Unfortunate Circumstances

[Vara Saraphine Grimmark]

Aside from rolling her eyes dramatically at the wolf's demand she ignored him completely focusing more on Elizabeth's words. It was all she could do to discount her best friend's quizzical looks that she seemed to shoot up at her as much as she was able to. I highly doubt he's going to be just going to the bathroom, if at all. she thought, more irked at him, more than ever. He's probably listening in on us right now. There were no words to express how utterly irritated she was.

She huffed, a new frustration boiled in her, as Elizabeth took it upon herself to make Phoenix's sandwich for him. He was pretty capable but she understood Elizabeth's urge to be of use, though she didn't have to agree with it. Not that by any chance would Vara aid the bidding of a mere dog. Without even having to think about it she wiped the sympathetic look that made its way across her face as Elizabeth answered her question. She would have neither tears or show of strong emotions around her friend tonight. It was folly to fall into her dark pit of emotions when every second her patience for the unwanted guest seemed to wane.

"What do you mean 'what the heck is up with Nix'?" she replied innocently as Elizabeth appeared intolerant of any 'beat around the bush' answers. She gave her a brusque stare before she abruptly broke off their eye contact and said considerably more seditious, " He's your friend not mine. Shouldn't you know what's up with him?"

[Elizabeth Coons]

Elizabeth was frustrated now. She glared at Vara. The vampire knew something was wrong with Nix, though Elizabeth didn't. Sure, he had grown up...a lot, but that was the only thing that seemed different to her. Besides his eyes. That little speck of information seemed rooted in her brain. Elizabeth searched for what the difference could be, and if it could be an indicator to why Vara was reacting so strangely to Nix's presence. It was at least a minute before E realized she had zoned out completely. She usually would have sputtered a bit after a zone-out-spell, but she didn't now. Too focused.

"Yeah well... Vara, I don't exactly have unparalleled senses like you do." A small smile graced her lips. Even in a tense moment like this, Elizabeth found something that was amusing. Elizabeth gave a smile to Vara. She didn't like tense moments between her friend either. It was her way of cooling her frustration off.

"So tell me, why are you two reacting strangely to each other?" Elizabeth was trying to be as clear cut and straightforward as possible.

[Vara Saraphine Grimmark]

Vara gently laughed away Elizabeth's chagrin. Her laugh resembled wind chimes slowly blowing in a breeze, it was simple but hallow. This would have been so much easier if that mongrel wasn't listening to everything! even the tiniest movements we make. She could hear his breathing from across the room. Yeah, really smooth, i suppose werewolves have to breathe just like humans. she sighed, buried in thought. Needing to pull her thoughts from the countless ways she could dismember a werewolf, she applied her attention to how she would curve away Elizabeth's hinting words and still seem natural.

Then an idea presented itself, " Come now, we all have our own special talents, even you Elizabeth Coons. I just happen to be so much more coordinated."

She wiggled her eyebrows knowing a plague of giggles would shortly follow. With out much thought to the consequences she smirked with self amusement and satisfaction at her witty comment. Just as her humor started to fade Elizabeth asked yet another question. Was there no end to her prying curiosity? God knew, Vara was tired of playing dumb, it just wasn't her thing.

She rubbed her temples, a simple gesture that humans made to show irritation or exhaustion, " I wasn't aware that I was acting strangely toward him. But I cannot account for his actions, if he was acting abnormal, then ask him about it." Vara was an incredible actress and when she appeared to be jaded, she was jaded for all anyone else know. Plus, she had to be a good actress, she was a vampire after all and there were secrets that needed to be kept.

"If I was acting strange it is only a result from coming home to an unfamiliar. . .person. . .in our living room. On top of that speaking with MY best friend, alone." Though she did exaggerate a bit on referring to Phoenix as a 'person' she felt she got the message across clearly enough. When she said 'my' she most obviously implied that Elizabeth was her territory. Vara would get a kick out of the wolf's reaction, whether positive or negative, though she had a feeling it would be the latter.

[Elizabeth Coons]

Elizabeth laughed tentatively with Vara, but like Vara’s laugh, it was a bit hollow. She let her friend think as she worked diligently on Nix’s sandwich. The dressings were in place, and the meat sliced and placed in heaping piles on the mustard and sub-sauce marinated bread. Elizabeth preheated the oven, and waited for it to get warm while she waited for Vara to speak next. From Vara’s attitude, she probably wouldn’t say much. Why this was, Elizabeth was determined to find out, but she would hold off with her questions if she needed to.
To wait for the oven to get warm, Elizabeth sat down at the kitchen table. It overlooked the lake too, with big, glass French doors. Warm summer sunlight drifted down onto roughly half of the chairs. Elizabeth chose one in the sun. She would probably move when she got too warm, but the sun felt good right now. Her slightly tanned skin took the sun and the warmth from it well. A sarcastic smile formed on Elizabeth’s lips as Vara mentioned the special talents. She blinked patiently.

”You know what I mean.” Elizabeth said, a little more curtly then she had planned. Nope, Elizabeth would take no beating around the bush today, well, at least right now. Only one giggle escaped this time. Vara rubbed her temples. Elizabeth knew that there was no pain or tension there, but more body language. No more questions now. Elizabeth snorted in disagreement. Vara knew full well that she was behaving differently, but she chose not to talk about it now, so Elizabeth wouldn’t ask any more questions about that now.
Another small smile traced E’s lips as Vara claimed Elizabeth by putting emphasis on ‘my’. It amused her intensely how the vampire was so protective over her. However protective Vara might be though, she wouldn’t have reacted so strongly to a normal person sitting with Elizabeth, even uninvited. Elizabeth pursed her lips impatiently, her mouth a grim line now.

”Should he leave?” Elizabeth whispered. It wasn’t whispered because she had fear of being found out, or heard. But she didn’t feel like putting the effort into making her voice louder for Vara, for the sensitive vampire would hear her loud and clear. She exhaled forcefully again.

[Vara Saraphine Grimmark]

It was true, Vara did know what Elizabeth meant but it was said so curtly that Vara was now forced to manage her anger and keep from crushing the shiny silver untitsel she held beneath her white knuckles. The sandwich was finally finished and she retrieved a plate from the pantry to plant the perfectly ordered sandwich upon. She turned from the island in the middle of the kitchen and walked over towards the wooden dinner table. While sitting down she slid the plate over the polished wood, it stopped right in front of its proper owner. She was situated both out of the sun and directly across the table from Elizabeth. Just before answering her friend's final question a grin of content drifted over her face, relieve the stress in the room.

"You should eat." she stated flatly. A worried light hit her eye. Elizabeth's safety was her first and only priority and though she knew her friend found it amusing at times, it was the biggest part of their relationship that bonded them together so closely. Even though Elizabeth couldn't watch over Vara as Vara did for her, she knew that Elizabeth cared deeply for her. If it weren't for the obvious difference in species, they could be sisters. At times it did sadden her that her perfect pallid skin held the frost it did withn it and that she would never have a taste for human foods again. The simple pleasures in life that so many humans participated it everyday were lost to her.

"Yes, Elizabeth, I think it would be best if he ate and left", she murmured, relieved, since the questions had stopped. Look on the bright side, she told herself, now I have a reason to get Phoenix out.

[Phoenix]

Phoenix tried to listen the best he could while he flushed the toilet hopefully convincing those in the kitchen that he was actually going to the bathroom. He then washed his hands so as to be even more convincing. Then he could have sworn E just asked the feeble bloodsucking bat if she thought he should leave. Maybe it was the other way around; maybe Elizabeth was asking that creature to leave. Nix heard his sandwich finish cooking and headed into the kitchen after the vamp said something. He grabbed up the sandwich and looked at the clock. He made a surprised face and said, "Oh wow, that's the time. I'm really sorry E but I got to go home. Don't ruin it for me. Every reasoning has a time and a place for it to happen and obviously this isn't the time for any reasoning." and with that he winked at Vara hoping she would get the hint not to tell E his secret. Then while going out the kitchen door Nix said, "Is anybody wanting to walk me out, yes, no...maybe? Whatever, Elizabeth I still live at the same house and you're more than welcomed to come and visit and talk some more whenever you want."

[Elizabeth Coons]

Elizabeth’s attention was distracted from Vara for a moment when the toilet flushed. The sound was very faint to her weak human ears, but she heard it all the same. Her eyes flashed to the part of the wall that was closest to the bathroom unconsciously. That was convenient. Elizabeth thought as Nix walked in a moment after his sandwich was done baking. When he announced that he needed to leave, Elizabeth ducked her head to hide the embarrassment on her face. She was one to jump to conclusions often, and she was sure that he had somehow overheard their conversation they had just had. I wonder if he knows about Vara. The panicky thought ran through her mind as she looked back up at him. If he could, by some chance, hear them talking, he would suspect something was up with Vara. Elizabeth sighed, looking him in the eye before he left.

”I wish you could stay.” Her eyes showed that she was being honest about that, regret tinting her deep brown eyes. Sure, she wished he could stay, but not now. What decides when you choose friends over friends? Elizabeth thought with remorse. Elizabeth was immediately confused by his words, but didn't miss the wink he shot her way. He doesn't wan't her to tell me what's going on. Elizabeth thought in shock. She was embarased by that as soon as she said it though. Surely he deserved more trust than that. However, she didn't quite know if she should walk him to the door though. She cast a worried glance over at Vara.
"Ummm..." Elizabeth trailed off, still looking at Vara.

[Vara Saraphine Grimmark]

A split second before Elizabeth's attention was stolen away, Vara's head snapped to the kitchen door. She awaited the incoming interruption. The flushing toilet was an obvious rouse to what he had been up to beyond the kitchen.

"Five, four, three ,two, and. . .one." she counted out under her breath.

Not even a moment after she breathed the word one Phoenix waltzed in through the door. Right on time. she thought, flatly. Finally, the dog spoke the very words that sent her mind soaring, " I got to go home". Freedom at last, now she could actually speak with Elizabeth about her so called, childhood friend without being over heard. Then something dawned on her, He's not that naive. Though he may be a werewolf, he won't just get up and leave. No. Who on earth would trust a vampire to be alone with a human? Vara heaved a large sigh in response to her over worked conscience. Why does this fleabag have to plague my every thought, tonight! Vexation filled her mind. This was not how she had pictured this trip to Hush Hills would become.

Remember where you are. she told herself. This was very unlike her to get distracted by her thoughts. Normally, she was much more controlled. Wiping, she was sure a weary expression off of her face, she replaced it with a pleasant smile. "It was nice meeting you, Phoenix." she spoke tenderly to wards him, as if he too was a close friend and hated to see him go. There you go again with the acting . she told herself. Though she wouldn't dare hold her hand out to him for a hand shake she did nod firmly, acknowledging him considerately.

Without second thought she glanced at Elizabeth expectantly, wondering if she was going to walk him out. Then she saw it, the questioning look in her friends eye, she was simply asking for permission. The visions of all the diverse ways a werewolf could either kill or kidnap a human danced around her head. Standing up and moving lightly to Phoenix's side she said, "I'll walk you to the door." She motioned towards the exit and waited for his reply. It wasn't she was giving him much choice in the matter anyways. Vara shoved her gaze out the window for one last look, she took note of the evening light that was now waning in the distant mountains. It was starting to get very dark.

[Phoenix]

Nix was really hoping that E would get up and be kind enough to walk him to the door so as to have a chance to inform his friend that her "friend" was actually a vampire. Though ever so disappointing Elizabeth did not get up at the opportunity, however, Vara did. He decided that this wasn't such a bad thing. "Goodbye Elizabeth," Vara lead Phoenix out of the kitchen and to the front door ever so eagerly he though. Go figure, she probably wants me out of here asap so she can start sucking the life out of my only friend, Nix thought. She might as well just give me a swift kick in the rear and lock the door behind me. Finally the opportunity came. Nix whirled around and attempted to pin Vara against the wall silently enough that only a werewolf or a vampire would have heard it, and seeing as how he had more muscle than her, he was convinced it would be no trouble. He said in a harsh whisper, "Now listen to me and listen to me good Vara! I know that you are a vampire and don't think that I won't hesitate to tell Elizabeth that when I get the chance. By the way you've been acting around me I'm guessing that you know that I'm not and ordinary person. I have no intentions what so ever to hurt E. If I find out that you have hurt Elizabeth then so help me God I will tear you apart so fast that your head won't even realize its detached from your body until you try to react! Then I will drive a steak though your cold dead heart with whatever life is left in you watching. I will tell E of what I have become since the last she saw me in good time. But I think you'll agree with me that it isn't proper to tell her that her childhood friend has become an animal so shortly after her parent's death. Let me tell her when I feel necessary." It wasn't until after, that he realized of how close he had come to changing. His fingernails had actually grown almost two inches and that his fur had started to grow over his body. With each slower breath the claws and fur quickly receded.

[Vara Saraphine Grimmark]

Vara strode quietly upon the planks of the rich hard wood floor as she led Phoenix toward the front door. It bothered her greatly to have the werewolf stalking behind her. Though she was not entirely vulnerable in this position she did have an Itch of irritation at herself for not reversing the situation earlier. As she inhaled and exhaled involuntarily she could smell the spike of testosterone in the air. The wolf, she sensed, was getting tense as they neared the door. She could hear the thud of his pulse quickening. What she could have done to Phoenix in the next few moments would have shattered Elizabeth, so she refrained from violence.

What Vara was capable of wasn't something she relished. While she valued all of the wisdom and experience she had obtained over the years, she found it hard to live with the murderous power she held between her fists and her fangs. The dog's next move was easily anticipated so she slightly turned toward him as to make herself an easier target. With Elizabeth in the state she was in and considering Phoenix's relations to her Vara had no other choice than to let what was about to happen, happen.The burly hands of the indignant hound, seized her white, icy shoulders and pinned her roughly against the far wall.

Although she should have been infuriated at the werewolf, she couldn't help but find her predicament humorous. It was amusing from the point that Phoenix actually thought he had bested her. A smug grin spread across her face as she gazed at his threatening stare. She almost laughed out loud if it weren't for the vile stench that smothered the air she breathed while he spoke, As she silently listened to him she gave no objection but let her grin widen a tad at the words "I will drive a steak though your cold dead heart. . .".

Now that, was hilarious, she thought lazily to herself, A cliche if I ever heard one. How stereotypical. Noticeably she rolled her eyes. Before a giggle could escape her lips she turned her attention to what she could smell and thought it best, not to breathe. I could lightly compare his breath to the musty scent of a wet dog she thought idly,

The close proximity that Phoenix and Vara shared stabbed at her near animalistic instincts. The faint pressure of the anger-induced claws pinched her skin beneath his grip. His countenance seemed to alter in front of Vara's eyes. It made little difference whether he morphed into his wolf form or appeared perfectly human for she had always seen him for what he was, a dog. She noticed he seemed to calm himself once he realized how carried away he had gotten. After he had finished with his little speech and the theatrics were over she waited for him to let her down.

[Phoenix]

Nix dropped Vara. Headed out the door and climbed into his truck. He fired up the 5.7 Liter V8 and tore out the drive way leaving Vara practically laughing in his dry dust. Ther was absolutely no way that he was actually going home. He knew of a trail close to the Coons' lakehouse where he could sit for the night and keep an eye on the slimey leach.