The Chapel (Simon, Alfarinn, Thaddeus)

Thaddeus shrugged the laptop bag onto his shoulder and stepped out of the limo into the humid night air. He pulled at the top button of his shirt, though he did not actually unbutton it, and looked to the wide circular steps. Simon had apparently not arrived just yet, though he could show up any minute. His eyes made a quick sweep of the surrounding grounds and flickered up to the bell tower; they appeared to be very much alone.

He turned to Alfarinn, his expression half hopeful and half shy. What would his companion make of the place? Seeing it up close this way for the first time, he was even more sure of his own desire to take the Chapel and make something of it; a home, and quite possibly much more. It was his understanding, though, that Alfarinn was used to much more modern living. It would take time to bring the Chapel up to more comfortable standards, and while Thaddeus thought the location was more than worth the work they would put into it, Alfarinn might prefer something quite different.

The structure was, he decided, an interesting mix. There was a humility to the roughly cut and unevenly shaped stones, but the high, elegant arches and towering presence turned that sense of humility back onto the viewer. He reasoned that he generally felt that way about churches, however; humbled by the representation of faith.

He looked back to the bell tower with something like longing; though he delighted in the Chapel's sense of grandeur, with its high stone walls and ornate rosette stained glass window, even from this angle the bell tower had a look of secrecy that appealed to Thaddeus. He could imagine climbing to the top and simply getting away from it all for a time, either alone or in Alfarinn's company. He wondered what he could see from up there, and tried to imagine the view.

Shaking his head to clear it of fanciful thoughts and mostly succeeding, he turned back to Alfarinn with one eyebrow raised.

"What do you think?"Â?

He reflected, as he waited for an answer, that he had managed to not think about The Wolf, or Sorin, or anything else related to impending doom or betrayal or other such depressing matters, for at least the past three minutes. Perhaps they were on to something, though his practical side claimed he should not allow himself to become distracted by his own future plannings.

Alfarinn stepped out of the limo and came to stand behind Thaddeus. Looking around at the chapel, he couldn't help but smile at its timeless charms. There was a sense of peace about the place that was so lacking in the busy goings on of the towers that it would be a pleasant reprieve, one that he hoped would last a lifetime...his lifetime.

There was stone instead of metal and stained glass with a riot of colours instead of white. These would admittedly be better to be seen during the day and it was a shame that such a thing would be something they could not fully enjoy. Alfarinn was already resolving to film a sunny day's worth footage through the windows so that they could experience them in all their glory, when his eyes drifted upwards to the bell tower.

This was something he felt they could enjoy in their evenings and thought it would be perfect for taking in the view of the grounds with his lover or gazing at the night sky through a telescope. He briefly wondered if the stars held any fascination for Thaddeus of if they were a wonder to him alone. Alfarinn knew enough to sail by them and like many sailors he held the stars as something wholly mystical and magnificent to behold.

Wrapping his arms around his companion's waist, He continued to enjoy the scenery in silence a moment more, imagining walks in the nearby woods, reading quietly together in a library, and on to other pursuits that made him smile.

Leaning down to kiss his companion's neck, Alfarinn then said.

"I believe it is perfect."

It never ceased to amaze Thaddeus that Alfarinn could so easily send a shiver through him at a simple kiss to his neck. He supposed the affection was a good sign, and quite contentedly leaned into the offered embrace when his companion stated his approval.

Thaddeus supposed there were not many people who would look at the building in front of him and declare it perfect. Some might admit it had potential. Others would simply see a project. He decided that it took a certain amount of vision to appreciate this place and was not at all surprised to find that Alfarinn saw something more in the stone building.

He twisted his head around, planting a kiss on Alfarinn's chin before beaming a smile at him.

"I do believe you are entirely right."Â?

Of course, for the moment the Chapel was to serve a quite different purpose than that of a comfortable home, and Thaddeus felt he would do well to remember that Simon could be approaching at any time.

He kissed Alfarinn once more, and remained right where he was.

Alfarinn smiled at Thaddeus's agreement, amused that it was a compliment that he had no trouble giving the building but always demured against whenever it was applied to his person. This particular habit of his companion's drew out a small perversity in Alfarinn that caused him to want to point out his firm belief in the flawlessness of Thaddeus's character or form whenever he had the chance but he did generally refrain from using the adjective unless he wholeheartedly felt it appropriate. It just so happened that in Thaddeus's case that could happen quite often, likely to the disturbance of his lover.

"It almost makes me impatient to get started. I can certainly imagine what plans we could make."

Alfarinn looked up when he heard Simon's footsteps on the gravel and noted that his friend seemed as melancholy as ever. He continued to keep his arms around Thaddeus though he'd step back if his companion seemed to want him to. Something of the gloom of their friend made him want to hold Thaddeus tighter, for here was a person very much alone with his pain.

He smiled softly and said quietly

"Good Evening, Simon, I hope things are better than they were the last time we met. How is Marthinus?"

With his hands shoved deep into his jacket pockets, he gave the taller vampire a grim smile. 'Much better, thank you.' Simon preferred not to go into the details of Marthinus recovery. They were just short of miraculous...but really more illegal. Another sire of Simons saw to it that Marthinus got a dose of Eternity, the illegal vampire drug. No, it would probably be best not to share the news. He added, 'He's recovering nicely.'

He straightened his posture and took his hand out to shake Alafrinn's hand.

Thaddeus nodded in agreement with Alfarinn's eagerness to get started, deciding they would simply have to purchase the Chapel soon. Further consideration would have to wait, however, as Simon was fast approaching and he needed to focus on the conversation to come.

It was, he felt, somewhat of a relief that the three of them were past mincing words; it would make this discussion easier. Though all of them had their secrets to keep, at least when it came to The Wolf they could be honest with each other.

He nodded in quiet acknowledgement as Alfarinn and Simon exchanged friendly greetings and found himself encouraged at the Tacharan's news.

"Good evening. And I am glad to hear Marthinus is improving."Â?

Simon certainly deserved something positive, especially considering the latest batch of negativity they would bring. Thaddeus wondered what it would be like to have a conversation with the Tacharan in which they were doing something other than exchanging bad news, which would come soon enough tonight.

Alfarinn smiled and shook Simon's hand, agreeing with Thaddeus.

"Yes, that's good to hear."

He looked over the man in front of him and decided Simon looked better than he had the last time they had spoken with him. It was a relief to see but despite the good upate they were here for a less fortunate purpose. There were things to warn the Tacharan of but Alfarinn felt Thaddeus was better equiped for that task than he was.

"I'm afraid we've got more news to complicate things."

He looked down at Thaddeus and smiled faintly in reassurance.

Thaddeus nodded his head in acknowledgement and gestured to the chapel steps, taking Alfarinn's hand in his as he approached the building. He assumed the chapel itself would be locked, but such conversations were better conducted in the shadows of the building than out in the open air.

Turning to face Simon, with Alfarinn at his side, he gathered his thoughts and spoke, the explanation coming out with the flat bluntness Thaddeus typically turned to when any emotion would inhibit the telling.

"The Wolf has a more personal reason for desiring the ring, and consequentially my death, than we initially suspected. The stakes are somewhat increased, it seems."Â?

He considered for a moment how exactly he wanted to word his kinship of sorts with The Wolf, trying to manage a way to avoid calling him his brother directly.

"We share the same Creator. He in fact has as much claim to the ring as I, and I fear he wants it badly enough to kill whatever stands in his way to get it. We further believe that he has no interest in keeping potential rivals around."Â?

Now that that accounting was out of the way, it was much easier to go on to how they wished to proceed.

"These circumstances may make your exchange with The Wolf considerably more dangerous. For our part, we feel it is best that he is eliminated as soon as possible; at this point information is secondary to lives at risk, however critical said knowledge may be, but we realize his information could be crucial to all of us."Â?

Thaddeus sighed inwardly at that admission, knowing what it was like to believe there was knowledge worth dying for. He had to believe there were alternatives to that, though, and could only hope Simon felt the same way.

Simon followed the couple up the steps into the darkness. He envied this growing thing between them. Their love was so obvious, in their expressions, the way the touch each other. Simon rolled a shrug thru his shoulders and tried to let go of the envy and concentrate on the impending darkness to come.

As Thaddeus spoke, Simon's eyebrows furrowed with concern. 'So...he's your brother?'

Alfarinn quietly followed Thaddeus to the steps of the Chapel. Looking down at their entwined fingers, he listened to Thaddeus explain their new information. The specific and somewhat awkward wording wasn't lost on him and Alfarinn felt a rush of sympathy for his companion. It might have been hard to come to terms with not being Emma's only child no matter what relation came to light, though he personally felt that Thaddeus would have welcomed anyone else with open arms instead of feeling jealous at not being his creator's only child, but the Wolf was the one relation that could not be accepted of excused in any way. It was a difficult and trying addition to this mystery that added a sick and very personal piece to Emma's murder.

He raised his head and focused his attention once more upon hearing Simon's blunt statement of the facts. Putting his freehand on his lover's shoulder, Alfarinn squeezed gently in order to reassure.

"That would be the base truth of the matter, yes, though I think it is safe to say he's given up all rights to such a title."

Thaddeus closed his eyes for slightly longer than a blink and realized he probably should not have minced words in the first place. There was just such a sense of wrongness in plotting to end the life of one's own blood that even The Wolf's crimes could not totally excuse in Thaddeus's mind. It was easier to think of the killer in less personal terms, as the psychotic vampire they had originally believed him to be. He supposed that was not the most reasonable outlook but tended to want to go with what worked at this point.

He crossed his arm over his chest to cover Alfarinn's hand with his own, squeezing lightly. He would have to face the fact that it was his brother they were going to kill sooner or later and if he let Simon's mentioning of their kinship get under his skin they might as well give up now. He wasn't going to go all to pieces over this, he couldn't afford to and it was a foolish waste of time to dwell as long as he had on the matter.

He wondered if anything aside from his own twisted family history had actually gotten through to Simon. Knowing The Wolf was after him had certainly unnerved Thaddeus, though Simon did not seem particularly fazed by the knowledge that he was in more danger than ever.

"We wanted you to be aware of the dangers. We realize meeting with The Wolf is not without great personal risk to yourself, but as we both still need information from the killer I see no other course of action other than to move forward as planned, though I know I would be more at ease if you had some additional protection in place."Â?

This was, in fact, another element of their situation Thaddeus struggled to make peace with; though the Tacharan seemed willing enough, he realized that they were asking Simon to stick his neck out in part because of them. While Simon certainly had something to gain by working with them, it troubled his already frayed conscience.

Simon had decided that it really didnt take that much to unnerve Thaddeus. The shorter vampire looked clearly put out about his comment about being brothers. Simon hoped that Thaddeus knew he meant no disrespect, he was just shocked by the information.

'I'm not an idiot, Lykiaos is definitely stronger than me, but what if I don't go alone? I can set up the meeting at the House of Pain, in public and give him the ring there. You two could stay nearby.' Simon shrugged, wondering if his suggestion would be a good one. Truth be told, Simon didn't understand their concern with the Wolf and his saftey. There wasn't anything the wolf could do to Simon that Ellis couldnt do to him 1000 times worse. Especially when his plan for her comes to light.

No, the wolf was fucking sunday school compared to Ellis' rage.

Alfarinn smirked at Simon's easy going attitude over the Wolf. It sounded so familiar. He thought about it a bit longer though and wondered if Simon's own casual manner concerning danger was similar to his own used to be, one based on not truly caring whether you lived or died.

Hearing the Tacharan's suggestion, he tilted his head and looked at Thaddeus, wondering if his companion was going to be comfortable with coming so close to the Wolf so soon. It was a good plan though and it let them watch both the Wolf and Simon. The orphan might not care if he lived or died but Alfarinn would miss his occasional drinking buddy and he couldn't help but think that Tacharan needed Simon...and badly.

"I think that is a good idea. What about you, Thaddeus?"


[If you aren't ready, we can try to come up with a different plan.]

Thaddeus raised one eyebrow at Simon's suggestion, somewhat surprised that he had offered up that option. It came as something of a relief to him; he had, of course, not believed for a moment that Simon was an idiot, but the man seemed to have a different perspective on danger. The plan made sense and furthermore was much safer for all involved.

When Alfarinn gently asked if he was ready, his response was immediate.

[I am as ready as I ever hope to be.]

"I concur."Â? The corner of his mouth twitched upward in a half smile at Simon. "We will be there."Â?

Simon nodded and looked at the door. He put his hand on the door handle, it was one of those old hooked ones. Simon rang his fingers over the ancient knob. 'So is this place locked?' he said and pushed on it. It creaked and then suddenly the door lock snapped. 'Oh shit,' Simon mumbled and blushed. Shrugging he opened the door.

Inside revealed a foyer with an old stand that held a book, a guest book Simon presumed. There was a tall archway that led into the church itself. He stopped, looking down the long aisle and in the darkness seeing the religious statues and paintings behind the altar. 'So tell me, why meet here?' Simon turned to look at the 2 vampire lovers.

Thaddeus winced inwardly at the sound of the lock snapping on the door and hoped the chapel wasn't rigged with an alarm of some sort. There seemed to be little in the way of security in evidence, but one never knew with such things.

[Well. I suppose 'new locks' will be first on our list.]

Unable to resist looking once Simon had the door opened, he peered into the darkness of the foyer, trying to make out the indistinct shapes inside, before answering Simon's question.

"I imagined it was the last place one would look for us."Â? He gave a little shrug before continuing in a somewhat dry tone of voice. "And I like churches."Â?

He stepped in after Simon, his expression carefully blank in spite of being slightly embarrassed to have revealed even that much of his inner thoughts on the matter. He reasoned that he was being silly; the fact that Thaddeus happened to enjoy the sense of sanctuary and peace found in a church rather paled in comparison to knowing he had a psychotic brother out to kill him.

Letting his eyes adjust to the darkness, he looked around, taking in the simple narthex with the red carpeting and the arched doorway leading to the main chapel. He smiled at both the pure potential of the place and the inherent calm of the interior before turning to Alfarinn and giving him a solemn wink. They were already being fairly irreverent simply by stepping inside and had not yet been struck by lightning, after all.

Alfarinn smiled at Thaddeus and agreed.

[Large bath tub, telescope, new locks, check. Anything else you want to add?]

He feigned innocent interest in the decor instead of looking at his companion. Answering the reason for them being here, he replied.

"They do have their charm and serenity, or at least some, others have a lot of pain associated with them, as do most things religious. It seems to be one or the other."

Watching Simon, Alfarinn couldn't help but feel the other man's emotions when he looked about the place. It was not something that he felt he should pry into or ask about, it was most likely caused from past experience and not the present situation, which begged for caution and perhaps anger but not sorrow.

Alfarinn reached out a hand and grasped Simon's shoulder a moment, before letting him go.

"If the place makes you uncomfortable we can go back outside."

It was the Tacharan that opened the doors but perhaps he didn't expect such feelings to hit him when he walked in. Alfarinn looked around and wondered again how it must appear during the day, probably far more peaceful than it did in the current darkness. He was sure that it could be made to appear welcoming both day and night with a bit of work and attention.


((OOC: feel free to move away from the hand if you'd like.))

"If the place makes you uncomfortable we can go back outside."

Alfarinn had put his hand on Simon's shoulder and gave him a concerned look. Simon grinned, he really needed to let go of his sorrowful brooding. He placed his hand on the vampire's reassuring touch and said, 'No, it's fine. It's nothing but old human regrets.' He considered explaining further but wasn't sure he should...or could. He looked into Alafrinn's eyes and knew he only meant well.

'There is a church, or was a church, in my old hometown.' He paused for a moment, 'The woman who gave me my only son would meet my sister and her family near there, to play in the fields.' He tilted his head, recalling the memory again, 'I met Ellis in the church there. The property she moved onto belonged to the family of the pastor of the church.' Simon blinked, looking down. 'It was a long time ago.'

He walked away from Aalfrinn and looked at the detailing of the stain glass windows. 'This place is very beautiful. I would imagine it's magnificient in the daylight.' Suddenly his cell phone rang and he reached into his pocket and fished it out.

Simon looked blankly at the display and then looked up at the two vampires. 'It's the wolf.'

Alfarinn smiled in sympathy of both the good memories and the painful ones that the church apparently brought Simon. He looked down and replied.

"I can see where the ties could be complex but it's good that you can remember it. Makes me wish I were a better artist or that they had photographs so many years ago so that I could remember clearly my brothers and sisters."

He shrugged and decided it wasn't something he should dwell on. It was a long time ago and no amount of wishing would make his family any closer, Evenhet and Thaddeus were all he had now and he was fine with that, more than fine. Alfarinn wished immortality didn't cause the Tacharan so much pain, Simon had spent a long time regretting what he was, the man deserved some happiness.

He frowned at hearing who the call was from but nodded in silent understanding, reaching out to put an arm around Thaddeus, he stood silently while they waited for Simon to conclude his business with the killer.

Simon took one deep breath and flipped open his cell phone. 'Huntington here.'

There was a tingle of anxiousness, or was it hope, that ran up Simon's spine. This could be the answer to his problems. Hillman equaled his possible end of Ellis. He had to work out the details. The when. The where. The what the fuck was he thinking?? He shook his head slightly and waited to hear the annoyingly freakish voice of the Wolf.

The Wolf twisted his features into a grimacing smile at the familiar voice on the other end and paused for a moment before answering.

"Praetor."Â? The Wolf chuckled low. "Did The Praetor get a Wolf's little note?"Â?

Taking his familiar curved knife in one hand, The Wolf picked at the arm of his chair with the tip of the blade as he waited for The Praetor to reply.

In a monotone voice, 'I did, Lykaios. House of Pain, 2 hrs? That acceptable?'

Not that he really gave a shit, Simon thought to himself. He wasn't going to give the wolf any choices. The Wolf now had something that Simon desperately needed and he knew it. He needed the identities of the traitors and the location of Hillman. He would need to contact Ellis and maybe even have her come with him. He would call her next.

The Wolf stabbed the knife through the leather of the chair, driving it all the way to the hilt with a smile. The chair could best be described as well appreciated; patched with duct tape and well worn, but quite serviceable.

"That is acceptable."Â?

He hung up the phone with a rattling click and considered how he might kill some time before his meeting before realizing that he had nearly forgotten the most important thing. He walked over to his trophy wall and browsed the many weapons, pondering his options.

/ooc outie outie

Simon closed the flip phone with an annoyed look. 'I really don't like him,' he snarled. He looked at Thaddeus and inwardly he shook his head. All this death, torture, murder and mayhem over a ring. At least his problems were a little more direct and tangible. Maybe he was lucky that he was fucking the psychopath in his life instead of running from her?

'Yeah, lucky me', Simon thought.

Thaddeus raised one eyebrow at Simon's assessment of The Wolf and spoke with false brightness.

"Something we have in common."Â?

His smirk faded as he remembered that someone, at some point, had liked The Wolf very much. Enough to turn him in any case, though he had no way of knowing the circumstances. Was it an act of mercy? Love? The idea of someone loving The Wolf was completely foreign to Thaddeus, but equally so was the idea of Emma turning someone who did not have some sort of redeeming quality.

There was, however, no redemption in store for The Wolf now.

"Two hours then. Shall we meet you there?"Â?

He tilted his head to look up at Alfarinn, keeping his tone light.

[I cannot, after all, go to The House of Pain dressed like this.]

'Alright, then.' Simon gave them a slow nod and smiled. 'I have some things to do to prepare for this. I'll be at my booth in 2 hours. I know I don't have to remind you gentlemen to tread lightly?'

Simon walked quietly back to the door they had entered. He considered wishing them luck, but thought better of it.

Alfarinn nodded to Simon and headed back towards the entrance. Musing over the irony of just being told to tread lightly by a Tacharan, though Simon seemed far from the typical orphan and in all honesty considering his own past, being advised to be cautious wasn't a bad idea.

"Absolutely."

He glanced at Thaddeus out of the corner of his eye and gave him a sideways half grin.

[ Well, if you're arrested on a minor charge such as public indecency that would be one way of keeping you away from the Wolf. Of course, I'd have to come bail you out. I can't have you kept away from me also.]

Smiling at Simon, he said.

"Till then."

The wind had picked up causing Simon to pull the collar of his jacket up around his neck. Coming down off the steps, his pace picked up as he headed back into the trees to his hidden jag. He would head back to the Domicile, but not before he checked on Marthinus.

A wave of relief hit him, which was rather a shock considering he was mostly ill at ease around his decendant. It was time for a talk.

((simon out))

Thaddeus nodded in farewell and watched Simon walk away before turning to Alfarinn, shaking his head with a smirk.

"I don't think keeping me away from The Wolf is in the cards. Though I will admit it would be even more difficult to keep me from you."Â?

He slipped his hand into Alfarinn's, lacing their fingers together, and started down the steps of the Chapel. "I appreciate the offer of bail."Â? He grinned. "I think I would just as soon pass on getting arrested in the first place."Â?

The idea actually disturbed him more than he would have liked to admit, but for once rather than brooding he shrugged off the vague discomfort. There were better things to worry about right now.

"We have some time to kill; where would you like to go? Though I was not entirely kidding about not being dressed for the occasion; I imagine some effort to blend in would be wise."Â? He tilted his head to one side, considering. "Other than that...I think we're as prepared as one can be in such situations."Â?

Alfarinn smiled and reluctantly agreed.

"I know. Its a pity but hopefully it will be over soon enough."

It was odd wanting something like this to be done, it would be better to want it to never happen at all, you said things like "hopefully all this will be over soon" when talking about difficult times at work or getting through a tough term at college not about killing someone or having someone stalk you with the intent to murder you as soon as they have a chance. Alfarinn still couldn't help but want it to be over though he knew that it would cause Thaddeus heartache for a long time to come at least his life wouldn't be in danger.


"I can't imagine you doing anything that would get you sent to jail any way. I doubt you'd even have a over due library book."


He chuckled at the mental image of Thaddeus being accused of deviant behavior. Turning his mind to the other question, Alfarinn smiled.


"Well, I suppose we can go meet the other family or at least stop in for a change of clothes, though I don't think I have anything that will fit you. There are a couple of shops down in the main lobby, perhaps we can find something there."

Thaddeus nodded absently, taking in Alfarinn's turn of phrase with a frown. Since finding the ring this search had certainly intensified, but in truth this was a rather large chapter of his life that was coming to a close. The unresolved matters that had lingered for three hundred years were finally about to be put to rest, one way or another.

He searched his own mind for the fear he was expecting and found determination instead.

Then lifted his chin up and smirked at Alfarinn.

"Well, I do try to be a good influence. Though I'm sure I can think of -something- I've done that would get me arrested."Â?

In truth, nothing came to mind, but Thaddeus did not dwell on that long, instead nodding in agreement with Alfarinn's suggestion.

"Evenhet it is, then."Â?

He imagined it would be better to meet Alfarinn's clanmates -before- he took their Elder off on a dangerous mission that could easily get them hurt or worse. They would likely not be nearly as receptive afterward, after all, though there was a good chance they wouldn't be all that amenable as it was.

It was absolutely ridiculous, he reflected, that their impending confrontation brought him no sense of fear, but he was suddenly nervous at the thought of meeting Alfarinn's Evenhet.

But there it was.

/ooc outie

'Uhmm hmmm"

Alfarinn murmured with a smile as he walked along with Thaddeus to the limo, he seriously doubted his companion had ever done anything criminal in his life and that was far from a bad thing in his eyes. Thaddeus was his good influence indeed and Alfarinn loved that about him.

Sensing his lover's sudden apprehension, Alfarinn wrapped an arm around him.

"We're together. It will be ok."


((OOC: Out))