Love in a hopeless place -- Open

[shideh]

Running her hand over the dusty, ragged walls of Volterra Castle, Athenodora wasted no time in criticizing the housekeeping. She assumed that the leaders must've been busy, too busy to notice. Athenodora noticed when the walls became ancient-looking, it was her only pride throughout the day. What else was a Volturi wife to do? She couldn't go out, not without bodyguards. And the flattery gained from her husband's affections had grown thin like a starving child. Her desire for blood was quenched like the others, a feast of humans given but once a day. Her shimmering red eyes scanned the castle in search of another life. She could not see anybody, but that didn't mean that no one was around. Vampires, all their special powers, it was hard to believe that the Volturi had yet to recruit them all. Powers were wasted on menial, trivial, mundane uses. If Athenodora had been gifted, she suspected that her life would not consist of one small bedroom.

This time, Athenodora was wandering the castle. She hoped to find her husband nearby, or someone that may let her escape. Just for a few hours, surely that wasn't too much to ask. The leaders tended to disagree, believing that the wives were the sole property of the Volturi and as such should be protected like royalty. Queen Athenodora felt differently. She wanted to be outside, not in the sun, no, but living amongst the shades of the trees. Watching children playing happily, and drinking deep from their mother's necks. She could only imagine what joys laid in wait for her outside.

Her vampire hearing caught the sound of something, someone moving around. Athenodora wasn't scared, but sketchy. She didn't know who it was, depending on the person they may tell Aro. They may tell Caius. Perhaps lock her back in her room. Athenodora was in plain sight in the middle of one of the many castle staircases. Picking up her long, Victorian-style dress she started to hastily walk down the steps, hoping to not be seen.

[Renata Irene Volturi]

Another day where none of the masters needed her around. She wrinkled her nose slightly, unhappy about being unwanted, then unhappy with herself for being unhappy. After all, if the masters didn't need her today, that meant they were perfectly safe right? Of course they were. There wasn't anyone visiting the Volturi today anyway she told herself. There was no one around to hurt them. She was just being paranoid. Again. She glanced behind her as she heard someone approaching and came to a halt. "Lady Athenodora! How nice to see you today. I hope you are well?" She asked respectfully. The wives, like the three leaders of the Volturi were partly thought of as family, and partly as kings and queens, and she a daughter or knight pledged to their service. That was how she saw it anyway.

She couldn't help but feel badly for the wives though. They were always in the castle, but not by choice. After Lady Didyme died, and she still did not know who had done such a thing, Masters Aro and Caius had kept their mates in the castle save for rare times they allowed the wives out of the castle. Of course, they had Corin to keep them content, but still...It wasn't the same. She felt her lips turn downward as she thought about it. Where was Corin anyway? Now that she thought about it, she realized that she hadn't seen the other guard in quite a while, save at mealtimes. Of course, she spent most of her free time with Alyx, or Jane and Alec, but still...It made her feel a little sad that she hadn't paid much attention to her sibling lately.

She frowned slightly as she noticed the woman was headed down the stairs that she herself had recently come up. "Is something wrong my lady?" She asked softly, wondering why the woman had started walking away from her. Was it something she said? She hadn't thought she'd offended Master Caius' wife lately. She hoped she hadn't, Lady Athenodora was truely a very sweet person, she didn't want to upset her.

[shideh]

"Oh it's you, Renata." she caught her breath, metaphorically, since she didn't actually breathe. Renata was no threat to her. Firstly she was Aro's bodyguard, not hers. Nor Caius's. Not that her aggressive husband needed a bodyguard. She had never seen a better fighter, or defender for that matter. "Nothing is wrong, I'm just going stir crazy that's all." she mumbled sadly, holding her arms in an act of vulnerability. She could cling to the thought that keeping her cooped up was merely the actions of a worried husband, but it didn't kill the fighting spirit within Athenodora that told her she should be out hunting her own food and enjoying the Italian culture. Her last attempt during the Renaissance, when she escaped and had to be brought back by the guard, was one of the most humiliating experiences of her entire life. And she had many years to base that on.

Athenodora appeared lost in thought. Truly, she was just trying to assess the situation. If Renata was there, that meant that she was not needed, which meant that the leaders were doing nothing important. The recognition that her husband may be alone, doing nothing of importance, yet not seeking her company was like a stab to the heart. And by extension, Renata, became a stab to the heart. Again, figuratively, as her heart no longer worked. Apparently. If her heart wasn't beating though, how could she love? Being a vampire brought it's own batch of philosophical questions.

"Where is my husband?" she asked, her voice tinged with a sharp edge like a dagger. Loud, with authority, yet not so much to cause an echo through the castle. She only reacted this way when she was feeling scared, or unsafe, or vulnerable in any way.

[Renata Irene Volturi]

Renata nodded when Athenodora realized who she was. "That it is my lady." She affirmed with a small smile on her face. Briefly, she wondered who Athenodora thought she was at first. Someone she didn't want to see obviously, but who? Well, it was something to ponder at a later date. She frowned a bit when Athenodora mentioned going stir crazy. "Ah, I see. Is there...anything I can do to help my lady?" She asked her master's wife, looking distinctly uncomfortable. Please do not ask me to look the other way while you leave the castle! She thought desperately. Only now did it occur to her that that was probably exactly what her master's wife had been trying to do, sneak out of the castle unnoticed. Then when she heard someone coming she ha turned around and started back the way she had come, not wanting one of the guard to catch her in the act and tell the masters about it. But Renata was hardly a threat in this case, she was mostly a pushover when it came to the wives, not likely to reveal it to anyone unless Aro happened to see it in her thoughts.

She was absolutely positive that she was supposed to do her utmost to stop the wives from leaving the Volturi's castle, so that they wouldn't be in danger, but she had a very difficult time saying no to either of the wives when they wanted to go out. For one thing, they were higher up than her in the Volturi hierarchy, meaning that they should be respected and obeyed at all times. For another, she truly cared about both of the wives, and while she wanted to keep them safe she also knew that they would not truly be happy without the freedom to leave the castle every once in a while. Oh, but the masters said they should not leave the castle! What to do, what to do... She thought as she debated with herself, looking distinctly unhappy with her situation.

She looked at the woman in front of her a bit startled when she heard the sharp edge in her voice. "I believe Master Caius has gone to 'let off some steam'. I think that's how people say it nowadays. He was quite upset at some of the things Master Aro said during the last meeting." She replied immediately. Of course, it seemed like Caius was always upset about something or another, at least when he wasn't with his mate. Not that she would ever say that aloud, it was greatly disrespectful after all.

[shideh]

Athenodora's face lit up as Renata talked about her husband letting off steam. That was her Caius, his passionate anger was so enthralling and attractive. It was what urged her to marry him all those years ago. His passion was beautiful. He was beautiful. "Very well. Send him a softly worded letter recommending that he come see his wife when he is free to do so." he may ignore the memo, he may not. Athenodora didn't hang her hopes on seeing her husband anytime soon, but it was worth a shot if he were feeling particularly in the mood to indulge her. Nothing would make her happier, but, if in the meantime her husband was nowhere to be found, what was the harm in leaving the castle for a short while?

"What will it be today, Renata? Do I get to ask nicely for you to allow me to leave the castle, or must I force a surrender from you?" she asked the guard with a feminine turn in her voice. She knew very well that Renata could be hot or cold in regards to this issue. She fought with the orders to keep the wives inside whilst also wanting to make her happy. As such, sometimes it was easy to get Renata to oblige her, other times, Athenodora had to be a little more forceful.

She didn't wait for Renata to answer her. She turned from her, walked towards the entrance of the castle where she had pre-arranged that their human secretary was on a lunch break. As she walked out, feeling the cold cloudy air on her face, she realized that she was parched. She needed a human to eat.

[Renata Irene Volturi]

For some reason, Lady Athenodora seemed pleased by the news that Caius was letting off steam. Why would anyone be pleased that their mate was unhappy? How very odd. Nonetheless, she nodded her head in understanding when Athenodora told her to send him a letter asking him to come see her. "Of course my lady. She said softly. Her lady was sure to be unhappy that her husband had not come to spend time with her in so long. She couldn't imagine how she would feel in Athenodora's position.

She closed her eyes and grimaced for a moment when Athenodora asked whether or not she would let her leave the castle without a fight. It was just what she'd been hoping Athenodora wouldn't ask her. It was only to be expected though, with the leader's wives being forced to stay in the tower most of the time, and her being such a pushover on the issue. Oh, why does she have to ask me these things? She thought to herself unhappily.

Apparently. Athenodora wasn't going to wait for an answer one way or the other, because while Renata was having her little dilemma she turned around and strode right through the entrance to the Volturi's home. With a sigh to herself, Renata hurried to catch up with her. Once she had she took hold of a small piece of the woman's clothing and fell into step with her. "What would you like to do today my lady?" She asked Caius' wife with a resigned tone. Most likely, the Volturi queen would want to feed before anything else.
.

[shideh]

Athenodora was pleased for Caius to be letting off steam because she knew it was his way of venting. Her husband, and she had long known this, could only remove his negative emotions with violence. He wasn't a 'talking things out' kind of guy, which was why it was pointless to approach him with any of her concerns. She tried to view his actions as heroic, like a prince protecting his princess. But sometimes it just felt like prison. Her eyes saddened to think of the castle that way, but it couldn't be helped.

There were many hours to go until sunrise, Athenodora was eager to get started. "I need a human to eat." she told the young guard. Athenodora knew that she would have to lie low to avoid detection, therefore she needed someone that wouldn't cause a tragedy. Something that could pass for an accidental death, perhaps? Or maybe she could hide the body? Suddenly, a painful thought struck her. What if Aro reads me? she thought to herself, with fear in her eyes. Well, she needed to make sure she gave the leaders no cause for alarm or concern. She could go, eat and come back before anyone knew that she was gone. and if there were any troubles, Renata could help. Although neither of them could escape Aro's power.

She sped through the night with her mighty vampire speed, clutching onto the trees of the forest and making sharp indentations on the trees as she went. She searched for humans that may be lost, or exploring, walking their dog, whatever. It didn't matter to her.

[Renata Irene Volturi]

Master Caius was...a very angry person. On one hand, this could be seen as a good thing, because the man's shear capacity for anger and hatred often intimidated the enemies of the Volturi. On the other, well she certainly wouldn't want that anger directed at her, which made her question the wisdom of letting Lady Athenodora leave the castle in the first place. What if he found out? She couldn't help the twinge of fear she felt at the thought. What if something happened to her lady while they were out? Oh dear, what if they ran into someone who had a power like Jane and Alec's? This was just getting worse and worse! Why did she ever agree to this?

Despite her worries she quickened her pace when Athenodora stated that she needed someone to eat. "Yes my lady." She said softly, glancing around the street. Surely everything would be fine. Lady Athenodora knew how to take care of herself, right? No she doesn't! She's been cooped up in a tower for centuries you nitwit, except when you let her out! Of course she doesn't know how to take care of herself! The more paranoid part of her mind told her. Unhappy with her current line of thought, she stretched her shield over Athenodora, just in case. She glanced around the street more cautiously now, assessing how much of a threat each of the people before them could be. "Was there anyone in particular you wanted my lady?" She asked respectfully surging to an even faster pace when they entered the forest. Please don't let Master Aro be too angry with me. She thought to herself as they searched for a decent meal.
.

[shideh]

Of course Athenodora didn't know how to look after herself. She had been cooped up for so long, she had long forgotten the tricks of staying discreet. She had academic smarts, she knew philosophy from Descartes to Deism. She could talk until the hours fell in surrender. Asking her to hunt was neither an impossible challenge nor something that she could honestly claim expertise in. It made her dainty heart wish that more members of the Volturi would wish to be educated, she feared she may have a passion for spreading knowledge amongst the world. She may know this for sure one day, once Caius decided that she would no longer require to be hidden, which could be centuries from then.

"Sssh. Renata. We are hunting." she hissed, attempting to sense a nearby human presence. She could feel her blood rushing at the thought of a helpless victim. If only my husband could see me now was her last thought before lashing through the trees. Before the human could blink, her nails dug into his shoulders as her mouth found it's sweet bloody chalice. She drank until her energy felt like a full life bar in a video game then dropped the corpse amongst the leaves.

"You see, Renata, there's nothing to worry about." she assured the nervous member of the guard.

[Renata Irene Volturi]

Renata's lips drew together in a thin line when Athenodora told her to be quiet, but she obeyed the admonition. She knew Athenodora had not had the chance to hurt for herself in many years, and she didn't want to deprive her of the opportunity. She watched as Athenodora sank her teeth into a human's neck, enjoying her meal. She really hoped Master Caius did not find out about this. He would be so furious, and it wasn't Athenodora that he would direct his anger at, it was her. He would be furious with her for not even attempting to stop his wife from leaving the safety of the Volturi's home. Still, what was done was done, it wasn't like she could change it now. I'll just have to live with the consequences. She thought as she moved next to Athenodora.

She frowned as Caius' mate finished her meal. Nothing to worry about, she said. Athenodora's self assurance only served to make Renata more nervous, though she didn't voice her thoughts. How could her lady truly think there was nothing to worry about? She hadn't been out of the castle in ages! How could she know what dangers might await them? Of course, she didn't think that any vampires just waited around watching the Volturi's home, ready to attack anyone who left it's safe walls. The humans certainly didn't pose much of a threat either, but still. What if something did happen? She just wished her lady wouldn't be so cavalier about it. She glanced around cautiously, looking for any threats. "What do you want to do now, my lady?" She asked turning back to look at the other woman.
.

[shideh]

There was nothing to worry about for Athenodora, likely due to her cooped up nature of living. When she did leave her chambers, she had her husband's protection at all times. In fact, he did more protecting her like a treasured jewel than being an actual husband. Although it never seemed to bother her when she was alone in the castle, which she suspected was something to do with Corin's presence. Sulpicia often provided comfort and they would muse what would happen if either of them ever got caught by a Romanian or other threat to the Volturi. 'I'd tear them apart before they could try', was always Sulpicia's aggressive reply. Athenodora's reply was more subtle, she would discuss complex escape routes and possibilities of Caius rushing in to discover that Athenodora had already saved herself. She frowned when Renata didn't seem to take her serious when she said there was nothing to worry about. Why did nobody seem to believe that she could handle herself?

Although Renata didn't say anything against Athenodora, her facial expressions read quite clearly that the member of the guard was nervous. Athenodora tried to take a second to appreciate that Renata was a member of the guard and was therefore more likely to suffer consequences for her departure from the castle. Although she doubted that either of them would be killed. Renata was a valued member of the guard. Then again, there was never any telling what the Volturi might do. With a sigh of surrender, she spoke:

"Alright, fine, I've had my fun. You can take me back." she said with her face pointing downward. She kicked some stray leaves aside with her feet and waited for her guard to lead her back into the castle; for now.