Holier Than Thou

[Emora Deen]

"Isn't it going to look strange if we take him back through the streets blindfolded?" Tenele asked as she offered up the sash around her waist for him to use as a blindfold. She eyed the man before lifting her gaze to her husband. She kept her hood on so far and it appeared that the mage hadn't deciphered who they were yet. She wondered why Vlad was being secretive, but had a guess that it might have to do with their identities.

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad smiled. "Who said we were taking the streets?" He looped an arm around his wife's waist and turned his gaze on the mage. "If it's a deal, then group hug and let's get going."

[Emora Deen]

Tenele watched as the mage hesitantly wrapped an arm around Tenele, and then managed to bring himself to do the same to the vampire. Tenele wondered how uncomfortable he felt, but whatever spice he had on him was suddenly churning her stomach. She hoped for a quick ride.

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad used his telekinesis to fasten a handkerchief from a nearby table over the man's head. A moment later, they were all standing in Talon's room.

[Emora Deen]

Talon jumped at the sudden entrance. His senses kicked in, his red eyes glowing. He had all the blinds drawn closed and the room was black, even with the sun outside. He stood up from his chair, appraising them. His eyes found Tenele as she lowered the hood from her head. He averted his gaze from her, and let them fall on the men with them.

"Why is he here?" the young vampire asked, taking a step forward. Was he food? Talon was feeling hungry. He should really go hunting... Was this his?

The young vampire approached them soundlessly, taking in a deep breath. He choked on the smell of the man. He didn't seem appetising.

Tenele pressed a finger to her lips, motioning for Talon to be quiet. She stepped out of her husband's grip and took a couple of careful steps to her brother. Her hand hesitated as she reached out for him, finally following through to rest on his arm. He shifted out from under her touch and backed away from her. Tenele frowned, and motioned for him to join her where he'd been sitting off in the corner of the room.

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad completely ignored Talon's presence, instead discussing something with the mage in calm, low tones. It would look like ordinary men doing business, if one of them hadn't been blindfolded. Vlad placed the mage's hand on the wall and invited him to begin.

Like in the tent, it only took a few moments to perform the run and then the slight modification that made it one-way. Vlad studied it approvingly. "We're going to go sing," he called to Tenele as if it were as normal as announcing he was grabbing a bite to eat. He took the mage by the arm and led him out into the hall, closing the door behind him.

[Emora Deen]

Tenele nodded to her husband, but noticed the way Talon stiffened when the door closed, leaving the two of them alone. She sat in one chair and he sat in the other, and neither one of them said anything to eachother. She watched him, and he watched the floor.

"Talon..."

Talon lifted his red eyes, and the words seized in her throat. "Don't," he whispered, glancing down again.

Tenele felt her throat close around her words. She listened to the silence in the room, waiting to hear her husband and the mage sing.

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad opened the door about a minute later. "How was that?"

[Emora Deen]

"We didn't hear anything," she told him with a wicked grin. "Perhaps you should try again?" Her green eyes sparkled with mischief.

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad sulked. "That was my finest serenade. Oh well, no matter. Surely you wouldn't have enjoyed it anyway." Vlad's ruby eyes flashed with amusement as he crossed the room. "Well done, mage. This good man here will pay you," he pronounced, thumping Talon on the shoulder.

[Emora Deen]

Talon eyed Vlad with confusion, and then set his eyes on the man. He rose from his chair and went over the table near his bed, drawing open the top drawer. He took up his coin purse and stepped up to the hooded mage. "What was the agreed amount?" he asked.

"One gold, I think," Tenele told him.

Talon dug through his purse, eyeing the mage sceptically. He was more inclined to eat him than pay him. Why pay him? They could just eat him and dump the body like the girl... Talon shook his head, digging harder than necessary for a gold piece.

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad studied his protege strictly while the man worked his way through his purse. When the gold piece was resting safely in the man's hand, Vlad stepped up and took the mage by the arm. Lovely. Back you go." In a space of 10 seconds, Vlad was gone from the room along with his hired hand, and then he was standing among them again. "Now you can enjoy your beauty sleep," Vlad told Talon. "You and I should run some errands, later," he added to the man more seriously. His voice promised that he noticed every tense, hunger-weary crease on the normally handsome man's expression.

[Emora Deen]

Talon nodded. "Thank you," he muttered, glancing to Tenele. Relief washed through him, but still not enough to where he felt comfortable with her. He felt afraid of himself, not of her. Of what he could accidentally do to her. She was easily broken in his grasp. "Please, come get me when you are ready to run your errands."

Tenele knew what errands the two of them would run, and new that it would end with someone's death, and their full bellies. But, she also knew that Vlad wouldn't prey on the innocent, and he would keep Talon in check.

[Soran Nightblade]

"I'll return shortly," Vlad said, knowing the newblood wouldn't want to leave his room in his current condition. With that, he turned and held the door for Tenele. When they were both in the hallway, walking side by side toward their quarters, he glanced over at his wife. "Doing alright?" he asked her, aware he'd just thrust her into her first interaction with Talon since last night, and not accidentally.

[Emora Deen]

Tenele didn't answer him right away. She thought about how she was feeling as they made their way back to their room. "I'm... I'm okay," she finally agreed. "He doesn't want me touching him... that's okay. I can understand that, and maybe it won't always be like that. I don't know what's going on in his head anymore. I know Talon is there somewhere, but it worries me to think he could be this distant forever." When she reached the door she brightened her smile, pushing the handle and entering the room. "Thank you for doing that for him. I know he'll sleep much better now without heartbeats and other noises to compete for his attention."