Spoilers: at the head of each story, if any.
Content Rating: 15
Type: Other
Characters: Angel/us
Summary: How did Angelus get his tattoo?

There is a competition at the CoA to describe how Angelus got his tattoo. trouble is i have three possible versions, and can only enter one. they are all under 2000 words so that shouldnt take you long.

i'd like you good people to tell me which is best if possible. they are all different so please post the name of your favourite.

Needless to say, copywrite owned by me.

Story 1

Working title - The bet

Dublin 1757

Angelus looked his opponent over, carefully. This wasn’t something he could afford to loose.

There had been four originally; two now lay by the wayside.

Angelus knew he had to make his move soon or loose face. One last look over his opponent revealed no weakness.

“I’ll see your 5, raise you 10.”

The other two who had folded gasped.

Hunter just grinned. “See your 10, raise you 15.”

Angelus was out of money, he couldn’t see the 15. His gaze travelled over to Hunter.

“Lets make this interesting.” He drawled in his rich Irish brogue.

“What did you have in mind?”

“Gambling for money is for them, they’re weak. I say we make this personal.” He paused. “I’m calling your hand, whoever wins gets to dare the other.”

Hunter raised his eyebrows. “Anything?”

Angelus smiled. “Time limit of no more than one day, other than that, anything.”

Hunter paused a second, his demeanour revealing nothing more than Angelus’ did.

“Agreed.”

Angelus laid his cards down, two pairs. He smiled. He had surely won.

Hunter didn’t smile. He looked his cards over one last time before laying them on the table.

“Flush. I’d say that makes you mine.”

Angelus’s expression instantly became cold and hard. He did not like to loose.

The two bystanders looked at each other, wondering if this was going to become violent.

Angelus burst out laughing. "You play well Hunter.” He said, raising his glass in a toast.

“I learnt from the best.”

“That you did.” Angelus downed his ale and stood. “Come, the night is young and we have some hell to raise.”

Hunter finished his ale and staggered out of the bar with Angelus.

The two other fledgling vampires breathed a metaphorical sigh of relief. Angelus was himself a fledgling at four years old but his reputation already preceded him, they were glad to have survived the game intact.

“I could have beaten them if they’d bother to play anther hand.” Said Marcus with false bravado.

Angelus turned back in the doorway and fixed his gaze on Marcus. “Same time tomorrow then?” he asked, smiling.

‘Shit’ Marcus admonished himself. When was he going to remember vampires had excellent hearing?

“Yes, tomorrow.” He replied, wondering how long it would take to get to the nearest port.


“So Hunter, what is my challenge to be?” asked Angelus.

Hunter was silent, an idea forming.

“Come on Boy, it cant be that hard can it?”

“No Angelus. You have truly been an excellent teacher.”

“Then hurry up. You know the mood Darla will be in if we aren’t home before sunrise.”

Angelus had sired Hunter almost a year ago and had indeed taught him well, taught him the use of irony.

“Ever hear of the Book of Kells?” asked Hunter.

Angelus scoffed. “Humans, why they feel the need to honour such a worthless god with works such as that I’ll never understand.”

“So you know of it then.”

“Of course. It’s the gospels in Latin and it’s embellished with a so called beautiful array of pictures.”

“Did you also know it’s here in Dublin?”

“You want be to steal the book of Kells?” asked Angelus, thinking he had failed to teach this boy anything if he gave him such an easy task.

“No, I want to look through it.”

Angelus stopped walking and turned to Hunter. “Is that all boy?”

Hunter smiled. “No. I want you to find an image to your liking and have it tattooed on your self. The image and where you have it done is up to you.”

Angelus couldn’t help but smile at his childe. “So you want me to tattoo myself with a religious icon?” it was a fabulous idea.

“Indeed Sire.”

“Tattoos don’t take with vampires.” Angelus reminded him.

Hunter laughed. “I have something in mind for that. Just choose the image.”


The Church of Trinity College was beautiful. Angelus paused a moment to admire the building.

“Sire?” asked Hunter.

“There’s no rush boy. Look at it. Look at all the work that has gone into this house of worship. It’s a master peace.”

Hunter sighed. “Why do churched have so much draw for you?”

“Can’t you see it? The workmanship, the blood, sweat and toil. Many people doubtless died building this church as a monument to their god.” His gaze travelled to his childe. “But where is god when they need him?” he smiled wickedly.

Hunter still didn’t get the fascination Angelus had with religion but he knew better than to push it. He stood silently as Angelus continued to stare at it.

“Come on boy. Lets get the book.”


Angelus’ hollow footsteps echoed around the chruch. He made no attempt at stealth tonight. Hunter still kept his footfalls silent though.

Angelus shook his head slightly; the boy still had much to learn.

“Who’s there?” came a voice.

“Father, we are two lost should in need of guidance.” Angelus called back.

The father appeared from a door to the left of the alter. “You come so late.” The father said. “I worried that your intentions might not be pure.”

Angelus smiled comfortingly. “We aren’t here to harm you father.” He was a young priest; he probably wouldn’t know that he was speaking to vampires.

“Then please.” Said the father; opening the door he peaked through wide. “Come in my children.”

Angelus smiled at Hunter. “You are too kind.”

The father led them through the sleeping quarters to a small study.

“I hope I can assist you.” He said. “I would hate to wake father Stewart.”

“I’m sure you can help us father.” Said Angelus, taking a seat.

“What seems to be the problem?”

“Father,” began Angelus. He leaned forward, conspiratorially. “I need your help.” He said in a low voice.

The father sat opposite and leaned forward to hear Angelus better. “What kind of help?”

“I’m looking for a book father. It’s very important I have this book.”

“Why?”

“The book contains something I need father. My reputation depends on having it.”

“I’ll help you if I can my child. What is this book you seek?”

“The Book of Kells father.” He said grapping the young priests throat. The priest choked and grabbed at Angelus’ hands, trying to free himself.

“It’s no use father.” Said Angelus. “You may as well cease your struggle and help us.”

The priest nodded as best he could. Angelus relaxed his grip slightly. “Where is the book?” he asked.

“I cant. It is centuries old and a great treasure. I cannot let you have it.”

“We don’t want to take it from you father, we just need to know where it is.”

The father didn’t answer. Angelus tightened his grip on his throat again, causing the priest to choke again.

“Will you help me father?”

The priest tried to speak but only meaningless sound emerged.

“What was that father?” asked Angelus.

The priest clawed at his hands again.

“Oh, pardon me father, I forgot.” Said Angelus, freeing the priest.

He coughed and held his throat as he sat back in his chair.

He glared at Angelus and Hunter, wondering that was going on.

“Now father, you were saying?”

The priest tried to speak but his throat hurt too much. He pointed to a door off the study.

“In there?”

The priest nodded.

“Why thank you father, you’ve been most helpful.” Angelus walked over to the door, it was locked. “Wouldn’t happen to have a key on ya would ya?” he asked.

The father shook his head.

“Never mind.” Angelus turned back to the door and pulled the handle, splintering the doorframe as the door opened.

The priest was growing more fearful as he began to realise these were no ordinary thugs. He looked over to Hunter who smiled at him. The smile didn’t reassure though, it struck fear into his very soul.

“Found it.” Cried Angelus.

Hunters smile grew as he walked over to the priest. “You have been most helpful father, despite my friends lack of manners.” He reached his hands out and placed them either side of the priest’s head. He leaned down and kissed the top of his head. The priest sighed deeply in relief. Perhaps these people weren’t going to harm him.

In the blink of an eye Hunter changed his grip and snapped the priest’s neck.


Angelus held the book wrapped in cloth as they left the church. It was a bible after all and he had no desire to be burnt tonight. Against his better judgement Angelus left the other clergy members alive as Hunter reminded him that the hour was late.

“Where to?” asked Angelus.

“Follow me.”

Hunter led him on a journey through Dublin’s many side streets. Most people were asleep but here, in the seedier part of town music could still be heard along with the talk of drunkards who should have returned home hours ago. Hunter eventually stopped outside a small, nondescript house. It looked dark but that didn’t stop Hunter knocking.

Shortly after a small voice asked, “Who’s there?”

“’Tis Hunter, Lilly, let me in.”

The door opened to reveal a young girl with long, flaming red hair.

“You call so late sir, it is hardly fitting.”

“I’m sorry Lilly. My friend is in urgent need of your services.”

Lilly looked them over then opened the door. “Come in. What is it you need?” she asked, closing the door.

“My friend here needs a tattoo.” Said Hunter.

“A tattoo on vampire flesh will not take.” Said Lilly.

Angelus remained impassive but he was surprised she new what he was. She was definitely human herself.

“There has to be a way Lilly. If anyone can find it, it’s you.”

Lilly smiled. “Sit. I’ll speak with Mama. She may know of something.”

Angelus sat on a small sofa. “Who is this woman?”

“A witch. Her mother is the powerful one but she grows weaker every day. Lilly is learning to take over.”

A witch, he should have known.

“Does she know how to tattoo?” he asked, worried he’d end up with some black blob.

“She does. She often tattoos magical symbols on her patrons, for protection and such.”

Lilly returned a fee moments later. “Mama said that by mixing the ink with holy water it should take.”

“Do you have any?” asked Hunter.

“We do. Have you chosen the image?”

Angelus looked to the book, cradled in a blanket in his arms.

“Time to pay the piper Angelus.” Grinned Hunter.

Angelus carefully unfolded the blanket and rested the book on it. Cautiously he flipped through the pages. It burnt where he touched it but he was careful not to let it show to his childe or the woman. He spotted an image, it looked like an A. Above the letter was a gryphon. “This.” Said Angelus, showing the picture to Lilly. “On the shoulder I think.”

“Beautiful.” Said Lilly. “Come, remove your shirt and lay on the floor.” Angelus did as she asked.

Lilly looked over his sleek back for a moment. He was truly a handsome creature.

“Try not to scream.” She said as she dipped her needle in the ink. “I don’t want to wake Mama again.”

The pain was unlike anything he had known before, much worse than dieing. The needle seemed to burn to his very core as the ink and holy water were pushed into his flesh.

He locked his jaw to keep from howling in pain.


Lilly sat back and looked at the image. “Beautiful.” She exclaimed.

Hunter looked over her shoulder. “Indeed. A work of art.”

Angelus stood. He had no way of seeing what had been done to him, no mirror would show him. He flexed his shoulder blade. The pain had lessened and soon he would be healed.

He took Lilly’s hand and bent down to kiss it. “Thank you Ma’am.”

Lilly blushed and looked away.

Angelus knew then he would have to visit this girl again. Soon.

“‘Tis nearly dawn Angelus, we must make haste.”

Angelus nodded. “Until we meet again, Lilly.” He said following his companion back into the night.