Change is on the wind [Open!]

[Caligrace]

Despite the unease that was sending electric pulses up her spine, she managed to focus on the man at her side. He was real - he was here - and not some figment of her imagination that her anxiety created. However, she couldn’t stop the urge to steal a glance over her shoulder, the need to ensure herself that they weren’t being followed overwhelming everything else. This neighborhood is starting to get to me, she thought, as nothing but an empty, dark street met her wary gaze. Shaking her head, she bit into her lower lip as she turned her focus back to the stranger as he began to speak.

You’ll walk with a stranger, but you are worried about the shadows? Are you insane?

“Someone like you,” she laughed as she tucked a stray curl behind her ear when it threatened to fall into her line of vision. “I’ll let you try to figure out what I meant on your own time.” If she were to be honest with herself, she would have admitted that she had no idea what she meant. He was a perfect stranger to her, and yet, she felt herself growing more comfortable in his presence. Something about him spoke to her, and despite the nagging voice in the back of her mind, she found herself wanting to know more about him. As if reading her mind, he relinquished his last name to her, and she tilted her head. Elighan Jenkins. It had a sophisticated quality to it, and as she rolled it over in her mind, she couldn’t help but smile.

“In the future, Mister Jenkins? Have I made that much of an impression on you already?” Her voice was light, and she realized as soon as the words left her lips that she hoped his answer was ‘yes’. I should not be thinking this. I hardly know the man! This time, it was her own voice sending the warning through her mind, and she quickly shook her head as if that would clear whatever hold he had over her. It became clear, then, that if he was a serial killer, he would have absolutely no trouble in luring unsuspecting women to his domain. She prided herself on being strong-willed enough to protect herself from the charm of strange men - she had plenty that hit on her - and yet, she found herself being lured into his trap without a fight.

Focus, Caligrace. Focus.

Releasing a deep breath, she forced herself to remain vigilant, despite the ease his presence seemed to offer her. When he questioned her about her studies, she dropped her gaze to the books in his arm and frowned. Would he think it strange that she studied something so utterly boring? Of course, she had her other major, and yet, that also lead people to believe she was more dramatic than she believed herself to be. Chewing on the inside of her lip once again, she finally laughed and reached over to tap at one of the spines. “I’m a double major,” she forced herself to admit, though she gave a shrug of her shoulder as if it was natural. “Business and Theatre. Many think they don’t go hand in hand, but when they go to my clubs, they can see where the theatre comes in handy.” Turning her gaze from the books in his arm, she focused on the street ahead of them, her brows drawing together. None of it looked familiar to her, and she found herself quickly trying to scout out a building that she recognized. “Where are we now? I don’t… think I’ve ever been out this way.”

[Elighan (DELETED 7699)]

"I do believe we've just stepped into the Coastside district."

We actually crossed into the district a block back but I don't think she's as interested in where we are, so much as if I'm leading her in the correct direction. She could have asked me directly, I wouldn't have minded but perhaps she felt embarrassed to ask. Or perhaps she doesn't trust me to tell her the truth and so she kept the question vague. She wants me to be aware that she's conscious of the fact that she doesn't trust me, perhaps. She shouldn't trust me, but she can, I don't wish her, or any other female harm.

She obviously has beauty and now I know she has brains too. I'm not sure if that's something one can attribute to our kind, if she even is of our kind, as I've met very few vampires to date. If Melete is anything to go by, I'm going to say that beauty and brains are a standard package... for the females at least.

"I would ask you the name of your venues, but I'm afraid I'm not much of a club person. I tend to avoid large crowds if I can."

I toy with the idea of telling her that crowds make me anxious but I don't think she needs to know that, as we've only just met. I'm not sure if I'll see her again after tonight. I could hope as much but it's best that I don't count on it. I don't have a lot of luck when it comes to women and my last relationship, which was with the woman I now call sire - didn't end too well. It's difficult to maintain a relationship when you keep the hours I do. Though if she is one of my kind and she does work in the club scene, then she'll be more available than most women are between midnight and six in the morning.

"And I must confess Caligrace that it would be difficult for a woman such as yourself," I use her words and momentarily pause to throw a mischievous smile her way, "not to make an impression upon any man."

We turn right and walk further down along the road. I could ask her if she'd like to stop for coffee. I would like to ask her, I'm just not sure if I should. The words stick to the tip of my tongue. I could give myself away by doing this, not only in my interest in her, but as to what I am. I try to find a polite way to ask what she is, to ask if she's immortal like me, but I'm struggling for a phrasing that won't have her running from me if she isn't. In the end, I decide to keep ask and keep my question vague to test her response. I can't hear a heartbeat from her, but I'm not all that confident in my new senses yet and it could be that my nerves are laying tricks on my mind.

"I have a feeling you are a little more than what you seem to be, Cali, but I'm lacking in the etiquette to ask such a delicate question."

Even though I have phrased the question to the best of my ability, I have to hope that she isn't offended. There's a chance, slim as it might be, that she'll assume I'm asking if she's a lady of the night, and not the vampiric kind. I would hope that's not the case, but the thought has a flush of embarrassment rising up my neck. She doesn't look like a prostitute; she looks like a woman who lost her way. Actually, as I noted before, she looks like the perfect trap to lure a man like me. I'd worry more if it wasn't for the fact that I chose which station we would head towards, so the chances of being led into an ambush have long since diminished. For now at least, I can relax in her company.

[Caligrace]

Coastside.

With a quick toss of her curls, she made a mental note of the name for further use. She doubted that it would matter much in the future, but she couldn’t refrain from glancing over the buildings, as if she could burn them into her memory. It wasn’t unnatural for her to find herself lost, and she hadn’t a doubt in the world that she would be searching for a landmark in a matter of days. Chuckling at herself, she ran her fingers through her hair and bit into her lower lip. You’re insane, Caligrace, utterly insane. What has happened to you? The voice in her head grew in tone, until it took complete residence in her thoughts. She could practically feel the disdain of her subconscious, though she couldn’t begin to fathom why.

He seemed innocent enough.
Most men do in the beginning.

Flexing her fingers, she fought the urge to grip the back of her neck. The bite of her nails into the sensitive skin always seemed to offer her a brief reprieve for her anxiety, but she hadn’t a clue in the world how she would play it off if he were to notice her antics. Instead, she moved to rest her hand against his arm, her smile warming as the walk continued. He seemed confident in his choice of direction, his steps never slowing and his gaze never wandering. He knew exactly where he was headed - and it was all that she could ask for. Hope for, is more like it. He the next Hannibal and you’re his meal. At least I’d be delicious, she thought with a touch of amusement, before shaking her head.

“They’re not for everyone, handsome, don’t worry. My friend was surprised that I decided to open them, given my past, but they grew on me.”

With another of her quiet laughs, she tucked a curl behind her ear before tilting her head. My god, you have one hell of a smile, she mused as her gaze dropped to the curve of his lips before moving back to the buildings around them. “Good, that means it’s working then,” she replied vaguely with a smile. Once again, she had something that she hadn’t meant to - and yet, it felt right, even if she’d a clue what she had intended in the statement. Shaking it off, she smoothed her hand down the front of her dress before arching a brow at his question. What in the world are you after?

As surprised as she was, she hadn’t realized that she had stopped walking until his arm slipped from hers. It was odd, how cold she felt without him at her side, and yet, she could do nothing more than stare at him for a few seconds, her tongue tracing over her lower lip. Had she given too much away? He’s going to kill you. Did you even think that he could be a hunter? The voice was louder now, and she could no longer deny herself the comfort of her secret release. Lifting her hand, she curled her fingers beneath the heavy waves of scarlet, and dug her manicured nails into the nape of her neck. The sharp pain kept her grounded, and after a moment, she was able to focus on him again, her eyes searching his features. Had she considered the possibility that he was a vampire? Of course not.

Choose your next words carefully, Caligrace.

“What kind of question is that, Elighan? What do I seem like?” Her voice trembled slightly as she questioned him, and she knew then that whatever he had on his mind - she more or less confirmed it. Maybe he thinks you’re an actress, or… hell, maybe he is worried that you are the serial killer. Whatever it was, she had a feeling her quiet life was about to change.

[Elighan (DELETED 7699)]

She questions what I mean and seems to require clarification, which is something I can easily give her if I want to be brutally honest. The question is, do I want to say the words out loud. I know I have to as I set myself on this path already; the question is how best to formulate the question I need to ask. Do I cut to the chase or beat around the bush a little longer? I dislike playing games but the woman doesn't know me and oddly I don't want to scare her off. Not only because I find I'm enjoying her company, but because I'd be worried for her safety if she did. I rub nervously at the back of my neck as I choose my words. I'm going to rip the band aid off, so to speak. I just hope she's still standing at my side, her arm through mine, two minutes from now.

"Please don't think I'm crazy for what I'm about to say. I promise you that I'm quite sane and that my question is one hundred percent serious." It seems like a good idea to preface my question with that, though I'm not entirely convinced that I'm not also using it to stall the inevitable. "I was asking, in a roundabout sort of way, if you are a vampire."

The words hang in the air and the moment I say them I wonder if there's a way to take them back. Is this not something I should know? Should I not be able to sense what she is? Should that sense not be more accurate and give more surety? Should I not know exactly what she is? It would certainly make moments like this a lot less awkward. This is something I need to consider in the future. I need to find a way to identify our own kind. I'm not sure how best to go about this, but I'm sure I'll find a way if I try hard enough.

My posture is a little stiffer than it once was, something Caligrace might very well pickup on. I'm noticeably tense now that I've give form to the elephant in the room, or the street, perhaps. It's an odd expression that one, but it's semi-appropriate. The question had to be asked sooner or later, though perhaps I should have asked it later. I should have held back and watched her a little more closely. Perhaps I should have offered to take her for coffee and told her that I wasn't thirsty. I could have watched her reaction to the question and if she agreed, I could have watched her while we sat in the cafe. It would have given me more time to collect the data I needed to make a more informed opinion of her. I always gather my facts before I come to a conclusion. The problem is, she might have refused. The problem is that she might have felt uncomfortable at my side if I kept staring at her like she was some sort of science project. No. This was the best course of action, this time. Straightforward, to the point and no room for misinterpretation. I just really hope she doesn't think me certifiable.

I cast my eyes towards her, watching for her reaction as I wait to hear what she says. I keep walking, but I'm prepared to stop. There's a good chance she's going to want to rip the books from my arms and run away, which I will allow her to do. I'm unsure if I'll pursue her or not if she does though. I don't want to be chasing a vulnerable looking woman through the streets, but neither do I want her to run off and get herself into trouble because I couldn't contain my curiosity either.

[Caligrace]

Tilting her head, she watched as he seemed to brace himself for whatever he was about to say. She had never seen someone appear to ready themselves for battle as he did, and she couldn’t deny that she found it incredibly adorable. This is not the appropriate time to be checking him out, Caligrace, she thought as she tucked a scarlet curl behind her ear. When he finally found the words and voiced them, she found herself unable to do much more than stare at him. How in the hell am I going to answer this? Running her fingers through her hair, she scanned his features for a second longer before shaking her head. What could she do? She couldn’t lie to him, could she?

Of course you can.

After a moment of silence, she finally blew out a breath of air and chuckled. The sound was carefree, though there was an underlying current of nerves. “Is that all? I thought you were asking if I was a stripper,” she teased, though she continued to eye him warily as she attempted to buy herself time. Just walk away. You can’t trust him, especially now. This was a stupid idea. As they continued to walk, she mulled over his question, her eyes moving from his to focus on the road ahead of them. He had seemed genuine in his curiosity, and she hadn’t missed the subtle lilt in his voice. Without realizing it, she had moved her fingers over his coat, her need to find traction in anything causing her to reach for the first thing that she could find. Her anxiety was reaching it’s peak, and she felt the familiar panic flutter in her chest. Just tell him the truth.

“I am, though I think you knew that. At least, you assumed enough to ask.” The words slipped from her before she could think them through, and she braced herself for whatever would come next. The thought of him attacking her left her uneasy, and she subtly pulled her purse closer to her as she tried to think of everything she had learned. She could subdue him quickly, she figured, but would it be quick enough? He could have years of experience on her - she was fairly new to her own strength. Aside from that, the thought of hurting him didn't settle well with her. He had shown her nothing but kindness from the first moment they met, and though it hadn't been that long ago, he had given her no reason to doubt him.

Again with trusting a perfect stranger. It's a wonder you're not dead in a ditch somewhere, her subconscious piped up, and she grit her teeth. I can handle this on my own. With a quick shake of her head, she forced herself to push the anxiety down, and turned to look at him with another warm smile. “Is that going to be a problem for me, Elighan?” The question was posed in a sweet, gentle voice as she gave his arm a squeeze to pull him a stop. It was easier to watch him this way, to study the planes of his face and the intent in his eyes. She only hoped that she had been taught enough to know if he chose to deceive her or not. Raising a brow, she kept her posture relaxed - nonthreatening - as she waited.