Hunting (Open)

[Trenton Dante Moore]

Trenton moved through the forest silently. He could hear his prey as she laughed and talked with her friends. He smirked to himself. Sometimes, it just comes too easy, he thought to himself. From the sounds of it, the group that was here was partying it up and not even paying attention to their surroundings. As he got closer, he heard the girl he had spotted earlier say that she would be right back and Trenton silently slipped into the shadows as she headed in his direction. He chuckled as she stepped by a tree. He heard her gasp and she turned around.
"Who's there?" she asked. Trenton chuckled again.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" he teased. With another gasp she turned towards his voice. Within seconds, he was on the other side of her.
"What's the matter?" he asked her before changing directions. "Frightened?" he taunted from his new location. The girl took off running and Trenton let his true features show as he gave chase, moving from one direction to another to disorient the girl. Moments later, she stopped, clinging to a tree and crying. Trenton appeared right behind her, grabbed her shoulder, and turned her around. He flashed her a predatory grin. Then, before she could say or do anything, he covered her mouth and sank his fangs into her neck, tearing the flesh viciously. He drank until he felt the last drop of blood entered him. Then he hoisted the girl over his shoulder, quickly went deep into the woods and dumped her into a ravine.

[Marina Anne Sinclaire]

Marina had gone to the forest to clear her head. There were not that many folks here buzzing from the happy love groove that had been going on. She needed the peace and thee were people who made her feel not so alone. She grooved quietly in her UCLA Gear and jeans. as she stretched her legs and then she felt it.

Terror. Sharp and intense. Then another set. That of a predator. 'Oh Gods Trenton please no.' she bit her lip and thought fast as she ran. She took off running and skidded on the leaves as she felt the life grow silent and then nothing. She ran and skidded to a stop as she saw Trenton standing there. He hadn't seen her yet but she saw the body fall into the ravine and saw the girl's ghost cowering in confusion and fear. She didn't know what had happened.

Marina stood there and exhaled, "Trenton, why did you do that? Do you have to kill people?" she asked softly as the girl's ghost ran towards her begging for help. She looked to the side of Trenton and looked softly at the ghost. "Krista its time to move on. You're bound for a better place." she saw the girl's grandmother standing there. "Follow your grandmother into the light." she said as she bit her lip and sat down on a rock and exhaled. It always hurt her to do this. To see the light of heaven and guide others to it without being able to enter it. She knew it wasn't her time. One thing you know about being able to talk to ghost is that you will know when you are called if not the exact time of your death.

It was why she never thought of suicide. She knew that one day she'd be reunited with her mother. She wasn't ready to rush it. The Ghost looked at her and then back at Trenton, "SHE is coming. Be careful." the girl said to her.

Who is she?" Mari asked.

"Just watch for HER and be careful. Don't let her catch you." with that the ghost disappeared with her grandmother as the light of the powers that be embraced her and she was gone.

How many people had he killed to spend time with her? How many lives had he taken this cruelly while he was being kind to her? How could she knowingly date someone who took lives like her dad did? Did she just screw up that badly when it came to picking men? Was she just doomed to live with guys that killed others to survive? Was she that fucked up that she needed the rush that a serial killer gave her?

Mari rubbed her face and sighed, We need to talk, Trenton. I know its not my place to be in your business but this...is important to us." Her tone was gentle and her eyes for him soft regardless of how changed his features were. She walked up to him and pulled out a handkerchief as she dabbed at his lip. "You should bring a toothbrush and breath mints." She cupped his cheek and looked into his eyes with a tender look, her hand touching the transformed face and looking deeper. Touching her forehead to his and getting a deeper empathic sense for him through touch.

[anneliese]

Boredom brought her here, drove her to leave Robert's arms before he rose for the night. She didn't even bother to dress herself, wearing a simple silk night gown, she left to wander the city. Sometimes the noise was overwhelming and at times like that she made a habit of drifting to the quiet santuary the forest offered to her. However tonight they were alive with the sound of beautiful music, the sound of a screaming human, a pulsating hear. Closing her eyes she listened, following the foot steps as she fled from what Anne could only percieve to be another of her kind. Taking to the trees, she followed along with the little chase quietly.

When she caught up, she watched from her branch as the man approached, fed, and ditched the body into a ravine. She loved to watch, to see the humans squirm helplessly in their grasp. Just as she was all set to reveal herself, Anne stopped as she heard the approach of another being. Crouching on a high branch, she watched with a tilted head as the woman fearlessly approached the male vampire as if he wasn't going to harm her. There was a wave of thoughts, ideas that filled her mind instantly about how this would play out. Maybe if she was lucky they could even share her.

The question almost provoked a laugh from Anne who was hiding in plain sight above them, who must have looked odd being in that night gown with no shoes on in a tree top. Of course he had to kill her, that was all part of the game! If this human was aware of what he was she certainly didn't show it, he was a monster, a murderer like her that enjoyed the cat and mouse nature of it all. There was something odd about this woman however, she was talking to what seemed to be herself as for some reason Anne couldn't see whatever it was she was going on about. Something about light, which made little sense to her at the moment.

'Us?' thought Anne, seemingly outraged by the very idea. 'She is food and you are a god amongst mortals!' she cried out in her thoughts, her anger allowing the veil that protected her thoughts to drop. To even dare to consider that she could exist along side a vampire as a human was insulting, Anne wanted to break Mari in half. "So quick to assume that he should be the one to change, rather than you changing to be okay with his life style." she commented nonchalantly, as if they had been aware of her the entire time.

[Trenton Dante Moore]

For a few minutes, Trenton let himself savor in the exhileration of his completed hunt. However, it was short-lived when a familiar scent reached his nostrils. Marina? he thought to himself. He wiped the blood from his face, not wanting to scare her further as he heard her ask why he had killed the girl. He turned to her and saw her talking to thin air. What...is she doing? he wondered. Was this part of her powers?

Then, she turned to him and told him that they needed to talk, saying that it was important to them.
"I feed Mari. It is how I stay alive. Without blood, I will wither away," he told her. "Bella, I never meant for you to see me like this. You are my strongest link to humanity. But when I feed, I have to turn it off. It is necessary to my survival," he continued.

Then, he felt the presence of another vampire and quickly reached for Marina, intending to pull her back. He hissed up at the female vampire who asked Marina why she felt that Trenton should change for her instead of the other way around. Trenton hissed again.
"You will not speak to her in that manner," he spat out at her. "Bella, run home," he ordered, never letting his eyes leave the other vampire.

[Marina Anne Sinclaire]

She hugged him tighter when he spoke. putting her head on his shoulder, "Trent I'm not going to leave I'm just trying to understand." she said softly and then she flinched and hugged him tighter when she felt Anne's desire to feed and then heard her voice like a whip, she flinched and moved behind Trenton instinctively. She had so much she wanted to say to him. So many questions and now she would have to wait.

She felt Trenton's tension and anger at the blond vampire for thinking she was food. But there was a truth to it and she knew it. Technically it was like dating a steak or porkloin and saying you liked it better than any other. She remembered a quote from reruns of Ren and Stimpy.

No you don't! You can't take it from me now! I've had this ice cream bar since I was a child... People... Always trying to take it from me... Why don't they leave me ALONE?!!!

Yeah it was like that, really surreal and weird. Like the Christmas Yak. She must be really scared if she's having flashbacks to Ren and Stimpy now...

Mari looked at Anne and backed off a safe distance, "I seek understanding. I care about him and want to understand what he is. I'm sorry if I accidentally insulted you." she exhaled politely and nodded to Trent before she turned to run as he bid her. She didn't know what would happen but she wasn't going to cripple Trent by being used against him.

[anneliese]

This was going to be fun, she could tell already. The male was so testy, protective over the human. It was such a shame to see one of her own kind act this way, to have attachments to food. Shaking her head slowly, she smirked down at them as if she was unfazed by his comment. "I plan to say whatever I please, though if you choose to ignore me, that is another thing entirely. I assure you though, I am next to impossible to ignore." she said, giggling quietly to herself. This was one of her many little episodes, where the voice in her head was actually present, steering her actions.

Her eyes were empty black voids as she watched Marina carefully, ready to leap from her perch at the slightest show of fear. She was a wild animal in this moment, if anyone were to actually try to run away she would give chase out of excitement. The air was tense as she simply watched them, took in their little movements, content to say nothing more for a while as it was obvious she was sizing them up. It was her predatory instinct taking over, trying to analyze their moves, figure out if she stood a chance at taking them both down.

"Shh, not yet.." Anne said in a hushed whisper, as if she was speaking to something next to her no one could see. Her attention shifted for a moment even to look at the empty spot, as if she was having a stare down with someone. A minute or so would pass before she tore her gaze from the empty spot next to her and placed it back on Marina. "What is there to understand? You saw what he is, who he is. A monster, blood drinking fiend, there isn't much more than that." she said, laughing.

"What I would like to know is if there has been some sort of new law, it seems like Vampires in this city are collecting human pets like it is a fashion statement." she said, dropping from the tree branch now. She landed without a sound, her eyes snapping back up to them now. She didn't trust taking her eyes off the target, that was usually how she ended up shackled in previous times. When Marina started to run, however, that was the first mistake. Those same dark, pupil less eyes tracked the movement, seeming excited by it as if some sort of game had just been started.

"Let the games begin, right?" she asked, smirking at Trenton as she started to run towards him, leaping only a few feet out to catch a tree branch. It was easier to move this way, to watch Marina. It was more fun with someone trying to stand in her way.

[Trenton Dante Moore]

Trenton glared at the other vampire who stated that she would speak to Marina anyway she chose and then telling Marina that there wasn't much to understand since she had seen what he had done. True as it may be, there was no call for speaking to the daughter of Reginald Sinclair in such a manner.

The other vampire then turned her attention back to Trenton, asking if there was some new law in Los Angeles about keeping human pets.
"You will watch your tone," Trenton warned. He wasn't sure who this vampire was or who she thought she was, but she was obviously a threat to Marina, which meant she was an enemy of his.

As soon as Marina started to run, the other vampire let out a smirk and headed towards him, leaping to catch a tree branch. Trenton growled, letting his true features show as he quickly leaped in front of the other vampire. If she wanted a fight, he was going to give her one!

[Marina Anne Sinclaire]

'Great now she thinks I'm food.' She looked over at Anneleise and sighed, "I happen to enjoy his company. Generally he doesn't feed in front of me. Contrary to all the bad movies on the subject not all vampires HAVE to be slathering jackasses who think with their bellies. I have an honorary uncle named Robert who does quite well for himself without having to kill everyone. He was a friend of my mom's and has been sending me Christmas, birthday and graduation gifts for years. Hell when my dad couldn't make it for my school functions Uncle Robert did so before you start out with this whole stereotypical bollox about all vampires are evil maybe you should start looking around." she said quietly as she looked at Anne and picked up on her insanity.

When she saw the chick launch herself she rolled her eyes and put her hands on her hips, "Really, lady? What are you some pathetic fledgling that can't control her urges?" she was sick of this damsel in distress crap. "My family is far more scarier than you. So go ahead and jump around like that but understand something, I am going to head home in a calm rational fashion because you don't scare me. Get over yourself and this issue you have before it destroys you."

She turned and walked. Screw this running crap. If she was going to get killed then fine she wasn't gonna let some uppity blond wench scare her. She was stronger than that.

[anneliese]

As expected, he moved into her path to protect the human. Anneliese came to a halt quickly, watching him with a predatory gaze. Even still, something inside of her told her not to take another step. If she moved against this one, she would be met with more than just the resistance of a fledgling, there was a quiet warning screaming inside of her. Tilting her head to the side like a confused animal, she continued to study him for quite some time. She was intrigued to say the least, however she would keep that to herself as her eyes shifted to the mortal behind him who seemed to be coming back. There was some fight in there yet, just what she liked in a meal.

As Marina spoke, there was a flash of Robert's face in Anne's mind, something she probably took from Marina. When she tried to search for more, she found herself meeting resistance however, the girl probably had similar abilities. "No, not all of them. Some of them are weak, you are absolutely correct. Even as much as I love him, Robert is too cowardly to be what I made him, he has no stomach for the violence." she said simply. "That is all very touching, I'm sure someone else cares, I do not." she said as she took a few steps closer to Trenton and Marina. She didn't even seem the least bit phased by the words that she deflected casually.

"You have it all wrong, human. There is a difference between me and a fledgling. They cannot control themselves, I simply choose not to. I am a predator, that is our true nature, as hard as some fight it. We were meant to feed on you, not love you." she said, watching the womans expression. Every fiber of her being wanted to crush Marina now, rather than feed on her. She would leave her body entirely broken if she had her way, not even finding it worth her time to drink from this one.

"Ah, something your kind is actually good at, turning your back on others." she commented, laughing. "Maybe if you didn't turn your back to your enemies, fought back, you wouldn't know the sting of a lashing. Isn't it funny how the men who claim to love us are the ones who destroy us in the end? This one will most likely prove that to be true, just you wait." she said, smirking. She could remember very well the sting having a father left on her, they were monsters.

[Trenton Dante Moore]

Trenton watched as the other vampire stopped in front of him, perhaps reading his body language and seeing that he was not to be trifled with. Trenton got the feeling that this vampire wasn't one to be trifled with either, but he'd do whatever was necessary to protect Marina. '

To his horror, Marina stepped in front of him, stating that she wasn't going to back down. A part of him wanted to yank her back and ask her what the devil she thought she was doing, but another part of hi couldn't help but admire her for her courage. She was showing some backbone at last. Granted, this wasn't the ideal situation for her to be displaying it, but he wasn't going to under mime her for it.

When the vampire spoke again, saying that Marina didn't understand that there was a difference between fledglings and other vampires who were predators, Trenton turned his attention back to his opponent, not wanting to lose focus. The female vampire continued, mentioning another vampire that didn't seem to have the stomach for what they were.

Trenton narrowed his eyes into dangerous slits, not liking where the conversation was going. He sensed that this woman was dangerous, maybe even more than him, especially when she stated that she chose to always stay in her predatory state. Trenton looked at Marina, then back to the vampire.
"What is it that you seek?" he asked tightly, but remembering to keep his voice respectful. This was an older vampire who could probably destroy him and Marina with a single blow. If he wanted to get the girl out safely, he'd have to tread carefully.

[Marina Anne Sinclaire]

Mari listened quietly, her eyes thoughtful but wary as she regarded the other vampire, "That is where you are wrong. Robert has protected you. You are his sire. He has always looked after you first and foremost. He gave up what he was for you." her gaze focused on the woman, "As I said, I seek understanding. I asked him about what he was years ago because he helped me when I was a child. The point I'm trying to make Anneliese is simple; he honors you. Why can't you do him the same honor and let him live how he wishes to? He adores you. The way his face lights up when he speaks of you says that alone even if he wouldn't say it for fear of your anger.

Her back twinged at the mention of the lash, "If we were all food you would not have turned Robert. Clearly some of us are worth saving in some fashion. How do you know I am not to him as Robert is to you?" It was true that she did not know if she was but the point was that Annaliese was making a judgement that wasn't entirely correct to make.

She took a gentle but respectful step back to give Trenton freedom of movement but it was done to show deference to him, "That is probably true, which is why I am standing up now. Its late and its not well timed but its a start. Surely you can grant me that?" she said with a thoughtful gaze. She didn't want to antagonize the woman, "Look, I'm trying not to get caught between you two. I'm supposed to be listening to him but that just seems to antagonize you. So can you cut me a break here? I really don't like making him unhappy but I don't want this to turn into a Vampiric Hunger Games."

[anneliese]

There was a smirk that followed the asking of Trenton's question, even she had no idea what it was she sought. "Everything..? Nothing..? Who knows, right now, blood maybe." she said, shrugging her shoulders at him. She had no idea what brought her here other than to watch this curious looking young man hunt his prey. She never thought that far ahead, to what her end game was, it was more fun to just smash your way to it and figure it out when the time came. It definitely confused the enemy if their enemy didn't even have a plan or any sort of end game in mind. Arguably that was what made her so dangerous, she never planned, simply reacted, and often those reactions were violent.

Laughter erupted from within Anne, filling the night as she became hysterical. "Robert protect me? From what, might I ask? There is no reason I need Robert's protection." she replied, though she didn't believe a word she just said. She knew that it wasn't outside threats he was protecting her from, it was the threat of the monster within that threatened to spill out, to reveal their kind to the world. Every single night Robert was responsible for disposing of her mess that could potentially harm them all.

"It's a slight against me, that he chooses to be so soft with the rest of the cattle. I gave him my power so that he could be a merciless god, not simply one of them!" she said, sounding furious. She hated that about her fledglings, no matter how hard she tried they always ended up being good guys. Maybe it wasn't the blood that corrupted after all, nor was it her, but it was the past that brought you to this life. A mini revelation in it's self, as she had always assumed it was a mixture of her hatred combined with this dark power. Maybe she was wrong in assuming she could ever replicate a monster such as herself.

Flashing forward with her speed, Anne took hold of Marina by the throat, turning her head to the left, and the slowly back to the right. She was examining her for some strange reason, though everything she did was odd in one way or another. Her psychic powers would attempt to probe Marina, who would most likely feel the sensation of someone trying to enter her mind. "Why do you care so much for someone who eats your kind? It's like the mouse loving the snake." she asked. Normally she would have just crushed the human by now, but this time she seemed more interested in words.

[Trenton Dante Moore]

He saw Marina take a step back, giving him the needed room to maneuver if it became necessary. Thank you, Bella. Try not to be too frightened. I will attempt to get you out of here unharmed, he thought, hoping that she'd read the thought. At his question, the other vampire answered that they didn't know, and that they possibly sought everything. Great. A vampire that does not even know what it wants. How lovely, he thought to himself. Not that he minded random destruction once in a while himself, but that was just a once in a while thing, not really a long term idea.

The other vampire started spouting off about the other vampire named Robert and Trenton had to fight the urge to roll his eyes. Really? She was gonna vent? So much for being big and bad. However, he wasn't sure what kind of affect her attitude was having on Marina, so he sent as much peaceful that he could her way.

Then, before he could do anything, the other vampire grabbed Marina by the throat and began looking at her, acting much like a puzzled puppy. Trenton growled deep from his chest, putting in as much warning as he was able as he flew towards them, intending to knock the other vampire to the ground.

[Marina Anne Sinclaire]

"With all due respect, my lady we shall see what comes of your temper. Something tells me things may not work out the way you hope. Life is never what we plan or wish for." she says simply as she makes sure that Trenton is in front as much as she can. Her senses on alert as she forced herself to not be ill.

"Robert is what his inner nature is. No one else would protect you the way he has. Most would have solved the issue of your insanity while you slept. I hate to be blunt but it is the truth. You have to accept your fledglings for who they are not who you want them to be." This woman was just so enraged she wanted to throw up on her bare feet. It hurt her to feel so much rage.

She looked at Trenton and smiled softly at him, she wanted to hold his hand gently but she knew it it would hinder him so she tried to be brave and not worry needlessly. She never let her eyes leave Anne though, she was not foolish enough to do that. She was upset that their conversation had been disrupted.

"Because the snake has taken better care of me than any mouse. I'm not locked away like a doll on display or dealing with him beating me. I don't have to walk on egg shells with him wondering if the clothing I'm going to wear is going to have him trying to assault me. I don't have to worry about being thrown in a pit full of rats that bite me and leave scars. I'm allowed to speak my mind without being hit so hard it breaks my nose and dislocates my jaw." She stood fast against Anneleise, but the thoughts she did share were kindly. "Trust me. You don't want inside my head. You will not like it there." she said as a warning to her, "Unless you like seeing every dark hole my dad shoved me into when I didn't do what I was supposed to. Or what it felt like when my brother carved his mark into my chest when I was six. I assure you if you look there you will feel it as if it is happening to you. I suggest you save what little sanity you have and not scare yourself."

Then she was knocked to the ground when Trenton struck, rolling as much as she could to protect herself. Making herself as small a target as she could.