Dear Challa's,
Until July 10th, we're doing something special and sharing
some of our favorite Story Lines of the year that previously didn't make it
onto the blog.
In this one, Rehvenge and Ehlena are out for dinner when John Matthew and Xhex show up. Tension blossoms and escalates when lessers catch sight of Ehlena.
Originally posted: February 7th, 2013
Who nominated it: Xcor
ENJOY!
XOXO!
The Unbound Team ♥
**The gif is for your use, especially if you have a blog or
if you want to upload it to tumblr. Personally, I have NO idea how to do
either. I just make them! *Laughs*
Google, google, google, my friends.
Rehvenge Ghardian
Do that again. *Holding up the fork so Ehlena can take
another bite, the light in her eyes more illuminating than the candle on the
table. It's not every night I can take her out and spoil her. To watch her take
small dainty bites. To be alone... Ish. Looking around the room, not a lot of
people are here. Private. Something's that lacking in the Manse* But do it
slower this time. Much slower.
Ehlena Ghardian
Like this? *Meeting his amethyst eyes and
slowly taking the bite of the Tiramisu, licking the end of the fork with my
tongue. Slowly of course. I can't hold back my smile as he rearranges himself
in the chair, his loafer covered foot brushing near my stillies* Or like this?
*Leaning in, dipping my fingertip in the chocolate drizzle and raising it to
his mouth, his fangs elongated as he sucks the tip of my finger in his mouth*
John Matthew Ghardian
*Dematting in the alley right behind
the restaurant, so we are not seen, I grab Xhex's hand and squeeze it as we
make our way to the door. Tohrment surprised us with giving her the night off,
since she's been patrolling every night this week. Deciding at the last minute
that we would go out for a nice quiet dinner alone. Qhuinn was already out on
patrol so, he has no idea that I am not in the mansion. But we won't be out
long. What he don't know won't hurt him. Taking her hand and bringing to my
lips and kissing it as I mouth, "I love you"*
Xhex Ghardian
*I smile at John, so glad to be free of the
manse and Qhuinn's brooding ass for a few minutes. I squeeze his hand and we
step inside the restaurant, giving our names to the maitre'd who gives us the
silent but scared once over. As we stand there waiting for him to find a table
for us, I look around, feeling a very familiar tingle coming at me.* Hey, guess
we're not the only couple out on the town, true? Rehvenge and Ehlena are here.
Check it out. *I saunter past the startled maitre'd and walk toward the table
in the back where Rehv currently has E's fucking finger in his mouth, John
striding behind me.* Hey, Rehv, Ehlena. Fancy meeting you guys here.
Rehvenge Ghardian
*Licking slowly, about to lean in
annnnnnnnnnnnnnd... well there goes the neighborhood. Releasing Ehlena's
finger, looking up and pegging Xhex with a hard glare* Do you mind? *Seeing her
smirk, Ehlena of course straightening herself in my peripheral vision. Please
don't invite them to sit down... begging silently, half-sexed up and
half-pissed will make a Male go crazy*
Ehlena Ghardian
*Using the tip of my stillie to nail
Rehvenge in the shin... softly--but it doesn't matter, he doesn't feel it
regardless. Dopamine. Duh, Ehlena. Shaking my head as I resist the urge to face
palm myself. Looking up at Xhex, meeting her gray eyes* Would you two like to
join us?
John Matthew Ghardian
*Trying to catch the maitre'd's
attention, to hurry up and bring us to our table, my arm stops in mid wave as I
hear Ehlena ask us to join them. Fuck! Please say no, please fucking say no!
Plastering a smile to my face as I turn around and see the smirk on Xhex's
face. Shit! Glancing over at Rehvenge and seeing he's wearing the same
expression I was gives me a brief moment of....elation. Maybe I do want to join
them. Pulling out a chair for Xhex.* ~asl~ Sure, we'll be happy to join you two.
Xhex Ghardian
*I take a seat and pull right up to the table
while signaling the waiter for a glass of wine.* Thanks, E. *I return her smile
and put my hand on John's knee as he sits down beside me.* God, it's fucking awesome
escaping the manse, true? And John gave Qhuinn the slip so here we are. *I
smile sweetly at Rehvenge who flips me the finger. I take a sip of the wine the
waiter has brought after clinking glasses with both Ehlena and John.* So what's
doing? You guys celebrating something special?
Rehvenge Ghardian
*Meeting Xhex's eyes, speaking to her in
the way of symphath's: Way to cock block, Xhex. She smirks, amused, giving her
cold bitch grin. With her eyes of course. Fuuuck* Privacy. That's what we WERE
celebrating. *Elaborating the word 'were' before taking Ehlena's hand into
mine. Looking over at John* So you gave the sitter the slip?
Ehlena Ghardian
*Glancing over at Rehvenge. Geez. Rude much?
Meeting John's eyes, apologizing silently* Well, I'M glad you two are here. We
don't get to see much of you two at home. We're all always so busy. *Smiling
sweetly and putting down my wine glass* Did you two want dessert or dinner?
John Matthew Ghardian
*Sits back in my chair and puts my arm
around Xhex as I tip my glass to Rehvenge. ~asl~ He's out on patrol if that's
what you want to know. *Taking a sip as he cocks one eyebrow at me and before I
can say anymore, I feel Xhex's hand move up my thigh and squeeze. She smiles
over at me and glances towards Ehlena. ~asl~ I think we'll be having a full
course meal tonight and dessert. You two planning on the same? *glancing over
at Rehv and try to keep from smiling.*
Xhex Ghardian
*I slide my hand a little higher on John's
thigh and feel him tense beside me...in a good way, of course. I cock my
eyebrow at Rehvenge as I place my order and send him a message: Fuck, yeah, but
you love me, true? I then turn to Ehlena who is sending I'm Sorry signals to
Rehv.* So, when are we going to do another manicure session, E? *I laugh and so
does John. This is fucking great.*
Rehvenge Ghardian
*Thinks back: Not at the moment, Xhex.
Ignoring the small talk for the moment as the waiter comes over with menu's,
this is NOT what I planned. What I had in mind was going back to the Pent,
stripping Ehlena slowly and eating the rest of the Tiramisu off her. For
starters. The convo turns into boring shit. I don't give a flying fuck about
what's doing with the whole Manse right now. Do I look like the Male who cares
about whether or not the foyer is being waxed next Sunday? Nope. Settling back
in my seat, the vibes coming off the youngling annoying. His grid fired up..
not able to help it, I do a public service and provoke him* So, Xhex? *She
glances over, mid-sentence* You gonna visit the Colony this weekend?
Ehlena Ghardian
Of course we will. I was thinking...
*Trailing off, mid-sentence also, I look over at Rehvenge. Why is he being like
this?! Leaning closer to him, whispering* Pleaaaaaase be nice. Or when we get
home? YOU'RE taking the dogs out. I'm going to bed. Alone. *Straightening
myself and nodding in thanks at the waiter as he sets down coffee in front of
me*
John Matthew Ghardian
*Stopping mid bite as I hear that
motherfucker bring up Xhex going to the fucking Colony. Glancing over at Xhex
as she becomes very still beside me and even her hand has stopped teasing me.
Placing my fork down softly on the table and wiping my mouth with the napkin.
Fucking Rehv! Fucker uses my shellan for his dirty work and then fucking throws
that shit hole in my face. Standing up, I glare at him as he gives me a shit
eatin' grin. ~asl~ Enjoy your coffee while its still warm Ehlena . Can I have a
word with you Rehv? *nodding my head to the door*
Xhex Ghardian
*They get up and I can tell it's gonna be a
pissing contest, so with a look at Ehlena, I throw some bills on the table and
we get up fast to follow them. Rehv's got a shit-eating look on his face and
John's thinking about what happened a few weeks ago. They slam outside and we
follow, me grabbing John's arm as he goes toward Rehvenge.* John, let it go,
feel me? He's just yanking your chain-- *and I stop short because I see them
across the street, moving toward the shadows. Fucking lessers.*
Rehvenge Ghardian
No, this shit ends now. *Gripping my
cane's handle tighter as I nail John Matthew with a glare, flaring my nostrils
until... the sweet smell of baby powder and roadkill permeate the air. Noooo...
looking over at Ehlena, her toffee eyes meet mine. Fear in her eyes. I easily
shake off the pissed off feeling and it's replaced with fear. I was the one who
found Wellsie. I will never forget that as long as I live. Turning to John,
gritting my teeth as I growl* Take Ehlena with you. Demat. Now. Get her home
safe.
Ehlena Ghardian
*Looking back and forth between Rehvenge and
the figures across the street, they've noticed us. Their smiles evident even
across the streets* Rehvenge... *Whispering low* Oh SV... *Dropping my clutch
as they start to prowl across the street, I instantly move behind Rehvenge. I
don't feel the cold. I don't feel the wind. I do feel the heat Rehvenge's body
is throwing off*
John Matthew Ghardian
*Sensing the lessers along with
everyone else my body goes into instant fighting mode. MY left hand reaching
for my dagger and then my head snaps over to him as he tells me to take Ehlena
home.* ~asl~ Fuck that! Xhex can take her home! *As I notice Ehlena standing
behind Rehv and see the terrified look on her face I try to speak calm and
softly.* Everything is gonna be fine Ehlena. We'll just get Xhex to help you
back to the mansion....*looking at Xhex as she grabs my arm* ~asl~ Take her!
Xhex Ghardian
*There's not time to have this fucking
conversation, but have it we will because I am so not letting John get Qhuinn
in deep shit over this.* Damnit, John, you have to take her! Rehv's right! You
can't fight because Qhuinn isn't here! And don't give me shit about it because
you know your ass and Qhuinn's will be in it too fucking deep if you stay. Take
Ehlena and go! Now! *I turn and look at Rehvenge--it's been a while since he's
fought but I've got no worries that he can take them.* Let's go, Reverend!
Rehvenge Ghardian
*Turning, ignoring John's finger flappin'
as he tries to argue, I take one last look at Ehlena* I love you. *Following
Xhex, I shrug out of my sable, letting it slide to the ground as if it wasn't
worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Fuck being warm. My body will heat up
in... the nape of my neck tingles, signalling my other side coming out. My
vision turns to rose-hued, the lessers white hair now pink in the red
streetlight. Stepping forward to follow Xhex, my body not numb anymore but
hardcore in feeling, a hand drops down on my forearm. Turning, it's John, his
eyes glowing blue* Go. Now. Take Ehlena home. *Growling low* If anything
happens to her, I WILL hold YOU solely responsible.
Ehlena Ghardian
*His eyes glow red. Taking note of that and
nothing else as I watch Rehvenge turn away from John, shrugging hard out of his
grasp. No longer the amethyst that I lose myself in. Red. Backing up, I reach
for John, completely out of my element* We need to go. *Gulping for air as I
look up at him* Please...?
John Matthew Ghardian
*Before he can pull out of my grasp, I
make sure he understands every word I'm saying.* ~asl~ That's my life *pointing
to Xhex* you are going to be fighting side by side with. You better make good
use of that fucking cane you got there and if she comes home with one fucking
scratch on her. You will be dealing with me, feel me? *As he pulls away, I look
at Xhex and we lock eyes. Not a word is said as I turn away and gently take
Ehlena's arm and calmly tell her that everything will be just fine. I glance
back just as Xhex charges after the first lesser and we demat out.*
Xhex Ghardian
*I give John Matthew a last glance as he
demats out with Ehlena and then nod at Rehvenge, knowing he is already ahead of
me in plans. We take off toward the white fuckers as they step behind a
dumpster--wouldn't want the humans seeing this little dance, true? I pull my
dagger out of my jacket pocket and go into a defensive stance as we come face
to face with the shit-sicles.* Whoa there, boys, you're a little too public
tonight, true? We can't be having your shit around here.
Rehvenge Ghardian
*Staying silent at the moment, already
gearing for a fight. Fucking John Matthew. Glaring hard at the fuckers in front
of us, their hands going for the butts of their guns. Fuck it. Unsheathing my
sword from my cane, the outer casing falling to the ground* Easy way or hard
way. Your choice.
Xhex Ghardian
*They look at us with sneers--yeah, the chick
and the fucking invalid with the cane, right. Then Rehv pops the sword out and
the three of them waste no time in coming at us, popping their own daggers out.
One has a pistol but before he can even think about pulling a trigger, Rehv has
that sword singing, taking not only the pistol but the entire fucking hand with
it. I move in as he drops to his knees in agony, my dagger popping into his
chest and sending him home to papa with a flash. I hear Rehv moving behind me
as I swing around and land my foot in the stomach of the one to my right with a
loud thud, knocking him down. I'm about to move in to finish him off when
someone grabs me from behind.*
Rehvenge Ghardian
*Reaching out, shit's got real all around
us. Xhex goes off balance as one tries to take her. XHEX. Take HER. Like an
addict long deprived of it's favorite hobby, my dark side comes out, easily
penetrating the lessers brain who has his hand wrapped around Xhex's throat.
Stepping forward, not speaking as I pop the top off all kinds of fun memories.
Mommy issues which later fed his sadistic side in life. How... cute. He lets
her go, a scream erupting from his throat, his hands goes to his ears to try to
block out the inner torment. I turn my back, knowing damn well Xhex can take
care of herself, the Lesser backing up slowly behind me. Hmm...* Didn't your
maker ever tell you about US? *Grinning sinister at him, pausing, my symphath
side roaring*
Xhex Ghardian
*I nod at Rehv as soon as his cane makes short
work of the asshat who grabbed me from behind. I shoot him a mental
message--Thanks but I had that one, you fucker--and almost laugh out loud when
he cocks his brow at me. Rehv may not fight much any more but damn, he's still
got every move he ever fucking made. I turn my attention from him back to the
remaining pieces of shit coming at us and ram my elbow up into the jaw of the
next one, hearing it shatter with a satisfying crack. I spin, dagger ready, and
cut him across the throat, watching his look of disbelief with a chuckle.*
Yeah, asshole. That's right. I'm a fucking female. And that's the last fucking
thought you'll ever have.
Rehvenge Ghardian
*She's having fun. As usual. Only thing
Xhex loves more than spilling blood is possibly John Matthew. Sometimes that's
a toss up though. Ignoring Xhex, pretty confident she can take care of herself*
He didn't? *Tilting my head to the side, it's been a long time since I played.
Since I've killed. Maimed. I've been clean... almost a righteous law abiding
citizen even. I've kept my nose where it belongs. But shit, once you've
killed... especially when you're a symphath? You crave it. I crave to see the
light drain from their eyes. Opening my mouth, my fangs elongated as I hiss, I
grab the lesser who is trying to barrel past me and get down the alleyway.
Shoving him face first into the brick, his cheek making impact, shattering
against it. Flipping him over, exposing his chest, I raise my sword and do the
stab routine-the bright light filling the alleyway. Red to me. Red...*
Xhex Ghardian
*I pick off the last of the dickless fuckers
and wipe my dagger against my leathers, breathing hard. There's something about
being outnumbered and fighting hand to hand that makes my blood race. I know I
was born for this, I feel it every time I fight. I turn and look for Rehvenge.
I don't see him at first but I feel him, his emotions so wild it's like a
fucking hurricane hitting me. I follow his grid and see him with a lesser
against the brick of the alley, and watch as though in slow motion as he pops
the arse wipe off to the O. I can see, can literally fucking see, his vision go
red. Approaching slowly, I know I've got to bring him back, get him away from
his the blood lust, the kill.* Rehvenge? Breathe, you fucker. We're done.
Rehvenge Ghardian
*Grabbing my face, smearing some of the
Lesser blood from my hand onto it. I look back at Xhex* I can't go home like
this. I just... can't. *Her features are red. RED. From her eyes, normally gray
to blood red, to her face... red tinted. Starring at her with my
two-dimensional vision, I can't see Ehlena like this. I will pounce on her.
Show her the side of myself that I've hidden from her* Shit. My dopamine is in
the car. *Blinking, her grid is three dimensional.. but she's blocking any
thoughts that go through her cranium* I... *Trailing off, the aftermath of what
happened still coursing through my veins. It's hard to turn it off. So fucking
hard. But so easy to fall back into it* Xhex..
Xhex Ghardian
*He's deep in the shit and he's right, he
can't go home now. He knows I'm blocking him because sweet Scribe Virgin, he's
a wreck and it makes me feel shit I just cannot allow myself to feel. I look at
him, knowing he's seeing me in red...is this what I could become without the
cilices? It scares the fuck out of me.* Throw me your keys. I'll get the drugs.
You stay here and breathe. *I grab the keys he tosses at me without looking and
demat to his car. My hand is shaking as I pop the locks and reach inside--I
swear if a security guard shows up, he's gonna be fucking dead--and rummage in
the compartment under the driver's seat. My hand closes around Rehv's dopamine
shit and I grab it to my chest, slamming the door. I almost demat back before I
realize I'd better hit the locks--I can hear the fucker asking if I locked his
precious car as soon as the meds calm him down.*
Rehvenge Ghardian
*Waiting for Xhex to come back it seems
like an eternity. Why not have a little fun? Reaching out with my symphath
side, I know where she is. I also know she's moving as fast as she can and I'm
pretty damn sure her thoughts are NOT the nicest. Xhex likes to put the fun in
funeral always. The people milling out of the restaurant, catching cabs or
going home is next. Ah.. sex. Lust. One Male is there with his pretty little
play thing... hoping for some time with her before his wife calls to check in.
Niiiice. They're naked before me, but clothed. Their emotions and thoughts
completely exposed. Almost tempting for someone like me. Reaching out, about
to...--Xhex grabs my arms, pulling me from the daze* Did you grab it all? And
my sable?
Xhex Ghardian
*Shit, forgot the sable.* Hell, no, I didn't
get the sable. You can fucking get it yourself after you shoot yourself back to
normal. *I hand him the meds and the syringe but he's preoccupied...times like
these, I can feel him reaching out, poking into the minds around him, getting
him off. I jerk the dopamine back and fill the syringe myself, not sure of the
measure but knowing it's got to be a lot to bring him back. I throw the empty
bottle on the ground and hand him the syringe.* I'm not shooting your ass up, Rehv.
You're gonna have to do it yourself.
Rehvenge Ghardian
How shit's changed. *Pulling off my suit
jacket and jacking up my shirt to expose my forearm, I don't care about the
buttons. That can be fixed. Tying the tourniquet on my arm as I stare down at
my vein, my vision is off. Depth perception gone. Taking the needle from Xhex,
I try once.. but nothing* I can't do it. I can't tell if i'll hit it. *My phone
vibrates in my slacks, but I don't answer it. Nope. Right now this is
important. Looking up at Xhex, pleading with my eyes*
Xhex Ghardian
Fuck you, Rehvenge. *I grab the damned syringe
from him and eye the vein that is now pulsing its life under the tourniquet. I
thought these days were fucking behind me! I feel the anger heat up my skin and
I plunge the needle straight into that vein, sending the dopamine into his
system. I look up as the last of the liquid leaves the syringe and meet his
stare, looking into what's left of his soul.*
Rehvenge Ghardian
Thank you. *Murmuring low, I close my
eyes, waiting... I don't want to lose myself. Not tonight. I want to go home,
take my shellan in my arms and make sure she's okay. Xhex's breathing is hard,
she's pissed. What's new there? My phone vibrates AGAIN but I don't open my
eyes. Not yet. I can't--not until I'm sure that I'm ME again. Rubbing my hand
across my face, opening my eyes to slits.. Xhex is Xhex again. Her face normal.
My sight's... back* Thank you, Xhex. And shit.. I'm sorry.
Xhex Ghardian
*The world has shrunk down to the two of us in
a fucking alley. I feel my own phone vibrate in my jacket pocket and I angrily
pull it out.* ~text~ Where are you? You ok?~etxt~ Shit. *I thumb a return
text.* ~text~All's good. Be there soon.~etxt~ *I slam the phone back in my
pocket and look at Rehv.* It's all good, Reverend. *He chuckles softly and so
do I. Doesn't matter what's gone down, how pissed I am, what he thinks he knows
about me or any other shit.* You got my back, I got yours. True?
Rehvenge Ghardian
*Nodding, completely on the same level as
Xhex, I reach down and grab the sheath for my sword just as the numbness comes
back. The bone chilling numbness. Shivering, sheathing my sword and balancing
my weight on my cane, I follow her back out of the alley. I pray I don't come
face-to-face with John... that shit he pulled? What the fuck was he thinking? I
want to go home. Shower. Pull Ehlena in my arms...* Xhex? *She looks over, her
movements strong. Steady. Unlike my ass as I stagger around, relying on my
cane, completely without sensation in my body* Never mind. Just get us home.~
