The system was so small and unimportant it didn't even rate a name on the official Imperial star maps, just a letter and a numeric designation; M12943. The system consisted of five planetoids, an asteroid belt, and a small yellow star all of which contained nothing of note or value. The sole redeeming feature of the system was located on one of the two moons of the second outermostplanetoid; a single spaceport.
A relic of a failed colony on that moon, the dingy, rundown spaceport survived as a smuggling den and trading outpost for some of the moderately unsavory characters in the galaxy. Prostitutes, thieves, murderers, assassins, smugglers, pirates, slavers, and the occasional minor warlord passed through the port, never staying longer then it took to unload and take on cargo, refuel and repair, or meet contacts. Space hands, mechanics, and bounty hunters tended to stick around a bit longer as they negotiated for employment, gambled in one of thecantinas or sought entertainment in one of the handful of brothels.
The only ones that stick around, here are the slaves who have no choice, and the hundred or so families and couple hundred loners like me that make our livings from spaceport traffic, Kilan thought to himself as he looked around the grimy hanger. Carrying a datapad in his left hand, and resting his right on his blaster holster, he made his way past the row of shuttles and freighters that teemed with activity. I wonder if this will turn out to be another waste of time, or if this cargo shuttle will actually be semi-flyable.
Despite owning a small cargo shuttle from which he made his living shuttling cargo and passengers to and from ships to big to land at the spaceport, Kilan had been saving since his parents death for a hyper-capable shuttle from which to expand his business and perhaps earn enough to immigrate to one of the thousands of other worlds. Word had gotten around that one of the smugglers had gotten a hold of aLamda class shuttle and wanted to unload it quickly and cheaply and Kilan intended to be one of the first to make a bid--if the ship was actually flyable.
A whimpering loud enough to be heard over the spaceport's hustle and bustle distracted him from his musings. Looking around he quickly found the source coming from the direction of a Corellian freighter that looked like it had recently been in a firefight.
A young girl stared wide-eyed out from between the bars of the cage sitting near the ramp of the Corellian freighter. Tears stains ran down her blue-grey cheeks and her lekku hung limply over her shoulders twitching a little in fear anytime anyone approached. A man walked down the ramp of the freighter with a datapad in hand and noticing the girl peering out of her cage, pulled a batton from his belt and hit the cage loud enough that the sound of metal striking metal rang out over the entire hanger. "Shut up or I'll give you something to cry about. Sithspawn, you're giving me a headache."
Kilan walked over spreading his hands to show he meant no harm. "Something wrong?" he asked.
The man looked over to Kilan and shook his head. "No, nothing other then this little Twi'lek bitch making so much noise." He looked over to the caged girl. "Don't think just because they didn't take you yet that you're getting a reprieve. They will be back to take you to the auction soon."
I can't let this girl go to the auctions, Kilan thought to himself. The very fact she's too young to serve as much of a worker will make her attractive as a pleasure slave to some of the more sick bidders. "How much you want for her?" he asked.
The man looked the cage over then looked at Kilan with new interest. "Well, we were gonna start her bidding at the same price as her sister who we already took to the auctions; Six thousand Imperial credits."
Sithspawn, this slaver obviously was thinking along the same thoughts I was, only he intended to make a profit. Kilan brought up his balance on his datapad and hesitated briefly. "What do you say I give you ten thousand and we forget the auction?"
"I would say make it twelve thousand and you have yourself a slave," The slaver smiled.
"Done." Kilan instigated the credit transfer to the account the slaver gave him, while the slaver filed the necessary forms and attached a collar and leash to the girl.
"Pleasure doing business with you," the slaver smiled as he handed the leash of the now shaking girl to Kilan.
Well so much for buying a new shuttle, Kilan thought to himself, but I wouldn't have been able to live with myself if I stood by and did nothing. Besides, it will only take me a few years to be able to afford a cheap shuttle again. He tried to offer the girl a reassuring smile. "Come on, lets get you home where its safe."
Trembling she nodded and followed him. The tears that flowed down her eyes the entire way wrenched at his heart.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Nya's Story: Author's Notes
Up until the Dark Tide and subsequent story lines (including the prequills) I loved the universe of the Star Wars novels. I loved the novels by Timothy Zahn and especially the X-Wing series. Among the Star Wars universe, one of the things I loved the most were the rich and incredible differences between the varied alien races such as the Twi'lek, the Bothans, the Ewoks, and the Mon Calamari. In the movies they began to explore these differences, but it was really the novels that made them so incredibly rich; culturally, biologically, and psychologically.
The Twi'lek race in particular is incredibly facinating with thier history of slavery (often sold into such by members of thier own, as well as a rich hisotry as traders and even as warriors. The orriginal trilogy forever cemented the idea of the Twi'lek slave girl as one of he most erotic, graceful, and desireable creatures in the Star Wars universe as much as the orriginal Star Trek series did with Orian slave girl.
In the novels nearly all the slaves and former slaves really hated (and rightfully so), thier slavery, but I've always wondered, what it would be like if perhaps a slave came to love her master so much that when the time of her freedom came, either she would fight to stay his slave, or be destroyed by the freedom. Hence the story,
The Twi'lek race in particular is incredibly facinating with thier history of slavery (often sold into such by members of thier own, as well as a rich hisotry as traders and even as warriors. The orriginal trilogy forever cemented the idea of the Twi'lek slave girl as one of he most erotic, graceful, and desireable creatures in the Star Wars universe as much as the orriginal Star Trek series did with Orian slave girl.
In the novels nearly all the slaves and former slaves really hated (and rightfully so), thier slavery, but I've always wondered, what it would be like if perhaps a slave came to love her master so much that when the time of her freedom came, either she would fight to stay his slave, or be destroyed by the freedom. Hence the story,
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Roses and Fangs: ch. 2. Broken Paths.
Chapter Two: Broken Paths
It was late august and it was only two weeks into the new school year. Sam snuck a peak over at Kara just as the bell rang. He suppressed a sigh as she jammed her books into her bag and darted out the door. He knew better then to chase her, he tried that before and it only caused her to get upset and tell him to leave her alone.
He had chased her after class, calling her name and grabbing her by the arm. She had turned around glaring at him. “Let go of me Sam.”
“I just want to talk”
“I already said everything I had to say to you. Just leave me alone, I mean it,” Kara had pulled her arm away. “Please, Sam, for both our sakes just leave me alone.”
He had let go of her and watched as she hurried down the hall and out the doors.
Other then that, they hadn’t spoken since that day in the woods, not even when they were both called before the grand jury on the same day. He wound up skipping out on the fraternity dance claiming the stress from those events was just too much, but really he just didn’t feel like attending when things were so bad between him and Kara. It had been a shock to find out she was a werewolf, but it didn’t bother him the way his being a vampire seemed to bother her and it frustrated him she was avoiding him.
Dejectedly he packed his own books and headed out of the building. The plaza just outside the building was fairly packed so he was about to head over to the union when he noticed Kara sitting off to one side, plugged into her mp3 player and looking over a text book.
He hesitated for a minute then walked over to where Kara was sitting. He hovered for a moment trying to gather his thoughts.
“I can tell you’re behind me Sam. I thought I told you to leave me alone.” Kara tapped her nose, not looking up. “I have a good nose, remember?”
“Sorry. Look, I know you don’t have anything to say to me, but I have some things I need to say and didn’t get the chance to. May I please have a seat so I can say them now?”
“Would it make any difference if I said no?” She asked tiredly.
“Yes,” Sam replied, the disappointment readily apparent in his voice.
Kara sighed and patted the ground next to her, turning off the mp3 player. “You have two minutes. After that, I head my way, you head yours. Agreed?”
Sam nodded as he took a seat, “Agreed.”
“Alright, so talk,” Kara looked at him trying, unsuccessfully, not to flinch as his eyes met hers and the telltale change occurred.
Sam noticed the flinch and winced. “Kara, I didn’t know you were a were until you showed me, but it doesn’t change how I feel about you. I do not understand why you are so afraid of me. I would never hurt you. I care too much about you to hurt you. I wish you would understand that.” He looked at her and shook his head then turned away starting to get up.
He felt a hand grab his arm and pull him back down. “It’s not so much that I’m afraid of you. It’s more I am afraid of what you are. Even if you don’t hurt me, one of your kind, maybe even your family, will. Its better we go our own ways. We should have in kindergarten.” Kara’s voice was soft.
“Kara the Kindred wars ended before we were born,” Sam sighed. “And if you knew what I was since kindergarten why did you continue to be my friend?”
It was Kara’s turn to sigh.
It was late august and it was only two weeks into the new school year. Sam snuck a peak over at Kara just as the bell rang. He suppressed a sigh as she jammed her books into her bag and darted out the door. He knew better then to chase her, he tried that before and it only caused her to get upset and tell him to leave her alone.
He had chased her after class, calling her name and grabbing her by the arm. She had turned around glaring at him. “Let go of me Sam.”
“I just want to talk”
“I already said everything I had to say to you. Just leave me alone, I mean it,” Kara had pulled her arm away. “Please, Sam, for both our sakes just leave me alone.”
He had let go of her and watched as she hurried down the hall and out the doors.
Other then that, they hadn’t spoken since that day in the woods, not even when they were both called before the grand jury on the same day. He wound up skipping out on the fraternity dance claiming the stress from those events was just too much, but really he just didn’t feel like attending when things were so bad between him and Kara. It had been a shock to find out she was a werewolf, but it didn’t bother him the way his being a vampire seemed to bother her and it frustrated him she was avoiding him.
Dejectedly he packed his own books and headed out of the building. The plaza just outside the building was fairly packed so he was about to head over to the union when he noticed Kara sitting off to one side, plugged into her mp3 player and looking over a text book.
He hesitated for a minute then walked over to where Kara was sitting. He hovered for a moment trying to gather his thoughts.
“I can tell you’re behind me Sam. I thought I told you to leave me alone.” Kara tapped her nose, not looking up. “I have a good nose, remember?”
“Sorry. Look, I know you don’t have anything to say to me, but I have some things I need to say and didn’t get the chance to. May I please have a seat so I can say them now?”
“Would it make any difference if I said no?” She asked tiredly.
“Yes,” Sam replied, the disappointment readily apparent in his voice.
Kara sighed and patted the ground next to her, turning off the mp3 player. “You have two minutes. After that, I head my way, you head yours. Agreed?”
Sam nodded as he took a seat, “Agreed.”
“Alright, so talk,” Kara looked at him trying, unsuccessfully, not to flinch as his eyes met hers and the telltale change occurred.
Sam noticed the flinch and winced. “Kara, I didn’t know you were a were until you showed me, but it doesn’t change how I feel about you. I do not understand why you are so afraid of me. I would never hurt you. I care too much about you to hurt you. I wish you would understand that.” He looked at her and shook his head then turned away starting to get up.
He felt a hand grab his arm and pull him back down. “It’s not so much that I’m afraid of you. It’s more I am afraid of what you are. Even if you don’t hurt me, one of your kind, maybe even your family, will. Its better we go our own ways. We should have in kindergarten.” Kara’s voice was soft.
“Kara the Kindred wars ended before we were born,” Sam sighed. “And if you knew what I was since kindergarten why did you continue to be my friend?”
It was Kara’s turn to sigh.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Roses and Fangs: ch. 1. Blood and Fangs pt3.
Faster then either Sam or Kara would have thought possible, the place was flooding with rangers, deputies, and evidence technicians. Sam, Jacqueline, and Kara were each separated as deputies took their statements. As each gave their statement, one of the officers, a gentleman with rugged looks and graying hair stopped to listen to each interview, starting with Jacqueline and ending with Kara.
As Kara wrapped up giving her statement, and answered the deputy’s questions, the man looked over the statement and then dismissed the deputy. Squatting down next to Kara he smiled and offered his hand. “Sheriff Richardson,” he introduced himself, “Though most around here call me Joe.”
Kara tentatively took his hand and shook it, surprised a little at the strength of his squeeze. “Kara Stevens.”
“Well, Ms. Stevens, to me it seems pretty clear that this is a case of self defense on everyone’s part. Charley boy over there,” he pointed to the body, “was a known troublemaker and hothead, and so far everything seems to match your stories, though we won’t know for sure for a few more weeks.
“Here’s what I think will happen, if the evidence collaborates your stories; I think in a couple weeks you’ll be called before a jury, maybe even a grand jury, you’ll tell what happened same as you told us, and then answer a few questions and that will be the end of this.”
Kara nodded then asked, “No trials?”
Sheriff Richardson shook his head. “No, I don’t think there will be any trials unless we find something major to counter your story.”
The sheriff started to rise then seemed to change his mind. “There is one thing though.”
Kara froze then slowly turned to face the sheriff. “Oh?”
“Most of the others can’t read the signs, but I don’t think it was any dog that did in Charley’s wrist. I think it was a wolf; a very special kind of wolf, if you get my meaning.”
“I... I don’t think I do.” Kara tried to keep her voice even, but her heart started pounding.
The sheriff gave a grandfatherly smile and patted her back as he dropped his voice so only the two of them could hear. “I think it was a werewolf, in fact I think it was you that bit his wrist.” He smiled and winked. As soon as the wink ended his eyes flashed golden and his pupils momentarily turned catlike.
Kara stiffened and started to jump up but a hand grabbed her shoulder. “Relax, yes, I’m what you think I am, but I’m not going to hurt you.”
“I think I want to go home now, if I’m allowed that is.” Kara stated nervously.
Sheriff Richardson blinked. “Of course you’re allowed.
He stood up and called out, “Davis, Riley.” Almost immediately two deputies walked over. The first was a sandy haired female with a petite but powerful frame. Behind her followed a brunette male that looked like an ex-marine, stocky and confident. “Please escort Ms. Stevens home. I think I managed to scare her more then I ever intended.”
“Of course sir,” The blond stated. She smiled at Kara and Kara was a little relieved and confused when the deputies eyes turned golden and the pupils expanded into dark brown orbs that almost matched her own for that split second. Kara was equally confused when the other deputy’s eyes did the same and remained so when the blonde offered her hand to help Kara up. “Let’s get you home, dear. And don’t worry about the Sheriff. He’s a really a softy under all that gruffness.”
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Roses and Fangs: ch. 1. Blood and Fangs pt2.
She heard the sound of his neck breaking. Walking over she could tell immediately he was dead. His head hung to the side at an unnatural angle, a trickle of blood came down his nose, and his chest was still. Looking closer she noticed that not only was his neck broken, but that part of his skull was caved in.
Sam went over and knelt down beside the body and cursed as he checked for a pulse. “I didn’t mean to kill him,” he said softly. Looking at the bite marks on the man’s wrist he frowned. “If anyone sees this, I think we should say we had a dog with us that attacked when he saw the knife,” he remarked letting the wrist drop.
Giving her head a shake, Kara headed back to where her jeans were and then dragged them a bit into the woods. She went back and grabbed her socks and shoes. When everything was in a pile, she changed, dressed, and walked back to the path. Sam was still hovering over the body. The girl was seated where Kara had left her, hugging her knees to her chin and shaking. Kara glanced at Sam for a few moments then crouched down next to the girl.
“It’s okay, he can’t hurt you,” Kara said softly. When the girl didn’t respond, she tried a new tactic. “My name is Kara. What’s yours?”
“Jacqueline,” the shaking girl stated, without looking up. Instead, if anything she appeared to shrink in tighter tilting her head so her long dark hair spilled down over her knees.
“Jacqueline, that’s a pretty name,” Kara tried to sooth her. Before she could get any further she heard someone approaching along the path in a brisk pace.
“I think there are some people ahead,” a man’s voice reached her ears. “Maybe, they heard something.”
Sam stepped back behind a larger tree just as two men in ranger uniforms came into view. They spotted the girls and stopped. “Pardon me, ladies, but we received a report that someone needed help, have you seen anything out of the ordinary?”
Jacqueline raised her left hand slightly as Kara pointed first to her, then over to the body, “I think she was attacked by that man. When she got to us, he attacked us.”
“Us?” the ranger looked around, then frowned as Sam stepped out from behind the tree he was hiding behind.
“My friend Sam and I were out walking our dog,” Kara cast a glare at Sam.
“Sorry, I didn’t know if you were with that guy or not.” Sam mentioned as the second ranger walked over eyeing Sam suspiciously while his partner stepped back keeping everyone in clear sight.
The ranger knelt down and felt for the pulse then reached for his radio calling in that they found the source of the 911 call and that they had a dead body. He then stood and faced Sam. “I’m afraid I’m gonna have to ask you and the girls to all stay together till the Sheriff gets here.”
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Roses and Fangs: ch. 1. Blood and Fangs
It was late fall and the leaves that were still in the trees had long since turned colors and were hanging on only by the grace of God. It was a little chilly, the breeze cutting through Houston Woods feeling like ice against the skin. Still, the place brought comfort to Kara, which was good cause she needed all the comfort she could get.
"Sam, we've been over this before. Please drop it," she sighed pushing past him wanting to be back on the trial.
He reached out and grabbed her arm spinning her back towards him. "It's the homecoming dance, and I need a date or they may not let me into the fraternity. It doesn't have to be a real date, but please Kara, there's no one else I can ask."
"There's plenty you could ask. Alicia from CORE, Kristin from geology, Denice from Physics. I'd ask Alicia if I were you. She has a real thing for you, you know," Kara turned to face him, trying to shrug out of his grasp. "The answer is still no. It will always be no. It has to be no." She sighed again looking at the ground, her frustration building.
"I don't even like Alicia. I can't ask someone I don't like. And I have never understood why we can't even go to a dance as friends let alone do anything remotely close to a date," Sam looked at her, running his free hand through his brown hair, frustrated himself.
"You know why," she replied.
"No I don't. Ever since that time we kissed in middle school you've kept me at a distance, pushing me away every time we somehow cross some line or other you've set without even bothering to tell me what that line is." He paused briefly, lowering his voice a bit. "That kiss is still the best I ever had."
"That's not fair," Kara blinked at the tears that came from the unexpected reference and revelation that blindsided her. "That's not fair. You can't use that kiss that way."
"Why not? Hell ever since that kiss you have barely looked at me, and we have been best friends since kindergarten." He reached for her chin gently trying to lift her face so he could look into her eyes. "Can you really look me in the eyes and tell me that kiss meant nothing to you?"
Kara closed her eyes as she felt her chin being lifted. Her heart raced and she began shaking in fear. She had known this moment would eventually come, but she still wasn't ready for it and it terrified her. "No, I can't," she said softly.
"Then please tell me, what changed... tell me why you keep pushing me away," his voice was soft, pleading and it tore through her.
"You already know," she said softly, tears dripping from her face onto his hands.
"No, I don't, but I want to," he answered, softly, firmly, but still a hint of pleading in his voice. He could smell her frustration, and worse her terror, the terror that always came when he seemed to get to close to her. He never understood this terror and his frustration had reached the breaking point.
She hesitated. Maybe he really didn't know. She considered this for a few seconds and decided that it explained some things about the way he had behaved over the years. "Alright, maybe you don't know. You're better off not knowing then."
"No, I am not better off not knowing, I'm tired of trying to guess what lines you've set, and why you've set them. I'm tired of my best friend unable or unwilling to look me in the eyes and tell me what the hell is wrong with me that she has to push me away." Sam realized he was squeezing her chin a bit with his frustration and anger and let go. "Sorry."
"Are you really sure you want to know? Everything will change. Everything." She gripped his hand as it dropped for a second squeezing it to show she accepted his apology before slowly stepping back one step to give herself room. Gently but firmly she brushed away the hand that still held her arm. She opened her eyes partway looking at him from beneath lashes covered with now clumpy black mascara.
With his "yes" she swallowed and opened her eyes looking directly into his for the first time in nearly six years. It took every bit of willpower to overcome the instinctive terror that accompanied the moment when their eyes locked and for a split second his blue eyes turned golden and the pupil narrowed to a cat-like slit. She braced herself to run as she watched his reaction as her own eyes answered with a flash of their own.
Sam stared in shock as Kara's eyes momentarily turned from green to golden, her pupils dilating and seeming to swallow all but a slim sliver of color before returning to their normal state. He rocked back, sucking in his breath as dormant instincts surfaced for a second bringing both a rage and a fear intrinsic to his very being. He pushed those feelings back as fast as they rose, letting his breath out in a long slow burst.
He looked at her, and recognized she was about to run. A small part of him, cried for him to attack her, but he shoved that aside and his next instinct was to pull her in for a kiss. He dismissed that idea quickly, as well.
Instead reached out gently taking her hands gently but firmly. "So?"
Kara was prepared to run, prepared to die, even resigned to the fact she probably would die. However, his taking her hands the way he did confused her and through her off guard. "What do you mean 'so'?" she snapped. "You're a vampire, and I'm a werewolf. I'm worse then nothing to your kind. A beast to put down before I have the chance to become dangerous." The words poured from her with more venom then she intended. The moment both more terrifying and more heart-wrenching then she had expected. She tried to pull away.
"You are not a beast," Sam felt her start to pull away again, and used his strength to pull her into a hug instead. "You are not a beast. You are my best friend."
Before she could reply, distant noises caught both of their attention. The sounds of heavy breathing; twigs, brush, and branches snapping; the rustling of two very different kinds of clothing rustling.
Kara and Sam pulled apart and turned as a young woman came crashing through the the thickest part of the woods, heedless of the branches that got in her way stinging her legs, arms and face. She wasn't dressed for the woods, instead looking more like she was dressed for an office job or a class, but her blouse and skirt were disheveled.
Behind her trailed a young man in jeans and denim jacket over a t-shirt. "Get back here bitch!" he yelled as he chased after her.
The woman spotted Kara and Sam only when she was within a dozen yards of them. "Please help me, he tried to rape me!" She panted, as she fell into Kara's waiting arms.
Kara quickly spun the girl around behind her and let her down next to a tree before turning herself to face the oncoming man as Sam moved to intercept him.
"Outta the way, the bitch is mine," the man growled attempting to push past Sam.
"Oh really, is that why she's running from you?" Sam asked as he moved directly to block the man again as he stepped onto the path.
"She's running from me because she's been a bad girl. It's time for her to go home where she belongs. Come on baby, lets go home," the man called over to the girl looking over Sam's shoulder.
"He's lying, I don't live with him. This was supposed to be our first date but he drove us out here and tried to rape me," the girl countered.
"Don't worry, you're safe," Kara tried to reassure the girl, not taking her eyes off the man.
"Leave. Now." Sam reached out, turned the man around and shoved him a good ten feet back into the woods. The man took thirty or so steps then suddenly turned around and started running toward Sam even as Sam started walking back toward the women.
"Sam he's got a knife!" Kara screamed, as she saw the man closing in on Sam. She ran a few steps then jumped. Her shoes, and jeans slid off as her legs thinned and shortened. The rest of her clothes managed to somehow stay on even as she landed as a reddish haired wolf but tangled and dragged on the ground as she ran, nearly tripping her as she leaped at the man.
It was a close moment. He was drawing back his right arm as he lunged at Sam with his left. Her muzzle closed around the man's forearm shattering the bone as she clamped down. She felt other bones dislocate and snap even as she let go landing and rolling out of the way as Sam reached out grabbed the man and tossed him. She watched the man's look of horror as he sailed twenty feet through the air and crashed into a tree head first. She heard the sound of his neck breaking.
"Sam, we've been over this before. Please drop it," she sighed pushing past him wanting to be back on the trial.
He reached out and grabbed her arm spinning her back towards him. "It's the homecoming dance, and I need a date or they may not let me into the fraternity. It doesn't have to be a real date, but please Kara, there's no one else I can ask."
"There's plenty you could ask. Alicia from CORE, Kristin from geology, Denice from Physics. I'd ask Alicia if I were you. She has a real thing for you, you know," Kara turned to face him, trying to shrug out of his grasp. "The answer is still no. It will always be no. It has to be no." She sighed again looking at the ground, her frustration building.
"I don't even like Alicia. I can't ask someone I don't like. And I have never understood why we can't even go to a dance as friends let alone do anything remotely close to a date," Sam looked at her, running his free hand through his brown hair, frustrated himself.
"You know why," she replied.
"No I don't. Ever since that time we kissed in middle school you've kept me at a distance, pushing me away every time we somehow cross some line or other you've set without even bothering to tell me what that line is." He paused briefly, lowering his voice a bit. "That kiss is still the best I ever had."
"That's not fair," Kara blinked at the tears that came from the unexpected reference and revelation that blindsided her. "That's not fair. You can't use that kiss that way."
"Why not? Hell ever since that kiss you have barely looked at me, and we have been best friends since kindergarten." He reached for her chin gently trying to lift her face so he could look into her eyes. "Can you really look me in the eyes and tell me that kiss meant nothing to you?"
Kara closed her eyes as she felt her chin being lifted. Her heart raced and she began shaking in fear. She had known this moment would eventually come, but she still wasn't ready for it and it terrified her. "No, I can't," she said softly.
"Then please tell me, what changed... tell me why you keep pushing me away," his voice was soft, pleading and it tore through her.
"You already know," she said softly, tears dripping from her face onto his hands.
"No, I don't, but I want to," he answered, softly, firmly, but still a hint of pleading in his voice. He could smell her frustration, and worse her terror, the terror that always came when he seemed to get to close to her. He never understood this terror and his frustration had reached the breaking point.
She hesitated. Maybe he really didn't know. She considered this for a few seconds and decided that it explained some things about the way he had behaved over the years. "Alright, maybe you don't know. You're better off not knowing then."
"No, I am not better off not knowing, I'm tired of trying to guess what lines you've set, and why you've set them. I'm tired of my best friend unable or unwilling to look me in the eyes and tell me what the hell is wrong with me that she has to push me away." Sam realized he was squeezing her chin a bit with his frustration and anger and let go. "Sorry."
"Are you really sure you want to know? Everything will change. Everything." She gripped his hand as it dropped for a second squeezing it to show she accepted his apology before slowly stepping back one step to give herself room. Gently but firmly she brushed away the hand that still held her arm. She opened her eyes partway looking at him from beneath lashes covered with now clumpy black mascara.
With his "yes" she swallowed and opened her eyes looking directly into his for the first time in nearly six years. It took every bit of willpower to overcome the instinctive terror that accompanied the moment when their eyes locked and for a split second his blue eyes turned golden and the pupil narrowed to a cat-like slit. She braced herself to run as she watched his reaction as her own eyes answered with a flash of their own.
Sam stared in shock as Kara's eyes momentarily turned from green to golden, her pupils dilating and seeming to swallow all but a slim sliver of color before returning to their normal state. He rocked back, sucking in his breath as dormant instincts surfaced for a second bringing both a rage and a fear intrinsic to his very being. He pushed those feelings back as fast as they rose, letting his breath out in a long slow burst.
He looked at her, and recognized she was about to run. A small part of him, cried for him to attack her, but he shoved that aside and his next instinct was to pull her in for a kiss. He dismissed that idea quickly, as well.
Instead reached out gently taking her hands gently but firmly. "So?"
Kara was prepared to run, prepared to die, even resigned to the fact she probably would die. However, his taking her hands the way he did confused her and through her off guard. "What do you mean 'so'?" she snapped. "You're a vampire, and I'm a werewolf. I'm worse then nothing to your kind. A beast to put down before I have the chance to become dangerous." The words poured from her with more venom then she intended. The moment both more terrifying and more heart-wrenching then she had expected. She tried to pull away.
"You are not a beast," Sam felt her start to pull away again, and used his strength to pull her into a hug instead. "You are not a beast. You are my best friend."
Before she could reply, distant noises caught both of their attention. The sounds of heavy breathing; twigs, brush, and branches snapping; the rustling of two very different kinds of clothing rustling.
Kara and Sam pulled apart and turned as a young woman came crashing through the the thickest part of the woods, heedless of the branches that got in her way stinging her legs, arms and face. She wasn't dressed for the woods, instead looking more like she was dressed for an office job or a class, but her blouse and skirt were disheveled.
Behind her trailed a young man in jeans and denim jacket over a t-shirt. "Get back here bitch!" he yelled as he chased after her.
The woman spotted Kara and Sam only when she was within a dozen yards of them. "Please help me, he tried to rape me!" She panted, as she fell into Kara's waiting arms.
Kara quickly spun the girl around behind her and let her down next to a tree before turning herself to face the oncoming man as Sam moved to intercept him.
"Outta the way, the bitch is mine," the man growled attempting to push past Sam.
"Oh really, is that why she's running from you?" Sam asked as he moved directly to block the man again as he stepped onto the path.
"She's running from me because she's been a bad girl. It's time for her to go home where she belongs. Come on baby, lets go home," the man called over to the girl looking over Sam's shoulder.
"He's lying, I don't live with him. This was supposed to be our first date but he drove us out here and tried to rape me," the girl countered.
"Don't worry, you're safe," Kara tried to reassure the girl, not taking her eyes off the man.
"Leave. Now." Sam reached out, turned the man around and shoved him a good ten feet back into the woods. The man took thirty or so steps then suddenly turned around and started running toward Sam even as Sam started walking back toward the women.
"Sam he's got a knife!" Kara screamed, as she saw the man closing in on Sam. She ran a few steps then jumped. Her shoes, and jeans slid off as her legs thinned and shortened. The rest of her clothes managed to somehow stay on even as she landed as a reddish haired wolf but tangled and dragged on the ground as she ran, nearly tripping her as she leaped at the man.
It was a close moment. He was drawing back his right arm as he lunged at Sam with his left. Her muzzle closed around the man's forearm shattering the bone as she clamped down. She felt other bones dislocate and snap even as she let go landing and rolling out of the way as Sam reached out grabbed the man and tossed him. She watched the man's look of horror as he sailed twenty feet through the air and crashed into a tree head first. She heard the sound of his neck breaking.
Roses and Fangs: Prologue
It was a sunny day late in the afternoon and school had been out for a couple of hours. Their backpacks tossed on the back porch, the two thirteen year olds sat underneath the shade of one of the trees laughing as they playfully tossed sticks at each other and laughed at shared inside jokes and school goings-on the way only the best of friends do. The girl tossing her dark red hair a bit, then scrunching her nose as a twig bounced off her cheek.
"Did you hear Jason and Trisha got caught kissing in the art room during recess?" she asked as she flung the twig back at him hitting him in the chin.
"Yeah, kinda gross if you ask me. Why would anyone want to kiss?" he searched around for a slightly larger twig and finding one proceeded to toy with it, contemplating where to aim his next throw.
"Oh, I don't know," she blushed slightly, "I've always wondered what it would be like to be kissed."
Startled the boy lost his concentration and the twig fell through his fingers. "Really? Well, um... we... if you want... I mean..." he stuttered glancing her way.
"Sure!... if you don't mind that is," she replied blushing a bit more.
"Um yeah, okay," he moved toward her.
The kiss was a little awkward, as many first kisses are, involving some adjusting as noses squished together, and lips learned to line up. In the end, though, it was a good kiss, a simple sweet kiss that left both a little happier when they pulled back. Then she opened her eyes.
She looked into his eyes the way she had done a thousand times before. This time though something was different. It was only a split second, a flash of light in his eyes that could have been dismissed as a trick of the light and it frightened her o the core.
Every instinct in her told her to run, and she did, grabbing her backpack off the porch before disappearing around the side of the house. She didn't stop running till she reached her home and the waiting arms of her mother, sobbing quietly.
Not once did she look back to see the bewildered boy get to his feet and stare after her, not even when he called out "Kara wait! Kara!" Nor did she notice the figure watching from just inside the back door, eyes narrowing at the scene, the look changing from concern to hatred in a second.
"Did you hear Jason and Trisha got caught kissing in the art room during recess?" she asked as she flung the twig back at him hitting him in the chin.
"Yeah, kinda gross if you ask me. Why would anyone want to kiss?" he searched around for a slightly larger twig and finding one proceeded to toy with it, contemplating where to aim his next throw.
"Oh, I don't know," she blushed slightly, "I've always wondered what it would be like to be kissed."
Startled the boy lost his concentration and the twig fell through his fingers. "Really? Well, um... we... if you want... I mean..." he stuttered glancing her way.
"Sure!... if you don't mind that is," she replied blushing a bit more.
"Um yeah, okay," he moved toward her.
The kiss was a little awkward, as many first kisses are, involving some adjusting as noses squished together, and lips learned to line up. In the end, though, it was a good kiss, a simple sweet kiss that left both a little happier when they pulled back. Then she opened her eyes.
She looked into his eyes the way she had done a thousand times before. This time though something was different. It was only a split second, a flash of light in his eyes that could have been dismissed as a trick of the light and it frightened her o the core.
Every instinct in her told her to run, and she did, grabbing her backpack off the porch before disappearing around the side of the house. She didn't stop running till she reached her home and the waiting arms of her mother, sobbing quietly.
Not once did she look back to see the bewildered boy get to his feet and stare after her, not even when he called out "Kara wait! Kara!" Nor did she notice the figure watching from just inside the back door, eyes narrowing at the scene, the look changing from concern to hatred in a second.
Roses and Fangs: Prestory notes
There are so many vampire and werewolf stories out there it is hard to be entirely creative when it comes to putting together a totally new myth system or entirely avoid having similar plots. Most authors that write about either or both, regardless of genre (fantasy, romance, science fiction, or manga), don't even try. I myself often mix a one or more of the following myths into my view of werewolves and vampires; Vampire the Masquerade and its spin offs, Dungeons and Dragons vs. 2-3.5, and Underworld. I do however also sometimes subscribe to the idea of Daywalkers, a kind of vampire that can withstand daylight with few if any adverse effects, and of other kinds of were creatures such as werelions, werecats and the like.
Obviously, I cannot help but be influenced by authors such as Salvatore, Tolkien, Galen, Briggs, and others.
Similarly, plot lines in werewolf/vampire tales often are influenced heavily by each other. The "forbidden" romance between a werewolf and a vampire, for example, is one of the more common plots or subplots in this form of literature, and one I have long wanted to explore myself...
Obviously, I cannot help but be influenced by authors such as Salvatore, Tolkien, Galen, Briggs, and others.
Similarly, plot lines in werewolf/vampire tales often are influenced heavily by each other. The "forbidden" romance between a werewolf and a vampire, for example, is one of the more common plots or subplots in this form of literature, and one I have long wanted to explore myself...
Introduction
A long time ago I had a LiveJournal account and a shared blog there where I and others posted stories and poems. On both my personal and the shared journal, I posted some poems, short stories, and bits of some longer stories I've worked on off and on there. Sadly the shared journal died when I let my LJ die. Recently, I found I missed writing and with all the ideas that fly though my brain, I decided to regain that practice. Who knows, if I can figure out my old passwords to LJ, I may even someday import or copy some of my older work here, or possibly revise/reprise them instead. Either way I hope this blog will be a fun place for anyone that comes across it. So welcome to my imagination, as weird, scary, or perverted as it sometimes may be...
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