I like Food! I like to Eat ((Skylar))

[CharlotteC]

Charlie worked on finishing off her meal and beer as Skylar continued on with her story. She was relaxed, enjoying getting to know the girl, around them the people would look their way and she knew it was just their nature calling to the humans, thankfully, none of them were close enough to hear what they were talking about. Then again, there were and are times when she could care less if people did hear, and it seemed that Skylar was of the same belief - thus far. As Skylar brought up that she hadn't had her guitar with her to the open mic night and the idea made her smile ever so slightly. It was an amusing thought, but at the same time, not completely unheard of.

What was a bit weird was the fact that one of Elliot's guitars wasn't in prime condition. She at times practically live at Lancaster's, especially with her now working at Bunk, his guitars always looked polished and clean and ready to use at a moments notice. The entire fact that something of Elliot's was able to fail pretty much confused her, but she wouldn't ask. Not only was it not her business, but it wasn't something to worry about now, especially since Skylar, young as she was - vampire speaking - was far better off than she herself had been at the same age.

Skylar wondered aloud - or at least it seemed that way - about how Elliot dealt with the fallout of the electrocution and she was sure, that he had just used his powers of persuasion to convince them that she would be fine and then he got her out of the eye of the public to turn her or allow her to turn. She had heard that some people turned differently than others. It was a thought that she would think on later, for now, Skylar had her attention. The mention of the Mausoleum made her smile just slightly, but she refrained from responding until after the waitress had come with refreshed beers and to take the empties. When she had gone, Sky continued, mentioning that she had played the pity card. That made her smile as well. Elliot was a very sweet guy, but he was smart, so she doubted that he was hundred percent fooled. Her smile had remained relaxed and amused up until Skylar mentioned that Elliot saving her was probably a mistake.

Her smile dropped and she began to shake her head, still she didn't speak until Skylar had said her piece. "That is quite the story," She started, halting to take a sip of her beer before continuing. "That said, I highly doubt that you will fail Elliot in anyway, I don't even think it's possible to piss him off let alone disappoint him." She said with an actual look of bewilderment because she had never seen him angry, then again, there were months at a time when she didn't even see him or speak with him, but unlike the man that had created her, she knew that he was there for her if she needed him. She shook herself out of her thoughts and smiled to Skylar, "You are a very smart girl, Sky, while we both may do something to upset him at one time - however unlikely, I know that he isn't the type to regret turning anyone he has turned. He may regret an adoption though." She said with a small smirk. "That though, remains to be seen as well." She said with a soft laugh, relaxing back in her chair.

[Skylar]

"You just wait."
I tell her.
"If there's a way to do it, I'll find it. The real question is whether or not I'll mean to do it when the time comes."
I shrug my shoulders but I'm not as comfortable with the whole idea as I appear to be. I like Ellie and disappointing him isn't something I want to do. I just have this innate ability to let down parental units. I guess I could blame my temperament or something. I have commitment issues and I know it. Well , I have issues committing to anything that isn't my music, art or friends. I'm not really sure where that comes from? Maybe it fits in with the whole, disappointing the parents thing. If I stick at something for too long, they might think I'm ready to grow up or something and I hate the idea of that. Even if I have maybe begun to do that a bit recently.
"You're wrong you know. He can hardly regret an adoption. I mean that takes thought. He had to know you a little before he offered to take you in right? Me, me he didn't know from Adam when he brought me into this life of his. Not that I'm complaining. I'll be eternally grateful to the guy for what he did."
Not that I've told Ellie that in so many words. Knowledge is power and all that and I don't really want him thinking that he can push me around cos I owe him or anything. That's not what our relationship is built on. Yes. I extorted money out of him at the auction but I was kinda desperate at the time. Besides, I'd pay him back in my own way. I'm not sure how yet but I'll find a way. I'm pretty sure I've got the time to come up with something good, what with having eternity and all.
"How about you? How'd you... you know... end up like us. And how'd you end up being taken in by Ellie? And feel free to tell me to sod off if you don't want to answer."
I smile at her, hoping to encourage her to share her story but I don't know if I'm meant to ask those kinds of questions. I can't help myself though. If I want to know something, I ask, it's just the way I am.
I’ve polished off the pizza and I look down at the empty plate. I’d of felt a little guilty eating all of that as a human, but not that guilty of course. I used to have a pretty efficient metabolism. I could pretty much eat what I liked and get away with it; probably cos I don’t like to sit still. I’m always doing something even if I’m just keeping my hands busy, which is apparently what I’m doing now as I wait for Charlotte to speak, as I have the beer bottle in left hand and I’m picking at the label with the nails of my right. I stop every so often to take another swig from the bottle. I kinda like this place, though I’m not sure if that’s more to do with the food or the company.

[CharlotteC]

As Skylar tells her to just wait, her brow lifted ever so slightly. From what she knew of Elliot, there seemed to be very little that could be done that would piss him off. Granted, he hated Doc, so there had to be something. Unless that was merely the fact that he was a part of a group of gang banging *** hats. Still, she couldn't see Skylar doing anything, be it voluntary or not to piss off Elliot. Of course, she could always be wrong, but she didn't really see it. After all, she had told him that she had done something really bad to cause her real sire to vamoose on her, and still he brought her into his family. A family she was greatly enjoying far more than the one she had been sired into thanks to He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named.

Charlie shook herself out of her thoughts again and smiled a little, taking to heart just what it was that Skylar was saying about her being adopted, and finding it a little amusing that she had had a slightly similar thought to her new 'sister'. Yes, he had known her, he had saved her *** from a Zombie wolf that had been running rapid through a secret chamber within the catacombs. He had helped her out and then they got together at his pub that she now thought of as a second home, and chatted for a bit. It had felt good to talk to someone, and she was sure that is why she had sought him out that night that she had. That night when he had said that he would take her under his wing, help her if she needed it, protect her if she needed it, from whatever it was that might seek to harm her.

Skylar was questioning about how she had become a vampire, and Charlie pulled herself out of her thoughts only to be propelled backwards in a manner of speaking as she remembered that night. That dull, June night that had her going from one of the living to one of the 'undead'. Charlie gave a bit of a sigh and shrugged a little. "No, it's fine, I mean you told me, and plus, I can't lie. Weird thing that happened after, but I'll touch on that later." She said with a little smile before she began to speak again "Well, I told you about the even that prompted me to pack up and leave? Well one of the bus stops was here in Harper Rock, I got off to stretch and walk around a little, and when I came back... no bus. Well then I was walking around and I noticed this guy walking into an alley to meet with what looked like a drug dealer - I know, not smart for someone with a 150 IQ, but curiosity killed the cat... or Hyena in my case." She said with a soft smirk and then added "I'll mention that later too. Anyways, I was hungry, so I followed the guy, after all this guy had just handed him a huge wad of cash."

She drank what was left of her beer and then continued "I followed him into a cyber cafe and when he left the table, I stole the cash and headed out. Well, he followed me and the hunter became the hunted. However, after getting some food in me, I was leaving to find a place to crash when some guy jumped me, getting ready to force himself on me. And that is when he appeared, beat the hell out of the guy and then just out of the blue was like 'I'm a vampire'... Of course I didn't believe him, it took some convincing, but for the longest time in that night I thought he was nuts. And what did I do? I followed him to his lair. Did I mentioned I'm at a Genius level IQ?" She asked, laughing at the fact that she really had been so damn stupid.

"Well after he convinced me of what he told me, I offered to feed him because in his saving me, he hadn't had time to get a bite to eat - so to speak - and so yeah. After that though, it gets fuzzy and I don't remember much." Then she glanced down and she noticed how Skylar was picking at the label of her beer and smirked a bit. "Want to get out of here?" She asked and then glanced over towards the waitress, silently summoning her over with that look that most wait staff knew well.

[Skylar]

I listen to her story and yeah I'm not sure what kind of genius ends up in that kind of situation. Maybe the sort that's not very street smart? That or maybe she was looking for trouble. I mean she'd had a pretty shitty night all things told, so maybe she'd gone looking to make things worse. Some people are like that, self-destructive and all, but not me. **** that. If I do something stupid I do my best to climb out of the hole I've found myself in. Of course that doesn't always work and things can go from bad to worse, and I end up pretty much burying myself up to the neck but I sure as **** don't go looking to make it worse.
Her story is quite different from mine though and I know there's no love lost between her and her sire. Once again I find myself thinking that I hit the jackpot with Ellie. Seriously. He rocks. Cash, a place to stay, free drinks at his bar and he's always around to answer my inane questions... unless I post them online and then he seems to check out or something. I really need to set his phone up so it beeps when someone posts something new. There has to be an app for that. There seems to be a ******* app for everything these days. Thank **** I'm not into all that ****. Though I get the feeling Charlie is, she has to be... right? She's a hacker after all.
"You sure you aren't really a blonde up under all that dark hair?"
I'm teasing. You know. Playing on that stereotype that all blondes are thick as ****. I know that one well myself since pretty much everyone underestimates me. I'd like to think it has something to do with more than my hair colour and yet, time and time again people seem surprised to find out that I have a brain.
"And sure. Let's get out of here."
I look at my watch. I'm supposed to be somewhere in the next thirty minutes but I can't for the life of me remember where. Okay. So maybe there is a little blonde in my brain, but I swear that doesn't make me stupid. I just hate schedules and stuff and being at a specific location at an appointed time.
The waitress comes over and places the folded bill on the table. Not sure why they do that, I mean it's not like we don't need to look at the amount and ****. Before I've even looked at the amount, I'm getting to my feet to get my cash from my jeans pocket. I'm pretty sure I know roughly what share comes to and if I overpay, who cares, the waitress deserves a good tip; poor cow has a lot of clearing up to do on my half of the table what with the bits of paper I've flaked all over the place. I dump some money on the table and wait for Charlie to sort herself out.
"Steve."
The name sounds entirely random as I say it but it's typical me. My brain finally caught up and told me where I was supposed to be. Steve wanted to go to the music shop and I was going to take him over to Ellie's place. If I got lucky Elliot might even be there so I could introduce Steve to him.
"Sorry. Thinking aloud."
That's all the explanation I give for now. That and shrug my shoulders, as it doesn't really matter.
"So... You don't lie or you can't lie?"
I bring the subject back around and on topic. I'm ready to go but I wait for Charlie before making my way to the door.

[CharlotteC]

A soft laugh bubbled up and out of Charlie at the question, she couldn't blame Sky for the question, she really couldn't. Charlie had been rather stupid that night, robbing a guy who could have been a lethal drug dealer - he hadn't been the drug dealer at least. Then putting herself in a situation to be attack and then the coup de grâce, follows the would be drug dealer through the sewers only to end up a willing meal for the ****. Yup, had to be a little blonde somewhere. Of course the question was even more amusing because it had come from a blonde, unless she wasn't really a blonde. Though, her roots looked true enough. "Pretty Sure..." She said just as the waitress came over and then started to reach for the check. An action she halted when she saw Skylar going for her money, "No, you don't..." she started to say before shrugging and pulling out some money of her own, setting a twenty on top of Sky's money.

The name comes right out of left field, calling her attention to Sky, blinking at her for a moment before she explained the reasoning for the sudden out burst. Charlie can see there is more too it, but she doesn't push, and then of course Sky's next question comes into play. "I actually can't tell a lie. Have you seen that movie with Jim Carry and his kid that makes a wish? It's like that, only, I have yet to write 'Blue' all over my face. I have written an entire script though that was the word 'No' though." She said with a light laugh then added "I have noticed that it has to be a direct question, otherwise while not lying I'm not forced to tell the truth. I can basically give a diplomatic answer." She said with another laugh as she followed sky to the door and then moved in front of her to hold it open for her. "So Steve...?" She gently prodded.

[Skylar]

I listen and pass through the door she's holding open for me. The girl is quite the gentleman. I smirk at that thought.
"That must suck. I'm not sure what I'd do if I couldn't lie. I'm not a habitual liar or anything, though I am starting to convince the staff at Lancaster's that I'm Elliot's illegitimate love child. Well, the ones that don't know what I am anyways. They believe me for the most part too. It's quite funny. I guess they see similarities between us or something. And before you ask, it seemed like a good way of explaining why I was suddenly hanging out at the bar and didn't pay for drinks and stuff. I mean they weren't going to believe I was bit on the side."
I laugh. That would be funny. I can just see how Pi would take that. I'd be in vampire hell in no time, I'm pretty sure of it. Plus that would be a harder ruse to pull off, as that might actually require Elliot's participation and he doesn't seem all that good at lying either.
"And yeah.. Steve. He's my baseist. Well not mine as in were dating or anything, I don't play the field like that, I mean he's in my band. We have plans to meet up in like half an hour. He's a pretty cool guy, if you can stand his sort. He's a bit of a clown but not everyone gets his humour cos he's British. I love the guys and I'm pretty sure most of them think of me as their sister. There ain't nothing sexual between us. Drives their girlfriend’s nuts when they first meet me but they settle down when they realise what's what."
I know Dillon doesn't see me like a sister, cos if he does, man does his family have issues, but that's neither here nor there. He knows I'm not messing around with him anymore, even if I'm drunk... especially if I'm drunk; I'm no player.
"Thanks for coming out to lunch with me. It was fun. I should give you my cell number and email, cos that forum stuff requires one of us to check in and get the message in time."
I pull out my mobile and start to type her name into the contacts because despite the fact I'd said I'll give her my number, it just seems easier for her to tell me hers so that I can give her a missed call. That way she has my number to save and seeing as how she's a genius, I'm betting she knows her cell number off by heart.
"Any request as to your ring tone? I don't mind downloading a song if I don't have it already."
And I don't either. I love music, all kinds, even if I do favour the heavier stuff. I like personalising people’s ringtones. Probably because I'm lazy and looking at the screen is too much effort. It's kinda time saving to know who it is just by the ring. Makes the 'rents easier to avoid to. That's probably why mum usually nabs Bee's phone to ring me from. Thank god she doesn't know Brent and I figured out a system. If it's him, He'll call, let it ring a couple of times and hang up, then he'll ring back a minute or so later so I know it's safe to answer. It's just one of those things we have to do for sanity's sake. Brent's calls are about the only ones I take these days, not that he rings all that often. He's good at letting me do my own thing.

[CharlotteC]

Charlie gave a slight nod as Skylar brought up the fact that it must suck to be afflicted with what she was. It did suck when she got asked questions that wouldn't give her a way out. She had to answer not matter what. It was probably a reason as to why she didn't go out much, avoided places where she would get put into a situation where she would have to answer something that would get her in trouble. Or at the very least, get her back into the sights of that ******* group that killed her before. She shook herself out of her thoughts though as Sky continued on, telling her that she had convinced some of the staff of the pub that she was a love child. It was smirk worthy since Elliot didn't look all that old and though Sky did look really young, she didn't look that young. A small smirk curled the corners of Charlie's mouth as Sky brought up not needing to pay for drinks. Charlie rarely drank, what with not being able to feel the effects of the booze, but when she did, she didn't have to either, but she still did. It helped the bottom like of Elliot's business.

As Sky began to speak of this illusive Steve, she smiled a bit. Charlie was rather fond of clowns, both the real kind and the class kind, it made her miss some of her old school friends from MIT even though in their case clown met gaming jokes and pranks instead of real life sort of things. But when she mentioned he was British, Charlie let out a soft laugh as she instantly thought of Monty Python and all of their movies and such. She loved that kind of humor and this made Steve sound like the kind of person that she wanted to meet, but she didn't say anything, she kept her thoughts to herself while continuing to listen to Sky, smiling a bit more as Sky thanked her for coming out to lunch with her. It had been fun, more fun than she had had in a while, and more talking she had done with anyone too. When she brought up cells, Charlie nodded then reached out with her mind to the girl, ~Well, technically, I don't think I would need a phone to get into contact with you, but since I know that you haven't yet learned this particular power...~

"But, my phone number is 905-555-1010, and my E-mail is MadHackerChick@HRU.edu." She said with a light smile "I don't normally use that power, at times I feel it can be intrusive. As for songs, anything by Pink Floyd works for me, though I am fond of their Dark Side of the Moon album. Makes me nostalgic for the days when I could see the laser shows while high as a kite." She said with a soft laugh, she really did miss those days. Her own phone currently had one of the most annoying of the songs as her ring tone. The first 30 seconds of 'Time' which was basically nothing more than 50 or so different kinds of clocks - mostly grandfathers - all going off at the same time with their chimes and songs.

"How about you? Any song you would like me to use for you? Or do you dare let me pick one I think is fitting for your personality?" She asked with a teasing and playful menacing tone.

[Skylar]

The speaking into the mind thing is odd, but Ellie's used it on me before in the past, so it doesn't freak me out or anything. I simply nod and begin tapping her number and email address into my phone before saving the new contact. The ringtone would have to wait till I got home as I already know I don't have anything by Pink Floyd on my iCloud.
"Can you imagine getting it on with a guy and then hearing someone else's thought's in your mind. There needs to be some sort of vampire blocking system, you know, like put on a tin foil hat or something to keep the messages out. Just imagine how off putting that would if you're like about to climax or something and then Ellie speaks into your mind."
I shudder. I love Ellie but that kind of timing would be a real turnoff, it would be like having your dad walk in on you; even if he had no idea what he was walking on into.
"That's gotta be a mood killer, I tell ya. But you know what, change of subject, cos I don't think either of us wants to go reversing that scenario. The visual might get messy. So... I don't like to think I can be summed up by just one song."
I laugh, good-naturedly. Songs are subjective and everyone's opinion of a person is a little different from that of the next. For instance most people might not think of Space Oddity as being something that suits Elliot but I think it suits him pretty well, though to be fair he did choose the artist himself, I just narrowed it down from there to a specific song.
"Though I tend to use Paramore's 'Born for this' as my ringtone. I guess that's just what I'm feeling right now. But go ahead and choose a song you think suits me if you want. It is your phone and all and you'll have to be the one that has to recognise it as being me. Though... Maybe if you do go with something different you should try and stick within the alternative rock genre, since that's kinda my thing."
I debate giving her my email address and then decide I'll just text, since my phone's still in my hands. Before I do that though, I give her a missed call so that she can save my number to contacts. Even if she can do the mind thing, I can't reply, so if unless she's just dropping info on me, she's going to have to ring me for a conversation. Once the missed call is out of the way, I tap out my email in a message, attach her name and hit send.
"There. Now you have my details too. Just be patient for replies, I can be notoriously difficult to get a hold of if I'm lost in my music or something."

[CharlotteC]

As Skylar brought up the idea of receiving a mind speak in the middle of getting laid, she couldn't help but smirk as she thought to herself that she would have to be having sex in order to worry about something like that. Of course, it would seem a little odd, if she had to think about the situation, but as she thought about it, her thoughts started to darken. So as Skylar changed the subject back to that of music, she was glad for the change, it allowed her mind to concentrate on things that were lighter, not darker. She listened as Skylar spoke, nodding in agreement with her.

Charlie was amused by the fact that Skylar liked alternative rock while she herself was more of a Classic rock girl. That left a lot of music that she could chose from, both genres had a lot of cross over. She started to go over her playlists, she had many all over the place. Charlie was the kind of girl that liked to keep data stored in multiple places but also liked to make sure that they were as hack proof as possible. In this city, she knew there was nothing a hundred percent, but she was a pretty good hacker.

Zoning back in to the conversation, she glanced at her phone and saw the information that her new sister shared and then smiled at him. "Well a good thing about Hackers, we can be patient, we sort of have to be when doing hacks and creating programs." She said with a bit of a laugh before continuing on, "But if I ever do get impatient, you know I'll just start bugging you mentally till you answer. So be prepared to have your sister in your head mid-nookie." Charlie smiled wickedly and winked to Skylar before giving off a soft laugh, "It's unlikely though that it will come to that."

[Skylar]

"Yeah. Can't wait."
I roll my eyes and then laugh. The idea of Charlie or anyone in my head while I'm getting it on with some hot guys is just, well, wrong. Knowing my track record though I'll be too drunk to care. Actually. I kinda have to wonder if I'd even understand what was happening. I mean it's not like my thoughts are all there when I've had a few too many and am dragging my arse half way across the city to have the world’s most disappointing sex with some random stranger. You know what. I have issues. I should look into that. Maybe Ric can change me.
Okay. That makes me grin. Good luck there Skylar. For one I have to get the guy to notice me. Then I have to keep his interest and more importantly, hope he keeps mine. I'm betting he's a bit of an animal in bed given the right partner. God I hope I'm that partner.
Yep. My thoughts are in the gutter. I've only been sworn off men for like a week or so. Well. Not really sworn off men. Just sex with randoms. Ric's idea. I'm pretty sure he'll regret that piece of advice when he realises that he's my target.
"Well. Lunch was fun. Take care Charlie. I'll see you around. Don't be a stranger 'kay?"
I wave to the woman before heading back to the station. I'm not really sure what my plans were. I could go grab my guitar and do a set, or I could go back to the warehouse and try bashing a few parts together. I'm getting good at smithing but I know I could do better and practice makes perfect and all that.