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 Posted: Fri Oct 18, 2024 12:09 pm
In the depths of the great forest, a figure separated itself from the shadows, form revealed to be that of the Crone, as moonlight dappled across her silhouette. She approached a tree, seemingly like any other... although old beyond the standard measures of time. "I need you," she said, reaching out to press her hand against the ancient tree's bark. A greenish glow lit up the night for a moment, and then the bark parted, revealing a slumbering figure within the heart of the tree.
"It's time, Fauna." Her childe had been injured centuries past, the attack of a savage werewolf nearly severing her immortal thread. But Narcise had found her in time to save her, though by that point her Antediluvian had been deep in torpor. There was a hush in the forest as the Crone watched the woman before her. She was beautiful beyond the reckoning of mere mortals, a scar the only blemish upon her slumbering face.
How had she never noticed how lovely the vampire was? Ah, but it was immaterial. Her thoughts wandered toward the event that had nearly slain her childe. Even with the scent of the forest and old magic in the air, there was a chance that Fauna would not awaken. If that was the case... she would need to promote a new Antediluvian to work beside her, for there was much yet to do.
But Narcise waited with patience born of the many long centuries of her life. What was a few mere minutes or even days in the face of that? She stood motionless, watching Fauna as she slept. Around her, the forest teemed with life, grass straining toward the sky, even as flowers bloomed in the moonlight. It was the cycle of the world, ever growing, ever dying. She listened to the sound of the wind as it flowed through the trees, still watching. Still waiting.
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Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2024 12:22 am
It was difficult to say how long Narcise was left to wait. Torpor had gripped the Antediluvian far longer than she had anticipated, but the sleep was necessary. The werewolf that had torn her to pieces should have turned her to ash that night —but it was only through the grace of Narcise that she survived. The Disciple had given her vitae before pain and Torpor gripped her…
And it was there, deep in the heart of the ancient woods, that Fauna slept.
The world had changed hundreds of times over since Fauna last stirred. Generation upon generation had been born, lived, and died; young saplings had grown into ancient trees; gods had risen and fallen. Caine was no more, but here… now…. A new god reigned. The curse of their kind was broken, a gift, precious, and one to be savored.
Time had changed the Lhiannan but it had not changed Fauna.
So it was, after some time, Narcise’s call finally stirred something deep within the Ante. She knew that voice, just as she knew the face it was associated with. Fingers twitched, even as she became more aware of her senses. The smell of earth and pine; the touch of the cool night wind; the sounds of the wood life surrounding her. Most importantly, she felt the presence of her/ — the wood witch that had changed her forever; the woman that she had devoted her life and unlife to.
Her eyes fluttered for a moment, before they opened. With a sudden gasp, she immediately sat up, a great shudder running through her. The last thing she remembered was the werewolf, the pain, the blood, the fight; the last thing she saw, had been Narcise. “I failed you,” she spoke, words rusty, hollow, apologetic.
Blood.
She needed blood.
She looked around, her beauty transformed into that of a predator. She needed a deer. Hell, she needed an entire herd at this rate….
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Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2024 10:00 am
Fauna might be in need, but Narcise had not come empty handed. She had brought vitae for her Antediluvian, sourced from the blood god himself. So it was for the Lhiannan. They did not drink from mortals, except in the embrace, and Fauna did not need to use her feeble strength to hunt. While wildlife could have served in a pinch, it would not do. Narcise offered the vitae to Fauna, listening to her as she spoke.
"You have not failed me," she said, shaking her head slightly. "Even you cannot stand against the might of an entire pack of werewolves." But Narcise could, and had. Fauna had been protecting their lands, and their clan. Werewolves hated the Lhiannan in particular, and sought them out to destroy. Her childer had perished many times at their claws.
In fact, Fauna had come very close to meeting her final death as she fought them. Narcise had managed to save her in time, though it had been a very near thing. "You were brave. But next time... it's okay to lean on my strength," she said, letting the forest wrap around Fauna and clothe her. "Werewolves are still a threat, but I think they have forgotten us. For now."
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