My Beautiful Beast [Angelo/Tarin]

[praiseofblood]

Giovanni stumbled through the rocky path, limping as blood poured from his injured leg. Damned bandits! He looked constantly back over his shoulder as he ran--night was falling quickly and the last thing he needed was to be attacked again. He looked about for shelter, any shelter at all, when he came across a large villa looming in the distance. Giovanni panted for breath, making his way there, still clutching his painter's case.

He traveled well into nightfall until he reached the small wall to the Villa.

"Please!" he called. "I am wounded and tired! Please let me in!" Giovanni called, pounding on the gates.

[fearless]

Tarin looked to the gates from his window growling at the interruption of his solitude. He wondered now if maybe this male could be his mate so he told the servants to let him in. He stalked towards the front door ready to confront the male when he entered his home. He hoped this male was mate, he needed one.

[praiseofblood]

Gio sighed in relief, nearly weeping in joy as he was ushered inside. "Thank you, good, kind people. I was run down by bandits who were after my meager valuables and torn asunder." he motioned to his leg. "I am the painter Giovanni Rossi." he said, pushing his salt and pepper brown hair from his eyes.

[fearless]

Tarin growled when he saw him, he was not his mate. "They will fix you up then you are my prisnor," he muttered. "For tresspassing." He slipped back into the shadows not wanting him to stare.

[praiseofblood]

Giovanni was entranced by the male's beauty. He'd never seen a creature so beautiful. BUt once he heard what was said, he began to shake. "Ah! Wait sir!" He cried. "Please, no! I don't--I--I have a boy, an aprentice. Angelo. Will you take him in my steada?!" he asked.

[fearless]

Tarin felt a slight pull at the name, but pushed it off. "How will you get him here?" he asked softly. "Because you cannot leave till he comes here." He smriked as he watched him, "I will not trust you to leave and send him back."

[praiseofblood]

"Ah...a--a messenger! We live in Venice, a few miles east--I could send a message!" he said urgently. "He will come." he assured. "Please good master."

[fearless]

Tarin waved one of servants forward, "Tell him the address he will go." The servant nodded and went towards him, not speaking, waiting for him.

[praiseofblood]

Giovanni gave the male his address and watched as the servant mounted a horse and headed off.

He looked back to the master fearfully.

[fearless]

"Take him to a room and take care of that leg," he ordered another servant before sweeping off to his room.

[praiseofblood]

Meanwhile, Angelo was looking out of the window at the rising sun, sighing wistfully. He wished he could have gone with the master--Venice was so terribly boring. There was nothing to do, nothing to paint. Well, there was talk of that Cassnova fellow roaming about, but Angelo doubted he'd be dropping by for a portrait anytime soon.

He sighed again, standing and setting about opening up his master's shop and cleaning and organizing his supplies. He blinked when there was a knock at the door. He went over to the wooden door, to be greeted by an unfamiliar face.

"My master requires your presence, or your mentor will be his forever. Pack your things and come with me." the servant ordered. Angelo blinked in confusion, "What?"

"Now, or your master dies." He said, staring at the male with hard eyes.

"Who has my master?! Is he alright?" Angelo asked, face falling into worry. "Is Giovanni alright?" he said again, but was only met with the stoicness of the servant. "I will depart within the hour," the servant said, before turning on his heel. Angelo cursed before heading back inside, gathering his few things and running outside, saddling his horse. "Take me to my Master!" he ordered the servant, who merely began to gallop off.

[fearless]

Tarin changed at the sun rose, the changes were always painful. A roar of pain could be heard through the castle, at night it was a yell. He was changed now and watched out the window for this new boy wondering if he could help break the curse.

[praiseofblood]

Angelo and the servant didn't arrive until midday, and Angelo gasped at the sight of the gorgeous villa. He could paint that all day.

[fearless]

Tarin saw him and his heart lurched, he was the one. He refused to let him go now, and he did not want to see him now then frighten him away. He ordered one of his other servants to go speak to him. "My master will allow for you to say goodbye to your friend, then you must stay as he leaves."

[praiseofblood]

"What?" Angelo asked, blinking. "What do you mean I have to stay?" he asked, looking at the servant. "I came because Gio was hurt--I will not stay."

"Then he will be sent to the dungeons to live out the rest of his life." the servant said coldly.

Angelo balked. Giovanni had been like a father to him. He was already nearing the end of his life--he was nearing fifty years of age--he wouldn't last long in the dungeons.

He stood silent for a long time--give up his freedom for his Master and friend's care? He looked up to the male, eyes resigned and unhappy. "Fine...but you will make sure he returns to Venice unharmed." Angelo said, frowning.

"So be it," said the servant, and he lead him to the room where Gio was being held.

"Gio!" Angelo cried, rushing forwards, Giovanni looked up. "Angelo." he said, his face falling. "Angelo, why did you come? You shouldn't have come." He said, shaking his head.

Angelo blinked in confusion. "What do you mean?" he asked.

"He won't let you go." Gio said, hugging his apprentice. "I've made you a prisoner here." he said, shaking his head.