~ frost rose] Spirit of Water [Eve Lacus ~
<h1 id="title">Elliquiy Role Playing Forums</h1>
		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Exotic Solos =&gt; Topic started by: Eve Lacus on 23-09-2011, 07:04:43</h2>
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				Title: <strong>~ frost rose] Spirit of Water [Eve Lacus ~</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Eve Lacus</strong> on <strong>23-09-2011, 07:04:43</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(http://i22.servimg.com/u/f22/12/12/45/20/s2610.png)<br></div>Its…been a while Lou.”<br><br>The bartender and owner of the ever popular <em>Louis’</em>, stopped his ministrations on the unclean glass in his hand, to gaze upon a face he hadn’t seen in years. “Well I’ll be damn!” He slammed the glass onto the counter. “If it isn’t little Zorin Henke” Lou exclaimed, as he came around bar to pull the young witch into a bear hug. “Its good to see you to Lou.” Zorin laughed, as she stepped away. It was the first time in days between the fear, and anxiety that she felt genuinely cheery about something. <br><br>“So what brings you back to our neck of the woods?” He teased the little witch, leaning back onto the counter of the bar. It been years since he’d seen Zorin, she had once lived here in the city back in the day. The young witchling of the coven, striving to have a normal life, while she trained to hone her abilities. No one ever guessing that underneath the surface she was tied to a far greater destiny. No one except…<br><br>“Still cutting right to the chase. Huh Lou?” Zorin smiled at the bartender, basking in the familiarity of his presences. In some way it made the witch feel better after the couple of days that she had had. Zorin still couldn’t believe it, even now after she had a couple of days to let everything sink in. She was on the run, being framed for a murder that she didn’t even commit. Zorin guessed this whole situation could have been almost funny, if harm that waited for her outside the bar doors wasn’t so real. <br><br>The coven was after her, one elders of the Massen was dead, and if Zorin didn’t find the one person who could help her figure out this mystery. Than it was only a matter of time before she was caught, and sentenced for the horrendous crime. She sighed, looking to ever patiently waiting Lou. Zorin had no idea if she should trust the older male with everything that was going on. If the coven’s agents came snooping around, could torture Lou, and force him to point them in the right direction. <br><br>Zorin did not want something like that for her old friend. He would never be the same after going through something like that. So…it was best to leave him in the dark for now. He was safer that way. “I came back to town to look for someone Lou.” Zorin began, taking the spot next to the bartender, as she leaned on the counter as well. She looked to the older man with a clam yet determined expression. “Where is she Lou? Where is Kerstin?” <br><br>The old bartender sighed, throwing back his head in a groan. Lou should have known this was reason for the witch’s sudden reappearance. “You can’t just come back after all these years, and open that kind of can of worms Zorin.” He chided the girl. “Kerstin doesn’t need a bunch of false hopes like that these days.” Lou looked away from the witch, gazing towards the entrance doors. He didn’t mean to be so harsh, but it was fact, after what had happen between Zorin and Kerstin. The last thing that needed to be reopened was the past. <br><br>“I am not here to win her back Lou.” The witch protested. “I need Kerstin’s aide in something, and only someone with her expertise can see the job done.” In other words Zorin was in trouble, and being that the demon blood was her former guardian. She only felt safe under her protection. “I get it Lou. Really I do, but I have looked for Kerstin every where.” Zorin pleaded with him. “You are the only one I know whose kept contact with her. So please tell me where she is?” It was a matter of life and death. And if Lou didn’t point her in the right direction to get some help soon, the expiration on this witch would be up very soon. <br><br>The old bartender took a deep breath, and took back to his station behind counter. <em>I know that I am going to regret this.</em> He thought mentally, shaking his head, picking unclean glass once more. “Just stick around. Our little half-demon may not come in at a regulated time these days, but she always shows up here eventually.” Zorin remained silent, blinking at Lou’s words at first. When the realization of what he said finally sunk in she smiled and took one of the empty bar stools at the counter. “Thank you Lou.” She took his hand into her own. “I promise you won’t regret this.” The older man nodded, but his expression stern. “You just make sure that I don’t.” But the bartender already knew that he would, because when Kerstin walked through that door and saw Zorin. There was going to be hell to pay. &nbsp;
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				Title: <strong>Re: ~ frost rose] Spirit of Water [Eve Lacus ~</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>frost rose</strong> on <strong>23-09-2011, 20:57:17</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a237/ecchikunoichi/sexyredheadgirlsgingers9_thumb1.jpg)<br></div>There were a few bright spots to be found as the year waned. Autumn brought along with it cooler temperatures, and even if it had been a been unseasonably warm, it wasn’t roasting every day anymore. There was even hints that there might be snow flying earlier than usual, although Kerstin found herself unable to wrap her mind around unseasonably warm leading to early snow. The important effect, though, is that she was no longer baking while dressed for riding. The heavy jeans of kevlar-reinforced denim and durable leather jacket were not for the summery months, and it was nice to not end up broiling inside her clothing the moment she dismounting from her motorbike.<br><br>Of course, it also meant freezing to death in the middle of the night while digging through a half frozen marsh, hoping that you didn’t end up twisting your ankle and drowning before you managed to find your quarry, who undoubtedly was used to this sort of terrain and could see in the dark better than you could. But the summer had equally unpleasant challenges, and on the whole Kerstin still preferred the cool. And the autumn rains were some of her favourite parts of the year. It was a pity that so far it had been at most drizzly, and today was intensely clear, with the sun seeming to linger in the sky just to rub it in her nose.<br><br>If she could survive till the weekend at least things would look up. Thunderstorms were predicted to come in, bringing with them both more cool and the rain. She could use a break, anyhow. A rather nasty fall not long previous had nearly broken the bone, and twisted her knee besides. She healed quick, but she still had a bad limp, and it was a tribute to the robustness of her body that she wasn’t laid up in the hospital with reconstructive surgery. A weekend of staying inside and not aggravating the still present bruising and tears would probably do her some good.<br><br>Of course on the flip side, whenever she wasn’t out getting herself nearly killed, it let her slow down enough to actually start thinking, and that was never a good thing. She had enough maintenance and repairwork to do that it was probably safe enough, and she could always up the dose on the painkillers she was taking until she spent the entire weekend in a fugue, worse came to worse.<br><br>Which really was what she was doing now, picking her way slowly through the parking lot and into the bar. And lately it had been nicer than ever, what with the smoking ban enforced. She ended up walking out without her eyes dry and watering and smelling of stale tobacco, and that itself was a blessing.<br><br>She limped up to the bar and sat down heavily on the rather battered stool, letting her hair down from the ribbon she wore to keep it out of her face while she drove. Today hadn’t even been that bad of a day, just tiresome. She hadn’t gotten shot at, drooling upon, thrown bodily across any rooms, or anything of the sort. Somehow the numbing mindlessness of all her actual normal work was just as exhausting, and didn’t have the benefit of an adrenaline rush to go with it.<br><br>Ah, and there was Lou, already with a glass of something dark and frothy in hand. She smiled up blearily at him and reached to take it, but he didn’t offer it back, instead extending his other hand, palm up. “Keys.”<br><br>She blinked in surprise. “What? My day wasn’t <em>that</em> bad.” And in any event, she might have been as susceptible to alcohol as any other woman, but she usually got over it quickly enough. An hour snacking on pretzels and whinging after she finished drinking would have her close enough to sober most nights.<br><br>He just shrugged in response, keeping his hand extended. A moment later, he added, “Trust me. First one’s on me, but I’ll need your keys.”<br><br>Slowly she drew them out of her pocket, placing them down on the bar with no little suspicion. Lou didn’t often get like this, but every so often, and it never was for no reason. She took the glass handed her then and took a sip. “So what’s the problem?” He didn’t answer, instead simply pointing. She followed his finger, and very nearly dropped the glass as her eyes settled on the woman indicated.<br><br>She... didn’t know quite what to feel at that moment, and so ended up feeling mostly numb at the sight, her stomach sinking but the rest of her failing to react at all. Which was probably just as well. She turned away the, back towards Lou. “You don’t care if I get drunk,” she said slowly as something clicked in her mind. “You just don’t want me to leave.”<br><br>Lou looked a little uncomfortable, and gave another of his rolling shrugs. Kerstin frowned, rising to her feet, ignoring the lager that sloshed over her fingers as she did so. “What the <em>hell</em>, Lou? And you’re keeping me here?” She glanced over at where he had tucked her keys away under the bar, looking for a moment lie she would simply walk out without them. His hand came down over hers.<br><br>“She’s not here to fuck with you,” he said, sounding like he was trying to convince himself as much as he was her. “She just needs to talk.”<br><br>“And you’re going to bat for her?” Kerstin sounded a touch incredulous, glancing back over at where Zorin was sitting. He nodded. She stood there for a moment, staring at him. She knew that he had been in touch with her at least off and on over the years. But never once had he passed on a message, given away where she was, anything like that. Not that Kerstin had ever thought Zorin would be interested in doing anything like that, but the point was Lou wouldn’t have. And now he was one step away from insisting that she stayed and heard the woman out.<br><br>She sighed and sat back down in her chair. “All right, but I am not going over there,” she said, just a bit petulantly as she started in on her drink. 
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				Title: <strong>Re: ~ frost rose] Spirit of Water [Eve Lacus ~</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Eve Lacus</strong> on <strong>25-09-2011, 10:25:40</strong>
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				“That’s all right Kerstin. I don’t mind coming to you.” Zorin walked up towards the pair, cutting in between bartender, and the demon blood’s tense conversation. She hadn’t heard much of what either one of them had said, but her empathic abilities couldn’t help but pick up on strain between the pair. Lou was determined that the demon blood should stay to hear Zorin out. While Kerstin she felt was determined as well to do anything but listen to what the witch had to say. “So I see Lou took your keys.” Zorin pulled out the empty barstool next to Kerstin, taking seat. <br><br>"Other wise I am certain you would have been gone by now.” She continued, both of them knowing full well that if Ker had the freedom of her keys. She would have left a long time ago. Not that Zorin blamed her. If the roles had been reversed, she would have been determined to leave too. Why would any one want to see the person that mercilessly ripped out your heart? For that is what Zorin had done, that was the reason Kerstin had no desire to see the witch. <br>&nbsp;<br>Because four years ago. On a night much like this one, Zorin had packed her bags, left the apartment she and Kerstin once shared. And never looked back. Her parting with the demon blood harsh and cruel as Zorin basically made clear to Kerstin. That she no longer loved her, and saw a relationship between them beneath her. So…it was a little understandable that she had no desire to speak to Zorin let alone see her. <br><br>The past was most likely a touchy subject, a place in time where old wounds could easily be reopened. In her own way Zorin understood that. She too had her own secret wounds. “Oh and don’t’ be to hard on the old man Kerstin.” Zorin continued speaking, motioning towards Lou to fix her up a drink as well. “He only did what he did because I asked him too.” The old bartender choose at that moment to come back with Zorin’s drink, placing it onto the counter, than turning his attention to new customer that just walked in. <br><br>In his own sweet methods this was Lou’s way of giving them privacy. He also was most likely harboring some hope that Zorin and Kerstin some how could over come everything, and work things out. The witch really didn’t have the heart to tell the older man that would most likely never happen. Kerstin would never forgive her and Zorin would never reveal the truth that could possibly make her do so. The witch still cared, still loved her enough to protect her from such a painful truth. <br><br>Zorin lifted her drink, taking a sip. She knew that it was now or never to tell Kerstin what was going on. “I just want to make this clear. I am not here to trudge up the past Ker.” She began, the glass in her hand lifting into mid-air as she called upon her telekinetic ablities. “I guess things never really change. Whenever I get myself into a scrap. Whom do I turn too?” Zorin looked from glass hovering before her, to the beautiful image of Kerstin. Nothing really had to be said, the answer to that question stood there linger between them. <br><br>So instead Zorin just skipped that part, and revealed the rest. “I need your help. I’m in trouble Ker.” She admitted. “I am being framed for a murder and there is no possible way I could have committed it.” &nbsp;
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				Title: <strong>Re: ~ frost rose] Spirit of Water [Eve Lacus ~</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>frost rose</strong> on <strong>25-09-2011, 22:36:48</strong>
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				Kerstin’s eyebrow twitched as Zorin took her seat next to her. While she was perfectly willing to be petty and immature when it came to her ex-lover, she didn’t particularly want to be overheard being so. At least she wasn’t blushing, the embarrassment entirely internal for the moment. That would have been downright mortifying, and it was bad enough being scrounged up after all this time.<br><br>She did her best to remain distant as she listened, not making eye contact and for all the world looking like she was paying more attention to her drink than to Zorin. And at first, she was, really. The glass giving her an excuse to listen only with half of her mind, but she couldn’t keep it up. The shock was beginning to wear off as she heard Zorin speak, the warm, caring voice she remembered sucking up her attention despite herself.<br><br>She made a mistake, she already could tell, in not just abandoning her keys and walking out right then. She liked that voice and always had, remembering laying her head on Zorin’s lap and just listening to her talk for who knew how long. It was hard to remember, listening to it, that it was deceptive as well, and the growing urge to cry or scream or <em>something</em> was a testament to that.<br><br>The voice along had her so wrapped up that she nearly missed the signs that she was going to regret this even more than anticipated. She did a double take when Zorin brought up who she always turned to. Another twitch. Of course she did. Kerstin’s knuckles whitened, and for a moment she wondered if the glass was going to explode in her hand. If she trusted her voice right then, she would have protested. What gave Zorin the right to her protection? She <em>had</em> that, and what had she down with it?<br><br>The thought escaped her a moment later though. What in the world had happened that Zorin had gotten framed, or that anyone actually believed she could have murdered anyone? A little voice in the back of her head observed that she never would have expected someone so kind as Zorin could have left in that way, but she squashed it. There was a world of difference between breaking up with your girlfriend and killing someone, after all. Even in her most uncharitable moments, she wouldn’t have suspected Zorin of that. Unless, of course, times had changed.<br><br>Kerstin bit her lip, shutting down the line of thought completely before she started doubting herself endlessly. No, Zorin was probably not guilty, and certainly in trouble in any event. And so she had come running to Kerstin, knowing she could rely on her to stand by her and do right by her, even after she had ground broken glass into her heart, left her, and apparently got her into trouble with the coven besides, if the way Kerstin had been dropped from the rolls was any indication. What kind of doormat did she think Kerstin was?<br><br>She drained her glass in one long swallow and placed it down on the bar in front of her with a sigh. And dammit, okay, maybe she was a doormat then. “What do you need?” 
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				Title: <strong>Re: ~ frost rose] Spirit of Water [Eve Lacus ~</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Eve Lacus</strong> on <strong>28-09-2011, 01:19:07</strong>
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				What did Zorin want? That was simple. “I need you to do what you do best Kerstin.” She replied, looking to the demon blood. “Protect me until I can clear my name. That is all I ask.” It was as simple as that. Zorin needed nothing else. “I’ll pay you anything you want. Just name your price.” The witch really didn’t have any access to funds at the moment, but once her name was clear, and the coven’s agents were no longer after her. Zorin could easily take what she needed without having fear of being tracked. ”Than after my innocences is proven. I’ll pay the price agreed, and we can go our separate ways.”&nbsp; <br><br>Kerstin would never have to see Zorin again. Which seem exactly what she wanted anyway. Not that the witch blamed her. She would probably felt the same way if the roles were reversed. So in the end it would all be fore the best. Kerstin would use her skills to help Zorin and once the job was over would walk off into the sunset with some sort of payment in tow. Neither one of them ever setting eyes on the other ever again. <br><br>Of course that was the last thing Zorin wanted, even in a situation as difficult as this. She’d rather have an out come where the past was no longer an issue, and neither one of them desired to walk away. But of course that was a fairy tale, and this was reality. And in Zorin’s reality if Kerstin did agree to give aide, once this was all over she would walk away. “So how bout it?” The witched inquired, looking to half-breed. “Will you help me Kerstin? Will you protect me until I can prove my innocence?” &nbsp;
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				Title: <strong>Re: ~ frost rose] Spirit of Water [Eve Lacus ~</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>frost rose</strong> on <strong>30-09-2011, 05:42:32</strong>
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				The response wasn't really all that surprising. Really, if Zorin were in that sort of trouble, on the run and surrounded by hostile faces, what else would she need? And who else would she turn to. Kerstin looked down regretfully at the empty glass, stripped now of her best way of both delaying having to make a response, and hope for getting herself so hammered she wouldn't have to think about this anymore. Granted, that would have been a terrible idea, and she knew it, and it wouldn't have even made the problem go away, but it would have made her feel better about it. <br><br>She settled for chewing on her lip for a minute. She was supposed to be <em>done</em> with this shit. After all, that was the one silver lining in the cloud. Sure she had pretty much seen her life collapse around herself, and if she were entirely honest was just barely treading water at the moment, financially speaking, but at least she didn't have to deal with <em>this</em>. And yet here Zorin was, not on her doorstep, but close enough to count by her estimation.<br><br>Kerstin revised her opinion—it was just as well she had drained the glass, her stomach turning to acid as the silence lingered on, the seconds ticking by. She had managed to maintain for a little while the fiction that she had recovered. But even she wasn't a good enough liar to convince herself that she was all right, given the twisty feeling that was now churning inside of her. She didn't know how she felt about Zorin right then, but it was obvious she felt <em>something</em>. <br><br>And it wasn't like this was going to be an easy job. If only it were demons that had somehow gotten onto Zorin's trail. Those were easy, you just buttoned up and dug in, getting ready to shoot, stab, or burn to ash anything that dared stick its nose in your line of sight. But coven agents? Even if they did&nbsp;manage to prove Zorin's innocence, if Kerstin had piled up a body count during that her life was going to be worth less than it already was. It was always harder to deal with enemies you couldn't just kill and have done with, and that during a time when Kerstin suspected her nerves would be shot to begin with, if today were anything to go by. <br><br>She wrinkled her nose. And what was the alternative? Let Zorin hang out to dry, give up on her when she had come running to Kerstin for protection, basically hand her over to the coven for prosecution, to face whatever judgement they had ready. And Kerstin had first hand experience with what the coven was capable of when they were simply annoyed with you. <br><br>She sighed, burying her face in her hands for a moment before she leaned back in her seat, staring at the ceiling. "All right, I'll do it. Just—" Just what? She grasped for words for a few seconds before giving up with a grimace. "We'll head back to my flat. The wards'll probably hold long enough for me to set up a bolt hole to crash in while you sort this out." 
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				Title: <strong>Re: ~ frost rose] Spirit of Water [Eve Lacus ~</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Eve Lacus</strong> on <strong>04-10-2011, 08:50:56</strong>
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				It was tough for Zorin to wait patiently while Kerstin came to a decision. She was just so use to turning to half-demon with her problems, and her former protector being willing to come to her aide. That it never really computed to Zorin that Ker would refuse. <em>I guess she hates me that much.</em> The witch thought hopelessly. It was times like theses that she hated the <em>Massen</em> even more. They alone were the reason why Zorin could never tell Kerstin the truth, and were also the reason why the pair could never be together. <br><br>If wasn’t for them. If it wasn’t for the terrible thing they’d demanded Zorin to do. None of this most likely would have never happen. Instead she and Kerstin would still possibly be a couple, enjoying a happy life together. Not here in Lou’s bar discussing a detached business deal, while pretending awkwardly that a break up had never happen between them. It just wasn’t the way it was suppose to be, and yet Zorin could change none of it. <br><br>She couldn’t tell Kerstin truth. The risks were to high, and the price to steep. And for what? Just to have a moment of happiness, knowing that Ker no longer loathed her. Zorin didn’t think so. She rather endure the half-demon’s hate than to ever risk alternative. <em>"All right, I'll do it. Just—" Kerstin agreed, drawing a breathe of relief from Zorin. The sense of safety now feeling more concrete, and absolute. Zorin felt like for the first time in days, since all of this had begun, that she finally stood a decent chance of surviving the ordeal. <br><br>Especially now that she had Kerstin on her side. <br><br><em>"We'll head back to my flat.”</em> The demon blood continued, a slight grimace appearing on her face. She looked as if she was fighting some kind of internal battlef. <em>“The wards will probably hold long enough for me to set up a bolt hole to crash in while you sort this out.”</em> Zorin nodded at the female’s words, coming to her feet. “Ok then let’s go.” She agreed. “I've been here to long any way. I don’t want the coven to track me to Lou's, and ruin his bar.” The witch turned away, leaning over the surface of the counter to retrieve Kerstin’s keys. <br><br>“So lets go.” Zorin handed over the object over to the ex-guardian. “We need to leave anyway. I have a lot to fill you in on. If you are going to know what we are to be up against.”</em> 
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				Title: <strong>Re: ~ frost rose] Spirit of Water [Eve Lacus ~</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>frost rose</strong> on <strong>05-10-2011, 11:45:01</strong>
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				A lot to fill her in on? For a moment, part of Kerstin wanted to be snide about that. A rather uncharitable part, the one constantly sniping, thinking every nasty thing it could. Trying to convince Kerstin it wasn’t her fault what had happened. She wasn’t sure how good of a job it had done. Even before Zorin had showed up again, a far more insidious part of Kerstin had dug up and replayed every memory she had, reminding her of everything she had done wrong, of why she had deserved what had happened in the end. It usually did the better job of the two.<br><br>She looked away as she stood up. Yeah, it was only fair, really, that she was going to end up helping more than just by providing a mostly safe haven. She’d have to spend most of her time with Zorin anyhow—she might as well see about helping so much as she could. It would speed things up, if nothing else. She reached over the bar, fishing out her keys from where she had seen Lou stash them earlier. Now was the time to be sober, sadly. And for the next few weeks at that. That was going to be a first in a while.<br><br>“All right,” she said as she retrieved the keys. “We can talk more at home. Probably safer that way, anyhow.” It was only then that she realised that they <em>would</em> have to wait until they got back to her flat, rather than talk on the way. And moreover, she realised the way they’d probably be getting there was her motorbike. She had to forcibly restrain herself from glancing nervously over towards Zorin at that thought.<br><br>“Uh, did you bring a car here, or are we both going home with me?” She didn’t say it explicitly, but she didn’t think she had to. Her memories of riding with Zorin before were strong, even now. The woman—her lover pressed up against her back, arms around her waist, both of them straddling the purring motor. It was one of the fonder, and more intimate, and, well, more erotic memories she had from her time with the witch.<br><br>Normally it was a pleasant, if rather bittersweet thing. More often the subject of her wandering thoughts while feeling particularly... lonely and vulnerable in the bathtub than any of the <em>actually</em> erotic things they had done together. Granted, she tried to think of her ex as little as possible in situations like those, even she knew that couldn’t be healthy in the slightest. But it happened anyhow, and now she was fairly certain there was a faint blush appearing on her cheeks.<br><br>This was going to be a tortuously long partnership. 
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				Title: <strong>Re: ~ frost rose] Spirit of Water [Eve Lacus ~</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Eve Lacus</strong> on <strong>12-10-2011, 03:08:20</strong>
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				Zorin felt somewhat guilty about this situation with Kerstin. It was obvious her former love was moving on with her life; doing her best to forget about everything they shared. The witch would have most likely though it was for the best if it didn’t hurt so much. Even now as the demon blood did everything within her power to keep herself from looking upon Zorin’s face, and the witch couldn’t help but feel. The action killed something within her a little more each time. “Cool. I guess were in agreement.” Zorin looked to Kerstin mutely, stepping away as the demon reached over the counter for her keys. <br><br>She really didn’t have the motivation to talk any more. So she decided to head outside, and wait for Kerstin. Since Zorin had left the coven pretty much under duress, all of her belongings, including her car had been left behind. Which meant that for the time being she would have to ride with Kerstin on her motorcycle. No doubt that was going to be another uncomfortable experience for them. The two of them had shared a lot of rides together on Ker’s bike in the past. <br><br>Zorin’s former guardian in the front, while she in the back. The witches arms wrapped around her demon lovers front, the both of them driving drive down the freeway, pressed against one another’s body. Those times had been one of the most erotic moments in their relationships, even now Zorin body still shivered from the memories. <em> “Uh, did you bring a car here, or are we both going home with me?”</em> Zorin blinked, her mind jumping from her thoughts as Kerstin called out to her. <br><br>“Uh…yeah sorry. I need the ride.” The witch confessed smiling apologetically. “I didn’t exactly grab any of my things, or my car when I escaped.” Zorin pointed out, heading for the door once again. She stopped short of the door looking to Lou. “See you later old timer.” The witch smiled at the bartender. “I hope you and I spend a little time together before this is all over.” She blew a kiss at the old salty man. He smiled, flashing a dashing of encouragement the witch’s way. “Count on it little lady.” They both laughed, but all to soon Zorin’s eyes became over shadow once more. <br><br>She turned a somber look to Kerstin, knowing that it was her turn to get a few words in with Lou. “I wait outside for you Ker.” Zorin looked to the other female quietly. “We can go when you’re ready.” She stepped outside, the door closing behind her. Up above the cloud were casting over, indicating a storm would soon be coming soon…
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				Title: <strong>Re: ~ frost rose] Spirit of Water [Eve Lacus ~</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>frost rose</strong> on <strong>12-10-2011, 09:15:46</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				The sound of the door closing behind her was weird. Kerstin did rather associate it with Zorin—she could barely help it, the last day together etched into sharp relief in her mind. How could she get away from something like that? And yet this time it was for only a moment. She would have to follow along soon, and then they were going to be spending a lot of time together.<br><br>She glared at Lou. He returned her look, if a lot more mildly. Then he sighed. “She really doesn’t mean any harm, Kerstin,” he said, sounding very sure of himself for someone who had been around to witness the last time Zorin had done anything to Kerstin. She twisted her lips into a very sour shape.<br><br>“Yeah, I’m sure,” was all she could manage in response.<br><br>There was a moment of silence before he finally added, “You might consider trying talking to her.” He held up a hand as she visibly stiffened at the suggestion. “I know you’ve got hard feelings, but she’s not wicked. Sweeter and nicer than you, at any rate.”<br><br>The look intensified, but... well, he was right. With that one glaring exception, Zorin <em>was</em> a fair bit nicer and good-hearted than the half-demon. Especially now, hardened by the years alone without any sort of moderating presence in her life. And that made it hard to find a good comeback.<br><br>Finally giving up, she finally just turned and left without a word. She would come by later and apologise—he didn’t deserve that sort of treatment for her—but at least for the moment, she was worried if she actually tried to start making him understand how she felt about Zorin and that mess, she would end up crying right there in the bar. Her reputation wouldn’t survive, to say nothing of how she’d feel afterwards, when she had to go outside and confront Zorin again with eyes red and puffy.<br><br>At least she wasn’t stalking anymore, just walking in a more normal fashion, when she finally did emerge. She passed the helmet latched on the bike to Zorin. She might have been able to take a spill from a speeding bike without permanent brain damage, but Zorin was merely human in that regard. And for all the mixed feelings she had, one thing Kerstin was still certain about was that she would never forgive herself if something disastrous happened to the witch.<br><br>And another bright spot, the engine of the bike’s motor completely hid the shiver that went through her when she felt Zorin’s arms run around her waist. It was a comfortable, familiar touch. The memories it invoked some of the best, the ones she managed to treasure even after the breakup. The sort of ones that made it difficult to hate her ex, even in the most trying of moments. Kicking up the stand she backed up, and started to—<br><br>Oh shit, her apartment. She had known of course they would have to stay there for at least a few nights, until she could get somewhere the council would have a harder time finding. That was going to be humiliating. It wasn’t precisely a rat trap—she always kept it clean, and in as good repair as she could manage—but it would be overly polite to say that it was a downgrade from where she had been living on the council’s dime.<br><br>The neighbourhood was bad, and the building showed it. The flat itself was tiny, and while Kerstin was certainly handy with the maintenance, there was only so much she could do. The place was virtually empty, save for the bare necessities, and her personal arsenal. It looked more like a militant camp, than a home, and the decor sucked, unless water damage and faded brown had become the height of fashion.<br><br>Even basic cleanliness was difficult was difficult, with the place all but falling apart. And it would have required money, all of which was spent on security and the necessities of running her private crusade against her half-siblings. Even if she ever could get over herself enough to be in the mood to redecorate, there wasn’t really anything to be done.<br><br>And now Zorin was going to <em>see</em> it all. Zorin would have gone back to an existence that wasn’t opulent, at least was comfortable. Seeing having the witch see how badly Kerstin had gone into a tailspin was already making her cringe and it hadn’t even happened yet.<br><br>At least she didn’t have long to stew in the feeling. The ride was over quick enough, and she lived on the first floor of the building. Easier to make an exit that way, she always found, in case of emergency. Silently, she parked and got out, leading the way to her flat and opening the door, feeling as though she wanted to curl up in a corner and close her eyes till the day left her alone already. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: ~ frost rose] Spirit of Water [Eve Lacus ~</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Eve Lacus</strong> on <strong>19-10-2011, 08:09:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Now that Kerstin had agreed to help Zorin clear her name. The elemental witch was starting to believe that teaming up was a bad idea. Kerstin had a different life now, a very different life from the one she had with Zorin. She was free, liberated from the society of the covenant. Zorin had no right to drag her back into that world, and yet she didn’t have any other place, or someone else to turn to. Since their breakup, and her return to the coven, Zorin never really trusted any one the way she had Kerstin. Not with the secrets of her power, her mind, the contents of her heart, or her body. <br><br>Only Kerstin. Only the woman she loved. It didn’t matter what blood or power that lay beneath the lineage of the half-demon. Zorin trusted Kerstin whole heartily to keep her safe. In her book there was no one better. Of course that still didn’t change the fact that Zorin should have never come, and turned her former lovers life up side down again. <em>What was I thinking?</em> The witch sighed, scolding herself mentally. <em>She was moving on, living her life without me.</em> <br><br>Zorin closed her eyes, and shook her head. She couldn’t help but feel that she was only making things in Kerstin’s life. When Zorin finally reopened her eyes, she was gazing above, looking towards the clouded sky. The image above seemed to match the vast turmoil of her emotions completely. Which wasn’t surprising, only slightly embarrassing to the witch. The well of her emotions connecting with the weather, displaying always when she was either angry, sad, or whatever emotion that affected her fiercely at the moment. <br><br>It was discomforting, and yet Zorin believed that it was penance. She’d broken Kerstin’s heart, and now her ability to connect with the climate, no longer allowed the witch to hide her emotions. <em>At least Kerstin didn’t know anything about it.</em> She thought. Zorin would never have been able to live it down, if the half-demon learned the truth, and discovered how she really felt about her. Everything she’d worked so hard to protect, and keep secret would go up into flames. Than who knew what the backlash would be after that. <br><br>The covenant did not take kindly to those who threaten them, and Ker was such a wild card. She would not back down from a challenge. In the end Zorin had no idea who would come out on top in such a confrontation, and she couldn’t handle if something happen to Kerstin. The only way Zorin could be certain that the half-demon remained safe and unharmed was to have Ker’s hate focused on her. That way she would never try to search for the truth. <br><br>Zorin cared enough, just enough to sacrifice that for the half-demon. The witch sighed, taking a deep breath, using all of her reserves to relax her body, and unchecked emotions. It was around that time that Kerstin finally ended her goodbyes with Lou, and came out side. She didn’t seem to want to talk at the moment, just handed the witch a helmet, and climb onto her bike. Zorin followed suit, placing the protection of the helmet on her head, and climb on the motorcycle as well. <br><br>She was reluctant to engage in such an intimate contact, and wrap her arms around Kerstin’s waist. There was so many unresolved desires Zorin had for the half-demon, and the contact with her body brought that back in ten-fold. Even so the witch didn’t want to fall during the ride, the helmet might break the fall on her head, but Zorin would nevertheless pay in the long round. So against her better judgment she closed her arms around the demon blood, and endured the ride as they took off. <br><br>The witch tried to deny the contact scorching contact between she and the half-demon. But it was hard the memories of their time together resurfaced, and everything that Zorin tried to bury wanted out. Wanted Kerstin. And that just couldn’t, and would never happen. Not now. Not ever. Kerstin didn’t see Zorin in that light anymore, and even if she did. There was no chance she would want to take the risk any way. <br><br>They arrived at Kerstin’s complex sometime later. The apartment wasn’t located in the best of areas in the city, but Zorin figured her former love had her reasons for picking the location. She parked the bike in a space in front of the building, cut the engine, and headed inside. Since Zorin had no idea where she was going, she followed behind. When they finally reach Kerstin’s apartment, Zorin was neither shocked, nor appalled by the conditions. She been hiding out in so many slums these past few days that even the most unseemly places looked like a four-star hotel. <br><br>So Zorin had no doubt that she could make herself at home in Ker’s apartment. She walked around, exploring the place the demon blood called home. There were different things lying around everywhere, books, papers, and tons of weapons. Objects of something that the witch had never like lying around when she, and Ker had lived together. “I see you still like to leave your weapon lying around every where.” She stated, stepping away from one of the tables that held a few blades, and some other weaponry. Zorin really didn’t really like weapons, or other arsenals. She was a person liked to at least try to talk things out before ending things with fighting. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: ~ frost rose] Spirit of Water [Eve Lacus ~</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>frost rose</strong> on <strong>22-10-2011, 11:39:29</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kerstin wrinkled her nose. If she had known she was going to be playing hostess to the witch, she might have actually tried to fix that. She was never exactly a neat freak per se, but there was a streak of organiser to her all the same. And beyond that needling, she didn’t intend to antagonise Zorin any more than she really had to. This was all coincidental. Although even in the best of times, there was only so much that could be hidden away. She didn’t have space for all she possessed, and even if she did, one always kept <em>something</em> close to hand, just in case. She tended to scoff at the sorts of arguments most made towards keeping their armoury handy, but then most people didn’t have to worry about vengeance-seeking demons.<br><br>And she still felt a little awkward about it despite all that. The comment hadn’t even seemed to be a snipe, just a bit of conversation and it still stung just a bit. She wasn’t sure what exactly that meant, but it probably was some comment about her emotional fragility, or how she was still pining over a girl who dumped her ages, or something similarly pathetic.<br><br>She gave an almost apologetically sheepish look over towards Zorin, and shrugged a little helplessly. “Don’t really have the space, otherwise,” she explained. “And I’m in the middle of cleaning most of them.” She paused for a moment, before adding as way of explanation, “I had a problem with a swamp.”<br><br>For a minute she just shuffled around, placing her jacket away and worrying. Then she sighed and gestured towards one of only two other rooms. “Feel free to take the bed,” she said, knowing she wouldn’t be getting any sleep anyhow. “Don’t make yourself too comfortable. We’ll only be staying here long enough so I can arrange something a bit more secret. I imagine the coven will be checking in here sooner or later, and I’d rather not be just waiting for them when they arrive.”<br><br>She really didn’t, too. That would only end up in badness, and probably with Zorin convicted, and herself strung up by something uncomfortable. So they would hide, and hopefully Zorin could manage her investigation quietly.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: ~ frost rose] Spirit of Water [Eve Lacus ~</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Eve Lacus</strong> on <strong>05-11-2011, 06:36:47</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				-----------------------------<br><br>“I didn’t mean to sound uncourteous.” Zorin stated apologetically, blushing slightly at Kerstin’s comment. She hadn’t meant to sound ungrateful or anything, but… “I apologize for my earlier comment.” She began again. “It was…just look around your place…brought back a few memories of when we use to live together…” Zorin immediately clamped her mouth shut, realizing what she had just said. It was a stupid move, and she felt like a complete idiot for bringing up the past. The last thing either one of them needed was any more awkwardness than this situation already established. And besides all that Zorin did not want any open conversations about the past with Kerstin.<br><br>If they begun reminiscing about the good old times, eventually the half demon would finally confront the things left undone between. Than she would most likely demand to finally know the truth, Zorin couldn’t allow that. Not while there was breath in her body, she had to protect Ker from the truth at all cost. “I…ugh…” The witch began, not really knowing what to say. “…lets just forget I said anything.” Zorin looked away. “I’ll take your suggestion, and get some rest in the guest room.” She ended the conversation, stepping away from weapons on the stand, and headed towards the offered quarters. It didn’t take much searching for Zorin to find the room Kerstin described. <br><br>The apartment wasn’t that big, so locating a thing such a bedroom wasn’t really hard. Once inside the chamber, Zorin took advantage of the privacy of the area, and made herself comfy. The room like the apartment was not very big, but held the essential comforts any person would need. Which was something Zorin was very grateful for, after so many days on the run. No one had any idea how much the bed stationed in the middle of the room appealed to the witch. She stripped out of her clothing, climbed into the bed, and waited for sleep to claim her. <br><br>It was rather harder than Zorin thought it was going to be. She was definitely exhausted, after the past few days she’d had. However it felt like something was off, like there was some incomplete thing was preventing Zorin from falling asleep. She shivered underneath the coverlets, hating herself for such weakness. <em>Five years and you would think I’d be over not having her next to me.</em> Zorin shook her head as she chided herself mentally. She was beyond annoyed with herself at the moment, and yet. The witch couldn’t help it.&nbsp; These past few years had been so lonely, even more so during the past couple of days.&nbsp; It made Zorin wish, no want Kerstin by her side in this bed. It was just unfortunate for the witch that the half-demon had no desire for that to happen. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: ~ frost rose] Spirit of Water [Eve Lacus ~</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>frost rose</strong> on <strong>07-11-2011, 19:52:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kerstin couldn’t help but stare after Zorin as she left. The guest room? Well, Kerstin supposed she was a little vague, but her apartment wasn’t that large. She only had the one bedroom, then the bath, and the dining kitchen-cum-living room. She wondered if Zorin would manage to realise sometime during the night that she was sleeping in Kerstin’s bed.<br><br>The thought actually brought a half-smile to her lips. It was for the best, anyhow. Camped out on the couch, Kerstin could actually keep an eye on things, and would be sleeping lightly enough that if anyone did come around unexpectedly, she could handle the situation before it exploded in her face. It also gave her the space she needed to pace around restlessly in circles all night, trying to think of what the hell she was going to be doing.<br><br>She could set up a bolt hole easily enough. She was awfully good at that, and even had a few ideas in mind, although they were tailored more for just hiding than to be full bases of operations. Although that could be fixed easily enough with a little effort.<br><br>And putting in that effort in planning and getting things together was better than the alternative, which was to pace restlessly in circles all night thinking about Zorin. As long as she kept moving forward, had something to occupy her attention, she wouldn’t have to sit down and cry while she picked at all the old wounds that were undoubtedly started to come unravelled with the witch’s reentry into her life.<br><br>She was still awake, alternately between stalking around her couch and organising and reorganising her possessions when Zorin awoke the next morning. 
			</dd>
		</dl>
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