Open for whiteknighting (or creeping :3 )

[sangreine]

When; November 19th
Rating; PG-13? Probable blood drinking, though not without OOC permission!
Characters; Saya, Setsuna, probably Karl the creeper, OPEN
Summary; Amnesiac Chiropteran Queen Saya didn't know (or want to accept) that she needs blood to live, and now is paying for it.
Log;

Several days' willful avoidance seemed a boon at the time, letting Saya explore her new (are they new? She still can't remember) surroundings and learn (relearn) new things, like how to help keep the house clean and how to make her own food.

...The microwave is her limit but it's progress, and she's proud of it.

At first her periodic exhaustion was an irritant, a needless distraction from what is becoming her life. Once or twice a passing thought crept up, Setsuna's question about blood, and her determination to fight through whatever was tiring her, without resorting to anything like that, redoubled: more soda and sweets, more fresh air, more can't-miss plans. Stubbornness was reprieve enough in the moment, although as it turns out, it was a temporary one. Slowly, inevitably, she had no choice but to succumb.

The wall and shaking legs barely keep Saya upright, her sluggish eyes drift over the blurred landscape. She can't name how long she's been walking, has no idea where she's ended up or how far she is from Charlie's place. But she knows, without a doubt, that she has to keep going... somehow.

Each step is near disaster as her body and vision seem to lurch in opposition. She can't call for help no matter how scared she is; it might draw Diva or Karl. So what should she do?

What's happening to her?

Comments

[worldofourown]

[ Everything is falling into place. Diva is here. So are her babies. Karl has his right arm back. Their family -- the tolerable components of it -- are intact. No Amshel. No irksome business. And better than best, Karl has Saya. He admits he's disappointed, nightly shadowing her, to see she's not recovered her memories yet. Can't, without her insect-Chevalier. But in her current state she's endearingly ridiculous. Not worth engaging. ]

[ But he'll play with her. Like a cat stalking a mouse. He fancies sneaking in to wreck the place she lives in, a dash of property-damage and screams to make his evening. He's already terrorized her redheaded friend. She's alive, but maybe he'll take it a step further. Have a few sips of her blood. Leave a message etched in red for Saya to read on her skin. He wants her to wake up. A nasty shock is best for that. Think of all the fun we could have. ]

[ Traversing the empty streets now, Karl senses a presence. Magnetic. Unmistakable. His eyes narrow, a cruel smile spreading. Speak of the Devil ]

[sangreine]

[A pulse. She can hear it, to the exclusion of the din of the City around her. Steady, hearty... speeding. Her own?]

[A quick mental heel-turn and a shake of her head dispels any chance of considering why that cadence was so comforting, just for a second easing her bone-deep cold.]

[With one instinct too long denied and still wanting, the rest are close to the surface. Dull horror coupled with inexplicable relief, a strange cocktail indeed, announce the enemy before he appears and Saya's eyes, unbeknownst to her, flare bright red. She shifts, ready to spring, whether as prey or predator.]

[Reality, frustratingly stronger than her will, dulls her eyes and has her crashing to the wall, her shoulder and adrenaline all that keep her upright.] ...Hello?

[worldofourown]

[ Moth to flame, he's drawn to her. The aura of her subrosa distress practically makes the air shimmer. Hearing the tiny Hello, he steps forward, measured, predatory. Such a pretty sight. Such a pathetic sight. Saya needs to shape up. Give him a proper battle before he destroys her. That's the whole point. ]

[ Not for her to stand there, slumped, defenseless, like a Lost Little Lamb in a den of wolves. The analogy makes his smile deepen. Brings out his fangs -- a blade unsheathed in darkness. She is a Lamb right now. Begging to be mauled and devoured. ]

Dearest Saya~ Long time, no see. [ Entranced, he steps closer. Drinks her in with bright eyes. ] Is something toubling you?

[sangreine]

[She is drawn to his fangs, her lethargic gaze snapping to them with her full, straining attention. Setsuna's words echo in her mind, have been for days, an offer of help made in good faith that started her inevitable fall. Everything she fears about herself is encapsulated in those two inhuman teeth and the man who so casually bares them. Mocking her.]

[Will she lose herself even before she knows who she is?]

[Saya tears her eyes away, squeezing them closed, forehead pressing to the cold brick. She can feel him advancing but dares not speak, uncertain if she'd demand he step away or come closer still.]

[worldofourown]

[ He drifts ever-closer. She's not recoiling. But she's not being reactive either. He chuckles, recognizing the signs. The same pathetic self-denial as always. Refusing blood. Refusing what she is. He itches to reach out. To dig his fingers into skin and bone -- pulverize -- hear her shriek. But he's made a vow. To his crippling failure in Vietnam. To his love for Diva itself. Until she's awake, until he's seen that terrible and glorious monster restored to her true self, he won't damage her. ]

[ Not too much anyway. ]

What's wrong? Can't you speak? [ He gives her a sneering once-over. ] You seem peaked. Off our feed, are we?

[sangreine]

[As if the mere act of opening her mouth might be her undoing, she bites down on her lip, breaking the skin just enough to put the slightest metallic tint on the tip of her tongue -- not what she needs, but enough a reminder to pique her need painfully. Her eyes fly open, flaring bright red, a twinge that goes all the way to her knees.]

[No! The force of her denial is enough to dull her irises, dampen the urge that had been nearly enough to tip her. Whatever she needs, she won't ask Karl for it.]

[worldofourown]

[ The scent of her blood -- just a dollop -- hits him with dizzying force. Presaging a loss of control, greed and delight blooming, careening his mind towards mayhem. A dozen scenarios of snatching her up, sinking his fangs into her neck arise all at once in his head. ]

[ He restrains himself. Just barely. Reaches to trace a finger across her jaw. It might be a caress. But the gleam in his eyes is far from tender. ]

You can't fight it off forever, you know. And these silly people you buffer yourself with can't give you what you truly need.

Sometime after Karl is an ass

[beyourarmy]

When you have a naive, barely communicative chiropteran queen under your care, even if you're the unobservant Setsuna Mudou, you still notice, eventually, when she goes missing. He tried to ignore his concerns, at first, but when it was dinner time and there was no voracious Saya in sight, he took off to look for her.

Fortunately, once he started, it didn't take long. Even from a distance he recognized her immediately and rushed to her side. Never mind all the questions running through his mind, he had to make sure she was responsive, first.

"Saya?"

[sangreine]

[As Saya's skills with communication increase, she seems to do less of it. Already she's hiding things, her time with Setsuna divided between overstated enthusiasm to hide her exhaustion and indulging in moments of closed-eyed nodding while his back was turned. Her concern is equal parts selfish and not: for him not to worry, and so he won't bring up that blood thing again.]

[The habits are days old now, and won't break easily. She forces a smile at Setsuna, demands her knees lock. Just fingertips on the wall now, Saya teetering like a top about to fall.]

[beyourarmy]

[And when it comes to Saya, he's noticed, more and more. He's watched her carefully and given his full attention to another person in a way he hasn't in a while, outside of Kira. He sees her feeble movements, and reaches out to put his arms at her shoulders. To steady her.]

You're not okay, are you?

[sangreine]

[Her head sags forward, chin nearly on her chest. Looking him in the eye is impossible, as much so as shrugging out of his grip. Like it or not, she can't hide anymore.]

I'm scared.

[beyourarmy]

[And if she won't look at him, he'll lower down, attempt to look at her from that angle, instead.]

Why? Is it Karl?

[sangreine]

[The second their eyes meet, she squeezes hers closes and turns her head, unshed tears welling despite her efforts.] Yes. And no.

You -- were right about me. [And also wrong, when he said she was good. Even then, Saya knew better, but she wanted, wished, to believe.]

[deadmanbusiness]

"Hey, are you all right?" Theo saw the woman lurching around and concerned came over to check up on her. She may be a stranger, but she still looked like she needed help.

He approached her carefully, not wanting to startle her, shoving the rats into his pockets. Because zombie rats are startling.

[sangreine]

[Saya starts at the sound of an unfamiliar voice, but her responses are lethargic. She can't even try to run, if she wished to.]

[But the man doesn't seem too dangerous, so she leans further against the wall and watches him.] Don't know.

[deadmanbusiness]

"What's wrong? You look ... sick?"

Theo does look perfectly harmless though he does radiate a bit of creepy weird offness. Like he's undead, but he's got a pulse.

[sangreine]

She shakes her head, slow and sad. "Not sick." Something worse.

She can't bear to put words to it, so she doesn't. She just tries to step forward, walk past the stranger, but not two steps in her balance falters and she pitches forward onto her knees.

[deadmanbusiness]

Theo catches her easily and prevents her from face-planting onto the sidewalk.

"I think you need to get to the hospital."

[sangreine]

It's not so strange for her to be in the arms of someone she doesn't know, but this is different. Before, she needed saving and now -- maybe the man who caught her does.

"No." Saya shakes her head. "You should get back... it's not safe."

[haring_to_go]

[ He recognized the woman from the zoo of a certainty and with a quick glance left and right, he hurried to steady her. ]

Ah... Miss?

[ he never did catch her name ]

Are you all right?

[ she always seemed to be in distress. This was hardly healthy for a woman her age. ]

[sangreine]

[Saya clutches at the wall as best she can, but his aid helps to keep her upright more than her own efforts.]

[She remembers him from before, and offers a little smile, the best she can manage.] Saya.

Thank you. [For just now, and for before. She couldn't say it properly, then.]

[haring_to_go]

[ he drapes her arm around his shoulder, his own around her waist. ]

Where are you staying? I'll take you there.

[sangreine]

[She leans on him at first, but just one step and she can hear his heart beating, so impossibly loud, she can't think of anything but his warmth, the rushing heat beneath his skin -- ]

[Saya jerks away, tumbling to her knees.] Stop! It's not safe.

[haring_to_go]

[ he blinks and then reaches for her again, slowly, and with great calm. ]

Of course it isn't. That's why I need to get you back home. You're obviously feeling unwell.

[ although, now that he's looking at her, she does seem to remind him of someone... ]

[sangreine]

No! [She bats his hand away, weakness preventing it from being more than halfhearted.] I'm not safe.