An Eagle Without Wings (Pinger)

[sora]

Riku looked up at his father, probably the only one who was not intimidated. Ok, he was the only one but that beside the point. Hades sent him a small smirk before turning to the coven leader. "Of that, I have no doubt. Unless you wish for my pet to be taking up residence here." It seemed like only Riku saw the joke in that and smirked. "However, I am sure both he and I agree that he would like to leave his own mark in the world. You may obey him, if you wish, but I will not ask it of you, my children," he said, addressing the vampires as a group. "Please rise, young ones," he said, the tension in the air lessening.

Riku almost rolled his eyes as the vampires stood from their bowing positions, looking frightened. Was his dad really that scary? He'd have to ask Natayla about it later. Hades looked over to Riku who bowed his head slightly. "Father, thank you," he said, making sure it was extremely quiet to even vampire ears.

Hades put a hand on his chin, tilting Riku's head up from the bow. "You bow to no one, my son. Not even your father, understood?"

Riku nodded, brushed his hand away. "Alright," he answered, rolling his eyes.

Hades nodded. "Good. Now where is this vampire that has pierced you?" He asked, his eyes scanning over the bite marks. Riku wanted to glare at him. His father knew exactly who it was. He just wanted to test her strength.

[guoping]

Natayla felt a stab of nerves it her. She stepped forward shakily, she fought against every fiber of her being telling to run as far and as fast as she could. Hades, the cat, had long since jumped off of her shoulders and hid with Nina so she couldn't even be comforted by her familiar. Natayla took several steps forward, her head bowed.

"I-it was I m-m'lord," she stammered her voice no more than a terrified whisper, shaking like a leaf and hoping her legs didn't give out. "I-I am s-sorry if I c-crossed a line."

[sora]

Hades raised a dark eyebrow, Riku noticing it almost looked like the expression he gave people. "Now, now," he said, trying to prevent her nervousness from getting worse. "I was merely curious as to which vampire could get so close to him," he remarked lightly.

Riku's eyes went wide. "Father! Stop making assumptions!" He said, his face slightly pink.

Hades gave him a very slight shrug. "If it pleases you, Riku." His son just glared at him. He was ignoring the shocked vampires all around them since he was talking very casually with their god. "Very well. I have business to attend to. Mainly with my wife," he added the last part with an annoying tone. "Farewell, my children." He looked over at Riku for moment. "Behave, my son."

Riku rolled his eyes. "Whatever," he said but was smirking. Hades chuckled and disappeared in dark wisps.

[guoping]

Natayla let out a breath that she didn't know she was holding and collapsed. Derek was by her side in an instant and helped her back to her feet. Her heart was pounding wildly in her chest and she felt extremely light headed. Derek said nothing as he brought her back, still too shocked to say something coherent.

The coven leader clapped his hands together after a long silence. "Alright people. To some everything up, Riku is our demi-god, obey him... and get back to your hidey holes before the sun rises."

"You did very well honey," Nina said, stroking Natayla's hair. "Are you alright?"

Natayla nodded but couldn't stop shaking.

[sora]

Riku walked over to Natayla, mildly confused. Okay, his dad was a god. Whoopie-di-doo. He really didn't understand it very much but knew his father could be intimidating when he wanted to be. He wanted to march down to hell and yell at him but refrained from doing so for obvious reasons.

He sighed, meeting Natayla at eye level. "Are you alright?" He asked and then looked to Nina. "What's wrong with her...or for that matter, all the vampires?" He asked, not sure what exactly had been so crazy about his father's appearance.

[guoping]

"F-fi-ine." Natayla stammered as she shook like a leaf.

"Well you see Riku," Nina began calmly as various other vampires had panic attacks of their own. "Hades is the god who rules over the vampires and his sudden appearance is quite shocking. That and because he is their god he could do absolutely anything to them. Now I'm shaken up, but not as much. If Persephoney had been here as well I would be in much the same state as Natayla."

Nina hoped that this explanation would be good enough for Riku because she really needed to get back to calming Natayla before she had a heart attack.

[sora]

Riku nodded, in slight understanding although he still didn't get it completely. It just seemed a little awkward more than anything. "Alright," he muttered, more to himself. He noticed Natayla didn't seem like she was calming down at all. He glanced around, knowing the other vampires probably weren't paying enough attention. "You have that vial for getting rid of the addiction," he confirmed with Nina but it was more like a finger. He felt for a knife on his waist and cut along his thumb, the dark red blood dripping only slightly. He held it to Natayla's mouth. "Drink," he ordered, layering his voice with a commanding tone, forcing her to obey.

[guoping]

Natayla nodded, opening her mouth to suck on the small wound. His blood instantly calmed her, but it also drove her mad. Riku's blood just got better every time she drank it and she had to hold herself back from sinking her fangs into his palm. Thankfully for them both Nina pulled Natayla back away and gave her another vile of the green potion.

"Thank you," Natayla said quietly to Riku, no longer shaking. She opened the small vile and shot back the potion, shuddering at the foul bitter taste.

"I have to go tend to your father and brother," Nina said, helping Natayla to her feet. "Will you be alright to walk home?"

"I remember the way." Natayla nodded.

With that Nina left Natayla and Riku alone. Natayla stood in front of him, looking down at her hands which were busily picking at the lace of her sleeves. "U-um... Thanks for helping me."

[sora]

Riku nodded. "Your welcome," he replied, looking down at his thumb to see the cut start to heal itself before his eyes, the blood disappearing. Now that was pretty neat. He was about to say something to Natayla when he heard a scream from outside.

A vampire suddenly ran inside, panting. "B-big...b-b-b-b-big..." He seemed really shocked. Mind you, he looked like a fairly young vampire, not even two years turned. Riku could tell something was out there and walked outside. He instantly groaned at the sight. "Father!"

Chasing around the vampires that were trying to escape was a huge three headed dog. His tail was wagging so he was obviously just playing. Riku walked over, rolling his eyes. "Cerberus! Stop!" The dog instantly stopped chasing people and trotted over to where Riku was. "Sit!" The demi-god snapped and the dog obeyed, looking a little sad. "Cerberus, why did father leave you here?" Riku asked, but it was more of a rhetorical question.

All three heads drooped down. "It's alright," Riku said, feeling a bit sorry for him. "I just wish you weren't so...large." The dog's ears perked up and there was a flash of purple light. Riku watched with growing interest as the dog shrunk down to a more manageable size, even though the heads were still at chest level. Riku patted the middle head and the others seemed to beg for his attention. "You shouldn't be chasing the vampires. It's not very nice," he said and the dog wagged his tail like he already knew that.

[guoping]

Natayla followed Riku outside, Hades, now out of hiding, was trailing at her feet. Hades hissed when he saw the three headed dog and hid behind Natayla's legs. But then as the dog shrunk Natayla couldn't help but coo and knelt in front of Cerberus.

"Awww, who's a good puppy," she said in a baby voice, scratching the two other heads. "You are."

Natayla loved animals, no matter how different they were. For her Cerberus was as cute as a new born puppy. Hades had a very different opinion of the three headed dog. He grew increasingly jealous as Cerberus rolled onto his side and Natayla rubbed his stomach. The black cat nuzzled her knees obnoxious trying to get her attention.

[sora]

Riku gave a small smile at the scene before him...until he saw a little piece of paper tucked into Cerberus' collar. He reached out, grabbing it and glaring so hard, he was surprised the paper didn't catch fire. "Dear Riku," He read aloud, since he was sure Natayla would want to know. "I left Cerberus here since he was getting bored. I just sent some demons to the gates to guard for a bit since he wanted to go out. Enjoy - Dad." He sighed, trying to control his annoyance. "Dad...wait there's a p.s." He looked down at the letter and saw the p.s.

P.S. Tell Natayla not to worry. I only wanted to see what your girlfriend looked like. She is very cute.

He crumpled the letter. "You don't need to see that," he muttered, really hoping it was just his father joking around.

[guoping]

"Poor fella probably hasn't been on the surface for centuries." Natayla laughed as one of the heads licked her face.

"Natayla," Hades said, trying not so sound whiny. "We should probably get going."

"I know Hades," Natayla said, picking him up and scratching behind his ears. "Would you like a little help with Cerberus?" she asked as she stood. "He seems like a handful."

Hades had taken his regular place across Natayla's shoulders and glared down at the hell hound.

[sora]

Riku gave a small shrug. "We'll be fine, right boy?" He asked the dog to which all three heads barked in unison. He turned to Natayla, a bit concerned about what drinking his blood might have done to her this time but disregarded it. "Will you be alright?" He asked, slight concern filling his voice before he realized what he was saying and mentally slapped himself. "I mean, do you want a lift home? I'm just going to use a corridor to get there and I don't mind making a stop at your house," he corrected himself. If his father was right, he would never let Riku live or die it down.

[guoping]

"Well these shoes do kill, so sure," Natayla smiled. Since drinking his blood again she felt rather chipper. "Lead the way m'lord."

Hades groaned slightly at her actions but kept his mouth shut. He'd have a word with her later.

[sora]

Riku crossed his arms, not liking the title. "Don't call me that," he said and shadows quickly engulfed both of them and Cerberus. A split second later, they were standing in Natayla's store, Cerberus already dropped off at Riku's house. He looked over Natayla one more time, his glowing eyes narrowing slightly. "You should drink some of that potion from your mother before...something happens," he suggested.