Welcome to Harper Rock [Open]

[Kaspar]

The image that came to mind as Ansley spoke of his love for the rain wasn't unwelcome, the light in the room grey as the young Texan stretched out, his warm suntanned skin partially exposed beneath a sheet as he snuggled into pillows and watched the world outside, enjoying it from a distance as they sound of the rain soothed him. Yes, not bad image at all, one that had Kaspar shaking his head. He cleared his throat, giving a wicked grin. "You're welcome, Ansley. It is indeed, like that." He knocked his glass against the shot gently, amused that the man had gone along with his plans, it spoke of a building trust and desire to spend more time. Kaspar took a sip from his glass, letting the liquid burn down his throat, briefly making his cold insides feel warm. Ansley was speaking again, asking questions in that open, friendly manner. Hel pondered a moment, trying to decide how honest to be, whether to avoid topics regarding himself or to give the facts that were widely known. How much was he willing to share with this new resident? He figured it was safe enough to discuss his travels, there was nothing particularly juicy in that.

"It's a bit complicated, I lived here originally years ago in my final year of High School. My brother and I were sixteen at the time, and we stayed for around two years. Father decided it would be fun to live where he spent most of his childhood, though it was very different to how he remembered it and at we all began to realise living together as a family unit did not work. I moved back to Europe to study with my brother, the others went to America to be closer to Father's "work". I had made friends here and would come and stay in Harper Rock frequently during breaks, and some would come to Germany to stay with me. It's got to be almost a year and a half since I moved back, or close to. My son's mother has commitments here, and there was opportunities for me so we decided to settle here instead of Germany, maybe not the best choice but here we are." He swirled the amber liquid in his glass, lifting it to his lips once more and taking a decent sip. "Mm. So... Why the hell did you move here? Seems like a strange choice without valid reason."

[Ansley Underwood (DELETED 8056)]

He downed the shot after the glasses clinked together and the warmth washed over him from his stomach and throat outward. His cheeks flushed a little. "Woo that will punch my ticket in." He said with a little laugh. "You know what I said earlier wasn't meant to be an invitation to the Harper Rock drinking competition." He laughed again chasing it with his rusty nail.

He nodded gently. "Fair question." He said turning the golden hued eyes on Hel again. "Bear Creek was small, very small. I was so popular there , not in the good way. My dad was a Private Investigator. Cheating spouses. Business ventures gone crooked. You know the drill. He didn't really make a lot of friends. Occasionally I would help him out. Pick up a case or two. Especially cases I could bend the law and get treated as a minor where as he would have been arrested." He grins a small one biting his lower lip briefly. "Well we were in an accident. My father didn't make it." He said looking down his skin goosebumping at the memory. Obviously something bothered him, sending a chill up his spine. "After I recovered that town it just held too many memories. Too many people asking me how I was." He looked up to Hel again "It's hard to forget and move on when you're faced with constant reminders , you know?"

Ansley paused mulling over the decision to go further with what brought him here from Texas . He still hadn't answered Hel's questions. He looked at the man taking him in , deciding. "I feel like there is somethin else goin on in this world." He said seriously. "I'm lookin for answers to the weird that happens . The things most people turn their head too." He said. "Something tells me this is a good place to start looking." His amber eyes held a fire there , a desire to know the truth. A fierceness and bravery. It was revenge for those that knew it. Ansley was so warm and sunny. You could almost feel it coming off of him. His mortality was blinding. Though there was a darkness there. Deep down, something someone who had lived as long as Hel could notice.

[Kaspar]

"Hey man, you were the one who made it a challenge. Don't worry, you can try to drink me under the table some other time." He winked, an invitation, another meeting fuelled by alcohol and bad decisions. Could be fun, the boy appeared too sweet and yet...

He'd started answering questions, talking in earnest about his past, his home and why he came here. Kaspar listened in silence, letting the boys words wash over him, feeling the emotion in them. Since his turning he'd gotten even better at being aware of emotions, being affected by them. It wasn't as bad as some, just slightly heightened, and for that he was grateful. A private detective? This boy was a snoop in the making, and he admitted it openly. Warning bells began to ring but Hel didn't show it, no, instead he watched on with the appropriately concerned, sympathetic look, reacting in the right way at the right times. Playing his part.

"I'm sorry about your father, Ansley... You really a little Veronica Mars type, yes? Have you watched the show?" Kaspar's brow went up, looking a little confused at the talk of something else there, trying to pretend the suggestion didn't make his cold skin crawl. "Like... Ghosts or something? I mean, i'm not sure I believe in all that hoodoo voodoo ****..." He leaned in closer, lowering his voice, "What exactly are you looking for? The only darkness i've seen around here is the gangsters and drug dealers dirtying up the streets. You'd best be careful, Ansley, even those who aren't sticking their nose into things end up dead here." His hand pushed through his blonde hair, shaking his head. There was a dark, dangerous look in his eye that belied his earlier smiles, his warm southern charms. This kid was going to get himself dead.