Hello and welcome to this story!! First of all, I would like to point out that this is the work of both me and Angelic Ambyence (with a small cameo of the lovely Tenshiamanda)!!

This is the role playing that started the story Moma. This is the original characters, with their original emotions, memories, actions, feelings, and everything. This story is still in continuation. Thomas and Alaric are faaaar from done with their journey.

Accordingly, I’ve kept all of the text the same. The spelling errors and pieces of out-of-character chatting remains here. So if you get confused, it’s okay. This is in the form of role playing, yet can also be a story setting.

So please enjoy reading about what really happened with Thomas and Alaric!! AND! If you wish to continue with them in their journey, please go to angelicambyence. proboards24 . com There, the action continues!!

Mai Lynn- Thomas, River Phynix

Angelic Ambyence- Alaric, Marrianne, Katherine

Tenshiamanda- Connor, Xyza

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Thomas looked about himself, his grey eyes weary as he sighed. He was hungry and looking for Alaric. Running a hand through his brownish red hair, he wondered where he could go from here.

Connor walked along the street, kicking a can along in boredom. Wishing he had a football... and possibly some people to play with.

Thomas looked at the people all about him, noticing a lot of them had wings... Seeing a normalish pale human with blonde hair kicking a can, he figured that she was human (nopes, she is not a typo). Approaching her with insane shyness and a bit of fear, he asks humbly.
"Uhm, miss? Have you seen a man with grey eyes and blonde hair?"

(( XD ))

Connor stopped. Slowly he turned to look at Thomas, "I am not a girl!" he growled, glaring, "And I haven't seen whoever it is either." This was the second time this week goddamit. Maybe he should get a haircut.

Thomas quickly blushed and bit his lip, taking a step back. "I-I'm sorry! I didn't know! I saw your hair, and... Uhm..."

"Thats it, I'm getting a haircut." Connor grumbled. He raised an eyebrow at Thomas, "Anything else while we're at it?"

(ooc: this thread needs more action. Now here's my lame attempt to add some of that action. )

Alaric quickly darted and hid in the shadows against the side of a building. Blood dripped down his face from a cut above his eyebrow. Still gripping a dagger under his coat, Alaric tried to catch his breath.

"Damn Marianne...can't leave me alone for one minute," he mumbled, his eyes alert for any signs of his sister.

After seeing no signs of his attacker, he looked around the area and notice a few people nearby. One of them was very familiar, even in the dark.

"Great, why couldn't he just stayed home." Alaric thought frustratedly.

Still on alert of any signs of his sister, Alaric trudged towards the boy; but slowly and quietly so to catch some of the conversation Thomas was having with the other person before making himself known.

(Awww, Alaric's sister is finally in teh fray!?!? Muahaha, evilness... Heh, maybe Colleen and Marianne should join forces?)

Thomas shook his head, looking down with embarrasment, "N-No, I'm sorry agian..."

Connor sighed and tugged on the end of his braid. "Its okay, you're not the first person who's done it."

A hand fell on Thomas' shoulder from behind.

"Done what?" Alaric asked curiousl, grinning at Connor and pretending not to notice how sudden he appeared out of nowhere, probably surprising them both.

Thomas' eyes widen as he gives a short scream. Recognizing Alaric's voice, he turned and was ready to greet him with a smile. He caught sight of the blood however and he paled slightly.
"What happened?!" He asked, tensing

"Christ what are you? A bloody ninja?" Connor growled. Glaring at Alaric, ignoring the scent of blood.

Alaric smirked at Connor, "You can say that." He then gave Thomas a look that said "We'll talk later."

Connor rolled his eyes at the other's comments. "yeah yeah."

Thomas understood the look, but his worry did not go away. Remaining silent, he waits for the two to be finished talking so as he could see what had happened.

(sorry, its hard to post for this one cause i gotta think alot ))

"Well then, a ninja never stays in one place for too long. Lets go," Alaric said turning around.

Just then a whistling sound fills the air and Alaric catches something that was headed straight for his face. A dagger.

"Shit."

Cold laughter suddenly came from the direction where the dagger was thrown and a tall, beautiful blond woman suddenly stepped into the light of the nearest street lamp. Her right shoulder was bleeding and she was holding a black leather whip in one hand.

"You almost forgot your little knife, my dearest brother," she said with a smirk. "Its not a very nice thing to throw things like that at your big sister, now is it?"

Alaric cringed. He hated when she talked to him like that.

(Amby-chan!! glomps tightly)
Thomas' eyes widen as the dagger is thrown to Alaric. He tenses upon seeing the older woman, his eyes trailing down to the whip.

Connor glared at her. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

The woman ignored Connor's comment since it seemed her full concentration was on Alaric. She walked right up to him, who looked back at her with a slight glare.

"We're done, Marieanne," Alaric finally said when she was inches away from him.

"Oh no we're not. Not after you ran away from me like a coward." Marieanne replied, poking him in the chest with the rolled up whip in her hand.

Alaric scowled, "I'm not fighting you anymore...not like this anyways; like a game."

"Like you have a choice in the matter....who's the kid?"

The former assassin tensed up and quickly moved himself directly in front of Thomas, "No one that concerns you."

Marieanne gave a high laugh and walked away a little bit, "I see, made new friends eh?"

She turned again and looked at (what was visible of) Thomas and then at Connor. "Well then, can I at least have indroductions before I make up my mind to kill you all or not?"

Connor growled and bared his fangs at her. Not at all impressed with her attitude and ninja type thing she had going on. "Sod off already."

Thomas tensed as he was addressed and was rather grateful to have Alaric stand before him. He kept quiet though, and bit his lip. How was Alaric going to escape? What could he do? Thomas could do nothing but stand and stare at the back of Alaric.

Marieanne looked at Connor and frowned at the sight of his fangs.

"Vampire, eh? Couldn't you have found a planet not infested with troublesome creatures, Alaric?" she said to her brother.

But he knew better. She was reconsidering her next moves.

Alaric side-glanced at Conner. He knew Marieanne didn't like to mess with the supernatural. "If we just stay near him...maybe she'll just leave." he thought to himself.

"But I like them. They prove useful allies." Alaric said with a smirk, hoping Connor would follow along.

"I'm touched, really." Connor deadpanned. "But I think I'll pass." He looked at Alaric boredly.

Marianne smiled again, "Oh dear Alaric, how much you've ," at this she started walking away, spinning the whip in her hands. "...we'll put our little game on hold for now. If you dont want you're friends involved, just be a good little brother and follow me." She looked back at him with a smirk before walking off into the darkness.

Alaric sighed before turning to Thomas. "Go back to my place, Thomas. Stay there, i won't be back till tomorrow most likely..."

He then looked at Conner with a cold expression before walking off in his sister's direction.

Thomas looked very sadly at Alaric and nodded just as the man turned and began to walk away. Sighing, he cast his eyes downward and began to walk. If Connor attempted to follow him, he'd merely smile politely before running off, wishing to be home as soon as possible. After all, he did not wish to be a bother to Alaric who had been so kind to him.

But of course, fate would play something a bit different. He was delayed about two hours upon his trip to home. The dely was something that he would never forget, and as a matter of fact, it would rather alter his destiny, as cliched as it sounds. He finally was home though, his wide eyes staring at the floor as he shut the door behind himself. He was without a scratch, his clothing was never taken off to molest him, and hardly anything was actually said to him save for a few sentences during the entire ordeal. Yet, as he took one step into the apartment, what happened truly hit him and he rushed to the bathroom, violently sick over it and leaving him panting in dry sobs, nary a tear escaping his wide eyes.

Connor just rolled his eyes and headed for the nearest bar, he was not going to get himself involved in something stupid again.

((OMG you didn't!! Alaric is gonna go freeaking crazy! ))

It was a few hours after Thomas got back did actually Alaric returned. He shut the door behind him and slid to the floor in a sitting position with his back against the steel door. He lowered his head with his eyes closed, resting his face on one hand.

The cut on his forehead had long since stopped bleeding and he was now free of blood. But there were now new scratches on his arms and unseen ones on his back. He had sneaked out of Marrianne's bed as soon as she finally had fallen asleep and got back home as soon as possible. Exhauted, he was about to fall asleep there and then. But, remembering the boy, he sighed heavily and got back to his feet.

"Thomas?" he called out, wondering if the kid was asleep or not. He was too mentally and physically exhausted from his ordeal with his sister to consider that there was a chance that Thomas never made it back at all.

(I didn't what?)

Upon his bed, in the dark, Thomas twitched at hearing the man's voice.

Ican'tbeaburdenIcan'tbeaburdenIcan'tbeaburden...

Looking down at his shaky hands, he knew he would never calm himself down enough to fool Alaric. Hell, he didn't think he had the nerve to speak. Best thing to do, was to pretend to fall asleep he reasoned. Thus, the 15-year-old pulled the sheets over him silently, turning his back to the door and curling into a small ball, his eyes closing as he breathed in a forced steady pace. It took a great deal to close his eyes, even when the boy came home hours earlier he hardly blinked.

((sigh nm ))

When he received no responsed, Alaric slowly walked to the boy's bedroom and sighed in relief when he saw Thomas asleep in bed. He walked over and ran his fingers lightly through his hair. Without saying a word, he sighed again and sat next to the bed, too tired to move anywhere else. With his head resting on the side of the matress, Alaric quickly fell asleep.

Thomas did his best not to flinch, to not move at all. He accomplished this wonderfully and as Alaric settled into the side of the bed, Thomas waited a few minutes before his eyes snapped open and he shuddered violently. Slowly sitting up in bed, he resumed clutching his knees to his chest and staring out into the darkness, attempting to understand and finally accept what he witnessed.

((dang it, how am i supposed to reply to that...and what did happen him?))

Alaric woke up next morning and it took him a moment to understand where he was. Looking around he realized he was still in Thomas' room.

"Damn, that Marianne..." he mutered, flinching at the throbing pain from his arms and back.

Finally standing, he looked at the bed next to him....

Not too far from the house a tall redheaded female vampire strode down the street. Every movement spoke of confidence and an aura of strength. Her dress was black and sexy and a coiled whip was attached to her him. Xyza was not a woman to be messed with.

(Muahaha)

Thomas was gone from the bed. He usually made it too, but the bed was still ruffled from the "sleeper". In the kitchen, he sat at the table, numbly staring at the top of it. His face held no real expression yet his mind was swimming. He should make breakfast, but why bother? Sure, Alaric would eat but he wouldn't. Didn't make sense to him. So he sat, staring, thinking...

The thick sent of blood could reach Xyza's senses and if she wished to persue the smell, she would be witness to what the small boy had witnessed only hours previous.

The strong whiff of blood reached her senses. Xyza turned her head curiously, maybe it led to a possible meal. Or what remained of someone elses, only one way to find out. She followed the sbloodscent to its source.

Xyza would find herself travelling down a narrow alleyway. When she came out of the darkness, the flickering light of fires would greet her. The alley way had dumped her into the small area of a backyard, only about 10 feet across and 10 feet long. The grass was old, barely alive but somehow managing. The entire yard, however, was stained a deep, deep red. It was everywhere, from the grass to the walls to the piles of garbage lying on each side. And if her eyes caught sight of something pale, a bloody torn arm lying upon the ground, directly below Colleen's cruficied body.

The cross was haggrad, made of beams of wood that was probably from an old burned building. The left over wrist was puntured with a heavy iron nail and several other sharp objects; the arm looked as though it would fall apart any moment. Both of her shoulders held long five inch wide pikes of iron from within the skin. Her legs were in no better shape. Both were cut open and held open by thick pins. Within her legs, the muscles seemed to move as snakes and other animals were nailed into her skin and it turned green with the snake's venom.

Her skin. There was almost none left, most of it having been ripped off. Her stomach had been split open and within the creveases of rotting flesh another iron pike can be seen. As a matter of fact, the pike had gone through her body vertically, from between her legs, running through her body, piercing her head, and finally splitting out from the top, leaving her mutilated face staring blankly, directly into Xyza's eyes.

"Urgh!" Xyza stepped back disgusted. Looking round at the destruction. What on earth had done this? She stepped closer to the body, the woman was obviously dead. "Poor stupid bitch." she sympathized, humans should know not to come here. But still... violence like this wasn't common. Reaching forward she pulled one of the snakes off, snapping its neck as she did, just in case.
Maybe in the past she would have had the decency to bury this woman. But now she had no desire to. A waste of time and energy. Still holding the snake she made the sign of the cross out of habit. She wasn't sure if she believed in it anymore but she did it anyway. Looking down at the snake she left the massacre scene, stopping and leaning outside the fence.

(( jaw hits floor holy cow! That would traumatize anyone, let alone the woman's kid!! Poor, poor, poor Thomas. Oh and forgive my crappy writing, im tired ))

Seeing the empty bed, Alaric walked to the kitchen. He could already tell that something was wrong from the absence of the smell of cooking breakfast and how Thomas wasn't as neat as he usually was.

The moment he saw Thomas just sitting at the table, he now knew something was wrong, just by the way he looked and sat.

"Thomas?" he said softly sitting across from him. "You okay?"

(Hehehehehehehehehe... And is oki, at least you're Rpin' again! glompage)

It took a full minute before Thomas even knew Alaric was in the room, much less talked to him. The small boy slowly rose his head, his eyes staring past Alaric. He didn't respond at all and looked back down at the table. 'Twould be quite a while before the boy even began to act remotely normal again.

It was then that Alaric recognized the look and it scared him more than anything else in the world at that moment. He's seen it before on the faces of his or Marrianne's victims after they tortured them mentally.

Though he's never seen it this severe. He wasn't even sure if Thomas even knew he was there.

Alaric quickly kneeled next to him and shook him by the shoulders, "Hey, kid! Whats's wrong?!"

Thomas's body immediately tensed as his personal space was invaded again by the man. He turned his head away from Alaric and merely waited until the man would let go of him. Other than that, not much changed with Thomas. His mind was still attempting to function, but it was useless sometimes

((That boy makes me so frustrated sometimes!! grrr...))

Alaric had the urge to slap him, but figured it would do more harm than good. He let Thomas' shoulders go but stayed where he was.

"I'm not going to leave you alone till you say something to me," he said in a very serious voice.

(How would you react if you just saw your mother mutilated and raped before bein' sceuwered like a shish-ka-bob! He witnessed it happening, didn't just stumble in like Xyza.... ; And gomen...)

There was a complete minute of silence from Thomas. Alaric wanted him to speak. His mind registered that much. Well, okay. If the man wanted something said then okay, Thomas would say it.

"Something." His voice was quiet, strained. He kept his face turned away. Being alone... That'd be nice... He began to stand to go away and be alone again.

((Good point, but its still frustrating to try to help someone and that someone doesn't make it easy:p ))

Alaric gently held on to his arm so he wouldn't leave.

"Thomas, stop pushing me away. What's wrong? You can tell me. Whatever it is, i'll help you get through it, i swear. But you have to let me." he said in a soft voice

Thomas stared at Alaric with immense apathy and contempt. He read those words, those exact words in a woman's romance book. Staring at him a moment more, he turned his head from Alaric.

"I'm fine, Alaric." His voice was dead pan, "I need to be alone, that's all."

Alaric sighed heavily and let the boy go before standing. "Fine. I'll leave you alone."

He then walked towards the door and walked out. The former assassin waited a few seconds outside the door before taking off. If Thomas wouldn't tell him what happened, he was going to figure it out some other way.

"Something must've happened while i was away...most likely on his way back home...." he thought, retracing his steps back

Watches Alaric leave before going into his room. Shutting and locking the door behind himself, he climbed onto the messy bed and laid down... Doing nothing.

Alaric stopped at the place where he had left Thomas the night before.

"Okay...the fastest way back to the appartment would be, that way." he muttured to himself and started down the dark alleyways.

He looked for any clue or maybe anyone who might've been around here last night to "ask" what they know that might give him some idea of what could've happened to Thomas. Under his coat, he gripped his dagger and was on alert for any dangers

As Alaric walks, River Phynix is standing just outside of the alleyway where she had brutally murdered Colleen in front of Thomas. She is covered in blood and it stinks very badly. As Alaric comes closer, she sneers at him, grinning from ear to ear.

For, what she did to him with that stupid boy, is nothing in comparison of the death of her most favorite toy that Alaric had killed so many nights ago. River Phynix had been waiting and biding her time for revenge.

Xyza was still leaning against the fence but looked up as she scented something. Still holding the dead snake, her other hand going to the whip at her side. She boldly strode up the alleyway to where River Phynix and Alaric were, red hair flowing out behind her as she walked.

Alaric stopped and looked at River with a very cold and serious expression. The foul smell of rotten blood didn't seem to phase him.

"I'm guessing you're the one i'm looking for. But...didn't I kill you?" he said, pretty sure he's met this vampire before.

Just then he noticed Xyza enter the scene. "Just what I need another vampire..."

He even started considering a retreat but made sure it didn't show up on his face. However, Alaric kept his main focus on River Phynix.

Xyza ignored the male and what he said, putting her focus on the blood covered female vamp in front of her. She held up the snake idly, "So, i'm guessing you're the one responsible for the messy little scene back there." The bloodscent covering her was the same as the dead womans.

In front of the alleyway, River Phynix merely grinned to the two of them. She was leaning against the adjacent wall, so as to allow Alaric enough room to enter. Cackling, she shook her head.

"Ah, no. You haven't killed me. Rather, you killed one of my favorite toys. So in return, I've tainted yours." Her fangs turned to Xyza with that malicious grin, "I see you've stumbled upon her naked body."

Alaric glanced at Xyza for a moment before glaring at River. His hands slowly balled into fists as his anger rose.

"What did you do to him?" he asked menancingly

"If only it were that." She bit back, throwing the snake to the ground. "You have problems." she said to the woman.

River Phynis cast a glare to Xyza, "Go away, you pest. You have nothing to deal with this, so leave or you'll find your fate the same as that lowly human female." With that said, she grinned to Alaric and pointed down into the alleyway.

She glanced at Alaric, Wouldn't if i were you." Then turned her attention back to River, "Listen bitch, I don't care how fucked up you are, call me a pest again and you'll regret it." she lifted the whip from her waist, the jagged blade at the end glinting wickedly.

Alaric glanced at the whip for a second, reminded him strongly of his sister, before brushing the feeling off. If these two started to fight, it would give him time to figure what exactly happened the night before.

He continued down the alleyway, around the two easily tempered vampires.

((i'll say how he reacts in another post, i lack motivation to do it now ))

(Heee, is oki. hugs)

River Phynix grinned, "Pest." She said tauntingly, stepping to the side and away from Alaric. She didn't want the man killed; His life would be so much harder now with a tainted youth in his hands. Buahahahaha. She easily slid two short swords from her sides, holding them expertly.

Thomas, meanwhile, had gotten up from his bed to stare at himself in the mirror. He could only stare and wish that he could cry. Damnit he wanted to cry. Instead, he went into the shower to at least have the water cry for him.

She pulled the whip off her waist, the blade was silver tipped. It'd hurt if it hit River Phynix. She cracked it expertly, with a flick of her wrist she sent it flying to the other vampire's stomach, fully expecting her to block it and ready to pull it back if she did so.

As the whip came at her stomach, River Phynix quickly dodged left, her short sword slashing downwards and hopefully cutting it or at least making the weapon loose momentum.

With another flick of her wrist it moved back and out of range just as quickly, she was begining to get an idea of this vampires fighting ability now. She started to circle round to the left, waiting for an opening

River Phynix grinned, twirling both of her swords once as she began to circle right, keeping her eye open for any attack advances. Despite being a blood thirsty torture mistress, she fought defensively. Though her mouth was rather offensive.

"What's the matter, pest?" She sneered, "Don't like the name or something? People made fun of you before?"

Xyza hissed, "Impudent brat." She snarled, regardless of how old this bitch was. "i just can't stand people like you." the blade snapped out, aiming for her legs

As the two vampires fought, a sound could be heard coming from the back of the alley, where Colleen's carcuss was. It was too far to hear it distinctly, but it slowly grew louder and nearer. Laughter.

Alaric continue to laugh as he walked slowly up to them. It slowly died away as he watched the two of them fight.

(cracks up and glomps Alaric)

River Phynix merely snorted as she hopped back a few feet, "Awww, what's da problem?" She baby-talked Xyza, "Were you hurt by someone like me when you were younger?" The vampire would have said more, but Alaric's laughter somewhat distracted her. Glancing at him with an arched brow, she briefly wondered if he had gone mad....

With the wide (and kinda creepy) grin on his face, Alaric decided to intervene.

He threw one dagger at Xyza, aiming at the whip to pin it to the ground. At the same time he threw two diggers directly at River, one at her face and the other at her torso.

Alaric paused to see their reactions, holding a dagger in one hand and still grinning.

Two rooftops away, Marriane was on crouched on the edge with a pair of binoculars to her eyes. She was dressed for work, all black and shiny leather. He watched the fight from a far with a slight frown.

"What are you doing now, brother?" she muttered to herself.

"I think you've been watching too many psychology programmes." Xyza snarled, and made to snap the whip at her again but was stopped by the sudden appearance of the dagger. She turned her head and looked at Alaric, wondering what he thought he was doing.

......Fate. Is lazy at times. The Fate that binds us all can be as thick as molasses, or as thin as a dribble of saliva. Fate can make even the weakest of heros into great men of power. Such as Elric, who cannot even stand without the aid of medicine and sorcery, yet had become the favorite of a god and travelled upon heroic quests that even Hercules would turn a ghostly shade of yellow at.

Alas, Fate can also bring down the mighty and powerful. The Roman Empire, a commonly used example but an impressive one nonetheless. We still cannot achieve today morally what they had achieved those many centuries ago.

Finally, Fate can be a lazy ass mother. It'll come at the meekest of men, the greatest of women, the ferocious of creatues and pretty much bitch slap the damn thing until Fate has been satsified. Oedipus, a great man who attempted to flee fate, merely fell into its clutches within his attempt to escape it. All because Fate was too lazy to create a new Fate.

Rivery Phynix is no such exception. As she sneered upon the other vampire with disdain, a verbal slap about to emit from her plush lips, those daggers met their mark and destroyed the vampire. Of course, Fate could have prevented the death, but meh. Fate is lazy.

"Well.... shit." She said, rather miffed that she had missed out on killing the bitch herself.

Alaric blinked before laughing out loud again.

"Man! I didn't think i'd kill her that easily. Oh well." he said after his laughter died. "I kinda wanted to thank her before killing her, but ah well. I hope she stays dead this time..."

He scratched his head, his other hand still on a dagger inside his coat pokect, and looked at Xyza. Alaric grinned.

"You're not gonna give me any trouble, are you? I kinda have to get back home before my sister finds me again." he said rather friendly.

During all of this, Thomas eventually wandered back to his room. He sat on his bed, his knees to his chest as he stared. It was a novel that he had read when him and Alaric had their little tickle fight. His grey eyes bore into the cover, face expressionless

"No, I have no problem with you." She smiled back, equally friendly. She coiled the whip up again and tied it back to her waist.

Alaric glanced at the whip and shuddered slightly. He recomposed himself rather quickly, however.

"Well, I'm off. Blood is Blood and I'm sure it'll attract other nuisances. Besides I now have to deal with a very traumatized kid." He sighed heavily, looking sad suddenly.

Alaric then glared slightly at the dead vampire corpse before sighing again and looking away. "She better not have permanently hurt him..." he muttered as he started walking off.

As of right now, he's mostly just reacting to instincts. Standing, Thomas slowly walked into the kitchen. There, the boy opened the fridge. Staring at the contents, his mind was numb and wondering why he was there....

Alaric returned home as soon as possible and closed the door behind him as he searched with his eyes for the boy.

"Thomas?" He called out as he walked into his apartment

"He better not have done anything stupid to himself..."

Continues to stare at the fridge. It takes a moment before he realizes that his name had been called. Closing it, he walked to the kitchen doorway. Standing there, he stared at Alaric.

Alaric stopped for a moment and just watched Thomas for a moment before a look of determination appeared on his face and walked towards the boy.

"Thomas....I know what happened. And I know you loved your mother very much and what happened to her was mortifying for any child to see. But I need you to snap out of it," he said calmly. "Your life isn't over yet. On the contrary, it just started."

The boy's body tenses a bit, quickly adverting his gaze away.

Alaric grabbed his shirt, glaring slightly. "Listen to me! This world isn't a nice and happy place. Its full of your worst nightmares and fears come to life. But that doesn't mean you just curl up into a ball whenever it gets too bad to ignore. You have to learn to survive! Trust me, you haven't seen the worst yet! So stop acting childish and grow up."

His body tenses further, his brow narrowing. He keeps his gaze away from Alaric.

"Look at me damnit!"

Thomas doesn't.

"Why can't you look at me?! Can't you at least talk to me..." he said, his voice losing its edge and his grip loosening. “Why not?"

Doesn't reply, his jaw tightening.

"Thomas!"

The boy tries to take a step back.

Alaric lets go of his shirt, but then grabs Thomas' arms and kneels down. "You're not backing away from me. You need to trust me. I've seen worse compared to what you've seen!"

Thomas twitches a bit and he looks slightly angry, "I..." His voice falters and he squirms a bit in the grip, trying to get back.

"You what?"

"Nn... Let go..." His voice is a bit deeper now, commanding.

Alaric remained silent for a moment and was shocked at his next action. "No." he then pushed Thomas to the ground and pinned him there, straddling him.

The teenager tenses a bit and grits his teeth, squirming s'more, "Get off me...."

"...Are you getting angry?" Alaric grip remained strong but his hands started to shake slightly.

Glares at him, his teeth clenching, "Get. Off."

Alaric, his own teeth clenching, then grabs a dagger from his pocket and put it to his throat. Staring at him with eyes filled with deep pain, "What are you going to do now? What if I decided to rip all your clothes off and raped you right here and now. Crawl into a ball and cry like a baby"

Thomas flinches a bit, but still looks at Alaric with anger. His voice is steadfast, but is pleading, "Get. Off....."

"Pleading isn't going to help...getting mad isn't going to help...getting stronger..." Alaric let him go and stood. "...that would work."

Thomas stands as well and walks off to his room.

Alaric watched Thomas leave, "Staying in your room isn't going to change what had happened. Nothing will..."

Slams the door shut.

"Goddammit,” Alaric muttered under his breath.

Two hours later, Alaric had fallen asleep on the couch, waiting for Thomas to come back out.

Thomas exits his room and goes into the kitchen. Now that he's come out of his emotional trauma shell a bit, he's rather hungry 'n at, 'specially considering he's 15. He makes himself a sammich

Meanwhile, Alaric was having a nightmare. He was covered in sweat and was tossing a bit while mumbling. "Stop....Stop it...I...I can't...You can't make me......sis..please..."

Listens to it, but has decided that in order to become 'stronger' he'd have to kinda be callous.... Finishing his sammich, he sets it down and sighs, filling a glass of water and walking towards Alaric. He dumps the cup onto the guy's face.

Alaric sits bolt up right, staring straight ahead. "I won't kill her!!" He blinks for a moment then looks around at Thomas, panting heavily and just stares at him.

Stares at him, not much of an expression, before he walks back into the kitchen, setting down the glass. He sits and begins to eat.

Alaric sighs, "Great..." He gets up and walks to the kitchen sitting across from him. "I see you've had time to think about stuff." he said, resting his cheek against his fist, ignoring his dripping wet hair.

"Yeah."

"What have you decided?"

"A decision."

"Really now?" he replied sarcastically "What’s is it?"

"My own." Gives him a look and finishes his sandwich, "You told me to be stronger. So I will."

"Good...that doesn't mean we can't still be friends."

He shrugs a bit, "It also means I can't always depend on you..."

Alaric sighed and looked away. "Not always, no. No one's like that. But you can always depend on me when its needed."

Silence is Alaric's answer.

Silence grows longer as Alaric looks at him again. After a while... "You may act tough, but that doesn’t mean you're strong."

"I'll get strong then...."

"How?" Alaric gave him a meaningful look.

Glares at him a bit, "I will."

"You'll have to learn it. Easiest and less dangerous way is from someone who is also strong."

Stares at him a bit, "......."

Alaric points at himself, "I've seen hell and caused hell. It nearly killed me too, but I learned to be strong from my sister. If you want, I can help you...in a less painful way that is, if allow me to."

His gaze turns dead pan and he shakes his head, "No."

Alaric gaze turns emotionless as well. "Why?"

Stands and shrugs, walking back to his room, "Because."

Alaric stares at the table. "I've seen people die...trying to become strong on their own..."

Stops and sighs, "I don't want you to help because you've helped me already. If I take advantage of you even more than I already do, I'll be too far in debt."

"Humph" Alaric smiles ruefully. "You're wrong. You don’t owe me a thing. Ever since i met, you've become my absolution. You're the one helping me."

Turns to glare at him, "Don't give me that bull."

Alaric looks at him in surprise, then smiles again. "What’s so bull about it?"

Thomas balled his fists, gritting his teeth. He couldn't explain it, but he felt so angry right now. Helpless too, and he did NOT like it. He had never really felt true anger or helplessness.

Ah, puberty. Such lovliness. Glaring at Alaric, Thomas turned and walked so as he was facing the man.

"What's bull about it is that you want to make me 'stronger'. How the hell am I going to get 'stronger' if I'm learning off of someone who still has nightmares over his sister?" Knows it's harsh, but isn't feeling too gentle, "I don't want to learn from you, I'll learn on my own." There's a pause, but Thomas found himself saying more.

"You tell me to get over my mother's death, and that you've seen worse.... fuck you." He began to tremble, glaring, "You can't claim that you've seen worse when all you know is what you've experienced. What's worse for you isn't what's worse for me, damnit. I lost my family. My family. Moma, and Father. They're both dead, I'm alone now." Shaking now, Thomas lowered his head. To Thomas, his family was his 'tribe'. And being the last of a tribe was frightening, "I know you've been taking care of me, but you're not a Rivers. You're not my blood...."

In a sudden surge of anger, Alaric gets up and grabs Thomas' shirt and then pins him to the nearest wall.

"Fuck blood!! Fuck family!!" Alaric said, his voice shaking yet full of anger and his eyes gazed downward. "The only family member I have who gives a fuck about me is my sister and she's a sadistic maniac! Yet...I...I can't turn my back on them. No matter how hard I try. Family...Blood...it means you're bound to one another till death! You have no idea how fortunate you are...you're free from that bind. I killed for my family, I've tortured and been tortured for my family. And what about you? Your mother never gave a fuck about you! She gave you up for just one night of sexual pleasure...That's your family! That's your blood!!"

He looked up at him, his eyes intense and full of emotion, the complete opposite of what he usually was.

"But you're right. What's worst for me might not be the same for you. But I'll tell you one thing, you'll never forget. For my defense, I have nightmares because I'm still human! I am strong when I need to be but I have not given up my humanity!! If you don't want to learn from me, then fine! Lose yourself, and maybe even your life! I don't give a fuck anymore..."

The last line was a lie. Fueled with a rage and hurt, he said it as a defense from the boy's comments. It had hurt Alaric to know that Thomas saw himself alone, when he tried his best to be there for him. It hurt him to know that Thomas didn't trust him. It hurt him and that made him feel weak.

Alaric suddenly couldn't stand being there anymore. This boy...made him feel completely useless with just a few words. He let him go and headed out of the kitchen.

Any comments that Thomas was going to say to Alaric fell from his lips as he saw the man exit the kitchen. The small amount of pain in his shoulders went ignored, as during Alaric's rant Thomas realized that he had hurt him. He also realized that the two had very different definitions of family.... Staring at the ground, he had no clue what to say. He'd never just spoken out of rage and Thomas was confused on what to do.

Say something, or you'll loose him.... His rational mind quickly reprimanded. Turning, he stood in the kitchen way.

"I... You're my friend, Alaric. I didn't.... I don't want to be...." Sighs, gah. He was never good with other people, "I'm sorry."

Alaric was a few steps from the door when he stopped. His fists still shook for a few seconds before stopping. Finally, he sighed.

"I know. I'm sorry too. You should make your own choice. I...I just didn't want to see you go through what I went through."

Frowns a bit, "I'm not you, Alaric...."

Alaric gazed at the floor, "I see now. But...but you remind me so much of when i was young. Before I had......Nevermind. It's your life, not mine. "

He then took the few steps needed to get to the door and opened it with the intention of leaving. But intead of leaving, he stood there, his eyes wide in surprise.

"What, baby brother? You're not going to invite me in?"

A few moments later, Marriane Corvid invited herself inside, pushing Alaric slightly out of the way.

"Soo, this is the boy, eh? He looks different from the first time I saw him." she said, walking into the room and staring intently at Thomas.

Thomas stared at her, his eyes trailing over her body. Her hair and eyes, their coldness and sadisticness. Thomas found himself staring at an alternate version of Moma. A bit shaken up by that, his brows knitted together and he warily took a step back. No one should look like his mother....

Thomas stared at her, his eyes trailing over her body. Her hair and eyes, their coldness and sadisticness. Thomas found himself staring at an alternate version of Moma. A bit shaken up by that, his brows knitted together and he warily took a step back. No one should look like his mother....

"Oh look, he's scared." Marrianne said with a sadistic smile and walked up to him.

"Marrianne..." Alaric said warningly, his eyes like a hawk on his sisters every movements.

"Oh relax." When she was close enough, she grabbed his chin and cheek, pushing his face upwards so she could see him better. "So this is the boy who's got my brother all worked up."

As the lady came closer, Thomas was quick to take two steps back, manuvering his head away from the lady's hands. His face was a mix of confusion and defiance. He did not want her to touch him.

"You're not Moma..." He said softly, "So don't touch me."

Marrianne blinked then bursted out laughing, "What? That mutilated pieace of carcass? Of course I'm not her!"

Marrianne bent over slightly to look Thomas in the eye, "I'm too smart to ever end up like that woman."

"Marrianne!" Alaric said again, his teeth clenched.

Marrianne straighted and had a weird look on her face. Like she didn't like Al's behavior but wasn't mad about it. More like calculating...

The comment didn't bother him. Thomas had somewhat come to terms that his mother was dead, and that he was not allowed to cry over it. He didn't say anything, but rather steadily glared at her with silence. She annoyed him.

Marrianne then shrugged, "Well at least he's more mature than you when our mother died. At least he didn't cry. True you were half his age, but you understand."

Alaric now glared at Marrianne.

Marrianne then looked back at Thomas, "But...you were more of a man at his age than he is, thats for sure."

"Hmphf, you made sure of that. But why the hell are you bringing up old times, why are you here?" Alaric retorted.

"To make a proposition," Marrianne replied, getting straight to business. "Give me the boy, Al. I'll toughen him up for you."

"I don't think so" Alaric said, shuddering at the mere thought.

"Fine. Your loss." Marrianne grinned and walked closer to the boy or at least looked at him closer. "He's very cute. I wonder if he's good in bed..."

Now Thomas was pissed. With a feral snarl, he glared at her.

"You're NOT Moma. You will not touch me or do with me as you will." He said through gritted teeth, "I will get stronger by myself, I do not need any help from a sniveling, sad excuse for a woman who can't get have any control over anyone other than your traumatized brother. So shut the hell up and get away from me, you fucking prick." How dare this woman come into their lives and pretend that she owned everything! She was not his Moma, she was not his friend, she was nothing!! She didn't earn her right to control his life!!

The minute Thomas finished his last word, he was on the floor. She had grabbed his neck and slammed him to the ground where she pinned him there, straddling him. One of her hands was at his neck, the other trailed a knife across his cheek.

"I see you have no clue as to who I am, boy."Marrianne said witha saddistic grin and placed the knife at his shirt. With one movement, she sliced his shirt open, to reveal his chest. "Al...put that silly thing away, you know you can't hurt me."

Marrianne's eyes went to the side of her neck were a blade was being pressed there.

"I can do it if you make me..."Alaric said with quiet anger.

Marrianne just chuckled silently before ignoring him and trailed the dagger over the Thomas's skin. "Listen to me, boy. I can make your life living hell. If you dont call that control, then I dont know what you can."

Thomas didn't cry out as his back hit the floor painfully. He grit his teeth and glared at her. The knife meant nothing, the hand on his throat meant nothing. He was used to pain, had grown a very strong tolerance to it. So the pain went ignored as he gathered spit into his mouth and spat onto her face.

Just like Nevada Spade from the novels he read. Thomas could remember how strong those guys were, how defiant they were to anyone and anything that dared to infringe upon their freedom. They showed no fear, so nor would Thomas.

Besides, he wasn't afraid. He had seen worse, his entire life had been a living hell. NOTHING could make his life anymore worse now with the loss of his final tribal member. He decided to voice this.

"You can't do anything. You may try to make me scream while cutting me, but I won't. I'm not like your brother." He growled, "I'm not like him, because my life is my own, not his. So stop treating me as if I was him."

With the tilt of her head, Marrianne dodged the spit, which landed on her shoulder instead but she didn't care. However she did look impressed. Alaric was surprised and impressed at the same time and didn't react in time to prevent...

Marrianne sliced his pants open and placed the cold steel inside. She looked impassive when she did this, which was unusual. It was because she was angry, impressed but still angry. But not because of the insult to her. Oh no. She was pissed on how Thomas talked about her brother. Marrianne loved him dearly and wasn't about to let this brat talk about him like he was pathetic.

She smirked again, "You have guts kid...But you're right, you're nothing like him."

Thomas didn't flinch as his pants were sliced open. He glared at her icily, his lips in a very tight frown. Damnit, if only he was older, and had a bit more of muscle. Truthfully, Thomas could have cared less if he was castrated. The pain could be ignored-

That's it! Thomas could ignore pain, which meant that he had an advantage against this woman. Both of his hands were quick to reach up and grab the woman's head. If able to, his thumbs would quickly press to her eyes, about to smash them into juice while his fingers dug into her scalp.

While Thomas can ignore pain, Marrianne cannot. The next few actions were totally reflex. Marrianne didn't even she'd done them till Alaric had grabbed her.

She automatically squeezed his neck, shutting off his oxygen. Then slashed upwards at the boy's hands. At this Alaric grabbed her and pulled her away from Thomas.

Thomas couldn't breathe, but it didn't bother him. Pain flashed over his skin as he was cut from the knife, but the boy ignored the pain. He didn't even pull his hands away as the blade cut through. He sat up, however, as Alaric quickly pulled the woman off of him. Standing, Thomas held up his jeans, allowing his shirt to fall off of his shoulder slightly.

His eyes looked at Marieanne with contempt now, and he was tempted to gloat. But no, Thomas would not. He wasn't going to stoop down to her level and taunt and tease her at something so simple as an attempt at eye gouging.

Marrianne blinked for a moment before grinning, "Whoops. Oh well, I guess the boy does have potential."

She then cleared her throat as though signalling Alaric to let her go. He, very relunctantly, did so.

"He's just a kid, Marrianne." Alaric said in vain.

"Whatever, he's your problem. But..." Marrianne then leaned back and whispered in his ear. "Becareful. This kid has made you soft, like that girl did. But he's different. I've been watching you, the both of you for a while, brother. He completely changed in one day. He's dangerous. Don't let your feelings be your end. I've taught you better than that."

Her tone was that of seriousness that took Alaric by surprise. She then kissed his cheek and walked towards the door.

Thomas has indeedy changed, even if it was in just one day. The death of your tribe, and built up aggression from years and years of abuse can alter someone in such a way, and Thomas was no acception. He glared at her leaving. Alaric was his current home, and the teenager couldn't help but to somewhat grow a protective feeling towards it.

And the fact that Marianne disgusted him more than anything helped his change. This woman just randomly appeared in his eyes, and believed that she was in charge. No, this was not true. She had done NOTHING to earn any sort of respect from Thomas. Alaric was in charge of this household, and the man had proven it more than once (although the submissive posture in front of the sister made Thomas begin to slowly doubt if the man was truly the head of the house). Although Alaric was no where near what Thomas considered a tribe, he was all that Thomas had to hold onto here.

Until such a time when the teenager could take care of himself, and finally venture off alone to be a burden upon no one but himself. Until that time came, however, Thomas decided to remain here and help Alaric protect their 'home'.

Alaric waited till the door closed and Marrianne was gone till moved again. He walked over to Thomas and looked at his hands.

"How bad is it?" Alaric said, slightly distractedly.

His heart was racing and he felt disapointed for some reason. It took him a while to figure out that he had wanted to fight Marrianne. That since it would be in protection of Thomas he would be able to fight without any restraints. Alaric actually felt he might had actually beaten her and was disappointed at the loss of that chance.

He sighed inwardly, hating how his mind worked.

((I forgot if you said it was okay that his fingers got amputated or not so you say if they did or not ))

(Uh.... That'd kinda be bad if his fingers got amputated. Oh! I remember you asking that, but I think we got side tracked for the answer)

Thomas merely stared at Alaric for a moment before walking off to the bathroom, "I've suffered much worse wounds from a better woman." He stopped though, glaring at the man.

"She's a pathetic fool. You shouldn't let her control you, Alaric...." Not caring if Alaric answered or not, he stepped into the bathroom and washed the blood from his hand, pressing his hips to the counter to keep his pants up.

Alaric watched after him with narrowed eyes deep in thought. His sister was right, the boy had indeed changed and it didn't looked to be for the better.

"I'll let him go. Let him do as he wishes. There's nothing I can do now except be there when he bites more than he can chew."

With that thought he walked over to the bathroom and leaned against the wall on the opposite side of the door with his arms crossed.

"You do know that pathetic fool could've sliced your hands off if she had been more aware of what had happened." Alaric said, "She could've killed you."

Thomas shrugged, "Then I guess my death would've been at the hands of a moron..." He paused, staring at himself in the mirror. Did he really just say that?, "She annoys me. She enters your apartment, pretending that she is the head. She's not. You are." He finished, looking at him.

Though I'm beginning to doubt that....

(kay. Actually, Alaric hugged him because he was talking about his past and explained why he couldn't leave the house and life Marrianne made for him, cause he was afraid that Thomas might get killed and he couldn't live with himself if that happened Need more info, or do you remember enough to just start now?)

Alaric had told Thomas everything about himself. How he had come to Nocteria wanting to die, but that ever since he met Thomas that had changed. The boy had sugested to leave the home that Alaric's sister had set up for him in a way to keep him under her control. Alaric then confided how he had tried that before, but it didnt work. He was afraid that if he had tried to once away abandon his family, they would kill Thomas. He hugged Thomas, saying he wouldn't be able to live with himself if something were to happen to him.

(I got an idea! How about after that, they decided to sleep and then start off on the next day? )

(Oh! I somewhat remember now, and yosh! We shall go to next day!)

Thomas roused from his sleep sleepily. Sitting up, he stretched, yawning and rubbing his tired eyes. He hated getting up in the morning....

The teenager blinked. Since when did he hate things? Oh yeah, since he decided to be strong.

Alaric was in the kitchen, sitting at the table and thinking hard. He was trying to figure out what to do next, with himself and the boy. Marianne had taken interest in him and that alone unnerved Alaric to no end.

Thomas sat in bed silently for a moment, thinking about how he will act. He must act strong, he must hate, he must be callous....

But he could still be nice to Alaric. Just... He can't be as nice as he wanted to be. Sighing, he got off of the bed and forced himself not to make it.

I'll grow into this soon. He thought to himself, nodding. Going into the bathroom, he stared at his face, I don't think I want to smile anymore. No, I won't smile anymore. I hate smiling. Smiling is only for when I'm truly happy, and I'll never be truly happy anymore. Taking a quick shower, he got changed and walked into the kitchen.

His eyes looked over at Alaric, and he reminded himself that while his friend, this man certainly wasn't as strong as he once thought he had been. Walking to the cabinets, he got out some cereal and poured some for himself, sitting down across from him.

"Morning." He said before eating.

((has the strong desire to prove how strong Alaric can be grr...))

Alaric replied with a soft grunt, shaken from his thoughts. Proping his elbow on the table, he then rested the side of his face in his open hand and watched Thomas eat thoughtfully.

"So, what are you planning to do next?"

(laughs and pets Alaric)

Thomas paused in his eating, staring at his dry cereal. Last night, he had told himself to stay to protect Alaric and this house. But, Alaric was trapped here. Here he would live, and here he would die.

Thomas did not want such a life. He also knew that the woman would probably come yet again. He didn't want to see her, she sickened him, he hated her. Yes, he actually did hate her.

No one deserves to look like Moma... He thought. The thought of staying was not tempting, what other alternative did he have?

Taking in another bite, he chewed before answering, "Leave."

Alaric didn't look surprised, "And go where?"

He knew this was going to happen sooner or later. Alaric just thought it was going to happen later

Thomas looked a bit thoughtful before swallowing, "I heard about a school....." Sucks at lying (although he doesn't know it, but there is indeedy a school on Nocteria that teaches assassins how to be, uh, assassins), "It'll teach me how to be, uh, dependant on myself..."

Alaric raised his eyebrows, "A school, huh?" He then suddenly turned expressionless, "When do you plan on leaving?"

Thomas was again silent before he pushed back his chair silently and picked up his cereal. Putting the rest of it into the sink, he walked out of the kitchen.

"Today." He said as he left the room, heading to the room where he slept.