A Walk in the Park (Open!)

[Anton Verrais (DELETED 6958)]

The light hum of a car nearby. The barking of a dog, somewhere in the distance. The sounds of night within the city were true as ever, and yet, it still seemed as serene as an evening under the stars, to Anton. Perhaps a life spent within places such as this made it seem so. In a way, this was all he knew. Nature's ambiance seemed almost foreign to his ears. At least, he assumed it would, if he ever truly left the confines of Harpor Rock. One day, he will get around to it. One day. Words he has thought to himself more times than he could count.

Still, he was happy enough here. He had all he truly needed - a home, a job... perhaps fewer friends than he would like, but surely time would fix such a situation. He had his morning coffee each day, the coinciding paper to keep up to date on current events. He had his weekly Muay Thai classes, a practice he had been a part of for years, now. It was a simple life, but satisfactory, at least to him.

Tonight was a little different for him, however. Off work, no plans, in spite of the coming weekend. His schedule was entirely open. Nice as it might sound... he had no real idea what to do with the free time. Tonight, he had chosen to come to the park nearby his house, simply stroll through and get himself some much-needed fresh air. But surely he would tire of this every night. Perhaps he would find a club, or a bar, meet some new people. He was only just thinking about his lack of relationships around here, after all.

Having strolled through most of the park, in an almost complete loop, he slowed to a halt at a bench to the left of the path he was treading on, and turned to sit down. Bringing one arm up to rest against the back of the bench, he looked around. It seemed fairly quiet tonight. Was it always this quiet here? Truly, he did not visit the park very often. Perhaps a part of him simply assumed it too would be active at night, just as so many of the buildings within it were. Harpor Rock had quite the nightlife, it seemed. His old city did, too, but even it was not as populated at night as this place. It seemed that way to him, at least.

Taking a deep, slow breath, he opted to simply relax here, for a time. Let the cool breeze of the night drift through his blonde locks as his marine orbs scanned his surroundings calmly.

[Felicity (DELETED 4145)]

Felicity spent most of her nights walking now. Well since she had been back she had spent all of the few nights outside walking. She couldn’t sit still, she had to move, had to do something anything to not think, well not over think. Wandering through the city she enjoyed watching people. She always had. She had a love to understand the human mind, to understand why people the way they do, and how they do. To understand others’ lives and situations. Perhaps that had been why she wasn’t thriving in Harper Rock yet.

She had left her old job, had left everything she knew and now she was here. She didn’t know many people, not on the level that she had wished she did. She had been reserved for so long, even though she had told herself she wouldn’t be, she had. She didn’t try to get to know many, and she definitely had not allowed many to get close to her. She wasn’t use to telling others her story, or problems. She was used to being the one who was being told the story. She enjoyed it, not in a sadistic way but because she was passionate about helping others.

Now she found herself walking through a park. She smiled as she continued to roll through her thoughts, her life like a movie. Had it been in black and white it would have been something amazing. Had it been a movie that was. However it wasn’t and the tape was still rolling she just didn’t know what would happen next. She needed to change things. To stop being so reserved, she needed to be a part of the world again as much as she could be.

She smiled as she noticed a man sitting at the bench in the park. It was directly in her path so it wouldn’t be to odd to at least stop and say hello. Smiling as she made her way over to the bench she took a deep breath. ”Its beautiful out tonight.” She smiled again now. ”I’m Felicity, would you mind if I join you?” She asked, here goes nothing she told herself. It was worth a shot to meet someone. Or at least attempt to.

[Anton Verrais (DELETED 6958)]

Given the way he was looking around, it did not take him long to spot the form of the unfamiliar woman, making her own rounds about the park. He watched her curiously for a few moments, still quite a fair distance between the two of them. She was set on the path toward him, however, and it would not be long before she was drawing nearer and nearer. He looked away as she drew closer still, certainly not intended to look as though he was staring at her. He simply liked to watch things, was all. She happened to be the only truly moving thing in the vicinity, at the moment. It drew his eye.

Then, before he even looked back to her, saw her pass, she spoke to him. If there were ever a queue to say something, it would be now. Ironic would be a good word for her approach. Only minutes ago had he been considering the possibility of trying to meet others, make new acquaintances. Funny how life can work, sometimes. He slipped his gaze back toward her, deep blue eyes looking her up and down for a brief moment. His lips quirked upward in a genuine, friendly smile, as he made a gesture with one hand to the opposite side of the bench, beside himself.

"Not at all," He answered, his smooth voice on the line of tenor and baritone rolling off of his tongue with ease. It lacked the rasp that so many men had, giving his tone a much softer edge. "And yes, it is. I probably would have headed home an hour ago if it wasn't so... peaceful." A soft sigh slipped from his lips, before he leaned forward, holding out a hand to her. "I'm Anton. Pleasure to meet you, Felicity."

[Felicity (DELETED 4145)]

Felicity smiled as she sat down on the bench. Glancing around the park briefly she finally returned her gaze to his. Nodding in agreement of the peaceful night. Usually she would walk the city streets. Tonight she had decided to simply walk without a specific destination in mind, and her feet had led her hear. She was happy they had now. Though that seemed an odd way to think of things. Shaking her own thoughts away she nodded to Anton her steely blue eyes meeting his now. ”Pleasure to meet you as well Anton. She replied, her voice kind and soft.

”Thank you by the way, for letting me join you.” Sure it was a free bench and anyone could sit anywhere they liked. She wanted to be respectful though and didn’t want to disturb him had he wished to be alone. She didn’t know but was pleased to get to sit and meet someone she hadn’t yet. This was all a part of the change she needed in her life. Being the shy and reserved woman did her no good at all. She had to change that, though it wouldn’t be easy, she was now up for the challenge. At least she hoped she was.

She relaxed against the bench. Her legs crossing at her ankles as she looked up to see the stars. She missed the sun, but the stars were as beautiful. Though she had to wonder if she would ever see another sunset. None the less that was nothing she could talk about now. ”How are you doing this evening?” She asked him, trying to make friendly chatter. She wasn’t always the best at meeting people outside of an office, but she knew after her last leave from Harper Rock she had to change things. She knew she had said this before, this time felt different somehow.

[Anton Verrais (DELETED 6958)]

Anton always did have a keen eye for detail. At least, he certainly liked to think so. Be it the tone in another person's voice, their posture, or even an object out of place, he had a tendency to notice. Currently, however, he found it interesting, the... vibe, that Felicity was giving off, so to speak. She seemed... uncomfortable, perhaps. He could not quite place what it was, but whatever was troubling her, he figured it best to do his best to ease her nerves.

"How am I doing?" He repeated, voice calm and flowing smoothly, as though it was trying to soothe whatever is was that discomforted her, in itself. He looked to her face, smiling softly, as he leaned back against the bench. "I'm sure I could be better, but I most definitely could be worse. I'd say that counts as doing pretty well, this day in age." A low chuckle escaped him, before he attempted to carry on the conversation, an attempt at breaking the ice, of sorts.

"Are you new to Harpor Rock? Or are you a regular around here? I've just never seen you around before, so it made me curious. Then again, it's not like I come to the park all that often." His cool blue gaze swept briefly over the woman, before back to her face. He did his best to keep his expression genuine and approachable, not wanting to discomfort her any further.

[Felicity (DELETED 4145)]

Felicity smiled to Anton and nodded to him. She began relaxing more than she was. To be honest she figured she had only been nervous mainly because she hasn’t tried making friends. Now she was. Regardless she stopped thinking of the past and focused on the present. It was a beautiful night, and she was meeting someone new. She couldn’t complain. She chuckled hearing his explanation of how he was doing. ”I suppose you are right about that. Things could be worse. It is beautiful out tonight, and peaceful. Plus get to meet someone new.”

She smiled again now. She usually always smiled, she always tried to be an approachable person. She just had to get better at meeting people, or at least talking more to people. Hearing his question she smiled to him. ”Well I am a regular here, just have been a bit of a recluse for far too long. So I am stepping out of my comfort zone now. Well I guess it’s a good thing you came tonight.”

She hoped she wasn’t being to forward, but she was happy to be meeting someone new. This was all a part of the changes she was making this time coming back to the city. She wanted to stay and not have any reason to leave again, she wanted reasons to stay here. ”How long have you been in Harper Rock? Have you always lived here?” She didn’t know and was curious now. It could go either way. It was an easy question plus it was a good way to keep the conversation going, at least she hoped it would.

She was happy that she had taken care of herself before coming to the park though. He was human, she would have to be careful with what she said, making sure not to give herself away. Thankfully she had a healthy complexion about her, a skill she had picked up on a while back. She was happy she had it now. Though she wondered if he knew his city was filled with vampires. Of course she couldn’t ask him such a question, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t curious.

[Anton Verrais (DELETED 6958)]

Admittedly, Anton had lacked the social circles to be very interactive, ever since he moved to Harpor Rock. It was not that he did not make friends easily, in fact, he was quite the opposite; Friends came naturally to him, without honestly trying for them. But here. he... simply lacked the time to find them. He moved here to attend school, post-secondary. When he was not in class, he worked to pay his tuition. There were few hours in the day that he had to himself. Luckily for him, he was between semesters, for the time being, so it did clear up at least a little more of his schedule than usual. He still had a month or so before he needed to return.

"I know how you feel, with being a bit of a recluse," He comments, that smooth tone of voice ringing ever true in each word. "I have been so busy, that I find weeks go by and I have hardly said 'hi' to anyone, aside from when I am working or in class." He paused, before explaining a little further. "I'm a student at a university near here. I'm looking to be a writer. My job, when I'm not in school, is an internship for a magazine. I write articles and reviews for them. Needless to say, it keeps me pretty busy."

Upon being asked if he had always lived here, he shook his head, replying, "I grew up in Vancouver, over on the west coast of Canada. I actually only moved here a few years ago." Tilting his head slightly, he returned the question back to her. "And you? Is this your hometown, or are you an 'outsider' like me?"

[Felicity (DELETED 4145)]

Felicity listened to him. She liked his voice, she had to admit that. She smiled as he talked about school and working. It seemed she wasn’t the only one who could get caught up in the day to day or rather for her the night to night. She and the sun were no longer friends sadly. She would never see another sunrise or sunset and she knew it. Regardless now she was keeping herself busy, either out trying to meet people, or trying to be stronger than she was. She was simply forging a new path for herself.

She gave him a smile at his question. ”I actually grew up in the states, I moved here a couple years ago. So I guess I am an 'outsider' like you.” She smirked playfully, her voice calm and relaxed still have that kind tone to it. ”Sometimes I miss home, my old life, and job. But I do love it here.” She smiled again to him now. She wondered how old he was to be in College, the fact that he was a writer drew her curiosity. She loved a good book and wondered what kind of writing he wanted to do. She would get to that eventually.

”Do you like it here?” She asked him. It was getting easier to talk. To be able to carry the conversation. Sure these were basic questions, but these were questions you asked when you were just getting to know someone, and she was attempting to get to know him. It wasn’t as scarey as she thought it would be meeting people. Then again she had not had a whole lot of confidence in the past. That was changing though, many things about her were changing now, and she was still working on figuring it all out.

[Anton Verrais (DELETED 6958)]

"I know what you mean," He answered softly. "I left... basically my whole life behind, for the opportunity to be here. My friends, my family, my old job... they were all back across the country. But to get to do what I love both working and schooling, before even finishing with my degree? I just couldn't pass it up. And aside from that, as long as I keep working at the magazine, they've agreed to pay my way through university. I won't have any loans, which is amazing." He chuckles, quietly. "I guess they must like me."

Her next question... was not truly what he expected. Then again, what did he really expect? The question was normal enough, after all. And it was not like it was a difficult one to answer. Mentally shrugging away whatever odd feeling befell him in that moment, he replied, "I do. I wish I had some of the things I used to, but the things I've gained make it well worth it. If I had it to do over again, I'd come back here a thousand times over."

[Felicity (DELETED 4145)]

Felicity listened to him and smiled. He was passionate about his writing. It was nice to see that. She missed going to college, being immersed in her books and her studies. The world was so different to her then, now she just wished she could enjoy a cup of coffee again without getting sick. That was not however in her deck of cards. Her life had completely changed. Perhaps she could begin doing what she loved again, she didn’t know. She didn’t know how that would work here. Harper Rock had become an enigma to her.

”It is good to see someone so passionate about what they do. I have always believed you should love what you do. Not for the money or reputation but simply because it makes you happy. It is so rare these days, we all get caught up in the money, the bills, and the daily routines.” It felt so natural to say, to talk about life as it had been for her and yet not how it was now. She missed it. She hadn’t really ever come clean about that, sure she would joke about missing her coffee or even the sun but she had never really revealed how much she truly missed her old life.

Her life that had been ripped from her she told herself. She didn’t hate Jesse, though she could see how some could hate the one that took their lives away from them to leave them with this. She forced the thoughts back and smiled to Anton again. ”I think I still would have made the journey here as well, even knowing what I do now. I have learned a lot about myself, I have grown in some ways I suppose.” She cut herself off, though she made it seem as if she had finished. Her voice light and friendly as it always was. She missed things she could no longer have, but saying that to him, a human could get her into a bad position one she didn’t want to be one, and one she wouldn’t put him in purposely.