Oh you know....just sneaking around....

[x.Wolf.x]

“Of course not” Iekika replied. She knew, though only a simple maid, she knew that Kamenwati would be back but more prepared for battle and perhaps with some troops. That was a new thought. She just realized something; she had seen so many Dark Angels and Vampires around and less humans. It seemed as if Jasiri was completely outnumbered in this battle, wait scratch that she knew he was outnumbered greatly. And if he were to ever have a chance in this battle; Iekika would have to train her body once again. For you see, there was actually a time when she was trained to use both vampire and human strengths but that was before she was mistaken as a human and brought here as a maid. Since then, she had no time to train. Come to think of it, the last time she even picked up a weapon was slaying her vampire father. There was so much to do and there was no time to waist in this. For a moment, she considered asking Jasiri for help with her training but she couldn’t, if she ever wanted to get her full strength in battle she would have to train her vampire side as well and she couldn’t let Jasiri find out about her dirty blood. She just couldn’t. She didn’t fear banishment now as much as she did years ago, now it was fear that Jasiri would have nothing to do with her anymore and force her to leave the castle…..to leave his side. And from tonight’s attack, she couldn’t leave him here for Kamenwati and her troops. She just couldn’t. Brushing off dust from her little trip to the floor, she turned to Jasiri again. “If there’s anything you need. You can call me…..but for now, I should get going. It’s late and you need your rest” She hated stupid awkward good-byes like this. But, she was taught that she couldn’t be around the king or even prince/princess long unless ordered to. As a maid, she wasn’t spouse to bother the royalty unless it was something very important and even then, some kings would be angered if she ran in. At least Jasiri was understanding and seemed like he actually cared, unlike most kids who grew up with the nobles. With another silent pause, she turned to the heavy wooden door where Kamenwati stood just moments ago.


There was nothing else to say, she had to leave. But why did she feel the urge to stay and ask the king if HE was okay? It was her stupid human emotions getting all mixed up again, or at least that’s what she told herself every time something like this happened. She blamed the weak human blood inside of her, after all if she were a full vampire she wouldn’t have to worry over feelings such as these.

[xx.'Till the Fat Lady Sings.]

Jasiri's gave met her's steadily, for a moment he did not reply. As if half-off in his own thoughts again, he nodded slowly. "Thanks,Iekika." He muttered after a moment. "Goodbye." This last word was almost as if he were murmuring it to himself, for Iekika already seemed to be leaving. He watched for a moment, the expressions in his amber eyes mixed and unreadible...even to himself. With a sigh, he shrugged. Maybe Iekika was right...he did need rest. Everything seemed so jumbled now. Watching her for a moment longer, Jasiri finally let his gaze fall. Without another word, he turned, and walked down the hallway, and back into the bedroom. Pausing at the doorway, he glanced back for a moment, before turning and walking in. Although he tried not to show it, and perhaps failed at this, Jasiri shared his friend's inward concern about the battles ahead. It already seemed as if they were loosing now that the vampires, dark angels, and Kamenwati's forces had allied. With another, almost frustrated sigh, he retreated into the shadows of the bedroom. Amber eyes reflected the moonlight briefly as he gazed out of the window. The stars sparkled, but tonight the emotion behind them seemed almost cold. His gaze turned away. This was going to be a long night...

[x.Wolf.x]

((I'll just continue here))

Iekika made her way down the cold concrete stairs, she said nothing more just merely left the room. But, at the bottom of the stairway she dindn't leave right away. Instead, she made her way to Jasiri's sword case where his swords were kept when they wern't in use. If she was the only one on his side, she would learn to fight once agian. For her life, for the land's sake and yes, for Jasiri. The door to the case came open easily, and in the same silence as ever she took a sword with an ivy print along the handle. Perfect, the sword was lighter then everything else without knowing it, Iekika took the sword Kamenwati trained with. With sword in hand, the maid left Jasiri's tower completely and headed toward the training room.


With a quick pause at the door, she entered the room again. The training room was filled with targets, some with arrows sticking out of them along with metal knights for sword practice and bars for speed. More things seemed to gather around the room as the lights flickered on again. Heaving a sigh, she stood in front of an empty metal suit. Her eyes narrowed "We meet again" She spoke softly, but her voice gave a cold humor. Rising the sword agian, she prepared to attack.

[xx.'Till the Fat Lady Sings.]

OOC//Lmao for a moment I thought she was actually fighting someone.

IC//

It seemed, however, that even a few moments later, Jasiri was getting absolutely no luck with the rest. He lay awake in bed restlessly, his amber eyes glittering in the darkness. Frustrated, he sat up, and within moments, his feet rested on the cold floor once again. For a moment, he stood motionless in the darkness...before lighting the room dimly. It didn't look like he was going back to sleep any time soon. And so, Jasiri found himself pacing again, his shadow looming against the stone bedroom walls, passing the window and dissappearing again as he did so. His thoughts were as stressed and troubled as ever, and he seemed almost lost in them as he paced mindlessly throughout the bedroom. This was becomming a habit of his of late.

As the moments passed, Jasiri sighed. If he was going to stay up, might as well do something productive. He'd take a walk, see to everything in the castle was in order at the late hour. Narrowing his eyes, Jasiri tensed, stirring out of his thoughts. And within moments, he had slipped out into the hallway, his shoes slipping noiselessly against the floor as he headed down the stairs. At their base, Jasiri paused and sighed. His fists clenched slightly, he began to walk down the great castle's hallway, alone in the drenching silence...

[x.Wolf.x]

As if on some sort of cue, Iekika brought the sword down on the metal statue. The two metals clashing together had defiantly cut through the silence, ringing through the halls of the castle. But, the maid didn’t hear any of it. Her soft blue eyes had now turned to a glowing red color and her hair now had black streaks through it. Even her nails grew to sharp points and her perfect white teeth? They’ve turned to sharp fangs as well. The very site of Iekika now hid every bit of personality she had, the soft breakable human turned into a demonic beast. Iekika thought if she had trained as a vampire while Jasiri slept and trained as a human while he was away from the castle, it gave her less chance of him coming early and catching her as a vampire. It all worked out that way. Now, her mind had completely cleared of all thoughts of Jasiri and catching her and of what happened that night. Now, she focused on her ‘battle’. Soft vibrations rang thru the sword and made their way thru the vampire’s arms and eventually thru her body. Eyes narrowed again as the sword pulled away. And again, after another pause she brought the sword again. This time however, the sword didn’t clash against metal. There was a SWISH and then the clashing of metal on the concrete floor of the training room. She had taken the ‘solder’s’ head off! In a single blow! Great! And so, kicking the empty body down of the defeated enemy, she went on to the next. This time, taking the arm that held a sword and then a quick stab to the stomach. As a vampire, Iekika could learn faster, move faster and had a lot more power. As a human? She would still be chopping at the first. Pulling the sword up again, she ran to the next and others after that. Each one of them set to look different and each in a new scene and yet, Iekika plowed through them all. In fact, she was so caught up in this battle that she didn’t even notice Jasiri in the halls.

[xx.'Till the Fat Lady Sings.]

Jasiri's quieted footsteps led him mindlessly down the hallway, still deep inside of his own thoughts, what ever they might have been. He passed the walls of the great hallway, barely even looking where he was going. His movements and direction seemed to be automatic, for this was how well he knew the castle and its grounds. But then, a loud noise jolted him out of this almost trance-like state. At the loud clang of metal against metal, Jasiri stopped in mid-step. His amber eyes narrowed, and the king seemed to tense as he listened. Before long, another clang followed the first one. Whoever it was was making a lot of noise. Silently and quickly, he quickened his pace, turning through the hallways in the direction of the sound. There was no doubt now, it was coming from the training room.

As he reached the place, he thrust open the door and stood, framed in the doorway as he surveyed the room. Jasiri's gaze traveled it quickly, almost instantly fixing on the form of what could no doubt be a vampire. Little did he know of her true identity, but this was almost impossible to make out when Iekika was in this form, let alone from this angle. Swiftly, his hand was to his pelt, and then to the handle of his sword. For the third time that night, it was drawn warily, and he took one silent step into the room. "Who are you?" Jasiri's voice had turned rough and demanding, unlike the gentle tone he had used with the human-formed Iekika or even the wary one he had used with Kamenwati. And yet, his eyes narrowed, obviously puzzled. Why would a vampire take interest in the training room?

[x.Wolf.x]

Silence befell the room before Jasiri spoke and before that, Iekika hadn't notice the king of the castle had awoken or the fact that he was wandering the halls. Crimson eyes narrowed as he spoke, but at first Iekika didn't turn around, she couldn’t face Jasiri as a vampire! But, as she tried to turn back to her human form something had stopped her completely, it was another voice. This one was cold and sent chills down Iekika’s spine, though the voice didn’t echo through the now silent room. This was the vampire’s voice. Used only while she was in her vampire form, this was her basic instinct to kill or be killed. Though the sword fell to her side, Iekika never really let the sword go. She couldn’t, not with the vampire’s spirit controlling half of her actions. Now. The truth would finally be forced out of Iekika now. There was no stopping it, no protecting the king against this vicious beast which she harbored and there was no way to avoid answering. She could pretend to be one of Kamenwati’s vampires and run off with the sword, but she couldn’t. She just couldn’t bring herself to lie to Jasiri anymore. Heaving a sigh, Iekika turned and faced the human. Though her gaze fell to the floor, as if she couldn’t face this human directly and there was truth in that. She couldn’t face Jasiri now; at least she couldn’t look the human in the eye.

“I am…..Iekika” She answered truthfully. Her gaze still burned onto the floor at her feet. She would have to tell him her past, and explain that she was only half of the monster that he saw now. “When my mother was pregnant with me……..” She began “A vampire had turned her, and my human blood fused with that of a vampire…..and well. That little equation brings a half vampire” She explained. Leaving out most of the details on exactly how this happened or anything else. He didn’t need to know anything other then that. And then decide whether she’d stay here or fight until death.

[xx.'Till the Fat Lady Sings.]

Jasiri's eyes widened in disbelief as she spoke. Only silence followed this. For a moment, he wondered whether he should even believe her. This could be a trick that Kamenwati had set up, in fact, it seemed just like her. But he had to admit that there was still something strikingly familiar about this vampire. Slowly, warily, his sword lowered to his side. If this really was Iekika...he couldn't just attack her. Shaking his head slowly, Jasiri turned away, amber eyes boring into the wall. They obtained a far away look in them, as if he had become lost in thoughts or dreams. "....Iekika...." The single name was murmured in sheer disbelief, barely audible as it was spoken in the now quiet room. Jasiri was honestly not sure of what to think, and what to do. Vampires were the kingdom's enemies, that was true. But Iekika was half-human. She hadn't done anything wrong, had she? This wasn't her fault...but what could he do? Slowly, almost unsteadily, Jasiri returned his gaze to her. "Why didn't you tell me?" The question was spoken aloud, although he hardly needed the answer. What would he have done in her situation? With a soft sigh, his eyes narrowed slightly...almost expecting her not to even answer. Even if she did, what was he supposed to do? Perhaps he shouldn't have even wondered from his bedroom, although if he hadn't, how much longer would this secret have been kept? Warily, Jasiri held his gaze, waiting for a reaction...still half-unsure of whether this was even happening.

[x.Wolf.x]

As the question arose, Iekika narrowed her eyes once again. She knew the question would have to be asked at some point, but she wished…..oh how she wished it didn’t come up like this. She had planned to tell Jasiri at some point, but she never really could. I mean, it’s not like every day you have to tell the closest person to a friend that you ever had that you were half of his greatest enemy. And don’t forget that his and Kamenwati’s mother was killed by a vampire and not to mention their own father, Iekika was half of the thing that he more then likely hated the most and there she was, still in vampire form looking like a scolded dog! Silence was the only answer to the question that Iekika thought up, the only thing that could stop the king from hurting anymore or worse whatever happened first. This emotion, this deep sadness had forced Iekika into her human form once again. Slowly, the black streaks running thru her hair had disappeared completely leaving that brilliant shining blonde hair in its place, crimson red eyes melted and formed into her deep black colored eyes. Nails and fangs disappeared completely, leaving the human stand there again. With this, Iekika realized something else. Switching back to the human form again, she felt every wound she had obtained from her little battle and heart and lungs strained to keep up with the exhaustion. But, at least she hadn’t remained that vampire any longer. Her dark eyes closed again, gaze still locked on the floor but this time, tears welled up. They did not fall but they were there. Tears, of sadness, of anger and of regret she couldn’t even face Jasiri anymore. How would she explain to him that she couldn’t bear to tell him her deepest secret because she wanted to stay at his side?! This question burned through every thought in her head, filling every empty thought and even blocking out old memories. The sword, in which she had previously clung to, had been abandoned now and was free falling to the ground once again. Right now the only thing breaking the silence was Iekika’s panting and the clash of the heavy sword meeting concrete. Inhaling deeply, Iekika’s gaze rose and met Jasiri’s, tears still threatened to fall but she could care less anymore. Now, he knew he knew she was some monster. But wait, while she was still in vampire form she had scented something else about Jasiri.....she had scented Dark Angel’s blood too! She wasn’t the only one that’s a half breed! And yet, Jasiri hid this from her. But she brought no attention to that, she didn’t care if Jasiri was half or full blooded Dark Angel, she felt as though her place was there…at his side and yet she had no idea why. Finally, she spoke. “I……..I couldn’t” Her reply was shaky still but at least it was something. Another deep inhaling had finally brought the rest of her answer out, her words chosen carefully. “if you were half of a monster…..wouldn’t you hide it too?”

[xx.'Till the Fat Lady Sings.]

Jasiri's gaze softened slightly as the words poured slowly from Iekika's lips. Yeah...she has no idea. Was the thought that crossed his mind, but he shook it away. It didn't matter what ran through one's bloodlines if they could do the right thing...wasn't this what he himself had learned long ago? Meeting Iekika's gaze soberly, Jasiri saw sadness and pain there, and blinked as she returned to human form. How could this be? Iekika, one of his best friends, and the last one he would have expected to be part vampire... and yet, the experience stirred something unexpected in him. Guilt. Now that he had found her secret, how could he jusitify hiding his? But Jasiri couldn't bring himself to bring up the topic. Not yet. In the silence that followed, Jasiri shook his head. "....I..." He didn't know what to say to this. It was true, wasn't it? And so, instead of answering it directly, he changed course. "It....doesn't matter. It shouldn't matter. I....I trust you,Iekika." He spoke finally, words soft but firm. At least this much was true...

[x.Wolf.x]

“I trust you Iekika”

Those words had brought a new shock to the girl, of course she trusted him. But he couldn’t trust her if she didn’t even trust herself! She couldn’t let him trust her because if there ever came a day when her vampire blood overthrew her human blood, Jasiri couldn’t trust her then! And yet, him speaking the words had brought a hidden happiness to the girl. Trust was something needed in times such as these, the times where Kamenwati’s plots lay around every corner ready to unleash a new trouble for the light side. Ready to draw blood and turn people against their selves, against family and friends until they believe joining Kamenwati and her army was the only way out of it all. With such tricks hidden all over this world, trust was rare in sight and took forever to prove it strong enough to outlast Kamenwati. In fact, with Kamenwati against them now….the smallest amount of happiness was rare and tears fell like blood shed. Too many deaths had plagued the lands lately and Kamenwati had no intention on stopping, her little visit proved that right. Time to suck in the pride, to tell Jasiri good-bye once again, Iekika told herself once again. She hated having to dodge the king like this, but it was the rules she wasn’t allowed to speak with the king unless it was important. She learned this the hard way when she was younger and she stayed outside playing with Kamenwati and Jasiri. Yes, she remembers the beatings well. The scars from disobeying still showed on her back to this day. Though none of it was the king’s order, it was the head maid that did this. The previous king only watched because he had laid down the rules before this and he couldn’t change it then. Not on Iekika’s account. But enough with the past, it was over and there was no way to change any of that now. But, she had to tell Jasiri he couldn’t trust her…that he couldn’t allow himself to suck a weakness. And so, lead by the vampire within, she spoke. “And I trust you…I trust you as a leader and as a close friend. And because of our friendship, I can not allow you to trust me the way you do Jasiri.” She began, pausing for a moment before speaking again. “Sure, I’m half human…but I’m half monster. Half of me fights the other half for control…..control to kill again and if that side should prevail….I can not allow you to trust me.” She knew it was impossible to stop trusting one on one’s command but he had to. He had to, for his own sake.

[xx.'Till the Fat Lady Sings.]

Jasiri looked her up and down, almost wearily. This was beginning to become too much to take in. Too much stress. Why now? He should have known that Iekika wouldn't have just accepted what he had said. It was too complicated of a situation for that. Perhaps even he was being a bit too reckless for trusting her? Maybe she was right? But almost as soon as this thought crossed his mind, he banished it. No, Iekika was still trustworthy. At least, the human side of her was. There had to be some sort of way around this, a way that somehow, this wouldn't matter. But Jasiri knew that this hope was in vain...this was just something that couldn't be over-looked, no matter what he thought. But what about his dark-angel blood? Should that be re-considered, too? It seemed only fair. And you know what? He was starting to think that maybe...this was way too late an hour to even be thinking of these complicated matters. But then, story of his life. What choice did he have? "...I...I know that. I know how hard it must be." Amber eyes shut momentarily, as if denying the world for a brief pause that seemed like eternity to Jasiri. But then, he continued, eyes flickering open again to let his gaze rest on Iekika again, more steadily this time. "...But you''ve been one of the most loyal people to this kingdom that I know of. And that deserves trust, whatever's in your blood." Maybe this wasn't the right thing to say, or even do. But Jasiri had just voiced what he believed. Unsure of how Iekika would take to this, unsure of how even he felt about it afterward, Jasiri lowered his gaze to the stone-cold floor.

[x.Wolf.x]

“How can you expect to trust someone if they’ve lied to you about how they really are? How do you know I’m not just one of Kamenwati’s spies here to do anymore damage?”

The questions spilled out of her mouth before she even stopped to think of what she was going to say or how it’d affect the king. But, half of this wasn’t Iekika’s fault she had only forced such questions on the young king because of his reply, the king had let his emotions get in the way of his decisions and whether he knew it yet or not….Iekika had promised the previous king to stop Jasiri from doing that. But how could she do that? How was she going to explain that he couldn’t trust her after they’ve been such close friends for so long? The answer was simple, she couldn’t Iekika just couldn’t. Perhaps it was her emotion getting in the way as well but there was no way she was going to win this tiny little argument. For a moment, her gaze met his but he dropped his gaze to the floor before Iekika could figure out which emotion was affecting him the most. Of course, it’d be betrayal right? After all she just told him she had the blood of the most hated monster in the lands and no to mention the fact that she had kept the secret from him until now. Now of all times, when the young king seemed to be collapsing from all of the stress and sadness he’s forced to endure and now he finds her fighting as a vampire. At this moment, Iekika felt as though she should stab herself or at the very least slap herself in the head about a million times. Pathetic, all of this was just pathetic and she was just finding this out as the scene dragged on and on, each line spilling out of each of the pair’s mouths as if this was some rehearsed drama. At the moment, Iekika felt as if she couldn’t stand in front of Jasiri anymore, like she had to run, run and hide from this from all of this….from him….and then emerge when it’s all over. But somewhere in the back of her head she knew that this, all of this would never blow over and it would come back for them later on in the future. Besides, where could she run to too get away from here, where could she bury herself so deep in thought or even battle that she forgot this entire night…forgot every single emotion she felt? The answer was and will always be no where, there was no place that one could just disappear to and forget such nights as these. Heaving a sigh, Iekika decided to make this entire conversation easier to apologize for whatever new sadness she had forced the king to endure tonight and to tell him she was off to bed. Ha, how simple that would be to say ‘I’m sorry’ and then run off to bed and face all of this in the morning but they all knew that would never happen unless this was some sort of fairytale….without a happy ending. “Jasiri, I’m sorry. I’m sorry for everything…for holding this back for so many years, for you finding out the way you did, for adding on nothing but stress to your already stressed-filled day and for allowing Kamenwati to escape tonight” Like the previous time, the words just spilled out of the maid’s mouth before she could think it all through, before she could pick each and every word until she had a well thought out sentence….a well thought out apology. But she couldn’t, for if she thought about it, the words would have been changed and the entire apology would have no meaning to her. The time was just striking 12, midnight to be exact, but Iekika felt none of the exhaustion she had felt earlier, in fact she was pretty sure that after tonight…she’d never sleep easy again. Not without regretting this night until the very thought of it tore her in two. Perfect wasn’t it, her life as a simple maid in this castle was just so perfect. Now, Iekika’s soft blue eyes never left Jasiri, not after the apology…..she had to see the first sign of emotion to this…..she just had to.


(wow...long much)