Nine Lives [Open]

[Eureka]

The things that Eureka discovered about herself caused a kind of euphoria to infect her. As if she were constantly filled with a glee that she could not control or maintain. Her parents had called several dozen times, but she hadn’t answered. At first they lamented over the lack of groceries—working full time at a grocery store meant that Eureka was the main provider of their food, their toiletries, their everything. And then they got angry. The last few messages Eureka listened to before she dropped her phone into the sewerage muck, they were actually concerned and upset.

Strangely, Reka wasn’t affected.

Guilt should have been present. Guilt, or a sad nostalgic longing to go home. But just as she was made to feel like the scum beneath the feet of the people she served, she also felt as if her parents used her, and that they never really cared. Whether or not that was the case was moot. Perhaps Reka was flying high and would soon crash and burn, but it had been a few weeks, now, and the feeling had not gone away.

Every night, she woke upon the rooftop that she was sired. It was kind of pleasant, really, regardless of the cold. Even though every day she slept in the dungeon given to her by Chad, every evening she awoke staring at the sky, and it was terribly, painfully beautiful. Up here where the world couldn’t get to her, and the wind ruffled her red hair, she was always witness to the very, struggling last rays of the sun before it dipped below the horizon. Often, she just lay there to watch as the stars slowly blinked awake.

The leggings she wore had holes in them. And she wore all black, otherwise, to hide the blood stains. Chad had at least drilled into her that she should keep her nature hidden, so she tried her best, even though it was a struggle. The coat she wore was thick and the hood lined with a fake black fur. It wasn’t the most expensive thing in the world.

Reka had not showered in a few nights. She didn’t feel the need to. Her red hair was tied back into a messy bun. Upon her feet were old sneakers; if one looked close enough they might be able to see the blood on them, but at a glance they just looked old and dirty. There was blood beneath Eureka’s fingernails, which she bit and chewed with those canines that never retracted. There was a fire escape, but Eureka preferred to jump. Landing like a cat with nine lives, her bright blue hues (sometimes green, depending on her mood) flashed gem-like in the passing flood of a car’s headlights. She wandered out of her alleyway and lifted her head to the air, sucking in a deep breath through her nose. Scenting.

Oh, she was hungry. She always had to feed at the beginning of her night. That was always the first thing on her agenda.

[Valentina]

The world was different for Valentina now, Things were better. Her feet no longer hurt when she practiced ballet that was pretty good for her. Though, since becoming a vampire she rarely practiced her ballet kike she was meant to. Only when she was bored and alone in Kyrian’s apartment. Her mother still paid for the tutoring that she no longer went to, one day or another she’ll break the news to the woman. Letting her know that ballet was not what she wanted to do anymore. No, Valentina had found other hobbies she enjoyed. Hacking was one of them. Since Ariadne had given her the scripts for a hefty price she spent most, if not all her time glued to the computer screen in his dwelling. Over and over she’d scan through the nodes collecting files, download them for her amusement – then sell them on for a nifty price. She’d repeat this daily, over and over again.

Sometimes her sire would have to pry her away from the computer. The Cherokee was obsessed. Valentina had learnt a lot over the coming months that she had become a vampire. The world was home to many things – many fairy tales. She was eager to find out what else belonged in the books. Setting the terminal aside for a night she decided a stroll might be good, grabbed a leather jacket she wrapped it around her thin shoulders. Pulling on her pink wellington boots that seemingly went well with her black top, and leggings. The girl was a genius when it came to fashion styles. Not.

Leaving a note for her sire, letting him know she’d be back later she headed out into the dwelling passage, and out into the sewers where she ignored a few paladin’s that advanced on her as she climbed to the nearest exit she was greeted by the cool air. She smiled happily. Pulling herself up through the grate she closed it behind her and head off into the streets. She rounded a corner so quick that she didn’t see the red head, bumping into her so hard that the Necromancer fell back and landed on her backside.

“Uyo ayelvdi” She said in her native tongue, before speaking it in English, forgetting where she was for a moment. “Sorry.” She said. “I didn’t watch where I was going.” Only to find the woman in front of her was a vampire, she could see it in the pale cheeks as she canted her head to the side, wavy chocolate hair fell to the side with her.

[Niklaus]

Months, that's how long it had been since the Killer last ventured onto the streets of Harper Rock. He had only regained his way back to the city after a long trip to his native land, Romania and this was literally his first night out, for leisure, not business. Niklaus already knew he had to reach out and make contact, perhaps have a friend fill him in with recent city developments - being informed and updated was always a priority for that man. Keep up or go home. He could afford travelling about without any worry for numerous reasons. One - his childes were fully independent and he was proud of it. Two, his sire had disappeared a long time ago, not having someone to answer to was quite a blessing and thirdly, the man didn't have or plan to have any significant other to explain his mysterious trips and disappearances to. Niklaus did what Niklaus wanted. His close friends knew how to reach him if he was really needed and that was the end of it.

It wouldn't have been his first meeting with that particular redhead. The first thing he did when he got back home was browse Crownet. Who did what, who died, who's still walking about - that was all taken care of. Next he had already planned to visit a few friends and allies, his to-do list kept growing. Then he found a message on the Worthington Crownet, it seemed that Chad had sired again and the woman in question happened to be needing a firearm. The male wasn't against meeting new blood and quite the avid gun collector himself, he felt like he could definitely donate to a good cause. He didn't bother asking questions about her preferences in firearms, nor did he choose to gift her a lady gun because she was newly turned. She needed something reliable and deadly and that came in the form of a high-caliber rifle which he had nicknamed "Diamond" - he would have offered help mastering the weapon if she happened to need guidance, anyway. A meeting had been set at Corvidae Flats and he delivered the package as promised, exchanged a few pleasantries with the woman but due to time constraints he assured her that he would be the one finding her if she ever needed him before leaving. Mysterious man, or a stalking promise.

It had been just one day since their initial meeting, Niklaus decided to take a little trip around the city, hopefully to get rid of some of the rust that might have settled in when it came to his trigger finger. Harper Rock didn't lack in things to kill. Sleeveless shirt, slacks, boots and his favourite leather jacket - his outfit for the night. As usual, he didn't step out of his domicile unarmed, that would have felt like walking around naked to him. His jacket concealed both the shoulder holster holding his semi-automatic pistol and the titanium blade strapped along his back. There was no such thing as being too cautious in Harper Rock.

He had already made his mind to visit the Quarantine Zone on foot, night strolls could be therapeutic - when he thought he heard some kind of scuffle. Quietly, but swiftly making his way towards the origin only to catch that hint of red hair he instantly recognized and... another woman, this one a stranger, down on the pavement. What in hell did he just walk on to? "Evening, ladies... Everything okay there?" he inquired, stepping towards the pair. Glancing from one face to another - did he just walk in on a fight? Highly unlikely, from the look on their faces but still, that was a rather awkward situation.

[Eureka]

Eureka’s weapons were back in the dungeon. This was probably a good reason why she chose to return to the dwelling every evening. The gun, called Diamond, had quickly become a prized possession and the last thing she wanted to do was fall asleep somewhere in public only to leave it behind when she disappeared to re-awaken on the roof top. Thus, when she collided with another moving body, Eureka could react only with the very sudden wariness of an animal caught off-guard; her lips curled back to reveal the elongated canines, and her irises widened as if to become more alert.

Given that the last time she had collided with someone on the street (or been snatched) she’d been drained of her blood and fed a new life. She figured she probably had reason to be a little wary.

As soon as she realised that the other living body was only another frail-looking female, however, Eureka’s stance relaxed. She hadn’t been playing this undead game long enough to realise that small packages could pack incredible heat. She still judged by appearance, and this woman didn’t seem threatening. At all.

Eureka was in the process of shrugging her shoulders and wandering off—not entirely the kind to stand around and make social pleasantries with a clumsy stranger—when they were joined by a third, bulkier male. One that Eureka immediately recognised as the giver of the gun—and her smile suddenly broadened into something almost perfectly childlike. There was a low rumble in her throat, a hum of approval. This was another vampire that she quite liked. The last time that he had seen her she’d have been covered in zombie gore, most of which had dried and flaked off by now.

Their heads do like to explode when shot with a rifle.

He asked whether everything was okay and Eureka finished the shrug that she had started.

”Well I dunno. See, I was just minding my own business and then this one ran into me. I bet she was trying to steal from me…” Eureka said. Was she trying to stir up trouble? Maybe. Maybe it would be fun, to get into a scuffle. Maybe it would be a great way to start off the evening. Eureka then took a step back and made a show of checking her pockets—even though she knew there was nothing of importance in them to steal—as if to make a point.

”Like I’m pretty sure I had some cash in here but now it’s gone…” she said, affecting an air of sulkiness.

[Nikolae]

Nikolae Dragomir had a lot of things on his mind, or had had a lot of those things on his mind before he’d taken a shot to the shoulder and stumbled with the force of the blow. He’d heard the click of another round ready to be loaded before spinning to face his attacker. A damned hunter, why was he surprised? Since discovering his name on a list held by mortals he’d been all but stalked across the city. It was a wonder there wasn’t a blatant bounty out on his head. Now that he’d spotted the man, the ******** had the gall to turn and run. Naturally, the Dragon gave chase. Humans in their path dodged out of the way, and Nik didn’t bother shouting to force them to move. The guy dodged around a corner and the Dragomir skidded around to follow, stumbling to a stop when he realized he couldn’t spot the male. How the hell had he done that disappearing act? His eyes narrowed angrily, and as the adrenaline of the chase gave way he felt the bit of pain radiating from his shoulder, the wound seeping blood to make his shirt stick to his flesh.

Adjusting the strap of his canvas backpack he turned to return to the nights duties – namely hunting his long-lost sire and checking in on the few dragons still haunting the streets – he stilled as he heard a familiar voice. Thinking he must be wrong, he still paced toward the sound of conversation and squinted golden lizard-like eyes. A moment later a smile curved cooly over his face and he approached the trio without a thought to awkward social settings nor the wound on his shoulder.

“Klaus. Long time no see, old friend.” He stated suddenly, grasping the man’s shoulder with one hand in greeting. He turned his gaze to the pair of females curiously. Neither were remotely familiar to him, though one certainly gave a pull of familiarity that blood-relations only ever did. Given the size of the Worthington lineage that was not a new feeling, nor even a rare one. He constantly passed by vampires on the street and felt the creepy vibration of what he assumed was blood calling to blood, like calling to like. He wasn’t sure what he’d intruded on, having focused solely on the familiar voice of a dragon he’d long thought vanished from the streets, but now that he was here he almost didn’t want to risk leaving – who knew if Niklaus would disappear again.

“Hello.” He said then, almost abruptly, to the women. He dipped his head as he said it, the most non-threatening gesture he could really make with the bulky weapons he sported showing plainly beneath his jacket. A breeze would reveal the holster of a handgun under his right arm, the knife sheathed under his left. A few more were hidden on his person less obvious, but he’d found showing them meant less fight from chosen enemies. This group was most certainly all vampire, so he didn’t hesitate to offer his name. “I’m Nikolae Dragomir.” He hesitated, peering at the female that seemed nearly familiar. “Of the Worthington lineage.” He finally added with a single-shouldered shrug. His phone beeped almost accusingly and he winced at the reminder that he’d told his youngest to meet him for a lesson on hunting that night. If the message on his phone was what he thought it was, then she’d soon find him. He could never hide from his Dragons – not that he’d ever have any reason to.

[Valentina]

Valentina wasn’t the type of person who liked crowd, or any form of confrontation. Yet when she looked up at the red head she scowled a little. Getting herself up onto her feet, muttering under her breath. She did notice the male come onto the scene as she turned her head to look at him, dark orbs studying him. Only to turn her orbs back to the red haired woman, as she accused her of stealing. Valentina shook her head fiercly. “I did not.” She said. Her facial features mirroring a frown. “I bumped into you, as I was skidding around a corner. I did not do it intentionally. At all.” The woman became flustered especially when another man came onto the scene, offering his name. Valentina couldn’t handle it.

Grabbing her small bag that had fallen onto the ground, some of it was full of various things. Zombie ears, bones – she liked the sound they made when they rattled in her bag. It sounded like some weird instrument as she made her way past the group. Mumbling something along the lines of, catch you all later.

Perhaps she could one on ones with people, but a whole group? That was pushing her anxiety. She offered a small wave, and a glare to the woman that had accused her of stealing, chucking her a few dollars from her own pocket. Hoping she’d find peace in knowing she got money back from what she had lost. Refused to bite back as she slid off into the night, leaving the group to their mischief.

[Niklaus]

Niklaus was just about help Valentina up, stranger or not, he had manners, but then he felt the firm hand grasping at his shoulder; another sense of familiarity arose before he inevitably heard the male’s voice and grinned. “Nikolae. It’s been a long time, indeed. How nice of you to join our party”, he added before turning his attention back towards Valentina. She had already picked herself up along with her bag and seemed to be eager to leave already. He could understand her; they were strangers to her and vice versa. Analyzing the woman for a moment after Reka’s accusations, Nik always was a good judge of character and Valentina didn't seem to be exhibiting any signs of deceit, she seemed rather peeved at Reka’s accusations, even going out of her way to chuck some dollar bills at the latter before moving away from the group.

“Well then… I didn’t know you had that effect on women, Reka”, he taunted the redhead, watching the departing stranger disappear into the darkness; he didn’t even know her name. Oh, redheads. He knew how fiery they could be, but that was what set them apart from the crowd, right? The male slowly inched closer to Reka with a curious smile after picking up the bills on the pavement. “Did she really just… rob you and ran away?” he grinned, dexterous fingers stashing the dollar bills in her front pocket neatly as he maintained eye contact. Niklaus did enjoy playing games too, especially when they occurred across dark street corners in the middle of the night.

But there was something else he had to do: introductions. “Niko, this is Eureka. Chad turned her quite recently. Reka, this is Nikolae, as you already know. He’s a very good friend, you can trust him.” Nik knew how it was to be newly turned, so many people calling themselves ‘family’ to you made it hard to know who you could really trust, but with time and perseverance she would find her allies and enemies, just like he did. The scent of blood then caught the killer’s attention after introductions were done with, causing him to peer at Nikolae with a wide grin, “Someone’s been in an actual brawl, I see.” He would have been worried but he knew better, Niko could hold his own when it came to fighting and his injury didn’t seem all that serious. One should always expect to get shot at, stabbed, bitten or even clawed at in Harper Rock. On a day to day basis too. Truth.

[Deirdre (DELETED 5847)]

Today was a good day for Deirdre. If she didn't wander far, though, that was her own paranoia that caused that. The Glock hidden under the pair of jackets she wore (dug from a box her former employer had sent up) wouldn't be very out of place. As long as she could remember to switch the damned safety off when she needed it. If she needed it. She hoped she didn't. She'd only gone hunting once, with one of her foster fathers, forever ago. She should probably get some shooting lessons eventually.

Still, she was almost skipping down the street, eyes flashing from window to window, storefront to storefront, studiously trying to ignore the voices of the spirits that plagued her ears, tearing at her psyche. Oh, Deirdre had spent half an hour on making herself look more human, but there was nothing, nothing that could be done for the ghost-like pallor of her icy skin against the black leather, the black tank top, the lurid red of her hair with the silvery spikes. She'd tugged it tight into a tail, looking for all the world like a girl on the hunt. But it was just for show. Anyone who took a closer look would see that she wasn't really a warrior.

"Help us!" they whispered, wailed, cried to her, but she whistled her way down the street, ignoring each voice, each and every pleading pair of eyes, only pausing to glance down at her phone and tap out a quick message to her sire. It had been difficult, at first, until one of the wraiths in the city - not a ghost, a wraith, there was a very defined difference - had mentioned to her that ghosts always knew when one could see them. And her Necromantic abilities made her a target for them. By ignoring them, she made it clear that they couldn't get through to her. Couldn't **** with her. Couldn't be the nuisances they so obviously wanted to be.

Still, the sound of a gunshot drew her attention, and with a snap of the head, a whip of red hair through the air, she was off. Running, running, leather soled boots slapping pavement. It was an old instinct, from a small town girl who was used to gunshots in urban settings meaning something really bad was going on. She would have to break that if she ever went to the slums. But she skidded to a stop - not fast enough! - just a few feet away from the five of them. Well, this was weird as hell.

Then her silver eyes zeroed in on the blood blossoming from her sire's shoulder.

"****, I knew it," she growled, stalking across the gap, hands on her hips, looking for all the world like a Weasley woman. "What trouble did you get yourself into this time? Need me to call someone? Or do anything?"

She had always been a worrier, and always would be. She couldn't help that. It had been part of what had driven her absolutely berserk during the storm and earthquake, and it was part of why she stood here now, hovering like a mother hen. It was all she could do not to pluck at the fabric of his shirt to look at the actual gunshot.

[Eureka]

Eureka wanted to laugh. She wanted to call after the retreating figure—the woman who had thrown money at her—and tell her it was just a joke. To lighten up. To take a chill pill. To get over it. But she didn’t. Eureka’s laughter barely bubbled to the surface before her attention was snagged by Niklaus, who’d retrieved the tossed cash and had proceeded to tuck it into the front of Eureka’s jeans. She blinked up at the man, completely oblivious to the subtle undertone of his jesting.

Except, they were not alone, and with the retreat of one woman came the appearance of two different people; people who all seemed familiar somehow, even though she had never before seen their faces. There was this urge to rub herself up against each and every one of them, or to purr contentedly. Instead, her green eyes were wide and curious, her lips parted and her tongue pressed against the roof of her mouth. Her nostrils flares as she took in each scent; as she stored the specific lustre of each person in the banks of her animalistic memory. If she ever needed to track them in the future, this scent would make it all the more smoother.

Nikolae was the one with the strongest scent of all. Eureka’s head canted to the side as her eyes darted toward the wound on his shoulder, curious about the other girl’s clucking. She must be this man’s… sire. His Chad, for the lack of a better explanation. Though, Eureka doubted that Chad would react in such a way. But Chad was male, and men were different creatures to women, weren’t they? Their instincts were wired differently.

Again, she blinked, as if ordering the situation in her brain. Though it wasn’t to make some calculated, socially acceptable reaction. Instead, she did just as she had been urged to do only seconds earlier. She leaned heavily against Niklaus, nudging at his arm as if to encourage him to lift it and place it over her shoulders. It might seem affectionate, but really she just wanted to rub her scent all over him, her cheek rubbing idly against his shoulder for a moment or two. The entire time, her eyes never left the other two.

”Did you bite him?” she asked the other woman. ”Like Chad bit me?” she asked, gaze flickering now between Nikolae and the newcomer.

[Nikolae]

Nikolae snorted at Klaus, the man was ever the same and the Dragon was glad for it. Nothing could ever really get Klaus' spirits down, a rare trait in a town of misery. He dipped his head in greeting to the strange woman, eying her curiously as the conversation went on around them. "When am I not in a brawl, is the real question." He replied with a faint playful smile, shrugging his shoulders which jostled the book bag he always carried with him. "How else would I buy so many pretty things to fill the Temple with?" He winked and then stiffened at the sound of footsteps approaching.

"Hey, Pixie." He called out just before the girl came close. He waved off her questions and shook his head all at once. "I'm fine. Tis but a scratch!" He barked out a laugh, though he wasn't sure if Dierdre had seen that movie. If not, he'd plant it on the computer at the Temple with a note ordering her to do so. Nobody should live forever without enjoying a little Monty Python. "Don't call Raeth." He added a little more firmly, brows pinching. His eldest-borne would probably try some of his hocus pocus on the Dragon, and frankly Nikolae didn't much trust the stuff. "It's nothing a little blood and a day's worth of healing can't fix." He added if only to soothe her.

Eureka's question had him half-turning and he chuckled warmly. This one was clearly young by vampire standards, maybe even younger than his Pixie. The thought that she'd been turned by Chad and likely left in the same state all his other progeny had been left in - that is, entirely alone to fend for themselves and figure immortality out - was both perplexing and disheartening. "No, Reka. Deirdre is my newest girl-childe." He paused. "I. Bit her." He gestured between himself and Deirdre, not entirely certain the new Worthington understood. "You're not the youngest anymore, Pixie." He added to his childe as the thought occurred to him. "I sired a male a little while ago. He's learning how to hack." He nodded. Nikolae had provided the man with the cash to buy everything he'd need, though he hadn't had many interactions with him else-wise. All things in good time - it wasn't like they didn't have forever, after all.