Present Day
Character POV: Roxanne
I stand there, leaning onto the cane and trying it out. Slowly, I take a deep breath and try to still my mind and all of the derogatory self-talk that arises when I even think about using this cane. I force myself to focus on all the things that Ariadne just told me, trying to make them sink in so that I have a chance at believing them. Eventually, I work myself up to the point where I can take a step forward using the cane. I brace myself for the excruciating pain to arise again despite the cane, but instead of the sharp stabbing pain I am used to, there's a duller ache in its place. It still hurts, but it is at a more tolerable level. I take another step, the negative part of my brain telling me that this is just a one-off and that the next step will be the one where everything will fall through. But that doesn't happen. The pain is eased by having the cane. There's no way I'll be able to use this cane in battle successfully. In moments like that, I will have to go without it, but that's why Ariadne trained me how to fight with an injured leg. I'll be fine. I glance back at Ariadne and see her beaming proudly, and I call back to her, "If we ever happen to see Arsinoe-- Zahra-- again, we do not mention the cane." Because she would never let me live it down. She'd hold it over my head for all eternity.
"Wouldn't dream of it," Ariadne drawls, looking at her nails. "Personally, I plan to take all the credit for this little development. My ego has been battered these past centuries. I could use the boost." I roll my eyes at the comment, but say nothing as a sort of gratitude overwhelms me. She's always trying to think of ways to help me, to keep me alive, sane, and happy. Sometimes having all three of those was impossible, but Ariadne has brought me the closest to normal that I think I'll ever get, which is amazing considering how abnormal our lives and very existences are. Then there's a knock on the door, bringing an end to this intimate moment. Ariadne looks up and says, "Come in."
Zebulun opens the door and slowly walks in, shutting the door quietly behind him. He's ever the gentleman, respecting boundaries in ways that I haven't seen in too many men that I've encountered throughout the centuries. He stops a few feet away from us, still giving us space, as he says, "They're all assembled and waiting for you." He looks over at me and adds, "For both of you." Because this time around, there will be no secrets and no lies. There will be nothing that Analize can use to shove me down or break down our alliance. This time, I'm stepping out in front of the world at Ariadne's side, whatever the cost or the end result.
Ariadne shoots me a devious grin before she walks towards the door. I slowly make my way after her, using hte cane that she gave me to relieve some of the pain in my leg. As I make my way out onto the dance floor, memories from the past start to resurface in my mind, reminding me of more of Ariadne's good qualities instead of the brutality she can exhibit.
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Reckless
VampireA vampire named Ariadne sees a woman and eats her, but it reminds her of how she saved a witch from being burned on a pyre in Elizabethan England. The two women had formed a romantic relationship and set out to hunt down the ministers in charge of t...
