slow the eff down! // nadia

[Araziel Léon Vasilica]

1906

It was an average weekend night in the life of an Araziel. That was to say, he had been running late night errands for the bakery, fetching shipments from the market and scavenging off of late-night deals on supplies. The evening had gone fairly well, he thought, and after all was said and done, some time around midnight he could be found sitting in his cramped tenant room above the bakery, hunched over the tiny, dilapidated desk crammed into the corner.

The desk was situated just by a window, which overlooked the busy street three stories down. There wasn't much going on at this hour, even if this was a main street; most of the bars people liked to frequent at this hour were a couple of blocks over. There were a few drunk stragglers meandering about, but they were mostly harmless; still, Araziel had to stifle a snort as he watched one collapse face first into the puddles of water collected by the curb.

"Eww," he mumbled to himself, wrinkling his nose as he returned to what he had been reading. A slate was plopped on the desk, and a worn lesson book on English grammar was opened to a page. He'd been writing his answers on the slate with chalk, before erasing it again to work on the next page; one of the bakery owner's sons had lent the book to him when they had found out that Araziel couldn't write very well.

It was a bit stuffy in the room, and though the bay was usually cooler than inland, the start of summer had heralded high, high temperatures. Araziel leaned over the desk to crack open a window, then, sighing in relief as the cooler night air flowed into the room.

Interestingly enough, there was no lightbulb or candle currently lit to aid him in his studying; for all intents and purposes it would have appeared he was working only by the faint light of the moon ... but of course, that wasn't true.

This carried on for a little while longer, and gradually the worn pallet (a mattress on the floor in the opposite corner of the room) was looking more and more inviting. Rubbing his eyes, he dropped the slate and chalk and had just gotten up to go arrange his bed, when suddenly he heard yelling coming from the street below.

Blinking, he hopped over to the window again, peering around the shutters. He caught a glimpse of two figures disappearing around the corner ... and it looked like one was chasing the other?

More yelling. He could make out their voices - one was male, one was female. Thinking immediately that perhaps this was a domestic dispute or the like, Araziel backed away from the window, figuring it was their business, and someone would probably do something due to all the noise.

He sank into a seat at the edge of his pallet then, but the distant sounds of fighting continued. Araziel was proactive person in general ... and the thought of inaction made him uncomfortable. He fidgeted in his spot for a moment or two longer, before grumbling at himself in frustration and throwing up his hands.

Springing back to his feet, he hastily pulled on a jacket (hrm, he really needed to patch up the holes in the sleeves) and newsboy cap, threw a scarf on, and slipped his feet into his shoes before hurrying out the door. His room had a back entrance, which was nice; he could get in and out without disturbing the rest of the house, which was, as far as he could tell, asleep.

Darting down the outside staircase, he landed at the bottom, recovered, and then went dashing off, following the source of all of the yelling.

When he rounded the corner, he did expect the sight of the two people fighting. They looked well off ... pfft, figured. Probably some stuck up snobbish couple bickering about inheritances or their night at the opera or some such ...

No, but what he didn't expect was the scent of vampire - and the fact that the woman was trying to bite the man. Here? In the open? So indiscreet!

"Hey ... whoa ... ma'ams'elle, the hell are you doing?!" Araziel yelled, hastening over and quickly grabbing the woman from behind, wrapping his arms beneath her shoulder and trying to drag her backwards before any damage was done.

"Yes ... yes that is right! Get that thing away from me!" the man sputtered, straightening his hat as he edged away from the struggling duo.

"Oh shut yer trap," Araziel grumbled, not in the mood to deal with either of them. "Are you trying to get yerself caught? Leaping on random people in the street? What's wrong with you?!" he went on, wrenching the woman further down the alley as the man made a run for it.

[Nadia Evelyn Solis]

She could hear him laughing. She could hear him scoffing. She could hear a lot of things in the background. She sat on the side of a building her knees pulled up to her chest as she rocked back and forth the dark eyes set on something so far away that the nearest person couldn’t figure out what was happening. The teeth, the laughter, the scoffing; over and over she couldn’t keep things straight. She was with her father, they were pulling something from the ground. The flashback images were constantly running through her mind.

”Aha, there we go,” Kendrick grinned stroking at his stereotypical mustache. Pueblo, Mexico was one of thee poorest cities in all of Mexico. He picked up the clay pot with his gloves then picking up the tele brush. He made sure to hold it up to the sun as he brought a hand across his forehead to remove the sweat from his face in order to make out the details. ”Nadia…mija, Have a look at this,” He spouted. Nadia lifted the small pair of goggles from her eyes looking up to her father. ”This will make decent money with the higher up’s,” Nadia took the piece from her father her scratched up red finger nails trapping at the side. ”I thought we couldn’t see these pieces in the market?” Kendrick placed a finger across his lips. ”It’s nearly dark, I’m going to take Marillo and head towards the market to see if any vendors are left, clean up the mess and head back to the tents,” He turned on one of his brown boots before making his way towards the horses. Nadia rolled her eyes before placing her goggles down over her eyes brushing away a tiny piece of leather from the sand area.

Nadia tilted her head brushing a finger over the piece of leather to see scribbling made into it. ”Pap—“ Nadia froze when she heard a twig crack coming from one of the ruins. Se swallowed before standing up and pulling the small tool set under her arm. She continued to stare at a small window in the background before shaking her head and continuing to walk forward. She heard it again and froze before quickly increasing her steps. She made it back into the tent setting down several tools. She then shrugged off her tan backpack before flopping onto her tiny mattress. She could hear a few others talking in the background. Pueblo had become the hot spot after Carlos Manis found some ancient ruins that were far more advanced than the Aztecs. She placed a hand under her head yawning as she saw a few shadows move past the tent. That was when he came in. Tall black boots stamped their way across the sand. Nadia rolled her eyes sitting up. ”Loco! Shoes out,’ She shouted rolling her eyes. Call it a small twig of feeling under dressed but she swore he was too clean to be one of the many Archeologists on the site. ”I said, shoes—“ ”I know what you said Princessa,” He mused. His accent was very American. Nadia swung her feet to the side standing up. Her skirt completely covered in dirt and the cropped forest green shirt was hanging half open and untucked. ”Then do it,” The tiny Mexican woman stated.

”You have something that belongs to me,” He mused. Nadia immediately placed a hand at her side where she could feel the piece of leather sticking from inside of her pocket. Really? Was that what he wanted? He took a few steps forward grabbing her shoulders. ”Give it to me,” ”Madre Maria, okay.” Nadia quickly removed the piece of leather handing it to him. The tall man with long black hair growled tossing the piece of leather from her hand. ”Where is it, I’m tired of your games!” Nadia quirked an eyebrow and laughed. ”That’s all I have,” ”The vase,” He hissed once more. Nadia nodded her head realizing what he truly wanted. ”A male?” ”Last time I checked, yep, sometimes I wonder with his mustache—“ ”Shut up! I need that vase, get it back to me before tom—“”I don’t know who you think you are but I don’t take orde-“ The man leaned forward taking a deep breath in, he wrapped an arm around her waist dipping her. Nadia cringed as he flashed pearly white fangs in her face. ”Ohh…right. Well—vase, I’ll find it,””Good, pet,” He muttered before looking down winking once and then dropping her and then exiting. Nadia rubbed the back of her head before buttoning up her shirt and grabbing for her pack.

Nadia rocked back and forth when she heard him. ”—Pretty little thing like you doing out here in this trashy area, and alone too,” She felt him gently lift a lock of her hair from her shoulder. Nadia hissed. She then heard him laugh. His laughter was just like…his. Her eyes flashed up to the man that had squatted down in front of her. Nadia bit down on her lip gently, her nostrils flaring in the delight smell of pompous male. She gave another warning hiss as the man laughed a little harder. ”Prostitute on drugs, no doubt,” He remarked once more. The two other men that were in tow were a little more cautious and started backing away as she hissed. The man grabbed her hand yanking her to her feet. Her feet hitting the stone harder than the man had intended and quickly released her arm. ” Dance, pretty lady,” The twitching occurred once, twice, then the smell started taking over. Oh Madre, don’t eat them! Do I eat them? I just want their blood. Madre Maria forgive me!”

[/color] She thought as Nadia yanked her arm from him completely grabbing hold of the gold cross hanging around her neck. Her black hair falling against the forest green shirt; The top three buttons were still unbuttoned and her skirt was torn in a few places that shouted she had been wearing them for a little longer than necessary. One shoe was completely missing, but his smell. She inhaled once more as she grinned. The two partners that had been taunting with the man fled as Nadia backed him into the corner. ”SHOO, get away,” He shouted as Nadia took another deep breath before jumping at him.

Nadia just about had him when she felt pressure under her shoulders. She gasped as she could literally watch the food leave her. She whined almost like a wounded pup as she struggled against her captor. ”Por FAVOR!” She shouted her eyes locked on the man in front of her. The plea started getting a little more desperate. ”por favor…por…favor,” She whined as the person that was attempting to talk her down dragged her away. She hissed as the pompous man made another comment and her blocker told him to shut up. She growled pulling against the one with his arms around her. Nadia’s fight was in very short supply. She was so hungry, so thirsty. She attempted once more to break free of the boys arms before groaning once more and doing the opposite. She fell completely limp. He had asked her why something. He knew what she was? Was he like her brothers and father and would cast her away the moment he found out. But wait, how did he know? She inhaled softly and he didn’t quite catch her attention as the others had. She turned looking up to him. ”I haven’t eaten…in…” Nadia tried to calculate what day it was in her head but simply couldn’t. ”What is the date?” Rubbing at her left eye she could feel her energy at an all new low. It was the first time she truly saw the one that yanked her away. The cap, the accent, he couldn’t have been raised here.
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[Araziel Léon Vasilica]

"Stop it. Stop it! Calm yer ass down, you're gonna get yourself in trouble!" Araziel repeated in a hiss, knowing the night air carried sound all too well. He didn't let go just yet, keeping the girl in a virtual bear hug, but at least that rat had scampered off. "Shh, it's okay! He wasn't worth it anyway, trust me."

She was spouting something in some other language - Araziel vaguely suspected it was Spanish since a lot of the people around here were from Mexico, and come to think of it, she looked like she was too - but when she continued to struggle, he refused to let go ... at least until she went limp, at which his grasp on her loosened somewhat. Now he was trying to support her instead.

The contrast was a bit of a surprise, but Araziel did his best to remain calm. He could sense anxiety on her, naturally; Azi was incredibly skilled in reading people.

"The date? Er ... I dunno, Thursday?" Araziel rarely kept track of the days. Even years were harder and harder to remember as time accumulated in his brain, but ... but he shrugged off the trivial question, focusing instead on what she had said.

"You're hungry. Yeah, I figured that. Most people don't jump other random people in the street y'know. C'mon, come with me. I know where to go."

Azi still hadn't explicitly mentioned what he knew about her, but his relative calmness about the situation had to suggest he knew what he was doing. Besides, his disposition was friendly enough - genuinely friendly, not that sleazy kind of fake friendliness.

"Here, stay close. You're obviously not from around here." He offered her his arm, before at once beginning to hasten down the street, navigating a couple of corners. He seemed to know exactly where he was going.

By her weight he could tell she was weak, so luckily their destination wasn't far. He had led her through a labyrinth of back alleyways, until they had reached what looked like the backdoor of an establishment which was still open at this hour, the lights on in the windows, the door wide open, dressed with cheap velvet curtains.

It didn't take someone too long to figure out where they were. Even the most socially inept person would recognize it once they saw who greeted them: the madame of the establishment.

"Back so soon, Azi? You were just here this morning," purred the pudgy, heavily made-up older lady.

"I've a friend. She's hungry," Azi explained simply, adjusting his cap and shifting the woman's weight against his arm.

"I can't give her Katarina. It's too soon."

"Anyone else? I'll hook 'em up with a fresh batch of loaves tomorrow morning."

"Hrm, Serana might not mind," the woman mused.

"I'll throw in a pot of tomorrow's potage du jour, too," Azi wheedled insistently.

"Hahah, very well. You know how to please."

"Maybe I should work here then, too," Azi snorted, sticking his tongue out at her.

The woman laughed a deep-bellied, rumbling laugh. "Don't think you've got the hardware, hun. Come on, this way. Before your little friend faints." The woman beckoned them both before turning and waddling off into the building.

They passed a few courtesans and their greasy clients, but Azi paid them no mind, still leading the woman along down the hall, following the madame to a room at the end of one corridor.

"Here you are. Watch her though!" the madame warned, eyeing the stranger with suspicion. "Can't have any damage done to my workers."

"I will."

"And don't forget the soup tomorrow!"

"Of course not. Thanks, darlin'," Azi sighed, smiling faintly.

"O' course."

The madame left them alone, finally, and so Azi ushered the vampiress into the room, peering up and down the hall before drawing the curtain shut.

The room was furnished with all sorts of gaudy, mismatched items: elaborate imitation furniture, cheap false-gold-plated mirrors and candelabras, more curtains and beading ... the like.

Serana, the resident courtesan, was inspecting her nails when they entered. She was of average build, with perhaps a tiny bit extra, thanks to Azi's supply of provisions.

"You're the one that brings us bread, aren't you?" Serana chuckled, even while her gaze swept appraisingly over the duo. She adjusted herself on the bed, tucking her hair over her shoulder to expose her neck. "She's new?"

"Kinda'," Azi mumbled, looking to the vampiress. "She ... I don't even know her name yet ... forgot to ask." He blinked apologetically at the vampiress, before coaxing her over to Serana. "It 'aint glamorous darlin', but when ya' gotta' feed, there's not much room ta' be picky."

"Come on then," Serana beckoned, tilting her chin to the side while Azi sunk into a chair by the vanity, massaging at his forehead with his fingers, though he kept a close eye on the vampiress to make sure she didn't try anything crazy again.

[Nadia Evelyn Solis]

Nadia tore back and forth in his arms attempting not to exactly hurt him but at the same time he wasn’t exactly just as inviting. She tilted her head the moment he muttered that he wasn’t worth it. Of course he was! He was some disgusting pig of a man. He deserved it more than any other by stander that was just attempting to live their life. Nadia didn’t like the whole concept. She wasn’t even fully aware of what had happened until she attacked the first person. She had wanted their blood so badly. It had made her stomach ache, her mind wheel and she just wanted to make everything go back to normal. But the moment her Papi y Hermano threw her to the curb she knew that nothing would be the same. She had always traveled, they were decently wealthy for thieves that was. Kendrick claimed they were archeologists when in reality he sold off everything they found. It never ended up in a museum. She knew what he was doing even though he considered himself to be a Godly man. He claimed that not every human was perfect. The moment he found out that she desired blood in her diet he claimed that she no longer could be a part of the family. He claimed the Devil had taken her soul and if they were to keep her in their care nothing would go their way. In all honesty, Nadia knew he was just scared of her. She was scared of her. Nadia let out a low gasp as he muttered that it was Thursday. She had been abandoned for six days now. Six days. She growled as the boy included that he knew she was hungry. Did he really know how hungry though? She was about ready to suck the pompous man dry.

He seemed to actually care about her. He had just met her and for a stranger in a random area to be so kind was almost out of the question. Especially to someone like her. If her own father and brother couldn’t accept her what made him any different? Was he taking her to her death? Maybe she wanted to meet her death. Was it possible to die now? She stared down at his arm attempting to ignore it at first taking a step she realized she was going to need that arm. Maybe that was the best solution. For some reason she trusted him. Was it because she was desperate? Perhaps. She allowed him to lead and she followed the best she could as he quickened his pace she struggled to keep in step with him but as he continued to walk faster the more she pushed herself to keep up. The moment he stopped in front of the building she cringed. She hated these silly things. Nadia believed that a woman could work just as hard as a man and didn’t need to resort to pleasing men like the one back in the alley. Sure they made tons of money, but she couldn’t completely judge because she grew up a thief. Nadia stared her eyes drooping as the two exchanged in conversation. She felt an effortless smile form as he joked about pleasing. She still couldn’t figure out what he wanted from her. Why was he helping her? She listened as the other two spoke she wasn’t all the way there. She entered a room right behind him under control? What did she mean by under control? She used her left hand to rub her right arm feeling more than just slightly out of place. The entire room would have made her father pass out. The smell; The smell was so present here. Nadia leaned against the guy for support. She watched as the woman pushed her hair away from her neck. The desire; She couldn’t explain it. She didn’t want anything this bad. Not even Jorge in grade school. She had self-control! She stared at the woman that was beckoning as if she was so excited for Nadia to drain her. She couldn’t she could remember the others. She had never left one alive.

Nadia backed up as the guy attempted to push her towards her. Nadia’s hands started shaking as her nostrils filled with the scent. She wanted it so badly but at the moment she didn’t think she could bring herself to accept the fact that she could kill this woman. Did he know what she was? What she was capable of? Nadia turned towards the guy shaking her head. ”Senor…I do not think you understand…” Nadia turned towards her once more then quickly looking back. She began sweating as her lips started curling. She knew she couldn’t control herself. She had left three people lying on the side of roads. One was just a young adult. One who had just barely starting living their life and she had taken it away. Nadia was tired, hungry, and she was far from thinking straight. She didn’t want to frighten them but at the same time they were so casual about it all. Perhaps they would believe her. ”I CAN’T!” She screamed louder then she had intended. She grabbed the guys arm as if he was going to protect her from herself. She turned eyeing the neck that was so clearly present as Nadia’s eyes narrowed. She was going to lose control. She was going to turn into the animal. Her nails dug harder into the guys arm as she inhaled sharply. She turned quickly raven locks trailing her moves as she appeared next to her teeth acute as they sank into the skin and juicy delectable veins. It had been so long. Nadia’s arms gripped the woman’s as her eyes no longer showed remorse. She had given in. She was no longer a thief. She was a monster.

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[Araziel Léon Vasilica]

Araziel could easily tell that the woman was having some sort of mental argument with herself; she was conflicted. It didn't take him much to figure out that she had to be young - a young vampire, that was. But how young? Araziel had never had to suffer that learning curve like 'turned' vampires had; he was born into it, after all, and his mother - if she could be called that - had taught him from day one how to cope with his nature, a nature that was different from those around him.

Still, the woman's state of starvation, her brash attempt to attack someone in public, and now her doubt, even though she obviously needed to eat ... yeah, yeah she was new.

"Actually, darling, I understand better than anyone 'round here. You're starving. Eat before you make it worse," Azi asserted with a nod, continuing to support her by the side for as long as she needed it.

Hesitation persisted only a little while longer, before suddenly she had jumped at Serana. The courtesan winced at the woman's roughness, but put up with it all the same, the occasional whimper of discontentment escaping her.

Azi sighed in relief, though this time he sank onto the edge of the bed on the opposite side of Serana, his expression a mix of approval and concern. Honestly, the situation ought to have been awkward at best, Araziel having effectively coerced a random stranger into an act he regularly practiced on this and the other courtesans. But he understood her ineptness and understood as well her desire to reject it; it was only natural, as theirs was a society of humans, not vampires.

However, another problem arose: the woman was starting to take too much. The color had drained from Serana's face - again, natural - but her eyes were starting to go unfocused, and Araziel could see that the woman didn't look like she intended to stop anytime soon.

"Hey," he tried, gently at first, as he nudged the woman in the shoulder. "I think that's enough for now ... Serana's - "

That approach didn't seem to be working, though, and Serana let out a whimper, suddenly clutching onto Araziel's forearm.

Araziel didn't hesitate further.

"Ma'ams'elle, that's enough - ma'ams'elle - stop!" Araziel demanded, his voice rising. Without asking permission, he tore Serana from the woman's vice-like embrace; Serana half-collapsed against Araziel's side, and he carefully lowered her back onto the bed before immediately darting to the vampiress' side.

"Snap out of it," he commanded firmly, reaching up and cupping his hands to her cheeks and forcing her to look at him. "You gotta' learn to get a grip on that. I have the feeling you already made a few mistakes before."

His hands dropped from her face to her shoulders instead, still holding her steady until she got a grip on herself.

"How long have you been like this? You're obviously ... er ... new," he muttered, absentmindedly straightening out her hair for her.

[Nadia Evelyn Solis]

Nadia had lost all sense of humanity. It was completely gone. It was just like the moment she exited her tent. Her father’s best friend and another worthy member as seen by the members of their mass was sentenced to death because she didn’t know exactly what she was doing. He knew the moment he left her there to rot that she would do more damage to herself alone then he could ever cause her. The flesh against her lips was one of thee best feelings in the world. She couldn’t suppress the urge to suck the woman dry. If only that was the worst she did, none others that she had fed on ended up walking away from the ordeal. The boys barking was a far off voice. She couldn’t hear him. Her fingernails dug into the woman’s skin as Nadia’s teeth re-sank into their victim. The control wasn’t essential to her. No. It was just the blood. As long as that fill was met then she was able to cope with the smell, she was able to accept that she looked like some poor uneducated Mexican woman. She could hear something talking in the back of her head like those annoying birds that sang at four o’clock in the morning. It was hitting the back of her head over and over when finally the flesh that was against her lips was torn away. She groaned collapsing immediately to her knees.

Nadia’s eyes stared down to the carpet where blood slowly cascaded from her lips and teeth to the floor. She swallowed lifting a hand to her lips carefully attempting to keep the blood from escaping. She was disgusted with herself. She wanted more. She could hear him a little more clear this time. Her focus was slowly coming back to her. She felt…amazing. Her energy was restored and she felt like she could track down her family and make them pay for leaving her. Revenge…she was—she paused when she realized she was staring into the boy’s face as he was holding her face. She swallowed once more eyes avoiding him as he claimed to understand that she had already made a few mistakes. She didn’t want to talk about it. The smell was so tempting. At first it was just an accident. She had attacked without meaning. The second time however, she wanted it. The third time there was hardly anything left of the victim to attempt and dispose of. She turned finally letting his gaze lock on hers. She nodded in agreement as he claimed that she needed to get a grip on it. She had no idea how she would be able too. She wasn’t the same Nadia the moment she got that incredibly hungry.

She felt his hands drop from her face and she almost missed the presence of the hands. To her it proved that she was still living. She listened to his question attempting to think back. In total it couldn’t have been more than two weeks. She was approaching a month. For the first week and a half she had attempted to hide it. She lifted a hand to wipe at her mouth a little embarrassed that he had to witness her become a monster. ”Er—three days it will be a month, I don’t mean too…you know, honest…” Nadia started apologizing. She felt him move her hair gently and she tilted her head. ”I do not understand, my own family couldn’t help this much, why…why did you bother helping me?” Nadia turned to look back at the woman he had been calling Serena. She licked her lips before shaking her head quickly noticing how pale she was. ”Oh god,” She muttered quietly. She placed both hands over her face feeling completely helpless. ”I am de monsters that Mary Shelley and Bram Stoker enjoy writing about, I could have killed her! How—why, why would help me hurt people?” Nadia whispered her voice growing a little more faint. She hadn’t been able to suppress what she was holding back. She would rather be killed or locked up then hurt people. It’s why the first week and a half was so painful. She refused to feed and as she laid on the ground withering away she realized she wouldn’t die of thirst just shrivel. That’s when he force fed her. That’s when HE started the addiction, the crave, the need. Why would the complete stranger help her? She leaned forward leaning her head against his chest shaking her head back and forth. ”I don’t want to be some…some…terrible person,”

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[Araziel Léon Vasilica]

A few of the brothel's employees and patrons had been starting to collect outside the curtained doorway, wondering what all the yelling was about.

"Some like it rough," the madame joked, hastily shooing people away from the room and back to their business.

Serana was still lying down, her hand cupped to her forehead, but despite her obvious discomfort at the moment, it seemed no permanent damage had been done. Araziel cast an apologetic smile in her direction, and all the courtesan mumbled from beneath her shock of ebony hair was, "You owe me, hun."

Araziel just laughed quietly, glad to see that Serana was in good enough spirits to jest.

Turning back to Nadia, Araziel sighed, still keeping a grasp on her shoulders, both to support her and prevent her from getting any ideas and running off or going after the courtesan again.

"A month, hm? You're just a little fledgling." Odd as the gesture was, he chuckled, tousling her hair. "I'm guessing your family couldn't help you because ... because you're the only one who got 'changed,' right?" His smile faded a bit, concern washing over his features as before. He reached up, habitually adjusting his cap as he watched her.

"Hey ... 'monster's' a bit of a strong word. You don't have to be a monster if you learn to control it." He shook his head stubbornly. "Look, right now, the bottom line is that you didn't kill her. Which, by your reluctance, I'm guessing is a first. I don't know exactly what you're going through 'cause I was born a 'monster' as you eloquently put it - " he laughed quietly, albeit a bit dryly, " - but it's gonna be a learning process, no way 'round it."

He blinked when she leaned closer, and the faintest blush rose to his visage, though it was forgotten at her words. "Look, if you were a monster, or a terrible person, I wouldn't have helped you. But I've been around a while and to this day I haven't run across another ... er ... another person of the same nature as me. Maybe that's a good thing. Maybe some of them really are monsters. But you, you don't seem so bad."

Chuckling again, he wound an arm over her shoulders, giving her a reassuring squeeze. "If you're gonna be in the city for a while longer, I can show you some of the ropes. I mean, like I said, I've been like this since I was born, and I'm still here." He rubbed at her back with his hand.

Serana had recovered enough to turn her head to the side and watch the scene before her. Despite herself, she was smiling at the exchange.

"So ... what d'ya' think? You got somewhere to stay? You can come over if you want ... hot soup and bread in the morning, 's great. I make it myself of course." He beamed, proud.

"Thas' right, you owe me some of it too," Serana reminded him from her spot on the bed, giggling to herself.

[Nadia Evelyn Solis]

Nadia felt bad as she listened to Serena joke her eyes still locked at the neck and the leftover love bite that she had so willingly took. She looked back though the moment he realized how new she was. She nodded slowly not quite sure what to say. She didn’t live an amazing life but it was decent. She had a Father a past priest who was slightly corrupted and was on a ‘mission’ to recover artifacts for the church. In reality he was stealing them and pocketing more than half of the profit. He had talked herself and her brother in packing up and moving with him. The tents got a little old Nadia took pride in the way she looked…for three weeks. After three weeks of learning the trade, being dishonest, sleeping on the ground took a toll on the body and mind. Mathias did okay for himself. He ended up finding a gypsy and decided to bring her into the crowd. It was like a terrible joke. A dishonest priest, his daughter, and son who’s hooking up with a gypsy walk into a tent…Nadia laughed just at the mention of her family. ”You could say dat,” Nadia replied rolling her eyes. Her boyfriend no ex-boyfriend Carlo was probably the closest she had been to anyone during the craze of her life. But he wasn’t exactly very forgiving when her father pulled out the holy water. ”Mi padre attempted to exorcise me, Mathias y Mariella thought I had messed with the loca gypsies and Carlo… didn’t say anything, just let it all happen,” Nadia replied shrugging her shoulders.

”Mathias! Get de Roman Ritule, rapido! Mariella, windows, Carlo grab her, tie ‘er up,””I just don’t understand out all of de people in da room, por que mi?” Mariella adjusted the window before turning back towards the group of people. Mathias came back handing the book to his father. Ken flipped it a few pages lifting his hand in the air. ”There isn’t a diablo in me, Madre Maria, are you deaf? All of you calm down, I’ll tell what you what happened!” ”Por que Nadia, if it is you in there why did you attack Mariella, she is familia!” Nadia rolled her eyes glaring over to the small gypsy woman. ”Have you ever thought she’s annoying! Maria, if I have to hear about estrellas one more time I’m going to take your candle and shove it--””Mija this is not a punishment it is a cleansing,” ”Annoying? BAH! ”You never shut up,”
”Exactly!” ”Doesn’t mean you can turn into a monster and attack her…THING,” Nadia’s mouth dropped open as her father started talking ” Exorcizamus te, omnis immundus spiritus...”You’re all idiots, we are just wasting the sol!”Nadia groaned leaning back in her chair. That’s when the scent caught her nostrils. She turned back towards Mariella who was fussing over the scratch on her neck. ” hanc animam redintegra...” Nadia’s fingers started pulling at the rope that Carlo had used to tie her to the railing. ”lustratus! lustratus!”

Kendrick paused staring down mouth hanging open. ”No, I do not understand! Nadia…the spirit,” Nadia yanked once more and freed both hands turning narrowing her eyes at Mariella. She paused looking back towards her father. ”God probably doesn’t trust you anymore, I know Maria sure doesn’t,” She replied with a grin. Nadia turned moving towards her. Mathias paused shielding himself in front of Mariella. ”You would never hurt someone, Hermana! Nadie…Nadie…C’mon, stop!” Nadia shoved the her brother aside before lunging at the girl. Her teeth ripping at the flesh. Her mind was wheeling with how strange the whole thing was but her stomach, her throat begged for her to get more. She wanted more. Screaming. Nadia heard a lot of screaming. She could feel Carlo and Mathias digging at her back but at the same moment they finally got her off of Mariella. Her neck was completely thrashed. Nadia licked some splattered blood on her hand before turning and looking at the others. All stared wide eyed at her. She curled her lip as if to hide the new found teeth but at the same moment she realized she had just made a huge mistake. She turned looking back to Mariella as reality sunk in. She did that. ”MONSTER! DIABLO!” He yelled as Carlo grabbed his shoulders. Kendrick clasped the book closed throwing it across the room as he grabbed an object that was out of her line of vision when it happened. Black.

She shrugged her shoulders attempting to prove that all of their betrayal didn’t sting as much as it had. She was lying to herself, she couldn’t control herself that day a little less than a month ago. If it wasn’t for him she would have done the same thing to Serena as she did to Mariella. She watched as he adjusted his adorable hat before claiming that monster wasn’t the right word. Then it all fit together. He was one too. Made sense, she figured he either knew someone or was one but he seemed too decent. He wasn’t anything like the other bastard. She nodded. A Learning process well she was a decent student. That was until their father decided to pick up everything and leave. She wasn’t quite sure how much learning she was going to have to do but part of her trusted him. He was the first person that didn’t simply turn his back on her and even attempted to help her. She had leaned on him taking in the sense of comfort he offered. She hadn’t ever done that to Carlo. Nadia wasn’t just some girl that needed other peoples help. She was dependent but given the circumstances her leftover human qualities were being overshadowed. ”You haven’t—met others? –er they are not as kind, obviously.” Nadia stated thinking of the two others she had now met. Nadia brushed hair from her eyes as she let a low sigh out breath she didn’t know she had been holding. ”I don’t know how you could tell, when I get really hungry…I’m hardly myself, even if there is a good person somewhere, why would you risk it?”

He had a point. He was alive and didn’t jump at people the moment he got around them. She actually felt better herself. She wasn’t longing every person she walked by. Was that the trick? To keep it at bay? The desire and needs? She wasn’t tempted to feed at the moment. She knew it was probably because she had almost killed Serena. Everything about him was comforting would it be terrible if she stuck around a bit longer. She felt his hand on her back and it made her shiver, she could learn things from him and maybe she wouldn’t have to figure out how to kill herself to end the misery. Maybe with him, she could be something again. He was offering her a place to stay, food, how could she even attempt to repay him? She nodded slowly smiling glad that Serena could at least joke. She nodded slowly standing back up not far enough away that would have caused his arm around her shoulder any pain though. She outstretched her free hand towards his free hand ”Nadia…” She stated. It seemed like introductions were almost unnecessary but she still didn’t know his name. She was feeling more and more like herself now. The scratching thing inside had finally stopped. The animal was satisfied and it allowed her to feel more alive than ever. She plucked the cap from his head pulling it on her own before looking back to Serena giving her a soft salute before she stepped past the curtain. She flared her nostrils once as she stepped into the main hall taking in everything. Some people have a lot more iron in her blood and it wasn’t exactly appealing. ”Does de smell…does it ever go away?” She asked jumping when something slammed against the wall next to her. ”Aye, can we just pretend they were also berry hungry,” Nadia turned back to him flashing a smile.

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[Araziel Léon Vasilica]

"Exorcise ... ? Like ... they thought you were possessed?" Araziel asked, blinking stupidly. Well, it kinda' made sense to him. He'd heard of crazy things like that going down, but he'd always assumed they were just fanciful stories that people made up to scare little children.

He didn't know who she was talking about, but he assumed the names were names of her family. His gaze fell briefly at that; he didn't quite understand what it was like to have family betray you like that - his mother had abandoned him, yeah, but his father, Léon, had been so kind and understanding that it had made up for Clarisse's disdain for her offspring.

"Eh ... I've heard stories. The only vampire I knew was my mother, though, and she was cold as ice." Araziel wrinkled his nose. "Nothing inherently evil, though, but I didn't know a lot about her." He shrugged.

But as the girl went on, Azi shook his head again. "Don't worry about it, darlin'. Stick with me and you'll be fine." He clapped her on the back. "C'mon, the alternative is roaming around and trying to get a hold on your instincts by yourself. Strength in numbers right? Says the person who's lived alone most of his life, but, y'know, maybe God threw you in my path for a reason." The smile returned with renewed optimism, and he grinned up at her when she stood.

"Araziel, but you can call me Azi ... everyone does," he grumbled, clasping her hand nonetheless in a firm, sincere handshake. He'd just made to stand as well, when his hat was plucked from his head, and he frowned at her, springing to his feet, before bursting into laughter at how it looked on her.

"Don't forget Azi! Or else it's vodka tomorrow and I know you hate vodka in the blood," Serana warned jokingly as they departed from the room, Azi just rolling his eyes at her and waving goodbye.

"Smell? Oh, like of blood? I dunno, it's always been there. Like anything else. You'll prolly get used to it," he mused, straightening his scarf, and wincing at the sound of something hitting the wall. Not really interested in finding out just what was going on, he raised a brow and then began to steer them towards the exit, waving the madame goodbye, along with a couple of other courtesans he knew. He didn't appear ashamed about it though; it wasn't like, to him, anything unsavory was going on. Silly as it might have seemed, the only thing Azi ever took from them was blood, nothing else. And he always made sure to repay them in food! So really, it was like trading food for food ...

Chuckling to himself at the thought, they emerged back into the slightly muggy night air. By the bay, it was always a bit foggy, especially at night, and especially in winter.

"C'mon, this way. I live above the Boudin family's bakery. Been working there for a few years. It's what my dad used to do, own a bakery and all. I've never really strayed far from the profession. Worked at a winery as a wine press, a cafe as a sommelier, at a charcuterie ... patisserie ... you name it. Food's a universal language!"

Araziel was obviously the chatty type, and he grinned at Nadia as they meandered down the sidewalk, his hands shoved into his trouser pockets. "How 'bout you? What do you do?"

Their path eventually brought them to the bakery, which was of course one of many buildings crammed into the row that lined the street. The side alleyway led to a rickety staircase up the side of the building though, which climbed back up to the private entrance Azi's room had.

The room was below the Boudin family's rooms, but above the bakery itself. Seemed suitable, right?

The place was cramped at best, and the only light was the moon streaming in through the window. The lamp had since gone out (that was fine, he was low on oil anyway), and Araziel's dog, Panny, was snoozing in the middle of the pallet on the floor in the corner.

"Well, 's not much, but it's a roof and a bed," Azi proclaimed proudly, sweeping an arm around as if he were presenting it to her. He shut the door behind him; it took a couple tries (the hinges were kind of off), but once it was secure, he skipped over to the desk to put away what he had been working on, which was really only a book and chalk and slate, but he arranged them in a neat pile nonetheless.

Still, he kept his voice down, since the family was sleeping. "So in the morning, I'll let them know you're with me. It should be fine. They're a really nice family. And ... oh and this is Panny," Azi chuckled, picking up the slightly malnourished Pomeranian from the floor; the pom had come over to sniff at Nadia, curious about the newcomer.

[Nadia Evelyn Solis]

Nadia nodded her head as He asked if her father was crazy basically, yep. Why si he was. The man was so wrapped up in his honor to God that he forgot some of the basic commandments about thou shalt not steal and such. She couldn’t judge her father for the man he was. He just wanted both ways. She knew it had occurred before but she just never thought it would be her father. ”Si, he tried everything but big surprise, exorcism doesn’t cure this,” Nadia mused. Nadia listened as he told about his own family. She nodded softly feeling slightly bad about the circumstance of not knowing his mother but at the same time if she was cold as ice Nadia wasn’t quite sure that was a bad thing. All things considered he seemed pretty up beat perhaps if she stuck around he wouldn’t be the person he was today. For not smiling in a month today was rare, the smile never left her facial expression as he claimed that perhaps God had thrown her in his path for a reason. Things with her and god had been rocky lately. Maybe it was time to apologize. It wasn’t everyday a Priests daughter was a vampire and he would understand that she was just confused, wouldn’t he?

She grinned and he clasped her hand she tightened the grip on it noting his name. It was beautiful. One of the most tragic stories in demonology; Of course she enjoyed it even more now. Proof that ugly things could still live and prosper. Nadia had made her way out as Azi explained that he’d always smelt the blood. It would make sense since he was born into it. He never had to get used to the smell of how iron-y it was. It smelt absolutely terrible. She nodded as he claimed that she would get used to it. It seemed that was how most it would have to be. Eventually she would learn everything. She was just glad she was feeling more like herself. She hated being the monster that was trapped inside of her. She followed Azi it was nice being able to walk instead of having to drag a foot like a pathetic monster that needed his arm for support. She listened as he explained that he was a baker. She had never really learned the fine things in life. She had been a fresh college student before being yanked into the field by her father. And in college the fanciest cuisines were tortillas. ”You’ll have to teach me, embarrassing yes a Mexican young woman should know how to cook y clean, and know their place in the kitchen and get married…” Nadia had never really pictured that life with Carlo. Because she had no mother her father did all the picking and his taste was awful. It was what her father wanted and she would much rather be in her large brown boots and olive green skirt in the dirt then wear a dress in the kitchen.

Nadia could possibly learn a bit more from Azi then she had originally thought. His genuine kindness was something she truly admired. She was often taken advantage of her personality out traveling. She hardly ever mind. If Mariella wanted to constantly steal the water from jug she would simply be the one to walk and fetch more. Perhaps, it was the reason why Mariella was the first person Nadia attempted to attack. All the pent up small frustrations burst. ”Me? Oh…well I was starting school just doing some generals at first. Then Mi Padre yanked us all out and we ended up hitting the road for a couple years. We are—“ Nadia paused she wanted to claim they were real archeologists but she knew better than that. She couldn’t really pretend. Especially to someone who was so truthful with her. ”If we had the correct paperwork, we would be called archeologists, keepers of the past, preservers, excellent finders, or just people who like to dig in the dirt,” Nadia stated with a small chuckle. ”But in reality…mi padre let the greed get the better of him, actually it’s half the reason I am …what I am today because of an object we dug up on accident,” Nadia’s dream was to eventually break away from her family and go back to school and be one of the people digging with the correct paperwork. Just because her father didn’t exactly practice what he preached didn’t mean she couldn’t. She would have to repent for murder, did they even allow that in confession? Forgive me Father for I have murdered….a couple of times.

Nadia had traveled a lot but not usually in large cities. Her eyes continued to widen as they passed several buildings. She was very easily amused. She spent most of her time with dirt, tents, and horses. That was about her life. She followed closely behind Azi as they walked up the stairs. She smiled gazing up at the room and noticing the doors. It was just like how she used to remember living. They lived in the back of the church where her Father often preached. It was also very small so Azi’s quarters were very comforting. She smiled as he opened the door surprised that he would want to share his quarters with her. But none the less she was completely grateful to many things he had been doing. ”Not much?” Nadia asked turning to gaze at him. ”Dis is wonderful!” Nadia’s accent slipped a couple times when she got really excited.

Nadia squeaked the moment her eyes laid on the tiny puppy. ”Aye, que son adorables!” She smiled leaning over Azi scratch the tiny pup behind the left ear. ”Mucho gusto, Panny!” She smiled letting her hand fall to Panny’s back gently stroking the small puppy. ”We never had a dog,” Nadia replied tilting her head to look at Panny a different light before dropping her hand turning to look at Azi. ”I had a horse? Does that count? Coraje, was his name. It means courage—and spirit in Espanol. Sometimes I felt like he was the only one that really liked me,” Nadia replied smiling her smile soon fading as she realized that Carlo probably had taken him and was using the whip he always used against him. She shook her head to the side noticing the chalkboard, the smile quickly returning. ”Do you go to school Azi?” She asked remembering his name. ”You’re name…es muy bonita, very beautiful. The story behind it—me encanta stories,” She turned smiling back to him. ”I think it’s why I like digging up artifacts so much they all have stories,” She replied turning and sitting on the small pallet looking down to her bracelet before noticing just how dirty she was. She had been dropped off in the city after spending all day working, she pushed a piece of black hair behind her ear before looking up to Azi, smiling.

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[Araziel Léon Vasilica]

"Ooh ... so you're from Mexico? I kinda' guessed from your accent but ... I dunno, some people get offended if you guess wrong," Azi pointed out with a snort and a roll of his eyes. "Well it doesn't sound like you're a very traditional gal - nothin' wrong with that. I'm the one who cooks. I should be a housewife, really," he mused aloud with another snort. "But I mean, didn't really have mum around, and I had to take care of my father once I came back from traveling. So you learn to be self-sufficient. Even if self-sufficiency means doing all the 'girly' things. Cooking, cleaning, sewing ... y'know, those're good skills ... "

He was quickly distracted by Panny trying to leap at his face to dot kisses over it, and he spluttered, laughing as the dog clambered onto his shoulder to attack his ear.

"Stop it, that tickles!" he laughed, waving Panny away. The dog was more than happy to tumble into Nadia's arms instead, where he proceeded to do the same thing to her.

"Oh ... school. Your family must have been prestigious then," he mumbled, envisioning her academic adventures: grand, neoclassical-facade buildings, tall and spacious libraries, dusty museums ... until she mentioned her father being greedy. Huh. Maybe archaeology wasn't as prestigious as he thought.

Azi seemed to be positively ecstatic that Nadia found his living space suitable; it didn't cross his mind at all that she might just be lying to make him feel better.

He seemed to find the news of her having a horse to be impressive, mostly because horses were expensive animals to acquire and maintain. Dishonest or no, Nadia's father must have enjoyed quite a salary.

"Ah ... I haven't ridden a horse in a while. I never had one, but I was a coach driver in Lyon once ... "

The question of school made the slightest flush rise to his visage, however, and he quickly shook his head. "Non ... never. Too expensive. And I'm pretty good at what I do, and it's always been enough to get by, so ... never really had the time or inclination to go. Well, I guess the closest I had was my stay at a monastery ... but that's a long story. They taught me to read and write some Mandarin. I can read French okay now! My writing's not that great though ... and I'm trying to learn English too."

He was babbling, probably to try to cover up the fact that he was a bit embarrassed about the reading bit. It hadn't been a problem when he was growing up, and when Léon was still alive, but now it seemed there was an increasing need for the ability to read and write.

"Name? Bonita?" Araziel burst into laughter as he straightened the chair at the desk and then padded over to his pallet to straighten the blankets and two pillows - he'd have to share one, he supposed. "I didn't know there was a story. The name - and my middle name, my father's, Léon - are all I have left of my father. Well, that and everything he taught me about the culinary! He didn't have anything material to pass down to me so ... "

Trailing off with a shrug, he toed his shoes off and plucked his cap from Nadia's head, tossing it onto the desk chair.

"Why? What's the story? Tell me it. Or any of your stories," Azi insisted as he shed his scarf, draping it over the chair as well. He plopped onto a seat on the pallet, wriggling out of his shirt as well, then the trousers too, which were replaced with a looser pair. Evidently he didn't have much in the way of modesty - that could be blamed on both his station in life and his being French.

Panny seemed to be in the mood for storytime as well, as, seeing Azi was settling down, she came hurrying over, jumping into his lap.

Azi just laughed and settled onto his back, Panny sitting on his stomach whilst blinking expectantly up at Nadia.

[Nadia Evelyn Solis]

Nadia shrugged her shoulders she had no idea why people were offended if their origin was guessed wrong. Then again Mexico was considered one of thee poorest places to live within the Latin community so she supposed if a Spainard was mistaken for Mexican things were highly messy. Nadia was impressed that Azi had already gathered she wasn’t very traditional. It was true. ”You’re right, I am not. We are meant to be silent and stand by our father/husband but I guess I’ve never done that very well. I speak to much for a woman from my hometown especially.” Nadia shrugged once more trying not to really care too much about it. ”No, no, no those skills are berry berry good, I admire chu! I do!” Nadia giggled though the moment the small puppy found its way to her arms licking her face. She liked Panny, she was already growing attached which would be difficult seeing that she would end up having to leave Araziel and Panny eventually. This was temporary to get her feet back on the ground. She wouldn’t impose on Araziel after all that he had done for her. Nadia shook her head as Azi claimed that they must have been prestigious. ”Ah if only. Mi padre battered with someone that told him a sin and forgiveness was putting mi hermano into school. Mi hermano hated the idea of school so while he ran around with his novia Mariella—who is a gypsy by the way, I traded my skirt for some trousers and my necklaces for a tie,” Nadia laughed remembering impersonating Mathias all the time, it wasn’t hard to do and their father never found out—until later.

Nadia shrugged. ”School and learning fascinated me and if he wasn’t going to use it then I would. She attempted to imagine Azi in his little cap ushering a coach. It was the most adorable little image she could muster. She grinned opening her eyes. ”All of your jobs are so wonderful! I would have loved to drive a coach, watch all the senoritas in their fancy gowns, their hair a top of their head!” Nadia murmured picking up the black curly mane trying to put it all on top of her head before laughing. Her father would have scolded her by now for dreaming and pretending. He claimed that false images in the mind were dangerous. But it was how she got through her day. ”Lo siento…” She chuckled dropping her hair and placing her arms back in her lap. ”Sometimes my mind wanders, father would be disappointed,” She chuckled slipping her jacket off and placing it on her lap. Nadia grinned as Azi claimed he was attempting to learn English. ”You can teach me your skills and I will help you with English, maybe even a little Spanish too, no?” Nadia smiled giving him a soft wink. She probably changed entirely since the moment he met her in the alleyway. He had plucked her off the street at her worst, things could only get better.

Nadia nodded as Azi started laughing as she claimed his name was beautiful. She bit down on her lip looking away from his gaze, her pinks flushing a bright pink. She knew her story talk was a bit out of sorts for most everyone. Even Carlo often told her to silence her mouth that it wasn’t becoming of her to talk in such a way. ”But Araziel, de gifts—the skills are far more important den material things! A name and the way you provide for yourself will out live a jacket or watch,” Nadia stated turning to watch him. She wanted to say that the story of his father was what was really important but he had probably had quite enough of her running mouth lately. She didn’t want to annoy him on the first night and regret inviting her. She grinned the moment he pulled the hat from her head tossing it onto his desk. She folded the jacket over her lap once more as Azi asked actually asked for a story. She knew her facial expression looked stuned. ”I—er—really?” Nadia’s eyebrows arched in question if what he was asking was what he truly was asking.

Her cheeks flushed pink the moment he started undressing. She had grown up with her father and brother in the tiny backroom but he was still a very religious man and that was just simply out of the question. Carlo made sure to keep a safe distance away as well because Kendrick was always watching his every move. Beside he didn’t have the nerve to attempt and disobey him in fear of losing Nadia’s promise. ”I…just no one ever likes to hear me tell stories,” Nadia whispered a little quieter. She kicked her boots off gently so they landed next to the pallet before turning to look at him. ”De name seems a proper story to start width,” She watched as Panny curled up in Azi’s lap. The past few hours had made her more comfortable with Azi y Panny then she was with her familia the past couple years. ”Araziel was an angel of God,” Nadia laid on her stomach so she was just a few inches away from Azi and Panny. She pulled a charm from her bracelet. One of the Madres had given her when she was just a girl. It was a small angel she offered it to Azi. ”It was tragic, he had given into temptation of longing for a better life then heaven. So he decided to come to earth and experience life here. Well let’s just see Araziel really enjoyed earth,” Nadia giggled. ”He enjoyed woman and the fine things that Heaven didn’t have simply because it was a sin,”

Nadia leaned closer to Azi. ”So God punished him, making him walk among de mortals! He claimed that if he wanted to be down there that bad then he could stay,” Nadia leaned away tilting her head. ”Araziel didn’t tell God that he had fallen in love with one of the many daughters of his while on Earth, Nadia sighed leaning her head against the wall. ”She had fallen in love with him too! He was sad he was casted out of heaven but at the same time he would be able to stay with the daughter. But then Lucifer got in the way. Just because Araziel was a fallen angel didn’t mean he wasn’t a good person, Lucifer threatened Araziel if he didn’t start causing havoc as a fallen angel that he would hurt the daughter and take her away,” Nadia leaned back up onto her elbows looking Azi back in the eyes leaning in closer to him. ”But Araziel couldn’t do it, he was a good person in his heart. So Lucifer took her and promised to torture hell and make her absolutely miserable! Araziel was crushed!” Nadia sighed playing the story out better with facial expression then words. ”But he found her! She had been turned into a prisoner of hell. But God found out and would not help Araziel rescue her, he had to by himself to prove his love for her to God.” Nadia placed her chin on her hands. ”So he did, Lucifer claimed by trying to rescue her he would completely lose his wings. But he loved her so much it didn’t stop her, aye amore,” Nadia sighed once more turning her head to the side pushing the black hair from her face.

”He did it though, he flew down to hell with white wings and fetched his lover from the grips of Lucifer. Lucifer let him because he knew what was going to happen to Araziel. God watched also impressed by his strength. Araziel fetched her out of Purgatory and as she clung to him she watched his wings turn black,” Nadia sighed taking another charm from her bracelet that was of wings handing it to Azi as well. ”He was turned into a demon because he had gone into hell without the touch of Lucifer and it had tainted him. God knew it was going to happen but it proved to him that he loved the daughter. Lucifer often tempted Araziel to do terrible things since he was a demon anyways but he never gave in. Lucifer would send terrible sickness to him and would constantly try to break his will but he never budged. God gave the daughter antidotes and medicines to help heal Araziel and let him keep one of his daughters. Nadia turned her bracelet around this time it was just half a wing handing it to Azi. ”Araziel did lose his wings entirely, but with the daughter she stayed by his side helping him heal and she actually took a few stabs at Lucifer herself when he came knocking trying to hurt her Araziel. The two loved each other so much that when it came time for the daughter to die, God granted her extra time to care for Araziel, he thought he was unworthy most of the time but the daughter knew his heart was pure, and she stayed together,” Nadia turned her bracelet to the last charm that was a heart handing it to Azi as well. ”When they were together nothing could truly hurt them because they always watched over each other,” Nadia laid her head down smiling up to Azi. ”Bonita, no? y so far Azi, you have lived up to that name. Your heart is just as pure,” Nadia grinned outstretching an arm to pet Panny. ”You could see life as being cast out of heaven, but instead you make de best of it. Turning something ugly and terrible and making it—“ Nadia pushed herself back up to her elbows pushing a piece of hair from the side of his face that Panny had licked by his ear. ”Beautiful,” She grinned, letting her hand drop. ”See…this is why no one wants to hear stories, I’m not very good at them,” She replied with a shrug of her shoulders.

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[Araziel Léon Vasilica]

"I didn't mean to sound ungrateful at all. I'm more than happy with what Léon gave me," Azi chuckled, wriggling slightly in place to make more room for Nadia as she settled down too. He pushed the second pillow towards her with a 'here' before quieting down to listen.

He took the charms from Nadia as she handed them over, holding each one up and inspecting it while Panny sniffed curiously at them, trying to see what was so special about them. As her story went on, though, Azi found himself chuckling, not at Nadia per se but at how strange and unrelated the story was to himself. Did Léon even know about it when he'd named his kid? Probably not. He'd prolly just pulled it outta' his ass ... it was Romanian, he'd thought, because he knew his father's parents had moved from Romania, and it explained his surname at least.

Once Nadia had finished, Araziel just chuckled again, not saying anything for a few moments as he reflected on everything she had explained. Eventually, though, he shook his head, still appearing amused as he handed the charms back to her.

"But that's the thing nobody seems to get," he mused as he lied back down, running his fingers through his hair. "I don't think my life is 'ugly' and 'terrible.' I guess people think I must think that 'cause they started off more comfortably than I did ... maybe they think that people can only be happy if they have what they've enjoyed."

Araziel shrugged. "I don't sound like anything like that angel. I'm not discontented with where I am ... in fact, I think I'm happier than most people. They're always so worried about this and that - money, prestige, love, family. In a way, not having any of that means I don't have anything to worry about." He laughed, not sounding at all bitter or regretful for it. Giving Panny a scratch behind the ear, he grinned at Nadia. "It's just Panny and I, taking things one day at a time. I don't let the past bother me and I don't lose sleep over the future."

He tucked the stray lock behind his ear when Nadia pushed it aside. "As for that undying love crap ... I'm not even gonna touch that with a ten foot pole." Dissolving into amused laughter again (though perhaps a bit more hollowly this time), he pulled his side of the blanket up to his shoulders, tucking Panny in next to him.

"Thanks for the story though." He grinned again. "I'm sure you have lots more. You must ... it sounds like you've traveled a lot too." He'd closed his eyes by then, sighing deeply. "I'd tell you one of mine but ... I have to be up in a few hours to start on the bread and soup I promised Serana."

Stifling a yawn with one hand, he reached over to make sure Nadia was suitably tucked in as well, before he finally settled down for sure. "I'll show you around tomorrow and all that. It'll be fun."

What a long evening it had been, and it was finally weighing in on the spazzy Azi. With hardly so much as a mumbled, "Bonne nuit," he was out a few moments after.

-----

The next morning - that was to say, a few hours later - Araziel cracked an eye open. Sunlight was already streaming in through the window, a sight that made Azi practically leap out of bed. Sunlight that strong meant he'd woken up too late.

Panny, excited by Araziel's frantic-ness, jumped out of bed too and began to bark, but Azi shushed her loudly, glaring down at her.

"Shh, Nadia's still sleeping you dumb fluff-face."

Panny immediately quieted down, slinking back to the pallet and curling up next to Nadia as if by means of apology.

Rolling his eyes, Azi grabbed his clothes for the day and headed out the door to use the washbin in the backyard. Panny got up to follow him at the last moment, knowing the routine.

When Araziel returned, washed and dressed, he deposited his old clothes in the hamper and then turned to leave again, but then paused, realizing Nadia didn't have anything to change into. And after a few days in what she was wearing, he was sure she was tired of it.

"Hey Panny, when she wakes up, show her where to wash up, okay? And she can borrow my clothes for now," he figured, pulling a clean shirt and trousers out of the trunk in the corner. He plopped the clothes onto the pallet before dashing out the door again, leaving the freshly-bathed Panny to watch over Nadia.

Entering the bakery through the back door, Araziel got to work at once, preparing loaves with the sourdough culture so that they could be set out to rise.

One of the daughters was already in the kitchen doing the same. She was in her mid-teens, probably, and she grinned at Araziel as he hastened to be up to speed.

"Slept in?" she laughed. Araziel wrinkled his nose and opened his mouth to explain, but she snorted. "Irene and I already know. We saw you coming back with someone last night - "

"Shhh! It's nothing like that!" Azi grumbled, brandishing the rolling pin at her. "She just needed a bit of help! Poor girl got up and ditched by her fam. Just dropped her in the street and ran off."

"She's foreign? Well if you really want to share your room with her you're gonna have to put her to work," the daughter shrugged, kneading another batch of dough.

"Already planning on it," Azi chuckled.

[Nadia Evelyn Solis]

Nadia listened as Azi attempted to explain he was nothing like the story. She shrugged her shoulders taking the pillow from him. So he was going to be the critic and she was going to be the dreamer. She was used to that position. She constantly had her head in the clouds and everyone else had to keep her grounded. It was okay though. She didn’t mind it too much. She did gasp however the moment Azi claimed he didn’t believe in the whole gushy romance. She sighed flopping down next to him. ”But love is wonderful…I mean when you get to pick the person,” Nadia sighed rolling onto her side pulling her feet together since she was still wearing an olive skirt. Her mind drifted to Carlo and the promises that he was forced to make to her. Her father was poor but it was wise for anyone in the rancheros to pair a son with the Priests daughter. It was highly sought after because it meant blessings for the family. Nadia couldn’t exactly figure out what exactly was so ridiculous about Carlo maybe the fact that he had no personality or no sense of humor. Or the fact that he was just plain boring and she was one of the most creative people she had ever encountered. She turned to look back at him as Azi claimed that he would show her around in the morning. She nodded before closing her eyes replying ”Buenos Noches…” before slowly falling asleep.

--

Nadia opened her eyes to the wall pausing her eyes widened as she quickly sat up looking around the room. It wasn’t a dream. Araziel did exist, she hadn’t just made it up in her mind. Most people would snap out of it right away but all in all she dreamt and day dreamed so much that this time it seemed too real. She pushed some of the black curls from her face just in time for Panny to jump at her face attempting to lick her cheek. She laughed as Panny began barking running around the room. ”Que pasa Panny?” Nadia got off the bed as Panny sat and waited. She followed the small pup outside of the door towards the washbasin before smiling and nodding. ”So clever,” She laughed before coming back in the room staring at the trousers and shirt smirking. If only Mathias could see this again. He would have lost his mind. He was glad that Nadia used the schooling so their father never found out but at the same time he made fun of Nadia for liking pants far better than the skirts that were always provided. She slid the skirt off before replacing it with Azi’s pants rolling the waist line once so her feet weren’t completely buried. She grinned turning to look at Panny as she attempted to pull her hair up. ”Well Panny, how do I look?” She mused turning once for the puppy whose tilted head suggest that there may have been a bit of judgment. She laughed bending down and picking up Panny before placing the pup on the bed.

She turned grabbing Azi’s hat that was left on the desk that she had taken a liking too so quickly stuffing the large amount of black hair up into it. Strands of hair falling out of the side but for the most part it didn’t look too shabby. Panny started barking running towards the door waiting in the hallway staring after Nadia. She followed sliding her bracelet off and leaving it on the desk where she had taken the cap from. She followed Panny down the stairs down towards a door. Panny padded at the door twice before Nadia caught up. ”Is that where Azi is?” Nadia asked as Panny continued to pad at the door. She pulled the knob once staring in looking at Azi and another she turned watching Panny sit down outside the door. ”Don’t make me go by myself!”Nadia whined as Panny laid down paws head laying on two little paws. She sighed nodding straightening Azi’s cap once before looking around a little intimated by the equipment that was making various noises. She neared the others watching them tend to some dough. She felt highly unqualified the few seconds she sat and watched. She knew how to make tortillas and that was about it. She bit down on her lip mustering up her confidence before stepping into the area nearest the two. Her boots echoing a little bit, They were definitely made for dirt but it added a little character to Nadia in the first place of being different and well sticking out like a sore thumb. ”Heneral Nadia, reporting for assignment,” Nadia giggled. ”You have a berry good escort,” She replied gazing back towards the back door where Panny had been laying down.

[/size]

[Araziel Léon Vasilica]

True to spirit, Panny settled down outside the door and refused to come in; either she wasn't allowed, or, more likely, probably got yelled at and stepped on far too often in the kitchen to make the experience enjoyable.

"Hey, what're you doing here?" the mother piped up, striding into the kitchen just as Nadia had entered through the back. The woman was round-faced and a bit on the heavy side, though that might have been in itself a testament to the quality of the bakery's bread.

"Morning Louise!" Araziel piped up, waving across the way at her. "She's with me actually. Er ... name's Nadia. She's looking for work. Doesn't have much more than the clothes on her back ... but she's capable," Azi nodded firmly.

Louise sighed, folding her arms. "I can't afford to go takin' care of every single stray kitten you drag into your room, Azi!"

Panny whimpered from outside the door.

Shaking her head, but appearing endeared nonetheless, the woman waddled over to Nadia. She had a stern face but a warm disposition, and she looked Nadia over with a discerning eye before shaking her head again.

"We can't have you bumbling around like some ol' street urchin who can't dress herself! Lucie, go fetch ... Nadia was it? Go fetch her some clothes from the laundry. You're about the same size methinks." Louise stroked her chin, still scrutinizing Nadia while the daughter with whom Azi had been speaking, ran off to do as instructed.

"Where's Charles?" piped up a new voice from the front room as another girl came bounding in, younger than Lucie.

"There you are, Irene. He's already out doing deliveries. This is Nadia, by the way. She's going to be helping us out," Louise pointed out.

"Hi Nadia!" chirped Irene, before turning back to Louise. "Mum, we just had a huge order come in from the city hall for one of their fancy meetings!"

"Oh dear. How big?"

"Like a day's worth of bread!"

Louise frowned, looking around the kitchen. "Well we don't have nearly enough flour for that! Araziel, take Nadia once she's dressed and go to the grocer for some flour. And while you're there, get more potatoes for the soup."

"Yes ma'am," Azi hummed, twirling the rolling pin in one hand before passing it to Irene, who seamlessly picked up where Azi had left off.

Lucie then reappeared with a bundle of folded laundry in her arms. "Here, Nadia. This should be enough for the next couple of days," she remarked as she handed the dresses to the girl.

"C'mon then, I'll show you the usual errand route," Araziel proposed, skipping back over to Nadia's side. Truth be told, he was perfectly fine with being able to take her with him. He'd get to show her some of the routine, and of course the one-on-one time wasn't so bad. He hoped she wasn't already feeling overwhelmed; the kitchen was a busy place.

While she got dressed, Louise gave Araziel the money needed for the supplies. He pocketed the cash and then went out in back to grab the wagon; it was just a cart on wheels with a handle to pull it, really.

"Hurry up, slowpoke!" Azi yelled up at his window, waiting impatiently for Nadia to come back down. Once she was ready, though, he pulled the cart out to the sidewalk so they could begin the walk to the grocer.

"It's just two blocks down, no biggie," Azi hummed. Panny was already sitting in a corner of the cart as if she'd mysteriously just appeared out of nowhere.

"So didja' sleep okay?" he asked conversationally, casually snatching his hat back from her and jamming it onto his head.