The Bird or the Cage

The forest was escape for the little dove. A taste of freedom. And an oath of seclusion for the delicate beast.
The open forest has always been a place of precious safety and freedom for those who dare enter its depths. Some say the ancient forest is filled with all manner of magic and mystery.

The Dove

The Beast

Renee had been watching him carefully, wondering what was going through the strangers head as he seemed to want to keep one hand free. The movement reminded her a little of herself, of course she knew better than to lash out at men, that kind of behaviour got you broken bones for her trouble. She'd never met a man who was so anxious and nervous... like herself, her head tilted a little to the side although she avoided his gaze when he shot a sharp gaze at her.

She'd spoken too much, idiot, he didn't seem like he'd hurt her unless it was out of fear but that didn't mean she could be free with her words. She took the sketch book carefully when he handed it back, busying herself with tucking it away into its satchel. Her thoughts drifted back home towards the mangy old cat that she'd recently named Geezer as she thought it suited the ugly old thing.

His kind voice caused her to turn back to him her blue eyes blinking in surprise at his words, the laugh causing a slight smile to wash over her face. Her name spoken in such warm tones, the affect was a shy look and her to glance down at her hands "Thank you mister Julian" she said softly remembering that this strange mans name was that. Being polite was a good start to not getting hurt, not that she thought he would, just staying in habits were good practice for when one was home. She scratched her arm, the movement pulling up the womans sleeve enough for a bruise to peep out underneath it without her noticing.

The vampire looked up, clearing his throat with an awkward nod of his head. Julian noticed the girl's anchor to earth, and it made him feel like a child in comparison. Her quiet strength and patience were values he had when he was among the living, however her feminine prose made it seem all the more dignified. So when she'd shifted her gaze away, he'd tightly grasped his soul and blinded it tighter to his body. Julian couldn't have any more of these frightening nuances, most certainly in front of a battered young women. He would be a silent support, and he wasn't looking forward to when that support was no longer quiet and reserved. Despite his kind and species, Julian Phillips was not an untamed beast. But then again, perhaps it was just his self-confidence speaking in loud volumes.

The girl shifted to return the book into her inventory, several emotions passing over her wide, watery eyes. He chose not to pry, peeling his gaze off and away from the female. There would come a time when she was ready to unveil her greatest mistakes and conflicts, or maybe that event would simply not come into existence. The vampire doubted a strange acquaintance could account for what a friend was crafted and made for. His thoughts faded away as she looked up at him and spoke with a bright smile.

"Thank you, mister Julian." His eyes crinkled as he shifted to stand up straight again. The honorific making him feel somewhat like an old man.

"There is no need to thank me. After all, you have yet to make good on such ventures." He replied with a well-mannered wave of his hand, the underlying tone of a laugh in his voice. He may very well move onto brighter things, and these dreams of armor shining silver in the sun were far from what reality had to offer. "If anything, I should be thanking you." He added absently, his attention once again diverged at the sight of another bruise. He quickly hid his surprise and worry and offered yet another smile. "You bring color to the forest, Ms. Renee."

OOC: Julian you /are/ an old man
She was a little sore, the beating that had occured on her back making her move stiffly when it came to bending over and picking things up. Sitting down on the large rock, the movement of his hand her flinching back a little expecting the back of the hand to hit her in her face. Realizing that she had moved away she began to tremble, now she was really going to get it. If you moved away from the punishment you got a real good laying into with the belt. The memory of the buckle end striking her flesh had her features go pale, "S-S-sorry sir" she whispered softly waiting for the anger to be lashed out at her. She hadn't heard the rest of his words too locked in her fear of punishment that was surely going to come.

Her arms wrapped around herself, it was suddenly so hard to breathe like she wasn't getting any air, she breathed panickedly visibly trembling and what eye contact she had been brave enough to give him before was gone. Her head was bowed low in both submission and fear, just let the pain be over quickly, what if this was all just a trap? Was he just pretending to be kind but in reality working for her forced partner and family? She didn't look up at him, couldn't look up at him.