Renewal

[Xiomara]

The park was abandoned, left in ash though some patches of green were still visible. The grass was struggling to make it out of the thick blanket, wanting to reach towards the skies which had begun to clear up even more after the battle she had missed. Kneeling down she began to move the ash aside, giving the earth a chance to heal itself and thrive once more.

It wasn't raining but thick droplets of water fell and mingled with the remains of everything. Her hands balled into fists and her shoulders hunched as she allowed herself to weep for her inability to save anyone. Especially Ari, whom she hadn't seen since returning. The person whom she'd been with at this park, when it was still alive. "I'm sorry.... I'm so sorry...." Regardless of what Kenshu had said, she still felt responsible for so many deaths. All for what? For healing her heart of a rejection she couldn't handle? Simply put, Xiomara should have known better.

[Deleted]

He looked around seeing the woman crying he shook his head walking across to her he used his gifts with the flames to lift away the ashen remains leaving a large clear blackened area, but one that would once live again.
He didn't say anything and he kept his distance from her, not wanting to invade her space or her time to grieve.

[Xiomara]

The heat though not too near, was still felt upon her skin and she wiped at her face. Forgetting that they hand been buried in the ash and smearing it on her cheeks. The moss green eyes would narrow and flecks of cerulean would stain them, casting an eerie glow beneath the snow-white hair. "Might I ask who you are?"

[Deleted]

"You can ask what ever you want" he replied staying where he was only moving his hand to clear away more of the ash.
"My name is Erebus" he replied knowing she would want more information then this he awaited more questions knowing that everyone would be feeling very weary of strangers after the happenings.

[Xiomara]

Getting to her feet Xio moved a bit away from the flame but watched him work in silence. She'd never seen fire being wielded in this fashion before. "Thank you, Erebus. My name's Xiomara Duliese. Xiomara does just fine. Some call me Mara or Xio." Swallowing back the lumps in her throat, she moved to sit on a newly cleaned patch. "Do you know... how the war happened?"

[Deleted]

"Yes Xio I do" he replied quietly working his way now across the whole open expanse of land trying to clear all of it.
"I was made aware of it by a friend. I know a few who live here and I wanted to come and protect them. I could have stopped the fire which claimed this place but I was to late unfortunatley" he sighed knowing he could have prevented a lot of death "We found out to late that the Ancient vampires who are kin of your leaders here were planning an attack of vengance upon the Matashina twins they acted swifter then expected"

[Xiomara]

Frowning she pulled her knees to her chest and rested her chin atop them, watching him work. "It's alright Erebus, you weren't the only one that was late... This is my home, and I failed to defend it." Ruffled her own hair in exasperation. "I know Kenshu said that maybe those who lived might have died, but I can't help my thinking that if I had gotten here sooner I would have saved someone more deserving of the air we breathe." Looking up as he cleared more she noticed there was more life beneath all this desolation. "Who are your friends? I may know them... I hope they all survived."

[Deleted]

"But you could have also been one of the victims" he replied finishing up what he had set out to do.
"I know Lita, Kenshu, Daton, Mannix I know Vaughan, Nathaniel, Caine, Romal and Asha" he reeled off the names of the ones he had been asked to come and help.
"They survived and thats what you all should be celebrating. Yes many died but it could have been a shit load worse"

[Xiomara]

"Mannix.. I remember that grouchy werewolf." she'd chuckle, fond of the man despite learning his secret and their natural beast's dislike for one another. "I know Caine too. I hear he's marrying Sauri, and its about damn time." Looking up to Erebus she stood and moved closer, folding her hands politely in front of her and bowing. "I don't mind dying, but thank you. You have the flames of renewal and this park will be able to live again because of what you've done here today."

[Deleted]

"Yeah he has moved on now to bigger and better things I suppose" he looked around the park considering what she said with a rise of his eyebrows.
"It would have lived anyway I just sped it up a bit" he laughed.

[Xiomara]

"I didn't say flames of life, I said renewal. It would have taken longer to live, you've renewed people's hope." She shrugged and straightened nodding at his comment about Mannix moving on. "mmm...Yes, I suppose he has. Are you always so modest when someone compliments you?"

[Deleted]

He watched her as she tried to explain to him what she had said and he smiled.
"I'm sorry does the fact that I am modest offend you?" he grinned at least trying to cheer up the woman before him who had seen so deeply upset before.
"There is always hope, even from hell"

[Xiomara]

Blinking in surprise, her face became flushed and she fidgeted a little before chuckling. "Your modesty doesn't offend me. I'm just always guarded and extremely polite when I meet someone. Something bored into me by my upbringing."

Grinning now she looked around, feeling better for a little while. "Are you a hellion, that you know there is always hope from hell?"

[Deleted]

"Well don't worry about being polite around me, I am far from it"
He walked a little bit closer to her now that they had been having their conversation for a while it seemed rude to be keeping such a distance from her now.
"I have been there once for a short while, well it was long down there"

[Xiomara]

Nodding she grasped the opposing elbow of her arm with a hand behind her back and leaned against a tree. "Time does drag on down there, doesn't it?" Looking at him out of the corner of her eye while he answered. "Were you searching for someone or dragged down?"