Scrapbooking [Pathday 3]

[Alexandrea]

Busy cutting out colourful shapes from glossy paper, Alexandrea didn't notice that her new best friend Penny Valentine had decided that now would be a good time to play in the paints Alex had sitting out as she worked on her scrapbook. Luckily the book was open to a blank page as the kitten's blue and red paw prints were now all over it, and the floor Alex was sitting on.

Alex chuckled and picked up the kitten, taking her to the bathroom to wash the paint off before it could dry. Penny didn't seem to mind, enjoying any attention she got and climbing up Alex's arm to sit on her shoulder and hide under her hair. Looking up in the mirror, seeing the small cat seemingly floating in midair made Alexandrea grin. She went back into the art studio and decided to leave the mess for now, the floor was already covered in various colours of paint anyways, a few kitty paw prints wouldn't matter.

Scratching Penny Valentine under her chin as she grabbed her camera, Alex remembered the time Morgan had tried to get her and some others to paint with their feet. It was only about two years ago but it seemed like lifetime ago. It was fitting that the Abandoned Schoolhouse to a part of her scrapbook, she had spent many nights there after first coming to Harper Rock. The list of photographs she planned on taking to add to her memory book, just kept on growing...

Penny Valentine still riding on her shoulder, Alexandrea left the house in Willow Court and stopped once she was in the street. She took several shots of the home she shared with Kira before heading to the Bullwood train station. Her first stop would be Wickbidge, where so many of her memories had been made.

No one even noticed the extra passenger hiding under Alex's hair and after getting off the train, the first subject her camera captured was Beta Towers. Madison used to live there as did someone else very special to Alex's heart. Beta Towers definitely had earned a place in Alex's scrapbook of memories.

The Metronome was next, and Alex took about a dozen shots there, even of the alleyway, before going inside and sitting at the old red booth by the door where she and many of her friends had used to practically had lived.

It made her a bit sad, how they no longer gathered there every night but things have to keep changing or else they stagnant. Penny was purring softly right next to Alexandrea's ear as she closed her eyes and thought back to the times she had spent in that very seat.

[Alexandrea]

So many memories had taken place in the Met. Alex watched some young humans dancing on the flashing floor and smiled, remembering the time when she had worn a white skirt on that same floor, not realizing that it would become see through when the lights flashed underneath her feet. Memories of parties, like the Mardi Gras events, and classes upstairs with the SoA. Meeting Elizabeth, who adopted Alex and had been more of a Sire to hr than Rebecca ever had been. Making so many new friends... And the first time she saw Odin.

And the first time she had shot anyone. It had been an accident. She didn't even know Elliott back then. Alexandrea still grimaced when she recalled the look of horror and shock on the man's face as her glock fired of a shot that went straight into his groin. Frantic, he had checked the wound, relieved to discover that his manhood had been sparred by a narrow but sufficient margin.

It was a hell of a way to meet someone, but after Alex and her friend Morgan had gotten Elliott out of there and safe, they had all become friends. The two of them had taken care of Elliott until he healed and in return Elliott had played his guitar and sang to them.

She closed her eyes for a moment, seeing the blood running down Elliott's leg as clearly as if it had just happened. Once she opened them again, she actually looked around quickly for a second, a part of her thinking for a crazy moment that he would be right there.

There was no sign of Elliott, however. Nor of anyone else that Alex knew. The crowd had changed and the old gang had all moved on. With a wistful smile, Alexandrea got up and left to head to her next stop, the CW Casino.






((memory one))

[Alexandrea]

Although there were some great shots to be had of the front of the Casino, it was the ally behind it that Alexandrea really wanted to see. She wasn't even going to go into the building this time. The only pictures Alex took were of the front, however. If Morgan was to see a photograph of the place that she had nearly died in, it might be upsetting for her.

The spot was between two dumpsters, where Alex had found the young woman as she lay in a bloody heap overdosing and beaten near to death by her Pimp. The two women had met before but despite Alexandrea's offers of help and her attempts to get the young woman off the drugs and the streets, Morgan was a complete junkie back then. Turning her had been out of the question. Alexandrea hadn't been a vampire long enough to even attempt such a thing and even if she had wanted to try, a drug addict was a poor choice to be turned. Besides, Morgan was still so young. She deserved the chance to live a normal life.

At first, Alex was just trying to use persuasion on the young woman. Trying every Allurist trick in her book to get the girl to let her take her to the hospital. How and when Alexandrea actually enthralled Morgan, Alex couldn't be sure of later. She was just desperate to help, to get Morgan some medical attention and try to save her life.

After getting the young woman checked into the hospital, Alex had stayed for as long as she could. Back then, Alex couldn't be out in the sun so as the dawn started to break she had left but only after making sure that someone would call her as soon as Morgan woke up. But no call came that day, or for many days after. Each night, Alexandrea spent as much time in Morgan's room as the visitors hours would allow and then waited in the lounge until she had to leave or risk being burned on her way home.

It was a week later when Morgan woke up, and after paying the young woman's bills, Alex took her home and pretty much 'adopted' her as a kid sister. Morgan's gratitude seemed normal at first but after awhile, it became clear that the girl was bewitched. It took some getting used to, having a 'thrall' but once Morgan's system was clean from the drugs and she was working for Alex doing an honest job? An easy and sincere friendship grew between the two.

Alex smiled at the ugly alleyway, grateful to it for bringing her the beautiful gift of a real friend.

Seeing no reason to stop the reverse stroll down memory lane, Alexandrea walked down the street and over the bridge, the kitten cuddled to her neck still vibrating with her purrs, She was heading for Alpha Towers. The place where her new life as a vampire had first begun.




((memory two))

[Alexandrea]

It wasn't a long walk to the Alpha Towers but it gave Alexandrea a chance to catch a few nice shots of the river and the Harper Rock Skyline reflected in the water along with the moon and the stars. It was a beautiful clear night, even if it was still bitterly cold. Not that Alex cared about such things. She wouldn't have even noticed if Penny hadn't found a way to crawl under her coat. Making sure her kitten was safe and comfortable, Alexandrea took a turn the opposite way from her destination and headed home. As much as she enjoyed being out in the night with her new furry friend, Penny Valentine was still too young to be out long in such low temperatures.

It was a brisk few blocks through Bullwood back to the house but waiting on a chilly train platform didn't seem like it would be much of an improvement. Alex took Penny right upstairs and the two got under the covers together, taking a short catnap. Alexandrea woke long before the cat and gently eased her way out of the bed so as to not wake the sleeping feline. She went back downstairs and plugged her camera into her computer, uploading the pictures she had just taken and freeing up the limited memory. She played with the images for awhile, adding her own touches here and there and then printing out the finished results.

The scrapbook was still where she had left it on the floor and Alexandrea plopped back down beside it with glue in hand. Penny Valentines' footprints had dried completely and made a fitting background for the pictures of the kitten. Shots of the first day Alex had brought her home and from over the next few months that showed the growth and changing expressions of a most special cat. Her coat which at first look seemed totally black actually had the tiger stripes of a tabby but in such dark shades that only by looking close under the sun or a bright light could a human's eye ever appreciate the beauty of it.

"I should see if Zodiac will allow me to take a picture of her and Jenny." Alex quietly said to herself and before she forgot, put a reminder in her phone. leaning back over the memory book, Alexandrea lost track of time as she worked on pasting pictures and mementos on the many black pages. She had no doubt she could fill them all, it was just a matter of taking the time to do it. A rubbing purr and a headbutt to the side of her head distracted Alex from her work and as Penny demanded breakfast, it dawned on Alex that the sun was up.

"Okay, little one. I get the message.." Alex chuckled and scooped up the kitten in her arms, heading to the kitchen. A bowl of water and a can of Purrfect Bistro Surf+Turf for the cat were placed on the low feeding table made just for kitty and Alex made herself a cup of tea and an English Muffin with Orange Marmalade. Eating and drinking slowly so as to enjoy the tastes, she watched Penny wolf her breakfast down like she hadn't been fed in years and chuckled.

Once the kitten was done she had to groom herself but that gave Alex time to clean up and get her camera and coat. Cat back on shoulder, they two headed out to finish Alex's trip down memory lane.

[Alexandrea]

Alpha Towers wasn't a very impressive building by night, unlike the Metro and the Casino. Even Beta Towers showed up better in pictures taken after sunset, due to the lights from Club Argent and the Wickbridge Train Station. So Alexandrea was pleased to have waited to do her photo shot until after daybreak. The snow was still on the ground and the shine from the sun was glaring but just as the old expression goes; "If you don't like the weather? Wait five minutes and it'll change."? Soon enough some clouds rolled in from the west, casting shadows along the apartment building's lean structure and making it look far more interesting than it usually did.

Alex wouldn't be going inside. There was no reason to. Rebecca wouldn't be there. And Alexandrea had no idea who lived in Q's old Apartment now. It wasn't like she could just go up and ring the bell and say; "Hi, I was turned into a vampire here. Mind if I come in and take a few pictures for my scrapbook?"

She couldn't help but giggle, and rolled her eyes as she shook her head. Only she would want to take a photograph of the place where as a human she had effectively died. And while she understood how silly that was and how many would find it odd, she just didn't care. The idea of making a page in her memory book about the night she was turned pleased her.

Penny jumped down to chase a bird and Alexandrea brushed off a nearby bench to sit and watch. She had no worry that the kitten would get lost or injured, the offspring of Jenny had already proven herself to be a most capable cat. The feline was smart, brave and extremely adept at killing even for an adult cat. Alex wondered just how much more talented her furry friend would prove to be by the end of the year.

While the cat stalked winter birds, Alex rummaged through her bag for some pencils and taking out her sketch pad, starting to draw the inside of Q's apartment from memory. The Elder had been a woman of expensive tastes and the furniture had been custom built for the space. It was very possible that whomever lived there now, still had the same decor. "Maybe in another few months..." she whispered to herself, thinking ahead to the new abilities she had been studying on the path of the Shadows. She had been told of powers that could hide her from any eyes, Be they human, vampire or machine. And a way to enter anyplace, without needing a key or even to pick a lock. All very tempting for a woman whose main carrier chose was to be a cat burglar.

The drawing complete, Alex flipped the page to a blank piece of paper and began to sketch Rebecca's face from memory...

The Elder had been a beauty but a dangerous one. Her allure had hung heavy and thick in the air, almost as if Q lived and breathed through her own sexual nature. At the time, Alexandrea had thought she was the most powerful female she had ever seen and wanted to be just like her. Looking back at the memory of her sire now... Alex was stunned to realize that after the last three years, she herself was the much stronger and more powerful of the two.

Ah, but at the time? Back then Alexandrea had been in a trance from the moment Rebecca had caught Alex robbing her home until the next night when she had awoken in the Elder's bed alone. Alex's head had been swimming in questions but the few things that Q had bothered to explain during their night together felt like the smokey wisps one tries to cling when after waking from a dream. There one moment and then the next... just... gone.

Alex waited for a few days before giving up on the idea that Rebecca would come back. She was starved but didn't know what for. She got dressed and let herself out of the apartment only to remember a second later that didn't have any money. She went to go back inside, having left the door unlocked. But she wasn't able to enter. Confused and frustrated, at last Alex gave up trying and left the building. She had then gone into the to the first place she saw, the Necropolis Nightclub.




((memory three))

[Alexandrea]

Once Alexandrea had been inside the club, she remembered she still had no money. By this time Alex had no issue with stealing anymore so several pockets later, she had enough cash in her pocket to get a bit to eat and something to drink. Sitting by herself at the bar, the bartender had taken her order and without delay had brought her a glass of wine. "Your food will just be a few minutes, Miss" He had said with a smile and a wink.

Alex wondered why the fellow had winked but brushed it off as him being a flirt. She tried to sip her wine slowly, not having eaten for a few days she didn't want the spirits to go straight to her head. She had barely had half a swallow when the nausea set in. Rushing into the bathroom, she didn't make it as far as a stall and purged her stomach in the closest sink instead. Busy with cleaning up her mess, it took her a few minutes before she caught on that she had no reflection. She brought up her hand to touch the glass, tapping it with her nails. It had to be some kind of fake mirror... a trick.

But when a waitress came in to check on her, sent by the bartender she was told later, Alex almost fainted. The other woman was in the mirror that Alex stood in front of... but Alexandrea was not.

"Hey, you okay Miss? The bartender said to tell you his was sorry. He was sure you were an Allurist."

Alexandrea didn't know what to say, she must be having some kind of bad dream. Ignoring the waitress, Alex turned the water on and splashed cold water on her face. A towel was handed to her and she took it gratefully, nodding to the woman as she quietly said thank you.

"You better come with me, hon..." The waitress said and before Alex could argue, she felt herself being steered out of the bathroom and into an office., where she was gently sat into a chair.

"My boss isn't around right now but I know she would be okay with you resting here. Just stay put until she comes in. I'm sure she'll be here soon."

The sound of a door closing startled Alex, she hadn't even realized that the woman had left until the door closed. What was going on? What was an allurist?

Bits and pieces of the short talk Rebecca had given her nights ago started to come back to her then. Short statements that at the time hadn't seemed to fit together. 'Don't go out in the sun.' 'Don't get caught feeding.' 'Don't tell humans what you are.'

Well, what was she? Even as Alex asked, she knew. The image of Rebecca with fangs bared as the woman had leaned down into Alexandrea's neck came back to her in sudden, sharp focus.

Alex stood upright quickly and bolted from the office and the building. She... was a vampire?



((memory four))

[Alexandrea]

Penny dropped a half dead bird in Alex's lap with a soft meow and then started to purr, rousing Alexandrea from where she had been lost in her memory. Stroking her kitten with one hand, Alex packed up her things with the other. Penny jumped back to her favourite perch and as Alex stood, she walked west away from the memories that the Alpha Tower and the Necropolis held for her. She had no regrets about her new life but some things from those first few days she would rather not immortalize in a memory book. The first time she had tried to feed being at the top of the list.

She walked until she came to the wilderness and then skirted the woods, heading north towards the Triple Moon Temple. She thought about going south, to the Water Treatment plant but decided against it. It reminded her of Odin and she still had no idea where she stood with him. On the way to the temple, they passed the Corn Maze and with a smile Alex started taking pictures again, recalling the time she had met with Cherry and some other women to exchange ghost stories one Halloween.

There wasn't a lot of photo opportunities in a a corn maze however, so after a short time Alex headed to the Temple. Kira had made it such a beautiful place, inside and out. She just hoped she wouldn't run out of room on the camera's memory card.

After catching the building from every angle, Alexandrea went on inside and Penny jumped down to go play with the fish. At least these wouldn't try to eat her like Orin, the shark at the mall. Having never really fished before, the fish were safe but a very wet cat wasn't something Alex wanted to have tucked around her neck. Looking around for a towel or some kind of rag to dry the cat off with, Alex's eye caught sight of something that didn't belong. It was a spy camera. And not the sort of thing Kira would have put in herself for security...

[Alexandrea]

After Alexandrea had disabled and removed the Spy Cam, she sat down to think. It was just last fall when everything had started to really go to hell. Her and her friends had all worked so hard at making positive changes but in the end, what they ended up with was worse than the system that they had been having to deal with before.

Maybe if they had been able to get some of the Wraith Guides that had been helping them brought back to life, things might have been better, But once Crow was exposed and left powerless, running the violations list had fallen to vampires themselves. And many of her kind were petty and small minded assholes that set up others just for the kick of adding them to that list and then hunting them.

She supposed it wasn't as bad as the personal hit list. She herself had been on that one a few times, and at times for a hefty price. If she didn't know any better she would have swore it was Jarrett. She knew he still hated her for breaking his heart even though there was no way he could have known about her and Odin. Alex hadn't told anyone about it, and she knew Odin wouldn't have had and probably never would. He was ashamed of being with her.

Alex didn't want to think about Jarrett. She knew she had handled the break up badly. But no matter how many times she had tried to talk to him in person about them not being right for each other he just wouldn't listen. And then he had gone and gotten himself killed, hurting him family as well. It was easy to understand why they would all blame Alexandrea, even though it was clear she had never really known Jarrett at all. The man she had thought he was would never have hurt himself over a failed romance. Let alone put his family though such a loss.

If only foresight was as clear as hindsight... Alexandrea would have either not dated Jarrett at all or would have insisted that they keep it casual. She looked up at Penny still playing in the streams that ran inside of the temple and sighed. It was all water under the bridge. Nothing she could do about it now. Maybe if things had been different, she could have really been with Odin rather than having to just be a 'dirty little secret'. But maybe not. It was clear that the man wasn't sure about how he felt about her and might not ever be.

Alex got up and packed the parts of the spy cam into her bag before taking a quick look around for more. Finding none, she called Penny and after rubbing the kitten dry with her own scarf, tucked her inside her coat and left the temple heading north again.

She wasn't sure where she was going this time, just following a trail into the wildness that seemed familiar somehow but she couldn't recall why.

[Alexandrea]

At first Alex was thinking that the path she went down was the same one she had walked last summer, when she had met with Zodiac and Elizabeth and two other lovely ladies to celebrate the shortest night of the year. There had been a bonfire and dancing that night and Alexandrea had come away from the occasion feeling refreshed and reborn.

But it soon became apparent that the trail she was following now, was not the same one from that night. Still, she knew she had walked this way before. More than once, she was sure. Over grown in places, it was still easy for the vampire to pick her way between the trees and bushes towards a clearing where there was a huge fire pit surrounded by litter in the center.

Bemused as she looked around at the mess so untypical of the area, Alexandrea looked over the trash heaped about with a frown. Not since her misguided youth, had Alex seen such blatant examples of laziness and uncaring. The lack of respect for nature and for others annoyed hr until she put two and two together and started to laugh.

This had been where Mad Maddie May and her used to throw keg parties back in their teen years... and it seemed that kids were still using the spot.

Grinning at the flood of memories from her wild child days, Alex took about a dozen pictures with her camera and then another one on her phone which she sent to Madison with the message; "Look familiar?"

Alexandrea wondered if Maddie would reply, perhaps even join her, it would be fun to exchange stories of the many nights they had gotten trashed and acted like idiots. At one time, they even 'shared' a guy for awhile and one time the two of them had beaten the crap out of another girl that they had caught him with... and then beat the crap out of him. Alex couldn't hold back a wicked chuckle. Ah, good times, good times...

There were other places in Harper Rock that went back even further into Alex's past but most of them were memories Alex would rather forget.

((memory five))

[Alexandrea]

Penny was amusing herself with a nosy squirrel that chattered angrily at the small kitten as she attempted to climb her first tree. It was quite humorous to watch, the tip of the feline's tail twitching anxiously as the squirrel wagged ferociously. Neither seemed anxious to actually engage the other, however.

Satisfied that her cat would be fine for a few minutes Alexandrea took our her Tome that Elizabeth had given her and within seconds was back at the rooftop garden's fade portal. She stepped trough it and onto a train platform, heading to the mall to gather up some trash bags. She took a moment to check on Orin, the mall's mascot shark, and to say a quick hello to a few customers in her shop before heading back out.

Alex then went into a dark alleyway out of sight of any humans, activating celerity to run into the woods. She went straight back to the clearing, slightly worried about her kitten but from the looks of things, Penny Valentine hadn't even noticed Alex had been gone. Both rodent and feline still locked in a mighty battle of wills.

So Alexandrea got right to work, picking up the garbage and sorting the recyclables. Was it her mess to clean up? No. But she had been responsible for more than her fair share of litter in the past. In fact, if it hadn't been for her and Madison this clearing in the woods might have gone undiscovered for at least a few more years. But the bottom line was, that it was the right thing to do.

And after the last two days, she had more than enough memories gathered together to keep her busy with her scrapbook for many nights to come.