Location of Thread: Residential area at night Characters Involved: Rori Hanaway, Gabriel Preston & Nick Morningstar & introducing new character Ryan Branson with guest star Adam Hale Played By: Elel Fanning, Tom Ellis & Gavin Leatherwood & Nathan Parsons with Ian Bohen
Rori had spent the day and late evening with Jake at the entertainment complex. They had been a movie, and then went to the bowling alley and finally grabbed something to eat and as it was still fairly early, Rori, possibly against her better judgement, told Jake that she would be fine to get herself home. Jake usually always made sure she got home safe, but the complex wasn't so far away from her home, where as it was further away for Jake. Jake had been very much against the idea, but she pushed him on it and eventually he had put his hands up in surrender. She basically said that she had powers, and was supposed to belong to the strongest line of witches, and so she should be able to take care of herself.
With only about fifteen minutes until she reached home, she was certain that she would be safe. She was wrong, not that she knew it yet. Following her was a creature of the night and one that had been watching her from afar for a few weeks now. The same one that had found her essence intoxicating to him, drawing him to her. It could only mean that she was Fae, or part Fae, as he scent wasn't just as strong as a full Fae. For he was a Fae essence sucking vampire. He had been wanting to drain her for some time, but she always seemed to have someone with her, a young lad, and he could tell that he was a wolf and he never messed with those. They had a code back in Luna Cove, that vampires don't mess with wolves and they didn't mess back. So he had to wait for her to be out and about in the dark on her own and now was the perfect time.
After a short moment or two, Rori felt as though someone was following her. She stopped and sighed, “Jake, I told you I'd be alright.” She laughed, however, the person kept moving but said nothing. Now had that been Jake, he would have replied, giving himself up. He was her protector, and she had to fight hard to allow him to let her go home by herself tonight. So, of course this set alarm bells ringing. She turned, looking around, but saw nobody. She quickened her pace, but as she did, so did the person that was clearly following her. When she stopped, so did they. Every time she turned, nobody was there. It was getting more and more terrifying with every second and she wished that she had just let Jake walk her home after all.
Adam was loving the cat and mouse game he was playing with the girl. It was what he did. It wasn't his fault that he needed Fae essence to feed on, now as it? He had to feed, that didn't make him a bad person, so he'd like to think. Believing that he had spooked her enough, he jumped the final step and rather than just attack her, decided to lure her into a sense of false security. Putting his hand on her shoulder, “Now, now, why is a young pretty thing like you doing out alone in a place like this?” His eyes twinkling, and his veins pulsing, as it was hard to resist the temptation of just going in for the kill. Rori, stunned, not sure what to do, was this the one that she felt had been following her? Or was he someone that was genuinely concerned for her safety? It was hard to tell right now. He seemed harmless, and yet she hadn't seen him around Pandora. Still, being fairly new to the town still, she knew she hadn't met anywhere near all of the residents yet. Feeling she had been silent for too long, against her better judgement once more, she decided to give benefit of the doubt. “I wasn't. I had been with my boyfriend, but I just live ten minutes away, so decided to walk alone.” She gave him a bit of a smile.
Hmm, thought Adam. It was definitely a benefit to him, giving him a great advantage, but why would a wolf, who has a girlfriend, not insisting on his protective role? It wasn't like a wolf to do that. He had been around enough of them to know that they usually stuck to their close ones like glue. This girl here, must have been really stubborn about sending him home, just a bonus for him however. “I see. This place isn't safe at this time of night for the likes of you. You have to be careful. Let me walk you home.” He asked, Rori wasn't sure though. She usually had a good read on people, but she couldn't get it from him, yet. Her powers still weren't fully established yet either, and the thought reading was very intermittent. Sometimes she read people easily and other times, not so much. She really needed to talk to Sam about her witch powers as well, and hopefully there would be an older Fae around who could tune her into her Fae side. Now should she agree? Or just run? But she had seen enough movies to know that if it was the bad guy and she ran, it would only make them angry and they'd come after her even faster than they normally would. She wished she could read him, but her powers either weren't working properly again, or had somehow managed to close his mind off to her.
“Come on, I'm sure your parents wouldn't want you wandering around here alone. Let me walk you home.” He insisted, and Rori started to wonder if she should be worried after all. “Actually, it's only my father and he's expecting me in a couple of minutes, he will come out after me if I'm not home. So I really best be going, thanks all the same.” She smiled and turned, and began to walk more quickly. Foolish girl thought Adam, doesn't she know that trying to run away is the absolutely wrong thing to do. He would have her, he had to have her. He needed a fix, and he was so hungry for it. Now Rori's powers managed to pick up on some of those thoughts, he needed a fix and hungry for it. Calling her a foolish girl, now she knew for certain he was not a good guy. She almost wished that her dad would come out and look for her, but truth be told, he trusted her and he never ever did that. Now that she wanted him to more than anything, he was nowhere to be seen.
Quickening her pace even more, she stumbled and before she knew it, his hands were on her and this time the grip was not so friendly. When she turned, she was aghast to see fangs protruding from his mouth. He was a vampire, the first she had seen and he sure as hell was nothing like the sweet Edward Cullen and he sure as hell wasn't going to sparkle in the sun. She put her hand out, willing the ball of energy to come, but once more, it didn't happen. Her current mental state was obviously blocking some of her powers. As Adam closed in, his mouth around her neck, she began to involuntarily scream, and thinking that she was done for, out of nowhere, the guy was thrown from her with a force and she was pushed behind someone. She had no clue who it was, but all she could think was that she was grateful to whoever it was. When they spoke, she didn't recognise the voice, which meant that it was someone else she hadn't met yet. “Adam, you bastard. I knew you were going to cause trouble. I knew you were coming here and I knew you were coming here for her. I told you if you did that, I'd hunt you down and put you down if necessary.”
Rori stayed behind the guy, shivering, shaking and crying out of fear and worry. The arm around her keeping her behind the person, was rubbing at her back, trying to somehow console her she figured. Adam chuckled, “Ryan Branson, should have known you'd follow me. Or was it more the girl you were interested in as well? I'm going to bet it's the girl. You figured out what she was and you wanted her for yourself.” He sneered, and shook his head. Ryan grunted, “Don't be so fucking stupid, she's far too young for that. I did know what she was, I sensed it, you know fine well that Fae sense other Fae and she's a Campbell too. Of course I was going to come here, to keep her safe from the likes of you.” He yelled, being a far more established Fae and witch, with the one hand he had free, he pushed it out in front of him and a ball of energy was conjured and he stood there, spinning it around and around. “I think that maybe you should just go before I have to use this.” Ryan mocked and Adam sighed, it was so frustrating that it was only female Fae essence that he had to feed on, otherwise he'd have just attacked Ryan for keeping the girl from him. Male Fae essence was poisonous to him.
Meanwhile Rori had no idea what to do, she was glad for the stranger's protection but she'd sooner it was Jake or even Nick or someone that she knew. No sooner did she think that, than she was pulled away from the stranger who had saved her life and swept into an embrace. “Are you okay Rori?” The voice asked, and she crumbled at the voice, for it was Nick and she began to sob, while Ryan and Adam continued to battle it out.
Location of Thread: Residential area at night Characters Involved: Rori Hanaway, Nick Morningstar & Gabriel Preston with Ryan Branson & Adam Hale Played By: Elle Fanning, Gavin Leatherwood & Tom Ellis with Nathan Parsons & Ian Bohen
Rori was still shaking with fear as Nick was doing his best to console her. She hadn't even gotten to answer him. However, she shivered a little and then nodded her head. “Just petrified, but, I don't know, I've got blood coming from my neck I think.” She put her hand up and could feel the blood and that got her upset all the more. Nick pulled her to him again, “Hush sweetheart, I'll take care of that.” Placing his hand gently over the area, a ball of light formed as he kept it over there until the wounds healed over. He then took out a tissue to wipe the excess blood away. “There, all healed. I will kill him for doing this to you. I will.” Rori smiled a little, though still shaking and put her hand on his arm, “He's not worth your anger. Besides, it looks as though the new stranger in town is taking care of it. Do you know who they are?” She asked, and Nick shook his head, “No, never seen either of them before.” Rori thought as much, she hadn't thought she had seen them. Then she remembered what the one who saved her had said. “They aren't from here, I remember what he said to him, about having to come after him to make sure I was kept safe. He knew that I was Fae, something about sensing it as he's Fae? Knows I'm a Campbell witch too.”
Nick took that in and began to nod his head a little as realisation sunk in. “Luna Cove. We don't talk about it much, it's basically where the Campbell Coven disappeared to. Clearly not just witches from there now though. Your ancestors will stay there, so they probably already know all about you.” Rori still feeling queasy and shaky, tried to take in what he said. “So, I could have relatives in this Luna Cove? Oh and thank you for healing me.” She kissed his cheek softly which made him blush. He still had some deep rooted feelings for her that he was trying very hard to fight off. “You're welcome and yes, it is most likely that you do. Maybe aunts and cousins? You can leave Pandora like me, maybe we could all take a trip to Luna Cove one of these days?” Rori wasn't sure about that. Her dad might not approve for a start, especially since at the moment he can't leave Pandora with her. “Maybe, I'd have to talk to my dad about that first though. Not sure he'd be happy at me looking out for relatives without him.” Nick nodded, it made sense, “Sure, well, know the offer is there if you ever feel an urge to try and find them.” He had no idea how many of the Campbell Coven were left. Not that all of the witches in the Coven would be Campbells, but it was called that as it had been started by Georgina all those years ago. Rori smiled and nodded, “Thanks Nick.” She really was grateful to him for intervening.
While Rori and Nick had been conversing, Ryan and Adam were still taunting one another, with no physical contact, yet. Ryan still had the ball of energy in his hand, moving around. “So, Adam, are you going to go back to Luna Cove? You know who lives here don't you? You mess with any of the residents here and he will come down hard on you.” Of course Ryan was referring to Lucifer himself. Lucifer didn't stand for people taking the law into their own hands, he liked to punish people like Adam. Ryan pushed his hand out further still, knowing he'd let it go if he had to. “No, I'm not going anywhere until I have her.” Ryan sneered, and pushed his hand out with force and the ball left but Adam was quick, he is a vampire after all and dodged it with ease. He laughed dangerously, “Nice try Branson. You know you can't take me on. You're not fast enough, you never will be.” Adam made to get to Rori again, using his speed, but Ryan let out another ball of energy and threw it just in time and with it going against the speed of Adam, it knocked him back a few feet. He turned quickly to see that the girl was being taken care of. “Go. Go now, let me deal with this. Get her to safety. I'll introduce myself later, I promise.” He then turned back round just in time for Adam to hurl himself at Ryan. This time it was Ryan's turn to be knocked flying backwards, but he got up quickly and stood firm, constantly throwing balls of energy at Adam. “I told you to leave.”
Nick hearing this, knew that wasn't likely to happen. Unless this Adam was also a witch, then he was stuck here. That meant that the whole time that this guy was here, Rori's life and other female Fae were in danger. Knowing that Fae can read thoughts, he pushed a thought into the saviour's head. “I hate to tell you but unless he's a witch, he isn't going anywhere. A spell is stopping most supernatural creatures from leaving Pandora once they enter the gates.” Bull crap thought Ryan when he heard that, knowing that it had come from the young lad with the girl. He turned his head quickly and gave a nod and then using his eyes, to reiterate that he get Rori to safety. Nick nodded back and then taking her hand, he went to the only home he knew would be the safest right now, his father's.
He didn't have to knock upon the door. He may live with his mother and step father, but he had free reign to come and go at his real father's house. While he did this, Rori called her own father to tell him not to worry but something had happened and for now, she was safe with Nick at his father's home. She said she'd explain all later. Thankfully he accepted that, though she was still expecting him to come hammering on Gabriel's door at any moment. Gabe stood up and looked her up and down slowly, smiling. “So, you are the new Campbell witch then. Aurora Hanaway. You're young, but I can sense the power within you. It's great. You will become very powerful when you master your craft. Come here my child.” He said holding his arms out to her. She turned to Nick a little unsure, but he nodded his head, willing her to go ahead. So she did and felt strong arms envelope her. “It is good to meet you. I know that it was your father's wish for him to be here with you when you met me, but hopefully my son is a good enough barrier. Though I can sense danger, you brought her here for safety, what the bloody hell has happened Nick?” He asked, getting angry, eyes flashing red. Nobody would hurt a Campbell witch while he was living here on earth and in particular in Pandora. Nick had sat Rori down now and had gone to make her a hot chocolate as he already knew that didn't drink tea or coffee. When he returned, he filled his dad in on what had happened outside. Now Gabriel was filled with rage, “Is that so? Well now, we can't bloody well have that, can we? Nobody is going to take away my only link to the Campbell Coven. You wait here, keep her safe. I will deal with this myself.” Before Nick could say anything, his father had stormed out of the house. “Dad's actually not a bad soul, even if he is supposed to be the devil, doesn't mean he has to act it.” Rori could sense that his father wasn't that bad a person, and in fact, she could see a lot of Nick in him, so it was evident that he was Gabriel's son.
Outside, it didn't take Gabriel long to meet the scene, between two strangers. His eyes flaring red once more, he watched from afar, and within seconds he could tell which one had protected Aurora. So, he went towards the other, and used his power to choke him without physically touching him. “I hear that you have come to terrorise a certain Campbell witch. Well, you bloody well won't do it here in my town. Now you are not a witch, so you can't leave, but I guarantee that if you try to hurt a hair on her head again, I'll make sure you leave and it won't be in the way you think.” Ryan backed away a little, as he knew that it was Lucifer. He had seen enough about him and read enough, to know that this was Lucifer Morningstar in his assumed body. Stopping the ball of energy, as he felt it was no longer required for now, he stepped away, he wasn't going to get in the way of a devil punishment.
Adam's eyes opened wide, now he hadn't expected this. He tried to talk but of course he couldn't, so Gabe let the pressure down a little, but keeping him firmly around the arm instead. “Speak.” He said simply and Adam, shuddered, the thought of being punished by Lucifer was not sitting well with him at all. “I, I, I'm sorry but I need to feed and I, I sensed her, her essence is so strong. I need it, I have to have it.” He almost stammered which made Ryan chuckle, he had never seen Adam look as if he was living in fear like that before and it served him right. Gabriel raged, eyes bright red, and sneering, “This girl is not your property to feed on. Have you got it? You can find your fuel elsewhere, but it will not be here. If you can't survive without Fae essence, then I suggest you let someone put you out your misery, I can happily oblige.” He tightened the hold on his neck once more and Adam struggling to breathe, shook his head and Gabe let go again a little. “Perfect, that's what I wanted to hear. Good choice. Now be a good boy and move along and don't even think about coming back for Aurora again. Have you got it?” Adam sort of nodded and slowly began to back away and realising that Gabriel was not coming after him, he ran, he ran as far away as he could.
Gabriel turned to the man left, and gave a nod of his head and a smile, “Thank you for keeping Aurora safe. We owe you a gratitude of debt. I can sense that you're a witch, so you are free to leave if you wish to do so.” However, Ryan shook his head, “No sir, I'm not going anywhere, not while he is here in Pandora. Stuck here I was to learn. While he is here, I have a duty to protect the Campbell heir and that's Aurora.” Gabe nodded his head and smiled. “Very well then. Welcome to Pandora. It would seem that this young girl has a great team of people looking out for her. Why don't you come on in, and introduce yourself properly?” Ryan smiled and nodded, he knew better than to refuse an invitation by the devil. “Of course.” He followed Gabriel the short distance until they had reached the Preston home and soon they were both inside with Rori and Nick. Adam running and hiding somewhere in the shadows of Pandora.
Location of Thread: Residential area at night (currently at Preston home) Characters Involved: Aurora Hanaway, Nick Morningstar & Gabriel Preston with Ryan Branson Played By: Elle Fanning, Gavin Leatherood & Tom Ellis with Nathan Parsons
With James Hanaway & Jake Wheeler played by Josh Holloway & Colin Ford
Both Nick and Rori were sat on the sofa, he had his arm around her and she was resting her head on his shoulder. She was still clearly shaken by her encounter and near death. Nick made her feel safe. Of course Jake did too, but she had been foolish to have sent him away, so when Jake wasn't around, Nick was the next best thing. She was feeling a little guilty however, sitting here like this, when it should be Jake she was snuggled up to. Nick on hearing those thoughts, had to say something, telepathically of course. “Rori, please don't feel guilty. This means nothing. I'm just a friend consoling my friend who got scared out of her mind. I have no idea why Jake wasn't there with you, but you're safe now and that's all that matters.”
Rori kept forgetting she had this telepathic power and at first wondered where the words had come from when it was clear that Nick hadn't physically spoken. “Don't blame Jake. That was my fault. I sent him away, said it wasn't far and that I could take care of myself. How stupid was that.” Nick shook his head and sighed, “Not foolish at all. You're a witch, and a fae, you're strong, but unfortunately some people are just much stronger, older. Surprised that Jake didn't insist on walking you home anyway.” Rori began to cry again softly, and shook her head. “He did, but I wouldn't accept it, I demanded that he leave me be. I'll never make that mistake again.” Nick rubbed at her shoulder where his hand was placed and kissed the top of her head, “It's okay, you're not foolish, you don't have to worry about making that mistake again, I think Jake, all the wolves and myself, even father, will make sure you are not left alone again. Not while that bastard is around.” Rori felt a little better and she smiled softly and physically spoke, “Thank you.” Nick smiled down at her, “Any time.”
It was at that moment that they were interrupted by Nick's father coming into the lounge, along with the guy that had come to Rori's rescue earlier. Gabriel spoke, “Nick, Aurora, this is Ryan Branson. He is the charming man that came to your aide thankfully. He is a witch-fae like yourself. He could leave, but he wishes to stay and help keep you protected.” Ryan gave both of them a smile, “Hello. It is now officially good to meet you both under better circumstances. I'm from Luna Cove, as is that idiot. He's a female fae vampire. He feeds on the essence of female fae. I'm safe, as apparently male fae essence is poisonous to him. Makes me wanna force feed him to be quite honest.” He chuckled a little, and Gabe beckoned for him to take a seat, so he did.
“Can I get you something to drink? A Scotch perhaps?” Gabe asked and Ryan nodded, smiling, “That would be fantastic, thanks.” Soon, both Ryan and Gabriel had glasses of Scotch and they were sipping down on them. Nick was the first to speak, “Thank you for helping Rori earlier. It means a lot to me.” Ryan smiled and winked, “You're welcome and it's no wonder she means a lot to you. You need to take better care of that girl of yours though.” He winked again and Rori blushed, feeling terrible that Ryan had jumped to the conclusion that she and Nick were a couple. So she had to correct him, “Actually, Nick is just a friend, a very good one though. I stupidly sent my boyfriend home, thought I could walk the five minutes without getting into any trouble. How wrong was I?” Ryan frowned a little, and shook his head, “Never ever, walk home by yourself in a place like this. Just because you're one of them, doesn't make you safe. Have you got it? You're a Campbell, that in itself puts a price on your head.” He didn't mean to be so blunt, but he wanted her to realise just how much potential danger she could find herself in. Rori slowly nodded and bit on her lip, “I have learned my lesson, I promise. Thank you for earlier, I really appreciate it.” She smiled, still feeling upset, tears were still falling intermittently.
Ryan could sense how upset she was and telepathically communicated to her, “Please, it was a pleasure to help you. You're not foolish though, you've not long been here, you will learn with time. Let me help you with your Fae side. Will you do that?” Rori smiled and nodded her head, “I'll let you help, yes, thanks.” Ryan gave a nod of his head. Then to Gabe he said aloud, “So, how many people are aware of Rori being a Campbell and how many are here that can protect her and keep her safe?” Gabe swallowed the rest of his Scotch before answering. “Well, there's Jake, her boyfriend, and he's a shifting wolf, he is probably the best to protect her, he has the rest of his pack, then there is me and my son. We will all do what we can to keep her safe. So, you really could leave if you wanted to.” However, Ryan shook his head. “No sir, like I said earlier, I intend to stay while that bastard is here. He can't harm me, well, he could, but if he did, it would kill him. A Campbell witch needs a good protection ring around them.”
Gabe nodded, he couldn't agree more. “And she will get it, you can trust me. I never lie, and I always keep my promises.” Ryan knew fine well that was the case. He knew that Gabriel was really Lucifer. Nobody messed with him and if he said something or promised to do something, you could guarantee that it would be done. Ryan smiled, “I think I will have to introduce myself to the rest of Aurora's protection ring then, but another time, it's late and I think we should all be seeing about getting some rest.” Which made him realise that he had nowhere to stay here. He had just come on a whim to protect Rori without thinking of the long term, he had also expected to be leaving, and now he wasn't. Rori picking up on this thought, wondered about something. Communicating telepathically she said, “Ryan, we might be able to offer you a room at our home. I am sure my father will be indebted to you for helping me tonight. Let me talk to him.” Ryan turned and gave her an expression of gratitude and replied, “That would be exceptional thank you, I might go back to Luna Cove just to collect some of my belongings, when I do, I am bringing you with me, to make sure you stay safe.” The very thought of going somewhere new filled Rori with adventure and a little fear, fear of the unknown. He added, “There is someone there I think you should meet and I am almost certain she is going to want to mentor you on your Fae side.” Gosh, now she was even more excited, so excited in fact, that when she answered him, she said it aloud, “Oh gosh that would be amazing, thank you so much.” This made Ryan chuckle and shake his head, “You're welcome.” To anyone else they might have been wondering what had been said, but since both Nick and Gabe could read thoughts also, they knew exactly what had been said between them.
However, Rori didn't have to contact her father, for the doorbell rang, and when Gabriel answered it, it was James in tow with a very worried Jake. Jake came flying into the lounge and shook his head sighing as he pulled Rori into his arms. “You had me worried sick. When your father called me to ask if you were with me and you hadn't gotten home, I thought all things. You will not ever go home by yourself again.” It sounded a little controlling to Rori, and she wasn't really liking it all that much. She just gave him a look as if to say exactly that and he backed down, “I mean, I'd rather you didn't go home by yourself.” This time she smiled, “I agree, I was so scared. But Ryan here came to my rescue and then Nick came from nowhere and kept me safe while Ryan fought off the vampire that tried to kill me.” Of course neither Jake nor James knew any of that, they had just wondered where she had been. James shouted, “What the fuck? You got attacked by a vampire? I just thought that maybe you had gone to see a friend and lost track of time. We came here, to see if Gabriel knew anything and here you are. Don't scare me like that again please.” Rori smiled and nodded, tears falling from her eyes and James then pulled her into a hug, “You've all I have left of your mother, I can't lose you, I'm sorry kiddo.” He hated yelling at her, it wasn't like him, but when he was scared, his emotions got heightened. While in the embrace, she asked her father about Ryan. “So, Ryan has come from Luna Cove, and he now wants to stay here to protect me from the vampire that also comes from there, but he has nowhere to stay. So, I was...” James cut her off, “Of course he can stay with us. I am eternally grateful to you for stepping in and helping my daughter.” James held his hand out and Ryan shook it. “You're welcome and I am grateful to you sir for allowing me into your home.”
Meanwhile Jake was talking to Nick, “Thank you for going to Rori's rescue, I can't thank you enough. I mean, I know that we were sort of getting some sort of friendship going, but now, this has just sealed the deal. I trust you emphatically.” Nick pulled Jake into a man hug and patted his back gently a few times. “You're welcome. I can promise that Rori isn't going to be short on protectors.” The fact that Gabriel had also intervened, made James trust him all the more, he shook his hand, “I'm so thankful that you also went out to help, I don't know what I would do if I lost my daughter. If you want to talk with her, you have my blessing, you don't need me there.” Gabriel smiled and gave a nod of his head. “You are most welcome, she will never come to harm while I am in Pandora. I guarantee it.”
So, a rotten night that had scared Rori and those who loved her, had turned into one full of new found trust and alliances. Now they had a new fight on their hands. Not only did they have to find and take care of Lilith, they had this monster to deal with too, and they would, as a team coming together, both Lilith and Adam would be dealt with.
