crucio (crucio) wrote in cwf,
@ 2010-08-25 01:30:00

Locating Greer had been easy since Niko had an open and active connection to him. He was keeping Greer dormant until he knew who he was, and from there he'd decide on if he'd let him wake up or not. He could sense other supernatural beings around the sorcerer, which only made him even more suspicious of the man.

Once they got to Cold Water, Niko found a quaint little bed and breakfast and rented a room for them. He pinpointed Greer from there, and though he insisted Bae and Miles stay behind, he had a feeling at least one of them had followed him - if not both.

He was standing outside of the mansion, peering up at it with a frown. He knew exactly what was inside. Vampires, and a lot of them. That worried him even more about why this sorcerer was looking for Bae. Was he selling lycanthropes to vampires? Or sex? Or both? There was only one way to find out, but he wasn't sure how he was going to go about getting into the house.

That's when Morris happened along, and Niko sensed him as soon as the man step foot out of his car. Turning, he stared over at Morris for a moment. It was obvious Cold Water was a hot bed for the supernatural. Still, Nikolai could tell Morris wasn't a powerful necromancer. Not yet, anyway.

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is it daytime or nighttime?

impotentwaffle
2010-08-25 07:40 pm UTC (link)

If it didn't have to do with death, Morris was complete crap at determining what it was. Nothing about Nikolai stood out as odd--except of course the fact that he was anywhere near Bernie's mansion. While he was very handsome, he also didn't seem like the type of human who would be a blood donor. Then again, maybe the vampires had tastes he hadn't yet seen. For some reason, he could imagine Bernadette getting off on feeding from older, more established men as well as pretty boys.

"Hello," he said politely and started toward the mansion. He hesitated to ask what Niko was doing here because part of him suspected he didn't want anything to do with it if the guy was involved with vampires. Then again, Morris himself was involved with vampires now.

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probably late afternoon leading into evening soon?

crucio
2010-08-26 02:40 am UTC (link)

As Morris headed towards him, Niko was all ready assessing the situation. Would it be best to pretend as if he was there to be fed on? He got the feeling that Morris would look down on him for that. Maybe a little honesty would be the best direction to go in.

"Hello," he replied back before he nodded his head up towards the mansion. "There's a sorcerer friend in there that needs my help. Do you know him?" he asked.

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impotentwaffle
2010-08-26 04:09 am UTC (link)

Morris looked surprised. He hadn't expected a sorcerer. Though, perhaps Niko wasn't one, he just kept their company.

"I'm afraid I don't know a lot about what goes on in that house." He'd been keeping out as best he could, though it was hard to avoid it now that Shiloh had been hurt. "Lots of people go in and out of there though. I wouldn't be surprised if your friend was in there."

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crucio
2010-08-26 04:24 am UTC (link)

"All right then, only one way to find out," Niko said before he headed for the walkway that led up to the steps of the porch.

He sensed a strong vampire presence, one that stood out more than the others, and he figured that using magic would just trigger something so he opted not to. He was just going to wait it out, wait for something to happen. Maybe someone would come down and talk to him.

He didn't expect to see Mason there, not that he knew it was Mason he was looking at. The boy looked just as surprised to see him. It was easy for Niko to tell what Mason was, and he tipped his head to the side curiously. After a moment, he turned to slip back outside, moving past Morris who was just coming in.

"Miles, I know you followed me even though I told you not to," he called out, "Come out."

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impotentwaffle
2010-08-26 06:40 pm UTC (link)

Morris was interested in the proceedings. Mostly because he wanted Shiloh to be kept out of any danger that might be following on the heels of this newcomer. When Nikolai came back outside, Morris laughed. "I think you're paranoid--" he said, and was surprised when Miles stumbled out of the bushes of a neighbor on the cul-de-sac.

He let the shielding spell fall away and Morris frowned when his presence seemed to grow somehow. It was only because Miles had been dampening it before in hopes that Nikolai wouldn't notice him. Bae had not followed, at least. "Don't make me go back," he said with a sigh. "Please?"

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comment 1 of 2

crucio
2010-08-27 04:51 pm UTC (link)

"I'm not going to make you go back," Niko assured Miles as he waved a hand for the other sorcerer to follow him inside. "I'm actually kind of glad you followed me, even though I told you not to," he added before he paused to look back at his lover. "Did you really think you could fool me?" he asked with a slow smile before he shook his head, "Nevermind. Come look at this."

Once back inside, Mason was now at the very foot of the steps instead of in the middle of them, coming down. He looked perplexed, worried. He recognized Morris though they really didn't talk much, and he glanced at him.

"Who're they?" he asked quietly.

"Maybe a little," Miles muttered under his breath. Someday he would be able to fool Nikolai--probably not, but it was a goal of his. He glanced back at Morris, wondering who the hell he was, but he was very much distracted when he saw the other boy. "Mason!" he blurted. So much for any covert methods Nikolai may have wanted to use.

Morris offered a genuine shrug. "They're looking for a sorcerer friend. Is there a sorcerer that hangs out around here? This web draws in all sorts of flies, I guess. Apparently this one knows you," he said in reference to Miles.

Niko cast a look in Miles' direction before he returned his gaze back to Mason, who now looked a little disturbed and worried as well as shocked.

"Yes, that's what I was thinking," he told Miles before he looked back to the panther. "Is your name Mason?

"How do you know my name?" he asked, taking a step back up onto the stairs, as if that would keep him safe from the two strangers. At the mention of a sorcerer, Mason looked to Morris. "I - well, Greer. Mikhal's... boyfriend. He's a sorcerer," he mumbled, then his gaze went right back to Niko and Miles. "Who are you?"

"We're friends of Bae's," Niko replied, and that seemed to soften Mason up.

"Bae?! Is he okay? Is he here? You know Bae?" the boy blurted out rapidly.

Bae had tried to describe Mason to Miles. Miles had a fair picture of the boy in his head and this young man definitely fit the description. But he really hadn't been expecting to just walk into this place and find him. He'd been expecting something nefarious going on.

"Bae is fine. He's back at the bed and breakfast. Are you safe? Is this place safe?" He looked around the foyer. It was huge and rich looking. Just the sort of place whose owners could afford to purchase a living being. He glanced at Nikolai. "Does the thread really lead here? Maybe the sorcerer isn't bad."

"You'd be a terrible prisoner of war," Niko told Miles before he let his gaze flicker up the stairs. "Yes, it definitely leads here," he said before his attention went back to Mason. "Were you trying to find Bae?"

"He's here in town? Where - what bed and breakfast," Mason said as he started back to the door, but paused. Greer. "Greer - yes, he was helping me. He's a sorcerer, but something happened and he's been asleep since the day before yesterday. Mikhal is very worried."

Niko grimaced and offered Miles a look, then he returned his attention to Mason as he said, "I can fix that. Where is he?"

"In Mikhal's room, but he's - we can't just go in there. We have to wait until sun down. He'll be upset if we just go in..." Miles started, but Niko was heading up the stairs anyway.

"I don't want to stick around until sundown," he said firmly, and Mason really couldn't do much to stop him from following the thread right to Mikhal's room.

Niko slipped inside and went over to the bed where the vampire slept next to the sorcerer, and Niko reached out to touch Greer's shoulder to snap the sleep spell and wake the other sorcerer up.

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comment 2 of 2

crucio
2010-08-27 04:52 pm UTC (link)

"I would not be terrible!" Miles said defensively before the conversation moved on. He sighed and folded his arms over his chest, listening to the two of them. At the mention of the other sorcerer, Miles knew that this Greer person wasn't the sort of sorcerer who deserved to be put under. It had been for everyone's safety, but it had still been a mistake. He hoped the man would understand.

Heading upstairs, Miles was anxious to see a real life vampire. While Nikolai took care of Greer, Miles stood on Mikhal's side of the bed, peering down at him. He looked like a dead body, still in the way only dead men could be.

With a gasp of life, Greer woke up and threw his arms up as if to catch himself from falling. It was the left over reaction from when he'd fallen asleep in the first place. When he realized he wasn't on the stairs anymore, he flicked his eyes around. "What happened? Where's Mason?"

Mason was in the doorway, almost afraid to go into the room, but once he heard Greer's voice he slipped inside and went over to the bed.

"I'm here, I'm okay," he said softly. "These two men are friends of Bae's. They were looking for you."

"It's my fault, I sort of... Didn't know who you were or why you were looking for him, so I locked you into a state of sleep," Niko explained as he glanced over at Mikhal who was still asleep, then back to Greer. "I apologize, we'd just found some unsavory people who were trying to locate him while looking for this one," he added as he pointed at Mason, "And I wasn't sure who you were. Are you all right? You're probably sodding starving..."

Looking infinitely relieved when he saw Mason, he started to relax. When he realized he was in Mikhal's room, his eyes went next to him and saw Mikhal sleeping. It always sent chills over his skin to see the man so still. Reaching out, he touched his hand, wishing he would wake up, but knowing it wouldn't be for a little while still. He could still feel the sun just above the horizon.

"Sodding?" he smiled. Things were okay and since no harm was done, he could hardly hold a grudge against the man who was apologizing. "That's a very funny word. Are you British?" His sweet nature showed through immediately. "I'm all right. Thank you. Does this mean I helped to find Bae?"

It was nice that Greer was so understanding, honestly Niko had expected at least some anger or at the very least annoyance. With a nod, he crossed his arms over his chest.

"I am," he replied, "And I think we helped eachother, actually," he added with a faint smile. "We should get back to him, before he comes poking his nose around here and causing trouble. Would you like to come with us?" he asked Mason, and Mason nodded his head.

"Are you kidding?" he asked softly, "Of course I would."

"Best be off then, I'm not fond of being in a house full of vampires," Niko said as he turned on his heel, but glanced back at Greer. "I suppose I'll see you around again, thank you for being so understanding," he said politely, then he headed out of the room and down the stairs. When he saw Shiloh, he pulled out a tiny silver box from his pocket. "Give this to the mistress of the house as an apology for entering without her permission. Come on, M&M," he said as he smiled at Miles and Mason.

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impotentwaffle
2010-08-28 04:34 pm UTC (link)

Greer frowned a little at the comment about being in a house full of vampires. He'd never been around other sorcerers, so perhaps he was missing something about natural caution. Maybe he would ask later if the group came back around.

Miles offered a curious wave to Greer before leaving with the other two. Once they were outside, he looked uneasy. "Should Greer be hanging out in there? Shouldn't we have taken him with us?" Miles thought they could save everyone, regardless of their own choices.

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crucio
2010-08-28 07:20 pm UTC (link)

Mason was right behind them, and he frowned a little bit.

"They aren't going to hurt him, he's there by choice just like I was," he told the two.

Yes, he'd been fed from. But they'd sheltered him, clothed him, fed him. He honestly felt like it was a small price to pay compared to the things he'd been through in the past.

"Is Bae really all right? How'd you two end up... Wait, is this a trick?" he asked as he came to a halt, "You aren't bad people are you?"

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impotentwaffle
2010-08-29 04:54 pm UTC (link)

"If we were bad, I'm not sure we'd tell you. Well--I probably would because I'm awful at keeping a secret. But Bae is really all right. Nikolai rescued him." He'd paused for Mason, looking back at him. His face was nothing but honest and he gestured gently for Mason to continue to follow them. He was eager to get back to Bae, who he knew was probably pacing in their room.

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crucio
2010-08-29 09:07 pm UTC (link)

Mason looked nervous, but honestly even if they were bad people, at least he'd be with Bae again, right? Bae would be upset that he'd endangered himself, but to Mason it was very much worth it. He followed after Niko again to the car, and once they were inside he sank against the seat in the back while Niko drove.

The whole ride there he was a bundle of nerves, and Nikolai could feel the boy's excitement and apprehension rolling off of him in waves. The drive back to the B&B didn't take too long, and once they were parked he led the way.

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impotentwaffle
2010-08-29 10:48 pm UTC (link)

The whole ride back, Miles was turned around in the seat, straining against the seatbelt. He had about a million questions for Mason, but he kept them inside. "It'll be all right, I promise." He was working a bit of a relaxation spell on Mason, wanting him to feel all right with all that was happening to him.

When Nikolai came through the door, Bae was pacing, just like Miles had expected. His head darted up. "Did you catch Miles? I wanted to go too, but he wouldn't allow it. Said that sorcerers wouldn't capture and sell other sorcerers, but that I was maybe in danger."

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	crucio 2010-08-30 12:30 am UTC (link)
	"I caught him," Niko said, but before he could continue, Mason rushed into the room. He'd heard Bae's voice and he couldn't wait for things to be explained. For a moment, be just sort of stared before he launched himself at the other panther and wrapped his arms around Bae's shoulders and held on for dear life. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

impotentwaffle
2010-08-30 01:41 am UTC (link)

Bae was not the sort who reacted with a lot of enthusiasm for anything. He was reserved, having learned to control everything about himself. But seeing Mason made his eyes liight up with shock and excitement. His mouth spread into a wide grin as he sunk into the embrace. He could not possibly hold onto Mason any tighter without crushing him.

Finally, he felt balanced again, like his life was complete. All he needed had been to see for himself that Mason was alive and well.

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crucio
2010-08-30 02:22 am UTC (link)

Niko clearly wasn't use to seeing Bae so... Open. He actually really couldn't recall ever seeing a real smile from the panther, and the way his eyes lit up and his aura changed was quite revealing.

"We're going to go fetch dinner," he told the two as he reached out to tug Miles out of the room, knowing that the two probably needed some alone time together.

Mason barely even heard him, barely even remembered that they were even in the room as he held onto Bae and pressed his face agains the front of the other's chest.

"I never thought I'd see you again," he said softly.

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impotentwaffle
2010-08-30 06:13 pm UTC (link)

"I'm sorry for letting you go," he said immediately. Even though he hadn't had any kind of choice in the matter, he blamed himself. Deep down, he knew he could have fought. Their kind was powerful, he could feel power in himself, but he didn't have the courage to use it, not even to save Mason. He was so ashamed of that.

"I'm not letting you out of my sight again."

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crucio
2010-08-30 11:19 pm UTC (link)

"Don't, you have nothing to be sorry for," Mason insisted gently as he gave Bae a squeeze, and he pulled back after a moment to tip his head up and look at him. "A sorcerer was trying to help me find you, and then your sorcerers thought he was dangerous or something, but I'm glad they came to make sure because we wouldn't have ever known otherwise. Are you okay? They said they're nice, are they?"

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impotentwaffle
2010-09-01 06:21 pm UTC (link)

"They've been very kind to me," he nodded. He couldn't thank the two of them enough and he wished there was some way to pay them back. "I believe I'm even free to leave if I wish, but I knew they were my best chance of finding you. And if I couldn't find you, I knew i'd be so lonely." Bae had always been surrounded by people and even when they hadn't been the best of people he'd grown accustomed to it.

Bae didn't let Mason back away from him for very long before he had his arms snug around him again. He pressed his nose against his friend's neck. "You smell so good. I was scared I was going to forget how you smelled."

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	crucio 2010-09-01 10:22 pm UTC (link)
	Mason closed his eyes and he held onto Bae tightly again. He was almost afraid that it was all just a dream, some wonderful dream that he would wake up from. It wouldn't be the first time. "You feel like home," he mumbled softly, his brow furrowing up. He felt like crying and he was trying to hold back, but his eyes welled up anyway. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

impotentwaffle
2010-09-01 11:47 pm UTC (link)

Bae backed them up to the bed and pushed Mason backward onto it. He kissed his at the corners of his eyes, catching a bit of the overflow of tears on his lips. "That's because I am. You're my home. I'm your home. We are portable, which is convenient, but we have to be mindful because it's easier to lose portable things. But don't worry. I won't lose you again, all right? I'll do everything to fight to keep you, no matter what this time."

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crucio
2010-09-02 12:55 am UTC (link)

Mason opened his eyes so that he could look up at Bae, and he tipped his head up so that he could brush a kiss to the other's mouth.

"Okay," he mumbled softly as he tightened his hold on Bae's arms.

Now that he had Bae right here, he couldn't imagine being apart from him ever again. It had been so hard. He didn't want to go through having a part of him missing like that again.

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impotentwaffle
2010-09-02 01:27 am UTC (link)

The kiss made Bae's whole body catch fire and he flushed pink. Being with Nikolai and Miles, Bae hadn't had sex in quite awhile. Since they didn't seem to want him that way, Bae had just taken to ignoring his body. But with Mason beneath him, it all came back to him rather quickly.

"I haven't--I mean--I haven't really been keeping up on my skills." So to speak, anyway.

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crucio
2010-09-02 02:20 am UTC (link)

Mason's cheeks flushed, too. He honestly hadn't been thinking sexually when he'd kissed Bae, it's just sort of... happened. But of course he thought Bae was attractive. Bae was lovely.

"I haven't had sex in a long time," he admitted softly. "Not since I ran away from the sorcerer who bought me. I found a pack and I stayed with them. But it all sort of fell apart and now I'm just... drifting. Well, I was," he added with a shy smile, "But you're here so not anymore."

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impotentwaffle
2010-09-02 03:39 pm UTC (link)

It had been an immediate and embarrassing connection in Bae's mind. He wished he could see things innocently, not associate it all with sex. Moving to the side, he laid next to Mason instead of on top of him. He liked those pink cheeks, but he didn't indulge himself in kissing them.

"We can drift together, if you want. We can go anywhere together. You had a pack?" He perked up. "What were they? Wolves?" That was the most likely of shifters to run around in a group.

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	crucio 2010-09-02 07:52 pm UTC (link)
	When Bae settled next to him, Mason missed the weight of him on top of him, but he turned on his side and reached for one of the other panther's hands so that they could lace their fingers up together. "Wolves, but there were two foxes, too," he replied. "I think they're all dead now, though," he added with a frown as he furrowed his brow. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)