Anna smiled slightly at the sweet, gentle act of kindness. She shrugged. She didn't want to. Summing it up in one sentence, she gave the only truthful answer she could think of. "Queegle saved me." There was a lot more to that one sentence but it was still overall the truth. She turned her head to give him a small, shaky smile, then looked down once more. "I don't... trust... like I did before. Touch is normally completely off limits. I guess there's just some feeling of familiarity with you. I know you've been through hell like I have... I just don't know what sort of hell." She nuzzled his neck, very much like a cat.

After a few moments of sitting like this, she let her body relax. Having been uptight and tense for the telling of her history, she knew that he would be able to feel as she did so.

His arms remained around her, but if she wished to get up he would let her. She felt familiar with him and that caused him to shake his head slowly. She said 'been' but that wasn't exactly right. He was still living through his hell, no escape in sight. Just momentary tastes, momentary glimpses of a freedom he would probably never fully attain.

He felt her relax and that put him a bit more at ease himself. He was silent. There really wasn't much he could say. Or rather..he really wasn't sure of what to say.

Biting her lip like she so often did, Anna raised up. She couldn't exactly stay there in his lap; what if someone walked in? She leaned against the side of the bed, her skirted legs near him. As she looked down to him she couldn't help but wonder what was going through his head.

Shrugging off this thought she spoke. "I know you said that you wouldn't promise me any answers but... Well. Can you at least tell me what you will? I really would like to know."

She pulled away from him, moving from his lap so she could sit against the bed. He frowned slightly, running a hand through his hair. He frowned a bit, she wanted him to tell her something, anything really. Everything he could think to tell her, were all the things that he was avoiding. He frowned a bit. She already knew his name, she already knew his age. His brow creased as he thought.

He turned his head from her. Looking off at one of the room's walls. "I am trapped in this mortal realm and have been for a very long time. I come from a place within the demon realm called Alderan. A land very close to the demon Kingdom, a land of nothing but open fields, trees and clear water." He paused for a moment, tilting his head back a bit so now he looked at the ceiling. "I committed a crime and thus was thrown out, exiled by my clan, my family. I was brought into this realm and sold into slavery." He sighed lightly, looking at her now. His eyes were empty..hollow, almost as if a part of him were already dead. "Oh, but I was young, barely 78 years old. I thought I could fight, I could win my freedom back by killing whoever bought me. And I did..for a little while, always recaptured in some city by some slave trader. For ages I would fight and run and hide..and always recaptured, sold to someone else."

He brought a hand up to his face and ran a finger from the bottom of his right eye down to his cheek. Where he traced his finger a marking began to appear. "But..you can never escape the mark, once they've put it on you. Humans are the only things that can't notice it right away, but I've managed to conceal it from other creatures as well..for now at least." The marking wasn't anything face. Just symbols really, archaic symbols. He only let her see it for a moment, then his entire hand covered and the small magic that concealed it was once again, hiding it. "There is no real freedom for me, not anymore. I've given up on that a long time ago. The one that owns me now..it's impossible to escape from him, even for just a taste of freedom, he always knows where I am. I thought, maybe this time, I could actually get away, but that was just wistful thinking." He closed his eyes and sighed softly.

Just as quickly as she had stood up, Anna was on her knees beside him again. She threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly; it was the first she hadn't treated him like he was something fragile.

Pulling away just enough to look at him, her face was a mixture of emotions; shock, determination, pity, empathy, and even a tinge of fear. She wanted to say something to make him feel better, something to take away at least a little of his pain. No words would come though.

"So... you're a... demon?" She asked. This was where the twinge of fear came from. She'd always believed in demons and angels, or at least her versions of them. Demons were 'pure evil' and angels, their opposite, were 'pure light', the epitomy of good.

She had moved rapidly, her arms around him and she was hugging him tightly. His eyes were open and slipped an arm around her as she hugged him. A light smile tugging at his lips as his eyes lost that dead look. She was afraid, he could sense it, when she asked him if he was a demon, he nodded just slightly.

"Demon really is a general term. There are so many different kinds. So many different species, sub-species, clans and what not." What else could say, except that? He wasn't about to reveal to her exactly what kind of demon he was.

Though he hadn't come right out and said it, she hoped that by explaining 'demon' the way that he had he meant that not all demons were as evil as she thought. Trying to alleviate some of the tension in the air, Anna gave a breathy, rueful laugh. "People have called me a demon. They say that I'm the worst kind. That since I change my shape as I, that I'm a trickster and a liar just as Satan was."

He hugged her tight, pulling her as close to himself as possible. He rested his head agianst her shoulder. "Being a demon isn't such a bad thing..." He inhaled deeply. "You shouldn't listen to people who say such things to you. I have known humans to be far more cruel than the cruelest demon could ever dream of being. Humans can be the most demonic creatures to ever exist."

His lips found her cheek. Placing a light kiss there before he slowly pulled back and pushed her away..well..he didn't really push, more like nudged. Or hinted that she should move back from him. "My my, this is troublesome.." He smiled at her. "Careful that you don't get too close or touch me to often. I'll start making more offers of the carnal kind."

Anna laughed. "Humans call themselves 'normal'. Well I say that normalacy is overrated." When he kissed her, the smile that had started forming there grew larger. She didn't expect it when he gently pushed her away. At first her expression was confused then understanding lit up her eyes as he spoke. Though blushing, she laughed and stood, rearranging her skirt as she did. "That wouldn't be so bad I don't think. And who knows, offer enough and I might eventually accept." She grinned down at him then arranged her clothes. She straightened her shirt, fanned her skirt, then pulled her hair behind her. With sure movements she pulled it and twisted it into a bun and speared it with a long needle. She looked back down and waggled her eyebrows. "Pay no attention to the magical appearing act. I'm good at things like that."

She offered her hand to help him up. "Come on. Let's go downstairs for a few minutes. I'm hungry..." As if to back this up, her stomach growled faintly, "I'm hungry, and we need to make sure people know that we aren't up to no good up here all alone. Oh! And I'd like to meet the new people who are here. Quee was very excited to meet them." Anna's mood had shifted from somber and quiet back to its normal bubbly self in a matter of minutes. Her moodswings were almost enough to make someone dizzy. The only indication that she wasn't completely happy as she seemed was the dark color that still firmly held her eyes. If she were back to normal then they would almost be white; they were still icy blue.

He smiled up at her, watching her for a moment. When she offered her hand to him, he took it. Rising to his feet effortlessly. She wanted to return downstairs, to where the other people were and he nodded silently. Careful so his outward expression didn't betray his thoughts. Once he was on his feet, his grip on her hand tightened a bit as he twined his fingers with hers.

"Downstairs then..It would be rude to keep ourselves hidden away from everyone." He grinned at her and led the way out the room. She wasn't happy, well..maybe a bit happy but not entirely. He could tell but he said nothing about it. Just gently led her down the stairs and into the main room of the Tavern.

Anna blushed deeply as she looked down at their twined hands. When she looked back up to him, her smile was a bit more convincing, because she was really a bit more happy. She winked at him then leaned forward and kissed his cheek. "Keep us hidden? Psh, it wouldn't be fair to keep you hidden." She laughed quietly and let herself be led down.

In the main room there were more people; Queegle had been right. Speaking of Queegle, he was sitting in his typical bunched up way and staring off into space with a strange look on his little face. Anna leaned close to Valen. "He's in someone elses head.. because he actually leaves his own mind when he talks." She whispered quietly as she nodded toward him.

Addressing everyone else, Anna quietly said, "We're back." She looked around. The little girl from earlier, the elemental, was nowhere to be seen. She shrugged. "Uh... is there anything to eat? I'm starving..."

He had stopped at the bottom of the stairs. Leaving enough room for Anna to come down beside him. He looked this way and that, then he was looking at her as she spoke, and then to Queegle. He did seem a bit distant..as if no one was home. His gaze found it's way back to Anna as she continued to speak.

Shrugging slightly. "Dunno..might be something in the kitchen..." He glanced around looking for the Tavern owner. Sinead. "I suppose it would be alright to help yourself, if the Lady of the Establishment isn't around. She wouldn't want her customers to starve, I'm sure."

OoC;

:gonk:

So family holidays are eating up my life at the moment. I have at least two more days of paying respects and visits and what not (SO MUCH BAKING!! T-T) and then i'll be back around. my apologies for the disappearance and random hiatus -not that you need me around-. Hope you guys are enjoying the holidays!

Kate walked in and looked around meekly. She tugged on a barstool gently and sat down on it. Looking at all the different liquors on offer, she sighed gently. She withdrew her small drawstring bag and took out a coin, rolling it across her fingers, looking slightly bored. She was a short woman, with long red hair reaching well past her waist. her point ears were almost elven, and her face suited just the same. Her eyes were a mature green, like the colour of a forests leaves, and they almost looked as if they were producing their own light.

Anna shivered as the air from outside rushed into the room. Even from across the room, her sensitive skin felt it and the cold instantly sank into her bones. It only lasted a few minutes though. She warmed soon enough after the door was closed. She knew that Valen would have felt her shiver though.

"Look. More company." Trusting her cold sensitive body she had looked toward the door when it had opened. She saw Kate walk in and head to the bar. "Whaddya' think Val?" She asked, hoping he didn't mind the nickname. "She looks like an elf to me." She talked very quietly. So quietly that she knew that Valen would hear but that the new person would be unable to; even if she were some sort of vampire or had vampire like hearing the newcomer would at most hear a buzz of conversation.

((sorry guys really really sick cant post much for awhile sorry dont be mads i wuvs you alls just i havnt even opend christmas presents yet im so sick i have been almost all week))

Kate heard a faint whisper but thought nothing of it. She turned and gazed around at the small crowd in the Tavern. She saw Annaand caught her eye briefly but continued to look around. After a quick look around she turned back to the bar. "I wish I'd brought my own drinks, it's like there's no service at all in here." she thought.

He felt Anna shiver and looked to her for a brief moment before his eyes went to the door as it opened. He watched the female enter and move to the bar. His eyes stayed on the female for a few more moments before drifting back to Anna. He nodded slightly at her words.

"Don't trust appearances too deeply though, they can be very decieving." His own words were a light whisper like Anna's had. His interest in the other female had only been fleeting, a first glance at most. "Shall we continue to the kitchen?" He glanced around for a moment, Sinead didn't seem to be anywhere near but he was sure she wouldn't mind if they fixed themselves something to eat.

"You're right of course. Your appearance is..." She bit her lip and looked away. Without pause, and hoping that he wouldn't ask her about that, she led the way toward the kitchen. Sinead had pointed it out earlier so she knew exactly where it was.

"You seem pretty good at reading people. What do you think she is?" She really had very little interest in the other girl. She merely wished to draw attention away from herself to keep Valen from asking about her comment.

He raised a brow at Anna but let it go. Letting her lead the way to the kitchen, he only glanced at the other female, with a slight shrug. "Her features are sharp, almost elven.." He shrugged again. "She could be anything. A sprite or faery. Even demon. It doesn't matter though."

His arms went out and he grabbed Anna around the waist in mid step, pulling her against his chest and lowering his face a bit so that his lips were millimeters from her ear. "The only girl I'm interested in 'reading' is you." An eyebrow had quirked suggestively and he nipped at her ear lobe gently, teasingly. His arms slipping around her as he held her tight and close, slowly his hands moved up her torso.

"Again. You're right." She started to shrug when Valen pulled her against him. She stumbled back against his chest and her breath caught in her throat. For a moment she simply smiled, leaned against him, and closed her eyes. After a moment of thought though, her eyes popped open and she looked nervously around the room. What if someone were watching us?... Stop being paranoid! No one is watching. And even if they were they wouldn't care... It's still embarassing though.

Blushing deeply, Anna took a deep breath and a difficult step away from him. She hated pulling away. For only knowing him for such a short time she already felt attached, and she didn't want that. She kept telling herself she didn't need it. Turning to face Valen, she gave him a smile that said nearly as much as her thoughts did. "Not right now... just not. Here." She looked around the nearly deserted room that had been somewhat crowded before. "You never know who might come in." She said, thinking of Alice.

At that moment, her thoughts had been quite loud. Even with his mental muzzle, Queegles mind was quite accustomed to the feeling of Anna's and he looked up. Standing from the floor, he quietly excused himself from Shnortz. Trotting across the floor, silently repeating his mantra of "paw not claw", he made his way to Valen. Rather than climb up Anna, the tiny animal leaped onto Valen and ascended to his shoulder. He stuck his cold nose into Valens ear and squeaked loudly.

He didn't seem concerned that someone might see them or be watching. But Anna had stepped away from him and he let his arms fall, eyes slightly clouded over watched her every move. Traveling up and down her body twice before he focused on her face as she spoke. He let her finish speaking before he took a step towards her.

A hand on her side and the other gently tilting her face upwards a bit with two fingers under her chin as he leaned down towards her. His lips close to hers. Centimeters apart. "Another taste then, my love." His voice was soft and light, weighted with only a small hint of lust. He pressed his lips against hers, a soft kiss, a gentle kiss. His tongue peeking out to gently tap her lips...a squeak in his ear...he gently tugged her bottom lip with his teeth as he pulled away.

He reached up and pat Queegle softly with two fingers. He smiled softly. "Shall we continue in the kitchen, then?"

Anna shivered again as he kissed her. He was good at that; teasing her that is. As he pulled away she couldn't help the small whimper that escaped her lips or the small step her feet seemed to take on their own. Realizing this, she bit her own lip to keep from smiling or saying something stupid, and nodded. She turned her back to him so that he wouldn't be able to see the way her eyes had lit up. She continued on into the kitchen.

Her eyes were a different color now. Not the pale whitish blue they normally were, but not the icy blue they'd been earlier. They were a color that was very rare for them; it only appeared when she was excited.

Queegle sulked on Valen's shoulder. He knew that Anna was falling for the wolf demon, and though he had said that Valen's form wasn't a bad thing, he also didn't think that Anna being with him was a good thing. Playful teasing with Shnortz was all he had been doing earlier, he didn't actually believe that anything would have gone on between his friend and the wolf demon (at the moment he refused to think of him as Valen). Now, he wasn't so sure. But how? She barely knows a thing about him... I bet she doesn't know what he is.

He was smiling at her when she took a small step towards him and then turned. He watched her walk into the kitchen. Hesitant to follow her for just a few moments, just long enough to reach up and pick Queegle lightly from his shoulder. He held the ferret gently and up to his face.

"Maybe you should stay out of the kitchen for a bit." He kissed Queegle on the top of the head softly before kneeling down and placing the ferret softly on the floor. He stood and stepped over Queegle. Making his way into the kitchen quietly.

Alice had waited long enough for a anwser and she heard footsteps "um can we hide that in any way." she pointed to the blood bag taking a hot bath and well shivered at the thought of others finding her out they already knew half of her and thats all she wanted them to find out. she looked at the door and started to squirm if they saw would they act like the man or would they be like back home.

a man in a dark cloak entered the tavern and sat down he didnt seem like the kind that would be out this late but well he was looking for someone. she cleared his throat to get peoples attention and looked around at all of them "um well yes alright now that i got your attention i have a few questions have you seen this little girl." he pulled out a hand drawn picture of a little girl that looked alot like alice in every way "her name is alice and well im here to take her..... home."