You Again

[Syani]

In an attempt to escape another horde of mob, Syani was forced to teleport herself. Usually, she would only rely on teleportation for trouble, but her foot got caught up in something while running and had her knee strained.

Thus she teleported to who knows where, fixed her leg, and then went off walking to find a building or at least a tree. She was in the middle of nowhere, so she's been walking for hours until midnight comes around.

When she spot a ranch, Syani was so happy she slipped in the shadows and skipped her way to the stable, in hope to find a horse she can steal so she can get out of here and back to wherever way Ianne is.

Usually, it's easier for her to sneak around at night, but since it's full moon now, the moon's light might just betray her. Either way, she made it pass towards the stable with no sound and hides inside for a short while.

She thought there would be many horses inside where she could pick her favorite, but the reality is there's only one horse left. The other travelers might have rented the rest of them. "Ooh~ You look knightly~ You'll do fine." She whispered to it, stroking its face for a while before pulling the reigns that is somehow already tied to the horse.

'...Huh? Strange... Does that mean this horse is already rented...? Ah, whatever. Finder's keepers.' Slipping the horse out as quietly as she could, Syani then led the horse to the side of the stable. Just when she's about to mount it, something happened.

The same thing that always happened whenever she tried to steal something; an old friend stopping her.

[Tag Roy]

[NPC: Male]

The owner of the Sougen ranch was lightening the path towards the stable with a torch. "You really are lucky, 'cause we just have Lydia left. The other horses are on the run at the moment." he explained towards his customer. "And you are sure that you don't want to stay a little longer?" A direct question like that wasn't uncommon for the manners around this place. Even though the old man has only known Roy for a couple of hours.

Times were desperate and he could use a little help. The business has seen better days and lately the area has been haunted by thieves and poachers. In the past months they were aiming for his horses especially. On top of that his eldest daughter has reached the age of marriage and he really has to find a suitable husband for her. After all the familys property has to stay in good hands.

The small hill towards stable was as dark as the surounding night, because the moon was currently hiding behind a huge cloud. "My daughter has already prepare Lydia for you. You have seen her right? Did you like her?"

Then he opened the huge wooden door to lead Roy inside.

[Roy]

After the events that Roy went through with Saiya and Duo in Veyyard, he had made his way up to the northern countries again. He was told by some travelers that the Outlaw Ranch is a good possibility for a fast journey. Not that Roy was in a hurry, actually it was quite the opposit. Traveling kept his mind busy after all.

"I'm sorry that I can't stay any longer." he apologized himself for that generous offer. Roy was indeed sorry for not getting to know these nice people a bit more. On the other hand he just needs some time alone after everything that happend and that would be impossible to explain to all of them.

Roy entered the stable and as lost in his thoughts as he was he didn't quite follow the owners question. Was he talking about Lydia? Or his daughter? ... He didn't mean his daugther, did he? What's lately with girls just appearing out of nowhere and entering his life when he himself just isn't capable of taking it at the moment?

"Ummm... I...-" While trying to fetch an answer suddenly a shadow in the back of the barn was distracting him. At least he though that he saw something.

[Syani]

Just before she was able to mouth on her newly attained horse, Syani heard some voices. Immediately, she leans her back against the barn wall, pulling the horse closer to her.

'Ah sh-- they're opening the door, I better escape now!' Pulling up her foot and securing at the side of the saddle, she was just about to pull herself up on the horse when her upgraded vampire sense picked up something familiar.

It's only during full moons that her inferior vampiric abilities were able to at least reach a normal vampire's standard senses. By previous experiences, the only human blood that ever smelled familiar to Syani can only came from one person.

'Roy..?' She peeked from behind the barn, paused a moment and then slowly placed a palm on her head. 'Argh.... dammit kindness.' After a long exhale, Syani then pulled the reigns with her and came out of the shadows with the horse in tow.

"Um! 'Scuse me~!" She raised an arm to distract them and walking towards the two men with a smile. "I saw this horse wandering off and I thought it belongs to you, so I'm returning it~" She lied expertly, handling the reigns to the old man and then glanced at Roy with a smile.

"Small world, huh?"

[NPC: Male]

The owner stared sharply at the little girl which appeared from the shadows. He didn't show any sign of surprise. It was more like something he has been waiting for. "What a funny coincidence to catch you in the middle of-" His voice was rising up, preparing to yell at the top of his lungs when the reigns were suddenly placed into his hands.

For a minute the guy looked like he had to comprehend what just happened, before he regained his composure again. "Man, that was a close one... Thank you. Usually we have thieves that are taking our animals away, but lately we have had signs of werewolves as well. I don't want to think about what could have happened to Lydia wandering out there alone."

[Roy]

When Syani left the shadows and greeted them, Roys heart literally fell into his stomach. Fate must really enjoy playing games with him. This can't be just a mere coincidence. 'And what was she doing with that horse...' Even as her friend, Roy was a little doubtful about her story. So must have been the owner who was preparing to yell at her. Roy was raising his arms, about to calm him down, when Syani already managed to do so.

"She's right about that..." he now assured the farms owner about Syani's probably not that true story. "I know her, so I think you can believe her." Then he turned his attention to the half vampire. "Hey." He greeted her plainly, still trying to figure out how he should feel about it. Before Roy could make up his mind about that he was distracted by the owners story.

"Wait.. so you are telling us that werewolves are also walking around out there?" The guy spoke with such a calm voice about them that Roy really didn't know how he should feel about that. He has never encountered a real werewolf before.

[Syani]

Syani was already beaming her carefully practiced innocent grin at the owner of the horse, and then changes her expression into mild surprise, with control of course, when he mentioned werewolves.

"Well when there's livestock, there's always cases like that." Syani shrugged and then looked around the farm. It's pretty huge, no wonder they're pretty much the prey of both thieves and werewolves. "Sorry you had to go through such hardships."

When she turned her attention to Roy though, her face completely changes from being sympathetic to a cheeky, almost manipulative grin. "So you've rented this horse here?" Syani raised an arm to pat the side of the horse.

"You're going off at this time of night? Sure you won't fall asleep or something halfway?" And then her grin fell into a pleasant smile. "Want a backup driver?" If she can't steal the horse, she may as well try to squirm her way on the horse anyway by subtly begging.

"Plus, it's my prime night." Syani gestured up towards the full moon and grinned some more. As she looked at Roy, only he can tell what her eyes meant. 'TAKE ME WITH YOU OR SO HELP ME I WILL DO INEXCUSABLE THINGS.'

[NPC: Male]

The man was put at ease by Roy and Syanis words. He nodded towards the strange little girl in an apologizing way again because he almost accused her of thievery. "Thank you for your condolences. Don't worry about it. We have always managed to get through it, and we always will do so." he replied with the same nice manner that was common around their estate.

He gave another nod towards Roys confused question about the werewolves. "Exactly lad, the moon is completely full tonight. If I were you I wouldn't set a food outside." After another thought he added. "But sadly you already refused my offer of staying any longer..." While saying that he gave the little girl a quick glance and figured that she might be the reason why he decided against it. Afterall they know each other.

"But don't worry about it... if you keep riding north you will soon cross the border of these landscapes and you shouldn't have to worry about it anymore." He turned around and walked towards the door of the stable. "Alright, the fee has been paid and this issue is settled. I wish you a good journey, boy.... and feel free to drop by next time you are around here." He couldn't help but to add these last words again. Then he lazily waved towards them and l eft the stable.

[Roy]

Somehow Roy couldn't understand how you can talk about werewolves that carefree like the ranch owner did, when you have a house and a family that you must protect. But maybe that is just like you are going to be when you have to face a constant danger. Roy slightly winced at the owners comment about him not wanting to stay longer and he had a sudden cramped feeling in his stomach, when Roy realized that the guy was indeed talking about his daughter earlier. But Roy was happy that he didn't go into more details anymore.

"Thank you for the advice and I'll.... see you next time then?" The last part of his sentence came out kind of uneasy, because he didn't want to turn down that owner just like that. After Roy returned the wave and the stables door feel back into its lock he was alone with Syani.

...

For a moment he wondered what it would be like if he just turned around and she was gone again, but the chances of this happening were very unlikely. So he turned around and then she was already flooding him with questions. Roy was literally close to bluntly decline every offer she made, because he simply did not want to take her along. His whole purpose for ending up here was to get away from everything and everyone, especially Syani and Saiya.

But the last part of her begging Roy simply could not ignore. "Oh man..." he let out in defeat, now acting the same carefree way the owner just did earlier. Even though Roy was sharing the stable with an almost full-blood vampire, if her senses kicked in. This is definitely a sign that he got used to her by all means.

The troublesome fact is that Roy can not leave her like this. No matter how hard he would want to leave her behind. He can not do it. He let out a sign and the reins, that the owner gave to him before he left, slipped out of his hands. Then he sat down in front of Syani, trying to process this new change of the situation. "Say... how did you get here anyway?" For a second Roy wanted to ask her if she was following him, but then told himself that he shouldn't get too full of himself, since Syani would never do that. "I mean, where do you want to go?"

He made a little pause, took a deep breath and said. "I.... I don't know how to say it, but......I'm not sure if I can take you with me."

[Syani]

As the ranch owner walked off, Syani waved him off as well from behind Roy, energetically too. After the old man disappeared from their sight, she waited for Roy to look at her properly before attempting to beg.

The half-vampire honestly thought she's going to loose this chance with how bitter he seemed, but then as she mentioned the full moon, it luckily wavers his decision slightly. 'Yes! Weak spot detected!'

"Yeah! I can sense danger really well tonight, so you don't have to worry! I'm useful if you bring me along! Right, right, right??" Of course, Syani misunderstood the reason of his doubt and took it the other way. She kept on beaming that hopeful smile of hers despite the obviously troubled expression Roy is wearing, until he lets go of the horse's reins and instead of going off, he sat in front of her.

"How did I get here?" Syani tilted her head slightly as she repeated his question. "I thought it was obvious, I was following you." The answer was accompanied with a straight face, exactly the answer he just brushed off.

Though then, she smiled and waved her hand up and down, "Kidding~! I mean, even if I do stalk you, I wouldn't wanna do that tonight, y'see." The black-haired motioned to the full moon still with that childish smile of hers. Something happened to them when they first met, something that will always make her remember his scent and his blood.

So she's not taking the chance, logically. But here he is within her range of attack, and there's a number of reasons why she needed to go to the border as quickly as she can, even if it meant going with Roy. 'I just need to hold myself back, right? Just one night. That's easy enough, I've only been doing it my entire life.'

Before she can answer truthfully on how she got here to the guy, Roy shot her another question which made her paused for a short moment. "Um.. I wanna go anywhere far enough. Away from people. Animals. Anything with blood inside their skin," she answered casually.

"I mean, I was about to steal your horse here and ditch you, but as you can see, I'm unfortunately attached to you, so I'm staying to apologize and trying to be nice." Even with her voice now sounding slightly serious with how honestly she's speaking, the smile on her face never did falter.

Even after Roy admitted that he didn't want to take her along, her expression didn't change. It's starting to look like she's wearing a permanent smiling mask.. "Oh. Well, if you're that against it, then that's fine, I guess.. I'll just try not to kill all the cows here and blame it on werewolves, hmn?"

She's already plotting to steal his horse away from him after the pleasantries are done, considering he just voiced out his idea of not taking her along. Syani is that desperate to get away from so much living creatures as fast as she can. She'll return it to him later, especially after accidentally figuring out how to pin-point the locations of certain people when transporting.

Her golden eyes are fixed staring at the man, scrutinizing his every action, with that same neutral smile. It's starting to get a bit creepy. "I mean, if it makes you feel any better, I don't think it's a good idea if I hang with you for long too, as in, tonight especially. Because of that." She pointed to his neck and grinned wider, revealing her small fangs.

Then suddenly, her smile drastically fell as she shifts her weight on one leg, standing with her hands on her hips. "And what's your reason, mister sourface?"

[Roy]

Even though Syani rambled a lot, the rambling that he used to love, Roys face didn't show the slightest smile. She was acting kind of blunt, because she probably couldn't pick up at all how he was actually feeling. Even the joke that she let out almost made Roy frown, instead of anything else. She was right about the fact that she would be useful when heading out into a werewolve infested area. Yet, Roy was less worried about the werewolves than his own sanity.

Just why is it that hard for him to look her in the eyes right now. She's just some friend after all, that's what he kept chanting in his head at least. "So, then why don't you just teleport somewhere else if you want to get away from everything?" Roy actually thought of this as a logical solution but his voice may have sounded a little bit harsh.

It was like Roy wasn't the only one trying to keep up a facade. The smile Syani showed was too consistent, especially after she suggested to just eat anything while being left alone out here. Roy sighed again, with one hand stroking over his forehead, as if it would help to come up with a plan, even though he knew that he has not much of a choice. The fact that he took a glimpse her Syanis vampire fangs when she showed them to Roy didn't change anything.

The moment she asked for his reasons though, any normal human would snap because of how clueless this girl could be. Her question stung into his stomach like a needle and Roy, who normally isn't ticked off easily, clenched a fist to control his temper. But he decided to not bring up any of the things that really bothered him. "You know damn well that I can't let you wander off on your own..." Who knows what she will do once she loses her senses. She needs somebody to take care of her during these times and it didn't matter that the two of them are not having the best emotional relationship at the moment.

This thought sent another needle into his stomach and reminded him of a certain someone. "Why are you not with Kaekeru anyway?" ... He actually should be the one who takes care of Syani in those nights.

[Syani]

It's a good thing her smile already fell, because it would be rather difficult for her to keep up that smiling mask with how Roy's reacting. Syani simply stood there in silence, staring down at the sitting form of her friend there, seeing a huge knot of frustration in his aura yet refused to acknowledge it... At least consciously.

"Even magic has rules~" The half-vampire responded in a sing-song voice, directly contradicting how harsh Roy's tone must've sounded. "There are conditions for teleporting. If I teleport now, my particles might not fully return. Like, can you imagine a piece of intestine floating through the depths of time and space?"

Considering Syani's prone into doing mistakes, she tries to be extremely careful when attempting magic that rips the law of matter itself. She has rules to go by, not teleporting within a specific period of time is one of them.

"I'm still partly a human, Roy." Her voice had gotten a little faint as she spoke. "I'm helpless sometimes too." Syani then slowly squats down and brings up her hands on her knees, trying to take a better look of Roy since he's not even looking at her properly. When he bitterly voiced out how he can't leave her to wonder alone, Syani blinked at him, now a bit startled.

It definitely shocked her entirely when Roy suddenly mentioned Kaekeru's name. By now, her eyes are widened and her facial expression completely revealed how surprised she is. His words stunned her so much, she was speechless for a few moments, and when Syani finally got her voice back, she wasn't able to mask her emotions. "Wha..t...?"

Actually, Syani herself wasn't sure what she feels. Is she offended? "Do you honestly think I would spend every second of my life with only one person in mind? Is that how you see me...? That I'm attached to him all the time and I can't have my own life?" There's a tint of disbelief in her voice, a speck of disappointment and very upset. She looked sideways, trying to swallow that in for a moment and then takes in a long breath to regain her composure.

"......What am I supposed to do then...?" She squeaked, her bangs sliding off from behind her ear to the side of her face as she looked down. "You taught me about reliance. I should trust people more and stop doing things on my own, you said I was being selfish if I do that." Syani can remember that moment clearly, she was about to leave him so he'd be safe but Roy stopped her. She will always remember what he said to her. "You said I would hurt the people who care about me."

She looked up, trying to catch his eyes, so he'd look at her. "And now that I'm asking help for once, you're telling me to go to someone else?"

[Roy]

Roy barely followed her words until he finally mentioned Kaekeru. Not even when she sat down, so she could better look him in the eyes. All this time he tried to figure out what was actually the reason for him feeling so uncomfortable right now. And when he finally found the reason, he spoke up straight up to her.

His attitude changing entirely Syanis face fell, as Roys words struck her hard. His eyes narrowed faintly as he noticed her silent reaction, followed by her startled reply. The room was silent. For a moment it seemed like the man in green has lost the last bit of emotion and compassion that he had left.

His eyes almost pierced into hers, but after she finally regained her voice and started speaking again it was obvious that Roy was feeling a lot differently from what his body language made it appear. Even though she already broke their eye contact he couldn't maintain to let his keep resting on her. They trailed off and began to dart in random directions of the barn, at anything that wasn't Syani. At the same time his stomach started to feel heavy.

"You said I would hurt the people who care about me."

He felt his stomach contracting to a shapeless lump. Does that mean he didn't care about her anymore? No. Everything he said and did, was only because he cared so much about her. So much that the thought about not living with her, not having her, was ripping him apart.

He felt how she was looking for his eyes, but he couldn't look back into hers. Roy got back on his feet, taking a step to the left, then to the right. It almost looked like he didn't know where to go, or like he had a hard time to support his weight.

Then slowly he began to realize, how all this time he was only seeing himself. His loss, his pain, his feelings. Not even once he was considering what Syani or Saiya must have went through. And it made him sick. Sick of his selfish mind, his thoughts, and himself. His head felt dizzy and then he stumbled to the left side of the barn disappearing in the shadows, expecting to throw up any second. While supporting his body with his hands on the wall, Roy slowly went down on his knees letting out a suppressed cry.

For once he wished to have abilities like Syani. Something that allowed him to simply disappear from this place and anyone around.

But he couldn't.

His nails already digged deep into the wooden planking between the supporting pillars. Then he punched the wall with his bare fist.

Once.

Twice.

The horse which wasn't standing too far away left out an irritated neigh and started to become rather unsettled.

A third time.

Roys punches were wild and uncontrolled. The raw surface of the wood cutting into his hands.

A fourth last punch hit the wall, before Roy let his arms sink, wincing in pain, weeping silently. Blood was dripping from his hands, where he hit the wood especially incvenient and a large splinter ripped it open. His mind was blank and he completely forgot about his surroudings... and Syani.

[Syani]

As he rises, golden eyes followed his every movement. "Roy--" Syani wanted to call him out while she's still crouching on the ground, but she can't even tell when he's planning to go with how imbalanced his footing is. "Roy, wh--" Just as she's pushing herself up to her feet, the half-vampire was about to stop him from falling over like she expected, but the man ended up staggering to the barn.

Now genuinely worried of what's becoming of her friend, Syani rushed her steps to follow him, and found him hunching forward with his hands supporting all of his weight against the wooden horse stable. "Hey, are you okay?!" Her ears are ringing as she screamed that, but Roy didn't even seem to hear her at all. He just slipped down on his knees. "R--!!" She tried to call him out again, but then realized that his shoulders are jerking. ...Violently.

His sudden restrained cry had numbed Syani's entire body, and she stood in bewildered anguish, completely still, behind him. The moon is shining bright behind her, that her shadow was casted over him and onto the wall he's supporting himself on.

She shouldn't have listened to him back then...
She was right all along... The truth that she suppressed due to his words...
Her existence can only hurt the people around her. She was right...

Unconsciously, she took a step back from him. She shouldn't...talk to him.. She wasn't supposed to...befriend him in the first place... Her throat had gotten dry when she realized that she's been so stupid all of these time believing such a foolish childish dream that she can get along with everybody. That she can fix anything she destroyed.

Apparently, Roy is a living proof right in front of her, that if she took another step closer, he will break into pieces. 'Why am I still here?!' Something hitched in her throat as she swiftly turned around and got a hold of the horse's reins. Suddenly, a dull sound paused her from getting on the horse.

Syani spun around again, just in time to catch Roy clouting the barn with his fist. "Roy!!" She called out, now running over his way, "Stop that!!" The loud neighing of the horse surprised her as she quickly skidded back to hold the horse's reigns to keep it from running off. Just as she's looking back at Roy, she can see the exact moment he's pulling his bruised fist back, "ROY!"

Shining red replaced her gold irises when the scent of his familiar blood quickly made its way to her extra-sensitive nose tonight. A terrible sickening crunch could be heard from where Syani's currently standing, followed by a loud, terrified yet unfinished neigh. The night was deathly silent after that gruesome noise, save for the sound of flesh being torn apart and occasional squelches.

After the satisfying feast, Dawn stood very straight, inhaling in the night air as she basked under the moonlight's warmth. After a long moment, she gracefully turned around and walked daintily towards the human by the barn. Without a warning, she grabbed hold of his hair and pulled him to turn around. With tonight being a fullmoon, the half-vampiric body she's in fortunately has enough strength to pull a grown weak man up on his feet. "We meet again."

"Curiously, your blood seems to be only one that can awaken me from scent alone, human." She spoke, forcing him to look at her in the face. Her lips, cheeks and chin were filled with thick crimson blood from her rather inelegant feast, but she has been fasting for years in this body after all. Though, the most particular thing about Syani's face right now wasn't her red eyes, or her messy hair, or her bloodied face and hands. But the tears that seemed to flow endlessly from her otherwise cold sharp eyes.

"What have you done to her, boy?"

[Roy]

Roy was dazed, his mind lost in his own caused state of delirium. Faintly he recognized the horses panicking neigh and even the sound of flesh that was torn apart. Yet... his head couldn't process it.

His mind was occupied solely by the realization of how he has been acting these past months and how he was completely blind for Syanis feelings. The sudden truth was driving him insane... until...

Suddenly a hand was roughly reaching for his hair and violently turned him around. Roy squinted his eyes and let out a surpressed yell that ended in a choking cough because he was caught completely off guard. He slowly tried to open his eyes, spotting a familiar cloak in front of him that was covered in... something. "Sya..ni?"

With another painful jolt the man got completely pulled up on his feet again and was now facing the person in front of him. If Dawns stiff greeting wasn't enough to make him realize already, Syanis blood splattered face, her smile, and these piercing red eyes were certainly pulling Roy back into reality...

His eyes widened while the rest of his facial features collapsed completely. For a few seconds there was nothing but silence and an indescribable pain, that was lingering in his lungs and heart, completely overshadowing his throbbing fists, while a few lost moonbeams were glistening in tears on both of their faces.

Roy understood every word that Dawn said to him, but he needed a few moments until he gained control over his body again. Roy slowly gulped down an invisible lump and opened his mouth.

"You.."

"How did you.." Roy lifted his shivering arm to take a look at his hand. Thick crimson blood was running down his forearm when he reached the high of his eyes. Roy gulped again, as his eyes traveled back to Syanis, no Dawns terrifying face. "Oh God.."

Only now processing Dawns words from earlier, Roy felt how his legs were giving in, making his upper body shifting slightly from left to right.

"What I have done..." Roy repeated with a low voice.

He doesn't even know. Roy realized how selfish he has been all this time, but since he was so out of it he can't even recall what Syani did just now. Why was she crying? What was going through her head? Was it also his fault? He doubted that these were Dawns tears... But it didn't matter anyway.

Since he won't leave this stable alive... he was sure about that. Last time he encountered Dawn he only survived because he was damn lucky... and it won't happen again.

"I'm sorry, Syani. I didn't want this.."

Then Roy took a step forward and gently embraced his friend, pressing her against his chest and resting his head on hers.