Running from the truth (Done)

[Seb Reed]

Sebastian was unaware that such men, or Estates, continued to exist. Were there fathers out there still who treated their offspring as items to heighten their own social standing? Being born and bred in New York, Sebastian was only accustomed to freedom, of both speech and action. He shook his head as Sayen explained her predicament. He’d been wrong, obviously, and as guilty as he may have been for attacking Sayen without rhyme or reason, he was at least glad he might have delivered her from such a fate.

Even if he did find it slightly creepy that the first good thing she could think of about her new circumstances was how best to kill someone. At least, he assumed that’s what she wanted to do.

And the fact that she’d been healing this whole time disoriented her, made her worry and lose self-control. Shouldn’t it have been the former that made her worry, and not the latter? Shouldn’t excelled healing be seen as a merit, not something to freak out over? But Sebastian couldn’t judge or even try to understand why Sayen acted the way she did. Never had he been in any kind of situation similar to hers. There was no putting himself in her shoes—his imagination couldn’t handle it.

So instead he frowned concernedly and paused. He wanted to reach out to comfort her, an instinctual reaction given the pleading look in her eyes. And they were so very close to the house, too. Couldn’t she wait until they were inside to freak out, so that he could answer her questions in a calm and soothing atmosphere?

And, as if Sayen had read his thoughts, she calmed down completely, smiled at him in a serene and almost creepy way, before making her way toward the house and indoors. Once there, she turned, and though she did not beckon Sebastian knew she was waiting for him.

Sebastian cleared his throat, glanced over his shoulder once, before following her. There was something not quite right about her behaviour, but he wasn’t about to forsake her. So he passed by her and into the kitchen, taking the opportunity to answer her question as he led her toward the lounge, where he would let her rest if she needed to and get her a phone, if she still required it.

“There’s no wound because you’re healing. You’re healing faster than I expected, but you’re healing. It’s nothing to be worried about.” He said, gesturing toward the couch but remained standing himself as he idly scratched at the base of his scalp. The fire was still alight in the fireplace, and Sebastian sauntered over to poke at the fuel, and throw another piece of wood in. They may not have needed the warmth, but it was still a comfort.

“Do you want something to drink? Eat? I can get you the phone... and we can talk. There are some important things you should know before you go anywhere.” He said. All this he said distractedly, still confused by Sayen’s odd behaviour. He’d taken the time to make sure the words came out clear, and hoped that she would not misconstrue them. He didn’t want to sound as if he was going to keep her there against her will. But he’d hoped he’d made his intentions perfectly clear from the beginning.

[Bryce Lamkin]

It was somewhat disorientating to wake up on her own in Sebastian’s bed, for Bryce was used to his back or chest being the first thing she saw upon waking. His absence furthered this unfamiliar sense that coursed through her, but her resolve to understand the circumstances was shot down when he did not reply to her half-awake beckoning. Instead of trying to make sense of his absence, the brunette pulled the covers over her head and returned to sleep. It would be another hour until she stirred again.

As she kicked the heavy comforter off her frame, the werewolf was made aware of the staggering pain in her left thigh. Suddenly the juxtaposition of chopped-up, nonsensical memories which she had deemed part of a very disturbing dream, took on a surprisingly realistic air. Bryce sat herself up and regarded her nude figure. Slowly coming to, she managed to retrieve the reason for the wound which stretched from body to knee along her left quadriceps. Though the wound looked far better than it had been hours prior, the new skin was still quite pink, scattered clusters of scabs littering the otherwise smooth flesh.

Carefully, she manoeuvred her way out of the bed and made her way to the restroom. Having washed her face and brushed her teeth, Bryce made her way back into Sebastian’s room as she tied her shaggy hair up into a messy bun. There was no signs of any of her clothes on the floor, so she could only presume her sire had not gone through the trouble of getting anything for her to change into. It was of no consequence, for she found a pair of plaid, green boxers, and an oversized shirt, amongst his clean clothes. The man had seemed to be relatively preoccupied with his thoughts the previous 'night'; he surely had more on his minds than clothes. As time passed, Bryce grew further aware of the connective nature of her thoughts and memories of the precedent morning.

It was as she was making her way towards her room in hopes of getting showered, that she heard the door open downstairs. Reaching back to scratch between her shoulder blades, Bryce listened for any clues as to who was returning. If her memories did her any justice, she did recall the emergence of a new female in the house, as well as Rakav’s return... The last people she wanted to see in her current state were either pack members. Sniffling, she traced her steps back to the top of the staircase she had passed only seconds ago, and called out for Sebastian. It sure sounded like him talking, but to who?

“Scruffs?” she scratched behind her ear as her free hand clutched to the railing, her step unstable as the use of her muscle made it hard to walk normally. It did not hurt as much as it had earlier, but the dull ache resembled the sort one got after training too hard at the gym for the first time in months and not stretching therein after. Clearing her throat as she reached the bottom step, she made her way towards the living room. The surprise waiting for her there would cause her to stop in her steps at the doorway, raising an eyebrow ever so slightly before slowly making her way towards him.

Was this the same woman as last night?

[Sayen Wake]

The beast followed without question and as she entered the house she could sense almost every member of the pack. She knew that some where present but not all of them. But she could smell their scent all over and she shivered with excitement though she was young she felt so old and with each breath she now understood, in part, why. As they entered the lounge she glanced around. She had not expected such fine things and realised that even though they where monsters did not mean they could not indulge.

As her maker spoke she glanced at her shoulder, and could see the scars where the wounds where. She looked at him with a questioning look when he spoke about his confusion at her rate of healing. She would have thought it was a good thing. But she shrugged it off as a passing judgment. As he gestured to the sofa she sat down without speaking a word and folded her hands neatly in her lap. She was in a way testing him. She had realised that her maker had yet to notice her mannerisms and she was admittedly a little hurt. She was being so submissive it hurt and he did not even change his body language to be the dominant.

Something happened then, she touched on the minds of all of her pack and realised why he was not showing her such behaviour. Though he was her maker and by right her teacher and guide he was not the Alpha of this pack. A cruel smirk slivered onto her lips and she stored that information away for later use. She felt that his lack of leadership might be a subject which was tender to him and could come in handy when she decided to enact her revenge upon him.

As he offered her a drink and some food she considered her answer carefully. She did not wish to make this her home, or at least she did not wish to do so right now. And she had the amusing notion that if she accepted any more than the basic help he had offered before she would become stuck. She shook her head politely. “I just need to use the phone, I have a few things stored encase I ever needed to leave the city in a rush and I will need a friend to collect them for me. I shall not impose myself on your kind nature for too long.”

She was about to ask what it was he wanted her to know before she took her leave as she could not think of anything which could be any more important than the fact she was now a soulless beast. But just as he lips parted she became painfully aware of another presence. She glanced over her shoulder and towards the doorway. There stood a woman who obviously wanted to know what was going on. Her eyes moved between the unknown woman and Sebastian and she wondered if she should introduce herself of remain silent.

Deciding it was not her place she slowly rose and took a few steps away from Sebastian before talking to him in a low and calm tone. “Maybe you should make the introductions.” She shot a small smile towards the woman before folding her arms across her chest and staring at the floor.

[Seb Reed]

Sebastian frowned tersely as she refused the food and drink and asked only for the food. Little did she know how small an imposition she was. In the back of his mind, Sebastian was already wondering where she could sleep, if she was going to stay here. He was wondering how Rakav and Bryce would react to this new turn of events—Rakav he was stubbornly refusing to think about too much. Bryce was a different story, however.

And even as she came to the fore of his mind, her voice echoed to him from the top floor of the house. Sebastian rolled his eyes at the name she chose to call him by—a perfect first impression for Sayen. For so long he and Bryce had had the house to themselves, and they’d got used to yelling at each other across the space. He smiled again at Sayen.

“I’ll go get the phone.” He said, before exiting the lounge and sauntering toward the hall, where one of the hand-held phones usually resided. Once he was out of sight, he called back to Bryce;

“In the lounge!”

And then he turned on his heel and walked back to Sayen; he put the phone on the coffee table in front of the couch as he waited for Bryce to reach them. She stopped in the doorway and said nothing, and Sebastian’s first urge was to reassure her. He held his hand out for her, missing her immediate proximity.

As he waited for her to join him, Sebastian shot a look back at Sayen who’d suggested he make the introductions. If she’d give him the chance, it was exactly what he was about to do.

“Of course. Bryce, this is Sayen. Sayen, this is Bryce.” Sebastian’s gaze sought Bryce’s as the first simple introduction was made. And that was exactly what it was... it was only simple. There were so many different introductions lurking beneath the surface. There was no need to let Sayen know of the relationship shared by he and Bryce, as that should become immediately obvious.

But how to tell them both of the bond they now shared? That was the hard part. So Sebastian cleared his throat and bit back any reserve. Anything he had to say to Sayen, he could say it in front of Bryce. He wasn’t in the habit of hiding anything from her—it would only be means to a bad end.

“Okay, so here goes.” He turned back to Sayen. “So, as I told you before, I was the one who attacked you. And you’re healing fast because...well, you’re no longer human. You are like me. And you’re part of this pack...with myself, Bryce, Rakav and... Rayen.” He’d had to think for a second to try to recall the other woman’s name. He’d been about to say Thera, but it seemed Rakav’s newest childe would act as a replacement. Sebastian wasn’t sure he approved, but now was not the time to think about Rakav and his actions.

“I’m...sorry.” He said, finding it difficult for the words to leave his mouth. In order to try cover the awkwardness of the situation, he laughed, reaching behind his head to scratch idly at his scalp.

“If it’s any consolation, both you and Bryce have something in common. Neither of you chose for this to happen to you.” He said, glancing momentarily back at Bryce—he wanted her reassurance, but wasn’t sure how she was going to react to this new turn of events.

[Bryce Lamkin]

Raising a hand to push back the loose strands framing her face, Bryce kept her inquisitive gaze on the stranger as her free hand found Sebastian’s. Her fingers loosely curled around his, and her gaze flickered to his face when the woman addressed him, offering a meek smile before lowering her own gaze to the ground. Briefly releasing his fingers, she moved her wrist so that she could envelope his hand with hers, brown eyes inquisitively staring up at him. She offered him a reassuring smile, though the awkwardness of the situation caused it to waver slightly as she shot a side-glance at the stranger.

Of course. Bryce, this is Sayen. Sayen, this is Bryce.

Parting her smiling lips to say something, the shortest of the three glanced back at the stranger named Sayen and let out a breathless, disbelieving laugh. It was needless to vocalize the thoughts that coursed her mind as she glanced up at him. Her hesitance and embarrassed conduct suggested the possible scenarios that were filtering through the cracks of her otherwise unyielding trust. Releasing his hand, simply because it was the one she used to shake hands, she reached forwards to Sayen.

“Hi...”

It was evident that she was expecting a little more information from either of them to determine whether her greeting deserved to be followed by a ‘Nice to meet you, Sayen’. Withdrawing her hand after flashing Sayen a friendly smile, Bryce turned her head to look at Sebastian as her arm winded around his lower torso. Setting her hand above the small of his back, she watched him clear his throat before casting another blameless glance in Sayen’s direction. The light brunette momentarily pondered whether she should take the lead and ask questions, but it looked like her sire was preparing to say something.

Bryce’s eyebrows shot upwards as Sebastian began to explain himself to Sayen. In a way, she immediately empathized with the female, having been in the same position herself a year prior. Whereas Saber had been saved, it appeared that the two of them shared the event itself in common. Her fingers parted with his back momentarily as she thought back to that most auspicious of nights. She could remember how terrified she had been when the wolf had attacked her, and how... well, she didn’t remember much more for she had passed out soon after. However, if Sayen had suffered the same fate as her, how come she was not bleeding profusely and on the verge of unconsciousness like Bryce had been?

Then a series of more disturbing and oestrogen-fuelled thoughts used her doubts as a means to overtake her mind. Why was Sebastian attacking women in the first place? What about their relationship as sire and childe, would it potentially develop into something similar than Sebastian’s and hers had? Was Sayen a threat, or a blessing? It was somewhat nice to have another female in the house after being surrounded by men, but would that change the dynamic of things? The werewolf set her hand back on Sebastian’s back, fingers curling slightly as though trying to be as attached to him as she possibly could in this instance.

When he looked back at her for encouragement, she stroked his back reassuringly and looked over at Sayen with a comforting smile. There was an expression on her face, a dichotomy of comfort and discomfort that only another woman would be able to pick up on. Swallowing thickly, Bryce’s smile took on a less strained appearance as she glanced at the fire for a few seconds.

“It’s not as bad as it seems, really... plus your body seems to be handling it well, you are very much healed...” she interjected distractedly, glancing up at Sayen's body.

It was not Bryce's place to comment on the oddness surrounding the speed at which the other was healing, but a brief glance in Sebsatian direcion suggested there was a double-meaning to her words that he should catch up on. Clearing her throat, she reached around his hip and pressed her shoulder into him, whilst her free hand searched around for his.


“Can I-” she paused briefly and looked at Sayen as she spoke. “Can I get you anything? A change of clothes? Something to drink...or eat, perhaps? How about you?” Her last question was clearly directed to Sebastian as she turned to look up at him before glancing back at her briefly. God, she was glad she needn't ask him whether he needed clothes, else that would have made this far more awkward than it already was.

[Sayen Wake]

Sayen waited in patient silence as she listened to the two of them speak. She knew that by their body language alone she was not truly welcome. She did not blame them it was clear by her interactions that there was something going on between the two of them and in all honest she did not wish to step on toes tonight. She offered warm smiles when needed and even shook hands with Bryce. Everything seemed so formal and awkward that she did not know how to react.

She studied Bryce for a few moments trying to imagine what her turning had been like. She had seen the glance she had offered and Sayen knew that something was amiss. Both of them had seemed so shocked at the rate at which she was healing. She had seen that look many times before, it was confusion and misunderstanding. They did not know what was happening to her and though opinions where offered she did not know what to believe.

As the offer to get something more for her was made she shook her head politely, she just wanted the phone. She sensed that it would be preferred if she remained within the house but the atmosphere was less than comfortable and she just wanted to return to her home where she could make arrangements to leave. However she did not tell this to Sebastian, she did not wish to be stopped if she tried to leave. “It is a pleasure to meet you Bryce… But I must excuse myself I need to phone my friend” With a slight bow of her head she walked away from the two and picked the phone up on her way out into the hall way.

She quickly dialled the number she needed and waited as it ringed. A rough voice answered and she spoke quickly but with a whisper. “It’s me… I need you to get my bag and go to the arranged meeting place…Yes I know you warned before…I cannot tell you where I am phoning from…Yes as soon as I get the chance…You too my friend.”

Hanging up the phone she glanced into the lounge as knew that she was at least in part being watched. She did not wish to make a fuss so she decided to take her leave without telling them. “I’m just going to go to the bathroom, to freshen up.” She called out in a casual manner and wandered down the corridor.

It did not take her long to locate the bathroom; the smell of disinfectant told her it was the right room. Opening the door she smirked before stepping inside. She turned on both taps before climbing up and opening the window as wide as she could. She felt adrenaline rush through her as she pulled herself up and out the window. Her exit however was less than graceful as she had not taken the time to judge the fall before her.

Landing on her behind heavily she froze praying she had not been heard. Seconds later she was on her feet and running into the dark forest before her. She only took one glance back, to allow her mind to take in the location of the house one last time. She was going to return one day and take her revenge on her maker, but not tonight.

[Seb Reed]

Bryce, indeed, was a saviour in his time of need. Her proximity comforted him and calmed his nerves. He did not know where Rakav and Rayen were, and he was worried on several counts. But, as far as it mattered, those that he worried for were in the same room as he was. He had to relax, otherwise things could become far worse than they already were.

Bryce’s reaction, too, gave Sebastian reason to relax. He hadn’t known what to expect. He hadn’t known whether she’d be angry, or whether she’d feel threatened by the new presence. If she felt either of those things she didn’t show it, and the first advice she offered Sayen gave Sebastian reason to be both proud, and overwhelmingly glad that he had Bryce there to help him. If Sayen could see how well he and Bryce got along, even though Bryce’s siring was exactly the same as Sayen’s, she’d... she’d what? She was being very courteous so far, and didn’t seem distressed or pissed off.

It was strange. Disturbing, even.

Bryce mentioned something about Sayen’s rate of healing, and though out of the corner of his eye he caught the glance she shifted in his direction, he did not meet it. He did not take his eyes from Sayen, ready for whatever move she might make.

But when Bryce offered food—even offering it to him—he did finally glance her way. When had she decided to become so courteous toward him? Maybe it was just the company. Although he could have been hungry, Sebastian was far too distracted to consume food. He’d started to shake his head in negation, but was beaten to the punch by Sayen.

She didn’t want anything, she just wanted the phone.

She made no comment on what he’d just told her; no rant on how she did not believe him and that none of it could be true. She treated the information as if it were ordinary, or as if she had not heard it at all. In fact, she only responded to Bryce’s inquiries, and to nothing Sebastian had said. Of course he let her take the phone to call her friend, but as she walked from the room he straightened his shoulders and clenched his fists. He didn’t know what to think of her. He was trying to have an important conversation with her, but she was not listening. A shudder ran down his spine and throughout his limbs; the sire in him wanted to chase after Sayen, to grab her by the arm and make her listen.

Instead, he turned fully to Bryce; he grasped her hand and bent forward so as to catch her eye.

“Thank you. I swear I’ll explain all of this to you later.” He said, wanting to explain it fully right then and there but lacking the time. He didn’t like having Sayen out of his sight. Why? He didn’t quite know. But he had an itch to follow her. He didn’t.

And then she called out—she was going to the bathroom to freshen up. It seemed wrong, somehow. She was in a strange house amongst strangers; wasn’t it common etiquette to excuse oneself, to enquire after the location of the bathroom? Maybe not. Whatever the case, he was wary. He had been ever since his confrontation with Rakav. Could he be trusted? Had he caused the fire that had killed Thera? There were so many things clamouring for Sebastian’s attention, and he didn’t know which to focus on. He was getting his wires crossed.

He sighed and closed his eyes, bowing his head as he tried to think rationally.

“For now...do you think you could go check on her? She might feel more comfortable around you, I'm not sure she's taking this very well, or she's taking it too well...” Sebastian said, shaking his head as he frowned, unable to figure it out.

“I can go... get us some food, if you want.” He was trading food for a favour. And he hoped Bryce would continue to be the absolute angel that she had been so far.

[Bryce Lamkin]

Bryce pressed her tongue against the back of her lower teeth as Sayen replied to her inquiries with practiced mannerisms. There was no reaction whatsoever on her behalf other than that serene countenance, which was rather eerie to say the least. Completely out of the loop however, Bryce could not conjure sufficient proof to denounce this woman’s odd behaviour as anything other than denial or a really delayed reaction. She too had been in this situation, but it was not because she had lost her temper then that Sayen was to follow in her footsteps. Regardless on how similar their siring may have been, they were two very different people. Then again, perhaps Sebastian had already told her all this, and the reaction had been and gone, but somehow she doubted it; her sire’s muscles were tense under her touch.

Clearing her throat, the brunette cast a side-long glance at Sebastian when the other woman exited the room. As much as she wanted to tell him that she wanted the darned explanation now, she too felt uncomfortable knowing that there was a stranger in their home that was in another room. Looking down at his hand, she took his in between both of hers and sighed. Bryce had been about to say something when Sayen announced she would freshen up. Usually a guest would have to be shown around, and though it would have been natural for the shorter werewolf to offer her help, she found herself staying in front of her sire.

When Sebastian sighed and closed his eyes, the brunette reached up with one hand to cup his cheek. He was tired and stressed, and she had yet to hear the full story from the previous morning, having been half asleep for the most part of his rant. Sighing as he appealed to her for help, Bryce resignedly broke all physical contact and took a step away from him. It was evident that she was not pleased with what was going on, completely frustrated by the situation in which she was. Still, she did not contest to his request, and instead shrugged unenthusiastically at his proposal of food as she made her way to the hall.

Once there, she reached up for her head, the ache ever so present. There were far too many thoughts going through her mind. Who was this woman he had sired? Why was she so strong? What was going on in this house? How had things gotten so messed up this preceding full moon? Sighing, Bryce stepped up to the door and listened for a few seconds before knocking.

You alright in there? she called through the wooden surface, pressing her ear against it. Sniffling, Bryce pulled away when she heard no response. The tap water was making a constant sound, a sound she recognized from having used flowing water as a way to mask something else she was doing. Then again, they were not the same person, maybe Sayen was clutching onto the sink, letting the water flow as she stared at herself in the mirror.

Hey, Sayen?

When there was no reply, Bryce turned the door knob and popped her head hesitantly around the door’s edge.

Saye...?

Pushing the door fully open, the werewolf stepped in and searched the bathroom once. The fresh air coming in was sufficient to guide her gaze to the open window. Sighing, she reached for the taps, turning them so the water would be shut off.

Sebastian? She’s gone Bryce called out, looking around the dim space for any potential clues as to what might have ensued such an exit. Making her way to the window, she glanced out into the dark wilderness, suddenly remembering what it had been like when she had run away from Rakav and Sebastian’s explanation the first time.

[Seb Reed]

Bryce acquiesced to Sebastian’s request and, as she stood back from him and sighed her frustration, Sebastian contorted his face into the expression he knew worked best; eyes wide and pleading, hands clasped in front of him as if in prayer, or close to it, head bowed forward and brows raised.

And then she was gone, after Sayen, and Sebastian sighed once more. He didn’t immediately make his way to the kitchen. Instead, he stood alone in the lounge and vigorously rubbed his face with his hands, massaging his temples in an attempt to soothe an ache he wasn’t even sure was present anymore. He ought to have had a migraine by now, but the affliction was evasive, lurking at the edges. Oh, it would attack soon enough. But it was waiting for the opportune moment.

Finally, he turned to retrace his steps back toward the kitchen. He wasn’t even sure there was much to eat. When had they gone grocery shopping last? So much had happened in the last forty-eight hours that he couldn’t recall the simplest of memories from beforehand.

Not that it mattered. He was saved from having to even enter the kitchen by Bryce’s voice, echoing down the hall and weaving its way toward him. Sayen was...what?! Sebastian was immediately in the hall and making his way toward the bathroom at a pace that could have been described as half a run.

Even as he entered the bathroom he was looking around, as if he might find some clue that Bryce had missed. He’d never suspect that Bryce would lie, or that she was stupid. Of course Sayen was gone, he’d known it as soon as Bryce had called it out to him. But he didn’t want to believe it.

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me!” He said, his formerly clenched fist swiping at the little pump bottle that held the hand soap, sending it crashing and smashing against a nearby wall. And then he was over at the window beside Bryce, trying to figure out which direction Sayen could have gone in; and then he was pacing the small room, fists clasping at his hair as if attempting to pull it from its roots.

He was bone weary and wanted nothing more than to collapse into his bed and sleep for a month. But he was also restless. He was furious and frustrated. He was confused, and didn’t know what to do. Did he go after her? Did he let her go? If he went after her... then what? He couldn’t restrain her and force to come back with him. All he could do was talk, but what would he say?

No, she knew where he lived, and she knew where to come if she had questions. The next month would prove to be interesting for her, but he believed he didn’t have to worry too much about her until the next full moon. And he knew that he would be able to track her, regardless of how long she was gone.

Still, he stalked from the room like a man on a mission, as if his only intention was to exit the manor and follow her. But his resolve was broken when he re-entered the lounge, and instead he collapsed into one of the couches and buried his head in his hands. His head was spinning, and a dull ache had started to form at the back of his skull. This latest turn of events had finally lured the migraine from its cave.

There was no rush. Sayen couldn’t get very far, could she? He was sure it could wait, if only for a day...