Arista

[Beneath a moonless sky] 18+ [Arista x Earlymorninstar]

Wolff sighed and shifted on his feet, he didn't have patience and with the situation as it was he really didn't want to bother. Margaret rose to her feet and moved towards the door, her steps light considering the heels she wore.

“Hope is all we have now. If he sinks any deeper we can expect shit to hit the fan before even of us can stop it. No I suggest bed and Ryanair I ask you to keep the bandage as it is, you should feel better by morning.” Ryanair offered a tired nod and turned to follow the Healer out into the hall, he suddenly felt exhausted and dizzy. Wolff followed after them and waited for Clara to exit before he closed the door, his hands sliding into his pockets as he began to walk. Everyone quietly made their way towards their own rooms, Ryanair pausing before his own for a moment before stepping inside.

He didn't know it but comes morning the house would be in shambles.

He awoke and got ready for the morning, a good night's sleep had given him a recharge and he felt great. By the silence of the house he guessed he was the only one awake, shrugging and exiting his room he turned to head towards the stairs. Upon reaching the landing he freezes when the scene before him catches his eyes, his throat working as he tries to process just what the hell is before him.

Blood coats the walls and floors, the front doors are wide open and snow coats the only clear part of the floor. He moved forward and his stomach rolled at the bodies he found still with blood under them, his eyes lifting as a drop of blood falls on his hand. Words are written on the ceiling, Ryanair glances away but they stay in his mind.

“I'm watching you. Let's keep playing.”

@earlymorninstar

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Bump! Looking for partners! :3

[Beneath a moonless sky] 18+ [Arista x Earlymorninstar]

“Your bond.” Wolff states with a shrug and an arched brow. Really did they have to keep beating around the bush? He sighed and moved towards Ryanair, the blonde blinked up at his friend and tilted his head.

“Acting as if it isn't there won't help him, we know who you are to Kieran and I think it's what’ll help him. It's an idea that we have and we're willing to test it out of you'll help us. Both of you may be able to bring him back, I hope it'll be easier and we'll be left alone until it happens.” Margaret murmured as she moved back to her seat and glanced at each of them, her face remained impassive but her voice was clear. Ryanair rose from the bed and smiled gratefully when Wolff tapped the cool pad to his neck, he pulled his shirt on after and moved to stand beside Clara.

He wasn't hiding or anything it just calmed him when he was close to her, even if she wasn't fond of him or their sire. “But how? If it's psychological then giving him support and stuff won't help and I can't-” He trailed off there and his hand rose to touch the bandage, he was scared of the person in Kieran’s clothing and body.

Terrified, even.

Margaret and Wolff remained quiet for a while before both sigh and shrug. “We haven't figured that out yet, the newspapers haven't said anything other than the bare minimum so we're working with little information. I ask both of you to stay on your toes, he may come back but don't fall for it.” Margaret stated with a firm tone, Ryanair winced but showed he understood with a nod. He moved away from Clara as he remembered the new bombshell they'd just released.

@earlymorninstar

[Beneath a moonless sky] 18+ [Arista x Earlymorninstar]

It shouldn't have felt like he was sentencing someone to death. Ryanair followed as Wolff turned and headed back upstairs, his gaze on the carpeted floor as he lead them forward. Upon entering the room he pointed towards the nearest bed, Ryanair paused and his eyes widened like a deer caught in headlights.

“Take a seat and remove your shirt if you will.” It wasn't as much a suggestion as a soft command. Ryanair remained rooted to the spot as his mind whirled with a number of excuses he could give. The marks throbbed as his heart picked up and he swallowed his suddenly dry throat, Wolff remained standing in the center of the large room, his arms crossed and eyes narrowed..

“I'm fine why-” Wolff cut him off with a raised hand. Ryanair jumped when he spotted another figure sitting with a clipboard in hand, her gold eyes watched him for a moment before her lips lifted into a smile. The blonde didn't move until the second figure rose and hip-checked Wolff to the side, her smile growing when Ryanair merely blinked.

“Don't worry, dear. Isabella told us about the marks and we just want to check to make sure they don't get infected. Then we'll get started on our discussion, sound fair?” Her tone was soft if slightly accented, Ryanair swallowed and knew he'd been caught. With a clenched jaw, he moved to the closest bed and tugged his shirt off after he'd seated himself. He remained still as the female moved forward and began assessing the marks, his gaze on the floor as she worked.

Fifteen minutes later and Ryanair was pressing a cool cloth to the marks, the smell of disinfectant and other medical smells filling the air. They weren't infected but were inflamed and the women -Margaret- didn't want to take any chances, even though he wouldn't die from a normal infection. Wolff cleared his throat and shifted his weight to his left leg, Margaret removed the gloves she'd worn and leaned back in her seat.

“Now shall we begin?” He asked with an arched brow, Ryanair agreeing with a nod. The sooner they began the more probable it would be to return Kieran to how he used to be.

“I've scanned the tests and found nothing. It's psychological and I think Wolff has a point.” Margaret put in as she spun in her chair once, her arms crossed loosely over her stomach.

@earlymorninstar

[Beneath a moonless sky] 18+ [Arista x Earlymorninstar]

At the brush of cotton against his side Ryanair paused in his potato-mashing, his eyes blinked when he noticed Clara. At her words he frowned in confusion but offered the other a nod, if Wolff needed them then it had to be for something important. As she turned away, Ryanair returned to his task and soon the others filled into the room. He hadn't been paying attention to the menu but by the smells filling the air he knew it would be a good one.

Ten minutes later found everyone minus Kieran seated and eating. No one seemed to question why Ryanair grabbed a second and then third plate, though the blonde knew a set of eyes were on him. Wolff had joined them and he hadn't said much -not surprising- excerpt that the food tasted great, Ryanair knew something was off. He rose to his feet and moved to the sink, his free hand reaching for the sponge. He stretched his arms above his head and moved towards living room, he found the rest of Ynez’s Pack asleep. The hand that fell on his shoulder squeezed before releasing him, Ryanair turned and found Wolff standing beside him.

“Let's wait for Clara before I lead you upstairs.” He murmured softly, his eyes scanning the wolves for many lingering injury. Ryanair only nodded and crossed his arms, hopefully this wouldn't take long. He really wanted to sleep.

~○~○~○~○~

Golden eyes scanned the images with keen determination. Nothing seemed amiss and that concluded Wolff’s idea, that something was happening on a psychological scale. With a huff and a flex of dark-skinned fingers, the vampire Healer began to systematically go through the images one point at a time.

If this was the illness then even she wouldn't be able to stop it. So far nothing she's tried has worked, and in the case of a sire the first to feel the change were the fledgling’s. Eyes narrowing, she focused once more and refused to look at the clock that continuously ticked over her head.

This was a matter of life and death.

And if she had her way, no one was dying on her watch. Margaret Labelle was good at her job, Wolff had asked for her help and she was happy to aid him.

@earlymorninstar

[Beneath a moonless sky] 18+ [Arista x Earlymorninstar]

At the familiar sounding footsteps nearing them, Ryanair felt himself relax slightly in the ever tightening hold around his wrist. At Clara's appearance in the doorframe, Ryanair allowed his desperation to be seem. At her words the fingers around his wrist flexed for a moment before letting go, he didn't move from his spot though he wanted to bolt.

“You do have a point…” That was all he needed to hear. He stepped forward until he stood beside Clara, and if he was slightly behind her no one would be the wiser. He stayed for a moment with hesitation warring with his urgency to get away from Kieran, her words did have a point and so with a discreet press of his fingers to her arm he swiftly left the room. The kitchen was a welcome sight and with it, he noticed Ynez helping Isabella with something. They paused when they noticed him lingering in the hall, both smiled and gestured him inside.

~○~○~○~○~

Kieran blinked and flexed his fingers before crossing both his arms. His head tilted as he watched the girl -Clara- before him, his expression never changing. He felt a flare of irritation and curiosity as her words filled his ears, his lips pulled into a twisted grin before he shrugs and begins to move around her.

She wasn't easily broken. At least that's what the voices were whispering in his ears, he stilled for a moment before a tune began to fall from his lips. He wanted to go lay down for a bit, someplace quiet and dark. His steps were quick but quiet as he moved forward and towards the foyer, his hands in his pockets as he climbed the stairs.

As he reached the top step, his knees buckled when a sharp twinge raced down the back of his skull. His eyes blinked rapidly before he rose to his feet and reached for his bedroom door. He suddenly felt dizzy and sick to his stomach, his head pounding like someone had hit him with a hammer several times. He laid down and curled into a ball, his head cradled in both of his arms.

Why the fuck did his head hurt? And why could be not remember anything since the night they'd gone to track down the Mage?

@earlymorninstar

[Beneath a moonless sky] 18+ [Arista x Earlymorninstar]

Ryanair had passed out as soon as Clara had left him, he found himself now in the state of half-consciousness. His eyes jerked open when a cool finger gently traced the side of his neck, he found Isabela before him with a frown on her face. He relaxed when he saw her, his eyes blinking slowly to focus on the older vampire. Neither spoke for awhile, content to stare at one another.

Ryanair broke first. He tired for a smile who knew wouldn't reach his eyes, Isabela’s eyes narrowed before straightening. He noticed for maybe the first time since he awoke that morning that her hair was loose and flowing down her back, the second thing was that she wore a grey blouse with black pants.

“Who's done that to you?” Her voice is soft but Ryanair can hear the underlying tension, he swallows and remains seated. The memories are hazy but he knows who's done it, just like he knows he can't blame his sire for it. Kieran might not be in his right mind but Ryanair still couldn't blame him, he knew this wasn't how his sire acted. His lips opened to speak, only for his entire body to go rigid when he catches a familiar figure behind Isabella.

“Ah, there you two are. I've been looking for you, I'm sorry I've been a bit distant I'm not sure what happened to me.” A lie. Ryanair can tell by the way Kieran’s eyes don't narrow or how his stance remains relaxed where he stands against the doorframe. Isabella turns to him and Ryanair is thankful when she places herself between them, his relief only lasts for a moment before Isabella speaks once more.

“Ah, Kieran so good to see you. Might ask something? Do you know who those bite marks belong to?” Her question is valid but Ryanair can tell she's said the wrong thing, Kieran straightens and offers a bland smile.

“I'm sorry, I don't. Maybe you should start dinner soon? The wolves should be back and starving right now.” It as a dismissal and Ryanair watched as Isabella tensed and flexed her fingers at her side, the blonde rose and moved to stand behind her. She began to move and Ryanair fell into step behind her, he almost breathed a sigh of relief when they neared the door. It left him in a rush when a familiar hand latched itself onto his wrist, he stilled at the contact.

“I'd like his help-” Isabella started but Kieran merely shook his head and adopted a serious frown on his features.

“I need to talk to him for a bit. Go on and we'll be there soon.” Isabella remained rooted to the spot a moment longer before reluctantly bowing and turning to exit the room. Ryanair caught a look of desperation and anguish on her features before she began walking away from the doorway, the grip on his wrist tightened warningly.

He couldn't move and he wasn't sure if it was due to fear or the power a sire held over a fledgling. He didn't much care, he wanted to be away from the man pretending to be his sire. And he wanted answers

@earlymorninstar

[Beneath a moonless sky] 18+ [Arista x Earlymorninstar]

The appearance of Clara before him jared Wolff from his thoughts. He had apparently stopped and had internally begun going through the list of possible illnesses Kieran might have gotten. His eyes blinked before her words filled his mind, he turned and gestured for her to follow him.

“I did some scans on his brainwaves and found nothing irregular. No swelling or abnormalities were present and I checked his previous scans and they matched. So I'm guessing this has something to do with the Shadow Mage or the illness that's been spreading around. No one has found a concrete way of testing if someone has it so if I'm correct in my assumption he'll slowly slip further away.” The words spilled from his mouth and Wolff was surprised at how sure he sounded, he hadn't had a clue until the rumors and newspaper columns he'd read flashed in his mind.

It was the only possible explanation and it seemed to fit. He had always been slightly unstable with what happened in his childhood, and with this it just seemed to click. His eyes widened and he found his lips parting to ask a question that suddenly seemed more important then this new revelation. “Where's Ryanair we have to-” His words failed him when the sound of footsteps filled the silence, he half-turned and stilled. Kieran was watching them with a slight furrow of his brows, Wolff shifted when Kieran reached the final step.

“Sorry to bother, just passing through.” He offered with a chuckle, Wolff nodded and watched the other male walk away from them. When he was out of earshot the Healer spun towards Clara and lowered his voice even further.

“I need you and Ryanair to find me after dinner, I need to speak with you and it's important. Whatever question you have I'll answer it then.” And with those words he spun and moved up the stairs, he had something to prepare and a note to send.

@earlymorninstar

[Beneath a moonless sky] 18+ [Arista x Earlymorninstar]

Wolff was equal parts confused as he was worried. His eyes scanned the monitor before him while his fingers traced the image of Kieran’s brain.

Nothing.

No abnormalities or swelling that would indicate something was happening with his brain. The Healer sighed in frustration and leaned back in the chair he'd been seated in for the last hour, his eye re-scanning the image. He would be an idiot if he said he hadn't noticed the change in either Ryanair or Kieran, it was like not noticing a rating fire when it was happening in front of you. He'd kept a close eye on both and even then it seemed almost unnoticeable, though to those who knew the two it was almost painful to see. Wolff remembered the night he'd first seem the blonde, he'd immediately begun to check him over.

To see him now actively avoiding the one who had saved him had a sense of forbidding filling his stomach, he didn't like it one bit. With a sigh he rose to his feet and stretched his arms over his head. The tranquilizer would fade and Kieran would awaken with questions and he needed time to relax a bit. Exiting the Infirmary he made his way down the hall and back down to the first floor, his hands in the pockets of his trousers. This was something new and damn it he didn't know how to handle it, he was as old as Kieran but this was pushing his expertise.

Hopefully the Guard Healer he'd spoken to would arrive soon, maybe then things would make sense.
~○~○~○~○~

Vermillion eyes watched the people below him with a look of disdain and disgust. His fingers trailed the black phoenix’s back almost lovingly, the twisted smile on his lips however spoke of insanity. He hadn't much moved from his spot since the night before, his mind whirling with glee and accomplishment. He wasn't sure he'd been successful when he'd infected one of the vampires charges, with what he saw the night before he could gloat for a few moments.

The sound of the double doors opening alerted him to another presence, the phoenix’s soft trill drawing his attention to the new figure. “Lord V’yest they have an Ice Mage with them now. Should we attack once more?” The question poised had the raven-haired male tilting his head in thought, V’yest huffed and waved a hand.

“No, I've used too much magic and need time to recuperate. Leave them be for now.” He stated with a tone laced with boredom, he really couldn't care if they had a new allay or not. He glanced forward and watched as the male rose and bowed, before turning and heading back towards the still open doors.

The game was on hold for now. He had a new toy to play with.

@earlymorninstar

[Beneath a moonless sky] 18+ [Arista x Earlymorninstar]

At the sound of the door closing and soft footsteps Ryanair spun and braced himself. His shoulders relaxed and his knees nearly buckled when he found Clara before him and not the male who wasn't his sire. At her question however his hands lifted to touch the side of his neck, a deep shudder racing down his spine as the marks seemed to pulsate.

Should he tell her? The sibling he had with a male who seemed to have suddenly snapped? The change in her tone did it and Ryanair gestured them to the seats closest to them, he didn't have the energy to stand for more than a few minutes. “I just can't….be near him right now. He's different and our bond is...blank and I can't make heads or tails of it. And for some odd reason I wake up with blood on my neck and bites marks littering my skin.” To make his point across he lowers the collar of his shirt and winces when it temporarily rubs against his neck.

In the two weeks that had passed, Ryanair had moved back into his room and had taken it upon himself to lock the door. Yet somehow he awoke with more bites and severe lack of energy, his eyes moved to the closed door and a long tired sigh escaped his lips. “As for what's going on I don't know but Wolff has been speaking with the Healer Guard and has come up with an idea of monitoring...him for the time being. I think it's about to start…” His words trailed off as a massive yawn took over, his yawn cracked and when it passed Ryanair had no wish to open his eyes.

He just wanted to sleep and wake up with some energy. Coffee only did so much.

○~○~○~○~○

Ynez moved with purpose as she scents the air for her target. The others had moved outside and the only ones inside were Wolff, Isabella and Christian if he too hadn't gone outside that is. Catching the scent that now clung to Kieran, she slowed her pace and relaxed her features so she didn't look so tense.

Either this worked or someone was going to end up bearing the vampire to find out just what the hell was going on. Knocking on the door, Ynez stepped inside and moved to a vacant seat. Kieran hadn't looked up from the map he was studying but his fingers paused on a blue line that represented a lake or river. “How can I help you?” He asked and Ynez has to bite back the urge to snarl, his tone seemed the same except for the lack of emotion behind it.

“Oh nothing really, can I borrow your arm for a moment?”Ynez held her breath as Kieran glanced up at her and arched a brow, even that seemed the same except for the blankness in his eyes. He conceded with a shrug and offered his left arm for Ynez to take, either he wasn't fully paying attention or he just didn't care about why she was asking such an odd question. Either way she wasn't going to let this chance slip away, with practiced ease she tugged out a needle from the pocket of her jeans and jammed it into his arm.

The reaction was instructions. She found herself slammed into a wall with enough force to pull a grunt from her lips, she blinked at the male before her with an air of disinterest. “What did you-” His words failed him as his knees buckled and Ynez was released, she watched as Kieran convulsed and her heart leapt when she saw a flicker of emotions dance across his wide eyes. It didn't last for long and the next moment Ynez found herself alone was a passed out vampire at her feet, she crouched down and lifted him to his feet.

Stage one was complete. Now on to stage two.

@earlymorninstar