A Living Legend [JT]

[Sylvanas Liskasha]

Sylvanas Liskasha. A woman from another time and adjusting to the present. She had found herself researching in England about what had happened to her people, the Bounts after they were hunted in their hidey holes by the black robed Shinigami. However, after her mishap, seemingly flung into the present time, she had found that she was alone. So, in that frame, she had learned. Learned more about the present time, gathered information, and found the basic means of living as a librarian. Knowledge seemed to be her whetstone.

Knowledge guided her here after all. Japan. She had researched about beings known as Vampires. Being that fed on the blood of their victims and had any number of odd abilities, but namely, the ability to summon familiars. Something that she had figured was beyond coincidental. So, of course when she heard of vampire sightings, or if not that, then at the very least supernatural phenomena in the nation of the rising sun, she would investigate. Or that was the plan anyways.

Adjusting a pair of glasses, she found that Japanese was a language that came naturally to her, perhaps as if she was programmed with it. That, and with her dark hair, she seemed to blend and meld in with Japanese society rather well. They welcomed her, and with it, she was more than eager to find her place. Right into a tiny Japanese apartment. The place she'd call home with her meager belongings as she tried to settle and find out more. Potentially find more of her fellow people.

However, she knew all wasn't well in this country, never mind city. She wasn't exactly sure why, but it almost felt as if the environment as more volatile, more dangerous. It was almost as if there was some sort of different saturated atmosphere here, and she couldn't explain it in the slightest. The denseness of spiritual particles and fluctuating energy pressure. She had seen from afar the masked beings before when she was younger, and she felt ill at the thought of facing them now with nothing but a spiritual staff. 

She had a brief bit of nostalgia, thinking back to then Harmond the smith had infused his spiritual energy into steel. He remembered the spears and swords and staves. The heat of the warm forge as their guardian protectors watched over them. 'Things have changed so much and too fast...I just hope I can change with the times.' That said, looking outside the window of her tiny apartment, seeing a mask with dark blue face paint and eerie yellow eyes staring upon her was not the expected response. Especially as hands pressed against the wall and the window's glass and pane began to crack from the applied force as a shrill scream of a Hollow fills the air.

[Deleted]

Having spent most of her time in Japan over the last year, Camila had grown quite used to the culture, the language, and everything in between. It was quite an adjustment to speak the language, and of course she wasn't the best at getting rid of her western accent, but the effort was there. She'd eventually get the hang of it some day, and hopefully that day was going to come sooner as opposed to later. She'd been looking forward to it where she could, as for the foreseeable future, Japan was going to remain her home. The Shinigami and their Soul Society had nothing left for her, and she was unfortunately cast out to live on her own. Certainly not optimal, but she came to terms with it quite some time ago.

Wandering through the streets of her somewhat new home, Camila began to admire the sights into the night sky. She'd grown to rather enjoy watching the stars and clouds where she could, and it serviced to make for a great way to pass the time when she wanted to. She'd grown quite familiar with being able to point out certain constellations. After taking the time to study the skies and stars, she'd began to enjoy devoting a good portion of her free time into astrology. While she'd known it was loose in being able to predict much of anything, including personality types, there was a bit of hope in her being able to take something from it each day in order to better herself.

Going off of her daily reading, Camila had been effectively 'tasked' with taking an hour long walk to clear her head of unwanted frustrations and stress, and take an inward glance at herself in order to make sure she was maturing into the person she wished to be. She'd need to take some time to think on that last part, but for the time being, she was glad to be out and about during the night where she had the opportunity to relax and just be herself! There was no worry about what she'd have to do a week from now, a month from now, or even a year from now. She could simply live in the moment, and take the time to remove any amount of stress from her.

Though, unfortunately for her, this time for herself was to be cut short with the sound of a high-pitched scream of a hollow echoing through the air nearby. Sighing to herself as she realized what exactly was going on, she felt the need to at the very least, investigate the situation. Taking a moment for herself to try to locate where the scream had originated from, Camila began to run over to the noise at a moderate speed; by no means her fastest, but certainly not as slow as a jog. Upon arriving at the scene, Camila simply took a few steps back from behind the beast, watching it stare down a rather unassuming building. What had it wanted? She'd let it move a bit before making any hasty actions.

[Sylvanas Liskasha]

As the shriek came in, all the young woman was thinking was, 'I am absolutely fucked aren't I?' Her fight or flight response was triggered, and she immediately ran for the wall grasping her stave. "Get out of here you bloody Plank!" Deciding to get brave, she rushes inward and thrusts her pole through the already partially broken window. With a thunking noise and the sound of shattering glass shards, there was the slight slamming backwards of the head.

The Hollow before her was a smaller one, not unlike the size of a human with whip like tails and a humanoid body with clawed hands. Its wings were long, extended, and leathery, almost like a manta ray. Ultimately, with the second thrust to its head, it lurched back, and would ultimately look mad. Incredibly mad. With her window and its panes more or less destroyed, something her landlord would likely be upset about later, she didn't quite expect a sonic shriek to fill the air now, this time like some sort of directed sound beam.

The sensation of her entire body shaking and vibrating as her ears rang. She couldn't help but drop her staff to the floor with a thud, and her body soon dropped to the floor immediately afterwards, her hands covering her ears. She felt as if her head was going to explode, this attack on her person being incredibly intense, and with it, she let out a scream of wretched pain as the glass, whatever was left of it shattered into hundreds of shards now. She could feel some shards cover her now, leaving her wincing as she bit her teeth.

What the hell was she supposed to do?! Why here?! Why now?! She just got to this bloody country. The Hollow seemed unrelenting, as it began to climb through the window, and it was only in this instant did Sylvanas realize that the thing had two bloody mouths. One underneath a flap of mask, and the bigger, much more intimidating one with wide dishplate like teeth. With no other options, the Bount closed her eyes in pain as she desperately reaches one hand outwards to grasp her staff. All while the Holllow lunged inwards for the kill. She let out a scream of terror. 

[Deleted]

Watching the hollow intently, Camila quickly realized that what had been going on; this hollow was about to go after someone. This was more or less natural for them; they hunted what they could. That's just the kind of beasts that hollows were. If prey was easy for them to tackle, they'd take care of it and only grow because of it. That was just the natural order of things. Though, one thing seemed to bother her; why had this hollow decided to pick a fight with someone harder to reach than just some random person on the street? What had drawn them to this particular building? To as she wasn't curious was an understatement, and she was going to find out.

As the hollow let out another shriek, this time with her in range, she winced as she forced herself to endure through the pain. She continued to draw ever closer to the beast, in its approach toward the building. Drawing her sword and holding it directly in front of her, Camila shouted a set of words she'd grown to say quite frequently. "Make them bleed, Buveur de Sang!" As she spoke, the sword she'd been holding  began to liquify into a pool of blood, which was quickly absorbed into the ground. Focusing her raw spiritual essence around her arms and legs in order to increase the strength behind her strikes, as well as using her release in order to create her own set of weapons - a pair of gauntlets and combat greaves - Camila quickly made her way over toward the hollow.

As she began to run up and approach the hollow, she was made quickly aware of the fact that there had been a girl struggling to fight back against it. Where it stood, something had drawn this hollow to her. She didn't know what at the moment, but that was something she was going to take the time in order to figure out where she could. She'd look to make quick work of the hollow where she could. As the hollow had begun to once again wail into the air and climb through the window it had shattered not too long ago, Camila decided that was the perfect time to act against it. Closing the distance between her and it with the use of a Shunpo, Camila pulled back her left fist and slammed it as hard as she possibly could've into the hollow's back.

If she sent the Hollow forward at all, she'd use the windowsill in order to press off the ground with Shunpo to close the distance, looking to appear above the hollow mid-movement, and out of the way of Sylvanas. Twisting her body and slamming her foot into the middle of the hollow's back, her goal being the end of the hollow with a few quick movements. If her kick connected, unless this hollow was much more durable than she'd originally anticipated, it's spine was likely going to be taking irreparable damage. Landing from her position slightly in the air after her second attack, Camila took a deep breath as she winced from the pressure in her ears. Turning to Sylvanas, she felt the need to speak. "Everything is all right; you should be safe now. Might I ask your name?"

[Sylvanas Liskasha]

A person like Camila might not realize it, but to bring forth a Shikai for a Hollow such as this one? It was something suffocating. As soon as the release name was called, for some reason Sylvanas could feel as if everything in the air felt heavier. As if there was some sort of oppressive force that was going to drown her and destroy her. It was as if a huge weight was bearing down upon her. As soon as the Hollow was slammed in the back through the windowsill, it was unclear what was going on for the survivor Bount. Her disorientation.

It left her coughing as debris and dust filled her small room. As it cleared however, she looked up with her emerald eyes towards her savior. The black robed woman with greaves and gauntlets. "H-H-Hgh." Her eyes were widened, her pupils dilated as she saw her. As memories filled her head of that dreaded day. The memory of watching the black robed men and women coming in and slashing them all down. Their guardians and protectors. For a moment, she thought she was going to be done for.

Then came the words, "Everything is all right." For a moment, Sylvanas remembered those words when she was but a small girl. From the doctor, from the Shinigami that studied them. She was asked for a name, and with it, she was dumbfounded as the Hollow which cracked into the floor was beginning to dissipate into dark red particles. She didn't know if she should be relieved, or in total terror, because it was evident she had a hard time functioning with the strong spiritual pressure bearing down upon her.

It was in truth the first time she had felt such a devastating force of power. Or so she would believe. However, recovering, she slowly lifts a hand to adjust her glasses before scrambling onto her feet, the slight clang of her pipe as she uses it as a support. "S-Sylvanas." She'd note with with a look of unease, and in those moments, she had felt some sort of desperation. Some sort of protection or guardian. This was especially true as she knew she was weak and could do little in her own ways. That's how she felt. In a sense it was true.

She had always relied on someone else to protect her and fight her battles. Whether it was the adults in their camp, or the Guardians. She remembered them in their mystical nature. Sylvanas remembered how they came in so many forms, shapes, sizes, and how hard they fought for their masters, valiantly side by side. The young Bount also remembered how she admired those of them that could call them, and yet also feared when she saw that when one died, so did the other. They were two sides of the same coin, one and the same. Looking ahead, she realized something.

Her room was devastated beyond repair. She wouldn't be able to stay here, certainly not for the night. She wasn't even sure how she'd begin to explain all of this. What was she supposed to say, that a masked being had attacked her room? Destroyed her residence? What was this being before her going to do if she discovered who, or rather what she was? Here stood a being that took part in a genocide, a war crime unlike any other. At least in her perspective. "..." Her heart skipped a beat with a pang as she looked upwards. Her grip along her pipe tightened.

Even as her ears rang and she felt as if she were going to vomit. 

[Deleted]

Watching as Sylvanas pushed herself up, Camila immediately dispersed the weapons she'd created for the hollow that had now been forced back into the Soul Cycle without purification. She rushed over to the girl's side and lowered herself ever so slightly in order to give the girl someone to lean on. "I've got you," she said, "if you need a bit of help to lean on I'm here for you." She did what she could in order to give Sylvanas a serene smile, in order to reassure her however she could.

"Here," she said, gently placing her hand on the girl's shoulder, "if you've got any injuries or anything, let me take care of that." As she finished speaking, Camila allowed her reiatsu to gently wash over herself - and Sylvanas, if she was receptive of course - in order to patch up any wounds or other bodily abnormalities that either of the two of them might've had. If all went according to plan, then both of the girls should've retained very little evidence of a fight, alongside a small boost of stamina. Camila did what she could in order to hold up the same smile she'd originally treated the girl with in order to show her that she genuinely meant to harm.

"Well, Sylvanas," she said, "it's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Camila. I want to apologize for the impromptu meeting, but it seemed like you were in a bit of danger. I didn't want to just leave you against a hollow like that." As she finished speaking, she looked around the now destroyed room. Camila let out a sigh, and mumbled to herself, "fuckin' hell." Turning back to Sylvanas, Camila began to speak. "I'm... incredibly sorry for trashing the area. If you'd like, I've no problems covering the cost of damages. That, and if you'd like, I've a spare bedroom back at my place. I highly doubt you'd like to stay here for now, so if you'd like, the offer is there y'know?"

Creating two folding chairs out of her malleable blood, Camila sat down on one of thm and gestured for Sylvanas to do the same. All she really knew how to do was to conjure weapons, so she figured why not make the best of it? Giving the girl the opportunity to just sit down and relax was the best option, especially considering what the two of them had just had to deal with. She wasn't exactly wanting to stress out Sylvanas where she could avoid it, especially considering she'd just managed to accidentally trash the girl's home. Sure, she was trying to protect her, but in her mind that still wasn't exactly excusable.

[Sylvanas Liskasha]

The woman before her was strange, and with it, Sylvanas had come to the realization that if she'd been flung into the future, then it's been literal centuries since the massacre of her people, even if that was difficult for her to digest seeing she remembered it as if it had happened just yesterday. Her eyes lingered near the floor, and as she was touched, she felt a sense of discomfort, a tenseness to her person, as she was still trying to grip her head on what exactly was going on here. What was she up against in these modern times?

Hollow. Was that what she called them? The monsters? The terrors that sought to devour them. She looked upwards, slightly sullen, and with it, she just tried to get a reading on who this person was, and with it, her demeanor softened when she realized that at the end of the day, this person did indeed help save their life from that.  "I'd appreciate it." The offer for some semblance of safety and haven was ideal. However, when looking at the hammer turned into an impromptu seat, she had to digest the situation.

"Thank you for saving my life. Camila." She could still feel her body shaking from the vibrating screams and the experience of nearly being eaten. However, she had to acknowledge that all things considered, there was some sort of awkwardness being next to her now. This was especially true since she could still feel that radiating pressure and energy rippling from the Shinigami's Shikai. Likely if she could feel it, then surely other creatures could feel and sense it as well. Though perhaps for Cami it was natural.

'How is she so strong?' She had to ask herself such, as it almost felt as if there was a weight bearing down on her from just simply being present. More and more, she began to feel a general sense of helplessness at the situation, feeling a sense of inadequacy, but also an incredible sense of fear. She evidently couldn't protect herself, and yet, it was clear that there were entities that were looking to target her. So, what was she supposed to do? What could she do really? 

She didn't have any fantastical powers. She didn't have any magical spells. If anything, she had her wits about her, and as far as she was concerned, her wits couldn't kill anyone or anything. Not yet anyways. So, with it, as she looked out into the now Hollow sized hole in her wall, she took a step forward. "How...did you get up here?" She asked herself this as she saw the multiple stories down below. "..." She was lost, and it was evident that there was much more that met the eye here. She was going to need some further analysis.

[Deleted]

"I'd appreciate it." Camila simply smiled at her response. She was glad to be able to help out where she could, especially after having dealt a pretty significant amount of damage the the poor girl's home. She genuinely felt awful for it. "Glad to hear it! Well, when we get back there, you're welcome to stay for as long as you'd like. I'm personally not going anywhere for a while, so yeah! My home is your home for as long as you need one, Sylvanas!"

Upon conjuring the hammers and sitting down on one, she looked up at Sylvanas who'd just thanked her for her previous actions. Hearing that, she couldn't help but chuckle in response. "Don't mention it," she started, "while I was of no obligation to do so anymore after having abandoned my station, it was truly the least I could do. I'm not exactly of the mindset that I'd like to actively see someone undeserving to lose their life, well, die." Looking back to the hollow as it continued to disintegrate, she let out a soft sigh. Sure, she didn't exactly want to kill the thing, but what choice did she have? The way she saw things, she viewed Sylvanas' own life as more important than some lowly hollow.

Turning back to Sylvanas, Cami shot her a simple smile. "So! You don't entirely look like you're from Japan; if you don't mind my asking, what brings you here? Just kind of here because why not?" She did what she could in order to make solid conversation with the girl. Camila couldn't help but take interest in the girl, and wanted to see what she was all about; it wasn't often that someone was able to see her when she wasn't usually inhabiting a Gigai, so it was a nice change of pace.

As Sylvanas looked to the hole in the wall, Camila listened intently as the girl asked her question. Perking up, Camila let a faint look of surprise rise to her face. "Oh!" she said, "well, I'm not exactly human. I'm actually an ex-Shinigami, if you're familiar with those people. Simply put, I was pretty much a spirit in charge of 'protecting the afterlife' and other BS like that. Didn't want to deal with that, nor the verbal abuse from those I was stationed with, so I just kinda left. That said, though, Shinigami are capable of pretty extraordinary feats by normal human standards, like enhanced strength, acrobatics, speed, things like that."

Thinking on her answer, Camila couldn't help but wonder about the girl. She'd had some kind of spiritual awareness; did that mean she was more than just a normal human? She couldn't help but wonder about that. She had no real ability to sense reiatsu, so she couldn't just pick that out immediately, but some thoughts certainly popped into her head. Perhaps she was a Fullbringer? That might've explained the hollow attack just now, but she wasn't entirely sure. She'd have to ask a little later.

[Sylvanas Liskasha]

If she could see the inside of Sylvanas' mind, she might have seen question marks filling that cloud of space as she had a hard time comprehending what all of this meant. "And how is it that you determine if someone is worthy of life or not?" The emerald eyed lady asks with a raise of her brow, sincerely questioning how it was that the reapers did so. That...and it seemed she had come to the revelation that it seemed the black robe people didn't murder any human that could see them. That was a revelation in of itself. Though, the Bount didn't understand much of the situation.

"I appreciate the welcome to your home all the same..." She didn't mean to sound snappy with her response to the woman, but it was a question, as she stands and further brushes shards of glass from her person, running her fingers through the strands of her dark hair. 'Bloody hell...I don't even know what I'm doing.' She seemed outclassed and she didn't understand much around her. How could she? All she could do was move on and try to make it in this hostile environment.

That itself was a challenge. "Well. I'm from England. As for why I'm here. I suppose...I'm well. Looking for answers. Looking for myself." She notes, and with it, she seemed somewhat perplexed on the explanation of what a Shinigami was. However, she didn't really know who or what Cami was. "...So. You're some sort of soldier? That's...a bit of a revelation for me. Innit?" She seemed to lay in wait, and with it, she awkwardly shifted herself.

"Say...Umm. I know this is a bit of a weird question but. Have you ever heard of these things called Vampires?" She wasn't sure what kind of knowledge was common to people or not, and she had a sense of dread of asking the reaper about such a creature, especially if she might be associated with them, but, with that thought, she slowly looks out across the horizon, the seemingly quiet street as she looked out towards the brightness of the moon. "I'm...lookin' for them."

"E-Erh. If they exist even I mean." She gave a nervous chuckle, and with it,  she seemed absent minded as she turns back towards Cami. "I'll try not to be a bother. At your place. I'm honestly a bit scared to be honest. There's monsters left, and right, and seemingly looking to eat me. I don't know how I'm goin' to protect myself, and I'm worrying. Worrying I lack the power. I'm not really strong. Not particularly brave. That, and I'm well...alone." 

[Deleted]

"And how is it that you determine if someone is worthy of life or not?" In truth, Camila didn't really feel she knew how to answer this one. She struggled a bit trying to comprehend what Sylvanas could've meant, and a second more trying to formulate a reasonable response for the girl. "Well," she started, scratching the back of her neck, "I guess it's kind of a personal decision. Considering I don't really affiliate with other Shinigami, I try to steer clear of all of that 'purification' nonsense that they tend to get themselves involved with. For you though, I guess I thought that you had to be somewhat interesting given a Hollow seemed to be going after you, so I decided to step in."

"I appreciate the welcome to your home all the same..." Camila gave the girl a smile and a nod in response to her words. She didn't want to linger the topic for longer than it needed to; she'd known it'd come up a little later anyway when the two of them were looking to head on home, but for now she'd let that particular part of the conversation at hand die out for the time being. In turn, Camila simply watched the girl pat herself down and go through her hair. She couldn't help but wonder why she was doing that; it wasn't really like the Hollow she'd killed bled much at all, had it? She turned her attention back toward the hollow that had been dissolving for a split second, before realizing she had another question for the girl.

After her question about Sylvanas' location was answered, Camila simply smiled. "Answers, huh?" she asked, "well, if there's any way I could help you reach those answers you're looking for, feel free to lemme know. I'd be glad to help where I could. That said, England though, certainly a nice place! Can't say I've personally been there in too too long, I've been spending a lot of my time in Karakura as of late. If you'd like I can certainly see if we could manage to get there through some Shinigami shenanigans. I'd have to see if I still have access to this teleporter-thing that they've got set up back in Soul Society, but if that's the case then we could certainly head there for a vacation trip of sorts!"

"...So. You're some sort of soldier? That's...a bit of a revelation for me. Innit?" Camila chuckled at the first comment. She thought back to her time in Soul Society, what that meant for her. What she'd been assigned to do, and whatnot. "Well, I used to be," she said, her voice growing more solemn by the word as her posture worsened. She sighed. "I was originally a member of the Shinigami military organization; the Gotei 13. Basically, it's an army of thirteen different squads, with each one specializing in different areas. I was a member of Squad 13; the travel squad. We were assigned to making sure that people made it in and out of each of the three worlds safely and effectively, as well as provided travel across all of Soul Society."

"Though, after a time, I was... treated like garbage by my squad-mates. I was ostracized, belittled, and effectively bullied. Hell, I was almost executed after returning from a mission I shouldn't've been on, but wanted to do what I could to help Soul Society overall. As such, I promptly packed up my shit and left. Unfortunately for me, Soul Society doesn't take too kindly to traitors, so I'm basically under a perpetual manhunt. It's been quiet for the last few months thankfully, but ultimately it's hard to say whether or not that's going to continue for an extended period of time. For now, I'm taking every day as I can in order to just prepare on the off-chance that I'm targeted again."

"Say...Umm. I know this is a bit of a weird question but. Have you ever heard of these things called Vampires?" With this question, Camila's mood immediately sought to improve. "That I absolutely have! I've been called one myself by quite a few people, for, well, obvious reasons." She simply motioned to the hammers of blood that the two of them had been sitting on. "Why do you ask? Something on your mind?" Thankfully for her, Sylvanas seemed to answer that question almost immediately. "I'm...lookin' for them. E-Erh. If they exist even I mean." Camila smiled after hearing that. This girl certainly seemed to be on the more interesting side of things, all things considered. "Well, I'm willing to aid your search where I can."

"I'll try not to be a bother. At your place. I'm honestly a bit scared to be honest. There's monsters left, and right, and seemingly looking to eat me. I don't know how I'm goin' to protect myself, and I'm worrying. Worrying I lack the power. I'm not really strong. Not particularly brave. That, and I'm well...alone."

With this said, Camila stood up with a smile. She took the time to stretch her arms out, and held a hand out to Sylvanas to not only aid her standing up, but to show a friendly gesture to the girl. "You won't be a bother, that much I can promise you. It's too damned quiet around there normally, so I'm not particularly worried about any noise or anything. And with where things stand regarding those monsters - Hollows, as they're called - I've got your back. I've already saved your life once, I promise you I can do it again if need be." She chuckled. "As far as protecting yourself goes, we can tackle that together! I've got no problem teaching you the martial arts I picked up back at Soul Society if you'd like to learn, n' I can certainly help you learn your way around a weapon! Given that you're a prime target for Hollows, you've likely got something spiritual going on, so we can explore that too; I promise you that so long as I can help it, you won't be alone, Sylvanas!"

[Sylvanas Liskasha]

Talking to Cami filled her mind with more questions than answers to be honest, and the Bount had a hard time comprehending just about anything these things meant. Soul Society. Some sort of military organization with thirteen different squads. The prospect of having a seeming potential fellow vampire to live with in Japan. Teleporting magic. Manhunts, and the feel that Cami and Sylvanas had more in common than one might initially realize. It seemed they were both vampires, at least if the story was to be believed, and that was something for her to deeply muse on. At least, if the rumors and stories were true.

Though...while she was sure none of her people were monstrous vampires and were simply ostracized and hated by fellow man, she couldn't be so sure about Cami. Something told Sylvanas that if her fellow charge had the chance, she might have went to take a bite. Maybe it was because of the fact her newfound friend had a crimson red eye and skin that was paler than the moon. Maybe it was because she wielded weapons that she seemed to claim were made out of blood. It was a harkening thought.

"Yeah...I'd like to learn somethin'." She notes, and with it, she absentmindedly packed her belongings, following Cami to her new home, though with some slight difficulties considering she wasn't able to keep up the pace evenly. That night, perhaps it was a sense of irony or twisted humor that she had read the book Carmilla. From there, she had written in a journal, potentially marking Cami as Elizabeth Bathory? She in the deluxe apartment tried to take up little space, and with it, adjusted the glasses along her face as she tried to draw conclusions, charts, and potential theories.

She coughed into her sleeve, and would eventually sleep on the floor. It was odd. She remembered the comforts of a bed when she was small with the doctor. She had remembered the warmth of the hearth and home when she spent time with Aric the smith, or when with Sylvia, the wolf like guardian that watched over their mine. Now, she only felt comfort when sleeping on the floor. It was a condition she was used to after living in the abandoned ruins of her former home, a maze like cavern filled with only dead memories and ghosts of things long forgotten. As she slept, she wondered if she should have been with them, in those final moments.

Sylvanas was a narcoleptic, and yet, she hated to sleep in the nights. For in the nights, they left her in the dark and full of terrors. She wasn't a vampire, and yet, sometimes, she felt like one, because at times, she'd sleep all day. She hated the sun at times. When she woke, she realized that she had scant slept an hour, and yet, she was covered in sweat. Her right hand was shaking, and with such a revelation, she kept herself from her work. Kept herself doing something. Anything to shake off those worries.

She took out her own kettle, some earl grey tea, and got it boiling. She looked to the fridge and wished for fresh cream, but figured milk could do. From there, she lightly tapped her right foot along the tile of the kitchen floor. She looked all about herself, as if expecting some ghostly apparition to be in the dark shadows of this home. Not the ghosts she was used to, like Cami, or even the monsters, but a ghost far more chilling and haunting. The ghosts of her past, or if not that, then some haunting spirit one might find within the horror movies. She wondered if those too existed in the afterlife.

"Bloody hell..." She'd whisper to herself, looking for sustenance. She ultimately looked through, and through some scrounging would pull forth some beans, tomato, eggs, bread to make into toast, sausage, and with it, the saving bacon. Mushrooms came next, and with it, she thanked whatever God that was out there for sugar. She needed some comfort, some taste of home, and as she got to work making meal, with the sizzling sounds of meat on a pan, she closed her eyes. She felt hot. She washed her face by the kitchen sink.

She stripped her blazer off and threw it by her bag, showing her lithe form, and for a moment, as she looked herself in the mirror. She realized just how...tired she looked. "...You're still livin' I suppose. Not all bad either..." 

[Deleted]

Walking the girl back to her own home, Camila let her mind run effectively wild for the time being. In truth, she had a lot to think about. A lot she needed to take the time to digest regarding this girl. Ultimately a lot of that was going to have to come later though; she'd have to wait until the girl was in a better condition altogether, and until she got some sleep herself. She didn't inherently need it, but the nights where she could allow herself to get it were rejuvenating, to say the least.

Eventually leading the girl home and unlocking the front door, Camila held her arm out to the apartment itself. "Feel free to make yourself at home," she said, "you're welcome to stay here as long as you'd like. We've got cable, but it's not used all that much so if there's something that interests you, it's there. Don't know how much you make use of tech, but if you need the Wi-Fi password, the connection is "Cami's wifi", and the password is "Solace in Solidarity", with both words capitalized. There's a spare room to the right, and the bathroom's right next to that, over there. If you need anything, feel free to check around, or just straight-up ask me and I'll pick it up while I'm out!"

Walking around and showing Sylvanas around, Camila spent about ten or so minutes getting her acquainted with the HOA guidelines that she'd have to follow; keep noise to a minimum, no pets, and whatnot. After that was eventually done, Camila took a look at the time. "Jeez. Seems a little late; we should both probably get some sleep, yeah? There should be a heavier blanket on the bed in your room if that interests you, otherwise there's a lighter one in the closet. I'm gonna turn in for the night; I hope you have a g'night, Sylvanas." And with that said, Camila made her way into her own room and shut the door behind her.

Throwing herself down on her bed almost immediately, Camila allowed herself to get lost in her own dreams rather quickly. Though, like had been the case for the last few months, Albin was the first thing on her mind  once she had managed to actually fall asleep. She hadn't the faintest idea why, but it seemed that her own inner hollow was growing more and more active with each passing day. She detested the thought of this, to say the least. She didn't want to let him take control at inopportune times if she could help it, and any time not locked in mortal combat was absolutely one of those inopportune times. Seemed like Albin thought differently.

After having tossed and turned for an hour or so without being able to get much sleep, Camila was awoken not much after by the sounds of someone going through the kitchen; it had to've been Sylvanas. At least, that's what she'd hoped; she didn't want to even think about dealing with some kind of intruder at this hour. Not while she was as exhausted as she was. For good measure, though, Camila grabbed her Zanpakuto, and walked out of her room.

Rubbing her eyes, Camila turned her attention to Sylvanas who'd been working feverishly at whatever it had been that she was cooking. She didn't deny that something had started to smell rather good, but she wasn't going to pry on that one. The girl seemed small enough as it was; she was going to let her eat whatever she'd wanted. After all, Camila could've always just bought more food anyway if she needed to. "Heya," she yawned, "s'a little early to be cooking, don't'cha think? If there's anything you'd like me to grab while I'm out today in preparation for another meal let me know, I've no problem going out of my way to pick it up for you, yeah?"

[Sylvanas Liskasha]

Cable?...What the bloody hell was she supposed to do with cables? Wi-fi? These were terms that Sylvanas didn't quite get. Didn't quite understand. It was something that she'd just smile and nod her head at, even if she didn't understand what in the world Camila was talking about. However, she assumed that Cami was talking about the tele, and maybe wi-fi had something to do with the web. Damn it all, why'd the jargon change so much?

As time passed, as she got herself situated, and heard the sounds of Cami walking into the kitchen, Sylvanas pauses, and for a moment remembers that she wasn't here alone. It was weird to think about...having lost her apartment in the very same night she got it. However, upon seeing her, watching how receptive she was, to having her, the dark haired vampire momentarily shifts her glance before slowly seating herself at the table, lightly resting the plate of food across the table towards Cami.

"I can't eat...I'm too sick." She notes, and with it, she seemed deeply troubled, her eyes staring into the tabletop as she rests her head inbetween her palms. "English breakfast. Enjoy it." When offered the prospect of getting things picked up for her, she slowly got the reasoning why. It might be dangerous for her to go out there, especially when she seemed to just be easy pickings for any of those things out there. Whatever they were, they were relentless, like wild animals.

"Whisky..." She responds. She didn't know why, but for some reason, she felt like she wanted it. It was the doctor's favorite drink, and for some reason, after saying it, she felt an incredible shame and a panging of grief in her heart. "If...it isn't too much trouble. Maybe some oatmeal. Tea." She coughs into her arm, and with it, it was a sharp and rugged cough, and it seemed painful based on the wince Sylvanas had, seemingly trying to keep it in, as if trying to force her body to cease the motion. It hurt.

"Camila? You said you're a vampire." She notes with a slight look of hesitation in going through with this part of the conversation. "I don't know much of anything I feel like. The world. The monsters. But...I want to know what you know. I want to know what kind of crazy things are out there. I want to know you." Perhaps worded poorly, Sylvanas lowers her gaze again to the tabletop. "I'm. I'm honestly scared, and honestly. You're the only one that I've got right now to guide me. So. I'm grateful." 

[Jeff Franklin]

I count 69 paragraphs, totaling 345 TP for both participants!