Carl watched in a kind of horrified fascination as Marshall hauled a human figure out of the portable toilet and out into the light. Despite Marshall's questions the man didn't say anything, jsut gazing around with a vacant look in his eyes. His skin had taken on a bluish hue from the chemicals...
Marya watched the drone feed as the small device gained altitude, spinning in place over the Rig to give her a panoramic view of the area. Nothing was moving except Marshall and Adrienne as they headed for their areas of responsibility. Carl was an unmoving mass on top of the Rig, waiting to...
The trip had proven relatively uneventful for Carl, at least until he hit the last twenty miles or so. Unlike the parts of Texas he was familiar with, this part seemed to consist of a massive forest with lots of pines and other trees he couldn't identify right off the top of his head. The map he...
"Heal... from a decapitation," Marya said slowly, setting down her coffee cup with suddenly trembling hands. "Not even a Master Vampire can recover from a decapitation. I don't know of ANYTHING that can recover from that."
Marya's voice had begun to tremble just as badly as her hands had, and...
Carl shrugged at Marshall's comment about his sense. Even in human form, he would have heightened senses and reflexes. Of course a silver bullet would absolutely ruin his day, but Carl didn't bother to point that out. As a hunter, Marshall would know that every round they had in the rig...
Marya
Marya heard Carl's voice over the intercom as she busied herself settling the contents of her cases into the small workshop. Some items stayed in the cases, some went into clamps on the cramped workbench, and some went into bins racked along one wall. She had opened up her portable tool...
Marya
Marya appreciated the offer of help from Marshall, but she was glad when he didn't push. She was rather particular about her equipment, and unless it was an emergency, she preferred to handle it herself. Hefting her shotguns and the box marked 'kitchen sink' she climbed into the Rig and...
Marya
Marya stepped into her cluttered workshop and paused to take a mental inventory of what she had available, what she could put together on the trip, and what she wanted to take with them. Seismics were out. Too much vibration from the drill rig. Thermals were always an option, but they...
Carl Adamson was not a happy man as he stalked along the corridors of the Paranormal Solutions headquarters. The last mission he had been a part of had been concluded successfully, but the cost... Goddess bless, the cost. One team member dead, two in the infirmary, and then there was Cheryl. He...
Albert Woods, though he was still getting used to that name, surveyed the pump house with a resigned expression. The small stone building sat about fifty feet from the main edifice of Steinhaus, and was made of the same grey stone that gave the old building its name. Unlike the main building...
Rillianthar watched the subtle relaxation that came over Serenity as she realized that the gentle tap on the head was all the censure he was going to give her. He thought that he saw glimmers of comprehension behind those emerald eyes as well as she took his arm. Rillianthar moved slowly, aware...
Rillianthar sighed as Serenity berated herself. He knew it was going to take a lot of work to overcome years of conditioning and abuse, but this instant dive into self condemnation...
"At least she limited herself to idiot," he thought as he cleared his throat, causing Serenity to whirl in...
Rillianthar smiled as Serenity made a visible effort, using his name instead of 'sir'. It was a small thing, but it was something, a start. Moving to the chest where he kept his older things, Rill rooted around beneath clothing too good to just discard, but not currently useful to him. It took a...
"It was the right thing to do," Rill said. "And I shall continue to help you in all the ways that I can."
Rillianthar quickly cleaned away the detritus of his work as he let Serenity sit and recover from her morning disquiet. Soon his workbench was set to rights again, and he turned his...
Rillianthar stayed quiet as Serenity spoke, but his body relaxed as agreed to try his potions before resorting to what he considered suicide. As she leaned into him, one arm went around her protectively and he pressed a kiss into the top of her head.
"Thank you," he murmured into her hair. "My...
Rill enfolded Serenity in his arms as she came to him, trying to provide a safe haven for the shaking young woman. He murmured wordless reassurance to her as he gently stroked her hair. Slowly, far too slowly, the shudders subsided, and when she made to pull away, Rill released her immediately...
Rill was hovering on the brink of wakefulness when a sound no louder than the scurrying of a mouse tugged him over the edge into full awareness. He stayed relaxed, letting his ears tell the tale of a furtive trip to the necessary chamber. Serenity was being to quiet and thoughtful of him, though...
The stars were out, twinkling in the night sky as Rill finally doused the fire and headed into the cabin. Serenity hadn't woken, and by the light of the single candle he lit, Rill could see her sleeping form. Unlike the sleep of the night before, this seemed, better. Serenity's body was...