Black Hole Sun.(Closed to Cammy)

[Tobias Stalt]

Amber fluid sloshed in a flagon as rain pattered against the tin roof. The acrid stench of booze wafted across his nostrils each time Jara tapped the keg, and Tobias perked up like an old friend had entered the room. "You seem distant, Tobias," she reached out and touched his hand on the drink, and gasped reflexively as he flinched. "Why don't you tell me about it?"

His eyes remained locked on the wall behind her. Instead of a joke or a quick comment, he responded with silence. Jara placed a hand firmly on his arm and he slowly matched her gaze. "Please, Tobias, this isn't like you at all. You've said two words to me since you walked in. It's been half a day, and I've had to send Lora for more ale."

Tobias seemed to consider her words for a moment when she mentioned her daughter, and a look like regret twisted his face. "I'm sorry for that," he murmured. For a long moment, he reached into his cloak, and he withdrew a handful of coins that spilled over the table like the downpour above. "Here's for her trouble."

"I don't want your money, Stalt." Jara picked up one of the coins and waved it in his face. "It was never about money. Lora idolizes you. Is this what you want her to see?"

Tobias exhaled loudly. "She needs to find a better idol."

The heat of her hand felt familiar against his face, though the pain even more so. The deafening smack resounded through the room. "She needs you to start acting like someone who deserves her adoration." Jara wore the youthful face of a woman just past thirty, but the telling wrinkles of motherhood began to entrench themselves on her brow. "You're the only father figure she's ever had, and you're not doing any better a job than her dead father."

In a swift, deft motion, Tobias ripped a blade from his back and dug it into the wood inches from her hand. Jara shrieked, then let out a sigh of relief as she realized he intentionally missed her. "I'm a killer." Not a question, nor an invitation to argue the point. "People are dead because of me. Whether by my hand, or as a result of my actions, people lost their lives. I don't deserve the adoration of a kind girl with a bright future."

"Like as not, you've got it," the barmaid retorted, "and you'd do well to remember it."

Tobias fought the dagger from the table and laid it out on display. "I can leave, if you like."

"I have never asked for that," Jara knelt on the stool across from him, peering into his empty gaze. "I would never ask for that. Tobias, you've always known how I felt, even if you never cared. Even without hope of reciprocity, I will never lose hope for your future. I saw the kindness in you, and I've seen it many times. You are a good man who no longer believes that about himself."

"What is a good man?" Tobias asked. "What is his measure, if not the weight of his actions?"

"The reasons for those actions," Jara whispered, a tear threatening at the edge of her eyes. "I don't believe that you've ever done something you didn't believe was right."

Gods, but I have, Jara.

Tobias turned his eyes away from her. "Look at me, Tobias," she pleaded. "Look at me." He lifted the drink, sipped, then replaced it on the table. "Stop drinking and look at me!"

He caved and glanced back.

Jara wept as she pulled his arm to her chest and held it tightly. "I don't know what you did that you felt was so awful," she rasped, "nor do I care. But I will listen if you want. You do not have to bear it alone."

The door flew open and the chimes shivered as cold wind blasted the room. "Lora, the door!" Jara cried out, wiping her tears away quickly. "Close the door!"

It was three years to the day since Tobias saw Lora last. Her body grew womanly and her face much more lovely than he remembered, almost reflective of her mother. Blonde rather than brown, the girl of sixteen had bright blue eyes that lit up when she saw him. "Tobi!" she practically screamed as she threw herself on him, sopping wet from the rain. The cask of ale lay forgotten on the floor in the open doorway.

"Damnation, child," Jara cursed as she hurried to the door and kicked the cask to the side. The door slammed shut, and Jara sighed. "I told you to close the door-"

Her mother stopped short as she saw Tobias hold Lora tightly to his chest, eyes knit shut. "You left and I thought you'd never come back," the girl whispered, and she took a deep breath of his musky scent. "You smell like blood and sweat," she chided.

"Means work's been busy," he answered honestly. When he looked down at her, Lora met his eyes and smiled broadly. "Terribly sorry I never called on you," he said, a lump in his throat. For all the pain Tobias felt, there were some old habits that died hard.

"You can take me to dinner," Lora said with a wry smile, "to make up for it. I have this nice dress I can wear-"

"That's quite enough of that, Lora," Jara wagged a finger and separated the two as Tobias watched the scene with a perplexed expression. "Tobias is not some boy from the other side of town, and you won't be going to dinner with him. Hromagh fend, he's more than ten years your senior." She looked to Tobias, "I'm sorry about all this," she apologized, "she's missed you dearly."

Lora felt heat burning her cheeks. "Mother!" she cried out in horror. She twisted to Tobias and threw up both hands. "It's nothing like that, I swear! It's just been so long and I haven't seen you, and..."

Tobias rested his palm in her hair. "It's fine, child," he said with a full smile. "Go on and get that cask back to the stores before your mother has to ask again." Lora deflated a bit when he wrote her off as a "child," then looked to her mother in irritation.

"Fine," she pouted. Her ragged white dress crept along the floor behind her, and Tobias let out a chuckle. The girl had grown almost tomboyish in his absence, though she seemed decidedly feminine the instant she saw him. "But I will see you later tonight, won't I, Tobias?"

"I'll be in Radasanth just a while longer," he confirmed. "I have some research to do."

"Research?" Lora tilted her head. "That doesn't seem very much like you."

"Perhaps I'll tell you about it when I see you tonight," he prompted, and she beamed.

Doubtful. He smiled weakly as she turned to leave with the ale in her arms. You've grown so much, Lora. Keep growing into a wonderful woman. And woe to any man who breaks your heart.

Jara reached for a broom behind him. "Be careful, Tobias. I know you saw that look in her eyes."

"I've seen it more times than I care to admit," he drawled. "Those days in my life are over," his eyes moved to Jara, who almost dropped the broomstick only a moment after grabbing it. "And even if they were not, I would never. Not to Lora."

She stumbled forward and embraced him in a tight hug. "Oh gods, Tobias. Gods, I waited so long to hear you say those words."

"I wish I could have said them," he whispered, "before my heart turned cold."

He wrapped his arms gently around Jara and closed his eyes. "You know, despite all my talk," Jara glanced up, and Tobias offered a small smile. "I would never have done it to you, either."

Jara smiled, tears streaming down her face. "You ass," Jara chuckled. "You right jackass."

Tobias cleared his throat and turned back to his drink. "Anyway," he stretched his back and raised his flagon. "Here's to the strange times we live in."

"Cheers," Jara laughed, and she turned to sweep the floor once more.

[darkest.desires.]

The storm was something fierce, seeming to wage war in the night sky as it was pitch dark one moment than the next it was light up and the loud crashes of thunder came shortly after. The rain fell down hard and heavy like hail as it soaked and drowned the earth with its sorrows using the land as its own personal Kleenex. This weighed heavy on the figure that sloshed through it to the tavern like place that was now coming into her view.

As the storm raged on she hurriedly made her way towards shelter out of the storm, a form smaller was also headed to the tavern though the woman known as Camille or Cammy in her younger days was closest. Having slipped in the establishment without being seen. The cloak that was now sopping wet clung to her curvy body like a second skin, her hood was heavy and sagged over her face blocking it from most people's view. Quietly she closed the door behind her and made her way over to a table in the corner that was dimly light by a single candle. Having just pulled the chair out her attention was drawn to the sound of a loud smacking sound. Looking up she was greeted with the image of a handsome man and a fairly pretty woman having a fight. Lovers coral... She thought to herself and sat down waiting to get something strong that could ease her mind.

As the door flew open Camille instinctively gripped the old bow that sat next to her. The form of a small girl came in as she assumed that it was the lovers that were just fighting a moment ago since the look on the child's face having seen the male and the way he embraced her. A sting of jealousy raged through her body as she would never have that. Slowly she wasn't at the tavern any more but in the lands of Sheinara.

The sky was bright and filled with the suns light, as two forms stood embraced tightly together. She was looking deeply into Josh's eyes as she pleaded sticking out her already full lower lip into full pout mode. "Do you really have to go, why can't you just stay as my second in command guarding the Queen? Come on Joshy please don't leave we don't know how long this war will wage on.." Josh slipped his hand onto her cheek and the warmth of his skin against hers was calming. He chuckled gently at her before kissing her pouted lips and replied, "I can't command respect and loyalty from men when I, myself have never bled for the land only because my fiancé is the leader of the Queen's guard Cammy. It will be okay I will be back before you know it." With a swift kiss he was off with the rest of the men heading to war, never to be seen.

She was ripped from her flash back after a male from the ship she had came over on recognized her in her cloak and bellowed his name from the top of his lungs. "CAMILLE!!!!" Looking back from the window she had been looking out she sighed inwardly before withdrawing the hood of her cloak. The tavern went silent the ghostly echo of her name having been shouted still rung in her ears. Her beauty was captivating and breathtakingly painful to not notice as she took off her soaked cloak to reveal a very curved and womanly form.

As the large male made his way over to her carrying two glasses full of a clear liquid that stung your nostrils when sniffing it, he sat down after she had taken off her cloak. A whistle left the male's lips as he eyed her from like a piece of meat, "Damn Cammy I didn't know you had all that under there." Taking the two glasses from him she downed both before setting them on the table. Getting up from table she quickly and fluidly kicked his chair over causing him to fall onto the floor in one giant heap. Her words were dripping with venom as she pressed her leather boot heel against his jugular, "I told you to never call me that again! And I am not a piece of fucking meat you can just eye rape." Pressing slightly harder so her heel was slowly cutting off his air way she watched as his face twisted with horror and fear before stepping away. The male scrambled out of the tavern as she paid no mind to the eyes that were now on her.

Picking up the tipped over chair she looked up and murmured sorry before dusting her hands off her dark denim skinny jeans. Sitting back down she took her own glass into her hand and took a long swig before setting it back down and staring at the bar absent mindedly.

[Tobias Stalt]

Camille!

The name shot like a lance through him as Tobias whipped around. His face paled to a ghostly color, and his eyes searched frantically for her. Sweet lips, haunting eyes, and flowing hair were nowhere to be seen. Still, his pupils dilated.

"Tobias?" Jara and Lora said in unison."Tobias, are you alright?"

Crimson coated hands fumbled at her still warm flesh. Tobias trembled with rage and anguish as he stared into her empty eyes, her name still lingering on his shivering lips.

Camille.

The thunder cracked, and he could still hear Lye laughing just outside his reach. Camille, dead in his arms, would never smile again.

Camille.

"Tobias!" Lora shook him, a hand on either side of his face. "Tobias, snap out of it!"

His hands rose slowly to her wrists. "It's alright," he whispered. "I'm fine, Lora." Tobias did not look at her as he spoke, his attention focused elsewhere. "I need another ale."

"You've had fifteen already in the four hours you've been here," Jara protested. His gaze shifted toward the bar's matron. She turned quickly to the tap when she saw the hurt, and she poured another drink quickly.

"Here," she said quietly. Tobias accepted the drink quickly and graciously.

The mother and daughter whispered among themselves as Tobias gulped down half the flagon in one go. "He called out her name, didn't he?" Jara nodded quietly, and Lora strode toward Tobias.

"You can talk about it, if you want." Tobias glanced up at Lora with a faint smile. He shook his head. "Tobi, don't shut people out." The young girl wrapped his shoulders in a tight embrace. "Don't shut me out."

He stood abruptly and brushed her arm. "Relax," he told her. "I said I'm fine. There's nothing to talk about."

"I saw that look in your eyes," she hissed. "I know that you heard her name-"

"Don't talk about it." He demanded curtly. "I'm not. You shouldn't, either."

He shrugged her off gently. "I'll come see you to bed later," Tobias told her. "I promise."

She blushed, and her annoyance faded. "I'm holding you to it," she whispered.

Tobias snatched his flagon off the bar and turned toward the woman, who every eye on the room watched. "Nothing to see," he raised his voice enough to draw attention to himself, and every person knew his garb instantly. A Witch Hunter of the All-Seeing Eye. They all turned their gaze swiftly away.

He swayed with each step, taking in the attributes of the woman who'd stolen her name. He sighed. She is not you, Tobias lamented in silence. I had hope. I survived. I thought you may have, too.

That'll teach me to hope.

He stopped short of where Camille sat, then took a sip of his ale. "You know how to make a scene," he commented in a low voice.

[darkest.desires.]

Her petite hands shook as the adrenaline coursed through her veins. Her manicured nails shifted slightly black as her claws came out. Gasping with pain she clenched her hand tightly together feeling her skin rip open as the shape razor like nails continued to grow. She could feel the blood starting to drip from her wounds onto the floor. Breathe and do not give into the beast, this is just the instinct your wolf has been absent since James was killed... Breathe... Trying to coach herself she could slowly feel her claws slip out of her flesh as they retracted. So her breathing more or less turned into ragged breaths as she ignored the eyes on her and her mind drifted off.

"Come on Cammy don't be such a wimp! Just let your wolf shift, don't fight it or it will hurt like hell." The sweet voice of her brother rang out in her mind with torment as she could see his younger self trying to couch her to shift after being stabbed. "Don't let her control you Cammy, you have to become one with her neither of you trying to over power the other, but you are as equals."

Her eye site blurred her flashing hues that had been switching from black to her regular dark midnight ocean blue color. Catching her lower lip in between her chest heaved up and down as she tried to fight the urge to just rip everything to shreds that was around her with anguish. Taking a shaky bloody hand she reached for her glass and knocked the rest of her liquor back, feeling the burning sensation that led all the way down her throat into her stomach warming it.

A blank stare was met with the male that spoke to her, tilting her head slightly she was still on edge as she gripped her glass tightly her crimson lips pulled into a tight line as her knuckles turned white from holding the glass. Little droplets of blood dripped off the glass and onto the table. "I said I was sorry, I warned him not to call me that or look at me like a was a piece of meat on the ship."

Lifting the glass to her lips she noticed that she had already drank all the contents in it, a frown fell upon her full plush lips as she sat the cup down releasing it. A perfect bloody hand print stayed there along with a few cracks from her squeezing it so tightly. "Shit.... I am sorry I will pay for that..." With drawing her hands to hide under the table she shook her head causing her side bangs to drape over her left eye, her gaze averting the male as she wasn't sure if he was going to try and make a big deal about her overreaction to the male and than the glass.

[Tobias Stalt]

Tobias swept the bloodied, broken glass into a cupped hand and offered it to Jara, who quickly reacted and brought over a receptacle. With a few shattering sounds, the youth rid himself of the stained ruin and bid the matron to give him some space. The look in his eyes told Jara to remain wary; something about the girl seemed unstable, and Tobias did not want anyone harmed if he could prevent it.

"Don't worry over it. They're not all that expensive anyway." He spat in his hand and smeared the blood, then wiped it away on his already acrid-smelling cloak. "The swill isn't quite as tasty as to warrant guzzling," he said in a low voice. The chorus of rude words from the barmistress assaulted him from behind, but Tobias gestured for her to quiet down. "You're safe here. No one will look at you if you don't like it. You can relax."

He offered his flagon to her and placed it on the table. "Used to be field medics used whisky to clean nasty gashes. All I've got is this hopsy ale, but it ought to do the trick to sterilize that. Might sting a bit, though."

He neither offered his name nor asked for hers. Instead, he turned and headed back for the bar. "You're not going to talk to her about the whole thing?" Jara hissed softly. "She just shattered a glass with a bare hand. Don't you want to know why?"

"Not interested," Tobi said with a yawn. "Not getting paid to investigate domestic issues, and she's certainly not offering me to bring his tiny nuts back to her for satisfaction."

"All you care about is money, then?" she balked.

"No," he reclined in his stool and placed both boots on the bar. "I prefer not to get involved in the affairs of others. The fact that it doesn't pay is all the more reason not to."

Lora walked back in and strode past Tobias, shoving his feet off the surface. Tobias caught himself and scowled up at the girl, who smiled innocently. "No feet on the table," she chirped. "That's always been the rule, Tobi."

"And not even you are above the rules, Mister Stalt." Jara folded her arms smugly and Lora chuckled with her hand oved her mouth. "Now, if you want another drink, see if you can offer that woman any help."

"Fuckin' blackmail?" Tobias asked wide eyed.

"You're not technically part of this family, so I can cash your tab out any time." Tobias looked despondent as Jara leaned close to his face and her nose touched his own. "If you want to drink free, you do work. You know how to work, don't you, Stalt."

"Fine," he growled. "Now you're definitely not getting a ring."

Jara feigned heartbreak, both hands on her chest. "You wound me. Now move your ass."

Tobias slowly stood and with both hands in his pockets, he sulked toward the woman called Camille.

[darkest.desires.]

As the male offered her some relief that what was done is done and now harm had come to her shattering the glass. Blinking her dark midnight ocean blue hues at him as he spoke to her more, she wasn't sure what to say besides murmuring a thanks too him. As he walked away she caught the smell of rotting witch and her body went ridged with hate. Taking a deep breath in she slowly parted her lips as she pushed the air forcefully out of her lungs. Taking a swig of the ale before ripping a piece off of her already tattered cloak. Pouring the alcohol onto her wounds she hissed as it stung slightly, it wasn't over baring just an uncomfortable sensation.

Tightly she wrapped the fabric around her hand tying it off. The smell of witch still insulted her nostrils as her heart pounded. She wanted to run but her body stayed rooted to where she sat. I'll kill them all Camille every last one, all the people you love will die for what you have done to my coven. Mark my words you bitch you will die lonely and heart broken. You have taken from me my destiny and for that I will take away your fiancé and brother and you will be left with nothing!

The threat still haunted her to this day and the witch kept true to her word, first with Josh and him dying in the war his body to have never been found when he left to go catch the rest of the witches followers and than her brother, with the curse of the plague that took his life. She was indeed alone and her soul seemed to be slowly and painfully killing her between not being able to control her shifting any more or to be able to keep a decent meal in her stomach. Chewing on her lower lip as she racked a frustrated hand through her honey brown locks as she took another long swig of the remaining ale. Setting the cup down she had to close her eyes for a moment before opening them to find the male that had just offered her his aid for a moment to be making his way over again.

"Let me guess your wife over there isn't so happy about me breaking the glass and wants me to leave her establishment?" Her tone was soft and gentle as she stood from her chair, "I will pay for the glass and be on my way than if that's what she wishes.." Her head hung low as she tossed her bag over her shoulder before looking up at him her eyes meeting his for a brief moment before her gaze once again averted to the floor waiting for him to escort her out.

[Tobias Stalt]

Tobias stopped short and twitched at the assumption she had made. The expression on his face seemed almost comical, though it smacked of humor mixed with embarrassment. "She's not my wife, or my girlfriend, or anything else," he said quickly, "and she doesn't want you to leave. She wanted me to be sure you were alright."

He scowled back over his shoulder at the two women, now smiling brightly and waving at him. "And they won't give me any more ale until they're satisfied," he added gruffly. Tobias swept the chair across the table from Camille out and turned it so that he could sit in it backward. Folding both arms on the table, the Mercenary leaned forward and peered at the woman through dim, amber eyes. The odor of a drunkard hung on his breath as he exhaled a heavy sigh.

"You don't have to tell me anything," he whispered so that only she could hear. "I'll buy you another drink, though, if you like."

He loosened the cloak around him, which revealed the firearm that hung at his hip, but no other weapons seemed apparent. Tobias ran a hand through his messy hair that dislodged his hood, and his youthful features seemed pale in the low light of the tavern. Lora rushed over and pecked him on the cheek. "One ale," she panted, "on the house."

Tobias nodded his slow thanks, then gestured toward the other woman. "And another drink for this one, I think?"

[darkest.desires.]

Camille's lips parted slightly as her mouth fell open when he told her that the woman she had assumed was his wife in fact wasn't. "Oh... well...... umm okay..." Tucking her bangs off to the side so they were no longer draping in front of her face she glanced up at the male and than down at her hands in her lap. "I just naturally assumed because when I came in you guys were having what seemed like a lovers quarrel and than the young girl came in and I guess I just also naturally assumed by the way you too embraced one another that she was your daughter..." She could feel her cheeks start to heat up as she wasn't sure what to say so she continued to sneak glances of him and than down at her hands. "I hope you don't find me improper I wasn't trying to see if you were single, not that your bad looking or anything.." Slapping her good hand against her forehead she realized she had been talking in circles and seemed like she was hitting on him. "I'm sorry," she finally blurted out before shaking her head.

When he spoke of having to help her if he want to be able to continue to drink her face went blank and her full lips drew into a straight thin line, "I am not some charity case that you need to help you can tell your lady friend I am fine." She spit the words out at him as if they were poison in her mouth before folding her arms over her chest. She sighed lowering her arms as she could tell by the look on his face that she was over reacting, "look I am sorry I don't know ho to react to people any more and I went from what seemed like hitting on you to snapping at you in a matter of two seconds.." Her voice was low and she never looked at him but studied her hands that now sat in her lap as if they were something she had never seen before.

Arching her eye brow as the young girl that she had mistaken as his daughter placed the ale in front of him. A gentle smile danced across her red lips as he offered her a drink, "thanks but I think the way I have been treating you maybe I should by you a drink Mr?" She inclined her head slightly not having remembered that they exchanged names so holding her petite hand out towards the male, "I am Camille, just Camille and I would like to buy you a drink for my rude commentary early if you would let me."

[Tobias Stalt]

"I've known Lora and her mother for several years, now," Tobias told her in response to her confession that she believed the girl to be his daughter. "I met them during an especially hard time during the economic stall in Radasanth. With some of my meager income, I was able to keep their tavern afloat."

"Tobi's being modest," Lora pressed, and he glanced sidelong at the girl. "He's even managed to put me through school and pay off mom's debts-"

"Nevermind that," Tobias held up a warding hand, "I'm sure she's not terribly interested."

Lora scrunched up her face at him and turned to smile at Camille. "Don't worry about the cost of the drink miss, first one's on us." She cuffed Tobias on his head, to which he offered another scowl. "And you ought to be careful, Tobi. If you do that too much, your face'll get stuck that way."

Camille spewed out about how she wasn't a charity case and Lora simply glanced vacantly in her direction. She looked with uncertainty toward Tobias, who shrugged and indicated his drink on the table. The young girl nodded in understanding.

Lora walked toward the bar to get another drink like the one Camille initially ordered. "Anyway," Tobias continued with a wave of his hand, "it happens that I was just discussing with miss Jara that I don't do charity cases. No worries there."

His hands folded on the table in front of them. The drink sloshed on the table for Camille as Tobias leaned back in his seat. "Stalt," he stated, clearing his throat. "Tobias Stalt." He reached back to scratch his lower back and removed it with a closed fist.

He opened his hand to reveal a dangling necklace with a teardrop shaped gem. It dangled limp from his fingers and he gazed at it thoughtfully. "I knew a woman named Camille once," he added conversationally, "so maybe instead of a drink, you might just humor an old merc with some pointless chit chat?"

[darkest.desires.]

Cammy listened to the male speak of his kind actions, if she had judged him off of his appearance she would have thought him mean and cruel and distant from people but hearing about him helping the two woman in need made her smile softly. The smile lightened her hard features and brightened her dark haunted eyes up a shade or two. When the young girl butted into their conversation Camille's smug smile bloomed into a large smile showing both her dimples at the corner of her plump red lips. "Well that is mighty kind of Mr. Tobi to help you and your mother out when you needed it." She offered another large smile towards the girl and gave her a small wink. Camille's old nature usually only resurfaced briefly around kids and animals. Looking to the male as he cut off the child she shook her head causing her long flowing locks to sway with the motion of her head. "I don't mind hearing about your generosity at all." Her tone was soft and lightly as she glanced at the male before watching the girl, laughing lightly at her comment about his face. "Thank you," she called quietly after the child for having giving her a free drink.

Placing her hand back on the table as she watched him lean back with ease, nodding her head slightly. "Nice to meet you Mr. Stalt." Taking the cup into her hand she took a slow long swig of the liquid looking over the rim of her glass at him before setting it down on the table again. Tapping her fingers lightly on the table unsure of what to say, she wasn't used to having company any more let alone it being male company.

Upon seeing the beautiful necklace that he with drew a sad smile crept upon her lips as she could tell it was the woman that he had loved and lost. Her one hand clasped the necklace that hung on her chest, two vials intertwining one had ash in it the other what looked like spring water. A lump rose in her throat as she tried to force it back down by taking another long drink of her booze. Clearing her throat she nodded as if to agree with him that she would hold a conversation with him in payment for snapping at him like a ravage beast. "You don't look that old, after all I have been alive for about two hundred and fifty years give or take a few.." Sighing softly she still clutched the necklace in one hand while holding her cup in the other.

[Tobias Stalt]

"Two hundred and fifty," he mouthed the words with a slight intake of breath that stood between disbelief and incredulity. "I suppose this world has heard stranger things," he commented after a moment. "The occult and the arcane often add mysterious occurences to the doldrums of modern society."

His fingers rapped against the table in consideration of the assertion. "I spent several years in the collective of the All-Seeing Eye in Salvar." The best way, and the lightest, to put his previous and least loved profession; Tobias simply stated it casually, as though it were merely a matter of fact. "A Witch Hunter, you might call them, though to say that they simply hunt Witches is a brash misconception."

A cold fire burned behind his eyes at the grim recollection. Smoldering homes and decaying corpses littered the streets of Archen, a momento of the Inquisition that changed Tobias forever. In his mind, the screams would never still.

Fingers now steepled in front of him, Tobias looked over Camille from behind his hands. "My instinct is to believe your advanced age is a product of some form of magic, you see. That's why I mentioned it. I am no longer a Brother of the Eye, so you have nothing to fear from me. There are those you should use discretion when disclosing your age, however."

It was possible Camille already knew of this, however if she saw his attire and even remotely sensed the air about him, Tobias sincerely doubted she had previous knowledge of his former station. The glass droplet spilled neatly out from between his palms and he watched it dance sadly, solemnly. "But yes, I confess, you are certainly my elder. I am only aged six and twenty."

His accent closely mirrored that of Radasanth, but faint hints of foreign tongues licked at every word. To say Tobias was a native to any place now was a lie. "I came to this continent from the East," he told her, "almost ten years ago. I have seen many thing and been many places. Camille was the first woman I met here, an Alerian officer who served during the Assault on Eiskalt. She was brilliant with paperwork and beguiling, and her eyes shone like the sea beneath a billion stars. The one thing she truly wanted was freedom, and a life without constant war."

His gaze narrowed and his jaw locked, lips set in a flat line. "She did find an end to war, I suppose."

[darkest.desires.]

As the male talked Camille simply listened to him nodding ever once in a while, sipping on her drink though when he mentioned the group he used to be a part of her throat constricted and she started choking. Dropping her drink she started coughing and gaging as her hand clawed at her throat. Spewing the remnants of the liquid that was left in her mouth out as she gasped trying to force air in and out of her lungs. Her midnight ocean blue eyes started to fill with tears from the lack of oxygen she was not obtaining. Finally clearing her air way of the liquid she had just choked on she took a few shaky deep breaths. "I...I'm sorry," her voice was dry and raspy as she forced the words out.

Her body went ridged once more as she thought of the witch Angelique her dark green gems for eyes and white pale skin with long black raven colored hair. Her hand shook slightly as she reached for the over turned mug and placed it up right. "I'm sorry..." She could hear him talking about the other Camille the one that he loved and she tried to pay attention but she was fighting her mind and trying to get that horrid bitch out of it. Standing up abruptly she looked at him her eyes flashing from black to her stunning blue color, "I need air if you don't mind I am going to open this widow."


She didn't even wait for him to answer before she shoved the window open and sucked in the air not even minding the storm that raged on. "I'm sorry I just can't breathe..." She gasped over her shoulder to him before practically throwing herself out the window into a large puddle. There she stayed on all fours letting the rain beat down on her body. Her white tank top soon became see threw but she didn't pay no mind, she could feel a full blown panic attack coming on. Collapsing on the ground she rolled over and closed her eyes letting the rain mix no with her warm tears that slid down her cheeks. She knew the man probably thought her mad but she couldn't help it she felt the walls closing in and like there wasn't enough air in there for her. The cold rain sobered her thoughts as she could slowly feel her heart that was practically racing out of her chest start to slow down. "Why can't you get your shit together Camille..." she slowly asked herself as she sat there hearing the door to the tavern open and than close she assumed it was either someone leaving or the man Tobias coming to check on her.

[Tobias Stalt]

The rain beat down on both of them as Tobias stepped out into the torrent. From his hair to the clothes on his back, every fiber plastered themselves to his form. Still the pendant in his clutches danced, now wild and wicked as the crash of thunder in the sky accompanied it. Though she likely did not hear his words about his Camille, Tobias knew immediately that there was something more to the situation unfolding than he could see.

Tobias decided that he may have known from the instant she shattered that glass, Camille was no ordinary woman. He lifted the petite gem and placed it delicately and still dripping into the folds of his cloak. "Hardly a venue for catching your breath," he murmured mirthlessly. In the same motion, Tobias withdrew his pipe and struck a match to light it. Several puffs later, he exhaled a deep gray plume of smoke. "But, take your time."

He stood vigil over her because Tobias' acute senses often whispered harsh truths. Though few people wandered the streets of Radasanth in a storm, the ones who did often had less than desirable intentions. Aside from that, Camille lay on the cobblestones and writhed in visible agony. Tobias knew only several afflictions that caused spasms and fits of asphyxiation, not the least of which could spell trouble for anyone inside the bar.

He flicked the expended match aside and rested a hand on the grip of his gun. "You're not a fan of the trade, I take it." His words were flat, devoid of amusement or annoyance. Of the few blessings Tobias received from his training, practiced apathy seemed to be the most useful. "Fair enough. Neither was I."

With a soft grunt, he turned his gaze toward the door, where an uncertain Lora stood half hidden behind the threshold. "Go inside," he urged her with a smile. "I'll bring her back inside in just a minute." Lora matched his golden gaze with fear tempered trust. "Just a minute," he repeated, only half believing it himself.

"Too many people watching," he told Camille quietly. "If you're a skinchanger, you don't want them seeing it out in the open in Radasanth. City's crawling with a multitude of people, a great number of whom don't like things they don't fully understand." Tobias closed his eyes. "People like that don't come here often. But stories do."

He felt a host of eyes on his back, but Tobias ignored them all. "Come on," he coaxed her gently. "Another drink might do you good."

[darkest.desires.]

Camille gasped as her own skull felt as if it was splitting open, this agonizing pain seemed ten times worse than the first time she had shifted. A small whimper left her lips a she felt the bones in her hand cracking and stretching as her claws slowly extending. Before the death of her loved ones her shifts were a breeze hell she could even shift in mid air and land on the ground as a beautiful cinnamon colored wolf, but now in that void where her gentle yet fierce wolf once occupied now stood a blood-lusting beast that was merciless and cared for nothing and no one. "Oh god..." Her eyes shot open as the flashed black as the night time sky like they tended to do when she was shifting. In the distance she could hear the males low voice as she spoke to her but as she tried to focus on the low rumble coming from his chest her ribs started to expand and an agonizing scream parted her lips.

The faces of her dead brother and fiancé flashed like haunted ghost in her mind. Josh's warm brown eyes and olive toned skin, his smug smile on is thin pink lips danced along side of her brother's sun kissed skin that mirrored her own though his strong chin and light bright eyes shined at her. "I'm sorry I couldn't save you!! I am sorry! Please forgive me..." The first two statements she shouted at the top of her lungs only to be drowned out by the clash of thunder rolling to her side as she mumbled the last statement. If this is to be my life than I should just end it.. Having hit an all time low she couldn't help but to wish death upon herself.

As he tried to soothe her, she looked into his eyes pleading him, "distract me... I need you to distract me!" Her back arched as she gripped his shirt tightly as her spine began to crack, making painful sounds. Arching her back she let her hand slip from his shirt and cultch the cobble stone beneath her. As her spine tried to elongate itself the fabric of her now skin tight tank top and black bra protested to the shift in her from as tares could be heard from the fabric. If something didn't happen soon she was going to loose her self to that blood thirsty beast that lurked inside her. Looking up the male she took the dagger from his belt and cut deeply into her flesh. Gasping she drew the blade along her fore arm before dropping it to the ground and clasping her hand over her open exposed flesh. Her bones started to adjust back to normal as she held onto her arm tightly. "I... I had to distract myself from what was happening or I was gonna loose myself... To the beast inside me.." Avoiding she forced herself to stand with shaky weak legs, fumbling like a toodler learning how to walk for the first time she leaned against the building for support. "I am going to feel this in the morning... I'll take that drink now please..."

[Tobias Stalt]

"Here," Tobias muttered as he helped her to the nearest seat. Patrons gawked at the strange display, a foreign woman bleeding from a terrible wound. The mercenary quickly and efficiently collected his weapon before anyone could have time to appraise it, and he tucked it safely away. He motioned hastily for Lora to bring over some drink, and the girl dutifully brought over some of the house vintage. "This stuff is a bit classier than what you were drinking before, but you might prefer it at the moment. Pain's something that ought to be relished in, not covered up."

The strange look on her face that came in response illicited a shrug from the detached Tobias, who spent the majority of his time fixated on the wound she had opened. He had no healing proficiency of his own, but the time he spent in Alerar's military taught him the most rudimentary basics of first aid. He grabbed a cloth from one of the boys cleaning tables and wetted it with a half empty tankard of whisky. As he applied it to the wound, he watched carefully to assess how Camille reacted to the sting. If it went badly, he would have to send for a field medic. If all was well, Jara could med it with stitches of her own.

"Here," Lora offered with a smile. The wine she poured was a clear white, though the bottle was notably green. "It's called a "green wine," she explained, "only comes from the vineyards near Tylmerande, where the climate is right for it nearly year round. Dry, but fruity. Tobias remarked once that it-"

"Save the speech," he crooned softly, "it's better saved for when she isn't bleeding profusely."

Lora nodded quickly and handed the drink to Camille for consumption.

"Easy," Tobias said quietly to the newcomer in a quiet whisper, "the sensation will pass soon. Focus on drinking the wine."

[darkest.desires.]

Falling into the seat with the help of the male she still held tightly to her wound that she had inflicted upon herself. "I... I can feel my heart being tugged from my chest... Why, why is that every time my heart tugs I feel numb?" She gave him a weak questioning glance before she sagged deeper into the chair. Her vision became hazy for a moment before she focused back on the male's face. She could feel the blood loss was slowly getting too her as she watched a woman approach with a glass in her hand. "What? What is that? Are you calling me unclassed because of what I drink?!" Her words came out as a bark making her sound anything but human as she shook once more. Let me rip her throat out for disrespecting you Camille, let me bathe your body in her sweet warm blood!" The voice hummed in her mind purring like a seductive cat wanting nothing more than to please it's owner. She shook her head like a wild animal gripping her hair tightly for a moment as her bones started to shift again.

Moving her hand from the wound she watched the male with complete silence though a storm raged on in her mind. When the whiskey met her open wound the stinging made her press her full lips into a thin line as her eyes swept from midnight ocean blue to jet black and back. "I think I am going crazy.." She looked at Tobias than a certain sadness clouding her angelic features. "I am going crazy and part of me could care less and the other part knows that one day I shall be put down like the rapid dog that lies within me." A sound of laughter parted her pressed lips though the laughter was cut short when the woman started babbling on about the cup that held the wine.

There was that pull again in her heart that made her go numb and make her want to pass out, the minor lapse in her sanity made her forget that there was something wrong with her body other than the wound she had craved into herself. "Am I going to die?" The question was more of a statement her face paled from its olive-sun kiss skin paled from the loss of blood.

Taking the cup with a shaky hand she lifted it up to her lips and drank with much thirst. Slowing her pace when the male told her it would pace soon, finally her aching throat felt at ease. Leaning closely to the man looking in his eyes she whispered, "have you ever been haunted by something in your past that it drove you to the brink of insanity?"

[Tobias Stalt]

"Calm down." Tobias spoke sternly when she began to let out screams and feral sounds. Many patrons stared, and some stood abruptly to leave. Whether it was fear of disdain, Tobias did not feel the need to question them. All he knew was that Camille was in more danger if she attracted the attentions of the city guard. "You need to get it together.

"Drink," Tobias muttered when she began to talk nonsense. She gave the look of a woman overwhelmed by life, prattling on incessantly about insanity. Then, she broke into a fit of laughter.

Tobias had never dealt with wargs personally, or with any manner of humanoid "monsters," but he knew how others regarded them. Many eyes were already watching Camille, and many ears were listening to her. She needed to get quiet, and quickly. When she asked if she would die, he scolded her. "If you don't exercise some self control. I'm trying to prevent it."

He cleaned the blade she had wounded herself with and scowled. "No," Tobias responded. "I have a policy of dealing with problems so that they don't turn around and bite me in the arse. I don't often leave pages unturned." There were many aspects of his past that the Witch Hunter was not fond of, but he seldom worried over them. "Whatever it is that troubles you, eventually you must come to grips with it. In your time, in your own way."