White Rock Lake
A reservoir, White Rock Lake covers 1,254 acres and was once used for a portion of Dallas' drinking water supply. Now that it's use as a water source has been supplanted, the area has become one of the favored recreational locations in the city. The forested shoreline is dotted with numerous small cabins, fishing piers, and sailboat docks.
The lake is surrounded by White Rock Lake Park, which is home to the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. Running through the park is a 9 mile trail designed for hiking, running or cycling.
Though swimming was banned here back in the '50's, it is still a popular location for area teens who generally enjoy the more deserted areas, using the beautiful backdrop as a makeout spot.
It's early in the evening, and Michael's decided he wants to see the spot where Desiree was attacked, there's not likely to be any evidence, maybe he'd have been able to find something if he'd been there the night of the attack, but any trail is likely old by now. That said he's not going to miss the chance. He's been very slightly distant since the attack, never quite cold, but not quite as open as usual either, he's been apparently happy to talk if engaged, but hasn't been starting much conversation, unless it's to try and help Desiree with something. This has continued to the lake, having taken the DB9 he's driven himself tonight getting there he's on Desiree's good side offering his arm to her as he heads towards the Lake. Which is quiet the evening, at least to human ears, Michael can hear all the many living things surrounding him and even the people some way off. "I know this is going to be hard Desiree, but I'd like to talk about what you were doing at the time of the attack."
~~@~~
The sun's been down for only an hour or so when Michael pulls into the parking area of the lake. Desiree sits in the passenger seat, lost in her own thoughts, silent and pensive. All things considered, she doesn't want to be here. Twice she was assaulted here, and three strikes, you're out. A shiver runs down her spine that has nothing to do with the temperature.
The heat of summer lingers over the area, though it's cooler than it was during the day. It's the first time Desiree's been out of the studio since her attack, and though some of the bruises have healed, she still looks pretty bad. Walking is slow, but she lets Michael lead her toward the spot she knows so well.
"I wasn't doing much of anything, really, just walking. I was pretty pissed off at this … doctor person who was with Marius. She—well, never mind what she was saying. They left and I just started walking." She stops, taking a breath. Her voice is almost a monotone, with very little inflection. "I got about there," and she points to a place at the water's edge, "when … when he jumped me."
~~@~~
Michael nods studying Desiree as she speaks, his own words come slower than usual, the strange accent that comes from originally speaking gothic becoming more apparent in his accent. "And that's when it becomes less clear? Are there gaps, or do you remember things in detail?" He seems to turns his attention to the area his expression becoming a little more distant as he takes in his surroundings trying to work out if there's any special reason it happened here, or that it was Desiree, though he knows it's quite likely random chance on both counts.
~~@~~
"I saw Marius sitting on the shore, over that way," Desiree says, moving a few steps forward. "He was alone, at first, but then the Good Doctor," the Capital Letters are quite apparent, there, "joined him. He seemed amenable to me sitting, so I sat down, and we … talked." She pauses, gathering her thoughts. "Like most encounters with [Marius], it wasn't the most pleasant of conversations. The doctor did most of the talking, telling me how I was disrespecting you and treating you like a plaything. I managed to keep my temper … barely."
The more she talks of the events leading up to the attack, the more festering anger seems apparent in her voice. "Finally, they got up to leave, and I began walking in that direction." She points to the west, away from the hiking trails. "I was just following the shoreline. I think I was planning to go home, get dressed and hit one of the bars, but I can't really remember. Things are pretty clear, it's just that they happened so fast. I got to about there, right by the sign, and … before I knew what was going on, I was being attacked."
Desiree's eyes close as she recalls what details she's willing to give Michael. "He backhanded me, cutting my lip on the inside, then … then the next thing I know, I'm on my back and he's … he's—" She stops, swallowing. "My dad showed me how to stop an attacker with your car keys, and I … I remember stabbing at him with one of the keys. I think it surprised him, 'cause he stopped feeding and I managed to get away."
~~@~~
Nodding Michael begins his free hand up to rest on Desiree's good arm, giving it a reassuring squeeze, he speaks cautiously. "There are things I know I need to discuss with you in private, but for now I doubt there's much more you can tell me, at least nothing that would be of use." He frowns a little considering the scene. "This will need to be reported, although I may not do so directly, Marius obviously has enough interest in our relationship as it is. Perhaps I'll speak to Braedan, he can bring the weight of the League to the meeting." He seems to catch on the other subject of the evening. "As for what they said to you… Marius is less than half my age, he'll learn that it becomes… complicated. One day he'll reach the point where he'll have lost that last drop of feeling. Even the joy he takes in his current… activities, then he'll either live on or find something to rediscover his humanity. As I did not long before meeting you." He smiles a little. "I make my own choices. We each accept the nature our relationship… if it doesn't suit us any more then we're both free to try to change it or end it." He speaks as if this is simple logic. "I should apologize.. I handled things poorly the night you were attacked. My mention of blood was… inconsiderate, I just wanted to help, but it was tactless of me."
~~@~~
Desiree remains silent, staring at the place where she lay bleeding. "I ran and got here before he caught me," she says, as if Michael hadn't spoken. It almost seems a compulsion that she talk of it, relive the horror. Perhaps a cathartic moment that's frozen in time and space. "He grabbed my arm, and I felt the bone crunch. He was powerful. Very strong, and it was as if I were … I couldn't see him well. This area isn't well lighted after dark. I've written to the city parks department and made a complaint about how dark it is here…."
Now she speaks with a hollow, almost haunted, calm voice. "It was your first instinct, Michael. You've healed yourself and others with your blood, so it's second nature to you. It was … just the wrong time." Her good arm lifts, and she touches the wound on her neck. "The worst part was hearing him feed. I close my eyes and I can still hear that, and feel him bearing down on me. It's a continuous nightmare, and I live with it each and every day."
There's another few minutes of silence, then, "Tell whomever you wish. Mr. MacKiernan helped me, but the AVL hasn't said anything. They're keeping it quiet, I guess. Doesn't look good them if one of their own got attacked by a vampire. Guess I understand that, but they should've issued some kind of statement regarding attacks on innocent people."
~~@~~
Shaking his head Michael studies Desiree. "With the exception of when I became a Maker only you have ever had my blood, it's not natural for us to feed humans, for healing or otherwise." He pauses a moment. "And while it's true I don't like seeing you in pain; I should have had more sense for how you were feeling." He nods slowly. "The League will be able to give word to the right people. I suspect that Marius would want to arrange a meeting." It's all said casually, just a simple warning since he knows Desiree dislikes the Whip. "For someone who makes you feel so safe I don't seem to be doing so well at keeping you safe."
~~@~~
Desiree turns at those words, looking at Michael will trusting eyes. "It's a matter of trust, Michael. If you were here, the attack might not have happened, but you can't follow me twenty-four-seven. You've taken good enough care of me, all things considered. It's not like I hired you as a bodyguard. You're a friend, a close friend, and not my babysitter." She smiles, placing her good hand on his arm. "I'm just glad you like my company. I … I miss just talking to you."
She takes a breath, exhaling slowly. "Give me some time, and I'll be over this. I'll talk to whomever you need me to, but I doubt, even if you find who attacked me, I'll be present to see him punished. I'm being rather prosaic about it all. I just trust you to see the guilty party is punished. Punished hard. That's all I ask."
~~@~~
"I shall use all the weight my word holds with William to try and be placed in charge of dealing with him." Michael smiles a little "If possible I'll see him placed in a silver coffin and buried somewhere so remote and so deep they may never find him. And if they do they'll be ordered to destroy him." Michael looks at Desiree. "I don't think there's been much question that I enjoy your company, it was your company that led to everything else, not the other way around Desiree." He smiles faintly. "When you're well again we'll go for that dinner I promised you once before… perhaps we can even dance again. I don't think we've danced since before New York." He seems to think something over before beginning more hesitantly than before "I know I'm not responsible for your safety. I know it's not reasonable, but honestly; I have to relearn how to deal with a world that can truly threaten that close to me. In the past I've cared for very little, if anything. And what I have cared for hasn't been at threat from much."
~~@~~
Desiree seems satisfied with Michael's answer. "Thank you." Simple enough words, but they convey something very deep. "He's a monster, and deserves to be treated like one." Hard edge to her voice now. Angry. "How dare he attack an innocent person? I gave him no reason to do this to me. I was just walking in a public place. It's—" She stops, clamping her lips closed.
A few minutes pass in silence, then, "Lots of people suggest I should accept your claim. That it will somehow magically protect me from attacks, but I don't see how it can. Outlaws don't pay attention to rules. Even if you had officially staked your claim, it wouldn't have stopped him. He was out for blood, and he found the first innocent person he could. I don't think it had anything to do with me or you, it was just … it just happened."
~~@~~
Michael seems to consider those last words for a long moment, he then turns to face Desiree. "If he had attacked you and I learnt of it, by custom I would be allowed to protect my claim, to defend it by force if necessary, many vampires would not risk the chance at physical conflict with me." He frowns faintly. "I have also been considering ways to strengthen my position enough that only the truly insane amongst us would consider so much as laying a hand on you in violence, but that's not something to be discussed just yet."
~~@~~
The longer Desiree stands there, the more she seems ill at ease. Her good arm wraps around her midsection, the one in a cast resting atop it. "Can we go now?" she finally asks. She looks at Michael, and there's discomfort in her expression. "If you're through, of course. I can wait in the car, if you want to look around." She closes her eyes, and takes a breath. "I just need to … please. I'm going to the car, now."
She turns away from Michael, walking back to the car as fast as she can. She's not as sore as she was, but there's still some pain. It's not Michael she wants to get away from, it's the memory of what happened to her here. Once at the vehicle, she slips into the passenger seat, and just withdraws into herself.
~~@~~
Michael follows with a nod. "Of course, I'm sorry." He begins back for the car getting into the drivers seat he finally seems to have settled whatever was keeping him distant. "You never told me if you'd like to have dinner? Perhaps I can even cook dinner for you and we can eat in?" It's surprising what hobbies someone with eternity facing them will be willing to pick up. "As for the claim. You shouldn't let anyone pressure you into it, you should make the decision when it seems right for you. I am sorry that I've pushed it so hard, it was concern. I won't from now on, it needs to be your choice." With that he begins back for the Studio.
~~@~~
"Dinner in would be nice," Desiree replies, but she's staring out the window, not looking at Michael. "I don't mind cookiing, but—" She stops, swallowing. "I know there's a new vampire only restaurant just open. Why don't I see if they'll deliver and that way we can both eat at the same time. It'll just be food you can eat, is all." It's a big concession for Desiree, especially at the moment. "I know it's all blood-based." Logic would dictate that. "And I can't cook that kind of thing."
Afterwords, she's quiet. Then, "I'd love to go dancing with you, Michael. Just … I don't want to go out in public like this. Lets wait until I get the cast off, at least. Hard to tango with cement on your arm." When she turns toward Michael, she's smiling. It's not even forced. "You should know me well enough to know I'm stubborn. No one's going to make up my mind for me. It'll be my decision, don't worry."
~~@~~
Michael nods as he drives, his expression thoughtful. "I've heard of the place, I can't say I'm sure about it. I'm not sure if it's food infused with blood or just blood made to resemble food. Either way I could certainly try it." He sounds as though he's not too concerned either way. "Still we can have a quiet evening, and dinner once you're better. Perhaps one day we can go to the vampire only restaurant and you can watch me eat for once." His tone's light hearted and obviously joking.
~~@~~
The drive back to the studio is fairly quiet, with general conversation and commentary on Dallas in general. Politics is restricted to the human world, and the up-coming mayoral election. Both Michael and Desiree seem to accept and understand one another on several levels, which is good. "… wouldn't mind going with you, as long as I'm not looking like the poster child for spousal abuse," she comments laconically. "When I don't have to hide all the bruises, I've got a dress that's guaranteed to make your eyes pop out." Desiree grins, one of her cheeky, almost devilish grins. It would seem, the farther they get from the lake, the more relaxed she is. And when they reach the studio? It's another quiet evening of watching DvDs and Desiree gorging on kettle-corn, while the two cats take advantage of four hands to pet them.
