Quietly, Jervis would listen to Vendetta's tale- two strange, broken, monstrous individuals comforting one another while they bonded. Taking everything in. All the while Jervis clenched his jaw, slender hawk-like features warping only at times when despair seemed to surface. When he began to understand, knowing all too well, what loss felt like.
There had been a point the Lady’s words broke off. A point where emotions became too much, or had it been something else?.. Before a response could be made, the tide turned. Pressed against the nearest wall, Vendetta’s hands held his fast above him while her body pressed into his- a physical strength unexpected. Sharp fangs brushed the skin of his throat, right where the jugular pulsed… Blood lust, fierceness to protect her secret had taken over, but only for a moment… She regained her senses and let go- horror, painted across her face. Vendetta's mind pulled her at least two dramatically different ways.
Curiously, her reaction gave him pause. She knelt before him, demure and broken... Curious, something suddenly caught his glance. Lying nearby, a stake, sharpened- but coated in fairly-fresh blood... Did she think he'd cause her harm? How many in the past who did? Likely many, if those wounds were anything to go by. Interestingly enough, the smallest flare of anger coursed through him- not at her, of course. But to those vile beasts that had taken this beautiful creature, and reducing it to... this. Were she anyone else, he'd delight in this turn of events. But Vendetta... it disturbed him. Against Jervis' normal thinking, he cared for the strange vampyre.
”—I have learned…” he finally said, coming to her level, while keeping her in touching range ”—That it's difficult to allow pain to pass; sometimes you feel it's the only thing keeping the lost close, the only way one can cope. I feel if you can find the right people, you can get through most anything…” Jervis had been alone most of his life, abandoned by parents that didn’t want him… Cursed with terrible luck in winning hearts of the fairer sex. He turned to science, as his coping method- forcing those into serving his every whim to make the pain hurt less.
Then he found a distraction… A blonde Angel, that had taken the darkness away. She had been an unattainable obsession, but perhaps Vendetta… Perhaps this delightfully dark creature, and he could share something… a thing he’d never thought he’d be able to have. He recalled the lingering feel of her fangs on his throat. Whether merely a taste, or to cleave his head like a Pez dispenser, he didn’t seem to mind. In that moment he saw her- an accidental monster. Not the purposeful one he had become, stealing away women in the night never to be seen again.
He’d reach out after a moment, joining her there on the floor, a small twisted smile on his pallid face; eyes glimmering from beneath the brim of his top hat. Slender fingers coiled gently along her icy skin, kind, lovingly perhaps ”—You never have to hide who you are from me… I wear my real face for you to see, so why should you hide?” he questioned… lowering his hand, he would have taken her own, gentle and just so.
Vendetta looked to him, in deep confusion. He hadn't let go, the first sign something was.... amiss, she could say. The second sign? His words, echoing deep in her mind. '—You never have to hide who you are from me… I wear my real face for all to see, so why should you hide?' She spoke to one who understood. One knowing loss, madness, depravity and darkness. Vaguely, her mind drifted back to the image and wondered... Could they find something within one another... that others refused? Gradually, Vendetta came to understand she didn't want to leave, she really liked it... No. She liked him- or at least, something within. She drew close, lips inching closer... Why? Then again, it felt... right...
”—Do you need to… feed? It looks like you lost a lot.” He didn’t really know if that’s what it was called, but still he’d offer… he didn’t mind... His inquiry shattered the momentum within. Vendetta stopped- and realized he was right. She'd been drained but good- by bother herself, and the vampyre who attacked her. Internally cursing, she simultaneously found a smile to be had at the moment of awkwardness. Where others would find irritance or contempt, she found amusement. Pulling away, hoping he didn't notice she tried to kiss him, she looked at him.
Jervis seemed to have a natural immunity to the attentions of the fairer sex. Therefore, would never expect anything but friendship. They didn’t understand, they loathed him… and his looks, strangely handsome to some, came across as unhealthy, scrawny, and unsettling to others. Casually brushing back a fall of wild raven hair from his angled features, he listened.
Her blood tone eyes lost that sparkle, and some of their colour. Likewise, her skin now turned ashen, where once it glowed bright. "Reluctantly, I admit you're right. And yes... it is called feeding. I'm going to presume very few vampyres- dreams or nightmares alike- come through this place. Am I correct?"
Despite everything, Vendetta grinned in amusement. Perhaps they could teach other- and maybe, just maybe- cause sweet, melancholic, torturous, delightful chaos. If she was right, few- if any- would know how to deal with such a being.
So she did need blood? He would offer it of course. ”Sadly, they do now. But I will admit, I could not have asked for better to be my first…” Jervis wasn’t terribly wise on the details, but knew enough to make theories up.
”—I don’t really know how you do this?” Reaching from behind his back, snatching whichever blade came to hand first; appropriately, the Red Queen… A sleek blade, red hilted… The point stained similar, whether due to dried blood or design from a deep red polished coral, one would not know. Slipping his sleeve up, he cut his wrist without so much of a flinch, a rosy stream instantly pooling from the pale skin ”—Here, I don’t want you feeling faint… you’re the first good company I’ve had in years” thin lips cracking into a twisted toothy smile.
Vendetta reflexively seized his wrist, devouring the blood flowing freely. She could see the madness, now, a divide of some kind in his mind. She could also taste his emotions, her secret safe. Jervis studied her, realizing Vendetta kneeling before any man wasn't a place or position that suited her. Though he could tell Tetch got a kick out of it… She moaned softly- his blood had been unlike anything she tasted before. Startlingly complex, metallic yet sweet... The depths made her head spin, and she felt herself threatening to slip out of control...
Reluctantly, she pulled away- eternities condensed into seconds. Vendetta could see the effect she had- only enough to make him light-headed. But she required much more.. She had some, hidden away- there would be time later. Vendetta could do strange things, as Jervis discovered. Satiated for a moment, she turned back to him. "Thank you, I... I'll make you something, in return. What would you like? I mean, you've let me remain here a week, and made sure these wounds won't kill me, even letting me feed, and-"
Vendetta realized she was flustered, and babbling incoherent. Promptly she closed her mouth. Her thinking had been she'd stay for a spell- her affairs were oft settled months in advance. Vendetta planned to slip out for a few hours, grab some things and come back- then again, only at his desire. If he told her she needed to leave, she would. She was quite charming, with that seductive bitten lip, and her eyes... there was nothing quite like them.
Jervis could only admire the Lady before him. Well, well- vampyres are actually real. Who would have ever guessed?