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It was eleven months ago that Nyssa was 'sprung' from her prison as it were, a debt she wasted little time in repaying, and ever since she has called the small town of Mystic Falls home. There was understandably a period of adjustment given an entire century had come and gone while the Ferryman's daughter was trapped in what so many called 'Hell'. She wondered at what they would have thought about the real one...a place she only glimpsed through one of her father's journeys.?
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She walked around the town square with raven hair spilling down her back coming within inches of her waist. Giving the appearance of a young woman in her twenties, she wore a form fitting white tank top with a a black broomstick skirt and matching black boots with a bit of a heel.?
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There were fleeting moments when 'checking in' on those she resurrected but decided to leave things as they were instead of risking stirring anything up. Some might be grateful while others might lash out because of fear assuming they even remembered her at all. It was possible those who were witches might have a clearer memory of those moments before rejoining the world of the living. As for the rest it might feel more like deja vu if they saw her again.?
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Katrina Van Helsing drove into town six months ago following a rather interesting conversation over the phone about the Founders Council. Which also brought up one very important question¡¡¯how the hell did he know about her family?¡¯ Fortunately the sheriff had chosen to be forthcoming with that bit of information. The name ¡®Rayna Cruz¡¯ was one she remembered reading in an old journal written by her ancestor.?
All the arrangements were made before their arrival including her family's purchase of an old plantation style home to serve as a residence. Once the team settled into their new home they began to familiarize themselves with Mystic Falls and its history. Next on the list was checking in with Matt Donovan.?
Since then she along with the members of her team became part of the council helping to train the others but also learning additional ¡®tricks of the trade¡¯ from both Vicente Cruz and his daughter Rayna. It proved an interesting experience being given the opportunity to train alongside someone who quite literally had hunted vampires for going on eight lifetimes or more.
She walked around the town square with certain items safely tucked away inside the inner pocket of the black leather jacket worn over a Jack Skellington t-shirt. Silently debating on whether she wanted to head over to the Mystic Grill for a bite to eat. It was then that she noticed a dark haired young woman paying close attention to the people milling about.?
(ooc: said woman being Nyssa though anyone is welcome to jump in.)
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Katrina stood almost motionless as she watched from a safe distance attempting to sort out whether this woman needed to be ¡®dealt with¡¯ or was merely observant out of a natural curiosity. Threat or not, there was something off about her. Could be nothing. It was probably just a case of being on edge one of many occupational hazards in her line of work but still¡
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She carefully slipped a hand into her pocket and slowly withdrew her cellphone taking a picture then sending it along with a quick text to Matt Donovan whom she hoped could help clear things up.
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¡®Do you know who she is? Got a weird feeling about her.¡¯
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It couldn't hurt to keep an eye the raven haired woman for a bit longer just to make sure that no one was in any immediate danger. Hopefully her concerns were unfounded but to ignore one¡¯s gut instincts, well, there were more than a few instances she could think of where that would be a rather costly (if not fatal) mistake.?
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Nyssa was perhaps most curious about the woman who played such an integral part in her escape from ¡®hell¡¯. The Ferryman's daughter had glimpsed things that left her feeling mildly sympathetic while also uncertain whether she could be trusted but so far the doppelg?nger had done nothing but live up to her word.?
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Perhaps the one known as Katherine Pierce would be able to provide her with answers about how this quaint little town avoided being destroyed by ¡®hellfire¡¯ when the Donovan girl rang the bell opening the doorway. She was soon drawn from her thoughts when she felt eyes on her, something that left her looking from the corner of her eye toward the young woman who seemed to be watching her.
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It was obvious the girl was trying to determine whether she posed a threat, a question the raven haired woman could clear up easily enough but preferred to let her solve that mystery on her own. No doubt one of the members of this town¡¯s so-called Founders Council.?
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(tag open)
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Matt Donovan was walking??out a jewelry store holding tiny black box.??He smiled to himself. he couldn¡¯t believe he was feeling this way again.??he never though he would love Rayna like he did given there past . though the though of losing her was painful.??Though nothing made him more nervous than the question he wanted to ask her.??he knew his friends would protest but he didn¡¯t care.??After all he sacrificed so much for them already.
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His thoughts interrupted by the text message he received. He pulled out his phone expecting it to rayna.??He saw it was Katrina. He saw the time and said ¡°Shit I forgot to meet her.¡± luckly he wasn¡¯t far so he didn¡¯t have to jump in his car.??He recognized the square on the picture. Though the woman was a mystery. Perhaps seeing her in person might help also. He shoved the ring box in his pocket as he ran.
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It only took a few minutes before he arrived. Stopping to take a breath he text rayna that he be home shortly with their new guest. He then walked to the center looking for Katrina.??Seeing her he waved. Walking up to her and said ¡°sorry im late. as for your picture I don¡¯t recognize.??Where is she now???perhaps I can introduce myself to find out?¡±
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Katrina held the cellphone as if reading through emails as she leisurely strolled along the edge of the town square. It was better to keep up appearances than risk tipping her hand to someone who could potentially be a threat. Carefully looking away from the small glowing screen at seeing her new friend approaching. ¡°No worries. I figured you got held up with either sheriff or council business.¡±
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She was still getting used to the idea of local law enforcement being onboard with hunting vampires. Tipping her head slightly to indicate the direction. ¡°Over there.¡± If appearances were to be believed then there was absolutely nothing out of the ordinary about this woman but it still wouldn't explain that feeling she couldn't shake.?
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¡°So far¡she's just been walking around¡watching people.¡± There was half a second when the hunter could have sworn their eyes locked before she had turned back to Matt. ¡°I know, not a threatening move in itself but something about her feels¡off. I can't even begin to explain it¡but it does.¡±
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David Kane walked slowly down the street watching...well everything at once. He studied the people ahead of him, knowing one, at least, by hiss research. A Van Helsing, if flexible enough, was a good ally, and if not, it was worth the bother to know where one was so that you may keep breathing. He was looking for his parents and this town was a beacon for the supernatural. That sort of thing drew both of them for differing reasons, but especially his father...surely he still had the monkey on his back that drove him, a thing that David had always pitied.
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The witch wore modern clothes, but carried a sword at his side and a tiny pistol in his jacket pocket. He had learned from his father after all, and to go anywhere weapons made him feel worse than naked.
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Supposing that he should speak before he ended up looking like a stalker, he sped up his long strides and approached the little group ahead of him on the sidewalk.
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"Excuse me. I'm looking for a decent hotel? I'm new to the area so..."
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He gave a friendly smile, thanks to his mother it came easily, as the expression had never looked right on his father.
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OOC, About to send you his profile right now. Sorry kinda did it backward, but inspiration and all and shit hasn't been saving right in my drafts.
I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed.
I get along with the voices inside of my head.
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Katrina was careful not to lose track of the mystery woman when she looked to the man inquiring about local hotels. It only took any instant for her to begin questioning whether his arrival was purely coincidental or if there was more to it. One eyebrow lifted as she caught sight of the sword at his side thinking it a bit of a strange accessory for someone to be walking around with.
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Maybe there was some kind of cosplay thing going on or was there some upcoming events the founding families seemed so incredibly fond of throwing? Both were entirely possible but there was also a remote chance this man was a ¡®player¡¯. She supposed there was only one way to find out.
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¡°I believe there are a handful of ¡®bed and breakfast¡¯ places and a few hotels depending on which you¡¯d prefer.¡± She offered while continuing to watch Nyssa from the corner of her eye.?
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Nyssa took a seat on the empty bench carefully adjusting her ankle length black skirt as she crossed her legs. There was the briefest of moments when she considered approaching the people but it was easily dismissed as making small talk was more often than not a tad on the boring side most of the time.
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(ooc: You¡¯re fine.)
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David's gaze dropped briefly to his sword, an expression of chagrin on his face.
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Gaze returning to Katrina's face he smiled slightly.
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"Not subtle is it," he said apologetically.
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"Keeps me alive, though. My father and I were never good at being subtle, but it doesn't really come with the trade."
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He spoke quietly. As he did, he didn't miss her gaze moving to the seated woman on the bench, so he followed her gaze to study Nyssa as well. Idly he wondered if she was a mark or a lead.
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"I think a hotel is less intrusive, and follows one's activities less frequently. Bed and breeakfasts are too personal."
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Though his parents would likely prefer such so he probably should...yet somehow couldn't bring himself to.
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"So a hotel I think."
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He smiled then and extended a hand.
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"David Kane," he offered.
I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed.
I get along with the voices inside of my head.
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Matt nodded to Katrina . He said " thanks for telling me.? I'll go introduce myself. Perhaps get some answers. I want be long."? Matt began walking towards nyssa just as David had walked up to Katrina and begin to talk.
Matt meanwhile walked up to nyssa.? He said " good afternoon. Welcome to our small town of mystic falls. My name is Matt donovan. I'm the local sheriff."
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¡°Watch your back.¡± Katrina strongly hoped this was all little more than a product of her often overactive imagination. It's not as if it were completely beyond the realm of possibility. Her gaze followed him over to where mysterious woman was sitting so casually on a bench then snapped back to the stranger.?
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One eyebrow lifted when he spoke of the sword at his side and it's lack of subtlety. ¡°No. It really isn't.¡± If she were reading the situation correctly this man was a ¡®player¡¯ but rather than jumping to conclusions (even ones she strongly suspected to be right) was not a move she cared to make at this juncture.
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¡°Trade?¡± Oh, you mean like one of those reenactment groups?¡± It was something she found interesting as they often provided a glimpse into the past. ¡°It's very¡ method.¡± The brunette cast a pointed look to his sword opting to keep up the ruse that after years of practice was like second nature. It was just simpler that way. ?
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¡°So, you¡¯re not a fan of the whole ¡®down-home¡¯ vibe?¡± It wasn't for everyone but she had in recent months grown more accustomed to the friendliness of the people who lived here.?
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Sparing the occasional glance in Nyssa¡¯s direction as her attention remained somewhat divided. ¡°There's one a small one about a block from here¡and then there's a nice ¡®bed and breakfast¡¯ located on the edge of town.¡±
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The introduction was a bit unexpected but prompted her to follow suit despite dreading it turning into one of those ¡®fan boy¡¯ situations. More often than not introducing herself resulted in being forced to listen as someone rambled on about either a favorite Dracula movie or that damned book. ¡°Katrina Van Helsing.¡± She offered while shaking his hand.
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¡°Good afternoon¡sheriff.¡± Nyssa greeted with a friendly smile as the man approached making introductions¡a gesture that was not entirely out of the ordinary in small towns though she suspected he had other motives. But she was bored and decided to play along. ¡°Nyssa.¡±
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She knew enough about this town from her ¡®research¡¯ to know who most of its players were and this man was someone who was desperate to protect his home. ¡°I can't believe that I have been here eleven months and not gotten around to meeting a few of my neighbors.¡± Here the Ferryman's daughter paused to see if that time table sparked anything as it had been when the huntress and her father were found very much alive. ¡°I just¡don't get out all that often I guess.¡±
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"I always watch my back,"David promised, with an amused nearly gentle smile.
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"especially in a town with the rumors this one has...Yes it does appear quaint, but there is much moving under that. I find this the way with many small towns. It makes them more spooky to some for all that, but I am difficult to spook, I have seen too much for that," David told her honestly with a slight shrug.
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"You expect evil to be in big cities, but that's where the evil humans go. The real evil can hide better in a small town where everyone is so sure that nothing ever happens."
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He laughed outright when she spoke of a reenactment group.
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"Puritan reenactment...Thank you, I shall use that if anyone asks," he told her with a gentle smile of gratitude.
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"No I meant more the trade of protecting the innocent from evil monsters as my father has raised me to do."
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One may consider his own mother to be one of those, but she had, in some ways an innocent hart and was merely misguided, shallow and greedy. When Sarah loved, she loved fiercely though and she had always been good to him and his father. And somehow Solomon managed to keep her in check for the most part and when he could not to at least redirect her actions to something bearable.
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When she gave her name David grinned from ear to ear but the look was brief.
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"I was right then! Well met. It's nice to know your family is still keeping up the good work. Dracula himself used to be one who did that before becoming a vampire...Now I think he's on the fence, but at that can still be useful at times. He will kill those monsters worse than he so father has let him live."
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OOC, There was a reference to Solomon running into Dracula online so yeah.
I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed.
I get along with the voices inside of my head.
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Matt smiled as he listened to the woman speak.??He listened for any clue of who she was and why she was here.??He did notice when she said 11 months. He knew that month all to well.??He wondered if she was brought back from the dead though she didn¡¯t recognize her
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He said ¡°may I?¡±??he motion at the bench for him to join her.??he then said ¡°its okay and understandable.??It¡¯s a small town. It want take you to long.??Let me be the first to welcome you to mystic falls. Tell em where did you move from. If you don¡¯t mind me asking that is. if you want I can give yyou a tour of the town. Nyssa that is a interesting name. very unique I like it.¡±?
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Nyssa knew full well that he was looking for answers to whatever questions were running through his mind and was at the very least curious enough to let this play out. Plus it gave her the opportunity to fill in whatever blanks there might be in the information provided by Katherine.
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¡°By all means¡¡± She motioned to the empty seat. ¡°I have always had a fondness for small towns¡they have a certain feel about them that I find¡inviting.¡± But truthfully the Ferryman's daughter hadn't bothered seeking out a larger city to explore as she needed to be eased back into this world after so much time trapped in a place of Cade¡¯s creation.
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¡°I suppose you could say that I come from the deep south.¡± Briefly glancing to the man with a sword at his side then back again with a hint of curiosity in her eyes. ¡°It would be an honor to receive a tour from the sheriff himself.¡± She smiled.
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¡°Mystic Falls certainly has a¡colorful history¡one that most of its residents seem blissfully unaware of.¡± Katrina found that true in most cases as people either didn't know or care about the generations who came before. Whatever the case may be she supposed it didn't matter because it didn't change anything.
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She rarely discussed certain matters with those outside her inner circle or members of the council. ¡°But isn't that always the case? People think they are not easily spooked until they come face to face with the harsh reality of a world most go their whole lives knowing absolutely nothing about.¡±
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¡°There are rare cases when the ¡®evil¡¯ prefers the big city where a few more bodies go relatively unnoticed.¡± Which was true as unless you knew precisely what to look for but honestly most people were quick to buy the explanation of ¡®animal attack¡¯ or simply pin the blame on a psychopath with a vampire obsession.
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¡°Pays having a good cover story when one chooses to carry one of those for protection.¡± Shooting a quick glance to his weapon of choice then looking to his face again with an almost friendly smile.
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When her suspicions were confirmed she was left to wonder about his motives for choosing to visit this town of all places. If he were a threat then that would need to be sorted out but if not¡he might prove useful. ¡°Your father?¡± Hardly the first time she'd heard of someone being brought into this life by a parent.
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¡°Mine along with the other four families continue to protect the innocent from monsters.¡± Though to hear someone speak of Dracula as if he could be useful was something she was having a bit of difficulty with as his particular brand of vampire seemed worse¡less sympathetic toward humans.
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¡°I don't see how he could be. I mean from all the stories I have heard and things written in Abraham¡¯s journals¡he¡¯s a monster with no regard for human life.¡±
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(OOC: Cool.)
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David nodded, gaze somber when Katrina mentioned Dracula having no regard for human life.
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"A thing that befalls many who develop superhuman powers, sadly, but there are things out there that are worse than vampires, and he has been known to stand against those particular fiends a time or two," he said.
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"My father's method is let one bad serve good by eradicating a worse bad when possible. Leaves less for us to do," he said with a slight smile.
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"I'd use a less...visible weapon if it would work," he added, gaze dropping briefly to the sword.
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"There are some creatures that only this will take care of, and my mother would have spiked bricks were I to get myself killed trying not to be noticed," he concluded, giving a dry chuckle.
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A preposterous statement for a mother who matched. Sarah was a disturbing mix of wicked and caring that he never bothered to think on too much as his father usually???? kept her in check or at least guided her deeds.
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"So is it to be said that we both have parents who guided us into this particular brand of work," David asked with a small grin.
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"My father is...driven...obsessed some would say to eradicate evil in any way necessary. While I feel I am a bit more reserved I do respect his reasons and do my best to do what I can."
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Deciding to take a chance he lifted his gaze to hers. "I was looking for my parents but I chose to come here due to a tip I got from a...friend. That people are returning from the dead. Not truly something that I find to be so very remarkable, especially if you have some darker connections, but Dad does like to check such things so..."
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He shrugged slightly.
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"If you're here for the same reason, or if there is anything I can do to help..."
I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed.
I get along with the voices inside of my head.
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¡°Some would argue that he is among the worst offenders.¡± Katrina had little use for the infamous vampire as the stories did little to convince her of there being any redeeming qualities to him. Tipping her head slightly at the latter part of what was said. ¡°I would wager he only does so when it suits his purposes.¡±
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She didn't have a very good feeling about this, after all, her ancestor had thought Dracula to be one deserving of a ¡®one way ticket¡¯ to hell as did those who stood with him against the vampire. ¡°That may work for your father but¡mine has a low tolerance for those who kill the innocent.¡± It was a trait that most in her family shared as they had all at one time or another watched from the shadows as someone discovered their loved one had been murdered.
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Casting a sidelong glance toward her friend without responding to the mention of his mother as she pushed down the last memory of hers. It wasn't any easy thing to live with even if her hand had been forced.?
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When the subject went in another direction she turned her focus back to David, a brief smile crossing her lips. ¡°You could say that.¡± Her father had certainly played an integral role in the path she'd chosen. ¡°Mine could at times be quite driven as well¡though I dare say it had a lot to do with the times he failed to save someone or watched from the shadows as a parent or spouse was awakened by a police officer on their doorstep.¡±
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It never got any easier¡seeing someone go through that kind of pain but it had been the belief of her ancestor that they needed that reminder of what it was they were fighting for.
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One eyebrow lifted as he brought up the subject of people coming back from the dead forcing her to once more spare a glance in her friend's direction before deciding against playing games as she certainly wanted answers as to how that was happening. She lightly bit her lip a moment in hesitation as trust wasn't something easily given.?
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¡°So far¡there are a few people that I know of who have came back from the dead.¡± If this guy knew much at all about other hunters then the people she was about to mention would be just impressive to him as they were to her. ¡°One being a man named Vicente Cruz¡once a member of the Brotherhood of the Five and the other his daughter¡Rayna Cruz.¡±
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She wouldn't be providing this information if it were people incapable of defending themselves¡a thing which could not be said about either father or daughter. ¡°The others being a powerful witch and a Petrova doppelg?nger from a thousand years ago.¡± If there were more she had yet to hear of them.?
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¡°I was contacted a few months ago by the sheriff who was told by Rayna that Abraham Van Helsing was all too real which gave him the idea to track down his descendants. He was tired of the way things had been so he asked for my family's help rebuilding an even better Founders Council to protect this town and the people he cares about. That is why my friends and I are here.¡±
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"Aye he is the worst vampire for certain, Dracula," David admitted readily.
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"But there's worse out there than vampires by far. Ever tried demons on for size," he asked her. "Or wendigo or Naga or...there's so many evils, I couldst go on half the night."
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Though David was usually quite up on modern speech when his mind was on other matters, his tongue slipped back to the familiar patterns of his youth.
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"Then again, perhaps father could not kill Dracula. He never said and I was wise enough not to ask too much," he said with a light chuckle.
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"Though I have seen father destroy a ghost with his very fists and iron will. Though it was not solid I saw him tear its visage to shreds then to nothing with his fists."
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He shrugged.
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"In short one never knows."
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He frowned when she said her father had a low tolerance for those who killed the innocent.
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"My father has done more and sacrificed more for the innocent than anyone I've ever known," he said in a low intense voice.
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"He sees a means to an end to save the most innocence he can at times, though. I have seen him risk his very life to protect an innocent defenseless animal from abuse so..."
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He drew in a breath and left the sentence unsaid. He and his mother had suffered enough stress, Sarah more so, because of Solomon's relentless need to fight evil.
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When she spoke of her father being driven even more when he saw those he could not save, David nodded in understanding for his was the same. He wasn't certain that this was all that drove Solomon, though. And he had never dared ask.
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He arched his brows when she spoke of Rayna and her father's return.
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"I have heard of them, of course, though we have never crossed paths. It must be God's will, though as these are certainly people who do God's work. and if anyone can raise the dead it is God. Though if he is interfering it must be dire indeed, whatever IT is," David said grimly.
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"My sword is yours if you have a direction in this," he added without hesitation, meeting her eyes directly.
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David understood that she had come here to build a council likely against the town's werewolves and vampires, and he was generally accustom to fighting a wider range of bad, but werewolves and vampires who harmed the innocent definitely fit into that.
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I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed.
I get along with the voices inside of my head.
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¡°Dracula was always something of a sore spot for Abraham by all accounts though I think it had a bit more to do with the whole Mina thing, well, that¡and how things played out with Lucy. He always swore if he was ever given the chance again he would do what he should have done then.¡± Katrina devoted quite a bit of her time to reading the old journals kept by her ancestors as it was the closest she could ever come to knowing them.?
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¡°It was Abraham¡¯s belief that even Dracula could be killed IF one found his resting place then it would be a simple matter of staking and beheading him.¡± She replied with a small shrug of her shoulders as if to say ¡®it is, what is¡¯. While such tactics were unnecessary or in the case of the sort of vampire who frequented this little town not possible as they were entirely different.
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She listened a bit skeptically to the account of how his father ¡®destroyed¡¯ a ghost as that seemed like a bit of a stretch. There had to have been more to that story. Anything else simply wasn't possible.
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¡°What I meant is that my father has a difficult time allowing ¡®monsters¡¯ who kill the innocent to remain living. If he sees a means to an end he pits the two against each other then often takes out the survivor. Two birds, one stone and all that.¡± Something told her that like most in their line of work it was a tactic he was familiar with as well.?
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¡°Someone is definitely interfering.¡± She just didn't know whether God had anything to do with the dead rising or if being even remotely helpful was the motive behind those who had returned so far. Her eyes once more moving to the woman talking with Matt in the distance unable to shake the gut feeling that something about her was ¡®off¡¯.?
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¡°If allying yourself with the council is your intention then I am certain you will eventually get to meet Rayna and her father as those two were the sheriff¡¯s first recruits to make sure those on it could handle a vampire if faced with one.¡± She turned back to David as she spoke.?
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¡°With a lot of hard work¡I think they're ready.¡± She paused recalling the numerous times the townspeople who were involved in this¡secret council had used some seriously bad language directed at them when the hunters had been whopping them into shape. ¡°We still train. Gotta keep them on their toes.¡± Otherwise the odds of them dying soared through the roof.?
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"It seems odd that destroying the things would be as easy as a spot of wood through the heart, but everything has its weakness. I should think if this is true vampires would be careful to hide where they sleep. Though were it so simple why would rival vampires not simply hire mortals to get rid of their competitors during the daylight hours? Would be a simple job for even the likes of a simple farmer if given the wood and a map," David observed thoughtfully.
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As he spoke his gaze idly swept his surroundings. From where they sat there was a nice town view. A view onto a pleasant little town that apparently had much moving about in its underbelly.
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David grinned, noting and understanding her skeptical expression when he spoke of Solomon killing a ghost.
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"Yes twould seem impossible but my father has something special. Something not even he can claim to understand. And an ancient staff that's wood is said to come from worlds beyond ours before ours even existed. Even father doesn't understand that staff completely.
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Solomon had been subdued by mortals, though it took 3 men to hold him and they had to rest the staff from his grip, but they weren't speaking of men at present.
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David merely shrugged agreeably at mention of eventually meeting Rayna and her father. He obviously wasn't fanboying over them, but willing to consider them helpful equals.
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He followed her gaze to the 2 speaking in the distance and arched a brow, glancing back to her face.
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"A problem? I can help if need be," he offered.
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Gaze flicking over he drew in a breath and let it out slowly.
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"I figure it may be wise to exchange abilities. I learned fighting skills from my father, magic from my witch mother and creature lore from both. My acute skills of observation are all mine I suppose."
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I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed.
I get along with the voices inside of my head.
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Kat