Date: Mon, 4 Oct 1999 07:05:46 +0900 From: Cousin Raven Subject: Dark Angel Rising (0/1) To: FKFIC-L@lists.psu.edu FK isn't mine. Wish it was. Dark Angel Rising (0/1) By Cousin Raven (raven@naturesong.com) Sequel to "In the arms of the angels" Sort of ============================== Raven sat contentedly at her desk, eyeing the wonderful feedback she'd gotten from her latest story. She smiled as she read each comment. It *had* been such a sappy story, but it got such good press. A rush of air announced she was no longer alone. She turned to greet the visitors, but instead got a large wooden stake held against her chest. Though not a vampire, it would kill her just the same. She stared at the stake, then at the intruders. They growled at her revealing large enforcer fangs and motioned her forward. With no other choice, she went. They arrived at the CERK building some time later, Raven suffering from multiple splinters where the stake had almost done some very serious damage. The two enforcers half walked/half dragged her into the broadcast room. The General sat across from her, eyeing her suspiciously. The enforcers did not relinquish their hold. In LaCroix's intense gaze, Raven thought she saw amusement, but that was gone in a blink. "Just what did you think you were doing...writing this...trash?" LaCroix said and shoved a small pile of papers at her. She saw the title page, it read, "In the arms of the angels". Taking a deep breath, Raven said, "But they loved it...they ate it up." "Do you even understand why you're here?" Uncle asked almost sweetly. Raven shook her head no. "You are in grave danger, danger of losing your Cousin's permit, and your enforcer's licence. What made you think you could write something this...mushy...this...loving...and get away with it?" Raven swallowed thickly. "Poetic licence?" she stuttered. LaCroix laughed then, almost letting Raven relax, but then the stake was shoved harder in the small of her back. "My dear," he said, "Why should I let you go to write more of this...nonsense?" Raven licked her lips and thought for a minute. "Well, my birthday's coming up...maybe you could, you know, give me a break." "Hmmmm, so I am to let you go because it's your birthday? What would all the other cousins say...letting you get away with distinct mushiness just because it's a certain day of the year?" Raven stared then said, "They'd say even you can be understanding...I hope." LaCroix shook his head. "Kill her," he said to the enforcers, who started for the door, dragging the shocked Raven toward the door. "Wait!" she said quickly, "I might be able to...um...rectify it." "And how would you do that?" LaCroix murmured. Finally finding her feet, she stood straight and tall and said, "They did ask for sequel." Cousin Raven (raven@naturesong.com) Enforcements, NA, Unholy Trinity, DP Forever Knight Rules... Disclaimer: All characters herein were borrowed, abused, and put back. Characters are owned and copyrighted by Sony Pictures/Tristar Corp and were created by James Parriott and Barney Cohen. I'm just borrowing them for awhile, I promise to put them back in relatively good condition. No copyright infringement is intended. Any similarity to any real persons, living, dead or undead, or any other fan fiction, is purely coincidental. Also, nothing in this story is intended to offend anyone. If I screw something up, please let me know. If you want a sequel please ask, otherwise I assume you've had enough of my crap. Permission to archive by Mel on fkfanfic given. ========================== Dark Angel Rising (1/1) By Cousin Raven (raven@naturesong.com) Sequel to "In the arms of the angels" ========================= The angel watched LaCroix enter his bedroom with a practiced eye. He had followed LaCroix all of his 2000 year life and nothing surprised him anymore. He took his clothes off and showered, getting ready for his day sleep. The angel watched passively, distantly. The angel could feel many things in LaCroix tonight. He was irritated by the feelings that flowed to him from the bond with his son; feelings of mortal love and it pained LaCroix to feel it. He felt he might be losing his son, and it caused more hurt to flow. His monologue this night had been bitter and brief, all about losing one's family to others, of how hard it was to let go. Even after 800 years, LaCroix still had not the courage to let go. The angel knew this, and the angel watched carefully. Many times had the angel saved LaCroix from himself, from his enemies, even once from his own son. That was a rather big hint that Nicholas would not be controlled anymore, and LaCroix tried to accept it that long year that he waited to regain his strength. The angel himself had nursed his wounds somtimes, invisibly, unfortunatley, the blood of angels was as poison to vampires, so he did what he could. No matter what LaCroix did, he was still the angel's charge; his duty. So many things had happened over the years, so many things the angel wished to forget. So many victims. It was so hard to stand idly by and watch for interlopers when you really wanted to throttel your charge and tell him to give it a rest for a night. Now it was easier, victims were rare. The new technology the mortals had invtented had made life harder for the vampires in more than one way. The angel saw LaCroix come out of the shower and pad his way into the bedroom. He dried his hair with the towel he carried and climbed into bed. The angel smiled. Soon, he would be asleep...and the angel would show him marvels. ----- LaCroix opened his eyes. They were standing in sunlight, and LaCroix balked, heading for any shelter. The angel stopped him with a word. LaCroix stopped and eyed the stranger. His angel was dressed in full Roman soldier regalia, decked to the nines. He was young, perhaps nineteen or twenty. LaCroix would have rushed him were it not for his wings. They hung out of the solder's uniform at odd angels, showing their utter reality. LaCroix swallowed thickly, tasting some of the night's drink. "What do you want of me?" LaCroix barked. The angel smiled a disarming smile and shook his head. "Lucius, Lucius, after two thousand years, you'd think you'd recognize me by now. But that's not important. Look around." Lucien did, he saw mountains and streams, and fish in the streams. The sky was bright as day, but he saw no sun. "What kind of trickery is this?" he said. The angel gave a blank look. "No trickery Lucien, I assure you." "Where are we?" Lucien asked. "A place out of time, a time out of place." "I've had enough of your riddles..." Lucien said and started for the angel. "No." The angel said and his being brightened brighter than a thousand suns. Lucien shied away from the light and buried his face in his hands. "What have *I* done?" he asked. The angel sighed and revered to normal brightness. "You are a strong man, Lucien, but a lonely one. Dont' you realize the more you pull your children to you the more they will try to run? It is a natural human reaction." "We are not human," Lucien said, his face deadpan. The angel approached him, all anger, all pain gone. He touched his chin so very softly, but he felt the fingers burn into him. He looked into his eyes. "Yes," he said, "You are human." Lucien came awake with a start. "I am not!" he said loudly enough to be heard by the basement dwellers. The building rang with the sound for a moment, then all was quiet. Lucien stared at the clock. The sun was still up. He doubted he could get any more sleep. Sighing, he laid back anyway and closed his eyes. The angel whispered in his ear, "...in all the ways that count." With a roar, LaCroix jumped from the bed and searched the room. He searched the closet, under the bed, the travel trunks, even the dresser drawers. Nothing. He sighed and sat back down. -------- Later that night, LaCroix stood on the roof of the Coroner's building. He watched Nicholas drop his mortal love, Natalie, off for work and they kissed passionatley. The anger within LaCroix burned to an awful jealous green. How dare she interfere with his son. They broke their kiss, and Natalie went into the morgue door. Nick watched her go with a mixture of yearning and love. In a flash, LaCroix was at his side. "It's a little trivial, don't you think?" LaCroix asked in his most restricted voice. "Maybe, LaCroix, but I love her," Nick responded, not even looking at LaCroix. Lucien could have burst a blood vessel. How dare he admit it, admit his love, and reject his father all in one blow. He started to sputter in his rage. The angel, seeing this, touched his shoulders, calming him gently. He whispered in LaCroix's ear, "If you do not let them go...how will they know they need you?" LaCroix was silent after that. He took flight away, and Nick looked up vaguely, wondering if maybe he should stay and protect Natalie. A little boy's voice, his own angel whispered in his ear, "She'll be all right," and so, he left the Coroner's building. -------------- LaCroix shifted through the pile of CDs and sorted which songs he would play tonight. It had been 3 weeks since he'd seen Nicholas that night. 3 weeks of ignoring and avoiding Nicholas' prying eyes. Some cases that Nicholas had worked on had brought him to the Raven, but LaCroix had avoided him, and sought refuge in obscure places. So far, they had all worked effectively, and he planned to use them to his advantage in the future. A knock on the soundbooth door drew his attention away from his music. It was Nicholas. Since he'd already been seen he decided to just allow him in. Nick came in carefully, looking around as if he'd never been there before. The current song ended and LaCroix leaned over to speak into the microphone. "And so, my children, what have you learned being alone these long nights? Have you learned I am a necessary part of your life, or have to come to say goodbye forever?" The music started again and the 'on air' light went out. Nicholas pondered this for a moment, his angel urging him on. Finally, he said, "LaCroix, I came to thank you. I know it took alot to stay away for so long..." "Nonesense," Lucien said, "I did what I did for me. One can only stand so much guilt, at least one who is not accustomed to it." He let the final words echo in the air, seeming to vibrate about the room. Nick smiled vaguely. "Yes, LaCroix, but thank you anyway." Nick got up to leave, "And LaCroix?" Lucien looked up, his face a blank mask, "Yes, what is it?" "You are a part of my life, and you always will be." He left then with all speed. LaCroix looked at the empty door and sighed. "Well, at least he knows..." The angel wrapped his arms around his charge. "You *are* a great man," he said. ======================== ...sound of writer getting staked. ======================== Okay, so it wasn't *supposed* to be this mushy. Apparently, I'm getting *very* sappy in my old age. I'll try to do better next time. Darn it all, I really didn't intend for this story to come out like this. *sigh* Cousin Raven (raven@naturesong.com) Enforcements, NA, Unholy Trinity, DP Forever Knight Rules...