Path of the Vampire forum

"--The following transcript was a live chat roleplay--"

Doc: He had moved back into the house in Larch Court. He had introduced Mouse to Cat. He and Tori had an understanding. Everything seemed to be going well. Apart of the alert levels and the continuous breaches of the masquerade because some ****-for-brains vampires thought that humans could accept them as equals. Stupid blind idiots could not grasp that as much as they wanted to believe that fantasy, it was not how humans worked. The writing was on the wall it was only a matter of time before the genie was out of the bottle. And once it was out, there would be no way of shoving it back in. And that was when he knew he needed to touch base with Minx. He pulled his phone and texted her. *text* I would like to meet.

Dominique: Dominique stood there looking at the television while finishing off the juicy peach that was in her hand and far from where it was likely plucked off the tree it was grown on. Another unexplained disappearance, a pharmacy missing half its inventory after a break in and the predictable... two officers shot in the Wickbridge area coming to the aid of an elderly female who had been found in the street dazed and confused. The set of the warm chocolate orbs rolled in unison as she nudged her weight from the counter with the shift of her hip. Colorful fingers brushed the sweet juice she could no longer taste from her lips and shot the remains of the fruit into wastebasket next to the kitchen island. Her hands darted under the warmer-than-her-blood water to rinse them and that is when she heard the dance of her cell on the surface of the counter. She reached for it and thumbed the screen open. Her brow darted up and she slowly blinked. A text was fired back. -Because?- She was not sure she was in the mood to walk into any traps at that very moment.

Doc: Doc read the reply. Why did she have to be so difficult? ****. Dealing Phoenix was easier than dealing with Minx. He found himself counting, as he pondered a reply. Then he smirked, as he typed out his reply. *text* I want you to see my new house. I think you know how to get there. - He hit send. That was partially true. He did want her to see it. To understand it. A house was a thing. An object. A possession. It could be replaced. But she had a place in the vampire community, and she needed to be ready to take the place. However, he needed to know that she was ready to be taught.

Dominique: She waited for the reply to come in while her foot sliding up the back of her bare heel and rubbed at the itch that really was never there to begin with. There it came in two shivers of the cell phone in her loose palm that cradled it. A smirk that really should have no place on her lips formed and she was not entirely sure why because the message could be one to piss her off more than it should amuse her. His new house. So he didn't seem the type to pick the toothpick size remains of what was his house and superglue it back together. That meant he went out and started over but on the same spot that house originally shot up from. -Yeah, I do. Proud of the ottoman you picked out to go with the three handled family credenza?- She sent off the reply. It would be incredibly odd strolling into his place to check out his matching decor. Was she expected to bring a potted plant or a house landing and warming gift? She looked down to catch the spotted exotic African cat run by and fly at the unsuspecting dog curled up sleeping. She growled and went toward them and both bolted.

Doc: Reading her reply, his smirk softened a bit, she still seemed to have a wee chip on her shoulder. His method in the past, had not worked. So perhaps he needed a new strategy. But what, precisely? It didn't help that she might be on her way and his plan of attack, as were, was now found wanting and worthless. Perhaps he should let her set the tone. His agendas never seemed to work out. If she did come, it was because she wanted something as well. His head on a platter perhaps, and if that was what she wanted, he would be willing to let her try. He sent her a reply. *text* Proud? Of an object? No. Of a daughter, yes. A thing? No.

Dominique: She caught the text as it came in with the screen still open. Dominique felt her upper and lower jaw tighten as he went on about his daughter. Of course he was proud of her. The woman pulled out a gun and shot her while she was standing with a wraith that totally gave her a case of the creeps. Thankfully it completed its work giving her the methods of training to save her dead *** in an mortal world with a link to keep her from being tossed back to the void he sent her to not long ago. He wouldn't find it so easy pulling that one over her again. The blonde never the less shot her out in the open and was clearly wanting to shoot her more than it mattered who was around as a witness. Her fingers went quickly at the keyboard. -I am sure you are proud of her shooting me. Congrats. By the way...she hanging out in gas stations and talking to energy drinks and shooting at security cams?- the message was sent as she went to figure out if she had anything to wear to accept this likely questionable invite or if she would be staying home to wash her hair.

Doc: '****.' Why did everything have to be so ******* hard? Why did he not just give the **** up and let her be the outcast she wanted to be? Why couldn't he turn his back and leave well enough alone? Why the **** not? Because she had so much potential. She had it as a human, and she still had it. She was worth more that a host of others bound together. She had tenacity, determination, instinct and most of all she was ******* resourceful. If he could just get her to see that. And that he wanted to help her. Like he helped when he killed her. She wouldn't see that as help. She probably saw it him being vindictive and overbearing. Which an argument could be made for that. But what future did she have as a ******* paladin? None. She would eventually be killed by some vampire who didn't know know her, her abilities, her dogged determination. She have died an indignant death, left rotting in a gutter until some halfwit city worker chucked her body in the morgue incinerator. He saved her from that. And as much grief as she gave him, he wasn't sorry. He sent another text. *Text* Yes proud of her too.

Dominique: Her eyes swept around the space about her body. Locating her running shoes she plopped down and tied the pink laces that matched the pink shoes. Once both were secure she sighed and slapped both hands to her knees and stood up. Another text rolled in and she gave it the attention to read through it as she moved towards the elevator. Her master blade went to the right side of her lower back where she carried it as well as a few firearms in the holster she had on her left side. She watched the doors close. Comfortable with the fact she was untraceable, she sent out the text to reply. -Heading out for a run. I just may make it there.- She was definitely going to checking it out at a distance first. Like a feral cat she was all too guarded when it came to others and especially the one who was capable of more than she had ever given him credit for.

Doc: Doc read her reply. Something told him she was just teasing him, and that she had no desire to meet him, now or ever. But she wasn't past trying to make him think otherwise. She liked misdirection, as much as she liked things head on. He didn't bother to reply. He had eternity. He was done trying to make that make peace offering. At least for now. In the grand scheme of things, it had only been six months. Not really a lot of time to have a change of heart. Enough time to let her stew and hate him all the more. Perhaps it was best that he let her make the next move. He carefully placed the cell down. And as his fingers released it, it was that symbolic tie that held them together, being cut free. Her move. He picked up a medical journal and started to read.

Dominique: There were things that made total sense. Her taking the run she was now on for instance. It made her feel good even if she no longer needed to work as hard for the physical benefits. So doing the running through the city streets made total sense. It felt good. Bridging the distance from what was her center and refuge towards a part of what she now was no matter how much it didn't fit in with her being a paladin didn't make as much sense but she was doing it. She never avoided anything before, including him. She was not about to start to do it now. As for his trigger happy sidekick...that could be a whole other matter if she was wanting to keep pulling out a weapon when they crossed paths. Her body slowed as she made her way through the development she had not been in since New Years Eve. The dull sound of rubber soles and pavement decreased in frequency. There it was. The spot she last saw empty with insulation and siding raining down. A new house was there just like he said. She stood there shutting off her music and wrapping it up and tucking it in the flimsy running shorts pocket at her right hip. Her mind was already moving towards the property but her feet were like cement.

Doc: Doc sat reading last weeks issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. The section of Clinical Implications of Basic Research and an article entitled "Translating the Genomic Revolution - Targeted Genome Editing in Primates". It was about new methods involving DNA-cutting enzymes guided by precisely tailored DNA-binding elements are increasingly used in the laboratory and are potential tools for gene therapy in humans. One might wonder why he kept up on the latest in medical research for the human race, since it wasn't his goal anymore, to prolong human life. That goal being destroyed utterly and forever by Pi d'Artois. As much as he detested other vampires that clung to their humanity. But he was just as guilty, he returned to the things that he found routine and comfortable, namely reading the medical journals. Though he would no longer be a top surgeon, he wanted to stay up on the latest techniques and school of thought. And it could be useful in the future. How, he didn't exactly know, but at some point in the future, their existence would be put to the test. And one way to avoid predators was mimicking nature or the predator. It was a thought at least.

Dominique: Wide eyes stared to the home a hundred yards away. Slowly they drifted over the replacement for what she had extracted from the earth where the new and improved stood. Dominique stood there in the middle of the quiet street while the dark sky above released an unexpected moisture that sprinkled down over her softly. The drops raced downward from her shoulders and her fingers wiggled each off once they arrived at her fingertips. He lived in there. So much she still had a hard time grasping. She felt like there was a whole world between them yet there was a connection, a volatile energy from the very beginning that could not be denied. She was sure it was always going to be there no matter how many decades she would watch pass with no sign upon her body she was any older than she was now.

Dominique: Was this a test? A challenge? Her first steps were slow. A light brush of her wet hand across the place where her master blade still was resting securely assured her she had no issue handling herself if needed. She would knock. Her hand grew tense as she moved across the yard. Her fingers bunched up in a fist that was ready to knock or to knock teeth out of they appeared suddenly. Three brief raps of her knuckles on the surface of the door in front of her sealed the deal. She was standing on his doorstep in the rain.

Doc: At the sound of the three knocks, his eyes flicked to the door. Though he was surprised, he didn't allow it to register outwardly on his face. He closed the journal, setting it aside before he headed to the front door. There was no outward pause, as he pulled the door open. Minx was on his door step. He stepped back, as he looked past her, just in case she brought 'friends'. He had not realized it had been raining. "Make yourself at home." He said passively, the irony of the words were not lost on him, in fact it amused him though he didn't show it. "I will get you a towel. Excuse me." He left her alone to wander about the house as she liked, while he collected a couple of towels for her. Returning a few moments later, he wordlessly offered her the towels. Once they were in her hands, he turned to retake his seat, but paused. He glanced at her, "There is bedroom, just there," He looked in the direction of the room, before returning his look to her. "Feel free to use it if you wish." He then retook his seat on the sofa. He would wait. He didn't want to rush this, and he wanted her at ease. Being cold and wet, was not exactly the start he had hoped for.

"--The following transcript was a live chat roleplay--"

Dominique: Dominique stepped in while he looked over her shoulder. She said nothing. It was not her style to bring back-up if that was what he was looking for. She kept her eyes on his hands looking for what if anything was hidden near them. She faced her own battles alone and he should know that by now. His offer to make herself at home was the last thing she expected to really hear from him. Her feet moved her slowly about in the room she entered. The man returned with towels and she took them and began the drying of her hair with the towel clenching the long black hair within its wrap. She didn't move as he made mention of a bedroom. She brushed her wet skin dry and then folded that towel in her hands up and put it on the sofa neatly and sat down at the edge just in case it was game on and she needed to bust some moves. Her eyes didn't even go the direction he spoke of. She was not looking to see how the man surrounded himself. It was still confusing why she was standing there. The place was rather cold, modern and if anything else looked like a example of the interior you would find in Architectural Digest or whatever it was. It was certainly no Martha Stewart at work that was for sure.. "You did a great job fixing the place up after getting it back in the ground." Her dark eyes cut to his and didn't release her focus.

Doc: Doc inclined his head briefly. "I like this one better than the other. Something to be said for 'starting over' with things." He paused fractionally, before continuing, "You look well. Are you finding the transition to be... acceptable?" It seemed such an inane question at the face of it. A simple yes or no could answer it sufficiently. But when you really looked at it, took the question for what it was really asking, it could be so much more than a yes or no answer. It could unleash pent up hostilities. It could exacerbate old emotional wounds that had barely begun to heal. He almost regretted having asked it. Almost. If it was to be anger, ire or pent up rage, better to lance it now, instead of letting it fester. His elbow was propped on the sofa arm, and his hand resting lightly against his jaw. He wasn't wearing his jacket. The shoulder holster he normally wore, was not present. He was unarmed. His free hand rested on the sofa beside him. He wasn't consciously allowing her to see both his hands. He really wasn't trying to be a threat. He was at ease.

Dominique: She pressed her hands open, fingers splayed as palm met palm while her body moved slowly forward elbow to knees. Her hands moved together in a self-assuring motion. Her eyes still stuck to his. There was no search for anything in particular but she kept them there in case something surfaced. "Starting over is always productive especially when things weren't right the first time." Her face held no amusement in what she said. If anything she was dead serious on many levels. "I am figuring things out." She pulled her hands apart and slid them to the outside of each of her thighs. "I appear more healthy than most. Watch what I eat which has lost its flavor and think before I act. I say its a start and so far seems to be working." Her eyes drift briefly to the sofa beneath her and her hand follows giving the surface an appreciative stroke then a firm pat before returning to her outside thigh. "Nice. Buy this locally?"

Doc: Doc was going to comment in regard to her previously uttered pronouncement about figuring things out, until she asked about the sofa. It was as though she were saying 'you can have this much information about me, and no more'. He wouldn't press the issue. "No not locally. Actually had it shipped in from the States, Minnesota to be exact." His brow furrowed as he asked, "You have a safe place to rest? If not.. I have various properties that you could use if needed.." The words were precise and measured, without emotion. Much like he was asking the time. She was his responsibility, and if she needed anything, he needed to see that it would be provided. But getting her to accept his help, that would be the trick.

Dominique: "I quit camping outdoors quite awhile ago. I gave up my West apartment and found something that is more secure and accommodating." He was either really a master at deception...well hell of course he was but he had no real reason to offer her a place to stay unless he was wanting to. He did everything else he had wanted and now it was like he was putting the same amount of effort in talking to her and offering her refuge if needed. "Thank you for the offer." She cocked her head looking at him. "Didn't answer my question earlier." There was no wound remaining to prove she was even shot nor would she care to reveal it. "Your daughter...Cat is it? She shooting up security cams in gas stations and talking to energy drinks?"

Doc: "Catherine, yes. She's cute like that." There was a hint of a smile on his face as she talked about Cat talking to the energy drinks, "I told her to keep an eye on you.. make sure you were alright. Part of her duty to make sure her ‘little sister’ doesn't get into trouble as it were. Because if she did get into trouble, and I failed to know, then I would be disappointed, and very displeased with Cat." He smirked, "But you haven't been in trouble,.. have you?"

Dominique: Catherine. She was cute when she talked to energy drinks and shot at cameras in public. Interesting. "Well she isn't standing out too much." Only a few police likely searching for her and a straight jacket somewhere expecting her to arrive. Dominique shrugged as he explained he would be disappointed then her eyes shot back to his quick when asking if she had been in trouble. "You kidding me?" Her brow lifted. "More than I care to admit to or make public knowledge." She was Jane Dominique Doe. She had a second middle name. 'Trouble'.

Doc: "I do not care about human law.. you can be in trouble with that all you want.. as long as your do not break the masquerade. I haven't seen your name come up. But if it does, it is my duty to put you down. I do not want to have to do that." He stopped, then he leaned forward a bit, "Also," his voice was a bit hesitant as he spoke, "If you should have issues with another vampire, that you would .." a pause. He knew she wouldn't ask him for help. She handled her own problems. He had to word it in such a way it wasn't help so much as getting intell on your opponent. ".. need some background on, I could be of assistance." **** that sounded lame.

Dominique: She was not surprised her name was not up wherever her name would be if she was in trouble. It was rare that she was doing anything but building and crafting what would be enough to keep her and those she was responsible for safe if the whole world came at them. Dominique nodded. "That is helpful and I will take you up on that. How about you? Care to get me a full background check, general and legal history, professional and private on you?" Her nose flared slightly as her eyes widened. If there was a button to push and catch someone off guard then Dominique was always going to hit it for all it was worth. He offered and she just accepted.

Doc: "What would you like to know?"

Dominique: "So we don't have a file to hand over?" Her eyes went over his shoulder then back to his face. "I think I have learned enough on my own." That was an understatement. However she learned that the man buys his furniture from Minnesota so now she had something new to keep in mind.

Doc: "If we kept things on file, as you say.. in a manner that humans could read them, well then that is a risk to the masquerade isn't it? However, You obviously want to know something.. unless you were being cheeky. Which I doubt. So take the offer in the manner it was given, and ask. It may not happen again."

Dominique: "True. Find the woman you were looking for...the one that was missing?" Her eyes floated around again looking for the signs he had in fact located her by the presence of what may perhaps belong to her laying about.

Doc: He smiled, "She found me. She's asleep in the coff.. bedroom. Her name is Victoria.. Tori. If she wakes up.. I will introduce you."

Dominique: Coffin. He didn't say it but she heard it all the same. Dominique slid forward on the sofa. The woman slept in a coffin. 'Tori' could be old as the rock in the bottom of the lake for all Dominique knew. Did she want to know? Not really. "Speaking of this unspoken way of things...not appearing to be dead. Doesn't having a coffin in your house seem to raise red flags?"

Doc: "Only if you know its a coffin, and not some new age form of decorating..." He grinned, a hint of his fangs peeking into view, "I could also make the argument that my particular religion should not be held subject to the assumptions of law enforcement." He relaxed, he was rather enjoying this half hearted third degree, "Next question."

Dominique: Her tongue drifted over the straight line of her teeth while the hint of his fangs appeared. He was pretty well rehearsed in the debate of being a vampire and yet 'blending in'. She lived in the woods so she didn't worry about it. Last place she would live is in city limits. No one came out peeking in places that far unless they were expecting some trouble in return. "You still work at the hospital?" It came out of no where and even as she asked she now was curious.

Doc: "Yes I do. I am surgeon and I am on call if special needs arise. I also do not mind working at night.. so they like me." It dawned on him, she asked about a job, could she be short of cash? It wasn't easy to get a good job with an understanding boss. But... his brow furrowed, "Are you still working with Zodiac?"

Dominique: If she was terminated she had not been informed. "I still punch in and make her things that keep eyes, ears and noses out of her business. It is what I am meant to do I guess." So he still worked at the hospital. He was good at staying under the radar. "So where did you find this woman that was missing?"

Doc: "Like I said.. she found me. Why I couldn't find her.. has something to do with her particular skill set. She's a mystic.. When they get sent to the shadow realm, its very hard for the to break free and return. Like Shadows take longer to heal.. Killers tend to struggle with intellect.. Necromancers look like ****..."

Dominique: The taking time to heal was not foreign to her. "So, not sure what Catherine finds entertaining about shooting randomly but would be a good idea to keep an eye on her. She ends up on that list you are looking at from time to time she may miss those energy drink cans she favors talking to."If she ever gets to the gauntlet have her text me. Would be happy to meet her there." She lifted up from the towel she was sitting on and straightened it up folding it neatly.

Doc: "We.. shoot, stab, curse.. each other .. it’s how we say hello..." Another grin that faded into a serious look. "It keeps us focused. To be ready .. on guard. You never know when or who will turn against you. And better to learn it from your family, the ‘need to always be aware’, than not to learn it and end up in the SR."

Dominique: "Don't I know it." She was glad to know that was how it was. For the moment she was staying her weapon. It was not on her list of things she wanted to do in the near future. Shadow realm, what she saw of it, was not a place she desired to see again if she had a choice in it. "As for saying hello it would be wise to save the bullets. I am not a slouch when it comes to hitting my mark." She handed him the towel. "Hello works for me." She really would get this whole interaction and family concept sorted out. Till then it was a good thing she was out far enough she had more of a chance in conversing with raccoons and squirrels.