Valley of Thorns

Dio was home. He had been away until just now, likely running to the market for doll parts or clothing for Chazzy. He was pale, but wore it well looking much like a doll himself. He wasn't, he was an ancient vampire who had seen decades pass. Eyes seemed tired, black rings thick underneath them. Dark eyes were nearly the color of coal harboring no warmth at all. Raven colored locks were like silk upon his skull. He was dressed in an old fashioned three piece suit, leather boots on those feet that barely touched the earth. This man was the only 'living' Blackthorn left, a relic of ancient history. His very presence alone made all those shadows in range freeze in place. Their devil was back in town..

Lunar grabbed Heather's hand and ran outside. They were now in town with many things following them, probably more than the three they encountered! Once outside, she would release Heather's hand then finish trying to catch her breath. No doubt they would see Dio out there!

Lunar pointed and a smile grew as their luck began to brighten, "It's another person! We have hope!" Wait a minute.. Slow down.. Why aren't they attacking him? Poor girl didn't know that they knew him or not.

(The player of Heather and I talked it over. She told me to go ahead and when she gets home she'd join in and catch up.)

(AM HOME!)

Heather was drug outside by the hand, squealing away no doubt. She was very vocal when scared! She gasped when she spotted Dio and grinned brightly too as Lu pointed at him.

"Yus! Let's go!" she cheered, oblivious as well that the shadows had all seemed to freeze. They had stopped chasing them to stare at the man in the middle of the ghost town. No doubt they were afraid of him! "Help us!" Heather begged as she ran up to Dio, her big blue eyes wide with fear, "Those things have been chasing us and I'm pretty sure they mean to kill us!" She glanced back to see if Lu had also ran over or if she'd stayed behind.

(Welcome back, Heather!)

After tea the butler suggested Chazzy to change so he could wash her dress. She thought he was insulting her and wanting to take her dress! Poor girl grabbed a spoon from the table and pointed it at him, as if it were a knife and would do damage. "No! Stay back. You big meanie! You're not allowed to t-" She froze those eyes blinking twice. Chazzy could sense Dio. It was the only person she was able to sense. Why? Made that way to know when he was home. That spoon was dropped as she hurried to the door. The girl tiptoed and tried opening it but failed, "Open it!" Of course, at first he denied. Thinking she was just gonna go somewhere she didnt belong. Chazzy insisted that Dio was back. So he opened the door.

The doll ran out with a big smile on her face, running right for her maker. And then it hit her.. There were two girls there. That smile faded lightly, were they being mean to him! Once nearby, those hands were thrown out as if protecting Dio. "Stop being mean to him!" She didn't know! They were just talking to him about help, but in her eyes? Nope! If told they werent bothering him by either party, she would attempt to give him a big hug. Mind you the girl is small so it'd likely be his leg or arm. Depending what she could reach first unless he bent down.

He raised a brow simply when Heather ran over, amused that there were more visitors in town. How exciting... Help them? Was she serious? He laughed a bit, biting his lip before speaking simply, "...No." He looked at the shadows, "Have they now? I'm pretty sure you're right. They don't play nice." The shadows quivered at the rough voice of his, a few of them vanishing, "But truth be told, I'm worse than they are.." Those dark eyes stared down at her, flickering to Lu had she also approached.

It was only when the doll ran up that his cold gaze softened, becoming warm with life. He smiled down at the little thing and laughed at her words, "Easy there Chazzy. They're not being mean. And how many times must I tell you? I don't need you to save me." He knelt to her level so she could hug him, those strong arms hugging the little thing back lightly. He was insanely gentle with the doll, not wanting to crack or break her with that vampire strength. When the hug was over, he'd straighten back up, smoothing out his overcoat from the previous motion. "Have you had your tea?" he asked. Heaven forbid she say 'no'.... That butler would have to hear from Dio. It had been decided that she gets tea every day. It was a requirement. Dio knew she loved her tea.

Lunar of course followed Heather, she couldnt sense crap without her wolf self. When Heather asked for help, Lu would chime in to her words, "They already tripped and shoved us down!" To his response Lu met his gaze and then looked to Heather. She wanted to ice him in the face so bad! Why not help another person in meed?! Wait.. Baaaack it up! The shadows quivered and some vanished when he spoke, and what was that last bit? He is worse!

When a tiny girl ran over and began yelling at them her brow raised. Dio told Chaz they werent being mean and he doesnt need saved. He was so kind to her. Then those teal orbs caught it, when Dio knelt so she could hug him! What'd they catch? Those eyes saw a balljoint. Was she.. A doll? That done it. Lunar began dying of laughter, she couldnt hold it back. The dude played with dolls! She didnt know the full story, so it looked strange on her end!

(Whoohoo! Welcome back!)

No? No as in he wasn't going to help them?? She gasped in shock. When the shadows quivered and started disappearing? She flipped her lid. Eyes grew huge and her heart sped up like mad! He was WORSE? But- But they- They were trying to hurt them earlier! And he was worse??! Okay wait.. Who was the girl that was trying to save him from THEM? What did THEY do?!

Chazzy? What kind of name was that? Where exactly WAS this place? Heather was all sorts of flustered from confusion and fear by this point. When he hugged the child, Heather blinked. How was he worse if he was being so nice to the little girl? He couldn't be bad! No bad guy would hug a child! As far as she knew... Then Lu began dying of laughter. What'd she miss?... She hadn't seen the ball joint. She was too wrapped up in the shadows that were leaving one by one, obviously afraid of this child hugger for some reason or other. "What is it Lu?" she asked, lost.

Chazzy missed him saying no to the help earlier or she wouldve stuck her tongue out at them. She was a realistically made doll. She had likes and dislikes like everyone else. Only rarely would a ball join be in view so it was likely that Lunar had saw one. () She also didnt know that he had told them he was worse. She ruined that statment by a long shot. For now..

Those purple eyes looked up at Dio when he explained and asked her something. A finger went to her lips in thought, "Um.. A bunch.. But..." She gave the two girls another look before continuing, "Im always going to try! Even if you dont need it." A nod was given seriously before that hug. That head shook as Lunar began laughing, she wanted to jump her again! Poor Heather didn't even know why she was laughing. Tea? Another nod was given, "Mhmm. Right before you came back!" Back? She was used to this? Most likely. He was probably busy at times!

That face went serious after a moment now, "He wouldnt play with me.. And.." small pout sounded, "He tried taking my dress! It's my favorite!"

Dio heard that heartbeat pick up from the redhead, fingers twitching a bit as he held back from tearing into her throat. He was busy, talking to Chazzy. The blood could wait.. for now. At least one of the two was spazzing out. That was his intention earlier with his words.

"Chazona," he groaned her full name softly when she stubbornly said she'd still try. It was too adorable to argue with however, that nod given at him supposed to confirm her point apparently. When Lu cracked up, a subtle growl slid past his lips in annoyance, but Chazzy still had his attention.. for now. "Good, I'm glad that he's doing his job," he smiled. It didn't last. It faded when she pouted, a hard frown stealing that warmth from his features in an instant. "He what?" he said, tone serious. Serious, and mad. No, not just mad.. Furious. His jaw clenched and unclenched a few times, eyes narrowed. Nobody bullied Chazzy... Especially when it came to her dresses. "I'll have a few words with him..." he hissed softly, eyes moving towards the way she'd came, waiting to see if the butler followed. Any shadow that had remained was long gone now.

While Heather was confused, Lunar herself was trying to figure out why the shadows were afraid of the guy.

And after that laughing fit? She replied to Heather's question. And was that a growl she heard earlier? Yes.. It was. That had her looking his way for a few seconds, then back to her friend. Perhaps that's WHY she stopped laughing? "I'll tell ya something later." She wouldnt flat out say what she saw later. She would simply tell Heather to pay attention to the little girl when near the two again. If Heather saw the joint too, then Lu would have proof.

He told Chazzy a bunch of times? She's still going to try even if he doesnt need it? That hit the girl hard. Reminded her of home. Pulse was like that with most people! Tea? Lunar blinked now. Chazzy could eat and drink? She was second guessing what she saw by this point. Lu heard bits and peices of Dio and the girl's conversation through her thoughts tried taking her dress? When Dio's face was serious a nudge was given at Heather as she listened to the next part. He was gonna give the person words? That hiss had Lu's heart beating a bit fast now. Something about it..

Heather looked at Lu when she spoke to her, nodding to her comment to tell her something later. She'd hold her to that! When Dio groaned, something about it made her heart skip. It was likely due to him being a vampire. His voice and looks were already doing numbers on her stomach; tying it up with butterflies. That nudge made her eyes widen. She saw where the conversation was going too. His whole demeanor had changed! Her own heart picked up its pace when she heard the hiss! It was terrifying. Maybe he WAS worse than the shadows! Speaking of, where had they gone? They were all gone... "Lulu I don't like this..." she whispered, "I'm getting scared all over again..."

Chazona didn't notice his finger twitching she was talking to him about what she thought was serious. When the butler used the word 'wash' earlier she thought he was gonna rake her dress forever and ruin it. Why? One of her toys were in the washer before with the words 'I'll give it back after it is washed.' When she got it back? It was torn and all the stuffing cane out. She had to buy a new one because it was so bad it made it unfixable. She even missed Lu's words to Heather due to being worried over her clothing.

She dtood up steaight when Dio said her full name, she never could get used to that, no matter how many times he said it. However, she eased when he went on.

When his face changed she looked in the direction to their house. He was going to have words with the butler.. She sat down on the ground carefully, perhaps to stay out of the way? The shadows were even leaving. The doll looked to Heather and Lu then back to the direction of home. She didn't bother telling them they should leave or sit down. Why? Chazzy wasn't made to help people. And she didn't care for those she wasn't around her whole life. It was obvious the girl was spoiled, stubborn and a bit of a snob.

By now the butler probably came out to check on her since she's been gone awhile and hasn't returned with Dio. The trips don't usually take this long.

Dark eyes locked on the girls, slowly shifting into glowing crimson when he heard their hearts beating so fast. Music... It was almost like music. It was a melody he enjoyed actually, the pounding of a human heart. Pounding usually meant fear and he loved fear.

Dio's jaw clenched a few more times, fingers twitching before he tore that crimson gaze from the girls when he sensed the butler. And he was gone, black mist in the spot he'd been in previously, dispersing after a few seconds. Dio had teleported over to the butler. "You have five seconds to explain to me why you tried to take her dress!" he yelled angrily, not holding back any longer since Chazzy was out of the way and no longer his distraction. He needed Chaz.. He was prone to violent outbursts such as this and his thirst usually wasn't held back either when he was alone. He was only 'good' when in her company. That was one of the things she was made for, to calm him down. However, the spoiled little doll didn't see the harm in him yelling at their butler over a dress. She didn't know that if he got too angry he'd snap someone's neck. Maybe that was why the town was empty? Maybe he killed them all.. "I will not tolerate bullying of Chazona!" he added sternly, a loud growl laced in with that sentence. His voice then became low, hiss heard in each word, "Five... four...."

Lunar nodded when Heather said she didnt like the situation and was scared. In all honesty? She too was getting that way with each passing moment. Especially when she could see the red slowly coming to Dio's eyes. A gulp sounded and that heart sped more.

Chazona sitting down only earned her a look, was this going to take awhile or something? That look aimed at them caught her attention and she looked to Heather with a whisper, "I dont like this silence..."

It didn't take long when he was on the whole other side of the town. She looked that way to see what was going on. His words were heard due to yelling. If it were normal chatter she wouldve have heard it. Those eyes were huge and she looked at Chazona again. All this.. For her? A bit overprotective.. Apparently she was special? If only Lu knew.

She gasped when Chaz stood up straight. She blinked in confusion just as Lu did. She wondered how long it would take as well. The yelling made her flinch. That wolf in her was gone so her anxiety over yelling and confrontation was back in full swing! She looked to Lulu wide eyed as well. All this over a dress! That was.. unnerving. Just what was the doll to him? Was it his child? His sibling? She had no idea! Chaz obviously meant SOMETHING to Dio though for him to get so angry.

Chazona saw his eyes and she gave him a smile, he was thirsty. "Do you want me to go to the forest and get you something?" That was likely a big no. But the offer that counts.

Chazzy sat there watching as he was at the butler yelling. To drown it out she hummed softly, playing with the tiny rose pendents on her dress. One was off, so she adjusted it. The butler likely was trying to explain how he was suggesting she change so he could do the laundry. He was rather calm for Dio to be upset- perhaps he was used to it? Or maybe he witnessed it!

She looked to the wide-eyes girls and stood up suddenly, dusting off her clothing. "How long do you two plan to stay in town?" She asked steaight to the point. The doll was curious if they were going to be in town awhile perhaps she could have them go with her to the forest had Dio suggested she take an escort.

Dio overheard the redhead say she was scared. A single word, "Good," had left his smirking lips. After he was done dealing with the butler, he'd deal with the uninvited guests. He didn't answer Chazzy's question, but usually his silence meant 'no'.

When the butler no doubt explained himself, Dio slowly calmed down. So Chazzy had been worried about her dress ending up like that bunny probably.. He remembered the bunny. "Next time, tell her that it will be returned exactly as it was before taken from her. Promise her, and should you break that promise, thus ruining another of her favorite things? Next time I won't be generous enough to hear your side of the story. Understood?" Absolutely, the butler probably saw this side of the vampire often. Such a temper..

Speaking of temper, the butler would find his side bleeding. When had Dio stabbed him? With the vampire's speed it was hard to say. That would be oodles of fun to deal with while tending to Chazzy.. It wasn't fatal, but it would likely take a few days to heal completely; which in turn, should make the butler's life miserable. Or so Dio hoped. He couldn't let him off completely without some form of 'lesson', he never does. Poor guy likely had all kinds of similar scars from his boss.

Dio wiped the blood off of the small switchblade he had used with a cloth he pulled from his pocket. Was that blood not good enough to soothe his thirst? Nope. He didn't drink from men. He liked the taste of women's blood better. An idea hit him when he overheard Chaz speak to the girls.

He teleported back over, eyes still red. Their fear was only driving that thirst of his. He was a monster. "You're scared of the shadows correct?" he asked. "They fear me. I can offer you protection from them, but it will come with a price. You must be Chazona's maids. The last two.. messed up, and are no longer with us. They cracked her, so I cracked their skulls." He said it so casually. "I created Chazzy a long time ago and she is very important to me. If you hurt her, I will hurt you," he warned, "Take my offer, or you can try to leave. If you try to leave, my protection offer is void. Once void, I will not offer it a second time. I suggest you consider your options before running and screaming about what you just saw. If I don't hear a 'yes' from both your lips before this conversation ends? I will take it as a 'no' and you'll be on your own. You have ten seconds to talk it over. Ten... Nine..." He was a busy man and had better things to do than chat with these two. He had already wasted enough time on the butler.

(Sorry for typos. I'm in a hurry. xD)

Heather's actions showed she was just as shocked. Chazzy never got an answer to her question, which she didnt know that meant a no. Yet..

Lunar looked to Heather again when asked how long they'd plan to stay. Umm.. Good question. "To be honest, I'm not sure." After it was all over? Those eyes went to their butler and she gasped. Wuh oh.. He was back near them now.

"We can't do damage, weve tried." Lu answered flat out about the shadows. That next bit that came had her looking at Chazzy and Heather. How bad could wathing one doll be? Then again... The butler had a time it seemed.. If Heather would agree to it then Lunar would. She wasn't about to leave her friend alone with those two.

(Had/having some issues..)

She didn't know that silence meant no either but they'd both learn sooner or later. She looked at Lu when Dio said it was good they were scared.

She couldn't hear what was being said now that he was talking but when she saw him wiping that blade she squealed. He'd stabbed him??! Jeez! She gasped when he was suddenly back over to them again. She didn't say anything about the shadows but just let Lu do it, nodding numbly. Was he going to stab them too? Why did he stab him? Over a dress?! So protective.. She glanced to the doll a moment before realizing that Lu was looking at her. Back it up.. Maids? For Chazzy? He'd done WHAT to the last two? Her eyes were huge. They could face the shadows and likely be killed trying to escape the town, ooorrr they could try to be maids for the doll until they found a safe exit right? "Yes, I'll take the offer," she said firmly, glancing to Lulu with a 'we totally got this' look.

When no answer came she knew it was a no. So she stayed put like a 'good' little girl. Ecen though she wasn't good in a long shot.

Chazona couldn't hear what was said but she too saw him wiping off a blade. Again? That's right, she likely saw it happen before. Probably watching around a corner knowing her. Poor butler was going to have a time cleaning and taking care of her requirments now no doubt!

That attention was going around as Dio talked to the girls. She was watching Heather and Lunar's expressions to each word. Curious as to how they would react to them.

However! Once Lu and Heather's eyes stared back at her? Chazzy would move slightly behind Dio's leg. Half behind him half beside. As if she were trying to hide. Purple orbs looked up to him now, "Di-Di..." She spoke softly, "Are you sure it's safe. What if I break again?" She had a fear of breaking and not being fixable. Or perhaps she felt if broken a lot she wouldn't be wanted. It was untelling knowing this doll.

By now they'd agreed. And she stepped back to her spot before 'hiding.' "What are your names?" Chazzy asked. She was going to play good. For now...