earlymorninstar

[Beneath a moonless sky] 18+ [Arista x Earlymorninstar]

Christian had been cautious, hesitation showing as he kept a bit of distance between the group and himself. They were soon inside and any doubt that anything was truly wrong with Kieran had been dashed across the floor as soon as the male had removed his shirt. Christian lingered in the doorway, his brow furrowed as he mulled over the idea of leaving them be, or going off to find Clara and the other – where they had run off to was beyond him. Surely at least Ryanair would notice a sudden change – Christian had his doubts that Clara had strengthened any sort of bond between her and her sire – he wouldn't put it past her to be entirely ignorant of Kieran's pain.

He listened to each of them, his hands still shoved deep in his pockets while he lingered in the doorway. If his blood had been poisoned, then it seemed as if a transfusion was the only way to go – it was just a matter of finding blood compatible enough so that his body wouldn't reject it. The frown on his lips, he cleared his throat quietly. "Perhaps we should collect Ryanair –" He began, not exactly offering up Clara just yet. "If he does, in fact, need a transfusion at this point."

Clara had felt triumphant at least for that moment, until his words had sunken in a bit slower than they should have. As soon as he had made contact with the tree, she craned her neck to look up, realizing just what was happening. She would have quickly jumped away, had it not been for the sudden onslaught of snow that had been shoved in her face, and she gave a surprised and startled sound as soon as it hit her – the sudden heaviness of snow that suddenly fell upon her was the nail on her coffin.

She had nearly sprouted up out of the pile with a cough, shoving some of her now-soaked curls out of her face. Clara narrowed her gaze at the trees surrounding them, pulling her body from the pile of snow before she hid behind her own again. Well, damn. Perhaps she did underestimate the younger male – at least when it came to a snowball fight. When it came to an actual fight – she had her doubts. The last time she had tested him, she knew full well he could stand to learn a thing or two.

"That was just a lucky move!" Clara called out, quickly balling up more snowballs before he would begin his attack again. This was war, that was for certain… A pile of snowballs in her arms, she'd taken off towards where he'd been hiding, pitching each one right after another in passing before she dove and took her own cover again. Hell – she hadn't allowed herself to have any semblance of fun like this in centuries… It felt almost exhilarating…

@Arista

[Lather the blood on your hands] 18+ UPDATED [Ignore Post Count]

Bump.

[Lather the blood on your hands] 18+ UPDATED [Ignore Post Count]

Bump. Still looking! :)

[Lather the blood on your hands] 18+ UPDATED [Ignore Post Count]

Bump.

[Beneath a moonless sky] 18+ [Arista x Earlymorninstar]

Even though she was concealed behind her tree, it was inevitable that he would find her. There were only so many trees around them. She gave a startled sound as soon as the first snowball hit her, and she was quick to pick up as many snowballs as she could that she’d just thrown together before running for the cover of another tree. She’d dodged the rest of his snowballs while throwing some back at him while she ran.

Clara felt exhilarated - almost carefree in that split moment. There was absolutely nothing to worry about or dwell upon, other than keeping Ryanair from hitting her with more snow. Already her clothes were getting soaked, but she hardly cared as she quickly pressed herself behind a tree to gather a few more snow balls. Once more she peeked out from behind her tree and launched them his way before running off to the cover of another tree.

Quickly, and silently she crept from tree to tree while he continued collecting more snowballs, and after a short moment she lurched forward to tackle him from his cover. And just as quick, she had dumped a mound of snow on his head. “Told you, you weren’t going to win.” Clara smirked atop him, looking quite victorious and happy with herself.

Soon, the ceremony had come to an end and most had turned to begin making their way back to the house. Christian had given a small sigh and shoved his hands deep within his pocket as he turned to follow the others. However, hearing Esther had him raising a brow. He’d not noticed any difference in Kieran, however, he remained skeptical of the sudden concern from the female. If they were in for another attack, he wanted to make sure they were ready this time…

@Arista

[Beneath a moonless sky] 18+ [Arista x Earlymorninstar]

She hadn’t known what had prompted her to do it - perhaps it was just the dying need to lighten the heaviness all around them. Clara was tired; tired of her own anger, frustration, and pain. Tired of the violence that continued to hang around them. Tired of constantly mulling over her choice to leave or stay. She just needed a moment to forget it all and to just relax.And no matter how much she hated it while she was mortal, she would do anything to go back to such silly pouting over who she was to marry - things were simpler back then. Now, they were met with the looming worry of when Kieran might slip back to whatever darkness was consuming him, coupled with the heavy mourning that was on the air that day.

Clara had been glad that Ryanair had suggested to stay away from the funeral- She would have been of no help, and she knew she would have been terribly out of place. The fact that she continued to keep a wall up between them and her wouldn’t have helped either… It was already strange enough, even to her, that she was choosing to let Ryanair past it, even in the slightest. Still, she would have to see how long it would last.

The only person that she ever let in had been Christian, and he practically had to force his way in. Even so, he hardly knew of her inner thoughts and worries; the inner feel of worthlessness that had been caused by her abandonment that day. Hell, he would never know her secrets, and she doubted anyone would unless they beat it out of her.

Ryanair had been quick to launch a snowball back at her and she couldn’t help but grin as she dodged it. Part of her had been anticipating an actual fight, but she couldn’t help start the new battle as soon as she’d seen the snow around her. It had been so long since she could have a moment of carelessness -- and it’d be a cold day in hell if she allowed anyone to take this quick moment from her.

She crouched down and grabbed at more snow, packing it while she ran to look for a place of refuge so she could build up her pile. Once more, another ball had been launched his way before she had hid behind a tree, quickly trying to put together as many snowballs as she could before she grabbed a couple to throw his way again. “Don’t think you’re going to win this one!”

Christian had eyed Kieran carefully as they followed the wolves, still skeptical of him not only as a person, but with everything that had happened as of late. He doubted he ever could warm up to the man, solely due to the fact that he’d known what he’d done to Clara so carelessly, and knowing that she still suffered from that day. He had hardly seen a change between them other than the suddenly curious relationship she was building with Ryanair. He still wasn’t sure what had sparked it, and he still wasn’t sure that it was going to last.

Silently, his thoughts continued to race as he followed along, still feeling slightly out of place, but knowing he should have paid his respects regardless. These wolves had all been there to protect them, and to not show up would have been rude-- he was already disappointed that Clara hadn’t been there.

When the time came, he bowed his head out of respect, the frown still on his lips as he listened to the ceremony unfold before them. Hopefully they could avoid holding another one of these in the future -- Hopefully there wouldn’t be another incident under their own noses.

@Arista

[Lather the blood on your hands] 18+ UPDATED [Ignore Post Count]

Bumppp.

[Beneath a moonless sky] 18+ [Arista x Earlymorninstar]

Christian watched Ryanair turn away from him, and he nodded in return, his brow twitching when Clara wanted him to head off. It was quite curious -- and he could have laughed at Ryanair’s words. He’d be lucky if Clara didn’t hurt him too much, although, maybe she would hold back this time around considering how she was suddenly acting.

He soon finished his coffee and he was up to wash the cup before putting it away. He’d headed back to the living room with a stretch of his arms over his head before he ran a hand through his hair. Everyone was gathering for the ceremony that was to take place, and part of him felt a bit out of place in the group. He’d almost questioned if he should attend, but he did suppose that they’d all been around each other enough in that mansion over the past few weeks... It probably would be rude of him not to attend.

He was pulled from his thoughts as soon as he heard Kieran, and he had to keep himself in check for a moment. Regardless of how things might have been progressing, Christian still couldn’t bring himself to trust the male. He’d held quite the grudge over what he’d done to Clara and perhaps she could somehow move on, Christian wasn’t so sure he could ever forgive him.

“I suppose so --” Christian began, his words short at first, although, he realized he did need to keep his manners in check. “Not sure it would give the right impression if I did not attend.” He commented, and his brow twitched once more at Kieran’s comment. It would be a perfect world if his two fledglings could get along, wouldn’t it? His hands shoved deep into his pockets suddenly before he looked towards the door. “I take it Clara has started to warm up to him...” Surprising to say the least, he still wasn’t sure what had caused the change.

Meanwhile, Clara eyed Ryanair as he stepped outside and into the snow. She hardly enjoyed the stuff - once you were in it you were inevitably going to be soaked by the time you came back in. Even so, it would make things more of a challenge. Having to shove their way through the snow would add a bit of extra weight onto each of them.

She watched him carefully, her arms crossed about her chest before she had finally decided to step outside, her pant legs already starting to dampen, but the chill of the air hardly affected her. While he’d been playing around, she leaned down and scooped up a little bit of snow, balling it up tight in her hands before she launched it his way.

“Your move.” She taunted with a small smirk and she rolled her shoulders in anticipation.

@Arista

[Beneath a moonless sky] 18+ [Arista x Earlymorninstar]

Clara was quiet as she continued to eat, only glancing up at Kieran and Ryanair as they had taken a seat at the table. Christian seemed to study all of them carefully. Ever since he’d threatened Kieran, he wasn’t terribly sure what had come of it. The entire mansion had been a mess with the looming threat of the shadow mage hanging over all of them and Clara had kept her distance. Yet, it was curious enough to see her arrive that morning not alone like she usually was, but with Ryanair - and she seemed different some how. Still, Christian wasn’t sure if he could trust it as she was seeming to. He sipped his coffee slowly as his thoughts continued to tumble.

When she’d heard Ryanair ask Kieran for permission to spar, she almost rolled her eyes. Hell, she didn’t need permission to do anything, let alone spar with Ryanair, and as Kieran warned them she’d given a quick look while she bit into a pancake. Take it easy - was that a warning on her part not to injure Ryanair too badly, or was it a simple reminder that it wasn’t a great idea to get injured when things were the way they were?

“Well, then I guess that solves it.” Clara commented, and she finished her plate and rose to clean it off in the kitchen.

Christian looked up once more over his cup of coffee when Ryanair had approached and he rose a brow, part in curiosity. He wasn’t entirely sure how to interact with the young male, given who he was and who he was sired by. Yet, Clara seemed to warm up enough, it would do him no good to give the younger the cold shoulder. “Good morning,” Christian responded kindly, pushing his thoughts aside. “I hear you are to spar with Clara? Take care - sometimes she tends to get out of hand.” He warned, but he smiled as well. Without a doubt the male should have known what he was getting into.

Clara soon headed back into the living room and eyed the two speaking before she cleared her throat. “...Shall we then?” She was already turned to head out the door when she’d shot a look to Christian. He better play nice if she was...

@Arista

[Lather the blood on your hands] 18+ UPDATED [Ignore Post Count]

Bump :3