Beat of the Heart [[Rielle]]

[Aliyah]

Regret.

Yes, that was a good word for the tumble of emotions that scattered across Aliyah's mind as she stood at the door of Lancaster's Pub. Between the music, the bodies, and endless chatter there was simply too much going on for her fragile psyche. Her senses kicked into overdrive, reminding her that this was not the right place and time to be seeking the comfort of the lineage owned property, if only to feel closer to the group that she had yet to see in over a year. It was a busy hour, and she would be entirely incapable of relaxing.

As she contemplated turning on heels to go back on out, a familiar sight drew her in closer to the car. It was one Lancaster's associates, a woman. Aliyah couldn't remember her name, but she recognized the woman from before, and she often worked the bar for Pi and Lan when they were not available. If anyone would have a good idea as to where either of the lineage heads might be, it was her. Assuming that she was willing and able to share such information. Either way, it would be worth a try.

"Hey, there...I am not sure if you remember me, but I am a member of d'Artois. I was wondering...if you knew where Pi or Skylar are?" she asked the woman as she approached, looking more than a little desperate for the information. For some reason, the name 'Roxette' kept ringing in the blonde's head, but she couldn't say for sure that was, indeed, the woman's name. But, rather than make it obvious that Aliyah didn't remember, she offered the only thing that she could. Knowledge. "I have been gone for over a year, and the Den is...well, empty." Only d'Artois would opened mention the Den. Right?

The woman, maybe Roxette, offered a small frown at the question, but nodded her head before disappearing into the office. She came back soon after with a small hand written note, folded neatly and slid it across the bar along with a bottle of blood that was kept behind the bar for the vampire clientele. With that, she went back down the bar to attend to the other customers and Ali glanced down at the paper with a wince. Was it something so awful that it couldn't even be said out loud?

Pocketing the note, she took the blood and lifted it to her lips as she turned on the stool to face the stage. If she was going to enjoy the blood, she might as well try and drown out her surroundings and focus on the music. Much easier said than done.

Still, it was a start.

[Rielle (DELETED 8968)]

Rielle stood at the window looking out over the town. The moon was bright and the stars were shining – it was a beautiful evening. There was so much beauty to be seen in the world and she would never see all that she wanted to see of it.

She had received the reports back on her latest medical tests and the prognosis wasn’t good – in fact it couldn’t have been worse. That was why she had decided to come to Harper Rock. She had heard something about vampires being here and thought maybe she could get a second chance at life. She wasn’t quite sure how she would find a vampire that would be willing to turn her into one, of course. Smiling she thought, a vampire for hire site would be most helpful right now. Of course the negative aspect to this was that she could just as well be killed. What would that really matter though? Death was coming for her one way or another.

Rielle sighed, she needed to get out of this room and get her mind off of all these negative thoughts for awhile. They followed her these days like a black cloud overhead.

Looking at herself in the mirror, she thought her black jeans and blue turtleneck sweater would look good enough for the evening - even though it rather enhanced how pale she was. Throwing on her blue wool jacket she put some cash in the inner zipper pocket along with a credit card. Wondering about places that may have music, she thought she remembered someone mentioning a place called Lancaster’s. She may as well walk there, she thought, she had seen Lancaster’s close by.

Arriving at the door to the pub she walked in and noticed the pub was quite busy. She smiled, pubs were like a 2nd home to her. There had been quite a few places like this that she had performed in when she was able to and had been a good way to earn some extra money.

Walking towards the bar she saw a stool that someone had just vacated, took a seat and ordered a vodka and cranberry. Noticing the woman next to her seemed to be here by herself, also, she smiled at her and introduced herself. "Hi, my name is Rielle. How is the music here?

[Aliyah]

The bottled blood tasted less than appetizing, and Aliyah fought the desire to leave in search of a fresh feed. She had been content with the bagged blood Dhara had stashed away in the apartment for a couple of weeks, but now the desire from the source was strong. Still, she needed to maintain as much control as she possible could, as to avoid the potential of blood lust taking hold. After so long, she no longer trusted her ability to stay in control. And had her best friend remained a human, perhaps she would have already tested those limits.

As she listened to the music, her thoughts drifted on to Dhara and her newfound vampirism. While it was more like a year for her, it was still brand new information to Aliyah. In a way, she had always thought that if anyone was going to turn her friend, it would have been her. As hard as she tried to ignore them, the 'what if's' ran rampant, lately. What if she hadn't left? What if she had never gotten attacked on her return? What if she had tried just a little bit harder to return from the Shadow Realm? Maybe, just maybe, the situation would be a little different. Instead, she was adjusting to a new life with a vampiric best friend.

She started as a voice penetrated her thoughts, blue eyes shifting the woman who had settled in at her side. Fairly certain that she asked about the music, Ali glanced back toward the stage as another band began their set-up. "Uhm...hey. I'm Aliyah..." she began, feeling somewhat awkward at the sudden introduction. It didn't help that everything around her was bringing about mild panic, either.

"The music is alright...depending on the band that plays. Some of the veteran bands are really good, and then there are some new ones that...well, aren't so good," she finished, offering the woman a small smile. "Did you come here hoping for good music?"

[Rielle (DELETED 8968)]

Setting her drink down after taking a sip, Rielle nodded. “I always hope for good music. So often there are great unknown locals that never get a chance to get known, never get that first opportunity to make a record. I was a music major myself and use to love performing.”

Looking around she noticed there were quite a few people here that looked rather pale. She hoped that in this mass of talking, laughing humanity that there might be a way of finding a vampire. How would she know though? Throwing caution to the wind Rielle whispered, “However, I’m really in town to find a vampire. I know it may sound rather...odd..but it's extremely important that I do. My life depends on it." She looked sadly into the woman's eyes then looked away and quickly finished off the rest of her drink - nodding to the bartender that she was ready for another.