Fauzy + Whit Encore~

[Whitney]

Blake

A twinge of anger swelled in my stomach, making my hand tighten on her face. "I'm not going to kill you, Ariella. Just...savor you for a while." I let an eerie smile creep on my lips.

Quin

My heart picked up from her words, making a soft blush spread up my neck. Ari likes me? I felt like I was in third grade, passing notes in class to see if someone liked me. A smile played at the edge of my lips, but my hand brushed over my face. My determination only intensified, as I pushed the gas pedal to the floor.

[shady boots]

Ari

The way he said that made me melt. God, why did he make me feel so weak? Why couldn't I fight back, like I was supposed to do? Instead, I found myself tilting my head back and exposing my neck. I was powerless over him.

Liv

We drove into woods. My eyes kept looking around for any signs of small, abandoned cabins or cottages, since there's a very high chance the Strigoi might have used that as a hideout.

[Whitney]

Blake

I could see surrender in her eyes, it made my fangs extend just the tiniest bit. Moving my hand to cup the back of her neck, and craned her head a little. I pressed my lips against her exposed throat, my fangs piercing the skin slightly.

Quin

Blake's scent was hard to keep up with, the metal-y smell making me want to gag. But I followed it up the side of a mountain, having to put the vehicle into four-wheel drive. It just kept leading up the inclination endlessly, making me almost lose hope.

[shady boots]

Ari

I winced at the sudden pain, but moaned as soon as the wave of pleasure hit me after. I found myself wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him closer.

Liv

"If we find them, then what?" I asked him. "How would we beat the Strigoi?" Not to mention the fact that he might be using compulsion on Ari non-stop.

[Whitney]

Blake

I wrapped my arms around her, my hands grabbing fist-fulls of her shirt. As I drank, I found myself enjoying her a little way too much. Her blood tasted like berries and cream exploding in my mouth.

Quin

"Then we kill him." I said sternly, my hands tight and white-knuckling the steering wheel. All of a sudden, I smelled a wave of blood course of my nostrils. Ariella. My instincts screamed it was her, her berry-like blood smelled throughout the entire forest. "I think we've found them." I followed the smell of her blood, the gas pedal practically going through the floorboard.

[shady boots]

Ari

The pleasure was overwhelming. Black spots started to dot my vision until everything suddenly faded away into black.

Liv

I smelled the blood too, and I immediately stiffened in my seat. "I meant, how are we going to kill him?" And then a thought popped into my head. "Wait, Ariella is your guardian, right? Does she bring a stake with her at all times?"

[Whitney]

Blake

I could tell she was slipping into the high oblivion before I even got a pint out of her. So much for that. I pulled back my fangs, feeling them retract into my gums, and gently laid her back against the couch cushions. I could have still drunk from her, but what little bit of decency I had left held me back.

Quin

"Always," I said stiffly. We were now on a driveway--no not a driveway, rather a path--and we were barely making it up the mountain now. It was like it was going up at a ninety-degree angle.

[shady boots]

Liv

I nodded. "I think I have an idea." I was tempted to try... No, that would be a big risk. But what if... Yes, I really did want to try. What if it actually did work and the Strigoi was turned back?

Ari

I kept going between consciousness and unconsciousness. My arms kept reaching out, because I wanted Blake's touch. I wanted him to own me.

[Whitney]

Quin

"Well?" I prodded, glancing over at her. I could tell she had an idea, by the way she was gazing out the window intently. But she didn't have time to elaborate, because we had come up on a very fancy looking cabin.

Blake

Seeing Ari's arms reach out for--me?--seemed to have put me in a better mood. Because I gladly laid down next to her, barely making room for my frame. I wrapped by arms around her, ready to put my fangs back in her neck. A blinding light spilled through the window shades, making me squint and sink into the couch with a hiss.

[shady boots]

Liv

"It's...still just an idea. We'll see." As soon as the car pulled up, Quin and I rushed out of the car and ran towards the door. I looked through the window and red eyes pierced through me, along with an unconscious and drained-looking Ariella in the Strigoi's arms. A bite mark was visible on her neck.

[Whitney]

Quin

I didn't need to look through the window, I already knew what I was going to see. Using my Moroi speed, I flashed to the door, practically going through it with my foot. The piece of wood broke off it's hinges, leaving sharp splinters around the frame that I was careful to avoid. I was on top of Blake before I even knew it, my hands around his throat, as my fingers squeezed as hard as they'd let me. "Liv! Get Ari's stake, back pocket!"

[shady boots]

Liv

I rushed towards Ari's limp body and grabbed for her stake. I turned towards the Strigoi and gripped it tightly. Without meaning to, I powered it up with spirit and then lunged for the Strigoi's chest, stabbing him straight in the heart. And then all I saw was an explosion of white.

[Whitney]

Quin

I leaped back, my eyes squinting at the sudden light, as I held up my hand in front of my face. I went to Ari's side, my eyes immediately going to her neck. Cursing inwardly, I hoisted her in my arms, my hand on her neck, and raced her out the door and into the car. "It's okay, Ariella. You're fine now." I promised her, even though he probably couldn't hear me.

Blake

All I felt was pure warmth and seizing pain. White exploded in my eyes, and my ears drowned out any sound. I felt panic-filled bile rising in my throat, but it all faded when the light diminished, replaced with something hot and heavy in my chest.

[shady boots]

Ari

My eyes fluttered open, and I was looking at a new face. Not Blake, but... "Quin..?" I whispered, barely audibly. What was going on? Where was Blake? Why did my head hurt so much?

Liv

I jerked back, almost hitting the wall. The stake had been taken out of his chest, and was now gripped tightly on my one hand. My other hand was plastered over my mouth in pure shock. I actually did it. I turned him back...

[Whitney]

Quin

The relief that went through me almost brought me to my knees when I saw her eyes open. I let a wide smile spread across my lips. "Ari," I whispered. "Are you okay?"

Blake

My chest felt extra heavy, as my hand began rubbing the muscles there. As I sat up, I instantly went back down because of the pain. Then I heard a pounding in my ears. What the hell... My heart. I gasped, my gaze snapping to the girl who staked me. "What happened?"

[shady boots]

Ari

I squinted for a while, and then cursed when a sharp pain hit my head. "What... What the hell happened?"

Liv

I was still frozen in shock, just staring at the Strigoi who was no longer a Strigoi anymore. "I did it..." I whispered.

[Whitney]

Quin

"Blake happened." I said firmly, a low growl making my voice husky. I looked back toward the cabin, my fear for Liv increasing.

Blake

My gaze sharpened. "Did what exactly?" I felt really weird suddenly. Like when you first put on a pot of boiling water.

[shady boots]

Ari

"Blake..." I remembered how I needed him, and how I actually wanted him to drink my blood. "God... He was using so much compulsion on me..." As I looked at Quin again, I realized now how happy I was to see him again. "Quin..."

Liv

"You... You were a Strigoi." I started to stand up, but I still pressed against the wall for support, since my legs were wobbly. "I changed you back."

[Whitney]

Quin

I sighed, my eyebrows furrowed together, as I saw clear-as-day pain in her eyes. "I'm so sorry, Ari..." I whispered, wrapping my arms around her gently.

Blake

My mind went blank. "Changed...me back. How?" Then I realized that my skin was warm with a slight tan to it. My dhampir skin... Could this be real? Or is it just a dream? Either way, I could feel my heart swell with such happiness, I felt like exploding.

[shady boots]

Ari

And then, I did something that I swore never to do: I cried in front of someone. Sobs shook me and I buried my face in Quin's chest. "I'm the one who should be sorry... If only I didn't run out of there... If only I were honest with you.."

Liv

"I... I powered this with spirit." I lifted the stake, staring in awe at the guy in front of me. "God, I still can't believe it worked... I thought it was all just a myth."

[Whitney]

Quin

"It's alright, Ari. I promise it's okay." I soothed back her hair, holding her tightly against my chest. I pressed a soft kiss against her forehead, as my arms tightened around her. I had never seen her cry in front of anyone before. Sure I'd see tears in her eyes, but they weren't flowing like they are now.

Blake

I stared at her, unbelieving a word she just said. But the proof was right in front of me--or on me. My eyes wide, I stood up, testing out my newly-again human legs. I felt like I could feel everything. Unlike when I was Strigoi, I felt numb constantly. "Wow," was all I said.

[shady boots]

Ari

"And I'm sorry for crying in front of you..." I said with a humorless chuckle that mixed with my sobs. I hated being like this in front of him. I was his guardian. I was supposed to be the tough one.

Liv

"Yeah.... Wow.." I whispered, mainly to myself. I edged closer to the front door. "Uh... Quin?" I called out. "You...might wanna see this."

[Whitney]

Quin

I looked towards the front door of the cabin, then back to Ari. "Please, stay here." I smiled in spite of the situation. I ran up the to the porch, and looked inside the cabin. Blake was standing up, and looking...joyful? That's when I noticed that his eyes weren't red anymore, they were blue. I also saw that he had his old tan back. Well, he basically looked like his old self, before he got turned into a Strigoi. My head slowly craned back to look at Liv. "What in the hell happened?"

[shady boots]

Liv

My wide eyes turned to Quin, and I had the goofiest grin on my face. "I changed him," I said, as if I'd just discovered the meaning of life. "I changed him back!"

Ari

Like that would ever happen. I got off the car and half-limped toward the cabin. As soon as I walked through the door and saw Blake, with no longer red eyes and pale skin, my mouth opened in a silent scream, and I almost toppled over. He looked just like he had years before, when he was the man I loved.

[Whitney]

Quin

Utter shock filled my entire being. How the hell was that even possible? I looked from Liv to Blake, making sure I was seeing this right. I looked back to see Ari standing in the doorway, practically on her knees. I ran to her, and held her up.

Blake

I suddenly felt self-conscious with then staring at me. I'm sure I felt just as shocked as they did. All of a sudden, I felt tears well in the corners of my eyes. Stop it, Blake. Don't break down in front of them. But I couldn't help it when I fell to my knees, tears freely flowing now.

[shady boots]

Ari

Without even realizing it, I was crawling toward Blake. When I was in front of him, I touched his cheek slowly, hesitantly, and looked into his eyes, making sure this was real. "Is that really you?" I whispered.

Liv

Had Ari and the Strigoi─who was no longer one─known each other? The scene in front of me gave off that impression. I caught Quin's eye and held up the stake in my hand to show him. It still had a faint glow to it.

[Whitney]

Blake

I almost wanted to jerk back at Ariella's touch, but I couldn't help but lean into her palm─that was the same temperature as mine. It felt incredible. "Yes," I whispered. "It's me." I smiled sadly at her, my blue eyes radiating with happiness.

Quin

My eyes flamed at the intimate moment they shared. Then, I wanted to slap myself for being jealous. There wasn't a more inappropriate time for my petty emotions than right now. So, focusing all my attention on Liv, I looked down at the stake in her hand. It was indeed glowing faintly. I couldn't help the small smile that played at my lips. "You did it, Liv. Congrats." I clapped a soft hand on her shoulder.

[shady boots]

Ari

I threw myself at Blake and held on tightly, breathing in his familiar scent and feeling his familiar warmth. "I thought I lost you forever..." I whispered.

Liv

"I still can't believe it..." I kept glancing at the Strigoi-turned-dhampir man and chuckling in disbelief to myself. "Even my mom never did this." And then my eyes widened in realization. "Fuck. If my mom found out I did this, she's going to kill me. And she will find out. Oh God, she always finds out what I do."

[Whitney]

Blake

I was completely taken aback by her sudden weight against me. But it felt so familiar and so good. I didn't say anything back to her, just held her to my chest tightly.

Quin

"Why?" I asked in confusion. "I'd think she'd be proud of you. Hell, I would. I am." I raised my eyebrows, shrugging my shoulders. My gaze turned back to the two on the floor. Sudden white-hot jealousy-about-to-turn-into-rage enveloped me.

[shady boots]

Liv

"I don't think... I don't think she ever wanted me to do this." Or maybe she would be proud. Would she? I couldn't tell. My mother had always been such a mystery, a code I couldn't crack. "But anyways..." I turned to Quin. "So, did those two know each other or something?"

Ari

I searched his eyes for any sign of malevolence or just red, but found only the warmth that I used to know. "Oh my God..." I couldn't think of anything else to say.

[Whitney]

Quin

My shoulders tensed. "They used to be together a while ago." I put as much emphasis on used to as I could.

Blake

I smiled at her words. "Still good-lookin' as the day I met you, then?"

[shady boots]

Liv

"Ah," I nodded, looking at the two on the floor, noticing the intimacy. "I can see that." I wasn't sure about the used to part, though, even if Quin had put an emphasis on it.

Ari

I laughed and threw myself at him again, hugging him so tightly that if he were an untrained Moroi, I would've broken his bones. I couldn't find any changes in him... He looked, sounded and felt the same as he'd always been, before he was turned into a Strigoi.

[Whitney]

Quin

My jaw clenched so tight it hurt all the way up to my temples. I sighed, running a hand through my hair. I looked at Liv, then back at the two. "I guess we should give these two time to catch up." My voice came out harsher than I meant it to. But I couldn't just watch her basically fall for him all over again. Turning quickly on my heel, I stalked out the door.

Blake

I chuckled softly, my arms coiling tightly around her waist. She felt so incredible, so real. "I missed you, Ari." I sighed, stroking her hair affectionately.

[shady boots]

Liv

I grabbed Quin's arm. "Hey, wait." I turned him and looked at him with concern. "If they really had been together once, it's no surprise Ariella would be like that." I looked over at Ari again, who was hugging the guy who I now knew was named Blake. "Who knows how long he'd been a Strigoi? It's only normal that Ari act this way."

Ari

"I missed you too," I whispered, pulling back slightly to look at him. Something did feel different, though. I didn't feel the same...spark I felt when I was with him years before.

[Whitney]

Quin

"I know that. It's still hard though." I gently pulled free out of her grasp, and sat on the bottom step of the porch. Leaning against the railing, I noticed that it was nearly dawn.

Blake

I smiled back almost sadly. I could see it in her eyes that she didn't feel the same towards me. How could she after what I'd just done to her. Plus, all the years of not knowing where I had been, must've been hard on her. It definitely was hard for me, having to stay at a distance.

[shady boots]

Liv

I sighed and leaned back against the wall, my eyes travelling from Quin to Ari and Blake. I felt like I was in the middle of a real life soap opera.

Ari

I didn't know what to say after all of that. I was so happy to see him again, but... Did I still want to be with him? What happened to my feelings for─ As soon as I thought it, I remembered. "Oh, Quin." I turned and saw Liv leaning against the wall. "Where's Quin?" She gestured out the door, and I started to stand along with Blake. "Come on, let's go see him." I gave him a smile, remembering that Quin and Blake had been close friends once.

[Whitney]

Quin

I could feel Liv's uneasiness without looking at her, my eyes still glued to the sunrise. "You don't have to be here you know. You can go back home, we'll call the academy to get a ride back."

Blake

I nodded, as I stood up as well. My whole body felt rejuvenated. It was like the the sun was my core. But I still felt bad for Quin. This must be hard on him, seeing his guardian in the state that she was. Guardians aren't suppose to let their guard down, they were trained for a Strigoi attack. And I basically ruined it with mine and Ari's history.

[shady boots]

Liv

I knew that, but I really didn't want to. Barely any action ever happened at home, because this town was boring as hell. But how was I supposed to ever tag along with these people? Mom would never let me leave home. "I guess," I said with a defeated sigh.

Ari

I took Blake's hand and led him out the door, seeing Quin sitting on the porch steps. "Quin?" I said as we approached him. There was something off about him again. I wouldn't call it jealousy, because why would he be jealous? But still... Jealousy was the thing that radiated off of him the most. But that was impossible. Why should he be jealous?

[Whitney]

Quin

My heart gave a silent jolt, as I turned around with a fake smile on my face. I saw Blake trailing behind her like a lost puppy, but I didn't blame him. After being turned back to a dhampir, I would be clinging to someone to.

Blake

I could automatically tell that Quin was jealous. Of what? I had a pretty good idea. But why would he think that? I don't have any plans on getting back with Ari unless she wants it. Sure, I still love her. But...it's just not the same anymore.

[shady boots]

Ari

I waited for the two to shake hands or bump fists or whatever the hell else guys do when greeting each other, but they just stood there, so I had to speak up. "Well... Blake's back," I said lamely to Quin. I didn't know what else to say to break the silence.

Liv

I chuckled and walked out the door and down the porch steps. "I guess I'll be on my way, then." I turned to the three. "Who knows, maybe we'll see each other again. Oh, and dhampir guy?" I looked at Blake and gave him a smile. "You're welcome." I waved at them and then walked towards my car.

[shady boots]

((Ay. Where you be?))

[Whitney]

((Sorry! Dx The storm took the internet out for a long time. ;w;))

Quin

I almost laughed at Ari's statement. "I see. Good to see you, bro." I forced my smile to lift wider, as I stood up. Blake smiled and nodded back knowingly. In reality, I was actually somewhat glad that Blake was back. Actually, I was really glad. Because I had missed him too. But now that I've come to an agreement with my feelings for Ari, I'm afraid he might want to still be with her. Damn my pettiness. Then I realized that the sun had already come up. Sweat started to trickle down my temple, as I reached out and put a hand out Liv's shoulder. "Wait," I said softly. "We'll take you up on that ride."

[shady boots]

((Dang. :c))

Liv

I smiled triumphantly and turned back to them. "Knew it. Let's go, then. My mom's probably already looking for me." I sighed and got into the driver's seat, starting up the car.

Ari

I walked to the car next to Blake, and I looked up to see the sun rising. My eyes widened, and I looked at Quin. "Oh crap, Quin... We've been gone for a full day." I wondered if people back home were looking for us.

[shady boots]

((Hey, you have an RP with me too, you know. :c))

[Whitney]

Quin

I started towards the car, but glanced over my shoulder at Ari. "I know. Maybe they'll think the healing process took longer than normal." I hopped in the passenger seat, giving room for the two in the backseat.

Blake

I just noticed that the sun had been hitting my arm and neck, the heat sending tingles throughout my skin. It felt so good, I could bathe in it. I stood there a moment, staring and reveling in the sun, I hadn't noticed that the three were already in the car. Reluctantly, I got into the vehicle.

[shady boots]

Ari

When Blake settled beside me, I placed my hand on his and smiled at him, just so glad that he was back.

Liv

"Alrighty, let's go." I pulled out onto the road and drove on back home, wondering if Mom was home yet. She'd told me that she was going to be back first thing in the morning, and the sun was already out now. I kept glancing at Quin because he just seemed so...tense. The whole ride. Was he really that jealous about Blake and Ari?

[Whitney]

Blake

I threaded my fingers through Ari's, returning her smile. Our combining warmth was enough to make me sigh contently.

Quin

My leg had started bouncing nervously before I even realized it. And my hand was also clutching the armrest of the passenger seat. Jesus, what's wrong with me? I frustratingly ran my fingers through my hair.

[shady boots]

Liv

As we neared my house, I saw a couple of cars parked out front. I furrowed my eyebrows, but then just figured maybe they were Mom's customers.

Ari

As we pulled up at Liv's car, my eyes caught one of the license plate numbers of the cars, and widened. Then I hurried to Quin and jerked his arm toward me, leaning in to whisper into his ear. "That's Ashley's car!"

[Whitney]

Quin

I could feel my face twisting into a confused expression at Ari's words. What the hell is Ashley doing here? We were only gone one day. Damn.

Blake

I wanted to stay in the healer's car, suspicious of the cars parked in front of the house. They might be here for me, because someone probably seen me at the Academy and told someone. My narrowed eyes cut to Ari and Quin, wondering if they were the ones.

[shady boots]

Liv

I turned off the engine and got out of the car while the other three followed suit. We made our way up to the door, which wasn't locked. Inside my house, my mom is there on the couch, while there were some Moroi and dhampir I didn't know sitting near her.

Ari

Sure enough, inside, Ashley was there with a couple of my other guardian friends, and also two of one of the more powerful family members in our Moroi Court. When we entered, many of them gasped and Ashley even let out a yelp.