The Hunter

[Angelus]

Thomas

It didn't work, I just couldn't get any rest so I decided to take a walk. I walked inside and grabbed my sword then began walking down the road, trying to clear my head and wondering if I would see Samantha again. I had been walking a while when I looked around and saw that I was near the saw field that I had meet Samantha again. As I looked around I wondered what keeps on leading me to this place. I then looked into the field and saw a person standing there and walked in that direction. I stopped instantly when I saw that the person was Diane and she had her sword in her hand.

She looked at me with pure hatred in her eyes and shouted out, "You butcher!"

"Oh no.... not again," I said before I pulled my sword out of its scabbard.

 

[Isolde]

Diane

I stood there facing him, hatred evident in my eyes.
"Did you really think that you could make me believe that you did not kill them when I saw you with my little sister in your arms that night?"

"You just want to throw me off track but I will not be swayed that easily. You have already ruined my life not once but twice."

"Dammit, Thomas, why do you always run away? Finish this and then one of us can go on with our life."

I realized that in a fight, it would probaly be Thomas that won but I didnt care. I had battled this rage for too long now to care.

Standing up out of my crouch, I took my sword and swung down. Planting it deep in the earth. I then stood back and held out my hands-open and unarmed.

"Finish what you started, Thomas," I said in a cold voice,"Dont keep humiliating me and torturing me through the eternities. Finish what you started on that night!"

 

[Angelus]

I stood there, looking at Diane is disbelief. She still thought that I had killed her family when I had done nothing of the sort. I slid my sword back into its sheath and said, "I will not kill you just as I never killed your family. I loved you then but I couldn't love you with the same intensity that you loved me and I am sorry for that. I went to your home that night to talk to you and say how sorry I am to have hurt you but when I got there I found it engulfed in flames and went in there to help anyone trapped. I found your little sister but I am afraid to say that she was already dead when I got to her as she had been stabbed through the heart. I picked her up and was going to take her out of that place to bury her when you came upon the scene and blamed me. I am so sorry for killing you then but I had to defend myself and I hope that you will forgive me but please believe me that I never killed your family as I will not kill you now."

 

[Isolde]

Diane

I stood there looking at him, not being able to comprehend what he was saying. I knew that my family had been stabbed. I had seen my sister's body when I awoke. I had also been with Thomas long enough that I could tell the sincerity in his voice when he made the statement.

That is what had bothered me all this time. The sincerity in his voice had caused my doubts to flare up. But if he did not do it than who did.

By this time, tears were flowing down my face and I was desperately trying to figure things out. My whole world crumbled as my life after learning of my immortality had been based on hatred for him. I felt empty, like a void had taken hold of my heart.

Sinking to my knees, I said in a whisper,"Tell me what you saw that night when you came to my family's house? I need to know exactly what you saw."

OOC: I dont know exactly where I am going with this, I seem to have lost Stryfe....was thinking maybe another immortal killed her family to flush out Thomas but the plan didnt work or....since Stryfe is gone, I can fade into the background and let it be...unless you need me to take up another part to make the story interesting...I have no idea.

 

[Angelus]

OOC: I say that you should stick with Diane- for now as that will make things interesting in itself but if you don't mind pulling double duty I had an idea for another immortal to pop up and go after Thomas.... real nasty person and is the person that torched Diane's home but not to get to Thomas but to get to Diane and I need to have someone else around so that it will add something to the story.

IC:
I walked over to Diane and put my hands onto her shoulders then looked into her tear streaked face. I tried to smile but found that I couldn't as I realized that her whole life, her entire existence had been placed on something that she thought I had done- a lie.

"When I got to your home I saw a figure ran off, a torch in his or her hand as I couldn't see who or what the person was. I was about to give chase but I knew that I had to help your family first, not knowing that they were dead. I hope that that is what you wanted to here but if not I am sorry as that is all that I can remember of that night."

 

[Isolde]

Diane

OOC: I can work with that.

IC: I stood up and looked at him, my eyes narrowed. I believed him but I had to find out who had done it and I had to do something that I hated...I had to ask for help.

"Help me than, Thomas. You couldnt help me that night but help me now. To find out who killed my family and why. If you ever felt anything for me when we were together, than find it in your heart to help me now."

I turned my face away from him. This was tearing me apart. He had known me long enough to realize how desperate I was by swallowing my pride and asking for his help.

Turning back, I said,"I promise I will not try to interfer with you and the woman. That is over between us. But I need....your friendship at least. I know that is alot to ask after all of the times I have tried to kill you and accused you of this. But I cant do it on my own. I dont have enough training or experience."

 

[Angelus]

"I will help you. All you had to do is ask and stop trying to kill me."

I picked up Diane's sword and handed it to her, watching as she slid it back into its sheath. I took a step back and said, "But before I help you you must swear to me that you will not go back to Stryfe- I know that it is a lot to ask but I have to know that you are not doing this to let my guard down so that you can bring him straight to me. If you do so then I will train you and become your friend and do whatever I can to find this person, this I swear."

 

[Isolde]

Diane

I took a deep breath-Stryfe. In all of this I had forgotten about him. I wondered for a moment if I went back to him right now and told him everything if he would cool off his fued with Thomas and help me to. I shook my head. His hatred for Thomas ran deep and if he ever got word that I went back with Thomas-even under these circumstances-he would be out for blood twice as bad.

I wanted to find the killer of my family and I knew Stryfe was probably better off without me. I had only used him to my own means and maybe now he could find someone who truely cared about him.

I nodded to Thomas and said,"Deal. You help me and Stryfe doesnt hear a word about any of this. I disappear and thats the end of it."

Then a thought struck me. Where in the gods name was I supposed to stay now. I hadnt realized how much Stryfe had taken care of me up until now. I suddenly felt a great need to become independant and stand on my own. I knew if I didnt than any Immortal could have my head-and right now I had a very good reason to want to stay alive.

 

[Angelus]

"I have a large home and I am asking you if you would like to stay there, just until I can train you and find the immortal that murdered your family. I know that you want to get out on your own and become independent but I feel the need to help you."

Diane looked at me and was definitely taken aback by what I had just said. She looked at me and said, "Are you sure that you want me in your home. After all I have tried to kill you and when Stryfe finds out he will come after the two of us with a vengance."

"I don't care about any of that right now. I am asking you if you would like to live in my home," I said, looking at her.

"I accept then."

The two of us walked from the fields and continued to walk down the road in silence. The two of us kept looking at each other, wondering what to say but finding that we couldn't say a word. After a while we came to my home where Diane took a step back and looked at me, "You have led me into a trap. I should have known not to trust you!"

"No- wait! It is my friend Roger. He will not kill you as you have met him once before. Now, come into the house and relax, I think that you need it. No, better yet I will show you to your room so that you can have some sleep."

I opened the door then stood aside and watched as Diane walked slowly into the house. I walked in after her then closed the door and smiled before saying, "I will show you to your room."

I walked up the stairs to the bedroom that was the first on the right and opened the door. When Diane saw the size of the room she gasped and said that she could not take the room without paying for it and I told her that it was ridiculous. She walked over to the bed and after taking off her sword belt and placing it on the end of the bed took off her boots. After she had done that she lay down and was soon asleep.

I closed the door after I saw that she was asleep I closed the door and was about to walk down the stairs when the other bedroom door opened and Roger's head popped out, "Was that Diane that I heard?"

"Yes it was," I said.

Without another word he closed the door again and I walked down the stairs wondering how I had gotten into this one.

[Edited by Angelius on 01-27-2001 at 12:32 AM]

 

[Celestiale]

My eyes opened slowly, tears of joy and of pain falling softly from them. I had lost so much when my life as Alexis had ended...it seemed almost overwhelming to think that I might get it back once again. Did I deserve to feel such profound emotions for a man I had only known two days?

No Samantha, you have known him forever...stop doubting yourself!

I had known him...in my dreams and in my heart. There was a reason I never let myself become attatched to any other...I had been waiting my entire life for the man I was meant to love. I could never be an immortal, but I could live a thousand lives just to be able to return to him each time...

I wiped gently at my face and arose, brushing stray blades of grass from my skirts. Thomas's horse stood nearby grazing and I spoke soothingly to it as I mounted once again. The ride back dried my tears and put color back into my cheeks, and I was smiling happily as I came upon Thomas's home.

It was after twilight and I could see a candle flickering in a room on the second floor, so I directed myself there after tethering the horse securely. I quietly made my way into the house and up the large staircase, my excitement building with each step I took. I could not wait to throw my arms about him, and I trembled as intimate memories from our past came rushing into my mind. My face was absolutely glowing as I reached for the door's handle, and I turned it slowly, without making a noise. I felt my face drain of color as I opened the door to find a woman standing there half dressed.

 

[Isolde]

Diane

I was on my feet the moment I heard the door open, my sword ready. The sleep quickly left my body as I faced the intruder. My eyes narrowed when I saw it was a woman-the woman in the field the other day.

Slowly I replaced my blade as she stood trembling, her eyes wide. I must look a sight and I couldnt blame her for being scared with me waving a sword about. And then I looked closer-there was something more.

Looking around, I remembered where I was-Thomas' home. And this girl. Suddenly the woman bolted and I had to move quick to stop her from fleeing. Grabbing her arm, I caught her before she could leave and closed the door with my foot. Her eyes were wide and frightened and I tried to calm her.

"Shhhh," I said quietly,"Please. It's not what you think. Let me explain what I am doing here."

It was then that a thought occured to me and I looked closely at the woman. I had never met her before-but I somehow knew as a woman always knows these things. Thomas had finally found his Alexis. My heart ached a bit as I remembered the pain I had gone through because of his memories of her but I shoved them away. If I had ever cared about Thomas than I would find it in my heart to be happy for him. I had his help and friendship and that would be enough.

"Will you hear me out?," I asked the frightened girl.

 

[Celestiale]

I nodded, a pained look etched upon my face. I had seen the sword and already knew what it meant...she was like him, and it was something that I could never be. I let her guide me to the bed and I sat upon it's edge, waiting for her to speak.

 

[Isolde]

Diane

Laying the sword down by the bed, I took a deep breath and started to talk. I was open and honest and told her about my relationship with Thomas over 100 years ago and how it had been broken off because of his deep love for Alexis. I told her of the deaths of my family as tears streamed down my face and how I had blamed Thomas and hunted him down until this very day.

I told her how Thomas had promised to train me and help me find the person who did it. "We think the person is an immortal also and I am too inexperienced to go after him myself. I mean no harm to you or Thomas-that I promise. But I must find out who killed my family and why. It has haunted me for all these decades and caused me to change from to person I once was."

"I think you should know how hard Thomas has looked for you. How he has never been able to truley go on with his life because the loss of Alexis caused him so much grief. I also know that this is new to you. You cannot be feeling comfortable with this discovery of a past life."

I paused before I said what I was going to say next but I had to. I had loved Thomas once-so much so that I had given him up when I realized I could never make him happy. He was now a friend and I was willing to make sure that he would have the happiness that I could not find.

"What was between Thomas and myself is over. That will never be a factor. But, if you are uncomfortable with our remaining friendship I will leave and never see him again. He has been miserable for so long that he deserves to be happy. I will not stand in the way of that-I promise you."

 

[Isolde]

Marci

OOC: Ok, here is the new char I said I would make. I still dont have the details down to why she is doing everything but I will soon enough. But she is out there for everyone to play with.

IC: I sat there in the tree looking on the happenings in the field. "Poor Diane," I thought sarcastically,"She doesnt even know the half of the story.

I took a long drag on the cigarette that I had rolled earlier and I smiled. I had been playing the three of them like this for decades and they never knew it. Too bad the girl had no staying power...she made such a pretty pawn.

I crushed out my cigarette and streatched. I picked up my sword that proclaimed me to be the same as the three I had been making fools of. Yes, I was an immortal and I had a black heart-one I was proud of. I was also the person who killed Diane's family. I had my reasons for that, even though she had not been an immortal yet.

When I had found out that she was an immortal and that she blamed Thomas for thier deaths, it was too good not to use to my advantage and having Stryfe hate Thomas too even before he and Diane met....well, it was perfect for my plans. What were my plans? No one would know until it was too late....especially my three victums.

Smiling, I dissapeared into the night.

[Edited by Isolde on 01-29-2001 at 08:07 AM]

 

[Celestiale]

My own tears fell as I listened to Diane tell me of her past. Of course I could live with the relationship she had once had with Thomas. I knew from my memories that his love for me was great, but his heart was large enough to hold love for his friend's as well. It was distressing to see her in such anguish and I would never deny his help to her. I took her hands in mine and smiled softly after we had finished talking of what had happened and the things to come.

"We must both look a mess!" I proclaimed as cheerfully as I possibly could, "Let us dry these tears and go find Thomas, I am quite sure he will be relieved that he does not have to explain all of this himself!"

We stood together and left the room, making our way down to Thomas's study.

 

[Angelus]

I got up out of my bed because for some reason I couldn't sleep. I walked out of my room and down the steps to the kitchen to get a glass of water. When I got to the kitchen I heard two voices, both female coming from my study and walked slowly over to it to see who was there. When I got to the doorway I was surprised and extremely shocked to see Diane and Samantha standing there. I turned to leave the doorway but before I could Diane saw me and said, "Thomas, stop there. We need to talk to you."

 

[Celestiale]

My eyes sparkled as I looked to the doorway at Thomas. "Yes, come in and talk with us" I spoke softly, "Diane and I have been discussing a few things."

I winked and smiled demurely at him, patting the cushion next to me, encouraging him to sit. I sat with Diane and Thomas for a long time, talking about what the future held, the danger's that might arise...the secrecy surrounding what they were. I listened 'til their voices grew soft and distant, their forms becoming hazy lights, guiding me into the land of dreams.

 

[Angelus]

"I think that we should save the rest of this for tomorrow as it looks as if Samantha is going to fall asleep here."

I got to my feet and took her hand in mine and looked into her eyes, "I want you to go to my room and get some sleep. You need it and I don't want you to fall asleep here. I will sleep down here and I insist that you do as you are a guest in this house and I do not want you sleeping down here when there is a perfectly good bed upstairs."

Without another word I guided her up the stairs to my room and with a kiss on the cheek wished her a good sleep. I turned and walked back downstairs to see Diane walked up them and wished her a good night then walked to the large couch in the main room and curled up on it to sleep.

 

[Isolde]

Diane

OOC: OKay...I think that I know where I am going with this now.

IC: I returned Thomas' greeting and entered my room. Instead of going to my bed, I walked over to the window. I stared out at the moon that washed a pale color over the countryside and tried to get rid of the feeling of unease that had settled on my mind.

I couldnt help feel that there was something about this whole thing that I was missing, a piece of the puzzle that I couldnt find. It nagged at me and prevented me from going to sleep so I decided to practice my sword play. Picking up my sword, I began to swing it back and forth before crouching in a defensive position, ready to start my practice.

The next instant, I was kneeling on the floor, clutching my head as pain shot through it and visions came unbidden to my mind. I saw visions of my family in the house, getting ready for dinner. My father, brother and sister were sitting at the table while my mother finished putting dinner on. My father asked where I was and my mother shook her head saying something about how I had been taking my time lately since my break up with Thomas.

Suddenly there was a flash as if an explosion was set off on the roof and it was ablaze with light. Smoke filled the small house and her father and mother tried to usher the children out. A figure appeared in the doorway, blocking thier way and a sword was swung through the air, slicing its way through my father's neck and then coming back and being run through my mother's stomache.

My brother and sister ran screaming but they, too were soon cut down and I heard a laughter come from somewhere...low and menacingly. The figure turned and I stopped in front of a mirror that hung on the wall. I could not believe my eyes. The face before me was my own! I screamed then, my voice loud and piercing as I stared into the cruel eyes and saw the evil grin on the face that could only be mine. My mind refused to accept it....I was the one that had cut down my family!

 

[Isolde]

Marci

I walked into my small flat and shrugged off my sword. Lighting the lamp, I undid my blouse and shrugged out of that too. I sat on the bed and stripped my boots and pants and stood up to streatch. Picking up my sword, I began to swing it, parrying and thrusting in practice as my body glided around the small room. I loved to practice in the nude....it was so liberating.

As I passed a mirror, I stopped in mid thrust and turned to admire my features. Black hair, dark eyes and a very evil grin. I laughed as I thought what Diane would think if she had ever seen me. I believe she would have died of shock for the features that stared back at me were identical to hers. And so they should be for, unknown to her, I was her identical twin!

 

[Angelus]

OOC: I like it... it's a damn good twist. Something I would never have come up with in a million posts. You are absolutely brilliant.

 

[Isolde]

OOC: Thank you, kind sir.

 

[Angelus]

OOC: *takes a deep bow*
that is quite alright milady.

IC: I woke with a start when I heard Diane's scream and got up quickly off the couch and ran up the stairs to see what had happened. I opened the door to her room and saw her sitting on her bed, her head in her hands. She looked up at me and I could tell that she had been crying about something so I walked over to the bed and sat down next to her then place one arm around her shoulder. I looked at her and said, "What is it. What is wrong. You know that you can tell me anything whatsoever."

 

[Isolde]

Diane

I looked up as Thomas came in, my face a mask of misery from what I had seen. As he put his arm around me, I shook my head. I couldnt find the words to tell him what I had seen. It was impossible. Logic fought with 'memories' as I looked for the words to explain what I had seen.

"I saw who killed my family, Thomas," I finally sobbed out,"I saw but I cant believe it. It was me! I did it....I saw it plain as day....my face in a mirror after they were killed."

My emotions took over at that point and I leaned against him sobbing, my body shaking with the force of it.

 

[Angelus]

I held her close and let her emotions take control of her as she had to let go of them or they would eat her up inside. I felt her tears on my bare chest and whispered in her ear, "It is impossible. You couldn't have killed your parents because you came around after the fire had been started and you looked shocked at what had happened. You have too good a heart, a heart that has been trapped for a while under your hatred of me but it is there and you could not have done something like you just told me."