Path of the Vampire forum

*Athena* Athena woke up in the hotel with a smile on her face for once. She was going to play early tonight no matter what. After she got herself dressed and shrugged on the leather jacket she always wore she took a fade portal closer to the abandoned warehouse that she and Harrison had stored her drum set. It was calming to walk walk there, her hands in her pockets. It didn't take her long and when she finally pushed open the broken door to the warehouse she smiled bigger. Her drum set, sitting proudly in the midst of rubble and broken furniture was a safe heaven for her. Walking faster now with instrument in sight she took a seat on the little chair and shrugged off both her jacket and the backpack she always brought along with her. A hand moving to the back of her pants to pull the drumsticks that rested safe between her shirt and the waistline of her pants. With an excited look on her face, she got comfortable and tested the sticks against the symbols. Magic.

*Sean* What a week.... what a rollercoaster of a week. Vampires were real, and he was now one of them. The concept was still hard to grasp. One good thing that came from it all, was his temporary grasp on reality. He had not felt so sound of mind since before his father had passed. Sean knew it wouldn't last, the hallucinations would return. He was really thinking hard about treatment to prolong such sanity. The night was young as he walked the streets. Now on his third pack of cigs, he had another smoke pressed between his lips as he walked down the street. He had no set destination in mind, just wishing to get away from the **** motel he had been cooped up in all day. That was definitely going to take some getting used to, staying out of the sun. As he wandered past what looked to be an abandoned warehouse, he heard drums. Drums? His first reaction was panic... Was the sound of his mind over already? Sean took a deep unseeded breath, to calm himself. Making a mental reminder that reality should not always be in question. Someone probably really was playing the drums. It may not have been the smartest thing, but Sean headed in to investigate. Lighting another cig , after the last would be put out. There was not much to see in the place, but he would catch sight of the woman behind the drum set.

*Athena* Athena didn't even see him when he saw her, she didn't smell his smoke she didn't even focus further than her drums. Her body bounced, her feet working even in her boots to push the pedals perfectly in tune with her music. With each hit of her sticks it was Slipknot- Before I forget. In occasion, she would headbang as she moved the sticks to hit the perfect drum or symbol to fit the music. It was when she was halfway through the song that she started to sing- or shout, really, her head bobing and her eyes staying focused on her sticks and drums as she rocked out. It was painfully obvious how happy the music made her with the way her face was light up, her body jittering in her happiness. As she played it about made her body glow even though she was anything but a glowy person when away from her set. When the song was over she tossed her head back and laughed, the sound light and happy before she started to relax in her seat and that's when she saw him. Her glow dropped and instead her body stiffened and her eyes narrowed. Who was this?

*Sean* Sean couldn't help the allure held over him. Even though he knew he probably should leave, his feet seemed unwilling to move. He would stand, and watch in aw as the woman lost herself in playing the instrument. It was simply amazing.... Sean had never been coordinated enough to play any instrument. Though he had always thought highly of those who were dedicated enough to master such a craft. There was something he couldn't place about the woman though, as if her aura illuminated through the joy expressed through her her playing. The moment she stopped, and noticed him, it would fade from her. Sean stood almost as a deer caught in headlights. Unable to speak and a step would foolishly be taken back, his food catching something that littered the floor and he would nearly fall. Now a bit embarrassed for many reasons, Sean would clear his throat before speaking. " Sorry to intrude.... I um was just walking past and heard you playing. I didn't mean to intrude.... Your really good..." Sean would stumble over his words a bit.

*Athena* She sat there silent for a minute and watched him just as he had her. Then he took a step forward and her fingers curled around the wood of her drum sticks. If need be, she would attack, of course now she knew better than to think that she could over come everyone. Maybe she should ask Rion if there was a way to know to protect herself. The gun she had in her bag seemed too far away now but then the man tripped. Her eyes grazed over his person before her lips pursed in her rude way. "I see." she said after a moment, putting her drum sticks back to tuck them safely between the back of her shirt and the waistband of her pants. The woman stood now between her drum set and the seat she had just sat in. "Thank you for the compliment. I have been playing for most of my life."

*Sean* As her eyes held on him, Sean would remember a few things Peter had said to him. That not all vampires were monsters but most were. Was this woman a vampire? Sean might have been one himself, but knew that didn't mean he didn't have anything to fear. He could still die, though Peter had said vampires could come back, but surely that was no easy task. As she stood, Sean would take another step backwards, being sure not to trip this time. His eyes never left her though, listening as she spoke then. "It shows..... I always wished I could play something... Only thing I'm good at is smoking cigarettes.... " The last part would be spoken as a joke but he did smoke a lot and had been doing so since he was 16. That was when his dad had him start serving drinks at the club. He shouldn't have, someone so young had no reason to be in a place like that, not to mention it was illegal.

*Athena* When he stepped backwards she smiled softly, amused. They were both sizing each other up and that much was true. He caught her in the best possible moment, she was always in a better mood after playing her drums. When he made his joke about smoking she laughed softly and nodded. "I get that." she said as she slowly moved from behind her drums to stand next to them. "I would offer to teach you but as good as I am at playing them.. I am equally as bad at teaching them to another." she half smiled at him, her hand making a gesture towards the drum set. Her eyes narrowed some at him as she continued to size him up and he danger he may present to her. "May I have a cigarette?"

*Sean* It was the sound of her laugh, that had him relax a little. As she moved, the man would stay where he stood. With catching her words on how she couldn't teach, Sean would make a small comment. "That's usually a curse of the greats. Master of their trade but unable to teach it." Spoken with a small smile of his own, worn between drags off his smoke. Her request then caught him a bit off guard. "A cig? Ya sure... I always have quite a few on hand... being that it's a hobby of mine to chain smoke." The last part shared as a joke, but he totally was a chain smoker. Slowly he closed some of the distance between them. Pulling out a pack of cigs from his pocket and held them out for her to take one. "Need a light?"

*Athena* He called her a great and for once that almost humbled her. It made her feel good, to be that good at her passion. "I can only offer that I have no problems playing for anyone." she smiled, then nodded at his question. "That's your hobby? Oh, you poor soul." she laughed then, a hand lifting once he closed their gap to pluck a cigarette from the pack and place between her lips. "Yes, please...?" she tipped her head then at him, not knowing what name to call him.

*Sean* He couldn't help but laugh a little at the poor soul comment. If she only knew.... and his smile lingered. As she requested a light, he had been happy to oblige. Holding his own smoke at the corner of his lips as he moved closer and would pull out his lighter to light her cig. Putting away the lighter and his pack of cigs then. "I'm Sean by the way.... I didn't mean to interrupt your jam session.... but if you don't mind an audience, I wouldn't mind sticking around for a bit."

*Athena* Once her cigarette was lit she took a few steps back to leave room between them. She was comfortable with space, smoking she nodded. Leaving it between her lips as she went to offer a small hand for the man to shake. "I'm Athena Andras, it's nice to meet you Sean." Glancing then to her drum set she shrugged her slender shoulders. "Do you have a song you want to hear, maybe?"

*Sean* He shook the hand held out to him. "Pleasure to make your acquaintance Athena." Spoken as he thought a bit about the woman's name. Athena, it made him think of the Greek goddess of wisdom. "A song? I guess anything.... Do you have a favorite?" Guessing her favorite song would probably be the most enjoyable for her to play. Honestly, Sean probably couldn't guess a song just from hearing the drums though.

*Athena* She shook his hand firmly, smiling before she let go of his hand and took a step back to create some personal space. "I do, of course." she smoked with him as her other hand slid into the pocket of her pants. "What do you usually listen to?" Trying to make conversation as they both smoked and stood around.

*Sean* Sean made note of the firm handshake. What amused him most, was the was the woman had answered his question. He couldn't help the small smirk of interest he held then. She had answered it just as he asked, but not how he had meant for it to have been implied. He should have been more specific, perhaps asked what her favorite song was and then suggested she play that. His hand that was free of his cig, would tussle at the back of his neck, as he considered her question. What did he listen to? Lots of things.... With a shrug Sean would reply. "Guess I lean more to the oldies... like The Doors, Hendrix, Rolling Stones.... " The list could be endless. He even enjoyed older stuff, like Sinatra or Billie Holiday.

*Athena* "Ah, the oldies are perfection." she said, she bit on her lower lip with a thought for a moment before bring her sig back to her lips to smoke. "I'll play you some Rolling Stones then." she kept smoking, her foot tapping on the floor softly with a beat in mind already. "Do you have any more hobbies?" she asked, looking up at the man as she turned to blow the smoke over her other shoulder.

*Sean* "That they are...." Said as he thought on how the good die young. Hr had always wondered what sort of music say Morrison would have been playing had he not ODed. At her last question, Sean's smile would linger. Holding his cig in hand, he would roll the filter slowly with his thumb and index finger, and watch as some ash fell off, exposing a bit of the bright burning tip. "Any other hobbies? Besides chain smoking..... Well, I do make a mean Hurricane." Said with a hint of a playful undertone. He had been a bartender since the age of 16, and the Hurricane cocktail was sort of his trademark drink to make back in New Orleans where he grew up.

*Athena* "A hurricane?" she asked, her eyebrows raising with a little smirk that was all her own. "I would love one." she laughed at that. "It's a little gloom here.. it might lighten the mood." she gestured then to around them and all of the broken items and the dirt and webs. She would have mentioned that she couldn't have one because she was a vampire and therefore could no longer eat or drink. But instead, she thought about her human life and how she enjoyed to get a little too drunk sometimes. With a smile at him she flicked her cig to send the ash to the ground beside her boots. "So what has you around here?"

*Sean* "Can't go wrong with three types of rum. My secret was the fourth rum and extra cherries of course. Sadly I forgot my traveling mini bar back at my hotel room, or I would totally make you one." Spoken a bit teasingly towards the end. A glance around and he gave a nod of agreement about the gloom of the setting. Though her drums and presence sure shined through the dulling drag of the warehouse setting. At her question then, he shrugged and would smile a bit before responding. "I'm new to the area, came looking for a new start. Think I found that and then some but I'm quite happy with the way things are going. What about you? What brings a talented young woman like yourself to play drums in an abandoned warehouse?" Shared as a smile still lingered. His turning had changed several things about him. Some unexpected, such as Sean would swear he almost looked a little younger than he was before.

*Athena* "You would rudely walk around and not bring your bar with you?" she rolled her eyes then at him playfully, dropping her smoked cig and using her heel to crush it into the ground. "I would have to agree with you on that." At his question she shrugged her slender shoulders and smiled. "You know, the claws of fate dug it's way deep into my collarbone, Sean. It's complicated but I am talented, thank you." she winked before she turned to look at her drums. "Shall I play for you now?" Then turning to look at him again as she slid both hands into her pockets of her tight pants. "Maybe you can bring your bar back around and repay me with one of those Hurricanes." Trying to keep up the idea that she was a human when really, she was not. She was a blood sucker now.

*Sean* He couldn't help the small bit of laughter that escaped him. It felt nice for feel so at ease with casual conversation. A talent he had not exactly held well before. "I'm a terrible terrible person." Shared with a small shake of his head, trying not to smile but it was unavoidable. He could not help but wonder what she meant by the claws of fate? He wanted to, but he wouldn't comment on such. "Yes please do, it would be nice to watch you play again." There was something even more intriguing to know she was playing something for him. "And hey, I'm sure this town has a liquors store close by.... I could pick something up and be back to mix up a few drinks." But was a warehouse the best place to do that? Sean could still drink and eat still but found they had no effect on him, he could no longer get drunk. Though the taste of blood did something different to him, he had never bitten a person but the stuff he drank from the shop sure gave him a high buzz happy kind of feel.

*Athena* "I'm not sure that I should because you've already been rude." she continued to tease, smiling at the man before she shrugged at him. Not sure what she wanted. Did she want him to go and come back? Did she even want to test these waters of already knowing she can't drink? Thank god Rion had already told her this. "No, it's fine." she said after a moment of thought. "Maybe we'll stumble on each other again and go to a bar." With the thought that perhaps maybe she could try and coax the surroundings for something else. No, she wasn't comfortable with the thought of whatever might happen to her if she tried to drink. Not one bit. "Let me play for you then." she grabbed the sticks that were tucked against her back and made her way back to her drums. With a smile over at him she began- The Rolling Stones- [I Can't Get No] Satisfaction. Just as she had promised, her head bobing along as she started.


*Sean* "Fair enough...." Shared as he used the end of his last cig, to light the next that would be placed to his lips. The butt of the other would be extinguished by rolling it between his fingers and then tossed to the warehouse floor. "I don't know about a bar.... they might not be too happy with me going behind the counter and mixing my own drinks." Jokingly shared, though it was an amusing thought. As she then set to playing the song on the drums, he was lost for a moment by the talent and perfect timing she held. Only after awhile he would notice something. She didn't appear to be breathing? Surly she was not holding her breath? There was no way a human could have gone so long without a breath while doing what looked to be exhausting task. Sean knew then, she had to be.... a vampire just as he was.

*Athena* It was exhausting work. Her head was bobbing, her hair moving as she set to the task at hand. The woman was jamming out, her nostrils flared only on occasion as she attempted to concentrate. Every now and again she would pick her head up to both watch him cautiously to be sure that he wouldn't come closer to harm her. The smile was big and flashy, obviously her most confident in her drumming. At what felt like just mere moments the song ended and she rested back some in her seat, still smiling at the man who didn't seem to mean her any harm. She relaxed. "Did you catch the song?" her eyes sparkled with her curiousity.

*Sean* It was amazing though, to watch her play. It was even more so since this time he was close up and really got to appreciate her craft, the way she almost seemed lost in the rhythm of it all. Something so beautiful, to see her love for playing shine through with each hit of her sticks. When she finally finished, Sean would hold his cig between his lips, so he could clap. At her question, his hand would pull the smoke out, and he would exhale it over his shoulder before singing the song title he guessed it to be. "I can't get no.... Satisfaction." Followed by a playful smile, his demeanor held to show he was in no way a threat or meant any ill harm with what he spoke next. "I caught something else while you played.... I couldn't help but notice at times, it appeared as if you weren't breathing?" Said with a play of a smile as to hint that he knew and that maybe she would guess that he was too. Sean had yet to have met many vampires. Only his sire that he knew of thus far. It would definitely be intriguing to meet someone else like himself.

*Athena* She would be glad to know that her love was showing. It wasn't something that she was good at showing often, really. But when it came to music - when it came to her drums it was easier. It was something that she could manage. It calmed her, it warmed her, it was everything that she assumed life and love had to offer when her sticks hit the drums. It was everything she remembered love to be. When she was loved herself. Then he clapped and she laughed, her arms smugly crossing over her chest. "Exactly!" again, laughing, so amused with this man that seemed to bring a little sun with him. He was so bright. Then he darkened when he spoke about her breathing. It was hard to fake something that she hadn't even thought to do while human. It was hard to fake something that she no longer need. While his sun flickered out her glow darkened into something gloomy, into something as dark and scared as she felt now. "Why would you even think that?" Now her tone changed, her tongue was sharp and her eyes narrowed at the man as if he had been lying to her the entire time. She no longer trusted his smile.

*Sean* The change would not go unnoticed and at that very moment Sean would regret having said anything. But what was the point in hiding such? If there was no need for it? "I meant no ill harm by saying such.... I have no need for breath. I mean...." Spoken as he found such a thing to be difficult to express. Wishing but for nothing more than for her joyful smile to return. "Honestly I didn't realize until now.... That we have a bit in common." Shared then to follow with a small smile before his lips would press to his lips for a long drag. Yes indeed he was far better at chain smoking than he was having a conversation over such a topic.

*Athena* Her eyes follow him. They stayed narrowed, she watched and she waited for him to keep going. While her arms kept crossed over her chest, her foot turned some to nudge the tip of her shoe against her bag. It made her feel better that it was so close if she were to need it. She saw how hard it was for him to explain and she put herself in his shoes. Yes, she would have struggled to explain her own situation to him herself. This made her inwardly relax but her body stayed rigid. "Mmm, do we have a bit in common besides cigarettes?" She attempted the tease, to see how it felt now. It had felt good to tease and smile with him before. It was a secret hope that it wasn't gone now. Athena missed the sun.

*Sean* He sensed something, but could not place nor confirm it at first. Her body language still held the same vibe that she didn't trust him. Why should such have effect over him? But it did, yet as she spoke again, it wouldn't be helped the smile that would find way to hint his lips once again. " I do believe so, a drink perhaps even more appetizing than a Hurricane.... Speaking of cigarettes , might I interest you in another?" Said lastly as he pulled his pack from his pocket, and held them out for her to take one. A peace offering of sorts.

*Athena* At first to go where the wrinkles around her narrowed eyes. Not that she would admit it but she wanted for some reason to trust this man. It nagged at her as she dropped her arms slowly from their previously crossed stance. "A drink even more appetizing than a Hurricane you say?" she asked, her head tilted and it was slow but her lips stretched from a fierce frown to a soft smile. "Yes, please." Athena said this slowly, her eyes were still on him to watch his breathing. Nothing. Leaning forward she took the offered cigarette and put it between her lips with a cautious glance up into his face. "Can I get a light?"

*Sean* Sean would be even further assured as he watched her uncross her arms. She even took a cig, in his mind it was fair to assume what ever line was crossed could hopefully be forgiven. Her company was a pleasant change, and she had played a stones song superbly for him. "A light..... I don't know." Shared with a joking smile as he didn't hesitate to pull out his lighter, and light her smoke. "So, I'll give another go at an earlier question. What is your favorite song to play on the drums?"

*Athena* Athena kept the cig between her lips, her eyes on his face as she watched him. Her lines were thin, usually close together and she didn't much like people. She thought maybe she could like Sean. He was kind, he was bright. The man had charm she'd give him that. As she watched his joking smile she leaned forward and took a deep drag while he lit the cherry-end of her smoke. As he asked his question she blew smoke from her nostrils and thought about it for a moment. A hand lifted and she plucked the cigarette from between her lips to talk with him once more. "That answer is complicated. I think it really depends on my mood, honestly. I can go from a A to Z."

*Sean* Another long drag would be had off his cig. Laughing lightly as the woman had managed, yet again, to find a way around his question. So he would give it another go, rephrasing his words. Maybe the third time would be the charm? " So, considering your mood, at this very moment.... what would be your favorite?" Just maybe he would get lucky this time.

*Athena* Now his question made her think. Surely, there was a song that she wanted to hit out on her drums? She wasn't sure so while she thought about this, she smoked. The drums were something that she was currently using to get over whatever it was that she was feeling. It was confusion a lot lately more than not. Who was she now? Did she even change when she was turned or was she still herself? She still wasn't sure. The answer came out finally then. "November Rain By Guns and Roses. I'd prefer to play it with a band though, rather than by myself. " Athena paused. "That's the song I would be my favorite."

*Sean* Sean would play with his smoke, as much as he took a drag off it. Funny the different ways a cig could be ashed. Being a chain smoker, the man surely had plenty of practice at such. As she shared her favorite song, he wouldn't press to why it was. As she noted it had to do with her mood, more than likely it held some personal deeper meaning perhaps. Sean was not one to press. "Can't go wrong with glam rock. Not gonna lie, in my younger years I may have sported a bit of eyeliner once or twice." Spoken with the hint of a joking tone. "Who knows, stick around the city long enough and maybe you could get a band together. Or do you already have one?"

*Athena* He said he wasn't going to lie and then he offered up a bit of information about himself. He offered up something that she could laugh at. It wasn't too personal but the fact that he said he wouldn't lie and opened himself up to be a butt of jokes made her relax. Her body relaxed now too, she smoked and ashed casually off to the side. "Younger years?" she teased him, not sure how old this fellow vampire was. Athena smiled at the man and this time she wasn't staring at him so hard. "And only once or twice, Sean?" laughing again, teasing him in good humor. He made her want to be light and funny. At the questions about her band she sighed, blowing out a long breath of smoke and rolled her eyes. "I have a band but then this happened." she made a grand gesture at herself. "I was on tour here. I've never been this far North, -ever- but it looks like I am here to stay."

*Sean* "Yup, younger years.... You know how teenagers are." Said with a smile that seemed opposed to leave his lips. As she poked a bit of fun about the eyeliner, he would laugh along with her. "Hey, that's all I'm admitting to!" He pressed, and couldn't help but laugh a little more. It felt nice, just to hold a normal conversation. Normal was never usually part of Sean's life. As a reference was made to her turning, he became a bit more serious than. "I'm sorry...." He sincerely shared, he had a feeling being turned was not her idea or something she was happy about. Sean had been crazy enough to find this, part of him had always desired such a life. He felt now that this was what he was always meant to be. He would not press that topic though but instead commented on what she shared last. "Another thing we have in common, I have never been this far north before. Would you believe I have never even seen snow before?"

*Athena* "Honestly, I picture you all gothed out worse than me with eyeliner." she teased, though she didn't wear much makeup. She only currently had a bit of chapstick on her lips but between cigarettes it was quickly rubbing off. At his apology over something he had no control over she just gently shook her head, a hand raising to wave just a little. Trying to show that it was fine and she didn't blame him any for it. Of course she didn't. Then Sean made his comment about the snow and she continued to smile. "I believe it." she shifted, tossing the smoked cigarette to the ground so she could stub it out with the heel of her boot. "Well, I may just have to convince you one night to go exploring with me. You need some adventure in your life and I'm all about that."

*Sean* "I don't know if I would really consider it goth, the way I wore it. Mardi Gras can get kinda crazy in New Orleans." Spoken with just a small hint of the Cajun accent he usually hid well. Just doing so brought back memories. He had, after all, never been out of that city until now. Moving to Harbor Rock had definitely been a big change for him, as well a culture shock. "As for a bit of exploring, I don't think it would take much convincing. I could always use a bit or adventure." That and getting to know a bit more off the city would also be an added bonus.

*Athena* "How did you wear it?" she asked, still smiling. Then she heard his accent and knew exactly where he was from even before he was finished saying it. It was a shame that he hid his accent. She liked it. "I wouldn't mind going some time.. they always sound fun. Then we will surely go and explore more, Sean. I almost demand it. It'll be fun and good for the both of us." Her head turned and she looked towards the warehouse door. She had been on her way to fight zombies but she almost didn't want to leave his warm conversation. "Well, you know where you can find me."

*Sean* "Guess I wore it to go along with whatever mask I was wearing.... And they are fun, but it can be dangerous. It was always crazy the number of terrible things that would happen." Especially to women, Sean held far too many bad memories of such.... Especially with where he had worked. " Definitely a bit bit of exploring would be quite nice.... And I do know where to find you.... but just in case." Said as he took out his pack of cigs and tore off the top of the box and flattening the small paper. Pulling a pen from his pocket he would write down his name and number and hand over the paper to her. "Give me a call the next time you're up for an adventure and would like a bit of company."

*Athena* "I can understand about masks. I didn't use eyeliner for mine.. I don't really like make up, honestly. Makes my face feel like cake." she smiled some, giving him a crooked little tilt of her head to try and lighten the mood. As much as she wanted to know what bad would happen, she didn't push. She didn't push her nose into the man's pain just as he didn't with hers. When he spoke about just in case she arched a 'brow. What was he doing? Oh, he was giving her his number. It had been so long she had accepted a number from a man that she didn't even see this coming. How silly, Athy. "Of course, Sean." she took the little piece of paper and smiled at him once more. "I hope the rest of your night is good." putting the paper into her pocket before she smiled at him again and moved.

*Sean* "Some women can just pull off the natural beauty look." A comment made when she mentioned how she didn't like wearing a lot of makeup. His weight shifted before he would put out his cig and light another one of course. Though he would put the lighter in the half pack that was left, walking to place it on one of the drum heads. "Just in case you might want a few more." It was getting a bit late though, best to head out and be sure he made it back before sunrise. " Hope the rest of your evening goes well also, it was certainly a pleasure to meet you. I look forward to a bit of exploring soon." With that said he would give a wave and be on his way. Much about the night seemed to keep him smiling during his walk home.

-The following transcript was a live chat roleplay-

*Athena* *T* Hey, it's Athena!

*Sean* *T* Athena who?
*T* JK Hey stranger.

*Athena* *T* I was about to say! I'll never play the Stones for you again. ;))

*Sean* *T* Aw Don't break my heart now! ;)

*Athena* *T* Don't break mine first! ;(

*Sean* *T* Your the one throwing out threats .
*T* So..... hang out in and abandoned warehouses lately?

*Athena* *T* Threats? Me? Never. LOL! I may have.

*Sean* *T* Never? OIC. So I may have made a Hurricane after we last spoke. I must say, it was one of my best. Though didn't exactly pack the punch I remember.

*Athena* *T* You did? What do you think made it be one of your best?

*Sean* *T* Definitely the extra cherries, and I made it a little sweeter.

*Athena* *T* It sounds very good.
*T* If I could drink I would ask you for one, for sure.

*Sean* *T* You can't drink? Or you can only drink one thing? I have heard around that not all are able to. Granted I felt no effect from the alcohol, I could still consume and taste things just as before.

*Athena* *T* I can't drink. I was told by my siress that I would just puke and puke if I tried anything other than blood. That news made me sad, really.

*Sean* *T* Guess some things vary with a turning? Though I much prefer the blood to that Hurricane anyways

*Athena* *T* I think so, honestly. Also.. I agree. Mmm, blood.

*Sean* *T* I find it gives me a small bit of a buzz, like the first time I smoked a cig. I have only tried the bottle stuff.... Guess I can't get used to the idea of biting a person.

*Athena* *T* Oh, you know... that makes so much more sense. After I feed I always feel so light weight.. almost as if I'm swimming. It's a nice feeling. I don't blame you. I haven't had any blood that I didn't buy yet.

*Sean* *T* Guess I just don't want to hurt someone.... Maybe after my fangs take the first bite, maybe I'll feel differently. Perhaps I should take a nip at myself just to see how it feels. I don't remember much about my actual turning. I should at least know what's being inflicted. My pockets will wear thin if I don't at least learn to feed from humans sometimes.

*Athena* *T* It's very expensive. If you need someone to call after.. You know that I'm here, right? I won't judge you if you feel good about it or bad about it.

*Sean* *T* You're too sweet, and thanks. Same goes for you.

*Athena* *T* I think I'd like to feel bad about it, honestly.

*Sean* *T* Its not like they will die? I try to think of it as donating blood for the greater good.

*Athena* *T* That's true. We don't have to kill.. unless we want to. ;)

*Sean* *T* I'll make a mental note to never get on your bad side

*Athena* *T* Aw, Sean, I wouldn't hurt you now that we are friends and I know you won't hurt me. ;)

*Sean* *T* You could hurt me a little? I might be ok with that. I could never hurt you, or probably anyone for that matter.

*Athena* *T* Do you want me to hurt you a little, Sean?

*Sean* *T* You might like it? Aw its more so the fun of teasing a little in hope that I might have made you smile. You have a nice smile.

*Athena* *T* You did make me smile... also thank you.

*Sean* *T* I'm glad and hey I just call em like I see em.

*Athena* *T* Your smile isn't half bad either.

*Sean* *T* Thanks ;) I could use a shave though, getting a little stubbly.

*Athena* *T* I think the women will flock to you with a little stubble.

*Sean* *T* I hope not.... I'm not a fan of really big crowds anymore.

*Athena* *T* I share that feeling with you. I used to love them.. now I'm just.. awkward about it. Well, more than usual awkward.

*Sean* *T* We seem to have even more in common then

*Athena* *T* We seem to find out more and more each time we talk.

*Sean* *T* We should talk more of often then

*Athena* We should.

*Sean* Definitely.

*Athena* *T* Come around soon and I'll play for you again, yeah?

*Sean* *T* Sounds like a plan. Tomorrow night work well for you?

*Athena* Meet me at the drums.

*Sean* *T* I'll see you then, I'll text when I'm on my way.

------------

*Sean* *T* Hey stranger

*Athena* Who's this?

*Sean* *T* Hey that's my bit ;)

*Athena* *T* I can use it too! ;))

*Sean* *T* Ok.... just only that one time :-p

*Athena* Fine, fine...

*Sean* *T* Was wondering if you could use a bit of company? I'm about to head out (I ran out of cig and must buy more) and I could stop by the wearhouse if you were playing?

*Athena* *T* Sure, I'll meet you there!

*Sean* See you soon.

*Athena* Like wise

*Sean* With reading her last text, Sean would pocket his phone and head out the door, locking it behind him. The shop would be his first stop, picking up a pack of cigs. Of what he would pull one out and light up on his way to the warehouse. It wouldn't take long before he was walking in. "Hello?"

*Athena* Athena was already there, of course she was. When she heard his voice her head picked up from the drums that had her journal laying over it and the pens top in her mouth to nervously nibble on. A habit she always had when writing. "Sean." she said, smiling lightly and closing her journal.

*Sean* "Hey." He smirked, as a cig hung loosely at the corner of his lips. He took a drag off the smoke before it was pulled out to ash. "Hard at work already?" Said as he neared her. It was definitely nice to see her again. The stranger whom he had come upon in this very place.

*Athena* "Yeah, just jotting down somethings." she smiled at him and laughed, pulling the pen from between her lips to sit up and look into his face. "What have you been up to tonight?" she asked, leaning down then to grab her bag and place her journal back in it.

*Sean* "Not much, the usual, chain smoking, the usual." Jokingly spoken, as he held the pack out to her. " Might I interest you in one" Asked as he had a glance at the book the would put away in her bag, but he wouldn't inquire about it. "So, how's the mood for the evening? Do you have a new favorite song you would like to play tonight?"

*Athena* "Will I always find a smoke between your lips?" she asked, tipping her head with a slow and casual smile while her body moved forward to grab herself one. "Thank you." she said, sitting back down and placing the smoke between lips. This time she didn't ask for a light, a hand moving into the little pocket of her skirt for her own lighter to light up.

*Sean* He could help but hold a playful smile at hearing her words. "I can't say, I usually only go without one if my lips have something better to do, or I'm in a place where they frown upon you smoking." Shared as he went to reach for his lighter but she beat him to it. He couldn't help that his eyes would linger to where she took it from.

*Athena* "Oh yeah, I can see that." she said, putting her lighter away before she looked over and realized he was looking at her skirt. The woman plucked the smoke from her mouth and she stiffened in her spot. "Eyes are up here, Sean." her smile was gone and now she was smoking.

*Sean* He would laugh lightly, before then placing his cig back to puff on. "What?" Played as he didn't even know what she was talking about. Before being turned, he would never have done such a thing. Yet lately, he was beginning to notice a few off different things. "So, what have you been up to today? Do anything fun and exciting during the daylight hours? Drives me nuts to feel all cooped up..." Not that he got completely lonely, he sometimes had his delusions to keep him company. He certainly had some interesting ones.

*Athena* Her eyebrows shot up. They both knew what she was talking about. It wasn't a secret - he looked plainly. She sucked harder at her smoke and slightly squinted at the man. "I can't do anything but sleep, it seems." she gritted her teeth and fangs very lightly for a moment. Then she blew the smoke through her nostrils and asked. "Do you want to hear anything tonight?"

*Sean* "Sleep? Wish I could sleep more during the day. Guess I'm still trying to adjust." He had been about to joke about buying a coffin to sleep in, but decided against joking about such a thing. At her question then, he would shrug his shoulders lightly then. "Surprise me?"

*Athena* "Are you not tired now?" she asked, looking up at him as she smoked and sat on her little bench behind her drums. Then she slowly smiled at him again and shrugged her shoulders. He was forgiven. "Do you not like to pick a song?" she asked, blowing out a line of smoke then.

*Sean* "Ya, sure I'm a little tired but during the night, sleep is hardly worth missing out on a bit of freedom to get out and about." Said as he considered her last question. "Well, you're the one playing... it should be something you like and know. Anything would be fine with me."

*Athena* "Well, I told you that I am a fan of a little adventure." she said, smiling at him as she continued to smoke. Dropping the smoke down then to crush it under her high heel. "You're no fun, Sean. " she teased him, finishing the smoke quick. "Next time I think it'd be acceptable to pick a song and maybe bring some sheet music. I like to learn new songs and maybe you can be of some help."

*Sean* He watched as she put out her cig with her heel and couldn't help but laugh a little at her words. "I'm no fun? Looks like I'm gonna have to work at that? As for drum sheet music? That's actually a thing?" Well sure it had to be a thing but he had never heard of it before.

*Athena* "Of course it's a real thing!" she laughed, smiling at his face before she gestured over her symbols and drums. "It's music." she teased him before she reached over to a drum to pluck up her drum sticks and put her bag back on the floor. "Do you want something angry or mellow?"

*Sean* "Well I didn't know?" Said as he would laugh a little again. He put out his cig but this time wouldn't light another up. At her words that followed, he would think a moment about the words she had shared. "How about something a little mellow."

*Athena* "I know you didn't.. but you should have." she teased, tapping her heel on the ground for a moment as she smiled at him. "Something mellow? I can do that, Sean." Gently she tapped on the drum as she thought about it. What should she play? What was mellow, hmm..

*Sean* " I'll be sure to bring you in some Mozart sheet music next time I see you...." Shared with a smile, as that was not the sort of sheet music implied. The word mellow made him think of the drink mellow yellow.... his mind and thoughts could be quite random at moments. "Anything you play would be fine, even if you simply made something up."

*Athena* "Pfft, that would hardly help me play anything for you." She rolled her eyes, knowing that he was teasing as he always was. Looking back up at him with a grin then. Yes, she could make something up. "Okay, you got it." Lifting up both of her sticks then she began to play something mellow to him. It didn't matter any that this instrument was always seen to be loud and bold.. somehow while her sticks hit it was something soft and mellow. It was the exact opposite of what you would think she'd play at first glance.

*Sean* He smirked at her response, as it had been what he expected. Quietly he would watch as she started to play. His hands pressed into his pockets, he still had managed to not light up another smoke just yet. "Maybe next time I could bring some bongos and pretend to play along with you."

*Athena* She didn't play long this time. It was much easier to play something angry for Athy than something mellow. She was hardly mellow. Her emotions would go up only to come crashing down sometimes. But when he spoke again he made her laugh and shake her head at him. "Are you any good?" she teased, putting down her sticks.

*Sean* Sean enjoyed watching her play. So much shined through as she hit away and he probably assumed such would be true of an who had a love for music and played an instrument. "Am I any good? Well..... I'm no pro but imagine I could manage alright." He had played them a few times for a performer he knew from the French Quarter, Sean would play something slow while the guy would recite poems. Sometimes it drew in a small crowd.

*Athena* "I have nothing but faith in you." she smiled, stretching out her arms for a moment before she stood from her seat and moved around her set to hand over the drum sticks. "Why don't you give it a go? Just don't be upset if you don't sound as good as me." she teased him, smiling up at the man as she waited for him to take them and play.

*Sean* He took hold of the sticks as she handed them over. Laughing lightly at her words. "I'll not be disappointed.... Already know I'm not good at playing the drums." But he would give it a go, it's not like he had never messed around on a drum set before. He took a seat, his left foot presses on the pedal of the Hi-hat cymbal, holding it down then would hold the peddle down as the stick in his right hand tapped on the cymbal. Slowly, getting into a basic four count rhythm. Hitting the snare drum with the stick in his left hand, on every second count and hitting the bass drum pedal on every fourth count. It was basic but sounded on tempo. What was funny was when he tried a drum roll, hitting the high and middle toms, followed by the floor tom and then the ride cymbal. Of course he was off, he was never one to multitask and he couldn't help but laugh at himself a little.

*Athena* "Well, you're not too bad." Ath said, her hands moving into those pockets her skirt had. "You know a little something, at least." she said, standing right next to the drums and leaning forward to watch his movement. He had to know a little something, she hadn't had to teach him the bare basics or even which pedal to push. She was surprised and that made her smile again. "Not bad, just try and focus on getting them all hit at the right time. Timing is everything, you know." still smiling, her head tipped to watch.

*Sean* Sean smiled before replying. "You're too kind, I think I know enough to maybe play the bongos." Said as he gave one of the drum sticks a twirl, before setting the sticks down on top of the snare drum. " Think....... I need a cig." He smirked and would pull one out and place it between his lips. Searching his pocket then for a light.

*Athena* She saw him searching his pocket and pulled her zippo from her pocket and leaned forward to offer him her lighter. "Bring your bongos next time. We can play here and maybe it'll sound interesting." she smiled at him, lifting her hand to brush hair behind her ear.

*Sean* "Thanks." Spoken with a smile before he would light his cig and then give it back. "Well, the trick is I don't actually have and bongos..... I'm sure I could buy them from some music shop." Yes, it would definitely be interesting. Standing then he would take a drag off his smoke. "Did you want one?"

*Athena* "Oh you don't? Well, I think there has to be some music shops.. " she turned her head to look towards the door then back at him with a smile. "If you get bongos you can set them up here, if you want." she smiled, and gently shook her head. "No thank you this time."

*Sean* "I'll definitely look into getting some, just something small." Spoken as he wondered just how late a music shop might stay open. "So you were in a band? What kind of music did you play?"

*Athena* "Well, do you play the keyboard maybe?" she asked, turning to look at hers that she hadn't set up but was nicely tucked in it's protective case. "Yeah, I was, we were on our first tour and we played a lot of alternative. Think like Blink 182ish." she shrugged her slender shoulders.

*Sean* "I can play one song.... when the saints go marching in." True story. Sean would look over at the keyboard and then glance over to her and smile. "Is there anything you don't play?" He couldn't help but wonder. "And can't go wrong with alternative music.... I always like Blink 182, loved third eye blind, ever clear, googoodolls, and anything like that. So.... gonna play a bit of the keys for me tonight?"

*Athena* "Well, I can't sing well." she laughed and shrugged her shoulders. "I prefer my drums to all things though." At his question she just shook her head. No, there wasn't anything she didn't play. "I like to play everything. " putting her zippo back into her pocket before she laughed and shook her head. "Nope."

*Sean*"You don't think you sing well?" He doubted that, she probably was just being modest. "Aw no keys? Maybe next time.... When I have some bongos." He couldn't help but find the idea amusing, mostly the him playing the bongos part.

*Athena* "I do not sing well, Sean." she laughed, her head shaking again before she gave him a slow smile. "Maybe. I'll consider it. " She really did prefer her drum set to anything and everything else. It was where she found her center when she was feeling muddled. When she was having an episode and was either really happy or gravely sad. "What do you do that makes you the happiest?" she asked, looking up at the man.

*Sean* Sean would narrow his eyes at her in a teasing way, like sure you don't.... and a smirk would follow."Consider what? Playing the keys for me? Or both at the same time?" Her question caught him off guard. What does he do that makes him happiest? That would be smoking cig... it kept the hallucinations at bay most of the time but that was hardly something to share. " Um.... I really don't know anymore..." And how depressing was that?

*Athena* Athy shifted from heel to heel. Trying to keep from laughing at his look but it was too priceless not to laugh. No, really! She really did think she sucked at singing but she couldn't stop laughing for a moment to say that. "I'll consider playing the keys for you - I simply refuse to sing." she smiled still at him until he said he didn't know. That made her smile drop and her lips pursed then at him. "Well, we're going to find out again." she said matter- of fact.

*Sean* The moment her smile faded, he felt guilty for having said such a thing. Maybe he should have just said something, anything other than what he had. He would still smile a little then before speaking. "That would be nice..... but you know what would make me happy.... you should play something on the keys for me?" Shaded before he would take another puff off his cig.

*Athena* "That would make you happy, really?" she asked, her head shaking in her confusion. How did that make him happy? That didn't make any sense to her so she furrowed her 'brows and nodded. "Fine, I will but won't you think of something else that tickles your fancy?" she asked him, walking towards the case to start and undo it.

*Sean* "Of course that would make me happy." Spoken as he wore an expression like that was such a silly thing to have asked. He had been enjoying the times they had hung out and it was neat to see how much she loved music and it showed when she played. Her words that followed had him thinking. For him, just to have a good high day, was what made him happy. There had been too many lows and whenever things did go well, he couldn't help but be paranoid that something terrible would bring everything crashing down.

*Athena* "I'm surprised that would make you happy. I guess it's because what makes me happy is to play it rather than hear it." she smiled at him, bringing the large case to the dusty dirty ground and unlocking the sides to bring up the lid and pull the keyboard out slowly so she wouldn't bang it against anything.

*Sean* "Guess we have what could be called a win win?" Spoken as he continued to happily puff away on his spoke, putting it out only after lighting his next with the last bit of it. He probably could never give up smoking, at least now he couldn't get lung cancer.

*Athena* "Yes, it seems to work out that way with us so far. " she said simply, letting the case fall to the floor once she had a good grip on the keyboard. "Maybe we're like siblings from another father or mother." she teased him, winking at the man before she placed her keyboard on it's stand that was set up beside her drum set. "That'd be weird, huh?" she asked, regardless of the fact that her hair was dark black. She had been dying it so much sometimes she forgot that her natural hair color was blonde just like his.

*Sean* He found her words caught him off guard and he found himself blurting out. "I never knew my mother..." And he didn't know much about her. Sean just always assumed maybe his father was too crazy and guessing Sean would grow up just as messed up, she wanted nothing to do with the both of them. "That would be weird...."

*Athena* Athena was busy setting up the keyboard for him. She adjusted it on it's stand before she heard what he said and her head snapped up, her eyes wide. Oh crap. She fucked up. "I.." she shook her head then, moving around the keyboard to stand at it's side. "I'm sorry, Sean.. I didn't mean anything by it.." she shook her head, embarrassed.

*Sean* "Athena, it's ok.... I know you didn't mean anything by it...." Spoke, as to reassure her that everything was ok. He would smile and stand before her keyboard as she had it all set up then. "So, what are you going to play for me?"

*Athena* "I know... But but.." Athena bit her lip, looking up at him as she stepped around awkwardly. With each hit of her heel against the floor it would make a tapping noise. Then he smiled. His casual and soothing smile. Why did this soothe her? Nothing about her was soothing. She was rigid and he was smooth, like two different types of pebbles that were discarded together. "I.. I'm not sure." Then her hand moved, her palm landed on his arm and she said. "I really am sorry.." but as quickly as her hand landed she yanked it back. Flesh on flesh. Athena took a step back from him then with shock on her face, eyes wide.

*Sean* "You really have nothing to be sorry about...." Saying such, wishing he could convince her that it wasn't a big deal. As she moved and went to touch his arm, he almost flinched but didn't get the chance. She withdrew her hand just as fast. It was the look she gave that recall caught him off guard. "What's wrong?"

*Athena* "I have to go." Athena took one more step backwards and away from the man. Her expression relaxed but only reversed back into one twisted in pain. "I just have to go." Her head shook, pivoting on her heel then to quickly move away even before he could say anything. The keyboard fell on the ground and she didn't even notice in her haste to leave the one place her comfort was always found.

*Sean* "Athena?" He was so lost and just stood and watched as she left. That was when he heard a voice that he had not heard in days. Looking to the side he could see him, the smug hallucinations that looked like him and was everything he would hate to be. What the **** did you do Sean? Did you miss me? **** you.... That's what Sean said in thought. Moving then to put away her keyboard in its case. He would take the case over by her drums and just head out back to his hotel. It was certainly not a quiet walk home. Thinks possibly went from good to something worse.