((Thanks on both the compliment and on letting me know that there is no harm done. I'd try to mellow it out if there was. Alice seems to be quite an interesting character in the matter of how much she likes to help people.))

As the flames roared Kaedo swiftly shifted threw them, in the direction that he had last heard the voice coming from. Then he felt something in front of him. It seemed to be a middle counter of some sort. He stretched his arms out to both sides of him to survey just how big the counter was. After feeling that his finger tips still didn't reach the ends of the counter, he brought his hands back in near to him. Then he heard something. Yes, it was the voice that he was looking for. "Stay where you are!" The voice demanded with authority. Then he climbed up on the counter and slid across it to the other side on his knees.

Sure enough the girl was there. He then lend down to the figure resting his hand on her shoulder. His grasp surprisingly cold considering the smoldering flame that surrounded him. "My dear, I'm hear to help you." he said as he slid off the counter, landing swiftly beside her. "You don't look so well." He said as he crouched down to be level with her. His piercing eyes staring into hers. He then backed away a little bit and started to pull up his cloak until he had it taken off over his head, revealing his slim lined body dressed in dark blue from head to toe.

"Here take this and breath into it rather then this smoke." Kaedo said as he bundled up the cloak and offered it out to her. "I know that idiot got us all sorts of lost in here. And it doesn't help that I didn't know the lay out of this place before hand anyway. I don't think leaving the way we came in is an option." He said as he came closer to Alex so he was looking her square in the face once again.

A small gasp of fear left Val's mouth as he yelled, something rushing at them out of the bushes. She held on to him for dear life, suddenly feeling like a scared little girl. There was a brief moment where she thought he had let go of her, but she thought it might have been her imagination. Seconds after the attack, and he was running, the castle quickly coming into view. She looked up at him, her face pale, as he coughed, and then looked up as it began to rain. She closed her eyes for a second and let out a sigh as the rain washed away all the blood and soot from her body.
"You can let me go, if you want," she said, turning her attention back to him. "I think I might be able to walk." Actually, her leg was hurt from where the flames had licked it back in the kitchen, but she figured she would be fine. "You look like you could use a break from lugging me around." He didn't look like he was in any better shape then her, and she felt a little bad for allowing him to carry her so far.

((Ceal, do you mean me? Or did someone else accidentally hop into the kitchen?))

Acheron had stood for a long while in the rain watching her as she walked inside.
"can i ask you something?" he called after her still not moving, he was becoming soaked but he really didn't care. "why is it that so many Vampires are drawn to the area, it it the land, the people, the mountains? i really dont get it, i didn't think vampires played well with others of there own kind unless they were roughly of the same age."
the flames that had engulfed the village had died die but a strong smell of smoke came in with every light wind that hit him.
how is this going to turn out, master what have you done.

She shrugged as she turned and looked at Archeon strangely. "You know you can come in and I was just walking along the forest that's what drew me but I came across the castle by accident."

Vincent returned her smile with a brief one of his own as she played with the tattered fabric of her dress. He chuckled softly at her remark on his attire. "I find it to be quite comfortable actually, but if that is how you wish to be on the Dragon Vexous then I'll let you down." He carefully touched her feet to the ground and making sure she stood on her own weight before letting go of her. Noticing the blood that she had caused to erupt from her lovely lower lip, he brushed a finger against it lightly. "Honestly my lady, with the lack of blood in your being now, try not to lose more of it. You still need to be properly fed." With a slight wink he raised his finger to his own lips and licked it clean before turning back to Josephine. "Ready?" He asked.


((Is it bad that I just want the bad ladies to love Vincent? I'm horribly annoying. =3))

"Well, I don't really control them, but they have flown with me since we got out," Josephine said, a sad expression on her face "Some people might argue that I belong to him. After all, he was my creator. Josephine laughed, swiftly transforming; even though she was small compared to most dragons, she was still at least twice their height from her head. Crouching down next to the ground, she made her back level with their shoulders. "My flock was created before I was, but they have faithfully stayed by my side ever since I killed the man who made us."

"Anyway, what brings you here? I'm interested to know you're story as well." She grinned, a rather fearsome sight to most as it revealed a mouth full of dangerously sharp teeth. "Climb on, where do you wish to go this fine evening?"

((Well thank you...and I wasn't sure if you noticed or not but my character's name is Alex, not alice, just so you know.))

Alex heard a voice tell her to stay put and she did just that. Of course, she couldn't see much of anything and her side was hurting her. She didn't want to stand up. A hand pressed on her shoulder all of a sudden and she jumped a little and her breath caught. But she let her breath out when she saw that the hand was Kaedo's. His voice was different though. It sounded like the voice that she'd heard Kaedo arguing with earlier. What had happened to him?

Alex looked up at Kaedo as he crouched down beside her. He seemed to be more sure of himself now. She watched through her blurred vision as Kaedo stood up, removed his cloak, and handed it to her. She stared at the cloak for a second. "Are you sure? Don't you need it too?" Alex reached over and took the cloak from him hesitantly but she was grateful for his assistance. She looked up from the cloak and Kaedo's face had come into view. Why is he so close? A blush fell across her face as she stared back at him and asked, "Um...Can we get out of here now...please?" Her voice was quiet and strained from inhaling the smoke.

"So you were created then? Interesting indeed... Not born of any natural way." His eyes had gone wide in shock as she made the comment about 'people agreeing that she belonged to this man', his temper suddenly flaring. A low growl erupted from his throat before he answered her angrily, "JUST because he created you, does NOT justify his claims of ownership over you. What a sick pathetic fool to think that he can claim such a thing."

Remembering his own father in that instant, Vincent pinched the bridge of his nose as he squeezed his eyes shut. His head tilted down as he calmed himself. "Ladies I apologize... That just happens to be a serious topic amongst my homeland that I have strong feelings against." Making eye contact with Josephine as she transformed, he raked a hand through his dark hair. "I'm glad to hear that you killed this man and made some friends though. I am curious as to know his name if you do know it, perhaps he has successors to carry on his work."

As he climbed on to her back he answered her questions, "Another time for my story my lady. Just traveling at the moment. I suppose that it would be Vexous' decision as to where to go now seeing she's the one that needs the most attention. By the way Chimera, what is your name? You never answered me the first time I had asked."

((Omg why didn't you say something sooner!! Some how I got to thinking it was Alice short for Allissondra rather then Alex short for Alexandria. *smaks head on table* Now I feel sheepish. I'll go back and make edits asap))

"As long as I'm in charge of this body, I could run around in these flames nude and it wouldn't hurt me a bit... That is until I ran out of magic off course. I'm not the same as that fool you were laughing with earilier." He said with a smug smile.

"That would be the plan." He said in response to her question. "Whats wrong is the heat getting to you too much?" He commented with a laugh as he stood back up right and reach out to grab Alex's arm, pulling her up to her feet beside him.

((I'm sorry it isn't much. I'm being kicked off the computer right now. In the next post I'll do his grand esccape))

((I didn't say anything 'cause I wasn't sure if you had meant to do it...sorry!))

Alex frowned at Kaedo's comment on her blush but she let him pull her up. "Thank you for the help Kaedo." She smiled at him once again and brushed off some soot from her skirt. Her vision was still blurred and the smoke was still aggravating her breathing. She coughed a couple times and took a few steps towards the door.

"Yeah," he said absently, shaking himself and setting her down gently. His leg was already trying to heal from the burn. "You weren't too heavy," he teased, cracking a smile. His arms weren't even remotely tired. For some reason he turned and glanced over his shoulder. Okay, all his former paranoia had come flooding back to him in one night. He tilted his head and sniffed the air. There were still people lurking in the castle. He waved a hand at the building. It wasn't his home. It never had been. His home was in Russia and this place had just been a place where he had tried to get away. He finally stopped his spacing and looked at her. "I never told you my name," he said, blinking at his own rudeness.

She managed a small weak smile as she walked, limping slightly but otherwise alright. She zoned out a little as she went, suddenly feeling like she was too exposed, too vulnerable. She almost jumped when he spoke, saying something about his name. "Oh," she said softly. "I guess in all the craziness of burning villages and whatnot we forgot about all the formalities." She almost laughed, but decided it would hurt her more then make her feel good. "Well, I'm Valerie Anderson," she offered tentatively, almost a bit shyly. "But I go by Val." She watched him carefully with expectant brown eyes, pushing a lock of bubble-gum pink hair out of her line of vision.

((GAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! stupid computer i've like typed this 5 times now and every time i try to post, it doesn't *cries*))

Vexous felt a little dizzy but soon found her bearings. she was slightly leaning on Josephine's large frame. she ran her hands over her scales and smiled at the brilliant colours. "amazing" she said loud.
the wound on her chest had yet to heal so when she mounted she cringed from the pain, she tried her best to hide her discomfort until she was once again sitting upright and it didn't hurt. the only thing i hate about being a vampire is the pain.
"i think it would be wise to feed and find a place to rest, acheron knows how to seal me and i will stop him." she was smiling as she spoke, never had she'd been freed for this long, every moment was bliss. "there are a few young vampires in the village i'm sure be can nab" her grin widened. "and i hope one is my size, i could get some clothes out of it too."

Darious soon realised that he had overreacted after all when he'd hit the young vampire it had been a bit of overkill. "Araceli i'm here, listen to me carefully if you can, i'm going to pick you up, sorry if this hurts."
he hesitated being wrapping his arms around her and raising her off the ground, he was cradling her like a small child to his chest, her head resting on his shoulder an arm around her shoulders and the other around her legs to support her. he was being very careful to touch in places where it may hurt her, but there was only so much he could do to not drop her.
not only that but in the back of his mind he couldn't get the picture of her falling straight through him because he shouldn't be able to touch her.
"i'm doing to take you to a spring in the forest okay, we need to clean those wounds and fast." he walked with her now,but slowly.

Acheron smiled at her. "yeah i guess i should come inside, unlike the undead i can still catch a cold, pathetic isn't it, i can live for as long as i like and not age but i can still catch a cold" rolling his eyes he entered the shelter of the castle.
"the forest you say, yes i can see how many are drawn to it, it amazes me the amount of humans stubble to the castle doors hoping for help, but lady vexous doesn't let them leave, that's if they see anything here."

[edit= hurray it worked *dances*]

"Hello," he said with a nod. "I'm Rasul Narsova." He saw her looking back at him and he tilted his head sending his bangs falling over one eye. "And my underling is somewhere close by. She's definitely inherited my strangeness. And I have a feeling she might have something to do with that wolf," he said almost to himself. At the mention of the dog his own dead heart felt a pang of grief as he remembered his pets. He dared not even look in the direction of where his last known pup had fallen. In the low light it wasn't a sure thing but his pupils seemed to slit like a cat's.

((Sorry I just got my comp back))
Alexia smiled. "I just like the forest that's all."

"Nice to meet you, Rasul," she said sincerely, a sunny albeit tired smile gracing her lips. It faded when he said the word underling and something about said underling having to do something with the wolf. "Wait, what," she asked, giving him a puzzled look. Her thoughts returned to when she had first met him, standing on the porch after escaping the kitchen, watching her home burn. Fangs, Val. And he carried you like you were nothing. she watched him intently, unaware that she was staring.
((Val has no idea about the vampires, btw ^.^;))

As she was lifted off the ground, Araceli peered through half closed lids at the familiar face. "Thank you..." She murmured as her head rested against his shoulder. Nodding her head slowly a few times in response to him commenting about the nature of her wounds, she tried to keep herself conscious for fear of not waking up again. she had lost a lot of blood this evening. with giving some to Acheron and then to the vampire child who had stolen from her it was a wonder that she was still actually able to keep her eyes open.

As she lay there and Darious walked in the direction of the spring Araceli's thoughts drifted to multiple directions. It was funny how much had happened in one evening, how she had met a wonderful man who unluckily was a spirit and how she was promising herself that she would help Acheron no matter what with Lady Vexous.

Even if it killed her.

"Then to catch a few Vampires it is." Vincent said as he also mounted Jeosphine's dragon body behind Vexous. "Does Acheron have many allies back at the castle that you have to look out for lady?" He asked Vexous.

Vexous thought about his question for a short while. "There's a Vampire, a few Ghost's and a half werewolf half vampire, i think their the ones to worry about...and that human....." she trailed off in thought.
I've never seem her before, what was she doing with Darious, she has fight in her but she's only human, should i even bother with her?
shaking her head she placed a hand over her shoulder blade, the same one that the human would have stabbed had it not been for her shadow form, anger flared in her. "she'd going down to, along with them all!" she said behind clenched teeth.

Darious felt Araceli stir,"shh don't talk, save your strength"
They were almost at the stream, or at least that was what he hoped, if he was right it connected to the under ground garden under the castle, so that meant it had the same healing abilities right? i hope so.
several minutes later he gently lay her down beside a stream of running water, the middle of it was deep enough to cover just above the stomach.
He was more worried about her neck then the other wounds as it was still bleeding, the scary part was that it was bleeding slowly, he'd lost alot of blood.
"i cant believe your still awake, this may sting a little."
she cupped his hands in the icy cold water, and lightly washed away the blood from her neck, revealing the damage that had been down.

Acheron looked at her curiously, "your not fully a vampire are you, if you dont mind me asking what are you?"

She looked confused and shook her head. "Only half part dark angel."

Acheron looked shocked, "Dark Angel?" he asked. "is that even possible?"
he was being more and more intrigued with this 'creature' by the minute.
"I had no idea such beings existed." he smiled at her.
"Then again i'm Seen a few few things in this lifetime that i never thought could be, so i don't really know why i'm so surprised."
a dark angel, who would have guessed!.

"Hmm, guarded well then I suppose. any that would prove more loyal to you then this Acheron?" He watched as Vexous face changed in emotion as she had trailed off about the human woman, then with the sudden outburst he smiled slightly. "She's seem to have struck a nerve with you lady. She's just a human though, the easiest to dispatch out of the group."

She kept quiet and concentrated on staying awake as they walked, listening to his request about her strength. It seemed almost like hours to her before she felt herself being lowered to the ground. She opened her eyes a bit wider to look at her surroundings.

"I recognize this place." She said in a now raspy tone, the wound on her neck still draining slowly. She smiled at Darious when he spoke nodding her head she slowly responded "I've got more fight in me left yet." Then she braced herself for the icy water as he began to pour it over her neck wound. Hissing a little through gritted teeth it did sting, more so from the cold as it washed away some of the blood. Her left hand moved up to her neck and lingered there before gently prodding the area. She wanted to know how bad it was and decided to ask Darious. "How's it look? It doesn't feel as bad as I thought." She tried to keep that smile in placce on her lips as she spoke to him.

She looked down, she knew she was VERY rare but she couldn't help it. "I was tricked by a vampire and he gave the blood of another vampire that he had slaughtered. Most would just turn into taited dark angels but for some reason I just turned into a vampangel." She said in a low and disgraced voice.

"Well umm it looks like a vampires taken a huge chunk out of your neck" he said as he ran some more water over it, he couldn't feel out cold the water was so every time she hissed he cringed a little. "can you move?" he asked her
"it may be a good idea for you to submerge your self in the water to wash of all the blood and dirt before we wrap you up.

Acheron stepped alittle closer to Alexia. "i think it's quiet unique, nothing to be ashamed of, i'd say your one in a million." he laughed alittle. listen to me i'm starting to sound like Darious.
walking past her allittle he turned to face her. "can i get you a towel or something, a drink, something to eat?"

Vexous nodded "i guess it would be wise to take her out. "
Knowing darious he would have given her is necklace, that could come in handy.
"did you know that if you burn a ghost remains the ghost suffered worst type of pain imaginable?"

((i feel evil))

She shook her head, she never realy got that hungry most of the time. She knew she was special but she didn't know how it was good. She followed the man and smiled, atleast he could keep her company.

after moving up a set of stair cases they reached what looked like a bath room.
Acheron graped a towel, taking off his shirt he dried himself and left his shirt hanging to dry.
"I could use something to eat, it's been a long day, lets head to the kitchen next."
walking out the door to the bathroom he caught site of his back in the mirror, his scar was visible more now then even. He sighed as he turned away.