♪ Blades and Booze ♪ (Forsyth)

[Skylar]

I suck. I'm gonna get that out there right away. I said I'd meet Fors the other day but then I kinda got distracted. You see. What with Ricky getting his arse kicked and everything, I kinda let the ball drop. And well since he got back... Well let’s just say I seem more like the shadow in this relationship. I mean I will let him out of my sight but I kinda hate it. And I kinda didn't want to leave him - even for a second - if I didn't have to in those first few days. Seeing Ricky like that, kinda really ******* shook me. Stupid I know, but it is what it is. I mean I've seen him beaten and bruised and **** but that's like the worst I've ever seen him and well... mix that with the fact that I'm still struggling with what I feel for him - or rather the strength of my feelings for him - and well, maybe, just maybe, it's understandable.
I'm getting my routine back now. I kinda have to. I need to get back to being me before I loose myself in this whole marriage thing. I never thought I'd be one of those girls but apparently even the best of us can fall.
So yeah.
I plonk myself down in booth by the front door but I kinda suspect that Fors will enter from behind the bar, since the portal here lets out in Elliot's office. I'd of stayed in there but I kinda didn't feel right doing that. Not now. Not yet. I love my Papa Bear but things might still be weird for a bit.
I'm nursing a JD and coke. I'm not drinking it straight tonight. I have my guitar with me too. I'm heading over to Wickbridge for the first time in a few weeks tonight. I gotta get my groove my back. Sure. I could jump up on stage and belt out a few songs here but I dunno. Busking is a such a huge part of who I am. I know I just won't feel like me - like the real me - until I've sung my heart out on the streets.

[Forsyth (DELETED 6007)]

It was time for a new weapon, a blade was his choice, he wasn't such a fan on firearms at all. Such a classic man. He stuffed his current blade between his belt loop, hiding it with his jacket when he pulled it on. He decided he would walk over to the Pub instead of taking the portal. That thing always caused him to get woozy on his feet. He left the cabin that he now called home. Since Aliyah's disappearance, he created the cabin he first found when he arrived in the city, into his home. Sure it was in the wilderness, but it was a safe part, close but not too close to the city streets.

He locked the door behind him and headed the way, staying on the sidewalks of the streets. Luckily his place wasn't too far from the Pub, which had its perks at times. He tended to go there to past time when he had nothing better to do than stay at his home and work. Well, maybe he should get out more to meet people. But it seemed too difficult to do so in this city. People seemed...uptight, or egotistical about themselves. But, he knew it wouldn't be everybody. He was just picky when it came to friends.

He opened the door of the Pub when he finally arrived and looked around for the blonde, spotting her quite close, he smiled and walked over to her. "Been a while, Skylar." He greeted her as he slid in across from her, shrugging off his jacket. Who knew how long they'd be here, he would love to catch up with her on things happening in her life, and maybe talk to somebody about how he's doing. Sometimes, a simple talk with another, helped. And just seeing this girl, lifted his mood.

[Skylar]

I lean over the table, place my hand behind Fors' head and pull him closer as I lean over and kiss his cheek.
"That it has hun. It's nice to see you away from the tunnels. I worry about you spending so much time in such a dank, dark space. I mean technically, I know that's like our thing and all but you're always alone too."
It's true too. Not that I see him in the tunnels on like a daily basis or anything but when I do see him, that's usually where our paths cross. Aliyah told me once that he like studies mould or spores or something but I still don't get it.
"You want a drink?"
I ask this as I raise my glass off the table a little and shake it slowly from side to side. I know. The guy doesn't need a visual of what a drink is, I'm just that type of person I guess. The type that states the obvious and uses visual aids. I'm not sure if Fors can drink the good stuff or if he's on a strict blood diet but whatever he drinks I know Lancaster`s has it. Well... Not whatever. If he drinks from our kind, they wouldn't have that on hand. I know that cos I've had to bring my own the times I've brought Ric here. Not that I'll likely have to do that again. Well not here anyways. I always have a couple of bottles of my blood in the fridge just in case. It's just smart.
"So how's life treating you?"
I decide to take a sip from my drink while I wait for him to speak. I do so love the smell of alcohol. Especially my favourite kind. I'd probably stick my nose in the glass and inhale if it wasn't rude or weird or whatever. I don't drink as much these days as I used to. Ric's fault. I don't think that's a bad thing though. I don't seem to crave a drink as much as I used to and I sure as **** don't need the stuff to have a good time.

[Forsyth (DELETED 6007)]

He chuckled softly with a small nod of his head, after the affection that is. He does spend an awful a lot of times in the tunnels, maybe just cause he's too lazy to move any father. "Well I'm usually alone anyway roaming the city. I just go there when I need to hide from the sunlight, sometimes I probably just zone out and forget I'm there." He grinned and leaned back against the booth. It was true though, he never knows where he is most of the time. Man, something must be up with him.

His glance wavered to the bar. Last time he was here he was given blood, human blood that is. Something he could never drink without the curse he gained during his turn. But lately, he's been able to feed from human's easily to the point he can keep his blood levels up. "I'll pass for now, but thank you." He wasn't that hungry at the moment, since he fed back at his place before he came.

Aliyah was usually his supply, but lately, she hasn't been with her disappearance. He hasn't seen her in month, and it worries him. He's been wandering around by himself, still learning slowly all by himself. But, finally he has been able to come to terms with what he is that he takes advantage of it.

"Well. Holding up and such since Aliyah has been absent. Got myself a place, built it myself, so I stay there. Been gaining new powers and learning a lot more about myself." He shrugged a shoulder and lifted his grey eyes to look over at the blonde woman. "How are you doing since our last encounter? I do appreciate you meeting with me though. Sooner or later if I didn't get any contact with others, I would probably lose my mind" He chuckled faintly. Maybe he already has with how things have been going, but somehow he's able to keep it under control.

[Skylar]

I lean over and pat his hand.
"Well anytime you want a night out I'm your gal."
I offer him a genuine smile. I like Fors, he's always been sweet. I kinda like most people though. Guys especially. I've always gotten on better with guys than girls. I'm not sure if he'd actually wanna hang out with my little crowd, or with my hubby for that matter, but that doesn't mean we can't hang out just the two of us. I'd love to be able to hang out with him and Ali both but I haven't seen her recently either. I'd worry but she's a grown arse woman and I'm sure she'd of told us if something was wrong. Come to think of it, I haven't seen her much since her biological dad came to town. I kinda remember that since Ric got a bit antsy.
"Do you drinking on the menu here?"
Okay. I probably shouldn't ask that. I'm not sure if it's polite or not. I mean I'm not drinking blood. He could be full. But the question is out of my mouth before I can stop it.
"I mean... You don't have to say or nothing. It's just.... Well... I know there's an alternative diet for our kind. Ellie told me about it way back when I first woke to all this madness. It's not my thing. Not that I'm judging. I have trouble with the regular diet what with my teeth and people remembering and stuff."
I'm not sure if I've ever told Fors that I don't have fangs, or that I can't feed from people because they remember the event the next day. If it’d come up I'd of told him. I'd tell him now but I really don't wanna get into it while I'm trying to pull my foot out of my mouth.
"But yeah. Even if you go in for that kind of thing. You don't gotta tell me. I know some people think its taboo. It's like some huge frickin' secret."
I realise that in my efforts to be discreet that I may not have explained myself very well and that Fors may have absolutely no idea what I'm babbling about. Cos I do that. I babble. I know it too. I just can't help myself.
"If you didn't understand a word I just said, feel free to say as much. I won't be offended or nothing. I try not to say too much when I'm like out in public and stuff."
That mind messaging thing would come in super handy in moments like this. I'd be able to say the unspoken words and clarify what it is that I'm talking about. Unfortunately that's one power I don't possess. Actually I don't possess all that many. Not really. And I'm pretty sure I'd have to track down one of those spirit creatures to actually unlock the potential in me to learn that power. So trying to speak into anyone's mind right now would be kinda pointless.

[Forsyth (DELETED 6007)]

He offered a warm smile in return. Good, now he had two friends he could go to when in need of company or just to talk about what is all on his mind. Skylar, he's trusted her since he met her, he cared for her deeply. He swears she knows him better than most people, somehow. Maybe due to their run-ins all the time at the Den. Even if he's dead silent or possibly zoned out when she talks to him.

The question brought him out of the thoughts and he looked over at the bar, then back to her. Did she mean the blood? First time he came here he remember Pi brought him a glass of blood, but he had a difficult time drinking from it. He also rarely drank from blood packs, only when he desperately needed to. "I don't that much, no." He cut in, his words a quiet whisper.

When she was done speaking he let out a quiet chuckle. This girl seemed to babble off his ear, but he didn't mind it, it was nice communicating with others. "I, well. I don't drink from the menu here, no. And not much from human's, or blood packs. He looked around to see if any humane ears were in eye shot to hear the conversation. Or even vampires. "It's hard for me. A curse, it seems....Aliyah tends to help me with feeding, by, you know. He hoped she knew what he was talking about to, it was difficult for him to talk about. He knew he would get in trouble if anyone knew, but he trusted Skylar to keep quiet. He hoped.

"But lately, by myself, I've got it down now with feeding from humans. Though that guilt, He groaned quietly, "it's still there when I do." He looked down at his hands, which were fidgety on the table. Ever since he was changed that curse still lingered, but the hunger always fought back.

[Skylar]

I listen and damn if I'm left confused by what Fors is telling me. I mean I can hardly tell the guy he's wrong but he can't be right. Right? Ric can't drink nothing but our own kind. I don't think that's preference or anything. It's just the way he is. He can't stomach the human stuff so far as I know. Of course I can't exactly tell Fors I know this for sure. Not without citing a source and when it comes to Ricky I take the fifth.
"Wait. What?"
I have to ask. I mean I'm not gonna call the guy a liar or anything. He drinks what he drinks. I just didn't think you could have both. I mean yeah. I've tasted Ric and well... His blood... not so good. Human blood is so much more appealing to me. That's probably a good thing though. I mean I'm Ric's main food source. I don't even know how we'd go about sustaining one another. Doesn't seem practical.
"I didn't think it was possible to combine those two particular diets. I kinda thought it was an either, or kinda deal."
I lean in a little closer. I don't need to whisper or nothing, I'm curious. I like to know this kinda stuff. I gotta figure out what's what. I mean I know they say that ignorance is bliss and all that, and that in some cases that might be true but I kinda like knowing about our kind. All the different flavours and their superpowers and stuff.
As I'm thinking this a strange thought runs through my mind. Ric's a cannibal. I'm not sure if this thought has occurred to me before or not but it causes my lips to momentarily twitch. Just a flash of a smile. I kinda like being bitten. Okay. I ******* love being bitten. How twisted does that make me?

[Forsyth (DELETED 6007)]

He leaned back against the booth and shook his head. "You can't do both, no." He didn't mean it like Aliyah was his main source, he had a taste of her blood possibly once, but he never stuck to it. Even the thought of hurting her always got him nervous to do so. So, he strayed away from her supply. It was only human blood he would drink now.

"Sorry if I confused you." He gave a lopsided grin at her. His words always seemed to jumble up into nonsense, even he found himself a little confusing at times. "I tried it once, with her, but I just can't live through feeding off, well, another of our kind. It's still like hurting a human, or stolen blood packs." He rested his elbows back on the table and leaned forward to look at her quietly. "Plus, I cannot only survive off one person, if I were to feed off another."

He showed a hint of a small smile and ran a hand through his hair. He looked over at the bar. Maybe he should retrieve a drink, now that all they were talking about was blood. It made that grumbling feeling in his stomach start up. "I'm going to get a drink. Need another?" He looked down at her cup on the counter as he stood from the booth. When she did answer, he headed towards the bar.

[Skylar]

"Ahh."
Okay so that makes more sense. only it does and it doesn't at the same time. Sounds like he has issues feeding. I don't much get it myself but then I don't drink from the vein. I could. I mean I have Sapphire and that but I'd have to actually cut her to feed from her and that just seems wrong. Ain't no way I'm biting her. Tearing the flesh isn't pleasant. I have no idea how Patrick made it through his turning with me doing that to him daily. I kinda think the guy is into S&M on the side. Not that I can talk. What Ric and I do is pretty fucked up.
I quickly shake those thoughts off. That way madness lies. The good kind, not the bad. No need to be fantasising about my boy right now.
"I'm good thanks."
I tell him giving my glass a little wave, as if I need to give him the visual. I'm doing well nursing this drink. Don't need to be rushing with it. Besides. I'm not in the mood to get slammed.
I know. Don't like keel over and die or nothing. I said it and I meant it. Ric's my drug of choice these days. Mostly.
I hold back the question that's on my lips too. Which... go me! See. I can bite my tongue when I wanna. Not that I'm not gonna ask the question. I am. I'm just going to wait until he returns from the bar. Then I plan to find out what his issue with feeding is.
I tap on the table in front of me while he's gone. I've got good rhythm and I'm not actually aware of the fact that I'm singing along to the tune under my breath. Hell I'm not aware I'm taping either. It's probably a musician thing. I'd bet Ellie does it too. Music is like air to people like us. Only well... more important now I guess since we don't actually need to breathe as vamps. I still breathe though. Habit.
I look around and note a few regulars. A few catch my eye and I smile. I can’t help myself. I'm the friendly sort after all. Hell I'd probably go over and say hi if I wasn't here with someone. There's one guy that's staring at me. I've seen him before but don't know his name; I've never spoken to him. I'm not sure why I've got his attention and the moment I smile at him he looks away. I'd go over and mess with him a bit but well, as I already said, prior engagement and all that. I just hope he doesn't think to walk over before Fors gets back. Not that I'd be cornered or anything. I just don't wanna have to deal with any unwanted attention right now.

[Forsyth (DELETED 6007)]

It didn't take him long to get his drink. He stared down at the dark liquid in the glass. Even without taking a sip the guilt hung in the air, his stomach seeming to churn at the thought of drinking it. Just get over it. he told himself over and over again. It's something he needed to do. He couldn't live etertinity with the same guilt each time he fed. It was a way of living now, to keep him going. Human blood. It still seemed so wrong, and taboo. Sure he came to his senses and accepted what he was, but the blood part, it seemed difficult still.

He grabbed the glass and walked back over to Skylar, where they both sat. But he followed her gaze to where she was looking before he sat down. Carefully, with visible hesitation, he took a sip of the blood. Yes it did taste good, but just that guilt. That damn guilt! He wanted to stop but he was hungry, he needed to feed. Plus, Dhara always bugged him about feeding, she would never let him just drink half a blood bag anymore. It was a full one. He'd finish it of course, but he wouldn't forgive himself for drinking from a stolen blood pack.

"Who's that you're staring at?" He questioned her as his glance went back to the person she was eyeing. Maybe a friend? He didn't know. But he knew that Skylar was quite the social person, that's for sure. Compared to him. He was though, in some type of form, but here in the city. Nope. People were hard to come by, to even spark a conversation up with. It was probably just him though, he never opened up to anyone at all. It took him a while to even open up with Aliyah. It would take time to get to know more people around here.

He looked down at the blood, his finger running along the rim of the glass slowly.