deafening silence and moonlit nights

[Joseph Black]

A soft rustle come from below the large trees, nothing more than an immediate crackle in the moonlit night. It was Josephs favorite time of day, beautiful in every way. It was as if the moon spoke to him, the enchanting beams of light touching his pale skin, almost as if to caress him, to tell him it was alright.

Not only was the moon one of Josephs favorite things, but it was his most beloved. If he ever needed a place to think, it would be under the moon. He figured he loved it so much not because of his Vampire kin, but because of the lonely nights it had filled. On those nights, sitting on the cold cement, wishing for deaths kiss, the moon had comforted him, just as it was doing now.

Shuddering, Joseph detached his fangs from the girls neck, licking his lips quickly. The blood rush was almost too much as the Vampire stared down at his latest victim, tracing the girls golden locks with his crystal eyes.

Breathing in gratefully, Joseph tossed the body to the ground, a large crackle erupting in the silence. Body on leaves, that was the sound he always craved.

The silence was deafening. The girls body was limp on the ground, nothing more than a useless tomb for her spirit, nothing more than a victim. Joseph leaned down, placing a single kiss upon the girls cheek. She really was beautiful, Joseph thought, picking her up with the grace of a cat. He always felt a little remorse for the girls, he didn't care so much for the men. Heck, he didn't really care who he killed, it was just the ones that didn't fight... This girl, she had wanted to die, and some how that seemed awfully sick and twisted to Joseph.

Hypocrit, Joseph thought with a scowl, how many times have you wanted to die?

Too many times.

Now on his course away from the edge of the trees, the Vampire moved silently, carrying the girl bridal style, her limp body hanging and barely moving with his almost gliding footsteps.

Moving his glowing eyes to the lake, Joseph focused his attention on the dark water. He didn't want to think right now. Once he was rid of this girl, he was going to find a bar...No, a club. As much as he hated crowds, he loved feeling the music pound through his dead heart, it was blissful in a way that he didn't have to think. He needed that, a few hours without a chance to have thoughts running through his sadistic mind.

A soft splash was heard in the night air, and slow calm filled the rippling water as the body sunk.

There, Joseph thought, let the alligators have their fun. Nothing left but flesh anyway.

Joseph moved away from the lake, ignoring the ravishing noises of what he assumed where the alligators, water splashing and shivering into the moonlit night. As he shook his head, he came to a sudden stop, his whole body frozen. He had heard something, a movement separate from the splashing water, he was sure of it.

But who else would be wandering alone on such a beautiful night?

[Serafina Naquam]

She stood under the moonlight, her eyes drifting into a sort of ease. She was no in Danarta for her Empress, Cailen, or for any of her fellow Fallen Angels, but rather, she was in Danarta for her own personal purposes. She had heard rumors of the Dragon Tooth Lake and the Goddess of the South that apparently resides there. These lands were owned by the Navy and the Pirates, both of which Serafina did not have a personal grudge against, so she did not think that she would be persecuted if she was caught roaming in the previous Southerner lands.

She had spent days trying to travel to this magical site, having to basically travel across the world to get there. However, Serafina had hope that the journey would be worth it. She wanted to visit Dragon Tooth Lake to see a goddess with her own two eyes, and beg for wings. Only someone of such high power could grant the Fallen Angels' wish, or so that's what they believed. Although Serafina's father always told her when she came of age, and when the Gods and Goddesses thought it necessary, they would grant her wings, Serafina had doubts. This was her only hope.

She stood on the hill that looked down upon the Dragon Tooth Lake, however, not rightfully did it. At the sight of the beautiful sparkling water, Serafina froze in her spot and was in complete awe. However, something distracted her thoughts. She saw a young man throw a beautiful woman into the water. Serafina narrowed her eyes carefully and she quietly, she ran down the hill and quickly she hid behind a tree, but not without accidentally stepping on a leaf. She bit her lower lip when the man froze in his spot, aware that there was someone watching him.

She emerged from behind the tree and walked next to him. Glancing in his direction, she then look in the water where she could just barely see the woman sinking to the bottom. "Disposing bodies this way is not always the most effective method. Besides," she looked at him and gave him a curious look, "Why would you need to dispose of a body in the first place?" Serafina did not notice that he was a vampire.[/color]

[Joseph Black]

Joseph barely flinched as the girl came into view, his cold eyes hardening at the sight of company. Who was she to just walk in? How much had she seen...Was she a simpleton? No, she wasn't scared of death. The body wasn't even a little disturbing to her, and Joseph was somewhat thankful he hadn't stumbled upon some screaming, terrified girl.

Though, that would have been fun to take care of.

Sighing, Joseph turned to the girl, his eyes narrowing slightly as she spoke.

Joseph waited for a few minutes before speaking, the long silence oddly loud in the black night.

"Miss, that is none of your business."

Gazing at her coldy, he added,

"As for the disposal of the body, its much better than eating the body whole. May I ask what your doing here, watching me?"

A small irritated growl threatened to erupt into the moonlight, but Joseph kept it back, he wasn't looking for a fight. He just wanted to do his biddings in peace, without any questions asked.

[Serafina Naquam]

Serafina was unphased by his growls, and rather, she found them to be amusing, yet slightly irritating. She laughed, for the first time in quite a while, "Ah, please! Don't flatter yourself! Watching you?" She shook her head, but continued grinning. She took a step closer to the water and crouched down, touching the water delicately with her finger tip. "I'm really not that interested in what you did, I was simply curious in the moment." She stood up and stared into the lake, her thoughts rushing. I can't believe I'm actually here...

Serafina took off her shoes and placed them on the edge of the lake, almost forgetting that the man was there, and she dipped her feet into the cold water. She shuddered, but let her body get used to the chill. She looked back at the man and then at the moon. "So, while we're both here... what's your name? You don't like familiar, so you must not me an enemy, nor an ally." Serafina had her weapons with her, just in case, but she had a feeling that he was not a threat to her. Besides, when she looked at him, it didn't seem to her that he would be difficult to take down.

Something caught her eye. She narrowed her eyes when she looked at him and saw two, very sharp teeth, with a tint of blood stained on them. She looked back at the water and said, "I am Serafina... and don't you dare try to take my blood."[/color]

[Joseph Black]

The wind brushed by Josephs face, tickling and moving his hair even further across his abnormally bright eyes. Moving his cold, pale hand to his face, he brushed the black pieces of his bang away from his eye, looking back at the girl quickly as she moved.

Josephs eyes followed the girls movements, almost as if they were on guard to any of her simple gestures. She didn't scare him, but he was still wary as to her intentions.

As the girl moved to the water, Joseph kept his eyes trained, hating how her face was turned away from his own. He liked to look in peoples eyes when he talked, and she wasn't making that easy to do.

Moving closer to the bank where she sat, he sighed and sat down on a fallen log. Not the comfiest of places, but now he could at least be eye level. A small smirk crossed his face as he shook his head in disbelief, his sharp fangs glinting in the moonlight beautifully.

Joseph wasn't positive what the girl was, but he knew she didn't smell human. Maybe the remnants of a past mortal, but nothing in her blood smelled alluring to him. Not that he would drink any human so soon, he was still on the brink of ecstasy from that last girl. He loved the feeling of real blood pumping through his veins, but too much of it and he was likely to loose his mind. A weird thought, to overdose on blood, but it was true in too many ways.

"Dont flatter yourself, I would never drink your bitter blood."

Stopping for a few seconds, he looked down at her curiously, cold eyes searching through the dark night.

"I'm Joseph Black, and you are?"

[Serafina Naquam]

She let the small breeze weave through her long, black hair, as it swayed in front of her face, but she did not let it disturb her. She stared into the water, her dark eyes entranced. Small ripples formed as the sharp breeze grazed the lake, and a small smile formed across her face. The Dragon Tooth Lake was out of her territory, far from where she lived, but she felt safe and comfortable sitting along the bank, with this stranger nearby. She didn't move as he sat closer to her, now at eye level. He introduced himself as Joseph Black, and at this she looked at him.

She showed no emotion towards him, refraining from any expressions of curiosity. Her stomach clenched and slight amusement erupted inside of her, excitement for seeing a real vampire for the first time in her life. She didn't know why it intrigued her so much, but being an assassin herself, a killer at heart, she felt a strange bit of admiration to this blood-sucking creature. She was hesitant in telling him her last name, for she never knew who hated her family or not, but she felt a certain ease. "Naquam... Serafina Naquam."

She sharply looked back at the lake, this time taking in all of her surroundings. Her breath was steady and peaceful, the air around her, however, smelled of death and blood. This did not phase her one bit, the sense so familiar that it actually made her comfortable. She looked at Joseph once again, this time she examined him. His black, shaggy hair seemed to blend in with the rest of his surroundings, devoured by the darkness, but it, inevitably, shined beneath the moonlight. His skin was naturally very pale, and after his recent hunt, he seemed rejuvenated. However, what striked Serafina was not his pure-black clothing, nor his devilish appearance, but rather his crystal eyes, eyes she had never seen before. She looked him in the eye, unblinking, mesmerized. She felt tension, and she quickly looked away, back at the water.

"Are you a Pirate, Joseph?" she said rather monotone. She would be surprised if he was, but she knew nothing of vampires and what allegiance they would be more prone to. It was more polite to ask, rather than simply coming up with her own conclusion, and a very embarrassing result if she were wrong.[/color]

[Joseph Black]

Joseph watched the girls black hair swing like a pendulum in the dark night, enjoying the way the moonlight glinted off the black shade and sparkled like a jewel. His eyes followed her own dark gaze to the rippling water, and he couldn't help but picture the tumbling body, and he wondered just how far the body must have dropped into the depths. His eyes stared listlessly into the murky water as the girl spoke, his pale face tilted slightly, taking in the girls soft words. He was so entranced by the water, he hardly noticed her searching gaze, and only felt the tension after a few minutes.

Though, he wouldn't admit it, or ever say it, he quite liked her name. He had certainly never heard anything like it, but now that he had, he realized it was almost graceful in its own simple way. Serafina, yes, he liked that name.

Nodding at the girl, rather, Serafina, he breathed in deeply, sighing and looking up to the moon, his honest lover. He couldn't imagine a better time of night than when the moon was clear and the sky a prefect mixture of black and blue pastel, almost as if ink had been spilled across a beautiful canvas.

Taking his eyes off the sky for a few seconds, he looked deeply at the girl, his eyes merely searching. Why was she so curious as to his alliance? Even further, why had her name seemed so hesitant?

"I'm not a pirate, nor am i part of the navy. I have no allegiance."

Looking back at moon, he asked simply,

"What alliance would you belong to?"

Joseph asked not out of any sort of wonder, but out of pure curiosity. He didn't want to make any judgments, and he was quite interested in this girl. He wasn't one for conversation, but he liked the way she didn't press for information, or force the conversation.

[Serafina Naquam]

A drifter, huh... she thought to herself, a bit amused. Rather unique this boy, or rather man, seemed to be: A vampire... and a drifter, siding with no one in particular. She had known that drifters were rather common, but to Serafina it was a strange combination. A vampire, a natural born killer, did not have direct enemies through the allegiance he as part of. To Serafina, this was quite amusing and exciting to think about, but also rather confusing at the same time. Her thoughts had quickly drifted when he asked of her allegiance, something she was expecting, however she not prepared for it. Her body froze and a chill ran down her spine. It was not common that Fallen Angels were accepted, or at least that was the case in her experienced.

She hesitated and did not look him in the eye, something she was unaccustomed to. She never feared anything, why was she suddenly afraid that this simple drifter, whom she only just met, would reject her and be disgusted? That's exactly why, because she had just met him, and she was rather amused by him at this point that if he rejected her, it would probably sting a little. She was tired of rejection, tired of being an outcast in a group of people, standing out so awkwardly amongst everyone.

However, when she looked at Joseph, she thought that he must understand what it was like to be unwelcome, to be the black sheep in the herd of white. She took a sharp breath and looked at him, hoping that he had not noticed her very apparent act of weakness. She was ashamed of herself, but decided that it was in the past, she could not change her actions. She looked at his eyes carefully and couldn't read them. She said, with a bit of pride in her voice, "The Fallen Angels." Unexpectedly, she grinned and stood up from the bank. She took of her black coat she was wearing, exposing her typical, tight spandex shorts and her vest. She stared into the water and contemplated whether to jump in.

She couldn't forget why she was here, to find the Goddess. A thought struck her, and she glanced at Joseph once again, curiosity shining in her eyes, although her facial expression appeared unamused, blank. "If you don't mind me asking... why are you here this particular evening?" It seemed that this night was filled with curious questions. She didn't think it would be important to know, but she wondered why he had ventured there. She had a feeling that he wasn't at the Dragon Tooth Lake to simply dump a body, but maybe for some other purpose. Could it be the same purpose as hers'?

She doubted it, but she was still curious. She didn't look away from Joseph, noticing how he didn't seem be uncomfortable under her gaze. She didn't know whether she was pleased about that or not, used to having others intimidated by her, even though her eyes the most soft, and kindest, of everything she possessed. She brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, staring at Joseph in complete awe and curiosity, never feeling quite this intrigued by someone. Of course, she knew it was because he was a vampire... she had heard so many stories of vampires as a child, and was always rather fascinated by them. Even as a full grown "heartless, cold" adult, she couldn't help but be awestricken.[/color]

[Joseph Black]

Joseph’s eyes narrowed as he saw her stiffen, and he immediately regretted asking. Although now it was obvious her allegiance was one that wasn’t looked upon kindly, judging from her uncomfortable reaction.

Leaning back casually, he felt the rough wood beneath his porcelain skin, enjoying the scent of the lake, and the after taste of mortal blood. He looked down at the girl, noticing her unease and her lack of eye contact. Somewhere deep down Joseph felt a slight twinge on his dead, black heart. She was afraid of something, something with her alliance, could it be possible she understood what it was like to be an outcast?

He was answered quickly as she spoke, and he felt the same unfamiliar twinge as he listened intently to her voice on the breeze. Watching her stand up, he felt more than just an acceptance for her overwhelm him. He didn’t let it show upon his thoughtful face, but he was a little surprised by this interesting visitor. He hadn’t spoken to anyone for so long, he had forgotten what it was like to sympathize with someone, now this strange girl was completely reminding him that, maybe, perhaps, other people knew the pain of being rejected.

He didn’t speak yet, instead he watched her casually take off her coat, and he wondered if she felt the cold breeze penetrating her skin. Being a Vampire, Joseph didn’t often feel any slight cold sensations, but he wondered if this girl could. His own marble skin must have been below zero, which was a little lower than normal. It was either the cold air, or the blood rush. Feeling a tad sidetracked, Joseph looked away quickly, embarrassed he had stared for those few seconds without even realising it.

Once again aware that he was being spoken to, he felt a slow breeze brush by again, rustling the pieces of grass, the black collar of his shirt moving against his skin with the a wind. Moving his eyes back to her, he listened intently as she spoke. Why was he here?

A good question, Joseph liked to think he had only come to dump the body...But he knew his intentions were a little different than just that. He would admit he was curios, having heard rumours that the goddess of the south was known to appear here. He wanted to see her, to find out just what all the commotion was about. Besides, he had all of eternity; he figured he had enough time to spare. He had kind of hoped that killing such a beautiful innocent girl, near by to where she had been seen, that perhaps she would come out to play.

Still, he didn’t feel like explaining all of this to Serafina, so instead he settled for a slight shrug,
“I could ask you the same thing. You've yet to explain why you have visited the lake, alone on such an empty night.”

[Serafina Naquam]

Serafina's brown eyes looked at him, narrowed slightly. She hadn't expected that answer, and it had caught her off guard, but she showed no sign of the surprise. Instead, she wondered whether to truthfully answer his indirect question, or make up of a lie to hid herself of her shameful history. Although he was a drifter and probably did not know of the importance of wings to a Fallen Angel, she was embarrassed to say it nonetheless. She looked away and stared at the water cautiously, ripples continuing to form from the breeze grazing over it. She felt her stomach twist, and now, she was nervous, but she hid it. She wasn't nervous about what he would think, but what he might discover: that she was lying. She didn't like being pressured for answers, but he wouldn't know that.

She bit her lip. She was great at lying to her enemies, for she had no respect and complete dislike towards them, but when it came to her fellow Fallen Angels and her friends, although she had very little, it was much more difficult. She doesn't mind being caught lying, but she doesn't like knowing that someone can read her eyes and know what she's feeling, as she keeps her emotions completely hidden in her face. Finally, after a few moments of silence, though not awkward, she looked up at him and met his gaze. She tried to keep as composed as possible.

"There are no lakes in the Ice Kingdom," she began, improvising, "and I've heard many stories about lakes, how beautiful they are compared to the ocean, because lakes can glitter beneath the moonlight, and the stillness of the water is calming. So I've heard, so, I was anxious to see one when I had the chance. So, here I am." She prayed, and prayed, that somehow, he couldn't tell that she was lying: was he good at seeing through people? She hoped not, and quickly looked away, which may have only raised his suspicious. For all she knew, he could be there for the same reason she was.

She again, sat down on the bank and dipped her feet into the water, only this time the water was up to her calves. She leaned backwards and looked at the moon, her eyes twinkling. Her face was emotionless, as usual, and then, her eyes were full of wonder and amusement. She hadn't had a decent conversation with someone for quite a while, everything these days seemed to be about politics and war. She enjoyed the bloodshed greatly, no denying that, but occasionally, it was nice to get away.

[Joseph Black]

Joseph listened quietly, merely staring into her deep brown eyes. He measured her voice, the level of uninterest her tone held, her completely stony exterior.

Of course he knew she was lying, he was smarter than that. Too many years of quiet watching made him perfect for reading people. Unfortunatly for Serafina.

Not only was the lie a little weak, but her complete strain from emotions told Joseph just about everything he needed to know. But that wasn’t the issue, it didn’t matter what she was doing, it was the fact that she wanted to hide it. Joseph was more intrigued by her closed in security than her lie, and he pondered calling her out on the lie. Some things were better left unsaid; Joseph knew that all too well. As Sarefina quickly looked away, the Vampire desperately attempted not to raise a sarcastic eyebrow.

Sighing into the cold wind, Joseph stood up from the fallen tree, walking to the bank of the lake. Standing beside the girl, he looked down to the water, his bright eyes reflecting the moonlights glow upon the water.
He liked the way the water shuddered and moved across the liquid surface; spell bounding the motion was, completely calming. It made the night feel open, pleasent in its own empty way.
Without looking back at Serafina, Joseph spoke into the night.

“The lake really is calming. But I’ve seen oceans too, and they glitter as brilliantly in the moonlight as a diamond beneath a fires glow.”

Looking at the girl quickly, he finally cocked an eyebrow, and wondered if it was wise to continue. Going against his initial instincts, Joseph spoke once again.

“Being as I am a complete stranger to you, I shouldn’t hope for honesty. But you must understand that I am simply curios now . What is so secretive about your initial mission to come to this lake?”

Joseph looked away from Serafina, immediately regretting asking. He didn’t want her to leave, as much as he loved his solitude, he liked having the presence of someone beside him. He hadn’t felt that in a long time. He was so used to slipping passed people, moving through human body heat as if a shadow from the pale dawn. Joseph only had his victims to console his silence, and screaming bodies could only create the desire for civil conversation.

Maybe this was his way of pushing people away, Joseph contemplated, maybe he wanted her to leave, having her talk to him was too much of a hidden blessing anyway.

[Serafina Naquam]

Her cold exterior remained in tact and she held the same facial expression as before, absolutely emotionless and nothing more. She was careful with her words, but never would she have assumed herself to be suspicious in the way she kept her emotions hidden. However, in this particular situation, she may have over done it, something she was suddenly a bit worried over. She wouldn't have minded telling someone too much why she was there if it weren't for the fact that it was not only a bit absurd, but she didn't like speaking of her missing wings. Her eyes were glued to the water, and she could suddenly feel his presence beside her. Without moving, she listened intently, and a small smile twitched on the tips of her lips.

She chuckled. "That was beautiful, I must admit." She scooped her hand into the water and picked up the crystal liquid, watching it seep through her fingers back into its rightful spot. Suddenly, her attention was diverted. Her eyes snapped to look at the vampire, his curiosity apparent. She hadn't responded immediately, and she noticed that he had looked away, maybe regretting asking the question. She let the silence take over before she took a deep breath and looked at him carefully, her face still withdrawn from emotions. "It really isn't that interesting... well, I'd be lying if I said that. However, if I told you, I'm sure you'll think I'm a bit crazy, and that won't settle with me very well."

She stood up and walked away from Joseph, however she stayed on the bank of the lake. She looked at it gently and just wished that the Goddess could appear, and maybe then she would seem more believable. Nonetheless, he was a mythical creature himself, so he must have some type of sense in myths, and maybe even he would believe them. Of course, it could be completely opposite, but she felt like she could trust him. He must have seen a lot during his lifetime, however long that may have been, so something like that couldn't be that insane. She looked at him gently and raised an eyebrow. "I don't know if you have ever heard but there is supposed to be a Goddess in this lake. I came here to see if that were true or not."

She didn't lie completely, she was there to witness the truth herself, however she wasn't there for that mere purpose, but that she could keep to herself.