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~ TM - VH and Anna - back to Rome ~
Anna: *stares out at the passing countryside as a thought occurs to her. She turns to share it with VH, only to have it slip completely from her mind. She simply leans over to kiss him quickly, a playful smile at her lips as she pulls away.
VH: Something on your mind? *a bit of a smile - she startled him a little*
Anna: *considers, and tries to retrace her line of thinking back to her original thought* Probably.
VH: *a bit of a laugh* We don't have to sit out here. *vague much?*
Anna: *laughs a little as well--a bit unusual for her, expecially given the recent circumstances. She rises to her feet* I think the hit to my head might've done a bit more than we thought.
VH: *concern* Are you sure you're all right? Did you want to lie down?
Anna: *shakes her head* I was joking. *smiles a little at his obvious concern for her.* I'm fine. I don't break that easily.
VH: *stands* All right. Now what? *motions for her to lead if she'd like - he's tired of being in charge on this trip*
Anna: I'm tired of sitting down. *begins to walk down a corridor, unsure of where she is headed.* How is your leg? Or, for that matter, your shoulder, or your hand...*just stops right there.*
VH: *follows* Ok. *stops when her voice drops off* What?... Anna?
Anna: *looks back to him* Nothing.
VH: *tilts his head* My leg still hurts, but is managable. The shoulder's fine. And my hand healed quite some time ago. Now, what's wrong? *it's almost one whole sentence, but there are enough breaks to know that he's pretty serious on the last part of it*
Anna: *blinks* Nothing. We're both fine. I only just realized...that. We're okay.
VH: Frequently. Why is that a problem?
Anna: It's not at all. *hesitates, unsure of how to explain herself--her unsure attitude toward life, toward the person she had become...*
VH: Good. Keep walking. *he's mostly aware of her 'concerns' - she'll explain them when she can*
Anna: *looks around* Where are we?
VH: On a train? *slight smirk at the back of her head*
Anna: *mocks him* Thank you. Anything useful?
VH: Maybe. What do you mean by 'where'?
Anna: *tilts her head, and realizes that she is standing in front of the door to their quarters.* Never mind.
VH: *shakes his head and smiles*
Anna: *quirks an eyebrow, and fights to keep a straight face* Yes?
VH: You gonna open the door? Or are we still walking?
Anna: *shakes her head, and opens the door* Sorry.
VH: Thought you said you were all right? *follows her into the room and closes the door*
Anna: *very obviously trying to persuade him* I'm fine.
VH: Anna... *turns her to face him, then tilts her head toward his, so he can look at her* You *very sternly* are not fine. Though, I'm not sure you should sleep anymore.
Anna: Why not?
VH: Might be damaging. You'd have to ask Carl, but something about hitting your head. *he shrugs a bit - he's not sure - he only knows what Carl told him*
Anna: *nods her understanding, before looking up at him with unmasked distress* If it is something...will I recover? * She recognizes that her line of thinking is somewhat irrational a the moment, and yet she still needs reassurance.*
VH: *he nods and smiles* Yes, you'll be fine. *he leans in to kiss her forehead*
((more to come - Anna-mun having PC issues))
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VH: Really? *looks at her questioningly*
Anna: Really.
VH: Why? *he's confused, really - not sure why someone who had gotten what they wanted would miss *him* specifically*
Anna: Because you're the only person who would ask that. *because he had been her friend--he had tried to help her when all hope seemed only a distant memory...*
VH: *tilts his head curiously - still confused*
Anna: *ignores his apparent confusion, and tries a different approach to explaining her thoughts to him* Did you miss me?
VH: *he skips the verbal answer and presses his mouth to hers - Carl's better at talking*
Anna: *wraps her arms around him--hearing him silently*
VH: *he pulls away slowly* Does that answer your question? *asked softly*
Anna: Does it answer yours?
VH: I think so. *he kisses her again b/c he really can't think of anything else to say*
Anna: *kisses him back, softly, sweetly*
VH: *again, pulls away, but also turns away* I'm... maybe... maybe we shouldn't... *he sighs*
Anna: *Her expression sharpens, and she takes a step back, folding her arms guardedly over her chest. Why had she let him in on her emotions so readily?* *Waits for him to continue*
VH: *still facing away* Have I mentioned that I'm not very good with this? *he asks quietly - maybe a little embarrassed*
Anna: *tilts her head* This?
VH: *turns over his shoulder - barely* This. *he repeats*
Anna: *takes a step forward* Gabriel...
VH: *closes his eyes, but that's all the reaction he gives just now*
Anna: *admits* This is new to me, as well, Gabriel.
VH: *eyes narrow* Relationships?
Anna: I was never able to let myself get close to somebody...before you.
VH: *very softly* At least you have a 'before'.
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VH: *confused* Do I...? *turns around to face her* I... I think so. *blinks* Don't be angry... I really... I'm not sure...
Anna: *nods, trying to hide her disappointment*
VH: *softly* Anna... I just don't want to tell you something just because it's what you want to hear. I can tell you that I care about what happens to you, but, the other... I don't know. *he lowers his head*
Anna: *lowers her own head, but can't find a thing to say*
VH: *he's quiet for a long time, then, w/o raising his head, speaking toward the floor, softly, barely audible* I want to know.
Anna: *looks up at him* Me too.
VH: *keeps his head down, a little startled that she actually heard him* *takes a deep breath, raises his head, removes his hat and coat and tosses them onto the bunk behind her - bite the bullet time* All right... *normal voice - screw the pussy-footing stuff - it's making him nuts* ...so, how do we find out? *he folds his arms over his chest and leans against the wall behind him*
Anna: I leave. *turns toward the door* Let me know what you decide.
VH: *more blinks - lots of them and if he's not careful, his jaw will be on the floor* What?
Anna: You heard me.
VH: Hold on. You're gonna leave and *I* have to decide? *talk about confused*
Anna: What do you suggest?
VH: I don't know. *he doesn't mean to snap, but it just came out that way; he turns and sits on the bunk* But, I do know, that I spend far too much time alone already. *he's staring at the floor - he's not sure he can look at her just now*
Anna: *she doesn't know what to say--the whole situation, combined with the dulled pain in her head--has rendered her a little irritable. She wishes that she could do as she had after a nightmare when she was a child--curl up into a ball and cry until she felt better*
VH: *still staring at the floor - he doesn't know what to say either; he just knows that he doesn't want to be alone*
Anna: *finally pulls herself together, and moves to stand next to him...but not too close* When did you begin having doubts...?
VH: *still to the floor* About what?
Anna: About us.
VH: *looks up at her, brow slightly furrowed* I don't know. I don't think I am... I'm just not sure what... *very very softly* to do.
Anna: *She's very confused, by this point. She just shakes her head, and takes his hand in hers, brushing her lips against the back of it* You need to think about it...and I'll be waiting for you when you do.
VH: Anna, wait. *he keeps hold of her hand*
Anna: *turns back around*
VH: Anna... *he takes several breaths - normal ones* don't go. *and now his chest is so tight he can almost not breathe*
Anna: *looks at him quizically, the 'curl up and cry' emotion beginning to rise to the surface. Why could he get to her like that? It just wasn't fair.*
VH: Please. *his voice almost breaks, mostly it just fades*
Anna: *offers a slight shrug, but surrenders. Her tone is broken when she finally wills herself to speak* Okay.
VH: *takes a deep breath, closes his eyes and looks at the floor* I don't want to be alone.
Anna: Why can't you look at me?
VH: ...hard for me...
Anna: Look at me. *tilts his chin upward* Talk to me. *almost pleadingly* Let me in.
VH: *he scowls a little, but his voice is still soft - volume-wise* I was going to, but you... *he motions to the door*
Anna: *expression softens, and she takes a step backward to sit down, still holding his hand in hers* I'm listening.
VH: I'm alone enough already. And I know nothing of my past. *it's probably not what she was hoping for, but it's a place to start*
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VH: But you - you had family. I... have nothing.
Anna: *looks down at his hand, then back to him, to show that she is still listening*
VH: What else do you want to know? *talking about himself w/o prompt isn't something he's really very good at*
Anna: Whatever you feel needs to be said. *She doesn't want to push him. Yet.*
VH: Will you yell at me if I tell you you're not helping? *it's mostly a mumble, if it's decipherable at all*
Anna: *chuckles a little, and shakes her head* No. *She grows serious once more* How can I help you?
VH: You asked if I cared for you... *he pauses* I'd like to think I do... *he blinks and looks at her* how can I tell? *and his voice is so soft, almost broken, again*
Anna: *reaches out to lay a hand on his cheek* I don't know, Gabriel. *looks to the floor, then back to him, searching his eyes.*
VH: Then, do you care for me? I know it's unfair to ask, since I can't answer you, but maybe you can help? *his words are jumbled and he has to make himself stop talking*
Anna: *says strongly without hesitation* Yes. I do.
VH: And how do you know?
Anna: I feel it. In my heart.
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Anna: *looks back down, withdrawling her hand, and placing it back on top of his own. Slowly, she turns her gaze upward to meet his eye* I want to be there for you, Gabriel, as you have for me.
VH: *looks at her and says softly* And, I'd like to be able to tell you more, but... I... I'm not sure how. *and he looks away*
Anna: *looks to the ceiling, then back to him* Well, this isn't getting us anywhere.
VH: *looks back* I'm sorry.
Anna: *shakes her head* No. *she begins to rise to her feet* I just wish I knew how to be of some help. *she smiles a little, in an attempt to lighten the mood* Shall we start over? *"Hi, I'm Anna, and you're not slaying vampires."*
VH: *blinks up at her* Start over?
Anna: This conversation. *She has a feeling they need to stop before one of them says something they'll later regret.*
VH: Okay. I don't know if I understand why, but okay. What was the beginning?
Anna: You said that maybe we should stop...I...don't believe I said anything, actually. *she pauses, then resumes to their conversation* Why?
Hghlnder2: VH: Why what? Why should we stop? *he frowns a bit - more thinking than actually asking her*
Anna: No. *she stops, realizing something* Why do you feel as though you can't...just be. I'm not going to be a judge of you.
VH: *is confused even more* I am - just being. I don't know how to be anything else. I kill evil. *gets up and walks to the window*
Anna: *understands, and continues gently* And when does the great Mr. Van Helsing get to consider his own interests? His own will?
VH: *to the window* Apparently, I don't. *he's staring - a lot - out the window - eyes unfocused*
Anna: *she moves toward him, speaking with a new zeal--a new passion.* Maybe it is time he starts. *This is no longer about them--but for the sake of his own good. His own happiness.*
VH: *still at the window* But can I?
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VH: Blurred landscape. *he's so literal*
Anna: *rolls her eyes, but continues with the same energy* Look harder.
VH: *turns to her* What am I looking for out the window? *yeah - head like a rock*
Anna: *turns her attention toward the passing landscape* that, Mr. Van Helsing is the world you seek to protect.
VH: *follows her line of sight and shakes his head* I don't think it is. I don't protect the world. I follow orders.
Anna: *looks back to him* Then you choose to do the work you do.
VH: In part, yes.
Anna: Then have you ever considered taking a holiday?
VH: No.
Anna: Why not?
VH: I don't know.
Anna: *steps into his line of vision, offering a slight smile* I'll consider it for you. You need one, and desperately.
VH: *raises his eyebrows a little* Probably.
Anna: *looks back down the floor and nods--her point effectively stated*
VH: Is that it? Or does taking a holiday require something special? *he's almost smiling - almost*
Anna: *looks back up at him with a slight shake of her head* It entails simply taking the time to be happy. Carefree. *Two words with meansing they were both unaccustomed to*.
VH: Happy. *he says it like he's trying to get used to the word*
Anna: Happy. *she gives an affirmative nod*
VH: And how do we do that? Be happy? *he asks, serious*
Anna: You find something--someone, perhaps--that seems to make the entire world disappear.
VH: Then, maybe I am happy. *and he looks confused - like he isn't sure he's supposed to be*
Anna: *struggles internally for a moment, then presses her lips to his, before pulling away quickly--apologetically.* Sorry.
VH: Why are you sorry? *confused-face (tm)*
Anna: Because you said....that....*pauses*
VH: *waits*
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VH: *still waiting - not so good with the sentence completion if they're not his*
Anna: *finally finishes* You said that maybe we shouldn't.
VH: But I didn't say that I wasn't happy or that I didn't want to; just that maybe we shouldn't... shouldn't move so fast - I think. *ramble ramble ramble*
Anna: *blinks, then smiles* But you didn't mean that...?
VH: *sighs* Will you please finish your questions if you want me to answer them? *but, his tone is not harsh*
Anna: ....Hard for me...
VH: *smirks* Yeah. *kisses her*
Anna: *pulls away with a bit of an uncharacteristic giggle* Now really, why was that so difficult?
VH: Which part? B/c I think I did the kiss okay.
Anna: The talking part. *teasingly* The kiss was fine.
VH: Talking? B/c I don't. Remember, two questions. Evil things don't really chat.
Anna: I like talking to you.
VH: Do I have to talk back? *with a bit of a grin*
Anna: *playfully hits him in the arm* Preferably.
VH: Or... *kisses her again - b/c talking - nah*
Anna: *pulls him close to her, but turns her head after a moment. There is something she needs to know--needs to hear. She rests her head on his shoulder, controlling her tone, and then inquires* Do you know yet?
VH: *b/c he has a strange undying curiosity* Why is it so important to you that I answer that? *and he wants to know* It's not that I don't want to answer, or that I won't, I just want to know.
Anna: *She falls silent, and speaks up several moments later in a quiet tone* Because you're all there is for me now. All that matters. *turns away, almost embrassed to have admitted this*
VH: Me? *little bit o' shock*
Anna: *bites her lip, but turns back to him, her eyes conveying the truth to the statement.*
VH: *reaches a hand out to brush over her cheek* If I tell you 'yes' - does that change anything?
Anna: *considers, then shrugs helplessly* I don't...I don't know.
VH: I'm not doing this very well, am I? *retracts his hand, but can't decide where else he should put it, b/c crossing his arms seems really stand-off-ish and... he just drops his arm to his side*
Anna: All I ask is for an honest answer.
VH: *nods* I think so. I... *deep breath* ...yes. *and his shoulders fall - like they've been freed of a weight*
Anna: *hugs him*
VH: *stands there as his arms are pinned down - or he would hug back*
Anna: *realizes this, and steps back with a sheepish countenance*
VH: *very small smile, then pulls her close*
Anna: *wraps her arms around him and lays her head against his chest*
VH: *strokes her hair*
Anna: *smiles inwardly* Thank you. For just… being.
VH: Perhaps I should thank you. *whispers*
Anna: What on earth for?
VH: Being stubborn.
Anna: *laughs lightly*
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Anna: *looks around* This is unusual... Have you ever been to Venice?
VH: Just once. Didn't stay long. *looks around, and looks a bit annoyed that the train had to stop - reports to be done and all that*
Anna: And did you find it to your liking?
VH: Not sure. All I saw was the backside of a church. Like I said, didn't stay long. *and he seems a bit distracted*
Anna: *quirks an eyebrow* Something on your mind?
VH: Huh? *looks at her* What? No. I'm sorry. I'm here. Really. *puts a hand on her shoulder; he's kinda still not*
Anna: *turns to give him one of her 'doubtful' looks*
VH: What? *a bit of a frown*
Anna: *simply* I don't believe you.
VH: About what?
Anna: ....And you said I was the stubborn one.
VH: Never said *I* wasn't.
Anna: *smirks*
VH: I'm sorry. What should we do? Since it appears we may be here for a bit.
Anna: *pointedly* I've never been here before.
VH: *smirks* Yes, I know. But what would you like to do?
Anna: Something other than stare at the back of a church.
VH: Some help you are.
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VH: So I've noticed. Come on. *walks down a street, turns a corner, down another street and crosses a small bridge over a side canal*
Anna: *pauses a moment, taking in her surroundings*
VH: *stops and turns when he gets the sense that she's no longer following; he goes back to stand next to her in the center of the bridge* Beautiful, yes? *he looks toward the Grand Canal*
Anna: *nods in agreement* Very.
VH: *hoists the bag on his arm higher up his shoulder* There's more than this. *he whispers in her ear, tugging a bit at her arm - just a bit*
Anna: *turns to face him, and the slightest of smiles brushes her expression*
VH: *he stops* What?
Anna: Nothing. Lead on.
VH: *shakes his head* Come on. *he turns and crosses the bridge, walks down a small street to a larger street that lines the Grand Canal - they can almost see the Ponte Rialto from where they are*
Anna: *resists the urge to stop again, and continues to follow him, though a few steps behind* I like it here. *said suddenly, but with assurance*
VH: *he smiles, knowing she can't see; he lied about his last trip here; he saw more than the back of a church* Good.
Anna: *catches up to him* Why do you walk as though you are on a schedule?
VH: *frowns and looks at his feet* I don't. This is how I walk.
Anna: *takes his hand in her's* Slow down. Enjoy the sights. *smirks again* It's not every day that train difficulties leave you in Venice.
VH: *slows his long-legged gait a little* Yes ma'am. *smirks back* True, but this bag is heavier than it looks. *bag holds: shotgun, additional blades for the Tojo's; some clothing - minor stuff like shirts - the 45lb x-bow; bolts; bullets; shells; etc etc etc*
Anna: Where do you want to put it? Or, for that matter, where are you headed?
VH: There's an Inn not far from here. Near the Ponte Rialto.
Anna: *quirks an eyebrow* Is it near to this church of yours?
VH: *he laughs* Actually, no. I'll show you the church later. *walks a bit and the turn down a small street just before they reach the Rialto*
Anna: *mutters something about '..seems to know the city a little too well to have just seen the back of a church.'*
VH: What was that?
Anna: *just quirks an eyebrow*
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Anna: *follows interestedly*
VH: *knocks politely on the door and waits for an answer*
Anna: *looks around a bit more, noting the location of the Inn*
Innkeeper: *opens the door, then very nearly shuts it again*
VH: *puts out a hand to hold the door open* Now, is that any way to treat a weary traveller... *he begins in Italian* ... and his weary lady friend? *he steps back a bit to reveal Anna standing a bit behind him*
Anna: *looks from VH to the innkeeper, and offers a bit of a helpless smile--she knows how to play the cards*
Innkeeper: *in Italian* I should turn you away, but I've never been rude to a lady.
VH: *Italian* Thank you. *he nods*
Innkeeper: *puts a hand on VH's chest* *Italian* If anything like the last time happens, you will sleep in the street.
VH: *nods and says nothing as the Innkeeper steps out of the way, but he steps back and motions for Anna to enter ahead of him*
Anna: *nods graciously to the innkeeper as she passes him*
Innkeeper: *leads the two of them up a staircase to a room, and unlocks the door. He steps back to allow them to enter*
VH: *stays at the back, letting Anna walk between the innkeeper and himself*
Innkeeper: *turns to leave, then moves to hand the key to VH, then hesitates, and turns to Anna who holds a hand out expectantly. With a slight scowl, he turns back to VH to drop it in his hand.*
VH: *smirks a bit as the innkeeper leaves, thanks him in Italian, then motios for Anna to enter the room*
Anna: *does so* What on earth....?
VH: What? *looks confused as he, finally, puts the bag down*
Anna: *gestures toward teh now shut door to indicate the innkeeper* Old friend?
VH: *a grin* No.
Anna: *smirks, and continues teasingly* Could have fooled me.
VH: *shrugs* He's an innkeeper. I stayed here before. Guess he doesn't like me much. *starts digging through the bag for nothing in particular*
Anna: *nods, and leans against the wall*
VH: *w/o looking up* What?
Anna: *surprised* Nothing.
VH: *stops poking in the bag and turns around* If you want to ask me something, just ask.
Anna: I don't want to ask you anything. *confused*
VH: *takes off his hat and coat* Okay, I think you've just moved past stubborn and into Really Stubborn.
Anna: What makes you say that?
VH: If you want to know why the innkeeper doesn't like me, just ask.
Anna: Fine. Why doesn't the innkeeper like you?
VH: I broke his kitchen. *beat*
Anna: You what?
VH: Broke the kitchen. *very nonchalant that VH*
Anna: And how did you manage that?
VH: With great skill. *smirk* Vampire.
Anna: Ah....
VH: So, really, the vampire did most of the breaking. I was just trying to kill her.
Anna: Did it work?
VH: *nods*
Anna: Good job, then.
VH: The Order had to pay for the kitchen. It's been fixed. Don't know what the innkeeper's problem is really. *he shrugs*
Anna: *just shakes her head, concealing a bit of a grin*
VH: *moves and is in front of her, almost pinning her to the wall, before she realizes it; and he puts a hand on the side of her face and leans in to kiss her - hard*
Anna: *kisses him back, though is somewhat taken-aback. She recovers quickly*
VH: *leans forward a bit, pressing her into the wall - he doesn't exactly know / understand why, just that it seems - *right* isn't necessarily the right word, but it doesn't seem wrong - still kissing; pushing his hand into her hair, using the other to brace himself against the wall*
Anna: *rests her hands on his shoulders gently*
VH: *pulls away a bit, licking his lips* I'm sorry. *whispers, very soft*
Anna: *curiously* Why?
VH: *still whispering* I startled you.
Anna: You did.
VH: Didn't mean to. *his hand is still in her hair and his eyes slide closed*
Anna: No, I know.
((con't later - in next post))