A Place to Think-continued

[1<3[)r@I<3]

He felt himself waking up. But he didn't know where he was. As he slowly returned to full consciousness, Rhys began to notice things around him. Like the fact that he was no longer lying on the ground. And whatever he was leaning on, it wasn't a rock.He could hear sounds on the other side and decided it must be a wall. But where? And how?

He opened his eyes to see the moon high above him. So I've been out for a while then. But how did I get here? Wherever here is. He looked about and discovered that he was in the town. Not the best place for one like himself, but the moors probably would have been worse. He caught the girl's scent and finally got his brain working well enough to figure out that she must have brought him here. That was kind and brave of her. She had saved his life, though she might not know it. There were things in the night that even darklings needed to watch out for and he would have been helpless. He found his hat and stood, bracing himself on the wall until he was sure his legs would hold him. He thought of just going home, of pretending they hadn't met. But it just didn't seem right to leave without thanking her. Without letting her know what she had done.

He began walking along the wall, still using it to support himself. He stayed away from the front of the house, knowing that if anyone saw him at the front door the rumors would be thick and vicious with the rise of the sun. Her social standing, whatever it may be, would be ruined. And so would that of her family. So he headed to the back of the house, searching for a door that would allow for some privacy at least. When he found it he stood there, wondering if he should knock or just let himself in. He thought he heard something on the other side of the door as he stood there. Given what the girl had known of darklings, which was very little, and what she had known of half-bloods, which was nothing, he wondered if thanking her was the best idea. What she had known had doubtless come from her family, so they would know only what she had known. They would believe a monster had come to kill them. He had no desire to be attacked by some idiot who just didn't know any better. Not to mention the fact that the noise would likely bring out the entire village in defense of one of their own. But he remembered her fright at his appearance, and how well she had hidden it. And more. He remembered her concern for him when he had begun to suffer the side effects of prolonged exposure to the sun. He couldn't just leave. He had to thank her. And he would. If he could only decide how to go about it. So he stood there at the back door, hat in hand and waited for an idea of some sort to form.

[Graebelle]

She had taken some time with her aunt to get her to calm down, reassuring her that she had been fine, just out for a walk. Her aunt had been worried, just as she had known she would be, and it wasn't until possibly an hour after she arrived that she began to calm down long enough for Sarah to leave the room. After that, she had spent the rest of the night until bed with her, wishing to keep her at ease after giving her that scare. Once her aunt had been safely in bed, and would soon be asleep, Sarah retired to her own room as well, giving the impression she would be asleep in a few short moments herself.

Sleep wasn't going to be easy to come by this night, however. She continued to recall her run in with the darkling at the moors, and how she had left him outside against the side of her house. Was he still there or had he left? It was eating away at her curiosity, this need to know whether he had woken up and gone away or whether he was still there unconscious. She wasn't sure if there was anything she could do for him to make him more comfortable, but she hoped she had done enough to return his kindness in taking her safely home, even if they hadn't made it the complete way.

Unable to really let go of the thought, she ended up sneaking out of her room and towards the back door, not wishing to alarm her aunt to the fact she was getting ready to step out of the house after dark. She paused before she opened the door, listening to make sure everything was quiet and no one was up and about, before opening the door. She nearly took a step outside before she realized he was right there, and she gave a small start, gasping and quickly raising a hand to her chest in her scare. "You startled me," she quickly muttered, taking a second to calm her frantic heartbeat. "Are you okay?" she asked before she could fully get herself calmed down.

[1<3[)r@I<3]

He was about to raise his hand to knock when the door opened. He saw her about to step out and prepared to step back himself, though he wasn't sure if he would stay on his feet if he did. But she stopped when she saw him, so he stayed put.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you. I just wanted to thank you for bringing me here. You may not realize it, but even darklings, whether pure or half-blood, need to be careful when the creatures of the night begin to move about."

He ran a hand through his hair, wondering how to finish. Should he tell her she had saved his life? Or just let her think she had done nothing more than help? He no longer felt hunger for her blood, but he still hungered for her. Just in a different way. Great. One part of me backs off and the other begins demanding attention. Just what I didn't need. Just because its been a while doesn't mean I should proposition the first woman I see.

"You saved my life tonight. Had you left me on the moors, I would likely be dead by now. I just wanted to let you know that."

He reached for her hand, intending nothing more than to kiss the back of it, as any gentleman would on departing from a woman. He never thought about what her reaction would be.

[Graebelle]

Sarah smiled over the fact Rhys had come back to thank her for what she had done. She felt more on even footing with him now, like she had repayed him for seeing her safely home, though he had been unconscious for part of the trip. She didn't feel very much surprised to hear that her thoughts about darklings still having things to fear in the night had been true, but was still glad she hadn't ignored that voice that had told her she couldn't just leave him there where he had fallen. Who knows what might have become of him by now? She didn't think about it.

His hand running through his hair brought her attention to it possibly for the first time, if not the second. The color certainly stuck with her, so different than what she had expected to see on a person, and it suited him rather well as far as she was concerned. But it seemed she was going to be directed back to thinking of Rhys alone on the moors, a bit unsettled by hearing he would have been dead at this point. What would do that to a darkling? What could do that to a darkling? Again she threw the thought away, not wishing to dwell on it and possibly give herself nightmares conjuring up evil beings that could destroy such powerful creatures.

As he reached for her--her hand she presumed--Sarah felt just the slightest touch of worry. He had done well in keeping his word so far, not putting her in any unecessary danger by getting too close or doing anything that might end up being bad for either of them. She had trusted him to get her home safely, and he had upheld that trust, which had been repayed by her taking him safely to the town. But was this wise? He had been the one to tell her to stay away, that he might not be able to control himself. Was he still in control now, or could he slip? Unsure of how to breech the subject, she muttered a soft, "Rhys?" hoping he knew what he was doing.

[1<3[)r@I<3]

The sound of her saying his name, even with a touch of worry in her voice, was almost entoxicating. But he remembered himself enough to draw back a little, to make her feel better. He wouldn't use the mesmer on her again. She didn't need it, not here in her own home. She was safe here and she probably knew it.

"I won't hurt you. I promise. Will you trust me?" He spoke sofly, his voice slightly husky with a need he was desperately trying to supress. "Please?"

He reached out, not to touch her. Just to give her the option of placing her hand in his. And waited.

[Graebelle]

She took note of the fact he seemed to react a slight bit to her worry, giving her a bit of distance to make herself more comfortable. It worked, and she did relax a considerable, her worry all but leaving. It appeared that her trust mattered to him by the way he promised no harm would come to her, another attempt to ease her mind. It was easier this time for her to tell herself it was true, that she could trust him. He had given her the space she had wanted a second ago when she thought he might be making things difficult, and he had already proven that he kept his word. If he said he wouldn't harm her, then she figured he was telling the truth.

Sarah stared at his outstretched hand for a moment, taking another second to make sure she was sure of her choice. She had already convinced herself the action would be harmless, so this didn't take very long at all. Drawing her hand away from her side, she stretched it out and gently placed it in his open one, her eyes automatically moving to his face to watch him somewhat closely, still conscius of the danger.

[1<3[)r@I<3]

He saw her hesitate and was about to withdraw his hand when he felt it placed in his own. He watched her eyes return to his face, a little worry still evident in her features. He smiled gently, in thanks for her trust.

He brought her hand to his mouth, pressing his lips gently to the back of it, before lowering it again. He kept a light grip on it, tracing his thumb lightly over the place he had kissed for a moment, before releasing her.

"It is a nice night, though cold. Would you care to walk with me? We won't go far, just a short way."

He was still watching her face, wondering what she was going to do.

[Graebelle]

It seemed almost funny to her how much trouble he was going through to try and thank her. He had what appeared to her to be an endless amount of patience, giving her the time and space she needed in order to get used to him and what he was. Would anyone believe her if she went out and told them she had gone on a stroll with a half-blood darkling? Certainly not. They would label her mad and possibly keep her in her room for a while, locked up until she started talking sense again. There would be no truth telling about this encounter, as much as she would have loved to tell it. If only her aunt would believe her if she told her she had met a quite remarkable man the other night on the moors, with gentlemanly airs and a great deal of patience, who wasn't really a man at all. At least not in the way she would think.

She found herself smiling just the slightest as he lifted her hand in his and kissed the back of it, his touch light and gentle. Just as she expected of him. The way he brushed his thumb against the spot he had kissed her brought her gaze down to their hands, the gesture seeming to her as if he was sealing the spot, locking the touch and feel in place. As he released her hand, she couldn't help herself. She touched over the place he had kissed her hand with the fingers of the other, never having expected such behavior and kindness from a darkling. It was odd for her to have to set aside everything she had once believed, and for so long, for a sudden new set of beliefs that had been proven true. Sarah doubted she would be able to trust her own previous knowledge anymore.

Her gaze shifted slowly back up to Rhys when he spoke, mentioning the night. She felt the cold, but not so fully as she would have had she changed into her nightgown before coming down. It wouldn't have been proper at all, so she had stayed in the dress she had worn earlier. She was still within the doorway of her house, so the warmth from within seemed to fight with the cold where she stood. A walk? As usual, a voice from her mind warned her of the fact it might be dangerous, not so much because of Rhys but because of other creatures that might have been out at the time. Sarah was nearly certain at this point she had nothing to fear from Rhys, trusting him a great deal now. But her aunt? Would she find out about this? She had been asleep for some time now no doubt, but she felt almost certain she wouldn't be waking up at any moment, not for anothe few hours or so. "We mustn't be gone too long," Sarah answered decisively, stepping out of the house and softly closing the door behind her. So long as they were back at the house within a few minutes she was sure no harm would come from her little outing tonight.

[1<3[)r@I<3]

He chuckled, amused at the thought of keeping her out for very long, and touched at her trust. "I doubt I could keep you out for long, even if I wanted to. I'm in no shape for it. But a short walk won't do any harm. And I can take care of my little--problem--when I get home." He turned slowly, careful to keep his balance, and glanced down at her. She was quite lovely in the moonlight. But so very young when compared to him. She trusted him now. Would she accept his friendship?

Do I truly want to do this to myself? They are such fragile beings with lives that are so very short. Can I do it again? Can I watch while yet another friend grows old and dies before my eyes? He remembered all of them. Most had been children when he had met them. He remembered watching them grow into adults and fall in love. Seeing them lose those they loved to time, following themselves not long after. Over and over again. While he stayed young and strong. He remembered feeling abandoned at first, though he had known from the first that they would not live so long as he. He had even felt love himself though he had never acted on it. He feared himself too weak to withstand the loss if he allowed such to occur.

He shook off the memories with a smile, though it was a sad one.

"Shall we go then," he asked, offering her his arm. And hoped, almost prayed, that this friendship wouldn't go as deeply as those in the past.

[Graebelle]

Though he still hadn't taken care of his thirst, Sarah hardly felt worried over this. As said before, she trusted him know, and was sure he wouldn't put her in danger, especially when he had overlooked chances to do so already. It was still shocking for her to think that a darkling could put off his thirst like this one was doing, but he had proven that it could be done, so she figured he could go a little longer through this walk as well.

She nodded her head gently, taking his offered arm as she stood there. She was rather curious to know where they would be going, since it wouldn't be too far from her house, but was content with waiting to find out. Sarah glanced up at him, waiting for him to lead her off on their walk.

[1<3[)r@I<3]

He started off toward the edge of town, in the direction of the castle. There was a place he wanted to show her. A place she could go to think, or just to be alone. A place that was almost as beautiful as the moors, and safer. And he could see her from his rooms when she was there. Even if he stayed in during the day, he could still guard her.

"There is a place I would like to show you. A place you can go to be alone if you like. It may not be as beautiful as the moors, but it is safer. And if you ever have need of me, just go and I'll know. I'll come as soon as I'm able."

He continued on, taking her to a small grove of trees at the very edge of the castle grounds. He dropped her arm, pushing his way through the bushes growing between the outer trees.

"Come on. I think you'll like it here." He grinned at her almost boyishly. Sharing a place he considered a treasure made him feel almost young again. "When I was young, I spent quite a bit of time here. I still do from time to time. There is a small cabin you can get into when the weather turns foul, or when you feel threatened. Its quite solid. Even a darkling would be hard pressed to break through the door."

He broke through into the clearing and stepped forward into the moon light. He turned, looking back, waiting for Sarah to join him.

[Graebelle]

Setting her pace to his, Sarah followed silently along, taking note of the direction they were headed. She hadn't been off this way on her own before, wasn't sure what lay ahead down their path, and it did make her curious where they were headed. Did Rhys even know, or was he just leading her along on a pleasant walk where they would eventually turn back around? He ended up satisfying her curiosity when he mentioned where they were headed, telling her about this lovely little secluded spot where she could go when she wanted and remain safe while there. It sounded like a better alternative to the moors, considering how easily it would be for anyone, and anything, to get to her, so she was rather interested in seeing this place.

She made a failed attempt at trying to visualize this place that Rhys was taking her, but all she could think about were the moors since he had compared this area to them. It could have been possible for where ever it was they were going to be as beautiful as the moors in its own way, but she knew she would have to see it to make that decision. As they reached the grove and he dropped her arm, she fell into step behind him, letting him lead and part a trail ahead of her so she could follow easier behind. She felt more like she was on some adventure, like some great treasure waited on the other side of the trees for her, and that something magical was within reach. It urged her on, and she kept close on Rhys' heels.

The eager excitment in his voice when he spoke to her was contagious, and she found herself smiling brightly back, listening as he spoke more of where they were headed. It sounded like a nice little hideaway, the perfect place to go when you needed a moment alone or just somewhere to go to relax. And the cabin he spoke of made her automatically think of some fairytale story. A little cottage in the woods, secluded yet welcoming to visitors. She couldn't wait to see it. Seeing Rhys ahead of her step out of the trees and into a clearing, she followed after him, stepping out of the treeline and into the clearing beside him. No longer paying so much attention on where she was walking so she wouldn't be prone to tripping, she brought her gaze up and around, getting her first look at the hideaway Rhys had brought her to.

[1<3[)r@I<3]

Rhys looked around at his hide-away, remembering how he had come here to mourn his friends and hide from the intolerance of pure bloods and humans alike. But even with such memories linked with it, it had always seemed like a magical place to him. The cottage, built of stone, had stood for millenia, thanks to the careful maintenance he and his father had used. He had worked hard to keep it hidden from most, nurturing the surrounding trees until they formed a barrier that was solid enough to keep out the worst of the wind and discourage most from attempting to enter. He walked forward, Sarah forgotten for a moment, to a stone carved with the names of his mother and the many friends he had made in his long, and sometimes lonely, life. He placed his hand on it, almost caressing the rough surface. "Hello, Mother, every one. Sorry I've been away for so long." He bowed his head, tears beginning to flow down his face. "I promise I'll visit more now."

He remembered Sarah and turned to show her the rest of the glade. There's a small pond on the other side of the cottage. It's probably frozen right now. But there will be flowers there come spring. Mother loved flowers, and since father built this for her, there are flowers almost every where. I haven't been inside the cottage for a while though, so it probably needs a good cleaning. I'll take care of that tomorrow night."

He turned away, hoping to hide his face. He didn't want her to see the tears flowing freely, or the sorrow of so many losses. She wouldn't understand. She might try, but how could she? She hadn't lived long enough.

[Graebelle]

She was quiet as she stood there, taking in the whole of the little cabin and the wooded area around it. It was awfully cute, and the way the stone stood out from the trees behind it caught her eye nicely. It was just as lovely as Rhys had made it out to be, and Sarah smiled at she looked it over, moving slowly away from the treeline and further into the clearing to get a better look. Turning, she caught a look around the clearing, able to see how well the trees hid the area, keeping everything within safe and tucked away from the rest of the world. It reminded her a great deal of the cottages she envisioned in her mind when reading her books. The perfect little place for some lovely girl to wait for Prince Charming to spring in through the trees and sweep her off her feet. It's just like out of a fairytale...

She was somewhat caught up in her own musings, half hearing what Rhys was saying as he went ahead and led her around the clearing, pointing out the pond on the other side of the cabin and the flowers that would eventually be blooming once the warmer weather came. He even mentioned a little about his parents, and of course this attracted her curiosity, wondering what they had been like and only having this little story to base her own ideas off of. It was adorable to her that his father would give this place to his mother, a lovely romantic gesture. "It's so beautiful," she said quietly, looking around again before she looked at Rhys, staring at his back since he wasn't facing her. She hadn't yet realized how upset he was from being here, being reminded of how much he had seen throughout his life, all those he loved and missed. "Thank you for bringing me here," Sarah said, only knowing of her own happiness about being here.

[1<3[)r@I<3]

"Mother never had the chance to see it. Villagers murdered her. She'd never harmed anyone and they killed her. She might have lived a long life here with Father, but..."

He drew away, not really thinking anymore. Not wanting to think. It hurt to think sometimes. He just rambled, talking to keep his mind off this subject. But it didn't work, since he was talking about it.

"Its my fault, you see. She's dead because of me. If I hadn't been born, the villagers might not have hurt her. She died because she gave birth to a half-blood. I won't do that to anyone else. I can't."

His voice broke on the last word, becoming rough with barely suppressed emotion. "Do you know how half-bloods are treated by most darklings? We're looked on as some lesser creature. Higher than humans but only just. Most would just as soon slay us the moment we are born. Most of us are accidents anyway, the result of a fling with some human girl. The only reason I am respected by my own is that I was a hunter. I hunted those who hunted darklings. I hated it. Killing again and again, though if I had not there would likely be no more of my kind alive. We would have gone extinct long ago. Father gave me this place as a refuge, a place to escape what I was."