Ever the same -Dante

[Genevieve Lachlan]

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Place: Gen’s home

Time: Night

Img: [e-mail]
lyrics: ever the same-rob thomas
Notes: lemme know if it's ok. yay liquid time >.> 

Tag: Dante Andrew Noah

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It's cold and we're scared

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------And we've both been shaken 

Genevieve walked out into the forest. She walked towards the man…not a bit of emotion on her face or eyes. The man just stood there staring at her. He didn’t have much of a choice. Within seconds his blood was flowing into her. Warming the ice that flowed through her veins the way that bagged blood could never do. She dropped his form when she was done with him. Oh there were some things that she’d taken from her lover. Lacking the interest in being the caring vampire that she’d always been. She’d slowly been growing darker. More heartless…so much so that what little heartbeat she did have had ceased. Her eyes didn’t even pass over the human being that she left in her wake. He was alive…she didn’t bother to check…she didn’t bother to care. She just walked back home and took a shower to wash the blood out of her hair. 

There was one way to describe this woman…broken. She was something of a hollow shell of the person that she was before. One could say she was cold… Honestly she was just a lost soul. She’s lost everything and she failed everyone and she felt hopeless. She didn’t know who she was anymore or what she wanted to be. The idea of eternity looming ahead of her in this state was frightening…and sickening. She didn’t care for the idea of having to live like this for even another night….still she did. Though the thought of seeing the sunrise once more was ever so tempting some nights. Since Enzo had released her…she hadn’t been the same person. Begin tortured wasn’t so horrible. She’d been there done that before…but the fact that it was the man she’d loved…more than anything else. That…it broke her.

She sighed a bit when she heard a knock at the door. There wasn’t anyone that she could think would be visiting her. While Merric did take her and helped her heal he didn’t really care enough to give her a second thought after she’d left. If Gavin was bothering her for any reason she’d be sure to rip his heart out. There was no way that Enzo would dare visit her. They had nothing more to say or do to each other. Wrapping a towel around herself she went to open it. That’s when she felt her heart beat once again.“Da..Dante?” She quickly reached out and hugged him. “Dante!? Have I finally lost my mind?...or are you really here?” She hadn’t thought that anything could make her feel joy again. Even if it was an illusion it was one worth having. She’d become rather attached to the man before they’d died. They were just friends but losing him had taken a toll on her. “Come in…please.” She entreated him and pulled him inside towards her couch 

You tide me over with a warmth I'll not forget 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------But I can only give you love

[Dante Andrew Noah]

THE DREAMS IN WHICH I'M DYING
- - - - - - - - - - - - -are the best i ever had

Almost a year... Almost a year had passed since he escaped the clutches of Heaven itself. He was a good man, did good things, so was taken to Heaven. Though not being under watch, some angels that were more old-school and olden traditions, took the man and put him someplace dark. Someplace so unholy. Dante never knew what Hell was for he never went there. The man merely heard stories of it. It seemed that there was a Hell even in Heaven... For what they did to him was something no man or woman... No one at all should experience. Fire, chains, metal... The snaps of whips, the dangling chains of metal and iron... The crackling fire... The echoing drops of water... The darkness... Barely any food and only the smallest amount of water to survive even in Heaven, Dante was malnourished... The muscles he once had, the bulky frame he held, the broad muscles and sharp bright smile were soon dwindled to the polar opposite. A flatter chest, just a few abs barely able to be seen... Muscles smaller, body frame smaller... He looked like Hell itself. Somehow, someway... Maybe a greater power was introduced and helped... But somehow Dante escaped this Hell... And once again landed on Earth.

The first person he wanted to go to was his boyfriend, but what he saw disgusted him. Already married to someone while cheating on them behind their backs... Homeless, scared... Dante debated on going to his brother but he never did tell him what he was. What if Flynn freaked out and did something reckless? He'd never forgive himself... For almost a week, the man was living on the streets; hiding undetected by patrol cops and people. Some homeless became his family as they shared the small food they had collected... Hell... He escaped it and now was back in it. A tear... Fell from his light blue saddened eyes that once held so much life. He needed help... From someone that understood and wouldn't... Abandon him. There was only one... But the last time he saw her she was with someone so dangerous, even Dante was weary to be around her sometimes.... Genevieve.

Before she lived with Enzo she lived someplace else. However, Dante did not go there, he went to Enzo's home, but didn't see her. All he observed was an angry vampire and didn't sense her presence at all. The last place he knew where she might be was at her old home, where he tried and hoped she was there. All this walking with no food, no water, dirty and weak... He just hoped, since praying was out of the question, that she was home... That she lived here. Swallowing, Dante gave a few weak knocks on the door. He could sense someone inside but... He wasn't sure it was her or not.

However, when she answered, Dante looked up at her. Those eyes so once fulled with so much life and happiness – the deepest brightest blue, were lighter in color same with his hair... It was as if nutrients were taken away from them if it was possible. His skin tone was basically the same, slightly paler from lack of the sun... When he saw her, wrapped in a towel compared to his ripped, tattered, bloody, and muddy clothes, he felt relieved... When she hugged him, the man gasped. He didn't expect for that to happen. Hugging her back though very loosely, he shook his head. “I'm real, for now.” His voice was quieter as if he was tired. When she let to and welcomed him inside, the man walked in though stopped some feet from the door, head lowered and looking ashamed. “Gen... I'm scared.” With a pause, he added on, “I don't know... What to do... I'm lost... And alone.”

OOC: Image to me, lyrics to Gary Jules's "Mad World".

[Genevieve Lachlan]

Gen had become a rather dark shadow of herself over the last few months. She’d become someone she’d never been…someone who just didn’t care. The type of person who could drain a person almost to death and just walk away without a second thought. The only warmth that she’d felt was the blood rushing though her. After she’d cleaned up from her hunt she’d heard a knock. The last person that she was expecting to run into when she opened the door was Dante. Honestly, after the whole thing with Enzo …she’d wished that she’d had him to run to. Though her brother did help her to heal and recover…at least physically. As far as he know of Dante he was dead. It made no sense for him to be here. She had been to his funeral…she saw him in the casket. “ How can you be real?” she whispered almost. “ are you alive?” She asked. She wouldn’t feel a ghost right? He definitely wasn’t a vampire…no he still had the same basic scent that he had before. She'd almost expect tears to come to her eyes but none did. She'd pretty much dried herself up in the months before. yes, there was joy in seeing him again. But no smile made it's way to her face. 

She was in a bit of shock before her mind settled down and she started to look at him. He was in shambles. Seeing how broken he looked. He didn’t have that bright smile that she was so accustomed to. That lightness that always warmed her when she was around him. He didn’t seem like that bright angel that she remembered so well. His broken and sad blue eyes essentially were like looking into a mirror.  ”I thought you were dead…what happened?” she touched his face still not really processing everything. She could see the look on his face. He looked broken. She was wondering who’d done this to him. If she could get her hands on them they’d know hell. She listened as he spoke then she pulled him into a hug again. It was nice to feel some warmth even though she had none to offer.

.She pulled back and looked him in the eyes. “You found me…so you’re not alone. “ Not that she was really anyone to be found. After all…she was a lost as a soul could be. “you’re going to be ok....are you hungry. I don’t have much. Just some stuff my brother baked. I can order in some Chinese for you? I think I might have some clothes laying around.” She said running into one of her rooms and pulling out some shorts and an undershirt than Enzo had left over at her house. She hadn’t gotten to burning them yet. He was smaller than he was when she knew him before so it should be about adequate. “ Here They might fit…feel free to shower and you’re more than welcome to stay the night. Food will probably be here by the time you’re done.“ She spoke.

She didn’t really know what happened to him. She just knew that something was wrong . She wasn’t even completely sure if it was all real . She didn’t really care. It was Dante and hew as in front of her. Honestly , she was in no place to “be there” for anyone. She was probably as lost as he was. She didn’t know who she was or what she believed anymore. She was listless and bordering on apathy. Seeing Dante …and seeing him… like this. It sparked what had been lying dead in her for months. She cared again at least about him. he had been her friend in a way that no one else had been. He knew her better probably even than Enzo did even if she’d known him for a shorter time. Maybe she was a little overwhelmed with just knowing that he was alive. Her thoughts were going at 10,000 MPH not even Enzo could read them…she definitely couldn’t keep up with them all.

[Dante Andrew Noah]

Those sad eyes, tears of the whole year hidden away behind them, looked up at the woman he once had some feelings for before he cut them off for someone else that he thought... Was the one... How could he be real? It was simple really... “By existing...” Was all he said before he walked in but stopped abruptly. His shoes were dirty and the soles were very thin. The man was homeless and though he needed help and came to her, he felt weird and like he was tarnishing everything she owned by walking further with such filth that was Dante himself. Was he alive? The man lifted up his head and looked at her. With his hand, he picked up hers and placed her two fingers on his neck around his adam's apple, right where that carotid artery of his pumped blood albeit slowly. His body was weak, dehydrated, starving; slowly eating away his muscles and even his own soul. But the man was alive. That was all that mattered, right? Living? Dante was at a conflict with that thought. He always said that and that it was a gift, a second chance not to be wasted... Though depression and freight were behind those eyes of his and those scars on his body – massive in number but due to him still being an angel they were fading away albeit slowly into nothingness – the man was starting to doubt his own words. The man he loved... Wasn't what he was. He couldn't go back to his family. He had no home, no daughter anymore... No friends, no job, no home, no 'god' or religion.... No life...

“Does that feel alive?” He spoke before releasing his grip on her. Even now, he never gripped her tightly or out of line. He was just proving her a point with his own beating heart and flowing blood. Though as a vampire, shouldn't she hear it? Smell it on him? Maybe the shock blocked it out. Dante wasn't going to ask why. Still looking at her but with a slightly lowered head as if submitting or showing that he was 'lower' than her, the man replied. “I was dead.” Then how was he here and breathing, alive? “Heaven took me into their kingdom but...” Those eyes of his seemed so shine more for a few moments before they retained their normal every day glossy glow. Memories of what his 'friends' did, of what other angels did... Of what Heaven did – turned the other cheek on him as if he wasn't anything important... She touched his face as if needing more proof and Dante allowed it. When she hugged him, he hesitated for a moment before raising his arms and hugging her back softly. He made the right choice in coming to her... She understood...

“My heart is alone.” He replied. His eyes didn't change but his lips curved just a little bit inwards, as if getting ready to bite his own bottom lip. Showing weakness, showing tears, showing someone worthless and pathetic... He already was that and was trying not to show it to her but remain neutral and emotionless... It wasn't going so well. “I have no one.” He lifted his head up a bit more, “But you.” She was right so he said it in his own way. His heart was alone... he lost his boyfriend, he lost his little daughter that made his world go around more than anything else he could imagine – and she wasn't even his own blood, some orphan no one wanted but Dante. No family... They were human, he couldn't go back to them, not after they saw him in the open casket; stiff, frozen, dressed up so proper for death itself. Friends? Same boat – human. He didn't have anyone but Genevieve – someone as abnormal as he was... She was the only thing that was left that he had.

Hungry? Dante gave a little nod. “Does it... Look like I ate anything this past month?” Just some scraps. Wet bread, apple cores, some meat off of discarded bones... Some chips and some sandwiches that the homeless got from nice people that shared it with their newcomer Dante. It wasn't much, even more so in these cold days. The man could eat anything now... Though with the lack of food and his body basically eating away at itself, he wouldn't be able to eat a lot. His body would heave it out of him; not used to anything like this, at least not in this much quantity. When she came back with clothes and spoke, those eyes of his got glossy again, but no tears fell out of those now pale, hopeless eyes of his. “You're... You're more of an angel than anyone else up there.” A tear slipped out of his eyes and his lips did that slight curl again before he quickly turned around, taking the clothes and heading to the bathroom that she was nice enough to have left open so he didn't have to guess which door was which. In the sub, Dante sat.... As warm water fell o his form, washing away the dirt on his hair, on his skin. His jaw tightened and tensed as some of the water fell on some wounds he got recently. Not from Heaven, just some incidences with other unfriendly people. He bled a bit, and stared down at the blood collecting a bit under him before being drained down with the water. He may be clean, but he didn't feel like it.

Dante still felt like trash. Garbage... Something that should be discarded. It felt like more than a part of him was missing. Though that was what depression did to people. You weren't whole... Even when you were in a room full of your best friends, you felt so alone. Closing his eyes and lowering his head, Dante shut the water off and sat there for a moment before getting up and looking at himself in the mirror. Cuts, burns, scars... It covered his body... Most were light and pink; fading away into nothingness as per his angel genetics at work, but though they were faded and soon will be gone, the memories of each stroke, each stab, each hit, each burn.... Would remain. Gripping onto the counter, Dante let his wings out though that was the worst mistake he ever did. He thought they would be healed by now, that he would clean them, but he was wrong. When he took his wings out, pain ebbed throughout his body and blood dripped on the floor. His white wings were white and black from the char of his punishments. Though bone was not showing, skin was. Like a bird, his wings were much the same. Feathers fell to the ground and tears streamed down his cheeks. He had the fluffiest wings ever and now had enough feathers to be considered 'winged'. His wing slouched down; ashamed of what he had become. Such a beautiful dove, such a beautiful angel, now like a rooster out of a fight. “Gen...” He made a mess.... He hoped she wouldn't yell at him...

[Genevieve Lachlan]

She’d welcomed him into her home. She didn’t care about his being dirty or ragged. Hell she didn’t even see any of that. All that she saw was Dante…standing in front of her. Gen looked him in the eye and nodded pulling her hand away from the pulsing blood beneath her fingers. He said that he was dead though… and went to heaven. “ But ? “ She asked him as she watched him. It was horrible for her to see him in such pain. Especially when she didn’t know what it was that was hurting him. She wanted to offer him a comforting smile but she couldn’t . Tears of joy should have feel but they didn’t . she’d been so cold for so long that it was hard to break all of that ice in a single moment. Not to mention she was still in shock from the whole thing. 

He said that he was alone…and lost. She was ready to let him know that …that wouldn’t be the case anymore. However when he mentioned that his heart was alone…that was something that hit home with her a bit. He had no one…she really didn’t have anyone either. “ I guess we’re in the same boat there.” She replied softly. “ my heart has been dead. ..till I saw you at my door. So… you’re about all I have right now as well so I’m here for you.” She told him. It had been a year but it didn’t matter one bit. He was someone who was a part of her life and that would never go away. The woman had a strong sense of loyalty not even enzo could take away that part of her. She held Dante on a bit of a pedestal. Though she did the same with enzo..it was different with Dante. She admired him instead of fearing him. She cared about him and would do anything for him. 

She looked at him at his statement. Well that suspicion was confirmed…he must be out on the streets or something. She did want to make sure before jumping to the conclusion. “Do you have anywhere to stay? If not you’re welcome here as long as you want…no one else lives here. ” She said giving him a hint that she and Enzo weren’t together so he didn’t have to worry about her boyfriend , husband, or anything. She brought him some clothes and told him that he was welcome to a bath. Not that she was calling him putrid…even though the smell of dried blood and dirt was a little troubling for the vampire. She was simply extending the offer. 

He said that she was an angel again. She always remembered how he would say that…she’d almost started to believe it…but now…no. She hadn’t even been working as an EMT anymore. The blood was too much to resist now that she had stopped caring to try . “ I’m not… I’m not the Gen you knew…but I am here for you.” She spoke softly… and with a bit of shame behind her words. There was a slight bitterness there as well. He was unaware of the woman that she’d become. She’d slowly started to give up her humanity. . “ Im no angel.” She said before noting the tear falling from his eyes. She could feel her cold heart breaking. Whatever happened to him must have been something horrible. Seeing him in pain was breaking her…in ways that she didn’t think she’d be broken again. 

While he was in the shower she ordered some food for him. She went and put on her robe before went back and paced a bit in the living room waiting for the food to arrive…trying to process everything that had happened. In haling his scent in the room over and over again…because she wasn’t sure of how real this might be. Confusion was running rampant in her mind. It was a lot to process. The food arrived and she set the table for him. She wasn’t going to eat anything she hadn’t eaten anything except for blood and her brother’s junk that he left her on occasion. She knew what he had liked in the past and just ordered that. She was about to go check on him when she heard him call her name. “ Dante! “ shock was on her face. “ What happened to you… “She said looking at his wings shed asked the question before but it was more of a rhetorical question this time. The scent of fresh blood made her fangs on edge a bit. She didn’t have the same control that she did before she’d started feeding on live blood. Still she wasn’t going to do anything. Luckily she was full from her most recent attack. She turned away from him for a moment…to gather composure…not to mention he wasn’t exactly dressed. “Can I help?” She asked him. She knew how to heal and patch up people but …wings…not so much. She had remembered his wings…how beautiful they were. She'd remembered admiring them. There was always so much that she had admired about him. She could care less about any mess in the rest room. 

She went to go get some bandages and started to wrap the wings that were bleeding. She held her breath as she did so and did her best to keep her eyes above waist level. She tried to make sure that she could clean him up without causing any more damage. After she wrapped them she handed him the clothes that she’d brought him before. “ The food is on the table. I just ordered some of the stuff you liked. I wasn’t sure what you wanted to drink so I just ordered a bit of everything. “ She shrugged a bit. " i'll be out there." She said as she started to move away..." don't worry about cleaning or anything...i'll take care of it...just get something to eat." She spoke before she walked out. He looked like he'd been through enough. She could still remember the moments right after she'd gotten away from Enzo. She remembered being tattered and worn...pretty much crawling to her brother's door. The way Dante's wings looked reminded her of that. It sent a shiver through her.

[Dante Andrew Noah]

He spoke a little bit too much.... With one extra word, it gave more priorties than it should. It gave uncertainty and confusion, worry and concern. But.... But what? That question was something that Dante swallowed hard with. Words... They wanted to come out, speak them, plead them... But when his lips parted so slightly, not even a sigh came out nor breath. Nothing. He couldn't... Just saying what happened he'd be thinking and recalling what happened... He'd be broken down even further than where he was. “It's nothing.” He finally breathed then shut his lips tighter this time as if trying to prevent himself from speaking further. Dante was never a weak man, yet... Now look at him. Little smaller, lighter, paler... Something happened up there and down here as well it seemed. Though was Dante ready to talk about it? Yes and no. He could talk about it but the man felt so weak and beneath his old self.... If he spoke he would cry... And he just didn't want Genevieve to see him like that. Call it male pride... If you must. Though... He would have to talk about this, right? It was too much of a horrible burden to keep on his shoulders alone. He had to lighten the load to keep his own sanity in check. It seemed that it was now just a matter of time.

Dante's heart was alone. He felt weak as it was, but now abandoned and used too. Which were both feelings he'd rather never have felt. They were horrible. Hearing what she said, Dante's head lowered some more in shame more or less. Though as she continued, he looked at her left hand. “Never went through, huh?” Lifting his head very slightly, he glanced back up so that his eyes met hers for a moment. She could probably guess what he was talking about. If not, then Dante would talk about it. Sighing a bit, Dante's shoulders dropped a bit. He didn't eat much or anything. It was quite certain. “I have nothing but what I'm wearing.” Saddened light blue eyes looked up at hers. She was too kind. She needed to be put in her place with that stuff but Dante said nothing. His jaw just tensed, “I don't want to be a burden to you.” He really had nowhere else to go... Dante needed a friend and help and now he was pushing that away a bit. Bipolar? No, just scared and scarred.

Genevieve was more of an angel than some of the ones up there were. He couldn't say everyone but he kind of did... He didn't mean to but it slipped out. He knew not all of them were evil, corrupted, twisted, or bad, but just a few that were and kept everything in the shadows and away form wandering eyes. “Yes you are.” He spoke, Dante still being persistent... Though if she refused or said no he most likely was giving up and not going to try to correct her on it any longer, “The Genevieve I know would do what you're doing now to the nine. Maybe check my vitals, but everything else is the same. She'd... Help me. Take care of me. Whether that meant feed me, clothe me, clean me, she'd make sure I was okay.” Now wasn't that the truth? In his eyes though she was damaged and scared, she still had a heart. Maybe undead and not beating, but she had one and used it still to this day and though her hardships; whatever they may be... Though from what Dante gathered, her boyfriend and her broke up on pretty bad terms. Though he could be wrong... No one was perfect or a know it all in the world. “So yes... Very much like a real angel.”

The man showered, head hung low in shame... Now he could cry for the water hitting his hair and trailing down his face would cover up al the silent tears he was creating. Even though they were hidden, he still rubbed an eye to rid them before getting out. Standing before the middor, he examined himself; seeing some of his wounds healed drastically in the past few days. Ah, angel genetics... Now a little better since he was a full angel, but nonetheless still there. However, he wondered about his wings and revealed them – which was a terrible thing to do. In Heaven they were out, on Earth they were hidden. Of course they didn't heal much. It was like wearing a band-aid – prevented germs from coming in but got the skin all soggy and it didn't close the wound. Fresh blood was dripping from his wings and some feathers fell to the floor; most dipping or touching themselves in the blood. The crimson liquid trailed down his back and around anything on his skin; most trailing to his feet and finally the floor while some lines stopped mid-travel down. Pain, he felt it... So much... Yet humility hurt him more...

He called her name, though didn't cry out for it. She came rushing in and saw the mess that was Dante. So this was what he became? Looked like he was like a morning dove – so depressed he lost his mate that he was literally killing himself like what the breed does.... Or something else happened and he was tortured. Though from what Dante told her, the first wasn't something he'd do. The man would just smoke and get over it – whether it took a while or not. Some tears were falling down his cheek, one or two from the pain but more or less the shame and humility he was feeling now that Genevieve saw those wings... That were so once overly 'fluffy' and feathery... More than the average wing was... Now succumbed to this. “Heaven. And Hell on Earth.” He said the first thing sharply, then a slight pause, then the rest of the phrase. Mainly Heaven. Hell on Earth was seeing all the pain and no one helping – let alone his struggle to live as well as others too, it was a special kind of Hell down here, alright.

“You needeth not ask.” He whispered, his hands gripping the counter and head hung even lower in humility. She left and came back, trying her best to help his wings that Dante just couldn't put away now. When she touched his wings and tried to help, they shivered below her hands; not used to anything touching them that wasn't too kind. A lot, probably more than half of his wings were bandaged up, preventing more blood loss. The man swallowed dryly. She got him food and a lot of things to drink... How kind. When she left, Dante looked at her back before she vanished from sight... Don't clean? The man shook his head eyes closed. Reopening his eyes, the man got on his knees and pulling some toilet paper, stated cleaning. He managed to clean up some when he heard her walk in. Once again his head lowered a bit. A hand placed itself on top of his and she spoke to him, causing Dante to sigh through his nostrils as lips pursed closed and jaw sharply tensed itself. “It it is disrespectful to damage or not pick up after oneself at the mercy of another person's hospitality.” He spoke, his words soft and almost submissive. Her reply, whatever it was, was a 'mate' move for Dante in this game of Chess. He could move and save his King and reply back refusing, or just admit defeat – which he did. “Okay...” He said, getting up and standing tall before grabbing a towel and wrapping it around himself.

He managed to walk to the door before stopping... No, he wasn't going to walk back and refuse or anything of the sort, he just stopped to clean up his legs and brush the towel around his lower back to get the blood off so he didn't track any on the floors of her house, before walking out. Though that was when he realized the clothes were back there. Thank goodness her house was a little cold and he felt a breeze around his bare frame. Towel in hand he walked back into the bathroom, ready to grab his clothes but that face caused him to stop; like a deer frozen in headlights. His eyes met hers for a moment before hers left his sight and went towards somewhere else. It caused his face to grow redder than a tomato ever could. “I'm sorry!” He raised his voice, dropping the towel, grabbing his clothes, and rushing out of there. He scooted to the kitchen where he quickly got dressed into the sweat pants that she gave him since the t-shirt wouldn't work for now, because his wings were still out. Hiding them from view wasn't going to happen soon... Or well, at least not today. They needed to... 'Air dry', so to speak. Sitting down on the chair in the kitchen, Dante tried his best to keep cool and not attack the food like a wild animal...

It was difficult but he managed to open some containers and take a few small spoonfuls, chewing and enjoying the flavors it had before his spoon-digging became quicker and he started to fill up and more and more food. Genevieve was in the room at this time and he already went through one container. Yes, he was starving, he was malnourished, but like any animal – they didn't know their limitations and forgot what the feeling of being full was, so they kept at it. It was in the middle of the second container, which was no walk in the park small either, that Dante's hand went to his stomach and the other hand that held the spoon took a breather. Yeah, now he was feeling it, he ate too much... And had too much soda-pop as well. “I... Ate too much.” With a pause, he left the spoon in his meal before both arms went around his waist. “I don't feel so-” And now the food was coming back up. Emitting a throat-like gurgle, Dante slipped off of the chair quickly before rushing to the bathroom. Running into it just in the nick of time, Dante clung around thee bowl of the beast before possibly letting everything he ate right back out. And this is why he needed moderation and to 'slow down' when eating. Whining a bit, Dante clung to the bowl like a drunk person would, just feeling so pathetic before he flushed his mess. Now he felt like a fool... Can his life get anymore pathetic while he was so low as it was?

Though it was when he was relaxing and not heaving up food, that he felt Genevieve's hands let go of his hair. Oh crap. Dante literally let his head fall forward; accidentally falling too far and hurting itself on the bowl. Hissing, Dante's head jerked back up, rubbing his temples where it pained him the most. “I didn't mean to waste all that...” He really didn't. “I got excited. The food was so delicious...” Excited over food and ate more than he should way too fast... Yeah; a clear sign that he was starving and malnourished that he didn't know his own limitations nor breaking points. They were so faded and blurred. Though maybe now they can be more defined and he could get back to where he was? Though friends, from what he saw with his own eyes, they didn't take in friends for that long... So Genevieve would kick him out sooner or later. He couldn't stay for long, he knew that. “It won't happen again.” There was no chance in Hell he was eating again tonight... The acid of his stomach that crawled upwards, how was irritating his abdomen and the satisfaction he got with food or the thought of having food – didn't sit well with him anymore. He'll try again in the morning, this time with moderation and pacing himself. “Can you take me to the room I'll be staying in?” He refused to look at her, ashamed to his lowest. Getting up, he diverted his eyes away form her and followed her to one of the rooms.

“Thank you so much. For everything.” He spoke before walking into the room. The shirt that he somewhat stuck in a pocket of the sweatpants, he now took out and put on the dresser. Maybe in the morning he could hide his wings and wear that? Who knew. Sighing a bit, Dante sat on the bed, looking at her for a moment; waiting for her to leave. When she did to give him space it seemed, Dante got underneath the covers and adjusted himself a few times to et comfortable with his wings before just... Crashing out. Hard. So hard, he was snoring a bit – something that his body never ever did. Genevieve knew that much. Just a friendly sleepover, nothing more than that. But he was always quiet and usually noises woke him up... Not today though. A cat meowed loudly right by the window and the man didn't even stir an inch. He was out of it... His body enjoying the fluffy, soft, and warm bed... Something he never was on for over a year. It was just truly amazing, so amazing that his body just molded right into it and shut itself from the world. Even when morning came, the man was out of it... Until it was around four in the morning – yes that late – that he started to move a bit; causing some bones to crack and pop from being so still and unused... As well as his throat to groan noises; being so content. So he probably got around ten if not a little bit more hours of sleep... Which was good. Stretching a bit, Dante yawned and woke up. Gosh, he didn't want to move... Though hungry, he was by far too comfortable....

[Genevieve Lachlan]

She was in a dark place. That wasn’t hard to tell by anyone who’d seen her in the past few months. Though even with all of the darkness surrounding her she could see the darker cloud that was surrounding Dante. Maybe it was because she’d known how bright he had always been. He was honestly a bit of a light to her even though she had her boyfriend. Dante was the one with whom she’d relax with and talk to. He was for all intents and purposes her best friend…and honestly she was pretty sure that in 300 years he was the best friend she’d ever had save for her brother prior to his turning to a creep. Though in her life as with everything else….he was gone. Maybe she had some kind of a curse. Everyone that she loved…everyone that loved her. Seemed to abandon her one way or another . Enzo… was just the last straw for her. Though what he did to her…it would have been better if he had just killed her. Unfortunately she had never been the easiest woman…or vampire for that matter to kill . As he spoke she asked him what he had meant by “but” . It’s nothing wasn’t going to suffice…however she’d give him a moment to get inside before she started questioning him about what he had meant. Heck she was still trying to processes the idea that he was even standing in front of her. Giving him the third degree could come latter.


She saw him looking at her hand. If she had any blood to leave a mark there or if she’d seen any sunlight for her to get a tan might have been one of those light areas of where one could see that a ring that had once been present had left. “ We went through…sort of…just… got torn apart I guess. “ what was torn apart? The relationship? Her heart? Her body? Her mind? Her soul? It all was. She didn’t need to go into that much detail though. This wasn’t the time for her to focus on her messed up life. She’d passed through that already. She’d cried and shed tears over it…she’d cried so much that she was certain that she’d never cry again. She had given up on caring. She’d given up on fighting the pain so she just become someone cold she let a part of her die… at least so she had thought.

She nodded as he told her that he didn’t have anything. She had kind of guess but she didn’t want ot just jump into the conclusion . “ Ok…well you are welcome to anything I have here. What’s mine is yours. “ She shook her head as he spoke. “ Dante….you can never be a burden to me. You’re my friend. “ That meant more to her than he knew at this point. Friends were something that she was rather short on. Seeing him there had given her a hope that he probably could never know that he did. He honestly made her feel something again…something she hadn’t felt for a while. Though seeing him as she was…it did manage to break her heart again…but not in a way that she wanted to grow cold. No…she just wanted to help him. She wanted to know what was hurting him and how he had come to where he was. She wanted to know so much but…she wasn’t going to drag him back through everything in his life that night.

She couldn’t really handle him calling her an angel again. It didn’t fit then and it was pretty much her opposite now. She had become the monster that she’d always appalled . She hurt people and didn’t care. She took what she wanted…indulged in blood just to let it fill the hole in her that was left after she closed herself off. He still wanted to insist that she was. She wasn’t going to keep arguing with him and destroy his illusion of who she was. After all if he really had known what she had become… he might not have felt so comfortable staying with her. Not only did she want him to stay but she also could tell that he needs someone right now. Maybe …just until he was strong enough she could be his angel…even if she was a demon underneath it all. At least that was how she saw herself now…it’s just that she didn’t care until now. “ because it’s you…” was all that she said in reply. He’d been her angel of sorts back when they were friends. And angel of mercy…and an angel of companionship. Now she could be his angel of healing.

She’d prepared everything that she could for him and told him to take a shower. She managed to get him some food while she waited and tried to wrap her mind around everything that was going on. It was quite a bit to processes. Her friend coming back from the dead. Then there was the fact that he seemed so different. He seemed so lost and so hurt. She set out the table for him as the food came so that he’d be able to have something warm and decent when he came out. From what it seemed it had been a while since he’d had much of the comforts of home. She ran to him instantly when she heard him call her name. She didn’t pay much attention to the fact that he was clothless at first due to the scent of blood that was filling the air. That was enough to have to fight through. Though after she started to look at him she saw the broken wings and the blood flowing down his body. Her mind was spinning with confusion and pain at the sight. Tears still wouldn’t let themselves fall from her eyes but they were certainly burning though her. His reply was rather vague…however it seemed to tell enough for the time being. She wasn’t going to pry…not just yet. Eventually she’d want some kind of answers but she was going to just focused on helping him make it through the rest of the night. That was what was most important at this point. He seemed so vulnerable…she could almost tell form the look in his eyes that he just wanted to cry or possibly already had.

She just nodded when he gave her permission to help him . Honestly she wasn’t sure if angel wings could be healed with bandages or what to do…so she just did what came naturally…focus on cleaning the wound and stopping the bleeding. Preventing infection and stopping the pain. She told him that he should go get some food and not to worry about cleaning up the blood and mess from that was around the bathroom. He didn’t listen to and started to clean up as soon as she left. After a few moments he turned around to go see what he was doing . She sight a bit and placed a hand gently on his to stop him. “ Dante …” She spoke softly. Trying to let him know it was ok. She was more interested in taking care of him than the floors. He gave her a mini lecture about being disrespectful or at the mercy of someone’s hospitality. Though he was soft and seemingly submissive with his statement she was almost insulted that he was treating her like some stranger who’s house he was staying in. He was her friend….that meant he could raid her house and her kitchen leave the place in chaos and be welcomed back with open arms. She wouldn’t’ expect it from him. But for him to say that was just discomforting…so she returned his little statement with a quip of her own. If he wanted a lesson in etiquette the woman had been raised to be a noble in her childhood. It might have been years past but she knew a thing or two about proper conduct. “ it’s more disrespectful to refuse food from your host and to allow said food to get cold. “ She replied giving him a look that was suggesting that he should just listen to her.

She kneeled on the floor and started to wipe things up and get some of his feathers off of the ground. It was almost painful to see them down there like that while she was on the ground cleaning she heard him coming back and she looked right up at him as he entered into the bathroom. She looked up at him . Her eyes hit his before they decided to wander a bit…almost slowly downward form his eyes until she realized where her gaze had been lingering. She quickly shot her eyes back up to his only to see that embarrassed look on his face."no I'm..." She felt terribly guilty. She closed her eyes and hit her head against the wall softly a few times. She’d never had that kind of reaction to a patient before. It wasn’t as if he was the first nude man she’d cared for. She’d been an EMT and medical student . She knew better than that. It was bad enough that he was already vulnerable…did she really had to go and make it worse. After her small guilt trip she finished cleaning up the bathroom to where it didn’t like something from a horror movie. All of the blood was cleaned up and feathers swept up. She’d finished making the place neat and washing the towels so that it was nice for him to use again later.

She went to her room and gave him time to relax and eat on his own while she sat down for a moment. She didn’t want to make him uncomfortable since she wouldn’t be eating anything so she . she went back out to and sat down in the living room which was adjacent to the dining room so she was rather close to him. That’s when she heard him say that he ate too much. It wasn’t hard for her to hear what was about to happen. She ran behind him to the rest room and held back his hair while he was vomiting. He’d just washed up so he probably didn’t want to get toilet water in his hair. After he calmed down she let go of his hair and winced a bit when he hit his head. “ its fine…wasn’t a waste…it’s just good that you enjoyed it for a moment. Right?” She spoke trying to comfort him and let him know that it was alright. “ Maybe next time just take it a bit slower…get yourself used to eating rich food again. I’m just sorry that you got sick” She replied. She was trying to let him know that she didn’t care about the things that he was focusing on. The bathroom the food. What did it matter to her. Her dead friend was alive…and in her home…and needing her help.

Nothing else mattered. Nothing else needed to matter. He continued to say that it wouldn’t happen again. She sighed a bit. “ Dante…I don’t care…I just want you to be ok. That’s all that matters to me. “ She said before showing him to his room that he’d be staying in .. She hated that he was avoiding looking at her. She could tell that it was out of shame.”You’re welcome to stay here as long as you like...I mean it. It’s your room.” She didn’t know how to tell him again that he had no reason to feel that way. She wasn’t worth feeling any shame over. She was probably the lowest thing on the earth. It was bad enough that she was basically thrown away or abandoned by everyone she’d ever cared for… She’d gone and proven exactly how pathetic she was…lashing out the way that she did. It seemed easy enough for her brother and Enzo to not care. She decided to try it as well...and it worked….at lest it did until Dante came back that night. She shook her head when he thanked her.“ You’re so much more than welcome Dante. It’s really my pleasure. You don’t know how much it means to me that you came to me. Most people that leave me…don’t come back willingly.” She said . She wanted to hug him again but she was suddenly more conscious of being in a bathrobe and having not too long ago seen him in all his glory.

Genevieve slept in her own room. Well…she didn’t sleep. She stared at the ceiling. She couldn’t sleep …to much was going on. Morning came which is usually when she started to go down for the night but her mind was running away. She decided to quietly make her way into his room just to check on him and see if he was ok. She found herself looking down at him for more that he short checkup that she’d intended. She took a seat and just sat there for a moment…thinking about things. How thankful she was that he was back and how horrified she was that he was in such a terrible state. Finally those tears which had kept themselves locked away so well started to roll down her face. A vampire who could cry. Though her tears had a slight tint of red to them as the fell she was almost in awe that she was crying again. She kept silent as not to wake him up. Just watching him as her face became streaked with the liquid falling form her eyes. As she continued her eyes drew closed for a moment and she fell into a light sleep. It was just for a few hours before she heard him yawn and start to wake up. She looked at him and looked away for a moment realizing how strange it might seem …not to mention slightly creepy that someone was watching him sleep. She stood up quickly as soon as she realized. “ I’m sorry… I was just worried and I came to makes sure that you were alright… I fell asleep for a moment. “ She said trying to explain away this somewhat awkward feeling. “ I um… I’ll get you something to eat? Feel free to just stay in bed. I’ll order something in again. What do you want?” She asked him. “ I’m guessing not Chinese?”She gave him a half smile. She’d forgotten about the stains that were likely still on her face from silently crying herself to sleep the night prior. Hopefully Dante hadn’t taken notice of her tear stained face. The last thing that she wanted was his sympathy. It was that last thing that she’d deserve.

[Dante Andrew Noah]

They got torn apart? Now how did that happen? One could easily see that by Dante's puppy eyes that he wanted to speak; wanted to ask her why... But he didn't. Even in death and life, he had some respect when it came to sensitive subjects like this. His lips slightly parted but quickly closed. No, he wouldn't ask why. If she wanted to tell she would have stated why in her reasoning instead of giving a bland and non-specific response. “Sorry to hear that.” It was basically all that he could say. Dante was dirty, a little bloody in some spots, and looked like a hobo from the streets; the pure definition of one. He had nothing. What he did have he either used or gave away. After all, he ate enough sustenance to survive and gave the rest to the homeless that had helped him. They were family for those short weeks, months... In time, Dante mentally vouched that he would pay them back in kindness. What did that mean? Get them a house, help them find a job... But in order to take the speck from their eyes, he had to remove the one in his first.

“Don't say that,” He spoke before adding on after a few seconds pause, “You worked hard... For what you have.” Another pause, “I will take what I need, not want... With full intention... Of paying you back.” He was a man of his word. Even if he was a little late, he still kept it and that was what Dante was – honorable in a sense. She was his angel, and Dante called her one once again before turning tail and walking to the bathroom to shower and rid himself of the grime and dust. Though after he was done, he did something foolish and pain engulfed his body. Instinctively he called for her. He... Was like an infant, he needed help... He needed support.

She left to get some towels and such to clean up the blood that resided on the floor from his wings – all burnt, scared, ripped, and torn. Though when she came back he was cleaning up his mess. Dante didn't like when people succumbed to his every whim. She was giving him hospitality, and he was showing that he wasn't abusing it. He told her it was rude not to do this but her reply made him stop cleaning. “Yes ma'am.” He replied, slowly getting up form the floor and nearly falling due to slipping on some blood – but caught himself on the counter; pulling himself up to safety.

After his wings were bandaged, he wandered to the kitchen and sat down; where the food presented itself upon plates. Oh god, real food! The man dug in like a starving man with four stomachs and no reasoning. He literally ate too much... And too much 'richer' food than some scraps. His body and stomach protested and started to retaliate. She was quick to follow him to the bathroom and hold back his now long golden wheat hair back as he purged. It may not have been a lot to normal people (or well to Americans) but to himself it was more than he ate normally and even recently... This got him sick. “Thank you.” She was right... “I couldn't... Help myself. I'm sorry.” A quick pause, “You're right.” And another, “I'll go slower next time...” He obviously felt bad for wasting food – rich food that she spend her hard earned money to buy. Ugh, he was such a failure, wasn't he?

Apologizing, he was soon led to a spare room where he slowly got in bed and got comfortable in. Dante left his wings out so they'd heal a bit. Being inside the magic kind of was like a shield, preventing things from happening to the wings; which included healing. It didn't take him long before he fell fast asleep like a baby who didn't sleep in a week. In the morning, after he slept in for who knows how long and awoke, he saw her in the chair by him. Was she watching him like a creep? No... She wouldn't do that. She was just making sure he was going to be alright. What if he threw up while on his back? That wouldn't be good at all. “You're too kind...” He spoke, “Don't let people take your kindness for weakness.” He certainly wasn't, he was just warning her. A lot of people took his kindness for weakness and used Dante. “I haven't had corn-beef hash and bacon in forever. And toast with jam... Can I have a simple breakfast?” It wasn't breakfast time but it was something that the man didn't have in a while. He did just wake up so it can be treated like breakfast. “Or Chinese...” He mumbled before speaking out louder, “Just surprise me, okay? A starving man will eat anything; beggars should not be choosers.”

[Genevieve Lachlan]

He said he was sorry to hear about her relationship ending. "me too" She said with an almost emptiness. She didn't show any sorrow at the statement. She'd grown cold to the thought of enzo. Why? She hated him as much as she loved him. It was too hard to feel anymore...so she'd simply stopped. Apathy was so much simpler. she shook her head as he spoke. "Dante, you're my friend...what I have...i'll happily give to you. I know you'd do the same if not more. I care about you...and I don't are about much these days so don't cheapen it by trying to pay me back."there was almost a demanding tone but even more so there was a bit of pain in her voice. She needed to be able to reach out to him and help him. It was the only thing she could feel and she needed that. It wasn't out of pity or sympathy. Maybe empathy but mostly, he was her best and now her only friend. She needed him as much as he needed her .

She finished cleaning up in the bathroom after she bandaged him up. But by the time she was done she'd ended up coming back to hold his hair back while he regurgitated the food that he'd ate. She didn't care at all, she was just hurt by the fact that he was hurting. She shook her head. Every time he put himself below her like that it was like a dagger to her. He really had no idea how worthless she'd become. "Don't apologize , just take care of yourself." She said kissing his shoulder softly . A friendly kiss maybe more intimate than what was normal, but vampires did have a tendency to be more affectionate not to mention she'd thought of him more as being interested in men anyway so her mind really wasn't going there at that time at least not consciously. Either way it was A sign of affection...not pity.

She hadn't meant to fall asleep in the room with him. She was just checking on him and got carried away in her thoughts. She felt bad when he woke up and saw her there. The last thing that she wanted to do was to make him uncomfortable. "I'm really not too kind. ..but I am too weak. " He could read what he wanted to. Was she too kind? Considering the fact that she'd given up on caring about anyone...even herself, kindness wasn't something that she'd held. She'd become the vampire that she'd hated to be. She didn't set out to kill but she didn't care nor did she even know if she had. She'd often left her victims before finding out. She was weak because she didn't stop herself from becoming this broken. She should have been stronger. Enzo shouldn't have been able to bring her this low...but he had. He made her into nothing. "sure I can get you breakfast. I've been feeing mostly on blood so ...I don't have much food here but I can call and have something brought in. " She'd go out to buy the ingredients and make it herself but the sunlight didn't really allow her to be able to make it outside. Though the idea was almost tempting. "You're not a beggar...not anymore ok. You're my guest and if you understand anything about dutch hospitality you know that you're a king in my home. Once night falls I'll try to makes some contacts...I'll get you an identity and you'll be back to the dashing fireman that you once were in no time. " she said with a half smile towards him. Everything was going to work out for him. She was going to make sure of that. At least someone in this hell of a world should have some happiness. "Also...if you want...when you start working again you're welcome to rent a room here. It might be cheaper than trying to find an apartment until you're financially and emotionally secure again. If you don't mind living with a monstrous blood thirsty angel." honestly, she was hoping that he'd say yes for her sake. As much as she wanted to be alone...she didn't want to be alone.

--
That night she held true to her promise. She focused her attention on making old contacts. Even though most people she called would have nothing to do with her she finally called Gavin. Despite her hate for the man and his for her. He agreed to supply her with the paper's for her friend...for a decent fee of course. She returned home hoping that Dante was still there. She had the document in an envelope. " Dante?" She called out as she entered into the house. She'd bought some food as well a decent variety so that he could have whatever he wanted.

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OOC: If you want we could transition into the next week or two or something? idk.