Memories

[Nadja]

As of late, her thoughts have been drifting back to the past. Those who she was closest to and with all going on, to be brought forefront to her mind. The regeneration of dreams that had laid dormant for many years now flourished anew. Being an outcast bothered the small Gypsy not, it has been the biggest part of her life to live this way amoungst men. Acceptance came in those who in a sense were outcast of humanity themselves. Funny how such beings can be drawn together on such common ground. They say opposites attract, but to what degree?

It was while she laid before the warm hearth in her small shop of the Port that her mind began to wander once more. Perhaps it was all the violence and turmoil she's witnessed as of late that was causing memories to awaken of another place and time. A time when her own inner conflicts she use to battle daily. One thing she would not have counted on, was the reflection of this night would awaken dreams long ago suppressed.

It was also a time she had learned of natural enemies, and in this her heart would feel more anquish and pain. Those she once counted on for acceptance and soothing, would now view her as an abomination, because of what she became by no choice of her own. A sad existance when an outcast becomes shunned by others like herself ....


--- Memories and the Dreams ---

Moving close to his side, to maintain that level of warmth that he so generously provided. That would be until they moved towards familiar territory, that engulfed in warmth still.

Leading her on a walk the scenery about them would slowly take on a change, unnoticed at first by the gypsy. Soon they were walking side by side through the golden fields of Elysian, Basilio keeping his arm draped about her and providing her with warm, then it was not needed as the isle took on its atmosphere and tropical warmth. Still he kept his arm about the gypsy and tilted his head down as he began to talk. "As I was saying. The drows are counterparts to the elves, as are the werewolves counter parts to the vampires."


That made her blink and look up at him, a touch of surprise to form upon delicate features. "Werewolves exist?" Should she have ever questioned it, when she learned of the true existence of vampyr? It was then she slowly shook her head, brows to furrow slightly in that puzzled formation. "Tu said the same of me and meu Stappan, do tu think I am one of these werewolves, or elf?" Trying to make some sense of this forbidden thing. When she questioned Kieran about it, he only mumbled, then waved it off as unimportant.

"Both sworn enemies. But the making of our kinds are as opposite and foreign as any could be. To take something as pure as an elf and bond it to a vampire." He shook his head and looked at her. "They are not compatible parts." He gave a slow nod. "They exit, though their numbers are few. Unlike my kind, which are vast in numbers and growing still." Basilio came to a standstill and turned her in his arms. "No, Nadja. It is not the same. You see, the bond of gypsies and vampires goes way back. But their differences are in the mortality.What I tried to explain to you, is the curse of suffering that can exit for each to remain apart from the other."



Standing before him, midnight pools gazed up at him. An intermixture of puzzlement and curiosity to swirl within their reflective depths. "I understand nu, why must they remain apart? I coexist now with all of tu. I have come to view those of Elysian as family, those who have taken me in, when others shunned me. Why, if there are feelings within, would that be a bad thing? Even if only a moment in existence for those like tu, it would be a lifetime of happiness for me."


There was a gentleness of his touch as he lifted up her chin and looked deep into those pitch black eyes of hers. "Because, my Nadja, you're existence is but a blink in time with mine. Yes, happiness for you and suffering for myself or any other like myself that chooses to love you." He wondered if she ever really thought of the span of years, centuries and millenniums that passed before them.



A long moment she stood there before him silent, then realization of his words would come to light. "I would not wish to be the cause of anyone's suffering. There's enough in life, or existance, that I need not add more." Eyes would lower from his slightly, which would have her gazing upon his lips without realizing she was. Just a need to refocus for a moment. She barely could see beyond the next day, for herself. Even if she could seen into time past, present and future for others.


And slowly would he tip her chin further up, forcing her gaze to meet with the intenseness of his own. "Ah, Nadja. I would help you in many ways. Yet, there are things of me you know not. I would steal you from his heart, I would but kiss you here now and tempt you with what I could give to you. Immortality and humanity, with me." His gaze would narrow some and the smile strained. "I could offer him this ability with you, but I won't." The pad of his thumb brushed over her lips. "Freely will I give you the gift of deeper insight, and tempt you will I offer more. Wanting you for myself. I am his son and I am selfish, for long have I walked this plain alone." Basilio tipped her face up a little higher and brought his lips close to hers, a mortal's breath away. He left it up to her to taste of what he offered at that very moment. Just a taste.


Slowly those midnight pools would rise, to meet the intensity of his gaze. His words were quite impactual, yet alluring in a darker sense. Her mind was reeling with what he placed before her, almost making conscious thought impossible to hold. She could feel his closeness in so many ways, so strongly. Hitch of breath as his lips hovered so close to hers, tempting, taunting. "Why do tu wish to steal me from him, tu know me not?" Barest whisper to sound as the warmth of exhaled breath would touch upon flesh so near. Feeling the pace of her heart increase in tempo.


His lips inched closer and he whispered over her mouth as he brushed his to barely touch on top of hers. "I was created from sin, Nadja, and temptation. He knows not what he has and is unable to master them things inside of you that I can give to you." He taunted her with a brief press of his mouth against her lips, so sudden and fleeting it almost seemed surreal. Still his lips hovered just above hers. "Would you taste of me?"



A part of her was telling her to withdraw, while she could.Yet there was something keeping her frozen in place, unable to move. It wasn't an unpleasant sense, as if being confined. More like a warm embrace, again the warmth would bring that vision back to mind. The fur rug, the warmth of the fire close by. Raven lashes would lower, as she felt that light brush of his lips to touch against her's. For a moment, she was unable to reply, lost in the sensations rushing through her. Then again the vision would pass across mind's eye, and this time it sobered her slightly, from the drunken state she had befallen. "I can nu, nor will I betray meu Stapan." Hushed were those words, quite a battle to maintain her wits in his presence, for he was definitely the source of that drunken sensation.


He pulled back slightly, just enough to place his hand on her chin and rub the pad of his thumb slowly over her lips. "Hold tightly to him, my dark beauty, for if you should falter. Even just a little, I will be there and whisk you off faster than the rapidness of your heartbeat now. "Betray him you shall not, for your heart will turn traitorous on itself in time." He lifted his thumb away from her lips and touched his to his mouth, then dragged it slowly over hers again, leaving her with the feeling he had just kissed her. Lips slightly swollen and numbed. Basilio stepped back from her and drew up a rush of cool wind to stir her from the stupor.


Slowly those thick raven lashes would rise, unveiling those abyssal depths that now peered up at him. Hand to slowly lift, fingers to lightly touch upon lips, a shiver to pass through her, as the chill of the wind touched upon heated flesh. Not realizing the flushed state she had befallen at that moment. "How will meu heart be traitorous upon itself?" Hand to slowly lower, as both would draw the front of that cloak more tightly about her, to fend off the sobering breeze. New dreams would begin that night, unbeknownst to herself, until they were had.


Did she really wish to know? Would she push this to the point he had no choice but to move on her. "Tell me what you feel inside you now, Nadja. Think only of you and me, here now. Close your eyes and tell me what thoughts drift across your minds eye?" The breeze died down and the vale returned to its normal warmth. Basilio raised his hand and moved it before her eyes, freeing her mind of other thoughts.


Eyes would slowly close, a deep breath taken, then slowly released. "I feel a sense of peace, and comfort. As for my thoughts, they drift between Kieran and tu. I know where meu loyalty lies, but I find tu tempt meu curiosity greatly. Though I will nu cause any more distress in meu Stapan than I already have."


With her eyes closed he took a step closer and gently laid his hands to each side of her face, his touch was warmth and feather light. "Nadja." Speaking her name to sound the call deep within her mind. Outside of herself his voice would softly speak, whispering as if it came across different directions of the fields. "When the nightmares come to you again you will find a new presence there, just to the corner of your sight. And when that fear grips you and you feel there is no escape, turn and look. I will be there and you'll see only me." His hands left her face and brushed with a feathery touch over her shoulders and down her arms. The overcoat she wore of his seemed to take on his body, eveloping her with a sense of protection, arms to wrap around her. Her nightmare would take on a dream of him, naked in his essence and holding her in the same. Lips would play a seduction over her mouth, drugging her dreams with the vision of his kisses and the heat his body radiated against hers. The dream would slowly begin to fade and leave her reaching out to touch its trailing memory. Nadja would awaken then with the sunlight and Kieran in her thoughts, and would leave her smiling. That selfishness Basilio had warned her about, yes he planted the small seed and stole it from her grasp at the same time. His touch here and now would begin to fade away and his voice drifted further from her hearing. "Nadja, awaken. The day comes soon." When she'd open her eyes she would find herself standing alone in the field, only the coat left draped about her shoulders to be the lasting evidence that he had been there and the scent of him woven into the fabric. A gift, one could say.


Slowly her eyes would open, a slow blink to find herself standing alone. If not for the coat about her shoulders, she would have thought the entire evening to be a dream. Slowly looking about her, only validated her alone status. The remnants of his words to whisper over and over in her mind ...."I will be there, you will see only me.".... Then the vision, a hazy remnant of what it was. Holding the coat tightly about her, another glance before she was on the move. Heading back to the mansion to seek her bed ... no, the fur which laid before the fire's warmth. It was here she slept while he was away, and tonight would change things even more, as another would join in those night dreams. Only this new addition, would be quite opposite the others that invaded to rob her of sleep.

[Nadja]

It was in the midst of the torential blowing of the northern winter winds, that the tiny Rom had left behind a most horrific sight. That which she called family, those whom had taken her in as a small child and watched her grow into the young woman she was today. Those that had nurtured her, embraced her in times of sorrow, pain, and fear. Those she had laughed, danced, and partook of meals with. Those she had once called family, were left broken and torn apart upon the once white snow now covered with their vitae.
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The night was cool and crisp as most winter nights had become in the mountainous terrain the small Caravan had chosen for their camp. Cloudless was the midnight colored sky ablaze with the stars brilliance and that of the full moon. Tonight the moon offered a warning to those who camped below, dancing around the blazing bon fire as their music echoed through the valleys and coves. A bluish sheen embraced the glowing orb, almost seeming to pulsate as the smaller celestial enties around it did. Only a few of the elders took to heart this lunar warning, only to be ignored by the others who ate, drank and made merry.

Nadja too felt something was wrong, it wrenched in her gutt, tore at her heart and made her ache. But the events of the night were intoxicating, she felt as if she was simply walking around in a dream like state. All was so surreal to the little Gypsy, it was hard for her mind to grasp on any specific moment in time.

Memories of those from her past began to flood before her eyes. The Copil de la Noapte as she called them, those who walked only in the darkness and partook of living vitae to survive. Those who had taught her so much, yet left her untouched, an innocent still. They had touched her soul, leaving behind a part of them within the Rom.Yet in all her interactions with those known as Neferatu, none had prepared her for the events about to transpire. Not even she had gained an incling of the events about to unfold, no warnings from the spirits that she could remember. No signs that her life was about to take a drastic change in which there would be no going back.

-----------------

Settled deep within the Belgium forest, Belovezhskaya Pushcha, are several small communities. Out of the villages within these communities, there are two that held particular interest towards travelers for their festive celebrations and hospitable citizens; and the names of said villages are: Eastwick Hollow and Olde Vale. The popularity of these villages faded as the world continued to advance in technology and wonders especially that of the neighboring city, Willow Bridge; and also ill-will rumors of the Belovezhskaya Pushcha Forest had begun to surface detouring travelers from venturing through the woods to reach the villages. Over time human interaction has all but ceased causing the forest to grow eerily still and quiet. Even some the residents of the communities within the Belovezhskaya Pushcha do not risk venturing outside their homes. Remember those ill-will rumors that I spoke of? Well, there is one that frequents the taverns and inns: "The woods are cursed, aye there are. Tis why so many have moved away to the larger cities. No one is safe in the old forest any longer."

-------------------- Past -----------------------

The Caravan had made their way into a lands known as the Olde Vale. One filled with power and wealth that the Gypsy's hoped to entertain and gain favor in return. Their time there was indeed one to be considered memorable. Many people they had met, and new creatures were they exposed to, which the Romanian castaways accepted with open arms. A young girl within their care, a refugee of their homelands, was a curious creature on so many levels, which at times would get her in many a predicament. Many blamed it on her nature due to the gifts she possessed. The young girl seen things the common eye could not, heard whispers upon the gentle breeze that brushed passed her, like the caressing hand of a mother to a child. Visions filled her dreams, at times the future could be visualized. If she laid her hands upon one and let her mind drift, it would meld with the one who she connected with, and their past, memories, pains and joys would be her own. Of course this always came with a heavy price, for when the connection was released, a small part of that being would remain with her always. Never would it fail to be something that hoovered in the darkness of their creation.

It would be here that her induction into the depths of darkness would begin. Where she would be moulded into something more than when she arrived. To find love that she could never truely hold and know what it was like to feel shattered when it was lost to her forever. Forbidden love it was called. It was never accepted by either side, those who walked in the darkess or those who could stand in the light of day to enjoy the kiss of the sun upon their faces. Infactuation it was called by many, but to the tiny Rom it was real for she felt the joy, the pain and the sorrow it imposed upon her impressionable soul. To love and know she too was loved in return, but unable to enact upon it. The council of the Kindred ensured this to be so, as they kept the one who had swept her from her feet and laid claim to her heart with his words, was always too busy to allow any time for anything of substance to fully bloom.

There was one she had befriended, much to the chargin of not only her caretakers, but the Kindred who she loved and loved her so. A friend he was, and it never failed when she left his company, that she sat in a state of confusion, unsure of which way to turn or go. His words were blunt and truthful, which in turn would cause the tiny Gypsy pain. He never held the truth back from her, nor sugar coated a situtation to be anything other than what it was. It would be their last meeting that came so vividly to the forefront of her mind. A spring night, the rich earth still held the warmth of the day's sun in it's embrace. A memory that would follow her always ....


------------ Memories ----------


Ahh, how she loved the nights, especially those of the late spring to early summer. Balmy in a sense, as the heat of the day clung to the lands. More importantly, was the mass of stars that filled the darkened heavens during this time. No burning fires to rob the night of it's darkness, as she chose to lay by the brook side, upon the grassy knoll, with hands tucked behind her head like small pillows. Her only company, the sounds of the night around her. Far from silent, as the crickets and tree frogs croaked out their harmonizing melody.


Almost predatory in his movements he passed through the land in shadow mingling in with the night. The lure of a gypsy's scent drew him towards the banks of the brook, in the blink of a mortal eye he was crouched down beside the Rom, just above her head where she lay. His forearms rested over his knees, the moonlight flickering in the depths of hazel eyes. "You find your peace here, settled in with nature and her creatures. This is where you belong, my Nadja." The movement of his gaze fell down on her with a smile cresting his lips.

So swift were those movements, that by time she sensed him, he was already there. Head turned as did those midnight pools, to rest upon him. Gentle nature of that smile to instantly play upon the soft surfaces of mauve. "Da, 'tis true in that meu Stapan de la noapte. Such vastness about, yet I can sense every motion, hear every sound. I swear, I can even hear the small beats of their hearts when near." She was still amazed at her ability to do this, and has yet to realize it was something she brought back with her, after delving so deep within the mind of his kind.


Basilio moved then and came beside her, stretching his long body out on his side. His head would rest on the bend of an arm, propped up where he could mesmerize himself in her presence. "You grow more attuned. You are becoming a part of the land and she with you." His fingers toyed in the spring grass that sprayed out on the banks like a cool blanket. His eyes danced across her features as he weighed to speak his thoughts openly with her. Each time she had been at the brink of consent, only to pull back from her loyalty and devotion to her Kindred companion. "You are restless again." His eyes moved away from her own gaze. "Is your choices the same or do they sway in the wind?"

As he shifted to lay by her side, those obsidian depths would follow, to now gaze upon him more comfortably. Still she remained laying upon her back, facing upwards to the heavens. "Da, I sense this." It was then she'd softly chuckle. "What worries meu is the day when I can hear the animals speak." Meant in a joking manner of course. It was with his assessment that her gaze would shift to look up at the star filled sky. "Da, I feel the want to be out and about in meu blood." A moment of silence before she'd speak again. "I've accepted an offer to travel. There's a large event taking place at Willow Bridge. I am going with a few other Gypsy's to do card readings."


He cracked a smile at her in the jest of speaking with animals. His gaze would pivot back to her features, the intrigue of hearing her traveling again. "As you should." He paused before asking, "Will your lover be accompanying you on this journey?" Instinct told him it wouldn't be so, but he wanted to hear it from the Rom's own lips


Several moments would pass in silence. "He's very busy with his duties to his lands. I have yet to see him to inform him of meu plans." She doubted he would go along, it would mean being away from his obligations. A small shrug of shoulders as she laid supine upon the soft grass. "I'll be in good company, and quite safe, with meu frates and sora's."


The news brought another smile to Basilio's lips. "I shall come there myself then and visit you. I would see you with your own kind, Nadja. Not caged as an animal. But free." He reached over to brush his finger tips across her brow, turning them so the backs of his fingers caressed over her cheek. "You love freely, yet you are not free, nor are you happy." He wasn't smiling when he said this to her, but somber in his speech.

Slowly her head would turn, as did those abyssal depths, to meet his own hazel pools. "It's been quite some time since I have, it will be good to be around meu own for awhile." Corners of mauve twins would lift slightly in the formation of that smile. "I'll look forward to seeing tu there then, Stapan Basilio." It would be his last words that caused a pang to be felt. "I've just nu grown accustom to being in one place yet." An easy excuse to be made.

"You lie. Not to me, but yourself, Nadja." She needed to be stirred up and this time he asked not the permission or give her the freedom of choice. Rattling her senses was the only way for the Rom to come to terms with herself. Basilio leaned himself over her and drew down until his lips pressed over the soft warmness of her mouth. He could taste the dewy grass on her, smell the fresh water from the river and feel the wind in her hair. As if caressing passion right out of nature this was the lure of the gypsy to him. They became a part of their environment like no other mortal that inhabits the earth. The kiss lingered only a short time before he lifted his head to gaze into pitch black pools. "Lie no more to yourself, Nadja. Free yourself." He whispered.

Any retort, or words of denial would become muted, when he leaned over and possessed her lips with the press of his own. No time to refuse this advance, as she had his others. Such warmth poured through her, in the short amount of his lips claimed her's. Eyes closed as the sensation surged through her, and remained so, for a moment longer once his lips freed her's from that embrace. A slow deep breath taken, then ever so slowly did those thick raven lashes rise to unveil those glimmering depths that resembled the star filled heavens above. Searching those hazel pools, making that attempt to delve. Little stock did she place in the words of a bible, but why did she have a feeling that she was that Eve the first chapter spoke about, and he the forbidden fruit? Such a thought to pass through her mind, then as quickly it was dismissed. He was her friend, someone she trusted fully, to the point of even going against Kieran's demands she not speak to him again. He kept her company on those lonely nights, how could she refuse that? "I'm torn." Softly whispered in return, the truth would finally be uttered.

This he could see to be prevalent in her confused gaze. "I know you are. But the truth is before you Nadja. You know what you are better than any other creature that walks this earth. Yet, you've allowed yourself, the truth of yourself to be altered and changed from its natural existence. You've let your love and devotion for another to trap you. Behind an invisible and material walls, you've been caged. Its not in your heart to live that way." His eyes were constantly flickering across her face as he spoke. "How can you be at peace, or find the truth within when you've shut yourself off from who you are? It is too much to ask of any heart, to subject itself to only mirroring a life, instead of living it." His fingers brushed up and lifted the hair from her brow. "Tell me what you really want for yourself, Nadja. What do you dream of when you lay here on the riverbank and stare out at the stars."


He was hitting the nail right on the head, his words were nothing more than a vocalization of the pull she's been feeling inside. Lately, she has been spending more and more time out in the forest, than she has been at home. Having even missed evening meals because of it, having lost track of time as she wandered about. Unable to gaze into his eyes at this time, as she felt that stir within as his words spoke of the truth. It was her nature, that could not be helped, it was who she was, what she was. Now with eyes closed, it helped not the situation, as her minds eye took over, playing out visions of days long past. "Freedom, traveling, seeing new places and new people. Being appreciated for the gifts that I hold, to be able to help people with my visions and the whispers of those long past." That was who she was, who she is. It lessened not her love for Kieran, it just made it more complicated. Never had she loved anyone before, and this was not only uncharted territory in this, but in a change of a lifestyle, that was the only thing she had ever known.


He let his fingers fall away from the gentle touch. "It will come to you in the days ahead, Nadja. The answers you seek. For you know the truth lies not with him, nor within me, but yourself. Become again, what you were born. Whether you love him or not, you must free yourself to live as a gypsy must. Otherwise," He slowly sat himself then rose to his feet at her side. "You will never attain to what you seek. It will always be just out of your reach." He turned and took a step away, coming to a final pause before casting a look back at her. "You've a purpose here Nadja. A calling. Even I am uncertain where the answer lies, you must find it in yourself." Basilio pressed a finger to his lips, kissed it and offered the gesture towards the gypsy. He turned then and vanished into the dark.


Slowly her eyes had opened, when she felt his movement at her side. Watching as he stood, she remained in that position of laying by the brooks side. His words stung in a sense. She knew he only spoke the truth to her, for she felt it deep inside. No words to follow his departure, she would continue to gaze in the direction he disappeared in, until she could sense him no longer. Slowly her gaze redirected heavenward. There had to be a way to make it work, hadn't there? Would love lessen if she continued to do what pleased her? Surely not, could it? Doubts, so many doubts now ran through her mind. She would continue to lay there under the cover of the stars, staring up at them, searching for answers.

Answers that would eventually come, and as it is with life, not the ones she had hoped to find!

[Nadja]

----- Recent Past -----

And so it was the small Rom made her decision, collecting her few possessions and packing them into her personal Vardo. The Piebald then hitched to Vardo and it would be into the darkness she would soon vanish. Leaving the Caravan that had been her life, and the Old Vale far behind as she set out to find herself. Quite the commotion it stired within the small Gypsy community, but nothing that compared to the raging roar of the Kindred who's unbeating heart she had touched. She would never know exactly what transpired in the passing days of her departure, nor the direction all took in their search for the missing girl.

The elder Gypsy's were in a panic, for the feared most for the one they called the Seer. Something bad loomed along the horizon, and she was not experienced nor trained to front anything on her own. This they knew and felt in their bones, they only hoped they found her before it crossed her path. Some even secretly hoped the Kindred who vowed to destroy anything or anyone in his path to find her, would come across her before the darkness does.

A massive blizzard encompassed the mountain lands, forcing the Caravan to eventually seek shelter till the weather permitted safe traveling. The tiny Rom had managed to remain at the front of the system, and although the cold was bitter and the wind cut through her like a knife, the road was clear for passage and hindered her not in traveling as the distance became greater yet.

Soon she found herself entering a new land, with more magnificent creatures to be found. At home she felt, due to the over whelming presence of Kindred about the area. With such, she always felt safe, even if it was a false sense of security placed within her due to her past releations with others of their kind. She also found other Gypsy's who opened their arms and hearts to the little Rom. Easily she settled within their numbers, to be absorbed into their family as one of their own. Life was good again, and soon her broken heart would begin to mend, as who she was and what she was once again filled her days and nights.

Months passed and soon time became years. No longer a scraggly legged teen, the little Gypsy had grown into a woman. Yet, never once did she accept proposals from her fellow Romi, always keeping an arm distance between herself and any form of relationships. The excuse was that she couldn't offer of herself the way a Rom should, do to the nature of her gifts and the demands placed upon her by their adoptive family, the gajie and gajia's of the surrounding lands.

She had even taken on the added task of working with herbs. The creations of potions, notions, and healing aides to sell the the lands Denizens, to help support the Caravan. She would harvest these items on her own, taking long walks into the depths of the forest and filling the hay woven basket she carried on her arm. It would be during one of these walks that fate would again strike it's devistating blow. From the thicket of her surroundings, as she made her way back to her campsite home, that she was attacked in the darkness of the night.

It would be two hunters that would come across her torn and bloody body. Much to their surprise, the shredded form still breathed and showed signs of life. Quick they were to collect the small damaged for of the woman, and wisk her away to a small local town. If not for the quick thinking and actions of the mages, healers, and those who rallied about the small woman carried into the Inn, she may have died; or so that was the general concensus of the locals. How else was it that the small Gypsy lived?

Each day the locals would find themselves in awe and surprise, as she began to slowly mend, her flesh regenerating itself back to it's flawless, smooth complexion. The only physical change of the tiny Rom, were those abysmal depths, those dark voids that so many would become lost in when they gazed into her eyes, now gleamed like finely polished emeralds in coloration. Days turned into weeks before the Gypsy would fully heal, but fully heal she did. Not a mark was left on her body to indicate any attack had ever transpired; that is except for the four scars that crossed from the top of her left shoulder to the base of the right's blade. Nothing more than thin red angry lines of scar tissue.

Once healed she returned to the Caravan, to be swarmed upon by those who worried about the tiny Seer, and so happy to have her home and well. A celebration broke out, lasting all day and well into the night. In fact, it was on the fourth day of said celebration that things began to take a turn for the worse. It began with horrid nightmares, the sounds of screams that echoed in her head. The heavy coppery scent of vitae, and it's salty taste upon her tongue. She would have black outs, not knowing what transpired, only that one moment she was working at the fireside, or sleeping in bed. The next concious moment would be awakening in the forest, or along the campsite edge. Naked, her tiny form covered in blood and gore.

It was also when things began to change between herself and those she called family. Many seemed to fear the small Rom, making it a point to not have her cross their paths. Where doors were once open, she now found many closed. At night, those who use to guard the camp from preditors of the night, were now setting up stations around her Vardo. No explainations forthcoming, and when asked it was always said to be for her protection. Yet she knew these to be lies, she felt it grip her soul like a frozen fist wrapped about it. She now invoked fear where she once created peace and serenity. An outcast of society now feeling as an outcast amoungst her own.

Months passed and slowly the situation became more grim, dismal for Nadja. The nightmares increased in frequency, the black outs became more common place. Not only as they had before, but when she became angered or felt great fear. It wouldn't be until one afternoon that the truth would be revealed to her, unexpectedly to herself and those closest to her. One of her frate', an uncanny artist, sat by the side of the brook with paint in hand and easel standing tall before him. Quiet were her steps as she approached from behind to envision the scene so clearly depicted upon the canvas.

The painting ..... It was of a rocky setting, one that resembled that which rested along the water's edge where they swam, collected drinking water, or washed their clothing. They rested naturally in a semicircular patter, attatched to them were the thick chains the Romi used for pulling heavy logs behind the Piebalds and Vanners of the caravan. Though it wasn't these items that drew and captured her attention in full, it was what the chains were attatched to. A large black horrifying creature that stood on it's hind legs, it's chained arms outstretched as it tried to claw that that which stood before it. Long, nightmarish canines that dripped with blood from the snarling mouth. It's thick black mane splattered with vitae and gore.

When Viktor turned to see Nadja standing there, he tried to quickly hide his work, but it was too late, she had seen the painting he worked so dilgently on. Questioningly she gazed upon her frate, a sense of familiarity washed over the little Gypsy as she gazed upon the painting. When asked, the Romi tried to offer many explainations to her as to the nature of his work. He couldn't lie, she detected it too well and soon she would prod him into telling the truth. A truth she wished she had never learned in many ways, but something she had to know. The beast depicted in the painting, that was she, what she became in the midst of the night, when her anger was raised, or fear gripped her heart.

He went on to let her know how those of the Carvan worked dilgently in keeping her secret, her curse, hidden from the rest of the world, to protect the tiny Seer who they loved completely. They would bury the bodies of her victims ... human and animals alike. No trail would be followed back to the Caravan, and most importantly, to the tiny Gyspy herself. Now armed with this knowledge, she would rush off into the forest, hoping to lose herself. It was hard to bear the knowledge of what she would become, and having no control over it happening, or the actions of the beast when she turned. Confusion, anger, sorrow, a deadly combination for the small Gypsy to endure that night. For when the change came, so much rage the beast held within it's heaving chest, that it went rogue with it's rampage. A devistation that would reach the small Gypsy camp. The strength of the beast too much for them to counter. Several were able to escape and flee into the forest with the children to save them from the destruction that was rendered by the horrifying beast.

The next morning she would awake in a familiar state of so many past. Laying upon the snow, her body painted red with vitae and coated with gore. The cold seemed not to affect her tender skin, as she slowly made her way back to the campsite and there to find the most horrifying thing in her entire life. Slaughtered, not a single breath did pass the lips of those shattered, shredded bodies that littered the snow covered ground. In her heart she knew, and it broke upon realization that she was the vortex that caused such a vision that now laid before her.

What items she had were quickly collected and packed away, the road now traveled would forever be alone until she could learn to tame the beast that dwelled within her. How she wished to cross the paths of those wise kindred who use to assist her in a time of need. Those she once loved as family, to become a mortal enemy by no choice of her own. In time, control would be gained over the changes, although anger and fear still unleashed the beasts uncontrolled nature when pushed or cornered.

As is the ways of all roads traveled, they'd take her to new places, expose her to new faces and creatures. Applying her trade in order to survive as she continually moved from town to town, city to city. Occassionally having to leave suddenly in the midst of the night, due to control being lost over that darkness that resided within her.


----- Present ----

These would be the circumstances that would drive her to where she finds herself today. A port city filled with turmoil, over cast by a darkness that threatens to engulf all that live within it's perimeters to devour what humanity exists. A place she found as the comforts of home, even if yet to be openly welcomed by most who live there. A few friends had been made, alliances developed, that started when she settled upon the grounds of the Wasteland before it's very surface would explode in the boiling anger of natures fury and sink beneath the ocean's surface. To continue as she moved into the Wilderness, only to be chased away and threatened by the arrogance of the creatures that lived there. Adopted by the Outlaws, still she took not the chance of remaining within their tented domain, in case she could not control the beast some night. An opportunity presented itself, and the tiny Gypsy was quick to set claim. Having taken a small shop across from the tavern, she opened a Fortune Telling shop where she would give card readings, spiritual advice, consort with the crystal ball and forces to answer questions. She still worked with herbs to creation potions, notions, poisons and other effective items to sell and survive.

So far the beast has only been lost control of a few times, and as far as she knows, it had yet been witnessed or paid much attention to by the locals, due to their own situations being dealt with.

There was something in the distance that held a draw to the small Gypsy though. Something familiar ... yet not, the differences subtle enough to not allow her to fully grasp what it was trying to reach her. Easily brushed off as she lost herself into aiding the denizens of the land, and creating havok without though, due to the darkness that pulsated within the tiny Rom's veins. For no matter what she becomes at night, there was a part of her tainted long before, by those who intake breath not, who's hearts have not beat for centuries, and have not enjoyed the glowing warmth of the sun upon their faces for as long. For now this was the small Gypsy's life, what it would lead to, where it would direct her was still unseen in her future. Self preservation the means to an ends at the present, and the hope she could keep her secret just that.