City of RED… (Edenor)

[Aviana]

The artist sat on the floor, in the center of her Livingroom. She had long given up painting on surfaces. The canvases she had been working with lately, were quite large. The floor being the only size appropriate surface. She could have worked on them standing up, but that would have required a stepping stool, and that hardly seemed convenient, as Aviana was already quite clumsy at times. No need to tempt fate, she already did that enough. Sitting then, the telepath was lost in the music that filled her ear buds. Holding in her hand a long handled paintbrush, where she took her time placing and swirling streaks of a bright red. The painting to any other would have looked complete, it was a city skyline done entirely of black and various shades of red. The impressionist piece was dark and detailed. She had been inspired by cities lately. None of the works were of true cities, just from her thoughts, and through her art became almost real to her. The bright red paint added, were the highlights of her painting. Yet another way to add depth to the work that she had recently been obsessing over.

Aviana had not given much thought into how an immortal spent an eternity. Though if she could imagine, to paint her endless life away, she supposed that would be happy enough. It wasn’t like she had ever discussed the topic with anyone before. Avi had only met a small number of vampires since having been turned six months ago, and she socialized with an even smaller number of them. This was just one of the many ways she had changed since moving to this city. Avi had come here to escape something, to run from herself. Having done that and so much more, the city had claimed her, changing who she was. All except for her passion for art, painting in particular. She had always loved art, everything about it, any way she could creatively express herself.

Finally Avi felt she could relate to some of the most famous painters of the past. To be so wrapped up in such work, could at times lead one to deprive themselves of the company of others. The young vampire had other reasons, the main being how guarded she was. If she didn’t let anyone get too close, then maybe it would not hurt to lose them. She had yet to truly accept what she had become.. Maybe in time, things would change, but for now she was content with painting. She would reach for the bright red paint, to add more to her pallet but the tube was empty, and so were the others amongst the acrylic paints she had. Who runs out of red paint? Back and white were usually the first ones to go, and that was the typical time when she would head out to stock up on all the paints and such she needed.

Getting more, would involve leaving her apartment and she would have dreaded such a trip alone. The craft store was not normally an intolerable endeavor. Though around the holidays, especially Christmas, there always seemed to be a flux in clientele, in her past experience. Her eyes lingered a moment upon the canvas she had been working on. Maybe it could be called done? A thought that would quickly be dismissed, there was still more she wanted to add. Details that required that color. She was going to have to go, but to not have to go alone would be nice. There was one person she could maybe get ahold of. He was an acquaintance she had made a few months ago. They had met under a set of unusual circumstances, though had come to a small understanding of sorts. There was no harm in sending an invite? She was not certain if he would even come, it felt as if she had not seen him in some time now.

The man was definitely hard to understand and the curiosity she held towards him was more than enough to distract her mind. Avi wouldn’t bother getting on her computer, instead would simply reach out with technokinesis, to send him an e-mail. She kept it short... If you are not preoccupied, meet me at my place in an hour to go somewhere with me. – Avi The place they would be going had been intentionally left out. A craft store was hardly an adventure, though if he came she would likely invite him to have drinks or something afterwards (drinks for him, as she didn't bother with such beverages any longer). Standing then, she took in the state of her clothing. Both her jeans and shirt were stained with black and various shades of red paint. She would change only her shirt, before pulling on a black sweater hoodie. The jeans were comfortable enough, and she would have just have changed back into them when she got home to paint, so why bother. It wasn’t as if she were dressing to impress anyone.

That so, one look at her hands and from the sight of the paint that covered them, she would imagine her face looked the same. She didn’t bother looking in the mirror, the reflection it held would be of no help to her. At first she had been unable to see anything after having been turned, but lately she had seen glimpses of herself, but it didn’t look as she truly did. Grabbing the used brushes, they would be washed and dried first before she set to cleaning the paint off her arms and washing her face. It was possible that she had missed a few spots, but there was no way around it. Who knew not having a true reflection in a mirror would be so bothersome. After doing the best she could with that, would she free her hair from the clip that held it back. Deciding it would probably be best to brush it out, so she didn’t look like a crazy woman. Then it was only a waiting game, to see if she would get an email from him, or if he would show. If not she would simply head out alone.

[Edenor]

He didn't hear the beep from his phone that he had gotten an email and continued in his work. So far he had spent many days cooped up again, forging away as so far it had been the best way for him to get stronger and really push himself. Fights were over after mere moments and because of it hadn't been all that great for his training. It took nearly twenty minutes before he caught a faint flash from the corner of his eyes at his phone laying a few feet away with that little light flashing repeatedly. He thought about ignoring it, generally speaking there wasn't likely to be anything of worth causing that phone to light up. Nobody had the number though it was possible someone had found out about it.

It was that thought that made him frown and realize he should check his phone, depending what it was he might even have to burn it and get a new one. As soon as the light flashed on though as he unlocked the phone he sighed thinking to himself 'When the **** did I setup my email to this phone?' It was a good thing he checked and it made him smirk slightly at the invitation. It had been a couple weeks since he had last spoken with the woman asking him out and he was a bit surprised at the sudden invite. An hour? He already only had burned about half that time before he even realized it was there. Fortunately it would take him only a few minutes to get ready and he went to shower. After a few minutes of scrubbing to get any particles from forging off him and at least most of the smell from that he stepped out.

The rest was simple, a pair of jeans, simple black tshirt and his boots. His hair he just combed back while wet to let it settle and do whatever it decided as he didn't care enough to do more than that. His beard took longer to brush but he liked that to be kept clean and not a tangled mess but even with that grooming he was ready with a few minutes to spare. Of course he wasn't in a rush, the woman had given him a Tome to be able to get to her place and he used it then, appearing just inside her doorway and knocked on it to let her at least know he was there as he stepped further into the room and looked around for her and realizing she wasn't there decided to wait as far away from the plants in her home she kept as he could. Last time he had walked around they started dying and she had kicked him out. Best to avoid that again.

[Aviana]

It took her awhile to work out the knots throughout her long hair. Once finished, nothing fancy was done, she would simply twist it up and place the clip back in to hold it. A few small strands would fall free around her face, but she didn't bother pinning them back. Avi would wonder to her room, going about getting ready to go out. Sitting on the edge of her bed, she would pull on a pair of socks, followed by a worn out pair of converse shoes. She was in no rush, though as usually time always seemed to pass quickly. Interesting how fast a minute could pass to hours and then days. Time seemed to hold less baring now, but perhaps it would gain more meaning once again at some point later in life. Her life had gone from living for a moment, to being lost in one. Becoming a vampire held promise of a long life. Other than painting, she had yet to find something to make the most of it all.

Grabbing a purse from her closet, she would damage through the contents, throwing away anything she could due without. Mostly old receipts and other such things. Making just enough to hide a few things inside, like a gun and short blade. Not that craft stores were dangerous, just one could never be sure about this city. That, and there was always the possibility of heading out for a short training trip. She had still not heard from the man she had emailed, and simply had assumed he probably had other things going on. A few things had since changed since her first encounter with him. Such as his permanent residence. Avi had known him first as a wanderer of sorts, he never seemed to stay in one place for long. So it had definitely been surprising to hear when he had bought a place of his own within the city.

A knocking sound caught her attention, grabbing the bag, she would wander out to the living area. The moment she caught sight of who it was, a small smile would play at her lips. "Why hello Edenor." As she greeted him, she would recall the last time he had been over. All of her plants that he had went near, had withered and died. It was different now, she had since gotten a place across town just for her plants. She had more now, the new place was like a jungle and she loved it. The fact that it created a nice profit, was just an added bonus. " I was starting to think you weren't going to show." Shared as she made her way closer to him, stopping at the small closet near the door so she could pull out her jacket and a scarf. Her bag would be set aside as she pulled on the jacket, and draped the black scarf around her neck. "Ready to go?" Asked, as she still gave no hint to where they were off to. Pulling the purse on her shoulder, Avi would open the door to head out. She smiled still, it was really nice to see him but she was hardly confessing to such aloud. Not waiting for an answer, she would just head out down the hall to press the button for the elevator.

[Edenor]

He couldn't help the slight smile on his face as he saw the woman appear from her room. She was an interesting one to him and he had far too much fun tormenting and teasing her but had also had to help her out a bit when they first met. What kind of vampire is afraid of hunting to drink blood? He couldn't understand it and while his methods were more force than finesse in convincing her it had worked and had been a very quick fix that left her far more confident than she had been before and she wouldn't have to worry about stealing enough to buy the blood bags. That thought made him smirk inwardly, 'I bet she is more cautious about stealing a wallet since then.' He inclined his head slightly then towards her in greeting, "Hello Little Rabbit, it's been a while since I heard from you."

He shook his head at her question, his right eyebrow lifting up at her question and he couldn't bite his tongue in time as he said softly, "Come now, do you think I would be here if I weren't ready to go?" She knew him better than that. If he weren't ready, he wouldn't be there. Just like if he were not going, he wouldn't send word or apologize later on, he would simply not show at all and pretend like it never had happened that he had been invited. Things were easier that way and they could either accept it or leave him be. At least she was of that former group. Watching as she grabbed her jacket and tilted his head, "Now where exactly are you trying to lead me to?"

He knew she was likely leaving out where they were going from the email on purpose and even now since she likely knew he wouldn't want to go otherwise but it would be fun to put her on the spot and see her try and wiggle her way out of answering. Or tell him and then try and convince him to go anyways. Truth of the matter is he would go anyways simply because it was something to do and she had invited him out and it would provide a chance for him to see what she had been up to and perhaps new insights into how to tease her some more just for fun.

[Aviana]

A smile would linger as he had called her little rabbit. She had grown oddly fond of the little nickname he had given her. It had definitely felt fitting after that first night they had met. Never would she forget that evening, so much blood, and much of it had been her own. It seemed almost a lifetime ago. Many would have avoided such a predator after such an incident, but Avi had been able to move past such fears. Things had been different for her then, Avi had not taken to her turning well at first. She was still adjusting, but it was getting better, somewhat. Back then, she had been defenseless against someone like Edenor. Though now she could likely be more of an equal match, but Edenor was still not someone she would dare cross, ever again.

Her pickpocket days were long over now, most of that thanks to Mortill, Avi now had a job that paid for what she needed. Training definitely held its own financial reward lately too. The caverns had far more profitable finds, when compared to some of the other places she had trained in. In a way, Edenor had encouraged the progression with her training. Never again did she want to feel so defenseless against another in such a way. Not that Avi was even close to being safe against all within this city now, but it was a start in the right direction. It was a battle between curiosity and making safe choices. Perhaps in time she would set out to explore a little more, but for now was content with the routine she had, with the few areas of the city that were beginning to grow familiar.

She would have intentionally prolonged responding to his question on the destination. As she waited by the elevator, Avi would turn in his direction as she spoke then. ”It’s a secret…” She figured he would not likely take such for a reasonable answer, but she would just smirk and give no details for the moment. ”Though it should not be a long trip, and then we can swing by Lancaster’s. I’ll buy you a few drinks.” It was sort of a regular place they ended up at whenever they hung out. Avi never bothered drinking herself, she knew it would just come back up anyways. Just didn’t seem worth the effort. Though just maybe drinks for him would be worth the tradeoff of having to go to the craft shop.

The elevator door would open, and this would distract Avi’s attention away for a moment. Stepping in, she would press the ground floor button and wait for Edenor. Avi could not help the way her curiosity of him filtered through her thoughts then. Wondering what he had been up to lately, knowing it was likely far more exciting than anything she had been up to. That was a matter of opinion though, Avi enjoyed painting and getting lost in her art work. Though she was starting to get a little overloaded with the oversized pieces she had been creating lately. Maybe at some point she could move some of them to her other place. There was always the option of selling them, but Avi found it hard to believe that anyone would want to buy her art.

[Edenor]

'It's a secret.' As soon as those words left her mouth his eyes narrowed as he watched her heading to the elevator. He still followed after her though before signing softly at her words. So now it's a secret and she plans on buying him a drink? He already knew he wasn't going to like whatever it was she had called him for, she knew he wasn't going to but had invited him anyways. He almost left then and there but decided to play along if only because at the very least he would have to torment her should his theory be proven true. Waiting quietly for the moment and not bothering to answer her until they were both inside the elevator as the doors closed, "I'm not going to have much fun with wherever you are dragging me off to am I?"

He could only sigh, not bothering to wait for her to answer and just shook his head before smirking, "You know, I am going to have to just torment you the entire time with every chance I get now right? I wonder what would work better, having everyone think we are lovers as I say horrible off the cuff remarks about us and other people wherever it is we are going, or if I should just start a fight and see what happens?" Truth of the matter he wouldn't do either on his own. He found he at least cared for the woman beside him enough that he wouldn't intentionally ruin her day, but if she agreed, even in jest... Well that was her fault at that point right?

As the elevator doors opened to let them out on the ground floor he motioned for her to go first and then stepped out beside her once she was walking out, "You know you could just tell me where we are going and I might decide to behave and keep my grumbling to myself. If I at least know I am not going to be happy about it I can somewhat pretend it isn't so bad." Had he already known where they were going he might not have complained anyways. At least if it were a craft shop he might be able to find some things to fiddle with while she got whatever it was she needed. Or setup racks to dump their contents entirely on the floor when the next person came over and grabbed something. As it stood though he was somewhat dreading what she had in mind and the only thought in his head at that moment as he walked with her was, 'Dear god please not clothes.'

[Aviana]

Avi would press her back against the elevator wall, her hands pressed into the pockets. Her eyes would linger with amusement as Edenor walked in and the doors would close behind him. At his question, she would simply smile and shrug her shoulders. It would all just be what he made of it. They would likely only be in the craft shop maybe thirty minutes, if that. Avi had no intentions of lingering any longer than she had to. At his comments that followed then, she could not help but laugh a little. She had expected such, it wasn’t unlike him. Avi wondered if strangers would see through such antics, or would they buy into the ruse that they were lovers, or believe a fight he would just start on purpose. ”Such things would surly draw attention, I’m sure. Though would those be ways of tormenting me or simply just making yourself the center of attention?” Avi couldn’t help but tease a little with her words. The more she had been around him, the easier it seemed she could joke a little.

He had warned her once, to never allow herself to feel completely comfortable around him. Avi assumed it to be both a warning of how he could be, paired with not allowing someone to get too close to him. She couldn’t help but wonder if there was anyone he ever let his guard down around. From what he had told her of his old line of work, it seemed being guarded was one way to stay safe. ”I don’t think it’s only the attention though, it’s likely you enjoy shocking people.” Shared with the play of a smirk. Avi doubted he had any trouble catching attention without even saying a word, especially with women, as he was attractive, in a slightly rugged way. If Avi started thinking too much into that idea, she would simply remind herself of how good he was with a knife, and her thoughts were forced upon a different view. One that reminder her that this man was more than just a hansom face, he was dangerous.

As the doors would open, she would walk out and he was soon by her side. He questioned further, and truthfully Avi had no intentions of making him wait much longer. At least then he would have a chance to bail if he wished to. ”I could tell you….. but that would ruin the surprise.” She would only pause for a moment before speaking once again. ”I ran out of red acrylic paint, so our designation is the craft store a few blocks over. It will be a short venture, I promise. So perhaps you could just pretend for a short while, not to be completely miserable, having to wonder through a craft store with me?” As she spoke, she would walk out of the sanctuary with him, headed down the sidewalk in the direction of the craft shop. ”Though, if you would rather go cloths shopping?” Shared in a clearly joking tone, of course.

[Edenor]

He could only helplessly chuckle and shake his head at her quick response to his threats and said with a grin, "Well seems my Little Rabbit has quite a bite to her now." He shrugged slightly, "You know I don't much care for attention but if it leads to the result that I am after then I will have to accept it." It wasn't a lie, he preferred things be discreet and out of the limelight. It was partly why he favored the blade as much as he could when fighting over the loud announcement of his presence with the sound of a gun. That wasn't to say he wouldn't use it when he needed but she had him in that he wouldn't really do that over shopping and unfortunately for him she knew that.

It was actually quite frustrating as that realization hit him and his eyes narrowed slightly though he blinked and dismissed those thoughts that she was a liability. She was. No way to sugar coat it or deny it to himself or anyone else but even so, he would let it be for now. He shook his head as he heard her next little quip, "No Little Rabbit, that isn't why I do it. Sure it might shock some people but overall, you can learn a lot about people from the way they react to anything outside the norm they are used to." He couldn't help but reach out, his fingers brushing feather light over her neck and a few bits of hair that were there. A soft, barely audible whisper accompanied the motion as he teased her, "It's why I like learning which of your buttons to press."

A louder laugh escaped him then as they stepped outside and he could only shrug but before he could even respond she was explaining where they were going. He could only groan softly but then nod his head, "Well if that is what we are doing then so be it. I already agreed so I will not complain too much about it." She had obviously heard what he said about clothes shopping and he shook his head, "No, that's perfectly fine. If you insist on going clothes shopping I will burn them all to the ground every time you try and take me into one." Nothing more dull and boring to him than clothes shopping. He knew his sizes so when he needed stuff he was in and out in five minutes or less with what he had come looking for and he'd be damned if he would let someone drag him along to do such a thing.

[Aviana]

With the comment of having more of a bite, Avi would smirk. Perhaps Edenor was beginning to bring more of a different side of her out. She certainly was not as timid as she once was. “Well, if it can be avoided, I would like to stay clear of diversions and just be in, out and done with it.” It’s how she felt about such outings lately but she knew that had to change at some point. There was still so much she didn't understand about what she had become. There would be no hiding forever, at some point she would have to find a way to fit in with this new world. Avi missed being part of something more, deeper connections were something she one day wanted to find again. For now, she was just taking it day by day.

As Edenor spoke of reading people's reactions, she would have to agree that much could be learned from such. At the light feel of his touch, she would almost stop walking for a moment. Instead she kept along, a smirk lingering at her lips. Avi figured he wanted to get her reaction from such, but she tried hard not to show one. “You like learning what buttons of mine to push? Well, you certainly have mastered many of them.” She teased a little, but knew he had a way of getting to her. “I promises we won't be long…. And I have made a mental note to never go clothing shopping with you.” Avi wondered if he would really do such a thing, as burn down a clothing shop.

“So, what have you been up to lately? “ It felt like ages since they had last spoke, but it wasn't like they had been much for such small talk in the past. She was interested in such things, he was oddly someone she seemed to associate with most within the city. It seemed natural to want to get to know him better. Avi just got a feeling at times that perhaps he didn't want anyone to know too much about him though. Yet he was a vampire now, did the hazards of his past still hold merit? Were they still such a danger, that he could not be close with anyone? Avi would like to consider him a friend, but at times felt she could never be considered such by him.