Private Needing A Hand Or Two

[Alina Tremiru]

Alina quickly regrouped with Darth Strosius once there wasn't any guards running amok. Most of her arms were actually reformed, all the way down to the bottom half of her hands. The hunger was a dull ache in the back of her mind. Soon, very soon, she'd have her hands back. And when she did, well. She wasn't sure what do to afterwards. They'd likely have to leave the world before they were approached by the law. Or any other gangs.

The party below would of been far easier to finish if she did have her arms. Her lightsaber could easily rip through them all. A group was dangerous. She crouched on the balcony above the make shift dance floor. "We'll have to kill them before we drain them. A shame. It's best as fresh as possible. But I'd rather not damage what I've already healed."

 

[Darth Strosius]

By the time that Alisteri had met back up with Alina Tremiru his right hand had almost completely healed. Well, mostly. The fingers were there but it was clear that they hadn't fully reformed just yet. His eye and that side of his face was still being a bit stubborn, but it was getting close to being healed. Evidently Sangnir did indeed have trouble healing burn wounds, but all that meant was that he would need more blood. And that was something that he could do.

"Indeed. A shame to waste any blood, but we can always have a proper feast another time I suppose..." His gaze swept over the dance floor, narrowing as he noted the occasional outsider from the main group. It seemed that not all of them were armed, but enough were that they would need to act carefully or be overwhelmed by blaster fire. "I can slaughter them to the last, but a good bit of them may try to run. Any suggestions?"

 

[Alina Tremiru]

"We could let them run. Spread rumors of what happened. The more chaos there is, the easier it will be for us to go unnoticed when we leave this wretched planet." She spoke in a soft whisper, her eyes darting around the crowd. "If we attack those on the outside and stick to the shadows, we can send them into a panic. Much easier to kill them if they're afraid." A nod. That was her plan at least. Her gaze shifted back to Darth Strosius , her blood stained lips turning into a wide grin.

"Let's kill as many as we can. Those who get away deserve to live."

 

[Darth Strosius]

At first he was tempted to disagree with Alina Tremiru about letting any of them leave, the hunger still demanding all the blood that he could gather. He knew that she was right however. As much as he wanted to drain them all and sate his hunger, he knew that they couldn't stay on the planet forever. A little bit of chaos and they could leave without much hassle.

"Fine, we can allow some of them to flee." He whispered back after a moment of though, glancing back at his friend. "Let us not be lax in our killing though, we came here with the intention to leave the planet restored and healed of all of our wounds. We shall leave here whole, no matter the cost." A nod in return and then he had leapt to the ground away from the party, ready to pounce on those on the outskirts.

 

[Alina Tremiru]

And so it began. Alina took her time, snatching the loners of the dancefloor before the others would notice. Thin the herd before setting out panic. But it didn't last long. Her form stepping out of the darkness, slick with blood, was a horrifying sight. The first scream sealed it. She took off into the crowd, ripping through anyone she got close to. Throats were her target. With the strength she had it was an easy thing.

The blood bath was literal. Dance turned to horror as she ripped through anyone that she got close enough to. She didn't want to let too many people escape, but she wouldn't give chase too far.

Darth Strosius

 

[Darth Strosius]

Any who had strayed even a bit too far from the party were prey for Alisteri. He drained the ones who were alone first, and then quietly cut down whatever couples or very small groups had segmented off. By the time that Alina Tremiru had charged onto the dance floor, the people there were nearly the only ones left alive. The moment that he heard the screams he sprung into action, pouncing from the darkness and managing to kill a decent number of those who began to run first.

By this time he was more focused on killing as many as he could rather than draining them, even if that meant that some of the blood was spilled and wasted on the ground that they died upon. By the time all was said and done only a small fraction of partiers managed to escape the warehouse and run off into the night, leaving the dead and dying to be feasted upon by the pair of acolytes.

"I have to say, this was far easier than I expected."

 

[Alina Tremiru]

Alina didn't waste time once the chaos was ended. She wanted to feed. It wasn't even a need in her mind, just a constant want to feel her hands again. She found the ones who were still alive, practically rushing to drain them of their Anima to heal her wounds. Several bodies later, and finally. Finally. She had her arms. Both. Complete. She lifted her hands, idly flexing her fingers. It was euphoric. Feeling her actual fingers again after going weeks without them. But for her, it was only weeks.

Now with a clear head she looked back towards Darth Strosius , a soft smile on her blood stained lips. "Did you heal?"

 

[Darth Strosius]

Alisteri didn't waste any time in joining his friend as she began to feast. He was just as eager, so close to getting his hand and eye back that he didn't bother savoring the meal. From body to body as quick as he could, draining and then moving onto the next. With each he could feel his hand and eye as they healed. His hand returned to him rather quickly, having been almost fully healed even before they caused that little panic at the disco. He had taken a moment or two to get used to having a right hand again, but was quick to get back to draining.

He perked up as Alina Tremiru spoke to him, dropping the last drained body with a relieved sigh. Then he took a few moments to stretch before looking over his shoulder at her. For the first time, both of his eyes settled on her as a grin spread across his face. "Oh I have indeed."

 

[Alina Tremiru]

She hadn't exactly gotten use to seeing Darth Strosius 's face, and now seeing him without the cybernetics, she couldn't hide the large smile that had formed even if she wanted to. Alina stepped over to him and reached a hand up to touch the renewed flesh. "We've become something far more dangerous, haven't we?" It was an idle musing as she looked him over. It set in just how bloody they actually where. A shame for the speeder they bought, to say the least.

"We should get back to the ship. Clean up."

 

[Darth Strosius]

He paused as she stepped closer, leaning into her touch slightly as he looked over her face. It was strange having both his eyes back, nearly twelve years he had gone with only one. Well he had the cybernetic one of course, but it was never in full sync with the other. Always just a bit off, or a bit too clear. It was different enough that he never forgot that it was a cheap replacement.

Now though, it was gone. He had both of his eyes again.

Alisteri blinked as she spoke, idly realizing that he had been staring at her face the entire time he was musing to himself. "Yes, we have indeed. And if those other Sangnir are anything to go by, then we are only going to get stronger." He wasn't too bothered by being covered in blood anymore, if anything he was more saddened that some of it had gone to waste. "Yes let's leave before we overstay our welcome too much."

He went to turn around and head for the door but paused, looking back at her and smirking. "Ladies first."

Alina Tremiru

 

[Alina Tremiru]

Her hand hadn't fallen from Darth Strosius 's cheek. She seemed to be staring just as long as he was, though her grin returned as he mentioned them getting stronger. He was right. Those two Sangnir were at a whole other level. It'd be good to reach that. Her hand pulled away as he turned, though a brow raised. Ladies first, huh?

She wouldn't turn it down, just give a small smile before leading the way out. No sooner did she get outside though than did she reach over to take his arm in her own. To walk side by side with him, with her real arms this time. She'd lead the way back to the speeder, resting her cheek on his shoulder. "You know, technically that was a date. Music, dancing, dinner."

 

[Darth Strosius]

Alisteri glanced over the bodies one last time as he followed after her, idly noticing that they had indeed put down a whole gang. Rather impressive if he did say so himself, and what an introduction to their new lives as well. He almost paused to check the pockets of one or two corpses but decided against it. He had a feeling that they had overstayed their welcome here, perhaps even on the planet as a whole. Best to move on before any sort of police came looking around.

He raised an eyebrow in surprise as Alina Tremiru took his arm, but was all to eager to walk alongside her like that. When she rested her cheek on his shoulder though, a little bit of red grew on his face that certainly wasn't blood from his last meal. "I-It was?" He cleared his throat to hide the small crack in his voice that had escaped when he spoke. A small chuckle left him as he regained his composure after a moment. "I...I suppose that it was if you think about it in that way. I was picturing something along the lines of a nice candlelit dinner myself..."

 

[Alina Tremiru]

"Candlelit dinner? I never knew you were a romantic." Not that she minded it. That, mixed with the blush he currently had, was kinda cute. Enough that her smile softened as she stayed against him. Alina was quiet for the rest of the way back to the speeder, looking about the city with a whole new set of eyes. Literally. She could see so much more now, even with how dark it was.

Once back in the speeder she leaned against her door, watching the city as it went by. "So, Alisteri. What does that mask represent now?"

Darth Strosius

 

[Darth Strosius]

At first, only a small 'hm' left him in response. Romantic wasn't a word that he would describe himself with, but it was much better than the alternative. "My mother taught me well..." He muttered under his breath as they neared the speeder. In truth he was thankful to have Alina Tremiru by his side during the walk, otherwise he might have gotten sidetracked.

It was still strange trying to adjust to having two proper eyes once again.

Although they weren't going to leave right away, Alisteri still wasted no time in getting the speeder started just in case. He didn't know how empty this warehouse district was after all. The question caused him to pause, his gaze drifting back up to her in curiosity. "My mask..." It was back on the ship of course, but even now he felt...vulnerable without it. Around her vulnerable was fine of course, but the question did cause him a few moments of thought. "I suppose that it hasn't changed..." He idly glanced at the mirror on the side of the speeder, both of his eyes staring back at him. "I have nothing to hide anymore, the slave is forever gone now. The mask is still apart of me though, still the face of the acolyte."

 

[Alina Tremiru]

His mother? There was still quite a bit Alina didn't know about her friend. A lot she wanted to know. But that could wait. At least until they made it off this crime infested planet. She gave a nod, turning her gaze back to Darth Strosius as he explained the mask. So he'd still hide his face? Well, maybe not for much longer. A soft smile formed on her lips.

"Not the face of a slave, but perhaps the face of a Knight, when the time comes?"

 

[Darth Strosius]

"A knight?" He was a bit startled by the question at first, looking back at himself in the mirror again. The concept of knighthood had always seemed so distant, he was just too weak for it to be anything but a fantasy. Even with his new Sangnir blood, he wasn't skilled enough still. Someday he would be worthy of that title, but he had his eye on another one for the moment. "Perhaps, but I doubt it. I do have an idea for what this face will mean though."

Alisteri was about to continue before pausing and glancing at the city once more. "I believe that we've overstayed our welcome, we should take our leave before anyone comes looking." He spoke as he slid into the speeder, gesturing for Alina Tremiru to join him.

 

[Alina Tremiru]

She gave a quick nod as she hopped into the speeder. Darth Strosius was right that they needed to get going. She leaned into her seat, smiling faintly. Curiosity had taken over her mind now. Something about what he said about his face. Alina tilted her head curiously, watching him. She'd let him pilot their way back. Only fitting. "What does it mean then?"

 

[Darth Strosius]

He wasted no time getting them into the air once they had both gotten settled into their seats, heading straight back to where they had gotten the speeder from. "For now it means nothing more than something to show to those that I trust and care for." It took him a moment to respond, as if he were choosing his words carefully. "If it does become something more...I'll let you know." Alisteri offered Alina Tremiru a playful smirk. He didn't mean to hide anything from her of course, he just didn't want to lay out the details of what hadn't happened yet.

"I suppose it means whatever I want it to mean right now. What does it mean to you?"

 

[Alina Tremiru]

Care for, huh? Alina had mentioned the date twice over to Darth Strosius under the guise of wanting to see him blush. But the reality was something so different. There was a lot she wanted to say, but she held back. They needed to get off world. Safe. Then she could tell him everything. Her gaze had drifted out to the city as they flew over it. She was distracted only for a moment, but a moment long enough for his question to catch her off guard and, for once, her cheeks to be the ones that reddened.

"I.." Her voice trailed off as way too many thoughts rushed through her mind. She kept her gaze firmly outside the window now, not wanting him to see her blush.

"It's the face of the only person I truly trust."

 

[Darth Strosius]

Out of the corner of his eye he spotted her reaction, doing his best to suppress the surprise that it caused him. He was used to being the embarrassed one by now, and seeing her like that made something in his chest flutter. Alisteri didn't catch Alina Tremiru blush though, she was too quick to turn away and he was too busy piloting the speeder to try and look for it. Her response caused him another moment of surprise, his gaze still on the city before them as he turned her words over in his mind.

"Well I suppose I can see why you like me without the mask so much then." He spoke with a small chuckle, as if trying to lighten the mood a bit. Not that he minded the...honest and quiet tone of course. Soon enough, the taxi station that they had rented the speeder from was in sight. After all that had happened, Alisteri wanted nothing more than for the both of them to get off this planet and get back to somewhere safe.