Path of the Vampire forum

Posted: **13 Nov 2016, 11:22**

The thermostat nosedived at sundown and the dropping temperatures lured crowds indoors. Lancaster’s was bustling, as was customary at this hour. Later in the night, when the stage act brought out the acoustic guitar, and the bulk of the crowd moved on to noisier nightclubs, the pub’s atmosphere would be more welcoming to the young vampire. For now, it was his worst nightmare, one he sought to navigate as quickly as possible.

To avoid Saturday night crowds, Bjorn usually skipped out from the Den through Sanctuary, but he’d forgotten his phone at the hostel during his last shift there, and had thus teleported to Lancaster’s office to retrieve it. Teeth grinding, the telepath slipped out of the office and made for the door across the room. By the time he came back down, dead phone in hand, his head hurt from the exposure to the sound and sights.

Entrusting his mobile to the bartending staff to charge, Bjorn made for the pub’s front door. The thought of hanging around inside while his battery juiced up was as appealing as sticking safety pins under his nails. Hands in pocket, the vampire sidestepped the fadeportal to Sanctuary at the door, and moved across the sidewalk to lean against a tree. He gave the smokers a wide berth, but subtly watched them. The exposure to the crowd inside had given him a splitting headache, one which would surely be quelled by a little human blood.

If Elliot knew of his thoughts, he’d probably kill him on site.

Clearing his throat in a futile attempt of dislodging the itch, Bjorn turned his attention away and pretended to be waiting for someone. He lifted one hand to his hair, raking his fingers through it in hopes of soothing the headache by way of nails biting into his scalp.

[Wearing]

Posted: **13 Nov 2016, 16:44**

As the moon rose, taking with it the last bit of light, the air chilled. It was something that would once send the petite redhead running for the comfort of her apartment, but now... it just didn't matter. There was only a brief moment of disappointment as she tugged her sweater tighter around her slender form, as if the cool of the wind as it nipped her skin bothered her. It was all for show. The cooler temperatures were nothing compared to what she felt inside, the hunger that tossed her into chaos as it gnawed at her stomach and burned her throat. The ache had taken over ever waking thought, demanding that she give in, demanding that she listen.

So she did.

Leaving Myth in the capable hands of Morgan had been one of the easier choices for the evening. It had taken her all of five seconds to convey her point to the curvy brunette, and then she was out the door, her bag tucked against her side and her liquid gold gaze searching the shadows for a familiar face - or prey. No, it had been easier to leave then it was to hunt. Guilt weighed on her mind as she passed a group of teenagers, their laughter grating her nerves and the scent of their pumpkin lattes turning her stomach.

No, not them. Just make it home.

There wasn't a way in hell that she would allow herself to give in to the basic nature of her vampirism. It was that thought alone that had lead her to this predicament, to the very starvation that had caused her to wither into nothing more than a shell. With her thoughts threatening to tip over into the more animalistic side of her immortality, she had finally given in. That didn't mean that she had to take the life of an innocent - or from the vein. Her apartment was only a few blocks from the club - she knew she could make i-- wait.

Coming to a sudden stop, she spun in a circle, her eyes jumping from building to building with a growing panic. "No, no. No, this isn't right." At some point in her thoughts, she had made a wrong turn, and now she was... god, she didn't even know where she was. All she knew was that the streets were littered with humans, their laughter, their emotions beating at her as she tried to process just exactly what she had done to deserve this. With a groan, she pinched the bridge of her nose and rolled her neck, her scarlet curls framing her face as she bent her head to contemplate her next move.

There was no way she could get home in time.
She was going to have to feed.

With a slow sigh, her shoulders sagged in defeat as the hunger twisted painfully with the thought of her fangs sinking into the vein. The monster inside of her, the one she fought to keep at bay, threatened to overtake her in that second, and she tightened her hold on her bag. She couldn't allow that to happen. It wasn't family that kept her grounded. Freyja could careless if she ripped out the throat of a human, as long as she cleaned up the mess. No, it was her own conscience. She would rather starve - but no, even that was proving dangerous.

She had no choice.

Running her fingers through her hair, she forced herself to straighten as her expression shifted into something charming, something vibrant. Her smile brightened as she stepped onto the sidewalk, the smoke clouding her vision for just a minute before she waved it away. Their eyes turned towards her, cigarettes dangling from their lips and fingers, and she paid them no mind. The wouldn't do for her - the scent alone was enough to make her gag, she couldn't imagine tasting them. No, she would have to find someone else, someone alone.

Someone...
There.

He was easy enough to spot as he ran his fingers through his hair, the frustration coming off of him in waves. Whatever made him move like a caged animal drew her in, and she knew that he would satisfy her in every way. The sheer power of him drew her in like a moth to the flame, and before she could convince herself otherwise, she was walking towards him, her fingers dipping into her bag as if she were searching for something that she just couldn't find.

[Wearing]

Posted: **13 Nov 2016, 18:39**

Bjorn stared at the alleyway twenty feet away. Just around the corner was the side door to Lancaster’s, the same door Elliot had come through to find an overwhelmed fledgling feeding on a man now dead. His brow furrowed as the tried to remember the name of the human he’d killed that night. His mind was blank. All he could recall was the flashing lights of police cars as he huddled inside. To think his life would be incredibly different if he’d made a run for it, if he’d turned his back to Elliot’s generosity.

Chances are he’d be long dead.
Clearing his throat, Bjorn looked away. Ifs and ands had no relevance when seizing up the past. All that mattered now was what lied ahead. A glance back towards the smokers had his attention turning to an approaching redhead. He gave her a once over as she got closer, not at all expecting to be destination. When it clicked, he tilted his head to the side. Well, he’d be damned. Human, definitely. There was nothing dead about her.

It would seem dinner was in the cards.

Broad smile creeping slowly across his face, Bjorn rolled off his back so that he was facing her direction, shoulder pressed into the bark. He was open for business, charm-o-meter dialled all the way up.

“Hey.”

Posted: **13 Nov 2016, 19:57**

Where is my phone?
Oh, god. Did I leave it at the club?
If I did...

What had started as a ploy had morphed into full blown, genuine panic as her hand began to frantically search through the Prada bag hooked over her shoulder. For a split second she had forgotten her entire plan, the man leaning against his tree an afterthought as her fingers sifted through cash, cards and odds and ends. When she finally clasped the cool case of her cell, her shoulders relaxed and she swiped the pad over her thumb over the screen, unlocking it with a few swift keystrokes. Now that she had what she needed, her anxiety ebbed, and she turned the full force of her unique gaze towards the male, her own smile wavering at the sight of his.

Damn, he's attractive.

Running her tongue along her lower lip, she quickly silenced her phone so it wouldn't give her away, though she kept her hand in her bag. It was now or never, the end of the line. She could just smile at him as she walked by - or she could finish this out. He was strong enough, muscles that made her mouth water, with an aura that had more than her attention on him. He could withstand her taking a few pints, but there was always the risk that she would lose control. It would only take one wrong move. He could fight her, she could hold too tight and snap his neck.

There were too many consequences.
I am so hungry...

The twist in her stomach making her choice for her, she tossed her hair over her shoulder as her smile widened, the flirtatious glint her eye true as she swept her gaze over his form. Remember your part, girl, he could be more dangerous than you even know. Pushing the thought to the side, she finished the few steps it took to reach him, her hand still lost without her bag, fingers clutched around the hilt of her blade. Just in case.

"Hey yourself, handsome," she greeted, her voice light - breathless - as she slowly eased her hold on her hidden weapon. He seemed friendly enough, and there was no sign of immortality. He was just another man, outside a bar, looking lost. "I think I left my phone at home, and I have no idea where I am. I don't mean to bother you, but... could you show me to the nearest transit?" It was the perfect charade. A lost girl, needing directions - he'd either point her in that way, or lead her there himself. Her hope was on the latter, as it would make it easier for her to lure him from the prying eyes of the city.

"If you're not busy, that is. I didn't mean to intrude," she finished, her teeth sinking thoughtfully - almost nervously - into her lower lip as she lifted her gaze to his.

Posted: **13 Nov 2016, 20:33**

Bjorn’s gaze dipped to the bag in which she’d buried her hand, suspicion brewing beneath his unwavering features. When she finally closed the distance between them, he pushed off the tree and sized her up from his advantageous height. She was tiny up-close, and he had no doubt he averaged a good foot higher. Easy pickings, really.

When she explained her situation, empty hand retracting from the confines of her purse, he raked his teeth over his lower lip. Could this get any easier? Surely she was better off hailing a taxi than being led somewhere by a stranger. Did she not fear for her safety? His smile wavered then, bright blue gaze dipping to her purse before raking the length of her arm to her shoulder and neck. The chain-necklace thing she wore didn’t look like a relic, but he could never be too sure.

“Not busy,” he replied, hands finding the front pockets of his jeans. The southern drawl that New York had never quite conquered weighed the words he spoke next. “I’m just waiting for my phone to charge up inside and transit’s like, a few blocks—” he spun on his heels before deciding on Newborough station. It was a bit further a walk than Swansdale station, but was well placed for his plans. At this hour, the many factories would be empty, offering the seclusion he’d need. “—that way. I got more than enough time.”

Keeping his eyes on her, he walked backwards until he cleared the tree.

“You not from around here?”

Posted: **13 Nov 2016, 21:05**

What are you doing, Caligrace? Haven't we been down this path before?

Pushing the voice from her mind, she kept her gaze steady on his, even as she felt the weight of the emotions pressing against her. Lust, anger, jealousy, despair. The entire world was working against her, nothing private, nothing free from her - and still, she stared into his eyes. The color seemed to pull her in, as did the very charm of his smile. With the bar's occupants clouding her system, keeping her from being able to pry apart the tangled web, she could sense nothing from this man. To her, he was innocent, handsome - and perfect for what she needed.

As his gaze swept from her hand, up her arm, until landing on her throat - she felt a twinge of curiosity. She wasn't a stranger to being sized up, especially beneath the lingering, interested gaze of a male, but there was something off in the way he studied her. Realizing that she had to be allowing her paranoia and guilt to toy with her mind, she tossed her bag over her shoulder and adjusted her stance, her tense muscles easing as she made herself more non-threatening. She knew that it was dangerous to keep herself open like this, to find herself speaking to a stranger in the middle of the street - to even go as far as to ask him to lead the way.

He's not Elighan.

No, that he wasn't. Thankfully. He was an entirely different anonomaly. His charm drew her in, the way his smile shifted his features into something welcoming, even seductive. He had the aura of danger, of someone that could promise her a few hours of distraction - and they were all reasons that she should stop this game, grab her bag, and head in the opposite direction. We both know you aren't, her conscience quipped, the voice heavy with disdain as she only proved it right.

instead of heading in the opposite direction, she loosened her hold on her strap and smiled, her tongue once more swiping over her lower lip as she shrugged a shoulder. "I am. I've lived here a while now," she admitted, her laugh quiet, almost embarrassed. Keep the details to a minimum, she thought as she swept her fingers through her hair.

"I just have no sense of direction. If I hadn't left my phone, I'd have been fine." Crinkling her nose with a look of helplessness, she ignored the twinge of guilt as the weight of her cell pressed against her side. It was too late to turn back now. Swallowing past the ache in her throat, she raised a brow as he began the slow walk backwards before following him. Her conscience weighed her down with each step, but she somehow managed to keep her smile warm, open and welcoming as she wrapped her sweater tighter around her torso.

Posted: **13 Nov 2016, 21:22**

“Damn kids and their technology, the baby boomers would say,” he teased, turning on his heel when they began to walk in-step. Were they not in a familiar part of town, he might have very well been in her position. Years of living in New York had refined his commendable sense of direction, but there were parts of Harper Rock he’d yet to take a proper tour of.

Bjorn glanced towards her as they walked, and slowed his pace. It was too familiar a tale that he end up miles ahead of people, or get called every name of the sun for making shorter folk catch up to him by way of skips and jogs. On most occasions, he found it funny, but he didn’t want to put her off. It would be a waste.

“What’s your name?”

It was an odd question to ask, but though his victims could not remember him (as he’d tested on various occasions), he liked to remember them for future reference. Twice already he’d targeted the same person, approaching them as an acquaintance and playing on their embarrassment for forgetting who he was when he clearly remembered them. It was a cruel game to play, but he’d felt somewhat reassured to see them again. He felt vindicated to see them going about their life in spite of what he’d done to them.

Posted: **13 Nov 2016, 21:47**

"It's only because they can't figure it out for themselves," she retorted with an easy smile as her hands slipped into the pockets of her sweater. The chill in the air nipped at her skin, but unlike the others meandering by, it didn't bother her. However, knowing that she needed to keep up the appereance had her pulling her arms tighter around her stomach, as if she was attempting to shield herself from the night's assault. Blowing out an unneeded breath, she forced her fingers to release their hold on her arm to brush her hair behind her ear, her gaze tracking his every movement with ease.

"Do you really need to know it, if you're just planning to drop me off?" Her voice was light, the suspicion at his question hidden beneath her laughter. It wouldn't harm her to give him her name - Freyja had worked hard to keep her out of the spotlight - but still, she couldn't shake the nagging in the back of her mind that something wasn't right. Pressing her fingers once more through her hair, she realized that she was giving off signs of nervousness, and quickly forced herself to calm, hand falling back to her side. It's just a name.

It was the least she could do for him.

Clearing her throat, she kept pace with him as he slowed, the click of her heels echoing off the walls as the hustle of the city began to disappear behind them. "I suppose there isn't any harm in it, is there? Something to remember me by. Caligrace, and what about you, handsome?" Her eyes bright, she tipped her chin to look up at him, painted lips still holding that smile, even as she fought the guilt that was eating her alive at the thought of what was about to happen.

Posted: **14 Nov 2016, 09:50**

Bjorn glanced at the redhead as she called into question the necessity of his inquiry. She made a fair point that he would’ve had conceded had she not distracted him with her hand raking through her hair. Girls had the softest hair. He was tempted to try that himself when the opportunity arose.

The opportunity would.

“You can keep calling me ‘handsome’ if you’d like, I don’t mind,” he replied, flashing her a crooked grin. It had been months since he’d last seen his reflection, and though he frequently used video feeds and photography to keep his appearance in check, there was never anything novel about the image staring back at him. He was used to what he saw, unimpressed by it even, and being complimented was a huge boost to his ego.

Licking his lower lip, Bjorn returned his attention to the path before them.

“Brian,” he conceded, lying through his teeth.
It was a sobriquet with a long history.
A lie was best kept simple, and so he said nothing else.
Instead, he looked down at her and noticed the way she hugged her body.

“We can take a shortcut through that park up ahead. It’ll be quicker - and gets us out of the wind.”

Posted: **15 Nov 2016, 00:29**

Lie.

There was no outward sign of his deceit. He didn’t turn his gaze from her, look to the side or mumble his name. In fact, she hadn’t a single reason to doubt his response - but she was certain. She was a firm believer that the name made up the person, and as she gave him yet another once over, she couldn’t believe he was a ‘Brian.’

“No offense, but I prefer ‘handsome.’ Gorgeous, maybe. Brian is so…” Her words trailed off as she flicked her hand through the air, mixing the scent of cold wind with the pumpkin spice lotion she wore. It was a basic choice, one that could give him the wrong insight to her persona - but it was an indulgence that she loved. Gracing him with another smile, she lifted her shoulder in a shrug as she bit into her lip. “No offense, of course. The name just doesn’t fit you. What do I know, though? We just met,” she laughed.

Get a grip, girl. You’re hungry and you’re acting like a moron. If you want to eat, you can’t chase him off.

Releasing the hold on her lip, she allowed her arms to drop from the protective embrace, the sweater she wore opening to reveal her top beneath. Each move she made was calculated, though her body remained relaxed, muscles loose and expression open. She didn’t want to scare him - she didn’t even want to hurt him. As much as she hated to admit it, if she had met him under different circumstances, this entire scene would be different.

“That would be perfect, actually. You would think I’d be used to the cold by now,” she admitted, her nose crinkling as she tore her gaze from his to scan the streets. It was ironic - she hadn’t a clue where they were, leaving her to actually have to depend on his expertise. One of these days, her inability to navigate the city was going to seriously lead her into trouble.

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