounty hunters from out of town and not people that would be missed among the community.

Looking at the rusted wheelbarrow the vampire seemed miffed about it being there. Glancing to the tarp and wood, the thought of how to get rid of the bodies. “I'd never try to sink them, polluting the water source of one's live stock is a stupid move.” He spoke softly, stepping behind Caius, springing before the little angel would evade him to loop an arm about the other, tugging him in against his chest. Delicately he sniffed Caius's throat, taking in the scent before seeming confused. It couldn't be... Though he told himself he'd remember that scent just in case they crossed paths again... The oceanic eyes blinked, and slowly he released Caius. “Caius.” He rubbed the back of his neck not sure what to say, stepping back he suddenly felt awkward. “You're not a lady.” How very observant he was sometimes. “At least... you don't smell female.” Then he looked back to the wheelbarrow his cheeks a hardy shade of pink at his own embarrassment. Right get back to the thought on ridding the bodies. Placing them in the woods would be the best bet. Though a deep grave was ideal, shallow graves brought animals to them.

Caius Smith

[Caius Smith]

In the midst of their gallivanting, this one chirped “what’s ‘robotic?’” but seemed to have went unheard. Alistar was likely trapped within the shipwreck of his mind – something that never bothered this eccentric youth. But now here they were standing only a pace apart as each set of analytical specs calculated a scenario best fit for this… tragedy. Of course, Caius knew Alistar wouldn’t pollute the waters with rotted corpses and coagulating blood, but… sometimes it was inevitable. This was not one of those times.

Lost in thought, the other’s advances went unforeseen. Before muscles couldn’t even flinch and limbs could even retract, appendages caged around until there was no room left to breathe without sharing another’s air. Stop. He did just that. Stopped moving, stopped breathing, stopped thinking as he could feel the warmth of the other’s breath graze along the crook of his neck.

Wow.

He could finally manage to utter a breath. “Are you daft!?” Flustered as he was, the raven-haired lad pushed against this criminal with (admittedly) hardly any might. “Of course I’m not a woman! Besides, there are much more precedent matters than that at the moment, don’t you think?” In referencing to such, their eyes met the barrow and tarp yet again, and the blade of a tool that would help so much... Immediately, this one whisked out a sombre sigh, “don’t expect me to help you dig, either. This is your mess.”

(Can add more if you'd like. For instance, going to the woods?)

[Alistar O'Riley]

What's robotic? Of all the things the angel could ask the vampire... Alistar pursed his lips slightly as if wondering what to say to Caius. ”Well it tends to mean something made by man lacking emotions.” Allie tried his best to explain to the raven haired youth. Hell what was the vampire going to explain? This was the same man who thought that technology had been devils play for the longest time. The oceanic eyes shifted from Caius to the rusted wheelbarrow once more, contemplating what to do. He could cut the bodies up into smaller pieces but that'd make a mess and he didn't feel like cleaning that up on top of getting rid of the bodies. Perhaps he was just getting lazy but there was only so many hours of dark a night and here he was wasting them cleaning up bodies. What... a bloody shame, literally. No point in crying over spilled milk. Instead he glanced once more to the petite male at his side wondering what would make someone want to watch the scene that had happened without even the slightest bit of fear.

Was he daft? The head bobbed slightly. ”You already know the answer to that question so I don't even know why you'd ask.” He replied curtly with a warm grin on his face. Oh he had missed Caius! Even if Caius wasn't a woman... She had been a pretty woman too! ”Well no I think that's rather pressing. Dead people can wait. This...” He paused to eye up the little angel at his side that had lightly shoved him, ”This is pretty important. I didn't know you could gender bend.” He sounded almost mystified like Caius was one of the world wonders that he got to see for the first time. Simpleton was an easy way to describe Alistar. The sigh brought the vampire from his thoughts of wondering how someone changed their body, he glanced to Caius and then snorted. ”Can't let your dainty hands get dirty by helping out a criminal such as I.” He teased the angel, lightly ruffling Caius's hair before taking hold of the wheelbarrow.

With a light step back he made quick work of returning to the mill to collect the bodies. A grunt escaped his mouth lifting the bodies and placing them into the wheelbarrow. Despite the dead weight it took him no more than five minutes before he was certain it wouldn't tip. Glancing to the head a part of him wanted to keep it. Sure it was barbaric to keep trophies of kills but he was a beast himself. Why did he need to care? ”So when did you plan on telling me that you're a man now Caius? Or that you were even watching me?” He glanced over to the angel with a slight good natured smile. Honestly he was pretty sure Caius had ditched him in the first place for the fact Allie kept trying to exploit the luck that seemed to flow from the angel.

TAGGING: Caius Smith