Esteban appeared from between the tall green trees. He sat on the beach of the lake looking et the night sky. He remembered what an elder used to tell him. " Stars are gods and angels watching over us, the void between the stars are us. We must always obey them, so they can give us destiny. greater our fate, greater is our destiny."

Esteban never met a men of so much faith. Great destiny? Beeing killed by the hands of a demon? The demon was his father. Did Esteban had to repent for the crimes of his father? Esteban just wanted to help the innocent.

He looked at the mirroring lake. The sparkles of the moon and the stars were there aswell. Religion? Gods? Those two are fake. Omly actions and hearts are true. He stood up and walked in the cold water to wash the tainted blade of his dagger.

The emonic blood made flee the fish and attract meat-eaters sea creatures. Piranhas. Ganging up towards the half-demon to devour him alive. Surprised by the speed of those dangerous fish, he received numerous bites. Using his white bat wings to get float out of water. He cast his healing spell on his legs and they looked fine after the cast.

His white wings were contratings with the dark woods, as the moon was with the sky.

Night had fallen over the land once more. It was her shield, and really all she had ever known. On this particular evening, the young vampire had chosen to venture to the lake. It had always been a serene place, with trees, sand, and a simple aura of peace. The lake had always helped to put her mind at ease — but it wasn't like she really needed it. She might have been a vampire, and almost completely heartless, but she had at least some appreciation for the pretty things.

As she neared the body of water, however, she smelled blood. That was unusual, especially for a place such as this. She stopped in her tracks, since the sound of her loud boots might not exactly be wise or welcomed at the moment. She drew her cloak closer to her and bent the rim of her hat down somewhat to create more of a shadow over her face. After a few moments, she was able to tell that the blood wasn't human, or even animal.

And being the person she was, well, she couldn't just stand there or even walk away. She had to know things and get involved deeper than she should have. It was really a fatal flaw.

Beginning to walk again, Cordelia finally reached the lake, looking in disappointment at the boy with white wings. There was a dagger in his hand and his legs were bleeding, obviously having been bitten by the fish. The wounds weren't even there for long. She sighed, wishing she hadn't gotten excited over nothing. "You know, I was walking and I expected to see an awesome fight!" she whined in a low, quiet voice so it would be harder to tell her gender. She walked out of the trees, making her presence known. "But nooo, all I see is your legs bleeding! You shouldn't get people all excited like that, little boy. Some people would get angry."

Stupid kid...

That person was excited by blood? Vampire...He had heard of those night creatures. Sucking blood out from theirs victims. He turned to her. "Why do you even bother talking to me?"

He stood up and put his blues eyes into her eyes. Sure that vampires may hypnotize but Esteban was no mere mortal. What could that blood-sucker woman wants? His blood? She could try. The red-haired plane-touched young man just killed his father, a full-fledge demon. What threat could she be to him?

" What are you doing around here anyway? There is no human around. Vampiress. He went back to the lake, listening to the movements of the strange woman. One thing was sure, she was not ugly. Far then that. Beatuful even. He shooked his head. He had to stay focused.

"Why do you even bother talking to me?"

Cordelia raised an eyebrow, taken aback by that question. It was a foolish inquiry; if she felt like talking to him, then she would do so. He was in a position where she could easily make fun of him, and he was only making it more enjoyable for her by asking that sort of thing. A chuckle came from her and she shook her head, unsure if she was wasting her time with him or not. "Because I want to, don't be an idiot," she said harshly. "Give me a reason why I shouldn't talk to you."

"What are you doing around here anyway? There is no human around..."

She snorted, slightly offended by the statement. As he walked closer to the lake, she followed him, her strides long. "Oh, yes, because I must go wherever the humans go! Don't think so lowly of me, I have a mind of my own and I can go where I wish, whenever I desire to." He was amusing, but slightly frustrating with his questions. Nevertheless, she would stay here, just because she lacked anything more productive to do with her time.

"...Vampiress."

"You say that like it's an insult," Cordelia hissed, narrowing her commanding dark blue eyes at him.

"Sure the world is wide enough for you to go around as you wish. I don't know much about vampires. So, like this world is, i have judgement made up quickly. I'm a half-demon. People have grudges...."

He sat and then layed back on the beach, looking at the stars once more. Esteban ot know why but he did not felt any threat at all. "Heh, your pretty easy to get upset. I only called you vampiress be cause i did not know your name. That's all." He sighed, closed his eyes but kept a hand on his dagger if she intend to do something that she may regret. "Where are you going to hide when sun will rise? Does not kill vampires?"

While beeing with one, he could ask. Like this he could learn more about them. If he have to fight one, one day. Maybe.

"... I'm a half-demon. People have grudges...."

Well that was a given. Cordelia rolled her eyes, wondering just how naive he had to be to just realize that people did that. People had grudges against vampires, and really for good reason. She knew her kind killed for a living, but was that really a reason to hate an entire species? "Did you come to that conclusion all by yourself?" she asked, placing a hand on her hip. "Everyone holds grudges. You need to live with it." She was quoting her mother... how wonderful.

"Heh, your pretty easy to get upset. I only called you vampiress be cause i did not know your name. That's all."

Even as a child, she had despised being called anything other than her name. Being named as what she was, how she acted... it wasn't her. "My name is Brooks and I expect you to call me by that," she said. She didn't care that he had mentioned how easy it was to upset her, since it was the truth. If anyone else had lived her life and went through her upbringing, however, they would probably be the same as her.

"Where are you going to hide when sun will rise? Does not kill vampires?"

"I hide under a rock or a hole in the ground," the woman said dryly, obviously being sarcastic. She had a home, like any other living being. She stayed there during the day, left during the night, did whatever she needed to do, and returned. It really wasn't his business to be asking if the sun would kill her, but she didn't see the harm in answering. "I'm not of such a weak blood line, anyway," she told him. "I can stay in the sun as long as all of my skin is hidden." That was really the only thing she was grateful to have inherited from her father.

Esteban raised an eyebrow. "Aren't beeing a bit harsh? Beside talking, i did not do anything bad. Anyway, forget what i'd just said..." Everyone have grudges? Sure he knew but that does not mean it should always be like that. If he could the people how good of heart he was then perhaps vampires could be accepted. And any other races.

When the vampiress said told her name, the half-demon nodded."Brooks? sounds like a last name...Well is it? She was giving herslef an air of superiority. Man, she was full of herself.

When she said her dried answer, the demon sighed."Yu know you are almost funny. You just have to change your tune and fce so that people will get that is a joke."

Hiding her skin? So she could travel? For what purpose? Depending on her answer, he might follow the vampire lady. "Where are you heading?" Traveling with a vampire could be interesting. Even more if she is that cute.

He stood up, took cold water in his hands and wet his face with it to be sure to wake, after all: night was young. And maybe she would revel herself a bit more since the sun his gone since an hour only.

"Aren't beeing a bit harsh?..."

"I'm always like this. Get over it." He was a nice kid. Nice people never made it in this world, which was a shame. Cordelia shook her head, removing her hat and allowing her jawbone length, black hair to fall down. She didn't care if this kid knew her true gender, since it seems he had already figured it out. Besides, that thing was a hassle a lot of the time. She threw it on the ground, not caring if it got dirty or not. "I'm mean, obnoxious... you'll just have to live with it."

"Brooks? sounds like a last name...Well is it?"

Nice and intelligent. Cordelia almost wanted to vomit; those were her least favorite qualities when put together. "It's my first name," she lied. She had always been a good liar, but since he had seen through her disguise, who knew what else he could see through. He would never find out her real name, though. A few people around here might have known her by it, but no one knew her last name. It was always safer that way, in her opinion. She enjoyed staying unknown.

"... You just have to change your tune and fce so that people will get that is a joke."

"I change myself for no one," she growled at him, her fangs showing as she spoke the small sentence. Cordelia was who she was, and if others didn't like it, then that was their problem. She would do what she wanted, when she wanted, and how she wanted. If she wanted to tell jokes in a less than humorous manner, then she would do so. "People can use their brains a little and figure out it's a joke on their own. I shouldn't have to make things easier for them."

"Where are you heading?"

An eyebrow lifted as she looked at him. "I had planned on coming here and going home..." She had already eaten that night, and didn't plan on having seconds. She liked this lake, so she figured she would stop by before heading back to her home. "Why? Are you my new personal stalker?" She smirked a little bit, amused once more.

He would have to wdeal with it and will. Esteban is not the ype of guy to give up easily, Compared to his father, this Brooks has a hearth. A cold one, but still. "Fine then, Brooks. I beleive you, And by the way, my name is Esteban,"

She was hersrlf, that's a good thing. People change their behaviors so much for such futile thing, money, reputation.....love? Does a vampire can feel love? How could he ask such a question.

When she threw away her stuff, seeing the vampiress real traits and Her black hair, he could not help but stared at her beauty. Well, immortality sure have his advantage. A vampire could lve for long. A demon too, so how long could he live. A misterious thougth crossed his mind and made continued his own question: How long could THEY live together?

"Me? A stalker? Fine, if that's you call a friend. Did you have other friends? "

He stood up took a rock and threw it in the water. Unfortuntly, it splashed the vampire lady. "Oh, i'm sorry Brooks..."

"Fine then, Brooks. I beleive you, And by the way, my name is Esteban."

It was such a long name. It would be a burden to say all the time. "Your name is long and troublesome..." she said bluntly. In a battle or an emergency, who would really want to yell out that whole name? Her own name was long as well, which was why she almost always went by her last name. Plus, her last name sounded more like a name a man might have. "Got something shorter I can call you?" If he didn't, then she would just have to make something up for him. She wasn't a very creative woman, but she would try.

"Me? A stalker? Fine, if that's you call a friend. Did you have other friends?"

He was daring to ask her that. Cordelia took a step back, furrowing her brows as she looked at him. Not only was that rude, it was invasive and personal. "First of all, I've only just met you. You are certainly not my friend just yet..." she told him. All she was doing was making sure he was still in reality. People never became friends after a single meeting. At least, that's how Cordelia saw it. Not even with her former husband had she become instant friends. "And no, I don't have friends. I like being alone."

It was such a lie. She would give anything to have Nathaniel and Tobias back. They had really been the only family she had ever known, and both were gone. Toby's death couldn't have been helped, but Nathaniel leaving her had been her own fault. She averted her eyes for a moment before shaking her head. Thinking of that was a weakness which she couldn't afford to show. "That was rude to ask, you know," she said, putting on her tough exterior once more.

As the water splashed her, she merely sighed. It wasn't much, and all it had hit was her cloak. She wasn't going to take that off, though, since the night was chilly and she felt exposed without it. "It's only water, it doesn't matter. You just need to hope you didn't do that on purpose." She smirked at him, wondering if that had, in fact, been done just to annoy her.

He stared at the vampiress. A nickname? Esteban's mother was calling him, sonny and sweet heart but he knew that would not work. Este? Eban? Ban? Wait what was the demon that had took his father's demonic territory. Gaidus? That's it. "There is something you can call me with. It's Gaidus. Do not ask why, it's a name that i respect."

When she replied to his friendly comment, he sadly stared at the sparkles of the stars in the mirrory lake. He had been used to be friends with all the villagers. But, now, they were all dead. a lonely feeling grasp his heart. He did not appreciate to be alone. He needed someone, anyone. Her.

He stood and lowered his head. His hair hiding his sadened eyes. "[color=blue]I'm sorry....Loneliness is a new feeling for me. I don't like it. You lucky to like it. You don't have to fight againts it anymore. No i did not threw you water on purpose....I'm sorry fot that too.[/color}"

Why did he have to feel this way? He felt good with her even if he don't know her. He was starting to e confused. What must he do?

"There is something you can call me with. It's Gaidus. Do not ask why, it's a name that i respect."

She wanted to ask, but he told her not to. Cordelia held her tongue, for once going to respect another person. She didn't often listen to others and do as they told her, but really, she just didn't feel too up to questioning the name. At least it was a little shorter. "All right, that's easier," she said dismissively. Hopefully she would even remember that name. It was a bit out there, plus, she didn't remember names very well. Faces were more what she related to things.

"I'm sorry....Loneliness is a new feeling for me. I don't like it. You lucky to like it. You don't have to fight againts it anymore..."

Cordelia looked at him as if he had suddenly grown another head. It was new to him? Either he was really young, or had been given love his whole life. She was guessing it was both, though. She looked at him and rested a motherly hand on his shoulder, looking up at him slightly. He wasn't much taller than her, but she still had to look up.

"You'll get used to it. Life is bad and isn't filled with butterflies," she told him sternly. Her mother had been honest with her, so she had to do it to others. Being nice almost made her want to vomit, but this kid was obviously sensitive. She just hoped she wouldn't regret giving him this little talk of... encouragement? She didn't have a word for it. "You have to take what life gives you, say screw it some times, and take control of yourself. I don't know what you've been through, but stop moping and get over it, or I might be forced to slap you."

It didn't take a genius to realize she had given these kinds of talks before, or had at least been ready to. Sadly, she had never gotten the chance to help her son through sad times. Basically, she had been cheated out of everything a mother was blessed with having to do.

"...No i did not threw you water on purpose....I'm sorry fot that too."

She sighed, removing her hand from his shoulder and shaking her head. "It's water, dumby. I'm not gonna melt." Cordelia rolled her eyes. Depressed people were so hard to deal with.

"I'll get over it, everything haooened so fast today.... It was still the same day, hard to believe. Fom a day to another nothing is the same. Everyone died around him so quickly, and it was his own fault.

When Brooks put her hand on his shoulder, he put his hand over it. Even if her body temperature was colder then the regular ones, it was still a nice feeling to have. She seems a bit more nicer, or was it him allucinating things? He took a deep sigh. He knew how life could be hard, he have seen it this morning.

Death, was the ultimate end. At that moment when he thougth this, she took her hand away. Making him feel even more loneliness. She wanted someone to be by his side always. But, how? He was half-fiend. She is a vampire but may think of him only as a kid.

At the second she waid that she would not melt to water, he laughed nervously. Man, now he felt stupid. He kept staring at the lake. Why was this world so cold? Or was it sometimes? He was too young yet. Hoe could he know?

He just turned around and look at at Cordelia. She was beatiful under moonligth. She seemed almost heavenly, with something dark about her.

"I'll get over it, everything haooened so fast today...."

Today? For something happening so recently, Cordelia wasn't so sure she could tell he was very upset. Lonely, yes, but the days her world had begun falling, she hadn't even showed herself in public. Then again, the two were quite different. Cordelia had to handle her problems on her own and not allow others in, which wound up forcing people away, and it seemed Esteban needed others near him.

She lacked the ability to sympathize or empathize very well, so all she could really do was try to offer advice. Putting herself in another's shoes, even when bad things had happened to her, was always very difficult for her to accomplish. "Fine. Consider us friends, allies, whatever."

That was not smart. Cordelia bit her lip, wanting to kick herself. She regretted saying that. She hated giving in to what other's wanted, but if it would make this kid shut up and get over it, then maybe she was doing the right thing. She wasn't doing this for his benefit. Like everything, she had twisted the action to be something she did for herself. It was to save herself from hearing his sob story.

She looked away when he laughed like that, looking back into the forest. Cordelia couldn't help her maternal instincts, even if she was a vampire and had a reputation as being soulless to keep up. She looked back to him, only to see him looking at her. "By the way, if you tell anyone I'm being nice to you, I'll stab your eyes out." She offered an innocent smile, though it was hard to tell whether or not she was being serious.

Fine. Consider us friends, allies, whatever."

He looked at her. Why was she doing this? She was a bit too nice. Even for how she treated him at the beginning of the meeting. Generosity? Pity? His new life had started, and yet he understood what his grand-father used to tell. That womn are one of the great misteries in life. He never randomly met anyone like that. Certainly not a woman, even less a vampirish one. "Thanks, but...If its only for..."

"By the way, if you tell anyone I'm being nice to you, I'll stab your eyes out"

So she was really nice after all. That was good to hear. Anyway a thougth made him smile. "Heh, don't worry okay? I don't know anyone else but you...if i can say knowing you...So you can be sure i keep my mouth shut about that."

Stab his eyes out? Why not slicing his throat? Backstabbing him? Taking all his blood away? But the thougth of having her lips on his neck made him have a good feeling shiver.

He was curious, about one thing. Where was she living? It was interesting to know that. Even if he expect her to refure telling him that he asked"Where do you stay? "

"Thanks, but...If its only for..."

An eyebrow rose. He doubted her? Cordelia might have been a no good, arrogant, selfish liar, but she was also brutally honest most of the time. She supposed it would take him a while to realize that. "Only for what? Finish the statement, please... I want to know if you really think I'm low enough to offer friendship out of pity." All right, so she was. Hopefully the hand on her hip and the curled fingers under her chin and the way she had said it all would prove otherwise. If it didn't, then she would just keep lying her way out of the situation.

"... I don't know anyone else but you...if i can say knowing you...So you can be sure i keep my mouth shut about that."

Good! In a way, she was almost glad he didn't know anyone else. That way, she wouldn't have to do anything violent or malicious toward him if she told him secrets. Of course, she would never allow anyone to know her darkest secrets, such as her whole history... but little things, like her love for certain foods, would be fine. She could be spontaneous and unpredictable if she wanted to be. "Good... and you can say you know me, though you don't know much about me. That's going to be the way it's going to stay, too." They were friends, but that didn't mean they had to be close friends who stayed up all night long gossiping together.

"Where do you stay? "

She really didn't want to give away her address, especially to a stranger. "In my house. Didn't we discuss this?" Once again, Cordelia rose an eyebrow, trying to play dumb and believing she was failing. Besides, her house was such a wreck that she was slightly embarrassed to talk about it.

Only for what? Finish the statement, please... I want to know if you really think I'm low enough to offer friendship out of pity

He falt sorry that he have even open his mouth. Now, what is she going to do. Better be honest as well. Nothing can come up from lies. "Well, you were harsh and now you suddenly turned out nice. Like you said for our friendship, isn't sudden? Look, i thank you. Man, i'm such a bad talker..."

He would have liked to talked this througth better but, he never had to explain it by words. Only from stuff coming from the heart. And with the style she have, Esteban may freak her out.

Good... and you can say you know me, though you don't know much about me. That's going to be the way it's going to stay, too."

True, they were friends. But why not close friends either> And...perhaps not more? Okay it may seems weird with the appearance they have, if they hang up together but they were immortal, atleast near of it.

"In my house. Didn't we discuss this?

He put his eyes into hers. Esteban like the way they were. Dark blue, a strangee sparkle. But shook his head again, he was about to ask what dhe said again but he remembered. "No, you were joking about hiding under a rock. Remember?"

"Well, you were harsh and now you suddenly turned out nice. Like you said for our friendship, isn't sudden? Look, i thank you. Man, i'm such a bad talker..."

He had a point, but with the ego she had, Cordelia was never going to admit that. She had kind of flip-flopped, having started out mean and then giving out friendship in the end. The thought of her actions still nauseated her, though in a way, she felt bad for the kid. She wasn't really the best person to have as a friend. Betrayal wasn't hard for her to achieve... she really wasn't a good person. Eventually, maybe he would figure that out. "Yeah, you are," she agreed with his statement about not speaking very well. "I can be nice when I want. Just don't get used to it. I think I already said that..."

"No, you were joking about hiding under a rock. Remember?"

Of course she remembered. But since it was a joke, obviously she lived in a house. A beaten down house that she didn't take very much care of, but... a house all the same. "I thought you might be able to tell that I had a house because of that joke..." Cordelia said with a sigh. Perhaps he wasn't as smart as she had originally thought that he was. "No matter... I still live in a house, but I'm not going to tell you where. I don't want or need visitors."

Yeah, you are.

There was no need to rub it in. He was honest, he knew is qualities and his bad ones. But she did not want to know him too much either so he could keep the rest of his personnality to himself.

I can be nice when I want. Just don't get used to it. I think I already said that...

Esteban nodded, sure that he knew. He got threatened for tat t e had to explain why he did not finis his sentence. She was too easy to get upset. This may be dangerous. In the end, danger was exciting. He fully understood the meaning of some men saying that woman were exciting.

"Hey, how could i know? You could not have been able to tell if i had a e or not if i did not tell about that my day was really bad. Well, it's seems he was a bad talker a9d a bit too much talkative. Another problem for himself to deal with.


No matter... I still live in a house, but I'm not going to tell you where. I don't want or need visitors

Man, she was almost ant-social. Was the past making a person bad or good? The way she see's thing or because of what they are? Not that. He was half-fiend and he was nice to others. " I was only trying to find something to talk about, relax..." He sighed"Okay your turn to ask questions, then."

Any questions, the true answer. That's how he worked. Even thouh, he did not know her perfctly, she had given him her friendship. So Esteban wanted to have her trust.

"Hey, how could i know? You could not have been able to tell if i had a e or not if i did not tell about that my day was really bad."

Cordelia simply shrugged, nodding in response to what he had said though she didn't really hear the words. She didn't see the point in dragging that part of the conversation on; it was simply getting old. She looked down at the ground and picked up her hat, dusting it off. Really, she didn't care if it was dirty... she just didn't like it being on the ground anymore. It might have been weird, but oh well.

"Okay your turn to ask questions, then."

An eyebrow raised as she looked at him. He wanted her to ask questions? The corners of her mouth curled up a little bit as she began thinking of all the things she could ask. Cordelia had no idea what the word personal meant when it came to other people. She was nosy, stubborn, and always had to know about other people. Of course, she never let anyone into her bubble to find out the same information. It was just how the vampire worked. "All right then..." she said, apparently interested just by the tone of voice she held.

She began thinking. He hadn't told her in detail what had happened earlier today, and though it was a sensitive subject, she was going to ask. "So... what happened earlier today that's made you lonely, hm?" The twenty-seven-year-old lifted an eyebrow quizzically, prepared for something that wouldn't exactly be terrible.

He knew that would come out but not as te first question. It seems she really wanted to know everyting. He sighed and sat back on the sand. Okay, as you could guess my father was a demon. I was suppose to be his substitute in the small village he was terrorizing. But they cared for me, they showed me affection...fun...So i loved the villagers. My father used to come once a week, to show who was ruling and each time left the day after. But it has been a week that he was there and was cast away from the demon realm. This morning he had killed a woman, i burst ot. I took my dagger and sliced his throat. But just before he died, he cast a pell that autamaticly killed the humans....

He stayed sient. Another question maybe was foloowing. He had his throat tigth just talking about this, and his eyes wet.I buried...everyone..."

"...But they cared for me, they showed me affection...fun...So i loved the villagers..."

Like every tragic story, it started off with things being good. Surrounded by love, by people who cared... Cordelia could see where this was going. Things always started out perfectly, too perfectly, and then with some strange event of karma, everything... crashed. She was used to it. As a bringer of death herself, she knew how these stories went.

".... This morning he had killed a woman, i burst ot. I took my dagger and sliced his throat. But just before he died, he cast a pell that autamaticly killed the humans...."

Of course it involved death. She had expected that. It was almost boring, since the vampire was so used to people dying, killing people, watching others mourn... she didn't even care anymore when people died and she didn't even know them. "Death is a part of life," she told him. "And besides, they were only humans. They would have died at one point or another."

That sounded incredibly cold and heartless, but it was entirely true. Humans didn't live forever, and had to die one day. Every creature had to die some time, but humans had a bad deal. They were so weak and be killed by almost anything.

"I buried...everyone..."

"That was compassionate," Cordelia said. It sickened her that he had bothered to bury everyone in the village. Why not just leave them there, undisturbed? It would have saved him far less trouble and time. "But I don't see why you went through all that trouble."

Esteban knew she was right and at the same time wrong. Everyone had the right to live happy even how short their life was. They did not have to die that way. He did not want to argue anymore. She would still be saying negative stuff. How could she be so dark, was that her heart or her blood revealing its thougths? He wonder, but then again he could not ask. It was rude and did not know her enough for asking that.

But I don't see why you went through all that trouble.

Trouble? Giving some respect to dead one was trouble? He knew hat she had brougth death to lot of people. She had to have seen people that she loved died. No ome can live without love. Even if it's love for themselves or love for power. "Did you ever seen someone you loved died? Didn't you
do anything for him as a last sign of respect? Or did you just left his corpse there and walk away? He was getting upset. The day a just passed and someone was putting her nose in this fresh subject.

"Did you ever seen someone you loved died? Didn't you do anything for him as a last sign of respect? Or did you just left his corpse there and walk away?"

Cordelia was taken aback. At first, an almost vulnerable expression crossed her face, her eyes widening with her eyebrows lifted and her mouth slightly opened. However, after a moment, she hardened her features again, looking away. With knitted brows and a clenched jaw, she began thinking of the appropriate answer and tried to push away the memories. Her little Tobias... he had never had a chance with that disease.

He'd been so happy, laughing, smiling, full of life. The three of them had been so happy, and like Esteban's life at the village, everything was a bit too perfect. The next day, he had begun coughing and was far from healthy. It hadn't taken long before the disease progressed and finally... her son died. Had he been a full vampire, he might have lived - but because of Nathaniel's humanity in him, he died.

Maybe her father was right. Maybe half-breeds were a disgrace. She looked back at Esteban, an icy glare being thrown his way. "You have no right to ask that..." she growled at him. "Of course I paid my respects, do you think I'd just throw away the people I love? I'm saying I don't care about people I don't know!" She sighed. "Idiot..."

He felt bad when Esteban saw her surprised expression. He knew he had striked a weak spot there. But after all, it's her who had striked first. He shook his head. An idiot...Because he had ask that? Because he was what he was? He could not tell.

Of course I paid my respects, do you think I'd just throw away the people I love? I'm saying I don't care about people I don't know!

" Then why did you say that? I knew that you did not know of them! I am not such an ...Idiot. I'm sorry, you made me angry by saying that. I let myself open to you but if it was for hurting me, you had to expect to be hitted back...

".... I let myself open to you but if it was for hurting me, you had to expect to be hitted back..."

Shock was all she could feel at the moment. He was really talking back to her, really daring to do such a thing. To be honest, Cordelia hadn't expected that at all. She was too high on her horse to think that anyone would defy her or do anything mean right back to her. It wasn't a great feeling, really. It wasn't even that someone had said that to her, since she could care less what people said... but it was the fact that such words stripped her slightly of her ego and the sense of power she always felt when she was acting like she always did.

"I was only trying to help you," she spat, hiding any sense of humanity. "You didn't have to send that right back at me, especially when you didn't even have to answer that question." The last part was muttered and she folded her arms over her chest, blowing a few strands of hair out of her face.

It was time to change the subject. Now. She didn't want to talk about that anymore, since it was reminding her more and more of things that had happened when she was much younger. "How old are you?"

So, maybe it wasn't the best. Maybe his age would at least prove why he was so naive.

was only trying to help you,"

That's what she called help? Sure she was harsh, and perhaps it was because of that she had this way to help people. And why was she trying to help him? Everything was going so fast tonight."You got a strange way to hep people, you know.

You didn't have to send that right back at me, especially when you didn't even have to answer that question

Why would not he answer? He tld her that she had the right to ask questions. Why would he lie? what could he gain from lying? He never lied to anyone, why start now? "Don't you know honesty? It doesn't bite or hurt..."

Subtle the way to change subject but he cared not and once again he answered the truth. "I've seen nineteen springs...How old are you?" He kew that vampires could live long before dying, so he expected around one hundred.

"You got a strange way to hep people, you know."

"Strange? It's called honesty." There was no point in sugar coating things that were painful. Life was nothing but a loveless void. No matter where one went, all that followed was agony, loneliness, and constricting chains of memories. Cordelia almost rolled her eyes at herself; since when had she become poetic?

"Don't you know honesty? It doesn't bite or hurt..."

That was a lie. Cordelia knew for a fact that the truth could hurt, and had learned this lesson more than once. So many times she had thought she was dreaming, that maybe she would wake up, but she never did. Reality hurt. "There's no such thing as truth without pain," she told him.

"I've seen nineteen springs...How old are you?"

No wonder he was so innocent and unaware of what life had in store. He was nineteen and had only just now experienced his first tragedy. Cordelia had been naive when she was that young, too, though her first devastation hadn't come for a bit after. "Twenty-seven winters..." she mumbled. So, she was almost ten years his senior, but she didn't care. There were people who were thousands of years older than her. Age was a number that had to be ignored when beings were immortal. "So what's it like being a kid? You enjoying it?"

There was a hint of sarcasm in her voice, as if he might lose any sense of fun when he became an 'adult'. It would happen one day, she was sure... one day.

Strange? It's called honesty.There's no such thing as truth without pain

Painful truth or sweet lies? That always have been a hard question. But it was better that way. Honesty. Truth. Love. Generosity. Kindness. They could not been all gone. There was another word who came to his mind, Hope. It may seem like nothing to her but great meaning to Esteban.

So what's it like being a kid? You enjoying it?

He did not know if he had to laugh or not. One thing was sure: the time of innocence is done. That's how he entered the real world. Cruel, cold. People askeing for help. He could not let them down.

Twenty-seven winters...

The demon-eyes widened. That was nice. For two people who could live long enough they were much different in age. So maybe...Only maybe, he could try to...Nah. What a stupid idea. "Your fuor time youger then i thougth you would be!"

"Your fuor time youger then i thougth you would be!"

His eyes widened when she had told her age; was it really that surprising? Either she was older than he had thought she would be or younger. Most likely younger, since she had such a hard shell and cold attitude not very far in life. It was amazing she was so pessimistic without the want to end her own life. When he said that, Cordelia chuckled. She had never been very good at mathematics, but she believed that four times was a lot. It sounded like it.

"How old did you think I was?" she asked Esteban with raised eyebrows. She couldn't do math in her head, so she would just have to ask him. "And is that a good or bad thing?" Hopefully he wouldn't think less of her knowledge because she was so young. She had moved out of childhood a long time ago and had been through much. Maybe she wasn't the most trustworthy person out there, but she almost always told things as they were. Unless, of course, there was money or something else to benefit her in the deal.

He hadn't answered the question about childhood being well, so she didn't bother to inquire about it again. Maybe it was a new wound, and though she would have liked to pick at it, she thought it might be wiser not to do so. "You're a lot... well, not like other demons I've come across." Whether that was a compliment or not, she wasn't sure; as of now, it was a mere statement. "Others are bloodthirsty. So why aren't you?" Perhaps it was because he wasn't a full demon, or maybe the love he received as a child... she didn't know.

How old did you think I was?"And is that a good or bad thing?"

I thougth that you were one hundres atleast. It's neither good or bad, heh. Don't qorry, i had doubts but i was wrong. It was a good thing, she was not to old for him. Why did had to get the crush on any woman he met. and a vampiress not the less!

You're a lot... well, not like other demons I've come across

He smiled, taking it as a compliment. Any other demon may have attack her and killed her but not him. He thougth he was one of the rare few of his race to ask forgiveness for beeing what he is. "You are far from the idea peoples told me about vampires. You way much nicer and beati..." He blushed turning his head away.

Others are bloodthirsty. So why aren't you?

The answer was so simple. He let the truth out again."[colour=blue]I was raised by my mother, even if she was hating my fater so much and i was the fruit of their forced...union. Her motherly instincts had took the place instead of revenge. Seeing how my mother was threating me, the other villagers had started to do the same. I know i am stronger then most humans but i don't get a big head for it.[/colour]

"I thougth that you were one hundres atleast. It's neither good or bad, heh. Don't qorry, i had doubts but i was wrong."

Cordelia snorted. She wasn't that old! Though wisdom, beauty and power came with age, she almost felt insulted by the fact he thought she was so ancient. "I'm not an old hag, silly," the woman said. "One day, I will be, but certainly not any time soon." And maybe by the time she was one hundred, she would be dead. It was doubtful, but even with the ego she had, she knew anything was possible.

"You are far from the idea peoples told me about vampires. You way much nicer and beati..."

Her eyes went wide with anger when he began the B word; he was very lucky he hadn't finished it. Cordelia didn't take any compliment well, especially about her appearance. Only her parents and Nathaniel had described her with such unimportant words. After a moment, she grunted and turned her head away. "I'm not far from the myths at all," she said. "You'll see for yourself one day." No point in ruining the fun now. He'd discover who she really was, one day.

"I was raised by my mother, even if she was hating my fater so much and i was the fruit of their forced...union...."

Another kid from an unhappy parent? It didn't seem to surprise her, really. Any and every couple she had ever laid eyes upon didn't seem very happy, and the few that were smiling and laughing might have been faking it. That was how she thought, though; only she had been really happy with her marriage, no one else in the world could have been happy. She couldn't identify at all with others.

"... I know i am stronger then most humans but i don't get a big head for it."

"Good for you," Cordelia said indifferently. "But you really should realize you're stronger than others and are, therefore, better than them." Her words would do nothing, she was sure of it. He was too young to understand what she meant.

I'm not an old hag, silly.One day, I will be, but certainly not any time soon

He sighed. Esteban really felt stupid, each word he was saying was bringing him down. How could someone be that idiot? He started to make spin his dagger for distracting hismself. Since he had nothing good else to say.

I'm not far from the myths at all.You'll see for yourself one day.

His dagger stopped spinning. That would mean they would have to fight each other? He will let her hunt as long as it's not in front of him. The idea of fighting were scary. Noy for the fact that she was a vampire, he was half-demon, it doesn't affect him that much. But with the emotions, no, he could not, love to a vampire? Perhaps, but she would not show sign of it. That's she have been loved, or that she loved.

But you really should realize you're stronger than others and are, therefore, better than them

Those people could not defend themseves. That's why there was people like Esteban.Noy half-demon, but serving good cause. "That's why i got to protect them. If they can't do it, someone else has to. Those who attack the weaker just need to demonstrate their advantages, so selfish..."

He lookes at the horizon, stars were fading. Day was about to come. But still the thougth of the vampiress killing people just got him sick. "Heh, Time goes fast when we are in good company. Anyway, i need to get moving. I Still have to think about my next course of action.

It was his turn to lie. The discussion had taken a weird to for him. He did not wanted to hear more. Not from her. He prefered let her go do her things then maybe see her feds on the weak. He turned to her showing his hand to her so they could shake it.

"That's why i got to protect them. If they can't do it, someone else has to. Those who attack the weaker just need to demonstrate their advantages, so selfish..."

Cordelia firmly disagreed with him. Humans could protect themselves, as far as she was concerned. No one was looking out for the elves, for the demons, for the vampires, for anyone else; so why should the stronger races look after the weaker ones? It was their lives, and she had no business interfering; for the good, or the bad. Of course, she always did enter the lives of humans for the bad. "Mmm, then I guess I'm selfish." At least she could admit her flaws. She smirked at him, not going to laugh because she was being a little serious.

"Heh, Time goes fast when we are in good company. Anyway, i need to get moving. I Still have to think about my next course of action."

She nodded; she needed to get out of there before the sun came up, anyway. She wasn't clothed well enough to withstand the light and the heat, and she didn't want her skin turning ashen like it had a few times in the past. She almost grimaced at the memories, but stopped herself from doing so. "I need to leave as well," she told. Cordelia hoped he would find the reasons obvious.

As he stuck out his hand, she was hesitant. She did not want to touch him, since she had earlier, but if she left him hanging there, he might just get depressed again. She didn't have time to think, however. Grabbing his hand, Cordelia shook it quickly before putting her hat on again and turning away from him, walking away.

She maybe selfish but admitting it was a start, that way Esteban couldmake her see things his way. I did not wanted her obliged to but he prefered that then had to fight her. It would rip apart when the situation would appear. He did not wanted to die either. So he would fight for survival. It was a cruel world that's why he wanted to save others. She may feed on the bad guys. Those guys are like coachroahes, there is no end to them.

I need to leave as well

He looked at the sky, the moon was even started to fade away even thouh the sky was bright yet. He prefered see her leave and maybe see her, He promised himself that he would try to change her. She maybe hard, but everyone lose resistance. Give time to waves, and they get rid of the cliff.

The rogue was surprised to see her shook his hand, he was more expecting to see her turn away. But he was happier. She seems to be really nice to him, compared to the start of their meeting.

"Take care of yourself Brooks. See ya!"

On those words he entered the woods on a lonely road.