Elyse nodded, weighing the risk of getting spotted in her head and only moments later deciding it was worth the risk to go outside. Within a minute she had gotten to her feet, plate and utensils in her hand as she asked one last question. "How far away from the house am I allowed to go?" She wandered into the small kitchen and gently set her things in the sink before turning and looking at him.
His answer wouldn't really matter, but she would keep it in mind when she went outside, especially if he didn't decide to follow her out. The last thing she needed was for Elijah to get mad at her for wandering off or for some vampire to find her when she didn't have any way to protect herself.
Elijah sighed and pinched the tip of his nose. Sometimes, he wished he could tie up Elyse to keep her put. That habit had not changed since childhood. They hadn’t even been together for a whole day and already she was making him want to lock her up so she wouldn’t walk into danger.
But no chains could hold back Elyse, and Elijah knew that above anything.
“Not far,” he finally replied, opening his eyes and looking at her. “The further you trail away from the house, the easier it would be for the vampires to catch your scent.”
"I'll stay within shouting distance then," She replied, finding herself with a hint of a smile on her face that she hadn't even noticed. Before she left, she quickly made her way back to where her knife was still laying under the pillow in Elijah's room. No way she was going outside without it.
In an instant, the knife was tucked back against her body and she was out the front door of the house quicker than ever. She didn't even leave time to hear whatever warnings Eli was sure to add. It was almost childlike, the faint look of excitement that was hidden in her eyes as she stepped outside, looking around at the area surrounding the house.
Elijah opened his mouth to say something, but instantly shut it and sighed heavily. He ran a hand through his hair. That girl never listened.
Within a second, though, he was out as well, eyes trained on her rather relaxed body as she took in her surroundings. His house was in a clearing, with tall trees surrounding it, as well as a few boulders here and there. He chose the place because it was easy to hide in, the trees looming over you, yet there’s space at the same time.
“Elyse,” he sighed. “You can’t just run out like that.”
Elyse only spared him a few moments of her time as she turned to look at him. "Why can't I?" The sentence was simple, just enough to keep him talking but short enough that she didn't have to worry about wasting time as she started to head for the nearest boulder.
She was well aware that Eli would be irked about her hatred of being cooped up inside, but she was listening to what he said about staying close at least. Or she decided she was as she looked up at the rock in front of her to find the easiest way to climb it. At least it would give her something to do. Otherwise, she would hear an earful from Elijah if she went into the woods.
It did make her feel happy that he cared about her safety though.
Elijah watched her with a sigh, shaking his head as she observed the boulder, obviously thinking about climbing it. Seemed even her taste for higher ground didn’t change.
“Because I don’t want to lose you.”
Not again.
“Be careful,” he warned, crossing his arms. Human-him had been protective; as a vampire, those feelings only intensified. “You might get hurt.”
"You won't lose me, don't worry. I've grown up now Eli, I can protect myself." She assured him, setting her knife on the ground as she brushed off her hands and climbed up the side of the rock until she was sitting carefully on the edge of the boulder. "A little rock isn't enough to hurt me either."
Elyse let her legs swing freely, scanning as far into the woods as she could see while soaking up the morning sunlight. It was weird, not being with a group of rebels or at least by them. Instead, she was with a vampire, one that the rebellion hated but that was one of her best friends.
Elijah huffed, but decided to lay off of her. She should be able to feel a little free without him hounding her. Still, he didn’t stop with the watchful stares, making sure she did not escape his sight.
Because he was so focused on his friend, the surroundings faded away. His senses were all focused on the girl that a second scent didn’t register until it got relatively closer. A vampire scent. Elijah went rigid, instantly recognizing the vampire.
“Elyse,” he hissed quietly to gain her attention. “We’re going back inside. We have company.”
The sun and its warmth were enough to make Elyse lose interest in Elijah for a minute, but as she heard his hissed words it was like a switch was flipped in her mind. Instantly the carefree girl and her relaxed calmness was on full alert. Her face turned hard and she glanced at her knife on the ground, now clearly a girl that was used to fighting for her life. Living in fear and determined to survive.
"I won't be able to outrun our little friend," She whispered back, cursing under her breath, "And I don't have a stake either, unless you happen to have one on hand."
Elijah didn’t waste a second in reaching for Elyse, holding her to him and back into the house. He grabbed his swords, then fixed her a heated gaze.
“Stay here,” he warned her, and then was out of the house just as fast. “I don’t want anyone finding out you’re here.”
Futile warning, Elijah knew, but he hoped she wasn’t stupid enough to ignore him. Vampires from Lilith’s coven were not to be messed with. She didn’t have a lot under her command, but she picked only the best. This wouldn’t end prettily, that was for sure, but he didn’t want to shed any blood. If the upcoming vampire was sent by Lilith, she’d be alerted of his disappearance, and that would jeopardy everything.
Getting used to a vampires speed was something Elyse knew she would never get used to. It was strange to be at the rock one minuted and back in the house the next, getting glared at and told to stay inside by Elijah.
“I don’t want to stay here though, I can help you,” She protested, glaring back at him as he used his vampire speed to leave her alone again.
Staying inside was the last thing she wanted to do. At least she wanted to see who Eli was dealing with, at most help him get rid of the vampire. But she did as he said, sitting down on the couch with a scowl as she waited.
Lilith didn’t have a lot of vampires under her, but the ones she did have, they were strong. She always chose the best of the best, another one of the reasons why Elijah was hers and not another’s.
Elijah made sure to stop a considerable distance away from the safe house, determined to keep it hidden, when a new vampire joined him. This one had pale skin, red eyes, and white hair. Elijah knew him, though not so much as he liked to admit.
“Elijah.”
Elijah nodded his head. “Solar.”
Solar’s eyes didn’t move from Elijah’s for a while before he finally began to look around. “Lilith wants you back.”
“I can’t. Not right now,” was what Elijah responded, choosing his words carefully. “Not until I finish what I started.”
“And what is it that you started?”
“The human rebels… I believe they’re planning something.” The lie was easy to speak, and no tone of voice and change in his facial expressions ruined it. “I want to find out what it is that they’re hiding and report it to Lilith. I promised her information.”
“The Lady wouldn’t be happy about that,” Solar said, though it seemed he didn’t really care. Elijah knew he didn’t, and was relieved that it was him Lilith sent. “I shall relay your words to her, but know that she will find a way to bring you back.”
The vampire disappeared after that, but Elijah didn’t return to the house until a considerable time had passed.
Elyse hated being stuck inside when she was above ground. It was like a punishment, being cooped up inside a building when the rest of the world was on the other side of a piece of glass, taunting her every time she glanced through the window. She had paced the entirety of the house several times by the time Elijah had gotten back, as well as did the dishes; all as ways to distract herself from going outside.
Not knowing what Elijah was doing was punishment as well. Every idea had flashed through her mind, from him being killed to having sold her out to Lilith, as well as every single other option. Meaning, as he finally stepped through the door, she was relieved to say the least.
"Did you deal with them?" She asked immediately, stopping in her tracks as she walked around the kitchen again, "We're still safe here?" There was clear relief on her face, even as her face morphed into a scowl, "You should've let me help you. I know how to deal with vampires."
(Sorry for the late replies. 2020 has just informed me that it really doesn’t like me, and my issues have been piling up. Thank you for being really patient.)
Elijah looked at Elyse as he entered and shut the door behind himself. Of course he knew she could, but she should realize why he didn’t let her. Sometimes her recklessness didn’t sit right with him.
“Thank you for not following me out,” was the first thing he said, breaking the silence that had fallen after her questions. “And he’s gone. Elyse, what I’m trying to do is keeping you out of Lilith’s knowledge as much as possible, including not killing a vampire. Especially if said vampire is sent after me. I want Lilith to still believe I’m following her and am not going rogue. I can’t do that if you’re seen with me and I kill my former comrades. Do you understand now?”
(It's all cool! Take as much time as you need to sort out more important things before worrying about replying to these!)
"Yes I understand Eli," She replied slowly, her arms crossed as she looked up at him. The girl was almost jealous of his height, wishing she didn't have to look as far up to talk to him. "But I don't really want to have to run back inside the house every ten minutes because some vampire is looking for you, please know that. Plus not being able to know whats going on doesn't help the situation."
Elyse didn't enjoy arguing most of the time, especially with her best friend, so even just voicing something that could spark an argument was something she did rarely. And like all the times she did, she left the conversation right after her comment, asking another question instead.
"Can I go back outside now? Or not yet?"
(I typed a whole response and the site refreshed and I lost all motivation… sigh)
“You won’t be kept in the dark,” Elijah said to her just as slowly, almost as if he was talking to a child. He knew she was trying to change the subject, but he easily steered her right back towards it. “You will be going back to the house, even if it means every five minutes, as long as it keeps you out of sight. I’ll always fill you in with the conversation, but killing Lilith’s vampire will only put us in a vulnerable spot.”
Elijah ended at that, hoping she would get the idea that he would not be arguing about it and that what he said was final.
“You can go out. I think we’re clear for now. You can hunt, do whatever you want, but stay close.”
(Ooooooooof..I've had that happen too and I feel your pain)
Elyse frowned, staying right where she was even after he said she could leave, "You would really make me come in here every five minutes? Just to keep me out of sight of a vampire that most likely won't notice that we're working together?"
She understood that Elijah was just trying to keep her safe, even if he was treating her like a child that he had to look after. That was the only part that bothered her. Elyse guessed she wasn't well known in the vampire covens, seeing as she was just a little human, so keeping her out of sight made little sense to her. Especially since it was him that was putting the rules on her, the same boy that once was just as eager to be outside as she was.
Elijah gave her a look. Why wouldn’t they not think—oh. The vampire suddenly realized one crucial detail; Elyse didn’t know why he approached her. She didn’t know Lilith sent him to kill her. That was something he hadn’t told her in fear of her reaction. He knew if she found out, she’d probably never want to see him again.
“Yes,” he finally responded, blinking again. He couldn’t let her find out that he was responsible for her injured arm. “No matter what, I’m keeping you out of sight. Safe for as long as we stay here. Now go; you’re wasting time, Elyse.”
"Well, that's stupid," She grumbled, shaking her head as she walked past him out the door, "I can protect myself, I don't have to hide in some house to be safe." It was inevitable that he would hear her, but she didn't really care, seeing as she wanted to get as much time outside as she possibly could. Just in case she did end up having to go inside again.
Once outside, she immediately made a beeline for the rock she had been at before, scooping up her knife from where it laid on the ground and tucking it back in its case. Instantly she felt safer, safe enough to start to wander into the woods surrounding the house, though she did listen to Elijah's warning and stayed close.
(Elijah, chill, my man)
Elijah shook his head as he followed her out. He heard her, of course, and he didn’t blame her for feeling suffocated. She’d been underground—underground for most of her post-prisoner life. It was a given she wanted to explore.
“But can you, Elyse?” Elijah leaned against a tree, eyes narrowed. “Can you protect yourself against a horde of vampires? Can you? Do you know what they’d do if they catch you?” Sick words, because she knew. She witnessed it first hand. She experienced it. “What they did to us is nothing compared to what Lilith’s coven would do. Yes, you can protect yourself. Yes, you’re fully capable of fighting back. But if you ask me, it’s stupid of you to avoid safety just because it doesn’t fit your idea of it.”
He lost her once. He was not about to lose her again just because she didn’t feel like listening to him.
She paused as she listened to him talk again, scowling back at him and trying not to let the images of Maverick murdering her friends get in her way, "I know exactly what they would do, and no, I'm not stupid enough to say I can hold off a horde of vampires. They'd rip me apart in moments. We both know that from experience" Elyse paused for a moment as the images of her, then her friends getting killed again wormed into her brain, masking the emotions on her face only slightly, "My idea of safety doesn't involve me hiding while someone I care about isn't safe either. That means you, Eli. Vampire superpowers or not."
It hurt her to be arguing and bickering with him within only a day of them finally being reunited, and that much was clear as she walked off again, this time deeper into the woods with a glare on her face. She needed to calm down before she did anything bad. And the only way to do that was to walk away.
This time, Elijah didn’t say anything. He could understand where she was coming from. If she told him to stay put and let her handle everything, he’d argue. He wouldn’t hold still. And after everything, reuniting after so long… there was no way Elijah would let her do anything on her own.
But a stupid part of him couldn’t help but think differently. He was a vampire. She was a human. There was world’s difference in their abilities. Still, she was a vampire hunter. He may have never heard of her because of his affiliation with her; Lilith would have never let her identity be known to him.
“All right, I apologize,” the vampire finally apologized, following her despite noting her bad mood. “I shouldn’t have asked you to stay inside. We work together next time.”
"Thank you. I'll hold you to that," Was her response, and even if it was stressed, she visibly seemed to relax. There was so much more she wanted to say to her friend, but Elyse kept her lips shut, knowing the questions and things she wanted to say could wait until later.
Right now she wanted to explore.
Exploring was probably a dulled down term for what she was doing. She looked like she was just taking a walk through the woods, circling around the house in a large arcing circle, listening to birds, or whatever other creatures still scampered around. At the same time though, she was scanning the area, marking rocks and fallen trees in her mind, remembering anything that could help her in the future. Having knowledge of where she was would make it much easier to fight with an upper hand against enemies, or if it came to it, running from them. At least then she wouldn't be running blind as they had been that night years ago.
Elijah kept his eyes on Elyse. He knew the forest like the back of his hand, given the fact that he had a house there. It had been difficult keeping the whereabouts of it from Lilith, but thankfully she had never inquired about those memories. As long as Elijah stayed at her manor more often than not, he had been fine. That wasn’t a reason why it was nearly bare, though. He just never felt like making it a home, not after everything he’d been through. He had lost his family, his friends, and then his humanity. There hadn’t been any anchor after that.
Elijah watched as Elyse walked around, taking in everything. He knew she was memorizing the surroundings in case she needed to escape, and he appreciated it. If she got lost, things could go wrong. If she didn’t know her way around, things could get troublesome.
“We should get hunting in a while,” he finally broke the silence, his voice quiet. “It will get dark soon.”
(Sorry about the length, it's been an insane day)
In return, Elyse just nodded and asked one question, satisfied with the amount of land around the house that she had memorized, "By we, do you mean you'll actually let me catch something? Or is it getting too late to wait for me to actually get something?"
She looked up at him as her walking slowed to a casual stroll through the woods. Her hand ran over the hilt of her knife casually, like she had been doing for the past while, mostly to keep herself both calm and ready for any attack that Elijah couldn't sense before it happened.