Path of the Vampire forum

As the conversation continued Marcus would occasionally look around the bar and take in as much info as he could while listening to Charlie. He would observe others and even pick out the ones that were very vulnerable to a pickpocket like himself. As Charlie began to explain about paths Marcus took another drink of his beer. It definitely helped his nerves from earlier go away and he was grateful for that. He noticed how she looked at his throat again when she subtly referenced a vampires primary source of sustenance. Of course it had occurred while he was drinking his beer and he choked a bit from the drink. "Very funny..." Marcus said as he tried to recover smoothly but failing horribly. To any outside observer it looked as if Marcus choked from the alcoholic beverage being too strong which would look rather pathetic since it wasn't a very strong beer. Then he saw the way she had said that last sentence and her downcast look. Marcus wanted to crack wise in an attempt to cheer her up but decided to hold his tongue this time.

Marcus was then surprised when she leaned in even closer and he got a bit nervous. He knew she was just trying to stay discreet and not let anyone hear their conversation. Usually it wouldn't have been a problem but something about her was very alluring and he had a hard time keeping his feelings in check. So a slight blush appeared on his face although he was trying to keep a straight face on as he continued to admire her up close. He was trying really hard to not be obvious about it but he doubted that she wouldn't notice if she paid attention. "Enthrallment?" Marcus asked simply, he figured that question didn't need much explanation and didn't trust himself to say any thing else. He took another drink his beer and realized he was nearly out and that he was already feeling the alcohol give him a slight buzz.

Suddenly Charlie dropped a large amount of information on Marcus and he tried to process it all as quickly as he could. A gang of vampires that wanted to stay secret made sense to him. He could also see how more free-spirited people could find this smothering. The threat on his life since he knew would always be present now, awesome. Then she said the only exception was one of two options and he didn't particularly like either one. Before he could get a word in in that she then began talking about how vampires hinted other vampires instead of some true enemy? There was a true enemy of vampires too? What the hell had he stumbled into.

Marcus was still trying to take this all in when he heard Charlie's offer of a refill. He looked down at his nearly empty drink and decided he would need another. Maybe a few more. "Yeah... I could use another." Marcus said as he was still reflecting on everything she had just said to him. He had plenty of questions and wasn't sure which ones to ask first. The two that he found had the most priority were whether he had to become a vampire now to stay off this gangs hit list and what would happen to Charlie that was worse than hell. She had seemed so serious he had no reason to doubt her description of the place. "Before you go, does that mean I need to join this gang to protect us both now? I mean, what could be worse than hell for you? Are you sure we're even safe right now?" He asked with concern for both himself and for Charlie.

Marcus was visibly relieved when Charlie said she actually preferred he didn't join. Not that he wanted to at all. He smiled at her gratefully as she took his drink and walked toward the bar. He took this short time alone to reflect on the night so far. He had lots of questions burning to be asked but he knew the more he knew the deeper he was burying himself. Maybe he should just stop with the questions and just leave. Nothing was keeping him here. He came for one reason and that reason spit him back out his first night. Marcus was still considering this when Charlie had returned promply with his drink.

"Thanks again." Marcu said as he took the offered drink from her. He listened to her little disclaimer that would have been way more appropriate before telling him about her little gang. "A little late for that warning, don't you think?" Marcus said with a small smile as he drank from his cup. "So, you aren't secretly planning on making me join. If anyone knows I know we are both dead. Or in your case more dead? You can eat food because you're some path which is pretty much a race for your kind. You got crazy cool powered and I'm sure others do as well. And I'm just a normal guy who now knows way too much. Am i missing anything so far?" Marcus asked in exasperation. He sighed and took another drink. "Is there anything really relevant I should know about? I'm not sure how much more information I can absorb tonight." Marcus said truthfully. "Oh, and you won't get into any fights with your mentor for breaking the number one rule of your group?" Be added as an after thought while drinking his beer. He was noticeably drinking it faster than before.

Marcus had just finished taking a long drink from the beer when he noticed Charlie's eyes shoot down as well as her slight look of shame. He didn't mean to say it so harshly and regretted it. He knew he could be snarky at times and the alcohol wasn't making him any less snarky. Sure, the fact that he could be killed at anytime for just knowing this was a horrible deal. What was he getting out of this? Nothing he realized as a look of slight anger cross his face. He then sighed and took another drink. "Hey, don't worry about it. It's fine." He said, though his tone wasn't exactly elated.

Marcus leaned back and was only slightly glad he had been keeping up so far. Though her next warning was sort of sobering. He wasn't about to go blabbing all over about vampires like some nut. However, the fact that there were many of them in town wasn't comforting. He looked around the bar and began to wonder how many people here weren't human. Would they kill him if they knew he knew? If they were like Charlie then maybe he was safe but what if they weren't? People were already cruel as it was but give them some more motivation and power and one could only imagine what kind of monsters might be among the vampire. His dire thoughts were interrupted by her mentioning how her mentor would be okay with this, for the most part.

It was all on him. A homeless guy who just got into town. Marcus continued to think in silence, not realizing how much time passed in silence between them. He looked at Charlie and saw her eyes looking back at him, waiting for his response. He wasn't sure what she wanted to hear at this point. He tried to stay positive in most situations but even he had his limit. "Charlie, this is the most life changing night I've probably had since losing my virginity." Marcus said in a semi-serious tone. He looked at her with a smile but was still visibly stressed. "Too bad this night isn't nearly as fun. In all seriousness, you can trust me. Not like anyone would believe me around here anyway." He said a bit wistfully. He finished his beer and put it down. "So, what now? Do I get to meet your 'father' now? Does he need to know about me or something? Or am I your little secret?" Marcus said with a grin and a small wink at Charlie. Vampire or no, she was really cute and the alcohol was making him want to forget about the tense atmosphere. To just go back to joking and flirting with Charlie like on their way here.