View Full Version : Twilight, a TR fan fiction.
After escaping the Strahov, Lara is again forced to face her mortality. An old friend may be able to help her save her life, but at what cost?
Twilight
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa212/quasiraider2/chap1.jpg
Chapter One: A Proposition
I am going to die.
Lara slammed shut a copy of The Fountain of Youth. Even if she were to find some clue of the fountain’s location, she’d never be able to hack through brush, bramble, and traps to get to it. Climbing the stairs to her bedchamber made her hunch over and wheeze when she got to the landing. A month ago, she had resigned to let Winston place a board and padlock over the gym entrance so that she would not be further depressed by the sight of it.
She was by no means old; a year prior she had escaped the Strahov and was cleared of the Monstrum murders. Reaching into the top drawer of her bedside table, Lara withdrew a curious, disc-shaped object. “His chirugai. I wonder where you are now, Trent..." she pondered, turning the discus over in her hands. Lost in thought, she jumped at the sound of the phone ringing, then gasped sharply- the chirugai had opened and sliced her hand.
"Ow...ow..." she wrapped her hand in a pillowcase and grabbed the phone, eyeing the bloodied discus warily.
"Lady Croft," a man's voice answered, elderly and with a slight accent.
"This is she," Lara wracked her memory to identify the voice.
"I am Monsieur Onegrin. You may remember we met in Edinburg-"
"Ah, the Viking exhibit, Dr. Burgess' lecture on Val Halla." she smiled at the memory.
"I see you remember me now. I have heard from a colleague about your illness...and the doctors have not been able to find the cause?"
"Most likely because this isn't your typical virus or cancer. I've a hunch I picked it up from the Strahov. One of Boaz's cronies sprayed me with an insecticide."
"I am so sorry, Lara. Boaz was a madwoman...however, I must admit I've called you for my own selfish reasons...I need for you to retrieve something for me."
Lara bit back a laugh. "Monsieur Onegrin, I've hung up my guns. I can barely retrieve my own boots now."
"This is more of a...intellectual pursuit. Out of the ordinary. But I'm sure you are familiar with that sort chase . The artifact I am seeking may have certain, ah, healing powers which could help you."
"That's better. I'm certain that at least my mind has not started to atrophy. Yet."
"Neither has your sense of humour, my dear Lara. When can you join me at my estate in Bucharest?"
"I'll hobble over on the next flight in," Lara grinned, excited to go on one last adventure...
----
Constructive criticism much appreciated :D
(p.s. I might do some illustrations to go with the chapters if this takes off ;) )
Here's the second chapter, enjoy :)
Chapter Two: Arriving in Bucharest
Lara thanked the cab driver for helping her with her luggage and turned to use the heavy brass knocker on the door. The sound echoed within the estate's interior, and for a moment she heard no reply. Her breath escaped in a misty cloud, and she pulled her coat closed as a shiver ran through her. Winston insisted he join her on the trip to Onegrin's but Lara was determined to go it alone. She'd like to have at least some independence left, even in her weakened state.
Steps echoed from inside the manor and the door creaked open.
"Welcome, Ms. Croft," Virgil Onegrin's smiling, creased face greeted her.
"Pleasure to see you again, Virgil, please, call me Lara,"
"Then please, Lara, let me help you with that luggage," he grinned genially, lifting the suitcases with surprising ease for a man his age.
Onegrin's manor was not unlike Lara's Surrey estate- an eclectic mix of artifacts and oil paintings lined the walls, and leather-bound tomes occupied every flat surface. His taste was decidedly more grandiose, and the minty smell of tobacco mingled with scents of leather oils, old books, and dust. "The Marriage of Heaven and Hell...William Blake," Lara espied the tattered tome under glass casing, "This must be a new acquisition,"
"You are indeed correct, my Lara. Sophie is an ardent collector of Blake's illuminated manuscripts. Sadly, she hasn't been able to enjoy them as of late..." Virgil answered as he lead the way up a flight of stairs. "You'll be staying in the West wing, next to the music room, I recall you telling me about your affinity for the piano." Lara frowned inwardly, recognising his swift attempt to change the subject.
"Sounds...lovely," Lara huffed with effort, "I'm afraid I'm a bit out of practice,"
"I hope you'll join me dinner this evening, now, you should have your rest." Virgil said after he had led Lara into her room, then departed to let her unpack. Lara rifled through her backpack until she found her pain pills, and hastily swallowed a couple. Virgil had seemed different somehow, paler, perhaps, with an edge of nervousness to his sepulchral voice. She sank into the plush mattress and threw off her coat and scarf, then lay back to let the downy softness envelop her. Shutting her eyes, she listened to the crackling of the fireplace and drifted off to sleep, dreaming of nephilim, of secrets and strangers...
"Where did you go?" Lara asked, puzzling over the pile of blood. There were no signs he was dragged, nor were there any obvious footprints. She was unbelieving he could've left on his own, having lost so much blood...she winced at the thought.
The chirugai opened and led her through a door which had not been there before, into an antechamber like the Lost Domain, except for the inky black sky fantastically lit with stars in place of the cavernous rock walls, and still more blackness where the fiery floor had been. Her limbs were supple again and she leapt effortlessly from stone to stone until she reached the staircase guarded by hooded stone figures. Foolishly, she cowered and winced, waiting for the onslaught of tumbling blades (how could she have forgotten those?), but none came. She peered ahead at the door, and noticed something was glowing brightly behind them...
Enjoying it so far, Quasi! :tmb: The only niggle I can see yet is:
and for a moment she heeded no reply.
'Heeded' doesn't really work in the past tense when you put it alongside the other words you've been using - it's better suited to more grandiose language than the straightforward, modern prose style you're using. Other than that, great! :D
amazing stuff! :tmb:
this is great, keep it up! :)
TombRaider#1fan
02-11-07, 18:28
Great! Is there a continuation to it?:D
Loving it up to here Quasi, PLZ KIP LIEK RITING OK :D
Enjoying it so far, Quasi! :tmb: The only niggle I can see yet is:
'Heeded' doesn't really work in the past tense when you put it alongside the other words you've been using - it's better suited to more grandiose language than the straightforward, modern prose style you're using. Other than that, great! :D
Thanks for pointing that out, my grammar is a little wobbly sometimes. I learned something new today :) *corrects post*
I'm glad y'all are enjoying the story so far- TRF is a tough audience to write for! More chapters and some illustrations are in the works;)
By the way...should there be a romance between Lara and Kurtis (*pictures waving a proverbial bloody steak in front of KTEB*), or would it put too many people off?
It's your story - you do what you like :wve:
I would say that, if it's done tastefully and with sensitivity, you can do an awful lot with the Kurtis source material *cue GROKers looking up their copies of "cannibalism for beginners" :p*
You never know till you try :)
By the way...should there be a romance between Lara and Kurtis (*pictures waving a proverbial bloody steak in front of KTEB*), or would it put too many people off?
On the contrary, my dear. It draws in people like fleas! :cln: You know so many at TRF are suckers for love. :D And how many people at TRF are GROKers anyhow? :D About ten... Out of a thousand members.
Legend 4ever
02-11-07, 23:26
I like it really much.
? oh. for a second, nevermind. the illustrations look nice.
*reads it*
wow! great writing. i like how you kept her in character and the whole "pesticide spray" thing played into it.
i dont think you should put so much romance between them, it would kind of distract from it and make it "mushy".
Wow amazing! You are a great author! :)
Thanks for the comments, everyone :hug: Now we reach a turning point in the story...
Chapter 3: Revelations
Lara groaned and stumbled into the ensuite bathroom just in time to retch magnificently into the toilet. "I should've eaten something before taking those medications," she frowned at her pasty reflection, sweeping the fringe from her clammy brow. The nap had done nothing to assuage the dark circles under her eyes. Winston would have kittens. She chuckled and went to grab her toothbrush.
An hour later, she had struggled into some fresh clothes and made her way slowly down the stairs, clinging to banister like a drunkard. "Oh, Lara! I did not know you had awaken! Here, let me help you," Virgil hurried to the landing and braced her arm in his. She recoiled slightly at first, not used to being touched by anyone, but slowly accepted his support. "Not to worry, we may be able to get you back to your old self again, sprinting and somersaulting as usual," he cooed over her wheezing.
"Are you okay? You're freezing," Lara countered, feeling an unnatural chill emanating from him.
"I just returned from my evening walk. The snow must have drenched my coat. We'll both warm up over some tea,"
Lara licked her lips, the thought of hot tea sounded like a very good idea to her parched mouth.
Seated in a overstuffed chair in the parlor, Lara lazily observed Virgil pouring the tea into cups, and breathed in the heady scent. "Mmmm, reminds me of the tea I drank in the Tuareg camps," she was reminded of Putai and Salieah (http://www.tombraiderforums.com/showthread.php?t=99126), whom she had met after being rescued from Seth's tomb. She wondered if Virgil knew Putai...
"Here you are," Virgil handed her a cup on a saucer.
"Thank you," Lara smiled. For a while they sat without speaking, enjoying the tea and faint classical music coming from the old record player.
Lara peered over her cup at Virgil, who was watching the sunset through the space between the heavy drapes. She realized how unusually dark he kept the manor.
"Perhaps I should tell you why I have invited you over here so many kilometers away from Surrey," Virgil said, still gazing at the window.
"You need me to retrieve something for you?" her expression turned ardent.
"Yes, but I must confess I've...kept you in the dark," he smiled, "about certain details."
"Go on," her brows knit in concern.
"I trust you must have witnessed some...unusual things in your career as an archaeologist. Your open-mindedness has led you to some fantastic discoveries," sunset had finally melted into dusk behind him.
"Of course. Atlantis, Bigfoot, the Obscura paintings..."
"Do you trust me Lara? Fully and completely?"
"Yes,"
"You have no doubt that I am of sound mind? You recognise me as an equal in our field? A professional,"
"Yes, Virgil. As long as what you seek isn't atop mount Everest or buried deep in some jungle, I'm sure I can hunt it down for you. I remember you told me this would be an intellectual pursuit."
"Keen as ever, I see. Alright then... you might be familiar with Romania's past, its ties to the paranormal?"
Lara nodded, having a shrewd idea of what he was alluding to. She hoped she was wrong.
"Please Lara, try to remain open minded. I may be able to help you find a cure," he paused, appearing to be sizing her up. Satisfied, he continued, "As I was saying...Romania has had ties to the paranormal, particularly the territory of Transylvania. Vlad the Impaler. Vampirism."
Lara laughed aloud before she could stop herself. "I'm sorry, but you aren't asking me to hunt vampires, are you?" she pictured shooting a cartoon-like Dracula in his coffin. Virgil's expression remained serious, however, so she sobered herself and gestured for him to continue.
"I've become something of an expert on vampirism. Vlad the Impaler was indeed no vampire himself, and the Hollywood portrayal of vampirism is somewhat...off. The 'disease' does spread through a bite, and vampires do need to avoid daylight, but they also possess certain other qualities," he saw that Lara was now entranced, and went on, "Beyond the world of the waking, which you and I dwell, is the Dreaming, which is different from the jumbled recollections and fanciful musings we catch glimpses of in our sleep...it is perhaps most like the world of ideas that Plato alluded to in his philosophy. There is a key which allows a vampire to enter the Dreaming, which holds the artifact I seek."
Silence again hung between them as each reflected over what was said. "You are suggesting," Lara began slowly, "that becoming a vampire would be necessary for me to find your artifact and my cure? Where would we find a vampire to begin with?"
Virgil grinned widely, and Lara noticed for the first time the lengthened canines. She steeled herself in her chair. She had dealt with immortals before. "The Morning Star lies within the Dreaming. It is an object of great power, able to heal ailments both terrestrial and supernatural. Legend tells it can even bring back the dead,"
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa212/quasiraider2/onegrin.jpg
"Hold on. Are you sure it's wise to use something so powerful? It may be impossible to control, there may be disastrous consequences..." she thought back to the amulet of Horus, sleepless days spent collecting Horus' armor from treacherous tombs to defeat Seth.
"What have you got to lose? How long did the doctors give you to live? A year? Months? They cannot be sure. You know you don't have long. Consider my offer, Lara, I beg you not to disappoint me," Virgil rose ominously from the chair, and left the parlor. Lara stared perplexedly into the fire, barely hearing the rush of winter wind as he left the manor and shut the door behind him.
He's right. I'm getting worse every day. But if I choose this, and I fail, I'll never see the sun again, roam freely in Ghana, Tibet, or Venice... she let out a heavy sigh and weighed her chances for several hours, falling asleep long after the embers had faded to ash...
Chapter 1: A Proposition
I think that your opening chapter is a powerful one. I'd have thought you'd expound more on her illness. But seeing that you've provided descriptions of her not being able to get her own boots, being depressed at the sight of the gym, and hunching over and wheezing after the turmoil of climbing up a set of stairs, I guess going to the specifics really isn't needed. It's a very subtle yet effective way of telling us about--rather, showing us--what's happened to Lara after the Strahov incident.
I also like the allusion you put in with regards to Kurtis. Something tells me, by the simple fact that she drew out his Chirugai from her bedside drawer, that in this story of yours, Kurtis may have meant more to Lara, although I may be mistaken. And, :yik:, the Chirugai opened? I don't know if you purposely left that part hanging, but I think it'll make your readers want to know what happens next. I mean, after mentioning that the Chirugai opened (which could only mean one thing) inflicting a graze on Lara's hand, you CAN NOT leave us guessing what it has to do with Lara's "last adventure".
What really drew me to your story though was the subtle portrayal of Lara being weak and rather pessimistic, and the fact that she still has the sense of witty humor despite it all.
I think her conversation with Onegrin foretells the things to come. I might be mistaken, but the mention of Valhalla of Scandinavian/Norse myth really intrigues me.
Overall, great first chapter. Makes me want to read more. Powerful opening. :tmb:
Chapter Two: Arriving in Bucharest
Perhaps it's just personal preference, but I've grown accustomed to chapters being one-word-ers. Like for instance I'd rather the first chapter was named just "Proposition" and this one "Arrival". But, you know, that's just me wanting things my way. Just voicing out my preference. :D
Lara thanked the cab driver for helping her with her luggage and turned to use the heavy brass knocker on the door. The sound echoed within the estate's interior, and for a moment she heard no reply. Her breath escaped in a misty cloud, and she pulled her coat closed as a shiver ran through her. Winston insisted he join her on the trip to Onegrin's but Lara was determined to go it alone. She'd like to have at least some independence left, even in her weakened state.
I see you've changed the heeded part as per Jenni's suggestion. I quite agreed with her when I read her post. Your style of prose, I think, is more leaning towards a more casual narration, and "heeded" was kind of out of place. One thing though: Perhaps I'm just nit-picking, but during the start of the paragraph, you narrated Lara thanking the cab driver and turning to the door to knock, and then, in the following sentence, you shift to describing the inside of Onegrin's home as you used the word "within", and then shifting back outside to Lara hearing no reply and feeling cold.
Describing what happens inside the estate led me to thinking that you were going to shift from the third-person limited perspective of Lara to the third-person limited perspective of Virgil. Assuming that indeed you are using third-person limited, I personally think that it's more appropriate to stick with what your focal character senses (feel, hear, taste, smell, see). But maybe that's just me pretending to know it all. :p :D Just a very small part really, but I'm OC like that. :tea:
After reading the first chapter and before reading the second chapter, I thought it'd be only appropriate for any of the guys at the Croft Manor (guys being plural, assuming this is in line with the Legend canon) to accompany Lara on her trip because she was weak, but what you put in as an excuse for her to go alone was quite, err, expected, especially if we are to refer back to Lara's character. Independence. :tmb:
Steps echoed from inside the manor and the door creaked open.
"Welcome, Ms. Croft," Virgil Onegrin's smiling, creased face greeted her.
"Pleasure to see you again, Virgil, please, call me Lara,"
"Then please, Lara, let me help you with that luggage," he grinned genially, lifting the suitcases with surprising ease for a man his age.
This sentence left the impression that we were sensing it from the limited third-person perspective of Lara, seeing that "steps echoed from inside the manor". This is what I was meaning to say in my previous point about shifting from perspective to perspective. Again, I'm just pretending to know it all (:p), but this part is a good example of describing things outside the perimeter of your focal character but still maintaining him/her as your focus. :D
I like how these lines seem to hint that they were on some kind of official business back then, and that, now that they're on a more "personal" business, formalities aren't really necessary anymore. Heck, she's sleeping over at his estate! :D
Onegrin's manor was not unlike Lara's Surrey estate- an eclectic mix of artifacts and oil paintings lined the walls, and leather-bound tomes occupied every flat surface. His taste was decidedly more grandiose, and the minty smell of tobacco mingled with scents of leather oils, old books, and dust. "The Marriage of Heaven and Hell...William Blake," Lara espied the tattered tome under glass casing, "This must be a new acquisition,"
Your description of Onegrin's manor is very convincing, and it helped that you likened it to Lara's home. I also like it how you injected a small contrast with the line that he's decidedly more grandiose, hinting that almost every inch of his home is filled with antiquities.
"You are indeed correct, my Lara. Sophie is an ardent collector of Blake's illuminated manuscripts. Sadly, she hasn't been able to enjoy them as of late..." Virgil answered as he lead the way up a flight of stairs. "You'll be staying in the West wing, next to the music room, I recall you telling me about your affinity for the piano." Lara frowned inwardly, recognising his swift attempt to change the subject.
"Sounds...lovely," Lara huffed with effort, "I'm afraid I'm a bit out of practice,"
Another subtle allusion. I'm intrigued who this Sophie girl is. Basing on what Onegrin says of her, we could say that she's also a bit like Lara and Virgil. I like how you can subtly build up a character with use of dialogue and some descriptors. Not a rare technique by all means, but I think it's important to emphasize that in order to have an image and personality of a character, the last thing to resort to is having one paragraph to tell the readers everything there is to know about that character. :tmb: Poor Lara. :(
"I hope you'll join me dinner this evening, now, you should have your rest." Virgil said after he had led Lara into her room, then departed to let her unpack. Lara rifled through her backpack until she found her pain pills, and hastily swallowed a couple. Virgil had seemed different somehow, paler, perhaps, with an edge of nervousness to his sepulchral voice. She sank into the plush mattress and threw off her coat and scarf, then lay back to let the downy softness envelop her. Shutting her eyes, she listened to the crackling of the fireplace and drifted off to sleep, dreaming of nephilim, of secrets and strangers...
Again, another hint at what her illness might be all about. This part seems out of place. We're talking about Lara, her pain, and her being in the room. I'm not sure where you're going with this part of describing Virgil (by all means, it might be a significant descriptor), but injecting it in a paragraph otherwise all about Lara going into her room and sleeping, and finally drifting to dreamland, is, again, kind of out of place. It has something to do with the perspective thing I was talking about earlier. But, again, that's just me nit-picking and pretending to know it all. :o
"Where did you go?" Lara asked, puzzling over the pile of blood. There were no signs he was dragged, nor were there any obvious footprints. She was unbelieving he could've left on his own, having lost so much blood...she winced at the thought.
Since we're in TRF, I think this part is quite forgivable, but if I wasn't a fan of TR at all, I'd be already lost! :yik: But, yeah, we're in TRF, so it's completely understandable. Perhaps a little more detail to connect this part to Kurtis would be in order for non-AoD players. Unless it's a deliberate preference on your part to narrate it this way. :D
The chirugai opened and led her through a door which had not been there before, into an antechamber like the Lost Domain, except for the inky black sky fantastically lit with stars in place of the cavernous rock walls, and still more blackness where the fiery floor had been. Her limbs were supple again and she leapt effortlessly from stone to stone until she reached the staircase guarded by hooded stone figures. Foolishly, she cowered and winced, waiting for the onslaught of tumbling blades (how could she have forgotten those?), but none came. She peered ahead at the door, and noticed something was glowing brightly behind them...
I really like this part altogether. The visual imagery is quite commendable. I like how this part is an effective hint that she was in a dream. And I especially like this part for being intriguing.
I dearly apologize for having too much free time on my hands, Quasi. :o I like where this is going. Please keep them coming! :tmb:
kryptonite23
03-11-07, 08:51
Cool Stuff!! :cln:
:eek:
Thank you for the in-depth critique, Jin Uzuki. I hadn't noticed where the third person narration was wobbly, i.e. hearing the knocks and the steps echoing inside the manor, but I guess I meant that Lara could hear them from the outside of the door. When I get back from my class I'll have to go in and correct that - and read over you critique again to fix some more mistakes :p
Random notes:
-I was kinda worried that a lot of people would think the story was too cheesy after posting the third chapter, what with the vampirism and all.
-The story follows the Core storyline and biography for Lara
-If there is a romance, don't worry, it won't be anything mushy like Lara and Kurtis making a scrapbook of the good ol' days in the Strahov, painting each other's nails and watching a chick flick, lol.
I'm loving it so far, hon. Keep the awesome writing up. :tmb:
WOW!Love it!:eek::tmb::tmb::tmb::tmb:
Quasi, please write more. :D
I've finished sketching out the plot. Hope you like what's in store :)
Chapter 4: Metamorphosis
Kurtis Trent unfolded a newspaper in a cafe just outside of Bucharest. Oil prices rise, military leaders stamp out dissenters, and the world super powers that support them won’t do anything about it. Fears of a third world war...global warming...so the world is going to hell in a hand basket. Nothing new here. He reflexively reached his right hand to his mouth to take a drag from a cigarette. Kurtis grimaced, to his chagrin there was no cigarette. He rubbed the nicotine patch under his sleeve and flipped through the pages of the newspaper. A familiar name in a headline caught his interest: “British Archaeologist Lara Croft Donates Egyptian Ankh to the Louvre Museum.” He reread the headline several times, and eventually let the newspaper slip out of focus.
After spending months in a hospital recovering from a rather nasty wound, thanks to a mutated Boaz, Kurtis had taken a sabbatical back to Utah to visit relatives and forget about the nightmare in the Strahov. The last he had heard, Lara’s name had been cleared, she returned to her home in Surrey, the Sleeper had been destroyed. He could at last attain some normalcy in his life. Normal life got boring fast, and an old employer called on him to dispatch a pesky vampire reportedly hiding out in Romania. How ironic, he’d thought, that he had come full circle to encounter Lara again over a newspaper, in a cafe, just like last year in Paris...well, almost. The article alluded that Lara had in fact been making several such donations to museums and researchers in recent months. Funny, she didn’t seem like much of a humanitarian before.
Kurtis left the cafe and rode his motorcycle into a sleepy countryside road. The icy air was invigorating, snowflakes fell dreamily to the ground as he rushed past; roe deer flitted between the trees like shadows, their flinty hooves making no sound on the powdery forest floor. A figure strode out from the edge of the forest and Kurtis swerved to avoid it. The motorcycle slipped on its side and spun on the icy road. He tumbled away just before it slammed into the tree. “Ughhh....” he dragged himself upright and pulled off his helmet, looking around for the figure- had it been a man or beast?
The bike had fallen into a ravine after colliding with the tree, meaning he would have to walk to whatever gas station or farmhouse nearby in the freezing cold. He threw down his helmet and cursed. His favourite motorcycle was smashed to bits in a ravine, and it didn’t appear that any cars would be coming down this secluded road anytime soon. Still on edge, he reached into his jacket and grasped the handle of his Boran X handgun, then checked that the extra clips were also still present in his belt. Reassured, he began making his way onward. Though the forest was dead quiet, Kurtis felt that he was being followed. His extrasensory perception confirmed that there was indeed a presence behind him, dark, ancient, and hungry. For miles the presence seemed to keep its distance from him. What I wouldn’t give for a cigarette right now... he thought, as his face and limbs grew numb from the cold. He could no longer sense his stalker, though the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. He withdrew his gun, backing up to a tree and scoping out every direction. He let out a slow breath..
BLAM!BLAM!BLAM!
A shadow had descended in front of his face, then twisted away from the hail of bullets. Screeching, it swatted the pistol from his hands. He spun to the ground and the creature fell on him. Kurtis caught a fleeting glimpse of the craggy face before it howled in rage and flew away, swiftly as it had appeared. He kissed the hilt of the periapt blade and slid it back into its sheath. Seems like I’ve found my vampire. Kurtis turned to see and old truck come rambling down the road; he held waved it down and greeted the driver with a grateful smile.
“I’ll take you up on your offer,”
“You are absolutely sure?”
“Yes.”
Lara had approached Virgil as soon as he’d returned late that evening. He appeared ebullient at her agreement to help him retrieve the Morningstar.
“It is best that we begin our work immediately,” he stepped toward her.
“I must ask, why do you need the Morningstar? You are already immortal.”
Virgil sneered, but replied with an undertone “Not quite...but it can help us both. Are you doubting me?”
“No, I...,” she was taken aback “This is still somewhat bizarre to me. Stranger things have happened, to be sure,” Virgil’s expression turned emphatic, he looked less bestial and more like the amicable Professor Onegrin she’d known since her years and Gordonstoun.
“Do not worry, it is only natural that you feel some apprehension,” he watched the tension gradually loosen from her posture. “Are you ready to begin?” she nodded and allowed him to lead her over to one of the ornate chairs facing the fireplace. Lara eased herself into the chair and Virgil leaned over her at once, holding her right shoulder firmly with one hand and gently sweeping her hair from her other shoulder with his right hand. “Try to relax...” he whispered in her ear. Bile rose in her throat and she fought the urge to squirm away from his grasp. He brushed his lips against her neck, breathing in the smell of chamomile and the faintest tinge of fear. Lara sank back into the cushions as far as she could retreat; her knuckles turned white on the armrests. He pulled her head back by her hair and sank his fangs greedily into her neck. Her heart palpated and she clawed and kicked, but he was too strong. She felt weaker and weaker and her mind boiled over with panic...the room grew dimmer and more distant, and for a moment she was peaceful, detached...sight returned to her eyes suddenly and vibrantly. Virgil let go of her and she slumped and gasped for air, reaching for her neck.
“You’ll find you won’t need to breathe...except to speak.”
Lara also noticed that she no longer felt uncomfortably cold; her skin appeared poreless, her long hair was darker and thicker.
“Aaaghhh!!” Virgil hefted a medieval sword at her. She dived away, catlike, feeling the wind from the blow. She planted her foot in the small of his back and he flew into the wall; had he been human, his ribs would have crushed against the stone. Lara kicked him over and held her foot on his throat. “Better than ever,” he laughed.
:tmb: Loving it so far, Quasi. PLEASE keep writing! :jmp:
great writing!!! :tmb:
oh i cant wait for the moment when lara & kurtis meet face to face again!!!! :hug:
thanks quasi!!!! :D
:tmb: Loving it so far, Quasi. PLEASE keep writing! :jmp:
great writing!!! :tmb:
oh i cant wait for the moment when lara & kurtis meet face to face again!!!! :hug:
thanks quasi!!!! :D
Thanks, y'all :hug: I have the day off tomorrow so I might post another chapter or two ;)
;)
Chapter 5: Nightlife
Lara had failed to see the humour in Virgil's little test. "I could have killed you,"
"I doubt it," his laughter bit into her patience. "I've had some time to hone my strengths,"
She crossed her arms in front of her chest and gave him a dead-pan stare.
"Lara! You forget that I have given you a gift. You'll need to drink soon before sunrise. Why not take a night on the town, see what Bucharest has to offer?"
She had shrugged off Virgil's offer to accompany her into town; he had been too close for comfort, in fact, no man had come that close to her since...Paris, the Louvre, she remembered with an unsettling chill. Coincidentally, Bucharest indeed resembled Paris; the eclectic mixture of historical architecture with modern buildings, the lush gardens and vibrant city lights; no wonder the city had been dubbed 'little Paris'. Walking through the crowds, she was overcome with intense hunger. Instead of looking for restaurants, she was looking at the people: talking, laughing, shopping, living. Dread crept over her as she realised she must choose a victim. A victim.
Swift and nimble, Lara separated herself from the pedestrians into an alleyway, utilising finger and toe holds to scale the brick facade of a dance club. No one had noticed her do this: she alighted the rooftop too whisper quiet to unsettle the birds roosting between pipes. Lara was no stranger to killing people who got in her way, but knowing what she must do to the next person she killed unsettled her. How should I choose? she watched the people below as bear might observe salmon in a stream. They have no idea that this night might be their last. So much to live for. Futures, families, lovers, friends...jobs, fears, hopes, dreams...come on Croft, you'll be dead by sunrise if you keep thinking like this...I'll choose someone who deserves it, someone better off dead...
Soon enough, a suitable quarry presented itself in a slum alley several blocks over. A gruff man had grabbed a teenage boy and held a knife to his throat as he searched the boy's pockets for valuables. A tourist, she observed, wearing a shirt from a souvenir shop. She detected the smell of urine. "****head foreigner. Now look what you've done!" the thief curled his lip and threw the boy to the ground - Lara fell on him at once, breaking the arm that reached for a concealed pistol. The man howled in pain as his arm crunched sickeningly. "Not so tough now?" Lara hissed, holding him off the ground by his grimy collar. He uttered something fearfully in Romanian, Lara sank her fangs into his neck as he continued to cry out. He had been begging for his life.
BLAM!
Lara reeled around, yelling out in pain; the frightened boy lowered the pistol the man had dropped. Her expression turned from anger to shock; the boy trembled and ran, tossing the gun onto some bags of rubbish. She sank to the ground, clutching her abdomen. Black blood had already congealed on her shirt, but her head swam in pain. Sensing sudden danger, she tumbled away just in time for a dagger to miss its mark and chip into the masonry. She leapt to reach the safety of the rooftops but an unseen force pinned her to the wall.
"Gotcha. That was almost too-"
Her captor stepped into the light, his startlingly blue eyes wide in astonishment.
"Trent!" she was somewhere between relief and annoyance.
"What the hell happened to you?"
"Why don't you tell me how you got out of Strahov?" he detected a tinge of hurt in her voice. "Let me down, damnit,"
"How do I know I won't end up like him?" he jerked his head at the still body nearby, keeping his telekinetic hold on her. Lara cursed him wickedly.
"Now, that's not very becoming of a lady." He's enjoying this, she realised, both angered and embarrassed.
Sirens sounded in the distance. "Never mind, we can catch up later," Kurtis allowed her to fall back to the ground. He grabbed hold of her upper arm and they fled into one of the buildings. Inside, they were absorbed in a crush of bodies; music pounded their eardrums and lights spun around the walls and dancing club goers. Frightened and still in pain, Lara allowed herself to be led deeper into the crowd and through another doorway. Kurtis peeked around the door jamb into the alley and watched police the police cars zoom past. "Come on!" he led her on to a bus as quickly as possible without attracting attention. "Here, put this on," he whispered tersely in her ear as they queued to find a seat. He slid his jacket onto her from behind, reaching around to wrap it closed around her waist. There was only standing room left, so he grabbed onto a rung with one hand and kept his other arm snugly around her middle. Exhausted, she let herself lean into him, her eyes half shut- they flew open. "Kurtis," she whispered "I need to hide." "I understand. You can stay in my hotel room, it's not far," his words were comforting but his tone was absolutely cold. To the other passengers on the bus, they looked like a handsome couple, far from the reality of their relationship: demon hunter and captured vampire.
holy moly...kurtis is a VAMPIRE??? :eek: noooo
but goodness keep writing!!! :hug:
You are really talented!:tmb:You should write the next TR story!:ton:
holy moly...kurtis is a VAMPIRE??? :eek: noooo
but goodness keep writing!!! :hug:
He's not, don't worry :) according to the KTEB site he has some telekinetic and psychic powers which were left out of the published AOD game.
You are really talented!You should write the next TR story! Thank you :D
Love it so far. :tmb: Quasi needs to keep feeding us these lovely chapters! :D
holy moly...kurtis is a VAMPIRE??? :eek: noooo
but goodness keep writing!!! :hug:
Lara is a Vampire. :p
woot! my tablet came in today! this will make illustrating sooo much easier :jmp:
a quick doodle:
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa212/quasiraider2/doodle.jpg
/\
Man, I wish I could draw with as much flair as you. :eek: My drawings suck.
Anyways, I'm aching for the next chapter. It's always a pleasure to read "after AOD" fan fics. :D
*deletes chapter* I'm going to re-write this chapter, it felt kinda stale compared to the rest of the story.
Love it so far. :tmb: Quasi needs to keep feeding us these lovely chapters! :D
Lara is a Vampire. :p
oh NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO :( :eek:
y y y y y y... *tears slid down cheek*
i feel like i dont wan to read it, but uve got me hooked :whi:
how come...oh lara lara lara lara :o
Keep writing!I want to read more!It's awesome!You should really write a book!(no joke!):tmb::tmb::tmb::tmb::tmb::tmb::tmb:
Quasi, beautiful writing. But I suggest taking it a bit slower with Lara and Kurtis, they'd be so straight foward and friendly emidiately.
And GAWD? :vlol: I speak with an American accent, and so do my close friends, and we never write god, GAWD. :vlol: Especially in a fan fic. XD
Keep it up though those were just little suggestions. ;)
Man, you just made me want to drink beer for some strange reason. O.o
I'll probably re-write that last chapter...
But I suggest taking it a bit slower with Lara and Kurtis, they'd be so straight foward and friendly emidiately.
Do you mean they should be friendly to each other right off the bat or should I make them take a while to open up to each other about what they've been up to since the Strahov?
I'll probably re-write that last chapter...
Do you mean they should be friendly to each other right off the bat or should I make them take a while to open up to each other about what they've been up to since the Strahov?
I think they should be a bit more insecure towards each other, still sort of: Hmm, how should I know I can trust you? Otherwise I love it. :tmb: Because usually in fan fics, they don't emidiately hug each other and ask how ya' been. :p
I think they should be a bit more insecure towards each other, still sort of: Hmm, how should I know I can trust you? Otherwise I love it. :tmb: Because usually in fan fics, they don't emidiately hug each other and ask how ya' been. :p
i agree :tmb:
although im still reeling from the fact that lara's a vampire (how could it be..) :o
I hate to bump, but... Post already Quasi!!! XD
I'm rewriting and continuing Twilight at the KTEB forum...there's a little less content restriction over there, but I might post a TRF-friendly version here in the future. I'm Quasiraider over there, BTW :wve:
bloodstormaoa
14-11-07, 23:04
Wow! I can't believe I missed this, Quasi. Brilliant so far :tmb: Post your TRF friendly chapters here soon....I won't be going over to a KTEB forum anytime soon.
Anyway, excellent story:D
I'm rewriting and continuing Twilight at the KTEB forum...there's a little less content restriction over there, but I might post a TRF-friendly version here in the future. I'm Quasiraider over there, BTW :wve:
:hug: I'll be right over. :cln:
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