Troubled Waters

Elisa Valtune.28. Lady of the deep. I got tired of being second best.

[hanneleleskinen-blog]

The Price I Pay || Hannele & Open

[hanneleleskinen-blog]

Hannele kept walking, focusing on the crackle of leaves under her feet and her sense of direction in an effort to tame her irritation: “The woods are lovely, you just picked the wrong time.,” she said without looking up. Though of course that depended on one’s species. Then again, someone who didn’t need to fear someone like her wouldn’t have reacted this fearful, would they? No, she ruled out werewolf and angel. 

She suddenly stopped in her tracks, turning around and deriving immense delight from the swiftness with which she could move her body. If that looked scary, so be it. “Do you actually live in Dorsten? Otherwise, we’re probably walking in the wrong direction. How long did you walk for until you …. until we met?”

[elisaofthesea]

While what she said about the forest may have been true, Elisa was still wary of the whole thing. She liked her creature comforts, so to speak, and the woods were the farthest thing from her watery home that there possibly was. “I’ll take your word for it,” she said, folding her arms across her chest. 

“I actually live by the cove, I was visiting a friend nearby. I was walking for a little while.” She knew she should have gone straight home after saying goodbye to her friend, but the little ounce of curiosity she had got the best of her, and this is what came of that. 

[hanneleleskinen-blog]

The Price I Pay || Hannele & Open

[hanneleleskinen-blog]

Hannele stepped out of the trees with a deep breath, trying to summon up the patience she found so much easier to display during daytime. “Okay, then we’ll get you home, right? On the condition that you stop straying into the forest after nightfall and scaring people.”

She set out walking without asking where to, choosing the direction that led to Dorsten and thus her own home. It felt the most intuitive, after all, there were roads there, and it was the closest larger settlement she knew of. Only after a long moment of silence did Hannele bother asking: “Where did you lose your way, actually? And why would you be walking around in the forest at this time of, well, night?”

[elisaofthesea]

Elisa nodded, “Believe me, I do not plan on coming back soon, if ever. I’m not suited for this type of place.” It was very much the opposite of the waters she was so used to. She was no closer to understanding why her sister liked them so much.

She followed the woman without question, sighing when she asked the questions. She felt like an idiot. “I was visiting a friend in one of the outlying towns. I thought...” she shook her head. “I thought I would go for a walk before I went home. I thought a walk in the forests would help me understand my sister, who loves them. I’m no closer there.”

[hanneleleskinen-blog]

The Price I Pay || Hannele & Open

[hanneleleskinen-blog]

Oh God, she wasn’t supposed to act superior here just because some random vampire drifter had happened upon her nearly a hundred years ago, but this had been supposed to be the one place where she still could be, where she could run as fast as she was capable of, jump onto mountaintops and chase animals that could outrun any human. These moments were her outlet, and now she had missed one of them, but she still had a life as a normal, peaceful being outside the fores, and she would have to salvage that now. Hannele took a deep breath, focusing on the animal sounds around them, before saying: “I can walk you back, okay? But you’ll have to wait here for a moment, I’ll be right back.”

She slipped into the forests again, following the sounds of the deer, trying to make out if any of them were still in a distance she could reach. Pointless. But might as well let the other woman wait for a little while as a semblance of punishment for ruining Hannele’s run. She killed a few minutes rushing through the trees before making her way back with near-perfect precision, calling: “Okay, are you still here?” before stepping out the darkness of the trees again.

[elisaofthesea]

Elisa nodded, not entirely trusting the woman, but knowing that she was her chance of making it out of this forest. When she disappeared, she stood in her spot, looking around and wondering if she had just left her here alone to die. She tried to think of how she had gotten here. If she could find a river...rivers always pointed back to civilization. She was thinking about doing just that when the woman came back after what felt like ages. 

“Yes, I’m here,” she said, her voice sounding much larger than she felt. Elisa felt so small and insignificant that she was sure she would never go into the woods again.

[hanneleleskinen-blog]

The Price I Pay || Hannele & Open

[hanneleleskinen-blog]

She first kept herself in a crouch, out of instinct that seemed to kick in when Hannele set foot into the forest and felt reminded both of home and of who she had used to be. But when the other person stepped out into visibility, Hannele’s posture relaxed. If it came down to it, she could probably take this person on with a minimum of preparation, but she’d absolutely rather avoid letting it come to that. Still, not too far away, the deer set off walking again. Hannele had missed out on her opportunity and rolled her eyes. 

“I do not mean to harm anyone tonight, but I still think we have a right to privacy, yes? In a forest? What are you even doing here, walking around on your own?”

[elisaofthesea]

Elisa twisted her fingers nervously. She was frightened, and normally she was much better about not showing her fear. But she was in a place where she had no control, there was no body of water in sight where she could turn if she needed to. She was completely alone and if something went wrong...that was the end for her. 

“Absolutely, I’m so sorry. I was just going for a walk and I got lost.”

[30-pieces-of-silver]

Eliza nodded. “ Well it’s good for business. Really, if you find any news… or if something happens you might not want to read about in the papers you can call me.” she said and pulled out a business card. 

Eliza Iscariot Writer at The Ermaynian Weekly Telefone number and Emailadress

“ Can’t promise anything of course but I can try.”

[elisaofthesea]

“I can imagine,” Elisa said with a smile as she looked down at the card. She took her wallet out of her purse and placed it gently inside. “Thank you, I will certainly take you up on that. I like to be as updated as possible on the happenings of my people.” She rolled her eyes, “Of course, people think I’m nothing more than a title-craving ditz, but I shall soon prove them wrong.”

[stydiaeverafter]

"Love is a risk for anyone, but for you, knowing what love did for your mother, how could you not fear it?”

[hanneleleskinen-blog]

The Price I Pay || Hannele & Open

So that was how she had ended up now: Polite, professional and entirely civilized doctor by day, and at night nursing glasses of alcohol in company in an attempt to keep the instincts from days not that long past away. But sometimes the instincts still broke through, and Hannele found that she no longer could keep them at bay. She was made to smell blood from far away, fast and agile; she who now spent so much of her days telling others about what their biology did to them - how could she have entirely ignored her own?

So that was the reason why Hannele had made Dorsten with its mainly empty forests her homestead, why, after dusk she didn’t go home like she maybe should have pretended she had to, why instead she set foot into the dark forest and started listening for animal sounds, enjoyed the way her feet carried her with a pace that far outmatched that of any deer, walked until she could hear the animals close by in a clearing, and then crouched at its edge waiting for the best moment. Yes, animal blood tasted a lot worse than the blood she could now so easily purchase. But truth be told, the hunt was part of it all. 

She had pictured herself running into someone else on the hunts she too often engaged in, had figured she could just downplay the moment, but when she heard what unmistakeably were footsteps, the calmth she had planned on was gone, and what was left was anxiety. Hannele rose to her feet and shouted into the dark forest: “Who are you? Come out, I know you’re there!”

[elisaofthesea]

Elisa knew she should have stayed by the water where she belonged. She didn’t know why she had gone out into the forests. To understand her sister, perhaps, who had always romanticised the land in favor of the ocean. She understood, to a small extent, what her older sister loved about it so much. But now Elisa was getting dirty and cut from twigs, and she had quite enough. 

Trouble was, now she was lost. 

When she heard the voice from nearby, she figured this was good for her, someone who could tell her how to get out. But the hostility in the person’s tone made her uneasy. She stepped out. “I’m sorry, I do not mean to intrude.”

[elisaofthesea]

♣

[elisaofthesea]

§

Not taking charge of my own life sooner. I shouldn’t have kept myself so...subdued.

[forever-harmon-archive-blog]

Random muse asks.

Send me one of these symbols to muse to see their response.

♫ - Song that fits your mood.

☼ - Favorite summer memory.

♥ - Current feelings on love.

† - One person you would kill.

§ - Your biggest regret.

♣ - Your biggest fear.

♦ - Tell us a story about (insert topic/person here) 

[30-pieces-of-silver]

While not everyone was directly looking down on Humans, it was a nice feeling to be appreciated like that. “ Thanks, you’re a very nice person, did anyone ever tell you that?” she said with a smile. “ And it means a lot. And it’s a hard balance ya know? Most news are boring so we need to make sure to make them at least sound interesting… though I guess at least lately there has been a lot going on.” 

[elisaofthesea]

“Thank you, that’s nice to hear.” She had been called many things in the past, nice was not always one of them. It was good to thinking that she was a kind person. She was not always perceived that way. She nodded at what she said, “Yes, things have been lively here as of late. More than they had been in a while. It’s strange, but almost exciting.”

[defensivedionne-blog]

Shit | Dionne x Open

[defensivedionne-blog]

She knew Rami, they’d met a few times at mixers and such, he’d helped train her, and she was aware that he was engaged although he’d never mentioned the name of the woman. She understood how worried she was and decided to calm herself down, pulling out the chair and taking a seat across the table. “Your people are fine. There was an incident but it’s target appears to be the Castle, we haven’t had reports of trouble anywhere else. You don’t need to worry just yet. Alright? Do you feel better now?”

[elisaofthesea]

Elisa listened carefully to the woman, hanging onto her every word. She nodded slowly. “Yes...thank you. I appreciate you sitting down and telling me. I get sick of being in the dark...people treating me like I’m some silly woman with her head in the water who doesn’t understand anything.” She shook her head. “But no matter. Go, take care of everyone. And be careful yourself.”

[defensivedionne-blog]

Shit | Dionne x Open

[defensivedionne-blog]

Dee followed her into the room, shutting the door behind the two of them and walking around the table to stand in front of where Elisa was sitting. She was silent for a moment, not wanting to say anything, but when she did finally speak up, it wasn’t to accept the difficulties that she had just created. “Listen to me very carefully. I get that you’re scared, everyone out there is, but there is no need to make my job harder. I should be out there coaching the team on what to do but instead, I am fighting with you, trying to get you a private room.” The wolf sigh, turning away for a moment to collect her thoughts. Tough wasn’t going to work on this one, but she wasn’t good at playing nice cop. “It’s safer in here and I can be frank with you. Out there, there are too many ears listening, you get that?” 

[elisaofthesea]

Elisa’s breath hitched as the woman spoke to her. She looked down at the ground, suddenly ashamed of herself. “Yes, I understand. I apologize for all the problems I just caused. I was being selfish and that wasn’t right of me.” She twisted her engagement ring around on her finger, a nervous habit she had taken to. “You...you don’t have to explain to me. Make sure everyone is safe...I can ask Rami what happened after...after all of this is sorted.” 

[defensivedionne-blog]

Shit | Dionne x Open

[defensivedionne-blog]

“Then go. Right through that door.” She again nodded her head toward another wooden door. It merely had a desk and two chairs in it. The Princess may not have realized it but she was doing a kindness. She couldn’t talk about anything out here with everyone watching. Dee pushed the cuffs back into her belt. 

[elisaofthesea]

Elisa pursed her lips but did as she was told when she saw the woman putting the cuffs away. If she was going to go, she was going to go with at least some dignity. Solitary with nothing to do but worry about the lives of her people...the defense team. Her fiance was in danger. Maybe she wasn’t head over heels for him, but she cared about his well-being, and she would worry about him until the whole ordeal was over. She sat down in one of the chairs and looked down at her hands. “I apologize for my behavior,” she said softly, “I am not usually so difficult. I’m just frightened and worried.”

[30-pieces-of-silver]

The Mermaid was so well spoken and her posture showed that she had been brought up in an important household. She looked almost like a princess. “ I guess you’re right. I worked hard and now I’m a journalist at the Ermaynian Weekly. But most people don’t think very well of us.” she caught herself using fancier language herself. 

[elisaofthesea]

She smiled. She appreciated Eliza’s determination and strength. “Admirable work. Making sure everyone knows the goings-on of our country. If it makes you feel any better, I think highly of anyone with the courage to work hard and get what they want, regardless of species. I know one silly woman’s words don’t mean much, but I hope they can offer some comfort.”

[lucillebpnpc]

The little Mermaid|Lucille X Elisa

[defensivedionne-blog]

Dee had been patrolling the halls to find the other council members and make sure they were safe when she heard some loud talking coming from the next hall over. The werewolf’s ears were picking up heavy breathing and footsteps hitting against the echoing floors. She set off, speeding across and closing the space between herself and the noises just in time to see a young woman running for her life. Her gun was out in seconds and pointed toward her as she saw another woman chasing her from behind. “FREEZE!” Dee screamed out, hiding behind her weapon. “NOW!” She’s used this thing far too much today, but she lived for it. “Hands in the air right now, BOTH of you!”

[lucillebpnpc]

Damnit. If she hadn’t been so careless before, her prey wouldn’t have managed to find herself a friend. She didn’t know where everyone was, she had been sure that the halls were empty and she had been wrong about that. Her hands tingled in anticipation of putting her dagger into the mermaid, but it was too dangerous. Even if she could take the woman that she recognised as a Member of the Defence Team, there might be more just around the corner.  “ I’ll see you again little Mermaid.” she said to Elisa and threw her dagger towards Dee before kicking in a door right next to her. 

She knew the layout well enough to know that she only had to get through another door to reach a stairwell that would take her far enough to escape for now. 

(in case Pippa doesn’t get to read my tags: #it could have all worked out if it wasn’t for your kids meddling and your mangy dog :P )

[elisaofthesea]

Elisa froze when she saw the gun, she didn’t need more instruction than that. She was many things, but she wasn’t reckless. She put her hands up, doing as she was told even though she was frightened for her life. She supposed that said a lot about her. She was just glad that somebody had come to her aid. 

Se let out a startled squeak at Lucille threw her dagger towards Dee, jumping backwards out of fear. She turned her head to Lucille, who had taunted her yet again as she made her escape. I’ll see you again, little Mermaid. Those words would haunt her in her sleep if she ever got to close her eyes.

[defensivedionne-blog]

Shit | Dionne x Open

[defensivedionne-blog]

“I don’t care if you’re the Queen of fucking England, you’re going to solitary or I’m going to arrest you and take you there. Have you heard the Ermaynian rights? They’re quite poetic.” She wasn’t going to budge, she’s given the woman more than enough chances to obey her word. “I’m here to protect you, not cater to you.” 

[elisaofthesea]

“I will go I just want to know what the hell is going on, if my people are safe. You can tell me as we walk, whatever.” Elisa hated being spoken to like she was some useless, helpless thing. She had always been stronger than people gave her credit for.