New Kids on the Block [Diana, Trent]

[Marina Anne Sinclaire]

She found it to be a stone cold pain in the rear to pack with a sore hand but dammit all, she was going with Rodney and bugging out of the city for a while. She was sick of this. Supernaturals were stabbing each other in the back and now there were new hunters coming after a new werewolf. She was exhausted and fed up. She felt her mind starting to get overwhelmed and she didn't have anyone to talk to that didn't have an agenda except maybe Eli.

She put her phone on speaker and waited for Eli to pick up. She grabbed about four bathing suits and tossed them in as well as her pajamas. Completely oblivious to the nature of them. She was not up for romance right now. She could barely keep her mind calm. Walking to the bathroom she collected her antidepressants, sleeping pills, and allergy meds. Tossing them in her medicine bag along with her birth control she zipped it up and added it to the pile. Finally there was someone picking up on the other end.

"Eli, its Mari. We've got problems. I ran into a new werewolf at the beach today and he had a metric butt ton of hunters literally packing heat and chasing after him. I don't know how large the group is but I'm gonna bug outta town for a bit till the shit dies down. If you know any other hunters you might wanna let them know these guys are poaching on their turf. I mean shit Eli I'm a cupid and I just...." her voice cracked slightly,"I'm really freaking out here, Eli. I don't have anything to defend myself with and I don't think I could handle it if someone grabbed me again..."

She took a deep breath as she tried to calm herself and tried to breathe her asthma was flairing up. Grabbing her inhalor she took a deep puff and held it in while she waited for her lungs to calm down. Her chest hurt and she could feel her pulse beating at a sticcato pace with her heart murmur. She felt tears prickle at her eyes and she forced herself to be calm. She could handle things she knew but she couldn't handle the unknown.

Once she got off the phone with Eli she was going get this crap dealt with. If anyone could look this up it was Darryl. Mari had called Eli first because she wanted to keep the bloodshed down if there was to be any. She paced and then texted Darryl as she spoke to Eli.

Darryl, Ran into a new werewolf at the beach being pursued by a group of armed men that sounded like they were using military tactics. I think they saw me speaking to him. I'm going to the lake till things calm down; hopefully that will get them off me for a while if they get any bright ideas. Tell everyone to keep their heads down. This looks bad. Stay safe! Mari.

Once that message was processed she waited till Diana walked in the door. She was due in at any time and she needed to let her know in person. She was shaking and tried to remember to breathe. Settling herself she walked to her closet and pulled out some summer weight clothes, tossing in a few jeans for good measure. Walking back to the bathroom she looked over her toiletries. She had a ton. She randomly gathered a small but necessary handful based on what she had packed and then set out to pick out her jewelry. Simple and elegant. She packed it carefully and then looked at the bag. Everything packed in one suitcase and one overnight bag to make sure her shampoo didn't upend or something. She knew how to pack and travel light and it helped.

[Trenton Dante Moore]

Trenton headed for Marina's room and could feel the intense emotions coming from her. She was stressed out. Not that he could blame her. He had heard the buzz around the city about some new hunters in town that seemed to be organized like they were military or a government agent or something. That is lovely. This is just what we need, he thought to himself. He could hardly blame Marina for feeling apprehensive. Heck, he was feeling that way and it had not been his species that had been hunted.
"Bella, how are you doing with everything?" he queried, walking through the threshold. Then, "You are packing," he noted. He tried to fight the sudden urge of panic but found that he could not. Have I upset her in some way or hurt her without realizing it? he wondered.

[Marina Anne Sinclaire]

She stopped what she was doing and looked at Trent. Sighing she hung up when she realized she'd been babbling at Eli's voice mail and he could call her back, walking over to him she hugged him, "I'm on edge and scared and Rodney thought it would be good if I got out of town for the weekend. Nothing funny or wrong just get to sit at the lake and relax and chat. I just...I'm afraid those hunters will track me here and the lake house will throw them off." she looked up into his eyes, as she placed a hand on his cheek, "I'm not leaving I just have to think. I've had a lot happen and I just need to process it all. My abilities are feeling overwhelmed. You've not upset me so don't worry." she leaned against him and tried to offer reassurance, "Rodney is a friend. I want to get to know him as a person, Trent. I need to have humans around me. Please can I go? I'll do my best to be good. I know I made some mistakes and I'm a horrible person for it but...I just...Rodney isn't going to be around forever and I don't want to rush into an eternity with you just yet. I want...to take my time. I'm feeling rushed and everything and I just need some piece and quiet. I'm not going to be going for a weekend of naughtiness. I'm not that kind of girl I just need to clear my head. I need to make sure Rodney has things to protect him in case it gets really dangerous. I have you and Diana but he doesn't have anything or really anyone to help."

She knew it was a lot to ask him but she didn't want to lie to him and she wasn't going to start now. She did care, she just didn't know if it was gratitude or something more. She wouldn't pretend that it was something it wasn't. "I also don't want...to hinder you if you need to make a political alliance with someone. You're the male leader of the vampires of LA and you might...have to use that to your advantage. I know how arrangements work. My dad had a lot of them. I'm not so dumb as to think that you won't have to do that ever." she admitted. "Royalty married strangers all the time out of expediency or political necessity. I care about you and what you need as well." it was awkward to say but it needed to be said. She wasn't going to stop him from falling for someone else. She realized it could take her a long time to get used to him being a vampire and all that it meant. All of this she left open for him to see. She felt awkward and clumsy and she worried she had said the wrong thing but she wanted the best for everyone and she knew she needed to meet with Rodney. She needed to give him some things to protect himself. If nothing else a cross. The world was dangerous and she cared too much to not arm him for the coming problems.

[Trenton Dante Moore]

Trenton fell silent as Marina explained that she was on edge and scared and that Rodney thought it would be best for her to get away so that she could process everything that had happened...which made sense. Trenton frowned. Rodney. There was that name again. The human that Marina had kissed. Sure the circumstances were not normal, but it still didn't change the fact that she had kissed another boy. Oh, how he wanted to rip the human's head off! Of course, he would have to meet the boy first. After all, there was no point in drawing attention to himself by killing the wrong human.

The vampire mentally shook his head as he realized that the girl was still talking. He refocused his attention on her as she told him that the boy was a friend and that she wanted to get to know him, reminding him that she needed to be around more humans. Trenton let out a sigh. I suppose she is right. She has not had the chance to know others of her kind...but does it have to be a boy? he thought to himself.

When she mentioned that she wasn't sure about an eternity with him, his eyes clouded. Okay, that hurt a bit. However, he said nothing as she went on to say that she was feeling rushed about certain things.
"It was certainly not my intention to rush you or make you feel uncomfortable," he murmured. She then went on, saying that she just needed some peace and quiet and that she was not going to be "naughty". "As if you ever could be," he said.

At the mention of a political alliance, he looked at her intently. Was she serious? Sure, an event like that could be necessary, but he had not expected her to voice her opinion on it. When she told him that she understand how politics worked because her father had made such alliance, he let out a shrug.
"As of right now, I am not foreseeing that necessity. But if it does come down to that situation, I will be sure that it someone of whom Diana approves of and will not cause you a bit of harm," he assured.

[Marina Anne Sinclaire]

She sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose, "Trent, I care about you, I do, but I've only been on one date with you. I want the chance to take things slow with you. See whats out there before I settle down for all eternity. I mean I'd rather make sure I know fully what I'm getting into." she exhaled softly and looked at him, "I'm just trying to think ahead and not just assume everything is going to continue the same way."

"I appreciate that. I just don't want to hinder you with your plans and we've had people in the past look at me with a raised eyebrow because of my loyalties. I'm not trying to hurt you. I'm trying to understand, Trent. I'm not as versed in the world as you are." she walked over and pulled out a tape recorder from the dresser she'd placed it in, "This was in the building I was held captive in. This was the man that grabbed me and stuck Eli and I in that room and forced him to make decisions to survive." she hit the play button:

Hello Eli, I want to play a game.

You are a man full of confliction, full of fear. You fear what you could do to the people around you, and the people you care about. You kill those resembling a part of what you are, trying to deny what you are. But now it has been stripped from you. The numb feeling in your arms and legs are the muscle relaxers injected into your body. Much like those around you - you are now as good as human. Except for one thing.

There are nine other individuals in this building. Five that you know, and four that are complete strangers to you. But you must make a choice. In front of you is someone that you know. Someone that is dear in your heart, but instead of nurturing a bond you have their lives hanging in the balance. This is where the game begins. Separating you is a pouring wall of blood. As I understand, this is like acid for something like - you. You have two minutes to break through your fears to save them. If you don't, the stone walls that hold this restrained individual will close in on them, their bones broken into dust. The key to their salvation is in your possession. Time is ticking Eli, can you do what needs to be done? Or will you let fear rule your life. The choice is yours.......

"That was in the entrance way. THIS was what I had to go through after we got out of the first room." she interjected before popping a video into the DVD/VCR player she had in her room An image of a creepy clown and the same cultured voice echoed in the room.

Congratulations. You have passed the first test Eli, and the damsel is saved. But then again, who aren't you saving; everyone except for yourself. Tonight you will learn the difference between the hero and anti-hero, when choices arise if you make the right ones or the wrong. This will show who lives - and who dies. You can't save everyone. But sometimes, the saved must become the savior. Marina, you spent your life getting abused. You brothers made you childhood a living hell with your misery, and blood isn't a new thing to you, is it? Since your father kept you locked up for years, I see that being locked up again would be - displeasing for you. Here you must make a choice. In five minutes the only door out into the world you love so much will lock forever. The key to this door, is right bellow your feet.

Unless Eli didn't tell you yet, the blood is pigs blood. To cut an animal and drain it's blood is - amazing. Watching the life drain from the vessel they call a body is life changing. The organs of the slaughtered animals rest in the red river bellow, and under at the back of the room you will find two jars. If you can put two hearts in the jars before time runs out - you are free to go. If not, the curse casted onto you will cause your own organs to burst inside of you. Think of it as a trigger - for a human bomb. The clock is ticking Marina. Will you face the blood lost and find hearts as broken as your own, or will you be subjected to doors binding you again. The choice is yours.....[/color]

Noah's voice echoed in the room and she looked at Trenton, "THIS is what I am talking about, Trent. THIS is why I want to know what is going on before I spend an eternity with you. Who the hell is this sick fuck? I mean holy crap I'm being used as bait for a guy that I see maybe once a week at band practice. The crap doesn't get much more intense than that. And you want me to date you and you're the number two vamp in the city. Its dangerous for me." she said with a shaky voice as she hugged herself, "I need to feel safe and that..." she gestured to the recorder and the television, "Does not make me feel safe. I could have DIED that night. If I didn't know a healer my right hand would have been shattered at the very least. I'm a musician do you know what losing the use of a hand means to me?"

She exhaled then walked over and hugged him, her eyes closed as she shook, "I'm scared, Trenton. There are things happening around us and I don't know what to do. Hell my cousin just moved back into town and the last time he was here he beat every one of my dead beat brothers bloody for hurting me. His coming here isn't a coincidence. We need to be careful and we need to be prepared." She felt cut off from everyone and everything and it hurt. She needed reassurance and to lean on someone for a little while longer. Pausing she put her bag away, letting him know she wasn't rushing out the door and tugged him on a couch with her, curling up against him and seeking comfort. She had dark circles under her eyes and part of her just wanted to stay like this and not worry any more but she knew she couldn't.

[Trenton Dante Moore]

Trenton frowned and had to fight not to vamp out when Marina mentioned her kidnapping. She brought out a tape recorder and pressed play. Trent was silent as he listened as the man talked.
"Eli? One of Trinity Brothers? How in the world did he get mixed up with something like this?" he asked. And was that Noah? What in the world was he doing?

When the recording was done, Trenton looked to Marina, and he could feel his fangs fighting to free themselves. He was not sure what Noah had been up to, but he desperately wanted to kill them. She then told him that the voice they had just heard had been in the entrance way of where she had been kidnapped. She then put in a tape in the VCR.

What he saw next made his eyes flash. Noah was in a clown costume and he was speaking to the hunter again.
"He sure does like to hear himself talk," Trenton stated after a while. Then, his eyes flashed as Noah began addressing Marina. How did he know so much about her?

After the tape was done, Marina turned to him and asked him who the guy was and that she wanted to have all the facts before spending all eternity with him.
"That makes perfect sense, Bella. And I do not know who he is. I have never seen or heard him before," he lied. [/i]I will kill him. I will hunt him down and take him out,[/i] he thought to himself. But he couldn't. Now was not the time. He could figure out a way to take Noah out after Marina got out of town.

As Marina continued to talk, Trenton could sense her fear and he reached out to pull her closer and went to place a reassuring kiss on her lips.

[Marina Anne Sinclaire]

"I don't know how Eli got mixed in with all this. He's just the lead singer in the band I'm in. He's a half vamp but I figured that wasn't a big thing after all I live with a vampire." she shrugged as she looked at him and bit her lip.

"Yes, but the more he talks the more we can analyze who he is. I'm going to find out who he is. This being is dangerous to vampire kind. He's a loose cannon. I'm going to tell my God Father about him. He takes care of crazies like this in the vampire community. His name's Robert Lovelace."

"I was hoping you knew who he was. This scares me." she said softly as she bit her lip and sighed gently. "I don't like surprises like this. That's why I wanted to go to the lakehouse and clear my head."

Curling into his arms, Marina felt his lips on hers and kissed him back, softly but with growing heat as the enormity of what happened to her hit her. She closed her eyes and shook in his arms as she clung to him and tried to drive the fear away. She didn't want to be scared any more and her life was a giant mess. She felt like she had no control over her life and in some ways it was worse than being with her father because with him she knew the rules and what she could get away with. Here there were none and she felt like she was floundering without a net.

[Trenton Dante Moore]

Trenton frowned when Marina stated that she did not know how Eli had gotten mixed up with Noah. This was not good. Not that he really cared about a hunter, but if Noah was going off the proverbial deep end and putting the existence of all vampires at risk, he would have to be taken care of. Maybe he should talk to Diana. Then, all of what she said registered.
"He still hasn't finished the transformation? Bella, that's not good for him," he warned. And it was true. He needed to make a decision one way or the other. Halflings did not tend to last very long.

He then nodded in agreement. The more Noah talked, the better chance he had to figure out what he was up to...as well as what course of action to take if need be. Trent frowned at the name. Robert Lovelace. Had he met him? He wasn't sure. However, it would probably be good to meet with him.
"I can meet with him if you would like," he offered. "I can understand why it would alarm you," he said.

As they kissed, he thought back to what she had said, how she wanted to leave because all of what had happening. He could not blame her. Finally, he pulled away.
"Would you like some help packing?" he asked.

[Marina Anne Sinclaire]

"He's a hybrid, Trent. He's only got the speed and grace near as I can tell and eats more food than five people. He's really just not worth worrying about." she said softly as she leaned against him as they cuddled. More needing the contact than romance. "Vampire politics is up to you, Trent. I know him because he's my God Father and he helped heal me emotionally when mom died." she shrugged as she relaxed in his lap.

"I've got the packing done mostly." she admitted to him with a gentle shrug, "I won't say no to cuddling though. I really could use it." she admitted softly. "My back is hurting a little and my hand is better but it aches and my head hurts." she rested her head on his chest tiredly. She just had a bad feeling about things and it worried her. It was probably all the stress she'd been under but it made her more clingy than normal. She took her glasses off as she felt the beginnings of a tension headache forming and set them down on the table next to the couch they were on, content to view the world and him through a slightly fuzzier version of what her glasses gave her.