Runaway (Katie and Malyen)

Katie knew the children of the city. She studied them; their behavior, their social groups; their games and hopes and fears. She could always tell when a group was thinking of running off. And, as much as she hated it, she hadn't been wrong yet. It happened at least once a month. It was another one of the cycles. She wished she could make them understand what a massive waste of time and life these efforts were, accepting that would be to give up hope. And none of the kids could afford to abandon it. 

From what she'd been hearing, a group of children was planning to leave in less than in an hour. 

She'd suspected it. These children had spoke of it many times, thinking that no one could hear their whispers. She knew she couldn't chase them down on her own, so she sprinted through the city, searching for another vampire to assist her. Hopefully they'd be able to teach the children a lesson, and escort them back to their home without losing too many livestock.

Malyen was surveying the streets as she took another one of her casual walks. She wasn't one to sit by and do nothing, or allow others to have all the fun. Half the time, she could spot something interesting or find new ways to get around things. Her blonde hair fell behind her as her hood laid at her shoulders. She could feel the edges of her jacket brush up against her knees as she walked, enjoying the area. She knew these streets like the back of her hand, as well as most of the nooks and crannies around the area. She wasn't a fan of authority, and often tried to find ways around it, or places she could escape. Most nobles would give up after a while, others would be too persistent. Either way was fun for her, she enjoyed the thrill. She didn't keep much of an eye on the children, didn't see much need to. Most of them weren't threats and would never be. The died more often than not. She sighed as she laid her hands at her sides and spotted a familiar vampire, beginning to walk towards them.

Katie spotted Malyen from afar, recognizing her and starting to sprint towards her. "Hello!" she called out, slowing as she reached the other vampire. 

"It's me, from yesterday," she said hurriedly. "I need help. There's a group of children getting ready to escape. I don't want to run after them on my own. They could have already left by now. I'd really appreciate it if you'd come and teach them a lesson with me. We need to round them up, and get as many of them back as we can while making sure they won't try this again. Usually picking off the ringleader works." 

She hoped Malyen would recognize the seriousness of the situation. Katie worried that she might hold a grudge from yesterday; Katie hadn't made the best impression. But this was a problem above what either of them felt, and she trusted Malyen to understand this and come to her aid. There was a sense of camaraderie among common vampires (except for the ones in the nobles' pockets), and Katie was banking on it.

Malyen hadn't walked far when the younger vampire noticed her, and walked towards her. Considering Katie's behavior the other day, Malyen was surprised to say the least at the action, though her face remained as graceful as ever as she simply smirked. Katie then spoke in a rush, as if time was of the essence. 
A group of children....Malyen realized how common the issue was, but was curious why Katie seemed so dreadfully panicked. They children wouldn't get very far either way. Though it was interesting, and would definitely brighten up her day. Rounding livestock wasn't a huge issue, even for a commoner like herself. Malyen could hear the desperation in Katie's voice, not that she cared. But it would solve boredom, and who knows? Maybe something good night come out of it. 
"Sure~ Do you have any idea where they would be?"  
Malyen asked, wondering how much Katie knew about the children trying to break out.

"They're in the slums," Katie said, turning and starting to rush towards them. "Heard other kids whispering about it...this group's been flighty for a while, though, so I can't say I didn't suspect it." She broke into a job. She really hoped Malyen didn't kill all of them. Katie was eager to stop them before they managed to get far. There was no reason for the children to die. Well, at least the ones that weren't breaking rules.

Malyen follows Katie and ran at a slight jog, not in much of a hurry but excited to be doing something. Malyen wasn't planning on doing anything rash, though she was expecting she would probably end up doing so anyway, as it fits her quite well. Katie didn't seem like the person who would stop her anyway. 
"Makes sense. I doubt they'll get too far, all things considered." Malyen replied to Katie's information as they headed for the slums, the buildings gliding past them as Mal heard their own footsteps echo the quite streets of Sanguinem.

"Please, don't get violent with them unless it's needed," Katie said. "We keep losing livestock in these runaway attempts because vampires lose control, and it isn't necessary." She spotted the house where the children lived, and slowed. The door was wide open, and she couldn't sense any heartbeats or breath. "No, no...they got out," she said in a huff of frustration. "We have to go after them now." It was hard to distinguish the smell and heartbeat of the runaways from the rest of the livestock, and her senses weren't the best. Maybe Malyen knew where to go. 

"Can you sense them?" Katie asked, looking over at Malyen.

Malyen shrugged at Katie's words, she knew livestock was continuously getting killed because vampires like her were bored to death, but she didn't think about that too much. There were also plenty of livestock out there to grab as well. Nonetheless she would *try*. Katie had brought them to what appears to be the house the group of children lived in, the door was wide open. Katie sounded upset, she didn't seem excited at all about the prospect over what they would be doing. When Malyen was asked where they children may have gone, she focused. Most livestock smelled the same, she didn't spend much time with them either and couldn't distinguish my looking. But she could tell the difference between a human's footsteps and a Vampires, especially sense there weren't many vampires in this area of the district, that and she could hear rushing heartbeats belonging to multiple pairs of feet slapping against the concrete. The children had not gotten far, her face had been emotionless from the concentration and she quickly went back to her signature smirk. "Oh yeah, I've found 'em. They aren't far~" She said confidently as she began to chase it, following her ears more than anything else. She just assumed Katie would follow her, but wouldn't be disappointed if Katie didn't. Her own boots made noise against the slab as she ran gracefully towards the escapee's, no one would be getting away.

Katie sprinted after Malyen, her eyes wide with panic. She looked down every alleyway for the children. 

It wasn't that she wanted to protect the children. She just didn't want there to be unnecessary violence, and she felt sure that Malyen would kill more than just the ringleader. Usually, it was easy to be angry with the children. Katie could easily shut her emotions out, blaming them for their foolishness and letting the other vampires do what they wished with them. But this group had several small children in it, at least three under the age of five. This wasn't their fault. They'd just done what they were told, and they could learn, if given another chance.

Soon, Katie could detect their increased heart rates. The children were only a few streets away. Katie stayed close to Malyen, ready to intervene if she needed to.

Katie was sticking close to Malyen, but she couldn't care any less. She would attempt to be civilized...But her excitement at the upcoming prospect was becoming more and more evident. Should she have a heart rate, it would definitely be speeding up. The buildings whizzed past her as her feet took after the sound as she got closer and closer, eventually reaching her destination, Katie was never far behind. As she got ahead of the group and turned around to approach them, it wasn't hard for the children to catch sight of her, as well as the smaller vampire who stood right next to her. The younger children, couldn't have been older than 5, maybe 6, took no time hiding behind the older pre-teen, whom Malyen assumed to be the ring leader. Her blonde hair blew past her face softly, as her red eyes scanned the area. The ring leader glared at Malyen and Katie, her eyes almost boring holes into their stomachs. The fear was clear within the younger kids, almost looking as if they wanted nothing to do with it. Malyen took a step towards the girl who was standing protectively in front of her younger 'siblings'. Malyen almost found it adorable. Almost. 
"Well, well. Some more livestock had ideals of the outside? What's out there for you that's better than in here?" Malyen's voice dripped with sarcasm as her foot found its way into their ring leader, leaving her on the ground and the children trying to muffle their voices of fear. Malyen stared down the ring leader as she lifted her head and looked at the other children, a smirk finding it's way on her face. 
This was so much better than walking around Sanguinem.

Katie huffed in anger, rushing up to the smaller children and shoving them back from Malyen and the ringleader. She looked down at them, her face stern. They yelped, clinging to each-other and shaking. She pitied them. They hadn't asked for this. They'd just done what they were told. 

"You didn't want to do this, right?" she asked, glaring at them. The children froze, shaking and not answering. Katie glared at them, stepping forward. Two of them fell down in fright. "Answer me. You didn't want to do this!" 

One of the children managed to nod, and Katie relaxed, turning back to look at Malyen. She had cause to defend them, then. Maybe she could get the three of them out of this.

Malyen watched the exchange, amused. She hadn't expected Katie to interfer, it almost appeared as if Katie didn't want to hurt the children any more than she had too. Katie actually looked like she would fight Malyen if it meant protecting mere livestock, something Malyen couldn't help but feel admiration towards. She turned her eyes down to the ring leader, who still had a spark of defiance left, but kept glancing back at the younger ones. She almost looked....relieved? That Katie would protect them...Albeit only for a few moments. Malyen felt a surge of jealously, one that was quickly repressed. She had never had anyone even show her that kindness before, but she was witnessing it now. 
...Perhaps not ALL people are entirely horrible... The thought lingered for a bit until it was washed away in the sea of other thoughts. She took a step back, and held her hands in the air as a surrender. She had no reason to fight Katie, especially since Vampires weren't supposed to have an outright fight in the middle of the streets like this, and the last thing Malyen needed was more nobles breathing down her back. 
"Fine fine. You can live for now, livestock~ But if you try something like this again." She paused.
"I can promise... you won't be shown the same kindness." Malyen said softly yet still in her sarcastic manner, flashing her teeth.

Katie visibly relaxed, but turned to see the ring leader. She advanced on the girl, glaring down at her furiously. "You could have gotten them killed. Do not try this again. Do you know what's outside those walls? Demons. Monsters that will rip all of you into shreds. There is no better life than the one you have here. There are humans on the streets, sick and dying, begging to be allowed to come to this place. Take them-" She pointed to the group of small children. "And take them home. If you try this again, I will make sure all of you are killed." 

The ring leader nodded shakily, standing up and murmuring thanks before going to collect the younger children. Katie turned to Malyen, smiling slightly. 

"I'm sorry. I only wanted to save the young ones, I truly thought you'd kill the older girl," she admitted.

Malyen shrugged. "Under normal circumstances, Yes. I definitely would have. But these were not entirely normal circumstances~" Malyen teased, but her voice sounded as sincere as it could possibly get, given her sarcastic attitude. She didn't completely understand why she was being so nice, and tried not to think about it too much. Malyen watched the older children go as she then turned to Katie. "Why though. Why would you only want to save the younger ones?" She was curious, most vampires wouldn't have even thought of protecting even a single live stock, no matter the age. Katie was a peculiar one... Someone she could see herself getting along with in the distant future, should Katie live up to the potential Malyen had just witnessed. She was in a better mood, as well as a calmer one than before. Her smirk still displayed on her face, but her feral tendencies had once again hidden themselves, she had been in society for too long. She once again shrugged at the thought, not entirely caring.

"They're too young to be blamed for their actions," she dismissed. "And they can learn. If they see us as merciful protectors, there will be less of these runaway attempts." She watched as the children rushed down the alleyway, the older girl carrying two of the small children. "Less scuffles, less death...which means more livestock, in the end." She looked over at Malyen. "I've got a soft spot for the little ones, as well. Though, I'd be grateful if you don't run around repeating that."

Malyen's face remained as stoic as ever. Katie's words weren't wrong, but she did seem awfully merciful for a vampire, much less any living sentient being still alive. Seeing how young Katie was, it wouldn't surprised Malyen if Katie hadn't been a vampire for a long time, or remembered much of her human life. She looked a whole lot younger than the other vampires, she was probably turned like Malyen herself was. Malyen had mercy for people too, for those who had no one. For those mistreated by all those around them for no reason at all. She hadn't thought of other Vampires doing similar things, giving mercy to those who reminded them of themselves when they were human. She was still learning things as she went, this experience she found to be beneficial, and was not regretting letting those children go. "Don't give me a reason to, and i won't~" Her voice took it's sarcastic lilt again.

Katie glared at her. She didn't like Malyen's attitude. She was grumpy, irritable and confusing. She crossed her arms, shaking her head dismissively. "You won't tell them," she snapped commandingly. "Why won't you drop that attitude, it's very irritating. I don't mind if you don't like me, but don't tease me like that." She didn't understand Malyen, and it was driving her crazy. At first, she thought she'd understood her motivations, but Malyen had changed her views. She had shown restraint, something Katie hadn't expected.

Malyen noticed Katie's glare, she just didn't care. Katie actually seemed angry with her, Malyen smiled at that. She enjoyed riling people up, Katie seemed just as easy as others. "Tease you? I'd do nothing of the sort~" Malyen replied, not purposefully intending anything. She wouldn't actually tell anyone, unless Katie decided to do something against Malyen, in which she wouldn't mind telling someone. Malyen also would tell someone if it looked like she could gain from it. She didn't view that as a huge secret, Katie's weakness with human children was actually pretty evident. Malyen wasn't even the smartest person around and she could tell with her bright red eyes. Though she did decide to explain one of her actions. "Don't take it personally, I don't like anyone." Malyen explained, the sarcasm in her voice continuing to be evident. She didn't want Katie to feel too special now~