A couple days later, Vorador awoke, at his usual time. One advantage of his condition; able to truly set one’s mind to when to get up, no alarm clock nessicary. He took a deep breath, clearing his mind of sleep. Looking to his side, coiled next to him, using his shoulder for a pillow was the youngest of the last brides he had taken, long before that accident...

She had matured beautifully and now, he couldn’t enjoy her as he intended then. She had been a runaway, him with his disguised kindness, took her in and gave her a more pleasant home. Like all of them, he had at least their aquatinence, and sometimes as far as lovers, all depending on what they desired and needed. Many lived fulfilling lives there, sometimes they met others and wished to be with them, some preferred to stay and just live. He had enough riches ot throw away, thus didn’t mind offering or giving them nice things. Afterwords....the closer ones left, disheartened. The more distant ones eventually pulled their lives together. Thus, his home was now mostly empty rooms and servants.

Akuti, the one on his shoulder, hadn’t yet given up hope on him. She had grown to love him enough to stay and hope. She make a soft sound as she rubbed her cheek against his skin, slowly waking. When she was able, she looked up at him with her beautiful teal eyes from beneath the strands of her golden hair. She nussled his shoulder before she pulled herself up, crawling up him some to lie closer still. On top of him in fact, stroking the side of his face before nuzzling into his neck. He smiled to her softly, as she rose again to kiss him.

“Good morning,” she whispered in his ear, leaning to nibble on it. One of his hands rested at the small of her back, the other came up to stroke her hair.

“Good morning,” he replied, petting her hair softly.

“Are you going to be busy again today?”

“Yes. I have some meetings to go to.” He recalled his schedule. “And I have to see about some orders are filled.”

“Kain?”

“Yes. He’s going to be heavily reconstructed. Some of what they need to do it aren’t in stock. I have to procure what they need somehow or he won’t be able to walk.”

She nodded, leaning her head against him. “Do you have to go so soon?”

“I’m afraid so. Hopefully I will be able to return sooner today.”

“I look forward to it,” she said with a purr. She ran a couple fingers along one of his ears, tickling it some.

Vorador smiled, feeling a twinge of something of his old self. He shifted, to meet her lips in a kiss before he unwound himself from her. As he moved, standing over by the closet, putting his armor on first. Akuti sauntered over, helping him, her hands stroked his back, sliding down his deep green skin. He paused as he moved to fasten part of it, enjoying her touch. She began to kiss him, starting as high as she could reach, at his spine and started to kiss a trail down, worshipping him with her lips and hands.

He paused, then stopped what he was doing completely. Her hands moved, stroking his hips. She nussled his back as her hands slid around his hips, fingers going down his groin, though the patch of dark hair, the only other bit of hair he had, to massage with her fingertips around the base of his length.

“You would like me to stay a little longer I see?”

“Oh yes,” she purred in reply. “Please....”

Vorador smiled, turning his head to look over his shoulder. “I believe I can be a few minutes off schedule...” He turned, to pick her up and lift her so their lips could meet. And meet they did, in a heated kiss, their mouths opening to receive the other’s tongue, moving about and exploring. They separated lips, just long enough for him to walk over to the bed and set her down. Her legs wrapped around him as he moved over her, lowering his head to meet her lips again.
 

Later, he leaned over her, Akuti whom has fallen asleep again, coiled up under the warm covers, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead before he straightened himself, and quietly left. Today, he would hopefully know Ludvik’s decision, and if not today, them tomorrow hopefully. The bright young man would be perfect for the leadership role with the right guidance. He knew how to raise youths into respectful adults, this being just another metaphor for it.

As he walked, a faint smile crossed his lips as thoughts of past offspring gently came and receded from his mind. He had to always push their memories away; not for being an uncaring being, but the opposite. He had lost too many promising a fledgling over the years. If he thought too fondly of them it would tear at his weakened heart further. He didn’t need more grief. He was still recovering from enough losses himself.

A couple levels below he had to drop in and see how Kain was. By now some parts had to be replace, or had to be. Truthfully, he was nearly built. Amazing how fast they could work anymore. He walked about slowly, holding onto things as he got used to the mechanisms. All the wiring and mechanics were bare, and open to view, ‘arteries’ full of odd substances pulsed in his lower limbs, a towel fixed about his waist, hiding whatever was or wasn’t there at the moment. His torso now was a mess of mechanics and flesh, most of it was saved except for his left arm, anchored ot his flesh. He turned to the sounds behind him, looking over at the elder vampire.

His face was a mess, at first as he turned he looked normal, but the other side of his face was as unfinished as his body. Gleaming metal reconstruction if his skull, a hallow socket where his left eye should be, a singly point of glowing red where his corona should have bee, the ridges over his eyes not built in as well, making his appearance both grisly and imbalanced. Pity came to Vorador’s mind as he watched the other use a rebuilt hand to comb back his long white hair out of his face.

He walked over to the other, offering a hand to assist him to over where he could sit. Kain looked at it, then took the offered hand, walking more like an old man, as if he were far older in physical years than he truly was over to the chair to carefully sit down. His eyes went immediately to the floor, a sad look about his face. Vorador put a hand on his shoulder, then glanced about. Da’avid was across the room, still there with him, watching, an equally grief filled look on his face. He looked back down, hearing Kain sigh and patted his shoulder.

“Are you going to be all right?” he asked quietly, really knowing the answer.

“No...their all gone...” His voice was dry devoid of any sort of emotion or feeling.

“There is still one...”

“He’s dead...might as well be...”

“You never gave up on him before.”

“His naiveté allowed him to become captured...we don’t even know where he is...”

“And you shouldn’t give up hope. I’m not...you shouldn’t either.”

“And when your world ends, the few things you truly cared about are dead, what do you do then?”

“I move on. You haven’t lost everything yet. You still have Da’avid. You’re still alive. You’re here in my home, where you are always welcome.”

“Thank you....but still...”

“I know, it seems a lot to have fallen this far. The first to go are the hardest. In time you will recover. Take your time. This war has been going on for a very long time. I doubt that it will change a great deal if it is put on hold for a while.”

“Nothing can be put on hold...”

“Yes. It can. It’s obvious you need a break. Take one. You can’t do anything like this. You will fall as well.” He could have rolled his eyes; no matter what, Kain had a thick head. Reasoning with him was never a simple task. He looked over at Da’avid. “Why don’t the both of you go? You look like you need it as well.”

“Don’t use him to get though to me,” Kain said, looking up at him.

“This is an order, not a request. Once they are finished with you I’m certain in a couple weeks you will feel a little better and can function.”

“How can I function after failing them?”

“You didn’t fail anyone. It was their decisions. There was no way of knowing that they would end badly. I’ve tried myself to protect past children that were old enough to know the consequences and virtues of decisions they made. That was nearly the end of me. You couldn’t shelter them forever.” Vorador reached over with a cold,armored hand, touching the side of his face and turning it to face him. “You also need some time to think. Take it. I can see pain and confusion in you.” He leaned over, gently placing his lips to a ridge of the other’s forehead, a gentle, loving parental kiss. “I can’t shelter you either, as much as I’d like to. I can’t decide what you must decide for yourself for you. It’s something you have to do on your own.”

Kain’s one eye nearly closed,listening. Then slowly he leaned over against the other, elder vampire. An arm supported and embraced the other’s shoulders as he leaned against him. Vorador looked over at Da’avid. //Do you think you can watch him?//

//I have to thank you really. That is the best he’s been. He’s just been pacing restlessly.// The younger vampire smiled a little. //He should be fine now. He usually is after you get though to him.//

Vorador smiled a bit back, rubbing the other’s shoulder. “Get some rest. I’ll return later with some places you would be safe to stay at and relax for a while.”
 

A while later he sat in his dining room, Ludvik sat nearby, a stack of electronic documents nearby for business after they ate. Of course their meals were rather different from one another, but it seemed ot not bother the young noble. This surprised Vorador to no end. Few nobles much less any humans beheld any respect for any creatures for themselves, and then if they were lucky. This young one had certainly been taught different from his peers.

He sipped at his glass, filled with the same thick crimson fluid he had drank for millennia, patient as the other ate. Small talk was exchanged between them every now and then until the young lord was done. He nibbled about a few dessert pastries and sipped some tea while they spoke, shuffling though the things he brought with him.

“Sire, I’ve been gathering lists of civil disputes, demographics and other information about the city...I’ve been trying to contrive why there is so much dissent amongst the people. Perhaps if I started there, tried to solve these problems...”

He half smiled, seeing he had forgotten and used the title he didn’t need still. He excused it, happy to see someone who was at least respectful. “A foolish dream. They only way in these conditions you can unite anyone is by a war.”

“But you said there was one going on...”

“Underground. You heard Durjaya’s argument. Yes, Kain’s group did not belong there but there were things he felt there that were vital to his cause.”

“May I ask a question, Sire?”

“Certainly. Ask away. I trust few. Consider it an honor that I openly allow you to do so. I cannot help you so long as you are so ignorant.”

“Thank you, Sire. What is this war about? Why is Kain fighting it and why do you support him?”

“This war....I do not know the details. Kain has waged it for a very long time and he tells me little in hopes the less I know will save me in the end. I support him though it for although he is a bit foolish and brash, someone needs to do it. The dissent you speak of was borne out of the same misunderstandings and ignorance that has plagued all of Nosgoth for centuries. It has eliminated once race so far, destroyed the land and has herded us all into these vast and filthy cities. I find these times distasteful, disgusting even. It makes me ill thinking about it.”

“So Kain fights for everyone?”

“Yes, regardless of race. He knows and has seen much he has not told me. I believe he even keeps information from Da’avid as well. He fights with others and yet, he fights alone.”

“Da’avid?”

“Few have heard of him and yet they are inseparable. I turned Da’avid to be a brother for him. Their experiences together has made Kain stronger truthfully. Kain is protective of him.”

“Speaking of him, how is he? I head that that attack didn’t go well.”

“He is....recovering....” A short pause, looking over at the young human with one eye ridge raised. “It is unusual to ever hear a human concerned for their own predator...”

“I want to help people. In order to do so I have to keep an open mind and be concerned for all, not just one particular group. Besides, I remember reading little bits about him in history as well.”

“Then you know that neither of us have a very...shining reputation.”

“Yes. And yet here I sit before you, fearless of what you are and respectful despite my age, youth and position. I’ve seen the past ignorance and frankly, I wonder how we have gotten this far. I am here to change that.”

Vorador smiled and chuckled. “Finally you step out of your shell as well. Good. You will need that.” He took a sip from his glass. “Young ones like you full of fire and spite are the ones who change things.”

Ludvik blushed a little at the compliment. “Sire if I may...”

“I said before, speak as you will.”

“Sire...the more I pay attention to you, and observed though out your home, and from what I have observed of the Hylden the more I see that our only true differences is our outer appearance. We all have our own traits, but honestly, we are all the same. We all want the same. To simply live out lives.”

A pause from the ancient vampire. “That...child....is precisely what I’ve been wanting to do for millennia, but it was an impossable dream. It is all my sire wanted to do and many of my children as well.”

“Then we are more the same than different as we so claim.”

“Yes...over a few millennia ago I would not be caught agreeing with you much less speaking with you. Time has changed my mind as I watched an entirely different struggle give rise and enter this world.”

“Do you know anything about this conflict?”

“All I do know, honestly, is their technology is strange...types of things I would assumed to be built during the industrial revolution, not now. Steam powered soul-less mechanized things assail the land, scoring the underground of the city and amasses themselves there. In the air I sensed something foreign, something that was their doing I found out later. Kain always seemed...distant when it came to discussing it. Always thinking about his next move...”

“Then he seems to be a better ruler than history told.”

“In a way, yes. He rarely speaks out what bothers him much less what he is doing.”

“Ah,” He finished a small pastry, looking thoughtful as he chewed. In the silence, Vorador wondered what the young adult was thinking, easily able to invade his mind, but didn’t for the sake of mutual respect. It seemed to him times were changing, him being a vampire , ageless and a creature of constant change, would have to follow for his own sake. Although, looking at Ludvik as he poked something into the datapad before him, if the rest of the world would be united, at a stretch, peaceful, then just maybe that longing wish he had just might come true. A surge of hope came to him, though he should have known better, and knew this, it came and he let it. Perhaps now the time was ripe to make it happen...

“So, what information have you gathered?” he asked, leaning forward and looking at him with interest.

“Oh!” Ludvik said with a start, “Umm...let’s see here...”
 

Much later the two parted, impressed with one another and definitely looking forward to their next meeting, hopeful to accomplish as much as they had just before. Ludvik was escorted back to his ride, passing a hallway which he paused to watch. His eyes went wide seeing that Vorador was there, seeming having gone in a different direction than he. The ancient stood before Kain, a short argument going about. Before he felt he could be noticed he continued on, wondering what it was about. His eyes narrowed on that thought, having noticed a large difference in appearance with the one he had been concerned about before.

Kain must have lost a lot in that one, he thought, I wonder what would have thrown a person like him off so to become injured that much...

He stepped though the portal into the air car and took a seat, setting aside his case of documents and things. He crossed his legs, sitting back into the seat, taking a thoughtful pose. It was a little while later he noticed out his window that he was no where’s near where he should be. Frowning, he pushed the comm button and spoke, “Driver, I do not believe this is my way home, explain yourself now.”

A click. He looked around. All of the locks in the air car simultaneously locked. Panic struck his mind. “Driver! I demand and explanation!”

“Sit down and enjoy the ride,” a cold voice said over the comm. “You’re going to your new home.”

“Driver?”

A cold, mechanical laugh was his reply.

In a cold sweat, he sat back down in his seat, fear making his hands twitch as he stared angrily and afraid at the same time at the door that separated him from the driver until he mysteriously blacked out.

“Vorador I don’t need this.”

“Yes you do. You need to go, take your brother with you and relax a while. Talk even. The Dark Gods know you never do and it’s about time you started. Now here,” He handed him a heavy case, then another. “This is some of your personal things I packed myself. The rest of the supplies are in the vehicle. Of f with you now!”

“You don’t understand.”

“Of course I don’t. You don’t tell me anything so how am I to understand. Whether you do now or don’t it doesn’t matter. You need to rest a little more and get a few things off your mind if it’s possible.”

“I’m all right!” he tapped on his armor. “See? I can’t get any more better.”

“If you were better before that wouldn’t have happened in the first place. Now go before I send you into the shuttle off the end of my boot.”

Kain rolled his eyes and made a disgusted sound. “I still don’t think this is nessacary.”

“What you think doesn’t matter.” Vorador pointed into a portal. “Go.”

Kain shook his head and followed the direction he was pointed to, setting down the two cases and turned to look back. Da’avid smiled to the ancient vampire and soon joined him. He walked over ot Kain and shoved him hard enough to send him to the floor, caught off guard. “Have a seat”

“Don’t you start as well!” He growled.

“Start what?” He asked with an innocent smile.

“Both of you are in on this aren't you?”

“Who me?”

Vorador laughed. “At least somethings haven’t changed. Now, the two of you have a good time.”

“Thank you,” Da’avid said, with a slight bow. He smiled to Kain, “I plan on doing so, I don’t know about him.”

“You’re both impossible.”

“Only to you,” Da’avid said, sitting down, grinning to the other. With a wave of his hand the door closed and they were off.

“So you drag me with you?”

“Yes. It would be a nice break. You’d like it. We picked out a nice place that we think you’ would like. A nice sunny place, it doesn’t look that dull and grim like the city...”

“I hate sunlight...”

“You liked it once, that I do know. Remember, I’m one person you cannot lie to.” Da’avid folded his arms over his chest.

“So where are we headed?”

“Dresden.”

Kain blinked. “Dresden? How did you manage that?”

“Remember, Vorador is basically a noble, one recognized highly despite being a vampire. Of course he could manage it.”

“Dresden...”

“Sooo...how do you feel now that I kept you from brooding for nearly a day?”

“Tired.” He looked over at Da’avid. “Why did you select a room with only one bed any ways?”

Da’avid grinned. “Why do you think?”

“So we can fight over it?”

“Not exactly.” Da’avid moved over him, leaning his head down, close to the other’s.

“No...I don’t-” Lips met his, cutting him off, tenderly, then pulled back.

“Better?”

“I....don’t think I can...this isn’t the same anymore...”

“It never will be. You’ll have to get over him.” A hand stroked back his silver white hair, his head turning to nussle it softly.

“You can.” He smiled broadly. “I helped and watched as they finished putting you together.” A hand stroked down his side softly. “You’re all there.”

“I can feel your hand...that amazes me...”

“You didn’t look too closely at yourself when you dressed earlier.”

“Truthfully, I don’t want to...it won’t be the same anymore in many ways...”

“You doubt yourself now?”

“I....ruined....”

“No. No, you’re not, lie still...let me show you you are not ruined...”

“Please...” Da’avid looked back up at him, seeing a pained expression there on the other’s face.

“Perhaps I shouldn’t. You still hurt don’t you?” Kain nodded slowly. “Then let me help you any ways. I don’t mean to take advantage, but it’s the only way one can get you to relax some days. I helped to bring you out here to do just that.”

Slowly, his hands slid up along the hem of his clothes, silk cover hard armor. The armor was needed to keep the more delicate parts protected, the silk sliding over it’s warm, slick surface tempting. His hands swirled around, not that Kain could feel it, it was more the idea. Slowly, clothing was pulled from him, the armor being the lighter alternative underneath it, the heavier plating packed away. His torso bared, Da’avid lowered his lips to kiss the surface before he started looking for the nearly invisible latches that kept it on. Clicking one by one slowly, all down his torso, he was finally able to lift away the individual plates as carefully as a delicately wrapped present.

Underneath, surprisingly, lie flesh. The area over his chest though paler, still mending, blended into synthetic flesh that lie under his ribs and down his flat stomach. Curious, Kain looked down, his own hands joining Da’avid’s in exploring. The other slowly leaned down, kissing him in the middle of his chest. Kain prred a little, glad he could indeed feel that. “Now do you feel so bad?” Da’avid asked, “It’s warmer, but it feels the same.”

He nodded slowly again, watching the two hands that continued to touch him, to softly stroke his skin. “Would you like more? To see and feel more?” Another nod. “All right...” He reached over to the side where he had stashed something. “Close your eyes.” He carefully blindfolded him, tying the dark cloth to the side of his head. “Just relax...and feel.”

He felt his head be tilted up, his jaw out, then lips touch his, softly. Slowly, they pressed together in along tender kiss. He felt hands brush down his neck, fingers barely grazing his skin. Lips gently followed down, grazing his skin again, then stopping to put kisses along there and down, along his collar bone. The side of his face was caressed with a hand as the lips went up then back down again and across his chest. Hands joined those lips stroking softly across his chest, open kisses following.

His shoulders went back, pushing his chest up into the sensation, wanting more. Lips found and locked onto a nipple, flicking it with his tongue then taking it into his mouth, suckling and playing with it. Under him, Kain shivered, a soft sound coming from him, another one joining the first as that same mouth traveled across his chest and laid the same loving attention to the other. Da’avid took his time there, lavishing his flesh.

Those same hands moved, stroking his sides starting at his ribs, soft circling touches that faded to strokes as his hands went down his sides. Those same hands touched the flat plane of his stomach circling, stroking, more open mouthed kisses there. He nussled the dip of his navel, his hands sliding down his thighs. Deftly, that he could feel. Kain squirmed a little under the other’s touch.

Slowly, his pants were worked down, him having to move to help. There, when those hands returned, he could feel those touches, those caresses upon the protective metal skin.
Another soft sound, a set of them really, as hands ran all over his lower half, up his thighs, reaching between to stroke there as well, Kain’s legs spreading some as the same hands looped up over his hips, circling again. With a click, the final piece if armor was pulled away. The cod piece that would protect him no matter what was lifted away, revealing his stiffening length.

His hands glided up the rising organ, caressing the normal feeling synthetic skin of it, up and down, stroking. One hand carefully played with the head, rubbing it, bending ot flick his tongue over it, licking the slit. His tongue then stroked the underside in a long, slow lick. The other shivered in delight, more so when the other carefully grasped his sac and started to roll the the twin glands around in his hand, caressing them slowly. He shivered again, claws grasping the sheets, back arching some. The other kept going until he feel withering beneath him, teasing and keeping him on the edge, until he pulled away.

A near whimper came from him, looking up at Da’avid or trying to. The other watched in return, crawling up, pale golden eyes locked though the barrier, soon after their lips meeting, hungrily this time. Kain’s legs were spread so that the other could lie between them, his own hardness pressed between them. He drew a soft breath of air as he felt a similar raging hardness pressed against him, his hips moving to receive it, arms snaking around him to hold him there.

A soft hiss, feeling it push inside slowly, hands trying to not clamp into flesh. Shaking breaths were drawn as he felt the thick warmth pushed inside, slowly, working in until it came to a full rest, buried deeply, hips pressed to one another. The other’s lips traveled to his ear, grazing across his skin all along the way. “Everything feels the same to me,” he breathed, “Everything is just fine...”

“ ’s good to hear...don’t stop now that you have my full attention...”

“Gladly...” Their lips locked again, in a long kiss, heating and cooling as they moved, grinding, entwined together, hands wandering everywhere, exploring and renewing their knowledge of one another. Da’avid slowly moved faster with in him, his slow dragging thrusts working up to move faster, stirring him more and more. Together they panted, movements more and more hungry, thirsty for one another, until Da;avid’;s head dived, nuzzling tight into Kain’s throat as he came with a groan. He slipped a hand between them,
a few tugs at Kain’s hard length is all it took for him to join him, his seed splashing between the two of them.

As he calmed, breathing slowing, his lips traveled up, to the other’s and pressed a gentle kiss. “Everything is fine...everything will be fine...”

“It still hurts...”

“I know. I will miss them as well. But we’re still here. I’m still here.”

“You speak as if I can simply start over...”

“I don’t expect you to. Not right away, or ever if that is what you choose. Rest now. We both could use it.”

“Stay here with me...please...”

“You think I would choose the floor?” Da’avid chuckled. “I don’t think so. Not when it is so much warmer her.” He gave another gentle kiss, helping as they worked to lie on their sides, still entwined together, coiled close together. Da’avid stroked Kain’s silver white hair until he finally drifted asleep, him to soon join, tired from the long day as well.

“So this is it?” Durjaya said, arms folded over his chest and leaning back in his seat. “Five missing.”

“So it seems,” Vorador responded. In the meeting chamber stood now only four representatives. There had been nine, in honor of the Pillars and one to rule them all, but now, a number of them had mysteriously disappeared without a trace. In the corner, the representative from the lower city looked nervous. Normally he was calm as could be, used to arguments and the ilk due tot he nature of his territory. But now, with those disappearances in mind, he did nothing but fidget.

“H-how can we continue business as usual? Shouldn’t there be new electives chosen? T-The people won’t stand for partial representation,” the lower city representative stammered.

“Simple. Until the investigations about their disappearances are over and they cannot be found or are found dead then we will go though the elections process again. Until then we will settle things in the best interest of all possible,” Vorador said calmly and evenly, like he had a number of times before when issues arose pertaining to missing members.

“You speak as if we could find them,” Durjaya said. “I somehow doubt that.” He leaned forward before he spoke again. “SO far the investigation teams have found nothing. Nothing unusual about the staff, nothing unusual about their homes or family. They’ve interviewed everyone in their staffs and everyone they work with. Nothing.”

“Then we wait until that time passes, give them a worthy memorial and continue on,” Vorador said.

“You’re cold. Damn cold,” Durjaya said flatly.

“I am what I am, nothing more,” Vorador replied. “If you are though there are more pressing matters to be attended to. There was a problem with the 245th pass in C-block yesterday and-”

His words were cut off by the sound of the door opening. In the doorway stood Ludvik. The four inside the room was frozen in shock at the sight of him. He had been the first whom had disappeared. Vorador however was unfazed by this and keenly looked the young man over. His clothing was unruffled, armor in scathed and he appeared normal to the naked eye. Behind him came the other four missing members and they filed into the room, acting as nothing happened.

Durjaya sat forward in his seat, alert and watching as well as they filed in. Both himself and Vorador had served the longest, both of them knew the younger representatives rather well. Subtly, the distrustful man looked over at the ancient vampire, a questioning look in his eye that Vorador actually caught. He looked back and cleared his throat as the others settled. “So...what has kept you all these past weeks?”

“Oh nothing,” Ludvik answered. “Just a lovely vacation that’s all.”

Durjaya subtly coughed at the word ‘vacation,’ taking that as a lie. “All right then. Let’s take care of business...”
 

After words, thought he did not like it, Durjaya stayed behind, watching silently as Vorador collected his data cards and things, setting them neatly and meticulously back into he case he had brought them in with. He coughed politely to get the other’s attention. Vorador looked up, “Can I help you Durjaya?”

“What did you think of that?”

“Think of what?”

Durjaya’s eyes narrowed, “You know what I mean. That wasn’t right.”

“You mean the meeting and their reappearance?”

“Yes. Something isn’t right.”

“No, it is not. They were far from themselves. I have never seen Ludvik act so distanced and yet he was on top of things more than he usually is. And he was addressing issues that we have not brought up before.”

“You noticed the pattern in those issues? They all seemed to revolve around something. All of them were. They out majority us by one and thus they won those votes on each motion. I’ve never seen Ichiya and Devnou agree like that before. Ever.”

“I know. What do you propose to do at this point? Canceling meetings until they have their health examined would be rather...noticable. And subtlety scanning them would neither be feasible nor would it work for I know all of us have cdaynium in our armor that prevents clear scans,” Vorador said, shutting the case finally and turning to the other.

“I’m proposing on post phoning the meetings until the investigations end. Perhaps order a physical and interview with each of them would clear things up. They should be done any ways, after all they did disappear with out a trace. You are the senior member here. Though you are not the tenth, because of your years put in here you easily have the authority to issue such an order.”

“Yes. I was considering the same. Although...it will not be unsaid that it is also that you and I agree,” Vorador said, one eye ridge lifting.

“Right now, I’m going to have to. I maybe a thickheaded old bull of a man, but I am no man’s fool. I see a greater issue than your origins this time. I see the lives we are entrusted with at stake,” Durjaya said calmly, relaxing some.

Vorador smiled slightly. “I am glad you can make the better choice in the end, then. Not many have the bravery to admit otherwise.”

Durjaya nodded. “Perhaps later we should talk in private. I’ll get back to you later upon a time.”

Vorador nodded, standing along with the other and nodded. “All right. Good day to you,” he said with a slight respective bow.

Akuti coiled closer to Vorador, seeking affection once again from him, her teal eyes glistening up at him. A gentle hand stroked the locks of her hair, a small, gentle smile touching his lips as he did so. “You’re worried again.”

“I worry about you day and night,” she said, moving to nussle his hand. “Where did you send them?”

“To where they could rest and recover. Kain needed just that,” Vorador replied softly, his hand still moving.

“Even still, your kindness is boundless....”

The soft smile broadened a little at the compliment. “Yes.” The pad of a clawed finger gently traced her face, stroking down it. “You worry too much as well. Perhaps I should force a little more time into my schedule for you.”

“You don’t have to.”

“I do. You’re the only one I have left and I don’t want to loose you. Even thought I am not what I once was myself, I still hold what I have left to treasure dear. Perhaps tomorrow...or the day after that, you can ready yourself and we could go out somewhere...”

“It’s not that,” she leaned up, pushing up from the bed and up to him to look in his greenish eyes. “I worry that you are falling away from me. You’re so buried into you work anymore that I often wonder.”

“Please don’t.” his arms wrapped around her, nuzzling into her hair. Tomorrow I want you to leave here and go to where ever you want to and buy whatever you like. I want you to have everything ready by that night. I will take you out.”

“Another fancy dress amongst all the others you have bought for me isn’t going to fix things.”

“I know. But that night I promise to do a lot of making up.” His head dipped, brushing the skin of her forehead with his lips. “Please tell me you won’t abandon me.”

She leaned up to him, pressing her lips to his gently in response. “I won’t. You’ve been too good to me.” She kissed him again gently. For a time, he lie there, simply feeling her gentle touches, the caresses of her small hands.

Though silted eyes, he watched her move....

It’s a pitty....I thought as she ran her hands down his chest, over the silk that was so smooth against my hands. His skin is still nearly so...like fine soft leather...Steal another kiss and run a finger over his lips. Oh how he loved it when I teased him so slowly.....not anymore.

I ache for you so my love...I just want you to love me back....like you used to...
What can I do to bring the old you back? I know it’s impossible for what they did to you...but I have to hope...oh how you are going to cry later on when grief hits you and I am gone...It’s all you’re trapped with now...sorrow and grief...depression...

If you could only know....or will understand....

Vorador shivered at the little touches, lips parting at the touch of her fingers. Lips parting further she he felt lips below, his body arching a little in an automatic response as old as time. Air filled and was slowly let out as she continued, until his length stood out proudly from his body. She smiled up to him as she crawled up his body slowly.

Her head dipped, licking his chest as she parted the shirt, her rear rubbing against him. She reached between then, grasping him and slowly lowered herself upon him. Another slow hiss escaped his lips, hands reacting, holding on to her and stroking as she moved herself over him. He gave a contented sigh as he watched her move over him, watched her as she withered, and drove straight over the threshold and climaxed upon him.

He smiled softly, contented she had relieved herself. Her eyes met his. “”You didn’t did you?”

“No. I’m sorry.”

“What can I do to make you happy?” she asked, frustrated now.
“I....don’t know. I’m more worried about your happiness right now than anything else,” Vorador replied. “A l ot of things aren’t as easy as they used to be.”

Akuti sighed and climbed off of him to lay at his side. “I suppose I should be happy you’re more concerned with me, but I’m not. I can’t od everything for us.”

“I know.

Later in the night Akuti rose from the bed, silently slipping from the larger form she was tangled with and across the room. She pulled a few things from the closet and slipped into them. In behind the clothing she pulled free a case she had packed quite sometime ago and slipped out into the night. This did not go without notice.

Vorador’s eyes opened when he heard the soft click of the door. A sigh escaped him. “So goes the last...and I am not truly alone...,” his voice soft, speaking in the darkness. He felt a pang of something, something he couldn’t recognize largely because it didn’t form into a whole emotion. He felt it a number of times before and had labeled it as regret for that is what he thought it was supposed to be. Silently he cursed his fate some years ago that twisted his life permanently.

His eyes shifted to the clock, seeing it was indeed rather late still. In a few hours he would need to rise and go on another dreary day of commerce and debates. He closed his eyes and shut down again.

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