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Post by Valerie on May 25, 2008 8:30:59 GMT -5
*Esme spoke quietly, tearfully, to the daughter she'd given to a better life--or so she'd thought. How had she been so corrupted? Was it in her blood, or was it in her raising?*
"Please...we couldn't afford--your mother couldn't have children of her own..."
"No one can ever know...the truth...they shouldn't..." *Charlotte's voice cracked and in her despair her hand trembled and the gun went off. Instinctively, Giles fired as well.
Both girls fell, Charlotte becoming instantly unconscious. Valerie, however, was left in torment as her superior healing ability fought to keep her alive when they all knew it could not, therefore only prolonging the inevitable as she gasped for air; hot, dark blood bubbling up from the gunshot wound in her chest.*
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Post by Alexei on May 25, 2008 11:40:09 GMT -5
*Alexei knew as soon as it happened. He'd known as he was sitting across town that someone close to him was very near to death. Very near to his father. He felt vaguely ill as he wracked his brain, trying to know who it was.*
*When he realized, he was there in a second. But, rather than keeping a cool head, like he was sure his father would have done, he froze, standing apart from the scene, unable to move or speak or think of anything but the fact that he saw his father across the room, waiting.*
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Post by Valerie on May 25, 2008 11:44:06 GMT -5
*Esme, uncertain which of her daughters to run to first, soon saw that Charlotte had died much faster than Valerie was slipping away--Giles had shot well, and Charlotte's pain had been minimal. She knelt, numbly cradling her daughter's head in her hands, even as blood trickled from the corners of Valerie's lips.*
"Maman," *Valerie managed to choke out, spasming with pain as she died a very, very slow death, clearly conscious and aware of every instant of her agony.*
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Post by Valmont on May 27, 2008 8:57:39 GMT -5
*When the gunshot came, Valmont ran without thinking, without stopping, until the lurid scene came into view.
He felt like his heart had stopped, but his legs propelled him forward until he fell to his knees next to Valerie. He saw nothing else, not Esme, not Giles. He reached for Valerie's hand and grasped it.
This was not how things were supposed to go. In this moment, Valmont realized all the things he wanted to do but never would. He wanted to take her in his arms and tell her he was sorry, she was right, that he loved her--yes, love--oh, and aside from that he was her father and he'd take care of her and...
Good lord. When was the last time he'd cried?*
"Valerie..." *he choked out.*
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Post by Valerie on May 27, 2008 9:10:16 GMT -5
*Valerie struggled to breathe, staring at Valmont with an incredulous frown.
Then, her mouth twitched, and moved, slowly.
A painful shuddering breath escaped her throat.
She was laughing at him.
The sly, knowing smile was still on her lips as the light faded from her eyes and the rise and fall of her chest became stillness.*
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Post by Valmont on May 27, 2008 9:47:41 GMT -5
"No..."
*She didn't understand, and he could never make her understand, and she wasn't breathing. Valmont looked wildly around at the assembled witnesses.*
"Can't you do anything?" *he demanded, all habitual reserve gone from his voice.*
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Post by NPC on May 27, 2008 9:57:42 GMT -5
*Esme plucked her child from his grasp--the only child that had ever truly been hers.*
"Nothing...nothing..." *she muttered.*
"I should have known to break them apart would only have brought evil upon them..."
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Post by Valmont on May 27, 2008 10:09:35 GMT -5
*Valmont had no idea what she was talking about; perhaps this was Valerie's foster mother, but his brain was not formulating such thoughts concretely. He rose to his feet, spinning around to see Charlotte. He wished she were alive, so he could kill her himself.
There was blood on his hand. He stared at it. And part of his brain pointed out that he really shouldn't be seen here. And a larger part, that just wanted to get away from her knowing, sightless eyes, agreed.*
"Valerie," *he whispered once more. Then he staggered away, practically falling into his waiting carriage.*
((He has to go, because I want him to get the reveal at the funeral.))
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Post by Valerie on May 27, 2008 10:11:03 GMT -5
((Alright I'll set up a thread.))
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Post by Jonathan Crane on Jun 1, 2008 16:59:19 GMT -5
**NEW NIGHT**
*Jonathan Crane sat at an empty table in the back, pouring over some obscure volume.*
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Post by María Sheila de Lefévre on Jun 1, 2008 17:05:06 GMT -5
*A bat flew in through the open window, and transformed into a tall, dark man with pale skin, all dressed in black. His dark cloak was rustling around him as he approached the table where Jonathan Crane was seated. Instead of disturbing the man from his studies, he waited patiently for Crane to discover him.*
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Post by Jonathan Crane on Jun 1, 2008 17:08:45 GMT -5
*Crane eventually lifted his eyes. The man before him obviously had something on his mind.*
"Yes?"
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Post by María Sheila de Lefévre on Jun 1, 2008 17:14:19 GMT -5
*Marc gave a polite bow.*
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Marc Warren Dracula. And I believe I have the honor of speaking to the famous Jonathan Crane?"
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Post by Jonathan Crane on Jun 1, 2008 17:18:11 GMT -5
*Crane was silent for a moment. He'd had dealings with Dracula- another one, who did not reveal a first name. They had not been pleasent ones.*
"I am Dr. Crane."
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Post by María Sheila de Lefévre on Jun 1, 2008 17:24:25 GMT -5
*Marc hazarded a smile, careful not to show his fangs. The silence of the other man made him think that his last name rang a bell.*
"I have travelled all the way from London to find you. I have a business proposal to make for you, if you are interested."
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