It was slightly unnerving when Alix thought about how they were just walking through the fabrics of Sumnor's mind. The elaborate expanse of landscape all a figment of imagination as well as they door that appeared before them. When the door suddenly appeared it also sparked Alix into thinking about how quickly Sumnor could change his mind, both in vision and in letting her roam. Comforted by the closeness of Sumnor, Alix walked silently beside him through the door. The mahogany wood was well polished with natural low and high lights in the grain, it was beautiful enough that she let her free hand trail along its frame before they were inside a long hallway. Sumnor spoke in his smooth rumble, "Well.... as you know about my parents, they died.... as for how, lycans attacked the castle we were living in at the time and took their lives as if it meant nothing." In the last words, Alix could hear the pain. Giving his fingers a gentle squeeze Alix stopped when he did in front of a large portrait. At first it was just a lovely couple in a dancing embrace, and when she blinked Alix gasped softly. They couple was now in a never ending dance. The tempo was slow and smooth, and Alix found herself drawn to the woman in the picture. Heavy with child, she was still beautiful and elegant. "She was a beautiful woman, even that far into pregnancy." To her surprise, Alix found her free hand pressed on her own belly and with a long bl
ink she quickly moved it down to her side again.

In her usual teasing manner, though her voice was gentle and melodic, Alix questioned, "You think that woman in that stage of pregnancy is normally hideous? You men are the creation of this burden, so you must accept all the consequences of your actions." Tugging on his earlobe just a bit, she nuzzled his neck while whispering, "Even if we do get outrageously emotional."

Then they were on the move again. The hallways were endless, corner after corner and further than her sharp eyes could see. After a thousand years, I guess there would be a lot of memories, she mused. When her sapphire eyes found another potrait, Alix couldn't help it when her eyes shimmered with deadly jealousy for a moment before she controlled herself. A lovely woman was posed before them. She was lean and tall with all the right curves, and Alix instantly knew that this was Sumnor's first love. "This is Katanya, she was the only other female I loved." Nodding her head, Alix was slightly relieved when the started moving again. It was not like her to judge someone else, but the wolf in her was instantly hackled and ready to fight for Sumnor. Stop it you hussy, you won't even come out. Rolling her eyes, Alix felt guilty about her emotions but she promised herself to have better control over them from that point on.

The next imagine was horrifying. Her sapphire eyes widened as she reached a hand out to the sad, scared little boy who couldn't be anyone else but Sumnor. Curling her fingers into a fist, Alix wanted to weep because she couldn't comfort him. "This is just after my parents had been butcherred... they had locked me in a room in order ot protect me but that's when my telekenisis kicked in, I blasted through the door and unleashed it all in the middle of those wolves..." Were they my ancestors? she thought with horror. No, they must have been Arcadian. Arcadian's were cruel shapeshifters that had the mind of a twisted human when in animal form, while Katagarian's tended to have more animalist views. These views made it hard for them to kiss unless highly provoked, while the Aracadian did it for sheer pleasure. "All that energy leaving my body at once.... it left me tired, scared.... I sat there in that position until my uncle found me two days later."

With raised eye brows, Alix parroted, "Two days? That must have been horrible."

"He died when I came of age, 21, from there I didn't age, just matured, trained, shaped my body as well as I could.... as well as was needed."

Nodding at what he said, Alix asked, "Is this the uncle that we are here to rescue?" Then she about leapt out of her skin when he stated that they would be paused in their last position. "That means...but...mercy me! What will Dryac think of me now!" Slipping her hand from his, Alix paced back and forth as her cheecks blazed a bright red. We had been kissing! This is horrible! What if Dryac's taking pictures! Closing her eyes against the embarra.ssment, Alix bit her lower lip. "We can try this again later, but let's get ourselves back to the real world before Dryac has too much blackmail on us."

Sumnor placed his hands on Alix's shoulders and kissed her gently, the world transforming around them, leaving them stood back in the cavern, Sumnor staggering backwards and catching himself on a boulder. Ryan looked at Sumnor, true concern in his eyes, but when he saw Alix he ran over to her and hugged around her legs, "Hello!"

Sumnor shook his head, attempting to get rid of the cobwebs, "Woah.... I haven't done that in centuries, I forgot it took that much out of you."  He blinked a few times and regained his composure, standing once again and walking back over to Alix, running the fingers of his left hand through Ryan's hair, he knew he couldn't particularly say it out loud so he decided to make a small connection, "And who says how emotional we'll get will be outrageous, got to say I look forward to the days."

He smirked slightly before turning and pacing over to Dryac, "Well hey there." "Hello friend, take it you had fun in the vast expansion of your mind.... I will really have to quiz Alix about that later, it must be more confused than a  vampire in a blood bank..." "Oh, nice, vampire jokes, very funny, I don't think I need to say anything about lycans." "I know, but they were the... others."

Sumnor patted his old friend on the arm before smiling warmly, "I know that race wasn't yours... no need to worry."  He looked back at Alix, before walking back to her, "So what's the first thing you want to do? press on as usual or stay here for a while? you seem tired." Sumnor was serious in his conversation for a change, Alix looked completely exausted, no wonder after what they had all been through.

In her hasty pacing, Alix took a moment to look at Sumnor too see how he would respond to her request to leave. A shiver of excitement traveled from her head to her toes when she saw the look in his fiery eyes. She could tell by the way he was watching her and how he approached that he was going to kiss her again. Standing still, Alix made no move to go to him, but she didn't resist when he placed his hands on her shoulders. Watching as he drew closer she couldn't help but smile softly as her eyes slowly closed when his lips met hers. With a sigh, Alix barely kept herself from melting into the kiss. She desperately wanted to fall into his arms and grab handfuls of his silky hair, but she made herself behave. Then, in a head spinning disarray, the world shifted around her. Alix nearly fell on her face when Sumnor was suddenly gone from in front of her, but an aburpt pressure on her legs made her look down.

It took a moment for her vision to calm down enough to see straight, but when a chipper voice greeted her Alix almost shot into the air. Ryan had his arms wrapped snuggly around her legs, his chin resting on her thigh as he looked up at her. Alix knew that her eyes were wide like ocean-colored dinner plates and her eyebrows must be near her hairline, but her surprise couldn't be hidden. Helplessly, she held her arms out to the sides. What am I supposed to do? her mind reeled. Do I give him a hug? Or will that scare him? I can't move with him around my legs like a baby monkey. A slight tremble started, but Alix decided that she would be stronger than this fear. "Hello to you, too, Ryan." Alix whispered in a slightly shaky voice. With a hesitant, extremely gentle touch, she ruffled his tawny, loose curls. Her lips twitched into a meek smile when she didn't appear to have harmed to child. So delicate, she thought placidly.

"Woah.... I haven't done that in centuries, I forgot it took that much out of you." Looking quickly to Sumnor, Alix was relieved to see that he didn't look...paler than normal. She didn't want him to pa.ss out because of her curiosity and insecurities, which she had few of now when he was concerned. Sumnor, like she had thought, was a simple man. He would be loyal to the end and loving as well. I just hope I can be the same, she mused with trepidation. When Dryac and Sumnor bantered again, Alix found that she was relaxing again. Her tense muscles decided to start complaining about how sore they were from all the use. "So what' the first thing you want to do? Press on as usual," with a wide, fang-filled yawn Alix interrupted Sumnor's words, "or stay for a while? You seem tired." His concern for her was touching.

But stubborn as always, Alix pouted, "I'm not a pansy. I can do without a little sleep." Her nostrils flared in their usual way when she lifted her head with a huff. Crossing her arms over her chest, Alix was about to go on about how she would be the slow-poke of the group when another merciless yawn about cracked her jaw in half. Sheepishly, she looked up at Sumnor from under her lashes, "Well, a little rest wouldn't be that bad. Your uncle can wait a bit longer, can't he? Besides, when was the last time the little guy ate?" Her own stomach rumbled at the question.

Ryan jumped up and grabbed Alix's hand, kissing it before running back to Sumnor, "I am hungry! I am hugnry!" "I forgot about that, you're not even part vampire," He picked the boy up and ruffled his hair once again, "Let's see what we can find?" He flitted, causing the boy to laugh and woot, no fear in his eyes, just sheer ecstacy.

The pair flitted back a moment later, Sumnor holding three wolves by their tails, all in all normal looking beasts, "There's no vegetation to be found at all in this world..." H sat, once againe summoning a fire from the ashes of the last, "But I guess meat's okay for now..." He flitted faster than usual in order to skin the beasts, so that Alix didn't have to watch. once they were skinned and prepared, he cooked the meat, revelling in the scents.

He dished the meat out to everyone, before eating it himself, taking slowly measured bites, as he always had since he was young. Once he was finished, he went back to the boulder that was know a few feet behind Alix, so he decided to sit with her instead, nudging her slightly with his shoulder, "You wouldn't believe how happy I am to have gotten all this dealt with and coming out of it all for the better."

Sumnor wasn't entirely sure how to handle the situation, he had been millennia since Katanya, so he was extremely out of practice, I'm sorry Alix, I'm just not sure how to do this... I'm actually going to have to rely on you for the most part, I guess what I'm trying to say is all the feelings I feel for you are there, I just don't know how to express them."  Dryac looked over to see what Sumnor was doing, he could see he was concentrating but his lips weren't moving, obviously he was talking to Alix through telekenisis.

OoC: Yay~ It snowed last night! I get to drive to college in the snow ^o^

BiC

When Ryan placed a quick kiss on her palm, Alix felt all of herself go weak with emotion. Typically children were uneasy around her, and this would only make Alix even more nervous around them. Yet Ryan seemed to completely accept them and their true natures. What a remarkable boy, she thought with a softened ex
pression. Her normally turbulent, feisty heart seemed to shift into a lower gear so that she was more placid and relaxed. Her sapphire eyes shone with happiness when Sumnor displayed his tender side to Ryan, and when they flitted off together a small laugh bubbled up in Alix because of Ryan's contagious giggles, woots, and hollers. Walking over to the boulder that dominated some space, Alix leaned a hip against it and crossed her arms. Her long blonde braid was over her shoulder so that it tickled her waist. Tugging on the ends of her long sleeved shirt, Alix wondered when they would get out of this realm because she really wanted to go for a swim. A shower would work nicely, too.

Glancing up when Sumnor had returned, Alix paled slightly. He held three wolves by their tails and it made her tummy to some precarious flips. Looking away, she heard Sumnor's smooth, silky accented voice say, "There's no vegetation to be found at all in this world..." It was a shame too, the place might actually look lovely if it had something but in the end there was nothing. So the place looked like a lonely desert, but without the sand. Sumnor's melodious voice said something else, but Alix was afraid she might toss her cookies again if she paid too much attention again. It wasn't until the scent of well cooked meat teased her senses did she turn around. The she started walking languidly over to Sumnor, she couldn't help but be drawn to him. After a shy glance at Dryac, Alix ran her fingers through Sumnor's hair as he knelt in front of the fire, preparing the meat.

"It smells wonderful," she praised. When he dished out the meal, Alix walked back to the boulder and ate silently. She enjoyed the taste of finely cooked meat, but her mind kept wandering. Dutifully chewing and swallowing, Alix stared off in space as she thought about the days events. Never had she been kissed so many times, in her life let alone in just one day. With a bit of a startle Alix about fell off the boulder when Sumnor gently nudged her on the shoulder. "Goodness, gracious Sumnor, you about scare the life out of me, walking all silent like a ghost." Then with her own gentle nudge with her elbow, Alix playfully narrowed her eyes as she ordered, "Next time be sure to stomp your feet." His words made her glad that she was sitting down, though, because her weak knees surly wouldn't have been able to hold her.

Placing the rest of her food aside, since she was full, Alix curled her legs up close to her body and rested her chin on one of her knees. Her mind filled with Sumnor's thoughts as he pushed them through to her, I'm sorry Alix. I'm just not sure how to do this... I'm actually going to have to rely on you for the most part. I guess what I'm trying to say is all the feelings I feel for you are there, I just don't know how to express them. Tucking a piece of her wild wavy hair behind her ear, Alix wished she could speak to Sumnor through telekinesis, too. Deciding it couldn't hurt to try, Alix thought about what she wanted to say.

You have nothing to be sorry for, Alix pushed with her mind. She felt a new sensation happen in her mind that could only be described like doors were opening after years of being locked; hinges creaking with age and cobwebs everywhere, but still a useful room that she was beginning to explore. I'm not very good at this either. I've never really given relationships a chance, so we'll have to work together. A humorous chuckle escaped from her as Alix said aloud, "No more throwing me on the dirt for anger management problems. We have to work out our fights with more reasonable methods." A powerful urge to hug Sumnor made Alix shift position so that she could wrap her arms around him in a tight embrace. Her arms were tight around his shoulders as she nuzzled into the crock of his neck, her legs were off to the side and far enough away from him that only from her shoulder up was touching him. Inhaling deeply, Alix wanted to whimper when her fangs pressed hard and sharp against her lower lips. Testingly, she opened her mouth but had to quickly close it. Pushing her thoughts out again, Alix told Sumnor, uh I think we have a problem...I..um, my fangs. With a groan of frustration, Alix quickly thought to him, my fangs are out and my head hurts again, and all I can think about it how much I want to bit you. Sumnor, what do I do? The last had her slightly shaken. Alix hardly even asked for guidance and she had instinctively used his first name. That in itself showed how far go she was into this relationship, she wouldn't be able to distance herself now, and that was frightening to her.

my fangs are out and my head hurts again, and all I can think about it how much I want to bit you. Sumnor, what do I do? He wrapped the amr that was directly next to her around her shoulders to return the embrace, nuzzling his head into the side of her face gently, enjoying the experience of just being with her, she was the only one for him, the only other half that would ever be there for Sumnor, probably for the rest of his life.

He reached over with the other hand and picked up the canteen that was filled with blood, placing it in her lap and nuzzling her once again, The best way to get control of these urges is to go as long as you want without drinking, only drink when it's necessary, and never from a living host. That way your body learns it can only drink from a controlled source, that way you won't turn into one of these blood-crazed monsters, and I won't be forced to lose you.

Sumnor stretched his legs out, giving a glance to Dryac, Dryac only smiling warmly in return. And you don't have to be so wary around Dryac, he understands me, one of the only people who ever have, he may have his facade up for the majority of the time, but he's not all cold and calculating, he knows that what we feel is real.  He looked at Ryan who was taking a bite into a large chunk of meat, And as for Ryan, he likes you, so you needn't be so afraid around him, he's just a kid and he looks at you like..... from what I've seen, a mother.

And you've gotten real good at this telekenisis for a first time, in a few days you'll probably be able to lift objects, demons, people and everything with just your mind.  He sluched down slightly mroe against the boulder, embracing her a bit more, wishing this night would never end, but knowing it would sooner rather than later.

When Sumnor's arm enclosed her, Alix felt so completely at home. The way he held her was so perfect. It was as if he had been the missing puzzle pieces to her future because no she wanted to live, not just exist as she had been doing before. His cheek was slightly rough from three nights of no shaving so when Sumnor rubbed his cheek along hers Alix shivered at the contact. Her blood became liquid fire and the pressure of her fangs increased. Opening her eyes Alix whimpered. The way Sumnor was nuzzling her made his throat stretch vulnerably. Faster than a bl
ink of an eye, Alix found her lips sealed on Sumnor's neck and her fangs pressuring down, but not breaking the skin yet. Jerking away, Alix spooked when Sumnor placed the canteen of blood in her lap. What he said made sense as he spoke to her through her mind, but Alix just wasn't interested in the canteen. Alix suddenly understood the urges that a newborn vampire felt. She had always thought that the burning throat wasn't as intense as they all claimed, but it was. She had always dismissed their feeble statements of undeniable thirst for living blood as overkill, until now. With the burning constricting her throat and with the desire for flowing blood Alix couldn't agree with them more. It was so hard to turn her head away from his neck, but the moment Alix stared at his chest the urges became a bit more controllable.

Looking up at Sumnor with swirling blue eyes, Alix pushed with her mind; You won't lose me. I'm stronger than that, but I don't know if I can do this. What if I fall asleep and wake up with Ryan in my arms drained to death? Alix didn't think she was a blood-crazed monster, but she was still just a baby by vampire standards. It was not uncommon for fledglings to go into an empty state of mind and kill someone or something to ease the blood lust. The thought of killing Ryan had haunted her from the moment Sumnor said he would stay with them. I just proved with you that I can control myself awake, but how am I supposed to know what I do when I'm sleeping. What if I can't tell the difference between a nightmare and reality? Now that her mind was on serious matters, Alix felt her fangs revert to a bearable length. Hoping Sumnor wouldn't mind, Alix shifted around until she was sitting his lap with her head resting on his chest and her arms around his waist. These thoughts had been stressing her out and she really wanted the comfort of someone close, someone who could stop her from bringing harm.

A wicked, toothy grin spread across her face when Sumnor told Alix about Dryac. How he could be trusted and how he was only putting out a serious front. Alix knew that with time she would become more comfortable with Dryac, but for now she would still be flighty and skittish. When Sumnor's thoughts drifted to the topic of Ryan, Alix felt herself start to tremble. Sumnor seemed to see things that she couldn't because she didn't quite believe that Ryan liked her. Yet the sincerity was there when Sumnor mused, he's just a kid and he looks at you like..... from what I've seen, a mother. That was the scariest thing Alix had ever heard. If she hadn't been lying in Sumnor's arms she would have fallen to the ground in a faint. She was far from being a mother. The thought of children sent her into a cold sweat. Lately she had begun to notice signs that she longed for a family, as in a husband and children, because of Sumnor's presence, but Alix had long ago accepted the fact that she was too different for this lifestyle. No matter how much she wanted it, Alix understood that she didn't know how to live it.

Her mind was growing tired from the use of telekinesis, Alix whispered, "I can't be a mother, Sumnor. It's just not in me. I'm afraid of children. Ryan scares me, not because he's bad or anything. I just don't know what to do around him." Lifting a hand from his waist, Alix rubbed her throbbing temples while she closed her eyes. His thoughts were soft in her mind as he told her how far she had come with her new powers. The praise made her want to dance with joy, but she was too tired. With her eyes still closed, she cuddled into a more comfortable spot on Sumnor and murmured, "If I can lift stuff, does that mean I can do what you did and get us out of here? I don't like it that you have to sleep with one eye open at night in case of demons. When we get back home, I think it would be good for you to really teach me some of this vampire stuff, and Ryan is a growing boy. He needs a safe place to stay, so he can play and eat healthy. Meat is good, but he needs his veggies, wheat, and dairy too." Her mind was exhausted but after she spoke, Alix perked up a little. I just sounded like a protective parent. Where did that come from? Shaking her head slightly, Alix pressed her nose into Sumnor's neck. Inhaling his masculine scent made her feel protected enough to fall asleep. It was only later, when Alike awoke, that she realized she had slept the whole night in Sumnor's arms.

As Alix moved over to sit on his lap, Sumnor wrapped his arms around her waist in return, listening intently to everything she had to say, What if I fall asleep and wake up with Ryan in my arms drained to death? The fact that she was worried about that worried him, he hadnn't thought she was that afraid at first, he was mainly worried because he didn't like people being afraid of anything, nevermind a person so close to him.

You won't harm Ryan, it may be a frenzy when you sleep-hunt, but you flit before hunting, it's instinct to get away from home, so the people closest to you are really the safest out of everyone.  His own mind was beginning to tire, probably due to the mental drain today had put on him, the argument, the transformation, the mind blend, and now the telekenisis.

"I can't be a mother, Sumnor. It's just not in me. I'm afraid of children. Ryan scares me, not because he's bad or anything. I just don't know what to do around him." Sumnor looked at her, an obviously caring ex
pression on his face, "You've done just fine so far, I believe you have more of a mother in you than any vampire there has been out there."

"If I can lift stuff, does that mean I can do what you did and get us out of here? I don't like it that you have to sleep with one eye open at night in case of demons. When we get back home, I think it would be good for you to really teach me some of this vampire stuff, and Ryan is a growing boy. He needs a safe place to stay, so he can play and eat healthy. Meat is good, but he needs his veggies, wheat, and dairy too."

"What I did to get us in here was not telekenisis unfortunately, I had to use a few dark magic spells... it's the only thing that can bond a bridge between two worlds, of course I destroyed it once we had gotten through." He took a moment to stop and gather his thoughts, "And I will teach you all of this vampire stuff as you call it. it will be easier on my true plane, earth is embued with so much more vampiric energy to tap into." 

In the morning, Alix sighed contently. She felt so warm and comfortable. Sleeping on the cold, hard ground wasn't too high on her list of things to do, but she never really minded it. Her wolf loved the outdoors, so she did as well. Although, the past two nights had made a kink in her neck and Alix had awoken to shivers, but today was different. Shifting around onto her back Alix stretched her arms high above her head as she reached with her toes. The muscles in her calves, back, and arms delighted in the strain of her morning routine. That is, until Alix whacked something pliable with her arm. Her mind still tangled in the cob webs of sleep, she frowned in confusion. Peeking one bright sapphire-blue eye open, Alix made an extremely childish eep before tumbling to the ground. I slept the whole night in Sumnor's arms! Memories of the last evening came back to mind; the topics of their conversation had been serious yet Alix had felt compliant enough to sit still with Sumnor. Normally she would have been pacing back and forth, needing to get rid of pent up energy. As she stared up at Sumnor, a small, gentle smile softened her ex
pression. At least I know he's not a lecherous pig. Though, Alix had known that all along.

Thinking back, Alix recalled Sumnor talking about how he had used dark magic spells to get them here and not telekinesis. It was a minor disappointment, but what she found most intriguing was the fact that vampire energy was strong on earth than here, in Purgatory. I wonder if it has something to do with the demons, she mused idly. Glancing over her shoulder, Alix found herself staring at Ryan. Either Dryac or Sumnor had found a coat for the little boy to sleep on and curl around himself. The utmost of caution, Alix walked over to him and placed a gentle hand on his brow, to see if he was chilled at all. It wasn't as cold here as it had been on earth, where ever they had been, and Alix was relieved to find that Ryan was warm to touch, yet not fevered. Even though she still wished she had a blanket to spead over his small frame.

Deciding to be helpful for once, Alix went out to find something to eat. Like Sumnor had said, there was no vegetation to eat, but she was determined to find something. Walking along the dry, barren dirt Alix scented the air. Her wolf alerted her that a nest of demons was to the left, so she veered off to the right. "I would hate to make a mess by getting attacked by demons," she mumbled. As she walked, Alix made sure to note where the camp was every so often. With a sigh, she was about to give up when something caught her notice on the ground. Crouching low, her hands on her knees, Alix sniffed at the little patch of green spouts. They looked like sweet onion sprouts, but looks could be deceiving. Plucking one from the earth, Alix nibbled the end. To her surprise it was tastier than sweet onions. She didn't keel over and die from poisoning, and they didn't have the dangerous smell to them, so Alix picked a handful. Munching on one as she came back into camp, she went about rekindling the fire to reheat the meat. Spicing them with the delicious plant, Alix hoped that the seasoning aroma would wake the tribe. Wrinkling her nose at the silly thought, tribe, Alix couldn't help but giggle. They were acting like one. A little, friendly tribe...well, friendly to each other and hardly anyone else at the moment. Her hands busy turning the meat, as she tried to use some telekinesis but failed miserably, Alix murmured quietly in a sing-song voice, "Wakey, wakey; eggs and bakey."

Sumnor woke to an onioney-meaty scent, looking over at the fire he smiled at Alix, "Your face is such a good image to wake up to." He then stood, stretching slightly, thinking back, "I was unbelievably comfortable last night, both physically and emotionally, you seem to calm everything about me down." He sat across from the fire, before kicking Dryac awake, "Wake up you old dog!"

Dryac snapped awake, shooting up into a sitting position, "Hey! less of the old!"  He looked at the fire and smiled meekly, before staggering overa nd sitting with the others, "I know this subject may still be taboo but I need to ask, I take it you two are together now?" Ryan stirred a moment after Sumnor, but got back after Dryac had spoke, pulling thejacket on properly, and sitting next to Alix, "G'morning M-- Alix."

Sumnor reached over and began to spin the seasoned meat, it was roasting extremely well over the fire, he blinked the blur out of his eyes before scenting demons, "Those demons may be a problem when we try to move on, one person going to hunt doesn't normally tend to get scented, but a few moving at high speed? it's like a meal on wheels."   He rubbed the small of his back, before pulling his leather jacket back on, reaching into one of the pockets and pulling out a perfectly fitting pair of leather gloves.

He pulled the gloves on, smiling at the way it hugged the shape of his hands so perfectly.  "Alix, look at one of the larger rocks and just call to mind your happiest memory, before calling at it with your mind to rise, it will get easier to do as you go on, but this is the best method for learning in this world." He leaned back on the boulder behind him, a slight smile on his face.

With soft, quiet eyes Alix watched Sumnor come awake. He gave her a very flattering, toothy grin before saying, "Your face is such a good image to wake up to." Ducking her head, Alix didn't know how to respond. She felt a tingle on her cheeks which meant she was blushing a soft pink. Getting compliments was like a snowball lasting in the oven for Alix, it didn't happen. When he spoke about the night, Alix could help but laugh. It was a rich and light sound. Wiping a tear from the corner of her eye, Alix chuckled some more.

"I can't believe you think I'm calming," she exclaimed with wide eyes that were full of mischief. Her vivid blue eyes stalked Sumnor's movements as he prodded Dryac from his slumber with his foot. It was highly entertaining to watch the two old warrior friends, always alert, yet they were so playful, too. Dryac, of course, had to start his opinion of the matter and Alix wanted to throw a rock at his head but refrained, when he asked about Sumnor's and Alix's status. Pouting her lower lip and frowning her brows, Alix stared at the shifter. Then suddenly a devilish grin spread across her face. "Jealous?" she teased. She knew that she shouldn't, but it couldn't be helped. Alix would not change herself, and her baiting was part of who she was so it was there to stay.

The chirping, sweet voice of Ryan was like music to her ears when he greeted, "G'morning M-- Alix." When he sat beside her without a glint of fear in his eyes, Alix tensed slightly. She still couldn't believe how easily he had accepted Sumnor as a vampire and Dryac as a shifter, but would he accept her? Or am I different? she wondered. Looking at Sumnor, she remembered him talking about how he could see an attachment growing in Ryan to her. Looking down at the little boy she mused, is it true? Without her notice, Alix found her hand gently, oh so gently, creasing the boys soft curls, and it spooked her. Not wanting him to see her scared features, should she make him nerves, Alix kissed the top of Ryan's head.

"A good morning to you, too, Ryan," she whispered. The scent of his blood was taunting, but it seemed to have dulled since the day before. Sumnor, Alix pressed with her mind since she didn't want Dryac or Ryan to know her fears, can I become immune to the smell of someone's blood? Ryan does seem as...tempting.

Watching as he easily roasted the meat the rest of the way, Alix wanted to cross her arms and stomp her feet in vexation. He made it look so simple. "Those demons may be a problem when we try to move on, one person going to hunt doesn't normally tend to get scented, but a few moving at high speed? it's like a meal on wheels." With an unlady-like snort, Alix rolled her eyes at Sumnor's humor.

"They wouldn't want to eat me; I would be worth the trouble. Too loud and too stringy too be of any flavor," lifting an eyebrow she teased, "I would give them indigestion because of my spicy tongue." Slightly curious, Alix watched Sumnor pull something from his jacket. As he pulled them onto his hands, she realized that they were a loved pair of leather gloves. They seemed to fit his hand to perfection.

Her attention when back to his eyes, so bright and vivid, as he mildly ordered, "Alix, look at one of the larger rocks and just call to mind your happiest memory, before calling at it with your mind to rise, it will get easier to do as you go on, but this is the best method for learning in this world."

About to open her mouth and whine about how pointless it was if there wasn't much vampire energy around, Alix thought about it for a moment. If she learned to do this here, and not on earth first, then her power to control it on earth would be magnified because of the energy available. Nodding her head excitedly, Alix took in a deep breath and let it out slowly, closing her eyes to picture a happy moment in her life. The image that came to mind was her first, gentle kiss with Sumnor. It brought a blush to her cheeks, but she pushed that aside and opened her eyes to stare at the offending boulder. Her hands felt odd down by her sides so she lifted one in an attempt to connect her actual movements, hopefully, with the movement of the large rock. It didn't even tremble. With a frown, Alix felt for that door in her mind that had been closed off until recently. Creaking it open just a bit, she shivered at the feeling of raw energy surrounding her. Tasting it on the tip of her tongue, hearing the hum, Alix delighted in the moment as she focused again. This time she held her hand before her palm open and up. Then she closed the first, as if taking complete control from the stone, and threw her hand into the air, as if yanking the boulder from the ground. It moved this time... But not much. It made a groaning noise, that nature does, and rolled to the right.

Glancing over her shoulder, Alix grumbled, "This is hopeless."

Sumnor sat, his gaze locked at Alix, watching her with extreme care, not sure why she had managed to capture him, emotions, heart and all. "I can't believe you think I'm calming," "It's 'cause you are calming, you seem to calm every aspect of me with just your company." He glanced over at Dryac, chuckling slightly at his typically intrusive nature, "Jealous?" He released a laugh, of couse bringing a glare from Dryac, "I'll just take that as a yes."

"A good morning to you, too, Ryan," Ryan lay his head on her lap, smiling up at her, "Alix, nice lady." Sumnor,can I become immune to the smell of someone's blood? Ryan does seem as...tempting. Hm, the only blood vampires such as ourselves tend to become immune to is that of people who they're started to love like a child, it's rare for a vampire to take in another child as their own, they're normally maternal only with their own... But you may be that rare occasion with you having some lycan in you.

 "They wouldn't want to eat me; I would be worth the trouble. Too loud and too stringy too be of any flavor," He smlied at her, "I would give them indigestion because of my spicy tongue." "I'm sure you'd be as delectable to them as that meat was to us." "Oh, please... Get a room you two."

"This is hopeless." The three words seemed to unnerve Sumnor, "It isn't hopeless, every time you try it will get further, and each time it get's further it will get easier."  He walked over and sat next to her, nudging her shoulder with his slightly, "And besides, it took me a good year until I was able to use my talents as well as I can now, and I had the tallent at the age of ten."

When Ryan placed his head in her lap, Alix thought she might snap with the amount of tension that filled her. Trembles shock her from head to toe as she stared down at him with wide sapphire eyes. The scent of his blood was strong, but her emotions were stronger than the lust. Fear was her most dominate emotion, but, like a trooper, Alix battled it down. Pretend calm, act calm, become calm; she told herself weakly. I think I can do that, Sumnor. He is just so trusting and innocent that I can't help but fall for him. Reaching down, she tucked a lock of his hair behind an ear, even though her hand shook like a leaf. "Ryan, you need to say, Alix is a nice lady," she gently corrected. Glancing up at Sumnor she hoped he would growl at her again for the automatic response. Her pale hands cupped Ryan's cherub cheeks and she couldn't help the tiny smile from forming on her lips. He looks so sweet and innocent. A sudden and foreign feeling burst through her. It was like protectiveness, but to the extent of utterly possessive. She knew that she would kill to protect this boy. Leaning down until their noses touched, Alix whispered, "You are a lovely boy, Ryan." In an exuberant display of affection, she kissed the tip of his nose and enclosed him in a hug. Alix made sure to be extremely gentle and methodical with her movements, though, still unsure of her nature around children.

After Sumnor and Dryac's comments, Alix merely rolled her eyes. Men.

"It isn't hopeless, every time you try it will get further, and each time it get's further it will get easier. And besides, it took me a good year until I was able to use my talents as well as I can now, and I had the tallent at the age of ten." Sumnor explained. Alix knew that her mouth was shaped like an "O" but she couldn't help it. A year? That seemed like a long time, but with eternity stretching out before you, in the big picture, it wasn't all that long. It's still forever in my eyes, she thought; longing to be powerful enough to handle her new abilities.

"How many more gates do we have to go through? I want out of here ASPA, so let's get this show on the road, boys." Not wanting do dwell on the fact that her powers took time to mature, Alix settled on other facts; like getting out this place. It made her skin crawl. Not because it was outwardly bad, but the creatures that lived here were not the most welcoming. Then with a teasing glitter in her eyes, she complained, "If I'm not sleeping in a warm, cozy bed tonight, I will be sure to take a piece of both your hides." Hoping the men wouldn't take her too seriously, Alix shivered at the thought. They could, and would, most definitely make her eat dirt before they even broke a sweat. "And I need different cloths, and a bath," she stated with a glance at her wrinkled clothing and the dirt under her nails.

Sumnor stood, winking at Ryan as the boy looked up at him with pleading eyes, not entirely sure what was going on, he looked up at Alix after Sumnor winked and chuckled, "Alix is a nice lady, Sumnor is a nice man, ad Dryac is a nice man," Dryac looked up, he hadn't really had much interaction with the child, childcare beyond his set of talents, "And you're a very nice boy, Ryan."

Sumnor leant his neck to either side, bringing forth two clicks, Don't worry about falling for him, love, I already view him as my son.  He stretched a few times, attempting to get in the best fighting shape before moving on, "How many more gates do we have to go through? I want out of here ASPA, so let's get this show on the road, boys." Sumnor took a few moments thought, calculating just how far into purgatory they had traversed.

"Well, Dryac wiped the one just up there out, so once we do a bit of flitting we should reach the last one, and then we'll be at the altar were we can bring that pesky ghost back." "Still so quick to call me names I see, my nephew."  Sumnor laughed, turning around to view the ghost, "Take it you've been keeping your 'protective' eye on us since we got in here then? didn't see you ptiching in when it came to fighting."

The ghostly spectre shrugged, "I have, congratulations on your new relationship, boy, and as for the fighting, you know spectre's are inable to take part in physical actions."  Dryac shrugged in return, "We didn't need you anyway, just stating my point." He looked over at Dryac before gesturing ahead, "Ladies first?"

Ryan stood and walked over to Sumnor, who immediately got the message and sat him on his shoulders, "Happy enough for a flit, Ryan?" Ryan giggled slightly, taking hold of Sumnor's shoulders, "Flit! Flit!" Sumnor nodded at Alix, "So sorry m'lady, I guess kid's forsake manners." He then began to flit in the direction of the next gate, Dryac shrugging and taking flight to follow him.

Alix shifted uncomfortably when Sumnor called her love. She didn't know if she was supposed to make a pet name for him, too, or if she just had to accept it. With a sigh, Alix decided that ignoring it would just be for the better. Why are relationships so complicated, she wondered. As Sumnor talked about the next gate, Alix was relieved to hear that it was, indeed, the last one they had to go through. "Still so quick to call me names I see, my nephew." Her eyebrows shot up as she looked around to locate the source of the voice, but she couldn't see any one. Then Alix spotted haziness next to Sumnor. Wow, I've never seen a spectre before, she mused happily. She found that she badly wanted to wave her hand through Sumnor's uncle, just to see if she could, but decided to act more mature than a two year old and left him be. Alix also decided that it was better to keep her fiery tongue quiet when he mentioned their relationship. Wouldn't want to upset a ghost, those things could be nasty stalkers.

When Sumnor tried to be the gentleman and let her lead the way Alix wanted to laugh but settled for an eye roll. Ryan, having removed himself from her lap, took off to Sumnor and waved his arms at him. Like a loving father, Sumnor picked the little boy up and set him on his shoulders. In his high, chirping voice, Ryan squealed, "Flit! Flit!" It was absolutely adorable. With a wave of her hand, Alix dismissed Sumnor's apology. She then stood there a moment to watch how easily Sumnor exerted his power as he took off in the direction of the next gate.

In the corner of her eye, Alix say Dryac shrug and take off after Sumnor at a more moderate speed. Taking a last bite of the meat, which she had begun to nibble on when Ryan came over to her, Alix tossed it into the struggling fire. Without their attention it would obviously die out soon. Gathering herself, Alix tensed her muscles and sprang forward. Her wolf delighted in the stretch of tight muscles and pushed against Alix's skin. It was the oddest sensation to have fur rubbing you from the inside, trying to get out, but it only meant that her wolf was getting closer to actually coming into the world again. Closing her eyes, Alix tossed her head back and smiled to the sky. Sumnor, my wolf is so close now. I haven't had her this close since...she ran. When she looked forward again, she saw that she was lagging behind so Alix called forth a burst of speed. Surprised when the wolf mingled with the vampire blood, Alix felt an amazing amount of power envelope her. Her breaths came in shorter gasps, but the ground seemed to be eaten up by her lengthening strides. Catching up to Dryac, who was only a little behind Sumnor, Alix playfully shoved him to the side, much like an adolescent wolf would on a hunting run. How much farther? she pushed with her mind, keeping the doors open so that either Sumnor, or maybe even Dryac, would hear.

Dryac nudged her in return, a slight chuckle reverberating through his vocal chords, Ah, you picked up the whole mental telepathy stuff fast, not too far, in fact a few more moments should carry us there. Dryac let his wolf out, the skin ripping and falling away as his lycan body took it's form, his snout long and wide, the main sign of a leading lycan, although he had never been too into the idea of leading a pack.

I can smell the beasts already, we should stop and set Ryan down, its best he doesn't see the carnage again so soon after getting better... I agree, kids may be tough but their minds can be fragile to this kind of thing, better off leaving him with something to keep him entertained... or let him sleep a while, kids nap, don't they? Sumnor stopped, putting Ryan inbetween two boulders, he had just enough room to get comfortable, before Sumnor tapped his forehead, putting him into deep meditation.

"Right, just a few short spells..."  He chanted a few incantations, before a blaze of light surrounded Ryan, "Now, only the threeof us can see him, if the demons get this far, which I doubt extremely, they won't try coming for the little guy." He then nodded at Dryac and Alix, before flitting once again, stopping only when he was in the middle of the nest, "boo." The demons swirled to face their attacker, snarling teeth and claws going for him, one of the more intelligent ones taking his katana and tossing it.

Sumnor snarled himself, beginning to punch, charging his fists with various dark magic spells, which allowed them to double the immense impact he could already cause, breaking more than just bones, sending pieces of demons soaring through the air. "Now, now, now, don't you wish you'd of let me usemy katana? such a cleaner kill." Dryac hurtled himself through the air, landing on one of the beasts and ripping it's head off with his huge mouth, the power in his jaw unbelievable.

The two continued to battle, caring little for the beasts they managed to finish, caring only for getting this particular quest over with, wanting to get back and bathe, as they were really beginning to reek of demons and demonic guts... disgusting was the only word to really describe it.

Although Alix knew that the demons most likely deserved this, she couldn't get herself to join the fray. Instead she sat atop one of the boulders guarding Ryan while she watched the fight. If either of the men looked to be getting tired or actually get injured, Alix knew that she would be there in a flash. The whole seen was grotesque. Grimacing as she watched unrecognizable body parts fly through the air, Alix couldn't even imagine the pain those demons were going through. Without his katana, Sumnor had only his brutal hands to kill them with and that did not seem pleasant at all. Brutality like this had been alien to her only three days ago and now it was almost the normal. The thought had her stomach turning in rebellion, but Alix held down her breakfast.

She was losing weight. Also, three days ago, her pants had been snug around her hips but now they were beginning to slip slightly. Alix knew that refusing to drink blood was a main part of the problem, since she had refused to do so even two days before Sumnor got her. Then losing her appetite two nights ago also contributed. Glancing down at Ryan, Alix bowed her head. Clasping her hands together she prayed, please let us all get out of here safely. Lord, you know that we are in a difficult situation, but this boy needs out of here. He needs a home where he can play, learn, and grow. Looking up at the sky, Alix wondered if the heavens reached over this place or if she was truly lost. When she gazed back to the fighting, Alix found that it was nearly over. Hoping down from her perch, she tenderly picked Ryan up to cradle him in her arms. He was heavy for her, but the extra strength from the vampire and lycan made it easily bearable.

Swaggering up to the blooded battle ground, Alix didn't bother to look down. Her katana gentle tapped against her side with each step until she stopped near Sumnor and Drayc. "Where to next captain?" she asked. The stench of demon was still unwelcome to her sensitive nose, and Alix knew the repulsive smell would never become normal to her. "Where do you have to do your dark stuff to get your uncle free?"

Sumnor finished the battle by ripping through the necks of two demons with one seemingly effortless chop with his right hand. He wiped his hands clean on a white cloth and dropped it to the ground as Alix approached. He then took a towel out of a bag he had dropped not too far away, wiping his jacket clean, always taking care of his leather jacket. "Where to next captain?"

Sumnor looked around, before waving his hand through the air, as two rocks parted to reveal a large stone built altar, "That's the one."  The altar was huge, around four feet in height, wight feet in width and three in length, heavy stones joined with an odd, ebony like susbstance. There were skulls and various bones melded in with the stone work, as it all glowed with a magical dark hue.

Dryac staggered up, looking curiously at the sc
ript that was down the side, "It's in vampire, this is the right altar." Sumnor looked over the writing, before sighing and looking up, "This won't take long, it takes some the summoner's blood to successfully re-call the deceased.... so this is going to be painful, but I brought a clean dagger just for this eventuallity." He walked back over to the bag, pulling a simple dagger out of it, the handle simple wood, with thick black tape wrapped around it in order to give a good grip. The blade itself was about six inches long, both sides perfectly straight and meeting at a sharp point on the end, perfect for what was needed of it.

He walked up the steps, standing over the altar, a dark ex
pression on his facial features. "You all might want to step back, this may get..... energetic, you know how altars get over a blood letting."  He then waved his hand in front of Ryan's eyes, causing him to fall instantly asleep, "That should keep him asleep for an hour or two." He smiled at Alix, "Sorry you have to see dark magic like this.... no young vampire should have to watch Dark magic.... it always tortures them, the mere energy causing them slight pain."

He raised his left hand over the slight dip in the stone, dragging the tip of the dagger of it across the palm with the dagger in his right hand.  He winced as theblood dripped down, creating a slight pool of his vampiric blood in the bowl of the altar, "The man I summon is the brother of my father, my uncle, the one who protected me through the years.... crayal nalgar, septus nevala!" There was a blinding flash of light as his uncle appeared in a half form, part of the way between human and spectre.

He grabbed Sumnor by the throat, "Stupid boy, always trusting so easily."  Sumnor looked completely surprised for a brief moment, before using his good hand to send a blast of mental energy into the middle of his deceased uncle, sending him soaring into the cliff wall. Sumnor then dropped ot his knees, tearing a piece of his shirt and wrapping it aroundhis lacerated hand hoping to heal it later, "You offer one hand but arm the other, I see you did learn something from me." "I'm gonna need you guys for this one..."