---

The damp morning air deafened the poorly lit path. Every movement in the early morning light was lackadaisical and dreary, further tarnishing any hope of a happy mood for the Grimm.

His hunched form was pressed low against the back of his steed, seeming to disappear into the depths of the horse. Elias' breaths were slow and drawn out, accentuating the depressing mood of the morning.

He had been on the road for almost four hours now, despite the sun only just rising. Restless nights and moving shadows had spurred the man to continue his journey despite his lack of sleep.

The horse beneath him was clearly exhausted, however he still pushed it forward, unwilling to stop for even a moment.

The words of his father still rang in his ears, making his stomach churn and his heart sink into his chest. "Go to the east. Find your cousin. Help her. Become a Grimm once more."

Elias closed his eyes and pulled his hood up over his head, attempting to drown out any sense of reality. It had been almost four months since Taric's death. Despite his best efforts, there was nothing Elias could have done to save him. Except perhaps be more cautious.

The empty feeling in his chest only increased as the thoughts of his fallen partner began to take over his mind, forcing every single ounce of happiness from him.

Grieving wasn't something Grimm's did. They were stronger than that. But here Elias was, over three months later, still weak and dishevled.

Hundar, Elias' horse, stumbled beneath him, forcing the man to tighten his grip on the reins and pull himself into a sitting position to stay on his steed. As he sat up, he noticed that the trees around him were beginning to thin, indicating open plains ahead.

Hundar whinnied softly and trotted along the path, forcing both him and his rider into a higher state of conciousness. Elias gently patted the side of Hundar's neck, whispering quietly in his ear about rest that was soon to come.

Over the course of the next hour, the trees gave way to lush plains of tall, wavy grass, still damp in the waxing sun. The clouds above broke way to illuminate the area, however it was muted and dull, eliciting nothing more than disinterest and disdain from Elias.

Did his father really think he could just easily replace Taric by sending him to some godforsaken estate across the land to work with some half-competent woman that he had met twice in his entire life? For such an intelligent man, Elias' father showed little to no tact in this situation.

While he wasn't eager to continue his approach to the estate where his cousin supposedly awaited him, his desire for security and rest were more powerful than his distaste. Hundar's exhausted legs soon brought the hooded rider to a lavish estate with towering fences and well structured walls. The architecture and layout of the estate were more likely rather impressive, however they passed by unnoticed as Elias guided Hundar along the path towards the heart of the matter.

The sudden, faint thud of an arrow striking wood perked Elias' attention, causing his guard to raise as he slowed Hundar's speed to a slow trot.

Before he could unsheath a dagger he kept within Hundar's saddle, he caught sight of a woman weilding a bow, pulling an arrow from the center of a target.

Alexis' father had told her nothing of their soon to arrive guest until this morning. To say she was unhappy about it was an understatement. She didn't understand why her father couldn't just keep fighting the evil with her like he had since Maggie's death.

She was wearing riding boots and pants both of which were taboo for women in this day and age. It irritated her to no end that in public she was expected to be submissive and act like there was nothing between her ears. Women were prized for the amount of children they could have and if her memory served her well she was almost certain that this Grimm cousin would act like that with her.

As she hit the target dead center while wearing a blindfold she thought to herself. I dare him to treat me like that.

Hearing the hooves of a horse she turned and went to the front of the house and saw him as he pulled the horse to a stop. Seeing the shape of the horse she grabbed it by the reigns and spoke to it softly and reassuringly. To him she raised her voice and anger.

"How could you not stop and take care of your horse? What kind of brute are you?" She said disgustedly.

---

Elias' muscles tightened as she so easily approached and took the reigns from his hands. The instant her mouth opened, he could sense what she was going to say, and his shoulders clenched further, causing a strong amount of anger to rise in his chest.

Had Elias possessed the energy, he would have made a large host of sarcastic retorts, however he didn't have the strength nor patience for it. Elias wrapped his hand around the reign and mutterred a word command word to Hundar.

The horse snapped its head to the side and jerked the reign out of the woman's hand as Elias cast a distasteful glare at her and gently flicked the reigns, moving past her without so much as a word. He guided his horse towards the stables and weakly slid out of the saddle, his knees bending far more than normal as his tired body hit the ground.

Whispering soothing words to Hundar, he gently rubbed his muzzle and brought him into an empty stall, allowing the horse to familiarize himself with his new surroundings before he settled in.

Highly irritated at his dismissal of her she followed him and said nothing but brought the horse food and water. Just as she was about to say something to him her mother came out with her father. Her father entered the barn and she rushed past him as her mother called her name.

At her mother's insistence she checked the household chores that the lady of the house was supposed to supervise. After doing this tedious chore she went to her room and pulled her gear on and she disappeared into the woods on her own. She wasn't going to be pushed into anything, she was going to blow off some steam.

After speaking to Elias, Alexis' father went looking for his headstrong daughter and when he checked her room and saw that her weapons were all missing he became angry with her. Rushing back out into the house he yelled at the young men that worked on the landscaping and stable areas and they all set out to check every inch of their land.

Alexis was fighting mostly nasty but less deadly creatures. The more intelligent of the evil creatures strayed much further from the Grimm homes. She knew without her partner, whomever that may be she shouldn't take any upper level baddies on her own. Maggie had done that and it was an exceptionally bad lowen that had gotten into her sights. By that time it was too late. Alexis was fighting a Manticore at that time and she had her hands full. She saw her sister fall and the memory relived in her psyche multiple times a day.

She hurried home before bedtime so her father wouldn't have a stroke. He pulled her roughly into the library when she got back. She sat in the chair and listened to his irate yelling at her until he walked out of the room.

---

Elias conversation with his uncle was brief and distant. Beyond the exchange of basic pleasantries and a slightly cold welcome, Elias remembered nothing of it.

A servant led him to his quarters; the long trudge upstairs seemed like a mountain to the tired traveller, however he made it without complaint, nodding absently to the servant as he prattled on about what he could do to serve Elias.

The voice of the boy eventually faded into the background as Ellias gently leaned against the wall, looking out over the estate through a small window. Many men moved across the field towards the woods, shouting and signalling to each other. A small frown crossed the man's face, however he pushed it aside and pulled his cloak from his shoulders, tossing it onto the back of his chair as he began working on his shirt.

The small clearing of a throat caused the Grimm to frown, turning around to see the boy awkwardly staring at the ground. A small, weak chuckle arose from Elias chest.

"Ah, my apologies. You're excused. Thank you." Elias managed a weak smile, nodding gently at the boy. He simply lacked the strength to be disdainful or aggressive. Had he been more energized, perhaps he would have regretted his actions towards the woman who had approached him earlier. Then again, she had seriously overstepped her bounds.

The youth bowed his head and muttered his awkward thanks before quickly exiting the room, obviously relieved to be out of the room before Elias removed any more clothes. The notion struck him as odd; normally, servants didn't show any qualms about that kind of thing out west. Must be different in the East.

Elias tossed aside his clothes and nestled himself into the quilts laid out on the bed, entering a deep, dreamless sleep.

---

The sun was just peaking over the horizon when the Grimm awoke, disoriented and in a foul mood. A new set of clothes was draped over the edge of a chair by his bed, obviously put there for his use.

Elias slowly changed into them, making his way to the first level of the estate and quietly slipping outside to the stables. The cold morning air bit into his cheeks, promising a wet, rainy day.

He found Hundar asleep in the corner of the stable, well washed and fed. Elias had originally planned on performing these actions himself, however the estate hands had beat him to it. Pleased with their work, Elias returned inside, following the scents of food to the main hall, where an excellent dinner was set.

Marcus, Ellinora, and the woman from earlier all dined quietly. Marcus smiled broadly and motioned for Elias to join them. "Come, join us. It's good to see you awake."

Elias managed a smile and took his seat across from the woman, nodding to Marcus in thanks. "It's wonderful to be welcomed so warmly into your home, Uncle." The pleasantries were a facade, however Elias didn't want to alienate himself within the first day of arriving.

With a small, mirthless smile on his face, Elias turned to face the woman from yesterday. "Forgive my presumptions, but I am led to believe that you must be Alexis Grimm. Do I deduce correctly?"

Alexis looked up from her plate and caught his expression and thought a moment before answering him. She smiled politely but the smile never reached her eyes. "Indeed you are correct. Congratulations! My father said you were an intelligent sort." Before she could add anything else she was interrupted by her father's dirty look.

"Settle down young lady." Turning to Elias he said, "Please forgive your cousin. She was not at all happy with getting a new partner, but since Maggie-" Alexis caught the hitch in his voice as he cleared his throat. "Since our other daughter was killed in battle just a couple of months ago it is necessary. I'm not as fast as I used to be and she needs someone she can take to social things to find them too."

Alexis watched as her mother got up with tears in her eyes and left the room quietly. Dropping her head and closing her eyes as the memory painfully battered her heart. The look on her sister's face as she lay dying was already engraved into her memory and it flared up searing another flash of anger. Alexis stood up and excused herself to leave but her father called her back.

That made her look up at him and nod her head slowly. Maggie had used that phrase a million times herself. Alexis' eyes locked on Elias' and she nodded and exhaled deeply, accepting the situation and her new partner.
@December

---

Elias gave his full attention to Marcus, completely disregarding the woman across from him. If she wished to be aggressive and offensive, he would counter with indifference; he found that indifference angered people far more than any kind of offensive comment could.

"Ah, I see. I had heard she passed, but I never knew how." Elias bowed his head and held a clasped fist to his chest. "My heart goes out to you. I am sure I can make a difference in the population of beasts here, however I doubt a partnership will be necessary. I find that I work best alone."

A dark shade overcame the Grimm's face as he was forced to recall Taric's death and the subsequent "hysteria", as his mother so aptly labeled it, that followed. While he was unquestionably better off with Taric by his side, Elias knew any other partner would simply hinder him, especially one tied so deeply to their insubordination.

Elias didn't believe that being controlled by one's emotions was a bad thing; in fact, it's what made him excellent at his trade. But she lacked the reserve Elias did. He was able to bottle up his rage until he needed it, able to unleash his bloodlust when it suited him. Of course, he wasn't able to bottle it back up on command, but at least he could choose when he had his outbursts.

The woman across from him was far too emotional to be depended on. She was insubordinate, aggressive, and subject to her primal whims, not any kind of respectable regimen.

A week later

Alexis was putting on her earrings and necklace. She gave herself a critical look in the mirror. She had deep blue eyes that were accented with makeup but not too much. Her nose was nothing extraordinary, it was of the button nose variety. She did however think her lips were a little bit big for her face. Mother said that they were perfect and to dress them with lipstick. She picked a shade that complimented her and finished the look off with a smile that seemed to perk her up a little bit.

She and Elias had been invited to a ball of sorts. A new dress for the ball but it wasn't the normal type that most of the young women wore. Hers had snaps on the inside for the skirt to tear away if needed. Underneath she would be wearing matching pants similar to leggings. That way if she got caught up in fighting she could tear it away and still be ready to fight. She was carrying a bolero type of jacket on her arm.

The ball was being thrown by the Broussard family. The older son had a crush on Alexis so she was expecting that to be something she could work with to her advantage. Elias was her escort and he was supposed to look after her. Fully expecting that Amelia Broussard would claim Elias for her own and for some reason that irritated her. Maybe it was the fact that she and Amelia hated each other and she didn't want to see her happy. Sliding her feet into the matching rose colored high heels she stood up and smoothed her bodice. Her long red hair fell in a cascade of waves and curls with long tendrils around her face. It was pulled up tight on the sides and top. She liked the look it gave her. Smiling she went down stairs. Her mother's eyes lit up and she beamed proudly.

When she appeared her father turned so he could see her and she saw Elias' appearance and expression. She blushed unexpectedly and looked at her father.

"You look beautiful. Are your weapons easily within reach under all of that?" Alexis nodded.

"Yes father, My short sword is strapped to my hip there are daggers inside secret inner pockets. Plus my little purse. Although I couldn't figure out how to bring my bow and quiver!" She engaged her father with a little amusement and turned her attention to Elias.

"Dare I say, you look nice Elias. I'm sure there will be ladies lining up to dance with you when I'm otherwise occupied." She grinned knowing that was more than true. He would be lucky if there weren't a line of twenty or thirty girls waiting for him.

As she climbed into the carriage with the footman's help she sat and thought about the last week. They had not become fast friends or anything but both Elias and Alexis had tried to buck the rules on partners and both had been shot down by her father who threatened them both if they allowed the other to get hurt while hunting. It had put them both in a competitive mode instead of the partnership her father had expected.

Once they had gotten to the Broussard mansion the footman took her hand and she left the carriage and was delivered to Elias who was waiting at the bottom for her. Waiting in line Alexis lightly gripped her cousin's arm feeling all of the female eyes on him. Fresh meat. That is what Elias was to all of these young women trying to land a husband. Alexis giggled softly for a moment and glanced up at Elias feeling sorry for him. She wasn't like most girls. She couldn't care less about landing a husband. She wanted to run her own life.

When the line moved up and she and Elias were at the head of the line she saw Amelia's eyes light up when she saw Elias. Nathan Broussard was at the head of the line greeting people. He took Alexis' white gloved hand and brought it to his lips. She smiled and nodded at his request for a dance. Elias walked her inside and they chose a table near the dance floor.
@December

---

Elias had dreaded the idea of going to the ball the entire week. Not only was he forced into a partnership with Alexis, who a week later remained as stubborn and emotional as ever, but he was now expected to enter the social scene. That had always been Julian's forte; Elias was a much more brutal, rough-and-tumble man.

He had dressed in the clothes provided to him by Marcus, allowing himself to be coaxed into cutting his hair. For the first time in months, Elias was clean shaven. Ever since Taric's death, shaving had seemed inconsequential.

Elias wore a pair of dark pants and leather boots with a half inch heel, laced up to his knees. His shirt and overcoat were varying shades of deep blue, with a white undershirt peeking out from underneath his garments. Elias had managed to hide his Scythe in his attire, folding it in half and slipping the sheathed weapon into his pants, fastening it to his thigh. While it made it slightly inaccessible, it was better to keep it on his lower body than to have one of his dancing partners feel the wicked weapon along his back. The chain was unfortunately left separated from the weapon, as it was far too cumbersome to be conceal easily.

As the pair arrived at the ball, he assist Alexis in dismounting their ride and led her, hand-on-arm, into the ball.

The man that took Alexis hand, Nathan Broussard, did not go unnoticed by Elias. The Grimm quickly sized him up, noting his attractiveness and capable figure; he figured the man probably had a way with the local women.

The table near the dance floor discouraged Elias; the closer their proximity to the festivities, the more difficult it would be to avoid them. Elias was a capable dancer, however he had no desire to fraternize with the women of the town. Instead, he kept his eyes peeled, making sure that every person that approached him and Alexis was entirely human. Many of the greed-filled Wesen tended to be drawn to fanciful events in the hopes of scamming and stealing riches for themselves.

As he and Alexis took a seat at the table, he cleared his throat and glanced around, slightly uncomfortable. "I never really did enjoy the parties and balls my family threw. My brother, Julian, always seemed to thrive in the spotlight, but I've always been a little more..." Elias paused and met Alexis eyes. "Physical."

Elias was a little surprised at his honesty; he had always been able to be frank with Taric, and Alexis did remind him of the man. Slightly.

At events like this, he and his partner has usually expressed distaste and attempted to sneak away, a couple of times with a partygoer or two for some questionable activities. While it was frowned on by his father, he chose to live his life the way he wanted; some called it immature, but Elias didn't care.

Alexis left her drink at the table and presented Elias with her hand and let him lead her to the dance floor. As they danced she pointed out who people were and told them who she felt was likely in need of reaping. She wished that she could include Amelia in that list. "I do believe that you will likely need to keep with me to keep the ladies away lest you be put into a provocative situation or a condemning one." Her eyes searched for one guest in particular.

The new baron was single and said to be involved in sketchy activities and seemed to somehow be linked to several deaths. "Baron Von Hess is likely one." Her eyes found him. He was an oddly muscular man for a baron. That could also be a sign of a lowen or a were. Carefully she pointed him out to Elias. "Don't just take off after him either. You can't look suspicious." Staying him with her hand on his arm as they finished the dance she stared at his eyes for a moment and smiled. "I'll keep you safe from the ladies cousin, as best as I can." She steered him to the opposite side of the dance floor from Amelia and her friends who appeared to be waiting for him. The glare she got from Amelia made her smile sweetly in return. She saw Amelia turn and disappear into the crowd with an attitude.

@December

---

Elias rolled his eyes and stared confidently into Alexis' eyes.

"Alexis, my dear, I've only been doing this my entire life. Elias smiled and snagged a drink from a nearby platter, smoothly bringing it up to this lips for a sip before setting it on the table next to him. "I know a thing or two about being inconspicuous in the most distracting manner. If you don't want to stand out, join in the crowd. If you and I spend the entire evening together, speaking with no one, won't we seem a little odd? After all, it's normally quite the event when an incredibly rich, handsome, unwed noble comes into town."

Elias' eyes flashed with mirth as he led Alexis across the room, a cocky smile playing over his lips as he cast a playful glance over towards a group of nearby ladies'. A couple turned away, disinterested, however a good portion of them showed obvious interest.

It would appear that's all that these events were for. Youth and mature alike searching for partners in a fevered race for riches.

As the pair made their way around, Elias quickly noted a few odd characters, and he even went as far as to spot a Fuschbao (Werefox) in her true form. It was odd, the way a Grimm could see right through a beast's disguise and discern their true form. To Elias, it was as if a person was shapeshifting on the spot, but anyone who wasn't a Grimm couldn't see a thing; to them, it was just a normal person taking a drink, not a fox casually stealing their way into the heart of a nobleman.

Alexis had the best instincts about people. She let go of Elias' arm and wandered over to the new baron who immediately took her hand up to his lips and kissed her hand. Alexis had been wooed by many a man in the last few years. She just couldn't be pushed into marriage. What husband would be okay with her fighting beasts? She was a Grimm, not by blood but in her mind that didn't seem to matter at all. She smiled up at her suitor.

"Why Baron Von Hess, you make me blush like a new debutant."

She blushed appropriately and allowed him to take her arm and pull her hand into his arm gripping her more tightly. She knew what he was and she knew he would likely make his move when he got her outside to himself. Part of her was excited to get to the fighting, the other part was a little bit scared as was always the case. Fear, training and her instincts are what had always kept her alive so far. She allowed him to lead her to the balcony. Alexis knew she had to be patient with him. He would want to taste her flesh a little before risking himself on an unsavory woman.

"You are a breath of fresh air Miss Grimm. I had so been hoping you might be here tonight."

He towered over her looking at her hungrily. For a split second she wondered if he was thinking of her as his next sexual conquest or his dinner, or both. She smiled flirtatiously and turned her head to the view over the Broussard property. He moved closer behind her and she could feel his body crushing into the back of her dress.

"I pride myself on my differences my lord. I'm glad that I amuse you." She felt the hair on her neck rise up as he leaned down and pulled her hair back from her neck. His lips grazed her neck and she shivered when she felt his tongue lightly lick her neck softly in a kiss. Hearing his intake of breath hinting at both kinds of hunger she chuckled lightly and put her hands up on his chest and firmly pushed him back a little.

"My lord, we mustn't do anything that might tarnish my reputation. We are in public here on the balcony." She gave him a knowing smile and let her hands lay on his chest and she grinned as he took her hand and suggested a walk in the garden.

"Of course, shall we take a walk through the gardens?" She nodded.

It was really too bad that he was a monster, she thought. He was really a very handsome man. As she reappeared in the ballroom for a moment she caught sight of Elias she gave him a look and a wave that wouldn't look suspicious but so that he would know that she was leaving the house with the Baron.

The Baron was very smooth and somehow skirted around the crowded areas of the house and he slipped her out of the house through a door that lead into the garden on the other side of the large estate. Feeling the adrenaline pumping in her veins she turned as he scooped her into his arms and he began kissing her. She pushed him back a little and he just changed to kissing her neck hungrily. She pulled him further into the garden laughing softly as most girls in her current position would do. When the house was a good distance off he picked her up and ran with her into the trees along the edge of the property.

"Baron, you should put me down. I can run as well." Alexis could almost smell the feral nature of the beast starting forth. The instant her feet hit the ground she pulled her skirt off revealing her skintight pants and silver sword. He stared at her form and a shrill scream of anger rose through the air. It made her skin shiver a moment.



Alexis stepped back into the light as he changed into a fully angered Vetala. Looking around for his partner she asked the beast.

"You Vetala's normally hunt in pairs. Where is your buddy at hmm?" Keeping her eyes on him as he started to stalk his prey she feigned going left as the vetala went right. The battle was on. She avoided his claws and she was clearly going to have her hands full with this one. This one was very strong.

@December

---

Elias mingled with the other people in the party, ignoring his initial distaste for the social interaction. It didn't take him long to scare off the Fuschbao, leaving a disgruntled noble quite displeased that he would be spending the evening alone, however Elias cared not; the man was safe, and the creature was gone in a flash.

The Grimm kept a careful eye on Alexis throughout the entire evening, watching her movements and actions immensely carefully. He was aware that she lacked the ordinary blood-related abilities of a Grimm hunter, and that concerned him. There was a reason the Grimms were the ones to hunt monsters, why beasts quaked in fear at the presence of a hunter; Alexis was an ordinary human, but she seemed to be capable of surviving when ever her adoptive Grimm sister couldn't; then again, her sister could have perished attempting to save Alexis from a threat she hadn't known about.

Elias pushed the thoughts aside as he caught sight of the woman leading a Baron onto the balcony. Elias quickly excused himself from a conversation, much to the displeasure of the two woman he was speaking with, and inconspicuously made his way towards the nearest exit. Once free of the prying eyes of the party guests, he broke into a jog and quietly followed Alexis and the Baron as they left the balcony and headed for the garden.

Alexis' laughs echoed over the hedges as Elias moved parallel to the pair, making sure to stay out of sight. He promised himself not to interfere unless she needed it; Elias wanted to see just how adept she was.

A gap in the bushes provided the Grimm with a quick peak at the pair, providing just enough vision for Elias to see the Baron's disguise slip, revealing the hideous Vetala preying on Alexis.

Elias' heart rate picked up as he realized the implications; Vetalas hunted exclusively in pairs, meaning it had a partner prowling through the garden somewhere nearby. Elias muttered a curse under his breath and pulled back, looping around the pair to hopefully get the drop on the second Vetala.

The soft gurgling of a fountain led Elias to squire slowly creeping along the path, obviously attempting to stay hidden. A cruel smile crossed his face as the Grimm undid his belt, reaching into his pants and unlatching the scythe that was attached to his thigh. Once the weapon had been removed, Elias slipped it into his belt behind his back and fasted the leather strap once more, clearing his throat as he approached the boy.

"What are you doing out here alone, my boy? Are you lost?"

The squire jumped, obviously startled by the voice of another person. He whipped his head around, his skin grey and dried out, however it quickly returned to a pink color as his disguise stabilized. "I'm just looking for my master, my liege. He went for a walk somewhere in the garden."

Elias smiled. He hadn't wanted to blindside the boy on the off chance that he wasn't a Vetala, however, now he had all the evidence he needed. "Well, who are you look-"

The piercing screech of a Vetala rang out across the garden, drawing both males' attention. It appeared that Alexis had either slain or attacked the Vetala. Without another thought, Elias reached behind his back and whipped out the scythe, unfolding the blade and swinging at the squire.

The boy dropped his illusion and screeched as he jerked backwards, narrowly avoiding decapitation. As he squared himself up into a fighting stance, Elias grinned.

"So. what exactly was your plan? Lure away and slay the Grimm before she had a chance to get the drop on you?" Elias brandished his blade, taking a fighting stance of his own. "Unfortunately for you, we're being forced to hunt in pairs as well." Elias lunged forward, smoothly ducking under the swiping claw of the Vetala as he brought his scythe up, leaving a long, deep slice along the ribs of the creature. Dark blood spurted forth as the scythe gleamed wickedly in the moonlight, quickly spinning and slashed the Vetala once again, leaving a deep gouge in the shoulder of the creature.

Elias' scythe was composed of various metals and substances; gold, silver, iron, diamonds, wood, and a variety of other substances comprised the blade, allowing it to be a strong but versatile killing machine.

The Vetala screeched in pain and dove away, tearing through the brushes and heading straight for its' partner. Elias sprinted after it, calling out a warning to Alexis. "You've got company!"

Dodging the claws and the teeth of the vetala wasn't easy because he was determined to win this fight. Alexis heard Elias' warning just as a second vetala burst through the bushes in what appeared to be fear. He was bleeding. It took only a second for her to dive underneath the baron as he leaped at her again and she stabbed him in the gut and yanked upwards while she turned him over. Sitting atop him she slashed her sword out at the other vetala as she removed her dagger and implanted it into the baron's heart. His screams went from vicious to fearful in a second. His claws had slashed into her upper thigh on her left leg. She slid off of him and grabbed her second dagger from his stomach and threw it at the other one.

Elias had injured him and she had nicked his arm with her sword furthering his injuries. Jumping at the younger vetala she threw herself at his torso. She stabbed him with her sword as she flew overtop of him landing in a roll and jumped up to her feet as if she herself was an acrobat. She had not gotten him in the heart as was necessary but she had gotten him in the chest. Alexis locked on his eyes and she knew every move he would make and she was there to stab him as he made them. His screams became more panicked at each stab. All of this happened in a matter of seconds. Even though Elias was right behind the second vetala she made the killing shot just as he burst through the bushes after it.

Alexis smirked as she looked up at him and she wiped her daggers on the clothes of the baron and his squire. The sword took a moment longer. Her thigh was a little sore and it was bleeding. She took the cape that the baron had been wearing and she cut it and wrapped the wound. Her hair had fallen down somewhat. Quickly she snapped her skirt back on and she re-pinned her hair back into place.

"How do I look? Do I look normal enough? We need to stay another twenty minutes after we show up at the party and then we need to leave. I'll need to clean these slashes with alcohol as soon as we get home or at least out of harm's way."
@December

---

Elias cleaned the blood off of his scythe as Alexis composed herself. He reaching inside his cloak and pulled out a bottle, tossing it to her with a grim expression. "If the pain gets too bad, sniff that. It numbs you, but don't do it too much."

Alexis' fighting capabilities proved to be adept, but that didn't mean she was worthy of being his partner. Any Grimm could kill a few beasts, even if they were Vetalas; while she had identified the Baron quite quickly, she had yet to prove herself in many other areas.

As Alexis pinned up her hair, Elias wrapped the Baron in his own cloak and pulled him onto his shoulders, carrying the body further into the garden. He broke into a sprint with the body, soon delivering it to the woods surrounding the estate. With any luck, a pack of wild dogs or some other creature would devour the remains before anyone found them.

When he returned, Alexis was finished. "I doubt anyone's going to look at you and assume you just punctured to Vetala hearts, Alexis. Good job." He gave a faint smile and nodded at her, however he couldn't shake the feeling of sadness. This was the first time he had been hunting with a partner since the death of Taric, and he felt as if he was desecrating the man's memory.

"I need to get rid of the body. Will you find some way to clean up the blood? There was a fountain back from where I came if you need some water." Without another word, he carefully picked up the squire, careful not to get blood on himself, and sprinted off, dumping the body back with his Baron.

When Elias returned, he mentally forced himself to speak to Alexis. "You did a good job. Not a lot of Grimm can take on a pair of Vetalas, even if one is injured." The compliment was weak, but it was the best he could muster.

Alexis hurriedly cleaned up and then waited for Elias to return. When they were both ready they slipped in a side door. She had her arm in his and she laughed at something that he had presumably said so no one would think anything of it. They made their rounds around the room one last time but she could tell something else was on Elias' mind. Making an excuse of having twisted her ankle while dancing in case her limping was noticeable their carriage was called for them.

The ride home was about forty five minutes by carriage. As soon as they were away from the Broussard Property she unsnapped her skirt and pulled it off to the side to look at her thigh. Vetala wounds tended to be nasty and painful but short lived if treated quickly. The skin around it had already turned purple and swelled up quite a bit, the infection had started pussing and oozing. She ripped the pants to see it better. Pulling out a bottle from under the seat she opened it and took a swig and started to pour some over the wound. She started to scream and stopped pouring instantly.

Breathing hard "Give me your belt." She handed him the bottle and took the offered belt. "Can you do it? We can't wait." Her hands were shaking as the burning still felt like fire on her leg. She folded the belt and placed it between her teeth and when the alcohol hit her open wound she almost bit through the belt. The infection had already started and it was being flushed out by the alcohol. Once most of it was gone she took the bottle and drank the rest of it and gave him his belt back. Alexis was breathless from the exertion of energy from the cleansing of the wound. She sat up and carefully tried to wrap it but her hands were shaking from the pain still.

Alexis looked at Elias and she felt that she knew what was wrong. "Can you help me wrap it til we get home?" Watching his every move and his expressions she knew he was dealing with memories of the past, probably the same kind she often had.

"I know I'm not who you wish you were fighting beside. I miss my sister too. I never thought I'd be fighting with anyone else either."

@December

---

Elias slowly bandaged Alexis' wound, treating it with a gentle kindness he hadn't felt in a long while. His stormy complexion must have revealed what he was thinking about, as Alexis' continued to talk.

Elias paused, his grasp on the bandage tightening ever so slightly. After swallowing, he let out a long sigh and resumed bandaging Alexis leg. His jaw clenched visibly while he worked, however his touch was still light and careful. The silence stretched into minutes as he slowly worked, excellently cleansing and protecting Alexis' wound.

Once he was finished, he noticed that her hands had stabilized. After one last, brief pause, he spoke.

"You did well. He woulda liked your fervor."

Elias silently put away the medical supplies and nodded towards Alexis pouch on her waist. "Sniff the bottle."

He quietly moved himself to the opposite corner of the carriage and wrapped his cloak around himself, pulling hood over his head and staring out the window. The scenery slowly passed by, the shadows dancing in the waxing moonlight. There was silence. The only emotion Elias could muster the energy to feel was complete and utter emptiness.
@Wick

Alexis sniffed the bottle and leaned back against the seat suddenly exhausted. "Well thanks. Maggie would have liked you too." The driver had hurried when he realized that Alexis was hurt. When they got back the door flew open and her father lifted her out of the carriage and into the house. He set her on the couch to look at her leg. Her mother was barking orders like a madwoman and Alexis laughed.

"You guys act like I'm dying. That says a lot about the confidence you have in me and Elias." Her mother slapped her hard across the face. She looked at her husband as Alexis limped out of the room furiously. Her father sighed in frustration as his wife left the room, clearly in shock that she had hit one of their children. His wife and their daughter had been a little rough around each other sometimes since Maggie's death.

Alexis went into the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of whiskey and went outside through the kitchen door to the barn. She climbed up on the side of one of the stalls and sat there talking to her horses.

She began brushing her dapple grey that she called Merle because he looked like the blue merle coloring for dogs. Her brush strokes were harder than usual and after a moment she stopped and threw her arms around his neck and hugged the horse.

"Oh Merle...since Maggie died she acts like she thinks it was my fault. Or that she wishes I had been the one to die and leave her real daughter alive."

After a few minutes she wiped the tears away and noticed that the handprint had left her face red and swollen where she had hit her still stung. Sneaking back into the house she went up the back steps to make sure she wouldn't run into her mother.

@December

---

Elias slowly followed the group into the house, silently observing from the doorway of the room. As Ellinora struck Alexis, his eyebrow raised slightly. The strike revealed much of the family dynamic.

As Alexis and Ellinora both left the room in a rush, Elias shifted, nodding to Marcus. "That was dramatic."

Marcus released a heavy sigh and stood, crossing his arms as he nodded slowly to himself. "Alexis can tend to be a wild spirit."

Elias chuckled humorlessly and took a swig from his flask, inhaling sharply as the scalding fluid burned its way down his throat. He screwed the cap back on and hid the flask within the folds of his cloak. "She's in need of tempering. She fierce, and she can fight well, but her fire will burn her, most likely sooner rather than later." Without another word, he moved his way towards the stairs, climbing them with a weary body. While he hadn't fought in any real capacity that night, he was still drained and exhausted emotionally. The numbness inside his chest was slowly thawing, giving way to brutal, raw emotion.

Elias quickly made his way into his room and closed the door, fastening the lock and disappearing out the window. His nimble figure fluidly swung him to the ground, landing with a soft roll. Free from the prying eyes of the Grimms, he took off towards the stables, sneaking into Hundar's stable without a sound. The horse's soft whinny greeted him as Elias slid onto the ground next to him, snuggling deep into the equine's side.

Most horsemasters were incapable of achieving such a relationship with a stallion, however Elias was a Grimm; they had a way with beasts in all forms, and they dabbled in the odd arts that the common folk dubbed as "magic".

In Hundar's warm embrace, Elias closed his eyes, letting his emotions overtake him and drag him into a deep sleep.
@Wick

The next morning Alexis got up and washed her face. Feeling it still sore she looked at it in the mirror. A very slight pink colored the right side of her face. Ellinora had never hit her before. She guessed it was because of her fear and anger over Maggie's death. She knew they were all suffering. After getting dressed she grabbed a couple of rolls and headed out to the stables to see Merle. She waved at the stable boy and entered the barn. Glancing over she saw Elias' stallion and thought to check on him while she was there.

Grabbing some apples she opened the door and smiled seeing the stallion standing over his master who had fallen asleep in the hay. She chuckled and gave the horse a few kind words and filled his food and water. She started brushing him as was her customary routine with the horses. She hummed a tune she had forgotten the words to a long time ago. Working around a sleeping Elias she smiled softly for a moment as she looked at him while he slumbered. He was handsome. She caught that thought and a feeling of tabboo overtook that moment. He was family, it was forbidden to think that way.

Sighing, she reached over with her booted foot and nudged him to wake him up. "Elias? Elias! Wake up!" She grabbed a bucket of water and when he didn't respond she heaved the full three gallons of water at him. When it woke him she laughed at his expression and then the look on his face made her run. "Oh crap!" Her thigh didn't really hurt much anymore but it slowed her down. She took off running out of the stall further into the barn.

@December