JAILBREAK >>juliet

[ACTON CHACE BENSON]

This would not have been the first time that Acton has attempted to sneak out of St. Vladimir’s. Within the past year Acton has staged as many breakout attempts as a high security prisoner, which he felt like he was. Guardians were always watching Acton, making sure he didn’t do anything stupid because supposedly he’s unbalanced and capable of doing just about anything, but only part of that was true. Actually not all of Acton’s escape attempts were strictly attempts, there were quite a few times where he made it out of the grounds, but not long after Guardians caught up to him and dragged him back to his prison of a school.

However this escape attempt was different than before, this time he had someone else with him. It really was quite confusing to Acton how he even got to this point, how he ended up sneaking out of the Academy with Juliet Jophenza and not with his usual much smaller and furrier companion. Actually if Acton did make it out of the Academy like he hoped to this would be the perfect time for him to finally run away. There wasn’t anything holding him back, nothing keeping him from leaving the place. It’s not like he would be abandoning his dog Turtle, the dumb little thing had a way of knowing how to find Acton, it just knew somehow. So if everything went according to plan Acton would be able to get out of the Academy and make a break for it. The only thing that could be a slight problem was Juliet, would he be able to get away from her? Would she hold him back? Acton didn’t know but he hoped for the desired result.

After their little talk at the wall Acton made his way through the forest, luckily meeting no Guardians. Either this was luck on Acton and Juliet’s part or it was idiocy on part of the school Guardians. Honestly Acton was thinking that it was more part of the latter because Acton has never been much of a person that received good luck. The whole time that he led the way out of the forest Acton didn’t say a word, he wasn’t really one for conversations because all he had to talk about was… well nothing. All Acton ever did was eat, train, and fight. There really wasn’t anything in Acton’s life that he would want to spark a conversation about and there was nothing that he was willing to disclose, so he just didn’t speak at all.

Once the forest thinned Acton could see the road that led to the town and once they reached the road Acton realized something. He was a Dhampir going to town with a Moroi, usually Dhampirs would play the role of Guardian in this sort of situation and this made Acton nervous. Was he supposed to protect this girl? If he was supposed to how in the world could he? Even though the majority of his life Acton was brought up to protect Moroi his brain was reprogrammed over the last couple years to fend for himself and only himself. Deeply Acton wished that nothing would happen because he wouldn’t be able to stand it if another life was lost because he failed at protecting Juliet.

This was why Acton always traveled alone because he couldn’t have someone die because he failed to protect the unlucky person that trailed after him. It was dangerous to be around Acton, it was as if he attracted Strigoi. Actually Acton knew that there were Strigoi after him, but very few because well Acton had resolved that problem himself. What was he thinking leaving the Academy with someone else, with a Moroi someone else? However before he could think of bringing her back they were already in town, practically nobody on the streets due to the fact that it was still dark for the humans. Well here we are. Acton said blandly as if he had done this a million times.

WORDS >> 672
TAGGED >> juliet
STATUS >> finished
OUTFIT >> just this!
NOTES >> mrawr

[JULIET JOPHENZA]

Juliet was more than a little shocked when he actually agreed to go. But how he’d figured out she’d wanted to sneak out of the schools boundaries was beyond her. Unless he’d already planned on sneaking out to begin with… But no…. His agreeing was the most shocking. Acton, the guy who had been doing everything in his power to get Juliet to leave him alone, had agreed to go hang out with her.

And he most definitely wasn’t a stranger when it came to sneaking out. He knew exactly where to go, and what to do. He’d probably done this countless times before! And those long legs of his.. Ugh! She almost had to double her pace to keep up with him! It didn’t help that he didn’t seem to notice at all, or didn’t care. Was he trying to lose he? Very likely…. Would he? Definitely not. She wouldn’t allow him to lose her. No matter how hard he tried.

With as quiet as he was, she respected his wishes, remaining silent herself… Or mostly silent. Her few attempts to make conversation had failed without going anywhere, so she’d finally just followed in silence.

Only when he finally spoke did she grin brightly, cheerfully picking up her pace even more. “What should we do? The mall won’t be open until the sun is up, the clubs would just be starting for the day- er… night.” She turned that bright grin of hers so she could meet his gaze, hopefully not as icy as it had been earlier. “What do you do for fun most the time? I mean, you’ve obviously done this before. What do you usually do when you come out here?”

Suddenly though, she realized something. They weren’t inside the wards that protected the school… And it was dark… What if…. What if they were attacked? Most Dhampir’s had it drilled into their heads to protect the Moroi. But…. This Dhampir didn’t happen to like the Moroi with him. So he wouldn’t protect her. She knew that. The best thing for them to do then… Was to get out of the da-night. Get somewhere brightly lit so if Strigoi did come around, they’d at least see the undead being coming. Someplace not overly crowded either, that way it couldn’t try to take one of them without causing a scene. And if a scene were caused…. The school Guardians would be there in minutes. “Maybe…. Not the clubs….” Dark, crowded… It was the ideal Strigoi hunting ground.

[ACTON CHACE BENSON]

In Acton’s opinion it was only a matter of time before the Guardians started to look for Acton outside of the Academy grounds when he didn’t show up for therapy. Acton figured that by the time that they got into town they would be close to giving up on searching the grounds for him and start to move out to the perimeter of the school and then to the town. If Acton was right about predicting the Guardian’s moves, which he usually was, then they had an hour and a half maybe two before the Guardian’s swarmed on them and pulled them back to the Academy to sit there and do nothing but learn useless techniques and information that Acton already knew.

When Juliet asked what he did for fun when he came down here Acton couldn’t help but chuckle. Did she seriously think that Acton came down to town to have a good old time and to party at clubs and it McDonalds? Hell no. Whenever Acton came to this town it was because he was making his way somewhere else, making his way to go someplace where he can do what his heart now desired. Right now Acton didn’t want to be a Guardian he wanted to be something different, he wanted to be a Strigoi hunter. Instead of waiting for the Strigoi to come and get him and a Moroi life he would be protecting, Acton decided that he would go one step ahead of everybody else and kill the Strigoi before they could kill anybody else.

I don’t know what to do for fun. I’ve never come down here for fun, Acton said calmly and emotionlessly. When Acton said he didn’t know what to do for fun he didn’t just mean down in the town, but he just didn’t know how to have fun in general anymore. It was like the part of his brain that knew how to have fun was shut down or something. Unless you count being dragged back to the Academy by Guardians fun. Honestly it kind of surprised Acton that Juliet thought that he came down here for fun because it’s not like Acton comes off as a fun guy that would sneak out of school for a good old time. If Acton could predict Guardian moves so well then why would he get caught so easily whenever he came down here? Well it was usually because he was running away from a group of them to begin with.

The mention of not going to clubs made Acton realize something, something that he had touched on when he was walking towards town. Not only was he worried about Strigoi and the roll he might have to play in protecting her, but she might also be worried. If Acton were her he would be scared. Who would want their only real chance of being protected for Strigoi to be him? The guy that can’t find it in him to care anymore, yeah definitely not the kind of guy that Acton would want protecting him. Without saying anything to hint that he realized that she might be worried Acton said Don’t worry, no clubs. In other words Acton was trying to say that they wouldn’t go anywhere with Strigoi lurking around.

That was when Acton realized another thing. He couldn’t just leave her and run off on his own. He couldn’t abandon her and hope that a Strigoi wouldn’t gobble her up. So this meant that he couldn’t run away from the Academy just yet, or at least he couldn’t abandon her in the town and run off on his own. Hell Acton couldn’t even wait until sunrise because of the risk of humans working with the Strigoi. Sighing Acton turned to her and said We could just walk around. Acton suggested, unable to think of anything else to do that didn’t risk a huge scene or extreme isolation.

WORDS >> 656
TAGGED >> juliet
STATUS >> finished
OUTFIT >> just this!
NOTES >> mrawr

[JULIET JOPHENZA]

Sometimes, Juliet really wished she could read minds. Every time there was even a moments silence between them, she would look over and see that lost in thought expression of his. Even when he wasn’t silent he had that look that said he was only partially there, as if everything she said was in one ear and out the other. It was rather annoying… But somehow, she knew he was still paying attention. Hopefully.

“So then… What do you do when you’re out here?” She paused, a deep thoughtful expression glued to her face. “Hm…..” She was certainly making a show of it. “Well, I’ll just have to teach you how to have fun then!” She smiled sheepishly, slightly embarrassed that she’d said something like that. But she didn’t want to take it back. She was determined to soften Acton’s heart, lighten his mood. Let him be an average teenager and not that tight up bastard he’d been up till now. No, she was more than determined. Nothing would stop her from cracking his shell, and if that did mean dragging him around town to find something fun to do, she’d do it. Literally if she had the strength.

A sigh of relief escaped before she could stop it. Oh thank God. It looked like he’d picked up on why she’d mentioned no clubs. It wasn’t that she was extremely nervous of a Strigoi attack. Strigoi didn’t come near the school. At least, not often. There were far too many Guardians around, going in and out of the town on a daily basis. This was the last place Strigoi would want to be…. But their humans…. That was another story. Sometimes… Humans served the undead creatures. Those humans were the ones that scared Juliet the most. You could spot a Strigoi easily, but their human servants? How the hell were you supposed to know what human you could trust and what one you couldn’t?

The last thing she wanted was for Acton to have to protect her if they were attacked. She wouldn’t have a Guardian when she graduated, so she didn’t need, or want, one now. Besides, what were the chances of him even wanting to protect her if something did happen? Near none, if she had to guess. Acton still didn’t like her. But…. He’d agreed to hang out with her. That was something! On that warm, early morning they had met, she never would have guessed they’d be here. Together. Before she could even stop herself, a question blurted out.

“Did you mean it? When you said you hated people? Including me?” She didn’t know what made her ask it, she steps slowing to a stop as she stared curiously at him, wanting, and waiting for any sort of answer.

[ACTON CHACE BENSON]

I tried to get away Acton said in response to her asking what he did when he was in town. It wasn’t like Acton strolled into town every weekend to go to the club or get a Big Mac. The only reason Acton would leave the Academy was to leave for good, or at least try to. It was hard for Acton to escape though, well if it was easy he would have been long gone. Kirova decided that since the Academy had legal custody over him since he was 17 and not a legal adult that she could keep Acton locked up in the Academy so he would be safe and could learn to be a Guardian. What a joke, seriously if Acton could just walk out of the Academy he would’ve done it a long, long time ago.

You want to teach me how to have fun? Acton asked skeptically. How in the world was she going to teach him how to have fun? To be quite frank Acton acted like he had a ten foot pole up his ass since he was so serious all the time. It would be like performing surgery to make Acton have a good time. Seriously it might take brain surgery to fix the glitch in his brain that caused him to be unable to have fun. It was like every time he got even close to fun he would sabotage the situation. Now how in the hell would you ever do that?

It was hard for Acton to even think of anything that could be fun. The only things that Acton did in his free time are train, fight, and eat. It never even occurred to Acton that he could have a good time because why did he deserve to have a good time? How could a monster like himself deserve to have a good time like everyone else? How could he have fun when that usually involved other people and being involved with people meant that he would break his number one rule to not get involved with other people for risk of what would happen when they were gone. It just wasn’t worth the risk to Acton. He would rather give up fun and not have friends then have the last remains of his shattered heart to be trampled on and turned to dust.

Do I hate you? Acton mumbled trying to think of the right answer to this question. Truthfully Acton didn’t hate her, he just didn’t like the potential of what she could do to him. What if she got close? What if for some reason she broke into the mile thick wall around his heart and burrowed her way deep inside? And what if after she did that something happened? What if she got killed like the rest or just decided to leave? Nobody would be there to pick up the pieces; nobody would be there to help Acton. It was the downfall of always being alone that if someone gets a chance to get in there wasn’t anybody else to help after the destruction in the end.

Thinking long and hard Acton tried to find the words to make his answer vague enough to satisfy her need to know and his need for her not to. Well… I… Acton started then stopped, wanting to rethink what he was about to say again. He just needed a good way to word what he was saying. I just don’t like people, Acton said trying to convey that it was just people in general and nothing personal. It’s not as if he personally knew anybody, so it was never personal. They… Acton started to explain but just couldn’t find the words. I just don’t like people okay? Acton finally spat out tired of thinking of the right words.

WORDS >> 640
TAGGED >> juliet
STATUS >> finished
OUTFIT >> just this!
NOTES >> mrawr

[JULIET JOPHENZA]

Juliet blinked in surprise. Get away? As in run away? Now that was rare! It wasn’t often students tried to run away from the school. Even rarer if they actually succeeded. Acton though… Definitely looked like the type that had succeeded once before. That’d explain why the Guardians watched him so heavily. If someone could escape once, they could most certainly do it again. “I’d ask why you tried to escape…. But I’ve decided something. Everyone has secrets they don’t want to share. So unless I’m willing to share mine, no one should share secrets with me.”

Ack, she’d rambled. He’d really find her weird if she kept doing that. But it was true. Maybe it’d put him at ease a little.

Juliet couldn’t help it. She laughed, grinning so widely it almost hurt. “Of course! Everyone should know how to have fun!” His second question though left her perplexed. Stopping, she almost looked serious as she tried to think of a good answer. How would she teach him how to have fun? How did you teach anyone how to have fun? “I have no idea.” She was being honest. But right then, she had a ‘sort of’ idea. “Well, I guess everyone knows how to have fun naturally. Sometimes, we just… forget. So, all we have to do is find it.” She paused, fixing him with a slightly serious, but obviously forced look. “And it’s a two way street. You’re gunna have to want to have fun too. So no more bad ass, ‘I’ll eat you alive’, attitude.” She beamed then, her smile soft but bright.

Suddenly though, she realized something. He almost seemed…. Reluctant. Why? “Do you not like having fun?” She paused, planting her hands on her hips. “Okay, Mister serious. I want you to give me one good reason why you wouldn’t want to have fun. If it’s a good one, we’ll find something else to do. If you can’t…” A mischievous grin replaced her soft smile. She didn’t need to finish the sentence.

Settling on a bench as he pondered over her very serious question, she brought her knees to her chest, wrapping her arms lightly around them and resting her chin on her knees. It was almost like she could see the gears churning in his head, trying to come up with an answer, any answer. Her grin had long since vanished, watching him with a bare expression. If he’d really hated her, he wouldn’t have hesitated like that. Something… Something was telling him to say what he said. Something didn’t want people near him… “But you don’t hate them.” She smiled softly, the smile almost seeming sad. “That’s good. But still sort of sad.” A short pause. “If it means anything, I don’t hate you. You’re one of the only people willing to spend more than ten seconds with me.” Her smile grew warmer. They might not be friends yet, but after what they’d just done, they most definitely weren’t strangers.

[ACTON CHACE BENSON]

I ran away because the Academy is useless Acton said surprising himself and probably Juliet. It wasn’t like Acton had just told her his gory lifelong story, but he had still disclosed some semblance of information about himself to her. For some reason her little speech about secrets hit a nerve for him. Maybe it bothered him that he was compared to everyone else or maybe it was that he realized that he wasn’t the only one keeping secrets, but he felt like maybe he could tell her a little bit about himself to her. Maybe there was a way of telling her bits and pieces without her knowing his entire bloody history. So maybe somewhere subconsciously Acton had acknowledged this and decided to blurt out some random little factoid about himself.

The fact that Juliet was trying to teach Acton how to fun kind of amused him. How in the world was she going to figure out a way to make him have fun? It seemed down right impossible to make Acton do anything that would make him laugh without the hollow sound to it or make his smirk turn into a smile. What also amused Acton was that she said she had no idea how she was going to teach him how to have fun. How could someone be so determined to do something that they didn’t know how to do and seemed impossible? At least when Acton did what seemed impossible in the past he knew what he was doing, but Juliet said she didn’t know.

How do I do that? Acton asked confused about the second part of her plan or whatever you call it. In all honesty Acton didn’t know if he could even drop his attitude that has become habit. How could he just drop his walls and let anyone prance into his life? It just didn’t seem possible to Acton, not else to mention stupid. If Acton were actually going to be a Guardian his lack of knowledge on having fun would’ve been a great thing, something that would be useful. However Acton has no plans whatsoever of becoming a Guardian, but he still thought that if he went out on another Strigoi hunting spree, this one becoming a career, fun would never really be in the job description.

You want to know why I don’t want to have fun? Acton asked with a long pause and sat down on the bench next to her, taking up a lot more room than she did with his broad shoulders and long legs. How could he even explain why he didn’t want to have fun? Could he explain why he didn’t want to have fun anymore? Was there a way of telling her without slipping up and telling her about his past? Running a hand through his crazy black hair Acton looked down at her with his icy blue eyes and sighed. It’s not fun that I don’t like… Acton managed to say with a thoughtfulness that was only expressed through his eyes and nothing else on his face. I just don’t like what could… result from it. Acton said struggling to find an insightfully vague answer.

Confused Acton looked back at Juliet trying to figure out why people wouldn’t want to hang out with her. Even if Acton doesn’t like people and doesn’t want to hang out with them he could still understand what kind of person someone is. Acton was just good at reading people because besides fights Acton’s only sort of contact with other people is watching them and reading them. So far he has done a pretty damn good job at it. When he encountered Juliet the first time and when they were behind the office building he could tell that she wasn’t a bad person, she wasn’t malicious or mean like most Moroi were. Acton thought she was a non Royal even before she told him her name, but it’s not like royalty really mattered to Acton. Well people are stupid, another reason I don’t like them Acton said in a half assed attempt at telling her that they were stupid for not liking her.

WORDS >> 695
TAGGED >> juliet
STATUS >> finished
OUTFIT >> just this!
NOTES >> mrawr

[JULIET JOPHENZA]

Juliet was completely flabbergasted. He told her? Just like that? And he hadn't even hesitated in tell her! Not even for a micro second! Shaking away the shock from her face took a little more effort than she thought, but she finally got the job done. In the process though, she noticed his shock. Why was he so surprised?! Of course, he probably hadn't intended to tell her that, or damn near anything about him, so she could understand. After a few moments she chuckled softly. "Looks like I have to share a secret now, since you said that. But I'm not sure which one to say..."

She was deep in thought again, trying to come up with some sort of secret that would equal in strength to the one he'd shared. So far? Nothing came to mind. "I.... can't think of anything. I'll tell you when I think of one." Juliet sighed, smiling softly. Here was a secret- She never thought she'd be here with Acton.

More questions in which she didn't have the answer to. Great. Leaning back against the bench, she stared up at the stars, thinking. Pondering. "Isn't that a question for yourself? No one knows you better then yourself, so who better to know how to have fun than you?" She paused, lowering her gaze to look at him again, both eyebrows raised in surprise. The results? She'd never thought of it that way. What sort of results were there to having fun? Enjoyment of course. But... Oh. Now she got a pretty good guess. The bonding with the other person. He didn't like people, so it was natural he wouldn't want to get close to the person.

Did that mean her? Obviously. But yet... Here he was. Still. Talking to her. Not threatening her, now that was an achievement. "You know, that doesn't make all that much sense." She smiled sheepishly.

Oh. Oops. Confused him. Or, his expression said he was confused. Upon hearing his words, she laughed, grinning so widely it seemed to be glued to her lips. "Yeah. Guess so." With her laughter under control, she stared back up at the night sky. Such a pretty night. "Most people only care about connections with powerful people. Who's royal, who's not. Thing is, I'm not royal, and I don't really have any connections with people. My dad doesn't even care what happens in our world. And everyone sort of knows it." She sighed. "Sometimes it's really annoying. Just because of something so silly, they won't even talk to me."

[ACTON CHACE BENSON]

I ran away because the Academy is uselessCall it stupid or whatever but Acton seriously doubted that this little Moroi girl could have any secret that was all too horrifying. Okay so Acton’s definition of horrifying is different than the normal person, but still how bad could it be for a Moroi? Sure he was stereotyping her, but no matter how much he watched her he couldn’t bring himself to believe that she had a horrible secret. How could a girl that was so nice and… normal? Even though Acton knew that there was something about her that was different, he couldn’t bring himself to think that anything bad could happen to such a seemingly happy girl because then that would just confirm what he thought about the world.

What Acton thought about the world was simple. He thought that only the good people get punished, only the people that didn’t have it coming to them were burdened with something horrible. Of course the stuck up, fake Moroi Royals rarely got anything bad handed to them. The closest thing they usually get to danger or disaster is chipping a nail or maybe, just maybe having a Guardian protect them from a Strigoi. If something that even classified as bad in Acton’s book happened to her then it would just confirm that Acton’s way of life is worth it, that it’s the right way things should be.

It makes sense to me Acton said in response to her remark about his reasoning about not having fun not making sense. It made perfect sense to Acton. However he doubted that she would understand because she was at least close to normal so even if something bad happened to her it wasn’t to the degree of retchedness that Acton had experienced. Besides Dhampir’s don’t need fun. Acton said rewording what he has been taught since birth, they come first. What Acton saw that as is that the Moroi’s needs came first so why would he need to have fun when he was too busy securing everything for the Moroi. Now though, since Acton had no plans to be a Guardian, the words were meaningless, but what could be derived from it did.

That is stu— Acton had meant to say That is stupid but his words got cut off by movement in the corner of his eye. If anybody were to know what could move like that Acton would, since he has fought near 100 of them. Quickly standing up from the bench Acton pulled out his stake from his pocket and his axe from his waistband. How could this be happening now? Of course since he was the one that seemed to be a magnet for Strigoi, this would happen. It didn’t help that in the Strigoi world Acton’s name was well known or at least a rumor of terror, so Acton guessed that when these guys saw a kid that fit the description with a Moroi no less they had to do something.

Stay behind me! Acton snarled at Juliet taking a defensive position as four Strigoi emerged from the shadows with a hungry glint in their red rimmed eyes. Some would argue since the Belikov miracle that it would be best to try and save them, but it was hard to come across a Spirit infused stake and a Spirit user that could use it. So Acton knew that all he could do was to kill them, which he did numerous, uncountable amounts of times. Acton’s eyes looked over the Strigoi, only four, that would be easy. Well it would’ve been easy if he didn’t have to worry about Juliet. Please don’t let her die Acton pleaded in his head, not wanting anymore blood on his dripping hands.

WORDS >> 622
TAGGED >> juliet
STATUS >> finished
OUTFIT >> just this!
NOTES >> mrawr

[JULIET JOPHENZA]

Hmm….. What could she say of equal value, or relatively similar, to his now exposed secret? Juliet was at a complete lo- Oh, wait a minute. She had a runaway secret! But if he didn’t laugh from hearing it, he just might think she even more crazier then he probably already did think her…. “I ran away once. It was during the Summer break, before I started Middle school here. I decided I was going to go join the Circus then and there.” She smiled sheepishly, the next part was rather embarrassing. “My dad caught me after only a few hours, something about me being predictable.” She couldn’t remember to well what had happened, other than amused grin on her dad’s face when he found her. After that they’d made a deal, she could go join the circus after she graduated…. She was still holding him to that deal.

For as normal as her secret was, there was something… Something behind her words. Back then, she hadn’t wanted to join the Circus because she was in love with it as much as she was now. No… She wanted to escape the Moroi and Dhampir world. She’d thought… If she left the world, and did something normal(well, something humans did), she could forget everything. No more feeders. No more Guardians. No more Strigoi. Unconsciously, she let the fingers on her right hand lightly touch her left side.

She shook the thoughts away. No, she couldn’t dwell on that here! Definitely not in front of him. She wouldn’t let him stereotype her. She wasn’t going to be some pathetic, vulnerable, Moroi. Soon, she’d be out in the world. No Guardian, just her wits and magic to keep her alive. If she couldn’t stay strong in front of him, how would she ever make it out there… out here? Juliet half smiled. Right, they weren’t on school grounds right now. This was the real world.

Hearing his comment on fun, Juliet fixed him with an annoyed, slightly angry look. Rolling onto her hands and knees she turned her whole body to stare him down, as if to try and stare him into submission. “Okay. I hereby ban you from saying anything like that ever again.” Oh, and was she serious! “I mean it! Everyone needs fun! It doesn’t matter if you’re Dhampir, or Moroi, or a giant puple polka dotted hippo.” Okay…. Maybe the purple polka dotted hippo wasn’t necessary, but it got the trick done… right? “I can’t even believe you said something like that. I don’t care if that’s some text book answer. That’s just wrong.”

That determined look vanished when he was suddenly on his feet. What was it? And then she caught sight of the axe and… stake. Oh dear God! It couldn’t be! Oh God, oh God, oh God! Juliet’s heart just about ripped out of her chest. Pale…. Bone pale skin, red rimmed eyes… And oh did they look hungry… There were three… No four? Yes… four. God damnit! She couldn’t freeze up like this! Tumbling to her feet as well, her landing not quite as graceful as his, she didn’t cower, but her eyes were as wide as saucers.

And then he was telling her to stay behind him… Like a good like Moroi. No way in hell! No, no, NO! There were four of them! How would anyone, even the strongest Guardian, take on four Strigoi at once?! And alone! “I will not!” Though her voice held as much determination as she could muster, a hint of pure terror was still there. She didn’t have to say anymore though. He’d either understand why she wouldn’t cower, or he wouldn’t. She just wouldn’t let him try to fight off four Strigoi by himself. She might not be as strong as a Dhampir, or as well built as one, or even have any real training in fighting them… But she did have something he didn’t. Magic. Sure, she couldn’t burn them to death like fire users, who were the most effective against Strigoi. Sure she couldn’t distract them with water or air. But Earth was far from useless…

((I'll let you control them most of the time XP.

P.S. *snicker* She banned him from talking like a Guardian.))

[ACTON CHACE BENSON]

I ran away because the Academy is uselessThe circus? Sounds like a good idea Acton said in an offhand tone because he really could see Juliet wanting to join the circus. Every time that Acton has seen Juliet she was juggling, the girl was always juggling to Acton. It seemed logical that a girl that liked tricks like that would want to join a place that made a living off of tricks and illusions. Well Acton could only guess that was what a circus was like because he had never been to one in his entire life. It wasn’t like he had an urge to go to the circus but it kind of seemed like every kid in the world should have the chance to go to it right?

What Acton didn’t understand was why all of a sudden she exploded on him. It wasn’t like Acton was lying or anything, when Dhampir’s become Guardians they sacrifice everything for their Moroi. Acton knew he couldn’t be a Guardian because he didn’t have anything to sacrifice, he couldn’t protect anyone. It was weird to be lectured to not be what he was brought up to think. What right did Juliet have to lecture him on what he was supposed to do, what he couldn’t do? Of course Acton could refrain from having fun because he’s a Dhampir because that was just how it had to be.

You ban me? Acton asked skeptically. Wait a second Acton said with an arched eyebrow. Did she really just say that? Well of course she just banned him but did she just say giant purple polka dotted hippo? Did you really just say gian purple polka dotted hippo? For some reason that made Acton actually laugh. Well it was more of a muffled pffft but none the less it was still a laugh and Acton was sure that she would probably flip out because of that small gesture of normalcy. Hell it even surprised Acton that he could have possible laughed somewhat genuinely.

However Acton’s small laughter was interrupted by none other than the Strigoi. Why did this have to happen now? Couldn’t this have happened when Acton was alone and didn’t have to worry about someone else? If it had just been him out there then it would’ve been easier to fight off four Strigoi. Sure it would be a little difficult but he has done a lot more than kill four Strigoi at one time, but that was alone with only his life on the line, not his and a Moroi. It didn’t seem to help that Juliet wasn’t going to follow his orders and stay out of the way.

Yes you will! Acton growled and grabbed her shoulder, momentarily looking away from the Strigoi and at her. If you want to help stay out of my way and if you’re one of those Moroi that like fighting with magic I recommend you do it from right here out of my way! Acton figured that since she didn’t want to stand back and let him do the work that she was one of the Moroi that like to fight along with the Dhampirs. Honestly Acton wasn’t opposed to the movement; he just didn’t like working with other people, especially ones that didn’t know how to fight at all.

Those few moments that Acton had turned away from the Strigoi, they took that moment to attack, as Acton thought they would. Before Acton even turned his head around he kicked a Strigoi square in the chest with a grunt that sent the Strigoi flying backwards. These Strigoi couldn’t be too old because their moves are too predictable. Another two came at him from the right and the left. Acton punched the one on the left and kicked his knee caps so that it fell on the ground, giving him enough time to stake and cut the Strigoi on the right’s head off in one swift motion.

One Strigoi down, three more to go.

Honestly Acton didn’t know if Juliet was doing anything besides sitting on the bench. All he knew was that there were three more Strigoi and none of them were feasting on a dead body so Acton figured he was good for now. The fourth Strigoi was just standing in the back like a ring leader, probably wanting one of his little minions to kill Acton off so he could get to Juliet, but the guy kept looking at Acton like he was the prize and not Juliet. In the brief second that he was scrutinizing the leader the only female Stirgoi came barreling at him and Acton easily kneed her in the stomach as she clawed at his neck with her nails. Just as she was inches from his throat Acton stabbed her in the heart with his stake and sliced her head off. Out of the corner of his eye Acton saw the last minor Strigoi go running at Juliet. Pushing away the decapitated body that was now slumped over him Acton wasn’t sure if he could get to the Strigoi fast enough, but he had to try. Running as fast as he could over to the Strigoi and Juliet Acton yelled, Use your magic! Knowing that it might be the only thing that could keep the Strigoi away from her.

WORDS >> 884
TAGGED >> juliet
STATUS >> finished
OUTFIT >> just this!
NOTES >> mrawr

[JULIET JOPHENZA]

Juliet couldn't help it, she chuckled. Smiling softly, she shook her head. "Sounded like a good idea at the time. Traveling the country, making little kids smile, awing their parents." She could still remember the first time she went to the Circus. It was with her whole family before the.... accident. After that, she hadn't gone against for several years. That was when she'd grown a love for it. Of in a corner of her mind, she decided on something. The next time a troupe was near Campus, she'd take Acton with her. That was one of the only reasons she would sneak off of campus for. Besides, it'd be fun to go with him!


Oh did he look confused at her rather strange, and insane, words. And then he'd laughed, or... partially laughed. She couldn't help it. She grinned ear to ear, proud of her success. He'd laughed! Yes! "Yup. Banned. No Guardian attitude when you're around me." A short pause, as she thought over his next question. "But of course! We could go looking for one, if you want. I'm sure there's at least one in this world."

Stupid Strigoi... Sure they down right terrified her, like they should, but right now she was very angry at them. They just had to come right when Acton and Juliet were getting along the best. Curse the Strigoi...

It wasn't that Juliet liked fighting, or using her magic offensively. She just knew she couldn't just sit there and let another person risk their life to protect her. No, she couldn't stand the sight of blood, but sometimes you had to get over your fear and realize they were the ones wanting to kill you. And no way in hell were you going to make their job any easier. If magic could be used defensively, and offensively, then why not use it both ways?

Eyes still wide as saucers, she stared up into Acton's eyes when he grabbed her by the shoulder. His words hit a nerve. Of course... He would think she in the way in this sort of situation. Finally though, she nodded. "Kay...." She'd help in anyway she could, but she had to stay out of his way. He was trained by professionals to do this. She wasn't. Everything she knew was self taught. Best to only act if need be...

She stumbled back when he finally released her, putting the bench between herself and the fighting. But that didn't mean she wasn't... in it, of sorts. If she weren't so blasted terrified, she might have smirked. She was an Earth User. And they were fighting on earth.

Acton might not realize it, but she was already reaching out with her own magic, willing the earth at the Strigoi's feet to stop them, or just slow them down. Strigoi were strong, impossibly strong. A bunch of earth wrapping around their feet couldn't stop them, but it would give Acton those valuable seconds.

For some reason though, she couldn't act out in other ways. She kept looking at Acton, checking to see if he was alright, checking to make sure he was still alive. He'd already killed one of them... Oh God... Blood. Juliet covered her mouth, trying to stop the wave of nausea. She had to look away. He was already decapitating the second. She'd really throw up if she saw that. And what sort of person threw up in the middle of being attacked?!

Only when she heard Acton's piercing words did she look up again, wide eyed as she spotted the third racing towards her, that hungry look in his... it's eyes drilling through her. Swallowing her nausea, she reached out with her magic once more. Maybe a little to much magic though... The Earth at the Strigoi's feet split open. In the moment the Strigoi stumbled, the earth clamped back together with such force it was a miracle the feet weren't crushed clean off. But from the Strigoi's agonizing scream, he obviously though they'd been decapitated.

Another wave of nausea hit her. She might not have seen any blood from her own attack, but she could imagine. But... She couldn't let herself get distracted now. Acton had to kill it. Decapitate it's head, or stake it. Neither of which Juliet could do. The Strigoi was struggling to get at her again, pushing past the pain in it's feet. Stumbling back, Juliet reached out again, opening the earth at the monster's hands and clamping down on them. She knew the earth wouldn't be able to hold it for more then a few more seconds, but that was all the time Acton would need...

[ACTON CHACE BENSON]

Fighting for Acton just came naturally. Well it came naturally to all dhampirs, but for Acton it just seemed like the only thing that he was ever good at. Before he went of on his own killing rampage Acton wasn’t good at schoolwork, just fighting, sure he could make friends easily back then but now all he could do was fight. Even thought Juliet was going to try her hardest to bring him back to what he once was, Acton knew he would never be the same. How could a guy be the same after what he has done? If somebody could go through what Acton did and be unperturbed there was something wrong with their brain.

Good thing that Acton actually knew how to fight because if he didn’t then he would probably be dead by now. Most 15 year old Dhampir’s haven’t even touched a stake much less used one. However, that Christmas 2 years ago Acton luckily did know how to use a stake, thanks to his older brothers. Over the next year Acton developed his skill and his technique so well that he could decapitate someone with one swift move of an axe and barely get out of breath when he staked a Strigoi in the heart. His moves were like an old, experienced Guardian, not a seventeen year old novice that was barely passing his classes and fought more than he slept.

To Acton killing those two Strigoi was a simple task, however there was a complication. It wouldn’t be complicated if there wasn’t someone else that Acton was responsible for. There would just be no way that Acton could possibly hold it together if he was responsible for another person’s death. He already held himself responsible for the massacre of his family, well actually he did kill them all the second go around. So how could he bare having to live with himself if he let another person die? Or worse, what if they turned her into a Strigoi? That would only mean that Acton would have to find her, just like he did with his brothers, sisters, mother, father, and best friend. How many more people that he was close to would he have to kill? He just couldn’t let anything happen to her, he just couldn’t.

Luckily Juliet had done what Acton had asked and used her magic to at least slow the Strigoi down that was coming at her. The Strigoi was stuck to the ground with earth wrapped around his feet. Just as Juliet got the things hands stuck in the earth Acton came at it with his axe and stake. Using his signature move, Acton sliced the Strigoi’s head off and stabbed it in the heart with his stake at the same time. This was the technique that Acton used on all of the Strigoi that he has killed, it was the main reason that the Academy believed that he had killed so many.

Three down, one more to go.

The Strigoi that was standing the background previously now had a wicked grin on his face. What was this guy’s deal? He wasn’t even looking at Juliet, which was weird because most Strigoi would be salivating at the chance of Moroi blood, royal or non-royal. The Strigoi wasn’t making a move and neither was Acton, all they did was stand there and stare at each other for a good minute. Acton’s back was to Juliet, making sure she was behind his broad back, not visible to the Strigoi.

What do you want? Acton asked the Strigoi that was staring Acton down, like he was analyzing him.

You know what I want the Strigoi said in an eerily hollow voice and an evil glint in his red rimmed eyes.

Her? Acton asked hoping that the Strigoi was after Juliet, because that would mean that this was a typical Strigoi that got a whiff of Moroi. If this Strigoi was after Acton, well then that would mean something bad, something Acton didn’t want Juliet to be around.

No idiot Dhampir, the Strigoi said with a hollow laugh that followed. I want you! You are Acton Benson, the child that killed my entire organization. You are the idiot that destroyed the chance of Strigoi rising above the weak Moroi! I WANT YOU DEAD! Then the Strigoi launched himself at Acton.

For a good ten minute there was a struggle, Acton and the Strigoi each got their fair share of blows. However in the end the Strigoi was headless and had a hole in his chest and Acton only had claw marks on his neck from the female Strigoi, a bloody lip, and a long cut on his arm. Taking a deep breath Acton pushed himself away from the dead Strigoi and walked over to Juliet. Sitting down next to her like nothing happened Acton sighed and looked over at her. You okay? Acton asked like it was a perfectly normal day and their weren’t four decapitated bodies on the ground in front of them and the sound of Guardians stampeding down the road.

WORDS >> 851
TAGGED >> juliet
STATUS >> finished
OUTFIT >> just this!
NOTES >> mrawr

[JULIET JOPHENZA]

Juliet couldn’t look away fast enough. Acton came barreling down on the Strigoi she’d trapped, ending it’s ‘life’ in two swift motions. More nausea. She just shut her eyes tightly, hand clamped firmly over her mouth to stop herself from throwing up. Oh god. If he looked at her now, what would he think? Moroi weren’t supposed to be afraid of blood, for crying out loud! And yet, here she was, shaken to her very bones at the sight of it. Ridiculous.

But then, he was right in front of her, shielding her from the last Strigoi’s view. Moments passed…. And nothing happened. What was going on? Acton and this Strigoi were just…. Staring at each other? Why? He hadn’t hesitated in killing any of the others, so why was he waiting for this last one to move?

His words were in one ear and out the other. What did the Strigoi want? Who asked a Strigoi that? Didn’t they only want to kill, and make more Strigoi? But yet… the monster actually responded. That caught her off guard more so then Acton talking to it to begin with. It’s voice froze her very bones, the air around her growing cold. Even if she hadn’t seen this Strigoi, she’d know what it was. No ‘living’ thing could ever leave such a cold impression.

Wait- This Strigoi…. Was after Acton? She knew sometimes Strigoi would target specific people, but this one almost seemed… personal. Acton had destroyed it’s ‘organization’? What did that mean? Had this Strigoi in particular been trying to create a giant Strigoi army to destroy all the Moroi and Dhampirs? Then… that would mean Acton wasn’t just an excellent Dhampir student. He’d actually gone out and hunted Strigoi. And from the sounds of it, and Acton’s own actions, a lot of Strigoi. So… Did that mean the dark things on the back of his neck really were the marks given for each Strigoi kill? If that were true…

Holding back a yelp when the fight began, she stumbled backwards, out of the way. If she got in the middle of that, she’d be good as dead, and so would Acton. Or worse… They’d be good as Strigoi. That thought made her even more nauseous then the blood. She’d rather die than become a Strigoi. To lose everything… And everyone, you cared for…. To become a monster and kill without a second thought…. To kill for blood, and for enjoyment…

Maybe… That’s why she feared blood so much. If you took too much… You’d kill the person, and become a monster. She didn’t care if the feeders wanted you to take their blood. They were the ones risking their lives for some stupid high.

The fight pressed on and Juliet found herself curled up at the base of a tree, her back pressed as tightly as possible to the wood, with both hands now covering her mouth. Eyes wide, she couldn’t look away. Every time Acton took a hit, she almost screamed. What if that hit would end the fight? What if the Strigoi finally clamped down on him and killed him? Questions, morbid questions, were flying around in her head. It was horrible.

Finally though… It was over. The Strigoi lay dead, and Acton was working his way over to her. He looked fine…. Well, mostly fine. The Strigoi had racked his neck with its nails, got a good cut down his arm, and split his lips. But…. Over all fine. He was sitting next to her then. Reluctantly she pulled her hands away from her face, making sure to look at him and not the bodies. “Y-yeah….” She paused for a moment. “You’re bleeding….” A moment passed as she looked down at her own hands. “I’m sorry. I just… froze out there….” Another pause. “Blood… Blood makes me sick. I know it’s stupid, especially since I’m a Moroi and everything… But I can’t stand the sight of it.” She didn’t know why she was telling him this. Perhaps she just wanted to explain herself, hoping he’d accept the flaw. Maybe…

[ACTON CHACE BENSON]

It kind of just hit him when Acton was sitting there one the bench with Juliet. He had just taken down four Strigoi. It wasn’t as if it was a big accomplishment for Acton, but it has been almost a year now since Acton had last killed a Strigoi and to his surprise he wasn’t rusty at all. Maybe all the fighting and training that Acton did at the Academy had actually paid off. Sure getting into fights every other day wasn’t the best way to stay in tip top Strigoi decapitating state, but it still was affective. The Guardians and Kirova didn’t approve of his methods of staying in shape either, but Acton just thought that they should be glad that he hasn’t killed anybody yet.

What surprised Acton even more wasn’t that he just staked and decapitated four Strigoi in no time, but that he had succeeded in protecting Juliet. It was shocking to Acton that he could actually protect someone. The last time he needed to protect someone was Christmas two years ago and that was the worst day of his whole damn life. Could it really be possible that he had been able to stop the Strigoi from hurting Juliet? Well obviously it was possible because there she was sitting next to him completely fine, well maybe not completely fine because she did look a little queasy.

That’s good Acton said and slumped down on the bench. He knew that the Guardians would be here any minute because there was bound to be someone from the Vampire world that would notify the Guardians if they hadn’t already made their way to town to ensure that Acton hadn’t run away. They would be here soon, probably with an Alchemist, to clean up the mess that Acton had made. Surely they would be mad at Acton for sneaking out of the Academy, but it’s not like he’d get expelled because Kirova knew that being expelled wouldn’t be a punishment for Acton. However Acton wasn’t so sure about Juliet and he didn’t want her to get in trouble for some stupid reason.

You’re one weird Moroi Acton said with a shake of his head and just as he did so he could hear the shouting of the Guardians and the footsteps echoing down the road. They would probably be here any second and be ready to shuttle the two of them back to the Academy. Surely Acton would get lectured, sent to more therapy, and probably do some community service. There would also be another ceremony, another one where Acton would get four more molinja marks added to his already tattooed neck. However Acton still didn’t know what would happen to Juliet, probably just a detention or suspension, she just couldn’t be expelled.

Within a minute there were five Guardians standing in front of them with eyes wide. They looked at the four headless bodies, then at Acton who had a bloody stake in one hand and an equally bloody axe in another, and then at Juliet with quizzical eyes. They were probably wondering what the hell happened, but one of them seemed to notice who Acton was and shook his head. Benson what the hell did you do this time? asked the Guardian that knew him, if Acton remembered correctly his name was Kovak.

Oh nothing just thought I’d sit here and enjoy the view Acton said sarcastically because only a twisted person would enjoy looking at the mangled bodies.

Benson stop joking around this is serious! Kovak said harshly while the other Guardians poked around the dead bodies. You skipped therapy, snuck out of school, and you brought a Moroi with you! How far are you willing to go to get expelled? What were you going to do when you got here? Leave her behind and get on a bus? You could’ve gotten killed!

Well good thing I didn’t Acton said with a roll of his eyes.

Dear fucking god Benson Kovak said with a shake of his head then turned his eyes to Juliet. And I’m assuming that he dragged you out of the Academy?

Just say yes Acton whispered to Juliet knowing that it would get her in less trouble.

WORDS >> 705
TAGGED >> juliet
STATUS >> finished
OUTFIT >> just this!
NOTES >> mrawr