Path of the Vampire forum

((OOC NOTE: If you want your character to find the phone, please contact either Doc's player or Piper's player with a PM.))

About mid-way through a chocolate milkshake, Piper wasn’t feeling as sorry for herself any longer. After all, there is nothing like sugar therapy to help a girl settle her nerves. Yes, she was disappointed in her earlier engagement at Genesis Labs, but that wasn’t the end of the road; she did, after all, make her presence known, and after they run the DNA comparison, there would be a definite answer to what she already held in her heart to be true. He -had- to be her father.

There was one way that she could be surer, in which it involved her mother. That thought gave her pause. Did she really want to do that, after how many times she had been shrugged off by her as being silly? Piper never really understood the reason for her mom being so detached from the idea of her finding her father. In fact, if she really thought about it, finding him would have been so much easier for her mother.

Maybe there was a way that she could get confirmation without letting her know that she had lied about her reasons behind her being in Canada. Thoughts of different scenarios started to play out in her mind. Maybe if she sent her a picture of him (there were plenty on the internet), she could see if her mom would admit to him being the same Dr. Nilson that she had sex with at the convention. Surely, she would at least do that. But how does she present it.

Her eyes closed as she took another long pull on the straw in front of her. The cold chocolate flavor of the milk shake washed over her tongue, as she settled her resolve. She would just send it as a text, saying that she found it on a google search. That was the truth, after all, it wasn’t a big secret that Piper wanted to know the identity of her father. Yes, that was what she would do.

Just after she selected and saved the picture to her phone, she quickly changed her mind. No, her mom isn’t stupid. She would put two and two together and know that she was lying. Damn it.

A deep breath, then exhale. What to do? What to do? Then out of nowhere, she came up with how to make it happen, she would ask Daniel to help her. He was always wanting to help her anyway.

Without wasting anymore time, she started to text him:

Piper: Hey, I need a favor.


Daniel: What’s up?

Piper: I found my father and they are running a new DNA sample compared to his.


Daniel: So you have met him?

Piper: No, just his gatekeeper. Anyhow, I need you to do me a favor. I need you to take a picture I send you to my mom Tell her that you found it while doing a search for me. I want you to watch her face and see if she recognizes it or if she admits that is his. Even if she doesn’t say it is him, I want you to watch her face.

Daniel: I don’t know.


Piper: Come on Daniel. Please? I really need this favor. You said you wanted to help me, and this is how you can.


Daniel: Okay. Fine.

Piper squealed a little and started to text back:

Piper: OMG! Thank you so much. I love you!!!! <3


Daniel: <3 you too

After she sent the picutre , Piper pulled the card that Troy had given her out of her purse and turned it over. His handwriting was a little hard to read, but luckily, she could make out the numbers. She sent him a quick text, telling him who she was and that she would see him in 20 mins. That would give her enough time to walk from the ice cream parlor to the lab.

While her mind was preoccupied with what she might find out from Troy, she accidentally left her phone on the table where she had been sitting. It was unlocked and open for anyone to read.

Doc came downstairs from the apartment above the lab. His mood was anything but calm. A person had turned up claiming he was their father. He wasn’t denying the possibility. There had been plenty of possibilities for such to happen, but he never hid who he was. So why now? It just seemed too coincidental that at the point in time that he was attempting to get vampires recognized under Canadian law, he suddenly has a ‘human child’ show up?

Moving straight to Troy’s work station, he cleared his throat, only to have Troy jump in a startled manner. “Dammit Doc! How do you do that?!” Troy said and then muttered grumpily, “need to put a bell on you.. So people know when you are around.”

The muttered comment did manage to elicit a half smirk from Doc. “Troy, that sample you took earlier.. Where is it?”

Troy jerked his head toward the sample sitting in the out tray, while returning his attention to the test he was working on. “So why the triple initials? Who is she?” His voice was vague as he looked through the electron microscope. He glanced up briefly, as he heard the rustle of the plastic bag being picked up. “Is this a court case?” His tone was hopeful. He wanted to add court testimony to his CV. He had plans of becoming an expert witness.

Doc snorted. Troy and his preoccupation for the legal system. “No. This is not a court case.” Cyril must not have shared the story of the ‘baby daddy’ with Troy. Dryly Doc added, “Apparently.. I am her father.” He left Troy’s workstation for an empty one further in the lab, leaving an open mouthed Troy to stare after him.

Troy looked back at his microscope, but he wasn’t concentrating on work, he was thinking about the pretty brunette that he was supposed to meet.. He looked at his watch,..in two hours. He slid a sly glance toward Doc.

Doc had shed his suit jacket and donned a lab coat. He washed his hands and was in the process of pulling on a pair gloves when he noticed Cyril headed his way.

“Dr. Nilson. What are you doing here? You are supposed to check in with me, when come to the lab.” Cyril’s tone was plaintive.

Doc ignored the question but instead gave Cyril a chilling look. “Good, think you are here. I need witness.” He put on protective eye protection, “Clipboard. Take notes.”

Cyril wanted to argue, but he grabbed the clipboard and stood ready.

“Time 1304. The seal of the specimen bag is opened with a size 8 scalpel. Specimen is in tack.” Over the course of the next ten minutes, Doc outlined his movements step by step for Cyril to note. Finally he took a seat, and stared at the machine that held that sample.

Cyril looked at the machine to Doc, “Um.. what are we waiting on?”

“The organic extraction to be complete.”

“How long will that take?”

“Two hours.”

“So you’re just going to sit here for two hours?”

“Yes.”

“I can… “

“I am going to watch it.”

“O...k then.” Cyril laid the clipboard down, and headed back to his office. He gave Troy a look, that warned him be better not mention his date to Doc.

The last ninety minutes of work was sheer hell for Troy. He was agog with curiosity, and with every minute that went by he would look from Doc to the phone waiting for it to ring. Troy swore Doc hadn’t moved a muscle since he sat. He was sitting in the same spot, arms folded, staring at the Maxwell 16 waiting for it to be done.

When his cell phone beeped, Troy quickly grabbed as if afraid someone, namely Doc, would be able to see and read it, even though it wasn’t a logical thought. He quickly tapped back a message saying he would meet her on the corner. No way he wanted Doc to catch him with her. Why? He wasn’t sure, but he felt it was in his best interests.

Standing on the corner, Troy couldn’t help but grin when he saw her making her way toward, He waved, and moved to meet her halfway. “Do you like Mexican? There is a great Mexican place just two blocks from here.”

With a hopeful smile, Piper stepped off the curb and walked toward Troy. He, too, lessened the space between them, matching her steps.

Once they met about half way, he began offering her suggestions of where they could go hang out. While she was more in the mind of something like coffee or tea, she couldn’t help but be impressed with the fact that he had made a suggestion, after all, that could often be the complaint that she had with most of her past dates. They never gave dinner suggestions and always expected her to come up with the ideas. Half of the date was wasted with a run through of suggestions and both parties not agreeing. So, with that, she decided that Mexican sounded great.

“I think that sounds great. I love chips and queso.” She grabbed the elbow of his right arm, curling her fingers around it. “Lead the way, sir.”

As they walked together, Piper started right off with questions. “So do you take all of your clients…” She paused for a second and a small wrinkle formed over her nose as she squinched it slightly in thought. “Do you refer to them as clients or patients? Either way…do you take them to eat Mexican?” Her smile was the clue that gave away that the question was meant as a tease and not a serious one.

“Great!” Troy steered them toward the direction of the Mexican restaurant while he answered her question. “Do I take all the clients..” he paused and grinned at her, “We call them clients. So do I take all the clients out to wine and dine? No.” Troy sighed dramatically. “The majority of our walk in traffic are male. Males that are trying to get out of child support. The ones that aren't male.. Are the grandmothers that are trying to nail the baby-daddies -for- child support. And since I am not into males.. Or cougars.. The answer is most definitely no.”

He slid a questioning look at her, “And.. “ he debated telling her, because she could rat him out to Doc, who could fire for it. But she was the client, so the rules of confidentiality wouldn’t be broken. “.. had I known Doc was who you are expecting to match.. I may not have asked. The Dude is wound tight!” He realized how that sounded. “Not in a bad way mind you.. Just, well.. He is a workaholic. Dude is always working..” He shrugged, “Well not as much now. He is a lot more relaxed since his folks were murdered.”

Troy mentally kicked himself in the ***. “That came out wrong.. He isn't relaxed ‘cause they are dead.. He is realizing there is more to life than work, you know? He is old. I mean.. Old and all you have to show for it is work? I think when his folks were killed, it woke him up. He hired Cyril.. Who is now handling the day to day stuff. Except your test sample.. He is running that one himself.” He grinned at her, “You know he put your sample in Max and sat there the whole time.”

Seeing her blank look, Troy nodded, “Sorry, lab speak. Max.. aka the Maxwell 16 sample quantifier. It takes roughly two hours to run quantify a sample. Two hours, which could be spent on other tests or paperwork. But no. The man didn’t move a muscle. He just sat right there, arms folded, watching it. Waiting for it to finish. Cyril offered to stay by it.. But he wasn’t having any of it. Shooed Cyril off.”

They had reached the restaurant, and Cyril held the door for her, “Do you like margaritas? To go with the chips and queso? They do a good deal on a pitcher. Two appetizers and the pitcher, for what two appetizers and two margaritas typically cost. Basically we would each get one and half margaritas versus just one each. You game?"

As Troy led them toward the Mexican restaurant, he started to talk. A lot. It seemed that every time Piper started to open her mouth to say something in response, he jumped to a new subject. A new subject that held an interest for her, each time. Just as her brain would wrap around what he was saying and her body was able to conjure up an emotional response, he had already moved to the next. This left her with a blank stare.

Her mind was spinning in a thousand different directions, as he held the door open for her. By this time, her ears had shut off to what he was saying. All she picked up was something about margaritas and it was presented to her as a question. She nodded as they walked inside.

As the door shut behind them, the light changed from the bright sunlight outside to a much dimmer atmosphere. Her eyes adjusted and she looked around. There was brightly colored decor everywhere. Hanging from the ceiling was an impressive collection of sombreros. Then over in the corner to the right was a mariachi band. It was definitely an interesting place. If Piper had been in a different mindset, she would have appreciated it more.

A woman with a blonde ponytail, wearing a white button up shirt and black slacks, walked up to them and gave them a smile.

“Two?” She looked at them as she grabbed two menus from a nearby table.

Piper didn’t wait for Troy to answer. “Yes.”

“Follow me.” The woman then turned her back to them and started walking them through tables to a booth near the back. It appeared the woman was giving them some privacy.

Sliding in first, Piper took the menu from the greeter. Just as they were both settled, Piper found her voice. But where does she start.

“I can only imagine that the death of one’s parents, much less to murder, can really change a person. I would be lost without my mother. Also, the pressure that he must be under, or was under before he pulled back from his work, was pretty heavy. My mom can get distant at times. I usually figure it is because she lost a patient on the operating table, and I usually just stay out of her way on days like that.” There she was again, defending him. “So, two hours? When did he start?” She was obviously trying to calculate in her head when he would be finished. When he would know if she was or wasn’t his daughter. And did he say that he hadn’t left the samples while they were being analyzed?

Just as she finished asking her questions, a Hispanic male showed up to take their drink order. He looked to be close to Piper’s age and was wearing similar clothes to the greeter. His voice was thick with a Mexican accent.

After their order had been placed and the server moved on, Troy reacted to her question. “So I didn’t mean to give you the impression that it was just a two hour process.. It takes longer than two hours. Television shows make people think that DNA is a simple test. It isn’t. It can take up to a week to get a good DNA read from a sample. Because there are so many steps. And with each step you need a different machine. And if the machine you need is running another test for another sample, your sample get put in a queue.

“So samples get queued up, and they sit, until is their turn to be run. And a sample can go through the whole process and still not get a viable read. This is usually when, it's from a poor starting sample to begin with, such as hair, or epithelial cells. But there have been remarkable breakthroughs in DNA replication.”

Troy paused as the server came back to their table with a bowl of chips and dish of queso. He wondered if maybe he was talking shop too much. She had barely said a word, except the comments about her possible grandparents and the question about test. He mentally kicked himself. She was probably being polite. She didn’t want to know the details anymore than most of his friends. He could tell when he was talking too much about work when his friends would get that flat bored expression on their face.

After the server left, Troy was determined not to take over or hog the conversation. “So.. enough about boring work.. Where are you from? You do not sound Canadian. And your mom is a surgeon huh? That’s exciting. Are you going to follow in her footsteps? Be a doctor as well?” He looked at her expectantly.

With Crimson Delights set to open August 1, owner Amalea Devadas had opted against holding a grand opening event of any sort after the underwhelming gala that had presented Sanguine Services to the city. Her staff was strongly protesting that decision by hounding her at every chance to reconsider. Very few people could change her mind about this and none of them were on staff which led the red-head to opting to take an extended lunch at a small ice cream shop in Newborough. It was far enough away from the office to avoid her staff but was still in an ideal place for people watching. One might insist that the woman had her eye on a particular person though she would be the first to deny it.

The queue to order was a bit long which gave her ample time to peruse the menu and decide on her lunch. Surprisingly, though, it wasn’t long before it was her turn to order and get the number to place at the end of her table. Choosing one of the tables that faced the large glass window, the blood thief slid into the seat with the best vantage point for watching the flow of traffic. Satisfied, she pulled a rather large book from her bag. Flipping it open, she picked up where she had left off earlier.

It wasn’t exactly recreational reading but it was rather different from her usual fare. Ever since her discussion with Doc about getting vampires recognized by law, she had been mulling over various ideas on how to do so with as little fuss as possible. She had come up with some ideas, but another had popped to mind and spurred some investigation into a new business venture. This had led directly to her current reading project of sifting through all the various regulations and requirements. With Crimson’s legal work all set, she could have asked the legal team to do the initial research, but something had told the red-head that she was better off doing it herself.

Thanking the waitress that delivered her order, she alternated between reading a couple paragraphs and gazing out the window as she nibbled on her lunch. By the time she had finished, she had gotten a lot further than planned. It had also given her a lot to consider as it wasn’t as simple as her other businesses had been. For one, there was a lot more legal tape to consider and second, it wasn’t exactly in an area of her expertise. To be fair, blood typing and mapping hadn’t been something she knew a lot about either, but the organization was much simpler than this.

Gathering her trash, she tossed it out while returning the tray to the return area. She slid her book back into her bag before grabbing the phone off the table. A second glance as she left confirmed that she had picked up all her belongings and she headed towards the train station. As the train headed towards the next station, she debated between returning to work and her nagging staff or heading home and working from there until things settled down.

A rush of disappointment flooded Piper as Troy explained to her that it would take longer than 2 hours. Of course, it would. She silently chastised herself for being so silly. It was obvious that she was not her usual self and the pressure of the impending results were beginning to take its toll.

As he took the time to explain, in more depth, the process of how the system worked, she kept quiet. It wasn’t that she found it boring or that she wasn’t interested, it was simply that she was beginning to become emotionally exhausted. A distraction would be happily welcomed.

Then as if Troy had picked up on this, he changed the subject and started asking Piper about herself. Before she answered, she smiled and stirred the straw in her glass. This was the first time she had ever been served an alcoholic beverage at a restaurant. In California, it was illegal to serve anyone under the age of twenty-one. She had to take in the moment.

“I am from California.” She leaned in and took a quick sip. It was tangy with a kick at the end, which caused her to shiver slightly. The bartender obviously poured it heavy on the tequila.

With her eyes planted on Troy, she continued, “my mother is one of the leading cardiologists in the States, Dr. Olivia Smith.” Her expressions gave away the pride that she felt as she spoke of her. “As far as me. Yes. I do plan on becoming a doctor. I am going to attend Stanford. My interests lay with gene therapy. I want to work with blood disorders, but honestly, the sky is the limit. Could you imagine…it could be the cure for so many things. Maybe even make us immortal.” She took another long pull from the straw and followed it up with a lick from the salt on the edge of the glass.

“What about you? What brought you to work for Dr. Nilson? Obviously, it wasn’t for the abundance of date-able clients.” She laughed a little, remembering his earlier comments about cougars and the child support dodgers.

Troy looked at her as she made the comment about blood and immortality. He briefly thought about the vampire he had met at the bar a few nights ago. He had not believed the guy was a vampire. He had a pasty look sure.. But that didn’t mean he was a vampire, he could have been a junkie. But as the night wore on, he and Troy got chatty. Troy because alcohol tends to loosen his lips, and the vampire, well.. One could put it down to arrogance and the need to prove he was indeed a vampire.

During the meeting, The vampire who preferred to be called Bane, shoved up his sleeve and insisted that troy write his name on Bane’s arm. While being unsure where this was headed, Troy had tentatively scrawled his name with a Sharpie on the guy’s arm. Without any warning Bane took out his pocket knife and sliced across his arm where Troy had just signed.

Troy nearly lost his cookies at the sight. That wasn’t all though. Bane insisted that Troy touch it and make sure it was a real cut. As Troy hesitantly reached toward the wound, Bane grabbed his hand and forced the tips of Troy’s fingers into the cut. Wrenching his hand free, Troy had agreed, yes yes.. It was a real cut nothing fake about it. Bane had laughed and moved the conversation on. Troy who had been weirded out, and not at all convinced that Bane wasn’t a junkie high on some drug that made him feel no pain, was happy to move on to a less graphic topic.

When Troy had been ready to leave an hour later, Bane stopped him, and showed him the wound. Except there was no wound. It was healed. That was when Troy became a believer. This was the memory that flashed through his mind as she mentioned immortality. He almost told her the story.. But she was from California, she would think he was looney tunes if he came out with that story. So he bit it back. Kept it to himself, while he nibbled on a chip.

Then she asked about how he came to work for Doc. That was easy! “I have always been fascinated with forensics. My uncle was convicted of a crime based on forensics. But my aunt swore up and down, my uncle wasn’t guilty. Because she had been with him. But she wasn’t believed, because she was the wife.. Who was ‘obviously’” he made the quote finger gesture, “...lying for him. So my uncle when to prison and my aunt saved and saved until she could hire an independent lab, to have all the items tested. That was when it was discovered the lab results were flawed. I don’t remember the details. My aunt and uncle don’t like to discuss it. But he was vindicated and released from prison. That was when I decided I wanted to be the guy that did those tests. So no more innocent people were falsely convicted.”

Troy sighed, “But so far.. None of my work had ever been used in court. I am hopeful that once I get some more experience under my belt, I will apply to the Ontario Forensics Lab.”