Unlife’s Last Blossom. (Avalone)

[Zodiac]

The girl understood the enchantment of the dance. Excellent. Back when the gypsy was among the living, she danced to entertain others, but now it was for her pleasures and purposes alone. Dancing was a release, dancing was life. It could be a great temptation as well as a skilled weapon.

As they moved about, Zodiac aimed her ‘incidental’ contacts like precision strikes. It was inevitable on a crowded dance floor for people to make contact with others, so the girl made sure each ‘accident’ helped build to the results she wanted to happen. Fingertips landing like a butterfly for the briefest of moments as she wove around Avalone. The occasional hip check as well. A small touched encouraged her hair to the side, allowing a breath to caress Ava’s ear and velvet lips laid a teasing kiss upon the exposed neck. If they were alone the girl’s fangs would have claimed her prize, but Zodiac was patient if nothing else.

Each time she returned to face her dance partner, her eyes would find hers. She still debated using her hypnotic skills but in a hunt like this Zo considered that a cheat of sorts. She used that skill many times for different reasons in the past but to convince a prey to come of their own free will had an oddly satisfying victory to it in her view. She probably could have plucked this rare flower easily, but the true thrill was when a flower such as this plucked itself and laid itself into the vampiress’ hands. Her eyes began to shift from Avalone’s to the exit. Back and forth several times until the girl finally cocked her head in the direction of the exit as well.

’Why not?’

A soft telepathic whisper into her dance partner’s mind. With the volume of the music and the surrounding crowd, the odds favored Ava thinking it was her own idea.

[Avalone]

*She smiled , closed her eyes and lost herself in the vibe. She could feel each touch, each move, each small breath pass over her. The woman's scent fills her nostrils as they danced, she in return let fingers brush over the woman softly in various of places. She wasnt sure why but Zo attracted her like noone else had. She peeked her curiosity , stirred her senses in different ways.

Catching Zo's look, she bit her bottom lip with a small nod and a smile. She had'nt come to this town looking to hook up or make friends. Just work and party. But.... she took Zo's hand in her own , without another thought between them. Her head fell back with a laugh and a smile leading the woman out the door*

[Zodiac]

Is curious about the bait, but not hooked yet.

Zodiac hated to think of hunting in such terms especially with people, but they were accurate. She caught Carl’s eye and gave him a wink as the pair made their way to the exit. The night air greeted them gently as they passed. She saw the line of people still waiting to gain access to the club, so she pulled the woman closer to her and gave a look of contempt to the loosers before turning on the sidewalk.

There were people out and about again. The town was rebounding now. Slowly, but it was happening. There were still checkpoints to be cautious of, but she always kept track of their locations so it was no effort to escort her prize along the streets without fear. Actually, it felt good to simply be out and about with somebody – even if the somebody was potentially lunch. So much had changed and the gypsy had been forced to deny herself so many simple pleasures in order to avoid being on some government list and under their eye. This, in it’s own way, was a blessing.

She bid the woman to pause near the entrance to an alley as she opened her clutch and took out her pad and pen again. Quickly she wrote, but instead of handing the note to Ava as she had the others, she pressed the printed side face down into the woman’s palm.

So, shall we go forth and view the wonders and terrors of this quaint little town, or…

As the woman read, Zodiac placed her hands on Ava’s shoulders and turned her so the pair slipped into the shadows of the alley. Gently pressing her back against the wall as her lips claimed hers, and as they kissed, an idea emerged in the mystic’s mind. One she had swore she would never entertain again.

[Avalone]

*Her mood was not giving a care in the world. She linked her arm with Zo's as she felt the woman tug her in. Feeling the eyes on them as they walked passed, Ava was sure it was due to the contrast between the two and the beauty of the woman on her arm. Heels clicked softly on the pavement until Zo stopped them. She waited as the woman wrote, raising a brow as the note was pressed into the palm of her hand. Looking at it then back to Zo as the woman spoke to her. Before she could reply , she felt herself being put against the wall and the softest of lips meeting her own. Ava returned the kiss. Her small soft tongue immediately slipping over the other womans lips. Delicate fingers finding the fabric of Zo's side and curling into it. She was not unknown to a woman's touch, this touch was...different. A very soft whimper slipped from her lips to Zo's*

[Zodiac]

‘no’

‘Why not?’

‘You know why not.’

As their lips did an ancient dance with each other, Zodiac sighed as she felt the body heat of the living girl begin to seep into her. One of the few perks that came with hunting living prey rather than feeding from a glass or a blood pack. She basked in the moment and a small smile filled her mind as Avalone grew bolder in her kisses and touches. As they shared this moment, a debate raged in her thoughts.

…’So tell me, where is Sable and the others you introduced to this shadow existence?’

‘Maybe for once…’

‘They have all passed on into the Nexus or lie dormant like truly dead things, and how well did your efforts to encourage them to awaken again actually work?’

Her luck with children was abysmal. No matter how well she taught them, supplied them and tried to guide them, eventually they all simply gave up. A bit of what heart and soul she had left had gone into every one of them and when the realization set in they were gone it felt like another part of the mystic died in the process. She wasn’t sure how much more of such pain she could endure and still be herself. The very wide line she had laid down between what she would and wouldn’t do in this new life had grown smaller over time. It was probably like walking a tight rope now and how much more would it take until it became a razor thin line ready to snap?

And then what? Become one of the animals she so despised?

…’How many more do you want to damn before you accept things?’… the inner voice persisted. It had a point. Not just childers, but friends, vampire ‘family’ and lovers. She felt so alone these days and nights. So many had faded away.

Too many.

Even if she was convinced turning this girl was a bad idea, other hungers were demanding to be catered to now. There was still time to feed those before deciding on making things more permanent. Perhaps that would be enough for this night at least.

…’My place or hers?’.. her mental voice whispered the suggestion into Avalone’s thoughts as the kiss became more aggressive and intense. If anything else was to happen, privacy was required.

[Avalone]

*She felt so many things come from Zo. Her body tensed then relaxed. She hesitated then didnt . Ava wasnt sure why Zo had these things going thru her but Ava didnt wish her to stop. Getting the womans suggestion, Ava pulled from her lips slowly.

Softly tugging Zo's bottom lip with her teeth, she smiled. Kissing her again softly, she moved so her lips were against Zo's ear. Her voice soft *

Lets go to your place.

[Zodiac]

And just like that, the hook was set.

Of course the dynamics of the situation had changed. If this was simple feeding, she could finish her business here and now. The girl would be dizzy and dazed once she slipped out of the trance. Zodiac would suggest that perhaps she help her get home and let her rest. Leaving a soul disoriented from being fed upon was perhaps a weakness of her nature, but considering the state of the town now someone stumbling about was like ringing a dinner bell that a mere human would not survive.

No, she needed to learn more about this one before deciding.

She gave Avalone a seductive smile as she let her loose from being pinned against the wall. She slipped her arm around hers as she took note where exactly they were. Back in the days when the Bloodlines were waging war on each other, the mystic had established several ‘safe’ places to hide and plan in. She rarely used them now, but they were good for other purposes such as helping out others (living or otherwise) who needed a place to sleep or a bit of privacy for other things. Until she was sure of this woman the idea of taking her back to the spot she actually dwelled in was not to be considered.

Once she was sure where she was, she encouraged Avalone to follow her.

***

The apartment was simply furnished. Functional, yet little to no individual touches. The only thing one might find odd was the blackout drapes over the windows. Odder still if one tried to open them but would discover they were secured in place. It was clean. Periodically the gypsy would have a cleaning crew give these places a once over for future use. The fridge would be empty save for a couple bottles of blood wine and the freezer would simply hold ice. The mini bar was stocked but the cupboards were bare foodwise.

Enter of your own free will. Mentally she was laughing at the outdates statement as she handed her the note. Have a seat and I will mix us some drinks.

There was a chill in the place’s air when they entered, so Zodiac turned on the heat and the lights once they were inside. She beckoned her guest to take a seat while she went to prepare them both drinks.