An Understanding Reached

Brooks Apartment


The upper two floors of the practice are actually the apartment of Bethany Brooks.

A large sitting room can be found upon coming up the stairs, one that is very open and decorated much like the lower floor. Colors and furniture all reminiscent of the Victorian era. Off the sitting room is a small balcony, fit only for one chair or person.

The kitchen is decidedly more modern, with newer appliances and cupboards. A small dinette set can be found just off the kitchen, and beyond that is a larger verandah which opens up to the yard in the back.

Up another set of small stairs two bedrooms can be found.


Characters:
bethany_icon.jpg marius_icon.jpg

Days have passed since the original explanation to the old one, in regards to her fascination with the groom at the White Rock Stables. Days which have remained pretty much the same for the fall - cloudy and grey.
These are days where it has been nice to simply stop by the stables after work, then return home to have a cup of tea and reflect on her day. Get some perspective. Attempt to ascertain her dreams and discover how exactly Archer Atwood fits into her past.
Rather than sitting comfortably in the sitting room, Bethany is seated at the small dinette set in the kitchen. A pot of tea is in the center of the table, her cup not too far off from it. Numerous books are scattered upon the table and she quietly reads through each one, be it history of Wales, or more esoteric material.

**

Petty annoyances.
Marius is tired of every waking moment to be filled with petty annoyances that cannot be swatted away with the back of his hand. While those in vampire form would survive such a violent yet restrained encounter, the same cannot be said for the breathers that also fall under his ire. Sadly, the body count must remain low, if only for the immediate future. Then, once the time comes when his hand is no longer stayed, he will be able to act as in war; because this is what it is.
This is just one more. A visit that is supposed to contain quiet and momentary contentment could very well end up only adding to his frustration and annoyance. Thankfully, his Own, she that lives under this roof, is his to do with as he pleases. (One of the perks, though breathers tend not to see it quite in that light.)
Below, at the end of the stairway, a door opens and then closes; the footsteps on the stairs quiet, though the wood does react to the strain of weight placed upon them and creaks quietly with the ascension.
Once at the top of the stairs, the blonde vampire looks at the scene before him.. the pile of books, the studious woman in and amongst them.
"Explain it to me."

**

Others would likely react to the door opening and closing from. Others would likely leap up and grab a baseball bat. Bethany, on the other hand, lifts her tea cup to her lips and sips from it quietly. Her eyes never stray from her books.
Until the old one speaks.
"I have told you my beliefs before. That each of us does not live just one life, but many lives. That vampires are stuck in their current life, and that means you cannot go on to correct any past mistakes."
Slowly she lifts her head to gaze at him. "So you are not asking for an explanation on that, but more as to why I feel it necessary to continue conversation with Mr. Atwood."

**

Marius drops his hands into his pockets, but not before one wipes the side of his mouth, perhaps checking to be sure any blood that may have been there is removed. He stands where he is, taking the opportunity to lean upon the side of the wall where the threshold lies between stairs and landing/living room.
"You have explained that to me in great length. The immortality of the soul that chooses to journey rather than find its rest." Not something that he particularly approves of, but..
"You are correct. I wish an explanation."

**

"I cannot explain it fully," Bethany replies. Her books are pushed back upon the table to the point they nearly push the teapot as well.
Rising to her feet, she stands before the old one. There is fear there, but as usual it is hidden beneath the calm demeanor.
"I have seen the man before. In the past. He was a groom then as well. When I was working as a maidservant for Princess Joan, wife of Llywelyn the Great of Wales." It is just as simple as that.

**

Watching his lamb rise from her seat and her approach, he can feel the warmth, the heat of her body as she nears him and stops. The thumping of her heart is all that gives her away, the rush of blood that comes with the few extra, faster beat.
"I have not heard the name."
Marius looks down, his expression impassive, his eyes all but dead even as he remains in what could be a casual pose. "A maidservant. And a groom." Certainly not unheard of, with all the extras of romping in the hay, brief but 'memorable' encounters when her Ladyship wasn't in need of her services.
"And you wish to explore this."

**

Blood does indeed rush to her face as well. Calm though she is, the heated color that comes upon her otherwise pale visage is quite noticeable.
"It was not like that in the least." Bethany seems quite positive about that though she cannot say for absolute certain. "In the past life, thus far, it was simply a nod of a head. Two servants noticing one another, then going about their business. Not everything is about sexual intercourse, old one."
It is the first time that she has ever been actually huffy with him. Turning until she can remove the red from her cheeks, she slowly exhales.
"Llywelyn the Great was also known as Llywelyn ap Iorwerth. He was the ruler over the vast majority of Wales between eleven-seventy-two and twelve-forty." Her body shifts so that she glances at him over her shoulder. "I do believe that was before even your time, old one."

**

Marius simply stares unblinkingly, watching the reddening cheeks, the flush of her face, listening to the rhythm of her pulse as it rises. *thump*thump*
Leaning, his voice lowers to something that sounds almost… conspiratorial.. the sharing of a secret. "Two servants noticing each other, Eigene lammschen, does result in such. I will teach you. When a servant is bound to a lord or lady, even the bounds of matrimony are subject to the whim of the crown. If these servants were not married, it is most likely they would have acted upon their passion. Maidservants were rarely… chaste." He pauses as something of an unpleasant smile creases his lips, "Particularly with groomsmen."

**

"It was a requirement of Princess Joan that her maidservants take a vow of chastity, old one. I assure you that it was not at all like you presume it to be." Calm now, Bethany faces him fully once more. "She was adamant that we all take on her religion as well, and confess ourselves."
"Do you know how rare it is to find someone from a past like that? I am interested in studying the man. To see if he is able to recall anything of the past via regression." A frown causes her brow to crease inward slightly. "Must you think the absolute worst of everything that I do? I have already accepted that you own me. I would not do anything to jeopardize that for you, old one. That would be exceedingly foolish of me."

**

Marius neither confirms nor denies whether the liege-lord and lady are 'before his time', but rather remarks upon her own assumptions and presumptions.
"Lamm.." his voice remains low, "That vow means nothing. It becomes a reason to have her maidservants killed if they dally with their lord or another manservant. That is all.
"As far as his recalling anything, it is wishful thinking on your part. It is unbecoming and it will cease."
If he is in anyway mollified by her words, there is nothing that shows in words or tones that would acknowledge it. "Flights of fancy are foolish, and I did not take you for a fool."

**

"That vow meant quite a great deal to some, old one."
Bethany has tried to explain. The best she can do now is give him one of the books and help him to read through it.
"You do not know what one can recall under the regression hypnosis. I wager that I could even put you under and find out about your lives before the one you became stuck in." She is that certain of her skills as a regression therapist.
"May I ask why it is that you are so adamant I have no further conversation with the man?" The old one seems almost jealous, though she is certain that is not the case. Still, there is something.

**

A book with psychological terms would be quite daunting to the vampire, to say the least. Even his letters in his fargone native tongue are rough and ill-formed and poorly read. Some latin, certainly.. French (that looks very little like modern French)..
"You take that which you believe now and place it upon a girl that has nothing in common with you. Or perhaps there is a common thread—" The groom.
Marius shakes his head ever so slightly, underscoring his aversion to the idea of exploring his 'past lives'. "There is nothing to be learned there, nor has my soul passed from vessel to vessel." What and where his soul happens to reside now, however, is unspoken, and actually quite unknown. He hasn't had to worry about his immortal soul in quite some time.
"As for why, it is unbecoming. The lingering, wishing for a word, hoping for a glimpse.. and to know that there is some requited feeling when the fool considered protecting you from me. Such a thing is not to be encouraged, and I will not have it."

**

The entire argument is enough to make Bethany laugh. It is foolish, and it is seeming as though the old one harbors some jealousy after all.
She is quite careful to hold herself in her calm though. To laugh would be a great offense.
"Circumstances and lifestyles may have been different, and women may now have the ability to hold positions other than mother or maidservant, but it is not as though the thoughts I had in the past were much different than those I have now. I still know my place, and I still obey when given an order." For the most part.
"He attempted to protect me from you?" Bethany raises a brow at that. Something she did not notice? "I will not encourage advances, old one. I merely wish to speak with him. Abaddon will always be close at hand to trample the groom should that be your desire. The beast would do it as well. He nearly trampled me the first night when he was irritated at the change in his location."

**

"I have seen many women taste their freedom from servitude at the changing of the centuries, lamm. Some cast away their responsibilities to their masters completely, or try to, and others attempt to raise themselves to their masters' levels. Both are unacceptable." Even the strong Lady Isobel obeys, and it is yet another quality that Marius admires in the Sheriff. All is right in his world when all perform to their positions. As the Whip fully believes, there is no shame in serving.
"I will not argue this. Either you do as I command, or you will be punished for your insolence. I will not have you put yourself into a position where you will be punished due to the frailty of your condition. Even Abaddon has more sense."

**

"I am hardly being insolent, old one. Though I will not fire the groom. He came highly recommended by both the White Rock Stables, and by several very important people within the city. He has done nothing to harm your beast, and is training him exactly as you would. He ensures no one gets near Abaddon, and he also ensures the horse's safety."
Bethany bows her head slightly. "Perhaps if you spoke with him and saw that he has no intentions toward me, it would ease your worry. I will not speak with him again beyond the simple pleasantries in regards to seeing to the well being of your horse."

**

"There is no pleasantry required to be sure he has his measure of oats, or enough water, or to see to his turnout. If he is as accomplished as you say, then he can attend to the damnable beast without word from you."
However, gaining the promise that there will be no other attempts made to see the groom, Marius is… at the least, satisfied. Mollified.
If he catches the comment regarding the two men's training styles being similar, it goes unremarked.. and any significance that may be attached is lost on the vampire.
Instead, "Then there will be no further attempts at contact because of curiosity. He will not serve as your escort."

**

"My… escort?" Bethany regards the vampire with a quirked brow once more. "Old one, I rarely require an escort to parties, and I would not think to ask a man whom I have specifically requested work at night on the off chance you care to show at the stable and train Abaddon yourself." She gives him a dumbfounded look and then moves toward the table.
The chilled tea cup is taken over to the sink where it is emptied and left.
"Do you wish to be my escort on those nights then? I have no doubt you would dislike the soirees I must attend."

**

From maidservant to Lady of the Manorhouse in three seconds!
Marius watches as Bethany steps away to attend to the tea cup. "I will not serve as an escort," to any but the Lady. That last bit remains, obviously, unspoken.. and unhinted at. "The inconsequential bleatings of sheep mean nothing, and I need not attend." There. Now that he's got his dignity wrapped around himself again, Marius straightens, his position unmoving from the threshold of the stairs.
"I have discovered that which I came for and it is time I take my leave." Dismissing himself. "Pay heed to my words and all will be well."

**

"As you wish then, old one. Should I contact you when I need an escort, so that you may approve of the man?" Bethany offers the vampire a very soft smile then. It is not teasing. Quite the opposite. She is very deadly serious in her request.
"Care you to feed first, or have you already filled yourself on that young thing from the Medieval Times?" There may be just a hint of jealousy in her tone, though she is doing her utmost to hide it.

**

"Yes." Whether she is expecting a different answer, Marius doesn't know, nor does he care. "I would have them understand the import of which I place in your safety."
The question, however, as to whether or not he cares to feed demands some consideration. While not starving by any stretch of the imagination (the Asian 'food' is somewhat filling), there is a certain pleasure at taking the occasional 'nip' for that warm sensation as the fresh lifeblood rolls down his throat. For the moment, Marius remains unaware, not recognizing the flickerings of potential jealousies. His voice lowers, his words a whisper, "Approach me again, lamm.. that I may take from you that which you offer."

**

A nod is what he receives to his response. "Very well." Bethany was not expecting his answer to be much different than it was. Thus, should Mr. Atwood approach her she will simply direct the man back to Marius. That should be the end of that.
Unbuttoning her cardigan to remove it from any potential blood spillage, she sets it over the back of the chair. It leaves her in a simple black camisole. A garment that it will not matter should her blood spill upon it.
Approaching him silently, she turns just before she reaches him. Her right hand reaches up to move her hair behind her shoulder. "Feed well, old one."
It is truly the only way she knows to appease him completely.

**

Marius watches as Bethany removes the cardigan that she wears, revealing the black camisole. It hugs her slight frame in such a way that, for a moment, even the vampire simply.. looks. Studies each curve.
As she approaches and turns her back to him, he closes his eyes for a flickering second and lowers his fangs. A single step in brings her body against his, and leaning down, runs his tongue against the spot where his fangs will sink as his hands rest upon the sides of her hips. He teases himself with the warmth of her body, the feel of her pulse under his lips as he locates the perfect spot in which to prick her skin and find that which lies just beneath the surface.
It's only a moment, however, before the push of sharp fang against skin can be felt, along with the rush of blood that flows into his mouth. The warmth, the heat.. the sound of her heart beating in his ears that echo the rhythm of blood as it feeds his hunger. This, this sensation, the taste, her presence all washes over him in that wave of pleasure.
All that is missing for perfection is the fear…

**

The fear will come.
It always does.
Bethany steels herself for the bite, only eliciting the very faintest of whimpers from the pain.
When she can feel her blood rushing up to the area which is being bitten, she struggles just a little until it reaches the point where the pain dissipates.
But the longer he feeds, the more erratic and panicked her heartbeat becomes. There is a yelp of, "Old one, stop. Please. I do not wish to be in the hospital again." There was difficulty explaining it last time. Then she starts to push away from him, to pull away to forcibly stop him from taking too much of her blood and leaving her unconscious.

**

Awash in her blood, the crimson liquid drips from the sides of his mouth, painting his chin, his neck, her shoulders..
And there… there it is. The increase of her heart, the soft mewls of pain and the beginnings of her pleadings, and the vain attempt to push him away from his meal.
Lifting his mouth from that which nourishes him, he ceases, if only for a moment, his voice low, and almost.. crooning, "A meal fit for a lord, at least.. not some servant that comes sniffing around your feet. Some mongrel looking for scraps." He licks the side of her throat, catching the drippings as the blood begins to cease its flow, his fangs still fully extended. "I would have no man touch you as a man comes to a woman, and no man encouraged to do so." His claim.
The drops that have fallen upon her shoulders are also attended to; wasting this blood would almost be considered a crime. "Such a treasure found."

**

"A meal fit only for you, old one," Bethany replies quietly. Taking the time to attempt to relax herself. It is so unbecoming to be scared of being bitten when it was she herself who offered her neck to him.
"No one shall bleed me but you. I vow that to you." The words carefully chosen so that he is aware that she is not one of those foolish women who get off on the thrill of the bite, or the thrill of being blooded by a man.
"No one shall touch me in such a way without your explicit permission."
Bethany is not a prideful woman, but even she has to brighten her smile at such a compliment. A treasure? Not many would think of her as such.

**

In Marius' 'day', their words would be close to pledging 'troth without actually doing so. Even so, the vampire takes her words as her promise to him.
With another long run of his tongue from her bared shoulder to the side of her throat to catch what is left, he pulls his head up soon after. It takes a long few heartbeats before he retracts his fangs, signalling that he is, indeed, finished feeding.
"I accept your vow."
Marius' own clothing now holds the remnants of the feeding, his lips, his chin.. and neck down to the collar of his shirt and jacket. It is no different than any other feeding any other night, however.. other than the amounts. "I look forward to when you next come into my presence." Closest he'll ever be to 'thank you'.
"Remember your vow as I will remember my own." Presumably to be her protector… in all things. "And now it is time I depart."

**

Though shaken, there is a movement that is fairly swift for a human. Once released, Bethany rushes her way to the kitchen to grab for a towel so that he may wipe the blood from his person as he sees fit.
Tentatively, the towel is offered out to him. Her hand moving slowly to the new wound at her neck.
"Should you wish me to come, I shall come." She does not plan their encounters. They simply happen from time to time. But should he wish her more often, he simply need call and she will be there as a vessel to satiate his need for sustenance.
"I shan't forget, old one. I do not make such vows lightly."
Then she simply waits for him to make his departure, so that she may make a new pot of tea and get back to her reading. Conversation with the groom is out, but locating information as to who he was in the past is not.

**

Marius takes the towel and runs it first upon his face, succeeding first in smearing the rapidly drying liquid, and with a second run, finally reduces it to a light pink smudge. Then, his neck.. so when he hands the towel back, he doesn't look quite as much like an accident victim as at first glance.
Once finished, he turns and begins his path down the stairs. It's only another second or two before the sound of first the inner door opening and closing is heard, and then the outer door to the practice itself. Sounds like he will not be availing himself of his Own's basement this night…

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