[tCotR] ~ Desiree Whitmore

[Alexandrea]

The snake, Baby, seemed very at home on Alexandrea and the woman couldn't help but grin. She has always been fond of all sorts of pets and it seemed that all manner of creatures, great and small, liked her as well. She wasn't sure why but it seemed to have gotten even more amplified in the last few months. Heck, Alex even had a friend in a shark now.

As Baby's tongue tickled her cheek, Alexandrea giggled and rubbed the spot on the snake's head that was between Baby's eyes. "So you to dance, do you Baby? We'll have to have a tango later. But right now we have work to do."

Desiree nodded at he sire as Lofyn made promises of doing what she could to keep the young girl safe. Alex frowned a bit and set Baby down on the back of the sofa before collecting the maps she had made at the computer and... then printing out one more. The way out of town, just in case.

Alex rejoined everyone at the couch and nodded as Oria spoke. "I see where you are going with this, Oria. But I don't think Desiree could work off such a large bounty on her bed before the bounty hunters track her down. If she had alter ego at least, she might be able to buy the time to work it off but I have seen that she does not."

Desiree looked around at the blonde that had brought her into her home: "What are you talking about? What's 'alter ego'? And why are people hunting me?"

Nervously, Alexandrea glanced at the other women before she spoke. "By not knowing the rules... you have broken them. And there are those of our kind that hunt down.. and kill, those who have broken the rules. And Alter ego is an ability that in time any one of our kind can learn. It just takes longer for some than others."

"No one told me of any rules... what rules did I break? I made sure to get rid of all the bodies I feed from." Desiree said with a shudder while she wrapped her arms around her self.

Alex sighed and sat on the arm of the sofa beside Desiree and looked at her sadly. "You don't have to kill when you feed you know. All you need to do is fed once a day and lick the wound so it heals and the human wanders off non the wiser. You just have to be sure you are not seen. Otherwise, stick to animals. But waiting until you are staved and you can't control your hunger only leads to trouble."

The young woman said nothing, looking down at her feet, it was clear she hadn't known any of that and was feeling badly.

Handing over the maps, Alexandrea gave the fledgling soft smile. "These may help, I outlined the safe places to feed and places to hunt. There is also a map that shows you how to get out of town. We don't have much time before the Ty will track you down and even if we all fight, we really can't protect you from them indefinitely. There are other ways, however."

She moved to sit on the coffee table and looked at Desiree in the face, lifting the girl's chin and making her meet Alex in the eyes.

"If you were faster and stronger, you could try to work off the bounty. Killing you will remove the bounty. Or we could cripple you and that would do it as well. None of us wants to hurt you but it's your choice what we do. And... there is one other possible way. You could leave town. I'll give you some money and call you a cab and you could be be in the next town before the hunters come for you. But you could not come back, not until that bounty goes away."

Desiree stared at her sire. The woman who had brought her back to life and then just left and now, when she was finally back in Desiree's life... she had to pick between leaving for who knew how long, dying or being a cripple? None of the options sounded good to her.

[Oria]

Oria's gaze stayed on the snake as Alex walked over and placed her on the back of the sofa, watching her get comfortable on the fabric. The sound of a printer and the ruffling of papers brought her attention to the computer the blonde was standing at, printing off a map out of town. That had been an option she hadn't considered... But had done herself to get to this very city.

Her thoughts wandered to the teen going out of the city, making her own in a different place. She could start over, away from the prying eyes of Tytonidae and in theory, Crow. She would have to be extremely careful as if she died outside of Harper's Rock, she would remain dead forever. Oria could give her some money - she had enough of it - a phone, her business card, and probably buy her a bus ticket or get a cab driver to take her to the next town over.

Subconsciously she was following the conversation, her head shaking when her own thoughts were voiced by Alex, nodding as she explained what Alter Ego was and why there were people hunting her. When Desiree explained that she hid all the bodies she fed Oria hid a grimace, having killed one woman once before. She hadn't been in the right state to turn the woman, so she had killed her and hidden her body. She was then explained how to feed safely and without killing the person you were feeding from, as well as the alternatives that were available to her.

Her full attention returned to the three other women when Alexandrea lifted the fledglings face to meet her gaze as she spoke, explaining the options that they had. She gave the blonde a moment to speak before adding her own to the mix, "Honestly, I think the best option might be skipping town for a while and staying off the radar. If you're not here the hunters won't be able to pinpoint your location, and every day you're careful and don't get caught feeding, the price on your head decreases. Along with whatever Alex is willing to give you, I'll add to it. I'll buy you a hacked phone that can't be traced, but also doesn't require paying for, some money, and my card should you run into any trouble. Approximately 11 days before you'd be hidden from view on the damnable bounty list. After that, if you're completely gone, you could come back." She paused, looking to the the recently turned vampire that was of some sort of relation to her as she looked to her sire. "That also means we don't have to cripple you, you don't have to die already, and you could live a somewhat normal life for a time."

The final decision would be up to both Desiree and Lofyn, but Oria hoped it was a decision that they could make rather quickly as Ty could swoop in at any moment. Quietly she summoned Randall, whispering softly that he should scout out the area and quickly tell her should he notice any sort of trouble. Her wraith wouldn't be the perfect scout as some (like herself) were able to see them and some knew who exactly he was, but he could do what she wasn't by being in a separate location at the same time as she was, with eyes and ears outside.

[Lofyn (DELETED 481)]

Lofyn hugged the small girl close, pressing her cheek to the girl's short, dark hair. If she had remained human, she would have been an excellent, loving, caring mother. This was the closest she would get now, save having a fadebeast for a child, which would never work out properly.

And she'd already fucked up.

She waved very slightly to Randall as she listened to the ideas both women had to give, biting her lip very softly before she added, "If we can get you to New York City and tell my grandmother you're a friend of mine, she'll keep an eye on you. As long as you're well-fed when you're in the house, you won't risk hurting her. If you do hurt her, I will not be pleased."

If she could, she would teach Desiree everything she'd need to know in this crazy world that they called their own. But that wouldn't happen. Desiree needed to disappear until her bounty was cleared. That meant Lofyn couldn't teach her everything.

"Or maybe you should go somewhere else...somewhere no one would think to look for you. A place you've never been to in your entire human life, where there are few people to see you and risk feeding accidents." That was what she called killing a meal. A feeding accident. "Maybe somewhere rural."

[Alexandrea]

Desiree was hardly hearing what anyone was saying after awhile, the buzzing in her ears had grown too loud. With a start, she felt herself being hugged and resisted pulling away. Her attention now back on what was being said to her, the young vampire just nodded her head. It seemed leaving town was the best way to go.

"I grew up in a big city, I think I'd be better able to blend in with a crowd in New York. And I've never been there before. Besides, what kind of night life would there be in a rural area? Most small towns close down after dark."

Alexandrea had to agree with that logic and she went back to her computer to check on flights for New York. There was a flight due to leave in just over two hours from Harper Rock that would make a connection in Toronto and get into New York at about 3am, giving Desiree a good few hours before sunrise to get to Lofyn's Grandmother's. She paid for the ticket online and printed out the preboarding passes. Under a false name.

"Desiree... I need to take your picture. And you need to get used to being called Kimberly Masters. At least for now."

The young woman stood up and pushed her hands through her short dark hair as she turned to face the one called Alexandrea. Alex took out her camera and pointed to an empty wall.

"Stand over there, Desiree."

It was easy to do as she was told but it was impossible to even try to fake a smile while several pictures were taken of the pixie like girl. Desiree was glad when it was over and went back to sit beside Lofyn, wanting to lean into the woman but feeling to shy and nervous to dare.

Uploading the images into her computer was the easy part, manipulating them to appear like the real thing was more time consuming and tricky. Finding the right back grounds for the different id's and then to paste in Desiree's face on each one while making sure not to use an image twice was just tedious. But soon enough Alex had printed out the photos on quality photo paper and cut them to size.

"I'll be right back." Alex said out loud but to no one in particular as she went into her art studio and over to her work bench. The supply cabinet next to it had a locked box with several sets of fake id, all with Alexandrea's face. Finding the set that belonged to one 'Kimberly Masters', Alex changed out the pictures carefully and re sealed them with her tweaked laminating machine.

"Okay, Desiree... I mean Kimberly... we have to get you to the airport you have a flight to catch. Pull your hood up and come with me. No time to wait for a cab,I'll drive. I drive faster than most cabbies anyways. You'll all welcome to come but anyone who bitches about my driving gets booted out the door and I won't be slowing down."

Alex wrapped a black scarf around her head, hiding her hair and put on a black jacket. She looked stylish enough to be taking her 'niece' to get on a plane but was inconspicuous enough to steal the next door nieghbour's car.

"Here, hang on to this whatever you do." She held out a black fanny pack to Desiree after putting inside the identification, plane ticket voucher and boarding pass. Along with a few hundred in cash and her business card. "My number is in there, call me collect as soon as you arrive and then again when you have settled in. We'll arrange a way for me to wire you more money."


Desiree did as she was told taking on last look at her sire before pulling up the hood and getting ready to leave. "Thank you, everyone.. for all your help. And... the kindness."

"It's time. Anyone staying, lock the door if you leave.Otherwise I'll see you when I get back."

They left together but Alex made the others wait as she went to go 'borrow' the nieghbour's car. There was no need for anyone else to know the car didn't belong to her, after all. She pulled up and everyone got in but before all the doors had fully closed, Alexandrea was speeding off.

Several red lights ran and stop signs blown off later, they were at the airport. Alex charmed the parking attendant into babysitting the car rather than actually parking it and paying anything and then they went inside and thanks to being able to print out boarding passes, Desiree was able to make the flight. There were a few hairy moments when the girl had to go through security... she really hadn't wanted to take her shoes off and Alex couldn't blame her. You would think the people running security would at least have some slippers or warm rugs to stand on when they made people do that.

Once Alex was sure the plane had taken off and Desiree was on her into the wild blue yonder... (or would that be black yonder, seeing it was nighttime? ) it was time to get back to the car and give the man watching it a proper thank you and a tip. She had hope that she could get the car back where it belonged before anyone noticed it was gone.

Desiree, in the meantime, was shaking like a leaf on a tree in the middle of a hurricane. She had never been on a plane before. She felt a gentle touch in her mind as Alexandrea sent good thoughts to her and she did actually feel better. She closed her eyes and tried to sleep and was amazed she actually managed to do so when the plane was landing and she realized that she had made it. She had gotten away alive and was now in New York.

It was frightening but exciting, and she was surprised once she discovered her self smiling... looking forward to discovering a new life.

[Oria]

Oria listened to Lofyn speak, offering her Grandmother's as a place to stay but also telling her that if she harmed the elderly woman she wouldn't be happy. Her head started to shake slowly then paused when the blonde suggested some place rural, causing her head to shake a bit faster. When Desire replied that she knew big cities and would probably be safer in New York, Oria nodded sharply with a smile "New York it is. But I think staying at the Grandmother's is a bad idea."

She watched Alex go over to the computer and print some documents, which she assumed were tickets. When the blonde spoke indicating that she would have to be known under an alias she grinned and nodded. Changing one's name was usually a good idea when you were avoiding being found the 'easy' way, though it wouldn't stop more extensive methods that were available. She would need a new ID as well as a passport to travel outside of the country, but Oria had faith that Alexandra knew what she was doing.

Keeping her eyes on the computer to watch exactly what the woman was doing kept her occupied while the room was quiet. Using half her concentration she focused on the outside, watching their surroundings through her wraiths point of view as he roamed around the area keeping lookout. The announcement that Alex would return in a moment brought her completely back to the house where they stood, nodding once to the blonde she turned her attention to where the newly named Kimberly sat with Lofyn.

Walking over quietly she sat down on the edge of the table, crossing her left leg over her right knee with her arms crossing over them. "Dies... Kimberly. Don't forget, feed every day and be careful when you do it. Try to draw as little attention to yourself as you can. Make Sure you avoid the sunlight, it will hurt a lot. If you get caught in the sunlight, you'll be weakened to the point where you won't be able to feed as much as you need. If it happens, it will make the following day really difficult, so try and avoid that at all costs." She paused to debate on other things that would be important to tell her.

Nothing came to mind, but conveniently enough Alex walked back into the room and announced the news that she was fairly certain of already. When offered the chance to ride with she considered it for a moment or two, even if it meant riding with someone who informed them if there were complaints, they were getting the boot at top speed. While she took another moment to decide if she was going to Kimberly was given the fanny pack and instructed not to lose it, as well as its contents. Oria's eyes widened as she remembered her own offer to give the young vampire a portion of her own money as well as a phone.

"I'm going to meet you at the airport. I said I'd offer some money and a woebegone, I've got it all at home and I can collect it and probably still beat you there." A devilish smile crossed her features at the thought of outrunning someone in a car. Reaching into her inner coat pocket and retrieving her tome that would bring her back to her crypt. Offering one last smile she vanished from sight, finishing the incantation in her head and appearing just inside the door.

She checked the upstairs to see if Miasma was home, but didn't find her in any of the three main rooms. Maybe she's out finding more stuff... she considered before opening the door to the basement. As she walked through the large open room her fingers traced along the leaves of the flowers that they kept growing for the various rituals the two women did. Passing through the hallway and into their bedroom she turned to close the door behind her as she entered. Crossing the room to her dresser she pulled out the top drawer so she could dump the contents on the bed.

Secured in a manila envelope to the bottom of the oak was a back-up phone, her own set of replacement identification, as well as a few prepaid debit cards that Oria had been using to hold emergency funds - there were five of the cards, all still fully sealed with all the important information right there. She removed the phone and one of the cards, slipping them into her pocket then turned the drawer back over to put all the socks back inside after removing two bundles of them - each with two $50 American bills. Replacing the drawer in the dresser she hurried back up the stairs and out the front door of the crypt.

Having collected all the things she thought were important the petit woman pulled the shadows close to her, hiding her presence from nearly anyone who might notice her and impede her. With herself sufficiently removed from everyone's eyes she let her own close slowly, envisioning the airport and the safest route there. When she had it mapped out, she blurred as she ran through the streets of the city, avoiding people crossing as well as all the vehicles.

Even the blink of an eye can feel like an eternity especially when you're weaving in and out of traffic while trying to outrun a vehicle. Having little hope of beating the women there, she just allowed her legs to carry her the distance. Her arrival was moments after the others did and while she was just out of the range of the security cameras, Oria let the shadows fall and closed the remaining distance at a brisk walk. "Kimberly! I was hoping I'd catch you before you made it inside and your flight took off." she called out to the women so as not to come up unexpected.

Oria hurried over to the side of the car while offering the parking attendant a genuine smile as Alex sweet talked the man into keeping an eye on the car. Pulling Desiree into a small hug she passed the items off to her while whispering into her ear, "There's the phone I promised, my number is programmed into it - Don't hesitate to call if you need help. There's also a pre-paid untraceable card with near a thousand dollars on it - Alex gave you cash, I gave you card. Both are needed now days it seems." Stepping back with her arms on the girls shoulders she smiled again. "You'll be just fine. If you run into any trouble, call us. We'll do whatever we can to help."

Waiting outside was easier than going into the airport as there would be far too many people in there for her to be comfortable so she quietly relieved the person watching the car and waited for Alex. When the blonde returned, informing O that she was safely off the ground and would land before the sun rose she let out a sigh of relief. She decided to go back with Alexandrea to her house where they might sit down and have a bit more in dept discussion about what had happened. At least the girl is safe... for now she thought to herself as Alex silently drove them back.