The Hunter and The Thief

[Questor]

Dante had been living a good life of a thief. He had been dubed the Cat for he could jump from roof to roof, evading the cops and bounty hunters. The cops and the news media were stumped on how he could do such things. If only the fools knew the truth. He chuckled as he read the latest news paper. The picture there was a hand drawn one, done by somebody probably at the newspapaer. But it didn't have his face. No one knew what he looked like and he planned to keep it that way. He laid the newspaper down on the roof of the building he was crouching on and looked over at the building that held the next item he was going to steal.


It belonged to some rich dude that seemed never to be seen during daylight hours. A real night owl it seemed. Spend money like it was nothing and always going to the best restraunts with the lovely ladies and operas and such. It was said that he had a tierra that had three very large and perfectly shaped teardrop shaped diamonds that were valued at at least three million. He would snatch it and be away before the old boy even knew it was gone. Looking around for one last time he launched himself into the air and over to the roof of the building that was twenty stories above the street. He landed with cat like reflexes and melted into the shadows with his dark clothing. Picking the lock on the door was easy and then it was down the stairs to the Penthouse. The next thing was the safe. Ever since the accident he had been able to do things no normal man could. Even his hearing was a bit more sensitive. Listening to the tumblers as he turned the dial he heard the clicks as they fell into place.


With in minutes he had the tiera in his hand and then into a velvet bag. That was when things all began unfolding. The old boy came in with a young woman and before he could move he saw the man was not a man but a vampire, as his fangs extended and he sunk them into the neck of the woman. He had not seen one since that fateful day of the accident, when hunters had caught up to one and ran him through with a spear. But he had been behind the vampire and the spear pierced his flesh and the blood of the vampire mixed with his.


The suddeness of the act made him flinch and he made a noise which caused the vampire to notice him. He snarled and dropped the woman to the floor and Dante knew what was going to happen next if he didn't get out of there. He sprang from his position and was out the way he had come in a flash, the vampire close on his heals. up to the roof and again he launched himself to the roof of the building he had been on earlier and as he landed he kept running. A quick look behind him showed the vampire not to far away. "Shit." he said as he continued to run. From one roof top to another he ran, the Vampire always close behind. "Damn doesn't this guy ever get tired." he mumbled.

 

[YoshiAnkoTay]

Celeste walked the streets of the city. She had just reentered town after they sent her on another successful mission. She had to take down a band of blood suckers who thought it was okay to enslave a city. She smiled. The look of utter defeat in the eyes of her enemies was what she lived for. She was the best of the best and she constantly proved it with every mission she was faced with and coming back in record time. Nearly every single time she came back unscathed but no one was perfect and she wasn't trying to be. Celeste was just good at what she did and loved that fact.


She was known as the Lady Misfortune amongst the vampires because if you saw her face it would be the last thing you saw as she staked your heart and burned your body mercilessly. Celeste was an orphan. Her parents died when she was only six and she was taken to a facility where she was bred to become a hunter in an elite force that take down the supernatural. She was too young to remember her family and since no one ever came to find her she could only imagine that they were all dead.


Sighing, she heard some commotion on the rooftops above her. She looked up and that's when the smell hit her. She smiled. It was time to take out the trash. She smelled a vampire and by the looks of it, some poor soul was trying to outrun it. She shook her head. Celeste hopped onto the roof top of the nearest building and began to follow the smell. As she ran, she loaded her crossbow and started catch up to them. They were in her line of sight. She aimed an arrow straight at the vampire's heart and fired. She ran to catch up to them and hopefully to collect her prey.

 

[Questor]

The damn vampire was quick and didn't seem to get tired. Though Dante had some of the abilities of the vampires, he still was part human and the exertion was begining to wear him down. To make matters worse it started to rain. It made the roof top more slick and dangerous. He had to watch his footing as well as jump from one building to another. The edge of the building was coming up and he would have to make the jump to the next one. He didn't know what he was going to do if he could not get away from the vampire. He knew his secret, and that is something Dante knew the vampire was not about to let him live to tell.


Sooner or later he was going to have to stop and face the damn thing. But he needed something to fight it with. Something to run it through the heart with, a piece of wood, or something to cut it's head off. He cursed under his breath and then heard something, heard a femine voice, then a gunshot rang out and then another and a piece of the roof ripped up at his feet. He was just at the edge of the roof and it made him hesitate just enough where he knew in an instant he would not make it to the next roof. They were at least twenty stories up. Even though he was strong, and had the agility and he healed fast, a fall like that would mean his death for sure. He could die and he knew it.


With a leap he fliped himself backwards to again land on his feet on the roof and then slowly turned to take a look. The Vampire was colapsing in on itself, it's long age apparent as the body finally decomposed fast. Between him and the decomposing corpse stood a figure. He could see that it was a woman In her hamd she still held the crossbow. Looking the figure up and down, he had a feeling of what she was. "Nice evening for a hunt, eh Hunter." he said. Then he saw something in the shadows, just behind her, and the air smelled of dog. He leaped over the figure, something a normal person could not do, and as the figure in the shadow lunged forward he kicked it in the head making the creature fall backwards and to the roof on its back. "Oh great, another blasted creature of the night." he said as he landed on his feet. A damn werewolf. This was not his night. Vampire, a Hunter, and a Werewolf, all in the same place at the same time. "Shit." he said.

 

[YoshiAnkoTay]

Celeste rolled to the side as she could smell the creature behind her. It distinctly smelled like days of unwashed bodies and wet dogs. Putrid. Inhuman. Werewolf. As she rolled, she changed her ammo to silver bolts. The only way to hurt a werewolf was silver. Watching the mysterious man kick the wolf in the face, her eyes widened. Who was he? Was he the human being chased by the vampire from earlier? How hadn't she noticed?


Taking her eyes off of the target for a moment cost Celeste her balance. "Dammit," she said as she tumbled into a back flip. He was definitely not a normal man. His reflexes too quick, his agility was superhuman. Could he be like her?But then why was he being chased by the vampire? Celeste had little time to think of that as the creature approached the man. Regardless of who he was, he was still human and it was her duty to protect all enemies of the Church. She fired her arrow but the creature was too fast. She snapped. It seemed that she would need to change tactics.


She strapped her crossbow to her back and pulled out two daggers situated at the small of her back. The blades were doused in holy water and crafted from the finest of silver. Celeste charged the monster head on. She darted to its left slicing at its leg. The wolf cried out in pain, falling to one knee. As he was falling, she sliced its right leg. The creature now howled in pain on its knees. Quickly, pulling her crossbow out, she put it out of its misery. One bolt to the head the other in the heart. Celeste turned to face the mysterious man, pointing her crossbow at his chest. "Who the hell are you?" She said suspiciously. Her dark hood had fallen from her head revealing a short blue Bob and serious grey eyes, scrutinizing the possible enemy before her.

 

[Questor]

Dante looked at her and raised a brow. Then he looked down at the werewolf that was slowly changing back into its human form now that it was dead, "Damn. One of his guards. A vamp and werewolf working together, now that is strange." Dante, ever since the accident had fallen into the realm of the abnormals. Most were Vampires and Werewolves with a sprinkling of changelings and some that were considered mythical creatures. The change in him had also helped him look at people differently and spot some of the traits of these abnormals. Smells, their eyes or what ever it was that made them different he was able to see them for what they were. The vampire and werewolf on the rooftop had managed to cover their real personage well, for he had missed them completely when he had cased the job.


He again looked up at her when she asked who he was. He chuckled and replied, "The Prince of Thieves." and he gave a sweeping bow. That was the name the cops were giving him any ways and the newspapers. No one knew his identity since he made sure not to leave prints or any DNA around. He made sure security cameras were disabled when he did his jobs so there would be not recording of his face. "Now who do I have the pleasure of talking to. I know you are a Hunter and by your gear, one of the Churches Hunters." He jumped and did a back flip and landed several feet up on a raised protion of the roof that contained the elevator mechinism. He smiled down at her. He pointed to her corssbow. "Now remember if I hadn't jumped over you and knocked that werewolf down, you would have been his lunch."

 

[YoshiAnkoTay]

Celeste's eyes narrowed as she peered at the man before her. "I don't need you or anyone to help me do what I am the best at," she said irritably, "All you did was allow me to execute him properly. I would have just shot him otherwise." She said dismissively, "More importantly, you shouldn't claim that name unless you are willing to face the consequences." This man before her held the arrogance of someone who was highly successful but as she glanced at her crossbow, he barely had a point. That werewolf would have still died, she might have gotten bitten in the process though and Celeste had no desire to be among them, in fact the idea repulsed her.


Reluctantly, she lowered her weapon from his chest. If she didn't like what he had to say she planned to keep him from running away. Sighing, she introduced herself. "I am known as The Apparition, perhaps you have heard of my work," she said smirking, "As if I would give you my name. You haven't earned the right to speak it yet. You have nothing to fear as long as remain human, genetically altered or otherwise." Celeste did not trust the man standing before her. Besides, she couldn't reveal her name to a man who claimed to be a thief. Since the Prince of Thieves had no face or rather no one had seen him, any man could claim that identity and she remained unconvinced.

 

[Questor]

"Well now I can see you need no help but there are always one out there that is a tad faster then you or just that bit better then you that can take you down." he told her with a smirk on his face. "As for claiming the name, he shugged his shoulders, the press gave me the name so why not claim it. I know anyone can say they are the famed Prince of Thieves, but they can not get to those places that has earned me that name." When she said she was the Apparition, he smiled. "I have heard of you in certain circles. But unlike you I can believe it." He looked down at her and shook his head. The only person that had seen the face of the Prince of Thieves and she was a Church Hunter. He had heard of the Order. He knew of the abnormals and had some friends that were. Now that he could see them for what they were. Most of them wanted to just live in peace and have a normal life. Even the Vamps and Wolves. But there were always those that wanted to terrorize the populace and make things hard for the rest of them.


Those he could see being hunted but not those that didn't do anything bad. "So Hunter what are you going to do. I can't wait her all night you know. I have things to do and places to go." There was more to her then one could really see. Yes he had heard of her. She was strong, almost as strong as the vamps and wolves. She was fast and had reflexes that were amazing. Dante thought his was faster though but he had only seen her in action this once and not in a real fight with one of the two major abnormals. "So I hate to talk and run." The next thing she knew he was behind her. He hated using that ability, for it would drain him of his energy, but he didn't want her trying to take him in to the Church. "But I have to run." he whispered in her ear. Then he was on the roof top of the other building and gave her a mock salute. "Perhaps we will meet again." He was feeling the drain but he had to keep moving or she might be able to catch up to him.

 

[YoshiAnkoTay]

Celeste glared at the man before her. Of all the arrogant pricks she had met in her life, he was by far one of the most condescending. It was hard to distinguish between his sarcastic smirk and his truthful words. Perhaps he was the Prince of Thieves but it didn't really matter. She had not caught him in the act and he did attempt to save her life however unnecessary it was. There was a first for everything and this would be the first time she didn't scrutinize someone who was clearly more than meets the eyes. It also made no difference to her because this man was human. And she did not kill humans. She smirked his acknowledgement of her title.


Over the years, Celeste had gained quite the reputation over the years. The Apparition, her title given by the Church, had taken out several groups of vampires and werewolves who commit crimes. The Belikovs in Russia had given her a particularly high reputation since they were known to be one of the strongest and oldest vampire families in the world. The battle was grueling, she suffered from multiple injuries but it was also that day she discovered her love for projectile weapons. Upon seeing him move Celeste really didn't want to waste a bolt on a human, especially a human who no doubt had similar capabilities to her. She greeted his words with a glare. Slinging her crossbow over her shoulder, she began to chase after him by rooftop. He would not escape if she could help it.

 

[Questor]

"Crap." he said as he saw her start to come after him. Well running on the roof tops was not going to be the easy way, so he took the fire escape on one building, but not in your normal way. He slid down most of the way, only stopping long enough to reduce the speed of his decent. From the ally he ran out into the street where there was a fair amount of foot traffic, since this was the better part of the city. "Now try to follow me." he mumbled to himself. Some one with a crossbow slung across their backs would be bringing alot of attention to themselves. The Cops might even stop her since it was a weapon. He chuckled and continued on and slowed down to blend in more with the people waking about the street.


He continued on his way looking back now and then to see if he could see her. He sighed when he didn't see her. Couldn't have her seeing where he was going. It was a well kept secret of his. He took various streets, walking all the way but finally came to the park like area that was no park. It had all the swings, slides and things a park would plus more, but it was just part of the property that a very large house stood on. On the porch was two elderly people sitting and rocking in their rocking chairs. As he approached they stood and the woman decended the stairs and huggend him. "Dante, you are back. Oh how the children have missed you."


Dante hugged the woman back and shook the mans hand. "Good to be back in town." he said. He looked up at the sign above the porch "Worthington Orphanage." Suddenly there spilled out of the house a large group of children from the ages of five to fifteen. They surrounded Dante and he began picking up the little ones and hugging them and giving them kisses on the cheek. The older ones he embraced and looked them all over. "They are growing like weeds." he chuckled.

 

[YoshiAnkoTay]

Celeste chased after the man relentlessly. She watched him run down the alleyway but chased him while on the rooftop. It would bring too much attention to herself to travel amongst the crowds. She trailed him but eventually lost him down a random street in a sea of people. She sighed heavily. Tonight was not one of her best nights. She was apparently outrun but the 'Prince of Thieves'. Though she had seen his face, she was unsure if he was who he said he was. After all, she dealt little with humans and more with the supernatural. She decided to return to the the Church. She was supposed to be reporting her last mission to the Order.


She took the scenic route. Hoping from building to building discreetly while she kept her eye out for any supernatural activity. Celeste had finally reached it. The Church of the Order. There stood a large cathedral with multiple towers made of red brick. Every tower had a cross on top of it and she served as deterrents of creatures of the night. She pushed open the metal plated wooden doors and was greeted by a series of pews from the door to the altar. She knelt down at a pew in the middle of the room and began to pray. After a few moments of silence, she stood up and headed to the cardinal's office.


Knocking at the door, she heard a quiet "Enter", from the other side of the door. She turned the knob and immediately bowed in front of the mahogany desk. Behind the desk stood a man in white and red robes. His face filled with lines from age and deep thinking. His pale green eyes looked down at her as he held out his hand. She kissed his ring and stood up. "I bring report of my travels to the Isle of Greed, sir. I have irradiated the threat on the people of Mercer." The old man nodded as she reported her findings. Taking a seat in his chair, he laces his fingers and his brows frown in deep thought.


"You have been working hard, Celeste. I don't have any jobs for you right now. You have eliminated all the known threats as of right now. Take some time off, stay in the city for a while. Its been a long time since you have relaxed right?" The bluenette's eyes widened at his words. Relax? Vacation? It was true that the woman had not yet taken a vacation since she had joined the ranks but it had only been a few years right? "What about the new threat? The Prince of Thieves." the cardinal shook his head. "Leave that sort of mission for the newbies. I wouldn't waste your skills on some thief. Now this is an order, take some time off." He dismissed her and she stood with disbelief as she exited the room.


Celeste had been with the order since her 18th birthday. Now almost 8 years later, the girl was the top ranked hunter. She sighed as she left the church. It had been a long time since she had returned to her townhouse near the park. She had brought the property when she started studying at the academy. She hadn't been there in close to two years. Opening the door, it looked exactly how she left it. All of her furniture covered. Sighing, she would be staying awhile so she decided to clean up a bit. As she walked into her bedroom, her eyes narrowed. Someone had been there. Recently too. She pulled out her one of her daggers and inspected the place. "I know you are here, show yourself."

 

[Questor]

The horde of children made him laugh and smile. They were all precious to him. As they grew and became old enough to get jobs and move out of the Orphanage, he helped them. There were those in the city that he knew needed help of one kind or another. This came from talking to people and frequenting places that might need workers. Yes they were not that great of jobs, but for one that was sixteen it was something and then when they were eighteen they had some sort of expereince that would help them get differnt jobs.. Once they got decent jobs he helped them get settled into apartments, but paying for a certain number of months rent and helping furnish those apartments. This came out of a fund he set up and filled with money from his heists. Then a good portion went to Joe and Martha, the owners of the Orphanage. He kept some for his own living expenses and entertainment, but his first priority was the Orphanage and those getting ready to move out since they had not been adopted.


Joe and Martha knew what he was and what he did for a living, but they didn't care. They saw the good he done with the money he got for the items he stole. They also knew that he stole from those that were rich and had everything insured. They figured the insurance companies were getting what they deserved. One did not pay insurance premiums for nothing. He had money for them from a previous job and once inside he gave it to them.


Back at the Cathedral, a man sat in the shadows of the room. He watched Celeste enter and look about. "Sharp as ever I see." came a familiar voice. "I see you have seen the old man. Giving you time off? No such thing in the Order these days." the man stood up. he was dressed much like Celeste but he carried special made guns that hung at his hips and had a number of wood and silver throwing stakes strapped across his chest under a leather trench coat. He wore a wide brim hat that was made of black material with a red band about it. His clothes was black with red cuffs on the coat and his shirt. As he stepped into the light one could see he was a man of middle years and handsome. "There is a new threat to the world." he said and motioned for her to sit and pay attention.

 

[YoshiAnkoTay]

Celeste sheathed her dagger as she saw the man in the corner of the room. His hat was the only thing his victims saw before he took their lives. She greeted the man with a glare as he stood in the middle of her bedroom. "Just because we both work for the Order, does not give you the right to barge into my home unannounced." She said sighing. The Mad Hatter. The name he was dubbed because of his reckless hunting and large brim hat. He was also the man who had been assigned as her mentor when she began in the Church. Being ten years her senior, it always seemed as though he was teaching her something. She glowered at him. No matter how she changed her locks and windows, he always seemed to find a way in.


Her ears perked up a bit after hearing his words however. A new threat? The cardinal had just told her that he had nothing for her to do because she had taken out the creatures that were plaguing the world with misfortune. Celeste thought back to what had happened earlier that night. A vampire and a werewolf working together and chasing after that human man. She never did catch his name only the title which she found quite perplexing that he had admitted to knowing she was a hunter. Perhaps it was because he knew that supernatural beings were her priority. Looking back at the Hatter, she smirked. It wasn't as though the girl knew how to take it easy and relax anyway.


"Alright, what new threat is it that you speak of?" Normally if he saw a new threat he would go take care of it and gloat later however here he was standing in her bedroom. Obviously whatever this new threat was, Hatter didn't want to face it alone otherwise he would not be standing here. She smirked. it had been a long time since she had teamed up with anyone and even longer since she teamed with her mentor. "You wouldn't be here unless this threat was serious. Today is full of strange events. I took down a vampire with a werewolf bodyguard." She sat down in the chair opposite of where he was standing. What could be so pressing that he could not have waited until morning?

 

[Questor]

"Indeed." he said to her comment about the Vampire and Werewolf. "The two working together is something that has not been seen since the beginning of their Kind." he sat down once more and told her to sit as well. "You know of the various abnormals in the world. The church considers them all to be abominations and the work of Satan. Whether that is true or not, it is not for me to say, we kill them, that is our job, and it does not matter if they are dangerous or not. But that is not the point here. You have been taught about all the vampires and such of today, but you have never been taught about the original vampires." He took out a pipe and light it. The smell of the tabbaco was sweet smelling and pleasant.


As he puffed on the pipe, he continued. "So I will give you a basic history lesson on them." he moved his head down so his had covered his face. "The first Vampire Was Cain. The mark spoken about in the bible was him being turned in to this monster so that he would not fear mankind killing him for killing his brother. A curse or blessing, depending on who you are. This was however after he had taken a wife and had normal children, of which is stated in the bible. But what is not written there is that when God made him into a Vampire he created Others like him and called them his children. You may have heard of them, but not as vampires. They were Akasha, the only female he turned, Anubis, Ra. Set, and Horis. He built a city he named after his first normal son, Enoch and built the first empire of the time."


His creations, created others, but they also created other creatures as well. Anubis, could create Werewolves which back then were taken to be human bodies with jackles heads. He could do this when he turned into a large black wolf. Akasha was able to create feline tyep creatures, and the others created other types of creatures while in a beast form." he raised his head to see what her reaction was to the information so far. "They were wiped out, or supposidly by the great flood. But they survived as did many of their creations. You know where they went after the flood by their names. They started another empire there in what would become Egypt. "


He chuckled a bit. "Well some the humans rose up against them and again it was thought they were destroyed, but they were not. The humans of the time continued to worship them as Gods, the priests made sure of that so that they could control the people. After a time it they were beleived to be actual gods as the priests died and the new ones never knew the truth. Cain has shown up throughout history here and there but always has managed to keep a low profile as did the others. It is believed they scattered all over the world to prevent them from being noticed. Most of your abnormals are the product of these Original Vampires. Anubis commanded the werewolf legions he created. They were loyal to him and the others. Those that remained after the great flood slowly distanced themselves from the vampires and during the centuries after a war between them and the vampires that slowly became weaker and weaker.


The originals are hard to find for they can walk in the light of day with out harm. They still have the ability to change into animal form and have some abilities that are not like those of the vampires to day. For isnstance they can move super fast if they wish, you can see them several feet away and in a blink of an eye they are behind you." He blew smoke that made a ring that floated up into the air. "Now for the good part. It seems Anubis has come to America and is gathering those he can to him. Down deep the werewolves it seems have an afinity with him and are joining and obeying him."


He could see the look on her face. "How do I know all of this and the old man upstairs does not. Well lets say that there is a tratior somewhere and we don't know where. As for the history lesson I just gave you. There is a secret organization like ours but much older. The are called the Observers. They have observed and recorded many of the vampires and other abnormals in the world. We have just found out about them. One contacted us with the information on Anubis. They feel he is a threat to the world and has made an exception in their non interfernce policy.


That is why I am here, and you have been told. You will be searching for him as will I and a few others. We are not sure where he is, that is why we are assigning our best to look for him, and not telling everyone about this. Once found we can send a team of Hunters to help. But till then you will be on your own."

 

[YoshiAnkoTay]

Celeste glared at the man in front of her. He knew how she felt about him smoking in her vicinity much less in her room. He really had no regards for other people but perhaps that was what made him such a great hunter. As he rambled on about duties, she resisted the urge to scoff and roll her eyes. For all she knew, there was hidden meaning behind the words he spoke.As he continued, her eyes got wider and wider.


Celeste frowned at the knowledge she was being presented. Originals? She sighed heavily. The woman had always known that the abnormals came from some where she had no idea though that it was a long history behind it. How were they supposed to fight against creatures that could 'birth' the creatures they were trained to kill on sight? Mentally her wheels were turning rapidly, searching for a solution or explanation for his words. A creature who was condemned by God was an abomination. She sought to protect that which was human from all that was considered evil in the world.


As he continued to describe to her what they were actually dealing with, she found herself feeling disgusted by the abhorrent nature of these creatures. The Egyptian pagan gods were all actually abominations born of Cain? Her head was swimming with this new found knowledge as it threatened to rip apart the very foundations of her mind. And one of them was here, in America? What sort of terror would be unleashed upon her people. She gritted her teeth. The bluenette silently vowed to slay all that opposed humanity's right to live in this beautiful lush planet.


Upon hearing her orders, Celeste simply nodded. It only made sense to leave this to the seasoned professionals. This was something that could alarm her entire country and put them under a country lockdown. No one would be able to move freely and it would only cause more mayhem. As usual, Hatter had all the answers to her questions but she couldn't deny the man's efficiency. It was one of his best qualities. "So you came all this way to deliver this message and it couldn't wait until morning because?" She knew that he had to have some other reason than to just deliver a message. He was no errand boy. She sighed as she stood up. "Alright, so if I should find anything, I suppose I should relay the message to you."

 

[Questor]

"As I said, we have a traitor among our ranks. Information has been leaked on certain missions and the quarry has vanished before the hunters got there. It is the only logical explanation for so many to escape and have been gone long before our hunters arrived. A piece of paper was found at one place giving the date and time of the attack. So me being here is to insure only certain people know about this. I have contacted all the others that are on the hunt personally." he stood up, "Yes you are to report to me and me alone." He sighed. "One more thing, one of our teams got close to finding Anubis. Their torn and decapaatated bodies were found strewn about a warehouse in LA. If you spot him, beware that blasted ability of his to move so fast. I call it blinking. He could get the drop on you before you know it. It is to bad we can't do that. Would make one hell of a surprise for him. Now get some shuteye and get cracking on the hunt. Good Luck." he left her rooms and shut the door.


Dante sat down with the entire population of the Orphanage and had dinner with them. The kids wanted to know where he had been this time, what new adventures did he have. He told them about Rome and Athens. He had recently been there and had been doing some redistribution of wealth, but also doing a bit of his own archelogical work. It was a hobby of his. He loved studying all the old writings on the ancient buildings. Sometimes he found things that those professional archeologists had missed. That is what he told the kids he had been doing and what he had found. They all loved hearing about different parts of the world. As he sat there eating, he wondered about the Hunter he had encountered.


When alone with Joe and Martha he told them what had happened and who he had met up with. "Well now, she is well after our stint with the Hunter Order." Martha said. But we have heard of her through our contacts. She is one of their heavy hitters these days. Only the Mad Hatter seems to be better then she is. But he has been around longer."


"Well to get away from her I had to use the speed ability I have. Drained me good to. So she definately knows I am not a normal human."


"If she reports your finding, they may have her hunt you and have you eliminated. The Order does not tolerate any abnormals." Joe said. "You be careful while she is around. He wondered out onto the porch and took a seat in one of the rockers and looked across the playground to the distant spires of the cathedral. It was only a couple blocks away from the Orphanage.

 

[YoshiAnkoTay]

Celeste was very irritated with the Hatter's antics but she understood why he came into her home unannounced. The situation was grave and it would take the help of all the best hunters to find this threat and eliminate it. She sighed. She needed air to perhaps clear her mind and think about where exactly to start her hunt. A be I that powerful should be hard to miss and yet the only people who had seen him was a couple of corpses and they only speak to pagans and necromancers.


Her feet carried her to the park near her home and she had, since Hatter had left, unequipped her crossbow only carrying her daggers. Perhaps that wasn't necessarily the smartest move considering the new threat already had the advantage but all things considered, if he was in LA he wouldn't be arriving on the East Coast just yet. She walked slowly through the trees, enjoying the scenery. Often, when she went on missions, the bluenette would travel through the wild to find her prey. She could identify several leaves, animals and herbs to survive if need be. This park however had an abundance of pine and oak trees surrounding a small river clearing, a dining area and a few playground, spread out through the park.


Celeste sighed as she just let her feet carry her. She had no particular destination and had only planned to keep her mind unclouded. While in deep thought, she came upon a clearing. She saw the orphanage she had only spent a brief time in as a child. Back then her hair was a dusty brown and her eyes were dark as the night. The way she looked now, twiddling with she short hair, was a side effect of the experiments. Her eyes had lightened with her heightened vision and her hair had changed to a strange color, marking her forever apart from normal humans. Sighing, She shook her head. This walk was supposed to clear her mind not dredge up old memories of the past.


As she walked further into the clear the clearing, her eyes narrowed. She recognized that face anywhere. The supposed Prince of Thieves. Celeste still wasn't sure if he was telling the truth and that was the only reason she hadn't reported him to the cardinal. Also he he smelled human. Whether he was like her or not was something to be seen. She debated with herself for a moment. She should just turn around and go home but her natural curiosity kept her approaching where he sat. It was a bit rude to walk upon porch so she chose to stand at the bottom of the stairs. "Don't tell me the supposed Prince of thieves has a robin hood complex." She said with a smirk.

 

[Questor]

Dante was deep in thought as he sat on the porch. Each time he came to the orphanage, he would remember the first time he had found the place. It had been run down, the funding had become non existant and they were going to have to close down and the children be scattered to other places. He had met the kids then and had fell hopeless in love with them all. He had been alive then for one hundred years and had not aged any. He had taken up stealing things, using his gymnastic skills with his new strength, agility and speed. He was in and out of places in no time. He gave them the money to rebuild and to keep the kids there and had been making sure that they had what they needed ever since. That had been some time ago, maybe thirty years. Joe and Martha had been there since day one. He had not known that they had been former Church Hunters at the time, but he learned when they confronted him with what they had found out about him. Seems they had contacts that still relayed information to them. That was when he found out about them and he told them about him. They were surprised but they kept it to themselves. They didn't care where the money came from, they were grateful and understanding. All they cared about was the children and they saw how he was taken with them. He had learned they had fallen in love while in the Order and left it, deserted, because they were in the program to enhance the hunters abilities. More genetic experimentation so that off spring between selcted people could be made that was better then the parents. These children would be taken from them and raised as hunters in a strict and unloving environment. They were not about to be paired with someone else and their child would be raised with all the love they could give him or her. They had been good in their youth and had made a reputation for themselves at the time.


Deep in thought, he did not see her approach until she spoke and then he nearly jumped out of the chair and stared down at her. His eyes narrowed and he asked, "How did you find me?" He knew he had lost her in the crowded street. He looked around expecting a team of hunters to we surrounding the place, but he saw none. "What if I do?''


It was about that time Martha and Joe came around the sides of the house. Both had large elegant looking semi auto pistols in their hands, and each marked with the symbol of the Church Hunters. "Don't even think about trying to take him in." Martha spoke up. "Twitch wrong and you will be dead." Joe chimed in.

 

[YoshiAnkoTay]

Celeste backed away slowly. She had not come there to have an altercation but rather because she had no idea how to deal with her next mission. Her eyes narrowed as she saw the weapons pointed at her. Even with her agility, she doubted she could escape two what appeared to be retired hunters unharmed. "If I was planning to take him in, you two are hardly enough of a challenge. How long exactly has it been since either of you have wielded those?" Turning her attention back to the man in front of her. "I didn't come here to fight. I happened upon this place." She crossed her arms behind her head, she rolled her eyes. "Besides I can't confirm your identity, so reporting you is useless."


Celeste sighed as she stood there looking at the orphanage. It was far better than she remembered. She hadn't been there long but she remembered the place being rundown. When she was taken away, many of her memories were lost once she was thrown into the experiment. "So, Robin hood. You have been funding this place. It's far nicer than I remember. I am not blind. You fund this place."

 

[Questor]

"Yeah that I do." he said. Martha and Joe moved in closer but lowered their weapons some. "Have been for about thirty years now." he motioned with his hand for the two to put their weapons away. "So not here to take me in eh. " he looked at her. "Nicer then you remember?" Now that didn't make sense. Only those that had been in the orphanage would have remembered anything about it. He sure didn't remember her. But of course thirty years of watching the kids get adopted or growing up and moving out, there was no way he could remember them all.


It was Martha that took a close look at her. Something jogged her memory. She began to circle her, looking her over closely. She shook her head, "No it could not be. She was young and her eyes and hair are not the same color, but her features. No She was adopted by some rich guy....... Enoch Cain I think was his name. Celeste?"

 

[YoshiAnkoTay]

Her eyes widened slightly. She had definitely revealed far more than she should have about her origins and who she was. The make of a good hunter was that no one knew who you were until they met their end and she had just broken that code. She sighed at her own mistake and looked up at the woman before her. "I wasn't sure you would remember me. I was only here for a short period of time." She said sheepishly. Celeste had always focused on train I and be I the best. She wasn't particularly good in a social environment. As the woman looked at her closely, she quirked an eyebrow. The woman had barely changed always looking at her with scrutiny. She mildly glared at her. Celeste didn't like people entering her personal space.


At the mention of her adopted father's name she rolled her eyes. "Yes he was rich and also very shrewd. It was barely six months when he sent me to the order's academy." Why was she telling them this? Perhaps it was sentiment on her part because of the brief time she had spent here. Either way, she had revealed far too much and now she would never be able to relay any information on the thief lest she get demoted or negligence. Looking up at the Prince of Thieves, she slowly uncrossed her arms. "So you know my name now. So it's only fair if you tell me yours. Not like I can do anything at this point." She said with a irritated sigh. Tonight was just not her night. First, Hatter now this. She couldn't wait til morning so she could leave this city. She was far better at hunting than socializing.

 

[Questor]

Well it couldn't hurt he guessed to tell her his first name at least. Even his last name would not be bad, for he was not in any of the law enforcements data bases. Having been born over a hundred years ago, none of his information was recorded anywhere. No fingerprints on file, no photo for photo regonition programs, nothing. He paid cash for things had a fake ID and Drivers Licence, when he drove. "The name is Dante, Dante Worth. Well I think we all had better get inside before the children become suspicious and come piling out."


Martha and Joe stood behind Celeste and made sure she did not make a wrong move as they all went inside. Once there Martha went to the kitchen and brought out a pot of coffee and sat it on the table and then brought some cups in. "Have a seat." Dante motioned to a chair so Celeste could sit down. Martha poured coffee and sat down to drink hers and look at Celeste. "You were a lonely child back then. Didn't play much with the other kids. You said your adopted father sent you to the Order? He was not of the Order of that we were certain at the time. They were always recruiting from orpanages back then. Training young children with no families so if something happened there would be no one to care, just them." She sighed. "Dirty Bastards, hireing people to do their dirty work for them."


Dante put up a hand to stop Martha. "What was done is done. She has become quite the Hunter, very skilled." he gave Celeste a slight smile. "So if you are not hunting me, then what has you out and about that you have found me.

 

[YoshiAnkoTay]

Celeste followed behind him and rolled her eyes at how closely they were following behind her. She could probably kill them both right now since they were now in range of her daggers but she had no urge to do so. She did not kill and hunt humans, eosecially humans who once fought for her organization. She peered back in front of her. Dante, huh? That was an odd name for anyone but perhaps that why he simply enjoyed his title. Much like her. She did not introduce herself as Celeste Arianna Cain but rather as Lady Misfortune or the Apparition. She took a seat at the table, in the chair they motioned her towards. As she picked up a coffee, her stoic expression faltered a bit.


She had not been expecting Martha to remember her or to tell such stories of her past. Celeste frown a bit as Martha seemed to remember far more than she did. "I don't remember much before going to the Order. They said it could be a side effect like my hair or eyes." She said quietly. Celeste liked what she did and wouldn't change it but there was a lot of corruption wihin organization. She chose to stay out of it however. It was not her place to question the Order only to do what was necessary for the safety of her country and this world.


She briefly glared at Martha badmouthing the Order. Perhaps she had her reasons for leaving but all bad things aside, she was pretty happy with what she was doing right now. Dante stopping her had suprised her and perhaps it showed on her face. Celeste expected this to go far differently. Dante's complement confused her and ultimately she took it as blind flattery despite it being true. Turning her gaze to Dante, she spoke. "I wasn't looking for you or anyone for that matter." She said snapping at him. She sat back and sighed as she took another sip. "I have been assigned a new mission. I was just out clearing my head before I leave tomorrow."

 

[Questor]

"New mission well now that will keep you busy." he grinned and sipped his coffee. Then he began thinking. "You know that is a strange name." he turned to Martha. "Enoch Cain. Two names from the bible. Enoch son of Cain, the Cain that killed his brother Able. Wonder who would name their son Enoch, and the last name of Cain I would think would make a person hated by most people." he shook his head and looked back at Celeste. "Have you seen your adopted father after you were put into the Order? " he raised a brow and asked, "Why did he give you over to the Order?" It was strange to adopt someone and then turn them over to the Church to become a Hunter. But like Martha had said, the church would probably do such things as have someone, perhaps with a fake name adopt children and then turn them over.


About then a few of the older children came down and when they saw that there was a guest in the house they immediately filled the kitchen and were all questions. But one of the smaller children, a little girl around six years old came in and up to Celeste and tugged on the sleeve of her coat. "Are you Dante's girlfriend?" Her eyes was wide and her face lit up brightly "He never mentioned he had a girlfriend." Dante laughed and then picked up the little girl and placed her on his lap.


"Now she is just a new friend that I met tonight." he put a finger to her nose, "Aren't you suppose to be in bed?" he gave her a half serious look.


"I couldn't sleep" she said and smiled. "I'm Lisa." she stuck out her little hand to Celeste.

 

[YoshiAnkoTay]

She hadn't thought of it but Dante was correct. Her adopted father, if you wanted to call him that, had endorsed her and sent her to the Order without a second thought. He was a cold, shrewd man who while around neglected all of her needs that were not materialistic. Such is the life of a rich man's child. Celeste was about to speak when she heard the clamoring feet of children entering the room. Her eyes softened a bit at their smiling faces. These were the faces of the the people whose future she protected. These innocents made her job as a hunter worthwhile, knowing that they could rest easy as one more abnormal was saved by her holy arrows. She felt a slight tug on her sleeve and looked down to see wide toothed grin. At her words, she shook her head.


Celeste glanced over at Dante. She couldn't believe that this was the same person she had met a few hours before, jumping on rooftops running from vampires and weres. Dante Worth, huh? It would seem that he was more than he appeared. As the little girl outstretched her hand, she couldn't help but shake her small hand. Had she once been that small? "Hi, my name is Celeste," she said with a small smile, "Nice to meet you Lisa." Being a hunter, she rarely had time off or alone. This was the closest thing to a social event she had ever attended without a mission involved. Was this what down time was like?

 

[Questor]

Lisa shook her hand and smiled more. "Dante doesn't bring people here that he knows. You must be some one very special if he has brought you." She looked over at Dante her bright smile making Dante smile and chuckle. She then moved to Dante and crawled up into his lap. "She seems like a nice lady." she told Dante then turned to Celeste, "I hope you come back again." Dante could see the surprised look on Celeste's face as she looked at him. He shugged his shoulders. When he was there at the orpanage with the children he was not cocky, and all barvado. He was just himself, what he had been before the so called accident as he called it.


"You have found my one weakness." he told Celeste. "These kids are the future of the world and I have come to love everyone of them and those that came before them. For thirty years I have made sure that they have had everything they needed, and that those that were not adopted and by law had to leave had jobs, were in collage getting degrees and the like." He grinned, "There have been some that have become doctors, lawyers, and a few politicians. Others have gotten regular jobs and now have families of their own. When I am here, what I am and do is put aside, and I enjoy every moment I am here."