Footprints [Raven Marie]

[Jesse Fforde]

Jesse perked.

"Spray paint, huh?" he asked. It was one of his own past times, now, thanks to Clover. As a distraction she'd introduced him to the art of spray paint. Or was it an interest he'd had beforehand that she just pushed and encouraged? Either way, there were plenty of walls around the place with his and Clover's tags attached. Jesse was getting ideas. The kind of ideas he hadn't had in a long time. He blamed the good start to the year, the familial kind of gratitude that swarmed and blossomed within. Besides which, this girl seemed either not to have noticed the aura that should have terrified her, or was ignoring it. She should have made a dozen excuses to get away from Jesse by now, but there had been none.

Still. I don't really want a family, she'd said. Independent. Did Jesse really want to add another rogue element to a family already full of them?

"Hypothetically -- let's say you were offered the opportunity to join a family. Of sorts. A family of mismatched souls that hardly get along, half the time. As a boon, you'd also be handed immortality, a home to go to every day, a few people to have your back. I mean, you're young, though. Maybe it's not a good idea..." he said, dangling the bait, holding it out there. Though, he realised it wasn't all teasing. Was it such a good idea? Other vampires had been killed for less. Was she too young to turn?

[Raven Marie (DELETED 9137)]

She was a little more curious about him now. Would that be the best thing for her? Did she really want a family to home to everyday? She really hated being alone sometimes it was a little boring. She didn't know what to think about this. "I guess I... She trailed off not knowing what to say.

[Jesse Fforde]

Jesse waited for me. She guessed she what? She didn't know?

Jesse wasn't the sort to offer a shoulder to cry on, and though patience was a virtue that he retained, it generally was not handed out to those who could not make up their minds. This offer was one that, these days, he rarely made. Not on a whim such as this one. Marisol had asked to be turned. Charlie was someone he'd cared about, and wanted to save. Who had come before that? It didn't matter. The girl's hesitation helped Jesse to realise what he was doing. He shrugged.

"If you don't know the answer straight away, I'm not sure I can help you. I'd suggest staying off the streets at night time, though. If you can help it. Or keep to the crowds. You know, the pubs, nightclub district," he said, and started to back away.

[Raven Marie (DELETED 9137)]

She didn't know what to do and sighed. She closed her eyes and turned away. She sensed his aura and looked at him for a moment. Though she wasn't afraid but, curious. "Your aura. It's strange." She said softly and stood still. She thought on what else to say but, didn't know exactly what to do. "I figure that most people run away in fear when they sense it? She didn't know what he would reply but, knew it was probably yes. She knew the people around here were afraid of night roamers. It didn't make sense though. Why would they be so afraid?

[Jesse Fforde]

Jesse stopped. The question came right out of left field, completely unexpected and completely unrelated to the previous topic. He arched a brow, tongue running over his teeth as he contemplated how he ought to answer. People often picked up on how he made them feel, but they didn't often call it an aura. That kind of notion simply did not exist in the minds of the ordinary.

"I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about," he said, though his sinister smirk contradicted his denial. There was a playful gleam to his bright blue eyes.

"Why, are you feeling a little uneasy?"

[Raven Marie (DELETED 9137)]

She smiled and watched him. She was too curious. "You know exactly what I'm talking about. Your aura is different from others I have met. It is bright and dark at the same time. It has a playful yet a doubtful and cautious side to it. And no I am not feeling uneasy. Well not yet. I am more curious instead."

[Jesse Fforde]

"Curious? What about?" Jesse asked, his hands shoved back into his pockets as he leaned idly against the building they'd paused beside. It was cool out, and it was only getting colder. The Canadian winter was not forgiving. It could kill those who remained outside for too long. And yet this girl was happy to just stop and chat. Curious? He could say the same.

Maybe she was one of those sorcerers he'd heard about but never met. One of those... soothsayers, unaware of her own abilities. They existed, these humans living alongside their vampiric counterparts. If they really put their minds to it they could amass as much power as the undead. Most of the time, however, they did not. Jesse would never have chosen to become anything but this.

[Raven Marie (DELETED 9137)]

She sighed and felt the cold air against her body. She was used to the cold but, it was getting too cold for her. She knew what she was curious about but, was just to nervous to say. "About you. Though I might have to go." She grabbed her arm and tried not to shiver. It was too cold to stay out here and she still had no where to go. "I have to find somewhere warm to go. Before I freeze to death out here. I usually don't mind the cold but, it's too cold." She said softly and started to walk past him.

[Jesse Fforde]

"What about me?" he asked, swinging around as the girl passed him, keeping pace with her to her left. As if they were two companions, walking through the dark. When Jesse got curious he didn't let it idly walk away from him. There had to be more to this girl than just spray paint. Surely there were wannabe parents out there with enough gumption to control an art form. He was curious to see what she was capable of.

"I'm not cold at all..." he said. If one were to touch his skin it'd be cold as death. It'd be as cold as meat left in a freezer for a week. But he didn't feel it. This was partly why he was addicted to the rush of blood, though -- the heat of it. The warmth, spreading through his limbs. He might nto have felt the cold, but he sure did feel the absence of it.

[Raven Marie (DELETED 9137)]

She sighed and continued walking. "Mostly everything. Why is your aura so strange? She asked and looked around. There was a small fire on the other side of the junkyard with no one around it. She walked over and felt warmth again. She was instantly warmed and was thankful.