William Holloway

I'm a devil in disguise

There was something genuinely alarming to the Dark Hunter about walking around the city with the bottom half of everyone's face obscured. For two centuries, William had managed the anxiety that came from his normal, every day life with the knowledge that he could at least identify any hunters that might have tried to cause him harm. Now, the people that mingled around him were faceless, nearly unidentifiable. While not impossible to identify the species of the souls around him, it certainly took William extra seconds to bring that knowledge to him. Extra seconds that, if they were still after him, would prove absolutely necessary. While Sebastian assured him that the Hunter's council would not move against him as long as he remained on the payroll of the Italian Monarchy, but William was certain that he would never stop looking over his shoulder. The shadows that crept around his vision would always send a jolt of adrenaline straight to his heart; people whispering just out of his earshot would always make his hand twitch towards his dagger. William was positive he might never truly feel safe, no matter how much time passed.

The anonymity the masks provided wasn't the only aspect of the pandemic that William found inconvenient. As a Dark Hunter, William's concern about the virus were minimal at best. Sebastian had assured him that with his healing, the worst he might experience was akin to a mild cold, while Sebastian would have no fear. Sebastian, it seemed, was only worried about the ramifications of the virus as it pertained to Italy and how its citizens and economy were handling the "unprecedented situation". It was all William could do to keep himself from yawning during those endless meetings. While he might have remained the picture of perfection as the Prince's personal body guard during those times he was expected to be silent and observant, he couldn't help but think that Sebastian's meetings were boring. It was odd, and something William was sure he would not get used to any time soon, to see the carefree, playful personality he'd always associated with his best friend transform into the serious, dedicated Italian Prince. While he might have loosened up to joke with William when cameras weren't on, he entirely transformed the moment eyes were on him.

William had insisted that he didn't truly need a night off from his duties to Sebastian, but his companion had entertained none of that argument, citing that William would have time off one way or another. William might have been perfectly happy to stay in the same room as his friend for all of time, but it seemed that he was going to have to face his fears and venture into the city alone. That anxiety was certainly gripping at the young man, and yet he knew that hiding in his issued apartment alone would not make him feel better. After all, he had no food, no books, and nothing to entertain him. Sebastian may have provided him with a nice place to live, but it could easily turn into another sort of jail cell if William allowed his own anxiety to take over. So, William had tucked the face mask into his jacket pocket and ventured independently into the streets of Sacrosanct. His task was to acquire dinner and find a bookstore. It was a simple enough errand, he supposed, even if he felt his own nervousness skyrocketing.

As he was seated at one of the outdoor tables at the Red Robin - which his phone had told him was some sort of burger joint - the Dark Hunter was fully aware of the variety of species that lingered around him. At that table, two fae girls chatted. Another held a Were eating a burger that seemed remarkably too large. But even as he glanced at the menu, his attention remained entirely focused on the table directly to his left, if only for the young man that William's senses easily identified as a Hunter. William's gaze drifted to the man, caring so much more for the Hunter than the vampire across from him. A million questions came to mind. Was he with the council? Did he know who William was? Was William safe? Was Sebastian safe? William had very nearly convinced himself it was time to leave when it seemed the vampire's attention was directed not at the Hunter he was dining with, but with the Englishman himself.

"Am I truly supposed to believe that he is just a coincidence? Is this a trap, Alistair?" At that, William's body tensed as he observed the pair for the first time. The vampire looked incredibly angry, the rage in his eyes enough to make even William pause. But it wasn't vampires that William were afraid of, instead he truly focused on the young Hunter for the first time. The brunette looked truly stunned by the outburst of his companion - clearly, this was not what he had anticipated from the outing. In that moment, William was entirely sure that he wasn't with the council - if he were, he wouldn't have had that deer in the headlights look to him. "Can I help you?" William replied dryly, the gaze upon the vampire entirely neutral. After all, he had no fear that he could end any danger this vampire thought he might bring the pair of hunters. Bloody hell, had he really just considered himself to have any sort of camaraderie with another Hunter?

This was bound to be an interesting night off.