To Be a Savage [[Dhara]]

[Aliyah]

The night had been successful. Extremely so, really. Her time in the hunting grounds had produced a multitude of skins and fangs, many of which she would sell, and some she would give to Pi, as the woman had requested. Not only did she have her animal treasures, but the jump drive she flicked between her thumb and forefinger was filled with downloaded files. Hacking was slowly becoming an activity she enjoyed, less of a chase with prey, but requiring just as much skill. If only difference targeted skill sets, of course.

Corvidae Flats stretched the sky before her, and again, Aliyah silently thanked Elliot for his kindness. The building was well cared for, and oddly occupied for a place like the QZ. The thought of crowds in the lobby made the woman cringe, bracing herself for the overwhelming sensory overload. The noises and sights sometimes became too much in the lobby, between the vampires and zombies and the music constantly played in the background. How anyone could stand it, the blonde hadn't a clue.

As she pushed open the doors, the smell of stale beer and decaying flesh bombarded her nose. Closing her eyes against the rise in her anxiety, Ali pushed her way to the elevator, frantically calling it down from the upper floors. When the doors opened, she rushed in, closing the doors quickly, uncaring to anyone possibly trying to use it as well. They could damn well wait. She was about to have a panic attack. That took precedence in her book. Even if she was completely biased to the situation.

The bell signaled her escape to the 9th floor, so she exited and took a quick right to Apt. 9007. The key slid into the lock and easily and she peered inside. Empty.

Elliot had mentioned a human that shared the space, having cautiously asked Ali if she would be okay in such close proximity. As it were, she had yet to come across the woman he had spoken of. The blonde assumed the woman did most of her movement throughout the day when Ali was deep asleep while the sun was high in the sky. Which was fine, what normal human wouldn't? Still, her lack of presence caused Ali to wonder if it was her fault. Elliot had warned the woman of Ali's comings and goings, and perhaps that scared her off, and made her uncomfortable. In either case, she couldn't even guess. When you hadn't even laid eyes on someone, it was hard to assume their motives.

With a soft sigh, she closed the door behind her, flipping the lock. The sparse apartment was dark and quiet, as usual. With soft, unnecessary, steps, Ali moved to the bedroom that she had claimed for herself, the windows completely covered by black curtains. She lowered the bag to the floor with a small thud, and with far less grace than any vampire should have, fell to the bed.

Her eyes closed as she relaxed. The sun would not rise for another few hours, and that left her wide awake. It was like the sun turned her body to "off" and she slipped into a sleep there was no escape from. She almost wished that she could stay awake as the sun rose, even just to see it rise one more time.

If there was one thing Ali had taken for granted, it was her love for the sun. Australia constantly basked in the glow of the giant star, warming the skins of the people that inhabited the island. As one who had a deep appreciation for her native country, the sun had never crossed her mind as a necessary part it. Until she couldn't enjoy it, anymore, locked in a prison of eternal darkness. How depressing...

"Now, what?" she mumbled to herself, considering the kind of trouble she could get it.

[Dhara]

The key slid in to the lock and turned with a soft "snick" of flipping tumblers. The girl pushed the door open and her uniquely accented voice filtered through the door before she managed to get through, as if she were chasing her own word. "Yes I know. I am well aware of this fact, Levi." She shut the door quietly, then slipped off her soft boots. She wandered across the floor in her stocking feet, the look on her face one of patient annoyance, much like a parent dealing with a recalcitrant child.

"No I will not wear a leather mini skirt and a corset. I do not know how many times I have to tell you this." Amusement shone in her eyes as she began making coffee, this was an old argument with her and Levi. Her boss thought she dressed like a vagabond, and she thought he wanted her to look like a slut. There was no middle ground on this argument. Water, filter, grounds. She hit the button and stared at the pot, willing the hot liquid in to the carafe faster than the few drops it was coming at. Coffee was her one true love, and patience was not a virtue she possessed when waiting for it.

"Yes. Yes. And yes. Of course I will be there tomorrow, unless you call me again and say I am not needed." A pause as she deftly climbed on the counter with out dropping her phone. She secured a mug and climbed down, giving the slowly filling carafe a death glare. "Mmhmm. Alright." Another pause and a shake of her head. "Good night, Levi." She stressed her German accent, knowing it annoyed the man to no end. He preferred when he heard the Australian in her voice. Her blended accent was a result of growing up in both countries as a child. She hit the end button and set the phone down with a chuckle.

At last she was able to pour a mug of coffee. The strong black brew splashed in the cup and the look on her face was one of simple glee. It really was the little things. Grabbing her cup, she headed in to the living room, where she came to a halt so fast she nearly spilled the precious liquid in her mug. The door was closed. The door wasn't closed when she left for work. She licked her bottom lip and tugged nervously on the hem of her pale pink tunic shirt. Could this be the flatmate Elliot had mentioned? He said she would be there, but given the odd hours Dhara worked, she'd never seen her.

But the door was closed. And she never left that door closed. Not when she was living here alone. She blew out a soft breath as she stared at the door. Should she knock? Should she pretend that she didn't see the closed door? She was used to hostles where people just came and went as they pleased. She'd never had a proper flatmate and now she wasn't sure what to do about it. Sipping her coffee, she decided for a middle road. Calling out in the general direction of the closed door as she curled up on the couch.

"Hello? I'm home!" There. That way if her flatmate was there, she wouldn't be startled. And if she wasn't, then Dhara was talking to a door, which was nothing new really. She chuckled to herself and picked up a book, focusing wholly on the story contained in it's pages.

[Aliyah]

The soft 'click' of the door opening was all the rousing Aliyah needed, bolting upright on the bed. Her ears strained as they caught the soft footfalls against the floor, alerting her to the human, no doubt. Her blue hues shifted to the clock, taking in the unnatural time for the female to be up and about. And though Ali had her door closed, the scent filled her nose as if she were standing in the room. Humans gave off this..distinct scent, and it drew vampires to them like moths to a flame. Maybe it was the blood, practically advertising itself to the creatures stalking the night. A fatal flaw, really.

Then, it changed into something new, and her mouth watered. Coffee had been a must in her human life, at least one cup required each day in order for Ali to even remotely function properly. Since her turning, coffee had become a "no-no" unless she wanted to become violently ill. Being real, who ever wanted to be violently ill?

The voice finally drew her from her room, padding down the short hallway to find the woman curled up on the couch with a cup with steaming liquid in her hands. Stopping short, Aliyah leaned against the doorframe, taking in the human that was to her flatmate. In a way, she reminded Ali of a pixie, and the colorful hair only added to the illusion. But all too true to reality, the blonde admitted that the woman was quite pretty.

Like a slap across her face, she realized she had been staring without a word of greeting. "Hello..." she whispered, having never before introduced herself to a roommate of any kind. In truth, she was a bit of a loner when it involved her space. This time, she truly had no right to be, though. She had invaded this woman's space, not the other way around. "I'm Aliyah. Or...Ali for short, if you prefer."

The space that separated the two of them was more than enough, but Ali was almost scared to move any closer. Her experience with humans since her turning was nothing short of quick and potentially awful, for them. They were her food source, now...how she survived. They were not her friends, or flatmates, for good reason. Part of her wondered if her presence made the other nervous, even a little bit. And in that case, staying a safe distance away was probably best. So, with a quick quick, she settled herself down into a chair, her knees curling beneath her in what she could only take as the best non-threatening posture she could manage.

"Your coffee smells delicious...makes me want a cup, no matter the consequences," she attempted, as a joke. Then, regretted it. Did this woman even know that vampires couldn't consume food or drinks? At least, not all of them...Elliot being the only exception she currently knew of.

[Dhara]

She looked up at the sound of footsteps. Her smile was quick and easy. A bright friendly one that traveled up to her amber eyes and warmed them. She was curious as well, taking in the soft voice, the light steps, the hints of hesitation. She gently laid the book aside and brushed her straight hair off her face as she gazed at the woman.

"Hello Ali. I'm Dhara." She spoke just as softly, her voice a mix of Aussie and German. But though she spoke quietly, her voice was just as warm and inviting as her smile was. The anxiety she'd felt over having a flatmate had vanished with the appearance of the newcomer. She thought it odd that Elliot had only told her the woman's name and nothing else about her. She shrugged it off and smiled again as Ali moved from the hall to a chair.

"I love that chair. It's so comfortable. But if I sit in it, I will fall asleep, and I like to read for a little bit when I get home from work." She picked up her coffee and had a sip, listening to Ali talk about coffee and how much she loved it. She canted her head slightly when she mentioned consequences. "You can't..." Her eyes widened slightly as she connected the dots and she couldn't help the fact that adrenaline coursed through her and caused her heart to accelerate.

She exhaled a slow breath and gazed at her unlikeliest of roommates in silence. A vampire and a human occupying the same space. Her head canted again as she stared, rudely perhaps, at Ali. She took in the measure of the nervous woman. Was she anxious because there was a human in the room? Or was she anxious because it was just part of her nature? Her nose crinkled slightly as her thoughts tripped over themselves, dashing through her mind with out a care. Another breath blew out from pursed lips and her smile returned. Once again it was warm and inviting, hiding nothing as she looked at Ali.

"Well, lets not jump in to coffee yet. However, we can think of something, I bet, where we could sit together and enjoy a relaxing, post work drink, don't you?" A simple statement, with a hidden question. Ali had been accepted by Dhara, and given her trust that she wouldn't become a midnight snack. The question was, would Ali trust Dhara? Trust the fact that she wouldn't kill her in the height of the day, or give her location away to hunters? Only time would tell.

[Aliyah]

"Dhara..." formed silently on Aliyah's lips, testing out the name that she finally had for the human that had been her roommate since her arrival. It was like a veil of unease lifted, the name somehow clearing away some of the hesitation she had felt. When armed with a name, people seemed more...well, human. Less likely to stake you through the heart, or cut off your head. Aliyah blinked, suddenly aware that she had no idea if stakes through the heart were actually true methods of killing a vampire. She made a mental note to ask Pi or Elliot about it, whichever she happened across first.

The blonde smiled as Dhara spoke of the chair that Ali had settled into, and she wiggled, testing her comfort level. So far, it had proven to be just as the human woman said, providing enough comfort to relax away some of the tension that seemed permanent in her muscles. It was like her body refused to accept that she could relax and that she wasn't always in constant danger. Sure, she was new to this whole...vampire thing, but eventually, something had to give. And it couldn't be her mind. She happened to need it. "I agree, this chair is wonderful. Though, I don't see myself falling asleep until sunrise...perhaps I will test it out, tonight." she replied with a little shake of her head, concealing a laugh behind her hand.

It didn't take a rocket scientist to read Dhara's reactions like a book, her face as open as the sky. She hid nothing, granting Aliyah the look into her sudden moment of anxiety, but even if she hadn't, her increased heart rate said it all. The pounding of the woman's heart thumped in Ali's ears, much like it would if she held a stethoscope to Dhara's chest. It signaled the differences between them, reminding the blonde of the fangs she hid from her view, due to her inability to retract her fangs, as of yet...the fangs that could so easily reach the very thing her companion's heart rushed through her body.

Aliyah forced her blue eyes away from Dhara's neck, swallowing down a lump that had began to form in her throat. She had fed already tonight, her need for blood was satiated. But, as she was coming to learn, that did not stop the lust for it, not entirely. The call of blood was a powerful force on the will of a vampire. A will that she needed to keep in constant check, especially here. Not only was this woman a roommate, but Elliot had placed Ali here...he had faith in her ability to keep in control. She wouldn't, couldn't, let him down.

The woman spoke again of relaxing and her gaze snapped to her in surprise, canting her head in wonder. A human and vampire establishing a friendship, at best, or civility at its worst, was something Aliyah would have thought impossible. But, the woman looked at her openly, without the slightest hint of malice or worry. "I..." she began, closing her eyes. "I am sure we can think of something, yes...though, I suspect you would not enjoy aiding or watching my drinks...preparation." It had been a thought...mixing blood with a drink to see how it went down, if it went down. Elliot hadn't mentioned, and she certainly hadn't asked. But, hell...the worst that could happen if she tried? She spent the next couple of hours violently heaving.

"What is it that you do, if you don't mind me asking?" She had wondered about it, when they managed to avoid each other so well, and they happen to come across each other early in the morning. Hours before the sun were to rise and Ali would find herself incapacitated.

[Dhara]

Dhara: She gazed at the woman for a moment, her heart slowing and her quick, easy smile re-appearing. "Well in the early evenings, from about 3pm to 6 I work at the bookstore for Jonah. And then from six-ish to just before sunrise I work for Levi as his personal assistant. Then I usually come home, read and fall on my face for most of the day." She grinned at her and tilted her head. "What about you?"

Aliyah: The blonde stared at Dhara for a good long moment, trying to determine how one found so much time in the day to do so much. "Are you not a fan of down time?" she asked with a cant of her head, vaguely aware of the fact that she hardly recalled much of her routine before her turning. That was only a month ago. "Well...since I can only be up at night, there isn't as much for job opportunity, you know? So...my activities are more...illicit?" She winced, ever so slightly. Great. Now she was a monster and a criminal. Her mother would murder her.

Dhara: She laughed softly and nodded a little. "I don't like down time. And I've never stayed in one place for so long. I'm kind of a… modern day travelling bard I guess you could say. So usually I'm singing, literally, for my supper and wandering from town to town and country to country." She paused and sipped her coffee. "Whatever puts a roof over your head and food on your plate. As long as you don't get caught." She gave her flat mate a conspiratorial smile. "The cops around here are a little jumpy if you know what I mean."

Aliyah: Aliyah felt a rush of respect for the woman across from her, giving her nod. It must be tiring, always to be traveling. And finding the people to pay for her performance. "That sounds wonderful. Have you been anywhere exotic?" she asked, wiggling her brows in wonder. Australia was often considered such a place, and so it was hard to find a match, in her book. "I have actually been shot a couple of times by those cops. Jumpy, but with good reason?" She shifted in her chair, twirling blonde locks around her fingers.

Dhara: "I've been shot by a vampire and by a human." Her nose crinkled "Gun happy I think." She chuckled softly. "I've been all over, actually. I'm on my fourth passport. Korea, Japan, Italy... you name it. I left home really young." She paused again and stared at the woman thoughtfully. "Where in Australia are you from?" Though she hadn't been back to Australia for a couple of years, the hint of her own Aussie accent was blended in with the stronger German.

Aliyah: The woman's question about Australia immediately brought a wide grin to Ali's lips, not bothering to hide her fangs, for once. "I was born in Brisbane. My parents grew up in the States, and moved us back when I was 17. I can somewhat detect Aussie with you...where are you from?" she asked, content in finding another Aussie outside of Elliot. And her roommate, at that.

Dhara: "Originally I was born in Bonn, Germany, but we moved to Australia when I was little. Sydney. We had a little cottage on the beach. It was every girls dream. The sun, the waves, the freedom. I miss it. Especially in this dang cold and snow!"

Aliyah: If there was such a thing as kindred spirits, Ali would have deemed this woman as her own. If Dhara was capable of pulling words out of her own thoughts, it was a gift. "You...took the words right out of my mouth! I was surfer in Australia...and let me tell you, the beaches are terrible, here! Ugh...I miss it terribly!" she gushed, wishing there was a chance to go back. But, even if she did, there would be no sun for her. "And Germany, too? You really have been everywhere. Where would you say...is your favorite place?"

Dhara: "I never surfed." She admitted bashfully. "I just like to splash in the waves. I haven't been brave enough to try the beaches here." She grinned, relaxing even more thanks to Ali's enthusiastic response. She found she was quickly coming to like the woman she was sharing an apartment with. "Mmm my favorite place..." She twirled a lock of candy cane hair around her finger in thought. "Gosh that's hard. Italy for the food, Austria for the music, England for the history... the list goes on and on. But for sheer, crazy fun? Tokyo, hands down."

Aliyah: A blonde eyebrow quirked up in wonder, "Oh, I have always wanted to visit Japan!" The country was one of absolute beauty. "I can only imagine the trouble you could cause there." The mere idea made her giggle and she quickly covered her mouth. Coughing, as if to cover the laugh, she lowered her hand and began to pick at her jeans. "Well, you are quite cultured...whereas, I am not. Australia and America, that's it. How boring, right?"

Dhara: "I don't know if I'd consider myself cultured. Just well-traveled." She grinned and smoothed out her long skirt. "There's a difference. Culture is for people who have money." She snickered softly. "What's your favorite part of the US?"

Aliyah: Aliyah smirked, having to agree with the woman, to an extent. It was hard to be cultured without money paving the way. Still, she had seen far more of the world. Considering the question, she chewed at her lip. "Hmm...I'm not sure?" she began, trying to consider the things she had seen and done. "To be honest, I'm not sure I have a favorite. I'm not sure I even like it in the US!"

Dhara: She laughed and blew a lock of hair from her eyes. "I think I agree with you. You hear people rave about places like New York and Las Vegas, but I just found them overwhelming, loud and dirty."

Aliyah: "Dhara, you know how to speak my language..." she replied, shaking her head with a laugh. "How can we think so alike?! I hate crowds, cities...this place is like a personal hell, some nights."

Dhara: "I don't mind crowds, per se. My type of music draws a very specific kind of person I suppose. But..." she crinkled her nose "Cities are just blah. To big, too noisy. Just too much."

Aliyah: Her head leaned back against the chair, and she grinned at the woman. "And what kind of music is that?" she asked, curious to what kind of crowd the woman would bring in. She didn't seem too off the wall, but maybe her music was different.

Dhara: "Folk music, renaissance music. My favorite instrument is the Lute. But I also play the wooden flute, the violin, piano, guitar..." She blushed, realizing she was babbling. Music was her one true love and she could go on and on about it.

Aliyah: "No, go on. I'm not sure why, but I have always loved learning things about other people. My favorite hobby is people watching, creating my own stories for them in my head. Pretty dumb, I know... but entertaining." She smiled over at the woman, letting her brush aside any embarrassment she might have felt. "I used to play the flute when I was girl. I loved it, but eventually stopped, taking up gymnastics, instead."

[Aliyah]

--The following transcript was a live chat roleplay--

Dhara: She shuddered delicately. "You are a brave brave woman. I couldn't do all that flipping and flinging myself off of things. I have all the grace of a bull in a china shop." She chuckled. "I love to people watch. Sometimes I sit at the bank and I do the same thing, make up stories." She sipped her coffee again. "My father hates the lute. He wanted me to learn civilized instruments, which is why I play the violin and the piano. Mother was a different mindset and that is why I learned the lute, guitar and flute." She snickered almost to herself. "Those two are like oil and water."

Aliyah: The talk of parents somewhat ruined Aliyah's mood, and she listened to Dhara talk of her parents with an interest she wouldn't have expected. In truth, she had only seen one couple outside of her parents, and both were hardly good models of a happy relationship. "Did they balance each other, then?" she asked, curious as to what Dhara thought of her parent's relationship.

Dhara: "Not really." The answer came a little too quickly and she stared at her cup. "I need more coffee." She jumped up from the couch and bustled in to the kitchen, she desperately wanted to change the subject. She'd become so relaxed around Ali that she hadn't even thought about what they were talking about. "So Elliot gave you a key huh?" There, a nice, safe subject change.

Aliyah: The sudden movement made Ali jump, immediately setting her on edge again. As the woman passed, her scent followed her and the blonde put a hand to her nose, to limit it. "Yeah, he did. I was living on the floors of the QZ buildings. I still have my bag packed and ready to go, in case I should need to do it again." She replied, standing to peer into the kitchen at what her roommate was doing. "Hey, Dhara? My parents weren't perfect, either..." she offered, but let the topic drop there. At least, she would know she wasn't alone in that department.

Dhara: She smiled faintly to herself, but latched on to the new topic, already relaxed and smiling when she returned with her coffee. "Why keep a bag packed? It's not like you'll have to leave." She, too, kept a bag packed, but it was for a whole different reason. She wasn't bound to this city or country. She literally could pick and go if she wanted.

Aliyah: Aliyah looked at the woman like she might have been crazy. "In case...things don't...work out..." she answered, rather slowly. Not to be rude, but in a sense of hesitation. "When he said I was going to live with a human...I wanted to be sure that I would be ready to go...if I couldn't handle it."
Dhara: She settled in to the corner of the couch once more, canting her head to smile at Ali. "I trust you Ali." She said calmly, the look in her eyes said the same thing as her voice did. "I think you can unpack your bag. I'm not worried." She flashed her a teasing smile, "Besides, we both sleep during the day."

Aliyah: "Maybe you shouldn't? Aliyah asked, glancing away. "I am still a creature that runs on instinct. I could hurt you, and not even realize it, until the… the beast runs off to hide again." She wasn't sure when she started referring to her instincts as a beast, but the shoe fit. Still, she lowered herself down into the chair once more.

Dhara: "And if that happens, we'll find a way to deal with it. You can't keep thinking that bad things will happen just because you're a vampire. If you keep thinking like that, then you're just borrowing trouble."

Aliyah: She couldn't help it...she laughed, a bitter sounds. "It's hard not to, Dhara. One day...you are human, you take life for granted. And then next, you are dead...dead, but alive. But to stay that way? You need to feed from the very thing you once were. It's...awful." She never planned to have a pity party, but the words fell out of her mouth, anyway.

Dhara: She got up slowly and sat lightly on the arm of the chair, resting a gentle hand on the woman’s shoulder. "Ali, we can handle whatever happens. Besides, I... know some things that can help. Trust me?"

Aliyah: The touch nearly made her wince, but she refused to show the vulnerability. Not to Dhara, but to herself. "What...can help?" she asked, glancing at the woman in curiosity. She had Elliot, sure, but right now, they were worried about keeping her on her own two feet.

Dhara: "Well a friend of mine said there's a way to acquire um... you know... what you need for dinner. And that we can keep it in the fridge. Maybe that can help? I even know how to get it. In fact, I'll grab some on my way home from work tomorrow."

Aliyah: "Blood packets?" she asked, shaking her head in shock. "Dhara, I can't ask you to get involved in that. It isn't your job to keep me sane, it's mine." She offered the woman a small smile, and a bow of her head. "My curse to carry, shall we say?"

Dhara: "You're not asking. I'm offering." She smiled warmly and gave Ali some space, moving back to her place on the couch, as if she could sense she needed it. "Besides, I'd do it any way, just to help make you comfortable."

Aliyah: The offer warmed a part of Ali had long since remained cold. It had been a month since someone had really offered Ali more than just physical aid...giving her shelter and money. No, the woman offered her a peace of mind. "Thank you, Dhara...that means more than you can know."

Dhara: She smiled at Ali. "I honestly can't say I know what you're going through, but if I can help in any way, just ask. Or leave a note, or text... since we seem to keep the same hours and I might not see you. But if you need anything, I can snag it on the way home from work or run out during the day."

Aliyah: Aliyah's gaze was already set on the hallway opening before Dhara even appeared, her steps signaling her arrival. She took the jar offered, looking in at the sand and shells. "Wow...I remember always wanting one of these. Is the sand from home?" she asked, unsure of the woman considered Australia home, but figuring she understood.

[Dhara]

--The following transcript was a live chat roleplay--

Dhara: "It is. I put it together the last time I was there. I don't know how it's stayed safe through everything, but it didn't break." She smiled and took her spot up on the couch, tucking her legs under her, bare feet vanishing beneath her long black skirt. "Consider it a house warming gift."

Aliyah: Holding the jar wasn't enough to bring her sunlight, but it did give her a piece of home. She loved it. "How about this..." she whispered, placing the jar on the center of the window sill. "That way, we both can remember home, whenever we see it. And I can imagine the sun." She grinned, dipping her head in order to pull her hair back into a ponytail. "So. I know you like music, and sun...what else is there to know about Dhara?"

Dhara: "I think it looks great there. And feel free to add anything you want. I'm not that great of a decorator." She smiled at Ali. "Me? Well not much. That sums it up really. I love music, I like to travel, and I enjoy my jobs. Oh... books. Books are my second great love."

Aliyah: "Books...maybe we should start a book collection, then. We can get some shelves, and just dedicate one whole wall to them." It was a joke, of sorts, but at the same time, she had always wanted her own "library." Even as a kid, she swore up and down to her parents that would have the greatest collection of books in the world.

Dhara: "I like that idea. The book store I work at is religious texts, mystical ones too. Non-fiction books about philosophy and religion. But there's plenty of places to get other books."

Dhara: She didn't bother to mention she wouldn't own books herself because she didn't know how long she would be here. But she would help Ali collect books to her hearts content.

Aliyah: Aliyah smiled and nodded, looking around the space that they shared and imagined a wall of the binding pointing back at her. "Hmm... what is your favorite book? Or, if too hard, genre?" She knew she asked a lot of questions, but she wanted to know these things.

Dhara: "Honestly I don't have one. It's really just any thing I can get my hands on. I never finished high school..." She admitted, she'd long since gotten over the shame of it. "But I love to learn and read everything I can get my hands on."

Aliyah: Now that was unexpected. "I had a...friend...that dropped out of high school our junior year. I haven't talked to him in a while, but I think he is doing well." Ali didn't mention the fact that he told her never to speak to him again after a fallout, but that was beside the point. "I went to college for a degree in psychology. Have a Masters, and was on my way for a job interview in Toronto when I came here. You can assume the rest, I'm sure."

Dhara: "One thing lead to another and viola. You're stuck with me for a flat mate." She teased and stuck out her tongue. "Psychology? Why Psychology?"

Aliyah: Aliyah smirked at the face the woman made, shaking her head with a little laugh. "I guess I will somehow have to deal, hmm?" Her tone was teasing, and as the woman questioned her degree, she grew a bit more serious. "I was a...rebellious youth, let's say. And from my own experiences with family and others, I know how hard it can be. And the human mind just...fascinates me. Thoughts, emotions, perceptions. All of it." She knew she probably sounded stupid, but it was the truth. That was all she had to offer.

Dhara: She twisted a lock of red and white hair around her finger as they talked. Her attention was wholly focused on Ali and she nodded a little, then sipped her coffee. "Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to rebel or be crazy. Never really had the chance. Well… that's not quite true. I left home at 16 and travelled the world. But I don't drink, I don't smoke, I don't really date..."

Aliyah: Aliyah couldn't help but stare open-mouthed at the woman as she confessed to her lack of rebellion in life. Most of it was a rite of passage that every teenager did, at least once. "For...personal reasons, or...just lack of interest?" she asked, leaning forward. This was what she had meant, this was why she loved psychology.

Dhara: "Um... personal reasons, I suppose." She gave a tight smile. "It wasn't from lack of interest just more like..." She paused, not sure how to explain. "My home life made it a little difficult is all."

Aliyah: The blonde understood family life all too well, but she knew it was wrong to try and compare their situations, as she knew nothing about it. "My family life is what pushed me to do it, in my case. Funny how different circumstances can cause such differences in upbringing and lifestyle."

Dhara: "I agree. Were you born in Australia? Raised there the whole time?"

Aliyah: She sighed, "Sadly...no. I was born there...we stayed until I was 17, and then my parents insisted we move to the States. I hated them for it, for a long time..."

Dhara: "I was born in Germany and my parents moved us to Australia when I was ten. Why did you hate them? Because they took you away from home?"

Aliyah: "That was part of it. But...I loved it there. I had everything I need. More than that...they made me leave Maxon, the only friend I ever needed." Ali sighed, shifting about on her seat. "What about you? Did you ever have a reason to hate your parents?

Dhara: "Plenty of them." She said with a snort, then she tried to guide the topic away from her parents. It was something she never discussed. Not even her "best" friend knew about her past. "Who's Maxon?"

Aliyah: It was clear there would be no specifics about Dhara's parents, and Ali was hardly one to ever really push. So, she focused on her own life and looked down at her hands, fingers knotting together. "He was...well, my best friend. Probably the love of my life, but we never acted on it. The last time I saw him, in the airport, we got in this fight...said things we didn't mean. I haven't spoken to him since."

Dhara: She bit her lip and gazed at her new friend quietly. "Have you tried? I mean, how long has it been? Maybe it's not too late?"

Aliyah: She couldn't help it, she laughed. A sad sound, but a laugh. She looked up at Dhara, smiling with self-pity. "That was almost ten years ago. I was 17, he was 20. I'm 26 now..."

[Aliyah]

--The following transcript was a live chat roleplay--

Dhara: "Well..." She said with a sigh... "If there is one thing I learned, it is never to late. So... maybe you should try."

Aliyah: She raised an eyebrow at the woman. "How did you learn such a lesson, if I might ask?"

Dhara: "Tokyo. I... well... there was a guy..." She blushed and sipped her coffee. "We were such great friends, but never acted. And then I left the country and it was years and years before I went back. When I did, I never thought I'd see him again, but then I did. And it felt like nothing had changed."

Aliyah: "Was he...with someone, then? That's my fear..." she voice aloud, looking to this woman for advice, though the situations were, again, completely different.

Dhara: "Luckily no. And if he was, he never said. We had a wonderful week together. It is something I have not and will not forget."

Aliyah: "Well, I am happy you had that week. Do you still keep in contact?" she asked, smiling happily over at the woman.

Dhara: She shook her head and chuckled ruefully. "He is married now with a child. It's not right."

Aliyah: Aliyah winced. "And that is what scares me...I don't know that I could handle knowing if he has a family and kids. And knowing Maxon, there is no way he is single."

Dhara: "That, my friend, is what google is for." She grinned wickedly at her. "Street maps, background checks. Could learn all about him before you even made contact."

Aliyah: Aliyah's mouth fell open, having known the internet capable of a lot, but that? "No way...that's just...stalkerishly creepy!" she squeaked out, though a laugh followed soon after.

Dhara: "But it's fuu-un!" She sang out, looking naughty. "I don't have a laptop, but I know the websites to go to if you want to do it."

Aliyah: Aliyah looked at her new friend, trying to decide if she felt like being that invasive. With a sudden grin, she nodded. "Alright, alright...stay here!" With that, she rushed to her bedroom, skidding on the floor with her slippers.

Dhara: She laughed and moved to the kitchen to make herself a fresh, hot cup of coffee, returning to the couch to wait for Ali.

Aliyah: She skipped back a moment later, setting the laptop down on the table, planting herself on the opposite end of the couch. "Alright...what do we do?"

Dhara: "Okay..." She scooted closer to Ali, but kept some space between them. "First google his first and last name and his last known location."

Aliyah: As the woman got closer, Ali took in a deep breath, preventing too much of her scent from overwhelming her senses. "Okay..." she whispered, typing in 'Maxon White.' "His last name is pretty common..."

Dhara: "Mmhmm I see that, but still it will be a little more work, but we can do it."

Aliyah: The blonde nodded, searching through some of the various people Google had managed to bring up.

Dhara: "Images are usually better. Cause then you can click to their Facebook or something."

Aliyah: Taking her advice, Ali switched to the images, scrolling through for his familiar face. She paused on one, canting her head. "I...I think that's him..." she whispered, unsure due to the time it's been.

Dhara: "Okay, so open it in a new tab, then you can go to the page and if it's not him, we haven't lost the results."

Aliyah: Aliyah did as she was told, scanning over what little information was provided under the photograph. "Hmm... no, this isn't him. Just an incredible likeness. Maybe if we specify his school? He did play sports?"

Dhara: "The more information the better. Especially with such a common last name." She settled in, looking at the computer while managing to give Ali space at the same time.

Aliyah: "Well...he attended a university in Sydney, he played rugby...he would have graduated in...2000-something..." she muttered, trying to think of any information that might help her find him. "For practicing hacking...I am terrible at this..."

Dhara: "This is different." She smiled and gently touched her arm to reassure her new friend. "May I?" She asked, waving a hand at the computer.

Aliyah: "Please..." Ali replied desperately, handing the laptop over to Dhara with a sigh. "Hacking should make Google searches easy!"

Dhara: "Google searches require a certain finesse... a… a google-fu if you will." She typed in the man’s name and a query string using what Ali had told her, hit enter, then selected images before passing the device back. "Anything?"

Aliyah: She giggled at the 'google-fu' Dhara had obviously just created, storing it away for future use. Her eyes scanned over the pictures when she stopped. "There! That's him! That's Maxon!" she pointed, his smiling face looking back out at her.

Dhara: "Awesome!" She said, catching on to the woman’s excitement. "Are you ready? Do you want to do the honors?"

Aliyah: "...no, No. You have to look first! I can't!" she exclaimed, jumping up from the couch and pacing the room. Her thoughts were overwhelmed at seeing his face again, at learning what his life was like.

[Dhara]

--The following transcript was a live chat roleplay--

Dhara: "Okay, breathe girl!" She giggled at her friend and clicked the link. "MMhmmm... mmhmm..." She mumbled, then a few more clicks of the mouse. "Ohhh interesting!" She was tormenting Ali, reading the information before actually telling her anything.

Aliyah: Her pacing did not halt as Dhara read through the information, her occassional mumbles driving Ali crazy. "Oh my, gosh, woman! You are killing me hereeee..." she whined, pouting over at her flatmate.

Dhara: "Weeeeellll" She drawled out, laughing at her roommates anxiety, the sound rich and warm. "He was an all-star Rugby player and not a half bad student. He majored in... ohhh look! Soulmates! He majored in psychology!" She paused and frowned. "Crap... he's married..." She said with a sigh, hating to deliver the news. But no sooner had the words left her mouth did she speak excitedly again. "No wait! He's divorced!! And according to his Facebook, he's single and ready to mingle."

Aliyah: Ali froze in her pacing as soon as Dhara started talking. With each new bit of information, she took a step closer to the woman, practically ready to jump on her. Her mention of marriage made her shoulders slump, face crumpling. "Oh..." But a moment later, the rest registers she beams. "Are you serious?!"

Dhara: "Completely!" She chuckled at her friends’ excitement. "Look! His Facebook is totally not private! You should like... friend request him. Get talking. Do it!"

Aliyah: She rushed around the table to look at his Facebook, reading over the information that was put there. "Oh...my... what do we talk about?!"

Dhara: "Well you both majored in the same thing in school. Er... you have Facebook right?" She asked curiously, grinning at her roommate. "Message him and say hi."

Aliyah: "Of course I do..." she giggled, adding him as friend on the social media site. Soon after, she pulled up his name, messaging him with a simple "hello...long time no see..."

Dhara: Dhara chewed on her lip, wishing now that she was a drinker, she'd have a few for her and her friend. "Ohhh do you think he's on line?"

Aliyah: "Well..." she whispered, scanning over her list of online friends, citing on her lip. "We will only know if he adds me, right?"

Dhara: "True. But what if he adds you while we're sleeping? What will you do then? Oh gosh I'm anxious for you!"

Aliyah: Dhara!" she whined, looking at her friend for putting such ideas in her head. "Australia does work on a different time zone..."

Dhara: "I know!" She fell backwards dramatically. "Ali what are we gonna do?!"

Aliyah: "Oh, I don't know!" she fell back beside the woman, hands splayed out above her head. "We could talk about politics..." she snorted, hating the topic already.

Dhara: "EW!" She said with a laugh, then stared at the computer when it pinged. "Um… Ali… you have something?" She had no idea what any of the icons meant but she hoped it was something good.

Aliyah: The sound had Ali upright in a moment, looking in shock at the screen. She quickly clicked it, and then frowned. "Game invite...." she groaned, dropping back down onto the couch. ”This is too stressful for my delicate, non-working heart!"

Dhara: She laughed gently and gave her friends hand a squeeze, then snapped the lap top shut. "Okay, sun rise is coming. I say we go to bed and reconvene here at sunset."

Aliyah: Ali let out a heavy sigh, but knew that her friend was right. "Yes. I think it would be best. Or we both might have strokes waiting." She giggled, leaning over to hug the woman, lightly. "Thank you."

Dhara: She was surprised by the hug, but returned it gently. "Yeah and since I'm not immortal, I'd rather not." She grinned at the woman. "I'm glad we ran in to each other tonight."

Aliyah: "I am, too...it's good to know I don't have a stranger around me all the time." She stood from the couch and glanced toward the window. "But, before the sun gets too high, I had better disappear into my room. I doubt you want to take care of charred flesh..?”

Dhara: "No... but I do know how." She said honestly. "I have errands to run later so I'll get some curtains and the other stuff I mentioned." She grinned at Ali. "We'll make this place a home that both of us can be comfortable in."

Aliyah: Aliyah beamed at the woman, "Thank you, Dhara. You are...far more than I could have expected. Goodnight..." she whispered, taking quiet steps down the hall to her bedroom, closing the door lightly behind her.