faescythe

[faescythe]

Stay With Me Pt 5

Chapter 5: A New Start

Learning and growing can be difficult things to do, especially when your body is forever frozen in time. Many vampires that I have met have not changed throughout the centuries they have lived. It is one advantage mortals have over us creatures of the night. They are able to change and grow not only physically, but mentally much easier than us immortals. 

It took Godric two thousand years to start seeing the good in humanity. It took even longer for me. I don’t talk much about my past. The beginning of my vampire life was full of pain, violence, and death. When I changed Godric I swore to make sure that did not happen to him. For the most part, I was successful, but the years of torture he endured could not be wiped away with my blood. 

Godric is sitting across from me in the living room. If it weren’t for the seriousness of our current discussion I am certain he would be taking his rightful place at my side. Our future together is the current topic. Will Godric choose to stay with me? Will he go back to that swamp town with Eric? Or will he refuse the help he desperately needs because of his stubbornness? He wants so badly to atone for the atrocities he’s committed, but instead of punishing himself like he wants, he is punishing those close to him. He believes that his leaving this world is justified and the only way to fix his past mistakes. 

“I know what you wanted to happen when you were taken. This path you are on will not lead to atonement. Whatever god you think will judge you will not rule in your favor if you meet your true death in this way.” I feel guilt flood through our bond as well as regret and sadness. “My childe, it is time to stop running and face what you have done. If you truly want to make up for the lives you’ve taken, then you need to put some good into the world instead of taking yourself out of it. All your death would accomplish is more pain and suffering for those around you.” I take his hands into mine. Although we are both dead and no blood flows to keep us warm, his touch heats up my entire being. I can tell he feels the same as the fire spreading throughout our bodies reaches his eyes and sets them on fire with emotion. 

“Come with me. Please Godric, come with me,” I plead as I stare into his fiery eyes. He lets go of my hands. If my heart still beat inside of my frozen chest it would have given out. If he leaves me again that will be my breaking point. I cannot handle his rejection a second time. I cannot keep wandering this vast planet for the rest of eternity without him. He is my reason for existing. 

His hands slowly move upwards and cup my face. I feel his thumbs run over my cheeks and feel them smear my blood on them. I did not know when I started crying, but I doubt that I will stop anytime soon. My red tears start to impair my vision, but I refuse to blink them away in fear that this will be the last time I gaze upon Godric’s face. The face of my first and last creation. I memorized every pore many years ago, but I will never stop being amazed by it. 

“Do not cry Maker,” He tells me softly. “I won’t leave you again.” He leans forward and breathes a shaky, although unnecessary, breath. I can feel it tickle my face the closer he gets until there isn’t more than a centimeter between us. His forehead connects with mine and at last, I close my eyes and soak in his presence.

He stayed in that position until we hear someone clear their throat. My eyes flicker open and examine our surroundings for the person who interrupted us. I see the messy blonde locks of my grandchilde who stands in the doorway. He looks like he has just risen from his day's death. “Well isn’t this a touching moment,” he says with his usual smirk painting his face. 

“Eric,” whispers Godric. That was all it took for the tall Viking to use his enhanced speed to cross the room to us and kneel down to our positions. 

“I’m guessing you are not planning on returning with me to the Fangtasia?” Eric looks disappointed by this revelation. As if he were hoping that his creator would accompany him home and stay close by instead of leaving him behind. 

“ My childe, this is a journey I must take. You may not understand it now but have no doubt that in the future you will relate to what I am feeling more than I would like.” Godric pulls away from me to look at his progeny. “I will not be abandoning you. If anything I will be able to see even more with this new predicament.”

“I would also like to get to know my grandchilde and great grandchilde. It has been very difficult to know about your existence and not be able to go to you,” I tell him with a small smile on my face. This moment is what I have dreamed of for so many centuries. The moment I could meet the rest of my bloodline. Although I am still unable to see Nora, Godrics other childe, I can still interact with Eric and the infamous Pamela. I imagine she would be horrified by my sense of fashion. 

“When will you two be leaving?” He asks us. 

“We will depart when you do,” Godric replies. 

“ Where will you go?” Eric targets me with this question. He looks at me with his stormy eyes and I suddenly feel the urge to get closer to him. I want to study him the same way I do Godric. I want to memorize him. I struggle to resist the feeling.

“I have many nests around the world. We can go anywhere Godric chooses,” I tell him. I have to fold my hands together to keep them from unconsciously gravitating toward the giant man. It seems that after being close to him during my day rest, my body now wants to never leave his side just like it refuses to leave Godric’s. 

Eric shifts his gaze to his Maker and I force myself to tear my eyes away from the Viking and focus them once more on my own progeny. We can go wherever he chooses. He is no longer tied down by the AVL. Nan unknowingly did Godric an enormous favor by removing him from his position of power. She inadvertently set him free. He hasn’t tasted freedom like this since before the AVL was established. He can once again go where the wind takes him. Just like it did when he was a young vampire stalking through the trees. 

[faescythe]

Stay With Me Pt 4

Chapter 4: Where Do We Go From Here? 

The sun has begun to ascend like it always does without fail. The sun and moon are the two most constant things on this planet. They always come and they always go. The sun on this day came just like any other. Although my world has changed, the rest of it keeps moving as it always has throughout my long life. 

My age has allowed me to stay awake for the majority of the day. Soon I fear I will not require rest at all. My mind will constantly be active without the short break presently provided to it by the sun. My progeny and his childe still require much more sleep than I do. Although, they have also gained the ability to resist the sun for a period of time. We have sat there on the couches for hours. We have talked about many things from my childe’s life as a sheriff, to his history with Eric. We have also discussed pieces of my own life. The pieces I am willing to share. 

As the great burning star climbs the sky, I can sense my companions begin to feel the pull. I can see them glancing at me wondering if I can feel the same force as them. I can also see curiosity as I am not making any moves to go to rest. “I no longer require much rest, my childe. I rest for about half an hour each day. The pull is almost nonexistent. I don’t actually need much of anything to stay alive anymore” I tell them. It has been difficult in recent years to remember to meet my body's few needs. 

“You must have a lot of time on your hands” snorts my childe’s humorous progeny.

“I have found ways to entertain myself I can assure you” I smirk back. I can already tell that the two of us will get along. I can see blood begin to seep from the ear of my grandchilde’s ear and I know that they need to rest. 

“I know that you need rest. You both can rest in my room if you wish,” I tell them hoping that they’ll accept my offer. It has been a long time since I have been vulnerable enough with another being that I would rest with them. 

“Let us rest for the day,” responds my progeny with a soft smile. When we were together we would sleep next to each other every night. I have missed the comfort he brought. He stands from the chair, and his progeny and I make our way over to the bedroom.

I remove my shirt and pants and lay down on the large bed. I can feel a hint of lust through the bond as I see Godric and Eric watching me. They then remove their own clothing before laying on either side of me. My eyes roam the body of my progeny that I have not seen in so many years before flicking over to the body of his progeny. It makes me recall our past together. How I knew his body like the back of my hand and he knew mine. I never felt so close to someone else as I did to him. I doubt I will ever feel that closeness with anyone else. 

Although I no longer require as much rest, I can still make myself do so. I feel myself instinctually curl up next to my childe and rest my head on his chest. I can feel my grandchilde behind me wrap his muscular arm around both me and his maker. I did not know I could feel more comfortable than I did with just Godric at my side, but feeling another one of my blood this close to me has proved otherwise. 

As the minutes tick by, I feel the sun’s pull stronger than I have in centuries. I allow myself to be consumed by the feeling and let go. 

<3 <3 <3 <3

I end up resting into the afternoon and when I awaken all I feel is pure joy. I have reunited with my childe. I know that he will rise not long after I have. His age has assured that. I slip out of the grasp of my progeny and grandchilde and make my way to the bathroom. I can feel that there will be much to discuss tonight. Our current path is uncertain. Will Godric stay with me or with Eric? Where will I choose to go? Will I lose him again? 

I glance at myself in the mirror and see my eyes looking brighter than they have in a long time. Life has begun to return to them despite my lack of a heartbeat. I rake a hand through my short hair before turning away from my reflection in order to look for clothes. I choose a green sweater with brown pants. Brown and green have always been my favorite colors throughout my life. They remind me of home and my life as a human. They are the colors of life and of the earth. 

Once I have my clothes on I walk into the fridge in the hotel room’s kitchen. I stocked up on bags of donor blood for the trip. I grab a few of them before sitting down at the table. I quietly drink them while enjoying the peace and quiet after the turbulence of seeing my childe again. 

After I finish my meal I grab one of the books I packed for the trip and start reading as I wait for my family to awaken. After a few hours of reading, I start hearing my progeny move around in the bedroom. It is now late afternoon and I have read a good portion of my book. I set it down and walk back into the bedroom to greet him. I don’t expect Eric to awaken until the sun starts setting in a few hours. 

When I enter the bedroom and meet his eyes I can see him relax until my soft gaze. “Hello, Godric, we have a lot to discuss, don’t we?” 

[faescythe]

Stay With Me Pt 3

Chapter 3: Please Stay

All eyes snapped towards me. I saw a look of anger across Flannigan's face before a look of disbelief replaced it when she recognized me. Look at each of the room's occupants and see Nan’s expression reflected in all of their faces until my eyes settle on the pair that belongs to my childe. I can feel his rush of emotions and see them reflected in his eyes as they light up from their near-empty state. 

“What are you doing here? I thought you were off in Europe,” stammered the woman responsible for causing my anger. 

“I felt that I was needed so I came. Is that a problem Flannigan?” I replied with a voice that could cut steel. 

“This discussion is none of your concern. This is between me and Godric. Your presence is neither required nor desir-”

“I think you’ll find that I have every right to be here. Especially when my progeny is involved,” I interrupt her before she has the chance to dig herself into an even deeper hole. “You may have gained influence through your time on the television, but you forget yourself and your place. I could end your existence right here right now or I could end your career and reputation with one phone call. I have had many years to form strong connections in supernatural communities.” 

She looked at me for a moment with wide eyes. I could tell that she wanted to respond to me, but she can’t and she knows it. After a minute of silence, she finally speaks “Your progeny? Godric is yours? I am so sorry I had no idea. If I had known tha-” I cut her off once more.

“Yes, Godric is mine. I do not appreciate immortal childeren, such as yourself, to be insulting and threatening my creation. As his maker, I can assure you that I can make sure that no other instances as this one happens. I will deal out the appropriate punishment, not you.” I stare into her eyes so intensely I see her start to writhe under my harsh glare.

“Very well, but regarding his position as sherif-” 

“I will sign all of the paper to remove me from all positions of power.” It was Godric who interrupted her this time. I don’t look away from Nan despite his interjection. 

Nan pulls out the paperwork and puts it on the table. I suspect she was supposed to do this after the meeting, but I could see that she wanted to leave the hotel as fast as possible. There is only so much tension one vampire can take and she has reached her limit. She hands Godric and pen and he quickly reads over the papers before signing them and pushing them back toward Flannigan. “Thank you, I will hopefully not have to see either of you for a good number of years.” She looks between me and Godric as she says this before quickly rushing out of the ruined door along with her bodyguards. 

It is not until I sense that she has left the hotel that I finally look toward my childe. He looks back at me before bowing his head in respect. “Come my childe, we have much to discuss.” I walk towards the door before turning around and staring at a tall blond who stood dutifully near my progeny. “You can bring your childe with you. I would like to meet him.” I then swiftly walk back toward my room. 

I could hear the footsteps of Godric and his progeny following behind me as I make my way back to my room. I quickly open the door and walk in. I did not lock it in my haste to reach the room that held my progeny and that evil woman. I take a seat on one of the chairs that litters the room I currently occupy. Godric and his childe follow close behind and close the door behind them. I see them both analyzing my appearance with different emotions. Godric’s face was full of sadness, joy, and nostalgia. His progeny’s face held curiosity. 

Suddenly my childe rushed forward to kneel in front of me. “I am sorry, maker. I am so sorry,” He repeats. I see the red blood that rims his eyes. My childe has not been known to cry. Even during his time with me he rarely cried.

“It is alright, young one. I understand why you left. There is no need to apologize.” I reach out and gently grab his face in my hands. He has always presented himself as strong and unbreakable, but he could never hide the truth from me and he knows it. I have seen parts of him that no other being will ever witness. Right now I can see his carefully painted mask crack. I can feel him lean into my touch. “Can you introduce me to my grandchilde?”  I look over Godric to see his progeny standing near unable to look away. 

Godric casts a glance at the blond mountain behind him then looks back toward me. “This is Eric. I created him not long after my departure.” I look at the man in question and start to analyze him. I looked at his tall stature, bright blue eyes, and his rippling muscles. I could tell that he attracted a lot of attention and that he enjoyed it. I could also see his loyalty and adoration towards Godric. 

“I can tell that you made a good choice in who you turned.” I look at Godric with a smirk before looking back to the handsome giant. “You’re a Viking, aren’t you?” I ask him while tilting my head slightly to the right. 

“That I am,” He replied with a smirk. I can already tell that that smirk is frequently seen gracing his face. I can almost smell the ego he’s exuding, but underneath all of that, I can see a warrior inside of him. A fighter that is begging to be set free. That is one of the many unfortunate things about vampires coming out of the coffin. Those of us who were born to battle can no longer do so. Many of the older vampires lost their human lives during wars and their warrior spirits never left as they transitioned into their new immortal lives. That trait used to be very useful before we came out to the world, but now it needs to be locked in a cage. 

“My name is Magra,” I tell him. “I don’t suppose Godric mentioned me much?” I inquire. My childe has had a very rocky life. I don’t expect him to want to discuss his earlier years, especially now. 

“He mentioned you briefly when I was young, but never by name and not with many details,” he replied stiffly. I can sense his unease at not knowing much about me. He doesn’t understand my bond with his maker or whether he should see me as a threat. 

Godric looked at me as if asking for permission to move out of his kneeling position. I grant him a barely visible nod and watch as he stands only to sit on the couch closest to me. Eric chooses to sit right next to his creator. They have a strong bond and I can’t help but be a bit envious of it. Godric and I were as close as he would allow until he left. Our bond is not nearly as strong, but now that we have been reunited I can change that. 

“What have you been doing all these years? ”I look back to Godric as he says this. I can see the unasked questions in his eyes. ‘Did you create another?’ ‘Did you suffer because of me?’ 

“I have traveled a lot in the past 1,000 years. I’ve mainly been inhabiting Europe, but I have also spent a significant amount of time in Asia, India, and Africa. I have only been to the United States once before, however, and that was before it was considered a country. I can’t say I’m impressed with how it turned out. There is a lot of hate.” I left his question unanswered. The truth is that I did not sire another vampire, but that doesn’t mean that I didn’t think about it or try to. I asked many whom I found worthy of bestowing the gift of immortality upon, but none agreed. They all craved the rest that true death would grant them. Godric was the only one that ever agreed to be turned. He is the only one that wanted to stay by my side for eternity and even he did not stay. 

He looked at me as if he could hear my thoughts. In a way, he could hear them. My feelings must have been telling him a lot. They said much more than I was willing to tell him aloud. He reached his hand towards me and grasped my own. I could feel his guilt through the bond more clearly as he opened his side back up to me completely. In turn, I opened up mine as well. His hand fit over mine like two pieces of a puzzle. Although only our hands were connected, I felt more comfortable in his minimal touch than I have since he left me. 

I stared into his eyes and felt him physically and internally. We have both been hurting for so many years. We were in pain even before he left, way back from our roots. We can finally start to heal. 

[faescythe]

Stay With Me Pt 2

Chapter 2: At Long Last

Texas is very different from the countries I have frequented in recent years. Everything from the trees, the buildings, the stars, and the people are nothing like the endless green and rolling hills of my home of choice. 

I don’t think I will ever understand why Godric chose to come here. He chose to live where he is unwanted and hated. Where he will forever be hunted down by humans and treated like a monster. They are just affirming what he already believes to be true despite what I have told him. 

Ever since I gifted him with a second chance at life, my progeny saw himself as a beast. He saw the creature he had become and thought he had to be a monster because of his lack of humanity. I thought I could teach him the good he could bring. I wanted to prove to him that he did not have to live in darkness for the rest of eternity. I tried to tell him that although we can only walk through the night, we have the stars and the moon to light our way. We are not dark creatures. 

He never seemed to be listening when these conversations would transpire. As time went on my childe lost his way more and more. He embraced his most basic instincts and became the monster he believed himself to be. He would leave my side for periods of time only to come home covered in blood that was not his own. I was aware of the brutalities he committed and I allowed them to happen. 

Godric did not understand the absence of bloodshed in my vicinity. He could not see how, despite what we are, I am able to not surround myself with death and destruction. I didn’t kill those I fed from when it could have been prevented. I healed humans who deserved it and I only killed when I deemed it necessary. I knew that my young protégé would not be able to share my ideologies for a long time. He was too young and too inexperienced to see the world for what it really is and not only what he wants to see.

When I think back to the violence my childe caused in his early years, I can see how 

Texas would be appealing to that side of him. There are a lot of hate-filled stubborn beings here. Whether they are vampires, humans, or something else, they all share those traits. 

The car rolled to a stop at the entrance of a grand hotel named ‘Hotel Carmilla.’ It was made for vampires, and I thought it to be the safest place to rest while tracking down my missing progeny. As I step out of the car I observe the dark décor and I am reminded of the earlier depictions of my kind. The dark and gothic aesthetic seems to be modernized in this hotel. 

As I start towards the building I feel my progeny’s disappointment through the bond along with a small flash of anger. I can also sense that he is now on the move. His underlings must have ‘rescued’ him from wherever he was imprisoned. I am close enough that he must sense my proximity by now. His surprise at my closeness is apparent as well as his confusion. 

I won’t summon him to my side despite how tempting it might feel. After all of these years apart he still anticipates my call, but I refuse to bring him to me. I want him to come to me of his own volition not because I forced him to. 

I quickly check into the hotel and make my way up to my room. The safe has already moved my belongings to my room for me. All I can do now is wait. I sit on the couch placed in the living room attached to the space holding my suitcase and coffin. I glance at the large television taking up a portion of the wall. I don’t care for technology such as this TV. I don’t understand the appeal of it, but I suspect that is because of my old age. 

I think back to my creation. He will return to me. I can feel it in my never-changing bones. I wonder how much he has changed. Did he keep the haircut I gave him all those years ago? Is he still as bloodthirsty as he was in my presence? His physical appearance could not have changed much, but mentally he could be completely different. 

I stand up to grab my sketchbook and pencils from my suitcase before returning to my spot on the couch. I grab the TV remote and turn it on and flip through the channels until I come upon one playing music. Although I don’t care for movies or shows, I can still appreciate music. It is one thing that is as timeless as myself. 

I picked up art as a hobby to pass the time. It is a way for me to show what is in my head to an audience of people without them knowing who I am. I have gone by many different aliases over the years in order to present my talents without being seen. I have learned much through the centuries. I have been taught by the greatest creative minds this world has ever known and I carry their teachings with me. My immortality has gifted me with the knowledge that mortals would kill for. 

As I set my pencil down on the page I close my eyes and let my hand take over for me. I have found that when my ability to see is taken away I can truly express myself without judgment of any kind. I leave myself completely vulnerable to my emotions. 

I choose to draw at the speed of a human. It was a very difficult technique for me to perfect with my ample speed and abilities. It was almost as difficult as using writing utensils without snapping them with my increased strength because of frustration or anger. Slowing down to the pace of a human makes me feel alive again. It reminds me of my humanity. 

After a few hours of drawing, I feel a sense of panic and guilt through the bond. Something bad has happened. I soon feel that he is coming closer to me. He comes so close that is almost unbearable to stay in place. I yearn to be near him. It has been so long. 

I can sense him entering the hotel along with many others. I can feel him going to a room. He is right down the hall from me now. Why won’t he come to me? I can feel his longing. I know he wants to be here with me, but something is holding him back. Something or someone is keeping him from me. 

I start to listen in on what is going on. My hearing has grown enough to hear what is happening in my progeny’s room. I wait patiently as I hear him talk to his underlings. They speak of a suicide bomber that attached his nest and I fill with anger and guilt. If I had gone to him myself I could’ve stopped this from happening. I could have prevented the deaths of both humans and vampires, but I would also be going back on my decision to allow Godric to come to me. 

I start to feel the pull of the sun on me as the day grows stronger. It no longer influences me as much because of my age. I can stay awake for most of the day without much trouble. Normally I would take advantage of this ability of mine. It makes me feel human. Instead, I choose to follow the pull. Staying awake while knowing that he is so close by would be unbearable. 

I make my way over to my coffin. It was placed on the ground next to the extravagant bed. I have not slept in a bed in a long time. I prefer the closed-in coffin I had custom-made many years before. I strip out of my clothes and step into the cushy box before laying down and closing the lid tightly. I set an alarm that would wake me should someone disturb my rest and let the sun's rays pull me to death. 

<3 <3 <3 <3

I awaken as before the light is ready to fade from the sky. I am no longer able to rest for long periods of time. It is a gift as much as it is a curse. I decide to stay in my coffin for a while longer. Before finally making my way to the bathroom to dress. Unfortunately, the idea of not being covered has become taboo in recent centuries. 

I emerge from the bathroom just after the moon comes out of hiding. I am wearing a long sleeve black shirt that is tucked into baggy black jeans. I do not care much about the fashion trends of the present.

Soon I hear the voice of Nan Flannigan in my childe’s space. They are discussing what happened. Just hearing the voice of that insufferable woman fans the flames of my anger even higher. How dare they speak to my creation like that. 

In my rage I almost missed it. The call of my progeny. It is very faint as if he did not even mean to do so, but it is still there. He is calling me to him. I quickly rush out of my room and to the quarters of my dear childe. I hear that she-wolf’s voice filter through the door and I can no longer keep myself back. “You messed up sheriff, you’re fired.”

I barge into the room, uncaring of the damage I caused to the door. “If anyone is going to be fired it is you Flannigan because you just made the biggest mistake of your life.”  

[faescythe]

Stay With Me Pt 1

Chapter 1: Found Again

The beginning

Since the first time my eyes laid on him, I knew he was mine. 

 I have always believed that the most beautiful trait of life is its ability to change over time. He was never able to see its beauty while he was by my side. He was angry and rightfully so. The world was cruel to him. The living was cruel and so was the dead. 

I held on to the hope that with time he would heal. That I could help him. I wanted nothing more than to take his pain away, but I knew that in the end, I could not heal him. I could not shield him from the horrors of the world. I tried to show him the good, but he could not see what I could. 

In the end, he left me and the bond we shared closed. 

The pain I felt upon his departure was unlike anything I had previously endured. The pain of abandonment was not something new to me. Deep down I knew that he wouldn’t stay forever. He was not happy. All I ever wanted was his happiness. 

I refused to let myself look for him. I wanted to run around the globe searching for my missing progeny. I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs. I wanted to destroy everything around me and make the world feel my pain.  

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 

The present

For the first time In over a thousand years, I felt it. The bond that ties me to him awakened slightly. It was only the smallest sliver, but I could feel it clearly. The pain, self-loathing, disgust, and regret he feels are overwhelming.

 He probably isn’t even aware I could feel him. The emotions are too strong to stay hidden. I have to go to him. 

Over the years I have amassed a great amount of wealth. Many knew my name and the power I possess. It was not difficult to book a flight to Texas on such short notice. 

I have kept tabs on my progeny since his departure all those years ago. Even if he did not want my help, I could not find it in myself to leave him completely. 

My flight could not end quickly enough. Because I am traveling from overseas it would take a lot longer than I would prefer to make it to my destination. I decided to spend the majority of my time on the long flight inside my travel coffin. Although it was not daytime at the beginning of the flight, I wanted to avoid as many social interactions as possible. 

As soon as the plane landed I could smell the distinctly Texan air wafting through my coffin’s walls. This is where my childe has made his home. I have not been this close to him since he left. I could feel his closeness through the bond. I wonder if he could feel my proximity or if his emotions have numbed his ability to feel that the bond was opened. 

As soon as I was able, I left my travel coffin and made my way to the car waiting for me. The black 1970 Plymouth Cuda was a favorite of mine. I was never one to be invested in vehicles, but this one caught my eye back in the 70s. 

I quickly climbed into the passenger side of the car and closed the door. 

Now my search for my long lost progeny can truly begin.