♪ Indentured servitude in three parts ♪

[Skylar]

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

This RP begins on Friday 31st October 2014 and covers the next three consecutive nights.

Skylar:
I’ve drunk the better half of a bottle of whiskey throughout the course of the night. Well since that ***** practically twisted my arm off anyway. I’ve taken part in the stupid ballot system too. I didn’t do that for her though. I did that for Ellie and Ric. I’m kind of done with the whole thing, but before I can leave I know I should probably find Ric and arrange something for tomorrow.
I look through the throngs of people loitering about in the pub and eventually find him. I walk up to him, trying not to let myself sway too much in my heels. I kind of regret putting them on now but they bring a sort of femininity to the jeans and t-shirt look I’m sporting.
“Hey you!” I say tapping Ric on the shoulder. “Wanna make a plan for our indentured servitude?”

Ric:
I turn around when someone taps me on the shoulder and just stare at Skylar. You don't need to be a vampire with extra sensory power to know she's been drinking tonight. "Are you going to remember the plans?" I say as I move away from the door, the one I intended on leaving through a few seconds ago and off to the side by a wall. "You're not going to be driving tonight are you?" I just stare, then put a finger out to press against her shoulder. I wonder if she would fall.

Skylar:
He almost sounds like he’s concerned. I don’t really feel it though. But then I don’t feel much of anything aside from that familiar inner warmth that comes with consuming alcohol. As he pokes my shoulder, I stumble back, but manage to keep myself on my feet. I can’t help but laugh.
“Driving? What? You worried I’ll go killing myself before you see a return on your investment?”
I look around, my arms hanging loose at my side before I place my hands on my hips and look him over. I’ve been avoiding the guy for most of the night. Not really sure why? I half expected a lecture for touching him, still am. It’s this that stops me from reaching out for his wrist to steady myself. Instead I do my best to stand under my own power.
“Yeah. I’ll remember.”

Ric:
"No." I shake my head. "I'm worried about you getting into an accident and revealing what you are. Deep down. As a vampire." I tell her just in case it goes over her head and I expect it might being she's drunk. "Alright. Let's get it over and done with then." I tell her as I lean back a little. "Who goes first and who goes second?"

Skylar:
“Pfft.”
It’s the only answer I have. I wasn’t even sure how I was planning to get home. Ringing Dillon was a bad idea. In this state anyways. Cabs were cool but I kind of hated spending the cash on that when public transport worked just as well. Short trip to Cherrydale, jump down into the sewers. Ruin my shoes. Again. Walk to Ellie’s place. Simple.
“I’ll take a train or something,” I tell him. “And awesome. Rip the band aid off and all that. Not really sure why you bothered paying all that cash to spend time with me. I’m pretty sure you hate me.”
I concentrate on him for a while, but my funky new power is still on the fritz. I really have to learn to control it better. The guy is difficult to read. I kind of blame him for the need for this ability in the first place. I’m sure there are cooler powers my subconscious could have latched on to.
“And whatever. Let’s split it. One night your mine. Then I’m yours. Then you’re mine again. That way we both get a shot at revenge.”
I don’t elaborate on that. I know what I’m thinking. I know whatever I choose will be hell for him and vice versa. Come night three I’ll probably get a bullet in the brain or something as a parting gift. Maybe Pi’s coloured my vision, but I’m getting the sense that this is how this new world works. It sucks.

Ric:
"I don't hate anyone." Well, at least not here. I'm not even sure if I hate my dad. I dislike him, sure. Hate is a strong emotion that consumes a person I've been told. Once upon a time that may have been the truth. Now? Now I don't think about it. I'm a vampire now. Only look forward. "20 stacks isn't going to break my account or anything." I inform her with a shrug. "Fine. You're night whenever. Do we start tomorrow?" I push at her again. "I'm going to walk." I tell her. It was an invite that she could come too for however long I allow it. I wanted to swing by the club. Someone tells me it's up and around again.

Skylar:
I can’t really believe what I’m hearing. He doesn’t hate anyone? Damn. I had a hit list of people I didn’t like and would even say I hated. Not sure what that says about me. Ric’s obviously more evolved than I am in some aspects. I’m not sure I like the sound of that. I consider what he says. Is every vampire in this city loaded? How did they earn so much? Ellie certainly wasn’t short of a few quid.
“Yeah. Tomorrow. Good plan. I’ll scheme up something suitably inappropriate. Do we have any rules?” I ask before I can stop myself. “And erm… Where you walking to? I could probably use some company in case I fall flat on my face or something.”
Great Sky. What a way to impress someone. You sound pathetic. It’s true. But pathetic. If Dillon could only be trusted I wouldn’t have to go around making a total fool of myself. I sigh and look to the exit. The night air might do me some good.

Ric:
"Take them off." It seemed logical. If something was in your way or hindering you, remove the element. "Rules?" I think about what she's asking. "No." I tell her. I'm sure she doesn't want to kill me, so I don't feel the need to tell her that killing me would be next to impossible due to her lack of experience and abilities as a new vampire. "Wait. I don't do shopping." I tell her. I wasn't going to stand around in a mall for hours watching her girl shop.
"Do you have any rules?" I stare at her, then open the door to the bar. "I'm heading south."

Skylar:
Take what off? My clothes? In here? I look around and then shrug. I don’t have a bad body, it’s not like I’m shy about it. Though Ellie might be pissed at me if I start stripping in his pub. Not to mention his missus would likely twist it into me hitting on her man or some ****.
“When we get outside,” I tell him. “And ‘kay ‘kay. No shopping. I can do that. Dillon’s kind of there for the donkey work. Don’t need to put you through that.”
I smile at him, though my mind has already latched on to a much worse fate for him. I’m glad he didn’t think to rule our physical contact too while he was at it.
I think about his question. Do I have rules? Yeah. I guess I do. I don’t much want to die. I’ve been told you come back and all but I’m not ready to experience that right now. If ever.
“I’d rather you not like kill me or anything. Aside from that. I guess the rule books kind of blurry.”

Ric:
I'm not sure why she has to wait until she's outside to take off her shoes, but whatever. I chalk it up to a woman's thing. A niche they have. "I wasn't going to kill you. If I was, I wouldn't pay to do that. I would just do it." I tell her. It's the truth. I'm still debating on killing that one woman that was roughing her up earlier. "Let's go." The crowd is moving. People are paying their bills. And stepping close to us. To me. I head out, turn and hold the door open for her. "Just a few blocks, then I'll let you catch the train." I start heading to The Handle Bar.

Skylar:
“Aw look at you playing the gentleman,” I say as I step through the now open door on unsteady feet. “And I’m glad to hear it. Makes a girl feel all warm and fuzzy to hear a hot guy saying he doesn’t want her dead.”
I laugh, thinking what I’d said was funny, and not really realising I’d said more than I’d meant to.
“So why do I have to strip?” I ask as I cross my hands across my stomach and start pulling my shirt up.
I didn’t really understand the request, but I didn’t have to understand it to comply. My brain should have worked out he meant I needed to remove my shoes, but a logical thought like that hadn’t been possible since around a quarter of a bottle ago.

Ric:
I stop and stare. And let her start to take her clothes off. Before it gets too far, I stop her and push my left foot to her heeled feet. "Your shoes. To help with balance. So you don't fall." I remove my foot from her space. I skip over the comment about a hot guy, because I've been called a lot of things. Hot was not one of them. This was why I never drank when I could. Skylar would probably eat her words when she woke up tomorrow night. "Ever hear of The Handle Bar?" I say as the sign comes to view. "Anything good or bad?" I'm trying to gather intel about what I've missed out in the last year or so.

Skylar:
I’ve already pulled the t-shirt over my head when he points out what should have been obvious to me.
“Oh.”
I start laughing. I feel stupid but in this state it doesn’t matter too much. I scrunch my t-shirt up in one hand and start tugging on the heel on my left shoe, hopping around on my right like a loon till I get the job done. Once both shoes are off, I shake out the t-shirt and pull it back over my head before picking my shoes up. I hold them by the still tied straps and swing them slightly as I walk. He’s right. This is better. Much more stable.
“Erm. No. Not my kind of place. Sorry. I mean I’ve heard it’s kind of rough. And I’m crazy. Not insane.”

Ric:
I don't think Skylar's crazy. Or insane either. But at least it lives up to its reputation. It was a work in progress for a while. I guess. I nod at her response. "Ok." Is all I say before I nudge my head to the train station. "Let's get you to your side of town. Safely. Where's that at?" I realize we've only ever met on this side. Maybe she lived on this side of town. But then she wouldn't need the train would she? I fish out a couple bills to pay for my fare and hers. "I'm going to Bullwood. I live in the flats."

Skylar:
I follow and manage to keep pace.
“I… erm… Well it’s not my place really. It’s Ellie’s. He has some place inside that mausoleum over in Cherrydale. But he don’t live there or nothing. I’m there alone. Just gotta go through the sewers. Or one of those portal thingies. So I’m heading to Wickbridge or Cherrydale I guess. Do you think the mall is still open?”
I hadn’t had any issues up until now. 8D seemed to be open all hours, but I didn’t want to go all there way there, to have to then go across to the other side of the city. I wasn’t sure where he was talking about when he spoke of flats in Bullwood, but then it was possible my mind wasn’t really all that focused in that moment. When he pays for my ticket – once I’ve decided to hoof it through the sewers – I turn to thank him.
“You’re a tough one to read. You know that? You act all aloof and **** and then you play the gentleman. I’m not sure which is the real you.”
It’s not really the time for this conversation but the words spill out of my mouth regardless. He does confuse me. If he was a puzzle, I’m pretty sure I’d be missing a few pieces. Like the really important bits that you need to clearly appreciate the picture you’ve created.

Ric:
"I'm neither." I tell her with a shrug. "Who's Ellie?" I ask after a few seconds of silence. "You know it's fall, right?" I look at her as she puts her shirt back on. Skylar didn't seem like the subtle type. But she could start drawing attention to herself. To me. Us. "And I don't know about the mall. Don't shop. Remember?" I decided I would have to email her tomorrow to remind her about our arrangement. Her memory sucked.

Skylar:
I punch him on the shoulder but push myself off balance as a result. I’d figure him out eventually. Maybe.
“Ellie’s… You know… The one that made me and such,” I say trying not to use the word sire. “Elliot dArtois. He owns the place we were just at. Which is where he…you know.”
I shrug. I figure he gets it. I died on that stage, but I haven’t exactly told him the whole story. At least I don’t recall telling him everything.

Ric:
"Do you wake up there? In the pub? On stage?" I was wondering if this was a vampire thing or just a me thing. I pay for our tickets, then get on the train. "I think you should wait on the mall. Till you're sober." I think it's a fair assessment. So Cherrydale for you." I move to try and find her a seat in the train, then point one out.

Skylar:
“No,” I look at him like he’s crazy. “If I go to sleep in the chamber, I wake up in the chamber. If I pass out on Dillon’s couch. I wake up on Dillon’s couch. I’m dependable that way.”
I don’t mind taking orders from Ric. He makes sense. So if he says Cherrydale, Cherrydale it is. I hop on the train and make way over to the seat.
“You gonna stand or do you want me to sit on your lap?” I ask before I plant my butt into the seat.
Sitting down would be a good idea for me. My feet are kinda dirty by now, but they aren’t aching or anything.

Ric:
"Standing. You sitting on my lap is an unreasonable request." I tell her bluntly. "Sit." I point again to the seat as the train starts up at a slow pace. "So what's Dillon's story? He's not a vampire. What is he? Are you two a pair? Or a couple? That must be hard, if it's the latter. To be around him. With what you are." I say, wondering how some vampires manage to mingle and even live with humans.

Skylar:
“**** no!” I practically scream as I take my seat. “Me and Dillon. Not gonna happen…” I think about what I’ve said and then in a much quieter tone add. “Apart from when we do. Okay look. In the interest of full disclosure and all that. We kinda hook up from time to time. But only when I’m like…well this. Sober I wouldn’t touch him. Not like that. Unless I’m like…you know… trying to stall till Ellie shows up and sorts out whatever mess I’ve made. That happened once. He remembered I bit him and stuff. Whole big thing. But not an issue now. I told you didn’t … he’s like under my spell or whatever.”

[Roderic]

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

Ric:
"Hook up?" I have no idea what she's talking about. I doubt it is anything I'd do. "No need to get huffy. Was just a question." I remind her. "I don't care what you two do. I was just trying to figure out his place in your life." I look around, making sure we aren't drawing attention to our conversation. Or ourself. "So tomorrow. Where should we meet up?" I think of a few places. "We could meet back at Lancaster’s. Or near Cherrydale. Or Bullwood. At a transit even." Seemed the most practical of the suggestions, but I could meet anywhere really.

Skylar:
It takes a few minutes to process the other thing he said before my ranting. Sitting on his lap was unreasonable? Boy was he going to be disappointed with tomorrow’s itinerary. I smirk at the thought of that. Though I think it would be fair to say that the night would be more about him than me. Maybe. I really hadn’t given any thought to what I might do with him if Ellie won. And my half cut brain wasn’t exactly playing fair.
When he asks what hooking up is I face palm. I can’t believe that needs explaining. Doesn’t everyone know that? When he says he doesn’t care what we are, well that’s when I actually do get huffy. I have no reason for it really. I just can’t help myself.
“Hooking up. As in having sex,” I explain, clearly unimpressed. “But I’m not a slut. Before you go and label me one.”
I know I’m not that loose. Dillon’s a nice enough guy. I trust him. Drunk me just happens to like him a lot more than sober me. I can’t really control that.
“As for tomorrow…” I think it over. “Why don’t you play the gentleman and pick me up at Ellie’s I can text you the address. Just one problem though… He’ll need to invite you in or whatever. There’s that stupid rule right? That means you can’t get in without an invite from the owner?”

Ric:
I just stared at her. "If hooking up and finding someone you like means so much to you, stop hooking up with Dillon and find someone to be with." It seemed easy. It probably was for her. She wasn't unfit or ugly either. I had seen uglier and those with a physique less appealing. "I doubt anyone will want to hook up with you. Smells like drama." I shrug. "And I can get in anywhere." I give her a lopsided smile. Or was it?

Skylar:
“Oh like that isn’t plan A. Why do you think I’m taking the train? I could have called Dillon. He could have come and got me. But then I’d be opening myself up to a whole world of badness I don’t want. And it’s not like it happens a lot. Just like once every couple of months or so. When I’m really wasted. And don’t judge me. I have needs too you know. At least I’m not hooking up with random guys all over the city. Better the devil you know and all that.”
It bugs me. The way he says it so cavalier. Like that isn’t my plan. Like I’m too blonde to think for myself. I wonder if I brought it on myself by actually doing what he said. He says shoes off, the shoes come off. He says sit. I sit. I’m acting like a frickin’ puppy. I start chew on the inside of my mouth. This isn’t good. Puppies were not endearing. Not the human variety. I don’t want to be one of those. I’d be more annoyed at him if it wasn’t for the fact I think he actually just smiled at me. Like a genuine smile. I want to ask more about this skill he has but my mind suddenly wanders and I find myself blurting out something else entirely.
“And what the **** is a pair?” I ask going back to something he said a few minutes ago. I get what a couple is. That’s kind of common place terminology but pair? A pair of what? Musicians? I guess that’s true. Dillon and I are a pair of musicians. Both play the guitar too. But I don’t see what that has to do with anything.

Ric:
"What you and Dillon are." I say without a moment of hesitation. "Needs?" I look at her a little confused. "We're vampires. Do we need sex anymore? We don't procreate." I inform her. "Well, not with babies. The cute kind." I added. I doubt she knew about fadebeasts. "We make monsters. Because that's what we are deep down. Soul or not." I decide to change the subject. Arguing with a drunk woman wasn't going to do me any favors. "So, tomorrow I'll pick you up at Ellie's place. What time?"

Skylar:
“Wait what? You are not lumping me in with Dillon.”
I get to my feet and poke him in the chest, though once more the action just de-stabilises me more than him and I find myself practically falling on my ***. Luckily, I fall back into this seat. This standing on a moving train business is a lot harder than I remember.
The motion of it all makes me feel sick. Though that’s not the worst part. I still have the image of mutant babies in my head. Ellie mentioned something about before, what with my history with Dillon. Typical ******* nature. Punishing the woman yet again while the man gets off scot free. I could end up in that limbo place, while the guy that ******* impregnated me gets to get on with life. I’m holding back what ate earlier when I realise that if I needed any other incentive not to fall back into bed with Dillon it was that one right there.

Ric:
"Would you rather I call you a couple?" I say, standing firmly in one spot as she pushes me. Then she falls and I crack a smile. It's small, but it's there. "Don't work yourself up, there, Princess." I take out a cigarette, then my lighter. Someone tells me I can't smoke that on the train. I turn and just stare at them. They slowly and awkwardly look away as I light it. "You sure you will be up for this tomorrow? Might need two nights to sleep that off."

Skylar:
“I don’t get what you mean by pair. So explain it please.” I ignoring his antisocial behaviour. “It’s not a term I’d ever use for any relationship I’ve ever been in, or ever will be in. And if you try and call me and Dillon a couple. I’ll ******* kill you. Well… Maybe not like actually, physically kill you. Disown you. There. That works. I’ll never talk to you again.”
My brain seems to nudge my thoughts. I don’t want to be saying stuff like that. I don’t mean it. I need to shut myself up, but even as I think that I find myself talking again.
“Actually. I take that back. You’d probably like that. So I’ll do the opposite. I’ll talk to you all the time. As often as possible and drive you nuts.”
I smile up at him, as that sounds like a much better plan. Not only is it non-violent, it involves connecting with someone and I’m good at that. As I realise where my talent lies, it reminds me I need to correct him. I’ve successfully managed to hold onto my dinner and so once more I find myself sharing more of my thoughts than I ought to.
“And FYI. I need sex. Most creatures do. Procreation isn’t the only reason to have it. It’s recreational. It’s fun. Provides stress relief and with the right person, kinda, sorta, perfect.”

Ric:
I shake my head. "Not everyone needs sex. I can have fun without it. And find ways to relieve stress without sex too." I shrug. I've had this conversation at least half a dozen times. "I don't know. Pairs are different than couples. I've been trying to figure out how for two weeks now." I look around and take a drag in off my cigarette. "Couples are not the same. Pairs are though. Similar interests. Too many similar interests."

Skylar:
“Oh god.” I groan. “You’re one of them.”
I don’t elaborate and quickly change the subject. I’d met a few like Ric in my time and pursuing someone like that took an entirely different strategy. He’s the a-sexual sort. I should have gathered that when he said he didn’t like hugging. Or saw no use for it or whatever it was he’d said. I had a friend like him some ten years back. We all teased him for his interest in computers. One of the guys had joked that if we took away his computer and replaced it with a naked woman , that he’d have no idea what to do. Hell. He’d probably have started looking for the on switch and place to plug in a mouse. I shiver at the thought and refocus my attention back on Ric.
“Too many similar interests? Sounds like you’re talking about a friend. A good friend. You’re best friend maybe.”
As much as I hate to admit it, he probably had it right then if this was his definition of a pair was. Dillon was the person that I was closer to than most. He knew all my secrets, kicked me up the arse when I needed it and pushed me to be a better person. I roll my eyes at this realisation. Great. Dillon’s my best friend. Kill me now.

Ric:
"One of what?" I look at her, not sure what she's hinting at. Good friend. Best friend. Was Pyper my good friend? Best friend even? More to think about later. "That's rude. I haven't lumped you as a dumb, blonde stripper." Everything about her was starting to make me think that maybe, deep down she was. I wonder if she could be my next doll. I think about this as I exhale the cigarette and take another inhale in.

Skylar:
“What’s rude?” I ask oblivious to any insult I may have said. “And you can pick me up… what…an hour after sundown ? That good for you. I’ll be fine by tomorrow. You’ll see.”
I don’t realise my mind isn’t working on quite the same pace as the conversation and that this isn’t the first time, I’ve swung around to answering something a few minutes later than it’s been asked. As I wait for him to tell me what I’ve done wrong I start looking at the people in the carriage. I can almost feel the fear about me, but I have no idea what they’re all so afraid of. Or what it is that has them all upset.

Ric:
"Lumping me in as those people. You don't know me. Just like I don't know you." I'm still not sure what one of those people are, but I know I'm not. I doubt anyone was like me, or I, them. "And that sounds good. It's a, thing." I refuse to say date. Because it's not. Dates don't cost what this one would.

Skylar:
I fold my arms across my chest and lean back in the chair. I don’t mind it when guys tower over me. A guy should always be taller than the girl. Natural selection and all that. My shoes are now on my lap. Somewhere along the conversation I’d let them fall to the floor but I couldn’t run the risk of walking off the train without them.
“If I say I’m sorry will ya forgive me?”
I don’t much like being labelled myself and yet here I was trying to tie a nice neat tag around Ric’s toe. Metaphorically speaking. I’m not a dumb blonde and I’m certainly no stripper. Not that there’s anything wrong with the profession. It pays good money from what I hear, I just wasn’t’ into that particular form of artistry.
“And you can say the word date Ric. It won’t kill you.” I tease him. “Ellie paid a hell of a lot of money for you to entertain me. It’s my night. So I get to call it what I like. You get to call your night a thing. Deal?”
This is me trying to play nice, but even as I start talking I notice a scuff mark on my shoe and start sorting it out. I lick my index and middle finger and start rubbing at the mark. When that doesn’t work I start rubbing it on my jeans and then groan when the stain transfers.

Ric:
"Fine. Date." I don't care what she wants to call it. What does it matter anyways? It didn't. "I'm not giving him a refund. If I'm not entertaining enough." I warn her. I had plans for that money. Maybe open another shop. To sell trinkets, not just stuffed dead animals. But things made from dead animals. "That's not going to-" Her groan indicates that she realized too little too late what would happen. What did happen. "Nail polish remover. I'm sure you have some at home." All women did, didn't they? "Maybe an eraser. Depends on the material of the shoe."

Skylar:
I look up at him, shocked that he’d be giving me advice on how to clean my shoe. It doesn’t seem like the sort of thing a guy should know. That right there leads me to realise, yet again, that I really don’t know enough about this guy. He’s difficult to get a read on at the best of times, let alone when I’ve drowned my pain in a half a bottle of medicine.
I drop the shoe and start rubbing at the arm that ***** grabbed. It’s either still sore, or I’ve got some kind of temporary PTSD like thing, because I feel it, even if there’s nothing wrong with it.
“You’re an odd one Roderic.”
I use his full name to see how it sounds. I didn’t know it until I read it on the auction card. It’s unusual and yet it suits him perfectly.
“And you didn’t accept my apology. Don’t make me demand we kiss and make up.”
I grin at him, knowing he’ll likely accept the apology just to avoid me touching him. That really shouldn’t make me smile but it does. I should be hurt that he doesn’t want me touching him. No-one likes to feel undesirable. The thought makes me adjust myself in the seat. I sit up straighter and tidy my hair back over my shoulders. There’s no reason not to try and present myself in my best light, even if he had already caught a glimpse of the worst of me.

Ric:
"Whatever makes you happy, Princess." I accept it with a nod. Then add on, "Apology accepted." Just so she doesn't kiss me. Or hug me. Any of those things. "You mean I don't fit in your typical categories you place people in. That's not being odd. It's called Individualization." I reply without any real thought on it. "I think your stop is coming up." I look to the front of the train and then out the front windows. The area wasn't built with homes and businesses like other parts. So we had to be close to Cherrydale.

Skylar:
“I know what I mean. And odd suits you. It was a compliment of sorts. I like odd.”
I look to see where I am and grab my shoes in one hand before, trying again to stand, only this time as the train starts to slow and I lose my balance I reach out and grab a hold of Ric’s arm.
“I’d say I’m sorry… But I’m not.”
No point lying to him. Physical contact was perfectly normal to me. Hell, if he was Dillon or Russ or anyone really but who he is, I’d probably be hugging him goodbye already.

Ric:
I let her grab me. She needs a stable support system in her inebriated state. "Cool. That will make the next, 3 days, or nights go by quick. Maybe it will even be enjoyable." I nod, thinking on that. The train slows down as it approaches the station. "Should I bring anything? Besides myself. Anything else required for the evening?" I step aside so that she can get past me.

Skylar:
“Nope,” I say as I move around him. “You’re all I require Ricky.”
I smile at him because I know he hates the name. I can’t help but use it though. It rolls off the tongue so nicely.
“See ya!”
I wave my hand over my head as if waving goodbye but don’t turn to look at him as I literally hop from the train onto the platform. Shoes in hand, I’m sewer bound. A quick shower, an early night and I was sure I’d be fine by the morning and ready to torment my prize in the most wonderful way imaginable.

[Skylar]

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

The next night

Ric:
She had sent me a text with a chamber number earlier in the night. Sky must wake up earlier than I do. Wouldn't surprise me. She seemed the type. I take care of my business first. I go see that ritualist chick, grab a bite to eat and then head to the Cherrydale area. From there, go in the sewers, to the catacombs and then the mausoleum area. I look at the numbers as I walk. I notice they're going up, and not down. I turn back around and finally find it. I knock on the door, a light, quick tap and then decide to just use my shadow powers and go in. I hated standing around with my dick out. A figure of speech and in that second that's how I felt. "I knocked." I say as I enter, looking around for Sky. And checking the place out. It's a habit. How I get to know people. Observing their environment. "You weren't prompt." I add on.

Skylar:
Early to bed. Early to rise. It might be someone’s motto but it wasn’t mine. I didn’t have much control over the daytime sleeping thing. Sunrise came and bam, I was pretty much dead to the world. But at least alone I didn’t have to explain that to anyone. Nearly gave Dillon a heart attack that first night after the change when I zonked out on his sofa. Thankfully he hadn’t called the police or anything.
The image that greeted me in the mirror each morning was getting more and more disturbing. I’ve hung a towel over the thing now. No-one wants to see themselves decompose. It was just, well, disgusting.
I’ve text Ric where to go. I bet he thinks I’d forget. The alcohol seem to work its way out of my system while I sleep these days. I like that. I wake up hangover free. My brain is crystal clear and firing on all cylinders. I’m pretty much good to go. I haven’t had time to get my make-up tattoed yet, so I brave the image in the mirror and do the best I can. Eyeliner, mascara and some pale pink lipstick. Can’t really do more than that without overdoing it, as I’d be compensating for colouring others can’t see.
I’m rocking out in the living room when I hear the voice behind me. It’s Ric. The guy frightens me half to death.
“What the ****!” I yell, a hand over my still heart.
I go to switch off the music; Nickelback’s ‘Dark Horse’ album and swing back around to face him. My guitar is strapped over my shoulder but I haven’t got it plugged inn, I’m just going through the motions. Or was. Till he showed up.

Ric:
I just stare at her. This is why I was stuck waiting outside. "You forgot our..date?" I say through clenched teeth. "Or is this what we're doing?" I wouldn't mind staying inside. Less questions that way and potential issues. Like her getting drunk again. And me playing dad or something. That was "Ellie's" job in my eyes. I move to a couch and sit. "Don't stop on my account, Princess." I wave a hand to the guitar as I put two hands behind my neck and watch her.

Skylar:
“Pfft. Please. Like I could forget you were coming over. I just got lost in the moment. Don’t you ever do that?”
I have my hands on my hips as I reply and watch him getting comfy on the couch. I can’t help but smile. The whole situation is twisted. He has no idea what I’ve got in store for him. The strange thing is - even though he’s supposed to be my entertainment for the night- I kind of like the fact that I have his undivided attention.
“Princess eh? That’s the name you’ve chosen for me.”
I go to hook my guitar to the amp that’s over by the stereo. I don’t mind giving a private performance and he probably deserves at least a few minutes of relaxation before I subject him to his own personal hell.
“Any requests.”

Ric:
"If the shoe fits." I heard that somewhere. Or was it glove? They both seemed to work. "Know any Foo Fighters?" I ask her, my eyes move around the room, inspecting it some more. Assessing the type of person she is. Or who Ellie was. This was his place after all. Would he care if something happened to Sky? Some sire's wouldn't. Last night seemed to imply otherwise, but maybe he was caught up in the moment.

Skylar:
“Yeah shoes and princesses go hand in hand if you believe the fairy tales , right?”
I think about his request. Do I know any foo fighters? They aren’t my favourite band, the vocals are bit blah too. Then I remember Dillon making us play “All my life.” Of course he’d sung that one. I had a much better vocal range than him, and the song really didn’t require much talent.
“All right. I think I know one,” I tell him and then I start to play.
The sound is different without the other instruments to back me up, but it’s just busking on a smaller scale. I can do that. I give the performance a little more animation than I do when I’m on the street. It’s hard not to play electric and get carried away.

Ric:
"If." I nod at her question. When she says she thinks she knows one I go back to staring at her. Who didn’t know the Foot Fighters and at least half a dozen of their songs? I don't say these things. I just wait and she starts to play the song. I pull out my cigarette and lighter, then look at her. "Mind?" I ask when she's just playing and not singing.

Skylar:
I shrug at his question. If Ellie had a no smoking rule, he hadn’t told me. Hell we had blood in the fridge, I was sure there were worse things to worry about than that. I play the song through to the end and try to gauge his reaction. My super power had been on the fritz the night before but I was sure it had to be working now.
“So. Not a believer in fairy tales eh? Now there’s a shocker.”
I pull the guitar over my head and place it in the cradle next to amp and switch it off, but not before I get a nasty round of feedback through the speakers. I’ve dressed up a little for the night. Jeans aren’t the best thing for getting comfy inn, so I’d chosen a long black skirt with a slit that ran up the left side and showed off my tattoo. To accompany it, I had on a strappy red top, with a long sleeved whatever over the top; the kind of thing that was like some sort of material chainmail, so you could see through to what was beneath but not be super slutty. Well unless you paired it with a bra, but I didn’t tend to do that.

Ric:
"Not as shocking as you believing in them." I retort back. Though I wasn't really surprised. Her sire should get stabbed for letting her live in la-la land all the time. "Think about it. You're a vampire. We don't generally do nice things. And when you were a human you bust your *** to be nice, only to die and what? Go to heaven forever? Forever is a long time. Be good to sit your *** on a fluffy white cloud for an eternity. Yeah. Real great ending." I light the cigarette because she didn't say no and look around. "Are we going out?" I ask as I finally take in her appearance. I was wearing black jeans, a black t-shirt with the words, "I'm a vampire," on it under my black coat and black sneakers. "You didn't say we would be going somewhere."

Skylar:
“I see it’s your turn to go making assumptions tonight, eh?” I ask him as I plant myself on the sofa next to him.
“I think you’re mixing up fairy tales and religion too. I don’t much believe in either. Though I was of course raised by Disney, as most good girls are. I don’t exactly expect Prince Charming to be waiting around the corner for me you know. Mainly cos I tend to like arseholes like you.”
I poke my tongue out at him, so he knows I’m teasing. Though it’s kind of a half-truth. I don’t think he’s an arsehole though. Even if he acts that way at ties. Last night kind of blew that image out of the water for me. He had a kindness to him, hidden under all that typical macho bravado.
“And actually. We’re staying in. Despite this being a night for me. I’m making it about you. You should be scared. Just so you know. It ain’t gonna be pretty. Not on your end. But I’ll have a blast. And that’s what it’s all about right?”

Ric:
A good girl. I wasn't surprised to hear Skylar label herself as that. I don't comment. Maybe on my night, I should push her boundaries. See how good she is. Or isn't. It's a thought. She might be right. I probably was an asshole. I'd been called it a lot. So it's probably true. I'm glad to hear that we're staying in. "I'm not scared." I tell her. It's not because I trust her. I'm just not. "And I guess so. Someone should enjoy themselves." I blow some smoke from my lungs and then stand. "So what are we doing? Need me to rearrange some furniture? Get rid of some of this girly ****?" I pick up a stack of magazines and just shake my head. Ellie wasn't my kind of guy. We didn't even live on the same planet.

Skylar:
“Nupe. You can relax. Kind of. Though I’m betting you’ll be tense for most of the night. Not all of it though… If things go to plan. You ruled out shopping. But you didn’t rule out physical contact. And before you go getting your boxers in a bunch, I’m not gonna ask you to sleep with me or anything skeezy like that.”
I look up at him as he tries to figure the place out. It was probably a good reflection of me, truth be told, since Ellie and I were quite alike and I’d kind of made myself at home. Though I still slept on the couch on occasion. Beds had not been a part of my life for a while, a nice comfy couch was what it was all about. At least if I wanted to rest and be comfortable. Beds were fine for passing out on.
“So. Sit ya arse back down and tell me…What is it about hugging that you don’t like? You suffering from some kind of childhood trauma or have you just always been the strange kid that sits in the corner of the room pulling wings off flies and creeping the other kids out?”

Ric:
"The thought hadn't even crossed my mind." I admit before I go sit back down. Great. She wanted to do that woman thing. Talk. "I already told you. It isn't required." I shrug. "People hug to make themselves feel better. Example. I tell you my grandma is dying. Your first instinct is to hug me. To show your support. It's false. You're thinking about you and not really about me. You're thinking how you can be a friend or whatever. Look the part. Act it. But you've never met my grandmother. So a hug isn't necessary. Not for me. Is it?"

Skylar:
“Yeah an act if you’re like you maybe. Or some kind of psychopath. If someone tells me their gran’s dying, I ain’t hugging them for me. I’m hugging them so they know I’m there for them. So they feel like everything will be okay. Even if it won’t. People seek comfort in others because they have an innate need to connect with others. To belong. I’d be hugging them to make sure they know they aren’t alone in this world.”
I look him over with a slightly more critical eye. So he’s prickly. Doesn’t like contact. Avoids answer questions. Sometimes. I still think he just didn’t get enough love as a child. That’s usually the case with people like that. That or too much love, like the wrong kind. I reach down and scratch at my ankle, just above the tattoo of a bird entwined with musical notes. I’m not purposely trying to draw attention to it, I just have an itch.
“So it wasn’t that you just didn’t get enough hugs as a kid or something?”

Ric:
"If you are asking if my mother loved me, she did. She was a good mom. Did the best she could on a limited income." I tell her with another shrug. "Some of us don't want to feel like everything is ok. Because we know it's ********. Some of us are realists." I look at her tattoo. "If you died, you would probably be easily identifiable because of that." It's random, but I'm done talking about hugs and why people give or receive them.

Skylar:
“Yeah well grow up with my parents and you learn to believe that money solves everything. And maybe it does. But it sure as **** doesn’t make you happy. As for the tatt. I already died doofus. And ain’t no-one identified ****. Ellie’s not that stupid.”
I kind of like the fact he felt the need to defend his mum. I hadn’t really said anything bad about her, and yet he felt the need to tell me she was a good mother nonetheless. I don’t think he’s a momma’s boy, though I could be wrong. Those kinds of boys are usually way too affectionate, and quite often suffering from the Oedipus complex.
“Anyways. Down to business. The plan for the night. We’re going to curl up on the sofa, together,” I stress that word and wait to feel how he feels about that, “and watch movies. Since we’re pulling stuff off Netflix, you may choose every other movie we watch.”

Ric:
"You want to sit here. And watch television?" I skip past the curl up on the sofa part because I can't really see that happening. I don't curl with people. I don't hug them. Well, maybe a couple times but it was not enjoyable for anyone. "We could have done that for free. Sort of." I don't like television. It's a waste of time, but I did get a lot of money for spending time with her. "I don't curl. Ever." I tell her.

Skylar:
“Well suck it up sunshine, cos tonight you do. We’re trying a little thing called immersion therapy. I’m a hugger and if we’re going to hang out, you’ve got to get used to me being in your space occasionally.”
I stand and go to the tv. I’d set the laptop up earlier in the night but it needed to be woken up, so we could get started. I switch on the television and nudge the mouse with my bare foot. The thing doesn’t respond, so I tap the enter key with my toe. It whirls into life and the image on the laptop screen syncs with the tv.
“Usually,” I say stopping down on the balls of my feet. “There’s like three stages to that kind of therapy. You know to get people used to stuff they fear. But I figured since you can hug people when you feel like it, you aren’t that bad and so we’ll skip stages one and two. Which is talking about it and being shown pictures and movies of it, in case you were wondering. We’re gonna go straight for step 3. I’m gonna hang all over you. And force you to do the same back. By the end of the night. You’ll be used to me being in your space. I hope.”

Ric:
"We should start with one and two. I'm afraid to be hugged. It hurts." I'm lying but trying to buy myself more time. Maybe I could shadow away and just send her the cash back. "Are you a therapist? People can get sued for pretending to be something they aren't." I tell her as she stands and walks away. "Why is it important our space can be interchangeable? It's just three nights. Do people normally hug on each other after only three encounters like this?"

Skylar:
“I call ********.”
I look through a list of rom-coms. The guy seemed confused yesterday about couples and pairs or whatever it was he was on about on the train, so a little romantic education has to be good for him. Besides they usually involve a lot of hugging and sharing too. Can’t hurt to make him watch that kind of thing too.
“Suck it up Ricky. This is happening so get used to the idea.”
I select The Proposal staring Sandra Bullock. I love her, mainly as she likes to play the fool in her movies. I don’t care that I’ve seen it several times already.
“And you just said we could have done this for free. That implies there’s a sort of friendship here. Even if it’s based on me giving you shiny blades to play with. Oh. Which reminds me. If you’re good. I’ll give you the new ones I made for you before you go in the morning.”
I was planning on giving the to him anyway, but I might as well let him know he’ll be getting a little something extra for putting up with my crap.

Ric:
No one said I had to be good. "Good by whose standards? Yours? That's biased." I point out, still watching her. "It's Ric. For the dozenth time." I try and see what movie it is, but then realize I don't care. I hate all movies. Unless they are documentary or historical. "Come on then." I pat the couch. The sooner we start this, the sooner I can leave. And kill things. I will need to kill things after this experience. Maybe the next three nights even.

Skylar:
“Yep. While we’re playing by my rules. You get to be judged by my standards. And everyone’s biased Ricky.”
I blatantly ignore the fact that he doesn’t want to be called that now. If he’s going to all me princess, I’m going to call him Ricky. It suits him anyways.
“It’s the way of the world. Some people are just more biased and self-serving than others.”
I move back to the sofa and stand there for a moment trying to figure out how best to do this. Having him spoon with me would probably be the most comfortable way but I decide to save that for later and perhaps start him off slow. So instead I climb in next to him and lay my legs over his. The movie has already started but since it’s not really got going I add;
“And no. I’m not a therapist and I wouldn’t claim to be one. So you can’t sue me.”

Ric:
"Are you some people?" I ask as she comes back to the couch. When her legs make a home on me, I stare down at them. I could cut them off in one easy movement. And it would be her fault. She put them there. Like an offering. I push these thoughts from my mind. I'm not allowed to attack or kill people for no good reason. Vampire people. "Then stop spouting off things you don't know anything about." It was my turn to stick a small, very small tongue out at her as my arms cross over my chest.

Skylar:
I can’t help but laugh at his reply and rather than rise to the bait, I just settle down and start watching the movie. About thirty minutes in, once he’s had a change to get used to my legs on him, I lean up against him and practically hug his arm as I lay my head on his shoulder. If he can handle this, spooning should be easy. Though I suspect he’ll have more trouble being the little spoon when his turn comes to be cuddled.

Ric:
This movie was stupid. No one would believe those two were a couple. Maybe a pair, but not a couple. No one could be that stupid, could they? I don't say these things, but when she changes positions I focus off the television and on her. And stare. I can do this. I have to do this. I start to think about all the things I have to do for clients in the next week. And some of my own side projects. My body relaxes as I think about these things. Sitting here suddenly wasn't so bad after all.

Skylar:
I was expecting him to argue when I moved but he stays silent and I tell myself it’s because he’s watching the movie. I stay like that even though I start to grow a little uncomfortable myself, but I’ll get my chance to shake myself off once the movie finishes. I start to wonder what kind of film he’s going to make me watch. I know he likes the weapons I gave him, so I assume he likes slasher movies.
When the movie wraps up. I stand and stretch. I raise my hands over my head, lock my fingers together, turn the palms to the ceiling and push up before leaning from side to side. As much as I like to hug people. I also like to move and staying seated for an entire movie can be a bit of a challenge for me.
“I’m gonna grab a snack while you choose a movie,” I gesture to the laptop. “Do you want anything?”

Ric:
"Want anything? I can't eat anything." I say instead of saying what came to mind first. A good sword to stab one or both of us in the head. I get off the couch and go through the movie listings. I don't know what is what. Genre wise. I go for Casino Royale, hoping it has to do with how to win at a game of cards because I suck at cards. I wouldn't mind a little extra pocket change once in a while. "How many more movies are we going to watch? I believe my brain is starting to rot." I say as I wait for her to come back in the room.

Skylar:
“Oh. Right. Not an allurist. Erm…” I’m looking in the fridge as I speak. “You can have me if you like?”
I’m too distracted to realise quite how that sounds as I dig around at the back for last piece of chocolate cake. I’d hidden it behind the healthier options; an old, now unnecessary habit since I can eat what I like these days. I grab the plate and work it out over the rest of the stuff while trying not to smush the cake into the rack above.
I retrieve a fork from the draw and make my way back to the couch. I roll my eyes at the choice of movie. Typical man choice. 007. Not sure why but that guy has never done it for me. Not in any of his incarnations.
“Movies? Erm… As many as it takes to get through the night. Unless you can think of something else we can do while cuddling. I don’t want you getting too bored.”

Ric:
I can't think of anything that would keep us in proximity. Not like she wants. "Movies it is." I set it up to play and look at her. "Why do you eat? It's not needed. Not essential to your survival anymore." I head back to the couch and slink over to the edge. As far away from where I had been sitting before with the other movie as I could get. "And I already ate. Nix, my sire says it's not a good idea to advertise my eating choices. Have you told anyone?" I stare at her from the side.

Skylar:
“Yeah I tell everyone I meet how this guy but me and sucked my blood. It makes for a great story.”
I allow him his distance while I work on my dessert.
“And I eat because… Erm… I dunno. Habit? I like the taste. I’m still new to this whole vampire thing but surely eating is a good way to throw people off track about what I am.”
It’s the best answer I have. I know he’ll point out I’m an idiot, seeing as there’s no-one here to play to. No reason for me to keep up the charade. I start to think there may be more to it. Like I do it to keep myself connected to who I was. Who I am.
“Do you only do things because they’re necessary?”
I ask, as I realise a pattern is emerging. He’s coming across as one of those doomsday prepper types. The moment I think this. I see it too. There’s something a little bit hillbilly-ish about him. I settle that on the length of his hair. He’s too smart to be labelled a hillbilly. Not to mention I have no idea where he hails from and I’m pretty sure most hillbillies are from Southern America. At least that’s the impression I get from all the films I’ve seen.

Ric:
I roll past the comment about me and if she talks about me and our incident. The first time we met. "Usually. Why do something unnecessary?" I look at her as she eats the cake and then back at the television as some commercials come on for movies that I would guess are already out. "Waste of time. So what happens to the cake?" I look at her. Hey, if she was going to make me cuddle I wanted to know if things worked how they were supposed to or if that changed when you were a vampire.

Skylar:
“Cos it’s fun,” I reply with my hand in front of my face and mouth full of cake.
I just stare at him after that while I finish what’s in my mouth. The question seems odd to me. What does he think happens to the cake? It doesn’t magically appear on my plate so I can eat it again. Though I start thinking how great that would be. A plate of perpetual cake regeneration.
“What’s always happened to food I’ve eaten.”
I don’t intend on elaborating on that one. I’m pretty sure he remembers how this used to work. Eat, process, expel, repeat. Of course my body didn’t really need anything this cake had to offer but it tasted good on the way down. I make short work of the rest of it and go to put the plate in the sink.

Ric:
"Oh." At least she wasn't going to projectile vomit on me or anywhere in the room either. I take note of the other movies that are being advertised while she's vanished and then get out my small switch blade and start cleaning under my fingernails with it. I'm bored out of my brains with the movie and just sitting around. Doing nothing with my hands. "Maybe we can play a board game." I suggest. Anything was better than sitting around.

Skylar:
When I return. I’m almost immediately floored by Ric’s suggestion. He doesn’t seem the sort to play board games. I subconsciously wipe at the edges of my mouth in case I have crumbs there and consider the suggestion.
“I don’t know if Ellie has any. And even if he did… They might be a bit hard to play with me on your lap.”
I get the fact that he’s not enjoying himself but I really don’t know what else to do with him. It would be best all round if he actually enjoyed himself while I tried to break down his mental barriers.
“What could you do, that you’d want to do, with me hanging off you?”

Ric:
Kill things came to mind. I couldn't say that though. And I'm not sure how possible it is for me to carry that out with her hanging on me. "Watch movies." I say as it starts. "You're not sitting on my lap. That's not cuddling. Strippers do that. Sit in your lap. They don't cuddle." I add on, "So I've heard." To my words.

Skylar:
“You’re an odd duck,” I say and seat myself on his lap as I pull his arms around me. “You can’t base what is and isn’t an appropriate form of contact based on what strippers will or won’t do. And this is cuddling.”
I lean my head back on his shoulder and turn my face towards him. I’m not really sure what to say or do next. I go over different scenarios in my mind. My hands are still covering his, as I try to make sure he doesn’t pull away or push me off or anything.
“If you don’t like movies. We could listen to music. Talk maybe.”
I should have given the evening more thought. Picked an activity he’d enjoy more. Something to put a positive spin on everything. I can feel he’s not thrilled with the way things are going and that leaves me feeling more than a little disappointed.

Ric:
"Talk?" I just stare at the back of her head because I don't have much choice. She's in my lap and my arms are around her. Whatever makes her happy. I already told her I can give hugs. I just don't like to. This seems like a very, very, very long hug. "Are we hugging?" I ask her. I don't believe this is cuddling, but then again I don't know. "Backwards? Are there backwards hugs? And I like music."

Skylar:
I sit up and turn to look back at him. Was he kidding? It didn’t sound like he was kidding. Where the hell did he grow up? Did he crawl out from under a rock? A whole list of ideas runs through my head as to why he might be so retarded when it came to physical contact. Something dodgy in his childhood, is still my best guess.
“Of course it’s hugging. Or cuddling. You have your arms around me. I’m leaning back on you. You’re cuddling me.”
I try to keep any note of condescension out of my voice but my surprise at having to explain it probably shines through regardless of how hard I try to sound like I’m just giving him a factual reply.
“And fine. Let’s forget the movies for a while. Come choose some music. You choose something you like. Then I’ll sit on your lap, while you hold me and we’ll listen together for a bit.”

Ric:
I'm pretty sure this is a trick. That women play with their words. I know this is not cuddling. I know it's backwards hugging and she's trying to pull a fast one. Whatever. I keep thinking about the 35 thousand dollars and all my projects on my bench. Waiting for me to come back. "Fine. Anything by Nickleback, Foo Fighters or Cheap Trick. This is a really odd date. I've never been on one before, but it's safe to say I can chalk it up to the weirdest anything I've done."

Skylar:
I’m already on my feet and heading for the laptop to switch it over to my iTunes when I hear what he says. I whirl around and stare at him open mouthed like he just told me he was an alien or something.
“Excuse me. You’re never… Oh wow. Really?”
I walk back to him to get my answer, the movie still playing in the background. This kind of explains a few things to me but I want him to say it again to be sure.
“You’ve never been on a date?”

Ric:
"Nope." I say it casually as if it didn't mean anything, because it didn't. Not to me. "No time. Don't care about dating. Seems even more pointless now that we're dead. Dating implies romantic undertones. It's different to hanging out. Like what we're doing now." I look at her. "How many dates have you been on, Princess?"

Skylar:
I’m still staring at him open mouthed as he repeats what is almost unbelievable to me.
“Never…had a… Not interested?”
I know I sound like an idiot repeating back only a portion of what he tells me, but what I’m hearing does not compute. How does anyone never go on a date? How is that possible? Even if he’s the a-sexual sort, he must have found himself tricked into one at some point. He’s not ugly. Sure he’s a little odd, but who’s without their quirks?
“I… erm… Never kept track.”
I find the words to answer his question. Princess. Great. We’re back to that again. He must think I’m an entitled *****. I sigh and shrink down onto the floor. Here I am trying to find a way to make him comfortable with me and I’m probably wrecking any chance he ever has of forming a natural bond with anyone. I’m purposely pushing his buttons to get a response and it finally sinks in that maybe he just doesn’t know how to respond. Like what’s appropriate. The stripper comment sure as hell wasn’t one he should have made.

[Roderic]

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

Ric:
"Never. I've said it twice now." I stand up now because I'm getting angry. I clench my fists at my side, recognize that I'm getting angry and then release my fingers from my palms. "Why are you on the floor?" I don't understand women and the why they do the things they do. What purpose does being on the floor serve? None, really. "Now that that's out of the way, and we've chopped movies out of date-" I trail off and look around. "We could do something else. How about that board game? You've already sat in my lap once."

Skylar:
I’m in shock. I’m staring at him like an imbecile and I know it. My hands rest on my lap, but not for long. I practically choke on his anger and my hands come up to protect my throat. It’s an odd reaction but all of this is still new to me. I have no idea what he’s mad about. Repeating a question is hardly a crime.
I struggle to get to my feet and start shaking my body out, starting with my hands, then arms, then I’m jumping up and down on the spot as I try to focus myself. I tell myself I can do this. Stick with the plan. It’s not like I’m forcing him into the bedroom.
“Right.” I look around the room to see where he’s gone. “No idea about the board games. This is Ellie’s pad, remember? And just cos I’ve sat on your lap once doesn’t mean I’m not going to do it again.”
I have to remind myself of the plan once more. Get him used to me. Simple. Nothing more. Nothing less. I resist the urge to kick something, as I know I’ll likely hurt myself in the process and set about the task of putting on some music. I queue up The Nickleback albums and press play.
“How do you feel about dancing? Necessary? Unnecessary?”

Ric:
I stare at her like she stared at me when she starts convulsing all over the place. "I've never danced. But I'm probably going to go with unnecessary. Unless you can sway me otherwise." I look at her from across the length of the room. "But if it is necessary to you and tonight, then it is necessary." I expand my thoughts. A little. "Are you epileptic?" I inquire as I step closer to her. If we're going to dance, I was coming to her. Not to be taken by surprise. Or tricked.

Skylar:
“What? No?”
I have no idea why he’s asking me that. My brain is still trying to figure out what to do next. Dancing was a good idea but if he could rationalise it away as necessary, then this likely wasn’t going to work. Plus it suddenly strikes me that if I’m dancing to Nickelback, I’ll more than likely be dancing around him, since it’s the two of us and I don’t want to get called a stripper again.
I start up with my nervous habit. Not biting the inside of my cheek. The other one. I click the fingers of my right hand, then my left, then bring my open right hand down over the fist my left one is making. I do it over and over in quick succession. Click, click, clap. Click, click, clap.
A part of my brain is saying I should just go for broke, grab him and plant a kiss on his lips but I ignore that part of me. Stupid brain. It’s trying to get me in trouble. The movies were a great idea. Dancing seems more and more like a bad one. Unless I switch the music and force him to slow dance but then I’m in the same boat. Negative stimulus. Negative activity. I needed the hugging thing to become positive. Normal somehow.

Ric:
"Oh." I shrug and chalk it up to another one of her quirks. Her's not women's. Her's. I'd never seen that before from a woman. Then she starts doing this thing with her fingers and hands and I'm watching her for a solid three seconds. Maybe four. I close the space between us and grab her hand. To control her actions. I just hold a hand in mine. Then I feel the texture of her hand. I've done the same to a few other people. Pyper mostly. Skylar's and hers were different. They all were different. Pyper's was soft. Not used to doing work I think. Like me. Mine are not soft, and if I cared (which I don't) they probably need some lotion. Skylar's isn't overly soft. These hands have been used. They've seen work. I let go of her hand after analyzing it a little. "Are we dancing? Or going back to movies?"

Skylar:
I’m thrown through a loop again when he grabs my hands. My stomach flips. I wasn’t aware he was even close enough to do that. I look up at him as he releases my hands.
“I’m… erm… processing.” I admit. “Look the whole point of this is to push you out of your comfort zone. If you rationalise it all away as necessary interaction, then tonight’s gonna be a bust. And I’m gonna have bored you and put you through your own personal hell for nothing. Oh **** it.”
I reach out and grab a hold of him and give him a huge hug. I keep my arms around his waist and just hold him there. He can’t rationalise this away. It has nothing to do with movies, dancing or anything. It’s physical contact for the sake of physical contact. Plain and simple.

Ric:
She's hugging me and I do what I always do. Just stand there and let her hug me. At first. For maybe a few seconds. Five or six. Then I realize to make her stop this crazy idea of pushing me out of zones, I have to reciprocate. So I lift one arm up and return the hug. I don't have a strong hold on her by any means, but I am returning the gesture. We just stand there in silence and in a hug. "Ever think you're trying too hard?" I ask. "It's like doing a project. If you force it, it usually won't go. Have to just go with the flow. Natural."

Skylar:
“Pfft. Whatever. You just want me to stop.”
I refuse to let him go and close my eyes as I listen to the music. I love this song, I think to myself as ‘Burn it to the ground’ starts up. Though of course this isn’t the kind of thing people generally hug too. The song gets around thirty seconds in before I pull away from him and have to start dancing. Well… performing is more like it. It’s the kind of song you can mosh to and play around with. Air guitar in places is obviously essential too.
I’m the first to admit I’m not much of a girl dancer. Well I am. I just have a lot more confidence than most and don’t mind prating around while other people watch. At one point I actually climb up on one of the sofa’s as I’m singing and then jump off before joining in with the guitar solo. Air guitar fashion of course.
As the verse kicks in, I walk up to Ric and start singing in his personal space, gesturing appropriately to the words. I knew all too well what it was like to have someone try and take my drink from it. That never goes down well with anyone. At least not anyone I know.

Ric:
I don't deny what she says. We just stand there some more. My hold neither lessens or becomes harder. It remains as it was until she pulls away and starts rocking out. I've seen this before in one or two movies. Even in everyday life. It's not a bad song. It's actually a really good song. I let her do her thing, but don't sing with her. Instead, I wander around the room. Looking at things and taking in the room. I guess Ellie wasn't all too bad. Minus his nickname, but that was on Sky and not him. She had a knack for adding the sound "ie" at the end of all male's names. I wonder if she's one of those females. I'd met a few of them. Manhaters. Maneaters. I don't judge. Everyone hates someone for one reason or another. As I think about that, I do a small spin and bob my head.

Skylar:
When I lose myself to the song, he seems to become distracted. I knew this was a bad idea. I had to get him back somehow and so I run over and grab his hand and try to guide him to an area to dance with me.
“Come on then Ricky. Show me what you’ve got.”
I keep a hold of his hand and swing it playfully. As I move to the music, my movements a little more feminine now as most of the movement is in my arms and hips. I sway to beat and keep singing. If there’s one plus side of being a vamp, it’s being able to hold a note longer. Not because I had more air in my lungs, but because I didn’t have to feel the exertion of it all.

Ric:
She tells me to show her what I've got. I don't really have anything. Except this one dance move. I did it for Nix and for Katerina when they forced me to go shopping. It made them stop shopping. Maybe this would make Sky stop too. I liked my head bobbing action. And looking around. So, without further hesitation, I show her what I've got. I throw an arm out, bend at my knees and start to do the sprinkler. It was just as painful now as it was in the mall a few months ago.

Skylar:
As Ric starts doing whatever the hell it is he’s doing, I keel over laughing. I can’t help it. It’s so funny. It looks kind of fun, but the sort of thing you’d do to take the piss. You certainly wouldn’t try busting that move on the dance floor. I’m half tempted to join in but every time I compose myself and look up at him I just start laughing again.
“Oh my god. Oh my god. That’s too much ”
I finally find a way to fight through the hysterics. Apparently this guy needed more help than I realised. They say women like a fixer upper, but if Ric were a house, he’d likely be torn down and re-built from the ground up.
“All right. So you don’t dance. How about you stand there and just be you. Do what feels natural and not what you’ve seen on tv or whatever it was you did just then. I don’t know what you’ve been told in the past but dance, like all art forms should be an expression of who you are. Take me for instance. I do the feminine thing…”
I do some typical girly moves, the kind of thing you’d see in a normal club. I’m not a professional dancer but I’m not without rhythm and I know how to work my body to my advantage.
“I can rock out as if I’m on stage…”
I start my air guitar performance again, but the kind actual guitarists do, not like some kid who wants to learn guitar but never got around to it. As I’m pretending to play I head bang a little and strut about
“Or I can just be a prat…”
I start messing about doing god knows what. I jump on and off the sofa, jump up and down in time to the beat, etc.
“I can even do the slutty thing if I really want…”
This one could get me in trouble, but I give it a go anyways and start dancing and weaving around Ric. I use his body as a poll and grind up against him, both while facing him and while facing away from him.
“See… And how I dance changes depends on the music and my mood. I’m sure I have other moods too when dancing. Things for when I’m sad, pissed, pissed off and slow dancing and such. But you get the idea… right?”

Ric:
I watch Skylar and she's moving around. Everywhere. And I'm trying to follow what she's doing, but I'm getting a little overloaded. Until she grinds on me. I know what grinding is. I've had at least half a dozen strippers doing that to me in the past. Most all of them are dead now. She's touching way too much of me and I almost blurt out that I'm not going to **** her. I don't want to. Not even for 35 thousand dollars. But as I open my mouth to say that, I realize this is one of those times I shouldn't say that. Those times Nix has warned me about. I think before I talk. "Guys don't grind." I finally say, then nod. I stand there like a wall flower. Minus the wall. Arms crossed. "Or do most that." I go back to bobbing my head.

Skylar:
“Male strippers do,” I reply without much thought.
I can feel he’s overwhelmed by it all but that’s not a bad thing. I wasn’t expecting him to repeat anything I did I was using my styles as an example. He’s still a little distant in some ways but I figure that’s just Ric being Ric.
I smile at him as he starts to nod his head to the music again. I figure he’d do well in a mosh pit. If he let himself go. But it’s a bit hard to create one of those with just two people. I reach out and grab a hold of his shoulders with both hands. Still smiling.
“I’m not suggesting you do what I do doofus. I was showing you that there are lots of ways people dance and that everyone has their own styles. Those were some of mine. When you dance, it should be natural to you. Not that forced, whatever that was, you did earlier. And you accuse me of trying to hard.”
I release his shoulders, back away and little and start to rock out to the song; ‘Never again.’ Only this time I’m in full on performance mode and am pretending I have a mic on a stand to play with as well as a guitar.

Ric:
"That was The Sprinkler. It was hip. In its day." I inform her. Maybe back in the 90's, but I leave that part out as she bounces all around again. I think to all the parties I've been forced to go to, or force myself to go to, to be social. I remember Nix twerking. I don't think I should do that. It left me traumatized for almost two whole nights. Which reminded me to ask her what she was doing with that douche Blake. He might not be a douche, but I've not had the chance to size him up. For now he's a douche. I move around in the immediate area, bobbing my head, then figure, what the hell? I pretend this air guitar thing she's doing, but I'm probably failing at it.

Skylar:
I’m about to tell him to stop copying me, but I figure he’s doing something more than bobbing his head and while it doesn’t look exactly natural what he’s doing, I’m not convinced that any move he made would look genuine. Some people were just not meant to dance. I don’t mind that though. As I’d told him, dance was a form of self-expression. It didn’t really matter what you looked like as long as you were having fun.
“So…” I begin as that song comes to a close. “Having fun yet?”
I laugh. I can almost guarantee the answer is no. But that’s my educated guess, and nothing to do with anything I can get off of him vibe wise.

Ric:
"It's not horrible." I reply to her question and then stretch my arms over my head in an attempt to touch the ceiling. My shirt rises just a little bit, along with my coat. I realize I hadn't taken it off yet at this point. So I do just that. I fling it to the nearest chair, then swing my arms back and forth as I look around the room and then at her. "You didn't give me a tour. What's it like living in here? Doesn't suit you." She seemed like an apartment girl. Even a suburbs sort.

Skylar:
I turn the music down a little and smirk to myself as he seems to actually loosen up a bit. I hadn’t thought to tell him to take his jacket off. But then it wasn’t like we really got hot or cold.
“Nice t-shirt,” I remark as I point to the slogan. “In case you forget?” I’m obviously teasing him. “And well. This is the living room, slash kitchen, slash study. Through here is the bedroom.” I point off to one of the side rooms. “And through there is the recording studio.”
I can’t help but smile as I say that. I still think it’s super cool. I do that thing with my hands again but only once this time. Click, click, clap.
“And well… that’s it. It’s more than I’ve had to roam about in, in a while. So you know… can’t complain. Actually… It’s kind of cool. If I could have designed the place, I probably wouldn’t have done all that much different.”

Ric:
"I wanted to see people's reactions." I say. I like doing scientific experiments or trials. These results told me nothing. People just looked at it and walked away, or laughed and walked away. People didn't seem to believe vampires existed. Which was good for all of us. "So, you and Ellie a couple? I saw that one chick. She looked pissed." I laughed, my first laugh around her as I pick a spot on the couch and claim it. "Next time punch her in the throat." I shrug. It worked on humans. It would at least take her by surprise.

Skylar:
I just nod at his remark about people’s reactions. He was an odd one indeed. I get the sense he doesn’t like people and then he does stuff to get a reaction. I realise that’s kind of what I was doing with him. Testing or pushing on his boundaries. Trying to get the reaction I wanted as opposed to the one I was getting. That’s where we differ I guess. He wanted to simply see their reactions. I was trying to alter them.
“Ellie and me? No. He’s my sire.”
I walk over to the sofa but I don’t sit on him, I sit next to him, facing him. I have one leg up on the sofa and I hold it at the ankle. Luckily the split is on that side, else the skirt would have stopped that behaviour. I watch him as we speak. Keeping my hands to myself. For now.
“That woman. The pissy one. That’s his wife. Or not wife. I dunno. They’re the couple and she got all bent out of shape cos I hugged Ellie and kissed his cheek. It’s ridiculous really. As for punching her…”
I shrug my shoulders. How do I say this without appearing weak. Though weak, by vampiric standards was what I was.
“I’m a lover not a fighter. To coin an old cliché. I’m not the sort to go around scrapping like some rock chicks do. There’s usually a better way to solve your problems than beating the crap out of each other.”

Ric:
"I agree." I say and let a long pause last between us as I debate on saying what was on my mind. I say it. "Kill them instead." I stare at her and wait for her reaction. Pi was insecure. About this Ellie guy. The one who bought me. Interesting. Was that a couple thing or a sort of wife thing? "How did it end? The altercation? Are you satisfied with how it ended?"

Skylar:
“That’s… a bit extreme.” I say when he mentions killing people.
I’d already told him I was a lover and not a fighter. So it should have been obvious that I’d be against such a finite solution.
“And I have no idea. I mean Ellie’s cool. We talked and stuff a while back. He knows he’s not my type. He knows I don’t mean anything by it when I hug and kiss him. He’s like me. A hugger.”
I smile as I say this. Ellie and I were alike in a lot of ways. It made him the perfect mentor for me, as he could see things the way I did and I could learn from him easier because I understood him.
“I don’t much care for the outcome. Not in regards to her. I got the better part of a bottle whiskey and well… you… out of it all. So I can’t complain.”
I shrug.

Ric:
"Not really. It shuts people up for a while." I say with a shrug. "Besides, we come back anyways when we die. Sounds like she needs time to keep a cool head." I don't like how Pi handled herself. In public like that. In front of everyone. At least I was discreet when I stabbed that guy in his head. "I guess as long as you got what you wanted." Being drunk didn't seem like a positive outcome, but who was I to say? Or care? "Anyways. I don't think I'll be doing this again next year. Not really my thing. And we can just hang out whenever. Without spending money."

Skylar:
I don’t really know what to say to him. He seems quite blasé about the whole dying thing and I wasn’t sure I could agree with him on that. When I’d died. I’d felt the cold and the darkness around me before Ellie brought me back. I wasn’t sure I ever wanted to feel anything like that again.
His comment about spending time with me, without either of us paying throws me. I was sure this date was going bad. Well up until we started dancing. But even then I kind of thought he was just humouring me. I knew why I wanted to hang out with him, but I’d yet to figure out why he’d spend time with me. Well, without there being something in it for him that was.
“Well that’s nice to know.”
I reach out and place both legs on his thigh and lean forward slightly. I wouldn’t usually second guess my actions like I do when he’s around but I figure if I want him to feel comfortable around me, I have to act normal around him.
“Though… Can I ask… Why? Why would you want to hang out with me? Don’t I just piss you off?”
I don’t mean to come across as needy or insecure. I just wanted to know what it was about me that he actually liked. I knew he liked my taste in music. I knew he liked my smithing skills. But past that I had no clue.

Ric:
"No." I say with a shrug. "You don't piss me off. No one does." I leave it at that. I don't like some people, but that doesn't mean it's because they've pissed me off. They're either idiots, or people I have nothing in common with. So I don't think about them or the time wasted. "Do you want Ellie's money back?" I ask her. "I am not good at this." I made a gesture between the two of us. "Socializing." I explain further. "If you're not satisfied we can arrange for that and I won't waste your time."

Skylar:
I smack him on the leg.
“Stop that. Stop confusing me. One minute you say we could hang out without the need for exchanging money. Then you want to back out of the current deal and what? Hand me the money and run? You’re contradicting yourself. I never said I wasn’t satisfied. I mean yeah you’re a pain in the arse to connect with but…” I shrug, “I like a challenge.”

Ric:
I shrug. "Ditto." I say, leaving it at that. I think tomorrow is my night. To pick what we did. I had a few ideas. "You're not half bad. Strange. You remind me of a Pomeranian. Small and excitable." I'm not sure if that's a compliment or not, but I say it and won't take it back. "Are we done backwards hugging and cuddling?"

Skylar:
I start laughing. I’ve never been called a specific breed of dog before. A ***** sure. But Pomeranian. That was new.
“I guess that depends on you.”
I choose not to reply to the dog comment and instead focus on his question about my immersion therapy idea.
“I tell ya what. I’ll give up on the whole immersion thing and forcing myself on you if we can both agree to be ourselves going forward. And I mean beyond tonight too. Like I’ll be me and I’ll be just as physical with you as I would with any of my other friends. And in return, you accept it’s gonna happen and that for me at least, it is necessary. In return for your patience, I’ll try and not take it personally when you inevitably flake on the deal and disappear without warning. How does that deal grab you?”

Ric:
"You mean for the other two nights." I shrug again. "Deal." Though I wasn't sure what she meant by flaking out. She paid her debt and I paid mine, so I wasn't going to go anywhere. "I don't disappear." I say casually, because in my mind, I don't. I can't sit around doing what other people do, which wasn't much of anything from what I saw. Both species, human and vampire appeared to be lazy, a trait that carried over from their human side.

Skylar:
“Nope. I mean from here on out. Any time I see you. And if I’m pissing you off and you feel it’s inappropriate touching or what have you, you’ll just tell me that it’s too much or something. Cos saying it’s unnecessary is only true from your side. So it’s kind of insulting.”
I hope I’m explaining myself right. I know I’m probably being presumptuous by assuming he’ll ever want to spend time with me again after these three nights but I live in hope.

Ric:
"No. I don't agree to that." I shake my head. "I do not agree it is insulting or why it would be insulting. We are practically strangers. I do not even hug my sire. So until you provide me with sound reasoning as to why it is absolutely necessary to touch or embrace me, then I do not think it is." I wait to hear her reasoning.

Skylar:
I sigh and roll eyes at him. Here we go, I think to myself. I knew he was going to be a pain in the arse about this.
“Well for me it’s perfectly natural. And I’m not exactly asking that you return the hug am I. I’m asking that you allow me to be me. So if I wanna hug you. I can. Of course at some point I bet you will start hugging me back. Cos you’ll get used to it. And well… It is necessary. To someone like me. If I stop myself from hugging you, then I’m not being me. And I like being me. That would be like asking a person not to breathe or a fish not to swim or whatever. I mean. Yeah. We might be strangers now. I wouldn’t exactly say that myself but whatever. In the future you might consider me a friend.”
I know I’m not explaining myself very well but then I’ve never had to practically beg someone for the right to hug the before. People usually just accept it.

Ric:
"I doubt I will. But whatever." I agree, because like other women I have encountered, Sky was among the irrational ones. It is a common female trait. They do things because they feel things that are or are not there. It is a flaw in their creation process, I believe. "Deal. I don't flake out. Or disappear. Not all of us can stand around making fast cash by singing songs and looking pretty." I'm not certain she's pretty yet, I haven't really sized her up yet. Though that wasn't uncommon. I've never really judged a person on their aesthetics.

Skylar:
“Nice optimism.” I say as I playfully smack his leg again.
“You know if the entire human race were like you’d all of been extinct eons ago.”
I try not to let his comment get to me even though I can’t tell if he’s joking around or being serious. If he’s serious it says more about him than it does about me. I know he’s the prickly kind, so try to do what I told him to do a few moments ago and just suck it up.
“And cool. Experiment over then I guess. I’ll be me. You be a less prickly you and lets just have some fun. Hey. I know. Can you play guitar?”
I’m not sure why I hadn’t thought of that earlier. Teaching him wouldn’t just be fun, it would make sure I have to be near him and touch him and push his boundaries too. Not like hugging him or anything but I would have to help him with his fingers and stuff for placement.

Ric:
"No." I tell her. "I can't play any instrument. It's not necessary for survival." I let my hands drop to the sides and rest on the couch. This gives us more space, space that I require and like. "And if the human race were more like me, you're probably right about the extinct bit." Though I'm sure we're talking about two very different things, the truth was mostly only stupid people bred with a few rare exceptions. And then those stupid kids bred and well, stupidity never did anyone good. The smarter of us would kill the idiots of the world off. I believe her words were meant to be an insult, but I find them to be a compliment.

Skylar:
“ ‘Kay. ‘Kay. So I know what I’m going to teach you next. I’m gonna teach you the chords. And just so you know. Playing the guitar is a survival skill if you’re me. Let me assure you. I’d of starved by now if I couldn’t play guitar. Well that or I would have had to make jewellery full time or go home or whatever. Okay maybe it’s not a survival skill but I love it.”
I know I’m rambling a bit but I’m excited so I spring up from off the sofa and go to grab my guitar. Since he probably needs a plectrum, I then have to start the daily plectrum hunt and luckily for him, this time I’m actually successful. Coming back to the sofa, I settle down to face him, one leg half crossed on the couch, the other hanging over my ankle and resting on the floor.
“Right… I’ll show you the basics. Then I’ll hand it over and walk you through. ‘Kay?”

Narrator: The rest of the evening ran a little smoother after he agreed to learning how to play. They listened to music, danced, played with the guitar and even messed around in the studio. Skylar didn’t manage to get Ric to sing for her, but she did get him to talk into the mic for a bit, so she could record his voice and then mix it up and make him sound like a chipmunk and stuff. She then got him to record her in the studio while she performed, though she kept her performance brief as she didn’t want him to think she was only interested in showing off her talents. When the night finally came to a conclusion, Ric instructed Skylar to meet him at the Station Net Cafe and to dress comfortably. He had a few ideas on what they would do, but nothing panned out yet. He let her know that if there were any changes to the agenda that the male would text her with what had changed and that she should follow the instructions to a "t." Before she could hug him, the shadow took to the comfort of the shadows in the room and vanished without any further words.

[Skylar]

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

Ric's Night

Ric:
Before the night begins, I send Sky a text. "Make sure you're wearing comfortable shoes. And don't bring any food. Or drink. See you in twenty minutes." I hit send, get dressed, then meet her at the Station Net Cafe as arranged. When I get there, I don't go in. I just wait outside, on the curb as I work on my cigarette, a book bag next to me. Under my arm, protected from any possible thieves as I wait for her.

Skylar:
I look at the text and roll my eyes. He told me last night what the do’s and don’ts are. I look down at my sneakers and check what I have in my pockets. Women’s jeans don’t leave much room for carrying **** but I do the usual drill anyways. Money. Check. Keys. Check. Cell phone. Check.
“Well that ought to do it.”
I’ve done as commanded. Comfy clothes. Jeans, T-shirt, jacket. Simple. I have no idea what he might have planned and drive myself half nuts on the train journey trying to guess. I plan on grabbing a coffee when I get there and check my phone to see what the time is. I’d hoped to arrive a little early and sigh to realise that Ric might be the punctual sort.
“Sleep well?”
I ask as I wrap my arms around him and give him a warm hug. There’s not much else I can ask at this point, as between him leaving and seeing him right now all I’d done was sleep myself. I assume he had a similar day to me, in as much as he too was unconscious.

Ric:
I brace myself for the inevitable. I know what she's going to do before she even does it. I just let her do it and stay in one place. I wait for time to pass, because once enough time has, she will stop hugging me. "I guess. It was as good as the night before. Nothing notable. You?" She will want to talk, as most women do. So the sooner we get it out of her system, the better.

Skylar:
“Pfft. Like I know,” I reply as I back up a few paces and give him his space. “A bomb could go off and I wouldn’t notice a damn thing. So… What are we doing tonight?”
I get straight to the point. Tonight wasn’t about me and what I wanted and after everything I subjected Ric to last night I kind of feel I owe him. Hell, I’d owe him after tomorrow night too as I’d already figured out exactly how we’d be spending my last night in the driver’s seat.

Ric:
I stand up, flick the cigarette to the ground and step on it. Not once, not twice, but four times. "We're going to get supplies." I tell her with a shrug. "In the woods." I expand just a little further my train of thought. "I don't suppose you've ever hunted before?" I grab the backpack and sling it over one of my shoulders before starting to walk to the train station.

Skylar:
Hunting? He’s taking me hunting? Forget me owing him for tomorrow. That was going to be payback. While I’m not a salad only kind of girl, I’m also not the kind that likes to kill her own dinner. I wasn’t even any good at biting people and that was supposed to come naturally to our kind.
“Erm… Nope.”
Best to be honest if he’s going to have me running around with a shotgun or something. There was more chance I’d hit one or both of us if I was honest. Hand eye sports were never really my thing. I follow as I try to wrap my head around the idea of actually hurting some cute looking critter.

Ric:
"Didn't think so." I say with a nod, then shrug. "We'll make do." I inform her in a matter of fact sort of way. Everyone had to start somewhere. "Come on, we're going to miss the train." I pick up my pace, putting the pack on both shoulders as I do this now. I fish out a few colorful bills, hand them over for our tickets and take the change. It gets split between both pockets before I sit down in a seat on the train. I open the bag, carefully so she doesn't see what's inside, then hand her a pair of binoculars. "Here. Take these. They're your set." I inform her as I zip the bag up.

Skylar:
I follow behind and can’t help but take note of the fact that Ric is covering my ticket again. I must come across as charity case or something, cos having spent a bit more time with him, I highly doubt it’s a chivalry thing.
“Ah man!”
I take the binoculars and fold my arms, the spy wear now being tucked slightly under one arm.
“Did ya gotta do that here? Now I look like a geeky train spotter. Or worse. A peeping Tom. Or something.”
I whine about the fact my image just took a knock but I’m teasing, kind of. I’d probably done far more shameful things while under the influence and the moment I think that, I’m reminded of a certain embarrassing moment in which the straps of my top were pulled loose and I exposed myself to a carriage full of people. ******* Dillon. He’s responsible for way too many of my most embarrassing moments. I’m tapping my arm with my free hand in frustration but it’s not Ric I’m pissed at. It’s me or my jackass of a best friend.

Ric:
"Train spotter? That a real thing?" I never heard of it before. And I knew what a peeping Tom was, but her words didn't suit what that was. She was a chick and I doubt she knew anyone in here. "I'm sure all eyes are on you, princess." I almost roll my eyes at her, but catch myself doing it. "They've been waiting for you all night." I stop when I notice she's tapping her arm with a hand. A nervous tick maybe. "You're fine. No one cares." I assure her as the train stops at Gullsborough. A few passengers come on, even more off and we're on our way again. "Tomorrow is our last night hanging out. Know what we're doing? Or how I should dress?" I look at her and ignore everyone else on the train.

Skylar:
I know he’s kidding about but I still take what he says to heart and actually find myself looking up and down the carriage at the people about us. I look washed out. Pale. They had to be able to tell that I was dead. We attract attention. My kind. Even if we don’t want it. I mean sure yeah, when busking I want all eyes on me. I want the coin in their pockets, or paper as it seems to be these nights but still. The hand that hand been tapping my arm is now running up and down it, as I try and comfort myself.
“Yeah it’s a real thing,” I reply, not looking at Ric. “And I’m not telling or it will ruin the surprise.”
More like he’ll not show up, I think to myself but as I’m not looking at him I doubt he sees there was more being left unsaid.
There’s a guy in the back of the carriage that’s staring at me and I can’t seem to look away. He’s kind of old and a little creepy looking, probably just my type if he could shave off a few years but I shiver to think of that. I don’t look away until he smiles at me, at which point I know I’ve been staring at him too long.

Ric:
"How should I dress? I told you that much." I pointed out to her as the train draws near the Wickbridge area. I think that's a fair question. "Or will you text me tomorrow night?" I crack a small grin in her direction, only to notice she's staring. Or was staring. Until the person she's staring at looks at her. "See something you like?" I hold back the laughter, but keep my eyes on the old guy. I'd probably shank him if I had to. He was just about the cut-off range to my preferences.

Skylar:
“Eew! What? No!”
I punch him in the shoulder and do a double take of the old man again and shiver for a second time. The thought was beyond creepy, if the guy wasn’t old enough to be my dad, he was definitely older than Ellie and Eliie was already too old for me.
“You’re much more my type.”
I try and think of something else the moment the words leave my lips. I hadn’t meant to say that and I knew my cheeks would be burning yet again. I seemed to have foot and mouth disease around Ric. If I wasn’t insulting him, I was praising him. I was seriously beginning to wonder if Allurists were bi-polar or something. It was almost like being two different people at times. Though whatever I had, I was worse round Ric. I might want to blame my path but deep down I know it’s nothing to do with that, the guy just does something to me. I decide to try and move the conversation on and hope to god he doesn’t take any notice of what’d just said.
“As for clothes. I’ll tell you later what to wear. If we’re not both dead and dying or whatever from some sort of nasty hunting accident.”
It’s clear where my mind is going from that statement. The night was going to be a complete disaster. I was going to be an utter disappointment and I knew it. I just had to hope I wouldn’t have one of my mad turns and do something even more stupid than I was already imagining.

Ric:
My lips curl up just a little when she starts to 'spazz' as they call it. Part of me enjoys making her do that, even if it comes with a punch or two. She directs the topic in my direction, and now I know I've put her on the spot. If she thinks I'm going to follow suit with the spazzing or denials, she would be disappointed. When she mentions us both dying I just stare. "We're not going to die." I say it like I believe it, because I do. "I spend more time in the wilderness than the city. Unless I'm creating art. Besides, you dying would be counterproductive. I plan on seeing our arrangement through to the end." I nod, then turn my attention back to the sign on the train, letting us know the estimated time of arrival to our destination. Three more minutes. "Have you even been in woods before?"

Skylar:
I’m thankful he lets the words I didn’t mean to say just ride over him. I’m not too worried that he doesn’t like me. He occasionally says I’m cute or something and even if he doesn’t mean, if he says it enough times it might just hit him that it’s true. I mean I’m at least cute. I’m not vain enough to try and give myself a number or anything but I know I’m not hideous, even if I have taken on an unnatural pallor.
“Yes. I’ve been in the woods. Most people have. You know picnics in the sunshine. Long walks on which you intentionally get lost so that you can spend more tie together. Sneaking off into the bushes to have sex because both homes are occupied and you’re not old enough to have a place of your own. That kind of thing. And if you think you’re safe, then great. Just don’t blame me if you hand me a weapon and I trip and end up blowing your head off or something. ‘Kay?”
I don’t really believe I’ll be stupid enough to do something like that. God, if he handed me a gun I wouldn’t be walking around with my hand on the trigger, but accidents do happen and you can’t exactly plan for those.

Ric:
I listen to all the things she's done in the woods and just shake my head. "Did you know that vampires can get pregnant from sexual encounters? The things in their bellies grow so big they explode out. The chick dies." I stand because we've reached our destination and wanted to leave her stewing with that thought. I weave through some people, step over bags and head out the middle door. I wait for her on the Newborough platform, lighting a cigarette as I wait.

Skylar:
“Oh my god. Inappropriate much,” I laugh as I follow him off the train. “And yeah I knew. Ellie told me after I… Well anyways. I’ve only had sex like once since… you know… dying.”
I lean in closer to him to whisper that last word. I’m not all that comfortable talking about vampires out in the open, but I guess anyone listening would think we’re roleplayers or something. Roleplay seems to be much more widely accepted these days for whatever reason. Personally I blame Vin Diesel. The fact that he not only played but ran Dungeons and dragons games seemed to spark it off. That and the amount of vampire, werewolf films that have been released in the past few years. Suddenly everyone and their dog is into supernatural stuff. The world’s gone bonkers. Not that I’m complaining, I kinda like supernatural flicks myself.
“I’m not giving up on sex just cos I might explode. Seems stupid if the only real consequence is a weeklong vacation in never, never land.”

Ric:
I shrug, not caring. If she wants to die over stupid reasons, her business. Sex didn't serve a purpose now that we were vampires, but if she just had to have it, whatever. I only take a few hits off my cigarette before i toss it to the ground and stomp on it an even number of time. I had to make sure it was out. We were too close to the wilderness for me to be careless. Not that I saw myself as being careless. But took extra measures anyways. "So here's the rules before we begin. Once we go in the woods, we don't talk unless we have to. Do you think you can manage that first task?" I ask as I put the backpack on both my shoulders again. If she was observant, she would notice it didn't seem all that heavy. And it probably didn't hold much in terms of weaponry either. "Also, you stay close to me. Can't have you wandering around getting lost. Then you will die."

Skylar:
“No and yes. In that order. Silence and sitting still drives me nuts. So you’ll have to tell me if I start humming or anything. The sticking close thing I can do though easy.”
I smile at him. I know this probably isn’t what he wants to hear but if I said I could stay quiet I’d be lying.

Ric:
"Figures. Just try and stay as quiet as you can. There will be a point where we can talk. Until we get there can you attempt to not talk unless you are injured?" I take a step off the platform, but don't go too far. "I'm asking you this for your own safety. I doubt you can handle a bear or mountain Lion. But if you want to find out, feel free to blab away."

Skylar: “Sir. Yes Sir.”
I straighten my back and salute him. I can’t seem to help myself from taking the piss. He’s probably right. I probably do need to be quiet for my own safety. I can’t really argue there. I just know what I’m like.
I follow and stay close as we walk off. I can do that part at least. I curb the urge to hook my arm through his. Hunting probably requires two hands and while he said I could be me, I should probably still ease him into that.

Ric:
"Cute." I'm already thinking this is a bad idea, but I don't have any other ideas on what to do with her. So, I'll just have to suck it up. "Come on then." I nudge my head south before stuffing both my hands in my pockets. Before we get in the thicket, I look back to make sure she's following. I know where we are going, but I don't tell her that. Instead, I take her in a zig zag of wandering, or so it would appear before I hop over a fallen branch, using a hand to push off it, then turn back to look at her. I offer a hand if she wants it, knowing that females didn't usually have much upper body strength, which meant the task I just performed might have been impossible for her. "We're almost there." I say barely above an audible whisper, but suddenly crouch as I hear a faint snap in the woods. I only hope she follows suit and stays in the silence I'm projecting by not talking, not breathing, not moving. I just wait for whatever it is to reveal itself to do so and let it go on its way. When I see a dark figure, that of a head pop up from some large foliage and make a low pitched rutting noise, I know it's nothing more than a deer. Maybe even a moose. I've never bothered with hunting those, but I know the sound a little. It stands in silence, then bucks off to the west. I stand and head east without a word.

Skylar:
I give him a nice big grin when he calls my piss taking cute. It’s nice being able to relax a bit more around and not have to worry I’m going to offend him and cause him to run away or something. Like a good little girl scout, I follow through the forest. I can hear my mum saying something about being killed and buried in the woods, but I ignore that memory. She’d said it entirely too many times for it to have any effect and as it turned out she was wrong. I died on stage due to faulty wiring and didn’t get a funeral or nothing. I’m still talking and walking. Well not right now. Right now I’m following orders and keeping my mouth shut.
When we get to the log I’m forced with a dilemma. Hop it like the tomboy I am, or take his hand and pretend I’m the weak *** girly girl he thinks I am. Despite it gave me a great excuse to touch him, I choose the former and jump the log with ease. When he suddenly crouches down I follow suit and look around trying to see or hear whatever it was had caused him to act this way. I couldn’t exactly help in a fight, but I could at least get out of the way if I had to.

Ric:
"We should be there-" I stop and look around for the marker. A strip of dark green from an old t-shirt I didn't want anymore. One that had seen better days. After a minute, maybe two, I see it and point in the direction. After passing a few trees, it becomes obvious the woods are thinning out in this area and it would be revealed when we made our way to a clearing. Once we're there, I kneel down and start rummaging through my pack. "We're here." The grass almost covers my pack, but in some areas it's bent over from wildlife sleeping or resting on it. "We can't stay long. There are things in the woods. Things I can't kill. It bit my head once." I keep rummaging until I find it. I pull the thin blanket out and put it on the ground. "It ran off like a ***** when I tried to attack it back." I proceed to lay down on the blanket, then look up at her. "You going to stand there all night?"

Skylar:
I still have no idea why he went quiet and I’m not about to ask either. I just follow where he leads. When we get to a clearing he recognises, we stop and he starts rummaging around his backpack. When he produces some sort of blanket and basically asks me to join him on it, I can’t help but raise my eyebrows as I stare down at him. This wasn’t what I’d been expecting. If he was any other guy I’d assume this was the point where he was going to make a move but I highly doubted that’s what he wanted. I drop to my knees and lay down on my stomach next to him.
“Great so you bring us to a place where we could both die. Nice plan Stan. And at what point are you going to explain what this achieves? What’s our goal? What are we hunting?”
I’m talking but in a quieter voice than usual. I’m not sure if we’re at the place where I’m allowed to talk. I think about that and decide that Ric probably wouldn’t tell me even if we were. He liked his own space, so it followed that he might like peace and quiet too.

Ric:
"You can't be on your stomach. Who hunts on their stomach?" I look at her. "Have those binoculars?" I ask with a hand in her direction. "We're hunting stars." I say nonchalantly. "You suck as a vampire. I'm making you better." Maybe that came out wrong. Harshly, Phoenix might say. "I'm upgrading your survival skills. Just in case." In case of what, I don't say, but I feel like I'm doing her a favor and she should appreciate it. I don't do this with just anyone. "Unless you think you can find the way out of here without me telling you?" I look at her, with my hand still out for the binoculars.

Skylar:
I pretty much forgot I was holding the things but hand the over when he asks.
“Hunting stars? Are you shitting me? You don’t look like the sort that can name the constellations.”
I roll over onto my back and stare up at the heavens. Well I certainly can’t get into any trouble doing this now can I. That’s pretty cool, I think to myself. The while thing seems kind of romantic too, though Ric’s agenda seems to be quite unlike any other guy I’ve ever met. Everything was about survival. I half figure his plan is to leave me here to make my own way home. That would suck but at least I wouldn’t freeze to death if I failed.
I settle on the blanket, pull my hair out of the way and take a moment to appreciate the clarity of the night sky. Without the light pollution the number of stars has increased dramatically and I’m already searching for the few constellations I know.

Ric:
"I can name a couple. The ones that matter." I look at her through the binoculars. "The ones that will get you out of the woods if you ever find yourself in them and lost." I lean back and look up at the night sky. "Someone, an Altaire wanted to see the stars. Months ago. I thought it was stupid. Until I remembered you don't have to just look at stars like an idiot. They're beneficial if you know what you're looking for. Like for instance, the Big Dipper or Ursa Major." I move the binoculars away to look at her to see what she's doing. I see she's looking up at the sky, so I proceed. "Once that's found, you can try and find the Little Dipper or Ursa Minor. Most people don't know that the North Star is in the Little Dipper. It takes you true north. Most people believe it's the brightest star in the sky, but that's not entirely accurate. Think you can find the Big Dipper?" I pass her the binoculars without waiting for her reply.

Skylar:
I debate looking stupid to help pad his ego, but it’s not really my style.
“Sure Ursa Major, the great bear. The tail points towards the North Star… Right? I don’t need binoculars to find that. Usually.”
Truth is I didn’t need the now. It was the easiest constellation to find and the one I was most familiar with, so I’d already spotted it.
“You know the English call it the plough or the saucepan too. Probably cos that’s what it kind of looks like. See?” I shuffle a little closer and point it out to Ric, and start connecting the dots for him, though it’s probably a little off from his angle.
“You have the pot there… And then the handle and if the handle is there… Then the North Star must be that way somewhere… Right?”

Ric:
I put the binoculars down and just stare at her. She's a mix of weird, crazy and smart. The last part was unexpected, truth be told. "Well, guess we won't be needing these." I grab the binoculars and stuff them in my bag. "Anything else you care to reveal about yourself?" I zipper up the bag, lie it down as flat as possible and use it as a pillow. "North star is in the handle of the Little dipper. "Guess there's some hope for you, yet." I acknowledge before looking up at the stars. Outside of that, I didn't know a thing about them and thought spending any time trying to figure them out was a waste of time.

Skylar:
“Careful now Ricky that almost sounded like a compliment,” I tease. “Okay so I follow that that’s North Star. So that’s North right but how does that help me?”
I’m not playing dumb. I never did figure out how sailors could sail using just the stars. They needed a sextant or something to help them but Ric clearly had a way of determining which way home was and right now I had no idea where that was. Yeah my phone likely had an app for this but this was his night and I was going to make an effort. Besides a little extra survival knowledge never hurt anyone.

Ric:
"What do you mean? It tells you which was is North. Real north. Not North east, North west. North. So once you know where North is, if you know you came south, then you turn the opposite way and head south." I shake my head. I know she's smarter than that. Any idiot should know once you know where North is, the rest of the directions sort of come to you based off that. You know, the old whatever it is. Never Eat Shredded Wheat. Something stupid kids make up. I'm sure you can think of something more interesting way."

Skylar:
“Nupe. That’s the way I learned it too. That and that North is above South and then you get the word ‘we’ for West then East. My problem is that I wouldn’t know where south was to start. So do you have a marker for that too? I mean it’s pretty hard to figure out the other directions with only one point of reference. I mean…for arguments sake. You’re kidnapped, blindfolded and dumped in the woods. You need to get home. How do you know where home is? Or do you just keep heading North and hope to **** you find civilisation?”
I pull myself up on one elbow and start looking at Ric instead of the stars. Sure they’re pretty and much more numerous in the pitch of night and with supernatural eye sight but still. I was right next to him and he seemed semi-comfortable, something I’d been trying to achieve yesterday. The urge to do something stupid like lick him or something crosses my mind but it quickly passes when I tell myself to behave.

Ric:
"Has anyone told you, you have quite the wild imagination?" I look back over at her and roll just a little. My head is still on the bag, but I'm facing her now instead of the night sky. "One, the chances of you getting kidnapped are pretty slim to none. You're a vampire. Just kill the bastards. And two, unless you're rich, no one really kidnaps anyone. Not with the intent of giving the person back. Unless it's for a **** ton of cash. So if you're kidnapped, the average Joe isn't going to be returning home. Makes this whole thing pointless on both aspects. You being a vampire, or someone being kidnapped with the idea they'll be going home." I shrug. It's a cold, hard truth.

[Roderic]

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

Skylar:
“Okay fine. My parents are loaded. My sire’s got cash to burn and as unbelievable as it might seem to you, they all love me and are willing to pay the kidnappers. I’ve been dumped in a forest at midnight and I have to get the **** home. What do I do?”
I take his comment about wild imagination as a compliment; you kind of have to imaginative to create music and to draw, so without that I’d be kind of screwed. Besides, I like it when he talks. He’s weird and everything he says brings me one step closer to working him out. I know he thinks we aren’t friends, but we sure do act like it. I begin to wonder if I should google the world friend and show it to him. Though I guess the time to do that would be when one of hasn’t paid the other to hang out with them.

Ric:
I shake my head at her hypothetical scenario but for her amusement, I indulge in it. "If the ******** is still there, the first thing you do is kill him or her. The second thing you do is find shelter. If it's midnight, the chances of you getting out before sunup are slim to none. It could be possible, but you don't want to risk it with thirty minutes until sunrise and you're scrounging about. Feed off animals to survive, as we need blood. Then the next night, head north. Or South. Whatever suits your fancy. **** if I know. If you're dumped in a highly wooded area in some foreign country, you're probably screwed. Forget what I said about the stars and just survive." I roll over on my back and look back up at the stars in silence.

Skylar:
“Hey. Don’t go getting your boxers all bunched up. I was just asking.”
I poke my tongue out at him and wrinkle my nose as I do it.
“So…. Is this is for tonight? Look at the stars and figure out the way home? Or did you bring me out here to make out with you? In which case you needn’t have wasted your time, as you pretty much own my *** till sunrise. We could have done that at the café. Or Ellie’s. Either, or. Wouldn’t make a difference to me.”
I’m purposely trying to make him uncomfortable now. He seemed to advocate violence a lot and that didn’t sit right with me. All that ‘kill the hostage taker’ bit. Well yeah. I guess maybe I would be angry and upset but if I was free, I’d be free and thankful and probably wouldn’t have stuck around even long enough to look at the guy – cos let’s face it it’s more likely to be a man – so that I could identify him later.

Ric:
I roll back over to face her and roll my eyes at the same time. "I know how to get home. The question is, do you? We came from the west. I was doing you a favor. Making out was not on the agenda. Unless you want one of those things in your belly." I stare hard at her in a threatening manner. It's happened a couple of times during my scientific research days. Chances appeared favorable for her on also being impregnated with one. I don't tell her these things. Nix told me not to. "I doubt you would like or survive the umbra. Shadow realm." I correct myself because that's probably what she was told it was called. "We can leave, if you want to point me in the direction you think we should be heading in." I shrug. "And best make it quick. We've been here a long time. Before the Fae comes."

Skylar:
“Did you skip sex ed? You don’t get pregnant through kissing. Unless you’re trying to say your real goal is to **** me. I mean what do you care if I explode and go to hell or whatever. You don’t even think we’re friends.”
I poke him in the chest and smile at him. I can’t seem to stop myself from teasing him. It’s way too easy at this point, though the thought of something coming to get us does sober up thoughts a little. I cast my eyes about us but have no idea which way we came in. I wasn’t expecting to be tested like this, else I’d of paid more attention.
“How about we head North and hope for the best?”

Ric:
"Valid points. And you know my view about *******. So no, we won't be doing that. Or making out, as it's just as pointless as screwing." I stand and wait for her to move off the blanket so I can collect it. Once I had, it gets stuffed in the backpack. The pack finds its way on my shoulders again. "North it is." I start to head off in that direction after looking at the night sky one last time. We don't make it too far before I feel a burning sensation in my upper thigh and I go tumbling to the ground. I roll, snatch a small blade from my boot and wait, as I lie there with one less leg. "******* great." I wait for a possible secondary attack, blade out and ready. I was going to get it if it came back around.

Skylar:
I get up and step off the blanket. I’m not sure if we’ve been out too long, if he has something else planned or if he just wants to call it a night. I sigh to myself and fold my arms across my chest. As we start to leave, Ric does something peculiar – even for him – and ends up on the floor. I have no idea what he’s doing and then I notice he seems to be missing a limb. My eyes widen as I stare at him.
“What the **** just happened?”
I run over to take a look at him, so if he’s bleeding or anything. I’m not really sure what the procedure is for this kind of thing and I definitely wasn’t prepared for whatever that was.

Ric:
"My leg just got hacked off." I say, eyes still scanning the immediate area. There's blood everywhere, and some muscle and ligament too, but I don't pay it any attention. Yeah, it stings like a *****, but I'm going to defend myself if round two comes. A few minutes later when nothing happens, I'm certain we're fine. But we need to get a move on it. "That was a fae." I inform her. "They aren't those cute, Tinkerbelle things you were told about when reading or watching Peter Pan as a kid. They're nasty, vengeful things." I put the knife back in my other boot. "There's a knife. In my other boot. You should grab it." I don't think about how weird that sounds. To have her grab something from my missing leg. "We need to move too." As she collects my blade, or so I hope, I focus on healing my leg.
It's a neat, new trick I learned on the mystic path. It pretty much taps me out for the night on my vampire capabilities, as I'm starting to feel drained as my leg starts to regrow. Between boosting my blood earlier in the night and now healing this, it was taking its toll. "Bring me my boot too?" I ask as a now naked leg and foot reappear. I'd been in worse shape. As both a human and a vampire.

Skylar:
I’m still trying to process what had happened when he asks for the knife and boot. Is he ******* kidding me? The guy’s as cool as a cucumber and he just had a limb ripped off. I’d be in ******* hysterics. I might actually be in ******* hysterics.
Breathe. Am I supposed to breathe?
I find it hard to focus and then as I approach the limb it damn well disintegrates or something. Suddenly all the gunk and goo and is gone. Poof. Like magic. I stare at the now empty boot, half grateful for the fact that I didn’t have to unlace it and remove it from its severed form.
“I erm…”
My now imaginary heart is still racing as I go back to him, boot in one hand, blade in the other. I’m lost for words. The evening just went from good to ******* disastrous in the blink of an eye. I begin to wonder why he brought us here if this place was so dangerous. Why did the creature go for him? Ha he planned this? Was he trying to get out of our plan for the next night?
My eyes bulge again as I see his leg reforming. This was ******* freaky. I feel like I’ve been dropped in the middle of a horror film. I look around warily, wondering if and when the thing was coming back.

Ric:
"Snap out of it. We have to get the **** out of here." I bark at her. "Unless you want to be next, or you're willing to donate a hell of a lot of blood to me. "The blade is for you. You might need it." I take the boot from her and start lacing it, like nothing had happened. Because it had, it was resolved and we needed to go. I stand after it's laced, and grab her by her wrist. We start walking, or I start dragging her. I don't care which it is, but we're getting out of here. I can't heal her. And I doubt I can heal myself again, so we had to move. "If something comes at you, kill it." I say as we trudge through the woodlands. "Usually it takes them a while to come back. Sneaky fuckers." I tell her. As if that would make things better for her. Chicks liked being reassured.

Skylar:
I look down at the blade in my hand. For me? I’d end up hurting myself. You had to be trained to use **** like this and not end up putting it in your own gut, but I let my hand drop for now. I figure we can argue that later and simply nod to show I’m ready to leave.
“I…”
I know what I want to say but the words won’t come out. I keep looking around us as we move. The whole thing was surreal.
“Do you need blood?”
I force the words out. I know I sound half dazed but I’m worried about him too. No-one wants to see someone else in that kind of situation, even if they don’t react to the pain.

Ric:
"No." I tell her. "Yes. But not right now. Doesn't make sense for both of us to be weaker than we naturally are. I can wait." I inform her, my mind still focused on getting out of the woods. It shouldn't be too much longer. We wouldn't come out the way we came from, but North wasn't that bad of a shot either. Why she picked North was beyond me when I said we came from the West, but I don't understand women or the things they think up and do. I take us slightly east. So we're heading North east. "So what else you like to do?" I remember women liked to talk and that meant they usually weren't thinking about what was happening at the current moment in time.

Skylar:
I nod again.
“Okay. Once we’re safe. Take what you need. I’ll be fine.”
I’m not even trying to be nice at this point. Well maybe I am. I mainly feel guilty though. I keep pace with him and keep my focus on staying on my feet in case I fall over and stab myself. Whatever that power was he had for re-growing limbs. I was pretty sure I didn’t have it.
“I like… erm…”
At this moment the only ending to that sentence I have is ‘you’ and I’m sure as hell not making that mistake again tonight. I rack my brains trying to think of something else I like.
“Shiny stuff.”
I face palm or at least try to. I practically hit myself in the face with the hilt of the blade. Great. I look like a complete prat now. Shiny stuff. Who says that even if it’s true. I’m a human magpie. If something shines at me, I like it, I want it. Thankfully it wasn’t a full blown klepto condition.

Ric:
Shiny stuff? What did that mean? I think about it in silence, and nod. Women liked shiny things. Jewelry usually. My mom had a few pieces on her I remember them while I was growing up. A necklace, a med alert bracelet for her allergy and the wedding ring she moved to the other hand but never got rid of. "A chick that is into jewelry. I'm shocked." I say as the limb finishes regrowing. "I don't need much." I assure her. I don't want her thinking I need her. Because I don't. It was just a time saver to feed off her instead of tracking down some random vampire no one gave two thoughts about. "But thanks." I say as I slowly stand and get my bearings. "Don't suppose you have any powers that can get us out of here, huh? Teleporting maybe?"

Skylar:
“Hey I resent that remark. I’m not just into jewellery. I design it. I make it. And I don’t just like jewellery. I like shiny things. Can be anything really. If it sparkles when the light hits it right, it gets my attention. I like shiny stuff. My brother says I’m drawn to it cos it’s who I am. I have a sparkling personality, therefore I like things that sparkle. I don’t see the correlation myself but at least I’ve stopped swallowing the shiny things I find.”
Great Skylar. Just tell him you wet the bed till you were like six, you’re really on a roll here. I chastise myself as I realise I’m not actually heling myself at all. I’m telling him things that make me cringe with embarrassment. If we were in a bar I’d of excused myself to go to the toilet and given myself a stern talking to in one of the stalls. I used to look myself in the mirror but these days it’s a little creepy seeing my altered reflection staring back at me.
“I like miniature stuff too. You know dinky things that don’t really have much use. I used to have a collection of stuff like that but well… I left that at home when I moved out. Mum probably dumped it all the day after I left. I dunno. And to answer your question no. I can’t teleport or do anything useful. Sorry.”

Ric:
I really don't know what to say about the 'confession' of Skylar's about her liking shiny things. So I just stare and then I laugh. "If I didn't know some things about you already, I'd depict you as being extremely vain." I shrug, giving her an open, honest opinion about my thoughts. "I bet that stuff is still inside you. Not that it matters now." I add in as I wipe my hands on my shirt. "And just thought I would ask. Would save us a lot of trouble is all." I shrug. I wasn't against doing things the hard way either. "We best get moving then." I start to head back in the direction I know is the right way based off where we started to where we are now in comparison to the angle or direction of the Big Dipper. "So what sort of stuff can you do? Your path?" I like to keep my options open and know what I'm possibly working with if things get bad. Which they might.

Skylar:
“How does that make me sound vain?”
My voice goes up an octave so it’s probably all too obvious he’s struck a chord.
“I’m not vain or materialistic, before you go adding that one to the list. I left most of my stuff when I left have home. I have like two duffle bags of stuff and most of that is clothes. Okay maybe now I’d have 3 since I started making swords but that **** isn’t for me. That’s to… well… It’s about the only useful skill I have to offer my new family. I think you forgot I used to couch surf too. Bit hard to be materialistic or vain when you don’t even have a bed to call your own. Still. I chose my life. It didn’t choose me. And I’m an allurist. Couldn’t you tell from the whole offering you food thing yesterday and inspiring you and stuff? I know people can like gain other talents but I’m young remember. Vampire wise. Like I’ve not even been a vamp for a month yet. But I’m picking things up quick. I think. I hope. You’ve got more useful skills than me. Like walking on water and being able to heal a limb. That’s seriously impressive.”
I’m following him as best I can as I blabber on. I try not to talk too loudly as I don’t want to draw attention to us; though at this point that may be a moot point.

Ric:
I hear the change in her pitch and I ignore it. She's the one who was going on and on about shiny things. Had she been specific on what shiny things she was talking about, I probably wouldn't have called her vain. Had she said guns, I would have been slightly impressed. Swords and knives? Even more so. "I might have cooler powers, but I don't know all that much about the vampire population. Apparently there are all types that can eat food." I shrug my shoulders as we keep walking on. "As for doing what I can do, you'll get there. With hard work.

Skylar:
I huff when he starts talking and forgets to explain to me how I’m vain. I half want to smack him around the back of the head to get a straight answer from him but somehow I doubt that will end up with me getting the answer I want. I kick at a stone in frustration and decide to let the issue drop. Pushing might solidify his opinion of me.
“And what if I don’t want to get there?”
I realise how that sounds a moment too late and start to try and justify my reply.
“I’m not afraid of hard work but what if I don’t want to be jack of all trades. What if I’m happy being me and improving other skills? Would that be so bad?”
I almost walk into a branch, the end of it catches on my hair and I have to stop to untangle it. Stupid hair. Making me look worse than I already do. This night had gone from good, to disastrous, to just plain embarrassing.

Ric:
"Yes." I tell her grimly. "You'll be weak. Unless that's what you want to be. Weak." I shake my head at her answer. Her sire must be a real piece of work. "We have to evolve. Or what's the point?" I move a tree branch out of my way, and out of her way because of it. When she's through it, I let it go and stop. To look at her and wait for her point of view on a reason why she shouldn't evolve and progress.

Skylar:
He’s doing it again. That chivalrous thing. Dillon probably would have let the branch hit me just for shits and giggles. When he stops I practically walk into him. Rather him than a branch though. I smile up at him.
“I didn’t say I plan to be weak. I was asking if it would be so bad to specialise. To stay focused on one area of progression. Or do we not get a choice in that? The few powers I have I assume I lucked into. I don’t know where they came from or how I have them. I just do.”
He looks cute in this dim light and he challenges me, surprises me, confuses me even. Add in the injury, or rather his reaction to it and he’s pretty badass too. An inscrutable puzzle of a man. I catch myself this time as I almost sigh and stop myself before my thoughts drift places they shouldn’t.

Ric:
"You can specialize in more than one thing." I offer, but shrug. If she wants to be just an allurist, that's her business. It would be stupid, but if she wants to be stupid, what do I care? "You can do whatever you want, princess." I tell her with a nod of my head. She's not one of my things. "I think we're close. To the city limits." I add on to my thought process. "So what would a specialist allurist do?" I had never heard of anyone not wanting to progress to be more. Was Skylar lazy? It hadn't appeared to be so far. So why the huge hang up about learning more?

Skylar:
Princess. So we’re back to that again. I sigh with frustration at that word. How he can think I’m some stuck up ***** is beyond me. I’m not materialistic. I give to charities. I’m nice to old people. I’m nice to pretty much everyone. Unless they prove they don’t deserve it. And even then I’ll make an effort if I have to.
“True.”
I tell him, my voice echoing the disappointment I feel.
“I have no idea if you even can specialise. As I said, things have just happened for me. I don’t know what I’m doing, but I’m doing something.”
Skylar:
I shrug and refuse to look at him now. I’m stupid. I sound stupid. Act stupid. Maybe that’s why he calls me princess. I’m the by-product of some inbred union. The guy gets to me. I know I should brush it off, but for whatever reason I can’t.

Ric:
"Don't beat yourself up over it. I learned a lot only because I was a blood thief and had the experience." I offer to her. "You'll learn things you thought was cool or worth it and then realize a month, maybe two later you could have gone without it. It's a learning process. Probably always will be. But that's what it is. Learning. Sticking to one thing doesn't really teach you anything. Progress." I stop for a second as I hear something. Only to realize it was a loud muffler to the north of us This confirms we're going the right way. "Anyways, enough about that. You'll do what you do and it will work for you." I nod as we hit asphalt. The first sign of city life. "I'm sorry. Our event was lame. I don't do this. Socialize with people. A lot."

Skylar:
And then like that he changes again. I try and recall Elliot’s definition of an allurist but all I get is my own.; it’s like having permanent PMT. Thing is, I can’t tell who’s worse at this point. Ric or me. Probably me, since my emotions show easier. Ric just seems to change in what he says and does. There’s little emotion attached to any of it. Or if there is, I don’t see it.
“Thanks. For trying to make me feel better. And the event wasn’t lame. I was really enjoying it until that thing attacked.”
I already knew he was the hermit type but that doesn’t bother me. Just means we get to spend more one-on-one time, and that’s only really an issue if you can’t stand someone. So if anything, he’d be the one regretting time spent with me, not vice versa.
“You know we could just go hang out for what’s left of the night. I could make you something shiny if you like. The quality might suck, as I don’t think I have any decent parts but you might get a kick out of watching something be made. Up to you.”

Ric:
"Hang out? Like friends do? Or like a date?" I ask, watching her carefully. The differences are not something I've yet figured out. Some say when I hung out with Jules that was a date, but we both agree that wasn't. Hanging with Velveteen wasn't either. So I'm not sure. "But we can." I nod in agreement. "That would be cool." I start walking a little more north. "Any ideas on what people do to hang out?" I look at her. Dead serious.
"I don't mention anything about shiny stuff, only because that's not really hanging out is it? Just watching someone work. I do that on and off all night.

Skylar:
I stand there gaping at him like a moron for a moment. I’m pretty sure I didn’t ask him out and he didn’t give me any time to answer, so when he basically says it doesn’t matter and he’s up for it, I’m lost for words.
“I… erm…” I blush. “I wasn’t… I mean I would… But I didn’t… Okay.”
I dab at my face with the back of my right hand. I could feel my cheeks were on fire before doing that, all this reflex does is draw attention to that fact.
“I meant as friends. But dating works too. Actually. That’s kind of what I had planned for tomorrow. A proper date. With explanations to help you understand what it is that people do and stuff. Yesterday was kind of a date too. As was tonight. Or they could have been. It’s difficult to explain.”
I catch myself rambling as I try to define something that most people seem to just understand by the time they hit our age. It was like trying to explain a word to a foreigner. I knew the word. Could use it in a sentence correctly and yet I couldn’t define it without a dictionary for the life of me.
“Hanging out is really just spending time together. Having fun. Getting to know one another. We can do anything and everything. What do you want to do? Pick an activity.”

Ric:
"Yeah. I know friends go out on dates. It's not really called a date though. It's called hanging out." I inform her of my vast, or not so vast knowledge of dating. What do I want to do? I doubt she'd want to do anything I want to do. I give it some thought as we keep walking north. "I want to-" I stop. I don't know what I want to do. I know what I'm good at." I shrug. "We could go to the zoo." It's the first thing that popped in my head. I took Nix there once so she could learn how to fly. By watching the birds take off and such.

Skylar:
“The zoo?”
Okay as far as activities go it wasn’t stupid but it was more something wayward dads did with ther kids on their one weekend of the month. I think about it for a second. He obviously likes animals. I like animals. I hadn’t been to the zoo in a while, as I hadn’t quite decided if supporting it was the right and proper thing to do. Zoo’s to me were a catch 22 situation. If you supported them, you were supporting locking creatures up in small, unnatural habitats. If you did, then you weren’t. Only, if you don’t go, they get less money and the animals might have a suckier quality of life. I’d been on the fence about zoos for a while and it probably showed in my expression.
“I’m sorry. Yeah.”
I realise the guy probably needs an ego boost with this sort of thing and shooting down his ideas probably wasn’t the best way to go unless I had any real objections to them.
“And don’t worry about labelling the night. All right? I mean dating and hanging out are pretty much the same thing for the most part. It’s intent that makes the difference but I’ll explain that tomorrow and you can ask me about anything you’re unsure of then. ‘Kay? I promise I’m not judging you or anything. It’s kind of nice to know not all guys are players.”

Narrator:
Even though the look on her face was noted, once Skylar agreed, they were off to the zoo. This was probably better than the original idea Roderic had because they did a bit of back and forth about how cute the animals were, versus the practicality of the species. Conversations about their habitat, which led into conversations about the habitats Ric has seen personally while hunting and his favorite game to hunt. All in all, their second date ended surprisingly well, once they focused off the other and talked about something else.

[Skylar]

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

The last night.

Skylar:
“Our final night of forced togetherness.”
This is what I tell myself several times throughout the hour it takes me to get ready. Well. Maybe not a full hour. Dillon helped me with my make-up - for what was hopefully the final time - before I got the semi-perm stuff tattooed on. I don’t go all out but unlike the previous nights, tonight I’m wearing eye shadow and blusher too. I put on my black heels, smoothed my hands over my little black dress, don my necklace, a couple of bangles on one hand, a wide leather bracelet on the other. I adjust the bracelet and make sure the bandage beneath isn’t showing. Part of tonight’s preparations was filling a bottle with some of my blood. The bottle was in my purse that was basically a mini leather rucksack.
Once Dillon’s gone, I have nothing to do but wait and so I check my phone to see if Ric was running late and then switch on the music. I’d told him we were going on a date and that he had to pick me up and drive me around all night. As I set the phone in my bag, I wonder if he owns a bike or car; as a bike might be problematic in this outfit. I shrug to myself and wait for him to pick me up at my door as instructed.

Ric:
Smart casual? What the hell was that? I had spent the better part of an hour researching what it was. Finally, I just picked something and threw it together. A pair of jeans, black, my boots and a dark blue button down. No tie, which probably would have made it casual smart, but I never owned a tie. Not past that age of 18. I even tuck it the shirt in. Go all out, right? After I comb my hair back, I head out from my flat, down the elevator and to the river. I cross it and then head to "Ellie's" place, which is really Skylar's now. As I walk, I realize how uncomfortable I am, so I draw the shadows in and disappear as I head to the station, catch it to Cherrydale and head down to the sewers where I pop into the catacombs and finally to the mausoleum. I'm a little late. Or on time, really. I like being early, but the research had taken me a while. I stand outside the door, still in shadows and knock on the entrance.

Skylar:
I hear the knock, switch off the music, snatch up my bag and head for the door. When I open it there’s nothing there. I know Ric has the ability to disappear and stuff and so I start to wonder if he’s pranking me. It’s that or one of those creatures is playing Knock Down Ginger; they’re crafty buggers, so I wouldn’t put it past them.
“Erm… Hello? Ric if that’s you, you kind of have to rematerialize or whatever. It’s not much of a date if one of us is a ghost.”

Ric:
"Oh. Right." I say before I wander off and have a go at a Mooncalf. I stab it in the chest, hack off an arm and then connect my blade in the lower part of its skull before it falls over into a heap of whatever they were before this. I return, a little dishevelled as I tuck my blue button down back in my pants. "I'm not sure how I'm dressed." I admit when I return, tossing a bone to the ground outside her door. "Can I come in?" I ask instead of just assuming I can. Like the last time.

Skylar:
I see a part of the fight and can’t help but marvel at the way Ric handles himself; once he’s visible that is. I’m not much for violence myself but then comparing my ability to fight with his was like comparing a pro ice skater with a novice skater. A small shiver runs down my spine and I compose myself before he comes back. The sight of the bone that practically lands at my feet helps with that too.
“I’d say yes, cos you’re always welcome here. Well so long as I live here anyways. But we’re heading out. So no point you wasting your energies on getting in yet. You can come in later though… when you drop me off.”
I grab a couple of booties out of a box near the door, my own installation, and put them over my shoes. I look ridiculous but the things were practical, not a fashion statement. The little plastic covers would keep my feet scum free as I walked through the sewers.
“And you look lovely. Not quite like you though.”
I untuck his shirt and mess up his hair a little.
“There. Much better.”
I give him a warm smile and then take his arm; we’re on a date after all.

Ric:
"You remind me of Simone." I blurt out as she grabs my arm. I'm not bothered by her untucking my shirt. I didn't like it there anyways. And I'm not vain, and could give a crap about how my hair looked. "Where are we going? Did I need to bring something?" This attire didn't leave me much room. Just the exception of a single. small blade that was put back into my boot for safe keeping once the mooncalf was disposed of. "If I knew we were going to go out, I would have brought more things." By things. I mean blades.

Skylar:
I pat his arm. I don’t know who this Simone woman is he mentions but I decide that question could wait for another night. Talking about exes wasn’t something you should do on a date and since I didn’t want to talk about other women either, I was going to assume she was one of those for now.
“We’re going to Lancaster’s but only for a bit. We’re off somewhere else after that. And don’t worry Ric. I won’t lead you astray I promise. For tonight anyways.”

Ric:
Lancaster's. I'd seen it once or twice. When I travelled with a different group. "Okay." I'm not sure what she means about the other things. I don't ask. "You look nice." I remember I'm supposed to give people compliments in these sorts of situations. It's called etiquette. So I've been told. "Do people always dress like this at Lancaster`s?" I almost added something that sounded insulting, but bit my tongue back. I enjoyed the silence and walking in it. Even with her on my arm. "Are you going to hold my arm all night? What if someone or something attacks us? Can I have it back then?" It is my small, miserable attempt at humor.

Skylar:
“Why thank you. You look very handsome yourself.”
I bump his hip with mine; it’s a playful gesture, one he’s likely not used to but he agreed I could be me around him.
“People wear all sorts. Like the other night at the auction. It’s just a bar. Jeans and t-shirt are good there but if you’re going on a date it’s best to look your best. At least until you get to know the other person better. You want to look your best to impress the other person. It’s a vain thing. I know. But all animals do it. The male of every species displays his best assets when trying to win a girl.”
I look him over, casting my eyes down his front, then take a quick peek at his rear.
“I can tell you right now your best assets aren’t being displayed to their potential right now.”
I laugh and then quickly explain in case he gets insulted or loses confidence. The point of tonight wasn’t to ridicule him for his lack of knowledge, but rather empower him with my experience.
“You have muscly arms and a nice arse. You’ve got nice eyes two. But two of the three aren’t really doing you justice right now. I mean the shirt hides your arms. So short sleeves would be best for you, though not always appropriate. Your other hidden feature is your arse. Which looks great in jeans but your untucked shirt is hiding it. More’s the pity. Oh and yes. If we’re attacked. I’ll give you your arm back.”

Ric:
I don't think I look 'handsome.' I think I look stupid and out of place. I like my original clothes. They're me and I'm them. They express a little bit about me, but not enough for a person to actually know me. Just to get a taste. I listen without interrupting, even though I want to. Right off the bat and correct her. I'm pretty sure some creatures in the animal kingdom just hit it and leave, not really showing off any of their assets. Not that it mattered. I wasn't the type to do that and I didn't care about showing off my assets either. "It's winter. If I wore short sleeves people would look at me." I think it's important to blend in, because if you do it right, no one will remember your face or any distinct characteristics. I don't comment about my eyes or my ***. "Most of what you
stated sounds vain." I point out as we continue walking. "Superficial."

Skylar:
I laugh and as we walk through the mausoleum and into the catacombs I start to address what he said. I mean he’s right. It’ superficial. But it’s the way we’re programmed.
“People are superficial creatures. We make up our minds about people within the first six seconds of meeting them for the first time. Or at least that’s what science says. It’s instinctual. We discern body language and such. Even scent on a more primal level. I watched this show where a guy had to choose a woman based purely on her scent. They had like eight women all wear new t-shirts for a day and then seal them in jars. The guy then sniffed them and ranked them from best to worst. They then looked at the order and compared it to how similar they were genetically. Cos well, we go for our opposites. Kind of. We look for mates with characteristics we don’t have. Gives the offspring better chances of survival or something. Anyways. Point being. The guy was spot on. He’d lined them up in order with his favourite smelling woman being the better match. It was insane. But yeah. I’m rambling. You get the point though? First impressions, scent and stuff. It’s important when going on a first date.”

Ric:
"No ****?" I look at her as she talks about what she had seen on the television. I have to admit, I'm surprised. Again. She doesn't seem the type to watch anything like that. Not with all the random weird, superficial **** that comes out from her mouth. I imagined her watching chick flicks and soap operas all damn day. Outside of listening to music and dancing all day. She probably danced in her underwear. I had seen a movie like that once. A chick getting ready for school, dancing in a t-shirt and underwear while she was singing to some stupid song. "Right. First impressions. Why are you telling me this stuff?" If she thought I went out on a lot of dates or had the urge to, she was sadly mistaken.

Skylar:
“Yeah. Nature is crazy good like that.”
I laugh again because I can feel his surprise. I have no idea what about my statement shocks him though. Could be the fact that I know that. Or the science itself. I remember being surprised by it myself when I first heard it.
“Didn’t I already explain that? Hmm… Maybe not… Well. You said you’d never been on a real date. So tonight we are going on a real date and I’m going to give you tips and stuff. Explain the basics. That way if you ever need to go on a date you’ll know what to do.”
I pat at his arm and smile at him.
“You need to know the basics Ric. Even if it’s just so you can recognise when you’ve tricked into a date. Women are tricky that way. We’re crafty creatures.”

Ric:
"I doubt that." I inform her. Women were not crafty creatures. Not the ones I knew. With the exception of Phoenix. But that was why I was drawn to her, I think. She was an exception to the rule. Why I might have even believed she was the first vampire; and the best. Not that I didn't believe she wasn't the best out there still. "And I won't need to go on a date. I'm sure this one will give meet my quota for the rest of my life." I think that sounds insulting, even if it wasn't meant to be. "What I mean is, I'm sure you'll do everything right and teach me the importance of being presentable and things to do or not do on a date, but I doubt I'd want to go on another. I have lived this long without going on one. Until now."

Skylar:
It would have been easy for me to be insulted by what he said had he stopped after telling me he’d meet his quota after just one date with me. I couldn’t have believed that though. Not really. Dating was a normal part of life and as vampires we were going to live a very long time. Sure the rules of dating would likely change over the next few decades but that didn’t mean to say he shouldn’t be prepared just in case.
“Oh come now Ricky. Do you really think you’ll get through everlasting life without ever going on another date. You’re an attractive guy. Some girl, some day is going to catch your eye. That or you’ll catch hers and she’ll trick you into dating.”
I laugh, but since I already know at least part of what I’ve said to be true I really shouldn’t.

Ric:
"I'm in my late twenties. So yes. I think one will suffice." I tell her honestly. I hadn't the urge to date before and while her and I were going on a date, it was because circumstances called for it. I said I was open for anything during the filling out of my auction card. And this was what she wanted. I would see it through. "I don't see the point of dating." Again, another honest truth as we climb the stairs out to the night.

Skylar:
“Don’t see the point?”
I parrot back with surprise. Well I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, the guy literally ran away the first time I ever hugged him.
“Are we going to debate this all the way to the pub?”
I laugh. I wouldn’t mind the debate really, though I get the feeling that we’d both still be in opposite corners when the argument was through.
“Usually the point of dating is to find a partner. Someone to share your life with. They say you have to kiss a lot of frogs to find your Prince. I half hope that’s true to be honest. I’ve dated a few losers in my time. Still. Live and learn. Or die and learn. Both work in our case.”
I’m, about to circle back to the late twenties thing but realise I can start with that during the Q&A portion of the date. I had questions for him and no doubt, he’d find some to throw at me, even if he’s just being polite.

Ric:
She obviously lived in fairy tale land. "Do you believe people need a partner?" I don't. I didn't even like a lot of people. I could get by without them. I had most my life. "And no. I think we would just be talking in circles. So, good luck with your task at hand. With finding your prince." I think her parents told her a lot of ******** growing up. Probably something along the lines of, 'One day, you'll meet a handsome man, who will sweep you off your feet. And he'll solve all your problems.'

Skylar:
“Oh Ricky. I don’t need luck.”
I grab a hold of his arm again, seeing as how we’re no longer climbing our way out of the sewers. As much as it’s disheartening to hear him talk about not wanting to date, I can’t help but hope that time and a lot of patience might change his mind on that.
“I don’t know if I’d say I need a partner exactly. Want. Maybe. I mean I don’t mind being alone but I’d prefer to have someone I could count on. You know someone to talk to, have fun with, snuggle up with before I pass out for the day. Etcetera. Etcetera. So… How we getting to the pub? Did you drive?””

Ric:
"You should get a cat. They like to snuggle, I've been told. And I walked. Which was why I was a little late. Walked and train. You didn't tell me to drive." I look at our arms. It's unnerving that she always invades my space, even if that is part of her personality. "It's too cold to drive what I do." I inform her.

Skylar:
“I thought pick me up kind of covered the need for a vehicle. I’ll know better next time. So what do you drive if it doesn’t do this kind of weather? Which by the by is crazy. We have this weather for practically half of the year.”
I start to realise I should have brought a jacket now as I look around me. It was strange how quickly some of my learned life skills were fading into the background of my memory now that I didn’t actually need them. I probably wouldn’t have even noticed if it weren’t for the number of people passing us by, all bundled up in their winter jackets with scarves around their necks.
“Cats are not cuddly by the way. And I’d look like some crazy spinster woman if I started getting cats. You can’t get just one. One leads to two. Two to three
Next thing you know, you’ve got a flat full of cats and no love life at all. **** that.”

Ric:
"I'm not a natural to Canada and cars are for guys who want to do the dad thing." I inform her with a reassuring nod. "I own a cycle. Since I could drive, I owned one." I shrug my shoulders. "Dog then?" I don't comment on the pick her up thing. I guess I should have known, but I didn't. "I've seen people with just one." I tell her, not that I think a dog suits her any. But she seemed to want and need something. Anything that gave her attention, given her statements. "I don't like them either. Cats." I say randomly. "Anyways, what else do people do on dates, that are different to friend dates?"

Skylar:
“Nah. I’m not really a pet person. I’m a people person. I like human interaction.”
I start in the middle and then swing around to his other statements. I can believe he’s not a cat person. He doesn’t strike me as the sort of guy that gets home in time to feed, well, anything really.
“The motorcycle thing is cool. I can see that. You look the sort I guess.”
I shrug, and then lightly bump my hip against his.
“As for the differences. You’ll learn as we go along. No skipping to the good parts. Don’t tell me you’re the sort to read the last page of a book before you begin, just so know how it turns out?”

Ric:
"No. I enjoy getting to the climax. Building something up after all that hard work and seeing it through to the end." This lets her know that I read, which I do. We probably just don't read the same things. I mostly stick to non-fiction, but every once in a while I enjoy a well written crime novel. Only because some retired detectives now write books and give the world tips on how to be more careful and sneaky. We board the train, and talk about nothing that really strikes me as important things to know or do on a date, if I ever found myself on one. A big hypothetical that probably wasn't going to happen, but she could believe whatever she wanted. When we get to the other side of town, I stand and just offer my arm. I know she'll take it, so we best just get on with it. "We're not meeting him are we? Ellie?" I didn't want to be put on some sort of weird display for Skylar and her sire. I'm not an accessory.

Skylar:
The train ride is comfortable on my end, though I can’t get what he said out of my head. I know we were talking about reading but somehow he made it sound like something else. His choice of words made it sound sexy.
“We’re on a date Ric. Not a double date. I have no interest in sharing you tonight. So no. Ellie isn’t meeting us there. If he’s there he’ll be working or whatever. He doesn’t know what I have planned.”
I think about that for a moment, unsure as to why he wouldn’t want to see Ellie. Ellie was great. Warm. Open. Honest. Everything a good guy should be. I wouldn’t mind if we ran into him, but it certainly wasn’t something I planned. No-one wants a parent crashing their date. If we ran into him, I’d probably tell him to buzz off; nicely of course.

Ric:
I'm thinking about this idea of a double date? Going on a date isn't really my thing, but to go on a date with more than one person? There was an old adage that had to do with three's a crowd. I bet four wasn't much better. We head to Lancaster's, glad that we weren't going to be meeting Elliot there. He wasn't worth the time of night to me. Not with all the things Sky didn't seem to know and the fact that he didn't really do a lot when it came to that ***** that got up in Sky's face at her own event. "What do you drive?" I realize I don't know, but since she asked me, it only seemed like I should know what she drove.

Skylar:
“Me? Drive? You do remember me telling you I was living on people’s sofas. Right? I’ve never bought myself a vehicle. I have a license. Just no wheels. I’m a public transport girl.”
I’m not really sure if I can explain to him why I don’t drive. Telling him it’s too much responsibility doesn’t seem like a good idea. Telling him that a car says something about a person and that I wasn’t sure what I wanted my car to say didn’t seem like a good answer either. My parents had bought me a car. Something high end. I’d made them take it back.
“So you prefer one on one conversations. Right? That why you ask about Ellie?”

Ric:
"Yeah. I don't really like crowds. Or people I don't know. Or have a frame of reference for." I leave it at that. I'm pretty sure saying your sire seems like a wimpy douche bag isn't a) nice, b) something you should say on a date. Even if it's a forced date. "Why?" I look at her and open the door. I might not know much about dating, but my mom always instilled in me the importance of opening doors for women and the elderly. Something I kept with me. No, I'm not a momma's boy by any means, but she definitely had my respect.

Skylar:
“Just curious.”
I reply in one of those typical sing-song voices us women like to use when we there’s clearly something more behind our motivations and we just aren’t willing to share. Everything I’d learned about Ric so far - which wasn’t much - told me that the slowly, slowly catchy monkey method was required for this one. My usual upfront approach wasn’t going to get me anywhere. Much like with that first hug, it would probably have him running for the nearest exit.
“Thank you.”
I slip past him into the bar and look around for somewhere to sit. There’s more privacy in one of the booths near where we are, so I head for one of those. Luckily, one of them is free. I slip in one side and wait for Ric to either sit next to me or opposite me on the other side; I can almost guarantee he’ll choose the latter.

Ric:
Curious my ***. Not with that sort of voice. What was Skylar playing at? I don't ask, I just follow after her when she goes in and wait to see where she sits. I sit across from her, after looking around the place for 'Ellie.' I don't see him, which is fine by me. "Do you come here a lot?" I'm not aware this is some sort of cheesy pick-up line, I'm genuinely asking her if she hangs around by her sire a lot and in his place. I'm trying to understand Skylar, to an extent.

Skylar:
“Before or after… you know… I died?”
I lower my voice to say the last part and wink at him.
“Before. Nope. Never. My first night in here was the night I… You know. Now… Well I pop in when I can. Help myself to the bar. Help out. Jump on stage and make some noise. You know. But before we start chatting… I’ll be right back.”
I jump up and head for the bar. Or more accurately around it. I don’t wait to be served. I just pop behind it and start doing my own thing. I’ve only been hanging out here a few weeks but the staff are used to me already. Some know I’m Ellie’s kid. Other’s believe I’m his real kid; his love child in fact. I told them that because it was a fun story and could be true. It explained my sudden appearance and the leeway he gave me when I was here at least. I fix myself a drink and then head into the office to get the bottle of blood from my bag. I’d brought a tumbler in with me and filled it three quarters with my own bodily fluid, having first given the bottle a good shake. I then place the bottle back in my bag and leave the way I came in, picking up a JD and coke over ice for myself before returning to the table.
“Drinks are up.”
I say as I put my bag on the seat and slide in after it. I push Ric’s glass towards him.
“House special with a twist. The special part being that I brought it from home, since they don’t actually stock your taste here.”

Ric:
I look at her, then at the drink she passed my way. "You know, it's a little off. Just giving your, you know, away. Most view blood as sacred and go apeshit when any of theirs are spilled for any little thing." I inform her. I didn't really view it that way, but I knew a lot that did. Those that could get blood from a shop, or from any human walking the street. Some even had humans they controlled. Sure, no one should get away with whacking someone intentionally, but I had seen vampires die for an accident in the past. "Thanks." I look down at the cup, raise it and take a sip of it. "What are you drinking?" I look at hers, as I set my cup down.

Skylar:
“Pfft. Please. Like I’m gonna cry over something as stupid as that. We all have to have it right? I don’t see what the big deal is. I mean I don’t go around offering it to everyone. I’m not some kind of saint. But you need it and I have it to give.”
I shrug, look down at my own glass and then scoop it up, swirling it slightly so that the ice moves in the glass to chill it down a little more. Unfortunately that kind of action rarely does anything for distributing the alcohol evenly in the coke and so I do something I shouldn’t; I swirl the liquid with my index finger and then place my wet finger in my mouth and suck it clean.
“Mmm. JD and coke. And crap. I forgot. I shouldn’t do that. First date rule; Don’t reveal your bad habits.”
I laugh. It was too late to take that back. Mum would have said it was like bolting the barn door after the horse had already bolted. I roll my eyes at my own stupidity. Had I been on a date with anyone but Ric of course, I’d probably have been able to get away with that a little easier. I‘d just have pulled my finger from my mouth more slowly. Guys were easily distracted by that kind of thing. I sip at my drink.
“Can you tell by the scent what yours is? Like, that I’m not lying to you or something. Not that I would. I’m just curious.”

Ric:
"There are rules?" Another reason why I disliked the idea of dating more and more. "And no. I'm entrusting you that it's something I can tolerate, or else we're going to be quite the spectacle when I hurl it up all over the table and you." I grin at her. It was a crazy thought, but it did happen. And it would draw attention to us. I couldn't afford that. Not with my lack of weaponry on me. "Do we have to bring gifts on dates? People seem to like them. Make up reasons to give them or to get them. Are dates one of those reasons?" I return my attention to the drink, picking it up and smelling it.

Skylar:
I laugh, more at him than with him. He’s kind of cute when he’s being clueless and not knowing that dating had its own set of rules was adorably cute.
“Aw you trust me.” I croon.
This was something I could focus on if nothing else. He was starting to trust me and if he could trust me there was hope that I could eventually get him where I wanted him. I hadn’t really been aware of me having any real plan when it came to him but I was starting to see it now.
“I wouldn’t do that to you. And people do. But more so if you’re going to someone’s house for dinner or something. A typical date gift is bought while on the date actually. If the opportunity arises that is. Like if you’re in a bar or out to dinner on a Friday or Saturday. You generally get someone walking around selling singles roses. They try to make the guy look like a douche if he doesn’t buy one for the woman he’s with. It’s a form of extortion if you ask me. But guys and girls all fall for it. I’m more of a gift giving person for when the whim takes me, than a giver for giving’s sake. Aside from Christmas and Birthdays. We all fall in that trap I think. Dating is like any sport Ric. Rules at to be expected. If you think about it every aspect of your life
They may not be written in the law or anything but they are things we all learn and most of us abide my.”
I swirl my glass in my hand and raise it to my lips, gulping a little more of it down than perhaps I should.

Ric:
"Dating sounds expensive." Another reason why I'm fine with not dating. I could think of other things to spend my hard earned money on than some chick who may or may not be my...princess, would it be? Since Skylar was waiting for her prince? It was the opposite. No. Dating was stupid. We had enough rules to live by without adding more, superficial ones to it. "I guess so." I shrug my shoulders and take a little more of my drink. "Slow down there, princess. It's a marathon, not a race."

Skylar:
I roll my eyes at both his comments. I obviously had a lot to teach him tonight.
“One. It’s expensive for two reasons. Either, money is the only thing you have to offer a girl. Or, the girl you’re dating is a gold digging whore. Personally I don’t bleed my men dry. You may not have figured it out yet. But I don’t need much.”
I take a more moderated sip of my drink and then continue.
“Two. I’m used to kicking it with the guys. So my drinking habits may be a little fast paced. Certainly when compared to someone who’s drinking what you are. Which reminds me. There’s at least another glass to be had if you want it. But no rush. Like you said. So… The reason for drinks on a first date…”
I take a cursory look around the room. The place isn’t packed but then it’s a Monday night. I wouldn’t have minded if the place was jam packed but Ric probably would have felt more uncomfortable then. In that he’s probably pretty fortunate that date night for him fell on a Monday.
“Basically going for a drink allows you to assess you date without any real commitment. So say we go out. I find you boring. So we have a couple of drinks, I get up, make my excuses and leave. No harm. No foul. A drink was all I promised. However, say we’re getting on and I’m interested in learning more. Well then I could extend the evening by suggesting we go to dinner or go catch a movie or something. Make sense?”

Ric:
"What if I went on a date with a human? It's not like I can drink." I point out to her, putting the drink she brought me down. "I don't think your rules fit every scenario. You can drink and eat. I can't. What if my date doesn't like to drink? Or is allergic to something, say coconut and I just get her a drink without asking?" Yeah, I was raining on her parade of infinite dating wisdom, but since she just had to share with me everything about dating, I was going to ask.

Skylar:
I can’t help but grin at him.
“Yeah you’re a difficult one. I’ll give you that. But I planned for you tonight didn’t I?”
I give him a moment to think that through. Yes, our circumstances were different, I knew the bar owner. Well more than that really, I was related to him. So bringing in my own stuff was easier.
“My advice would be not to order for your date. It’s the 21st century. Us women like our equal rights. Even a girl that likes a ‘take charge’ kind of guy,” I do air quotes on the take charge bit, “would probably still be happy ordering for herself. If you were anyone else, I’d of asked what you wanted. But since I knew you have special tastes, I made arrangements for it. You get it right? The basic ideas? I mean if you got in good with a bar owner, they might let you bring in your own thing. Especially if you were still spending money there. And yeah. Dinner might be off the table but a movie wouldn’t be. Oh wait…”
I kick myself for not thinking of it earlier; Ric doesn’t really do movies. Or so he led me to believe on night one. It was the main reason I’d called off my immersion therapy plan.
“You don’t like movies do you. Well that doesn’t really matter.”
I wave the idea away with my free hand and lift my glass to take a rather hasty sip of my drink with the other.
“You take her. Or him. Somewhere else. Bowling. Ice skating. The zoo.”
I wink at him and wonder which of my words will get a rise out of him, the fact that I suggested he might be gay, even though I know he’s not. Or the fact that I was basically saying we went on a date yesterday, only he hadn’t realised it.

Ric:
"Not really." I reply, reminding her of that. When she suggests I might be gay, I just grin a little. "Oh dear, now the truth is out. How did you know?" I sit back in the booth with a cocky grin, just for a second. Before she suggests we went on a date because we went to the zoo. "I took my sire to the zoo. That wasn't a date. I just figured chicks liked fluffy things." I nod my head, grab my drink and think about it. Had we gone on a date? I didn't think we had. Obviously sky was in her own fantasy world again.

Skylar:
“Chicks do like fluffy things. Chicks however, generally don’t like being called chicks either. Just so you know. It don’t bother me but like I said. I tend to hang with guys. It’s not because I’m slutty or anything. It’s just women tend to drive me crazy. So… moving on. Another reason for drinks.”
Saying the word reminds me to take another mouthful of my favourite beverage.
“You get to chat. Ask a few questions. See if you find any common ground and all that. It’s like a mini interview. It’s pass or fail. Most people won’t give you a second date, if you **** up the first. Biting a woman on the first date is a no, no. I probably should just point that one out for your benefit.”
I laugh as I tease him, since that’s exactly what he did to me the day we met. Only instead of walking away and forgetting about him - like I probably should have – I gave him my number and basically told him to call. I realise for what must be the millionth time that I’m not right in the head but then shrug it off, as I really don’t care to be normal.

Ric:
"I don't bite anyone. I thought you were-"I catch my words. I'm sure it was rude of me to say what was running through my head. "Not like this." I point at her quick before I take another drink from the glass she got me. "Not you." I shrug my shoulders. "You're interviewing me?" If she thought I was just going to be an open book and answer any question under the sun she tossed my way, the woman had another thing coming. "After two nights, you still have more questions?" This was exhausting. Maybe even more exhausting than picking a victim, stalking them, seeing their end and then cleaning it up.

Skylar:
“Thought I was what?”
I’d love to know what he really thought of me that night. I knew I wasn’t a-typical, never had been but to have him say that - even if it wasn’t in so many words - makes me smile.
“Yes and no. I mean of course I still have questions. There’s so much I don’t know about you. Like. Where are you from if you aren’t from around here? And how old are you? Late twenties but what age? When’s your birthday? Do you have any siblings?”
I stop having peppered him with questions and wait to see if he’ll answer any of them. I hadn’t asked anything I wouldn’t answer myself so I didn’t see why not, but then Ric was a-typical like me.

Ric:
"Weak. New. Not looked after." I tell her. She wanted to know. "The US. East coast." That's all I'm going to tell her about that. "I have a half-brother. We aren't close." I leave it at that. "November seventh and I'm currently twenty-eight. Does any of that stuff matter? You know, because we're, vampires?" I say the last bit quietly.

Skylar:
I fold my arms across my chest as he calls me weak and such. He had a point. He’d been right on the money for most of it, the ‘not looked after’ bit notwithstanding.
“Well aren’t you just mister information,” I snort. “Are you always so vague? And yes. Those things do matter. They’re the basics of a person’s life. Me. I was born here. I have two siblings; an older brother and a younger sister. My birthday is August first. I turned 28 this year and am a Leo. In case you were wondering. Which you probably weren’t.”
I can’t help but hide a twinge of bitterness as I say that last part, so I quickly gulp down a couple of mouthfuls of my drink to take away the metaphorical taste in my mouth.

[Roderic]

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

Skylar:
“So I was an easy mark then. That’s why you did what you did?”
The truth hurts sweetheart. These were the words I was expecting to hear in reply. The sort of retort I’d get from Dillon. I didn’t mind the truth, not really but hearing he was basically explaoiting my own stupidity stung a little.

Ric:
"Yes." I answer her truthfully. "What, you think I saw you, thought you were sporting a fine *** and wanted to take you out for dinner and a movie after I got a bite to eat? I was told not to tell anyone. Which meant people I fed off of needed to fit a criteria." I stare at her as I go on. "And you know more about my personal life than most Altaire. That should make you feel special in itself." I reply, a little bitterness to my tone.

Skylar:
“So you were told to be a dick? This person didn’t think to just let you, you know… bite them?”
I’m being a little bitchy now and I know it. The fact that he says I should feel special does absolutely nothing to curb the insult he’d thrown at me. As true as it was, as stupid as I was being, my path wouldn’t seem to let me see past it. At least not right now.
“And I never thought you were interested.”
Hoped it maybe, I think to myself. Ric gets under my skin and from what I can hear in the voice, I seem to have a similar effect on him. That’s not such a bad thing. Friction could be good even. I love playful banter – usually – only this seemed to have stepped ever so slightly outside of that.

Skylar:
“I don’t think I’m all that.”
I wave my hand in a flourish as I gesture to myself.
“Guys like me because I’m easy to talk to. I don’t get all tongue tied and stuff like some girls do. I play around. By which I mean I put up with their teasing and give as good as I get. Usually. It’s a thing.”

Ric:
She had a valid point, not that I'd ever think to bite Phoenix. Not when there was no real advantage to this lifestyle, like I had wrongly assumed. That was out of the question. I don't know what thing she's talking about, so that goes ignored. "Let's not pretend we're of the same calibre, princess. Some of us do things for different reasons. Your moral compass is getting annoying. Get down from your high ground and come back down here, to planet earth. Just because I don't share things with you or don't do things the way you do, doesn't make me a dick."

Skylar:
I stare blankly at him as he tells me to get off my high horse. Moral compass my arse. My fingers grip my arms all the tighter and I think about it for a moment. I didn’t call him a dick. Directly. Maybe. Okay. Maybe I had. But he had been one that day.
“Look. I’d be living by your code too if it wasn’t for my own issues. As it is, I drink stuff that comes in a bag. It doesn’t taste as good, but it gets the job done. I wasn’t saying you were being a dick now. Though I reserve the right to change my mind on that front. I was saying you were a dick then. I don’t know what you thought to do after doing what you did. Did you have a plan to keep me quiet? I’m assuming there was another reason for leading me to the middle of no-where. And I don’t deal in calibres. I don’t look down on people for any reason. If I see someone in need, I’ll help. If I’m asked to do something, I probably will do whatever it is if it’s not gonna cause me any problems. I am the way I am. I’m a nice person. Believe it or not.”
I unfold my arms and cup my drink in both hands as I peer down at the liquid. I swirl it, watching the liquid move as I listen to the glass glide over the wooden table top. After a moment or two of this, I lift the glass and swallow what’s left in one go.

Ric:
"I had a plan." I tell her, but I'm not going to reveal it. She'll definitely draw attention to us if I tell her I was going to send her to the shadow realm. "People aren't nice. Not even you. People do things because they want or expect something in return." I nod and finish the drink in the glass. "I'm not nice. I'll be the first to admit it. The only thing I do, where I don't want or expect something in return is my hobby. The taxidermy projects. Because I enjoy doing it. Even now, we're here for a reason, I'm assuming. You're not giving me all your infinite wisdom for free, I'm sure."

Skylar:
“Yep. We’re a doomed species. Superficial. Selfish creatures the lot of us.”
I wasn’t sure how to answer the question about the reason for us being where we were. I’d only just started figuring that out for myself, so I shrug.
“We’re here because you said you’d never been on the date. The advice is free. You can take it or leave it. It’s not exactly my ‘infinite wisdom’ as you put it. Pretty much anyone in this place could tell you what I’m telling you now. I just figured it was something I could do to help you. And yeah. I guess I get something out of it. I get to know more about you.”
I half want to crawl away to the toilets and splash my face with some cold water. It’s that or go pour myself another drink. A double. Neat. Preferably while standing at the bar and another double with coke to bring back. I eye the bar and weigh up my options. Moving on to part 2 of the date was an option too.

Ric:
"You thought I needed help dating? Maybe I don't date because not everyone wants something to snuggle up with at night time. Believe it or not, there are some people that aren't interested in the things you are." She struck some sort of nerve. I was feeling irritated. If I wanted help dating, I wouldn't go to her. I barely even know her. I would go to an Altaire I trusted that wouldn't feed me a crock of crap. Not that I suspect Skylar is feeding me garbage, but she's certainly done her best to undermine me. First, I'm a dick. Fair enough, I'd been called that before and suspect I'll be called that again at some point. But now she's making me out to be an idiot that doesn't know what he wants or needs in life. I don't say these things, but they stick with me. "You want to know more about me? Here's something for you, princess. I didn't tell you my half-brothers age or name because my dad was banging his co-worker while he was still married to mom. Resulting in my half-brother. He left us, and I saw the guy one weekend a month. He later married that woman, who refused to let me take anything he bought me back to my mom's place who was a single woman that relocated to the projects so that we could survive. Most my life I didn't have shoes that fit me right unless I went to my dad's place and got to wear those shoes two days a month. Toys weren't a necessity. Food was. Warmth was. Making sure your **** didn't get stolen was. You happy now?"

Skylar:
I push the glass away with one hand and bring my head down on the table. It makes a loud thudding noise, at which point I cup the back of my head in my hands. This night, much like the first, wasn’t going to plan. I hadn’t even thought about the reasons as to why he didn’t date. Well. Not really. I was trying to do something nice. To help him. Okay. Maybe a little to help me, but I hadn’t really realised that two nights ago when I first thought all this up.
I grumble to myself and then slip my hands off my head, banging them on the table as I do. I don’t mean to be so loud, I just wasn’t really controlling my hands as they fell. I look up at him, my head mere inches off the table, my hair in disarray and sigh.
“Look.”
I gesture with one hand towards him.
“I didn’t mean to be… Well whatever. You fill in the blank. I just wanted to do something nice. Take you on a date. Explain the rules as I know them, in case you ever needed them.”
I reach across the table - still looking pretty pathetic – and take a hold of one of his hands.
“I wasn’t trying to force some sort of deep, dark confession out of you. And info like that is probably best left till like date two, three, four, even I dunno. I don’t exactly walk around telling people my backstory either. I’m not ashamed of it or anything. I just find people judge me is all and I hate that.”
I squeeze his hand and then pull back. I right myself in the seat and begin combing my hands through my hair.
“Thanks for telling me though. That kind of explains a lot.”
I probably should elaborate at this point but I don’t.

Ric:
"Well, this is night three, so there you have it." I say, with a shrug. I wanted to ask her what she thought it explained, but I don't. It's her perception, which could be wrong. I pull my hand away from her much softer skin. Mine is not anywhere near soft. They are worker hands and had seen harsh elements of weather while I was out hunting. "Your turn." I expect to hear some of her backstory, as this was the third night of hanging out and she had stated such. I was following dating protocol. This was an interview process on night three.

Skylar:
I rub at my temples with the index and middle finger of each hand.
“Do I have to?”
I ask, pouting since I already know the answer. He’d either just opened up to me in a big way, or told me one hell of a story. It was only because it made sense to who he was now that I really took it to be true.
“You already call me Princess.”
I put up my glass and rub it between my two hands, the thing moves back and forth as I do this and I just stare at him.
“Let me get another drink first. ‘Kay? Refill?”
I cup my glass in one hand and point to his with the other.

Ric:
"Fairs, fair. Your rules. This is whatever, and the other two were friend dates." I wasn't budging. I do offer her the glass since it seems we're planning on sticking around a little longer. It doesn't bother me; staying here. I still haven't spotted Elliot, so the guy must be off tonight. "Unless you want to go." I add in, knowing I'm not the best company. I'm often quiet, just watching the Altaire as they socialize.

Skylar:
I put my bag over my shoulder, scoop up his glass in my free hand and slide out of the booth.
“We’re good here for a bit. And how about we don’t label it. Might be better for both of us that way.”
I don’t go into detail on how it would benefit me and assume he’ll go along with it as then he could dismiss it any way he liked. I go to the bar and repeat my earlier routine; adding in the step where I down a double neat of course. I then go back to the booth and place his glass back in front of him.
“I grew up in Elmworth.”
I pause there for a moment and let that sink in while I settle back into the booth, my bag beside me again. That one sentence pretty much explains everything I’m ashamed off. Our upbringings were polar opposites, and now we both knew it.
“Family of 5. Two parents. Two siblings. My dad and brother are investment bankers. My mum and sister are kept women.”
I guess in some ways I am too and I sigh as I realise that. I really shouldn’t be living in Ellie’s place. I had to start paying rent. Maybe get a place of my own. Something. Anything.
“I never wanted for anything and lived by their rules till I was 18. I should have gone to a uni in America or something. Taken myself away, but they wouldn’t have allowed that. Besides. I had friends here. Have friends here. They refused to let me move into halls. That’s pretty much when I packed the essentials and started couch surfing. I have more money in the bank than I know what to do with, as I have access to my trust fund. But I’ve not touched a penny of it because… well…” I shrug. “It feels like selling out. Then this happens. Ellie gives me more money. A place to stay and well… the rest is history.”

Ric:
I don't judge her. No one can help the hand their dealt, but they can do something with it. If they want to. Key word right there, IF. Her life is a lot different than mine, and was probably easier too. I'm not the type to get jealous easy and know for a fact a lot more people have lives that were better than mine and easier, growing up. But I also know some people who had it harder. But I did something about it. A bit drastic, but it got me out of the projects, some easy cash and a group of friends that had my back and I had theirs until I needed a change of scenery for a few reasons. Can only commit so many murders in a city so small without people starting to get suspicious of the quiet neighbor that had a few odd quirks about him. "Must be difficult. Being here and dead. And them being here and alive." It's my only comment about all the things she told me.

Skylar:
I’m not sure what to say when he replies. I was expecting something, well… more. I sigh with relief but at the same time I wonder if he’s just asking questions now to play his role. I shrug at what he asks and begin sipping my drink.
“Not really. I don’t see them all that often. Haven’t told them anything. Don’t plan to either. They never approved of my lifestyle before now. I don’t see that news helping any. You? Does your mum know? Or your half-brother?”
I’m not sure he’ll like me asking but we’d opened a door to this kind of thing and really this was what pub dates were about; communicating and sharing stories.

Ric:
"No. Who would tell someone that they're a vampire, if they aren't a vampire? Haven't you ever heard of the masquerade?" I look at her as if she were from another planet. "Can't go around telling everyone your dark, dirty secrets, Skylar." I say her name because this is important for her to know. Otherwise she would end up dead. If not by hunters, than by her own kind. "And it's probably best that you aren't close to them. A daughter disappearing might draw attention and you'll probably get exposed."

Skylar:
I poke my tongue out at him. Thankful that we seem to be getting back to some sort of normalcy after my unintended faux pas. He’s basically calling me an idiot, only not directly. Teasing and insulting one another. Ah playful banter, how I love thee.
“I haven’t told a soul. Well. Dillon. But he doesn’t count. Not with him being under my power and all that. So you can stop looking at me like I’m some sort of freak. ‘Kay? I’m a good girl remember. I know the rules. I’ll keep to them. Kinda. Well I’ll obey the ones that make sense anyways.”

Ric:
I smile, just a little at her tongue poking. Typical Skylar. "Make sense?" I echo after her. "Which are?" I'd love to hear her opinion on what does or doesn't make sense, because to me, most of them make sense.

Skylar:
“The rules? Oh wow. Are you quizzing me.”
I grin at him and take a sip of my drink as I try and remember everything I’d been told.
“Don’t go out in sunlight. That’s an easy one to obey considering I’m pretty much dead the moment the sun crests the horizon.
Don’t get caught. Again pretty easy. About the only thing I do that attracts attention is done at the forge. And then I tell people I’m making re-enactment weapons. Obviously I don’t sharpen them when people are watching. That would be dumb.
Use protection or die. Not that I’m whoring around or anything. That rule was pretty much a given before this life chose me.”
I swirl the liquid as I peer down into the glass. My mouth pinches together a little and twists to one side as I try to recall any other important rules Ellie might have told me.
“I think that’s about it. From what I remember. Am I missing any?”

Ric:
"Think that's about it." I shrug my shoulders. "And the stupid ones? You made it sound like there were some." I lean back in the booth, a grin still etched on my features, as my hands come to rest on the booth underneath; one on each side of my body.

Skylar:
I lean forward, both elbows on the table as I turn the glass between my hands causing the contents within to dance a little.
“There are always stupid rules. Right? I mean the ‘don’t get caught’ one is pretty vague. We talk about things in public locations. So I guess I like to nudge at that one a bit. Within reason of course. I’m not stupid.
Ellie’s missus seems to want some kind of no touching rule,” I snort. “You can guess how well that goes down with me. Only it’s not a no touching her thing. She doesn’t like me getting too close to Ellie.”
I shrug as I recall what happened at the auction. The woman was a psycho. I try to remember if Ric and I have discussed that already. He was up on stage when it happened and I’m not sure if he even noticed.
“The whole thing with you and how we met. That was another rule right. You said earlier I was stupid for offering you my… well…”
I gesture at his glass. He’s a smart boy. I know he’ll get what I mean.

Ric:
"No touching rule is her rule. It sounds as if she's an insecure female." I state plainly. I just don't like being touched, but people touching others never bothered me. Why would it? "And no, we all don't talk about things in the open like that. I try not to." I shrug my shoulders and then nod my head. "That rule is pretty stupid, but supposedly those that have my dietary habits aren't all right in the head. Or end up not being right in the head. Guess we'll see." The grin grows a little wider as I take a sip of her blood from the cup I'm holding. "But at least you know the basics and are following them. You pass the interview." I give a short laugh, then look around.

Skylar:
I give him a playful kick to the shin when he says I pass the interview.
“Pfft. Me and you are conducting two different interviews me thinks. Mine’s about getting to know you. Yours is testing to see if I have any survival skills. I’m blonde, I know but I’m not stupid.”
I laugh and let my eyes drink him in for the first time since we’ve sat down. The conversation seems to be flowing more easily now and Ric actually seems to have loosened up and settled in; if such a thing were possible.

Narrator:
The pair continue to talk for a while longer before leaving Lancaster’s for the next portion of the date. They head over to the fairground and while there, Skylar explains to him how an activity date can be useful to aid conversation when things go quiet which they have occasionally between the two of them, as you can always talk about the activity itself. She also tells him, that most men like to try and impress the women they are with, and how most dates try to win something for their partner when at the fair. While it’s obvious that Ric’s not as skilled with a gun as he is with his knife, he does still manage to do the manly thing and win a prize and ends up handing a small stuffed cat over to Skylar. Mostly to shut her up, because he couldn't care about doing the manly thing. He knows he's a man and he knows she knows it too. Though Skylar claims she doesn't like cats, Ric isn't so sure, so he gets it for her so she can cuddle up with something at night time. As they arrive back at Ellie’s place, which signifies the official ending of the date, perhaps, Skylar invites Ric in to give him her final set of dating advice.

Ric:
"So you going to name that thing?" I ask her as I follow in after her. "Most chi-women do. Name animals." I look around Elliot's place, noting that not much, if anything has changed about it. If Sky was going to stay here, she should really make it her own place. Or just get her own place. I think the latter would be better suited, but if someone had a real good setup, they usually weren't willing to leave it so easy. I look at the cat in her hands, catching the yellowish-orange skin, splashed with white in some places. But what catches me the most are the rainbow looking eyes. Who gives cats rainbow colored eyes? I didn't get it, but then again, I'm sure it's some sort of marketing gimmick for chicks.

Skylar:
I laugh and set the cat down on the kitchen counter as I shrug my bag off my shoulders. I set my small backpack on the floor and then turn to face Ric, kicking off my shoes as I do.
“Yeah. Of course. You have to. Can’t just call it cat. I’ll probably call it Ricky,” I tell him with a wink. “I named the rats on the headband too. Jack and Jill.”
I volunteer that little piece of information and cross the room to go and settle myself down on one of the two available sofas. I pat the sofa cushion next to me to try and get Ric to follow suit.
“Come on you. Sit your arse down. We have just a couple of more dating tips to cover and you’re done.”

Ric:
I just stare at her when she says she'll call it Ricky. But my stare disappears when she admits she's named the rats on the headband. I didn't give them away as toys. They're art. But at least she still had it and obviously liked it. If she didn't, then she wouldn't have named them. She pats the cushion next to her and I head over. The sooner I hear about the other rules, the better. Then I can get out of here and go back to work. Watch the news. Read a book, even. Anything other than this. Not that it's been the worst experience of my life, but it hasn't been the best. All these rules were a lot to chew through. I don't know why people bother. How they have the stamina too.
"Alright, let's hear the last of the rules." I say as I sit down next to her. "And I think it's a girl cat. Because of its eyes. So it can't be Ricky. That's a boy's name." I just don't want her naming the thing Ricky.

Skylar:
I laugh at him. Whether he realises it or not he can be a bit of a goofball.
“Ricky is a unisex name.”
I poke my tongue out at him.
“So… The final set of dating advice…Okay. Right. Usually you have a decision to make before you reach the doorstep. Basically do you want to see this person again or not? If the answer is no, say a quick goodbye, don’t commit to any further plans and hightail it out of there as quick as possible. If the answer is yes though you have a few more decisions to make. Basically, do you want to end the night there or not? If you do, try and get a second date planned before you go. Let her know you’re interested. Then decide if you’re going to kiss her or not. You being you, you probably wouldn’t. But it shows you’re interested if you do. You with me so far?”

Ric:
I turn to face her as she talks again, resisting an urge to groan. More rules. I knew it was inevitable, but why were there so many things on top of the rules. Do this, don't do this. Dress like this, don't dress like that. Don't say this, say this. Ask these kinds of questions. don't ask these. If people wanted to get to know the other, shouldn't you just be you? That's what you're going to give them. You. Dating was best described as a ruse. The game you played as a kid, "House." Everyone played it. someone was the mom, someone the dad and some others the kids. Everyone pretending to be something they thought you were supposed to be. That society shoved down our throats. "Sure." I nod. "Make plans, kiss someone and call it a night. Or just leave. Tactfully. I assume."

Skylar:
“Right.” I nod. “If you’re really interested then even after making plans you keep chatting and hope she invites you in. A little tip. If a woman invites you in for coffee. She rarely mean coffee. If you get what I mean. But sleeping with someone on the first date isn’t always the best idea. Least I don’t think so. At least not when I’m sober.”
I bite my lower lip and look away. I hadn’t made that mistake often but I’d made it and it wasn’t something I was particularly proud of. Not that I was ever bringing the guy back to my place, since I was always at a friend’s. So compound that mistake with banging some dude you don’t know on their sofa. My cheeks flush slightly as I think of that part.

Ric:
And right there, Skylar reminds me that women weren't crafty creatures. I can't drink coffee, so that would have been a failed attempt at getting me in their place. And if I wasn't about to date a vampire, I wasn't going to date a human. It just wouldn't work well for a few reasons. So don't sleep with someone on the first date. No worries from me there. I can follow that rule quite easy. Finally, one that wouldn't require me to not be me. "I think you have a drinking problem." I tell her flatly. She says things and does things that she wouldn't do when she's sober. "Maybe you should give up booze for a while. Just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should. If I could sprout wings and fly right now, would I? No, because how do you explain a flying man?" This is the nicest thing I think I've done all night. Express my concern for her negative habit.

Skylar:
I’m actually relieved to have him tease me about the booze rather than guys and as I pull my feet up on the sofa – carefully wrapping my dress around me as I do so I don’t flash him – I nudge him with my bare foot.
“I don’t have a problem. But in the interest of full disclosure, I definitely make most of my mistakes while intoxicated. There’s nothing wrong with having a few drinks. I generally know where to draw the line. Like tonight. Man I’d be making a complete fool of myself by now if we’d stayed at Ellie’s place drinking all night. And careful now. That sounds awfully like you care. You don’t want to go and give a girl the wrong idea now do you?”

Ric:
"The first step is admitting you have a problem." I parrot at her the **** I've heard on the television during news time breaks. I shake my head, "I don't care, I was just trying to spare you any further humiliation when you're on a date." I nod. "Besides, don't you want to put your best foot forward when on a date? Sounds like that's what we're supposed to do."

Skylar:
“Pretty much. It’s like hunting I guess. You put your best self out there as bait, trap your prey and then slowly let them see the real you. And I don’t always meet guys while on dates. I meet them while out drinking with my friends. Dillon usually stops me from making a complete fool of myself, unless he’s had too much to drink too. Then all bets are off. I’m curious though…”
I look at Ric as I try to decide how best to word my question. Considering he seems to be such a hard arse, he can also act a bit like a deer in headlights when certain things come up.
“Aren’t you worried? Like I explained the rules of dating and stuff and well… here you are sitting my sofa.”

Ric:
I hadn't really thought of our current situation as she was explaining all these rules. This had been labelled a date, she asked me questions and I asked her questions. And here we are. Inside her place. I shake my head. "Not really. You didn't ask me if I wanted coffee." I shrug my shoulders. And she said sleeping with someone on the first date wasn't really a good thing, so I take it that she would follow her own advice. "Aren't you worried that I'm here. sitting on your couch?" There are certainly things she doesn't know about me, for obvious reasons. But I was interested in hearing her reply.

Skylar:
I can’t help but laugh at the coffee comment.
“Of course I didn’t ask you in for coffee doofus. I know what you drink. Bled myself for you even.”
I take off the leather cuff covering my bandage and undress what had been earlier in the night a rather raw looking found. I run my fingers over it and marvel at how good it looks already. This quick healing thing was a nifty trick.
“And no. I mean… I’ve had you here before right? I know you don’t want sex. You’ve made that abundantly clear since the moment we met. Though you do realise that the only thing you ruled out at the start of all this was shopping right? I mean. If I wanted to ask. I’d be well within my rights.”

Ric:
"You could, but you probably wouldn't hang out with me again." I leave it at that. I wouldn't turn her down, because it was true. I didn't rule it out, only because I didn't think I would have to. She's crafty at moments. I'll give her that much. But since I'm pretty sure she would get pregnant, get a fadebeast and die, I know she wouldn't be wanting to hang out with me. If she annoyed me enough, it was something I could keep in the back of my mind for later, though. I wouldn't feel guilty and nothing would tell someone they weren't really wanted around after a large monster rips through their stomach and kills them. "So that's the end then? All dates end like that? Screwing or telling someone thanks, but no thanks?"

Skylar:
My brow creases as he says I wouldn’t hang out with him again if we slept together and assume he’s talking about being bad in bed. I wasn’t the sort that would worry about something like that. I’d just give him a few lessons. Since he’s at least a little open to learning new tricks, even if he doesn’t think he’ll need them.
“Pretty much. I mean that’s the goal of dating. People date to find a partner. Surely this isn’t news to you. And don’t worry Ricky. I’m not even gonna try and kiss you. If the day comes that we ever kiss, I’d want it to be because we both want it and not because my sire paid you to.”
I shrug my shoulders a little, both my arms wrapped around my knees. My body’s turned towards him and I let my head rest on the sofa next to me as I wait to see if he picks up on what I’ve said; though really I’m hoping deep down that he doesn’t.

Ric:
"It's not, but it still seems like a waste of time because you aren't getting what you see up front." I shrug. It's my perception and she has hers and hers doesn't affect mine and vice versa. "I guess this is the end of our date, then?" I don't stand to get up, but I'm not sure what else to say or do. I'm not sure if I should leave or stick around. "So, I guess I'll see you around sometime then?" I wasn't against seeing her again. Skylar wasn't all that bad company. A little obnoxious and sex-crazed. Add in the booze factor and she was one hell of a piece of art. Trouble, really. Like, ones you should stay away from maybe. I've heard men talk about ones like these. Crazy. But they put up with it because apparently the sex is worth it. A tinge of me is almost wanting to see, just to see if the claims are true; crazy women were great in bed, but again, the idea of getting her knocked up with a fadebeast is kind of off putting. And the whole deed itself. Sex isn't really anything to write home about and if Skylar found something else to focus on, I bet she would recognize that too. Most people would.

Skylar:
“Yeah I know. I’ve never been much of a fan of the rules myself but if you’re going to break them, you should at least know what they are first. Do it intentionally. I’m pretty much, what you see is what you get myself.”
I lift my head from off the sofa and offer him a soft smile.
“And you don’t have to go. I mean yeah it’s the end of the date. At least I’ve told you everything I think you need to know. You’re clear on what dating actually is now right? Like dating dating. Not friends dating. Not that I actually think that’s a thing. Most people don’t phrase it that way.”

Ric:
"I went on a friend date once and she kissed my cheek." I tell her. So, I don't really see the difference, no. "We would hung out again, but she went to Mexico, or was going to. She died." I leave it at that, no name and no reason as to why or how she died. It was Juliet's story to tell, not mine. But I had a point. Had Juliet and I gone on a date or a friend date? Where were the lines drawn?

Skylar:
“Hmm. Well that could have been a date. Though… She probably would have kissed you on the lips if she were interested in you and it was a date date. Maybe. You’re a strange one. If we went on a date. I might kiss you on the cheek cos I was afraid you’d freak and run if I kissed you on the lips.”
I cut myself off there before a plan starts forming in my mind. Kissing his cheek was probably a good way to go if I wanted to step things up a notch and not have him running for the hills.

Ric:
"I'm not strange. I'm me. Everyone else just wants to fit into a mold." I lean back on the couch as both my arms go up and over my head and fall behind my head. I feel the tug of the foreign material against my arms and decide, screw it. The date was over. I start to unbutton my shirt, then pull it off, revealing a plain, white t-shirt that was under it. I ball the shirt up, as I'm sure I'm never going to wear it again and couldn't care what shape it came home in. "So if I were to date, I have to kiss someone on the lips." Yeah, not going to happen. That leads to other things. Things I wasn't interested in.

Skylar:
I nudge him with my foot once he’s comfy. I’m glad he’s staying a while longer but he’s still a doofus.
“Hey I like odd. No need to justify yourself to me. And yeah. Generally you have to kiss the person you’re dating. Finding a partner is the reason to date after all. Remember? Most couples fool around, in a physical sense that is.”

Ric:
"What other sense would there be?" Now I'm curious what she means by that statement. I would have came to the conclusion she meant having sex, but the fact she had to back the statement up further seems to imply something else.

Skylar:
“What? Huh?”
I take a moment and backtrack what I’d said as I don’t really understand what he’s on about. Then it hits me. The physical sense of fooling around.
“Oh. Fooling around. Well, you see that phrase has 2 meanings. One you do with friends. The other with a partner. So basically it can me foreplay slash sex. As I meant it. So like the physical sense. But friends can fool around too. In a non-sexual way. Like rough housing and stuff. Huh. I guess both forms are physical. Did that explain that?”
I wonder if I’ve talked myself around in circles. I hope not. Ric seems to have issues with socialising and I was trying to help him clear things up. Not confuse him more.

Ric:
"Yeah." I understood that. Altaire used to say hi or fool around like that. Until Nix got mad over something and nix'd that. Pun intended. "I get it." I nod, indicating that I understood it. "It's like training." I back up my statement with support, even though I'm sure she doesn't know what I'm talking about. "I think I'll leave the dating to you. You seem like you're a pro at it. And like doing it."

Narrator:
The night would go on with more talk about a lot of things between the two of them. Not just dating tips and rules, but a few other topics. Safe topics, because while Roderic would answer any question thrown his way by Skylar, he would only give out so much information if it was too personal. Dawn came quicker than expected, so much that he wasn't able to get to the other side of town, near his flats. Not that it mattered, because he always ended up in the same place come nightfall. Before he left, the shadow indicated in his typical, elusive way that he would see her soon. It would more than likely get a rise from her, because when he phrased it like that, one couldn't tell if he was threatening them, or just stating the obvious. Before she could reply though, he vanished into the darkness he called from the corners of the room and left.