Path of the Vampire forum

OOC: Backdated to August 20th, 2015

<Peter Parkman> There was nothing that Peter had to do to prepare the apartment for Jersey’s arrival. But as soon as he read her message on the Vedarian forum, he was out of his chair and looking around anyway. The dogs—all five of them—got excited by the sudden movement. The place was filled with wagging tails and panting tongues, Peter talking to the dogs as if they were human beings. Telling them that they were about to get visitors. He made sure their water was all filled and that there was food on standby, if Mew and Bear happened to be hungry.

At least he wasn’t in his pyjamas, as he had been in the habit of doing for a while there. But every night he went to check on the animal rescue and close it up before he came home again. There and back again. After which he spread his time between hacking, research, writing, and restoration. And cleaning, of course. The place was spotless, as per usual. Of course, Jersey didn’t give a time frame. Didn’t she know him by now? When was she going to get here? Minutes, or in an hour? Sighing, Peter went back to the computer room where he picked up one of the books from which he’d been doing some reading. It was an old book, written by someone in the late 18th century. And he waited.
<Jersey> Pressing a kiss to the top of her cat's head as the fluffy animal sat comfortably in her arms, completely oblivious to her changing surroundings as they rode the elevator up to his floor, Jersey felt nerves in the pit of her stomach for the first time in a long time when it came to Peter. She didn't think he hated her, he still talked to her, but she wasn't sure entirely where they were. It had been almost obvious that Enver was going to mention Peter as his single friend, but when she felt mildly irritated by the notion, it had been pushed aside as a snicker had escaped past her lips in her apartment.

Bear trotted at her side, sniffing everything until she softly called for the animal to stay close – the leash, of course, was wrapped around her slender wrist and biting down on her bottom lip, Jersey wondered if it was a good idea. Lifting her green eyes to the number as it went up, Jersey reached out for Peter’s mind and spoke into it. “Almost there.” Ever since they had mentioned seeing each other, she’d been staying more often in her West Towers apartment, returning to Kallista’s much to her own confusion every day and as she adjusted her weight, Jersey dug out her cellphone from her jeans to check the time while she reached his floor. Walking to the door, she reached up and knocked twice to keep it even.
<Peter Parkman> The dogs were at the door even before Jersey knocked. They did it all the time, when they heard footsteps outside. Which was unfortunate, given that Peter's apartment was so close to the elevator. But it was the best apartment available, given it number. It suited Peter for that reason. As soon as the knock came, Jack and Ellie started their exciteable whimpers and Hunter gave his usual deep, resounding bark. Just one. The others just trotted and lolled happily, glancing back and forth between the door and Peter as he stood and came out to the main space to answer it. He stood at the door for a few seconds, staring at the wood, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides. When was the last time he'd seen Jersey? He shook his head, before reaching for the handle and opening it. The dogs rushed forward as Peter stepped back, opening the door wide to let Jersey and hers inside. Peter nodded his greeting. "Hello, Jersey."

<Jersey> She smiled when she heard the dogs inside and glanced down to Bear, seeing the large dog radiate his excitement and practically drag her to the door, eliciting a soft growl from the intolerant cat in her arms. It was hard to believe that the last time that she had seen them had been before she died for a second time, only the dark place hadn’t been easier to adapt to. She had gone to the ruins of the cabin, felt her heart twist in pain.... The thought fell away as the door opened and Jersey reached down to let Bear off his leash before she was pulled inside. Her light brown hair, softened from the darker color that Nakia had dyed while she had slept, fell over her shoulders as her eyes widened lightly, taking in the sight of the man. “You look so relaxed.” Did she ever have a filter? “I mean, hi Peter.”

<Peter Parkman> The cabin wasn't somewhere that Peter went often anymore. The wide open space was better for the dogs, but the distance was too far. The danger was too much, going through the wilderness every night. Peter missed the serenity, but logically, living in the city was better. Peter was allowed more time. And, for a man like Peter, time was gold. He blinked at Jersey and her comment, closing the door behind her after she entered. "I haven't deviated from my routine for... months. I really only talk to the dogs," he shrugged, and nodded. "I'm relaxed," he said, pushing his hands awkwardly into his back pockets. "How are you?"

<Jersey> The telepath felt herself be a little distracted as she took in the little details, things that she had thought she’d forgotten only to see that they were on point such as his eyes and lips. Scratching at Mew, the once fluffy kitten now a fluffy young cat looking at all the dogs, Jersey wondered how to answer that. How was she? Distracted, regretful? Nervous? She didn’t know why she was so nervous, it was Peter after all. “I don’t know.” She answered after a pause, before elaborating, “I mean, I’m alright. But... I feel odd.” Maybe it was a bad idea.

<Peter Parkman> Peter looked between Jersey and the cat. The dogs were all preoccupied with each other, and the presence of the cat didn't bother them. They welcomed Bear into the fold like greeting an old friend, and like the children that they were, they all ran off to play together. Peter reached out to scratch Mew between the ears. He wanted to cuddle the cat to his chest, but he wouldn't take her from Jersey. Instead, he gestured to the table, where they could sit. "Odd? Why? Is it Garrett? Did something go wrong?" he asked. If either of them could eat, he would offer her something. But they can't. So he didn't.

<Jersey> Hearing a soft purr from her christmas gift, Jersey removed the solid green leash from the cat's collar and held her out in offering. "I did say she was partly yours too, I wasn't kidding when I said she searched for you." The soft smile didn't vanish from her lips as she followed after him lightly. A shake of her head was given, "No, Garrett's a sweetheart and well, I don't think any turning can be considered fine but he was alright." So she thought, she'd ask him more later. "I just... I guess I feel off a bit. I haven't seen you in so long."

<Peter Parkman> Although she had grown, Mew was still small against Peter's chest. She was docile in comparison to the dogs. Peter rubbed under her neck, a small smile stretching his lips. The purr against his chest was a comfort. Although the visit was unexpected, it didn't stress Peter out too much. Although he had been doing his research in the time he had designated for it, it was like falling back into old habits. He'd been able to spare time for Jersey before, most of the time. Sometimes he had given her trouble, but certain leeways were given. Besides, they were surrounded by the animals. Which always helped Peter, in some small part. He took a seat at the table, letting Mew out on top of it. When he looked back to Jersey, it was with that common expression of confusion. "You feel off because of me? Why? I... did I do something?"

<Jersey> Jersey removed a small ball of soft blue yarn from her pocket and flicked it towards Peter for Mew once they were sitting, the cat entirely oblivious from the attention she was getting. The smile on her lips grew and she looked towards the dogs, chuckling at the excitement from Bear. “You didn’t.” Jersey said as she looked back to him, her hair falling over her shoulder while she reached up to run her nails through his hair. “I did, and I didn’t realize how... difficult it’s been because I haven’t been about. I had to leave this realm to remember things.” She shrugged as she tapped her nails on the table top. “Granted, the fact I know Enver clearly has the intention to play matchmaker with you doesn’t make me feel any less nervous around you.”

<Peter Parkman> Instinctively, Peter's head tilted into the rake of Jersey's fingers until he remembered. He remembered and tensed, his confusion mounting with each uttered word. He swallowed the odd lump in his throat, his shoulders hunched forward and his arms crossing over his chest. "Enver... matchmaker? He didn't like how many dogs were in the Asylum so I left. I... don't know why needs me to get out more. He doesn't ever see me as it is," he said. "Why do his actions make you feel nervous? I don't understand what he's trying to achieve..."

<Jersey> She saw him tense and pulled her hand back lighty, "Sorry, there was a piece sticking out." She drummed her fingertips on the table, and then looked at Peter with a confused expression playing across her features. "Why would Enver tell a single woman that you were a single man if she ever swung that way?" She inquired, and then paused. Her green eyes lowered to the table as she lifted her shoulder in a gentle shrug, "Because maybe I regret leaving you despite the fact I still love you and I'm not sure how to react entirely to you as friends because I don't want you to run screaming out of the apartment?" It actually felt easier around him as a human, she thought.

<Peter Parkman> Although Jersey probably fixed the piece that was sticking out, Peter ran his fingers through his hair again anyway. To fix it again, if need be. It made him twitch, wanting to go put a brush through it. But he stayed where he was. Just. He looked away from Jersey and her confession, nudging the ball of yarn toward Mew, who pounced on it gratefully. "I... Enver can't force that on anyone. I'd have to make the conscious decision and you said it yourself. I'm relaxed," he said, shaking his head. "I'm not... fit to be with anyone. For them or for me," he said, slowly. He was still confused, for different reasons. "I won't leave. It's not on the schedule."

<Jersey> She watched the cat and felt a chuckle escape past her lips before she lifted her gaze once more to the man’s features, almost amused with his actions as much as she was Mew’s. “I know that, but that doesn’t mean a nerve isn’t touched.” Jersey said softly. She tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear, her eyes closing momentarily before she opened them again. “Peter...” It was difficult not to tack on the word baby as she would have months previously, “You weren’t the reason I left. You know that, right?” She leaned forward, reaching over to softly tug at a loose string of the yarn prompting Mew to follow it and a clawed paw batted at her hand. “I wasn’t being literal about running and screaming. I meant you’d just... pull away from me.”

<Peter Parkman> Peter felt the the coiling in his gut, felt his chest tighten for reasons he couldn't understand. Except that, maybe, he was upset. Yes, it was there. He didn't want to be. Grief was something that he always avoided and he didn't want to face it now. "But you left. You left and I understand the reason why, I do. You wanted to find yourself, and you wanted to deal with things on your own. And you have done. And you're back, now. And...and..." he huffed, and leaned back. Lady was nudging at Peter's leg but he only very absently patted the dog. He didn't know what he was trying to say. He didn't know how to face the fact that she was here, telling him she missed him and still loved him. He didn't know how to tell her that it hurt.

<Jersey> Jersey listened to him and bit her bottom lip hard enough to distract herself. It was bittersweet, really, realizing the mistakes that she had actually made. Her name and her past wasn't as important as those that she had in her life as a vampire, as Jersey. "And an apology likely wouldn't suffice, but I just... needed to tell you, Peter. I truly am sorry." She felt the tug at her lips be a difficult smile as she tried to think of a change of topic now that she'd opened it. "I'd turn it all back if I could, but I can't." She rolled the yarn back as Mew pawed it her way before the cat found interest in Lady.

<Peter Parkman> Peter scratched at the back of his head before dropping his hand back down to rest between Lady's ears. She was the oldest of the lot, and was the closest to Peter. The one who was most reluctant to leave his side. Her chin rested on Peter's lap, and Peter was grateful for the dog's loyalty. "You don't have to apologise. I never needed an apology from you. You had to do what you had to do. But why are you telling me?" he asked. She was apologising and he thought he should give something in return, but he wasn't sure what was expected.

<Jersey> She looked at the man quietly, admiring his features and his appearance. It was different to her, seeing him so relaxed and as she sat there, folding her hands on the table, Jersey quietly wondered if this had been better for them both. His question made her wonder and she let out a soft sigh, a sheepish smile crossing her lips, "I didn't know if you hated me or not." Had she expected him to? After remembering things about her former taste in men? It was likely and she lifted a hand to rub at the back of her neck.

<Peter Parkman> Peter blinked. He wanted to go to the computer and re-read the emails he had sent to her. Maybe he'd been quite blunt. Could he even get them back? Could he see what he had sent? It as common knowledge that sometimes what he types could be misunderstood. "I don't hate you, Jersey. Did I give the impression that I hated you?" he asked, shaking his head. "If I did, I didn't mean to. I mean... I wouldn't let you come in if I hated you. That's not logical," he said, trying to follow Jersey's cue and lean on the table, arms crossed in front of him, knee swinging to a concentrated count that only he could hear.

<Jersey> She gave a soft shake of her head, "You didn't, I guess I just needed to hear it." It was a stupid need and even as she sat there, Jersey felt a bit better now that the words had been spoken out loud. "I... that place has probably just messed with me a bit." Maybe. She lifted her hand to rub at the spot at her temple before lowering her hands once more. She swallowed and tried to form her thoughts into words. "I don't think I like the distance, I guess? Which, it's my fault it's there. I didn't think you'd be like 'I forgive you, Jers, I love you too,' nor did I even hope for it. I'm just." She paused and then sighed, rubbing her hands over her face. "Nevermind. How's the shelter?"

<Peter Parkman> Peter had settled into a very solid routine. No, he didn't talk to people much. He didn't talk to anyone at all, except for his customers and his employees. But did that really count? It didn't matter. It wasn't something that bothered Peter; it was how he was when he first came to Harper Rock, as a protected witness. He went to and from work and spoke to no one in between. "You have an apartment three levels below this one. There's not that much distance," he said. He cleared his throat. To say those words, to forgive Jersey and tell her he still loved her would open the door to disruption, and Peter wasn't sure that he could. He'd retreated into his shell. He slipped past that comment and moved on to the next. "The shelter is good. The animals are well. Business has picked up. A lot of the animals are brought back to us, so I know they're being taken care of," he said with a smile.

<Jersey> Jersey had half the mind to telepathically remind him about the difference in distance that had been between them for a year and now, but wouldn't as she thought about what he had said. That he only really spoke to the dogs and in some ways, it bothered her significantly. "You know you shouldn't cut out the world around you, Peter. There isn't anything wrong with having friends," And after a glance at the kids, she looked back to him, "vampire friends. And three floors isn't what I meant. You tensed when I touched you like you did while I was human." She didn't want to admit that it hurt a bit and listened to him explain about the shelter. The smile on her lips was genuine, "I'm happy for you. I'll have to stop by sometime."

<Peter Parkman> Keara had tried to say the same thing and Peter didn't understand then. He still didn't, couldn't understand why he wasn't allowed to do what he wanted. "I know there's nothing wrong with having friends. I have friends. I just don't see them much," he said. "Like I said to Keara - I keep myself fed. I'm clean. I take care of my businesses and I'm fine. I'm fine. What's wrong with how I am? Why do I have to change?" he said. The topic of the shelter was ignored; this confusion seemed to take precedence. "I don't know how to respond to that. I am the same man as I was when I was human. I don't hate you. I'm not angry with you. But you left and I made a new routine and you can't come back and expect me to just ... to just ... go back to the way we were," he said.

<Jersey> She leaned back in her seat, her arms folding in front of her chest to create a barrier in front of her body as if it would help lessen the blow of his words. "There's nothing wrong with how you are Peter, and I didn't say that there was. I only said that there wasn't anything wrong with having friends. You told me you only speak to the dogs." She furrowed her eyebrows and then frowned. "I wasn't exactly capable of crawling out of that dark place, Peter. I don't expect us to go back to the way we were, didn't you hear what I said earlier? But... I guess I expected to not see you tense away from me. From an agreed friendship." She glanced away from him, focusing on the dogs as she lifted her hand to wipe along her cheekbone, scratching at the skin afterwards.

<Peter Parkman> "I do only speak to the dogs, and I speak to Keara every now and again and I probably would speak to more people if I were still staying at the Asylum, like I was, but I felt like I was a burden there, so I left. It's better, me being here and out of everyone's way. It's... logical," he said. It was one of his favourite words. He sighed. "Friends don't rake fingers through each other's hair, Jers. There are... there are boundaries and rules to friendships and I tensed because it confused me. That doesn't mean I'm backing out on our agreement. What dark place? Vermont?"

<Jersey> "I was fixing a piece of hair. If I were running my fingers through your hair, I would have moved up behind you like I used to." She spoke stubbornly and didn't look at him as she crossed her legs, making a mental note of his words. She was going to have issues with it for a long time and she knew it. "Peter, I doubt anyone has ever considered you a burden. If they did, they have a wrong sense of the word." It took her a few moments before her gaze returned to him and she frowned, "I haven't been around because I wasn't in Vermont or Harper Rock. I went..." She made a motion with her hand into the air, although even to her it made very little sense. "I don't know what it's called. It's dark, colorless. Everything is in ruins... Hell was what I called it, really." She pulled at a light brown wave of hair, looking down at it as she thought about it. "A Paladin got me when I was heading out of town."

<Peter Parkman> Peter could have argued. If he had a friend who needed a piece of hair fixed, he would tell them. Hey, your hair is sticking out. No friend he had ever known had ever taken the liberty upon themselves to fix his hair, or his clothes, or anything else within his own personal space. Which is how he would have defended it. She had entered his personal space, and it was confusing. He might have told Jersey about his last conversation with Enver, and the impression he had got - all because Enver didn't like that Peter wanted him not to call him 'kiddo'. The answer to his question, though, stopped all retorts on his tongue. "You.... you died?" he asked. His mouth went dry. "Why did no one tell us?"

<Jersey> Reaching over, she tugged on the yarn and brought Mew closer to her for a moment before the cat simply stretched out on the table. She rolled out onto her back, comfortable and used to Jersey's actions by now as she played with her paws. "Because no one had been told until I had returned. I had left my phone and everything here, needed to clear my head. Find answers." She looked up at him and then looked back at the cat as she tried to figure out what to say next. "I didn't realize until I was about to leave that I could still use mindspeak there. I tried... a lot, but I guess I was doing it wrong."

<Peter Parkman> Peter leaned back, too, fingers rubbing at his jaw. It was true - if Jersey had taken her leave of everyone else like she had with Peter then no one would look for her, or think that her absence was strange. They would assume she had gone where she said she was going. To... clear her head. What must that have been like? "I'm sorry. I didn't know. I didn't... hear anything from you," he shook his head. Unless she hadn't tried to contact him. And he wasn't sure what else to say, either. To be upset that she had died was a moot point now because she was not dead. She was here and she was alive. And she was fine, aside from a few hitches. "But you... you cleared your head, in the end?"

<Jersey> "I went looking for you there," Jersey said quietly, "I didn't get where I was until, well, a few days after." A soft shake of her head was given before she lifted her hand to scratch at her cheek softly. "I did try to get you like I normally do. You, Kallista, Nakia." She had actually screamed, but she didn't feel that it was important, "I remembered things there. Not a lot... but enough to make me realize that what I have here in Harper Rock is more important than was Marilee Evans had in Woodstock." She tapped her foot lightly, "I missed all of you. Kallista, you, my siblings, Kelly, Keara... even Enver." Her mild dislike of the man wasn't well known. Was her head cleared? She didn't think so. At least, not all the way. "I think I did some."

<Peter Parkman> "You went looking for me where?" he asked. He was getting confused again. "You didn't... die until a few days after you and I spoke?" he said, seeking clarification. He couldn't say much in regards to Kallista, Nakia, or Kelly. None of them were his biggest fans and he figured even if they had known about Jersey, they wouldn't have told him. Why would they? He chose to keep his distance from them, to avoid any future altercations. "I am happy for you. That you have figured some things out, at least. I'm sure everything else will fall into place, sooner or later," he said.

<Jersey> "In Hell." She closed her eyes and then opened them as she realized how badly that probably sounded. "I was looking for you, thinking that I was just in a nightmare rather than well, there. I died... on the 24th, I think. Of June. That's after we talked, and the last journal entry I wrote." She rubbed her arm softly and watched him quietly, giving a nod in agreement. "I hope so."

<Peter Parkman> Peter knew of the place she was speaking of. Not because he had been there but because he had been told about it. By Keara. And because he had read all about it, in the journals and the books that he restored. Old tomes that hardly saw the light of day and hardly survived because no one took care of them. "It's called the Shadow Realm. It's where vampires go, when they die. There's a rift between the Realm and Harper Rock, which is why when we die here, we can come back," he said, for a moment slipping into a role he had long forgotten. The role of teacher. Probably to buy time - to sift through the tangles of emotion that he couldn't quite figure out. "I wish you knew. So that you didn't... feel so lost. How did you find your way out?"

<Jersey> "Kallista told me about it, or what she knew about it. I just... don't feel it's the right term. It's colorless, cold, miserable." She pulled on the strands of hair that she'd been holding onto and made a soft clicking sound with her tongue to bring the dogs closer so that she could properly greet them. She'd missed them as much as she missed him, a soft smile playing across her lips as she scratched Hunter's underside gently. "There are doors... it changes." Jersey's green eyes went to his features before she glanced back down at the dogs, "It'd been a while before I found another one, I wandered around a lot. Searched for familiar places even in the ruins. I was in denial for a while."

<Peter Parkman> Peter twitched. Even imagining a place that changed on a whim and without any kind of pattern made him feel anxious. If he were ever sent to that place, he'd surely go insane trying to measure it. The colourlessness and the cold would play second fiddle to the fact that he wouldn't be able to even trust his own surroundings. The solidity of them. The mere thought had his knuckles going white, from the way that he clutched at the table. If only to make sure it was definitely real and it wasn't going anywhere. "How long did it take you to figure it out? That it wasn't a nightmare?"

<Jersey> Jersey inclined her head lightly and noticed the action, hesitantly reaching out to cover his knuckles with her hand and giving it a squeeze in a reassuring manner after she moved closer, but giving him enough space for him to remain comfortable. "Either the fourth or fifth day. I remembered that I hadn't fallen asleep." Her gaze dropped from his face to the purring cat that she reached out and scratched with her freehand. "It got easier from there, being able to remember positive things once my wounds were healed. I thought about what makes me happy to keep me stable."

<Peter Parkman> Remembering the way that Jersey had reacted previously when Peter tensed, he remained still when her hand covered his. He even tried to relax a little, not realising that he's started to stress out, letting his anxieties get the better of him. He wanted to pull away not from the touch itself, but from the action. He didn't need to be reassured when she was the one who had died. This was why he had taken himself out of the company of others. He nodded. "Good," he said. He didn't want to ask about the things that made her happy just in case things got awkward again. So he cleared his throat, and changed the subject. "How did Garrett happen?"

<Jersey> After a few moments, Jersey let go of him before she frowned and set her hand in her lap before she leaned back in the seat and gave a small, apologetic smile. She folded her arms in front of her chest once more after that. "I came across him dying, someone had made a not-so-clean meal of him... and I couldn't leave him like that." She thought about it all and gave a soft shake of her head.

<Peter Parkman> Peter smiled. The kind of beaming thing that spread over his lips as he imagined it. "We are both suckers for the strays," he said. He'd done the same for Jacey, after she was attacked by the fadebeast. It sounded like something Peter would do - saving a complete stranger because he couldn't bare to see them die. "How's he getting on?"

<Jersey> "He's cute and funny, I'm glad he didn't pass on." She was extremely proud of herself for not fainting right away, really, that was a miracle on it's own. Admiring the smile, Jersey found herself distracted for a few seconds before shoving her thoughts aside and reminded herself why she was in this position to begin with. "I haven't heard any complaints, so I think he's doing pretty well? I'm going to check on him after this, I mean he was happy he didn't die." She grimaced, adapting to it all. "He's like you, Keara and Nakia."

<Peter Parkman> The words ‘cute and funny’ when applied to another man did not faze Peter. It probably wouldn’t have fazed him before, either, when he and Jersey were together. They were two descriptives. The former which was most often applied to baby animals, or generally just babies, and the latter was something half the population could be. Though most jokes went right over Peter’s head, the majority of the time, so he wouldn’t be able to accurately tell whether anyone was funny or not. Peter nodded. “They do seem to be glad not to die, most of the time,” he said. He certainly was glad that he hadn’t died but then, he hadn’t been on death’s door to begin with. “If he needs any help with any of it… you’ll probably ask Nakia. But he can come and see me, if he wants to,” Peter said.

<Jersey> Her green eyes lingered on the curve of his lips a moment too long after he had finished speaking and she felt herself frown. Admittedly, she hadn't thought of who she would ask and she still wasn't entirely happy with her sister from both after her return and now her reaction to her childe. "Uh. Well, let's just say Nakia isn't very fond of him, she's very suspicious of him." Paranoid, really. "I'll certainly send him to either you or Keara if he has questions about his path." Jersey curled her fingertips into her forearm, "How are yours doing? I haven't seen Whit in a while."

<Peter Parkman> Peter frowned, too. What reason should Nakia have to be suspicious? But after only a few seconds of thinking about it, he didn't allow that fact to colour his view of the fledgling. Reason dictated that, given Nakia's past interactions with Peter, Jersey's justifications and descriptions were worth far more. The topic was soon shifted, and Peter was forced to think of his own progeny. "Whit? I don't know where he's gone. He doesn't answer my calls," Peter said. "Jacey and Sean are settled. They visit the asylum now and then. They're fine. They haven't told me otherwise, he said, his palms now flat on the table. "They all mostly keep to themselves." Which he couldn't fault. He, the master of keeping to himself.

<Jersey> Her immediate family were different, her sire and the line that followed after Jersey, but in some ways she preferred it that way - only if they kept their differences peaceful and kept her out of them. As Jersey listened to the man speak, she felt a frown play across her lips at the mention of Whit's vanishing. "I'm glad the other two are settled, I've passed Sean a few times." She scratched at the inside of her arm with her nails, looking at his hands and lightly pressing her fingertips into her skin. "I'm still collecting source codes for Keara, for your scripts. It can take me a little while to find them." A soft smile played across her lips, "But, it's getting easier with gadgets." Green eyes lifted after that, taking in the appearance of the apartment finally as it dawned on her that she hadn't. "It's nice here."

<Peter Parkman> Peter nodded and smiled. "I bought the basic scripts from the shop. They do me well enough for now, so there's no rush," he said. A rather blasé comment, especially from Peter who mostly liked to know how long things were going to take. To the exact minute, if possible. He seemed to have found some calm, however, in his weeks - months? - of mostly solitude. Of a routine that was not broken or interrupted. He followed Jersey's gaze around the apartment, and nodded again. "It's okay. I don't think the dogs like it so much. It's not... It's not the cabin. But it's more logical," he said with another solid nod. He was nodding far too much, as if trying to force the positivity. It wasn't that he wasn't happy. He thought he was happy. Maybe he was bored. But at least he wasn't in a panic. He was a man who had built cotton wool around himself and now didn't want to step out of it. At all. "What gadgets do you use?" He asked. He preferred that subject.

<Jersey> It was so different, the idea of Peter hacking. He had never been fond of most technology so to hear he would need stronger scripts was certainly not something she expected. But, if he was enjoying himself, she couldn't think it was a bad thing. "I wonder the same with Bear in mine, but he's calm ed a bit, being able to lay on the balcony during the day with Lucas." Her fingers reached forward in a stretch before curling back around her hand. A few light brown strands of hair fell against her skin, closer to the blonde that she preferred, but still reluctant to bleach back to. But, at least it was no longer the way Nakia had made it. "Well, I have a false alarm, which sends a signal that anything tripped wasn't real for a short time." Enver had made it for Kallista who had given it to her, "And there are knockout bombs, doesn't harm the guards at all, and I also use smoke bombs which aid in escaping. Other than that, it's really just me and a lock picking kit." She scratched the inside of her wrist before a nose nudged her and she smiled down at KD, her hand moving to rub at the dog's fur.

<Peter Parkman> Peter had assumed, somehow, that source codes were found via the internet; that they could be got to by hacking. A misconception, obviously, as his mind raced to catch up with the kind of gadgets that Jersey was explaining to him. False alarms? He supposed that could be something in the online world, tricking firewalls and such. It was when she mentioned guards and lock picks that it clicked. She went into buildings, out there in the real world, and broke through real doors rather than coded doors, to find the codes required for the scripts that Peter needed. It was all very complex, and Peter admired Jersey’s skill - that she should be able to break into these places. Peter would never even attempt such a thing. Anything that might lead to violence, he avoided like the plague. Hacking was at least non-violent. “It’s good. That you don’t harm people,” he said. The guards were just doing their jobs, after all. They weren’t there to cause any trouble. “Who’s Lucas?” he asked, tentatively. Not sure whether this was an answer that he knew, but which he had forgotten, for some reason or another.

<Jersey> "He's my thrall, Austin... didn't make it a while back and in grief, he became bewitched without my awareness until after a few days." She explained softly, unsure if she had mentioned the fact in any of her emails. Jersey still felt bad, but she made sure that the younger man had freewill and did nothing he didn't want to when it came to helping her out. He enjoyed taking care of Bear, letting Mew sprawl out in the sun when she couldn't. "He said if you'd ever like him to help you exercise the dogs during the day, to just let either of us know and he'd be perfectly happy to do so. He has an email, too." She'd write it down if he asked, later. A soft shake of her head was visible, "I couldn't hurt the guards if I even wanted to try. If I run out of gadgets, I either make more or talk them out of calling the police. Telling the older ones that I'm an employee and lost usually does the trick." Jersey gave a small sheepish grin, "I still don’t even feed off people."

<Peter Parkman> A light frown puckered Peter’s brow. It took him a while to understand what Jersey was trying to say. Austin didn’t make it? Didn’t make what? And in her grief over what Austin didn’t make, Jersey bewitched another thrall? What was it that compelled a vampire to enthrall a human, whether they thought they were or not? Peter wondered if he himself had the power, would he have done it already without realising? Is it a power that any of them could control? He shuddered, thinking about how quickly Enver and Keara went through thralls. How many new ones had Peter seen since he’d been turned? What happened to the old ones? Were they thrown away like yesterday’s trash? He didn’t want to ask the hows and whys, so he let the subject move on naturally, as Jersey allowed it to. Even if it didn’t move forward, but rather backwards. But it was still a preferable topic. He nodded. “Thank you. That would be nice,” he said, glancing toward the dogs; they were spread out over the apartment, like so many friends lounging around in their own happy ways. He knew they’d like getting out in the daylight for a change. They must miss their morning runs, the same as Peter did. “If I tried to break and enter I doubt I could lie to save my own life. I’d be caught and of course I wouldn’t want to hurt anyone. So I’d let them take me. And it wouldn’t end well,” he said with a shrug. Part of the reason why he never wanted to leave the house. Things didn’t end well, when he left the house. Of course he still didn’t feed off people either, but he didn’t think that needed to be said.

<Jersey> “My brother passed away, Peter.” Jersey said softly, inclining her head as she spoke the words and bit her bottom lip. “And before you ask, I’m fine. I miss him, but he and I talked about it before he passed. He was ready. He told me to keep my chin up and be me.” Even if she didn’t quite know who she was, it helped. When he had called her Jersey, though, she felt that it was that he didn’t want her to push herself to her past. To continue on to who she was, now, and not then. As she heard him comment about lying and her lips twitched in amusement. “I don’t like the lying.” And it was the truth, she really didn’t. Some of the excuses had just… been too ridiculous as they tumbled past her lips usually in a calm, inward panic. “You never know, Peter. I was okay with it as a human, I’ve never hurt anyone.” She paused, wetting her lips, “Maybe if you ever decide to try, I can make you some gadgets to use, to try out. You can borrow my relic, as well. It helps. How, I have no idea, but it does.” The necklace sat against her skin under her shirt, hidden from view. She tapped the crafting ring on her finger, leaning back as she looked at him. “I can always go with you, make sure nothing bad happens?” The offer would always be open and her tone said as much as she smiled gently. “I’m a klutz, and I manage.”

<Peter Parkman> Peter had to think Jersey’s response through reasonably. Her brother had passed away. Peter had never known the guy, never met him. Didn’t know what he was like, or what he even looked like. Peter wanted to be sad for Jersey, and he was, as far as her loss was concerned, but he didn’t know how to convey that. Not when she herself moved the topic on and answered the questions that he knew he should ask. He opened his mouth to respond - but still, he didn’t know what to say. A lot had happened with Jersey. She had achieved a lot. She had done what she had left to do - to find herself. Peter stared at her as if he were staring at a stranger, suddenly feeling as if he were entirely out of his depth with her. He didn’t know whether he should try to hug her or not - but he had not been there with her when this had happened. She would have got comfort elsewhere - she herself said she was fine. Why would he question that? So he didn’t. Instead, he shrunk back a little at her suggestion, her offer to help. Even after everything, after that one panicked conversation with Keara on the docks - he didn’t go out. He kept to himself. They all rarely saw him. He swallowed, and shook his head. Before they had been talking hypothetical. Now she was talking reality. “I have a routine,” he said. She knew this. “It’s a good one. I think breaking and entering could be unpredictable. I… I can’t,” he said, shaking his head again. Even smiling, as if by being calm, she would accept it.

<Jersey> As she said it, Jersey realized how unattached she must have sounded. Most people would have likely cried, or had some more pain to it, but Austin had made his peace with Jersey and she hadn’t felt the need to mourn. He had been happy, finding his sister, even if she wasn’t exactly the person he’d remembered. She was sad, but she didn’t feel right when she cried over him. Her green eyes watched Peter as he opened his mouth and she was curious to why he wasn’t saying anything. Her head inclined gently, unsure why he was staring, but she didn’t know if she should ask. And, as he shrunk back, Jersey wasn’t surprised. She knew how he was and the blonde sat up a bit, leaning forward to rest her elbows on the table. There was an argument there on her tongue, she could have pointed out that it wasn’t difficult to make it a controlled enviroment by observing the area, learning the patterns that the guards walked. There were places that weren’t heavily guarded. She could have argued that very few things could remain predictable, too. But, she’d learned a while ago that arguing with Peter wasn’t something she enjoyed doing, let alone the fact she knew she had a slim chance of winning one. “The offer will stand if you ever change your mind.” Jersey chuckled, returning his smile. She let it go after that.

<Peter Parkman> Peter was waiting for the argument. But it was an argument that never came. Maybe they were beyond that, now. Jersey was no longer a major player in the way his life panned out, so he assumed that they wouldn’t argue about things anymore. He assumed that Jersey had made the logical decision; had realised that he wouldn’t listen anyway. “I won’t change my mind,” he said. It might have sounded rude, or defensive. But it was said with a blink and Peteresque certainty. As if he’d tripped over all the possibilities in his head, had put them all together and come to a certain, logical conclusion. He knew that some people needed that explanation, though, so he licked his lips to continue. “I don’t have the time. I have the four businesses to keep on top of, and I’m trying to get better with computers. To eventually help Keara, with source codes,” he said. He didn’t add that he liked computers. It meant he didn’t have to leave the house. He’d had enough of Keara trying to ‘help’ him when he was happy like this. He didn’t want to give Jersey any reason to join in the cause. “Thank you, though. For the offer.”

<Jersey> Her nails drummed softly on the table as she watched him, thinking. Debating if she should explain. Her lips twitched with his explanation and she understood, but the short blonde wouldn’t push him. She didn’t like to, and didn’t like the idea of watching him break again. “Well, if there is someone that could get better with computers, it’d be you.” She said lightly, and then gave a nod of her head. “I’m still gathering them, myself, now those are a pain to find at times.” There were a few source codes on her desk in her new apartment that she still needed to get to Keara. Danton held all of Jersey’s old hacking scripts, and she knew she needed to start collecting some for his set, as well. Falling quiet, she reached over and scratched Mew on her shoulder blades, the cat giving a loud purr of enjoyment. “You’re welcome, Peter.” Her phone gave off a soft chime and she lifted her lips into a smile, “I should probably get out of your hair, need to get these two back to the apartment before heading over to work for a couple of hours.”


<Peter Parkman> Peter nodded. He was too logical to be modest; he knew where his strengths were, and he knew that he likes computers for a reason. He likes all the ones and zeroes; he liked the logical way in which they stacked to create a specific kind of code. He liked rearranging them, or creating code of his own. There was something beautifully simplistic in it, and he wondered why he hadn’t picked it up before. Too traditional in his methods, maybe, preferring books and paper to technology. He nodded again when she said she should go - the statement was tentative but Peter took it all too seriously. If she had to go, she had to go. No point in delaying. He stood, though he looked kind of lost. What had he been doing before Jersey arrived? The arrival had both been unexpected and planned - but there’d been no time designated to it. The night would have to be rearranged. But it wouldn’t be too hard. “Thank you for coming,” he said. “I’ll uh… will talk to you soon,” he said. Not accustomed to being so vague, the words felt strange on his tongue.

<Jersey> As she said the words, Jersey realized she really didn’t want to go. She’d missed the man and the dogs and the woman pushed the feelings out of her head carefully. She’d write them down later and then continue on with her day, she was sure about it. A whistle escaped past her lips, sharp and high pitched, prompting Bear and the other’s ears to perk up as she watched Mew lay on the table with her tail flicking back and forth. In a way, she felt like a parent trying to take them away from what had been their family and very gently, she scooped the cat up into her arms. The cat, however, didn’t seem too bothered by this as she was often carried around, the spoiled little thing. “Bear, come on,” She spoke softly, and then gave a nod of her head to Peter. She smiled. “I’ll email you after work.” Jersey bit her lip, unsure of what to do next. Her gaze went from his lips to his cheek and it all felt awkward, wrong to her. She hated it and the fact she felt so clueless, but quickly and before she could change her mind, the blonde pressed a kiss to his cheek. There. Friendly. “Bye, Peter.” The smile fell to be a lifting of the corner of her lips as she headed to the door quickly.

<Peter Parkman> The apartment that Peter lived in now was one that only he had lived in. The space had no other memories attached to it, except of his own routines. Of the dogs. Of their sometimes silly antics. He couldn’t look at it and say that he missed anything, and maybe that was the underlying reason for the move. Peter had never been very good at grieving. It was an illogical emotion that didn’t lead to any kind of productivity, and it had no room in his life. Whenever any kind of sadness tried to make itself known, he took a step back. He closed doors and built walls and looked in the opposite direction. Where Keara had often meant well, she often slammed through those doors and tried to break down those walls, and though Peter could appreciate her good intentions, he hated it. When Jersey collected Bear and Mew and kissed him on the cheek, it was the same kind of thing. Though she didn’t slam through the door. It was like she had her hand on the handle, and Peter’s heart metaphorically skipped a fearful beat, anxiety peering out from its safe little corner. He shoved his hands in his pockets and nodded again, offering a faint smile as she stepped back. The door remained closed. “Bye, he said, taking a step toward the door to open it for her, to see her past the threshold.