A return to life. (Open)

[Rodry Pol]

The warmth had seeped deep, the life giving heat finally penetrating his bones after what felt like ages. Rodry had been absent from the Tel'Ranaemyn inn for longer than a few months. Long enough that his children no doubt believed that their father had moved on, had left the inn behind to live out the remainder of his life alone. Something that had worried them leaving them searching high and low for their elusive father. Little did they know that an old friend had assisted their Old Man in finding a place to recover.

Rodry had made many mistakes before he had needed to go into rehabilitation. Over taxing himself, wasting the precious vital energy that had been gifted to him. Not allowing himself to gradually get used to feeling better before he had put the pedal to the metaphoric metal. Having pushed himself far too hard, he had paid the price. Unable to continue, feeling as if he couldn't bear the suffering. It had been his belief that the Reaper had finally come to collect, an ironic thought when he reflected upon it. Why would a humans imagined entity come for him? Had he truly fallen so far? Had his life spiraled that deeply away from all that it had once been?

Yet here he was. Awakening. Eyes twitching slowly at first. The tips of his fingers lightly brushing at the sand beneath the right, while the left felt the cool flow of water trailing about it's digits. The bare tips getting the now familiar sting of pain that came from too much pressure upon their fragile skin. He stirred slowly at first, the shift of one leg, disturbing the layer of dust that had fallen upon his dressing gowned form. One bear's foot slipper twitching, bumping the other. He had fallen asleep deeply, to recover from the ordeal. The light was bright. Too bright for those old, dark accustomed eyes. The hand that had been in the water lifted, trailing moist finger tips along parched lips before moving to shade his eyes. Part of him remembered the one who had come for him, though the memory was fuzzy.

What was it that was said? Rest, recover? Drink from the spring.

He rolled slowly, carefully, cupping his hand to bring the waters to his lips in small sips. Gradually moistening his dust laden throat. How long had he been sleeping? Resting upon the shore of the spring with one hand trailing in the magical waters? The fact that he couldn't answer that question was disturbing to him. Rodry had an amazing sense of time, one that had never failed him before. Once his throat was once more clear he washed his face. There was no stubble, which was not unusual, though he was finally taking stock of himself. Taking in the sight of his hand. It was raw and looked as if he had suffered some burns, but it was whole, otherwise unblemished. He just stared at it for a long time as if someone had struck him dumb. It took nearly two minutes before he was using those hands to pull up the edge of the dressing gown, looking at his legs. There was no exertion, no fighting. Slippers were pushed off, revealing his feet, the same marks were present scars that looked gruesome and raw. Such an improvement, from a spring?

Rodry had tried everything in his power to counteract his ailment, from potions and spells to rituals and spiritual healing. Nothing had worked for long. Save for his tea, which had some serious moral implications attached to it. Implications that he had pointedly put out of his mind for just the barest hint of comfort. Of returning to a semblance of 'normal'. This however, this place, had left his body ... in a far better state. Rodry glanced about curiously, trying to remember exactly how he had gotten here. They had walked for a while, then he remembered a portal with all of this bloody bright light. Magic he could deal with, he was familiar enough with portals, though they were not exactly his preferred choice of travel. The cavern was large, comfortably so to his mind. While he was eager to leave, there was reluctance. He didn't know how to get here, once the portal was severed, he could not return. At least not without assistance.

The idea of leaving behind a mark that he could search for was tempting, yet such divination had never been his strong suit. The idea was quickly abandoned, leaving him moving with relative ease. Even without his cane. First of all he replaced his slippers upon his feet, his eyes casting about for a stick or something approximate, with little luck. Soon he was on his hands and knees. Clearing a large swath of the sand with his hands, in order to have a smooth surface. Slowly he began to use a finger to trace out sigils and runes, the ancient markings held power of their own, drawing from the surroundings, rather than from the one placing and casting the spell. A trick that had been invaluable during his sickness. The magic rich air and water had been what had helped return his vitality, he was sure of it. It tingled upon his tongue and left the hair on the back of his neck standing up as he worked those ancient markings into the sand.

All in all, after a good half hour he was satisfied with all the markings, including the small circle that held his standing form with the linking marks between him and the portals intended frame. The nerves that were tying his stomach in knots couldn't be held off any longer. He closed his eyes slowly. Focusing in his mind someplace private. An old half collapsed building he remembered from his explorations of New Haven. The place overgrown and in disrepair, but he had found that the basement had still been sound when he had poked about down there. Old Rodry gave a slow calming breath, while he drew his hands in close, allowing the runes around himself to help channel the natural power of this place into him.

Exhilaration. As soon as he marked the first rune he felt ... alive again. The second left his body trembling with a pleasure in the magic that he had not felt in years. When the final rune around himself was active, he felt ... whole. Like himself again. No longer a shadow, no longer just a relic of a bygone age, a remnant that refused to die despite all that he fought against. He could return, he could become himself again. He felt it in the charge in the air and the sparks that danced along his arms and between his fingers. Even as he moved on, guiding the power where the channels he had drawn would take it. The portal took form quickly, far more quickly than he had expected. The power here was ... thrilling to say the least. This discovery left him feeling as if he couldn't leave, couldn't part with this feeling of being ... himself again.

Within the portal, dusty beams and cobwebs beckoned, here the warmth and the power ... just called to him in a way he had not felt in ages. He gave a shiver at the thought, of simply remaining here. There were others that needed to be considered, his children, his friends. People that would likely have worried about him if he remained here. He couldn't.

It was with a heavy heart that Rodry Pol left behind the healing place one of his old friends had brought him to, looking back once he had stepped from the warm sands to the undisturbed dust of the basement. The power was released, leaving the portal collapsing and that feeling of weight and age returning. It was like having ones wings clipped after having experienced flight once more. He shuffled slowly, the darkness far deeper than it should have been, due to having been blinded by the bright light he had stepped out from. Making his way towards the cellar doors. He probably looked a sight, dirty dressing gown and slippers, climbing out of the half collapsed stairway after having not been seen for months. Like a corpse rising from the grave in the dead of night, to return to it's mockery of life.

"Should have brought the cane, Rodry."

[Telguest]

"No Carolyn, I'm telling you, I saw it with my own two eyes. She's gone flippin mad." Jodi Warson and her best friend Carolyn Ryeas were walking not far from where Rodry would emerge from the cellar of that old, half crumbled, building. Jodi, a five foot three brunette of a hundred and twenty-five pounds, was walking backwards as she dramatically described the events that she had witnessed on a recent trip into Rhy'Din's Marketplace.

Carolyn, a five foot six blonde of a hundred and thirty pounds, was shaking her head as she listened. She grabbed Jodi's white tank top near the bottom seam as Jodi nearly tripped over a large stone in the road. "Careful. You almost bit it that time." She laughed and her laughter averted her gaze just enough to spot the man coming out of the cellar in ... Goodness, he was in his night shirt and a pair of slippers that looked like the paws on a bear. How odd.

Carolyn stopped in her forward progress. And with Jodi's shirt still in her hand, Jodi had to stop too, or become topless. Carolyn turned to look upon the strange man. This caused Jodi to turn and look as well. Carolyn tilted her head while Jodi, always the more outgoing and brash of the pair, spoke up. "'Tis not safe to walk these streets alone sir. Especially in such a state of undress. You see, the Goddess, she's gone mad. Saw her kill two innocents myself I did. Well, saw one, found the other dead once the Goddess left her."

Carolyn, a steady church goer to The Church of the Protective Flame, was still having a hard time believing Jodi's tale. But still, the man shouldn't be out in his night clothes. "Can we help you get somewhere safe?" Carolyn was taught to help and protect all those you can. It was one of the teachings of the church. And this man, who looked to be a little more advanced in years than either she or Jodi, was out alone in his PJ's. Who better to help and protect?

[Rodry Pol]

Indeed, the white night shirt looked like something out of a lost era. Where men wore 'dresses' of sorts to bed. The flannel was warm enough, but the fluttering of the hem around his calves was letting in a bit too much of a draft for his liking! If he had planned to be out, or making a return trip, he would have dressed more appropriately, especially on a night like this. The old fellow did his best to try and move quietly, his bear foot slippers whispering along the grass. The slippers had been a gift from his daughter, she had found them amusing. Yet they were comfortable. The dressing gown was proving to indeed be a bad choice, considering he saw people moving up the street. Which was the last thing he really wanted to encounter.

Rodry was silent, watching their progress. Perhaps it was the weight of his intense eyes which Carolyn felt, that feeling of being watched that she picked up on. Who could say. Rodry remained quiet, watching the shorter dark haired girl trip, though her companion helped her. Though at their words, he studied the two of them with a certain curiosity. The air didn't feel too chilled and he could smell cook fires. So perhaps the danger wasn't quite what these two young women were believing? He would imagine if a goddess had lost her mind the place would be a little more ... subdued?

"If that is so, what are two youngsters like yourselves doing out and about at this hour? I do not worry over myself, I am old already and I feel if someone were wanting me dead, they'd have better luck just trying to wait me out."

Rodry made his way out to the street. Pausing briefly to glance up and down the road, as if expecting some bogey man to come leaping out of the bushes nearby. Yet he was giving his attention back to the two of them, offering a faint smile at their concern. He was feeling better than he had, so in a way he wasn't overly worried, despite the brunettes obvious concern.

"I have ... had .. a room at the Tel'Ranaemyn Inn. Though where are the two of you headed? I have a daughter that looks about your age and I would be worried if she was out, especially when someone has been committing murder."

He offered his most fiercely concerned look, one hand rising briefly to brush at the front of his night shirt, before pulling back faintly into the long sleeves. While he appeared normal enough, he didn't particularly want anyone seeing his hands. Call it an old quirk, but after going about be-gloved for so many years, it was unusual to have his hands bare.

"Come along, lets see you back to your homes, the Tel'Ranaemyn Inn isn't so far away as for me to begrudge a little extra walking."

Call it chivalry or fatherly concern, but two young women had no business being out at this hour. Murdering psychopaths were hardly the only dangers young women faced on the streets without a proper chaperone. Whether he be decked out in his PJ's or not!

[Telguest]

Carolyn blushed upon hearing the man's first words. "Would you believe that we're coming from church?" At least Carolyn was. Jodi was not a church going woman. He seemed harmless enough. So Carolyn continued to speak. "I'm Carolyn, this is Jodi. Pleasure to meet you Mr ..." She trailed off there, not knowing the man's name.

Jodi grinned at the man. "I know where the Tel is. Been by there a time or two. Never been inside, but it's purdy on the outside." Jodi spent a lot of time wandering aimlessly. She's wandered past the Tel'Ranaemyn in a few times. Almost stopped in once, but changed her mind. It seemed more like a place her parents would go. Twenty-four years old, and still rebelling.

Carolyn smiled when the man mentioned having a daughter that looked to be about their age. She knew that he probably meant, looks but isn't. Carolyn understood these things, after all, she worshiped a Goddess that was a vampire. "That is why were are out together. Besides, she would never hurt one of her worshipers." At least that was Carolyn's hope. She hadn't seen what Jodi had seen.

Jodi gave a lopsided grin to the man. "I think it would be better if we walked you home. We are a pair, safety in numbers. You are all alone. And a man alone in the dark and practically naked is a walking target." Especially one as attractive as this man was. There was just something about older men, especially ones that weren't bald and fat. But then Jodi had a thought, which made her grin even more. "Of course, you could always come to our apartment and hang out while we call for a guard to escort you." A genuine offer, as a matter of safety of course.

[Rodry Pol]

The two of them certainly didn't seem like the church-going type, but that would be a bit rude to point out. Luckily he was feeling well, otherwise his tongue might have been a bit more lax. No one could ever say that Rodry wasn't a bit of an opinionated fellow. At the mention of their names, he gave a faint nod to each of them. Acknowledging their respective names.

"A pleasure to meet you both, Carolyn and Jodi. My name is Rodry Pol. I trust your worship was eventful."

He was very particular about that, in the way he mentioned both first and last name, rather than just the first. As for knowing where the Tel was, he only nodded, indicating with a hand the direction. It wasn't too terribly far, at least in his current mindset, however he only listened for the bulk of their exchange. Offering a comment about the Tel as well as about their plan to stick together for safety.

"The Tel'Ranaemyn Inn is far more beautiful throughout than even the outside may suggest. However, your plan is a tad flawed, don't you think? Safety isn't about just numbers, you need to have someone with you that can provide safety as well as distraction. Two young women traveling together just means that anyone meaning harm gets a two-for-one deal."

While he was flattered by their offer to walk him 'home' he was tempted to suggest they care for and worry about themselves, more than him. They didn't even know him. Rodry was standing, seeming to contemplate the possibilities of how to ensure safety, which was important on it's own, though at the offer, his brows shot up at least a good degree or two.

"Like I said, I do not worry over myself. If anyone is foolish enough to attack an old man in his pajamas, then I don't know what sort of world we are living in. I will be fine by myself. No need to call a guard. They have more important things to be doing than walking an old man home. I couldn't however in good conscience, allow you two to continue on alone. I would hope someone kind would stop to help my own Daughter as well. "

Rodry didn't address the invitation, it would be impolitic to say the least to encourage that wicked little grin that Jodi was wearing. He did however move in, remaining an appropriate distance from the two of them. While speaking once more.

"How far from here is your apartment? That way I know how to plan my return to the Tel, once you are both safe and sound in your apartment anyways.

[Telguest]

Carolyn smiled brightly. She loved it when someone invited her to speak of her time at church. Though, she wasn't s zealot, she always gave an abridged version. "Oh yes, church was quite eventful tonight. So many spouting off about the same thing Jodi was just saying. Imagine, her own worshipers thinking she'd gone off her rocker and was murdering again after all these years." See, abridged.

Jodi and Carolyn both sort of blinked and pondered his comment for a moment, the one about their theory being flawed. Jodi spoke in response. "We hadn't thought about it like that. But still, one of us could distract her while the other went for help." But then again, who do you get to help you fight off a Goddess, who also just happens to be a vampire? The list was rather short.

Carolyn's eyebrows shot up when he spoke again. Her only response was barely made with a straight face. "To hear some tell of it, a world where God's and Goddesses murdered innocent people for no reason." She managed to save the chuckle for after her statement. After all, she still didn't believe that her Goddess was murdering people again. Pastor said that her murdering stopped when she became a Goddess. So why would she be doing so now?

Jodi smiled when he asked where their apartment was. "Two blocks more in that direction." She pointed in the direction that they had been traveling. "It's a pretty big place, lots of room. And there's not even anyone else in our building. The three apartments that share walls with us are all empty." Hinting to privacy with another grin for emphasis.

Carolyn, who was staying level headed about all this, and not acting like a nympho in heat, arched her eyebrows again. "Are you sure about the guard? It's no trouble." She was going to worry if he tried to go home alone. It was her nature.

[Rodry Pol]

Imagine that, a passive comment to show he had been listening had actually spurred on a bit of a revelation. To hear that many were talking about the rumors of murder was a tad bit more ... disconcerting than to hear two young women mention it. After all, it was late and dark, who knew if the heebie jeebies had just been giving them a good ruffling. The idea that a church worshiped a deity that was actively present upon the plane was a bit of a new one on him, other than perhaps the idol worship that many humans made a point of doing now and again. It was one of the first instances of someone actively being idolized while they were about.

I can only imagine the ego on someone that allows themselves to actually be worshiped in such a manner ...

Typical youthful naivety. They felt that they were safe in numbers when, if the rumors could be trusted, a goddess was rampaging. If one could be properly addressed as a deity, they typically had little to worry about when it came to dealing with the 'mere mortals'. The two of them likely wouldn't have even proved an overly time consuming disturbance to such a beings life. Rodry was no god, but he was sure that if such a temptation had spoken to him, two young women wouldn't have posed a problem for subjugation. Humans were a very easy race to deal with, in both congenial and aggressive terms.

"I would certainly thing two young women would hardly warrant the attention of a murderous Deity. More so perhaps than a 'harmless old man', but the two of you I would imagine are under the radar."

Rodry only gave a disapproving ha-rumph at the idea, Gods and Goddesses. He had met a handful in his days, both pleasant and non, they never seemed to have the proper respect for the lives of mortals while being exempt from their struggles. While once he had looked down upon the average being with a mixture of pity and morbid curiosity. The events of the recent years, his fall from on high, this wretchedness that had seemed to infuse every fiber of his being had made him far softer and more compassionate towards the average man.

Now, the old man might have been oblivious to a lot of things, but between what his nostrils and the brunettes rather ... expansive description of just how restful their apartment could be, only had him giving the faintest twitch of lips upwards. The slight smile was polite, but non-committal. Didn't want to lead the poor girl on, regardless of just how eager she seemed to get Rodry alone. If he had been properly dressed he might have worried over being lead into a mugging!

"Sounds like a wonderful little place, however I have my own chambers at the Tel'ranaemyn, as long as they haven't been given to anyone else. If I remember I did pay several months in advance, but my memory is foggy at my age. Come along, let's get the two of you safely home. Perhaps I will take you up on your offer if it turns out my rooms have been passed on."

Not leading anyone on, just trying to make sure that things were remaining amiable while they made their way towards the ladies domicile. If the two of them didn't make their steps, he would lead the way. That previously shuffling step, that had been curtailed by his need for his cane at all times, was instead keeping a long stride. His slippers moving quietly on the cobbles. Speaking over his shoulder. While he would have rather had his cane for self defense, he felt like he would be safe enough. Who would attack an old man? Unless of course the goddess was trying to pull a Kevorkian on him without his consent!

"Truly, the guards like I said would do best to remain on patrol if we have anyone committing murder, be they mortal or not. Don't you agree? The Tel'Ranaemyn Inn isn't far enough to leave me feeling justified in pulling one of them from their duties. I have met a few Gods and Goddesses in my time, I find it easy enough to avoid their attentions."

Then again, avoiding the attentions of a young woman weren't usually a problem either!

[Telguest]

The pair of twenty-somethings fell in step with him as they continued the conversation. Jodi was the first to chime in. "You would think that we would be off her radar, but then again, a guy coming out of his office for a cigarette break, or something like that, and a woman just entering the Marketplace would be as well. But they were both her lunch. I think she either let the woman bleed out or she puked up the blood from them both after she killed the woman. I went into the shop that they had gone into after I saw a flash of light. I thought maybe the flash was the Goddess leaving. I was right," She realized that she was rambling and fell silent.

Carolyn was shaking her head. "Jodi, I have told you, she can't kill. If she takes a life she becomes physically ill. Why would she do that to herself? Strong emotions, good or bad, make her sick. But death at her own hands makes her ..." Carolyn stopped talking and her mouth fell open. Her eyes were suddenly huge as she slowed in her steps.

Jodi finished her sentence for her, giving voice to her epiphany. "Throw up?" There was a bit of a condescending tone to those two words.She grabbed Carolyn's hand and pulled her to catch up with them. "So I was right, she threw up after killing them. That's why there was so much blood everywhere." Jodi seemed very nonchalant about the blood, of course, she had seen plenty of blood shed in her life.

Carolyn caught up at almost a jog to keep from stumbling when Jodi pulled her. "By the God's." Whispered as she seemed to almost go into shock at the prospect of one of the God's of Rhy'Din being a murderess. "I don't understand. I mean, I know she hates that churches were erected in her name. But she's the Goddess of Protection, her husband is the God of Death. Why would she be killing? Why would she be making herself sick like that? It's not like her." The church taught them all about how the Goddess was put here to protect the lives of all. Yet, she was taking lives?

Jodi looked over at Carolyn and saw that she seemed like she was about to cry. So Jodi started feeling bad. Carolyn was a very devout woman. Even though the Goddess hated that there were churches and worshipers. The Goddess had always chosen to live amongst the people. Jodi thought it was so that it was easier to protect them. From the way Carolyn talked, that was how it seemed anyway. Jodi never understood worshiping a Goddess who could walk into the building and sit in the pew next to you.

Carolyn tried to put the thought out of her mind by going with the change of subject. "It is a lovely apartment. You should at least come in for a cup of tea." She chose to not comment on the guards needing to remain on patrol. That was steering the conversation back to what she was trying to avoid talking about. And it was very disheartening for her. So she remained silent as they continued to walk.

They were past the half way point now. And Jodi was still wondering what it would take to get Rodry to come in for a while. She knew that Carolyn would go to bed long before her. "Yes, tea would be a good thing." She smiled again. She wanted to help Carolyn feel better, but she didn't know how she could help. So she chose to concentrate on trying to get Rodry to stay for a bit.

[Rodry Pol]

Rodry only casually watched the two of them. The proud old gentleman feeling a certain morbid amusement at the fact that these two were members of a church that had a still living 'messiah'. It was unusual to say the least, most humans could be quite jaded when it came to the way they handled their beliefs. Usually the youth were the most guilty of this behavior! Perhaps being able to see the one they worshiped helped their faith? One could only wonder. The details that Jodi had picked up from the scene left him curious. He couldn't help but to agree that those two should have been 'off the radar', though it seemed almost an unfortunate twist of fate to have them come across the Goddesses path. One thing stuck in his thoughts though. Puked up the blood Jodi had said.

"Pardon? She vomited blood..?"

That was unusual to say the least, though his lips were stretched in a grim line. There were few beings that subsided on only the blood of their prey. Something that didn't sit well at all with Rodry's sensibilities. Many stories told of gods eating humans, but rarely in such a fashion ...

"This Goddess of yours seems more and more suspect the more you speak. Come along, I feel no desire to be on the street longer than need be. I find those that feed upon the blood of others distasteful enough as is. Let alone to worry over a Goddess."

There was something nagging at the back of his mind however, something that was dim in his memory from both the time since speaking, as well as the fogginess that still hung in his thoughts from that magic induced ecstasy that once more feeling like himself had brought on, however fleeting the feeling had been. This revelation left him truly wishing he had his cane, though he wouldn't risk calling it.

Need to take it slow and easy, unless you want to be reduced to crawling again, fool.

That mental berating crossing his features in the form of a stern grimace, one that might have been explained away by the almost smug tone that Jodi had used when mentioning her suspicions being on the mark. Perhaps the old fellow didn't like all this talk of blood and rampaging deities and such. Though he hardly seemed effected by the epiphany in the way that Carolyn was.

"If you were meant to know the mind of a god you would not have been born in a mortal body, it is a fundamental fact. Do not try to make sense of something you would be unlikely to understand."

His tone came out surprisingly harsh, even if unintentionally so. There were few things that annoyed Rodry more than pointless fretting. Did Carolyn believe that she would have some mysterious solution to why the Goddess had done as she had? To find some way to help or cure her? The thought left his lips tightening again, his long legged gait carrying him at a good speed along the cobbled road. Part of him wished that more people were around, safety in numbers and all that. Then of course he wished that he was out alone and that there had not been two young women for him to feel a need to watch. Old habits however die hard, leaving Rodry glancing over his shoulder at the two of them repeatedly, to assure himself that they were still there.

The old fellow was mentally rolling through possible solutions as to what could be done, just in case, they met the Goddess. While Rhy'din was a magically active world, it wasn't as rich a font of the power that he would need to make use of spells effectively. Just as the lack of his cane meant that he would be forced to make due with either his hands. Then of course, there was the risk of allowing himself to try and truly confront the woman that they spoke of. While the heat in his blood would leave him feeling confident, it had been so long since he had let go of this protective facade that he feared doing so. Rodry's attention had been elsewhere, leaving him glancing their way at the mention of tea. The mention of which had him lifting a hand to brush through the loose strands of his hair, the braid was tucked down the back of his night shirt, leaving only the shorter bangs to tickle his bare fingers. He could see the next corner coming up, perhaps just another minute or so and he could safely deposit the two of them in their apartment and head to the Tel.

"...I suppose I could stay for one cup. Give myself a little time to rest before moving on to the Inn. Old bones get tired."

Even if his better judgement suggested he just move on. He was curious, about this Goddess, whose mention left him feeling as if he were just barely missing something that was lurking just beyond his conscious thoughts. Deep blues swept slowly across the fronts of the buildings, trying to deduce if they would need to cross the street to reach their destination.

"This building here? I've walked past here before, on my way to the market."

He indicated the building that seemed most likely, though he was subtly sniffing the air. Trying to ignore Jodi and Carolyn's scents to pick up anything else. A bit of blood or some other being that might be lurking. Paranoia had kept him safe on more than one occasion, so he wasn't going to assume he could drop his guard until they were off the street.

[Telguest]

The pair was making good time as they were about a half step behind Rodry. Carolyn was still trying to process everything, so she wasn't exactly quick to respond to Rodry's query. But Jodi was facing no such issue. "Yeah, Carolyn's Goddess that she worships so devoutly, she's a vampire." She had to fight to keep from laughing as she spoke those words. There was more than one reason why Jodi did not attend The Church of the Protective Flame.

Carolyn, hearing Jodi's comment with the now familiar undertone of amusement, felt the need to clarify. "She was born a witch, turned into a vampire, and then became a Goddess when she fought to save humans from extinction." Her voice was flat and monotone. It lacked it's previous joy. And, of course, Carolyn didn't know that what the church had told her was just their colorful spin on things. In fact it was a lot of people's colorful spin on things.

When Carolyn heard Rodry's next comment, she immediately went into full on defense mode. "Oh no, you don't understand. She usually only drinks the blood of animals. And she gives the meat and hides to those that need them. Or she drinks blood wine. If all else fails, she finds a willing donor and she never drinks them dry." Another colorful spin by the church. Not exactly a lie, but not the whole truth either. But Carolyn didn't know that.

Jodi couldn't contain her laughter this time. She snickered before chiming in. "And monkeys are going to fly out of my ass. You cannot honestly tell us that you buy that load of crap. Do you truly think that your magnificent Goddess never drinks a being dry or takes someone against their will. You are delusional dear. You need to stop drinking the Kool-Aid at that church." She laughed some more even though she knew it would hurt her friends feelings.

Carolyn sniffed but refused to cry. Jodi was her best friend. Yet somehow she never quite understood her devoutness to her faith. Carolyn had seen the good works of the Goddess. She knew the Goddess was the protector of man. The church had followers in there all the time that had testimonials to how the Goddess had helped them. And Carolyn believed every one of them. After all, why would they lie in church?

Rodry's next comment had caught her off guard. She had gotten lost in her own thoughts again. "I guess you're right. I mean, there had to be a reason, right? And who am I to question her reasons?" But she could still feel the sting of tears threatening to fall. Only now, not only was she upset by the alleged actions of her Goddess, but not Jodi was picking on her again. It was most heartbreaking. But Carolyn refused to cry, not like this. She wouldn't let Jodi's words get the best of her.

Jodi was very happy to hear that Rodry was volunteering to stay. She couldn't keep the smile from her face. Now the question was how to get him to stay longer than just one cup. Perhaps they could play a game or something. That might get him to stay. Stay past Carolyn's bedtime even. "I'm glad you're taking us up on our offer. It is the least we can do since you so gallantly walked us home." There was definitely an upbeat tone to her comment.

Jodi's smile widened even more when Rodry indicated the very building they lived in. And the fact that he knew it in passing was even better. "Yes, that's it exactly." She looked at Carolyn with a large grin, but Carolyn was still very somber and down. Jodi tried to be uplifting. "Come on Carolyn, I'll make the tea. Camomile for you, your favorite. I'll even give you a peppermint stick to stir it with, just the way you like it." An attempt at a peace offering as she moved towards the door of their apartment with her key out. It was the third door in from the direction they were walking.

She unlocked the door and smiled as it opened to a small hallway. Across from the door was a staircase. But there was a door to the left and a door to the right of the stairs. Jodi switched keys and opened the door on the right. "Come on in. Welcome to our humble home." Inside the apartment was cleaner than outside the building or even the hall where the stairs were. It even smelled better.

The living room was painted a pale shade of orange with a burnt orange leather sofa and loveseat. The lamps were of a similar shade and the tables were varnished oak. The TV was modest in size and sat in an oak entertainment center with a stereo and some small speakers. A movie and music collection filled the bottom and there was a machine for playing VHS and DVD's completed the system. To the left of the living room and up a step was the kitchen. It was done in black and white, complete with checkerboard flooring. It was a nice offset to the orange shag carpeting of the living room.

The door off the living room housed one bathroom. It was done in shades of blue. Nothing spectacular about it, blue rugs with matching toilet covers, blue shower curtain on the shower without a tub, blue and white tile half up the wall with white paint the rest of the way up, and blue curtains on the tiny window and around the sink. A small cabinet for towels and linens and a hamper closet. It was quite the plain bathroom, but it worked.

There was a doorway in the kitchen. It lead to a hall way. Down the hallway was four doors. The first was on the left, and it was one bedroom. Done in shades of lavender, it was the typical girly girl bedroom. Sparkly and fuzzy and filled with unicorns and flowers. Carolyn's room. Across the hall was the other bathroom. Done in greens, it was much like the first bathroom only it had no window and it had a very large, comfortable tub. The door next to Carolyn's room was a closet. Large enough to keep everything from coats to bedding to the vacuum cleaner. And across from that, next to the bathroom, was Jodi's room. It was done in black and red with skulls and dragons and swords and other such items in it's decor.

Carolyn offered Rodry a tour as Jodi smiled at him and headed into the kitchen to make tea. Even the tea kettle was black and white. And the cups and saucers, all the dishes in fact, were bordered with a tiny black and white checker board pattern. It was very much the theme of the room. The girls had both stated their opinions on how each room was to be decorated and compromised until they could agree. The only thing they didn't consult each other about was the decor of their bedrooms.

"Rodry, what kind of tea would you like?" She was getting the stainless steel tea balls out of the drawer. Nothing but loose leaf tea for these ladies. They hated the bagged stuff. "Oh, you don't mind loose leaf do you? It's all we've got. But we have about a dozen flavors to choose from." Chances were, if he named it, they would probably have it. Carolyn loved to buy tea every time they went to the market. And if they got a new flavor is, she had to have it the moment she saw it.

[Rodry Pol]

Their half step of space would likely shrink into a collision if Jodi wasn't quick. At the mention of the Goddess being a vampire, the old man stopped suddenly, glancing back at them as if they had just whipped out a gun and shoved it into his kidney. A vampire? Why did it have to be a damnable vampire. Those blue eyes were hard as he looked towards Carolyn, his mouth half opening before shutting again. His tact finally catching up with that knee jerk reaction. The girl was already upset, a scolding from Rodry was the last thing she needed. Just as a girl who was crying and upset was the last thing he needed on his hands. Though Jodi seemed to be well on her way to trying to send the poor girl into tears with her ribbing. Despite it being true or potentially so. Friends shouldn't treat one another like that.

"Well it certainly wouldn't do to have the most abundant supply of food to go dying off, now would it? If I had known it was so easy to become a God."

There was just a hint of disbelief in his tone, he didn't know the story, didn't need to. His memory was finally clicking. He finally recalled where these fragments of memory were coming from. Stories and then of course a chance meeting. Venis. He had only met her once and briefly, though other than her vampiric nature, she had seem harmless enough. Not that his first instinct truly meant anything...

"The two of you can debate the validity of Religious lore another time. In my experience, too often you speak of a deity to find that they may be listening and if she's been killing, her attention isn't something you want, I trust. So, knock it off."

Well, he had tried to keep from scolding either of them. Yet even Rodry only had so much self control. The old fellow had quickly returned to walking. Feeling damned satisfied that their building was just about within reach. His hesitation was brief. Life had taught him all too often that things could twist just before you thought you were golden. He didn't truly relax himself until after they were within the building foyer and the door was firmly shut behind them. A false sense of security of course, he knew that, but it made him feel better. Enclosed spaces had an odd way of relaxing the old fellow, oddly enough. Rodry had been quiet as they made their way inside, tuning out the ladies while he strained himself to be aware of their surroundings. He finally spoke up, even if it had been a few good breaths since she had thanked him.

"A warm cup of tea should do wonders to warm these old bones for my walk home. It would be rude to not at least take offered hospitality."

Now, the problem that Jodi had to tackle was, did Rodry proscribe to a bedtime earlier than Carolyn's? Wouldn't that just be a buzz kill if Rodry nodded off at the coffee table? Of course he would be sure not to go doing that, considering with Jodi's scent tickling at his nostrils. He might have been old, but he could still catch that scent without trouble! The escape from the hall and into the apartment was a pleasant surprise. He had been expecting something as shabby as it's surroundings. It seemed almost like a small patch of a true household plunked into the dingy building. Odd to say the least!

Without a doubt, they had eclectic tastes. The shag carpet drew a faint smirk from his lips, as if it's appearance in such an unusual place and shade came as an almost pleasant surprise. A faint nod was offered at the tour, since it would be nice to see a little more of the place. Jodi's called query leaving him humming quietly, seeming almost as if he were tasting all the different possibilities. Nostrils flared ever so faintly. His eyes closing before making his selection.

"Loose leaf is fine. Earl Gray, dollop of the agave nectar and Irish it up a tad."

Seemed awful coincidental that he had pointed out ingredients that just happened to be within their cabinets! Yet after his selection he went along with Carolyn, getting his tour of their apartments. Taking in all of the rooms with an air of casual interest. Asking curiously about Carolyn's fascination with unicorns and commenting politely about the decor choices. Showing surprising insight about the choices and such. Finding the odd mish-mash of styles was visually interesting. The fact that Jodi had an apparent obsession with the dark and mysterious was surprising. Rodry would have thought that it was Carolyn's room, considering she worshiped a vampire!

"Seems like the two of you have had ample time to settle in. What brought you to New Haven? There are safer and far more stylish sections of Rhy'Din."

Making small talk, though he was shuffling his bear feet over that shag carpet, inviting himself to settle into that deep orange love seat. Consciously occupying the center of the seat, letting his arms stretch out across the back. Luckily for him, his night shirt was long enough that it still hit at mid calf when seated. He relished the chance to get off of his feet. Despite feeling much better, he had tired relatively easy, due to that long time spent resting.

"I've been in Rhy'din several years, only been in New Haven ..."

He thought it was only about a year and a half or so, but it had been longer than that. Nearly two years, considering his long months of rest.

"More than a year? Can't quite recall ... but I have seen much of Rhy'Din."

They seemed like exceedingly normal girls. At least as far as he could tell from his casual study of the two of them!

[Telguest]

The girls didn't know it, but Rodry had hit the nail on the head when he had made the comment about the food supply. Carolyn had taken a seat on the sofa when Rodry had chosen the love seat. Meanwhile, Jodi was in the kitchen making tea. She had the tea balls filled and the water warming when she took off her jacket. She walked down the hall to put it in her room and returned quickly.

When the kettle sounded, she removed it and put it on a tray with the teacups. There was a few other things on the tray like honey and creme. Meanwhile, Carolyn answered the question. "We were born in the area. We chose to live in this area because of how close it was to Jodi's work. Plus, there's a church not too far from here. I catch a ride, but they won't drop me any closer to the house than Jodi's work." Her ride hated the neighborhood.

Jodi carried the tray into the living room and bent over to set it down on the table. She faced Rodry as she did so, giving him ample view of her nicely shaped c's from the top of her tank top. She stayed bent over like she was to pour the water in each cup. "I like a man who knows exactly what he wants ... in his tea." She looked up from pouring water and smiled. Making his view even more clear. "You know, it's odd." She looked back at the water as she poured. "Before you said to knock it off, I was about to suggest to Carolyn that if this whole mess bothered her this much, maybe she could just call upon her Goddess." She sat up from the pouring of the three cups of water for the tea.

She moved around so that she was sitting on the other corner of the loveseat. Though she didn't sit back and relax. She leaned forward and dipped her tea ball in and out of her cup. It was a slow and steady movement. "Supposedly, the Goddess comes when she's called for. But, like you said, if she's murdering ..." She left off with that as she continued to slowly dip her ball in and out of her cup. To the right mind, it could be considered very suggestive.

Carolyn cut her eyes at Jodi for both the comments and the dipping of the tea ball. She knew full on what Jodi was doing. And she did not approve. But she wasn't as blatant as Jodi and wouldn't call her out on it. Instead, she chose to continue the small talk with Rodry. "That doesn't seem very long in the area. But I trust that you are enjoying this area, otherwise, I'm sure you'd have left by now, yes?" She would have left if she hated it.

[Rodry Pol]

Being a predator did give someone a certain insight into understanding others of 'their kind'. Most often, despite all the noble posturing and seemingly charitable actions, those who helped had selfish reasons. Something that Rodry had a certain bias towards when accepting help from others, typically there were strings attached. Not to say that he planned on taking advantage of their girls, at best he might pester them for small talk while he enjoyed his tea. Something that Carolyn seemed adept at performing. As exemplified by her filling him in on their origins in the area! Jodi's quick passage left his gaze following the odd woman. Curious thing that she was...

"Now there is a rarity. I was always told that children tended to want to leave behind their birthplace. Though if you have work and your ... cultural activities, that would be reason enough to remain in the area. You two must have had this apartment for a while with the level of decoration and the obvious themes you two must have considered. That or you moved into the apartment of a psychotic interior decorator."

Despite the less than kind comment, humor glinted in the old fellows eyes, the edges of his lips quirking up faintly despite his attempt to keep a straight face. Jodi's return, of course, brought with it more than the tea. Leaving him to deal with more than a generous helping of innuendo and flaunting of obviously feminine wiles. Unfortunately for Jodi, it took more than a pair of breasts waggled blatantly in his general direction to get Rodry's attention! Once she had poured the water in his cup, he took it from the tray, leaning once more back into his chosen seat.

"Thank you Ladies, I appreciate the hospitality. Though, after one has had as much tea as I have, you tend to have set in your ways a bit. I tend to like to keep it simple. None of your fancy herbal teas or anything like that, it tends to muddle the flavors in my opinion."

Unlike Jodi, he slowly dragged his tea ball in circular motions around the bottom of the cup, holding the slender chain between thumb and forefinger. Of course, in the better light of the apartment, he felt far more than just aware of his hands being bare. The scars that marred the old fellows weathered flesh almost looked like burns that were thickest upon his fingers and gradually faded as they made their way up his forearms. There was a reason that Rodry typically wore gloves that went up to his elbows beneath his shirt sleeves!

"My Children always did say that I had a way of stopping them from voicing stupid ideas. I remember one time they wanted to climb to the top of this nearby mountain in the middle of a storm, just because they had never seen it and thought the view would be amazing. I've always been a bit over protective and they could see on my face when they brought up going out in the middle of the storm, that I wasn't particularly ... fond ... of the idea."

It was in Rodry's nature to be protective, vehemently so. Almost as it seemed to be in Jodi's nature to try and blatantly flirt with Rodry, despite the fact that he was liable to be several times over old enough to be her great grandfather! While he expected that Carolyn would have been wise enough, not to take Jodi's goad, she had been upset. It hadn't taken Rodry long to find that an emotional woman tended to throw logic and self-preservation out the window at times! While he was feeling far more like himself than he had in ... maybe years, he didn't think it would be wise to tempt fate by bringing someone that might be interested in trying to end his life near to him. Especially in New Haven, poor city wouldn't even get to learn what had caused all the destruction!

Jodi's suggestive gesture was entirely lost upon the old man, apparent from the fact that he glanced at her after seating herself and didn't pay any mind to just what she was doing with her tea! He released the chain, setting his cup down for a moment. To allow the tea time to properly steep, while he spoke.

"Oh no, it isn't long in New Haven. I've been an old face in Rhy'Din however for many a year. Before coming here I was part of an old collective known as the Alliance of the Twelve Moons. Unfortunately closed now, but it was home for me for a long long time."

There was a certain wistfulness in his tone, remembering better days, old memories, old scars and a time before his health had been shattered and left him in his pitiful state. His eyes had gone briefly into a soft focus, one that broke with him giving a bit of a delayed nod, as if confirming what he had himself said.

"After I started getting sick, I remained a home body. My children thought it was time for me to go back into the world, really live in what could be my last years. While I didn't know, I suppose they must of tracked down some of those who I had known in my past, found them at the Tel'Ranaemyn. They were soon shipping me out here to New Haven. Can't say I wasn't glad to see old friends, even if I am ... unrecognizable from where I was."

A heavy sigh sliding from his lips, with the tea having darkened up the water, he was finally removing the tea ball, setting it on the tray and helping himself to a generous dollop of honey. Easing back into the love seat again, while he just wrapped the cup in his hands. Letting it's warmth seep into his fingers. Though having brought up his personal life, left him feeling like a bit of a heel. Considering they hadn't asked for his story!

"So, I couldn't help but notice that the two of you seem steeped in the occult, whether it be your Goddess and Unicorns or ... your dragons and weaponry. You two are a colorful pair. I trust you've seen all sorts of interesting things to only perpetuate those interests, hm?"

Only in Rhy'Din could one truly expect to spot a unicorn or a dragon, as rare as both of those beings seemingly were now a days. It had been a few years since Rodry had seen a dragon. The last one hardly counted in his opinion. P'dragons hardly seemed deserving of the title, regardless of filling out the anatomical requirements!

[Telguest]

Both girls giggled at the commentary about their decor. Jodi, who was still leaning over dipping her tea ball and exposing her back with her shirt being shorter than it should have been, her jeans lower, and her thong panties peeking above her jeans and below one of her tattoo's, spoke first in regards to the apartments interior. "Mostly, we picked our rooms according to the flooring. But we've been here a couple of years now. In fact, the landlord dropped off the new lease today for us to review and sign. It looked the same to me." Decorating had started with that orange shag carpet.

Carolyn had laughed a little harder than Jodi had. But then again, she had needed to laugh. It was much healthier than worrying over the Goddess. "We saw the rooms and discussed what would make each room look good. The manager said we couldn't change the flooring, so we decorated to compliment it. And this apartment is far enough from home that we aren't getting suffocated by our parents. So it works." She smiled. She had ran her tea ball around in her cup a few times and was now letting it steep as well. No mention of the lease, she didn't want to bother with it while they had company.

Jodi smiled as she turned her head to look at Rodry while he spoke. After all, she had been raised with manners. In response to his tea comment, she shook her head. "Not me, I prefer a touch of flavor to mine, blackberry is my favorite. With a sugar cube to take the bite off of it. Carolyn likes herbal teas, chamomile and the like. She uses tea as a relaxant at the end of the day." A grin given to Carolyn at that. "I use it as a stimulant. I love my caffeine. I need to stay alert at work, caffeine helps with that." She reached for her sugar cube at that point. She plopped it in her cup and kept dipping her ball.

Carolyn snickered when he spoke of his children and their wanting a better view of the storm. "They sound like they were a bit of a handful. Reminds me of someone else I know." She chuckled as she looked at Jodi who blushed slightly and used her free hand to adjust her metaphorical halo atop her head. Both girls laughed out loud. Carolyn's mood was definitely lightening up. She was definitely glad that Rodry had agreed to tea.

Jodi's head popped up upon his mentioning the Alliance. "I heard about that. I never had the chance to look into it though. It was closed before I escaped the parental controls." Jodi loved her parents. Both of her natural parents were still alive and still together, for better or worse. But Jodi was more than thankful when she and Carolyn found a way to make it possible to move out and get their own place together.

Both girls gave smiles in response to his wistful tone when he spoke of the Alliance and also the way he spoke of old friends being found. Carolyn leaned to her side and held her tea cup in her hands as she relaxed against the arm of the sofa. She sipped her tea as she sat listening to Rodry the way a child listens to a father or Grandfather when they tell stories. She felt very relaxed around Rodry, like he would never harm her. She liked the feeling. Though, she was also sure that what Jodi was feeling for Rodry was anything but familial.

His mention of the occult caught the girls off guard. Jodi turned her head to look at him again. She had been paying attention to him, but mostly looking at her tea, wanting to not spill it. "Oh no, not the occult. I simply like the colors of reds and black, the way they blend. And dragons always seemed like wondrous creatures to me. There's just something so magical about dragons and knights and the like. It was never about anything like the occult." She smiled. Jodi's tastes ran towards what was referred to as Gothic in he twentieth and twenty-first centuries on Earth.

Carolyn sipped from her tea then spoke as well. "In the case of my bedroom, my favorite color was always purple, my little sisters was pink. She was killed violently some years ago. She collected unicorns, she said they were magical and that someday, she would have one of her very own. I was what is referred to as a girly girl. And when she was gone, I added her unicorns to my already overly feminine decor. It's my way of remembering her." She chose to avoid details about how her sister was killed violently. Instead, she chose to sip her tea again and wait to see if Rodry had any more tales to tell or opinions to share. She was enjoying his company considerably.

[Rodry Pol]

There of course was a time and place to notice and comment on certain things and while the two ladies were being very accommodating to the old fellow who had come stumbling mysteriously from an abandoned cellar, he didn't have any intention of encouraging Jodi's wicked thoughts by noting the color of whatever she might be wearing under her pants. Perhaps in his younger days Rodry would have commented, hell in his mischievous moments he might have even shown her what flashing underwear got you by jerking on those slender strings till she squealed. However, these were not those days and while he felt better, this was still not the old Rodry. As any gentleman, his eyes met those of the one who was speaking or being spoken to, with only minor strays to his tea or the decor! While those deep sapphire hued eyes might have seemed abnormally intense, too young for that old face, they were steady.

"Ah, it is always wise to keep hold of a good thing when you can. It is home for the two of you now."

The two had the easy camaraderie that came only with years of interaction. While he didn't think Carolyn was anything other than normal. He doubted that she would have needed Jodi's more than blatant physical cues to clue her in on what Rodry's nose had told him! The two of them seemed almost like kindred spirits, despite being so different!

The fact that they had moved to escape the 'smothering' of their parents left him giving a soft chuckle. Polite, but likely not felt overly much. He could understand wanting to be out on your own, his Son had left home far earlier than his Daughter had, yet she had returned frequently to check on her father, while his son was more of an individual. Typical male, really.

"Your landlord wouldn't let you pull that hideous carpet?"

Incredulous! It honestly looked like someone had skinned some acid tripping mammoth and plastered it all over their floor! Shag carpeting, while comfortable was not exactly on the top of Rodry's list of aesthetic improvements! He much preferred simple stone or even a light sand covering, as odd at that might sound. There was just something about having earth beneath his feet that he held preference for rather than something ... unnatural.

Rodry allowed anyone their personal quirks and curiosities, whether it be teas or something more exotic, he had made it plain what he preferred! Even if he could only roll his eyes in a significant attempt to imitate one of the mannerisms he had seen used. Between the two of them they were going to be trying to convert Mr. Simple to something more interesting.

"I simply don't like most flavored teas like that because I have a very sensitive palate. I tend to like things a bit bland for most people."

Which might disappoint Jodi, since she hardly seemed like the type to go for someone that was old and bland. Had that been a calculated attempt to discourage her from pursuit? Maybe, maybe not. Anyone who knew what went on in that old fellows head would likely be driven mad trying to make sense of him! Rodry smiled faintly at Carolyn's judgement of his children. Mainly because she didn't know of the half of it!

"Oh they were just being kids, it's a little foggy, but I do dimly remember what it was like being your age."

Only a faint smile was given at Jodi's gesture, finding it amusing as well even if he was less boistrous. His fingers were fetching his cup to his lips, blowing on it slowly to abate the steam from tickling his nostrils, taking a small sip to check the temperature. Not that he was particularly worried about scalding himself. The old fellow was harmless for the most part, those who truly knew him might have argued otherwise, but he was kind enough. They certainly didn't have to worry about him whipping a gun out and robbing them, first off where would he have secreted it beneath his nightshirt?

In all honesty he looked pretty surprised when Jodi and then Carolyn quickly denied any sort of interest in any matter pertaining to the Occult. He wasn't accusing them of being witches, not at all! He simply thought most people referred to anything 'mythical' of that nature as being a part of the occult! Part of him was mulling over the misstep, while the other minded their answers.

"Oh Dragon's are quite wondrous. I've known a couple in my lifetime. Much like the people they run the gamut from 'normal' to psychotic and unstable. Makes befriending them a bit tricky."

Giving Jodi a casual answer, though Carolyn's story had him looking at her with a certain weight. As if he could draw the knowledge from her with his very eyes. While he could understand keeping her sisters keepsakes, Rodry had always dealt with his mourning by saving things, typically he did not allow them to become such an ... obvious part of his life. Really, he would have believed that Carolyn was simply a fan of unicorns herself, rather than having kept up the collection for her departed sisters sake.

Seeing as how he was already chewing on his toes from that comment about the carpet, he didn't seem overly opposed to trying to go for the ankle as well. Another pull of his tea was taken, a good gulp that let the honey smooth his throat, so he spoke clearly.

"What killed her?"

[Telguest]

It was a good thing that Rodry didn't show Jodi the consequences of her panties showing above her waistline. She would have taken it for something far greater than the juvenile act that he would have meant it as. As it was, Jodi had snuck in a reply to his comment about it being home. "Yes, it is home. Comfortably so." She loved their apartment. And Carolyn's nod gave visual to her opinion being the same as Jodi's.

Carolyn and Jodi both laughed out loud at the comment about the carpet. Carolyn shook her head as she spoke. "With the renewal of the lease, I was planning to bargain for a change in carpet, perhaps a pale shade of orange in a plush? So we don't have to buy new furniture." She laughed some more. She also wanted to change the carpet in other areas of the apartment. A more neutral color for the hallway and perhaps something to compliment the color schemes in the bedrooms rather than the same orange shag that was in the living room and was buried under multiple area rugs.

Jodi noticed that the view of her backside and her tattoo, that was less than affectionately referred to as a tramp stamp, seemed to continue to go unnoticed by Rodry. So she knew it was time for a change in tactics. This being known, she raised her tea and saucer then leaned back against the back of the loveseat, crossing legs and holding her saucer at chest level while she sipped her tea. "Nothing wrong with that." Said in regard to his tea preference. "Everyone has their own tastes." She smiled a very sincere smile. One might notice that her pinky finger pointed out and away from the handle of her cup. Whoda thunk it?

Both girls laughed again when he said he dimly remembered being their age. Jodi chimed in again. "Oh it couldn't have been that long ago. You're what, thirty maybe forty years older than us? At the most. If you say you're older than that I shall refuse to believe you." She smiled and sipped her tea again. For her tastes, it was perfect. Carolyn smiled as well. She wondered if he was going to try to convince them that he was even older than Jodi's estimation, which was her's as well.

Jodi smiled brightly when Rodry spoke of dragons being wondrous. But it was Carolyn who spoke up. "The Goddess has a dragon. Two unicorns as well. At least that is what I've been told. Someday I would love to find out for sure." She truly was curious about it. The fact that someone had true dragons and unicorns as pets or whatever she used them for. It was very interesting to her. And she had never shared that with Jodi before, who was now looking at her with her mouth agape. It took a second for Jodi to recover. Though, to her credit, she didn't call Carolyn out on her lack of information sharing.

Carolyn was sipping her tea when Rodry asked the dreaded question. She froze in place for a moment. She looked to Jodi, who nodded silently. Carolyn sat her tea on the table, knowing that she might get too upset to hold it while she answered. "My sister liked to go to Earth. It was one of her favorite things to do. We have an Aunt there, she used to go there to visit. On her last trip back, she ran into a gang of lycanthropes. I say gang because they were small in numbers and swore no allegiance to any pack or pard or anything. I think they were werewolves, but I'm not certain." She closed her eyes for a moment.

When she opened her eyes again she was slightly trembling. Jodi set her tea down and rose to move to the sofa. There she sat beside Carolyn and put a reassuring arm around her. She continued. "These idiots were all drug addicts. The police said that they used excessive amounts of drugs to get high because their metabolism burned off the drugs too quickly. Well, these guys, four of them in fact, attacked my sister. They beat her and raped her and killed her. Someone found her and brought her through the portal that she traveled through back to us." Tears started to roll down her cheeks.

She put a hand on Jodi's hand that was on her shoulder. Then she continued. "The police said that they couldn't do anything to these creeps because there was no one strong enough to deal with them. I prayed and prayed and prayed that these gang bangers would come to justice, some way. We didn't hear anything for a long time. But then a while back, we received a message from the police. They had no idea how, but they found those four boys dead. Laying in the same place my sister had been found. One had puncture wounds on his neck, the other three had their wrists slit. All four had been completely drained of all their blood. They had also been beaten and sodomized. I had to look that word up. It's not a very pleasant thing. But they had met justice. At least they had in my opinion." She wiped her tears away. Those tears were for her sister, not those idoit gang bangers.

She patted Jodi's hand, who then got back up and moved back to her tea on the love seat. Carolyn looked back at Rodry, her eyes red and puffy now with wet trails down her cheeks. "I honestly think I know what happened. After all, there was no trace of their blood, no hint as to where they had bled out. But I didn't tell the cops. I let them believe it was some freak happening. But in my heart I know. I know it was divine justice." It had been one of the events that had helped in sealing Carolyn's faith.

[Rodry Pol]

Indeed, no doubt if he had partaken in tugging those straps, it would have only encouraged that flirtatious behavior further! Which was the last thing that Rodry wanted to do, even if she was nice enough. His days of running about and flirtation with women of her age were well behind him. While in his younger years Rodry had held a bit of a reputation as what one person had 'affectionately' termed a 'playa' he had slowed down considerably in his later years. Rather than chasing skirt hems or panty straps, he was far more interested in pursuing something, anything that would bring him the peace that he had once known with his failing body. It was a hard quest, considering he had certain ... beliefs that he would not easily forgo to simply be free of his pain and the weakness that was so far from what his mind was used to.

The old fellow could tell, just from their words and their passion, that this place was home for more reasons that because it was where they lived. He was pleased that they had something worth holding onto, despite having just met them. Rodry was one who easily took another persons point of view into his heart. An unsuccessful attempt to hide a grimace was seen at the mention of orange plush carpet.

"Hopefully your Landlord is one who isn't reluctant to negotiate ...though I feel that orange carpet may be a bit ... loud, perhaps? A rich brown could certainly work well with the brighter furniture..."

It would still hold the same fall hued theme that seemed to be going, even if a dark carpeting would darken the room itself as well. Rodry just tended to like his surroundings a little darker than most people. While he could hardly comment on things being garish or loud, considering some of the shirts he had in his wardrobe, he never claimed that he wasn't a bit of a hypocrite at times.

While Jodi might have been plying her many assets to their best advantages, it was unfortunate that Rodry was not one that could be easily swayed by the feminine whiles of a young woman. Despite the fact that Jodi was very attractive, she was barking up the wrong tree. Short of her tying the old fart down, it was unlikely that she was going to be getting what she wanted from him!

That might be one preference that was poorly chosen by Jodi!

"Indeed. I feel that everyone has a right and a duty to be true to their own tastes, as long as they do not conflict with those of another."

The tone might of course make it clear that he wasn't talking about tea, even if he was sipping at his cup to punctuate the statement. Though of course, when they started bringing up the subject of age, he very studiously added a bit more honey to his cup, not answering them precisely, redirecting the query with one of his own.

"I suppose, of course, that could be true ... though at the same time I trust you don't gauge age upon appearances. After all, How old would you believe that Carolyn's Goddess may be based upon that?"

Rodry was most certainly not a vampire, there was no getting around that. He lacked many of the hallmark appearances and afflictions, not that he had bitten into a clove of garlic or anything to prove it. Rodry had not confirmed or flat out denied their estimations, but his attentions were drawn rather pointedly from his misdirection when Carolyn spoke up again.

Someone claiming to own creatures such as those? The Goddess was indeed egotistical, that or she had found some rather poor examples of those species. He actually laughed faintly, at the very idea!

"I couldn't imagine for a moment a Unicorn allowing itself to be captured or tied down to one being, a dragon either. Both creatures are prideful beings, even if some may not communicate with humans as easily as others. It's ridiculous to believe, quite frankly."

An exaggeration perhaps on the churches part, though he couldn't say that it would ever be the first time that someone went against their kinds natural behaviors ... in fact, the rules seemed tailor made to be broken in most cases.

While another might have let the question bypass them, to go unasked, he had not had such reluctance. Just as it seemed that even though many would have declined to share, that Carolyn was not the type to ignore a question plainly and openly asked. Unlike their evenings guest.

Earth, now there was someplace that Rodry would never go. While he had heard it said that it was a wondrous place, he had no interest. Many had told him that it was a place devoid of magic, of things that he felt were commonplace. It would have been an upheaval in his younger years, no doubt now it would prove a death sentence for him. As it had her Young Sister. Rodry sipped at his now overly sweetened tea, giving a grunt of acknowledgement at the mention of lycanthropes. That was actually a group that he could say he had no quarrel with, for the most part, like humans they had their good and bad apples.

"Humans have hunted lycanthropes for centuries, it is far more likely that the police simply didn't have the man power to try and track down and screen for those that had ... done what they had."

Rodry could only imagine what he would have done in a similar situation. Had it been his young Aurora who had been tragically snuffed out before she had even grown into her prime. There would have been no barrier, mundane or magical, that would have contained his rage. Even in his diminished state, it would have been fearsome to behold. He listened in silence after that comment, allowing her to finish her tale through to it's end. While Carolyn had Jodi's support, he feared if he interrupted further she would have been unable to bring herself to continue the story. Cup was cradled idly in one hand. The other having lifted to hold his chin, supported by an elbow firmly planted on one knee. The old fellow had leaned forward to better hear her.

There was no helping the scowl that crept to his lips, twisting his easy going face into a parody of it's previous warmth. There were few things he hated more than those that harmed others for their amusement or simply for personal gain. Though part of it was also at what had been done in order to get back at them. While she might have had to check up on definitions. Rodry knew of what she spoke. Just as he knew, as Jodi had, that it had been a vampire that had killed them, at least one of them for sure.

"I am sorry for what happened to your Sister, I truly am ... though I can't help but wonder whether she would have wanted to have been avenged by one who would do such things to another being. Unicorns are the embodiment of purity in every sense of the word. Where as Vampire's seem to be a perversion of life itself. A mockery."

There was no hiding that bitterness, a bitterness that Carolyn had likely known before she had gotten her closure from a source that she considered divine, that she worshiped. There was no doubt in Rodry's mind that she believed that her Goddess had been responsible. Yet he did not further discuss the point. Only set his cup down upon the table, still a quarter of the way full.

There was no pity in his heart for the lycanthropes who had been killed, no regret that they had been murdered and left in a state of poetically fulfilled justice. He approved of that. It was merely the hand that had dispensed such justice that he did not care for.

"I am glad that your Sister was avenged, though I feel your silence on your suspicions was likely ... unneeded. I am pretty sure that mortal justice has no jurisdiction over divinities."

Though as her story had proven, it seemed to also have no power against any but their own kind. It was part of why he detested the justice that much of the world seemed to prescribe to. Rodry was a believer in an eye for an eye, not this cushy 'punishment' that murderers and rapists enjoyed with their lives lived out without worry about where their next meal, or what they would have to do with their days.

"Though, I feel that I have darkened your door far more than is proper already, Ladies."

Offering a soft sigh as he rose from the love seat. Hands smoothing down his dressing shirt as if to try and shoo out the long set wrinkles within it. His intense eyes sweeping between the two of them momentarily. In all honesty, he felt as if he had really made a heel of himself enough as it was, hopefully they would forgive his attitude and his harsh words. Perhaps even blame them on him being up too late after his bedtime.

"If either of you would care to, please, enjoy my hospitality at the inn if you have a chance. I promise that I am better company at an hour that isn't quite so late."

[Telguest]

The girls both smiled in response to Rodry’s query of their landlord being open to negotiation. They were both of the opinion that after two years of residence without even so much as a late payment of their rent, that letting them change the carpeting was the least he could do. After all, they were about to commit to another two years of the same tenancy.

Consideration would be given to his suggestion of a brown. Perhaps a nice soft tan, that way they could put the same color in the hall as in the living room. And besides, it wouldn’t darken the place as much as a darker brown would. Maybe even a medium brown, if they couldn’t agree on a tan. Of course, that’s if they don’t fall in love with a pale orange color.

Jodi was the one to put a voice to their thoughts on the subject. “Perhaps brown, or a shade of it, would be a good choice. Maybe the landlord would like that idea better than the pale orange we were thinking. After all, if ever we chose to leave, the brown or tan or whatever, would be easier for the next person to match.” She gave a light chuckle knowing that they had no plans of leaving any time soon.

When they were on the subject of tastes, Carolyn presumed that he was speaking of the tea. But the hint didn’t go over Jodi’s head. She knew what he was getting at. He was trying to hint at the fact that even though her tastes might have ran towards the more mature and presumably wise when it came to men, his tastes did not run to the presumably much younger when it came to women. Jodi took this to mean that she had two choices. One was to give up her attempts; the other was to try a different route.

Carolyn and Jodi both snickered when they were on the subject of age and Rodry chose to avoid giving them an age. Then again, neither of them had volunteered their ages either. Carolyn chose to answer his question about the Goddess. “At church they say that she is over three hundred, but I think she looks like a teenager, maybe early twenties at the oldest. So you have a point, sometimes, you can never tell by looks.” Of course, Carolyn had only seen the Goddess in portraits, and they could have been old ones. No one could really tell for sure.

Unbeknownst to those in that apartment, the Goddess did keep two unicorns and a dragon in her company. The unicorns came to her out of necessity, the dragon a gift when it was still an egg. And the Goddess spoiled the dragon and both unicorns, spoiled them rotten. So it was by choice that they stayed with her. She took very good care of them and they were very happy animals. But Carolyn, even though she did not know these things, chose to speak up in the Goddess’ defense. “Well, I choose to believe that she does have them.” There was the slightest hint of pride to her tone.

Rodry’s comment as she was speaking of her sister’s death was met with a whispered. “Perhaps.” But Carolyn knew enough to know that lycanthropes were far stronger than humans, and if you added such severely excessive amounts of drugs, it was quite possible that they were entirely too powerful for humans to try and deal with.

When she finished telling what had happened, Rodry expressed his regret. Carolyn let him say everything he wanted to without interruption, despite the fact that his words were starting to anger her. After all, it wasn’t his fault that he had a different opinion than she did. When he was finished, Carolyn had a rebuttal. “My sister was very devout in her beliefs. And she would have wanted justice to come to those who had ended her life. And if it was divine justice, than that’s all the better.” Carolyn’s tone gave away that she was upset by Rodry’s opinion of how the situation ended. One might even say she was angered. But she left her comments where she had ended them. She didn’t add to them and make things worse.

Then Rodry spoke again, and he slightly redeemed himself with his next comment. She had to smile a little in spite of herself. “Perhaps she would have been safe from mortal justice. But I didn’t want to risk it. I wanted it to end there, and I figured that if I didn’t say anything, it would end there.” She had a nice smile on her face now. I seemed that Rodry was a kindred spirit when it came to how he felt about justice. Even if he didn’t approve of the being that Carolyn suspected of carrying out said justice.

This, of course, caused Carolyn to wonder. What could Rodry possibly have against the Goddess? Had he met her and found her to be a horrible person? Had she wronged him in some way? Or did he just have a distaste for all beings such as her? A prejudice to vampires, or maybe to witches, or maybe even to the God’s themselves? Maybe he was a monotheist? Carolyn would have started to ask those questions were it not for the fact that Rodry was now speaking of parting company with them.

Both girls rose as Rodry did so as to escort him to the door. Jodi, who was the most disheartened by his parting, spoke up first. “Couldn’t you at least stay long enough to finish your tea? I was going to get out a deck of cards after Carolyn went to bed. The lady has to work in the morning, so I usually sit and play a few hands of solitaire one she’s retired for the evening. You could stick around and we could play something else.” She was trying to at least get him to stay a little longer.

Carolyn spoke as to his invitation to visit him at the Inn. “That’s a lovely offer Rodry. Thank you. Perhaps we can take you up on that offer some time. We have about four hours between the time I get off work and the time that Jodi goes in. That’s plenty of time for a visit.” A polite visit of course. After all, it would be rather inappropriate if Rodry was seen entertaining two young ladies in his room at the Inn and they stay for several hours.

[Rodry Pol]

"I like my domiciles a bit dark, easier on these old eyes of mine. Plus the darker carpet helps to cut down on visible dirt and staining."

He could only imagine how the two of them kept this hideous shag carpeting clean. Sounded like more work than the old fellow would be able to handle. Though with him feeling a bit better, who knew. He did hope that they would be able to talk their landlord into allowing them to change it, since it would add just a bit more of their personal style to the apartment. Even if a lot of the living space looked like it may have been that way when they got it. He hadn't seen anyone choose to floor a kitchen with that black and white checkerboard pattern in decades!

Rodry gave his own chuckle at the thought. Personally it would be tempting to leave that shag carpet down just to see the reaction of the next person that rented the apartment. It would be quite amusing to see how they would try and get around it or match it with their own furniture!

It wasn't so much that Rodry didn't like younger women, it was just that the times when he would bump into a young lady and see how long it would take him to charm her out of her panties were long past. He had matured, albeit a great deal slower than he physically aged. He wanted Jodi to know that it wasn't anything about her in particular, she was quite pleasant both in behavior and in appearance, he just wasn't looking for any bed warmers at this time! At least not any that might put the old fellows ticker into dangerous territory. While she of course still had options to try and get into the old fellows nightshirt, Rodry had shut her down on several avenues already!

A sage nod was given, Carolyn's words only strengthened his point. For all they knew, Rodry might be a wizard or warlock himself, far older than he looked. Then again, it was every bit as likely that he was just an old human. He hadn't shown any inclination for anything more unusual, at least in their presence as of yet.

"Just as I said that my daughter looked to be about your ages. I am not sure exactly how old the two of you are, but you two seem to have the same vitality that she sports."

Aurora could run circles about her old man now, though thinking on his daughter again only left him reflecting on the fact that she was likely worried over him. After all, it had been a considerable amount of time since his last contact with her. The positions of the stars had been more than enough to tell him that he had been gone longer than even he had thought from the change in the air! Without his cufflinks she couldn't even know whether he was alive or dead without stumbling upon him or searching him out.

He didn't let those thoughts trouble him for now. Rodry would be sure to let her and his son know that he was okay when he returned to his room.

"We can't know for sure what she does or doesn't have. I just find it hard to believe."

Unfortunately, Rodry could be blamed for inciting more than one argument because of the vocal nature of his opinions on certain subjects. The old fellow was an opinionated sort and had been the type in his youth that no one wanted to argue with. He had once been a damned intimidating man! Carolyn's confident answer left him giving a humoring nod. He could of course site the fact that while it may have been divine justice, the way that it had happened had been clearly predatory. Hell, for all she knew it could have been pure coincidence that they had died there. Such gangs while not being strictly pack would often stake out their own territories. The old man however allowed her that comforting thought. Not wanting further provoke the discussion, when it clearly troubled Carolyn to think about, let alone having some stranger come and argue with her about what she felt in her heart was correct.

Oh, Rodry didn't have a problem with the Goddess, in his mind he hadn't fully connected that this was the same woman who had provided him with a tumbler full of diamonds at the bar one evening. After all, she had seemed totally in control of her faculties and hungers. Rodry's particular distaste for vampires came from a few bad experiences. Not to mention that he seemed to be a damned vampire magnet at times. Not that he could blame them. After all, their hunger would draw them to him considering the gourmet value of his blood!

"I would, however I really must be returning to the inn. I am hoping I can get in touch with my children before it gets too late to let them know that I am alright. I was out and about a bit longer than I usually am without letting them know before hand ..."

A simple little nod given at that. It was a true reason, that and not knowing what in the world may have happened with his room during his time away! Carolyn's thought was a good one. It would be plenty of time for a visit. Though if she was truly worried about what would be appropriate in appearance, having an old man in their apartment in his night clothes was hardly appropriate for anyone to have spotted!

"And I'll be sure to make the tea and something to go along with it."

Jodi's hopeful tone had him giving a quiet sigh. If there was one thing that tugged at the old fellows heartstrings it was the thought of disappointing someone. Just an old habit that he had yet to kick. He was standing still, briefly considering his words before speaking.

"I wish you a good rest when you lay down Carolyn, though ..."

Said while he glanced Jodi's way.

"I suppose if either of you are set on being up a bit later, you can accompany me upon my walk back to the Tel. I'm not yet ready to retire either, but do have some things I must attend to before it gets too much later.Perhaps you would care to bring along your cards and meet me for a drink in the bar. Though I'll warn you, I haven't played cards in years, likely don't know how to play the games you do. Newest game I learned that I was always good at was Mumblety-Peg."

There was something that showed some of Rodry's age! Considering the old fashioned game hadn't been in style for some time! It would be amusing if either of them had any idea what he was talking about though!

"I appreciate the hospitality and you have both proven to be wonderful company and gracious hosts. I do truly wish I will have the chance to return the favor sometime soon."

No doubt, Jodi was trying to figure out what was with the old fellow. First shooting her down and then bidding a goodnight to Carolyn and casually throwing out that invitation to the Inn's bar. Was the old fellow just playing hard to get the entire time? It would certainly be an unusual tactic! Since he hadn't even shown a hint of interest other than an intellectual one on their beliefs!

[Telguest]

Rodry had made comment about how he had preferred rooms to be darker, but the comment had not been responded to. The conversation ended there. He had also made comment in regards to how his daughter seemed to be of the same approximate age as they. Jodi's response was one that Carolyn, who had merely smiled, had expected. "Perhaps someday we could meet her. The four of us could find something to do." Hinting that she intended to see Rodry again at some point.

When Rodry emphasized that he found it hard to believe that the Goddess kept company with such magnificent creatures Carolyn simply shrugged and tilted her head to the side. It was to indicate that she and Rodry would forever disagree on the subject, but that it wasn't something worth ruining a possible friendship over. She hoped he understood the gesture. She had smiled as she made it.

As for staying and finishing his tea, his argument was one that neither girl could argue with. He wanted to let his children know he was ok. Carolyn and Jodi both smiled and Carolyn commented. "It's a shame that you have to go, but it is wonderful that you want to check in with them. Even as adults, we tend to worry over the safety of our parents when we know not where they are." Even if they could take care of themselves.

When he wished her a good rest, Carolyn smiled brightly. "Why thank you Rodry. That's very kind of you. And I wish you a safe journey and a good rest when you retire for the evening." She wasn't used to people being so considerate. Well, other than Jodi who was always overly polite in her good nights. They bother were to each other. It was like a couple who tells each other that they love each other every time they are going to part ways, even if it's just at the end of a phone call. Jodi and Carolyn always made sure that the other knew how much they meant to each other just in case. That was how best friends should treat each other in their opinions.

When Rodry invited them to join him Carolyn smiled gracefully, he most likely presumed that she would decline. But upon hearing the rest of his invitation, she down right snickered. She knew of the game, but for one reason, and one reason alone. "My father lost his pinky toe playing that game. I do hope you are still with all your digits. And yes, he did win by default." She was trying to not burst out laughing. She could hear her father now, recanting how he had lost a toe as a boy and could hardly walk for several months after. He told everyone that tale, and some heard it multiple times. Like Carolyn and Jodi for example.

Jodi also tried to avoid laughing. She knew the tale well. Along with all the exaggerations that it took on over the years. While Carolyn spoke, Jodi considered the offer. Then she decided. "I'm sorry Rodry. I would love to join you this evening, but Carolyn has had a rough night. I wouldn't feel right leaving her here all alone. But we will give you the chance to return the favor soon. I just want to be here in case Carolyn needs me. I do hope you understand." And no, she wasn't giving up or blowing him off because she had yet to catch his eye. She was honestly worried for Carolyn and wanted to be here in case she had a nightmare or tried to summon the Goddess or something equally crazy.

Jodi was holding the door as Rodry took his leave. Carolyn stood near the door jam opposite her. She smiled even more. "Thank you again Rodry, we look forward to seeing you another time. And Jodi, if you want to go, you can go ahead. I'll be fine." She smiled at her best friend knowing full well that once Jodi decided to stay she wasn't going to waver from her choice. But at least she had been polite enough to offer Jodi the chance to go.

Jodi shook her head as she smiled. "Thank you Carolyn but, for tonight, I must decline. Another time though, for sure." She still smiled. Part of her wanted to go. But there was a bigger part of her that wanted to be here for Carolyn. It wouldn't be the first time that she had to crawl into bed with the young woman to chase away the nightmares. Not that there were many times that it had happened. But Jodi felt the need to be there just in case. If Carolyn woke from a nightmare to an empty apartment, Jodi would never forgive herself.

[Rodry Pol]

"Oh we could certainly see about finding something to do ... but you know kids and their parents."

Offering a faint shrug of his shoulders. They had themselves told of how they had gotten out from 'under' their parents thumbs by getting this place. It would have likely been amusing to imagine what Rodry would try and participate in that would also entertain three younger women. One couldn't exactly imagine the old man shaking his groove thing out on a dance floor.

A faint smile was resting upon his lips, one that came from that warmth that such a youthful woman validating his worries brought. While his Son would likely accept and know that his father was fine, his daughter had sacrificed much just because of how much she loved her father. She would worry over him because it was in her nature to be a bit worrisome over those she cared about. Even if there were few threats that Rodry himself worried about that came from outside of his treacherous body.

"This evening, I am sure that I will find comfort and peace when I finally reach my bed. Even if I may look as if I just rolled out of it."

His laugh was warm, relaxed. The product of good company and satisfaction with the evenings events. Even if he had seemed to butt heads with Carolyn from time to time, she had soldiered on through the old mans questioning and prodding. The old man, while contrary at times felt he was fundamentally good. Though of course that may have been a biased opinion on his part!

"All my digits are still attached and in good working order, as long as I am not slipping with my tools. Though I must say, he would have fit in with my crowd then. We tended to aim for between the toes. "

From the look on his face, one would think him entirely serious! It had been ages since his last game, which could likely be guessed. It had been one he had played frequently when he had been younger, more reckless. He had to be thankful that he hadn't lost any digits during his own games, however, there was significantly less risk for one like himself. Not that he pointed such out. Rodry could tell however, from their dual amusement that they both knew the tale well.

It seemed however, that despite his invitation that he would be returning to the inn all by himself. Which had honestly surprised him. Considering Jodi had quite pointedly been trying to get him to stay, however, he could understand her reasoning. Had they remained, if something had happened it would be easy for Jodi to excuse herself and bid Rodry a good night later in the evening. If Jodi was not home, then she would have been totally unable to offer Carolyn any comfort, or prudent words on making wise choices! While he would miss the company on the walk home, he wouldn't think to further try and pull Jodi away, especially since Carolyn seemed to be fully intending to go to sleep.

"I will be looking out for the two of you! Hopefully it won't be too long before we meet again."

Rodry had followed after them to the door, taking another moment to familiarize himself with the apartment and the rich scents of their tea on the air. Once at the door however, he turned and actually offered a bow. One arm resting at his waist, the other spreading out to one side. The gesture leaving a short length of his braided hair sliding up out of his nightshirt with the movement, though there had to be more than two feet of it to have kept from tumbling completely out.

"Until next time my friends, be safe."

Only after that final well wishing, did he turn towards the door of their apartment building. Fully intending to head straight for 'home'. Already it was late and with the idea of danger out on the streets, he wasn't exactly planning on lollygagging if he could help it!

[Telguest]

Rodry's comment about kids and their parents brought giggles from both girls. And he received warm smiles when he mentioned getting rest, well rest when he finally got to his bed. More giggled had emanated at the mention of his having all his digits and Carolyn's dad fitting in. "Oh no, not too long." Was Carolyn's response to his hope that the ladies would come for a visit soon. Jodi had a big smile and a nod in agreement with her.

The bow made both girls snicker and curtsy. "It was a pleasure meeting you good sir." A wink from Jodi accompanying the comment she spoke in a rather old word tone and tongue. After all, he was the one that had bowed to them like he was a knight in shinning armor. "Until we meet again." Added by Carlyn as they waited for him to make is safely outside before closing and locking the door.

Once their guest had left them for the evening, Carolyn picked up the dishes and took them to the sink. She rinsed them and loaded them into the dishwasher. "I'm headed to bed." She walked over and gave Jodi a hug. "Love you, night night." Jodi returned the sentiment and then went to get some cards out of the kitchen drawer. She played solitaire while Carolyn headed to bed for the night.

[Venis Jordianthan]

Across the street from the apartments, in the deepest, darkest recesses of shadow, stood a lone figure. A small flame flared to life, though there was no flick from a Bic or click of a Zippo. The flame was just there one second, and blown out the next. The flame had been used to ignite a cigarette who's end flared to life in a bright flash burning tobacco.

Depending on Rodry's night vision, he might see the wood look stiletto's with red leather mule style uppers and six inch heels that adorned the feet of the crossed ankles that peeked out from the ankle length white cotton broomstick skirt. He might choose to follow up the length of that skirt to find the golden hued chains that rose from the low waist line of the skirt to slide over the hips and disappear behind the body. Up from there he would find a wash board stomach worthy of any body builder. That would lead to perfectly rounded breasts concealed in a red cotton top that only covered the breasts and then had off the shoulder puffy short sleeves.

Behind the form that was shaped like it belonged to a body builder was a cascade of crimson spirals that reached the ground and pooled behind the leaning body. Light would again flair from the tip of the cigarette as another drag was taken from it. And then slowly, smoke was breathed out from between perfect red lips. Ice blue orbs watched the elderly appearing male as he left the building.

"Thanks for walking them home Rodry." Words spoken aloud as she watched him from the shadows. Another pull from the cigarette as she waited for him to acknowledge that she had spoken to him. She knew her words could be heard, provided that there was nothing wrong with the man's hearing.

[Rodry Pol]

Rodry knew children, had known many in his long lifetime. Of all the things that changed, the way they felt about 'hanging out' with their parents always seemed fundamentally the same. Regardless of how much they may love and respect their parents simply hanging out tended to be the least of their interests.

While it may have been hard to imagine but Rodry Pol had indeed once been a knight. While he may have never worn armor shining or non, the choice had been from the alignment of his ideals and those of the Knighthood. Honor was one of Rodry's greatest character strengths. Even if as he had started to get ill, it had been something he made an effort to adhere to less openly. It had been ages since Rodry had undertaken any true quest for what he felt was the greater good. He had been allowing his own ideals to slowly turn towards his personal life and those closest to him.

It had not been but a few long years since Rodry had been known as a Lord.

"Farewell, Ladies."

Only once their door was closed, did he head for the front door of the apartment building. Feeling both better for the good company, despite his briefly sour mood. Even a sour mood was a mood, it had been more fight than had been in him in months. His thoughts were still distracted when he stepped off of the stoop and made his way back down to the street.

It was not any particular movement on Venis' part that drew his attention, but that scent and the subtle feel of that channeled power that created that small flame. Nostrils flared ever so faintly before his head turned. The brief flash of light drawing that intense blue eyes, the pupils that widened to take in the dark alley not taking but a moment to spot her.Rodry's night vision was particularly keen.

Her appearance was taken in with an easy sweep of the eyes, even if recognition took a moment. Really, it was the hair and then the inclusion of that voice a moment later that drew the memory to the fore. The evening at the Tel's bar. A glass of diamonds, glinting like freshly poured ice.

The sharp acrid tang of the tobacco left his nostrils twitching faintly further. It had been some time since he had smelled it. A habit that he had entertained long ago, but hadn't had the health and well being to spare upon.

Though he couldn't help but wonder what she was doing lurking in the alley across from their apartment. Rodry was a strong believer in not asking too many questions that were not his concern. Even so, he did comment on the evenings news. While he carefully made his way across the cobbles. Approaching openly, unarmed with even his usual paltry stick of wood to defend from the Vampiress whom drew in that sweet smoke as he made his way closer.

"To hear it told, they believed that there may be a murdering deity lurking the shadows this evening. It was the least I could do. Even if murder may not have been a worry, the guards patrols seem thin when New Haven can be so dangerous for a pair of pretty youngsters to wander about on their own in."

While he would have felt better, had he been properly dress and at least equipped with his cane for peace of mind, the old fellow still eased within that corona of smoke afforded to Venis by the cigarettes pale blue effluence. He breathed deeply, taking in the scent before holding out two fingers held together. A universal gesture that most who partook of smoke knew well enough.

"Or at least one of them did. The other had her doubts. It may not be wise for you to be out and about by yourself either. With such danger lurking at every turn."

To one whose senses spanned the gap between keen and supernatural, Rodry's scent was a great deal improved. Death no longer breathed it's clammy rot tinged fingers about the old mans person. Waiting for a moment of weakness to strengthen it's hold. The old fellows scent also spoke of great age, greater than even what revealed itself upon his weathered face. His blood had always proven a strong draw for vampires. One so rich in magic and so full of energy, just pulsing through his veins, had always been a lure to those who had known him in his prime.

"Heading to the inn?"

Considering the dangers that Venis' appearance threatened, after all he had heard this evening. Rodry seemed surprisingly calm and collected. Perhaps this old fellow was unwittingly suffering from dementia? Considering the tone when he had spoken of those blood suckers before, one would expect him to be at least a little less cordial or to have the good sense to look embarrassed. Considering The Goddess had been attendance, had been paying enough attention to know he had walked him home, surely she hadn't missed his brief rant. 'Trapped' outside or not.

[Venis Jordianthan]

Seeing Rodry turn and begin to walk towards her, she offered a warning. "I wouldn't come too ..." Her warning was cut short as he closed the distance between them. Not that it was a vast amount of space, but he was moving rather well without aid of his cane.

She listened to his words as she acknowledged his gesture. She pulled a little gold case from a previously unnoticeable bag that rested upon the green utility box that she was leaning against. She pressed the button on the side of the case and it slowly opened to reveal a row of cigarettes held in place by a golden flap that was spring loaded.

She held up a finger and it flared to life with a tiny flame. "You're either incredibly brave or incredibly foolish to approach me after hearing such news. The guards are so thin because, under normal circumstances, they aren't needed as much." There was a slight emphasis on normal. Because normally, the Goddess of Fire and Protection was doing her job and protecting New Haven. Who needs guards when you have a God watching over you?

When he issued his warning that perhaps she shouldn't be out and about either, Venis shook her head. "Don't worry about my safety. I guarantee I can take care of myself." She slid the bag over and put her palms on the large box. She used her arm strength to lift herself off the ground to sit upon the box. This was in an effort to put a little bit more space between Rodry and herself.

Hearing his question as she crossed her left leg over her right and smoothed her skirts, she shook her head slowly. "I can't trust myself at the Inn. I'm not even sure I can trust myself to sit here and hold this conversation. Trust me when I say this. You smell so damned good right now." And it wasn't just the absence of death, it was her extra darkness. A darkness that she was sure she wreaked of at this point.

"Jodi was right." She was looking down at her lap as she took another pull of the cigarette. "I'm as guilty as charged." Her left foot began to twitch. The darkness had it's little voices telling her to quit playing with the food and eat. Venis was refusing it with every ounce of goodness that she could muster. She refused to bite Rodry, no matter what was coursing through his veins.

Rodry was right to think that Venis had heard everything. "The moment I stepped through the portal, I felt Carolyn's rather strong emotions. So I figured I would wait and see what was going on. I didn't know you hated my kind so much Rodry. Yet here you stand. Jodi told you I was a murderess, you already hate vampires, and yet you approached me none the less. Curious that." She finished the cigarette and tossed it aside. It landed in a pile of dead rats and cigarette butts. Venis would incinerate the mess before she left.

Both hands moved to her side on the box, and she wiggled from side to side as she slid her hands under herself. Now that she was sitting on her hands, she felt a little more secure. Despite the voices getting louder and angrier. "They're good girls. Both of them, even if Jodi was trying to get you to warm her bed for the night. Can't say as I can blame her. You are an attractive man. And I say that as a woman, not a blood thirsty murdering vampire God." She couldn't help but smile, though it was just friendly, not flirtatious.

Venis looked down again and winced. She needed to hurry this encounter along a little faster. And it was her own fault that it was taking so long. "I'm sure you have questions. About what I've been doing, why I've been doing it, maybe even about what happened to those boys back on Earth. Please, ask away. I'll even tell you about my unicorns and dragon if you're curious to know." She wouldn't keep anything from him. There was no reason to.

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