Chapter Text
Owen sat in his seat to the right of Scott's ostentatious throne. Steering into the swirling of the blood as it teased the rim of the wine glass. His eyes vacant while he steered. Memories that he thought had finally retreated to the depths of his own subconscious were replaying more vividly then the 200 years he spent in his tomb.
A look of disdain morphed as the strong grip of his own hate-filled strength lifting him above his own head. Fair ran through his vanes as his flight and fight went into over drive. Hands reaching out pulling at the fingers gripping his neck, with each tug or slap of the arm the grip tightened. during his clawing the bell that hung as a reminder of sickness had loosened and the faintest of rings could be herd as it hit the ground.
Blood pounding in his ears at the panic of knowing this is the end, what did he do to deserve the abandonment from the Divine.
He watched himself from under a bed, little hands covering his mouth to not make a noise to alert the monster feasting on his father. Hot tears streamed down his cheeks. His father's eyes wide, looking directly at his own, pleading that he stayed quiet and not to leave till the monster had moved on. He watched as his own eyes tracked what had grabbed the father's attention, watching as he discarded the dead man and stood making his way to the bed. Heavy boots stopping in front of his nose. Eyes shut tight hoping this nightmare would end, silent screams threatening to escape pursed lips.
The vial taste of pride and hate-fill glee court in his throat. Snickering from the other men around the table as he held up a pendant of the a cult. Their plan was simple, make a passing comment to the towns gossip and with the plagued wood cutter missing their plan would be easier then previously thought, provided there was evidence. He held out a well crafted emblem, showing it off to those that sat at the table like a trophy.
Allowing the rest of the Blood to slide down his throat, Owen abruptly stood up and threw the glass at the opposite wall in a fit of anger, glittery shards staining the wall as the wounds cried red with the remains of the blood.
"I need a proper drink"
~
"Why hello, what's going on here?" Owen crouched at the top of the wall watching Pyro and Shelby talk with two humans that in intrigued him the least, Abolish and Sosage.
"Just talking. What happened with Pearl" Shelby watched as Owen and her new sisters joined them.
Owen shrugged, joining the little huddle "she took a dive off the bridge. she's fine probably just washed up down stream"
As they were talking Cleo made her way around the group. "If your wanting someone who is interested in turning" pushing Sosage towards Owen. Shelby was surprised with learning this new information, why didn't he say so sooner.
Sosage flustered, with being put on the spot he managed to stumble his way through a yes. He put down his sword and the bit of door he was using as a shield. Owen was surprised with this as well, maybe Sosage wasn't as dull as he originally thought. "Oh? By all means follow me"
The two separated from the small gathering heading out to the forest where it was more private. Owen asked questions on why Sosage wanted to turn and didn't really get much of importance out of him. "This should be far enough"
Sosage looked around the trees inky shadows walled the edge of the clearing, he nervously laugh "so what do I do now? Give you my neck, or?"
Owen thought his nervousness cute, to bad it was very much warranted. "Normally it's a simple process, with a few exceptions but you won't have to worry about that"
The tension in Sosag's shoulders fell, as Owen offered a simple smile. "It's just a shame I'M not taking on any spawn" Owen lunged grabbing Sosage by the throat, taking him to the ground. His grip just tight enough to prevent any yelling, his other hand come up, index tracing diagonal along the neck. Once he worked out what he wanted to do, Owen started with small precise cuts which quickly devolved into manic slashing.
"Sorry Sosage, there is just no more room for fresh fangs in this 'family'" Owen left the man to choke on is own blood, no one would find him here, no one would be the wiser.
~
"Careful Owen, she's a strong one" Cleo called from her perch on the cliff side, delight sparkling in her eyes. Pyro was crouched next to her watching the two humans, calculating how much of a threat the two would be. Pearl, he knew was a challenge, but Sosage wasn't much of a threat especially considering his state from his and Owens earlier encounter. He would still pose to be a nuisance though, taking the opportunity to assist Pearl when Owen engages.
"Oh don't worry Cleo, I'm fully aware. Say Pearl, hows that leg? The doctor must work miracles if you are already walking" Owen stood calm on his little bolder at the waters edge.
Pearl's axe hung at her side, the silver coating glinting as it caught the moonlight. Hand ready to move at a moments notice. "It was nothing more then a scratch, certainly nothing to worry over" the knowing calm in her voice was unnerving. Owen raised an eyebrow, daring to glance at Cleo, Who only offered a shrug in response.
With the flex of Pearl's hand around the handle. Owen's eyes snapped to the sudden movement. taking this as a sign to start, he ran at her. Arm out stretched, claws ready to strike only to be met with the heavy impact of metal. Taken aback by Pearl's own speed, Owen left an opening. Pearl swung up managing to get him clean across the chest, the cries of pain covered the sound of burning flesh.
The sound of metal hitting stone and claws scratching metal was jarring to anyone, supernatural hearing or not, and not wanting to be hit, Owen was forced to play on the defensive just until Pearl inevitably fumbles.
Sosage not wanting his friend to fight alone jumped in sending out a short word to the Divine in hopes of some form of aid. A ring of blue tinted fire surrounded the two, forcing Owen to jump back. Not appreciating the interference, Pyro jumped down from his perch. "Now, now, 2v1 that's not very fair" he had landed on him, knocking him to the ground. With some of the wounds inflicted earlier reopening, Sosage didn't move. "Lets leave the two of them to it, if we are lucky they might kill each other"
Making sure Sosage stayed out of the way, Pyro dragged him back by the leg, stones running along open wounds, twinges of pain prevented Sosage from fighting back. Once they were at a safe distance Pyro became a human paperweight, leaning down to hold Sosag's jaw, forcing him to watch the fight. "Isn't this beautiful" his delight was met with a wince.
~
"You turned me into this....this thing!" Apo gestured at herself, voice rising.
Not appreciating the accusatory tone Owen stepped in matching Apo's own volume, dropping his normally calm demeanour "I, didn't, do, anything. I'm not your sire. Your not My responsibility" the anger boiled in Owens blood. How dear a fledgling accuse him of such. "What, was I meant to stop you?"
"Yes" she didn't back down from Owens blatant disregard against her own beliefs.
"That's not how it works out here Apo. You die as a Human or you die as a monster. But before that at least be happy you can return to your loved ones"
~
Owen looked at the signs, his own nails cutting into the palm of his hands. The yet to dry paint cried down the wood. 'Louis wouldn't want you to be the monster they accused him of' 'I can help you'
"I'll rip him apart" Owen hissed through bared fangs.
~
"I see you brought company. I can smell them on the hill, hear their faint heartbeat" Owen said as he stepped behind the doctor. "I'll be at ruins"
"No." Legs spun around hoping Owen would be standing behind him, pulling one of his reappearing tricks. "No, no. You stand here and talk to me. Be it unseen if you want, I don't care but he is here for back up" the doctor shifted on his leg, becoming aware of the lingering pain he was still in. "Your trying to kill us now, Scott has already attempted my life. So Abolish is just for security"
Owen stopped his escape and returned to stand next to the doctor. "Fine. What's with the note you left" the paint bled sign sat in front of them.
"I've seen more humans that are monsters and more vampires that are human. So what is it you want?" The doc' words held more truth then Owen would know at this time. He did know more monstrous humans, he was one of them after all.
"How do you expect to help me?"
Legs stood surprised. He hadn't expected to get this far, he honestly thought Owen would have left by now, leaving him talking to the air around him. "I'm a monster too. Every thing I have done, the ghost I carry, that's what makes me a monster"
"You have the opportunity for real change here doctor. A way to help people, good people. Owen was now looking up, meeting the man's eyes.
"I Don't Deserve Eternity! I did my damage, I repent for it and I die! The world would be better for it" As the doctor raised his voice, Owen moved forward closing the gap between them. Tentatively brushing his hand over the man's own.
"Very well. I just thought maybe... If you were willing to accept it, you could be like him"
Legs pulled his hand back. "The world doesn't need me around forever"
~
The night air was still warm as a breeze brushed past the two standing in the clearing. "You know for someone as old as you are, you are a right ass sometimes and a bigger hypocrite. You just don't care, do you?"
Owen ignored the comment. The doc was right, he didn't care. "Those people, I owe them Nothing. They certainly haven't given me anything of value" if only Owen wasn't so pent up and was actually paying attention, he would have seen the hurt that came across the doc' face as he reached for his own neck.
Owen stopped his pacing. "What is it you want, why did you leave that note"
This time it was Legs to close the gap. Using the sound of Owens voice to find him, managing to cup Owens cheek in the palm of his hand. If this was some other time, under different circumstances maybe this out come would have been different. More intimate.
"Its not what you are that defines you, Owen. It's what your doing and if your going to follow Scott on his little power hungry out bursts....."
"I'm not following anyone" Owen pulled the doctors arm away as he responded, eyes narrowed as he looked up, nails threatening to puncture the skin. "I follow no sire" Owens fangs were bared ready for a fight He was not expecting Legs to relax his shoulders, a small smile crossing his face.
"Best thing I could have ever heard." Owens look of puzzlement said it all. "We figured it out and I think you are one of the few we can help" Owen backed away at the out stretched hand that offered potential salvation.
"What are you talking about" the vampire didn't want to listen to what the doctor had to say, he didn't want an answer. This was all he had and now he was being offered something he had thought impossible. "I don't believe you" he scanned the doc' face hoping to find some sort of tell he was lying.
After ragged breaths begin to stabilize, Owens demeanour was back to being it's normal calm. "Get out doctor, I don't ever want to hear you speak to me about taking the last bit of him I have left"
Legs stayed where he was, watching with a puzzled look across his own brow. Shouldn't Owen be happy with this news?
With the good doctor not moving, Owen took a swing catching him across the arm. His hearing picked up rapidly approaching foot steps, making their way down the hill.
Another swing, this time across the chest. "You won't take him from me!"
With each step bringing the guest closer, Owens claws dug deeper. The paned look the doc gave as Owen let loose his anger, taking this opportunity while Abolish was still making his way to aid. He may have been a safe distance and quick on his feet but a vampire is quicker.
After tiring of swinging his arms Owen leaned down to get at Legs neck, pinning him to the ground. He began to drink before needing to spit up the blood as it hit the back of his throat. The blood that did make it down his throat burned. "Garlic!?" Surprised with this sudden sensation He ripped himself from the doctor, taking a chunk of the doctor's neck with him. He clawed at his own throat, willing the vial to be retched up.
Abolish rushed Owen with full force, using both his speed and the fact Owen was distracted to his full advantage at getting Owen off the blood drained doctor. Panicked, Owen fled to the tree tops, watching.
"Owen. Are we good?" Abolish held out his makeshift shield using it as a barrier between the doctor, himself and Owen.
"I don't care what remedy you have found, what cure that's been created. Burn it!..... It will do no good here" Owen cried out. Abolish noted the wild unease of a child ready to lash out.
Expecting something like this, Abolish was ready to hold Owen back with the shield, opting to smack him with the pommel of the sward.
"I just want to get what I came for and leave. But I am trapped here. This little spat between vampires and humans, is your business. I don't plan on fighting"
"If you want to leave, you will have to find someone to sire you. Because if you are leaving, it won't be with that beating heart"
"Why do I have to turn, why can't I just leave“
"Don't you get it, it's their game. The only way for anyone to leave would be to cure us or turn, and I for one am quite happy with my current state"
Not wanting to waist any more time of the doc not having help, Abolish heaved Doc over his back before anything else could happen. "Why are things always complicated"
~
The doc woke up with a startle, heart racing, ears ringing. Panic of waking up in a unfamiliar place unsure if he was here or if this was some twisted dreams from the beings keeping him here.
Abolish was chopping at the counter, preparing carrot for the boiling cauldron that sat over the small fire in the hearth. "Glad you're awake doc"
"What happened? How did I get back" the Sharp intake of breath as he tried to move stopped him. Abolish watched, he could tell Legs to not strain himself but he bet the doctor already knew that.
Before much could be discussed, Cleo knocked. "Things have gotten more complicated"
~
"Did you just try to hit me with that?!" Avid asked, panicked he held the glass bottle of holy water away from himself, not taking his eyes of it encase it broke in his hands.
"No, no. Just testing your reflexes. Well done your very good. Now, hand it back." Owen held out his hand expectantly, gingerly the bottle was returned . "Thank you" Giving the contents one last look he throws it a distant tree. "Now let's go have a chat"
Once the two were in a secluded spot Owen watched intently, this was the first time the two had been alone together. Avid shifted uncomfortably under his stare, desperately wanting to break the silence. A small exhale was released from a breath he did not know he was holding till Owen finally spoke. "So Avid, tell me what's going on with you. Why the sudden change?"
Avid brought his hand up to his own bandaged neck and absentmindedly scratched at them as he let out a nervous laugh. "I'm surprised you haven't killed me if I'm honest"
"I'm thinking about it, it's very much an option" Owens stone expression never changing as he still watched every little move.
Letting out a sigh, Avid dropped his hand back to his side. "I know, your not the first person to tell me that" with no indication of being interrupted he continued. "I was sick and asked Shelby to turn me"
Owen stood and listened. A story all to familiar, yet they are not the same.
As Avid finished, a group of shades made their way past, when a straggler headed for the vampires. Avid raised a hand ready to strike but before he could connect Owen court his wrist "Leave them be. They are trapped like the rest of us, unaware of what hell they wander. Let them rest"
Avid was surprised at the sorrow Owen showed towards these creatures, unaware what he's seeing is envy. Envy at the knowledge that the mindless aren't been haunted by the horrors they once might have committed.