♪ Breaking routines ♪ (CLOSED)

[Skylar]

I must be mad. I am mad. I hand the guitar case over to the guy that called me inhuman and jump on his back. I do my best to get settle in quickly but it's more difficult with some guys as they don't have that J-Lo butt that you could use as a seat. It's probably a good thing but some guys had a slight arse, while on others it seemed to be non-existent. I always wonder how they keep their jeans up and I'm thinking about it now as I wrap my arms around Ric's neck. Belt is the obvious answer but still, I can't imagine that would be comfy, they'd have to wear it pretty tight. This is about where my head is at, even if I'm watching this guy carry me over the water and then he pretty much gropes me. I shift my weight at the feel of it. I was not expecting that.
"You're pretty handsy for a guy that likes his own space aren't you?"
It's a little easier talking to him like this. I can pretty much whisper in his ear and if he hadn't been such a jerk I might have actually done just that. Still. It was kind of fun being able to observe him up close like that. The urge to lick his cheek kicks in again and I have quickly refocus my thoughts before I do just that. Ric doesn't seem all that sure about whether or not he can carry the both of us with this power. The weight comment didn't bother me. I know I'm a skinny ***** and could probably afford to gain a few extra pounds.
"I'm a Harper born and raised."
I could have told him my parents live up in Elmworth but I don't think he needs to know that and saying it always sounded snobbish to me. The distract was one of the pricier ones in Harper Rock. It labelled her and not in a way she was happy with. She was much happier couch surfing.
"What about you? Family in the area? Or did you come to Harper Rock and decide this was the shithole you were going to call home for the rest of your life?"
It seemed only fair to turn the question on him. I hadn't asked just for conversations sake, though it could have been taken that way. I liked people and their stories, even if I didn't always remember them later. Conversations were designed to connect people and if I wanted information from Ric, which I did, asking and answering the small stuff was likely the way to go.

[Roderic]

I resist the urge to drop her when Skylar says I'm handsy. Instead, I do it again and shake my head. "I'm keeping your weight proportionate to mine. Having you around my ankles won't be productive for either of us. Unless you fancy a swim this time of year." I'm pretty sure I would stay afloat, but she wouldn't.

I listen, quietly as she tells me she's a local. My thoughts are almost dissuaded when I hear that. I've seen communities bond over a missing child or woman before. Not from personal experience, just what I've seen on the news a couple times. But then I recall the reason we're here. She's a vampire and I highly doubt mommy and daddy know that. Or that they've seen her recently either. So we progress.

"I was passing through at first. From the states. So no, no family around her." I inform her. "But then I died and was made a vampire, and so here we are." I keep it short and to the point. What was I going to tell her? That I'm the guy who went around for months at a time dumping bodies in the very river we're walking on? And I wasn't about to tell her about my brother at the local university either. Mostly because I hadn't seen him in a few months.

We get to the other side of the river and I set the case against the first solid fixture I see. The old bar, or pub. Whatever it was in its glory days. Then, my hand from behind me drops to my side, letting her know that I was done carrying her. "Come on." I nudge my head to the old bar doors and slip in. I rarely saw anyone in these parts. It was perfect.

[Skylar]

I laugh at his explanation. Even if it is true, I'm going to just pretend he likes my arse. It's a nice ego boost. I'd rather have his hands on me than have my arse pinched by yet another drunken perve at whatever frat party Dillon has us playing. Even without a name or direction we get offered gigs. It's kind of funny. When we reach the other side I hop off of his back the moment he lets me.
"Well that was interesting. The ride that is. Not your story. Your story's like mine. Old. Boring and totally been told a hundred times already."
Apparently I'm now insulting the guy that just carried on water like frickin' Jesus. I roll my eyes at myself and follow as he head for one of the abandoned buildings. This place used to be a bar, a nice one too before this place became Zombieland. At least I always liked it. Perhaps that meant it was full of people like Ric, the rough, gruff, standoffish sort that seemed to turn me on. I'm a trouble magnet, so it kind of makes sense. I shrug to myself and run back to get my guitar case when I realise I left it where Ric put it. Great. I hate to think what that means. If followed the guy instead of picking up the only possession I have that's worth a damn, to me anyway.
"So now we're here I get to pick your brain right? Though you've already shown me some interesting stuff with that little trick you just did."
I wanted to ask about his other powers. Find out what a summoning was and if it hurt. It sounded bad and yet the way he said made it sound kind of sexy, as I'd have to wait in anticipation. If Ric didn't tell me what it was, I'd ask Elliot later. I kind of like bugging him anyways.
I have my case in one hand, and the thumb of the other curled into my jeans pocket. I'm fairly relaxed considering I know this place has creatures that would probably like to chow down on my brains given the chance. The sight of them was one thing, the smell was another. If I had to pick the single most disturbing aspect of this desolate location it was that, the stench of decay. I almost welcomed the trip back through the sewers, as I already know Ric's probably going to ditch me here once he's bored of me. The sewer stench might actually be pleasant after this. I half gag at the thought. God I really am the world's worst vampire.

[Roderic]

She seems satisfied with my basic answer, which was fine with me. I didn't feel like sharing my past anyways. Some aspects I couldn't or wouldn't, and anything too personal, she didn't need to know. Part of me is relieved she's not trying to work out more things about my human history, because I wouldn't have to be elusive and spark up her curiosity. The other part of me is relieved because I won't have to make something up. I don't like to lie, but I don't mind withholding information that is too personal, or too delicate. I have a general idea what some socially acceptable topics are. Telling someone you've killed dozens of people for two or three specific reasons isn't one of those topics.

"Sure." I say as she talks about picking my brain, still walking into the depths of the old bar. "I reserve the right to not answer some questions though." I shrug my shoulders as I lift up my left pant leg and reveal a small hunting knife that strapped to it. Once it's out, I swipe at my pants material and let it fall to its usual resting place. "And I might not know some things. I'm still learning myself." I inform her as I stand up tall and nudge my head to her. "Do you have any weapons?" I stare at her, before expanding. I'm asking for one main reason; how much of a fight will she put up when we get to the point of no return?

"In case something in here attacks you? Like a zombie?" I say, as if that's why I really care. But I don't. If a zombie attacked her and almost killed her, I'd kill it, then finish her off. But not without a bite to eat first.

[Skylar]

"S'kay." I tell him as I watch him fish a knife from his boot. "I don't expect you to be all knowing or anything. I just liked the idea of being able to ask someone else some questions for once. I mean everyone has their own spin on things right? So I could ask you and Elliot the same question and get two different answers. Of course you could both give me the same answer. Depends how subjective the question is."
I shrug as I set my guitar case down and pat at my pockets. I think my expression says it all but the guy seems a little dense so I give him a verbal reply to go with the visual, as I do full three sixty for him.
"Does it look like a have weapon on me?"
I probably should have asked if I looked like I was the sort of person to carry a weapon. I wasn't. Aside from being too trusting - in some people's eyes - I wouldn't know what to do with a weapon if I did carry one. Besides. We were vampires. We were our own kind of weapon and I tell him as much.
"Besides. Aren't we walking weapons being what we are and all?"
I'm genuinely interested in how he answers this at this point. I get the feeling Elliot would play it down, but it was hard to miss the fact that I'd become stronger, smarter, etc. after my turning. I felt like a better version of me, even before Elliot pulled that voodoo magic on me that he did. Truth be told I'm getting used to it. I know he's thinking of me at least and that's kind of nice to know considering I know he didn't exactly choose to have me around.

[Roderic]

I look at her and feel the corners of my lips inch upwards. Skylar, a walking weapon? It's hard for me to imagine. Which is fine by me. The less trained and able she is, the easier my task is to see to the end. "You would be surprise. I've met some piss poor excuses for a vampire." I expect her to have some opinion about my choice of words, but it doesn't make it any less true. I've seen some unable to even eat. Or some stand out on the corner, waiting for the sun before I go underground for as long as I can. Before I wake up in the cave.

"And no, I don't think you have a weapon. But a smart person, vampire or not would have one on them." I just shrug at her question. It's a slight insult, I'm clearly telling her to her face she's an idiot. And she sort of is. I managed to get her here without much of a fight. She could fit a small blade in her guitar case. I could even craft something in the inside of it. I start thinking about this and get distracted for just a second as I think about a new line of products I could make. Until I realize I don't care if Skylar is safe or not. She's my meal.

"I'm tired of answering questions." I tell her flatly as I look around the immediate area to see who, if anyone, is around. I hear a faint shuffling towards the back side; right back, but that's it. Just one set of feet. Probably a zombie with how slow the pace was. "And tired of entertaining you. You talk a lot. Ask a lot of questions." I turn my attention back to her. Solely. The blade in my hand spins as I flick my wrist around and around. That's the last thing she sees before I vanish in plain sight. Into the shadows of the large room we occupied together.

I stay hidden until I come up behind her with the tip of my knife in her side before I emerge completely, from the darkness. Only because my teeth rip into her neck and there's nothing subtle about that.

[Skylar]

I listen to his reply and wonder if I'd fall into that category. I'm a pretty piss poor excuse for a vampire, but then again I am a new to all of this. I shrug as he pretty much calls me stupid for not carrying a weapon. It wasn't a habit I had as a human and it wasn't one I was planning on taking up now. I have a brief moment to think about this and about how I probably did fall into the 'piss poor' category Ric mentioned. If vampires were supposed to be violent, I was bound to disappoint my family once again.
When he tells me he's sick of answering questions, I raise an eyebrow at him in disbelief. I hadn't even begun to question him yet. He said we needed to come here first. As for entertaining me, well I'll give him that one. He's kind of fascinating to someone like me.
He disappears but despite everything, despite the alarm bell that was still ringing in the back of my head, I don't panic. He has mad powers. The guy disappeared right in front of me. I'm still marvelling at this when I feel the blade pressed against my side. His teeth penetrate my neck and for a second I do absolutely nothing at all as my mind races to make sense of it all.
I figure pretty quickly that he's one of those neca things Elliot told me about, which I find kind of funny as he's also on my neck. Neca's like necks. I want to laugh but I'm frozen where I am. As I start to concentrate on what's actually going on I realise he's tickling me. My neck is pretty sensitive and the sensation isn't overly painful. It's that pleasant kind of painful.
In the next moment I wish I hadn't figured that out as I pretty much go weak at the knees. Here I am being fed upon, being threatened and I'm finding it all a little heady. I start to giggle. His teeth in my neck. The sucking motion. It's too much and I squirm in his arms. I'm a freak. I know this. I should be scared. This guy is making a meal of me but if I am scared, the fear is being mixed with pleasure and amusement too. To say I'm ambivalent as to how I feel in that moment is an understatement.
"Oh wow."
My voice sounds a little too happy what with the giggling an all. I try to make myself sound more serious, more commanding but I fail miserably.
"So this... is what this... feels like."
I can't help but laugh even as I speak. I realise that my body has fallen back against his and I half suspect that if he were to step back at this point that I'd fall on my arse.
"You know... you could have... just asked... I'd of let... you... feed from... me."
It's the truth too, which would probably come as a shock to both of us. I'm new to all this and being fed on wasn't something I was opposed to in any way. I like new experiences and even if I didn't kind of enjoy what was going on, he'd gotten at least one meal out of me.
What's probably more disturbing than anything that's happened up until now, and I mean setting aside the fact that I followed some random guy to a deserted location and made myself vulnerable to him, was probably the fact that I knew I wouldn't run away if he let he me go. I still wanted to talk to the guy. More so now than ever.

[Roderic]

She's laughing. She's laughing at me.
Not the reaction I expected. Fear maybe. Disdain and disgust even. But laughing? I release her. Immediately. There was definitely something 'off' about this girl. Or was Phoenix wrong? I was told not to tell anyone. Since the night that guy saw me feeding off Zahara. So I didn't. Not anyone outside of Altaire. It was against the rules of being a vampire or something.

I give her a shove away from me with one hand as the other comes over my lips to wipe away her blood from them. "Something isn't right about you." I tell her flatly when both hands find their home at my sides. "You're not supposed to-" I don't know what to say. "Yeah. I'll just ask some stranger if they mind me sinking my fangs in them." I snort once and shortly. I let her know what a stupid idea that is with that snort.

"Anyways. Thanks." It's all I can say. The idea of killing her fading. She didn't care. Not like the others. She didn't make a scene about it either. Like the others. But then I'm reminded that she knows my supposed dirty little secret. "You going to tell someone?" I circle around her as I ask this question, like an animal circling its prey. In a sense, she is, but that's not why. I'm debating on killing her anyways. A few nights or weeks with her gone would provide me with the time I need to clean up any possible mess I've created.

[Skylar]

He shoves me away but not with so much force that I end up falling flat on my face. It was a good thing really, the push, it forced me away from him and back onto my own two feet, even if I did feel as if I were being supported by two towers of jelly at the point. He's already talking as I try to compose myself and I end up half turning in his direction and taking a knee on the grotty pub floor.
"Something isn't right with me?" I give him an amused smile. "I'm not the one that goes around luring young girls into darkened spaces so I can suck them dry. Thanks for that by the way. That was... fun."
I don't mean to sound facetious but I probably do. I am actually rather glad he fed on me, it was a rush, an actual vampiric experience; even if I was kind of on the wrong end of it. Feeding came so naturally to him, I was almost jealous.
"I see your point though. About asking. I mean... It's not like I asked Dillon before I bit him."
I say the name like he's supposed to know who I'm talking about and as I find my strength once more, I pull myself back up onto my feet and begin dusting off my now dirtied knee.
"He's my housemate. Or my landlord. or something. I sleep on his couch. But you probably don't need to know that. Point being... I get it. So you're like, forgiven or whatever."
Having cleaned off my knee as best I could with my hand, I now find myself wiping my palms on the top of my thighs. I really hadn't accomplished much in truth be told, I'd just moved the dirt from location to another. I sigh, though it sounds more like a huff as I stare at Ric.
"Who would I tell? Should I tell? Am I supposed to report you to the vampire police or something?"
I still hadn't figured out if such an organisation existed but then everything was so new to me. I had faith that I'd be having yet another long chat with Elliot again soon about the ins and outs of vampire living, seeing as it was a bit hard to take it all in on one night. Being turned was a heady experience and it hadn't left much room for concentrating on the finer points of vampire living; past the basics that was.
"You know what. Forget. I ask a lot of dumb questions. Though I don't actually believe that questions are dumb. I was taught to believe that the only dumb question, is the one that goes unasked. You know... like knowledge is power. So if you don't ask, you'll never know. So... I ask... a lot. That or maybe I just like to talk. But yeah..."
I place my right hand on my hip, my weight shifting to my left leg as my left hand crosses in front of me and I grab a hold of my index and middle finger. I stand there and just look Ric over. I didn't want him to get in trouble, even if he did basically call me a loudmouth before he ripped into my vein. My left hand shifts from holding my fingers to where the wound ought to be but as my fingers pad along my skin I don't feel anything there.
"If you don't want me to tell anyone I won't. You're the second vampire I've ever met anyways."
I give a slight shrug, straighten my posture and let my hands fall at the side. I've been prattling on and I know it, so I fall silent and wait to see if he'll take me at my word or not.

[Roderic]

Fun?
That wasn't supposed to be fun. I sigh and put my blade away with a shake of my head. "I wasn't luring you to suck you dry. I'm not that hungry. And you're not that good tasting either. I've had better chowing down some gristle." I was being a dick, I knew it. But at least she wouldn't be acting or looking like that anymore.

I roll my eyes when she talks about me being forgiven. I wasn't asking to be forgiven. I don't give a **** if she forgives me. She keeps failing to realize we don't know each other. Strangers do not care what strangers think about them.

"There's no vampire police. Not really." I shrug my shoulders. That's all I'm going to say about that. "But there are people who do rid the world of waste of spaces." I follow up with that. "You do. But they aren't always the right questions, or they aren't very open ended. Therefor you will be unsuccessful with attaining any knowledge you desire." Again, being a slight dick, but it's true. I told her the bare minimum needed to get her here.

I nod. "Good. Then you don't have to die. Congratulations on staying topside another night." I pull out my pack of cigarettes and the lighter Pyper made me and light it. "Doubt tomorrow will be as fortunate for you if you keep on traveling with strangers." I speak as I light the thing, the words somewhat muffled. "Well, now that we're through here, I actually live not too far from here." I point in a random direction, one that isn't the way Corvidea is in. "Sewers will lead you back out to the city, eventually." I let some smoke out before I take a step towards the door.