The Day the Music Died (Rhett)

[Dhara]

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

Dhara: Since they had returned from Romania, Rhett had practically moved in with her. True to his word, nearly all of their spare time was spent together. There were occasions, few though they were, where she went to bed alone because Rhett was with Jesse. Dhara had yet to meet that man, but Rhett swore it was better if she didn’t. The way he looked when he talked about Jesse, it was something Dhara didn’t push him on. All in all life had been amazing since they had come back. The things they had discovered, the relationship they had built while in Romania had only grown stronger once they returned.

And so it was they found themselves on Christmas night, snuggled in front of the fireplace, Dhara in his lap and wrapped in his arms, toying with a small gold key, trying to find the right way to officially ask Rhett to move in with her. They had set up a small tree and little gifts had been appearing beneath it all month, only to be opened tonight, surprising and delighting each other. This was the last one, and her shyness kept her from blurting it out. To her, it just made sense. He slept in her bed almost every night, no longer staying in the guest room when he was at the apartment. The amount of his things that he kept at the apartment had been slowly, but steadily increasing. They lived together for all intent and purpose, but they hadn’t made it official. Yet.

Rhett: Spending time with Dhara had increased, which was only natural, as much as it was intentional. Rhett would honestly rather spend his nights enjoying them than not and lately, he hadn’t been enjoying his time with Jesse or any people in Fforde. He tried to understand what Jesse was going through, but Rhett couldn’t. He didn’t have the urge to make anyone a vampire or drink copious amounts of blood that belonged to humans, so the best Rhett could do was offer an ear, but somehow more nights than not, he pissed Jesse off. At least he wasn’t the only one. Everyone seemed to annoy the guy except for one person. So Rhett decided that she could take the brunt end of Jesse’s mood swings and stay out of Jesse’s hair.

Since no one had made any real plans for Christmas, Rhett didn’t have to split his night between Dhara and enjoyment, with Fforde and displeasure. Which was fine by him. Christmas was about being with people you weren’t going to end up in a fight with at the end of the night. At least in Rhett’s mind. Christmas was a good thing.

An arm tugged Dhara in closer into him as they both sat on the couch; he on it, and she on him as his eyes wandered now that the gift giving had ended. “Don’t they have holiday movies or something? Any worth watching?” Rhett didn’t feel compelled to do anything-not that much was open anyways, but the night was still young.

Dhara: She tipped her head back and kissed his neck lightly. She had been enjoying the crackling of the fire and the silence of the room. “We could watch ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ if you want. I think it’s the only thing on.” She turned the key over in her fingers thoughtfully. “So, how much more stuff are you planning on bringing over?” She asked gently, a small smile playing on her lips. There were touches of Rhett everywhere you looked in her apartment, giving masculine touches to her feminine space. She liked it, and she could only assume Rhett did as well since more and more of his things kept appearing.
Infact, one of Dhara’s favorite things to do was to steal his shirts and wander around the apartment with nothing else on. She knew Rhett liked it, too. And even now, she was curled in his lap wearing a soft grey t-shirt of his that was about four sizes too big. She kissed his neck again, amber eyes moving to the dancing flames once more.

Rhett: The male looked around the immediate room as a ‘hmmm,’ escaped his lips. The thoughtful sound had nothing to do with the movie Dhara suggested, but about the question. He had brought a lot of things here in the last month or so. Clothes, his own personal assortment of hygiene items, a book he had started reading and hadn’t gone back to, spending his nights preoccupied with Dhara, his own ‘food’ was even in the fridge and other odds and ends. “I don’t think I need much of anything else. I figured when an apartment opened up in this place would be the next time I move anything again.” Rhett wondered if maybe he had brought too much stuff now. “I could probably take the book back. I haven’t touched it in weeks.” He grinned in her direction, leaving the statement speak for itself. “Have you heard of a place opening up?” He hadn’t exactly been looking as hard as Rhett once had, but now that they were talking about it, it seemed as good as any time to bring it up. “And the movie sounds good.” He had heard of that movie and may have even seen it when he was a kid. His mom was big on occasion movies, Halloween, Christmas, wedding...anything that can be made a movie that was a big real life production, she would watch it.

Dhara: “I haven’t. But then again, I can’t say as I have been paying attention.” She mused thoughtfully, reaching for the remote and keeping the key hidden in her hand. She turned on the tv and found the channel playing the movie she had mentioned. “Besides, you can’t take the book because I’ve been reading it now and again.” She chuckled softly as she settled back into his lap, the movie playing quietly in the background. “But I suppose I could start looking if you wanted.”

Rhett: “Yeah.” Rhett nodded his head, agreeing with her statement. There were other things to pay attention to, and they had been. “Is it any good?” Rhett chuckled as his arms wrapped around Dhara to secure her in his lap. “I definitely want to get out of my old place next year. It’s a goal.” And once Rhett set a goal, he would see it accomplished, even if it took the whole year. “And I like the layout of the apartments and being close to you.” Rhett wondered if he should have said that. He wasn’t that guy. To always be around. In the creepy sense. He was around now, but if she told him she needed space, Rhett would give it to her. “If that’s okay?” He asked Dhara, still wondering if what he had originally intended was fine with her.

Dhara: : “Of course it’s okay. I like you being close. I like you being here.” She watched the movie for a moment. “The movie or the book?” She asked curiously. “The book is decent. The movie, not so much.” Again she stared idly at the tv, the child’s voice grating on her nerves. It was so shrill and it hurt her ears. She turned the sound down a little bit more. “You realize that next year is next Friday, don’t you?” Are you really going to find an apartment and move in a week?” She knew it would be possible. Especially if she worked up the nerve to give him the small key she was playing with and ask him to keep on staying with her. But then again, he hadn’t given any inclination he actually wanted to stay here with her.

Rhett: “If something opened, I would find a way do it.” He nodded his head, confident in his abilities to get things done. Even if he had to hire someone to do it. As unpleasant as that sounded. Rhett knew people paid decent money for people to handle their things, but he was wary of it. Plus, he had his way of packing things and an order to it too. “Pretty big if though.” He shrugged his shoulders gliding past the topic of what could be. “And it’s not that bad. The movie. That banker guy is a real dick though.” Rhett pointed to the old guy on the screen that reminded him of his slum landlord. Only out for himself. “And like you said, next year is already almost here. I’m sure come spring something will crop up and we can be neighbors.” Rhett liked the sound of that, especially since he was practically here anyways. He might as well move in the same building.

Dhara: “You really like this movie?” They were having two conversations and she found it rather easy to do so. “Yeah the banker is kind of a jerk.” She watched the movie for several long moments, tilting her head and blowing her white hair from her eyes. The candy cane colored hair had made a reappearance for the holidays, though this time her locks were pure snowy white with the red streaks only framing her delicate face. Tonight her curls had been straightened so a silken white waterfall fell down her back and covered his lap.

Rhett: “I think it's better than that flop I took you to on our first date.” Rhett shrugged his shoulders before turning the conversation off the movie and to her earlier comment about his things. “I brought too much stuff over.” A statement that held a hint of question to it. “I'm sorry. Sort of. I like spending my nights here. I might have went a little overboard on what I brought.” He shifted on the couch so that he could better see Dhara from the side and not so much from the back.

Dhara: She smiled when he turned to face her, his apology unfounded. She shifted a bit so she could watch his face, still toying with the key in her hand. She looked away for a moment, down at her hands, then back to his face. “Don’t be sorry. I like you being here and close as well.” Another glance to the key, then up to him. “I guess I was sort of thinking… maybe you could just bring the rest of your things over?” she blew out a breath, then sucked in another, her words coming rushed as her cheeks colored. “I mean… if you want. You are here all the time and it just makes sense and it sort of seems silly for you to get your own place. But you do not have to. It’s only if you want.” In her rush to speak, the key slipped from her fingers and pinged against the hardwood, making her blush even more. Part of her wondered if she was simply being too forward with her request.

[Rhett Keyes]

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

Rhett: Rhett carefully listened to Dhara’s words and allowed a large grin to break on his features as he realized what she was saying. As long as it was fine by him. Funnily enough, a few weeks back Rhett wanted to inform Jesse that he was going to move in with his girlfriend when he and Jesse got into it and Rhett gave his tome back. In the end, Rhett took it back and didn’t say that-mostly because he hadn’t asked Dhara and didn’t want to put her in the middle of whatever he and Jesse were having for whatever reason. “I think that’s a good idea. Makes sense.” Rhett replied giving a standard, safe answer, before giving the one that was really on his mind. “I want to.” Rhett hadn’t lived with anyone in years, but they were practically living together as Dhara pointed out, and things had been going fine so far. It should and hopefully would, be a smooth transition.

Dhara: The grin she gave him said it all, and through great flexibility, she leaned over and retrieved the key she had dropped, holding it up like a prize as she tried to blow her white and red hair from her eyes. “Then this is yours.” She said, not without glee in her voice. The flush on her cheeks and the sparkle in her eyes told him just how happy she was that he had agreed to move all the way in. A small kiss pecked against his lips, almost shyly, and she snuggled into him with a delighted little laugh. She didn’t even mind the shrill voice of the kid on tv talking about ringing bells and angel wings.

Rhett: The drop of whatever was in her hands hadn’t gone unnoticed, but when Rhett had seen the color the inflamed Dhara’s cheeks, the guy didn’t look to see what she had dropped or made a deal out of it. He had done his fair share of embarrassing things and was glad she never made a deal about those things. He let Dhara reclaim what she had dropped, recognizing what it was when she held it out to him and offered it. Rhett took the key in his left hand after she spoke and he looked at it in his hand. They hadn’t talked about it before, so he was still processing it. After all, it’s not every day he moved in with his girlfriend. Or anyone for that matter. Rhett hadn’t even claimed a room in the Fforde home yet, because his apartment, while it sucked was where Rhett was the most comfortable at, until he practically moved in with Dhara. What should he say? What did people say in these kind of situations? Thank you? “I will put it to good use.” Rhett silently kicked himself after he said that. That was obvious, wasn’t it? That he was going to use it since he was going to move in here. Rhett pocketed the key with one hand before playing with red and white strands of Dhara’s hair. She was always changing it, which he didn’t mind. Rhett actually liked that. It was one of her quirks and a good one at that. “I like your hair like that.” In case he hadn’t already told her ten hundred other times before now. Which, he was sure he had, but given the fact he said something stupid, Rhett said something both nice and true to get the attention off his stupid words.

Dhara: She laughed softly at his comment and pecked another light kiss to his lips. “I hope you do. Put it to good use I mean.” She couldn’t help but tease him. They were both awkward at times and it only made her love him more. Her fingers danced along the back of his neck as he pocketed the key and then kissed him a third time, leaning in to his touch as he played with her hair. “Thank you.” She murmured in appreciation, even though she’d heard it before. When they had been in Germany her hair had been a pale sky blue, during November it had been a metallic-y gold red to highlight the fall colors. December meant candy canes and it was reflected in her long hair. A fourth kiss landed along his jawline, her lips soft and gentle. The movie credits were rolling and she could think of better things to do than sit on the couch and watch them. “Are you ready for bed?” She asked softly, almost a whisper in his ear, designed to hint at the fact that she had anything but sleep on her mind.

Rhett: She was making light of his awkwardness and Rhett appreciated it. It wasn’t ever a big thing between the pair, which was a relief. The fact that they were both equally awkward at times made their relationship easy for the most part. The other understood how being clumsy with their words was and so any time they tumbled over words or did something strange, it wasn’t thought on much. The movie had ended by the time the couple managed to both decide he was moving in, not that much had been left to watch by the time they got around to opening the gifts and enjoying the company of the other.

Rhett was just about to change the channel to find something different-anything different than that song that had been heard at least three times since they found the movie on the television; when Dhara had suggested going to bed. Only Rhett knew that it wasn’t even close to bedtime, so he knew what Dhara meant.

Rhett just nodded his head, clicked the television off, but didn’t move from it. They weren’t really going to bed, so what was the hurry? Besides, Rhett liked the couch, it was comfortable and he was comfortable with Dhara where she was. His hands roamed over Dhara’s tiny body before he shook his head and gave a little grin. “Not quite yet.”

Dhara: “You are a shameless tease.” she said before stealing another kiss. Truth be told, the way his hands moved, she was content to stay where they were. There was certainly something to be said for moving outside your comfort zone. Dhara was so used to living with other people that even the idea of anything close to intimacy in such an open space made her blush. But for many, many months it had just been her and Rhett and so, perhaps, it was time to let go of her reservations and give in to the temptation. Certainly Rhett didn't seem to have an issue with it. And so she made the decision in that moment to go with anything he might decide to want or do.

Rhett: Tease. The thought made him grin just a little bit more. Maybe he did tease Dhara a little, but never for long before it got serious. Did he care that they weren’t in the bedroom? Not tonight. Not like anyone would see what they were doing. What they were going to do.

Rhett’s hands continued to wander until Dhara’s shirt was somewhere on the floor not far from the couch, his lips on her skin. Most of their nights ended like this, which was crazy. To think at some point, all Rhett did was work and sleep and missed out on this. Not that he wanted to be doing this with anyone else. It was just unbelievable to him that he went from what he once had; nothing, to now this, every night or so. “That right?” Rhett finally commented on Dhara’s comment as he stood, one arm wrapped around her back so that she was snug to him, the other under her butt, getting a feel for it, but pretending that he needed to hold her that way so she wouldn’t fall.

Dhara: “Mmmhmm…” Was all she could manage in reply. His shirt had joined hers at some point, seeming to melt away under her hands. Skin to skin, she reveled in the simple feel of him. His strong arms wrapped around her when he stood, large hands pressing her close to his body. It seemed as if a flood gate had opened on that first night in Germany. Ever since then, they couldn’t seem to have enough of each other. Sure they worked, they went out, they talked. Their lives didn’t revolve around sex, but it certainly was a great way to end the night when all was said and done. She nipped playfully at his shoulder and chuckled softly, her legs twined around his hips as soon as he had stood up, clinging to him just as tightly as he held her, wondering what he was up to.

Rhett: They weren’t going far, not far at all. Rhett turned so that he was facing the couch, and carefully eased Dhara on it so he could get a better opportunity to remove the rest of her clothing. They joined the clothes that were already discarded on the ground before his hands went to his belt and yanked that off. He was in no hurry, not at all. The pair had a while until the sun threatened to interfere with this intimate moment between the two of them. Where his hands once roamed, his lips now traveled, ending up in a place where Rhett could get the best taste of Dhara.

Dhara: : From the moment he laid her on the couch until just before the sun rose, they worshipped at the altar of intimacy. Finding new ways to excite and pleasure each other until they had finally satiated their appetite. Hand in hand, they wandered off to bed, falling exhausted into the heap of blankets and pillows to sleep the day away.

[Dhara]

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

Rhett: At some point during the daytime hours, Rhett’s phone had gotten three missed calls, two by the same number and one he didn’t know. The duplicate call was from his landlord, informing him that two apartments had been broken into; his being one and another further down the hall from his. It seemed in both tenants absence, the night before Christmas both were broken into. The second call was from the police station inquiring when was a good time to stop by and discuss what had happened and if Rhett could think of anyone that had access to his apartment, if he noticed anyone hanging around….things of that nature. With reluctance, Rhett left Dhara after a quick shower to take care of things at his apartment. She offered to help, but Rhett didn’t want her in a place that might not be safe because. Promising to check in every so often, Rhett left to take care of his messy apartment and put in his notice, hoping to be back in a couple nights at the latest. Between packing, cleaning and dealing with police reports, he couldn’t be positive how long it would take, but would be glad when it was all done.

Dhara: She vaguely remembered a sleepy conversation with Rhett about his apartment and how he would be away for a few nights. She knew he was only a phone call or text away, but still missed him when she dragged herself out of bed a couple hours later.

She found she was ravenous, and couldn't help the smile at what had lead her to be that way. Rubbing a hand over her face, she also realized she felt kind of off. Perhaps she was coming down with something. Deciding that a shower was the best course of action, she soon found herself under the warm spray with a shower poof in her hand.

Bubbles trailed over her pale skin and she yawned as she scrubbed herself, wincing when she rubbed over her left hip. With a small frown, she looked down and discovered a purplish black bruise flowering on her skin. Two puncture marks were dead center and she knew they could have come from only one thing. Rhett bit her. She chuckled and finished her shower. The occasional bruise or bite mark was nothing new and she didn't see a need to worry. Tease Rhett? Absolutely. Worry? No.

Pulling on a fluffy robe, she grabbed her phone and headed for the kitchen to make the sweet ambrosia known as coffee. While she waited for it to brew, she sent him a text. “Got a little rough last night. ;)”

Rhett: Boxes were stacked in an organized pile. Things that could get donated, things to get tossed, and things to go to Dhara’s apartment. No. Their apartment now.

Rhett had expected there to be a lot more damage than there was but it looked like drawers had been tossed, a few pillows and cushions moved around and a thing broken here and there, crushed from the weight of someone's foot. Or a couple someone's. It was hard to say. Regardless, whoever it was only got away with a couple of cds, some petty cash and an autographed baseball of his first little league team Rhett coached. They probably believed it was something of great financial value, the way the guy had it in a case, but it was only valuable in memories. It sucked, but at least most his stuff was salvageable and no one he knew got hurt or worse.

Rhett got Dhara’s text about half an hour later, and frowned when he read it. He saw the emote attached but it was always Rhett’s fear that one night he might well and truly be too rough with her. Sorry. Need me to stop working here and pick something up and pop back home? Rhett hit send as he leaned against a wall with one hand, the other still holding the phone, eagerly waiting her reply.

Dhara: When his reply came, the phone was dragged forth with shaking fingers. The woman was laying on the cold tile floor close to the toilet. Her coffee had brewed and she’d made herself a small meal. She sat at the table to eat and things were okay. Her beloved coffee went down with the same scorching smoothness and the scrambled eggs and toast followed. But about ten minutes in, it had all tried to come back up, sending her bolting for the bathroom. After throwing up everything but her memories, she lay on the cool tile, convinced she was dying. Knowing her luck, she probably had the flu. Dragging her phone close, she read his reply and tapped out one of her own. ”No thank you. It’s fine really. I think I have the flu. Probably best to stay away for a couple nights.” She sent her message, forgetting in her misery that vampires didn’t get sick. She wandered over her symptoms but didn’t get the chance to think for long as her stomach heaved again. Her phone skittered away and she knelt over the toilet, praying that it was only a 24 hour bug.

Rhett: More boxes were labeled and stacked by the time Dhara had replied. Rhett’s frown only returned when he read the message. Stay away? It was different when Rhett felt a sense of need and obligation to clean his stuff up and move it out, but to be told to stay away seemed off-putting. He was a vampire. Vampires didn’t get sick. He didn’t think so. Then again, look at Jesse.

Dhara was being nice and concerned about him. Rhett both understood and realized that. He sent his own text back after thinking for a few minutes. Okay. But if you need anything, anything at all, text me and I’ll get it and bring it to you. Otherwise, rest up, relax and get more sleep. I’ll see you in a couple days unless you text me needing something before that. Rhett read the message over and hit send before sighing and going back to work. Tonight was going to be the longest and heaviest of tasks to complete.

Dhara: By the time his text came, she had already showered a second time and dragged herself back to bed. Three days passed in a blur of sleep, sickness and being ravenously hungry. Every time she tried to eat, nothing would stay down. Even her dearest friend, coffee, had betrayed her. It had gotten to the point where even the smell made her queasy. The third night, she jolted awake and shivered. A thought had occurred to her and it made her shiver.

Hopping out of bed, she made her way to the bathroom and checked the small compact of birth control pills. With the exception of the last three days, she had taken them religiously. But she also knew that they weren’t 100% effective. She swallowed hard and went to her room to dress. She pondered over how to tell Rhett and decided that text wasn't the best way. So for the first time in three days, she texted him a simple message. ”I think I'm feeling better. And I miss you. Are you free to come home?”

Rhett: Rhett had left Dhara alone in peace for the next forty hours or so. He texted her when he got up, but hadn’t really heard anything from her. Most flus lasted forty-eight hours, some lasting seventy-two. Very few only were a day long thing. So when he woke on the third night and didn’t see any replies, he was a little more than concerned. She had told him to stay away a couple nights and three days was more than a couple. He was going to chance it. Rhett didn’t care if he got the flu or whatever else it was.

While he showered, her text came, but Rhett hadn’t gotten it until he had dressed and taken out everything that was supposed to be tossed. He grinned when he saw the message and replied back, perhaps a little too eagerly. Was on my way there now, actually. I’ll see you in about an hour. Rhett wanted to be there sooner than an hour, but he knew with the weather being snowy that people preferred to leave their cars at home and let someone else do the driving. Like the trains. Which was just what Rhett was going to do.

When he got to the apartment, Rhett made sure to make enough noise as to not startle Dhara, as he imagined it had been a rough couple of nights. “Hello?” Rhett called out as he headed to the living room.

Dhara: She looked up and smiled thinly. She was exhausted and still hungry. A delicate hand pressed against her stomach when it growled at her. “Hey…” she said softly, then patted the couch beside her. There was no delicate way to break the news, so as soon as he sat down, she plunged in, both feet first, into the blood curdling truth. “Rhett… It wasn't the flu. I think I'm pregnant.”

Rhett: The greeting wasn't typical for Dhara. Not that Rhett could blame her. She looked terrible, not that Rhett was going to tell Dhara that. “Hey,” he said back as Dhara moved to the couch and sat on it. Rhett started to follow after her, but only took a few steps before Rhett stopped dead on. “Wait. What?” Rhett looked at Dhara-more specifically her stomach, and then at Dhara’s face. “Are you sure?” She said think, and Rhett hoped for everyone's sake she wasn't.

Dhara: She curled up on the couch and looked at him with those large amber eyes. “I do not know for sure. I thought maybe the flu. But I have no other symptoms. I just can't keep anything down. Even the smell of coffee makes me ill now. I did not have a fever or body aches. Though, at this rate, I may die of starvation before I even show…” She gave him another look since he had yet to join her. “I am sorry, Rhett. I swear I have been taking my pill like clockwork.”

Rhett: Rhett never thought that this would happen. He knew the risk, but he also knew that Dhara was on the pill and he also knew she was taking it religiously. Rhett knew nothing was fool safe when it came to having sex and the risk of pregnancy.

This was the worst thing that could happen to Dhara. He frowned and moved to the couch to sit next to her. “It's not your fault. It's mine. Should have done more. Could have done more.” He sighed and placed a hand on hers. “But-” Rhett turned so he faced her better. He had to tell her. “We have to figure something out. Soon.” Rhett’s frown deepened. “That thing will kill you. You aren't wrong about that.”

Dhara: She laced her fingers with his, her normally warm skin cool and almost clammy. She just passed it off as being ill. She just couldn’t seem to get warm these nights. She shifted on the couch and pressed her free hand to her stomach, a frown curving her lips. “Thing? It is not a thing. It is a baby.” She searched his face and her frown only grew. It was a baby, wasn’t it? She thought about all she knew about vampires but her very limited knowledge didn’t contain anything about them getting people knocked up. “It is a baby, isn’t it?” Her voice had an edge to it, almost as if she was afraid of the answer he would give.

Rhett: Rhett rubbed the back of his neck as he tried to think of an easy way to tell Dhara no. That she was pregnant with a monster. There was no good way, was there? He shook his head. “No. It’s not.” Rhett said dully as his eyes moved to hers. “It’s nothing good, which is why we need to know for sure if you are and if you are, we need to think of a way to get rid of it. It’s not like you, or me.” He shook his head. “I’m the one that’s sorry. I definitely didn’t ever want this for you. For anyone.”

Dhara: A monster, what else could it be? What did you call a thing that was nothing like the people who created it. She tugged her hand free of his, not because she was angry, but because she was suddenly scared. Both dainty hands pressed tightly to her stomach and she stared at him, swallowing hard. She couldn’t help how her eyes brightened with the threat of tears, or the way her hands trembled as she reached for him again. Her voice was slightly husky when her hand found his and clenched it tightly. “What do we do?” She asked in a faint whisper.

Rhett: What to do? What could he do? Rhett looked down at her hand around his and frowned. “I-” Rhett was at a lost for words. What could he do? What could she do? What could they do? “I really don’t know. This hasn’t happened before. For me at least.” His other hand remained at the back of his neck where he rubbed at it some more. “Maybe Jesse might know what to do.” Though, Rhett didn’t like the idea of bothering Jesse with something else. Not when he had other things going on. “I didn’t think we would ever have to worry about this.” He admitted, even though he knew nothing was one hundred percent, Rhett just never imagined this for either of them. “What was the last thing you ate and when? We should try and get something in you.” Because she looked pale and tired. Dhara didn’t look good at all and it was probably because the thing inside of her was killing her.

Dhara: She sniffed and blinked back tears, his practical turn in thoughts startling her and she gave a tiny, thin smile. “Three or four days ago? I had some coffee and eggs and toast. I tried the day you went to take care of your apartment but we know how that went.” She gave his hand a gentle squeeze and stood, swaying slightly and clinging to his hand. “I could so go for some coffee… and some eggs… and toast. Maybe some pancakes or waffles…” She laughed and tugged his hand. “I am ravenous. Are you?”

Rhett: He listened and then grinned at the things she listed. “Why don’t we start with the coffee and toast first and then go on to other stuff, after we see how that goes?” Rhett moved to the kitchen, tugging Dhara with him, gently. “And a little. But my meal is easier to make than yours.” He chuckled as Rhett started to dig out the coffee, grab two coffee cups and a plate. Rhett moved to the fridge to get a bag of his blood and the butter, after he put a couple slices of bread in the toaster for Dhara. “You should sit down and relax.” Rhett wasn’t necessarily telling Dhara what to do, he was more or less conveying his concerns for her and the fact she was carrying a creature-his creature in her.

Dhara: She moved to the table and slid into a chair, watching him with a small smile. In spite of what they were going through, she still loved and adored him. Even in the midst of… whatever this was, he was here, right by her side, taking care of her. She propped her chin on her hand as he opened a bag of blood and poured it in one of the coffee cups. He popped that in the microwave and it wasn’t long before the smell hit her. Unlike everything else, the smell of warm blood wasn’t making her sick. In fact, it seemed to be having the opposite effect. Her mouth watered and her stomach growled hungrily, almost seeming to cramp with need. She blinked slowly and forcefully dragged her eyes away from the microwave and the cup inside, flinching when the toaster popped out to golden slices of bread. She had no interest in the toast, she wanted the blood that was just out of reach. Clearing her throat, she pushed away from the table and moved to butter her toast, keeping her sudden craving for blood to herself.

Rhett: Dhara had sat, but soon she was up and next to him, buttering the toast as the coffee brewed. Rhett honestly had no idea what they were going to do. He hoped they could come up with something, and soon as they talk about it more. With Dhara making her toast, Rhett grabbed his mug and moved to the table with it before taking a seat. “How are you feeling now?” He looked to Dhara after taking a drink from his mug.

Dhara: She joined him with her toast and coffee, but when she looked at it, had no desire to eat or drink any of it. What she wanted was in the mug being held by Rhett. The smell made her mouth water even more, since the cup was so much closer. “Hungry…” she said with a sigh and looked at her plate. “But not for any of this. The smell of that…” she pointed at his mug, “Is making my mouth water.”

Rhett: She joined him and Rhett gave Dhara a reassuring grin as he waited for her to start eating or drinking something. But she didn't. He looked at his mug and then around it, expecting to see something else, even a little crumb but saw nothing else. “This?” Rhett tilted the cup in Dhara’s direction. His reassuring grin fading as he stared down at the mug. “You want blood?” There was a tone of skepticism to his voice before he offered the mug to her.

Dhara: She reached out and took the mug, pulling it closer. Peering inside, she shuddered and shook her head. It seemed so harmless when she was making it for someone else, but the thought of drinking it herself was somewhat nauseating. “No, but yes at the same time.” As if to punctuate her softly spoken sentence, her stomach rumbled loudly. She lifted the mug to her lips, and with a crinkle of her nose, took the smallest of sips.

As soon as the liquid hit her tongue, she tipped her head back and took swallow after swallow until it was empty. She set the mug down and stared wide eyed at Rhett. “ That should not have been as good as it was.”

Rhett: He watched and waited for Dhara to push the mug back, but she didn't. Instead it was brought to her mouth and she took a small drink. Rhett waited for the inevitable. For Dhara to make a face of disgust and even push it back at Rhett. But none of those things happened. The exact opposite happened. Dhara drank everything he hadn't and said it was good even.

Rhett blew out a large breath of air from his lungs and just looked at Dhara. Something wasn't right. Rhett reached out for Dhara’s hand and as soon as she put it in his, Rhett’s other hand came to her wrist and massaged the inside of it. He was looking for her pulse but was having a heck of a time finding it. “Do you want more?” Rhett asked casually as he came up empty for a pulse. Nothing about this made any sense.

Dhara: Her hand was tucked in his, the touch of his fingers seemed almost electrifying, as if all her senses were amplified. She looked him over, studying every minute detail of his face, then nodded slowly to his question. She was already feeling a little better after the first mug. She blew out a breath and gave his hand a gentle squeeze. “Yes. I know it sounds strange. But I'm already feeling a little better. Still hungry though. Do you think maybe IT is making me want blood?”

[Rhett Keyes]

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

Rhett: His thumb kept stroking the inside of Dhara’s wrist as she spoke, still hopeful. But Rhett knew he wouldn’t find a pulse. That he could spend half a night looking for it and wouldn’t find a flutter indicating that Dhara was still very much alive. “No.” He said quietly, the frown appearing as he shook his head and stood up to get some more blood and another mug. “I think-” Rhett trailed off as he ripped into a bag and poured it in that mug, opened the microwave and set the timer as he put the ceramic mug on the turntable. “Did anything else happen while I was gone? That you can remember? Other than being sick?” Rhett turned to face Dhara, back to the microwave as he looked her in the eyes. “Because I don’t think you’re pregnant.” Which was a small relief, but it still didn’t answer the main underlying question. How the hell did Dhara die?

Dhara: She wasn't pregnant. The relief she felt was so great that she sagged in her. Hair with a soft sigh. Did any thing else happen? She frowned in thought toying with a lock of hair, then shook her head. “No. I got up, showered, noticed you bit me hard enough to leave a bruise. Teased you about it. Then tried to have breakfast before work. “ Nothing unusual had happened but clearly Rhett was chasing an idea that he hadn't shared. “What are you thinking?”

Rhett: Nothing had happened. Except one thing. One thing he's done before. She said it. Rhett had bit Dhara. And now she was pale, craved blood and had no pulse. Dhara had died. Dhara was now a vampire. Because Rhett had bitten Dhara. Rhett cringed as he pulled the cup out of the microwave and brought it to Dhara. “I'm thinking that…” Rhett swallowed, sat and looked across the table at Dhara. “That you're like me now. A vampire.” Rhett pushed the mug in Dhara’s direction and waited for her to absorb what he had just said.

Dhara: She stared at him with wide eyes, even as she accepted the cup and started drinking. As his words sank in, her hands began to tremble and she set the mug down harder than intended. Rising from her chair, she lifted the hem of her shirt and untied her skirt, pulling the waistband down below her hip. What was once a livid bruise had faded, was still fading, right before her eyes. Left behind, almost invisible, we're two tiny, raised scars from his fangs.

She dropped her shirt and collapsed in the chair as the reality sank in. She was dead. A vampire. Forever bound to one place for eternity and Rhett had done this to her. And yet, there was no anger, because he didn't do it on purpose. There was just a quiet, stoic acceptance of her fate. “What happens now?” she asked softly, a hint of tears could be heard in her voice. Just because she'd accepted what had happened, didn't mean it wasn't hard.

Rhett: He watched Dhara and as he watched her, Rhett felt guilty. Bad. Horrible. How many times had they done this before and nothing had happened and suddenly, for some strange reason, his bite this time, had turned Dhara into a vampire. It seemed ludicrous, even far fetched, but there could be no other explanation.

Her question made him feel sick. Disgusted even. Not with Dhara, of course, but with himself. He had made her this way and he hadn’t even asked her for starters. She never wanted to be this way, but now she was. Rhett did it. Rhett made Dhara a vampire without permission. What happened now? It was a heavy question.

“We deal with it together.” Rhett was waiting. Waiting for Dhara to become angry. Angry at him for doing this to her. “I wouldn’t have-you know I didn’t do this on purpose, right? I wouldn’t do that to you. To anyone.” Rhett looked Dhara in the eyes, sighed and scooted his chair closer to her. “Nothing changes between us. I hope.” If she became mad at him, Rhett couldn’t and wouldn’t blame her. “But things do change. Will change. Your nights become your days and your days become nights for starters. And we’ll have to buy more blood.” Rhett stated calmly, his hand reaching for Dhara’s.

Dhara: Her hand slid into his as he spoke, drawing support from the man she loved. The man who had turned her. It would be easy to romanticise what had happened. To say that he couldn't stand the thought of being without her and so he had turned her. But Rhett wasn't that selfish, and they had just moved in together. It was a huge leap to go from living together to spending eternity together.

She sighed soft and got up from her chair. Only to place herself in his lap. She needed to be held right now. Her thin arms linked around his shoulders and she tucked her face against his neck, hiding the tears that had started to fall. She was dead, but alive. And she at least had Rhett to guide her. She felt as if the weight of eternity was settling on her narrow shoulders and in an effort to lighten the situation she blew out a breath, even as she sniffed softly. “I can't have coffee again, can I?”

Rhett: Rhett’s arms wrapped around Dhara when she sat in his lap and then shook his head at her question. “No. If you’ve already tried it and it’s not stayed down, then no.” He frowned and sighed as his arms pulled her in closer. “I’m sorry, Dhara.” What else could Rhett say? He felt like a cad. A jackass for getting too rough with her. For not being too careful. For biting Dhara, not that Rhett had anticipated this would be where they were at a couple nights afterwards. “I thought it would be okay. Because you didn’t die and I didn’t give you any of my blood. Like Jesse gave to me after I died.” That was the logical step to the vampire transformation, right? Rhett was sure he was right. He remembered it like it was yesterday, even if it was months ago. Only, his wasn’t normal. His transformation took an entire week and each night felt worse than the last before it was over and done with.

More than anything he wanted her forgiveness. To know that they would be alright, but now wasn’t the time for that. Now was the time to be a sound board for Dhara. To help her with being a vampire; his girlfriend being second after that. “I suppose you have some questions. I’ll help you the best I can with what I know. After that, I understand if you need time.” He didn’t add from me, because Rhett knew she would know what he meant without having to say it.

Dhara: She sniffed softly, reaching for a napkin from the holder on the table and using it to blot her eyes. The pink stains came as a surprise and she nestled closer to him. “It will be okay. I just need some time.” She realized her calm response was probably due to shock. Things like a heartbeat and breathing were not things she was used to thinking about. Finding out she no longer had a heartbeat was shocking. How would she feel when the shock wore off? She had no earthly clue. She was still trying to process being dead. Questions? What did she want to know? She drew in a breath and wiped at her tears again.

“Will I have to move? We can stay here, right?” Probably not the question he was expecting, but she loved her apartment. She’d gotten it for a steal and it was the first place she had ever owned. Ever since she began her wandering around, she’d never had a place to call home. And now she owned her very own apartment and was more than reluctant to give it up.

Rhett: Which was worse? A heel or a cad? Whichever one was the worst of the two, Rhett was sure he was one of those. Dhara’s red stained tears didn’t help the feeling. Rhett wanted to crawl under the table and let the floor eat him. Suck him right up and keep him there. “No. What? I live here. I don’t see why we can’t still live here.” Rhett looked around the apartment and cringed at the idea of having to move from here too. “Maybe just make some alterations in case you get up before me. During the day time. In all the rooms. But we should be able to stay.” Rhett sighed and looked down at the mug that held blood in it once. “We’ll get through this. Together. We’ll learn together and everything will be pretty much the same as it was before tonight. Three nights ago.”

Dhara: “I used to live with a vampire. All of the curtains are already blackout, just out of habit. It’s kind of sad, knowing I won’t see the sun again.” Her fingers idly toyed along the back of his neck. “What about… will I get older? What if I want a tattoo or to change my hair color?” She loved changing up her hair, the fun colors only highlighted her bubbly personality. “Can I keep my job?” Every thing she asked was pretty shallow it seemed, but perhaps that was just the way she processed things. She reached out and tugged her mug closer and sniffed it curiously before taking a swallow and making a face. “Cold…”

Rhett: Rhett had never thought of not seeing the sun again. He worked so many long days or nights when the shifts rotated that all he did was sleep, eat, shower and go back to work the next day to do it all over. The sun was the least of his concerns, but for some people, he understood how it might be a big deal. “I-erm.” Rhett wanted to say no that she wouldn’t, but he had seen so much crazy things he thought vampires didn’t or couldn’t do, that it was hard to say who could and couldn’t do what. Just like now, who would have guessed he would have made Dhara into a vampire just from a love bite? “Probably not.” He said with a shake of his head before he addressed the other questions. “I don’t know about hair color. I don’t dye mine.” He quirked a little grin and then shook his head. “No, you won’t get older. Or look older. You’ll be hundreds of years old at some point, but will look like you do now.” He found her hand with one of his and then squeezed it before he stood, setting Dhara on the ground gently. “I don’t see why you can’t keep your job, if you can do it at night.” The mug was grabbed so he could microwave it again. “You can do almost the same things you did during the day, at night. Minus seeing the sun.”

Dhara: She stood where he had placed her and brushed her hair from her eyes. “I’ve been dying my hair so long I don’t even remember what color it is.” It was a joke, mostly. “And I can do my job at night.” Without thinking, her hand moved to her hip, rubbing over the place where he’d bit her. “I’m sorry Rhett. That this happened I mean. I’m not sorry about being with you or dating you. I’m sorry this happened. I know you’d never ever want to do this to someone.” She looked up at him with those large amber eyes. “Will you… you won’t hate me… eventually I mean?”

Rhett: He moved to the microwave as Dhara commented about her hair and he hoped she could still do that. Not only for her, but for his own selfish reasons. He liked the things she did with her hair, but even if her hair was brown, black, red, or blonde, he’d like that too. He just liked the quirkiness she did with it, because it was her genuine personality showing through. With the mug back in the microwave, Rhett turned to Dhara and shook his head. “You shouldn’t apologize to me. It’s not like you turned me into a vampire. No, I didn’t want to do this to anyone. Especially someone who was fine with how their life is. Was. Is.” Rhett stumbled over his words with a frustrated sigh, before he frowned and stared at his girlfriend. “Hate you?” Again, his head shook before he stepped over to her and looked down at her. “That will never happen. I don’t think anyone could ever hate you. It goes against nature.” He chuckled softly before wrapping his arms around her. “No. I will never hate you, Dhara.”

Dhara: She slid her arms around him and looked up at him. “I just fear that guilt will make you resent me.” There was a hint of something in her words, as if she’d experienced that kind of thing before. “Rhett… I want you to know, I am not mad at you. And I do forgive you. I just… this is all so confusing.” She squeezed him as tight as she could manage, which was considerably tighter than a few nights ago. “I still love you.” She said assertively, wanting him to know the truth in her words. “I just have so many questions and I cannot seem to put my thoughts in order.”

Rhett: He did feel guilty. Rhett felt terrible. Sick even when he thought about Dhara as a vampire. Having to drink blood, change her whole life and routines. Never being able to dye her hair again, to drink coffee again. He couldn’t ever resent Dhara. She hadn’t done anything wrong. Resent himself? Maybe. Probably. She wasn’t mad at him. Not tonight, but maybe tomorrow. Or next week. Rhett was sure it would come at some point, but then again, maybe not. Rhett has failed to be mad at Jesse, so maybe she will never be mad at him.

“Confusing.” Rhett agreed with a nod of his head as her arms tightened around him and Dhara said something that wasn’t expected. Rhett didn't expect to hear those words, especially not during this situation. They hadn’t said these words before. Hinted at it maybe, but said it? No, Rhett was confident they haven’t actually said it, even if they had in roundabout ways.

Rhett didn’t reply to her final comment. Not at first, even though Rhett knew he loved Dhara since they came back from Germany. While in Germany. He couldn’t help but think that with the transition and with the changes that in time, Dhara might not want him to live here. That she might blame him and that she might not love him one night. But he reminded himself that tonight she did and that was all that mattered right here, right now. “Human or vampire, I still love you too, Dhara. We’ll be alright.” And there was the typical, upbeat Rhett again.

Dhara: She beamed up at him, knowing as soon as she had said those three crucial words she could have changed everything. Had she still been human her heart would have started racing, and adrenaline would have coursed through her body. Those three words were terrifying to her. But then, he just held her tighter and confirmed that he, too, loved her and he still would. She pressed her cheek against his chest and leaned in to his body, trusting his strength to hold her up. “Will I sleep like you? Like I truly am dead? Can I go on with my life as it has been? I mean I guess you already said I could.” She crinkled her nose slightly. “Do I have to change my name? Are we sort of… married now? How does this work?”

Rhett: He chuckled and shook his head at all her questions. “You sort of already sleep like me. Some days we’re on the same pattern for a few hours. I don’t think sleep will change much. Just that you’ll do it for sure during the day.” He wondered if all vampires slept as hard as he did when she asked that question. He hadn’t slept with anyone other than Dhara since becoming a vampire, so Rhett couldn’t really answer her question truthfully. “I think we all sleep the same, but then again, maybe not. You’re the first vampire I’ve ever slept with. Not that I’ll be able to tell.” He couldn’t help but find a shred of humor in his lack of sleeping around to be all knowing on that answer. He was sure some guys might be embarrassed by sharing the truth about their sex life, but Rhett wasn’t. He had no desire to sleep with anyone but Dhara, and she now knew that.

“No, you don’t have to change your last name. I still go by Keyes and that’s not Jesse’s last name. His is Fforde.” Rhett shrugged his shoulders. Jesse had never asked him to go by Fforde, which didn’t bother Rhett one way or another. He didn’t feel like the guy liked him any less, or would like him any more by taking the Fforde last name. “Uhm-” Rhett frowned at the final two questions. “I-well. I don’t think it means anything more than what we want it to mean.” Rhett actually wasn’t sure about that either. Did it mean something now that he made Dhara a vampire? “I, erm. Well, it means you’re my vampire girlfriend, that was once my human girlfriend, who I live with. I mean, Jesse made me a vampire, and he’s not even close to my type.” He grinned once again, chuckling at that comment as he gave Dhara a reassuring squeeze.

Dhara: She laughed and nestled against him. The two mugs of blood she’d had made her feel immensely better and she could find the humour in his words. “Vampire girlfriend… sounds like some cheesy rock band or lame horror movie.” She covered a yawn, then laughed again. “I hope Jesse isn’t your type… I might end up getting jealous.” She teased and then lay her head against his chest once more. For the moment she’d run out of questions and was just tired. Emotionally and physically. She yawned again and snuggled against him, perfectly content to stand in the kitchen all day.

Rhett: He chuckled at the idea of Dhara being jealous. He knew she had no reason to be jealous, and she probably knew it too, but to be jealous over Jesse? The thought was humorous to him, to say in the least. “I think I saw a movie like that on the listings a few months ago. Around Halloween.” Rhett chimed in about that poorly made label he gave Dhara. Her yawn was noted and while she didn’t seem ready to move, Rhett was more than happy to move them to another room and to a more comfier position on the couch. It was a great place to sit and talk, if Dhara had any other questions or concerns about anything else, should the moment strike her. If not, it was as good as any place to have a place where he could hold her in his arms and enjoy his time with Dhara, his now, very, vampire girlfriend.