Thursday,

February 8, 2012,

9: 19 PM

The living room of the Safehouse Bed and Breakfast is full of life. Music plays lightly in the background of the rec room behind the fireplace, and the cords of guitars and drums fill the house with classic rock. The pool table and the dart board capture the attention of the handful of Hunters, who laugh and make bets against each other. Valli is in his element, grin welcoming and open, greeting each man and woman with a warm hug, offering prepared food on the dining room table. He refuses to take no for an answer, grumbling about diner takeout and gas station pizza — the latter accompanied by a dramatic shiver of disgust. All while herding the new guests from the front door to the dining room, filing a plate, and sending them off into the crowd. Addy and Kane stood on the sidelines, observing and speaking in soft murmurs, the hunter of them having no issue in simply nodding along or grunting out words. To the annoyance of the witch, who kept mumbling about Valli's hunter pet.

The trio had been spending days in the basement, researching. Addy is eager to locate the spell she may need and wants to get the magical dome over the land as quickly as possible. They aren't certain what will happen, or when it may happen. Paranoia leads every Hunter — to prepare without knowing what to prepare for is what they do best. Valli assisted, keeping his mouth closed to avoid upsetting them with his calm, unbothered attitude again.

Rather he acts as if the situation were just another Hunt, like he wasn't involved directly. When he speaks, there is no sign he is doing this research or helping because he feels threatened, or scared. This is another project for him, one he would do for every Hunter in his house. It's plain to Addy, to Kane, that the man had resigned himself mentally — Valli doesn't see the point in trying to pause the inevitable, so he merely accepts what his fate may come to. It wouldn't be too far off from what he expected out of his life.

Valli spoke about how he felt and expressed himself. He doesn't want anyone to hurt themselves for him, to try to avoid what cannot be avoided. All he wants is to continue what he built until the day he can't anymore, to help other Hunters, milk his goats and cows, and catch fish. If he is to die at the hands of Gods, Hybrids, or any other creature that steps onto his porch; he wants to live as carefree and content as possible. The only place to do that is his home, with the Hunters who had become a second family to him.

A part of him is scared. Scared of dying, of leaving his Aunt behind. Of experiencing what could lie beyond death as a human. What he is not scared of is the thought of the agony he might be dealt with on the day of his death, the teeth or claws, the torture monsters could give with bare hands. No, he's experienced that before. Too many times to be afraid of the pain, the feel of his blood leaking and his veins burning as they suffer. This time, he is afraid of what could come after.

There is no way of telling what happens after death, for a human, at least. The man had only read of it.

Death, is one of the figures of creation. The form of Death travels, and picks out who and when, where, and how the human passes. One tap of Their finger on a Human is fatal, the person will drop dead without a sign of illness or wound. However, this isn't how the figure of Death works. They (he, she — no one knows) do not walk around the surface of Earth, spontaneously selecting Humans to die. They very well could and have in the past, when there were fewer humans about; to control the population. When one dies, another is born. For Death, is also Life. When one is too sick to survive, too injured to pull through, too weak to make it — Death sends their Reapers.

Reapers; Soul Collectors; deliverers; transporters. It is said that when one dies, they will see a person standing before them. Man, woman — perhaps even a child could appear from thin air. Rumors, books, and the few who came close to dying tell of the kind presences who explained what was happening, and who helped the vulnerable in the lost space between death and life. Civilian Humans are told of watching their lives flash before their very eyes when they near death — this is true. Except, the flash of memories serves a greater purpose than reliving the good and bad moments of life. It is for the Reapers, for Death, to determine where the dead will go in the afterlife. They use these treasured and deeply buried moments, beliefs, and actions to deliver them to their afterlife — wherever that may be. The Judge and Executioner; the day one witnesses life flash before their eyes, is their judgment day.

This is what frightens Valli. He has no clue where his soul will go once he departs the flesh and bone of his body, when the Reaper watching over him will appear from the shadows. Silently, mentally, he is preparing himself to meet them.

The host was overjoyed to receive a phone call Wednesday evening, being told five of his hunters had accidentally run into each other at a Hunter bar in New Orleans. Each of them was finishing up a case in the state or close enough to the borders of states next to it, recognizing and overhearing Valli's name from each other. He's glad they all agreed to stop by for a visit, spare a night or two in the house, and do little chores. Three of them had been hunting for the past three months, and the other two — hunting sisters — had a tough case involving children. To have them here, resting and healing brings him great solace.

Lia and Lily are two of the first hunters to have found his house. The women had praised him endlessly for the rooms, the beds he gave them, and then the meal he served after they cleaned the blood and gore from their hunt away. They had returned ever since for six years, never once missing a check-in and always greeting him warmly. Lia is the older sister, he had felt her long soft dyed red hair and from hugs, he knew she was taller than him and broader. Lily is two years younger, her dark brown hair cut into a pixie and she's slender like he is. Both Finnish women gave him descriptions of themselves, laughing and giggling as he made little joking comments; "ah, yes yes, this does feel like burnett, doesn't it?", "Green eyes? Oh, how cute! I bet you're adorable!"

The women were quick to befriend Addy, absorbing information about the treaty, and learning of the innocent creatures being killed off for simply existing. They were adamant about learning Witch ways, how to tell Dark and Light witches apart, and how they could help Valli and Addy with their treaty. These women are examples of how more Hunters should be, open-minded and aware not everything is black and white. Throughout the years, the sisters have shepherded more hunters toward Louisiana, spreading Valli's name and business to those needing breaks. As well as assist in teaching others about the treaty, and what staying and calling on Valli means. Every Hunter under Valli's management agreed to spare creatures if proven they're innocent, each signing a copy of the treaty. He is gratified they've been careful and survived all the hunts he finds them.

Victor is an average-height, dark-haired Asian-American man who stumbled upon Valli after Lily directed him to Louisiana, following vague directions. The first night in the room he was given was the night he refused to go back out hunting completely alone. Signing the treaty, asking if Valli would mind him calling once in and while, returning. The welcoming and chirpy response only solidified the decision to be, essentially, in a group. He doesn't regret it. Having someone to call, to send assistance has saved his life more than he can count. The same goes for Shane and Jeff, they both felt the delight at finding such a rare place as Valli's home. Shane is a short-haired black man from California, while Jeff is a bald man coming from North Dakota. They all try their hardest to copy the sister's examples, as do others.

Upon entering the house, the group was shocked to spot Kane sitting at the kitchen island, observing Valli gush happily at the visitors. He nodded to them, yet hadn't bothered to get up and properly welcome them. Addy hugged and kissed cheeks, kind and friendly, but reserved in her worry and heartache. None of the three told the guest about what may happen. If one of the five mentions whispers they heard, they'll have no choice, but for now, they want to keep things under wraps. The less who knows, the safer. Better safe than burning one of them if a monster finds out secrets are spilling.

The sisters have settled on the floor in front of the fireplace, laid out on an old blanket they were given with a large tray of snacks and beer. Lily is lying on her side, hand propping her head up as she innocently ogles at Victor playing pool with Shane and Jeff. Next to her, legs spread out as she leans on her elbows, Lia smirks at her younger sister and murmurs teasing remarks about crushes that end in receiving a kick to her arm. She burst out laughing, tackling the other woman as payback. They giggle, laughing as they wrestle on the blanket, reverting to children at the sensation of safety and home.

On the other side of the room, in the open rec room, the girlish laughter captures the men's attention. Stood by the window overlooking the garden behind the house, Victor leans his hip on the pool table and tilts his upper body to peek around the massive brick fireplace. At the sight of the play fighting, glimpses of long hair whipping, and muffled Finnish curses, he chuckles. He is always delighted to share the house with the sisters, they never fail to lighten any mood, and being around pretty women is never horrible, especially women Hunters. The fact they know how to kill monsters is hotter than anything he could think of, it doesn't hurt that one in particular is adorable and smart. Shane and Jeff laugh and shake their heads, returning to the game after sparing a few moments to watch.

Migrated to the sofa, Kane sighs out his nostrils slowly, as if consciously exhaling the headache that is building behind his closed eyes. He settled back and collapsed at the arm of the sofa furthest away from any guest. Thick and long legs spread wide, overworked hands loosely fallen over his crotch, head resting back against the sofa cushion. A cushion is left open between them, but Addy is settled next to him, curled up with a new cup of hot chocolate. She's watching over everyone, eyes flicking from the sisters to the men, then returning to Valli. Her nephew is leaning on the doorway of the living room, content to listen to the sounds of laughter and jokes being cracked. The host is merely taking a small break, he had been rushing to serve snacks and catch up with everyone.

Addy assisted in getting rooms cleaned and ready, fluffed pillows, and helped remake beds. Listened to the man admit how relieved he was to hear his Hunters were coming home to visit, how he missed them. While she is joyful to see these people, to speak to them again and hear their voices; she can't force herself to stop wishing they leave soon. She's eager to begin research again, which she can't do with a house full of people — they'd want to help, risking information being leaked. However, she also wishes she could ask for their help to convince Valli that he could survive, that he should try to fight back, do something other than sit here and play host when he could have a handful of dangerous creatures coming after him. Valli would only down-sell the danger to the others, assuring them he'd be fine. Instead, she settles back with the Rabid Hunter, ignoring the ache in her chest as her concern steadily, silently builds.

"Hey! Valli!" At the shout from across the room, azure eyes peel open, Kane's attention piqued. The bald man at the busy pool table is waving to the owner of the house over, rolling his eyes at the slap to his arm Shane gives for the unnecessary gesture. Valli's head tilts to follow the voice, torso dipping back to be in view as he recalls the fireplace will block most of his form from where he stands. When his head pops into Jeff's line of sight, the man cackles at the awareness his manager has. "Is there any more beer?"

"I have whiskey in the kitchen if you'd prefer that. I think you've gone and drunk all the cheap shit you guys brought." Valli responds, smirking at the groan that comes from Lia, his eyes flicking to the floor at the shifting of the woman's clothing on the blanket.

She laughs, head falling back to stare upside down at the scarred man's back as he walks through the kitchen. "It was all the station had! I told them we should grab you some brandy or rum on the way through town!"

It takes a short moment for Valli to return to Kane's view with a full bottle of dark amber straight Kentucky whiskey, as the label states, in his hand. He smiles, hand reaching down to find Lia's head to give a few little pats the woman sits up to receive, as he maneuvers past the sisters. Jokingly, "I appreciate the thought of my favorite. But if they drink this gone, you owe me."

"Her?! The favorite?!" Lily squeaks, shooting upright with a big feigned pout to hide the grin peeking through. Whining dramatically to hear the man laugh, twisting to watch Valli hand over the bottle to Jeff. "I'm cuter though! You said so!"

Her sister shoves Lily's shoulder, smirking smugly. "He was just being nice!"

"Oh shut up!" Lia is tackled once again, toppling over each other on the floor. The room erupts in laughter, with the only exceptions being Kane and Addy.

With the noise grating on his ears and head, Kane rises from the couch. Ignoring the pause the sisters make at his sudden movement, they had heard of the larger hunter and didn't quite know how to act with his standoffish attitude, and the stories they heard of the more experienced man have intimidated them. Not that they'd admit it. He marches towards the men surrounding the pool table, observing Valli turn towards his approaching footsteps before the others follow him. Addy hushes the group when Kane grips her nephew's upper arm and hauls him with relative care through the room and up the stairs. The blind man's amused twitch of his lip is hidden by the flurry of movement, feet moving to keep up. She waves the women back down to the floor as they move to follow, concerned for their friend.

"Kane just wants to talk. He doesn't like all this noise." She dismisses, sipping her cocoa.

"He shouldn't just drag Valli off like that, he could hurt him or something." Shane mumbles, eyeing the wall the stairs sit behind suspiciously.

The witch smirks knowingly, "Did you see my boy struggling or protesting?" At the confused glance she receives, she adds. "No. He went easily. Hell, he was waiting for it. And Valli can handle himself."

Upstairs, Kane drags Valli to the third floor, to the last door at the end of the hallway where he's been staying. Valli is silent, yet he keeps up with the grasp on his arm and the heavy boots pounding against the floor. He stumbles slightly when the man pushes him through the open door, but he stifles a giggle as he balances himself and turns towards the slamming door. The room is spacious, the bed takes up the middle of it and he knows the window provides a view of the front of the house and barns, warming the space with bright sunlight. Kane had tossed his duffel bags onto a little chair by the window, his shirt and a pair of pants thrown onto ruffled bed sheets from the night before.

"How long you gonna pretend you don't wanna live?" Kane demands, crossing his arms as he leans against the only exit in the room, the door firmly trapped at his back.

Vallis' eyebrows furrow at the question, uncertain. "Huh? I do want to live."

The other man scoffs, his weight causing the door to whine as he sags against it further. "You down there playing family man, knowing damn well you got some trouble heading your way. Trouble you ain't gonna fight to live against."

He watches the scars cringe as the man wrinkles his nose and huffs, plopping on the bed and crossing his arms defensively. "We've been through this already. There is nothing I can do. Not at the moment, not when or if they show up." Vexed, his hands gesture wildly and his eyes stare dully at the voice. "What do you expect me to do? Drown in self-pity and die of paranoia?"

Growling, "You're halfway there with the bullshit you've been shitting."

"You don't know what is bullshit and what isn't! You don't know anything!" Valli's hands clench as he rises to his feet, struggling to control his volume, yet snaps all the same. The exasperation and antagonizing repeated words burning at his flesh and eyes, feet beginning to furiously pace the beds. "You expect me fight demons or Hybrids or— or fucking Gods when I can't even go into town by myself!" Hands twist around themselves, his breathing increasing as anger slowly turns into resentfulness. An arm is flung towards the window, only memory serving his accuracy. "I can't go into a store and buy anything without someone to help! I can barely fucking walk out in public without needing to hold onto to someone." He heaves a small, shaky sigh. "I can't fucking see shit Kane! My eyesight is completely fucking gone!" As if the Hunter needs reminding. "What am I supposed to do now that life has finally caught up to me?! I can't fight like I used to, I'm rusty and slow and — and the last hunt still haunts me. I can't."

The sight of glistening grayed out eyes has the larger man uncomfortably glance away, then sneers mentally at himself. Great. Crying. I'm not good with that shit. Fuck. Choosing to ignore the outburst for now, he stomps in front of the distressed owner. Close enough for the other to feel his body heat and to tower over Valli, eyes glaring. In his mind, he knows how bad hunts can linger and knows Addy was right in the assumption of the man being frightened by hunting again. But there isn't a choice anymore, he can't simply continue like this. Not when there are active rumors with his name mixed in with Gods and ancient hybrids. Leaving no room for argument, he commands. "Beginning tomorrow, you train with me."

Incredulous scarred eyes snap upward, confusion flooding over the angered fear. Lips parted, eyebrows furrow, Valli can simply breathe out. "Huh?" Then the words process and he shakes his head quickly, stepping back. "You— No. I am not."

"Yeah. You are. Got no choice." Kane smirks, well aware he has the advantage over this situation.

"The hell I don't!" In the immediate response, the slender man moves to push past the broader form.

Boastful, his arm is gripped at the elbow by a strong hand. "The hell you don't is right. You know Addy is gonna take my side, doesn't matter how much I irritate her. She'll agree with me."

Valli is silent, allowing the truth in the words to simmer before his head drops with a groan. Reluctantly, "That's true."

He receives a head pat that is probably supposed to be patronizing, yet his mind reads it as silent praise for agreeing. The humor following the gesture is only slightly pleasing. "I'll go easy on you."