Monopolising One Another

[Roderic]

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

This RP takes place on Sunday 7th December 2014.

Ric:
"Come in."

Skylar:
“Thanks for the invite... Your place looks...Spartan. Spartan with a pinch of hoarder. What is all this stuff?” Skylar starts to look around.

Ric:
"My work. Some are gifts for Christmas. Some for my work, work. Some for me. And I don`t require a lot. People in general don`t."

Skylar:
You're preaching the choir there. Suits you. This place I mean. It's very you.

Ric:
I nod my head. "Tell me about these people. The paladins, first."

Skylar:
"There's not much to tell. I went through a portal and the moment I appeared, one went for me with a sword. I dodged. The other one shot me in the thigh." I boil it down to the basics. Partly because I'm not sure if that's what he wants to hear, and partly because I really don't know that much more about them.

Ric:
I just nod my head. "You never saw them before? Hanging around the Forge or the sewers by us?" I move some stuff off the small love seat I owned, to clear a spot for her to sit down at. "They didn't say anything to you?"

Skylar:
I shake my head. “They didn’t say a ******* word. Just attacked me. I ran.” I shrug. Running was probably something I should have been ashamed of but what was I going to do. Really? I have like no fighting skills.

Ric:
I'm not surprised she ran. We're different like that. I don't comment on that. "Okay." I doubt she was going around singing that she was a vampire on the top of her lungs down the city streets, so she just had an unlucky encounter. "See them again, let me know?" I point to the couch. "You can sit there if you want." I move to grab a stool from my workbench and scoot it over to the side of the couch. "So what was it you wanted to know again?" I figure I'd let her ask, that way I don't forget anything. "What I get up to? Typically, not much. Just all this stuff here." I nod to all the projects, or in their vicinity anyways.

Skylar:
I move to the couch. A loveseat. Was not expecting that in the home of a guy who doesn’t seem to like physical contact. I sit myself down and wonder if he thinks I’m a coward. “Yeah I can do that. Let you know. And yeah. You said you’d explain where you’ve been. What happened? You were hurt but you didn’t say how. Or why.” The why could be as long a list as the how as I’d already seen him get attacked by the nothing that lived in the forest around the city.

Ric:
"Oh. Right. Well, you know how you have your 'family,' or whatever you want to call it that you're sired into? Well, there are other groups outside of those families that do things together. For a variety of reasons. I was completing a task that night and got injured. For the group." I shrug, thinking that was a perfectly reasonable explanation. "They were looking in after me after I got hurt, because I was a walking masquerade break. Holes in my chest and back, shadows pouring out of me. So I couldn't really go out in public. Not looking like that."

Skylar:
“That sounds… Brutal.” I lean forward and place my hand on his. “You’re alright though now? Right? You know you can always come stay with me if that happens again. I’ll look after you. Make sure you have everything you need. It won’t be any trouble.” I know my voice carries the sound of my concern for him in it, I wouldn’t be me if my emotions didn’t overtake me once in a while. I’d be concerned for anyone of course, but then usually I wouldn’t be trying to cover that concern like I do when I’m around him.

Ric:
"I'm fine. And it wasn't pleasant, but it wasn't the worse thing I have ever experienced. Wait until you die sometime. And then come back. In the middle of winter." I shake my head. "And, no, I can't. If I'm that hurt, it's for a reason. A fight, a raid or something. Hanging with you would not only make you a target and possibly get you killed, but it would make me an easy mark. If I was as bad off as I was the other night." I scoot back on the wooden seat and look around. "So now you know. I'm not married, as you can tell or doing whatever else you might have thought."

Skylar:
“Pfft. Like you care about my safety. The offers there. All right? Just keep that in mind. Not that I’m hoping you get fucked over again or whatever. That bullet wasn’t a pleasant experience either. Stung like a mother ******. If I’d of known where you were, I’d def have tracked you down for help with that. Dillon was less than impressed when I asked him for pliers. He kept telling me to go to the hospital. I didn’t think that was a good idea. I shrug to myself and look around the room in the same way he had. “If you had a wife, I think she’d beat your *** for this mess. And yeah. There’s a definite want of a feminine touch in here. Though I think just you all over again.” I can’t help but tease him, though I’m not sure he’ll get what I mean.

Ric:
"Alright." And she had a point. I mean I might not care about her safety, but I don't like getting people in the cross-hairs for the choices I make. It's different with my faction mates, they know what their getting themselves into when we do the things we do. "And you're right. It's not a good idea to go to the hospital. Being a vampire and all. They really can't help our kind anyways. Tell Dillon to suck it up already." I look around the apartment. "Other women come in here. Altaire. They work here. They don't seem to mind." I inform her.

Skylar:
“Yeah but there’s difference between living and working in a place. I mean I haven’t really left my mark on Ellie’s place but then his taste is a lot like mine. If I lived here with you… There would definitely be some changes made.” I lean forward and grab for his and tug on it gently as I pat the seat next to me with the other. “Come on Ricky. You don’t have to sit on a stool. Come sit next to me. I promise I won’t bite or nothing.”

Ric:
"You can't just change people's stuff. Just because you don't like it." I tell her, eyeing her up. She's talking in hypotheticals, I know, but still. I'm feeling my space is starting to get invaded. She pulls at me, and I sigh. "I like this stool." I get up and sit next to her. "And all the stuff in here. And it's not cluttered. It just means I'm busy and engaged." I nod as I sit down next to her. "So anyways, now you know. Anything else you're dying to know?"

Skylar:
“Actually you can. And if you ever live with someone you probably will have to. I mean it may not even come down to her not liking your stuff. It could come down to her having her own stuff and the two of you trying to make the place suitable for you both. Rather than just you. If that makes sense. Compromise. It’s what relationships are all about. Neither of you gets what you really want.” I think for a moment. There is something else I wanted to ask but it’s bubbling away in the back of my mind. It was something important too. Feeding. Nope. Dating. Nope. Healthy. Nope. Christmas! That’s the bunny. I have my aha moment and give Ric a wicked grin. “I’m glad you’re sitting down for this one, cos I do have a favour to ask actually. What you doing for Christmas?”

Ric:
I groan. Big surprise she is excited about Christmas. "I don't know. Probably working. If there's not an Altaire thing." I turn to face her, an arm on the back of the couch, and one on the arm. "You know, you aren’t a very good sales person. You haven't sold me on the idea of dating or getting a partner. I like my stuff, I don't see the need to get rid of it and if that comes with dating or getting a partner, then I wouldn't take part in it."

Skylar:
I reach out and stroke his face with back of my fingertips. I know he won’t like it but I’m laughing as I do it. “Poor sweet Ricky. I ain’t trying to sell you on ****. It’s not my job to get you ready for dating some random woman. I don’t think the usual techniques would work on you anyways.” The corner of my mouth creases up in amusement. “Is that what you want me to do? Make you date worthy?” I put my favour on the back burner for the moment, curious to see what he says.

Ric:
"No." I tell her as I inch my face away. "If, and this is all hypothetical, someone wanted to date me, well, this is what they get. None of that pretend stuff." I nod, not forgetting about this unspoken favor. "What's the favor? Want me to make something for someone?"

Skylar:
“We’ll see. You know changing your stuff isn’t the same as changing you. Right? Things are things. You are you. I mean I’d want to die if I lost my guitar but that’s not what makes me me. I could easily get a new one. And yeah…” I weigh up the wording. “Well I do want some of your time. You see… I have to go to my parents place. It’s like obligatory. And I was… well… I was hoping you’d come with me. Don’t be offended by what I say next, but… My mum would freak if I brought you home. I so have to see that.” I laugh. It’s no word of a lie. I’d brought his type home before and she always went postal the moment they left. Fun to see. Though that wasn’t the only reason I wanted to take Ric with me. It was just the only reason I could give him that I thought he’d accept.

Ric:
"I know things are things, but my things aren't easy to acquire. My projects take days, weeks. Some even around a month." I wasn't bothered if I came home and my furniture was gone, along with the television and the computer. But my projects and my work? Someone would die. maybe anyone who got in my way. This was my livelihood. "You-what?" I look at her like she's from another planet. "You want to bring me along to freak out your high society parents? I'm not some monkey on display, but I'm sure a quick show of a blade or two at the dinner table-Wait. I can't eat. Not a bright idea."

Skylar:
“Ha ha. I’m not suggesting you come to dinner. I mean damn. I’ll be unconscious for that portion of the night myself. And I’m not saying we have to stay there the entire evening. And hour. Maybe two. Then we’ll make our excuses and go. Come on Ricky. Be a sport. I don’t want to face my family alone. They’re all so perfect. Come on. You can’t tell me you aren’t at least a little curious about my family dynamics. ” I resist the urge to grab a hold of him and shake him as I would do to Dillon when asking this kind of favour. Yes, I could take him if all else failed but I’d rather go with my number one choice if I could. “And I wasn’t talking about your projects doofus. I was talking about the furniture. You’d probably get a request to get a proper work space if you were dating someone. Having random women traipsing in and out of your home isn’t something most girlfriends slash wives will put up with.”

Ric:
"Is this where you tell me that you're the black sheep of the family? I'm not sure I buy that claim." I shake my head. Somehow, I suspect she's a daddy's girl and gets whatever she wants. I mean, she seemed to have Ellie wrapped around her finger. "Fine. If only to get you to stop asking me and to make sure you don't drink yourself in a stupor and reveal what you really are." I wasn't really interested in her family dynamics. I think she's playing a dangerous game.

Skylar:
“Yay!” I bounce in my seat and kick myself for not having thought of that angle myself. Of course he’d play the role of the protector. Secrecy was what he was all about. “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.” I throw my arms around him and hug him. I’m so happy I even push my luck and kiss him on the cheek, but the moment I do that I pull back. “Sorry,” I say with a smile and shrug. “I couldn’t help myself.” It’s a lie. I could have stopped myself. I just didn’t want to and he likely knew it too. “I’ll owe you a favour in return. ‘kay?”

Ric:
I just watch her, stunned. She was bouncing around like she was on drugs. I knew she drank and part of me wanted to know if she did drugs too, because her behavior was erratic at times, but I don't ask. I don't know why I don't stop her from kissing my cheek, but she does it and I immediately wipe it off. I don't insult her for it either. "Sure. Whatever." What she could ever owe me in a favor, I'm not sure of and probably wouldn't call her on it either. "Anyways, there's this thing. With Altaire. If you aren't busy. For Christmas. You're coming." I don't ask, I tell her.

Skylar:
“Oh no. hang on there a minute. I mean yeah, sure I’ll come but you could have asked. I didn’t tell you, you were coming to the ‘rents for Christmas. I gave you a choice.” I fold my arms across my chest as if I’m annoyed with him but I’m not. Not really. I mean he could order me about as much as he liked, the fact was, if I didn’t want to obey, I wasn’t going to.

Ric:
"So you don't want to come?" I ask her, talking my way around her.

Skylar:
“I didn’t say that.” I play punch him in the arm. “I said I would come. I was just pointing out that it would have been nice to have been asked instead of told. You don’t own me Ricky.” Not yet, I think to myself. Pfft. Who was I kidding? I can’t help but smile. There I was worried to invite him for Christmas and then he turns around and orders me to his.

Ric:
She punches me in the arm and I grab the hand that punched me. "Sorry. Come with me to the Altaire Christmas event?" I ask, still holding her hand, until I realize I'm holding it and then let it drop. "They talk about sex and relationships all the time. You'll fit right in." I grin, just a little.

Skylar:
“Charmer.” I poke my tongue out at him. “Why yes Sir. I would love to accompany you to your family party,” I say in my best, upper class voice. Obviously I’m taking this piss. His questions still wasn’t exactly right. If it weren’t for the inflection in what was said, I’d of never known it was a question. I drop the accent and go back to normal. “Relationships and sex isn’t all we talk about. We talk about other stuff too. Lots of random ****. You don’t like talking about dating and stuff. Seems to make you twitchy.”

Ric:
I couldn't help but crack a wider grin. "It's a good potion." I reply. "They talk about other stuff, but that seems to be the main focus. Who is seeing who. And if I'm gay. Apparently not being interested in dating must mean you're gay." I shrug. It doesn't bother me; what people think of me. I find it a little funny, and even live it up sometimes. "I'm not sure when it is, but should be soon. I'll let you know when."

Skylar:
“ ‘Kay. You do that.” I tell him. I’m not sure I feel like being quizzed in that way though. I’m almost positive he hasn’t considered the ramifications of taking me with him, as people will jump to conclusions. I mean if they usually talk relationships and stuff, having Ric show up with me is bound to get a few tongues wagging. I hesitate to tell him this. “So they think you’re gay. Is that why you want me to go with you? Prove them wrong kinda thing?” Okay so I don’t broach the subject like I should but hopefully it will prepare him to be peppered with questions when the time comes.

Ric:
"No. Do I look like I care if people think I'm gay?" I shrug my shoulders. "I love Altaire, but not all of us get along. I end up leaving or sticking to the shadows. With someone, that someone being you, that I can converse with, might be nice. I go thinking, I don't know, we would talk about more things than sex, relationships, or the high school things I don't really care about, but it never happens." I shrug, not sure if I'm explaining myself right. "You're like the middle man. You'll get along with a few of them, but we get along. I guess Christmas is a big deal to some of them, so I should try and stick around."

Skylar:
“Ah. You want a wingman. Well I’m not helping you pick up chicks if that’s your goal but I can try and get you talking. That’s not a problem. Your family aren’t as judgmental as mine are they? I mean my birth family are a little, scratch that, a lot up their own arses. By the time we leave you’ll probably know what everyone earns, their most elaborate recent purchase and stuff. Actually. Maybe we should pinch my dad’s car keys on the way out. That’ll drive him nuts. We don’t have to drive the car if you’re worried about cops or anything. Just taking the keys should be enough. I’ll mail ‘em back. Maybe.” I laugh. I liked winding my family up. It might be a little malicious but they deserved a little shake up every once in a while.

Ric:
"I don't want to pick up chicks." I just stare at her. I'm not even sure why she thought that. "And I don't think so. Maybe. I don't know them all too well. But if they are, that's just human nature. People are like that. Perceptions and all that. I'm sure you'll be fine. And if they judge you, who gives a ****? I don't. All that matters is what I think because you're with me." At least that's how I saw it as. "And if that's what you want. If that will get a rise out of him. Maybe I should just accidentally break something by not so accident. Something expensive." I suggest. I'd think of something better before then, probably.

Skylar:
“Oh my god. You’re an evil genius. I never could pull that off. I tried once but my timing was off, so mum knew I’d done it on purpose. She’d given me this really nice dress and told me I had to wear it. So I kind of took a dive in the garage and fell into a patch of oil I happened to spill earlier that day. I should have known I’d never get away with it.” I laugh at my own childish stupidity. “Our garage was always spotless. The fact that there was oil to fall in, in the first place tipped her off I think. I got grounded for like two weeks. Well worth it though. The dress was ruined and she didn’t buy a replacement. So. Bonus.” I let the conversation about the party drop for now. I don’t want to be me and say something stupid that gets me uninvited.

Ric:
I really don't think I'm an evil genius. I wasn't even sure if that was what I was going to do. I just threw it out there. "Well, with me she won't know what to predict or expect. I'm a fresh face." I shrug, then change the topic. "So what's the plan for tonight? For you? A hot date?"

Skylar:
“Very tr…” I start to say and stop when he starts speaking again, at which point I laugh for moment. After a moment or two I compose myself, look him in the eyes and in my most innocent voice ask; “Depends. Are you free?”

Ric:
"Is anyone free? Really? I'm sure we all have something to do." I'm not falling for her doe eyed looks. She couldn't be serious anyways. I've flat out told her that I'm not ever going to date anyone. "Stop screwing around. You sure you don't know anyone named Simone?" I swear they could be twins sometimes.

Skylar:
“Who says I was screwing around. And nope. I have no idea who this Simone girl is that you keep going on about. Are you secretly a bit of a player?” I point at him and squint my eyes slightly as I accuse him of this. I’m playing around. Kind of. I mean I have no idea who this woman is but he sure talks about her a lot. Actually he talks about a lot of women. Though to be fair I mainly talk about men. Though Dillon’s kind of special being what he is and all.

Ric:
"Player?" I blink and then laugh at her. "Oh yeah, I have a whole-harem, is it, of women? All the Altaire women want me." I roll my eyes. "I fend them off nightly." Now that part was true. I tried to avoid their insanity as much as possible and try to be the voice of reason in Altaire. Apparently that made me Mr. Grumpy pants. I found the nickname funny, mostly because try as they might, the women just couldn't figure me out. Or get me to sway. "I think if either of us was a player, it'd be you. How many guys are you seeing besides Dillon? Or is that not okay to ask?" I almost asked her how many guys she banged, but something told me that wasn't something people should ask.

Skylar:
I go quiet. Which with me is never a good thing. I don’t even know where to start with what he said and asked. I know what I’m feeling and I’m loathed to admit it. I don’t do jealousy. Damn stupid allurist path was messing with me again. Heightened emotions were like a nice kick in the pants at the time and just as welcome. I settle back in the chair and angle my body away from him as I look around the room at his projects. Mixed with the jealousy is more than a little anger. The guy was practically calling me a slut. “I’m not seeing Dillon.” I tell him without looking at him. “And if I were seeing anyone else, I’d be taking them to the family Christmas thing instead of you now wouldn’t I.” I place my arm on the edge of the sofa and prop my head up on it. I know I have to shake myself out of this vortex I’ve been sucked in and quick but the allurist part of me enjoyed wallowing in such strong emotions.

Ric:
"No need to get worked up over a stupid question, princess. You ask them all the time." I point out, then shrug. "But I guess so. Taking them instead of me. Makes sense." I look around and wonder if me taking her to the Altaire thing was a good idea. With what she said just now. People would probably assume we're screwing or something. And again, sex would be the topic of discussion. Too late now, I already hinted a couple nights ago that I might bring someone. "Sorry. I don't really get you and Dillon."

Skylar:
“What’s not to get?” I shrug. “And you can ask what you like but you basically just called me a whore. More or less. You told me a while back that if I wanted a serious relationship I should probably stop screwing around and stuff. Oddly. That’s some pretty sound dating advice coming from someone that says he doesn’t date.”

Ric:
"Actually, it's common sense. The more people involved in anything, the more chaotic it gets." I point out. "And I don't get why you keep Dillon around." I shrug my shoulders, "That's all."

Skylar:
“I don’t get, what you don’t get. First off. Dillon is a friend. Has been for like half my life. Yeah some days he drives me nuts but that’s normal. I know his faults. He knows mine. We accept each other for who we are. That’s what good friends do. Yes. I probably could date the guy if I wanted to but I don’t. I’m not interested in him like that. So yeah. What you said made sense. Besides that I was messing with his head. I didn’t know that till I got my funky super powers though. And by then it was too late cos I somehow connected us. He’s my thrall. My friend and my thrall. So… what’s not to get?” I probably come across as more than a little hostile but I’m actually starting to calm down. In some ways I could think that maybe Ric is a little jealous of what I have with Dillon. Well. Hope maybe rather than think actually. Ric loved to tell me he wasn’t interested in me, dating, being friends, etc.

Ric:
"Forget about it. I don't care, he's your thrall." I shrug my shoulders. "Was just asking what his deal was. Outside his stupid mouth." I still had to find the guy and shove a small blade somewhere in him. His head or chest was out of the question. Skylar seemed to really like the guy, so killing him was off the table. "Anyways, moving on. Let's go." I stand up. I'm tired of talking because we're always running circles around the other. I put on a coat and head to the door. "Coming?"

Skylar:
“What do you mean his mouth? What’s he been saying?” I ask as I stand up. I’m still annoyed at Ric but apparently we’re going somewhere and doing something, so I try and shrug it off. Confusion now replaces what was left of the jealousy I felt earlier. “And where are we going?”

Ric:
"We're going shopping." I said it. Shopping. "For supplies." I leave it at that as I open the door. I have no idea what to do with her, but I was done talking to talk about nothing really important. "We have to go across the river, or through the sewers. Either way works for me. Take your pick." I wait until she's through the door, then close and lock it. I push the down button and look at her. "And nothing. Not as of late. Don't worry about it." Again, I'm not about to talk about her thrall, which was some guy she knew everything about and vice versa.

Skylar:
I listen and follow. I pretty much assume he’s lying when he tells me we’re going shopping. It was the one activity he ruled out during our contracted servitude after the auction. Supplies though. That was believable. Maybe. Then I work out what he means by sewers and river. I could remind him I have a tome and meet him wherever it is he’s going but I don’t. He basically just asked me if I wanted to wade through filth or have him carry me across the river. Hmm… Tough choice. Not. “River,” I tell him. “If Dillon’s been talking ****. I’d like to know. Please tell me Ric.”

Ric:
"He's been saying stuff, but nothing that bad." I tell her, still wanting to stay off the topic of Dillon. "Look, I don't want to stay in the store too long, so we're just going in and out. Get the things we need and get out. No deviating from the task." I tell her as the elevator arrives, opens and I step in. "River's quicker. Good choice." I tell her as the doors close and we descend to the main floor. "If you were to pick up a book or movie right now, what would it be? Genre wise." I ask keeping the conversation going, thinking about the items we would need from the store and that this answer might define what we're going to get.

Skylar:
The Dillon thing I let drop. For now. I could always ask Dillon later if I wanted too. I wasn’t even aware the two of them had spoken, so this was all kind of news to me. Besides I’m distracted by this mysterious and sudden shopping trip. I’m half afraid to ask what he’s planning now. “Yeah quicker. That’s just why I chose it.” My tone of voice tells him that’s a blatant lie and if he asks for clarification I had the perfect half-truth to tell too. “And… erm… wow. I dunno. I like a lot of things. Right now though?” I think. Well right now I feel like kicking Dillon up the backside. I was projecting the left over rage onto him and I knew it but I didn’t care. He could take it. “Action.”

Ric:
"Really?" I ask her as the doors glide open, eying her up. "Alright." I tell her with a shrug, the tone of my voice full of disbelief. "Why did you pick it? I wouldn't let you get shot again. I can handle some paladins." once we step outside, I grab my pack of cigarettes, the bone shaped lighter and light one.

Skylar:
“The sewers stink,” I tell him. Though the paladin excuse was a good one too. I probably should have gone with that. Guys usually love rescuing a damsel in distress. Though I’m not sure Ric falls into the usual category there. “And thanks. For more or less saying you’d protect me.” I bump my hip against his and take a hold of his arm when he’s done fiddling with his stuff. “You know I really am starting to think that maybe you do care just a little bit more about my well being than you want me to think.” And so it seems I’m back to teasing him. I’m right though. For someone that says they don’t give a crap about me, he sure does seem to contradict himself.

Ric:
"Yeah, well it's a good way to move around the city unnoticed if you don't have shadow powers." I tell her as she takes my arm. I don't fight it, I'm used to it by now. "I'm trying to be a good host. Word gets out that you got shot, stabbed or killed while with me, no one will want to hang out with me. I'd be devastated forever." I'm being sarcastic, which I'm sure she'll pick up on. When we get to the river, I pick her up, like I had before and walk over it without any reservations. Most the river was frozen, but there were patches that were thin and had water resting on it as the day time temperatures grew warmer. Not that breaking ice would matter to me.

Skylar:
“Yeah I guess.” I can’t really fault the logic, so I don’t try. I mean I don’t plan on getting injured or anything and I have that nifty piece of paper but in a pinch, the sewers were probably a safe bet of you could avoid the crazies down there. When we get to the river bank, I hop on his back. He seems happy enough with me there and I get to hug him without him complaining because this kind of hug was necessary. “So Mister Secretive. You going to tell me what’s on our ‘to buy’ list. It won’t be all in, out, done and dusted if I’m faffing around wondering what it is I’m looking for now will it. Or are you going to make me stand outside?”

Ric:
"No, you're going inside." I tell her as we cross the river. "We're picking up some entertainment for tonight." I hoist her up on my back more, as I feel her slipping. She's not heavy, I just don't carry people on my back a lot, so I'm getting used to it. "For our 'hot date'." I almost snort at that suggestion. When we get to the other side of the bank, I stop walking to let her off my back. "We have to go to the mall." I say that grudgingly.

Skylar:
I don’t say anything as he adjusts me on his back. He’s a little handsy, like that first night we met but I don’t care. I half allow myself to slip a little just to get him to react anyway. I almost lose my grip entirely when he says the entertainment was for our hot date. I’m trying not to laugh at his use of the words but the slight tremble of my body probably gives me away. I hop off his back when we reach the other side, run my hands over the creases of my jeans and fall in step with, taking his arm once more. I bite my tongue as I think of how the use of the words hot and entertainment could suggest we’ll be watching porn later. The chances of that were slim to none, and I don’t want him to think I’m more sex crazed than I actually am. “If you’re planning on picking up a DVD. Maybe you should choose it. You all but fell asleep in the first and last movie I made you watch. And if you didn’t. Well you were bored senseless at the very least.”

Ric:
"We're not getting a movie." I tell her as she takes my arm. I lead her to the mall, or at least in its direction. "Last chance. You really digging the action bit?" I look at her from the side as I pull open the door to the mall and see a sea of people. I freeze, close the door and open it again. The same results. I do this two more times, before I suck it up, and we go in.

Skylar:
I watch his odd behaviour. I know he doesn’t like crowds, so in some ways I feel sorry for him but then I remind myself that this was all his idea. “Yeah. Action sounds good to me. But you know we could do something else. Go somewhere else. If you’re uncomfortable.”

Ric:
"No. We won't be long." I assure her as I look around for the store I know that's here. I saw it the one other time I was in the mall. With Nix and Katerina. "There." I say pointing to the store called, 'Top Deck.' As we progress through the mall, I try my best to steer clear of people, which had me taking the lead and dragging Sky wherever I went. When we get closer, it's evident what sort of store it is; it's a store filled with various games, from card, to board, dice and more. "Stay close." I unloop my arm, only because this will help me get the game and get out quicker.

Skylar:
I follow where he leads. I don’t mind falling back a little and grab the back of his jacket so I don’t lose him. I have to admit, I’m surprised when he takes us into a game store but I’m curious to see where this is leading.

Ric:
I've never been inside, but thankfully they have everything labelled. I skip past the card games, and the flat out nerd fest type games for the board game section towards the back. I'm a little disappointed, but there's a few things to work with. I pick up two games; 'The Walking Dead Monopoly," And 'Zombie Road Trip,' both of them strategy games of different degrees. "Pick, flip a coin, whatever. Your choice." I hold them both up for her to see.

Skylar:
Oh man. Board games. I want to laugh but I keep a straight face. This is one of the first activities Ric’s ever picked entirely on his own. “Let’s go with Monopoly. I kinda already know the rules for that already.” I half want to tell him I have regular monopoly on the xbox back at Ellie’s but we’ve come this far.

Ric:
"Cool." I put the other one about haphazardly, and then notice it. The same thing I saw before. With Velveteen and Micah at the Altaire, Andras thing. The darkness, and before I can even say something it lashes out in Skylar's direction. I hear the slap of skin as more shadows start to slink our way. "Are you ok? We have to go." I yank her faster and further away from the shadows, but it looks like they're following us.

Skylar:
“Ow! What the ****!” I look down at my leg but don’t have time to see what happened as Ric pulls me towards the door. A few people are looking at us and I try not to look too panicked as I follow after him once more. I feel a shooting pain up my leg and grumble a little to myself. Great. What got me this time I wonder?

Ric:
I get my answer as she reacts to the slap I heard. I dig in my pockets, take out a worn wallet and toss a few stacks. I don't care how much the game is and I probably overpaid, but I know what's happening. Sort of. Someone, something is attacking Skylar for whatever reason. "Keep the change!" I shout as I take us out of the store, the sounds of more people screaming out in surprise, as they're slapped, was heard as we exit. "Where did you get hit?" I drop the game to the ground and begin to assess her physical appearance, seeing the wound on her leg. "Can you walk alright?" I look back up at her face.

Skylar:
“What? Huh?” I look down and start to see my blood seeping through a tear in my jeans. Great. My second favourite pair. I really had to go shopping for new jeans now as all I have left are my black pair. I groan to myself. I really hate breaking in new jeans. “Yeah. I guess. Let’s just get back to yours so we can sort this out. Yeah?” I’m aware that with both of us looking at my leg and the sounds behind us that we’re drawing more attention to ourselves than we should be. “Let’s get going. I can walk through the pain.”

Ric:
Well, at least she's a tough cookie. She didn't make a big deal about it, or pass out. Again, a little impressed that she just shrugged it off. "I've seen that before. The shadows do that. I think someone did that to you." Who, was anyone's guess. Supposedly Sky was careful. Maybe I was the intended target, but I doubt that too. I think I'm a pretty careful guy. We work our way through the crowd of people, all this reminding me why I hate Christmas. The chaos and disorder. The rushing around. I like order, and for things to be calculated and precise. "You sure?" I ask her as I open the door to the mall exit.

Skylar:
I pick up the game from off the floor and follow after him. The pain in my leg is intense but bearable. I have no idea what he’s talking about when he says someone did that to me. I don’t know anyone save a few family members and him. I shrug it off. We can rehash that later when we’re back at his. When we get to the door and he checks again I take a moment to weigh up the pros and cons. Pro; He carries me. Con: I look like a wuss. As much as I like the pro, I decide the con carries more weight. “No. I’m good. Honest.”

Ric:
We get to the river bank, Skylar doing the best she can to keep up. I walk a little slower so that she isn't lagging behind because of her wound. "Come on." I do the manly thing after I put the game in her arms and carry her in my arms and not on my back. Only because she's wounded. "You'll have to teach me the basics." I inform her as we start to cross the river for the second time tonight. "To the game. I've never played it." I'm not afraid to admit it, she knows I haven't had the most normal childhood there was.

Skylar:
I smile as he picks me up in a more traditional manner. It’s new for him. I drape one arm over his shoulder and hold onto the game with the other. “Oh Ricky.” I laugh. “I have no issues with teaching you the basics of anything.” I raise my leg up to look at the damage as we cross the river. Yep. The jeans are ruined. I huff softly. Jeans were so difficult to replace and now I’d gone from owning three pairs to owning two. If this was the way my life was going, I’d have to consider buying second hand jeans from a thrift store, at least then they wouldn’t need so much breaking in before they get destroyed.

Ric:
Sometimes, I think Skylar likes to call me Ricky to try and get a rise out of me. I could confirm this by doing a short study. No reaction over a course of a week to see if she goes to calling me Ric, or even Roderic, like everyone else does. With the exception of a few in the city. If she keeps on, then I might have to cut out her tongue. A couple nights of silence might do her some good anyways. So, I don't comment on the hideous nickname she's decided to bestow upon me. "Cool." I say at her reply, not thinking much past the central idea that there were some things I didn't have knowledge on. Things that were superficial and potentially not worth my time knowing, but there were things. Things she might know about. When we get to the other side, I put her down. Nicely, despite my reservations to toss her off me for that nickname atrocity.

Skylar:
As he sets me down I try not to let the pain that shoots through my injured leg show on my face. I have to be brave and not cry like a little girl. I may not be a fighter, but I’m strong. I can do this. I take a deep and completely unnecessary breath and then start to follow him back to his place. If there was one thing I could say about spending time with Ric, it’s that no matter what we do, I’m never bored. “I’m not exactly au fait with this variation of the game though.” I tell him. “So you may need to give me a moment to scan the rules for the differences. Okay?”

Ric:
I listen to what she says, then nod. "Agreeable." We walk to the flats, ignoring the zombies on the street. I have to see her wound taken care of, otherwise, I would have been tempting to kill the ones we passed to grab a couple ears for any potential project or ritual I may need done during the next week or so. "This game is a variation of what?" I ask as I keep pace with Skylar, showing her the way to the flats. I doubt she's ever been here because she's always at the forge making stuff. Oh, and she didn't kill things. Yet.

[Skylar]

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

Skylar:
“Monopoly. The original is just called monopoly. There seem to be a lot of variations these days for tv shows and actual cities. I guess people like knowing the locations or something. I dunno. It certainly keeps the money coming in for the game makers if nothing else.” It’s a rather cynical view, perhaps but it’s the way I feel. I tend to feel the same way about mainstream music too. People worry more about the sales than they do for the quality of the work they produce. Sure it sells but nine out of ten they could probably do better. “I don’t suppose you have a first aid kit or something in your place do you?” It’s a stupid question. Ric’s pretty much a prepper from what I can tell, so he likely has a few kits to cover varying situations stashed at his place. Just because he can grow limbs, doesn’t mean to say he does that with every wound he sustains.

Ric:
I stop dead in my tracks when she asked if I had a first aid kit, or something. "I have what is needed to patch you up. Don't worry that pretty head of yours, princess." I keep moving south, to the flats. When we get there, I open the door for her, then close it and open it again. With it open the second time, and wide enough for us both to get through, I follow in after her close. There's the usual crowd that I've seen when I pop in the place for work, and a few faces I don't know. I don't think twice about why they're there, and keep going for the elevator. "You can read the rules and whatever else is required while I patch you up." I inform her as I press the button for the elevator to come down by us. When the doors open, I go in, press the button for my floor and wait for her to join me before pressing the close door button, twice. For good measure.

Skylar:
I watch his odd behaviour. I half recall him doing something like that when we left but I can’t be sure. “Why do you do that?” I ask as we get onto the elevator. “The thing with the door that is.” I don’t comment on the button pushing, to a lot of people, kids especially, button pushing is fun. I smirk to myself as I think of all the connotations that go along with that little sentence. I like pushing buttons. I stop smiling though when I think back to how he’d stopped and what he’d said. He was going to patch me up. I start thinking about the various projects awaiting us behind his apartment door and my eyes widen a little. Is he going to actually stitch the wound closed with a needle and thread?

Ric:
"What thing?" I ask her as the door closes at my double command. "Opening it? My mom instilled it in me back when I was younger. "I tap my fingers, both pointer fingers on my jeans as the elevator ascends to my floor. "Are you good at monopoly? Played it much?" I'm trying to size up her likelihood of winning the game.

Skylar:
I raise one eyebrow at his reply, trying to forget about the fact he’s probably about to do some butcher’s job on my skin once we enter his place. “Oookay… Well that explains why you do in one sense but I mean… Why’d your mum teach you to open the door twice like that? What’s the benefit of doing that? The reason. And no-ones good at monopoly. It’s a game of chance. It all depends on the dice you throw and the cards you draw.” I shrug. I don’t much care about the game. I’m far more interested in him and his quirks.

Ric:
I shrug. "She didn't teach me that. I've done it like that for as long as I can remember. Not just with doors. It's like a tic. I guess." I stop tapping my fingers when the elevator door opens, and nudge my head to them. "Come on." A game of chance? I didn't like games, let alone games like these. "Okay." I stop outside my door, wipe my feet once, twice, three and finally a fourth time before opening it and going in. I get out of my boots fairly quickly, using the tips of my toes to peel out of them, stepping down on the backs. "Want something to drink?" I ask. "All I have is tap water." I head to the bathroom and start digging around for a kit I made up, which was next to three others, all identical in size and contents.

Skylar:
“Wait. What? What did your mum instil in you then? I think we were talking about two different things.” For some reason my mSkylar:ind is blank. I have no idea what he’s talking about. I watch him more closely as we enter the apartment and count the number of times he does what he does. Doors are a twice thing, wiping boots is a four times thing. I start wondering what other tics he has while he’s off wherever it is he disappeared off to. While he’s gone, I take off my heels, place them neatly by the door and hobble over to the couch. I should have figured he’d only have tap water on offer. Next time I visit I’ll have to remember to bring stuff with me. “Ric!” I call out. “I don’t suppose you have a pair of sweats I can borrow do you?” I know I need to get out of my jeans. There’s no way he can tend to my injury without me doing that but it doesn’t mean I have to stand around half naked. Not if I don’t have to. With any other guy I might take this as an opportunity to show off my figure but Ric is not most guys.

Ric:
I grab one of the kits out as she calls out to me. I close the drawer that the kit is in and move to my bedroom. I flick on the light and head to a dresser, where there are sweats. I run almost every night around the length of the QZ, so I owned a few pair. Black and gray mostly, but I had more than black jeans, combat boots and t-shirts. I pull out a pair of gray ones after rummaging through the drawer, slide it closed a little bit, then open it and debate on giving her black, before shaking my head, closing it for a second time, then head in to the main part of my apartment. "I have a few pairs." I tell her as I sit the sweats down on the arm of the couch, then the kit on a cushion next to it. "Bathroom is down the hall, to the left." I point in the direction for her to head in as I open the kit, pull out a small scissors, some thread, black needle and gauze. I also fish out my lighter with my other hand, as I grab the small bottle of travel sized alcohol from the kit. I flick the lighter, drawing out a flame, bring the needle to it and attempt to sterilize it. Yeah, we're vampires, but it's my usual habit and so it's stuck with me as I told others.

Skylar:
I scoop up the sweats from where he places them. “Great. Good. I’d hate to think you’d have to run around the city naked while I have this pair.” The words paint a picture in my mind that is hard to ignore, only I catch sight of what Ric’s up to before I make my way to the bathroom. If anything was a mood killer it was that. He actually was planning to sew my wound shut. This meant I was going to have to put on a brave face, again. I quickly push the thought from my mind that he’d have a bottle of something somewhere that I could knock back to take the edge off the pain. Damn it. I’d have to just not be a girl. Once in the bathroom, I strip off my jeans and put on the sweats; something I do very carefully so that the material doesn’t touch the wound. With one leg pushed up over the knee, I head back out. “Don’t suppose you have any use for a pair of ruined, blood stained jeans do you?” I sit myself down on the love seat and offer him my leg.

Ric:
I think about the question as she returns, the needle having been sterilized with both flame and rubbing alcohol at this point. It sat on a piece of gauze, waiting for her return. "Maybe. I could cut them up for a potential project later." I shrug my shoulders. I wasn't sure, but I know I didn't want to waste a pair of jeans that were barely ruined. I'm sure I could think of something once the current task at hand was sorted out. "Ready?" I ask as I take her leg, by her ankle and put it on my leg after its been offered to me. I grab the needle that's been threaded and wait for her permission to begin.

Skylar:
“Cool,” I place the jeans over the back of the sofa. “They’re all yours then.” I take a look at the fate that awaits me. Okay, I tell myself. Time to be brave. I’ve had tatts done, so the needle isn’t that scary. It’s the pain more than the act itself that I’m worried. That, and that I might spazz out and kick Ric or something. We heal fast, so maybe it isn’t entirely necessary. But then I don’t want to run the risk that I’ll be bleeding for days. “You know what you’re doing right?” The evidence already speaking for itself. “Okay.” I take a deep breath. “Do your worst.” I instantly regret that phrasing. I don’t mean it literally. I want him to do his best. I just meant I was ready.

Ric:
I stop and just stare. "I think so. Guess we'll find out." It's my small attempt at humor before I just start my process. I press the tip of the needle into one side of the wound, then the other and give a pull, so it’s nice and tight. "Though this will be useless in a night or two." I tell her with a shrug. "Our healing process is impeccable as you already know." I continue the process. "So anyways, tell me what else you know about the game." I'm trying to keep her side tracked and focused on something other than this. I know how women can be. She had lost it when I lost my leg and regrew it back in the span of five minutes tops.

Skylar:
“Remember I know where you live Ricky. You scar me and I’ll think up some appropriate form of revenge.” My mind goes blank though on what I can do as the needle pierces my skin for the first time. I hold my breath. I don’t need to. It’s just a reflex. Don’t scream. I bite the inside of my cheek. I usually only do this when I’m nervous. Right now I’m doing it to stop myself from crying and moaning or something. I don’t want to embarrass myself. “Two dice. You roll two dice. Move the counter and react to the square you land on. Pretty simple really. The idea is to buy property and be the one with the most real estate at the end. Though the game can take hours. I’m not sure I’ve ever actually finished it.” I find the talking helps. Of course this edition is a little different, but I won’t know what’s what until I scan the rules. Something I’m a little too preoccupied to do what with having someone sew a gash in my leg shut.

Ric:
"Don't insult me." I tell her as I keep working, half way listening to her explain how the game works. I really couldn't care, I just had to find something for her to do and now I had to find something to keep her focused off the task at hand. "So property is essential. Got it." I tell her, letting her know I'm half way listening. I'm about a quarter of the way done, when I look at her. "So, you just sit at the forge and at Lancaster`s? Don't you have any friends?" By friends, I meant other friends than me. "To do things with? Girl things?" I keep working, sliding the needle through one side, then the other, and pulling at it.

Skylar:
I smile at him and wrinkle my nose slightly at the insult comment. “Yep. Yep. The aim of the game is basically to be the person with all the property. I think. We’ll check and see what this versions about when you’re done.” I try not to talk through gritted teeth and do fairly well at hiding the pain. If I thought the attack stung, I had to re-think my pain scale as having someone stitch you up with now alcohol or anaesthetic stung like a mother ******. “Yes I have friends.” I curb the urge to punch him in the arm given what he’s doing and all. “And no. Not many girly friends. I don’t get on so well with girls. I’ve known a few too many two-faced, back stabbing bitches. Guys are just easier to be me around. They don’t judge me.” I shrug.

Ric:
"I have to agree. I find myself surrounded by more woman than I find necessary or desire." I inform her. She can take that however she wants to. I get to the end, then make a loop with the thread, pull the needle through the loop and bring a knot down to the flesh of her leg. I do this another time for added support to the closing procedure. That’s what I tell myself, but I know it's my tic. I snip the thread, and start to put everything away in the container. Minus the thread and needle. I will have to sterilize that again in a different method, or just get rid of it and buy more needles. They're cheap enough. "So what do you think?" I point to the patch up job.

Skylar:
I poke my tongue out at him when he talks of all the women he has around him. “Maybe you should try not being so charming then. They might leave you alone.” I tease. Though, Ric is charming, in his own way. Difficult to read, offensive, confusing but oddly charming too. “And you do a fine job Doc. I couldn’t have done it any better myself.” I’m not really sure what to make of it in all honesty. He was perhaps a little too quick and a little too willing to stick that needle in me. The stupid survival instinct of mine doesn’t even notice this. It’s the bad boy thing. It has to be. I have blinders on when it comes to the wrong kind of guy. Though at least now I could identify them. If I was attracted to someone... they were the wrong kind of guy. It’s a rather messed up identification system, and I probably should then learn to walk away but I just don’t seem to get a say in these things; the heart wants, what the heart wants.

Ric:
"I'm actually a dick." I blurt out. It's true. I try my hardest to push them away, but they keep coming back and they give me nicknames. Stupid ones. I know it's at my expense and if they weren't Altaire, I would have killed them by now. "But you've given me something to think about." If being a dick wasn't working, maybe not saying anything would work better. At least until they saw me in public somewhere. I nod at her assessment of my stitch job, then move from the couch and set the kit on a kitchen counter, which was next to the room we were in. "So water?" I ask while I'm in there.

Skylar:
I shrug again. “Some women go for that. And I’ll pass on the water thanks. I only drink that as a mixer. And even then that’s rare. In fact that’s a lie. I only drink it as ice. Which isn’t really drinking, so much as melting and cooling.” Shut up Skylar! I know I’m rambling but I don’t really know why. Maybe it’s to cover up the fact that I’m one of those women. “Next time I’ll remember to bring to snacks.”

Ric:
"I can probably make some jerky from some of my kills. Wait. Next time?" Yeah, I caught that after the fact. "What next time?" I cross my arms at my chest. Skylar couldn't come here whenever she wanted. I did my projects here. "I work here too, you know." I tell her coolly as I re-enter the room. "And women go for what? People being dicks?" Yeah, I needed to just stay silent on the Crownet, I guess.

Skylar:
“Yep, some women are drawn to the arseholes of this world. There’s someone for everyone, or so the saying goes.” I hope to god this is sounding as casual as I think it does. Yeah. I’m a freak. I love the back and forth Ric and I have. But to be fair, I don’t think he’s a complete arsehole. Well… Most of the time. He’s kind of skidded into the territory. “And yes. Next time. Do you really think I’ll never come visit you again? I don’t mind if you’re working. I’m not a complete arse though, like some people.” I get up to cross the room. “I’ll respect your privacy. If it suits me.” I laugh but it’s true. “Don’t you like me Ricky?” I bat my eyelashes at him and pout as I lay my hand on his crossed arms. I know I probably don’t want the answer to that question but he needed to be punished for what he’d said.

Ric:
"Ric." I remind her again. I don't think I'll win this one; the name calling thing. It was aggravating. "And that saying is stupid. Some of us don't want anyone." I nod and then inch back a little. "You have something in your eye." I tell her as I move away. "So, the game?" I head back to the main living space. "And you can come over. With advanced notice." I add in.

Skylar:
I’ve got what? Oh… He’s being funny. Something in my eye. Nice. I bat my eyelashes. He thinks I’m demented. Great. “Ric. Ricky. Same diff.” I tell him. Only it’s not and having said the words I immediately want to clarify that I meant from his perspective. “Ricky is a guy’s name. Ricky spelt cky, not kki or anything like that. That’s who you are to me.” I shrug. “There are worse things to be called I’m sure.” I move back to the sofa, my mind now processing that he’s just done it again. There’s this whole push and pull thing with Ric that I can’t get my head round. One minute he basically tells me I’m not welcome. The next he says I can come over so long as he knows in advance. I scratch at my head, a puzzled look on my face and debate with myself about asking about it. Knowing him I won’t get a satisfactory answer anyway. I fall quiet.

Ric:
It's not the same thing, but she's justifying it in her mind. You can't argue with a brick wall, so I decide it's not worth the energy expended to complain again and get the same reply, more or less. "That's true." I think about her nickname; princess. It was worse than being called Ricky in my mind. Even if both are potentially degrading. "So, the game." I open the box and look through it. Then put the board on the ground. That much I know. Then I hand her the instructions so we can get started. She knew about the original. so she would know what the difference was between the two better than I. "So what's your people like? Your family? If that's what it's called."

Skylar:
“My what? Oh you mean Ellie and that? I dunno really. I mean I’ve spoken to some online. I’ve really only met Pi and Charlotte. I’d like to meet Madison. She seems like my sort of person. And there’s this guy on there that Ellie seems to hate. He’s told me to steer clear, so… Well you know me. I might just have to seek him out at some point. His name is Doc. But Pi calls him something else. I can’t remember what.” I shrug. I really haven’t said much about them. I’m not being secretive. I just don’t know that much about them. I’ve spent more time tracking Ric down than any of the people I’m newly related too. I scoop up the game pieces and offer them to Ric. “You have to choose a piece to be you.”

Ric:
"Like a representation?" I ask after listening to her describe her 'family.' I know Doc, but nothing more past his name and a few other things. Nothing I want to comment on or share. From the little I know about him, I don't dislike the guy. But I can't say I like him either. I wouldn't say I trust him either outside of anything Tytonidae related. I just don't let that many people in to my space on multiple fronts. "I guess this one." I pick the bucket of body parts, though the katana had been a close second. I'm no cowboy that saves the day, I don't really like phones because it keeps you tied to something and the bat was cool, but not as cool as the katana. The bus wasn't even really looked at. "Well, that's the thing about family. There's always one black sheep." I would probably be that in the Altaire line. I came to events, but just didn't feel comfortable around all of them. Or liked to do the things they did. Or the things they talked about.

Skylar:
“Eww. Sicko.” I curl my hand around the remaining piece and then playfully punch him in the shoulder with my clenched fist. “Of all the things to choose you want to be a bucket of blood, guts and gore?” I discard the other pieces back in the box and then pluck out the bus. If I were in an apocalypse I’d want one of those; an armoured shell I can hide in and take with me. It’s not like I’m the violent type and a phone would probably be pretty useless as a means of communication. Unless that was meant to be a weapon too. “Okay so we have two dice. You roll the dice, add them and move your piece that number of squares. It’s pretty simple really. The squares mean different things. Mainly they are properties we erm…” I scan the rules quickly. “Well in this version apparently we fortify them. Hey. This game is right up your street. You can put your prepper skills to good use.” I’m teasing him, something he can probably gather from my laugh.

Ric:
"I'm a taxidermist." And then some. I leave that bit out though as I look down at my shoulder that she had just punched. "And a realist. I'm acknowledging there's a problem and keeping it as a reminder of what the problem is. Embracing it. You picked a bus? It's not practical because it's going to run out of gas. And something that big will get noticed and you'll be screwed when all the zombies come chasing after you." I nod, then look give her a confused look. "Prepper skills?" I analyze the word and break it down. If being prepared made me a prepper, well, guess whose door Sky would be knocking on if there ever was an apocalypse? And then I cringe at that thought. "Okay, you go first." I pick up the dice and hand them to her.

Skylar:
I take the dice from him, turning them over in my hand as I stare at him. “Okay. So now I’m curious. What did you think I’d choose? The phone… because I like to talk?” I glare at him. “The bus might require gas but it’s also like a mobile shell. I can’t fight. I can’t hunt. But I can at least keep safe. Maybe rescue some people to do the hunting and fighting for me. Oh and…” I hand him the dice back. “Age before beauty.”

Ric:
I listen and quirk a small grin. I had thought about the phone, but then I thought about the cowboy hat. Not for the reason that she would go around saving people, but her moral compass was as high as it was aggravating. I have no come back to her age before beauty comment. If she wanted to lose, I was fine with that. I roll the dice and get a seven. I move my piece, but as I do, I ask another question. "What piece did you think I should have picked if not the blood and gore one? And your point is valid. However, anyone who comes to you and your bus would probably overtake it and you would die anyways."

Skylar:
“I’d of thought you’d take the blade. You liked the ones I gave you and I’ve seen you use one once or twice.” I shrug. “And pfft. I wouldn’t let them on the bus if I didn’t like the look of them. Besides… in a survive or die society I’d have to take my chances on someone. Unless you’re volunteering to protect me Ricky.” I smile at him and wait to see how he’ll respond . “By the way you have to scavenge for something.” I look around at the box, having forgotten to set the cards out and then place them in their appropriate places on the board. “You have to take one of these. Cos you landed on that square. Oh and no fortifying on the first go round.”

Ric:
"Blade was a close second. But I can survive without it if need be." I was certain of this. I had a lot of different skills on the survival front. I take a card and show her it. I think about what she says about me protecting her. "If we were together, you would have to learn to survive too. Which means at some point, you would have to fight. I can't be around protecting you all night."

Skylar:
“Would I have to actually fight or just learn how to fight? You know like martial arts or something. Where you learn how to kill someone but you vow never to actually use what you know on another living soul because it’s just wrong.” I’m not taking the piss this time. I really wanted to know. If I had to know how to fight that was one thing. If I had to fight and kill something I’d probably rather run away. Which reminds me… “Oh… And there’s option three. Run away. Can I run away from the fight?” Another thought strikes me; I still haven’t read Ric’s card, I’ve taken it from him but that’s about it for now. “And are you really saying that you’d leave me to die? You’re so mean.” I poke my tongue out at him, hoping to god he isn’t actually that mean.

Ric:
I can't believe she's asking me the most obvious question. "You have to learn and use it. Unless you want to die. I can't always be around. Or what if I'm not around. It's possible," But probably unlikely. My chances at survival were probably higher than Skylar's. "Why do you do that? With your tongue? Do you know how dirty the human mouth is?"

Skylar:
“It’s a thing. Like a teasing thing. I do it to be playful. Generally. Sometimes it’s more of a softer ‘**** you’ too. Depends on the situation. And don’t make me say it Ricky… Cos it’s kinda becoming repetitive. You know I could do worse with my tongue.” I know I shouldn’t but I can’t help myself sometimes; this being one of them times. I place the card down, the bus too and crawl over the board to sit next to him. I consider sitting on him but I know that will be pushing my luck too far. Like way too far. Further than I’m about to do now. “Say the word Ricky and I’ll show you how much worse it could get. You aren’t afraid of a few germs are you? Not a big bad vampire like you.” I walk my fingers up his chest as I say the last two sentences and then tap him on the nose with my index finger to make my point.

Ric:
Teasing. Like Juliet does. I think it's a passive aggressive thing that women do. I've seen them do it too many times. She comes closer to me and I remain where I am. I had the urge to inch away, but I don't. I'm wondering what she's doing and well, no matter what it is, I'm sure I can handle it. I bet she wouldn't even hurt a fly. I watch her fingers move up my chest and think she's lost it. Only, I don't know how or why. She hasn't been drinking and I didn't give her anything for her wound. "Do it." I just stare at her. I'm sure Sky has something up her sleeves that I won't enjoy, but I want to see how far she's willing to take it. She will probably be disappointed when she doesn't get much of a reaction, but that was her problem, not mine.

Skylar:
Do it. Two words I don’t expect to hear from him. I pull back a little in surprise, my mind asking itself if he really just said that or if I maybe fell asleep and dreamed it. Either way, he asked for it. I give small shrug as I weigh up my options, knowing already that I am definitely going to do something. “Well then… you asked for it.” I push myself back up to my knees, stretch one leg over Ric’s – which is harder than it sounds due to manner in which he’s sitting – and then slide myself into his lap so that I’m basically sitting on his crossed ankles. Since I’m doing this, I may as well do it right I tell myself as I place my hands over his shoulders. “Try not to resist too much Ricky… okay? It won't kill you. And who knows you might even enjoy it.” I laugh, smile at him and then lean in to kiss his lips. I’d been waiting to do this for ages and while the circumstances weren’t perfect and I doubted he’d respond, it was going to happen. As our lips meet, I tease his apart with tongue and attempt to coax him to kiss me back.

Ric:
My body tenses as she makes herself comfortable in my lap. Skylar is in my space and though I asked for it, as she phrased it, I was still cautious. "Doubt it." I reply as I keep my stare on her face, mostly her lips, looking for her tongue and what she might do with it. Then, she kissed me and I move a hand up to her shoulders to push her back. That wasn't what I told her to do. My grip starts to tighten on her shoulder, just for a second. Until her tongue makes an appearance and then I release the strong hold. Not completely, just enough to let her know she was allowed to remain in my space and to keep doing what she was doing. I had told her to do it. But then, I surprise myself. I'm telling myself to stop, but the other hand comes up anyways and rests on her thigh. My lips part to let her tongue in more if she wanted. It's not like I've never kissed someone before or experienced someone's tongue anywhere on me before. For a flittering second I kiss her back and then bite her tongue just hard enough to cover the kiss up with an undesirable response. "Great. Now I'll have to rinse my mouth out with bleach later. Good thing it won't kill me." I stick my tongue out at her, like she had done to me a few seconds ago,

Skylar:
There’s a moment when I’m kissing him where I could have sworn he reciprocated but then I feel him bite into the soft offending muscle. I take the hint – begrudgingly – and break the kiss. I could feel his hand on my thigh and while it may not mean what I think it should, I kind of hope that it does. There was a moment there when I thought he might push me away too. “Now you’re getting it. Though, you can’t drink bleach darling,” I inform him. “It’ll make you puke. But I could I guess.” I laugh and maintain my position on his lap. I consider playing with his hair – I mean I’ve come this far – but once more I tell myself that now might not be the best time for that. Besides… I wasn’t quite finished with what I was doing just yet. “You know if you’d of bitten a bit harder, you could have drawn blood. Which, come to think of it… You probably wouldn’t have minded. I mean then you could kiss me and feed at the same time.” I give him a playful wink and basically wait to be pushed from his lap for overstepping the line, even though they were just words.

Ric:
Darling? Was she doing that teasing thing again? I'm far from a 'darling.' I don't ask. I'd figure it out eventually. She doesn't get off and I don't move her off. She had already broken the barrier of my space and now that she was there, I didn't mind. In fact, I could control her better like this. At least that's what I think. "I could, but that would mean I would want to kiss you, and I don't." I reply with a shrug, but then remember I hadn't fed yet. I could boost my blood, but now that I was part of Tytonidae, I liked to try and be more thoughtful of what I'm doing each night. Just in case. I guess, I am, what Sky calls me; a prepper. "I could just keep doing it the regular way." The hand on her thigh moves to her hair to push it off her shoulders before I lean forward and bite her neck. The transaction only last two minutes at most before I lean back and look her dead in the eyes. "Thanks. Again." She doesn't mind when I do it, but I still thank her. I would with anyone else, especially anyone that was an Altaire.

Skylar:
“Well…” I had an argument ready to go and then he bites my neck. Though it wasn’t so much the bite this time that makes me giddy, it’s the fact that he brushed my hair away from my neck first. Yes he did that the first night we met but it wasn’t the same. And in the few times since, I usually did that for him. Sitting as we were, it was difficult not to let my thoughts runaway with themselves. I squirm a little and lean into him as he feeds, giggling like normal. My neck was the worst place for him to feed from as it was so sensitive. When his fingertips touched my skin, I felt a rolling fire flow through my body. “You’re welcome.” My words are a little breathy for my liking but that too seems to be the norm after this kind of thing. I compose myself and try to remember what I was going to say before he stole my thoughts. “And the kiss didn’t have to be for you. Quid pro quo and all that. The kiss could have been for me. But I guess that works to. So… erm… Are you convinced yet that there are far worse things I could with my tongue than just poke it out at you?”

Ric:
"You just kissed me. I've done that before." I snort and then push her away a little. "Your turn. I think." I point to the various colored board game that we had forgotten about. Or pushed aside for the time being so Skylar could prove a point. "I think this would have been a lot worse." I wrap an arm around her neck and drag my tongue across her cheek, then make sure to push her away before crossing my arms at my chest so she couldn't retaliate. "Unless you're ready to hand it over to me and give me the win." I smile. Just a little.

Skylar:
I burst out laughing as he licks me. “Hey! No fair. That’s my move.” I lightly beat my fist on his arm, having been pushed off his lap. “I do that to freak people out. Though you know… If you really want to get someone back after they’ve done that to you, you should do this…” I wipe his saliva from my cheek with the palm of my hand and then lick my palm clean. I keep my eyes on him as I do it too, cos while kissing was perfectly acceptable – to most people – there was still something off about watching someone do something like that. It was like having someone suck on a mint, spit it into your palm and then popping it into your mouth. Unacceptable. Or at least that’s what people’s reactions have told me when I’ve done it in the past. I don’t explain any of this to him though. Not yet.

Ric:
"That's disgusting. And weird." I tell her, then assess that she wasn't phased by me licking her cheek. Not like I had hoped. That was disappointing. "And trying to suck or lick someone's face off isn't your move. Hate to break it to you, princess." I smile a little wider, knowing I win that argument because it's true. She's staring at me, which is a little weird because she hadn't done that before. I keep staring at her. Who would look away first? It was sort of like a game. "There's bleach under the sink if you need it." I offer, the smile fading as I realize that I probably shouldn't have said that. Why would a vampire need bleach? "So, we done sucking face?" I change the subject.

Skylar:
“Pfft. Please. We drink blood. That’s way weirder. And I’ll pass on the bleach. Though now I get to scold you for lying. You clearly told me you only had water to offer me earlier in the night.” I scoot back to my side of the board. I don’t mind staring games but with Ric I already know I won’t last it out. I’ll end up giggling or something. I usually do. I take his card in my hand, read it and then let my hand drop to my knee. “Ric…? What do you reckon happens if we drink bleach? Or if I do I mean. I mean. It would burn right? And corrode my insides. Do you think it would kill me? Or do you think I’d just be ill for a day or two?”

Ric:
"It's not weird when it's a necessity." I tell her without a second of hesitation. "Who drank water first? Someone did and it does, or did us good." I don't even know what to say about the bleach bit. "There's rubbing alcohol too in the bathroom. Shaving cream for a snack later if you're real interested." My hands drop from their crossed position to the floor as I think about her question. "I don't think you'll die. Just be really sick and have some internal damage. Let's not find out though." I say with a shrug. "I don't want to pick up puke."

Skylar:
I skip over the blood conversation, as he had a point. Blood was our new water. Totally necessary for survival. When he starts being a prat I pick up the tiny telephone piece and throw it at him. “Haha. You’re a comedian. When’s the tour? I’ll come boo you off stage.” And so we slip back into our ways. Apparently by pushing his boundaries I’d made myself uncomfortable. That or I’m trying to act like what just happened was perfectly normal. I could tease him about him caring about me too but for some reason the moment doesn’t feel right so I let that one pass on by.

Ric:
I'm trying to think of something to say, but don't. I can't think of something to say about her comment about me being a comedian. I know I'm not and that's what she's suggesting by the comments after the initial one. I pick up my card, and return back to the game, by savaging. I think I might like this game. I can relate to it. I'm a good scavenger and could turn anything into something when the mood strikes. Which reminded me to think about her pants she gave me. Maybe I'll make her something. I take my turn, then offer the dice to her, dropping them in the palm of her hand. "Your turn, Sky." I say her name, just to see how it sounds.

Skylar:
I take the dice from him. “Oh. So you do know my name then,” I grin at him. “I was beginning to think maybe you couldn’t remember and were too embarrassed to ask, so stuck with the Princess thing just to be safe. Out of curiosity… just how many Princesses do you have?” I roll the dice once Ric’s done what the card told him too and start to move my little bus on its epic journey for survival.

Ric:
"I have a good memory." I retort back when she lightly insults my capabilities. "What do you mean how many? How many girls do I know? Or how many have that nickname? If it's the last bit, just you. Guess that makes you special." I stick my tongue out at her again. "The other bit, we've already talked about. There's only a few guys in Altaire and they're-an interesting bunch." I try not to say anything negative about anyone in the Altaire line, even if I think it. I don't like Blake there and don't trust him either. Calix was nice, but I always thought he had ulterior motives and wanted to sleep with just about everyone in the line. Kyrian was quiet. That I liked. I think he is a shadow too. Maybe it was a shadow thing.

Narrator:
Content with his answer, the pair get on with the game. Conversation flowed between them as easily as it ever did, which meant Sky did most of the actual talking while Ric listened, adding in the odd sentence here and there to show he was paying attention. Sky did her best to keep Ric in the game – cheating in his favour when necessary – but ultimately ended up winning herself. She wasn’t the type to be a bad winner. Instead, she took the opportunity to congratulate Ric on a game well played and gave him a quick hug.