[IC] In the Shadows (Vampire Roleplay)

[Wraithblade6]

Mithias dropped the letter he had been reading at the sound of a massive boom. Fire light blared brightly in through the narrow, barred basement window that ran the top edge of Alex's basement room. Mithias gasped and ran over, peering out to see fire, rubble, and the remnants of the building's front all splayed out onto the delicately manicured lawn. "The devil's work is this?" He spoke to himself. Looking just long enough, his eyes caught a dark figure on a rooftop in the moonlight. odd place for a human to have been at the time of an explosion.

Within seconds, he heard human voices, running footsteps, and screams. Not wanting to be discovered, Mithias quickly locked the door. He waited, and by some miracle of god, Alex did not come back to his room. Mithias put his ear against it and listened. Footsteps, going up stairs, back exit. Alright. The hunters and the rest of their household were vacating. The building was on fire. Mithias unlocked the door, about to run out when he stopped suddenly, and looked back at Alex's things. He wasn't sure why he looked back, but the urge possessed him to grab something: a small, glass-covered picture of a girl, "Margaret."

Shoving it in his pocket, Mithias stole out. If he moved fast, he could get to that man he had seen on the rooftops, just outside the Kingsley gate. Fairly nonchalant about whether or not he was seen, he ended up running out the shitty, flaming opening at the face of the manor. In the darkness and firelight, it was debatable whether any human would see him, much less suspect him as a vampire. Yes! the dark figure was still there. Mithias ran forward, drawing his two swords mid-leap over the wall in pursuit of this heedless bomber.

[supertinyking]

Wraithblade6 said
Mithias dropped the letter he had been reading at the sound of a massive boom. Fire light blared brightly in through the narrow, barred basement window that ran the top edge of Alex's basement room. Mithias gasped and ran over, peering out to see fire, rubble, and the remnants of the building's front all splayed out onto the delicately manicured lawn. "The devil's work is this?" He spoke to himself. Looking just long enough, his eyes caught a dark figure on a rooftop in the moonlight. odd place for a human to have been at the time of an explosion.Within seconds, he heard human voices, running footsteps, and screams. Not wanting to be discovered, Mithias quickly locked the door. He waited, and by some miracle of god, Alex did not come back to his room. Mithias put his ear against it and listened. Footsteps, going up stairs, back exit. Alright. The hunters and the rest of their household were vacating. The building was on fire. Mithias unlocked the door, about to run out when he stopped suddenly, and looked back at Alex's things. He wasn't sure why he looked back, but the urge possessed him to grab something: a small, glass-covered picture of a girl, "Margaret."Shoving it in his pocket, Mithias stole out. If he moved fast, he could get to that man he had seen on the rooftops, just outside the Kingsley gate. Fairly nonchalant about whether or not he was seen, he ended up running out the shitty, flaming opening at the face of the manor. In the darkness and firelight, it was debatable whether any human would see him, much less suspect him as a vampire. Yes! the dark figure was still there. Mithias ran forward, drawing his two swords mid-leap over the wall in pursuit of this heedless bomber.

This couragous act was met with a fairly drunken man stumbling back, and in fact, managing to fall off the building, into a barrel of cow crap. He squirms a bit, swearing and cursing with great rage.
"GOD DAMN IT! I'll KILL WHO EVER SCARED THE SHIT OUTTA ME!" He yells, not to happy...but totally stuck.

[Whirlwind]

Evelyn was abruptly woken from her dream by a loud boom in the distance. The windows and and china on her shelves shook slightly as she peered around with owl eyes in the dark, wondering what had happened. She glanced out the window she had fallen asleep under to see a few townspeople actually going outside and she realized an explosive must have went off or earthquake must have happened. She sighed and rubbed her tired eyes, grateful for the wakeup call either way. Her dream had turned into a nightmare. She had been wandering through the city at night, heels making dull thuds on the street and echoing off the brick walls. She had been wearing a hooded cloak, forest green, and a peasant dress that ruffled around her breast and accented her waist before falling A-line into a white round skirt. Her hair was plaited but resting over her shoulder instead of down her back, and she was running from someone. She kept peering around corners, gripping rough walls of shops and tearing up her nails while she tried to escape whatever was chasing her. That’s when a firm hand had gripped her arm. She could not scream. She could not escape. She was frozen, sharp teeth penetrating her skin as she closed her eyes and mouthed a scream. The mix of pain and a release were surging through her when her eyes had popped open from the boom.

Evelyn tried to forget the dream and quickly got up to grab her coat, wrapping it around her night gown and rushing outside. Word was spreading of something having happened up at the Kingsley mansion, where all the vampire talk originated from. Evelyn stared up towards the manor, wondering if perhaps vampire talk wasn’t all that silly.

[ayzrules]

-Greta-
Greta jolted as a huge explosion filled the air, her eyes instantly finding the source of it. Greta had set out on a worn pathway in the direction of Kingsley Manor, as one of the townsfolk had directed her. "Just go straight down the dirt path by the bar," the man had said pleasantly. "You'll find it after a good long walk." Of course, the 'walk' there hadn't been very long at all, due to her naturally enhanced speed.

Greta had been hiding in the foliage, keeping well out of sight in the black night. But as the fire lit up her vision, she shielded her eyes from the blinding brightness. Letting her pupils adjust, Greta took a good look at the burning manor. The front portion had already fallen victim...already, a horde of who Greta presumed were the manor servants carrying buckets in an attempt to douse the inferno. Obscured by the shadows and the trees, Greta stayed still and analyzed what that could mean. Though she wasn't as perceptive as Stella, Greta had a head on her shoulders and she used it quite often.

One-someone, human or vampire, had located the manor. Two-they wanted to kill or potentially harm the hunters. Three-that was exactly what the vampires of London wanted. However, try as she might, Greta couldn't find the mysterious being who had somehow caused the explosion. There was too much light, and there were too many people who could've done it. Sighing in disappointment, Great settled further into the shadows and watched the manor burn.

[Wraithblade6]

A black streak, only the trained eye could have discerned Mithias as he dashed across the courtyard toward the perpetrator. Blade flashed in the light as he swung himself up to the rooftops. The being he was after had fallen into a pile of manure and was stuck. Mithias looked at him from the ledge. He pointed a blade. "You tried to burn the Kingsley manor with an explosion? You'll pay for that."

[supertinyking]

Wraithblade6 said
A black streak, only the trained eye could have discerned Mithias as he dashed across the courtyard toward the perpetrator. Blade flashed in the light as he swung himself up to the rooftops. The being he was after had fallen into a pile of manure and was stuck. Mithias looked at him from the ledge. He pointed a blade. "You tried to burn the Kingsley manor with an explosion? You'll pay for that."

"So, you're one of those murderous monsters?" He asks, leaping out of the barrel, and throwing a flask into the face of his attacker. The flask, filled with acid would do quite a number on the face of the vampire...but not kill him. Blind him, scar him, but kill, no.
"Eat this!" The man yells, before dashing off.

[Wraithblade6]

On a rooftop just outside the Kingsley's front gate, Mithias glared down at what he found was a human in a barrel of shit. He growled, cautious before attacking anyone with explosives. Although it had been rare he had ever encountered any very powerful vampires, or humans with powerful weapons, there could always be one. ...doubtful he would be raving in a barrel of shit though.

"I'm a murderous monster?!" It wasn't that Mithias wasn't, but that the accusation was coming from a psychopath who just blew up an occupied building. Just then, an object came flying at his face from the other vampire, a flask. Thanks to his speed, Mithias was able to react in time to parry the flask, but of course his blade cut right through it, shattering the glass and covering himself with the acid. Gasping, terrified, Mithias lept backward over the rooftop and stumbled, falling off the house onto the street below. "My eyes!!" He cried, as the acid burned into his flesh. Unable to see, and fearing a followup attack, Mithias forced himself up and held his swords defensively outward. Blood dripped from melted flesh onto the ground beneath him as he both whimpered and growled. Pain seared him. He grabbed at his chest and sank down, trying to focus on the commotion around him. "Stay away from me!" He shouted at the humans who had come to investigate him.

[Whirlwind]

Evelyn was about to turn inside, as it didn’t seem to do much good to just be standing outside waiting for something more to happen. Several of the other townsfolk, still afraid of the night, had retreated to their homes. The ones like her still out though were drawn to a cry and thump as someone fell off a rooftop. Evelyn’s wide eyes left her front door and her small feet carried her quickly to where the commotion was happening. Stay away from me! a man shouted. She gripped her coat around her, wondering what on earth was going on and being frightened. The man was obviously injured, but she was no doctor to help him. A doctor might have been among the group gathered around him, but this bunch of townspeople seemed more interested in watching him like a freakshow than helping. He did say to stay away but Evelyn felt too much worry to stay put and rushed closer. ”Please sir, let me help…” she asked, cheeks red from her outburst as she normally was so quiet. She could tell nothing of the man really because of the curled up position he had taken, and had no idea what type of man he really was.

[ayzrules]

-Alex-
Alex narrowed his eyes as he watched the flames, feeling an intense anger boil under the surface. Beside him, the carriage driver seemed a bit anxious, and the other hunters were either panicking or as calm as ever. Seeing as no one was paying any attention to him, Alex slipped away from the group, unnoticed. He seethed silently, determined to find the vampire that decided it'd be funny to light the manor on fire. Though he had kept on a mask of nonchalance back inside the mansion, in reality, Alex was a major hothead-but he would never admit it, always calling Margaret the one with a temper (which was true).

He'd tried to make a good first impression on the Kingsleys, but that could all go to hell when there was a vampire on the loose somewhere out there. He moved swiftly through the underbrush, making his way back to the path before continuing along the edge of it, with one foot in the forestry and one foot on the beaten down dirt. Alex knew he wasn't a very quiet person, but hopefully, with all the commotion, the vampire wouldn't be too quick to notice Alex coming up upon him. He had no weapons, but that was fine. He could improvise, or use his bare hands.

Alex was so overly confident about taking on a vampire for the first time outside of London that he didn't notice the rustling up on the tree above him. When he finally did notice it, he was already far, far away from the flames. It was considerably smaller in the distance than it was up close. Alex doubted that any of the hunters who had evacuated knew of his absence. He was on his own, and the very idea of it was thrilling.

As he slowly turned around, Alex's heartbeat began to quicken. With fear, or anticipation, he did not know. He peered into the shadows of the foliage, but everything was still. Frowning, Alex looked for a way to climb up the trunk of the tree, but he found none. He exhaled slowly, so as not to draw the attention of the vampire that could potentially be hiding there, and settled down to wait for day. After all, the vampire had to come down sometime, and it had to be before the sun was up.

[supertinyking]

ayzrules said
-Alex-Alex narrowed his eyes as he watched the flames, feeling an intense anger boil under the surface. Beside him, the carriage driver seemed a bit anxious, and the other hunters were either panicking or as calm as ever. Seeing as no one was paying any attention to him, Alex slipped away from the group, unnoticed. He seethed silently, determined to find the vampire that decided it'd be to light the manor on fire. Though he had kept on a mask of nonchalance back inside the mansion, in reality, Alex was a major hothead-but he would never admit it, always calling Margaret the one with a temper (which was true).He'd tried to make a good first impression on the Kingsleys, but that could all go to hell when there was a vampire on the loose somewhere out there. He moved swiftly through the underbrush, making his way back to the path before continuing along the edge of it, with one foot in the forestry and one foot on the beaten down dirt. Alex knew he wasn't a very quiet person, but hopefully, with all the commotion, the vampire wouldn't be too quick to notice Alex coming up upon him. He had no weapons, but that was fine. He could improvise, or use his bare hands.Alex was so overly confident about taking on a vampire for the first time outside of London that he didn't notice the rustling up on the tree above him. When he finally notice it, he was already far, far away from the flames. It was considerably smaller in the distance than it was up close. Alex doubted that any of the hunters who had evacuated knew of his absence. He was on his own, and the very idea of it was thrilling.As he slowly turned around, Alex's heartbeat began to quicken. With fear, or anticipation, he did not know. He peered into the shadows of the foliage, but everything was still. Frowning, Alex looked for a way to climb up the trunk of the tree, but he found none. He exhaled slowly, so as not to draw the attention of the vampire that could potentially be hiding there, and settled down to wait for day. After all, the vampire had to come down sometime, and it had to be before the sun was up.

"...shit...one of them is down there, waitin for me.......hmm." Ledge pondered, watching the man. He had managed to get up this tree via a pair of hooks, but he knew he would indeed, have to come down at some point....but not at the break of dawn like the other man thought.
"Oi, you a hunter or a vampire?" He bellows, his voice rather deep, and with a slight tinge of drunkenness....well, more then a slight twinge. As he talked, he was pouring different powders into another flask, hoping to make something he had before, but didn't always work. "A pinch of sulfur, a bit of chimney soot, possibly some flaked tar, cow shit core...what else did I put into these blasted smoke bombs....ahh, right, flint and a lot of steel shavings....bloody hell, I ran out of flint!...this is rather bad...." He mutters to himself, quietly, but not overly quiet. The hunter might catch some of his rambling, but not much.

[Wraithblade6]

Mithias couldn't see. No matter how keen a vampires sight was, it was zero without functional eyes. His normally white skin was covered in blood. His clothes were also damaged by the acid, which was about finished with its damage. He knelt on the ground, long black hair masking his face from the horrified human onlookers. A girl approached him tentatively, and fortunately for them both, pain gave way to reason. It wouldn't do for a wounded vampire to start killing humans around him, even if he could see. Mithias put his hands and swords on the ground and shied away from the girl. "Please. You mustn't touch me. The acid... it burns." Nonetheless, she got closer to him, and he trembled, trying to keep her from seeing his face. Since it seemed he had no way out, at least not until his eyeballs healed, he gave in, whispering a false secret to the girl to keep his nature from discovery. "You mustn't take me to a doctor. I am a criminal."

[ayzrules]

-Alex-
He stiffened upon hearing the slightly slurred voice bellowing up from the tree. Craning his neck, Alex squinted into the shadows of the branches, trying to locate the source of the voice. Though he couldn't see much, he could hear the man-at least, the speaker sounded relatively male, and a bit drunk at that. He seemed to be mumbling to himself, and Alex could not discern what he was saying. Swallowing hard, his mouth suddenly as dry as a desert, Alex replied challengingly, "What is it to you?".

Alex stood up, and scrabbled around the underbrush for something to use as a weapon if the need arose. Coming up with nothing but a sharp stick, he gave up and instead looked up into the darkness, again attempting to pinpoint the man's location. This time, he could just barely make out the shape of his form crouched in the dying leaves of the tree and the branches.

[AngelBites15]

Claire ran outside of her house in a long sleeved knee lengthed nightgown with no shoes. Her long wavy dark brown hair waving in the wind. She saw the flames and had a negative feeling in her chest. She watched the flames as the wind blew. Until she felt a presence of a vampire nearby....

[Whirlwind]

Evelyn held her coat tighter as a chilly wind brushed past. Townsfolk began dispersing coldly, unfeeling towards the injured man as whispers of tonight being ‘cursed’ spread about them. If she hadn’t been so worried for the writhing man in her wake she would have turned around and scolded them a like the children they were. She heard the man mention acid burning him and she was shocked. ”Someone threw acid at you?” she said in a whispery tone, just from the awfulness of it all. How could such evil exist? She knew she couldn’t touch him very well for fear of getting the acid on herself, but she was not about to let him sit out here and moan in pain. ”Please…” she started, taking another step, when he whispered his secret to her. The words should have hit her ears like a cymbal crashing but it was almost like an explanation. Perhaps whoever did this thought they were a vigilante. Shaking her head, Evelyn held out her hand a foot from the man’s long dark mane of hair. ”I won’t. But I do have morphine remedy for colds at my home and at least it should ease your pain. And alcohol for your wounds to prevent infection… I won’t take you to the doctor’s but know that I am not one myself. And I will not turn you in. Whatever crime you have committed, sir, does not warrant this punishment I am sure,” she whispered back, eyes more determined now

[dizzydisowned]

Delilah and the servants had managed to contain the fire, and were slowly wining the war. At some point Delilah had slid out her knife and torn through her dress at the knee so it didn't catch fire. Her hair was tired up in a ribbon to keep it out of the way. She was smudged all over with ash, but somehow she still managed to look breathtaking. It took a lot of effort and hands to achieve, but they managed to douse the flames completely.

As soon at the flames were out Delilah dashed into the ruined front of her home. The first floor was almost completely black from all of the smoke damaged. The stairs leading to the basement were charred at the top, but as she descended less and less damaged seemed to have been done. Dashing down the hall to her room Delilah practically kicked her door open. The only damage that seemed to have been door was the lingering scent of smoke.

Her room housed two wardrobes, one held her more feminine dresses. They ranged from simple peasant dresses to elegant ball gowns. There was an entire separate wardrobe for what she wore on her hunts. It was full of form filling clothes that really weren't it for a lady. Trousers that clung to her legs and let her move along with fitted long sleeved button downs and jackets to hold her weapons, all in black. Tearing off her dress she pulled on her hunters clothes. She had tight pants in black fabric in a specially woven material made to be stretchy. Her black shirt was high collared and her back jacket was knee length. To top off the outfit she pulled on knee high black boots over the pants.

She looked like a dark avenging angel as she pulled weapons off her wall. A silver knife went up each of her sleeves and a take went into the holster sewed into the inside of her cloak. Before she left her room she looked at herself in the mirror. By god, she was a mess. She frowned at herself and took her hair down before shaking it out. Putting her curls up in a neater pony tail she stalked out of the room.

Her steps were totally silent as she got into the mood of a hunt. The servants didn't notice her as she walked through the house and slipped outside.

[Wraithblade6]

Whirlwind said
Evelyn held her coat tighter as a chilly wind brushed past. Townsfolk began dispersing coldly, unfeeling towards the injured man as whispers of tonight being ‘cursed’ spread about them. If she hadn’t been so worried for the writhing man in her wake she would have turned around and scolded them a like the children they were. She heard the man mention acid burning him and she was shocked. she said in a whispery tone, just from the awfulness of it all. How could such evil exist? She knew she couldn’t touch him very well for fear of getting the acid on herself, but she was not about to let him sit out here and moan in pain. she started, taking another step, when he whispered his secret to her. The words should have hit her ears like a cymbal crashing but it was almost like an explanation. Perhaps whoever did this thought they were a vigilante. Shaking her head, Evelyn held out her hand a foot from the man’s long dark mane of hair. she whispered back, eyes more determined now

"... does not warrant this punishment." Oh but it did.

Mithias knew he was bound for the gates of hell for endless counts of murder, and thus suffering never angered him. The acid-burned "man" sat back on his heels and slowly lifted his head. His face was a thing of nightmares, awash in blood, his eyes ruined, sunken sockets above a mouth that mimicked skeletal teeth... fanged teeth. The sight would have made children cry, haunting the darkness of their bedrooms for the rest of their lives. Any normal human would certainly have died from such wounds, but Mithias, wasn't so fortunate. Hearing her uncontrolled gasp, Mithias hid himself behind a hand, still holding a sword. "Please. Look away. ... I can still breathe. I will... 'live' through this." Slowly, he got up, fumbling with sheathing his swords. He could tell by her scent that she was young, strong, and honest in her feelings. Chasing the madman bomb-maker would have to wait until another night. For now, the potential to seek refuge from the alchemist and the crazed hunters was welcomed. He would go with her. he would recover, feed, and heal.

This human, this young maiden, had no idea what she was getting herself into, yet her kindness was a sign of great bravery. With the pain subsiding to dull ache, Mithias reached a hand out into the blackness seeking for her shoulder. She found him, and he played the part of mortal as best he knew how, by moving slowly and not stepping too accurately, using her for guidance as they prepared to walk the dark streets. "You are very brave, Miss. I am greatly in your debt. I promise you, I will not die. I will repay you for your kindness. Please, lead me away from the flames. I swear to you, I did not light the fire in Kingsley manor, but I saw the man who did."

[AngelBites15]

AngelBites15 said
Claire ran outside of her house in a long sleeved knee lengthed nightgown with no shoes. Her long wavy dark brown hair waving in the wind. She saw the flames and had a negative feeling in her chest. She watched the flames as the wind blew. Until she felt a presence of a vampire nearby....

[Whirlwind]

Evelyn’s vision was assaulted by the face of the ‘man’. She could not resist the gasp that left her lips. The blood, peeling flesh, and his teeth… what, what was this person? She shook her head forcing herself to focus. This was a person in need of help. That’s what he was. She swallowed hard, face feeling tingly as if about to be sick. She nodded and looked away, eyes watering slightly when he told her to. She could hear him stumble slightly to stand, her mind too busy reeling from what was happening right before her to help him get up right. Was he a vampire? Truly? Someone throwing acid at him? Saying he’ll live through this, when clearly most men would not? His teeth? She couldn’t comprehend it. Maybe the townspeople had really infiltrated her mind.

Her heart pounded, but her resolve was iron. Unmoving. She glanced back to the poor man and saw his hand reaching for her. Her soft pale skin met his, and she gently placed his hand on her shoulder. Seeing how pitiful a creature he was at the present time, her breathing became slow again, and she squeezed his hand reassuringly. She was not having second thoughts about helping him. ”Just follow with me,” she whispered into the disturbed night air, guiding him through the darkness and shadows, avoiding all signs of light and life on her way back to her home. She swallowed hard again, looking straight ahead and nodding as he complimented her bravery. ”I believe you,” Evelyn breathed into the night, glancing back to the man again. She wanted to call him a poor thing, but was he? What unspeakable things had he done in his past? Well, the past did not matter as long as one resolved their present to change their future. Perhaps this man was rehabilitated from anything wrong he’d done, and someone was just being cruel, like she’d though upon first seeing the situation.

By the time they reached her home, Evelyn had convinced herself she was doing the right thing, helping this man. ”There’s a step,” she said quietly, helping him over the threshold, quickly shutting the door behind them. ”This way… I’m Evelyn by the way, excuse my rudeness for not introducing myself sooner,” she said, just a little flustered by the whole situation. She led the man to her bedroom, placing his hand on to the bed spread. ”I know you said you’d live, but is there anything I can do to make you more comfortable? The morphine? Some other attire? A bath?” she asked, touching a part of his arm gently that had not seen acid.

[ayzrules]

-Caroline-
There was an ear-shattering explosion that jolted her awake, and as she rubbed the sleep from her weary eyes, she heard a few cries of what seemed like surprise and a general commotion arousing from around where the bar was. Caroline wanted to investigate, but she was tentative about it. What if all those rumors and stories that the others had deemed childish and superstitious were true? Caroline slipped on a thin shawl that didn't do much to stop the wind from reaching her bones and put a hesitant hand on the doorknob, poised to leave her house, but unwilling to. She slowly put on her shoes as the ruckus got louder and louder. It sounded like someone was...screaming? Screaming, or shouting, or something of the sort. Her heart fluttering like a hummingbird, Caroline stood there for a few more moments of indecisiveness before finally strengthening her resolve and twisting the door open.

What greeted her was far from what she expected. The racket had sounded closer than it actually was because it was just so loud. She hurried towards the area of where the noise seemed to be coming from, and stood on her very tiptoes to try to catch a glimpse of the hunched figure in the middle of the circle of villagers. A familiar-looking woman seemed to be pleading with him or her, and she helped him up, escorting him into a cottage. The villagers separated and made room for the woman and the strange, cloaked figure to pass through.

As the door to the woman's house shut, the villagers started murmuring and whispering to themselves. "What was that?" "Who was it?" "Could the stories be true? No...that's impossible!" "Cursed, I tell you! That godforsaken manor is cursed!"

But the one, single accusation that stuck in Caroline's mind as she ran back to the safety of her home was the most serious one of all. For as she had pushed her way out of the throng, the most repeated word had been: "Vampire!".

[Wraithblade6]

"Evelyn." The burned man replied. He did not lean on her as they passed through the streets, leaving the majority of he crowd behind to gawk at the flaming mansion. Rather, he mostly let her guide him, which was fortunate for the young woman, strong as she was, for this man was like iron. It practically would have taken a team of horses to lift him.

Once inside the house, Mithias picked up that no one else lived with her, no husband, nor children. At last he was safe, at least until dawn. The calls of "vampire" outside caused him to furrow his brow. "Evelyn. Water, cloth. No medicine." Mithias began stripping his clothes. By god his skin was white. Perhaps it could have been the poor lighting or the fact he had lost so much blood... surely that was the reason. Using a tub, with Evelyn bringing him a few buckets of water, he rinsed his face, his arms, and everywhere that had been ulcerated and bloodied. The man never cried out or hesitated in his movements. He seemed to turn away from Evelyn in an attempt to spare her the sight of his raw flesh, but in reality, the skin was already beginning to heal. He covered his eyes with a soft cloth blindfold and leaned back, shirtless in a wooden chair when he was finished. Unfortunately, Mithias had no idea what kind of lighting this house had, except for feeling the soft heat of any candles that were close enough. He knew she would have questions.

His swords lay on the table, blades clean, and in his jacket, there was a small picture of a brown-haired woman. Mithias lay still in his chair, seemingly not aware of what the girl was looking at.

His voice abruptly broke the silence that had fallen as he was taking care of himself. "Thank you for rescuing me, Evelyn. I am Mithias." The man had a faint accent that indicated he was found out of town, perhaps not even English. It sounded German, if she was familiar with that. "You are not rude. You are very kind."