Headington

Claire eagerly embraces Liam, her warmth and vitality a sharp contrast to his cold, undead body. The passion in her exchange is palpable, her enthusiasm leaving no doubt that she revels in her bond with him. Her lips part from his skin with a breathy laugh, her eyes shimmering with admiration as she wipes a trace of crimson from the corner of her mouth. "You always know how to make us feel alive, Liam," she says playfully, her fingers brushing lightly against his arm. "The party is coming together beautifully. It’s going to be the event of the year, trust me." Aisha, on the other hand, is more reserved. She hesitates for a moment before stepping forwards, her movements almost mechanical as she accepts the exchange. Her touch is tentative, her breath uneven and her expression carefully guarded. Yet, beneath her professional demeanour, there’s a flicker of vulnerability, a subtle indication of her internal conflict. When she steps back, she adjusts her jacket, avoiding Liam’s eyes. "Thank you, Liam," she says softly, her voice tinged with unease. "My project is progressing well. The interviews are yielding some fascinating insights into the challenges faced by women in sports. I may need your input on analysing some of the gender dynamics — it’s your area of expertise, after all." "She’s just too proud to admit she misses you, you know,"   Claire interjects with a smirk. Aisha shoots her a sharp glance but says nothing, her lips pressing into a thin line. Instead, she redirects the conversation. "We’ve been keeping everything in order while you were gone. The party’s ready to go and Claire’s been obsessing over every detail, but, honestly, we were worried. How long were you in the Hedge? Did you find what you were looking for?"

Liam sighs and sits down into the chair at Mehdi's table. Though exhaustion didn't really take him anymore, the human habits that came from mentally battling a problem stuck with him. He gestures for the girls to join him. "That is tough to explain. I suppose I should start at the beginning. Last time we met, I told you that I was in some trouble, that many people would be wanting to harm me and that I was left in quite a bind between a murder and getting murdered myself."  He looks to them, waiting for the nod of confirmation before he continues. "Well, the hedge is a complex place, so complex that tracking me there is more or less impossible. Mehdi is a wonderful guide, and a gracious host and he found a place where we can safely stay. The drawback is that time flows differently there. To us, less than a day has passed since we left you. Moreover, none of the technology we use, functions in quite the same way there, so we can't call or email." He waits for a moment for this to sink in. "Now, that's not to say I haven't been thinking on my bind. Tomorrow, after I help Mehdi with his task, I owe him that before I risk my life, I shall throw myself on the mercy of my sire. Before then though, and perhaps after until she catches up with me, I have some things I have wanted to do. Helping you both is an important thing for me to do. I would love to look at your data and offer you guidance there. A last party is obviously essential too." He grins. "But there is a bigger weight on my mind, if I may be departing this existence. Before I became what I am now, I never had the chance to father a child. Before you, I had never taken a ghoul either, and I felt it may be my opportunity to experience that mentorship. I enjoy it very much, but I think now, I desire to continue my bloodline, and I suppose it is right to offer that to the two of you first." He pauses, looking for the immediate reactions of the pair. "It is a big thing, to leave your families, leave the sun and your soul, and I would not blame you for hating the idea, but I would not give the gift to another should you want it."

Claire's face lights up at Liam's words, her enthusiasm nearly bubbling over as she leans forward, eyes sparkling. "You really mean that?" She asks, her voice tinged with awe and excitement. "To be like you? To have all of this... power, immortality, and to be able to stay by your side? Liam, it's — it's incredible." Her voice falters slightly, her words both eager and nervous. "Of course, it's a lot to think about, but... I can't imagine a greater honour." Aisha sits more stiffly in her chair, her expression guarded. She glances briefly at Claire before her eyes return to Liam. "You're offering to sire us?" She asks slowly, her tone measured and cautious. "That’s not a gift to take lightly, Liam. You said it yourself — leaving the sun, leaving our families, our lives as they are now." Her lips press into a thin line and she folds her arms across her chest. "I need time to think about this. It’s not something that I can decide in the moment." Claire reaches out and takes Aisha’s hand, giving it a squeeze. "I understand," she says softly. "It’s... a lot, but think about what we’ve already given up, Aisha. We’re already part of this world. Liam’s already changed our lives in ways we can’t undo. Maybe this is the next step."

Liam smiles. "It's really nice to see the two of you getting on. I made good choices in you both. It is a big decision and I would like to give you all the time you need, it is not something that can be undone, but be aware, I cant make you a vampire if I meet my final death before you decide." He pats them both an affectionate pat on the knee.

Claire reaches out and places her hand over Liam’s, her eyes shimmering with a mix of gratitude and trepidation. "Liam, that means… everything to me, that you’d even offer something so monumental. You’ve given me so much already. Your guidance, your protection, this crazy new world that I never imagined existed. I…" she hesitates, biting her lip. "I’d be lying if I said that the thought of it doesn’t scare me, but it also excites me. I don’t think I should give you an answer right now. I need to really think about what this would mean." Aisha, sitting a little more stiffly, nods as Claire speaks. When Claire falls silent, Aisha clears her throat. "I appreciate the offer, Liam. I really do. It’s just…" she looks down at her hands, fidgeting with the hem of her sleeve. "I need to know if this is the right path for me. If this is something I could live with... or unlive with, I guess. You’ve opened my eyes to so much, but it’s not just about me, you know? My family, my career…" She shakes her head slightly, before meeting Liam’s eyes. "I’ll think about it. I promise I will."

Liam turns up his palms in acceptance. "I would have expected no different. It is right to think heavily on this. I hope that I can be around to sire you both when the time is right. Now, shall we sleep? I have a gig to play in the evening!"

The late-night streets of Headington are damp with drizzle and reflections of the neon shopfronts glisten in the rain-darkened pavement . Daxon leaves Liam's flat with his hood pulled up, the chill autumn air curling around him like an old friend. The sound of traffic on London Road is a constant hum in the background. Buses grumble and the occasional siren wails in the distance. The changeling's phone buzzes and the caller ID reads 'Jimmie Franks'. Unusual for this hour.

Daxon watches the mist of his breath electrified by the neon lights for a moment before raising the phone to his ear. "H'lo, Jimmie! Glad you called - everything alright?"

When Daxon answers, Jimmie’s voice is tight. He sounds a little frantic, but like he's trying to stay cool. "Dax, I’ve got a problem. One of my drivers picked up a fare near Cowley Road. Slick fella. Too pale and smelled wrong. Paid in cash, but when the guy pulled the bills out, something else fell with 'em. A coin. Heavy, old… the thing's warm, Dax. Warm like it's breathing. Driver’s spooked. Brought it straight to me and now the coin's gone missing from the glovebox. Vanished. You catch my drift?" Jimmie clears his throat and lowers his voice. "This is your kind of weird. I don’t want it blowing back on me or the boss. Can you get over here? I’ll keep the driver at the office. Headington depot."