Astyoch raised her bloody scythe, her eyes glimmered in the light that leaked in through the dusty windows as her eyes embraced the scene. I am not a murderer, the words scrolled through her mind, I did what he asked ... he wanted to be free of torment. She combed her finger tips through her ebony strands as she placed her kerchief upon the slain immortal's face. 'Forgive me dear brother ... may the heavens be as you have dreamed. May God not forsake you for the decision made by him.'

It was humid that night from the storm, occaisionally thunder would roll and lightening dance across the inky sky. An odd calm fell over her as she listened to the soft hum of everything outside. Quietly she turned from it all pulling her dark robes around her, her jewelry gleamed as her tears fell upon them. It's over, she thought, no more death ... for now anyways.

Duncan groaned as he felt his hand tug at the inside of his pocket. Not a single dollar, not a quarter, not a dime, wait, a penny!... oh, no. Just lint.

He sighed in anguish and his growling stomach joined the noise in unison. In the wrong place at the wrong time, as usual. No business, no cash, no food, no nothing. Occasionally, he'd find somewhere to sleep, but it'd been abandoned buildings the past few days. He didn't look completely grundgy yet, (his youth may have helped that) but his look was weathered, and he seemed... tense, on edge, ... pissed off.

He wandered around the city aimlessly, passing buildings, passing lots, passing fields, passing homes. Vampires were tricky, the crafty little demons, he thought to himself. And he was even offering something VALUABLE. You'd think they'd jump at the chance of a meal without a fight or danger of being found. But no.

He supposed it was his luck. After all, he was NEVER in the right place at the right time, correct?

Astyoch paused feeling the presense of another, it wasn't far ... whatever it was be it mortal or otherwise. She looked over to her slain friend and sighed, it had been forever since she had fed. Her lament was overwelming, but if she did not feed she would become wild. For an ancient like herself it was embarassing to be seen in such a way, so .. without looking over her shoulder she left.

She could see the mortal not far away, with her attire he would know she was not a day walker. She stepped forward slowly having no intention of bringing harm, her eyes glimmered slightly as lightening striked and she smiled lightly. 'You shouldn't be out when this storm coming.'

He stopped without turning around. "Storm? Rain? Water's water." he replied bluntly, his voice filled with ... well, EMPTY of emotion. Very matter-of-fact, very precise. He paused for a moment, as if he was going to give her the chance to reply, but followed himself up instead.

"Well. You're gonna strike up some cryptic conversation with me. And then I'll make a sarcastic comment towards it. You'll be suave, I'll go along with it. But we both know where it'll go so let's just skip that part. Unlike you, I'm stretched for time."

Comments like these weren't usually very safe to use, but Duncan was past the point of caring. His nature was almost vampiric in the sense that little feared him, little intimidated him, his temper could be immense, though he rarely used it. Instead, he defended his point by being as cocky as was possible to him, to show he was unafraid. To show... he had experience.

In reponse to this she quirked a brow. A smile graced her lips as she looked upon him admiring his spunk. It was almost cute. She had seen many like this, never once backing down at a snide remark. 'I had no intention of prolonging this meeting with meaningless conversation. But if you are that burdened with my presence luv then I shall peacefully take my leave.'

Her amber eyes glimmered for a second as she watched him, her mind racing with thought. She gave a light smile as she turned and started to walk on when she heard his stomach growl. There was a pause and her voice came in a soft whisper, 'Can it be that you are hungry sir ... the night is young and I have a few dollars to spare.' She looked to him over her shoulder her eyes on his. 'You may not think kindly of me but do not let that interfere with your well-being. You should eat something.'

His attention perked at the sound of her offer. He didn't want to show his interest immediatly, it wasn't a smart move, but he bet she already got the drift.

"... I could use a cheeseburger." he admitted softly, eyeing her as if she would snap at him at any time, it didn't hurt to be careful.

"What do you want from -me-?" he asked matter of factly, as if this was only business they were conducting and he expected the expectable from this vampire as he would any other. "I wanna eat first though. Or I'm gonna pass out." he continued his short conversation. He shrugged. "Not like it'd be any skin off your back or anything. Just might be more useful to you alive."

Astyoch gave a soft laugh. 'You act like I want something in return, can it be sir that I am just doing this out of the kindness of my onyx heart? Vampires are not all souless beasts like you seem to think.' in her voice there was a hint of offense, but she was used to this treatment and she was sure he had a reason to act in such a way. Chosing to neglect the fact that she had not fed lately, She turned walking down an alley towards a diner on the other end.

'Follow me if it is your desire to eat sir.' She reached into her robes and pulled her small purse out. Her eyes glimmered slightly as she looked to him wishing to learn more of him but chose to keep silent, she knew somehow it would come out soon. She smiled lightly knowing few had probably treated him like she was.

Warily, he walked over to her side and accompanied her, however cautious he was.

"How much ya got?" he asked without much consideration towards being polite. Eating and sleeping were two very urgent and needed activities to him, things he had no time playing games about. Go about his business, eat occasionally, sleep occasionally, that was his life, wasn't much, but it was all he had, considering the circumstances he was under.

'Enough.' was all she answered with.

Astyoch's eyes rested upon the diner at the mouth of the alley but her attention rested fully on him. She was more than proud of herself for breaking through his barrier ... or almost anyway. Cautiously she took his hand placing in it a ten dollar bill, then closed it holding for a second allowing him to feel the faint warmth in her flesh. 'They might take it easier if you went up to the clerk and not I ... I do not wish to draw attention. Mind you I had no thought of parading about in public tonight.' She dropped his hand quickly realizing he might not take kindly to it and walked on.

Finally they reached the door, she doubted he would open it for her so hesitantly she opened it herself. Stepping in quietly she saw there where a few patons. They all seemed so pale in the floresent lighting as they stared at her and her odd choice of clothes. Ignoring this she sat, placing her hands gently in her lap.

He followed in behind her like a puppy, broke off from her lead and quickly ordered a cheeseburger and a small thing of fries before following the vampire cautiously and sitting across from her.

"Thanks for the dough." he stated bluntly. "You gotta want something from me, though. Everyone does. So when you're ready just let me know and we'll get it over with." this all came out in one, practiced, easy breath, as he waited patiently for someone to bring his order.

Her eyes looked upon him examining his features before she spoke. 'And what if I don't want anything ... what if I do have something to ask but I wish not? It is clear to me that your services have been abused ... and I desire to not further your pain. Is that so much to ask for?' Quickly she looked up as a waitress came forth with the food, watching Astyoch with quiet, curious eyes before leaving.

She gave a soft sigh and rested her forehead on her hands. 'You obviously don't meet many like me ... I would speak more of it here but their are far too many ears that need not know of those like me.'

Her gaze went to his through her slender fingers and she gave a slight smile. 'What I have given you is a gift ... had I been like you I would have wished someone to pay me the same act of kindness. I admit ... yes at first I had desired for something in return ... but now I do not.'