Moonlight Meanderings (Open)

[Lofyn (DELETED 481)]

The moonlight struck her as being bright as the sun. She’d been alone, isolated, in darkness, for far too long. With just a cat and a boa constrictor for company, she hadn’t had a speck of human or vampire interaction outside of her computer screen. For the first time in a very, very long time, she was interested in actually interacting with other people, with actual sentience and the ability to speak. Hearing voices. Speaking with people. She was tired of hiding, and wanted something new.

Something different.

She twirled the black lace parasol over her shoulder with a soft laugh as she walked down the street, keeping to the sidewalk. The black handbag over her shoulder was loaded down with small things filched from pockets on her way from the apartment. She was finally starting to get out again. Starting to get over the crazed paranoia that had taken over for so long.

Her insane shoes obviously took a lot of practice to stay balanced in, something she’d clearly been lacking in. Once she was near the bank, she started wobbling. Platforms were always a problem for her, but she didn’t particularly care about that. They were her favorite kind of shoes, and she was always willing to suffer to look half-decent. It did look good. The black of the dress, the parasol, and the shoes made her pale skin look almost white as paper, and her fair hair almost seemed to glow against the palate she’d chosen.

Glancing to either side, watching for cars, she started across the street, toward the shop, a faint smile on her pale lips. Passing a young couple in the crosswalk, she offered a full smile, forgetting, just for a moment, that fangs and humans didn’t always mix. The young man pulled his girlfriend closer in an instinctive way, protective from the predator he saw in the ethereal blonde.

Shyly, Lofyn turned her head toward the wall, touching her teeth with her thumb, nicking herself slightly on a fang. “Well, that was obviously a bad idea.”

Attire

[Zodiac]

"Okay, and that is not Iris."

It wasn't the person that caught her eye. Too many people went about the town on a nightly basis to command such attention to details. People were people, mortal and not so mortal. The girl certainly was attractive, the mystic supposed. The white and black look suiting her rather well.

But it was the parasol that caught the gypsy's eye in the parade of people. As far as she knew, only her childer, Iris, and herself bothered to use them, and this was not Iris walking across the street at the moment.

And it certainly wasn't her. She was leaning against the wall on the opposite side of the street watching. Her own purple one hung over her arm as she moved into the flow of people while keeping an eye on the black parasol across the street. Unlike the woman with the matching fashion sense (of course how much sense did black on black on black take?) Zodiac was a color nightmare at best. A white peasant blouse trimmed in deep purple, black and violet waist clincher, Red and gold scarves serving as belts about her waist and hips with multi colored layers of silk skirts in various colors. The small bells sewn within the hems jingling rhythmically with each step she took. Black fingerless gloves and a assortment of jewelry, bangles, ear rings and rings all crowned with a silk headscarf. She billed herself as the gypsy fortune teller and she made no bones of looking the part.

She crossed the street and quick stepped to catch up to the woman in question. A soft pop and her own parasol blossomed over her shoulder. She quickly caught up and turned to walk backwards as to get the woman's attention. She could see it in the woman's aura. She was like her. A vampire.

This would simplify things a bit.

She inclined her head and gestured from her forehead to the woman before letting her mindspeak reach out.

"Forgive my thoughts into yours, but it is the only way I can speak." she gave her most disarming smile while turning back around to fall in step with the woman. "Is a lovely night for parasols, is it not?"

A gesture with her hand and a business card appeared:

What might you find in Pandora's Box~

Spiritual Counseling~ Fortunes Told~ Books and Supplies~
Buy-Sell-Trade.

Honeymead Market

Mistress Zodiac: Owner, Practicing Witch, Spiritual Counselor.

"Blessings of the night to you. That's me on the card there. And who might you be?"

[Lofyn (DELETED 481)]

Lofyn hadn't gotten very much farther when she heard the other woman's parasol snap open. She froze for a moment, as if afraid that the piece might hide a slender blade, before shaking her head slightly and starting forward again.

And then she saw her, a colission of color that demanded attention. Lofyn had to blink six timed before her eyes adjusted to the brilliance and combination. She barely noticed the other's gesture before hearing the voice in her mind. This wasn't a method of communication she was used to, but she could easily get used to it.'

"It's all right," she replied. "It's honestly a night worthy of whatever anyone deems it worthy of. Parasols, chains, whatever you like." She took the card and skimmed it, before slipping it into the top of her dress - the utilipocket most women had.

So this was Zodiac. She'd heard mixed comments about this woman, but she held herself confidently. It didn't matter that Lofyn had been killed and sent into the dark and gloomy realm of vampiric afterlife so many times in her first year and a half as a vampire that she needed a nightlight to sleep, or didn't leave the apartment for so long that she'd been talking to Baby like the serpent could actually understand her and respond.

Maybe she had gone crazy.

"What brings you out this night, Zodiac?" she asked, twirling the parasol on her shoulder as she finally paused, leaning back against the building beside her and crossing her legs at the ankles. She had much better balance on one foot than on two in platforms. Her blue eyes studied the other woman yet again, trying to block her emotions, to appear as cold as her pale coloring would imply.

Sometimes she thought herself something of an ice maiden, physically at least. Her emotions ran hot, though - she was much more the white-hot core of a blaze. In that one way it didn't make full sense that she was of her particular path. From what Lofyn had seen since her turning, most Killers seemed to be more icy, focused on the thrill of battle than on the pursuit of safety for themselves, and Allurists were the ones who felt emotions in a strong fashion.

[Zodiac]

Parasols, chains, whatever? Normally she would have laughed at such a reply and responded with something either witty, clever, or downright suggestive.

And still not a name?

"I always seem to find them. Or they find me somehow." she thought to herself as she visually appraised the woman. Just under that layer of Mz Ice was nerves sitting on the bit of an edge. She was also not quite used to the footwear she had chosen to walk in. There was nothing mystical or magickal about her observations at all, but the end results of learning how to read people. Possibly did not come out a lot and was nervous in public was her best guess but the woman was determined not to show it. She took a half step back to give her a bit more space and then replied.

"Well dear, in the lines of work I am in, I always seem to be out and about doing something." she kept her tone light and her smile on full just in case she found herself prodding at a potential time bomb here. She did not know, of course, but the part of her that sized up people by body language alone could only come up with so many conclusions for this woman and 'psycho' was sadly one of them on the short list of possibilities.

Crystal blue eyes locked onto blue eyes now. Something was clicking away in there all right.

"Running back and forth between my places of business, picking up supplies, making deals. Just an average night in a witches life. You attracted my attention by your unique choice in accessories. Outside of myself and my childer, you are the only person I have found that favors them, so I thought one parasol lover to another I'd just say hi."

"And I am sorry, but what did you say your name was again?" she asked hopefully. If she got no answer this time, she would make a polite excuse and vanish. She did not have it in her to deal with psychotics this night. Especially screaming mad insane ones. The tranquil ones usually turned into those in a blink of an eye. She hoped not. The girl did seem nice enough.

[Lofyn (DELETED 481)]

Lofyn sighed lightly. To her, Zodiac didn't seem to be as strange and possibly crazy as her sire. Some of that had surely rubbed off on the blonde Killer, to the point where conspiracy theories could frighten her so badly as to become a recluse. As she listened to the woman describe her pursuits, she couldn't help but smile.

Here was someone who could help her, perhaps. She was lost, drifting, and needed an anchoring place. She needed someone, something, to keep stock of herself in while she wandered in this world of immortals and death alike.

What she needed was to find religion.

"I'm mostly just trying to get myself out of the shell I've built up," she said, shrugging just a little. "Afraid of the dark, afraid of my own shadow, afraid that I might get a knife through the back from anyone like us for my beliefs...it makes a person go a little crazy. Combine that with a pretty severe case of stir-crazy and talking to a pet snake like she understands? Makes a person seem pretty weird."

The following question made her realize, though. She hadn't introduced herself! "Oh, I am so sorry. Lofyn," she said. "My name is Lofyn." The emphasis was on the second syllable, the way she thought to pronounce it. "Of the Grigoi bloodline," she added, as a footnote.

Maybe she was crazy. But she wasn't about to snap. That only happened when someone's actions seemed intent to toss her into a dark rage, and had only happened once. That time in Wickbridge Bank, when she'd ripped out a teller's throat in her tigress form.

[Zodiac]

Lofyn.

Why did that sound familiar to her? So many names and faces came to her attention and presence nightly it was hard to keep track. The face was new to her, but somewhere before she had heard that name. And Grigori? Habs never really spoke much of the family at large as far as who was who, so she did a harmless peek into her thoughts and saw her answers to a degree and smiled.

"I know of your sire, Hariasa," she began to whisper to the woman's thoughts. That name she knew, sadly, not in a good light. Was a pity actually, but she would not drag that subject up now. The woman had not been seen for awhile, and honestly it was not the most easy way to start a convo with anyone. "And I do know Amaranthia." better to focus on the positive of the pair. "I was sorry to hear of her departure. She and I got along very well, actually. Worked at her fundraising auctions a couple times."

She cocked her head as Lofyn gave a quick run down of her self imposed exile and the current results from it.

"I think we all have shells to deal with. Even the ones who move about the town as if they own the place have shells around parts of them, I'd imagine. Now don't be putting down talking to snakes. I have snakes of my own, plus an owl, plus fish, a wolf, and several cats I enjoy nightly convos with and we all seem to understand each other just fine. There is a language beyond words they can 'speak' to us with. The trick is to be patient enough to learn how to understand it."

Knives in the back? Was she persecuted or imagined she was? Zodiac wished she could recall the name. Her own paranoia's dictated her comings and goings some evenings and she never slept in places people simply could just walk in and find her. "Let us face facts. We are vampires. Nosferatu reborn. That alone should make anyone a tad paranoid, both hunter and prey. Bad enough to wonder if humanity will want to hang us up in the gallows to burn away in the sunlight, but we fight among ourselves over things from real to imagined. No wonder some of us feel we have gone crazy, even if we haven't."

Zodiac leaned against the wall as well and considered for a few moments. "Personally, I find ways to keep busy and out of such situations as much as I can nowadays. Or nowa-nights. I think you need a purpose, dear. A hobby, an interest, something you can immerse yourself in. Me? I keep doing now what I did when I was alive." She held out her empty hand and did a sudden movement to make another business card appear. "Reading fortunes, casting spells, brewing potions. Advice and counseling. I figure just because I am not so alive now why should I stop doing what I am good at."

"Plus, the money doesn't suck." she grinned as she gave her purple parasol a playful spin.

[Lofyn (DELETED 481)]

The blonde smiled, snapping her parasol closed and settling it down against her leg, where she could keep track of its placement. She had a feeling she knew how Zodiac knew her sire. Hariasa hadn't had the best track record of following what most people considered to be the rules of vampire lifestyle - and neither had Lofyn, either. In fact, she still gave her blood to those most considered thieves.

Don't think about that right now, she scolded herself, clinging to the smile. "I spend a time working at the Necropolis...it was short, but certainly worth what it was. Then there was a...mass layoff." She shrugged - it had been so long now since those days. "Didn't get the chance to visit one of the fundraising events, though. I heard they were good."

She hadn't really left the apartment for more than going to the bank and then the little shop near it for a pack of blood when she couldn't fill herself up with the necromantic powers she had been acquiring in recent months, even without focus and determination. Even without practice. She could do a variety of things now, and thoroughly did enjoy it. Soon, she'd have to go back to the quarantine for some of her new crafting supplies.

"I do, however, currently run a small dance class. Only a few people even attend," she mentioned. "Belly dancing, especially. But I'm planning to shift my focus." Taking a deep breath, Lofyn looked to the night sky and grinned. "I'd like to make specified jewelry, for those who are...in the know. Darker things. Turn the morbid into the beautiful, the glamorous, with only a hint of darkness to it. And perhaps a certain sharpness."

[Zodiac]

She frowned as the woman mentioned the Necropolis basically shutting down. Zodiac never frequented the place much except to go pester Amaranthia on the odd occasion. It was just another sign the woman had departed on one of those 'Magical mystery quests' (as she liked to call them) and even that was sad because not everyone returned from them.

Her mood dispersed when Lofyn mentioned dancing. "I do love to dance." she nodded. Belly dancing was something she should consider a refresher course on, but to be honest she had not danced like that for anyone in ages. It was fun, to do as well as watch, but the gypsy felt such dancing was more 'personal' as say for a private audience.

Her eyebrow raised as the girl described her new idea and a smile blossomed on her lips. "I would be very curious to see what you come up with, dear. As you can tell, I have a passion for such things." She clicked the rings on her fingers together. The various bangles on her ears, neck, and limbs all adding to the rhythmic sounds she made as she walked about unless she was sneaking on purpose. "I am always looking for something unique, and could offer you some showcase space if they turn out well. Attract some customers and get your creations more into the public eye."

Sharpness? She wondered if they were coming to the same conclusion now. Beauty and functionality? She was deciding she liked how this woman thinks.

[Lofyn (DELETED 481)]

Lofyn inclined her head slightly, a delicate smirk curving her lips as she skimmed the chosen wardrobe of her current conversation companion once again. Yes, Zodiac had quite a lot of jewelry involved in her current look - it was something Lofyn wished she saw more of. She herself tried to stay as unnoticed as possible, but she limited herself to the choker and her bracelet, one she never let out of her sight. The tiny vials of dark, rich looking fluid hanging from her bracelet would be ostentatious, if one paid close enough attention. She raised it to her sight-line for a moment, as if checking that the vials were still sealed.

If one paid close enough attention, they could be identified as tiny, sealed vials of blood from a feral vampire. The blood of her first feral kill, in fact, sealed tightly into these tiny glass things and set aside, then attached to the bracelet chain like mundane charms. Keeping such a thing close could be considered morbid - then again, so could Lofyn's entire wardrobe.

"The idea's still in progress, obviously," Lofyn commented, lowering her arm slowly and glancing around, as if paranoid that someone else would suddenly appear, would recognize her. Certain people might remember, might have been there the day she went berserk in the bank. It still struck her as odd that the story never even reached the newspapers. "However, if you've got any...ideas for merchandise or what-have-you, I'm willing to listen. Or even materials to trade for something - perhaps a small, individualized piece?"

Think I might need to invest in materials for carving bones, she thought, recalling the misshapen creatures she still could not kill, the Mooncalfs, which she had heard could have their bones removed and cleaned with remarkable ease. She'd love to experiment with carving bones. Maybe even make decorative knives from them...

[Zodiac]

'Why is she still spooked?' she thought to herself as she watched how Lofyn occasionally glanced about as if expecting someone or something. Everyone had a story and hers could not be stranger than some of Zodiac's own tales of being in this place. Maybe it was the area or how the weather felt that was causing the woman to be edgy. It wasn't her problem, though the gypsy did not think that in meanness or disrespect. If their conversation continued long enough and she felt the woman felt at ease around her, then she would begin to ask questions along those lines but until then- it wasn't her problem.

Her eyes spied the tiny vials hanging from her bracelet, but she made no comment. Something was inside of them-probably blood, but who or what's was another question. Her eyes returned to Lofyn's as she began to speak.

"I always have a few ideas when it comes to making folding money appear," she smiled. "Show me a few completed items and I am sure we can figure out a sound marketing plan for them or even a line of them. As far as trade goes, it's one of my specialties. I usually find things no one wants and manage to find the ones who need them. People bring me all kinds of stuff, so perhaps one evening you can bring a list and I will see what's in storage. As for myself, I need some serious claws."

She slipped the claw finger decoration free from her finger and held it up. "Spooky in appearance, yet totally useless for my needs. I need a set that look elegant, charming, yet be strong enough to hold an edge and do some damage without looking like I got part of a tank on my fingers, ya know?" The majority of her apparent mismatched bangles all served a purpose of one kind or another. Vampire relics disguised among charms and wards of various types around her neck, wrists and fingers. Even her choice of earrings had purposes within her particular craft. "Before you think less of me, I am really not a totally sinister person. I really try not to bother anyone but if I am bothered, well, this crazy cat lady likes to discourage unwanted attentions in a more discrete manner."

Zodiac flexed her left hand like a cat would if it was trying to scratch something. "A drop or two of some high quality poison in the tips and even some of the big ones around here would think for a few seconds after a nice caress."