Sharing Secrets

[Roderic]

The following Roleplay is backdated to Dec 23rd

Last year I would have never left the city. No way, no how. But, I recognized how ridiculous that train of thought was a couple months ago and changed my tune a little. I could have died as a human anywhere else, a lot of different times, but hadn't. I'm a lucky ******** at that, because there were a few times that it was a close call. Being afraid of death, when you've seen it so many times and dealt it many more seemed hypocritical. I hate hypocrites. I hate them with a passion. I hate the idea of being one.

Doesn't mean I want to travel all over the world, or hit some place where the sun's up most the day and half the night. That's not smart for my type of people. Vampires. But Skylar was ragging on about keeping my promise to take her somewhere for Christmas, and everyone knows I try my hardest to keep my promises. I dislike saying I'm going to do something and then don't follow up. Ruins people's credibility that way. I'm an asshole, sure, but I'm a credible asshole.

So, where do I pick? Well, because I'm annoyed with her reminding me about taking her somewhere, my asshole tendencies come out and I pick a place no one would suspect. And I pick a place where I can kill the entire spirit of Christmas. I hate Christmas. It's a big shamble. No one really likes Aunt Bertie's pasta salad but we eat it anyways, and there's always some family confrontation about something or another that should just be let go, people get drunk, act stupid and everyone's just glad they made it through the night without having to go to the hospital or call 911. I actually hate all holidays, but this one the most. I hate phonies and pretenders, and that's what most people are at this time of year. They go right back to their routines and dickish ways after the start of the new year, like Christmas never happened.

I've packed everything I will need for the next handful of days. I can get anything else in Iceland when we get there. Like hunting supplies. I'm not going to go through customs and risk getting in **** for something I didn't label right or whatever. Not with my dark secrets. I have our passports on the kitchen table, so no one forgets them, along with various travel books I acquired through the mall. Yes. I went to the mall to some travel place. How do you think I learned about reindeer hunting?

My bag is by the door, just one small dark blue tote with wheels. It looks like I'm going somewhere for just a weekend, when in reality it's about five days. Minimalist. I look at the clock on the wall and groan. “We're going to be late.” I say, even though there's over three hours to get to the airport. But, what if there are changes to the itinerary? Or to our seats? It needed to be handled before we left the ground. No way was I not going to sit by my wife and show her all the details about reindeer hunting and other types of hunting we could get up to. Merry Christmas indeed.

[Skylar]

Okay. So I'm a girl. I'm still packing and Ric is done. Thing is, I'm not sure what to take with me. Yes. Ric's bought me hunting gear. Like appropriate stuff to wear. Thing is, it's not the kinda thing I can wear on the plane. Well. I can wear the boots. That will save space in my bag. I don't care how heavy it gets. But I mean what's the point in travelling in heels when I won't be wearing them the entire time I'm there. I'm practical like that.
I laugh to myself.
Yep. I'm being practical. Who'd of thought it.
I'm zipping my bag up when Ric starts telling me we're going to be late and I have to bite back the urge to shout 'sir, yes sir.' He'd either think I was nuts or he'd actually quite like being addressed like a drill sergeant - I'm not taking a risk on the latter. Not today anyway. So I just pull my bag off the bed and walk into the front room.
I'm dressed in my comfiest jeans, a Nickleback t-shirt, my new black leather combat boots and some kind of hunting jacket which I haven't zipped up yet. I have trousers to match, but **** wearing those on the plane. I'd look stupid. I’d prefer to wear my leather jacket of course, but I'm not taking two jackets with me.
My bag isn't huge. I have a few changes of clothes, extra underwear and socks. You know the drill. I'm not a high maintenance girl though, so no make-up, no curling irons or any **** like that. I've got my hairbrush and a chapstick, but that's about it. It's all I need.
"Keep your hair on Ricky. We've got plenty of time."
With anyone else I'd probably have procrastinated with my packing. Certainly if it were mum waiting on me. I would have sat down and maybe flicked through a magazine and pretended I was looking for something just to make us late, but I don't like stressing Ricky out like that.
So it might not be the dream vacation I wanted. But to be honest, it's time away with Ricky, just the two of us, so I don't ******* care where we're going. Truth is, I've been a bit cray cray recently. I'm a big girl. I can admit that. I think it was too much time in the catacombs. If it was too much time hunting then this trip's gonna be a big ole' disaster. I don't think it was. I think it was practically living subterranean all that time. Which is weird right? I mean I lived in the Mausoleum for a while. But that had creature comforts and a rocking studio. ****. Why didn't I think to just go time out in there? My brain must have been fried. I was too focused on helping Ric.
****.
Is it possible to obsess over your own husband? Have I become the kinda woman that lives for her man? We’re going hunting. Hunting! I'm gonna have to kill reindeer. Okay. I don't have to. I could miss on purpose. Maybe. Maybe not. Knowing my luck, I'll aim to miss and hit it through the ******* eye or something. I'm not much good with projectiles. Wonder if I could just chase it down and slit it's throat. I'm fast right? I'm certainly strong. But am I fast enough to take a beast down. Huh. Might need to try that, even if I hug it instead of killing it.
I've zoned out. I blink and refocus on the delectable specimen of man that is my husband. **** my dream holiday, I'm such a lucky girl.

[Roderic]

Keep your hair on? Is that a legitimate saying? Where does Skylar come up with all these sayings no one has ever heard of? I might not be a social butterfly, but I've definitely heard some sayings. I wonder if she just makes some of this stuff up. "Plenty of time as long as the weather is nice and there's been no changes to our itinerary. Flying is not a science by any means. Flying to other places is determined by humans, and humans make mistakes and screw things up." I go to the counter where our passports are and pick them up. "Hold on to this. Our trip depends on it." I eye my wife, making sure she recognizes how important this little book is.

I start to head to the door and pause. "Got everything?" I don't want us forgetting anything too important. "Toothbrush? Hair stuff? Clothes?" I grin a little at that, and rephrase. "The right clothes?" We could always buy more, but I don't even know what the exchange rate is yet for our currency to theirs. I'm not going to waste more money that is needed, even if my wife is insanely rich. Not that anyone would know that because she doesn't shove it in your face. She only has those crazy sayings that make people wonder if she's sane. Not rich.

"You didn't bring any food, did you?" I ask as I open the door and hold it with one foot, waiting for her to exit before I grab my own and roll it out the hallway. With us both out, along with our luggage, I slip the key in the lock and turn it twice. Then I rattle the door knob to ensure that it is locked. It is. "I called a cab for us." Normally, I would teleport us, or summon her to me, or even take a train, but I can't do the other two and taking luggage on a train could cause some issues. So, I broke down and decided some other person could be in control of the situation for approximately twenty minutes or so. "Just got to cross the river and they'll be meeting us by the station in Bullwood." Obviously cabs can't get to the QZ. Not anymore. I'm not sure how long this place has been secluded from the other parts of the main city, but long enough to know they can't get to the apartment. "One last time. Sure you have everything?" I ask as the elevator pings open and I stand in the doorway to keep it from closing.

[Skylar]

Only humans? Is he serious. Des he remember who he's talking to? Hmm.. if he doesn't, I'm not gonna remind him. He married a screw-up though, so he shouldn't really go stereotyping humans that way. Just cos he's some abnormal, hunky god-like type. Slight exaggeration maybe.
Oh wait. Nope. He remembers.
I take both passports from him. I'm not sure if he wanted me to take both but I don't care. After that little rant and treating me like I'm stupid I need to prove to him that I'm trustworthy. He acts like I've never been abroad. Hello? Has he met my parents. Did he really think they let the Jones' out do us on the holiday front? On any front? Urgh, it was pathetic.
I pocket the passports and start to head out of the door. Ric however has other plans and starts questioning me. I should have expected it. It's his OCD I'm sure. Do I have everything? Of course I have everything. Well everything I think I need. I don't much care. I have me, I have Ric, really what more do I need?
I have to laugh when he asks me if I have any food with me. I mean really. Do I eat that much? Or that often? Just for that I'm eating at the airport. Like, a lot. Double decker cheeseburger, large fries and some sort of dessert. Oh doughnuts. I wonder if they have any good doughnuts. I hope so. Damn Ric. I wasn't hungry before. I drank my blood this morning like a good little girl. Guess I'm on animal blood for this little vacation of ours. Not that I really mind, but the human variety is definitely more satisfying.
"I've got the passports. I've got clothes. Appropriate or not. And no, no food. But thanks for making me hungry."
I push past Ric, bag in hand and go into the hallway.
"And you know. If I have the wrong clothing I can always go all bambi-like. I'll blend right in with the reindeer. And I'll be warm. And I can frolic like a new born lamb or some ****."
I push Ric back into the elevator.
"Just chill okay. We've got everything we need and whatever we don't have we won't miss. We aren't gonna be gone all that long. I mean sure. I considered taking my guitar but I figured I don't need that to make music and drive you nuts."
I wink at Ric. I'm teasing. Kinda. Kinda not. I've still got my voice if I need it.
"Besides. I've got you and you've got me. So long as we find a few critters for me to feed on, we're all good on the blood front. And lord knows I'd run through the woods naked for ya, so if I packed the wrong stuff, who really gives a ****? You're not gonna divorce me if I don't look pretty and wear my heels for a few days are ya?"
I drop my bag, cross my arms and look him over like I'm serious. I'm not. For one. I ain't pretty. For two, he's seen me battered, bruised and burned and he didn't run for the hills then, so I'm sure if I go without mascara and lip gloss for a few days he's not gonna care. And so what if my hair looks a mess? I'll just buy a hat. Wait. Did I pack a hat? Maybe I did. A woolly, beanie thing. See. Problem sorted. I have a bad hair hideout.

[Roderic]

She takes the passports and tries to act as if she's in charge of this whole thing. I let it slide, because I know who is really in charge between the pair of us and so does she. I said we were going to Iceland and we are. I said we are hunting Reindeer and we will be. As long as the weather plays nice and we get to our destination, we'll be golden.

"I didn't make you hungry." I stare at her, letting her know that that was probably the dumbest thing I've heard all week. Hell, maybe all week. "Vampires don't get hungry except for one thing, even if you CAN eat food. You don't need to eat it to survive. So your statement is void." I say as she yanks me in the elevator and we start to descend down to the main floor.

"No. No Bambi for you. That would probably be the worst thing you can do, other than being naked in the woods. And even then, I doubt anyone's going to shoot you with anything or miss seeing you." My wife is attractive and has two nice things going for her. Arms and calves. Her arms are better, but her calves aren't bad for a woman. She walked a lot. I can't see her running anywhere or much, but I can see her walking around a lot. Probably from bar to bar as she did some of those stupid bar crawls they had in college towns.

"We'll just buy you new ones if we need to." I decide as we both head off the elevator, me first. I can't let her go first, because she's already acting like she's in charge of this whole idea. "I don't do divorce." I remind her, my tone flat as the wheels glided across the hard woof floor in the main lobby area. If I wanted a break from Skylar, I'd probably send her to the umbra for a week for a piece of mind. Divorce was not an option in my books. "Come on, Sparky." I say as I push the door open to the QZ and start off in the direction of the river. It should be thick enough to cross, even with some bags of luggage rolling across its surface.

[Skylar]

He did too make me hungry. Doesn't he remember being human? It wasn't all that long ago now was it? I mean you smell something tasty, you get hungry. People talk about food you like, you get hungry. Ric starts yapping about food period and I get hungry. Maybe it's a different kind of hunger. I analyse that instead of replying and then shrug. I'm always hungry for Ric, and I can always eat.
I'm still thinking about food as he starts telling me Bambi-ing is a bad idea. He'd rather I go naked. I suppose he's right, there's less chance I'll be shot if I run around starkers. And any guy that tries to take advantage of me would be in for one hell of shock, as I'm sure if I didn't seriously damage his chances of having kids in the future, then Ric would. No way he'd let someone violate me like that.
Actually you know what. I'm lost for words. Not only did my imagination get away from me but Ric just basically told me that we're always gonna be married. I'm kinda surprised considering he was the one that wanted an annulment at the start, but then an annulment would have voided the marriage. Divorce means we failed. Ric's not the failing type. Gotta love that about him.
I race to catch up with him and grab a hold of his hand, lacing my fingers through his before bumping him with my hip.
"I don't believe in divorcing you, but I'm not against divorce in general. Guess that means you and I are gonna have to make an effort if things start going sideways between us."
I don't really count what we're doing now as an effort. I don't mind cutting back on the drinking and making sure he gets some quiet time and space when he needs it. That stuffs easy. He probably can't say the same. I'm not high maintenance myself but then Ric's not naturally a people person.
We get to the river and wrinkle my nose at it. It's iced over but I don't trust it. Okay. Maybe I do a bit. I mean even if I fall in I'm not gonna drown or die of hypothermia.
"You gonna carry me over the river in case the ice breaks?"
Yeah, yeah. I want an excuse to wrap my arms around him. Not that I really need one, but still. I don't have the powers he does. Nothing close. If the ice breaks I may not die but I'll be all wet and need to go change. Or worse, I'll have to sit in manky feeling jeans all the way to the airport, and even then a hand dryer can only do so much. I guess my other option would be toming to the depot. I could probably get to Bullwood station quicker through a portal, but I'd rather stay with Ricky.

[Roderic]

We won't ever agree on the idea of divorce. I don't think my wife's a quitter, but I don't think she has the willpower or stamina I've got in some things. Case in point she can be in the middle of something and the second I say something she can take as sexual, or bite her, she's a goner. Just like that she goes from a typical, raging, hormonal female, to just a hormonal female.

I stop and stare at my wife as she asks if I'm going to carry her across the ice. "How will we get the bags across?" I ask, already knowing the answer, I fear. I'll just have to carry her and somehow, magically carry the bags too. "Fine." I mutter before sighing and releasing my hold of the bag I was wheeling across the QZ and spread out my arms. I'm not carrying her bridal style. No way, no how. She wants to be carried, she can jump on my back and hold on, so that I can use my arms to drag our baggage along. What am I, a mule all of a sudden? "It's damn near impossible that it's going to break. There's about a foot of ice on this lake. Width wise. But, whatever you want, princess." I only call her that when I feel like she's rightly acting like one of those and right now, she is.

"Well, hop on Sparky." I can do it, I just don't see the validity of her concern. If the ice breaks we both go through anyways. Was this some sort of intelligence test? I want to make sure Skylar knows I'm on to her. "If I fall through, you will too, though." There, now she knows she's not pulling a single thing past me. I wait for her to get on and start making my way to the other side. We're moving slower now because I have to not only carry her, which adds weight, but I have to maneuver two stupid bags of clothes and who knows what else on each side of me. "Next time you're carrying me back." I say, my tone not evident in if I was joking, or dead serious.

[Skylar]

I swear I can practically see the cogs turning in his brain as he wonders how he's gonna get both me and the bags across the river. Personally I think it's pretty obvious and I know I've got to him when he calls me princess. He thinks I don't know why he calls me that but I do, and well, he still gave in, so I don't much care. I squeal with delight and hop on his back, wrapping myself around him like a little baby monkey. Just to piss him off a little more, or rather to show him how much I love the fact that he's indulging me, I nuzzle his neck and then kiss it.
"You really know how to spoil a girl, don't you babe."
I laugh softly and then nip his earlobe. That's my definition of love. Doing **** you really don't want to cos you know it's going to make the other one happy. And it does. He does.
"I won't be carrying you back Ricky. The whole point of this, is for you to keep us dry in case the ice isn't as thick as you think it is and the damn stuff breaks underfoot. I don't wanna be soaking wet in the airport or on the plane."
Visions of me standing in the women's loos half naked rubbing my jeans together under the hand-dryer to dry them off runs through my mind. And wouldn't that be just my luck. Yep. Totally. Though I think my luck's improved since I got married. Well... If I don't count my best friend dying. Not that he so much died as was murdered... by my husband... who I almost instantly forgave.
Is there something wrong with me?
I push that thought from my mind, cos well, I don't want to have it.
"Tell you what though handsome..."
I turn my attention back to the here and now. Back to the conversation. Back to the fact that my guy wants me to carry him.
"Get us across the river and I'll carry you a few blocks towards the station."
I smile at that idea. I could do it. I'm serious. I'm probably stronger than Ric is. So it might be a bit uncomfortable to have him on my back cos he's taller and wider than me and stuff, but it's doable. Totally doable. I might actually enjoy having him cling to me for once. Would make for a pleasant change, even if he does only take me up on the offer out of some kind of twisted form of revenge for having to carry me first.

[Roderic]

I stop on the ice when my wife says she'll carry me a few blocks. I don't care if the ice breaks at this point, because the idea is ludicrous. I don't actually want her to carry me, but I definitely don't want to be stared at while she's carrying me throughout the city. "Nah. I'm good." I tell her as I hoist her back up on my back and finish walking to the other side of the bank.

"But you can have your luggage back once we get off the ice." I'm not a baggage boy, and she needs to be reminded of that. She packed what she wanted, so it was Skylar's responsibility to make sure it got there. At least to the point of the baggage check in. After that, if it got lost, it would be on the airliner, not her or I.

"So, we've got a couple days before the hunting expedition starts. Want to do something before that? I didn't look to see what else there was to do in Iceland before we left." I admit to my wife. I don't really want to do anything other than hunt, but i know I won't be allowed to get away with that. "I'm sure there are a lot of other things to do." I stop again on the ice, dig out my phone, hand it to her and collect the bag I released to dig my phone out and start walking again. "Why don't you see?" I have no problems rejecting stupid ideas, but at least she can't say I didn't attempt to be nice. "Search for things to do in Eastern Iceland." I suggest to my wife at the time I can see the opposite bank.

"If we get asked what our business is in Iceland, just say pleasure." I think all of a sudden, because I'm not exactly sure reindeer are in season in Iceland, but I don't hunt in season. I hunt whatever I want, whenever I want and don't give a ****. Vampires, bears, humans, wolves. All the same, all got something to offer, no matter when the prime season is. Shame people don't think of that when they make the rules about hunting seasons.

We get to the shoreline and I instantly let go of the bags and then hunch down so she can jump off. I meant what I said, I don't like people looking at us, looking at me, so I'm not carrying her half way through town. We'd miss out flight by a long shot at this rate. It probably took us half an hour to get across the ice because her princess disposition kicked in.

[Skylar]

I smile to myself when Ric refuses my offer of a piggy back ride on the other side. Figured he was teasing me. He just wanted to make a point, make me know he didn't want to carry me. Well I won. He did it and he don't want anything in return. I'm half tempted to tongue his ear, but I manage to keep that impulse to myself.
I have no issue with taking my luggage when we get to the other side. I'm not some girly girl that needs a man to look after her. Not that you'd think that right now what with me being carried and all. What can I say. I'm complicated. But yeah. No big deal. I mean I kinda like when Ric's playing the gent, but I kinda love when he's being an arse too. It's a win-win for me no matter what mood he's in.
He hands me his phone and without arguing I start surfing the web, looking for something to do. I don't much think Ric will like the idea of me suggesting we stay in and screw each other's brains out for a few days. I'd be more than happy with Ric, room service and some time to sketch and create art.
I pull up a few pictures of the landscape and **** me if it's not some of the prettiest things I've ever seen in my life. Suddenly my inner artist is alert and begging to go sightseeing. The vistas I could draw would be amazing. I suddenly start wondering if I should have bought a proper camera. I mean my phone is good but damn. The views won't be the same at night but if we go out early, or stay up late it should be great.
"Babe some of these views are amazing. We should like hire a vehicle and go sightseeing. I can draw and take pictures and like get inspired and stuff and we might be able to find you some cool stuff for your projects. Like stuff that's washed up from the sea maybe. If you find anything decent, we can always ship it home. We don't gotta pack it in our suitcases or anything."
My excitement is clear in my voice. I slip off Ric's back and start bouncing on the balls of my feet. This trip is gonna be super cool. I've been places before, but it's different when you're family vacations. My mum always had an itinerary and of course I did everything I could to disrupt it. But with Ric, it's different. It's our holiday. Our schedule. And I really do love spending time with him.
I pick up my bag, grab Ric's hand and head in the direction of the station. I didn't know he'd booked us a cab but I did know he'd have everything panned for us. Me, I could happily get to the station and try and grab a cab, wing it. Hell, I could pack a bag, go to the airport and take the first available flight going god knows where, I'm that easy going. Ric's my polar opposite like that. He likes planning. I think it helps keep him sane or something. Probably linked to his OCD-ish nature. Bless him. Still. If the **** hits the fan, there's no-one else I'd want at my side. He's like super cool in a crisis.