New Perspective, Tharin

[Serena Kelley]

She didn't believe he thought violence was bad, didn't believe he thought he was all that just and righteous. He had already proven otherwise. But he kept giving her options that would lead to a lesser amount of pain than another option and that was kind of nice of him.

They waited for nighfall, while she pondered what to do about Zoe, whether or not to take the low road and give her up or to suffer the consequences ofhim having to find her himself. However much she wanted to tell Tharin to stay the heck away from Zoe, she knew that was a bad idea and ended up on the decision to hint at where to find Zoe, that would be a compromise.

Finally they walked into the Pit. It was dark now. And they sat down in the back. Of course people stared at him when they entered and she was halfway wishing she'd had a chance to change her shirt because it was all bloody now and people were looking at her as well. But unlike how they looked at Tharin, with fear and distaste for him, they looked at her with disgust (or so she perceived it) for being with him.

The quiet was bothering her, but she didn't dare talk, because she didn't want him to hurt her again for nothing.

[Tharin Vamavai]

Tharin's bright eyes scanned the room, searching yet looking for nothing. His brow was furrowed, as if he was deep in thought. "Zam, my love, is this not where we met first?" Tharin inhaled deeply, picking out particular scents. There was one that interested him in particular. It was someone he wanted dead, someone who's death would not come quickly, but rather over the span of several extremely painful days. Now was not the time though. His prey would know life, and hopefully joy, before he took that all away from him.

"Zam, I see the conundrum in your eyes." Tharin reached his hand out to softly stroke her cheek, "I will not hurt her.. Yet.. But would you rather take unnecessary pain for the girl?" Tharin's yellow eyes looked deeply into hers. He could see all her emotions swirling: fear, for herself and Zoe, was the most prominent. "I must say, I'm disappointed in you, my sweet. I have presented you with life, twice now, and yet you still continue not to trust me." Tharin's face twisted into one that feigned innocence, his bottom lip poking out in a pout, "It deeply saddens me to think I might have to kill you one day. If you are always going to be so.. Unloyal? No, that's a poor word.. Well, nevertheless, if you choose to disobey me, withhold information from me, and look at me as you are now, with disgust, I'm afriad you're life won't be worth a thing to me."

Tharin leaned down, nuzzling her neck, licking the closed wound, then up to the hollow behind her ear, "You taste delicious." These last words were laced with malice. He knew those three words would get the point across to her, she knew who he was, what he did, and it would be no secret to her that the deliciousness was also skin deep, that if she continued to disobey, she would be his next meal.

[Serena Kelley]

"Zam, my love, is this not where we met first?"

Who was he talking to? Oh. Her. She nodded. Yes, she remembered all too well how foolish she'd been to ask him for help. How foolish she'd been to think that it'd be easy to repay him the favor.

"Zam, I see the conundrum in your eyes."

She tried to smile at him when he was all soft and stroke her cheek. At least he could be soft when he wanted it seemed.

"I will not hurt her.. Yet.. But would you rather take unnecessary pain for the girl? I must say, I'm disappointed in you, my sweet. I have presented you with life, twice now, and yet you still continue not to trust me."

Presented her with life? He'd already given her hell and she'd only met him earlier the same day. How was that presenting her with life?

"It deeply saddens me to think I might have to kill you one day. If you are always going to be so.. Unloyal? No, that's a poor word.. Well, nevertheless, if you choose to disobey me, withhold information from me, and look at me as you are now, with disgust, I'm afriad you're life won't be worth a thing to me."

There seemed to be only one way to deal with her situation. Get used to it. And fast. She might have some fun along the way if she at least tried, right?

She shivered even before he said she tasted delicious. Shivered because she was slightly ticklish and who knew that he'd actually earn a genuine smile when threatening her.

"I'll be better, Tharin, dearest," she said and reached out to touch his cheek. Bite the bullet, it can't be too bad. "I'll do what you say, as long as she's not hurt, she's been a good friend to me when I had no one else," she would have to find back to how she'd been before she'd killed her vampire, before she'd chosen a life of solitude to live through what Tharin demanded of her.

The female wolf looked up at her new master, wondering what would happen next. If she put her fear away, would there be some kind of treat? If she started to trust him? She saw no choice but to try. She retreated her hand and turned to look at the people around them, it seemed they were being ignored now for the most part.

[Tharin Vamavai]

"I'll be better, Tharin, dearest,"

"It's good to hear that. I was starting to think you wouldn't improve." Tharin, his eyes closed, let out a growl of pleasure, on that almost sounded like a purr, as she stroked his cheek.

"I'll do what you say, as long as she's not hurt, she's been a good friend to me when I had no one else,"

"I understand, and I respect your wishes. She isn't someone I want dead, and I have no desire to see her suffer. Despite what you may hear, I am not completely heartless. She was suffering, nearly dead, when I saw her the first time. I must admit, I was a bit worried she would inform someone of my meal," Tharin simply smirked as he reminisced, "But she was weak, starving, beaten. She acted as if she had no fear of me, no fear of Death. Her eyes betrayed that, however. She was young, afraid for her life, and I know she afraid I would take her life.

"I could have, and the more I think of it, it might have been beneficial to her at the time, but I couldn't. The hunter in me wouldn't allow me to take the life of something that could not fight back, that wouldn't be able to give me sport in my hunting. Her eyes, they showed me everything. Every emotion, everything." Tharin turned to stare into Serena's eyes, "Even with you. I can see right through you. Many people are good actors, able to cover their emotions, but their eyes.. The eyes always show the true emotion." Tharin's voice seemed to struggle, his brow furrowed as thoughts raced through his mind.

"I learned a great many things during my exile, Zam. Many things I may teach you, and many more that I won't. First lesson, never betray me, never lie to me. I can see your lies in those beautiful eyes, and it would be a shame to have to shut them forever."

[Serena Kelley]

It was good to know he was pleased. It proved she wouldn't be doing lots of things for nothing. Now if only she could make him Let her go as well, she'd be happy. But no. Bad thoughts. She shouldn't even consider missing her freedom. This was something she wanted, because it would keep her alive, she kept telling herself. She wanted to be there for him, in fact she'd already told herself this lie so many times she was starting to believe it herself.

"I understand, and I respect your wishes. She isn't someone I want dead, and I have no desire to see her suffer."

That really was all she needed to hear. It didn't matter that he'd saved Zoe the first time, because Zoe hadn't been a friend to her then, she barely knew of the girl's excistence so it hadn't mattered at all. From what she'd heard of it later, he hadn't been too kind to her though.

"Even with you. I can see right through you. Many people are good actors, able to cover their emotions, but their eyes.. The eyes always show the true emotion."

She'd always known that. Her minister had told her that he could tell when people were lying just by looking into their eyes, because a person's eyes were the windows to their soul.

"I learned a great many things during my exile, Zam. Many things I may teach you, and many more that I won't. First lesson, never betray me, never lie to me. I can see your lies in those beautiful eyes, and it would be a shame to have to shut them forever."

"Dearest," she said in a low murmur, gazing back at him. Most of her fear was gone now that she had convinced herself that this was safest for her and that he wasn't going to kill her if she behaved.

"I'm not much of a liar, and I only betray myself." It was surprising how fast she'd changed from being genuinly afraid of him to trying to please him, because the latter was safer and would hopefully prove more beneficial as well.

"You need some taking care of, and I'll help you, if you want me to." She smiled again. Seemed she was getting back at being cheerful and playing with danger like she had when she'd been with that vampire. This really might not be too horrible after all.

[Tharin Vamavai]

"I'm not much of a liar, and I only betray myself."

"That's good to hear." Tharin leaned in close to her, "I'm glad you've changed you mind, my love. As I said, it would sadden me deeply to have to kill you." Tharin licked from her shoulder wound to the hollow behind her ear again, inhaling her scent when he stopped. "Delicious," he whispered into her ear.

"You need some taking care of, and I'll help you, if you want me to."

Tharin smirked, his face still close to hers, "I have a great many things that you could take care of." His words had a double meaning. Indeed, he did have 'something' she could take care of, but he also planned to use her to take out some lesser individuals, so his focus could stay on the ones whom had wronged him the most. Tharin smiled to himself, snaking an arm around Serena's waist. His newest plaything would indeed be useful, if he could 'convince' her to do his bidding.

[Serena Kelley]

"I'm glad you've changed you mind, my love. As I said, it would sadden me deeply to have to kill you."

She smiled. She'd made a good choice at least this once after having pledged herself so stupidly to him. And again he licked her, it tickled and she giggled slightly. She must've eased more into it than she thought if she managed to giggle. It meant she wasn't thinking that hurting her would be the next thing he did.

"You need some taking care of, and I'll help you, if you want me to."

"I have a great many things that you could take care of."

Serena wasn't sure if all these things were things she'd like to do. But she had no choice in the matter it seemed, not if she wanted to go unharmed. Hopefully her vampire acquaintances wouldn't see her like this and Zoe wouldn't know when Tharin found her that she'd been betrayed by her friend.

When she found herself with his arm around her waist, she leaned into him, trying to find a comfortable position.

"Why did you go away, love?" she asked, really wanting to know why he'd been away for so long and turned into something more beast than human.

[Tharin Vamavai]

"Why did you go away, love?"

Tharin shifted slightly, allowing Serena to become more comfortable. He didn't speak for a moment, mulling things around in his head. Finally, when he did speak, his voice had lost it's edginess. It was soft, almost normal, "I had to. I was being hunted by a rather large pack, and they drove me away. I spent much of my time running, and fighting. As I said, while away I learned many things, things that will help me get my vengeance. I could have stayed yes, but leaving was more beneficial in the long run. I got some much need rest, and the plan was to stay away, let them become comfortable, think I was dead, or at least gone for good. On my return, they will believe themselves safe, until the moment comes for me to strike..."

Tharin eyes gazed directly ahead, deep in thought, "Chaos of subitus est magis obnoxius quam ut quod est notus." Tharin said this mostly to himself, knowing full well Serena wouldn't understand it.

"Zam, I can't but wonder: Are there any that would be happy of my arrival? Crazy, I know, but it seems to me that I've made many enemies, and no allies. I should think that I need to find some.. It would make this much easier on me.." Tharin trailed off, resting his chin on her shoulder, and closing his eyes. His thoughts were moving faster than he could keep up with, but he tried his best. He had a great many things planned, and the execution of these plans was a plan in itself. He had much more to do before he could take his full vengeance.

[Serena Kelley]

She listened intetly to his story, because she'd wanted to know, and then she had to listen to it all to be sure she understood. She had more or less exiled herself to loneliness since their last run-in, but that didn't mean she hadn't been able to seek people out when she wanted company. His story was very different. But it was great that he at least got some rest.

Then he spoke some words that didn't make any sense to her, so she chose to ignore them alltogether.

"Zam, I can't but wonder: Are there any that would be happy of my arrival? Crazy, I know, but it seems to me that I've made many enemies, and no allies. I should think that I need to find some.. It would make this much easier on me.."

"I don't know," she said quietly. "I don't think people expected you to come back, most hoped you were dead or at least gone forever. You scare people, make them realize we're all animalistic, some just more than others." She sighed. It was so much better, and easier, to be around him once she'd realized she shouldn't be afraid if she behaved as he wanted of her.

Serena was actually quite comfortable right now, which surprised her. She'd never thought she'd be comfortable in his company, and not being so close to him either.

"I'm sure the tables would turn if people knew you could be generous as well." She wasn't being sarcastic or hateful this time. She did believe that if people knew he wasn't truly heartless, they wouldn't be so afraid of him.

[Tharin Vamavai]

"I don't know," she said quietly. "I don't think people expected you to come back, most hoped you were dead or at least gone forever. You scare people, make them realize we're all animalistic, some just more than others."

"I like to think I'm the only one who still has his humanity. Most do not listen to their instincts, instead shunning them. I use both ym intellect and instincts, and that is what makes me dangerous, my love. Always remember; Listen to what your mind says, but trust your instincts. A combination of the two is beneficial to you, and dangerous to your enemies."

"I'm sure the tables would turn if people knew you could be generous as well."

"My love, people believe I am heartless because that's what I want them to believe. They will not admit it, but I control their thoughts with a simple look. Fear is the greatest weapon, with it, even the strongest men are brought to their knees like dogs. You should know how powerful fear is, love." Tharin nuzzled his head into the side of her neck, before kissing her neck softly several times. He knew she wouldn't oppose to his show of 'intimacy', whether she wanted him or not. He was in control, she was his to use with as he pleased, and Tharin was positive she knew that.

[Serena Kelley]

So basically, she was to trust her instincts if she was to survive. It was great then that her instincs hadn't told her to run the other way when she had the chance. She didn't have any enemies, that she knew of anyway. Well, maybe her ex's family and some of his people, but she hadn't been in the enemy making business, until now it seemed.

"I'm sure the tables would turn if people knew you could be generous as well."

"My love, people believe I am heartless because that's what I want them to believe. They will not admit it, but I control their thoughts with a simple look. Fear is the greatest weapon, with it, even the strongest men are brought to their knees like dogs. You should know how powerful fear is, love."

He was right, she did know. All too well. Fear was what had made her face him instead of running in the first place.

When it came to the intimacy he was showing her, this was something she didn't mind at all, because it felt good, and because besides the fact that he was more animal than human, he was good looking. As long as he didn't randomly bite her, she wasn't going to oppose of it and wasn't even going to pretend not to enjoy it.

"Then, if you know how you affect people, why do you ask if you have any allies out there, happy for you to come back?" she hoped she hadn't said too much, but she felt she was entitled to this one line.

She really wished she could've changed her shirt, she felt dirty, and she hated feeling dirty. But she was going to have to suck it up and be bloody and ragged if that was what Tharin wanted. Of course, she had less practical outfits somewhere, but she wasn't going to dress up all sexy for him. Not yet anyway.

[Tharin Vamavai]

Tharin continued to lavish her neck with kisses. He could feel from her posture she was tense, but he knew it wasn't that she feared him, he saw the relazition sweep through her eyes not long after they began talk.

"Then, if you know how you affect people, why do you ask if you have any allies out there, happy for you to come back?"

Tharin stopped, "Alas, sometimes things do not always go as planned, or even unexpected things come out of perfect plans. Perhaps there was one whom saw me, knew fear, and like you, decided he would join me, believing it to be the safer, or more beneficial path. There are always things that one does not expect, even in the best laid plans. 'Always expect the the unexpected', as the saying goes."

Tharin ran his hands down Serena's sides, resting them at her hips. He noted her tense posture. He lightly nibbled her ear before whispering in her ear, "What's wrong, love? You seem.. Tense.."

[Serena Kelley]

"Alas, sometimes things do not always go as planned, or even unexpected things come out of perfect plans. Perhaps there was one whom saw me, knew fear, and like you, decided he would join me, believing it to be the safer, or more beneficial path. There are always things that one does not expect, even in the best laid plans. 'Always expect the the unexpected', as the saying goes."

It seemed she had been correct. He hadn't lost his intelligence even though he'd lost some humanity. There was nothing wrong with his reasoning skills, nothing at all, and it amused her. It was admirable.

Oh, that felt good. Though she was tense, she had enjoyed his kisses and how he'd lightly nibbled on her ear.

"What's wrong, love? You seem.. Tense.."

She sighed. "It's just... I can't help it, but you ruined my shirt and I feel dirty, wearing clothes that have a blood spill on them. And I just hate that feeling." No, she wasn't about to just take off her shirt, because she didn't want to walk around in just her bra either, even though she was sure that it at least was cleaner than her shirt. She should learn not to dress in white to begin with.

"It looks so horrible when there's blood on white cloth you know? Much more brutal than things really are..."

[Tharin Vamavai]

"It's just... I can't help it, but you ruined my shirt and I feel dirty, wearing clothes that have a blood spill on them. And I just hate that feeling. It looks so horrible when there's blood on white cloth you know? Much more brutal than things really are..."

"Love, you really 'ought to get used to wearing dirty clothes, or sometimes even none at all. You're next lesson: Clothing is a luxury you may not always have," Tharin brought one of his hands back up her side, rubbing it over the swell over her breast, palming it lightly, before splitting the shirt from collar to hem with a claw.

"While I said to follow your instincts, embarrasement is an emotion you should learn to block. It's only an emotion created when modesty was forced up all sentient creatures. It is one of the many emotions that can keep you from fulfilling your potential, my sweet."

Tharin dragged his nail lightly up her stomach, in between her breasts, then lightly up her cheek. "There are many things you must learn if I am to keep you around."

He whispered into her ear, "You may not like what you become at first, but I promise you, you will see the benefits." He kissed her neck lightly again.

[Serena Kelley]

"Love, you really 'ought to get used to wearing dirty clothes, or sometimes even none at all. You're next lesson: Clothing is a luxury you may not always have,"

She inhaled in shock when he split her shirt. Well, at least she was out of the shirt... But it was uncomfortable to sit there in her jeans and bra.. There was no other way than to try to not tense up even more now. He was right. She hadn't always had clothes when she'd been alone either, so why it was a big deal all of a sudden surprised her. Must be because she was among people now and that must be the trigger.

So modesty was overrated in short.

Serena held her breath as he dragged his nail lightly up her stomach. By now she was sure people were looking at her again, maybe they thought Tharin had bought her or something since she'd 'allowed' him to rip off her shirt without her protesting the slightest.

"You may not like what you become at first, but I promise you, you will see the benefits."

Turning more towards him (she figured she'd be more comfortable when people were looking at her back instead), she kissed his neck trailing kisses to his cheek. "I'll take your word for it," she smiled at him. Best way to get over no shirt was to not think about the fact that she had no shirt.

"Don't get mad or anything, but why are we here? Why didn't you go straight for your enemies or start going after them?" It didn't make much sense to her that he wouldn't take his revenge right away, that's what she would've done. "And my name's Serena, I don't like you giving me a new name."