Open for Business | (Open)

[Harold Ward (DELETED 11625)]

The night is often dark and full of terrors in places such as these, especially in such times yet Harold was not one to pass off a good evening. The summer air made a nice change to the bitter snowfall that he had known since arriving in the winter past moreover it was a pleasant change to walk the streets off duty than on.

He was supposed to protect those that milled these paving slabs and cobbles yet every new face only left him more suspicious and to feel more exposed. He continued along regardless and thumbed his phone to start sending another song into his earphones. For all of the strange things to happen to Harold in his life he still found solace in the old jazz and blues records that he had grown up listening to when his adoptive father had brought out his own father’s record collection yet his own taste had been of the music he grew up with in the eighties and nineties. It was the first time that people of his colour had been able to come to centre stage in society with their music in such a phenomenon as hip hop. Biggie, Tupac or NWA he smiled as he heard the familiar rhythm of Coolio’s gangsta’s paradise start to wind its way into his ears as he continued to now slightly swagger to the beat on his journey.

It was a few more blocks around the corner to get back to his apartment. The place was nothing special however he like the neighbourhood and got on well with his neighbours. He felt pride in protecting them at work and helping out in the community in the off times. He often went out to play basketball with the kids that lived next door to him. Their own father had left them or been dragged off into the night not long after the third was two years of age. Their mother had always been sweet and kind to Harold when he first moved in so he liked to give the boys somewhat of a father figure in anyway he could.

The bulky cop couldn't help but smile at the thought and stuck his hands into the pocket of his jacket. He swore in his home tongue as the headphone wire got caught on his knuckles and unplugged itself causing the music to cut out from the headset and instead blurt from his pocketed phone. Panicking slightly, Harold fumbled at his phone but with his hands he had always found difficulty in using the things. Finally he managed to find the right button and the sound stopped. A sigh of relief escaped the big man’s lips before he took a moment to look around at his surroundings. He must have strayed a few blocks for he took a few moments to recognise where he was and looking up there was only an old looking book store a faint sound of piano from inside making its way out towards him. The place intrigued him, its old smell of herbal something or other drifted out from its depths.

As he stood there, earphones half-unplugged and dangling, a girl slipped by him carrying a basket and made her way inside with a clang of bells. Well perhaps he could just take a look, it wouldn't harm anyone and they may have some kids books that he could pick up for the fund at the church.

Harold tidied himself up and ran a hand over his smooth head as if he had reached to sweep some invisible hair backwards. He double checked the holster within his coat wasn't visible even if it was part of his job to carry it the thing often tended to put people off if he wasn't in uniform even if the large Police Task Force ID hung loose on a lanyard around his neck.

One hand grasped the door and as he went to push it opened ahead of him and the same girl came back out giving him a sideways look before setting off down the street. He had held the door and slipped inside with the bell rattling behind him once more.

Now inside the sound of music was far more audible, a piano track. Possibly French in origin though his father had always preferred German. Harold could smell the scent in its more potent form as well, though he had little idea exactly where or what it was coming from. Thirdly his ears picked up on voices coming from the other end of the shop. He couldn't make out what they were saying but thought best not to interrupt or eavesdrop should it be something personal though then again it was rather difficult for him not to try and listen in.

His eyes scanned the large shelves for any collection of children's authors however this was no ordinary storefront instead he felt as if he was in an old library or museum. Some of the authors he had never heard of before. Nonetheless he searched on taking a few steps before placing his foot down on a loose floorboard and giving off a rather long and loud squeak. His face winced slightly hoping not to disturb the others though surely they would have heard him now. Alas he continued to browse.

[Benjamin Ellis (DELETED 12378)]

It took but a moment for Benjamin to get himself under control, after all, it is not such a great leap from immortality to telepathy. He could accept this part of his new life. He had to accept this new part of his life.

He took one last deep sip of his tea and then set the cup upon the saucer. The woman before him was doing everything in her power to put him at ease, it was sweet. He offered what he hoped was a soothing smile in return to the one she gave him. There was still a small shadow behind his eyes, but at least he was no longer on the verge of a metaphorical heart-attack, a small blessing that that was.

“It is a skill one can learn to do if they try hard enough.” One bushy eyebrow raised at that. He could obtain this way to form communication? Well wasn’t that was an interesting idea. “Some learn it quicker than others.” He would need to speak with Alexandrea and see if she could point him towards where best to develop these newfound abilities, perhaps there were more than simply telepathy – perhaps there were even ones that would enable him to retain most of his humanity.

“I do love the establishment you have made here. I feel that the longer I would explore, that small pile would continue to grow.” So, she understood the beauty of his sanctuary, perhaps she would even become a regular – that would be delightful. Most that entered his establishment were merely looking for modern works, they sought the glossy covers that screamed ‘Best Seller’ and all but ignored the classics which had paved the way for those so-called ‘Best Sellers’ it was a travesty. This woman was different from those people, he would actually find it enjoyable to spend time with her.

“I…” The gentle chime of the bell above the door paused his speech just before he managed to get out a full sentence, and the woman motioned for him to be patient. Here he felt his face try and pull into a frown, but he pulled it back before it became more than a fleeting thought. He was far too used to people believing that he could be told what to do – of course, that is not what was happening here, but the gut-wrenching urge to lecture about how this was his establishment and he would not be told what to do while in it was almost instantaneous after years of dealing with those who graced the streets of London.

He watched her and her acquaintance, noticing the graceful movements of the woman’s fingers and the way the other understood and spoke aloud. It made him feel a little better about speaking out loud, clearly, the woman was not deaf and simply mute instead. The words were mostly ignored by him, instead, he was far more interested in pouring himself another cup of tea and setting his desk to rights (which meant moving different sheets of paper about in no noticeable order).

When the woman turned to him, he was once more sipping his tea and focused on her, though not completely, some of his focus was also on the gentleman who had just entered and was currently browsing the books closer to the entrance. He took notice of the basket she laid on his (still slightly messy) desk, and his fingers reached out to grasp the note placed upon it.

A ‘Welcome to Business’ gift for you. I own and operate a tea shop located in the Honeymead Marketplace and we pride ourselves on our custom blends. So, as a gift, I had my people bring a few sample packs for you to try if you wish. I had a feeling so told them to add some English variants to the assortment as well. I do hope you find something in there you may enjoy. If not, please feel free to pass them on to your friends or associates.

To read the note he grabbed his reading glasses and placed them upon the bridge of his nose, it then took him but a heartbeat to read the words. Once he had finished reading, he placed the note back on the basket and glanced at the woman from over top his glasses, there was a twitch to his lips, the kind that spoke of amusement and mischief. “Thank you, my dear, this is very kind. I shall be happy to try each blend – and perhaps I may even find one that takes the place of English Breakfast in my heart,” he finished on a chuckle and then carried the basket out to his kitchenette.

It took only a second to deposit the basket on his cabinet, and when he returned it was too the sound of a floorboard, he had been meaning to fix for the last two days. His eyes found the gentleman and he waved a little before calling over to the other. “Oh, don’t mind the board – I’ve been meaning to get it seen too, it just seems to slip my mind whenever a good book finds its way into my hands.” Once he had spoken to the other man he returned to the woman and gave her his undivided attention, the man was more than welcome to join them – but he would not push the matter after all the other could simply be here to shop.

“Back to the topic of…” he waved his hand to encompass her head and his own. “You are more than welcome to communicate with me via that form, I may be new to life as a reflection of the darker side to humanity, but I am more than willing to learn about all that it encompasses.”

[Zodiac]

As she listened to him speak, her smile grew. ”that is good to know. However, just because we are now supposedly ‘darkness’ does not mean we have to let the darkness swallow us up. We can always attempt to be better.” she replied.

When she heard the floorboard give, her head snapped to her right. Softly she inhaled through her nose and considered. Zodiac suddenly realized they were not alone in this place, so she continued to inhale till she found it.

She was right. Another had slipped into the building unannounced or was she was too wrapped up with the issue of the shop owner to notice the bell apparently. The rich aroma of life tickled her senses now and her actions shifted into a type of automatic mode. The scent of a person could tell one much if they could process the information so she continued to sample the air.

A male. Between youth and middle age. The scent was exotic (for lack of a better word) which suggested someone of foreign origin. They had not been here that long to begin to acclimate. The natural aroma that could not be hidden under sweat or perfumes still had strength to it. It would always be there but with time would fade behind the acclimation to their new environment. It also suggested a person not of Caucasian origins possibly.

Inwardly she sighed in disappointment. She had tried in the past to build an inner ‘catalog’ of various scents but there were simply too many variables and combinations to contend with. Perhaps if she ‘lived’ as long as legend suggested she could, then perhaps it was possible, but for now all she could do was puzzle together the bits she could identify and make an educated guess.

Another whiff and more points came into play. No hints of disease or illness she could find (though, there may have been something in his past. The faint trace of healing was noticed.) Clothing held no signs of age or rot…

She blinked as the aroma of gun oil filled her. Instinct kicked in as she willed herself to sink down till the tips of her toes were just above the floor. A thief? Possibly. It would explain the silent entrance. A policeman would not slink about unless he felt there was danger.

Or a hunter stalking prey.

Her eyes flashed in anger for a second, She had decided she liked the little man who ran this place, despite his unease at what she could do. If some vampire hunter had entered considering the newling easy prey he would be quite disappointed in what he discovered when he finally showed his face. Mr Ellis would not be facing the Shadow Realm as long as she was here. She held her calm. All she smelled was gun oil. No other hints suggesting other weapons. That would be unheard of for a hunter. Either he was very young, stupid, or she was missing something. If it was nothing, she would be content, but all her senses were on high alert and ready to pounce if it was indeed something.

Her eyes returned to their normal, happy look as she returned her attention to the man again.

”I have a list of some volumes I seek that you may possibly have some leads on. We can discuss it when you have finished with your other customer.” One of her hands reached out and softly patted his as if reassuring him.

Gently her hands then fussed over herself as any woman would to be sure she was presentable. Her fingertips reassuring herself that her hidden weapons was in easy reach should they be required. The mystic would have to wait till Mr. Ellis’ other guest made the first move.

[Harold Ward (DELETED 11625)]

His eyes were deep brown, full of life and his vision was almost perfect according to the doctors however with all of that he was still struggling to work his way through the old leather books that adorned the shop’s sleek and homely wooden shelves. Every so often Harold leaned in and plucked a book from the piles to check the titles though often to little avail. So far he had only picked out one book from the many that sat in waiting for him.

One of the two people towards the other end of the store had called back to him as retaining to the floor boards creaking under foot. Harold let a smile run across his lips as he replied.

“Oh no reason to worry mate, I know that feeling” the large African chuckled slightly and went back to sweeping through. He had often spent time in his youth devouring books, some about his own culture but most of old english decent that his parents had kept around the house. Stories of Dickens, Shakespeare and most influentially to him the many stories penned by Conan Doyle.

Finally he crouched down to pick out an older looking paperback copy of James and the giant peach. The only other book that had taken huis interest was an old leather bound set of tales authored by the Brothers Grimm. He knew these stories well but the book seemed older than any he had read from. The two books would likely be enough to entertain some of the littleins for the next few months and in a place like this it was unlikely that the old books were to be all that cheap.

He stood up from the corner of the shop he had been burrowing through. As he stood up Harold set the first book on a side before opening the leather tome to flick through a few pages. As the front fell open Harold let one of his large fingers run up the edge of the page as to flick onwards though he grimaced as a shot of pain ran up his finger. When he looked down a small globule of blood had started to seep out of a small cut. He swore in his native tongue and under his breath as he stuck his finger into his mouth and sucked the wound clean. He grimaced at the metallic taste of his own blood and shook his hand off as it throbbed slightly with pain. He shut the book and took his time in heading towards the desk at which the two were set talking. He heard very little but the end of their conversation. Something about humanity and what it encompassed, probably another philosophical debate from one of these old books.

Closing on the two Harold had time to look them over, the first a younger woman her skin was a delicate pastel white set against the vibrant cacophony of feathers and other adornments that seem to make up her outfit. Harold blinked a moment when first looking her over and then remembered where he was and what year it was, the younger Canadians were always expressing themselves in ways that would have got him beaten up back home when he was a lad. Nonetheless the part of the woman that stood out the most was her eyes of blue and green blended in an almost mystical light.

Harold strode forward towards the other figure whomst he assumed must be the shop owner. This man did not stand out quite so much, the accent of the old country matched his choice of bow tie and the suit. The man was older even than Harold and seemed to have a salt and pepper look about him with the grey whisps encompassing half of his beard and working their way up into his hair. Harold approached and let a smile creep up again to reveal his smile of pearl white teeth.

“I'm sorry to interrupt I was just hoping to pick these up if that's ok!” he set the two books down on the counter though a drop of blood dripped out onto the paperback. “Oh sorry about that, got a bit carried away flicking through ya know!” He sucked on his finger again and then used the spittle and the corner of his sleeve to wipe away the small droplet and looked up to smile at the older man.

[Benjamin Ellis (DELETED 12378)]

There was something about the woman that caused a fluttering feeling inside, it was the same feeling he had when he first read a new book. She was interesting in ways that he could not describe but wished to with all his heart. Perhaps it was the way she made no noise when she spoke? After all, he had never enjoyed unnecessary noise inside his shop, or perhaps it was the easy elegance of her movements? Either way, he was enthralled by her to a degree normally reserved for the works of Keats and Wordsworth.

“That is good to know. However, just because we are now supposedly ‘darkness’ does not mean we have to let the darkness swallow us up. We can always attempt to be better.” Her words caused a lightness to settle deep in his heart. Alexandrea was wonderful, perfection (if you asked him) even, and he knew from her that one did not have to become a monster – but still, hearing it from someone else had the effect of hammering it home. Becoming a creature from myth did not have to mean that he had to give up the parts of himself that proclaimed him human.

Benjamin would have been quite happy to remain speaking with the woman, perhaps draw her into a debate about one of the many philosophical works he had lying about…but her attention seemed to snap away from him and instead landed on the fellow who seemed to be looking at children’s books. One of his eyebrows raised at that and the fingers of his left hand tapped lightly on top of her pile of books.

The other gentleman had done nothing to warrant the woman zeroing in on him – other than stepping upon a creaking floorboard – and Benjamin found it odd that she would focus so intently upon another customer, especially as they have been enjoying a nice easy chat…but perhaps there was something that he was missing? His senses were all a jumble at the moment, he was steadily growing into them, but for right now he did not trust his sense of smell as it had the horrid tendency to send him into a tailspin if he allowed it the chance to.

“Oh no reason to worry mate, I know that feeling” The gentleman called over and Benjamin offered his half smile, but almost as soon as the other called over the woman began to once again speak, and he was pulled back to her.

“I have a list of some volumes I seek that you may possibly have some leads on. We can discuss it when you have finished with your other customer.” Once more on solid ground, he let his face shift how it wanted, and he found his eyes going wider and his lips pulling into a grin that took up almost half his face and showed off his topmost teeth.

Her hand brushed his in a reassuring pat, but almost as soon as her skin touched his he was pulling his hand back and tucking it behind his other. After that, he kept his hands outside of touching range.

The physical contact was enough, at first, to distract him from the scent of blood – but then the man was coming closer. “I'm sorry to interrupt I was just hoping to pick these up if that's ok!” Benjamin stood still as a statue and stared at the other. His pupils dilated to the point they almost consumed the hazel of his irises, and his fingers tightened in the fabric of his trousers. “Oh sorry about that, got a bit carried away flicking through ya know!” He felt the urge to gulp, there was no need, but gulping seemed the most natural reaction to smelling something that caused his stomach to constrict.

“N..N..No problem.” With shaking hands, he took the books from the other. “Th…Though I..I would su..suggest be..being more careful. Books are easily ruined.” He spoke through gritted teeth as he worked on controlling the fangs he had still not become accustomed to. He was no demon, even if he was a nightwalker.

He started to go through the motions of ringing the man up. “Wou..would you like a plaster?” Without looking up from where he was working on the register, he motioned to the others hand, perhaps if the wound was wrapped up he wouldn’t feel as if he was dying of hunger.

---

“How good and thoughtful he is; the world seems full of good men--even if there are monsters in it.”
― Bram Stoker, Dracula

---

Benjamin had always prided himself on being a good man, even now, after taking the bite, he saw himself as a good man. There was an internal struggle, his fingers shook, and his voice betrayed him…but he refused to give into these new darker instincts.

He was a good man...

he would remain a good man.[/font]

[Zodiac]

She made a mental note not to touch the man again unless it was necessary. He had some issue with physical contact, which would explain why he had declined her handshake earlier. It was not an uncommon things among other (living or otherwise) and she too had her limits with such things.

As the other approached the counter, a sigh of relief mentally flowed in her thoughts. She had some points right in her olfactory appraisal of the man, but if this one was a hunter he certainly did not dress the part. A detective perhaps or a security guard on their way home from work. Her eyes caught the spines of the books he was holding. The Giant Peach and Grimm?

Children. A gift for his own or for others. Now that he was closer she could get faint hints of others from him and a…basketball? Sports. A man who played games with his (or others) children spoke volumes. This was the double edge of her perceptions. The more you learned of a potential foe/friend, the more complex the issue became if the question of kill or be killed came into play. Some details did not need to be known, but you learned them when working this way. Far easier to destroy a fanatical zealot with no ties to anything but their cause or god than a man simply trying to keep his and his own safe.

As he looked at her, she put on her brightest smile and bowed her head. Her hands folded in greeting as was her norm. She would hand him a business card before he left. She was curious now about this man and a visit to her own surroundings sometimes made people more inclined to speak more openly.

Her eyes zeroed in on the small cut instantly as she inhaled. Very curious. She had ‘topped off’ before heading out but now she felt a deep pang of hunger. A bit of proof that this man was not quite human was her guess. Were there any pure humans left? She had to wonder. Something unique about his blood. It was like being a fan of chocolate and having ate your fill when suddenly someone puts down the most amazing slice of ‘Death by Chocolate’ cake in front of you. Limits suddenly evaporate. She took a step backwards as if allowing the man and Mr. Ellis some space to conduct their business while using her inner discipline to ignore what she was smelling now.

Then she caught Ellis out of the corner of her eye. He looked almost rabid as the sight and smell latched onto him. Her eyes kept shifting between the two males looking for clues. She honestly could not be sure if the customer was even aware of what that tiny cut was doing, and if so it was a cheap and childish tactic. As she turned as if looking at some other books, she sent her thoughts to Ellis alone.

”Be steady, dear one,” her voice soft, but with an edge of serious to it now. ”I smell it as well. Something unique about his blood. As I said, we may have changed but we are not animals. Dip into that inner resolve I sense you have and steady yourself.”

She then turned and looked at the situation in a manner that caught the client’s attention. Quickly, she wrote a note and offered it to the man.

I may be wrong, but I think the sight of blood upsets him. Some people are like that.

It was the best ‘out’ she could find on the spur of the moment. She fished about in her purse an offered him a hankie to wrap his finger with. ”I will do my best to keep you from making a serious error, good sir,” she told Ellis’ thoughts. ”Even if I have to jump the counter and punch your lights out.”

The last bit was sent with a touch of humor, and she hoped it would snap the man out of his focus for a moment and allow him to regain his calm. ”Bet you would make one hellava pie, handsome.” she thought to herself as her gaze returned to the customer. She kept the urge to lick her lips under control.

[Harold Ward (DELETED 11625)]

“Ja, ill ave to be more careful! As you say I don't want to ruin such lovely books before the little ones get a chance to go through em ey.” The man took the books and Harold took a glance to the woman who had given him a smile and bowed her head in acknowledgement. He made an effort to nod in return as a gesture to good manners. He liked that about the people here they had a good tendency for graciousness and manners.

He turned back to face the store owner and noticed his hands had started to shake. It was as if since Harold had come closer the man had come over with some sort of sickness. On second glance Harold only now noticed that the man looked pale against the furnishings of the back of shop perhaps unwell after all the sun tended not to bless Harper Rock all too often. Yet again when Harold looked back at the man, his pupils were dilated and almost seemed to fight inwards of themselves.

The shopkeep offered up a plaster however before Harold could respond or even ask how the man was feeling another feeling wrapped around his finger and as he looked back at the woman she slid a noted across the desk towards him. He took a few moments to read before turning back to her and making eye contact. The large man held the gaze for a few seconds as he studied her up close before giving a knowing nod in regards to the note and clasping his own hand around the handkerchief as the slight splotch of red soaked in.

“Thank you ma’am. You really shouldn't waste such a handkerchief on some silly man’s carelessness. But thank you anyway!” He cracked another smile and turned to the other in the room “As for that plaster I think I should be grateful, you never want to go around with open cuts nowadays ey. You never know who is lurking in the shadows.” As he finished speaking his accent became more apparent with the half joking and half serious tone of conversation.

The last part was true however, was he to go walking back through the streets without his back being watched and with an open wound he would attract any animal with a set of fangs should they be lurking down an alley or gutter that they seemed to scurry around with. He was better to cover the wound while in a safe place. After all he doubted he was going to be attacked by those of the Vampiric tendencies in a store such as this.

[Benjamin Ellis (DELETED 12378)]

Was this to be his life now? Was he to become a slave to this aching hunger that gnawed at him? If it was then he did not think he could bare it. Like a knife it ripped him, tore through flesh and laid him naked upon the ground – he was not this person. Impulse control had never been something he had to truly worry about, his stringent moral compass made sure of that, but now he was picturing taking what could never really be freely given.

He had gone into his turning with the hopes of halting the progression of his body’s slow degradation and that was all. He did not wish to be stronger, nor was power something he had even considered. No, from the start he had only hoped to keep his ability to turn the pages of his beloved books until such time as he chose to let them slip from his fingers. Yet it seemed, now that he had been turned, he had perhaps lost more than he gained. Before the transition he had been safe within his body; his eyes would communicate exactly what they gazed upon, his nose only picked up the most basic of scents…not the copper in someone’s blood, his fingers when brushing against someone else’s registered only flesh on flesh…not each fault and every crack. Ever since that fateful night…

No, he would not think about the things he could not change. “Be steady, dear one,” he let his lungs inflate on a deep breath in. The scent surrounded him, that did not mean he had to slip into madness – he used to walk past bakeries all the time, this was nothing more than walking past a scrumptious cake. ”I smell it as well. Something unique about his blood. As I said, we may have changed but we are not animals. Dip into that inner resolve I sense you have and steady yourself.” The woman’s voice tickled inside his mind; like a caress, she whispered unto him and kept his mind from wandering down the darker alleys that littered its streets.

”I will do my best to keep you from making a serious error, good sir,” he was not alone, it helped, knowing that he had someone there to pull him from the all-consuming sensory overload that the poor unwitting human had all but dragged him into. “Even if I have to jump the counter and punch your lights out.” A smile tugged upon the corners on his lips. Calm. Ease. He could fight this.

“Ja, ill ave to be more careful! As you say I don't want to ruin such lovely books before the little ones get a chance to go through em ey.” It was only a man, a simple man.

Gradually the litany of dark thoughts came to a halt. As he took in the man and listened, he realized that he could crawl back from the abyss. His smile returned, not as forced (though still not reaching further than his cheeks) and more open.

When the gentleman became distracted by the woman Benjamin found that he could focus his senses to moved away from the man and instead take in the variety of other stimuli, such as the way his books released a most pleasing aroma – like pheromones meant to draw in a lover. He focused on those scents, sights, sounds, and let himself have a small sigh of relief.

“As for that plaster I think I should be grateful, you never want to go around with open cuts nowadays ey. You never know who is lurking in the shadows.” He tipped his head in agreement with the human male and reached into his desk draw to remove the offered plaster.

“Very true – though not all that lurk in shadows are monsters.” With steady fingers he held the plaster out for the other to take, “some of them have no choice but to remain ensconced within the darkness lest they find themselves greeting death,” as he spoke he let his eyes narrow and his lips purse in such a way as to call up visions of an elderly librarian scolding a loud child. “You should never judge a person before speaking – you have no idea why they live the way they do.”

Lecture over he motioned to the books and let his features slip back into the mask of a gentle book seller, “now, that will be thirty dollars for those delightful books you have picked.”

[Lydia]

“Mm, mmmm look at that fine piece,” came a rough voice from across the alley, followed by a low whistle of appreciation.

Not two ******* minutes, she thought, edging her way deep into the shadowy part of the street, closest to the buildings that lined the busy thoroughfare and not bothering to look for the source. She could take care of herself. Sort of.

It had been too hot to even consider her long trench, but she didn’t think a shapeless pair of loose yoga pants and a hoodie was doing her any favors and that she might be able to get where she was going without harassment for once. She lifted the black hood over gleaming blonde hair and kept walking, grumbling all the way. Her empty stomach wasn’t helping anything, but Lydia had been getting caught feeding left and right in the last few months and she stupidly had set out in a different direction that night than her usual. She had been hoping for a new adventure - adventurous for her, that was - and expecting she would find a shop in any direction where she could buy enough of those blood packs that had saved her on more than one occasion.

She had never had much luck attracting anyone good for her, and that had only gotten worse after. Yet Enver had managed to draw her out in the days before he departed for places unknown, in the short interim between her turning and then, and though the catcalling and harassment had only increased in the presence of another Allurist, the young woman had felt somewhat insulated and protected with him. Safe. After he disappeared, though, she almost never left her apartment, except in search of sustenance and the occasional odd item. Everything else, even work, could be done or gotten online, and the once-outgoing and fun-loving woman had turned into more of a recluse than anything else. Sure, she still made an effort to keep up with the latest trends and gossip and world news, as ever, but never before had she felt so unable to actually put any of it to use.

“Hey. Hey!,” came the rough voice again, closer now and causing a sharpish inhale to hurtle past her lips and her hands curled into fists. A slow-burning anger was beginning to rise like bile, a growl wanting to roll in her throat. Hungering while dealing with this nonsense was almost too much to ask of the near-fledgling vampire. She was teetering on the edge of reason, weighing the risk of ripping the predator’s throat out and feasting on blood, come what may, or ducking into the next place she saw to avoid anything that could get her into trouble. She wasn’t keen on taking any other wounds, ever again, for trying to feed.

She glanced up - despite the late-ish hour, there, just ahead, was a cozy-looking bookstore. The sign in the window stated it was still open - it could have simply been an oversight by a clerk closing up for the night, but then, it was worth the chance, wasn’t it?

She grabbed for the door handle as if her life depended upon it. In a way, she supposed, it did. And as she stepped in and closed it behind her, eager to get lost in the stacks and browse for something new (after all, no matter the unlimited titles her Kindle could hold, there was nothing on Earth like the weight of a real, true book in one’s hand), she stopped, closed her eyes, and drew in a deep sigh of relief.

And promptly slapped a hand over her mouth to conceal the lengthening fangs as the smell of blood on the air hit her full force. “Oh, no,.. No!” she hissed out the muffled cry through clamped lips and flesh and bone, and made for the nearest corner, desperate for anything to distract her long enough to get those blasted teeth back to their normal... ish ... length. Her gaze set upon tea on a table... yes, Yes! A tea bag...

All manners forgotten, she raced over and snatched up a dry one, shoving it under her nose as she moved slowly back to the nearest shelf and breathed deeply. In, and out. In, and out. She would replace the pilfered bag the next time she ventured out in that direction, when she could think clearly again. Maybe even offer up a whole box by way of apology. But for now, she would take the reprieve and pray, harder than ever, that she could keep herself under control long enough to figure out what the hell to do next.

[Zodiac]

She focused on the man’s accent, which was slipping free with every word. Caribbean? No, more of an Africa twang to it was her guess. ” Twizzle twazzle twozzle twome, you a long way from your home.” she laughed within while keeping a straight face. What made a man relocate like this? Business? Most likely, but she was curious as to what kind of business he was about. That alluring blood he had suggested something unique had touched him and things like that did not happen accidentally. There was a tiny chance he was born that way, but what was the odds?

She smiled and inclined her head again as he thanked her for the hankie. Only the gods knew who owned it before she found it, but it had been washed and pressed so no danger of anything lurking in the cloth on a wound. It suddenly occurred to her it had been a good while since she had found one on her walks. Curious.

His next statement caught her attention. So he knew. Not a major deal. Hell, the guided tours to see actual vampires market was booming and people from everywhere could not resist coming to see if they could spot Bella Lugosi or Christopher Lee walking the streets. But that fact added to the blood and the fact he was armed tugged at her attentions. She was so missing something vital here, and that annoyed her to no end. She wanted to scream in his head and demand an answer, but that would have been foolish. Part of why she had survived so long was the fact she kept her condition a secret.

Whatever he truly was, it was not worth shattering her illusion over.

At least Mr. Ellis had regained his sense of calm. It would be interesting to see over time how he turned out. Strength of will was usually absent in the young night feeders, but all he needed was a bit of distraction to re-compose himself. Good, good. He showed promise.

Her eyebrows raised in surprise as the shop owner began to speak. She assumed once he got control over himself it would be simple small talk till the transaction was finished, but his words were bold. Was that part of what he had been or something brought to life thanks to the change? Either way, she was impressed. Too many of the living felt like they had it all figured out and in typical fashion assumed anything no longer simply human was the bane of life itself. There were things in the darkness that made zombies jokes and posed a threat to both mortal and immortal and not everyone who walked in the shadows came to the dance willingly. It was true some of their kind lived (?) for bloodshed, chaos and carnage, but those such as herself and a few others (Quite possibly Mr. Ellis as well,) just kept doing as they had been and trying their best not to harm anyone needlessly.

She took her notepad and dashed off a quick note. Zodiac tore it free and dropped it on the counter between the man and Mr. Ellis.

YEAH! What HE said.

She gave the man a look of disappointment and shook her head sadly. Her attention turned as the door bells jingled and spied a young woman/girl enter. Her sudden reaction would have been comical elsewhere. Her aura had the same tells as Ellis and herself, and considering the environment she had just entered the last thing she had expected to find was the scent of a blood that was hard to resist. She watched the girl snatch a tea bag and try to vanish into the stacks. The mystic wanted to laugh so badly, but this could turn quite serious in a second.

She glanced at Ellis and gave him a nod as she ‘walked’ in the direction the woman had fled to. ”Move the feet, move the feet. Make it look like you are walking at least.” she reminded herself. Sometimes her levitation ability was a total pain in the ***. She’d be the first to admit it.

Zodiac stopped a few feet to the right of the woman and began inspecting the books in front of her. Once she had reassured herself that the woman was a member of the ‘club’, she whispered to her thoughts.

”Yes, the girl to your right is speaking to your thoughts, so don’t panic. Just keep doing what you are doing. Enjoy your tea bag and look over the books. The man at the counter managed to cut himself and he has such a special quality to his blood I am sure you have discovered.” She glanced at the woman and gave her a reassuring smile. ”Hell, between the two of us, we could probably drain him faster than a thirsty kid could a juice box, but that is not the best thing to do in so public a place as this, is it? And if I can keep my fangs in my head, then so can you-so focus, dear, focus.” She pulled a random book free and pretended to glance thought it.