Oliver Burton

The hollow clinking sound of that blood tinted bullet hitting the floor brought on a wave of relief to Oliver. His sweat sheened body that was riddled with strain began to finally relax, worry that the pain would rouse the bear within him once more even when he was sure he was no condition to shift once more. That instinct to react to that pain had been suppressed for the sake of removing that deeply lodged metal buried within his flesh. He drew in longer unsteady breath, exhaling that stress that this night had buried within him. He could only imagine what the very woman felt, having being sucked into a vortex of intensity neither of them would have wanted. Routine and polished were what Oliver had created for himself and while he had lived with his bear since the very beginning, it had never been so riotous. It was clearly unhappy with his current busy life.. the constant climb and grind of his business and maintaining that very power had finally taken his toll. Something had to give. That need to be one step ahead had to ease up at some point. He could hardly risk losing control of his beast within his ivory tower and that might as well be a reality if change did not happen. But how? How could he keep his sister safe without that power and sway he wielded? A problem for another day it would seem. That problem seemed to be a constant buzz, however slight within his own busy single-driven mind.

A shaky sigh escaped him as that grip upon that poor pillow lessened just so. He was glad he hadn't dropped it for the sake of the poor woman who had helped him. The last thing he wanted was for Chizue to flee form him. She seemed timid enough to dash away in a moments notice, like one false move and she would have put as much distance as possible between himself and her.. If she possessed a heartbeat, he knew he could hear its irregular patter. He wondered what it would do if she saw him... all of him, if she saw that desire that clung to the man even though she wished only to aid him and see to him out of her very home. But there was something about the way she yielded to him, how gentle her hands were and how she looked upon her knees that tugged at some innate sensation with himself. What was wrong with him? His inner bear was truly taking the wheel tonight, somehow choosing her for some reason.. beyond his own control, or perhaps it knew something he had yet to acknowledge.

It took several moments for the man to simply collect himself, uncaring the warm blood that streamed down his upper thigh, drawing downward to his calf and soon to the floor if it continued further. The woman quickly attending to it with a piece of cotton, taking much care in mopping up the stray wayward blood that easily escaped him. He should have been more worried than he was and yet he was almost too busy in relishing in that feel of someone caring for him. How long had it been since anyone took the time to tend to him. How long had it been to let them.. beyond more than a physical release. Praise was not an easy thing to come from him and yet, he offered her those words all the same, that appreciation that she chose to help him when others would have simply chosen to ignore the struggling man.

He however, seemed to still sense her weariness, it clung to her like a cozy sweater. That comment he offered to try and alleviate some of that had apparently did very little. The oriental woman seeming to focus on not much else but now, reaching to collect a towel before pressing it to his wound, that warning at what she was intending to do uttered. "Of course.." he replied, giving her permission to add pressure to that bleeding... slow healing wound. That silver would surely see to it that it took forever to heal. The initial press of that fabric had made him flinch slightly from the pain even as he remained, surely it would have been worse still lodged in there.

It was the inquiry of clothes that drew the woman's gaze toward him. He hoped she had something he could put on his body so he could at least leave that home with a semblance of dignity, those hunters would surely still be searching the city for that massive, murderous polar bear still. Tonight had been an utter disaster. Not only had he lost control but the very chance that he could have lost a client with those very papers seemed imminent, like a shadow that loomed over his very world. Her hair shifted slight as the movement caught his eye, causing those nutmeg depths to peer downward to her face. She looked lovely... even with that hesitation, those eyes of hers that seemed to appear almost surprised by any question he asked. Even with that weakened smile she offered probably only to appease him, she was still lovely. But he was not afforded with much time, as the mountain of issues he had to deal with first. But he couldn't tackle any of it without clothes. Clothes first.. and then the rest of the world could come next.

Relief saw to the Englishman as she simply bobbed her head, confirming she did have something for him to wear. Perhaps a boyfriend? He was certain.... He would be furious at the thought of a naked man in his girlfriend's home and even more.. irritated with his behavior... Not that he could help any of it.. especially with his inner bear at the helm. "Oh god, thank you." those rich accented and baritone words find her clinging to that relief filled emotion. He took that towel, adding that pressure himself as the woman once again left the room as his thoughts began to drift once more. He made a mental note of all the damage he had done to this poor house... it was practically falling apart because of him. He would fix it.. all of it. A few moments later, she returned that explanation uttered. Relief and appreciation clearly written upon his features. Never had he been so happy to see those clothes in all his life. Only problem he was faced with now was.. how he was going to take those clothes from her was rather precarious... "You are a godsend. I will be sure to make sure the clothes are returned to you dry-cleaned.. I am sure your boyfriend should like to see them back where they belong." with her... he was also quite sure that he would certainly miss these... comfortable loose fitting pants.

She then declared she would put those clothes on the counter and almost sheepish look seemed to cross his features.. While his nudity hardly bothered him he was sure it would have made her utterly embarrassed. He was practically a stranger in her home... the least he could do is spare her the sight of seeing all of him upon meeting. "Would it be too much to ask to call me a cab? I have a great number of fires to put out... it would seem that this night is only just beginning for me." His voice seemed tired as though he was already seeing that endless checklist that got tacked on to his existing list. He nearly closed his eyes at the very thought as if feeling the beginning of another endless week.

He was entirely grateful for that acceptance of that very request as he hobbled down the hallway where he was presented with a bathroom to clean himself up from the blood and any grime that clung to his form. He ripped the cloth so he could tie it around his thigh... so at the very least he wouldn't bleed through the pants. The clothes... were definitely.... Unlike anything he wore or would have chosen for himself and yet... he would have worn a bedsheet if he had to. They were oddly comfortable.. these sweat pants... They felt so very soft.. huh.. He couldn't remember the last time he ever owned sweatpants.. but it would seem he almost liked something about them them. He surely wouldn't have much use for lounge wear but perhaps one pair.... Wouldn't hurt anything.

Oliver sighed at the strange new sight of himself.. the Englishman hardly used to witnessing himself in such casual clothes. He emerged from the petite but clean bathroom a moment later after splashing that cool refreshing water onto his face, as if attempting to pull himself together. Eventually, the now refreshed were found the vampire woman in roughly the same place he had left her. "It would seem they fit. Thank you, for all you have done. I must apologize for the inconvenience and damages. I will ensure it is seen to with a promptness." He stood before her in that small abode she called her own... He almost seemed too impossibly large for such a place and yet it hardly seemed off putting in the least. The Englishman studied her quietly before he shook his head.. After a few short words and peering out the window, to find that atrocious cab waiting for him. All of this.. and now a cab ride. This surely had to be one of the worst nights as of late. One he was sure... for the woman too..

There was a moment that he simply wished to peer down at her hands as if some part of him longed to take her hand in his own, how quickly he pushed that thought from his mind, looking into the woman's gentle eyes. "I will be in touch..." The English man vowed near solemnly.. before that wounded gait carried him to the front door to meet the cab awaiting him outside the quaint home of the gentle vampire. He simply gave her a lingering look as if he hesitated to leave, as if some part of him wished to stay. What an odd feeling to wish of a virtual stranger. One he was sure that wouldn't be met with an openness. With that broken briefcase in tow with those once pivotal documents, missing the pages that probably lined the streets of Sacrosanct. There was one thing that this sad sight of a man, phoneless and injured that ride home would afford him time to think. A rarity these days to digest and only begin a plan to mend the shambles in which he would have to face the next day.