Third Time's a Charm—Elric

[Vincent]

((Sorry! I just got out texas a few weeks ago and I've been scrambling to find a job.))

He chuckles, "Don't worry, I only feed from humans in an absolute emergency. No flavour compared to the blood of a lycan or ancient vampire. And Matthew you say? Yes, I know of the paltry upstart. I've met him once, he seemed rather...unimpressive. He lacked style, or refinement, like all these new vampires. They have no sense of the aristocracy and sophistication that a true creature of the night should carry, short sighted fools. If they keep acting as he does, we'll all go extinct." he mutters with a wave of his hand, remembering the meeting at the home of the Countess as she gathered her new Blood Dynasty. The young fool seemed a bit taken with the Countess, and he only chuckled at the thought. As if someone so...crass, would have a chance at the Countess, he'd be more likely to be her next meal.

"Driver, to the house, I have money to retrieve." he orders after a moments thought. "We'll stop momentarily so I can retrieve your money, I'll even throw in a bonus because it's so obvious you've been inconvenienced at the easiest money you'll probably have ever earned in your life." he says with a roll of his eyes and a chuckle. He pauses a moment, looking at her seriously and his voice drops a little, "It may not mean much to you, but you shall not be harmed while in my employ. I take care of the people who work for me. If someone even so much as looks at you and you don't like it, bring them to me, and they shall never see another night. I promise you that. After the gathering is over, you shall return to your family safe and sound, this I swear by the ancient blood in my veins, and on my title as Dragon Emperor of Melniboné." he promises solemnly, his voice unwavering as the car began to slow.

He steps out from the car, stretching his legs as he stepped towards an innocuous looking home, contrary to what a person would expect of vampiric royalty. "I'll be but a moment if you wish to wait within the car." he says, wondering why he cared so much if she was hurt or not. He was Melnibonéan, that meant cold hearted with nothing but spite and malice in his blood, why the hell was he so different? Perhaps it was why his people did not like his rule, thought him too kind to rule so cruel a people. Perhaps it is why Yyrkoon usurped the throne, and slew Cymoril. All of his life, if only he'd been colder...he snarls lowly as he shoves the thoughts from his head. The past was dead and buried, no sense in troubling himself over it. He strides through the rooms and up the stairs, kicking open a chest at the foot of his bed, pulling out several briefcases filled with money. This would be enough for her, more than enough, this he knew, but he had nothing better to do with his money. No friends, no family, no lover. The White Wolf, truly.

[Karlee Aurora Spencer]

NICOLA CRYSTAL FARR

→ MY VOICE IS AS LONELY AS LOUD AS I WHISPER A JOY OF THIS PAIN
OH GOD I FEEL LIKE I’M IN FOR IT NOW ITS LIKE THE RUSH HAS GONE STRAIGHT TO MY BRAIN ←

What? He had met Matthew before? What the hell? Did all vampires know each other or was this just some sort of coincidence? Maybe Matthew had even put him up to this! He couldn’t have been very happy that Nicola had managed to escape. Her eyes narrowed and her head moved to the side slightly as she regarded this vampire suspiciously again. She found it extremely hard to trust one of these vampires, especially since all they had ever done was cause her problems and attempt to hurt her. Of course, they always found out that it was pretty much impossible to physically harm her. Mentally, sure. They could go after her parents or her friends, but they could break her all they wanted to. It wasn’t going to hurt her. Kill her, yes, but she wouldn’t feel a thing.

However, the way he talked about the vampire made Nicola believe that he didn’t much care for him at all. Of course, it could have just been a vampire trick to lull her into a false sense of security. . . . As could the remark about him only feeding on humans during emergencies. Of course he’d be trying to say something that would make her feel safe around him. . . that’s what vampires did, she figured. They couldn’t very well get a meal if they were always scaring them away. Though. . . with how fast and strong Matthew had been, it made sense that a vampire would be able to get a meal no matter what. Bah. Vampires were complicated! That’s why they couldn’t be trusted. People in general couldn’t be trusted.

“We'll stop momentarily so I can retrieve your money, I'll even throw in a bonus because it's so obvious you've been inconvenienced at the easiest money you'll probably have ever earned in your life,” the man commented sarcastically, something that was affirmed by the condescending roll of his eyes. This guy just kept irritating her more and more as the car ride continued! She wasn’t being unconvinced in the least! She didn’t like this man at all.

Though he was stronger and much older than her, Nicola had a sharp tongue that didn’t distinguish between friend or foe. “Now listen here! I don’t need any more money than what you’ve offered to pay me! It’s not like I’m doing anything else with my life that being picked up off the street and being paid obscene amounts of cash is a bother! I’m neither ungrateful or irritated that you are offering me this job. However, I am very irritated at the way you continue to talk to me! You’ll forgive me if I don’t trust you, since none of your people have given me reason to until now,” she retorted, her temper flaring for a moment before she crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him.

What he told her next actually took her by surprise. How serious he looked, and the tone of his voice. . . . Nicola actually believed that he wasn’t going to let anything happen to her at this party. Of course, that didn’t exactly make her feel a whole lot better. Pretty much he was telling her that something might happen, that it was a possibility. Well. . . at least she had someone strong to back her up. Nicola couldn’t feel pain but she could imagine that it wasn’t much fun getting beat or chased down. Well, being chased down wasn’t fun. Matthew had done it a couple times.

“I believe you,” she muttered quietly, looking down at her lap.

They arrived at the house and Nicola was told to wait in the car. She nodded her head obediently and waited until Elric had wandered into the house before she pulled out her cell phone and hit the speed dial for her mother’s cell phone. It rang four times before she picked up, and then Nicola told her that she might be home for a while, and that she had been asked to do a job for a friend. Her mother accepted this happily, glad that her daughter was coming into some more money. Of course, Nicola still had to figure out how she was going to tell her parents they were sudden millionaires.

→ THERE'S A STRANGEST EXCITEMENT TODAY IF YOU'RE AWAKE ←

→ STARRING Elric
→ COUNTING 717
→ LOCATION In the car
→ WEARING ~
→ NOTES It's fine, don't worry about it.
→ LYRICS By Angels and Airwaves

[Vincent]

He chuckles at her temper, as he wanders back out, thinking about her earlier comments. '"And by the way my dear, it's called a joke. Even old vampires like to use them now and again." he says with a soft chuckle. "Drive. Where are we going? As for explaining the money since I'm sure it might be a bit odd, but you can tell them you've met a rich man who was giving out grants or some such. Whatever it is you humans use. Or is there a specific role you had in mind that you wished me to play?" he asks as he sets the three cases down on the seat beside them. He shrugs and leans back into the seats, smiling lightly as he watched the streets rolling by. "And you're already getting more than what I'm paying in cash, you're getting a new outfit after all." he says with a chuckle.

"Now, shall we go to your parents home first, or shall we go get your outfit?" he inquires curiously. He smiles at her, "And lighten up, it won't kill you to laugh and smile sometimes, even with a vampire. Especially one paying you so much to just spend a night at a social event with him." he says with a light chuckle. "I might be a vampire, but even so, does that make it any different from meeting and spending time with a human? Look at it in this perspective, you've met some humans, had bad run ins with them, does that bring upon a negative bias against every last one of them? Vampires are no different, save for the fact that we, like some humans, require blood to survive. I know of quite a few vampires, even a demon, that are the exact opposite of what you think all vampires are. You can't judge all by the actions of a few." he says with a shrug.

[Karlee Aurora Spencer]

NICOLA CRYSTAL FARR

→ MY VOICE IS AS LONELY AS LOUD AS I WHISPER A JOY OF THIS PAIN
OH GOD I FEEL LIKE I’M IN FOR IT NOW ITS LIKE THE RUSH HAS GONE STRAIGHT TO MY BRAIN ←

Nicola turned her head to watch the vampire get back in the car and sighed as they started moving. That was quite a few briefcases he had there. . . . Was that even safe transportation for money? She rubbed her head slightly. She was thinking way too much about this, wasn’t she? This man was giving her this money just to hang out with him for a little bit. In fact. . . . Nicola looked up at him, her head tilted. Oh wait. He was asking some questions. Alert now, she thought about his inquiries for a moment, then realized she had forgotten his name. . . had she even told him hers? Occasionally Nicola experienced these little gaps in memory, thanks to hitting her head on various things when she was little. No pain meant no life lessons. . . like watching where you’re walking and making sure you were short enough to go under it. . . .

“Oh. . . um, let’s just go pick out my outfit since we’re already out. That way we don’t have to make a bunch of trips. . . my parents don’t expect me home for a while, anyway. Don’t even know I was at the hospital yet,” she replied mechanically, her hands in her laps and fingers fidgeting as if she was nervous. “I know. . . that I shouldn’t judge people because of what they are. . . . I didn’t mean to upset you anything. But, ah, I was wondering. . . if I may be so brash. . . .” She stopped for a moment as if she really didn’t think she should be asking this question, but her open and honest nature won out in the end and she looked up at the vampire, her courage gathered. God she hoped he didn’t get mad at her and throw her out of a window. “Do you always have to buy friends to get some company?” Nicola was trying her hardest not to sound mean, just. . . sincerely curious.

→ THERE'S A STRANGEST EXCITEMENT TODAY IF YOU'RE AWAKE ←

→ STARRING Elric
→ COUNTING 344
→ LOCATION Driving
→ WEARING ~
→ NOTES Sucky post is sucky
→ LYRICS By Angels and Airwaves

[Vincent]

He frowns slightly. "I don't buy company. I merely offered someone I thought needed some money a chance to earn it." he responds, before pausing. "But, I generally don't run into situations like this. I don't have friends, or a family, I usually go alone to anything. I'm not well liked, in any circle." he says, looking out the window, not making eye contact. He was better off alone, everyone that involved themselves in his life died. Cymoril, Yyrkoon, his entire empire. Everyone, and everything, slain by his cursed blade. He was the White Wolf, an albino with a rich and royal background, the lone reaver from the Dragon Isle with no past, no future, just the tormented present. His eyes, dark and brroding crimson, were set into a face that seemed more like a skull. Bleached white looking skin and hair, he truly seemed a skeletal figure, and one with the weight of centuries bearing down on him.

"Driver, to the store." he says, and the driver knew which one was meant. A strip of New York that was nothing but twenty four hour shops, with the highlights of fashion and designer brands. As the car pulled up, he steps out, waiting for his companion to join him. "The driver will look after the money for you. Until we are ready." he says, head turned as he scanned the surroundings. It was quite public out, so there were in no danger from any of the many upstarts that new him from the Blood Dynasty, wanted to make a quick name for themselves, and instead found a grave. "Shall we then? Nothing but the best, afterall, and where better than New York City for that?" he asks with a slight chuckle, slowly moving down the street, looking at each store in turn. Where to find the best dress for her? Something classy, yet elegant and in fitting with the antiquated style that would be the dress code? "I'll let you shop for yourself, and worry not about price, just pick what you like. It's a classical, medieval style ball that we shall be attending. So, lead on then." he says with a chuckle, leaving the night in her hands.

[Karlee Aurora Spencer]

NICOLA CRYSTAL FARR

→ MY VOICE IS AS LONELY AS LOUD AS I WHISPER A JOY OF THIS PAIN
OH GOD I FEEL LIKE I’M IN FOR IT NOW ITS LIKE THE RUSH HAS GONE STRAIGHT TO MY BRAIN ←

Nicola looked down and lifted her hands slightly. Of course her question wouldn’t have been received gracefully. He didn’t seem too terribly upset by her question, and she looked up at him apologetically. “I didn’t mean any insult, I was just wondering,” she replied, sounding a little defensive, even though his tone hadn’t really called for it. Nicola wasn’t usually this worried about how she made people made. . . and she figured that it was merely because she knew this guy could—and would, given enough reason—cause (or attempt to) her harm without remorse and punishment. The people she talked to on the street legally couldn’t do shit no matter what she said to them.

They arrived to where they had been headed and Nicola followed the man’s lead and got out of the car, looking around. A strip mall? Well, at least that gave her a ton of options to chose from, though she would probably only go to one or two stores before settling on something. She didn’t really want to spend all night looking for a dress and matching shoes with some ancient vampire. Not her idea of a night out. Shopping in general was her element, so she might just slip into that niche while she was there and spend hours somewhere, but his presence was always dominant and made her nervous, no matter how nice he seemed. Perhaps it was his overall appearance that was daunting. Matthew at least looked like a person.

“I'll let you shop for yourself, and worry not about price, just pick what you like. It's a classical, medieval style ball that we shall be attending. So, lead on then,” he mentioned, giving her an idea of what they were looking for. But it didn’t help in the least. Nicola stared at him for several moments, her brow furrowed. Medieval style ball? Classical? What the hell? Did people even make that stuff anymore?

Finally, Nicola closed her eyes and sighed, placing her hand over her face and rubbing her forehead. “Really? You think we’ll find that here in New York, in the twenty-first century? I wouldn’t even know what to look for. I don’t watch movies or read a whole lot. . . . I mean. . . I don’t even know,” Nicola floundered. She could go pick out a dress, sure, but she didn’t know the first thing about medieval fashion! The young girl liked fashion, yes, but she preferred to stay updated on current fashion. She looked up at the vampire, hoping he could help, then sighed again. “I guess we’ll just start walking or something.” Muttering quietly to herself, she started down the sidewalk.

→ THERE'S A STRANGEST EXCITEMENT TODAY IF YOU'RE AWAKE ←

→ STARRING Elric
→ COUNTING 448
→ LOCATION On the streets
→ WEARING ~
→ NOTES ~
→ LYRICS By Angels and Airwaves

[Vincent]

(Sorry again, for what it's worth, lol. I'm still job hunting and trying to think of a response to this one has been hard since I've been really distracted.)

He chuckles again, ignoring the stares of the people who found his manner of dress strange. "If there's anywhere we'd find it, it'd be here. They call it classic vintage now I believe. I'm sure they'll have something. If not, pick whatever you'd like, it's not like you won't already stand out." he says shrugging. His boots thudded softly on the pavement, the scents and sounds surrounding him from all the people and races. He wasn't the only creature pf the night here, but none bothered with him. It was like a neutral grounds of sorts. He followed along beside her, a secretive smile playing along his lips. It would be interesting, going to a gathering of the undead once more, the first he'd been to in a long while. They always prove to be amusing if nothing else. His eyes wander the store fronts, taking in the new fashions and styles, brow raised seemingly perpetually as he scoffed somewhat at them.

"So, if you have such a disdain for vampires, why did you agree to this? And do you feel the same for the other creatures of the night? Or is it only we vampires?" he asked curiously, not looking at her, but his attention on her none the less. "And hopefully you shall learn that not all of us are as terrible as you think." he adds on, before chuckling. Many thought him evil, cursed even. Reaver, woman slayer, the white wolf, kin slayer, all names given to him across his life span. He'd burned down his own birth place, slew his wife to be and cousin, his friends, and brought ruin and destruction most everywhere he went. He always carried that terrible burden with him however, regretting his life, regretting that he was merely a play thing to the gods who would do with him as they please. He envied most people for their freedom, and wished fervently that his past wasn't so grim, nor his future so bleak.

[Karlee Aurora Spencer]

NICOLA CRYSTAL FARR

→ MY VOICE IS AS LONELY AS LOUD AS I WHISPER A JOY OF THIS PAIN
OH GOD I FEEL LIKE I’M IN FOR IT NOW ITS LIKE THE RUSH HAS GONE STRAIGHT TO MY BRAIN ←

Nicola looked at the man for a moment and sighed. Classic vintage? What the hell. . . . She couldn’t even imagine what that looked like in her head. This was just going to be incredibly frustrating, wasn’t it? She rubbed her head with her hand and ran her fingers through her hair, trying to keep her temper under control and her stress levels down to a minimum. She was already in a bad mood, this vampire was freaking her out a little bit on the inside, and now she had to shop for something that she hadn’t ever seen and couldn’t picture in her head. She would probably end up having to ask someone. . . .

And everyone was staring. Awesome. Did she know any of these people? God! Why couldn’t she just get hit by a car now? It wasn’t like it was going to hurt or anything. . . .

Her attention snapped back to the man and she gave a frustrated huff before storming down the sidewalk at a rather normal pace. Well, as normal as someone can when they’re stomping. “What do you mean that I’ll already stand out? Because I’m human or something? That makes me feel a lot better. End up being someone’s entre or side dish. . . . Not because of you. I can’t trust you as far as I can throw you but I have to try, don’t I? I don’t have to trust everyone else at this unholy little party of yours. . . . Unholy because you’re a bunch of undead leeches—no offense—right? That’s what the stories say,” she raved for a moment, talking more and more as she got more and more stressed and frustrated.

Looking around, she stopped in front of a store and peered inside, poking her head in the door. She didn’t care how it looked to the people on the inside; she was on a mission. It didn’t take long for her to realize that nothing that was in that store seemed to fit the description that the vampire had given her. She would haven’t spotted it if not right away, at least a few seconds later. Pulling her head out of the store, she continued on.

A question was asked, and Nicola glanced up at him before staring at a jewelry stop they passed. Nothing in there for her, probably. “I took the job because my parents have a pile of hospital bills that just keeps getting higher and higher. I wasn’t even supposed to survive five years let alone the nineteen I’m alive, and my life expectancy is twenty-one. I’ll never be able to repay my parents for nineteen years of uncovered hospital visits in two years, so this was my last shot at making their lives a little less miserable,” she replied coolly, not caring anymore if this vampire knew what she was about.

Sighing, Nicola ran her fingers through her hair again. “Just vampires. I met a were-bear once. He was nice to me. Helped me when I dislocated my hip when I got hit by a car. The vampire I met kidnapped me and held me captive for weeks before he went away and I was able to get out. All because he was a big stupid idiot. I don’t like most people, either, but I have to put up with them. If you were human I’d still think there was some sort of ulterior motive to this little charity you’re giving me. This day and age nothing comes without a catch.”

→ THERE'S A STRANGEST EXCITEMENT TODAY IF YOU'RE AWAKE ←

→ STARRING Elric
→ COUNTING 597
→ LOCATION Market place-a-majig
→ WEARING ~
→ NOTES OMG I totally didn't see that you'd posted.
→ LYRICS By Angels and Airwaves

[Vincent]

He shrugs carelessly. "The stories say much on our kind. Yes we must partake of blood to survive, but many of us are the opposite of what a human might expect. Few live up to the image of the monsters of old humans have built up. I know one vampire who is the oldest I've ever come across that prefers nothing more than to meet new people, and merely socialize. I know others that are as you fear, preferring instead to torture and manipulate humans to their own end." he responds to her accusation of vampires being leeches. It was a derogatory term he'd heard mostly from lycanthropes. "And I say you'll stand out because you'll most likely be the youngest one there. Aside from the more obvious fact that your general disdain for the whole ordeal is worn plainly on your face." he adds with a slight smile.

His eyes wandered the shop fronts, taking in the products displayed, the people around them. He found it soothing, a balm for his tormented mind. The cool night air blew enough to be pleasant, but not chilling, thankfully, and he found himself thinking back over the years with less bitterness than he usually harbored. As she begins to speak again, he allows himself to slip back to reality, listening intently. He remains silent for a little while, thinking over what she'd told him. "As a last resort, you could always become an immortal creature. Lycan or vampire that is. It could preserve your life, allow you to continue being with your family, especially as a lycan. As you already know, vampires are mostly feared and hated wherever we go. And we're even hunted by lycans, more than lycans are hunted by vampires. If not that route, could perhaps science and medicine provide the answer to your dilemma?" he asks curiously, genuinely interested now.

He turned over her problem in his mind, knowing no other way she could escape such a fate. As she continues speaking, he smiles, a hint of sadness touching his eyes. "It is as others see us, as I've already stated. We are hated and feared because of the actions of a few that decide they can do what so ever they wish. I know of no other way to assure you that we aren't the terrible beasts of legend, not all of us at least. If you decide to try and get to know our species at some point, seek out a vampire named Vincent, who lives mostly in Europe. He's the ancient I spoke of earlier, and he'd be more than happy to meet you and spend mass amounts of money making you comfortable." Elric ends with a chuckle, shaking his head lightly. He doubted she'd ever be willing to expand her views on vampires, and he couldn't blame her. It was the young upstarts like Matthew who were at fault for bringing so assuredly down upon them the hate and fear of the human race, that nothing could be done to repair the damage.

[Karlee Aurora Spencer]

NICOLA CRYSTAL FARR

→ MY VOICE IS AS LONELY AS LOUD AS I WHISPER A JOY OF THIS PAIN
OH GOD I FEEL LIKE I’M IN FOR IT NOW ITS LIKE THE RUSH HAS GONE STRAIGHT TO MY BRAIN ←

Nicola sighed and smiled a crooked smile, looking up at Elric. “Is it really that obvious?” she asked, looking through a window and stopping for a moment. Geez she hadn’t the slightest idea what she was looking for! Though she figured that once she saw it she’d know exactly what it was. “Well I promise I’ll be more amicable when the event comes around. I’m just not in a good mood right now is all.” The dark-haired young woman moved on, not bothering to walk inside the store. If this vampire was like every other man she’d come in contact with, he wouldn’t appreciate being dragged around in each store.

But why should she care if he didn’t like it or not? He was the one who decided to take her shopping. She probably could have faired quite well by herself in her shopping ventures. But whatever. . . . Nicola was a naturally nice person so she would do what she thought was best and be kind to the big scary-looking vampire who didn’t seem to want to hurt her. Just take her to a party. Was she really in the wrong to be suspicious of this?

She was pulled from her thoughts and from looking at the cutest pair of shoes she’d probably ever seen when Elric spoke of a solution to her problem. He thought that. . . she should become a vampire? Or one of those creatures like that bear had been she’d met? What had he called himself. . . a were-bear. That was it. This vampire must have meant those creature when he said “lycans.” Werewolves and the likes. . . . Yes, that would prolong her life and preserve her existence. . . . But what about her family? Vampire was out of the question. Not because she hated them but because of the constant need to feed off of things and never see the light again. . . .

Nicola had to see the sun again. She loved sitting in the sun. No amount of money or tantalizing speeches of living forever would make her give up the sun. Though she would be able to heal. . . no more hospital visits. . . would she get over her pain thing? She didn’t know. Nicola could imagine she would always have CIPA and it wasn’t going anywhere. . . . But at least she wouldn’t have to worry about dying from an infection. . . . And she wouldn’t have to make her parents out-live their daughter. No parent wanted to outlive their child. . . .

The young woman sighed and shook her head. “I don’t know. I don’t think I could be a vampire. . . . I’d miss being out in the day too much. . . miss going out and getting a tan, or just feeling the sun on my skin. . . . But if I really wanted to keep living that’s the only way I’d be able to do it, I guess. Get turned by something. . . . Medicine and science have failed me for the past nineteen years. I have CIPA. A condition that disables my pain receptors and sensitivity to heat and cold. It’s an incredibly rare disorder that has no known cure. . . only treatments that don’t always work. If I die, it’ll be from an infection I never knew I had until it kills me. I don’t feel the effects of a fever, I can’t feel the pain. . . . I can’t even get in the shower without having someone check the temperature of the water for me.” She paused for a second to peer into a shop. Nothing.

“I’ve been constantly monitored and scrutinized my entire life. Worthless trips to the hospital are a daily occurrence and every night before I go to bed and every morning before I wake up I have to self-examine myself for injuries to make sure I don’t get sick.” Nicola stopped herself and looked up at the vampire regrettably. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to rant.”

Slowly Nicola was getting more and more comfortable around this vampire, and being able to confide in him had lifted an incredibly weight from her chest, as if finally letting someone know about how painstaking her life had been since she was diagnosed made her feel so much better. She was able to hold eye contact with him when he spoke, and she smiled and shook her head slightly at his latest revelation. “I couldn’t do that. I know he probably has all the money in the world, but I just don’t like taking charity. I’m sure he’s a lovely person, though. . . . And I’m sorry that I’ve been jumping to conclusions about your kind. . . .”

It wasn’t fair for her to be judging this vampire on the actions of the one she met and Nicola was increasingly aware that she might have insulted him with her former accusations. She didn’t have to trust every vampire she met—or any other person, for that matter—but she could at least give them a chance, couldn’t she? They deserved that much. Elric seemed nice enough despite his appearance and species, and this other vampire he spoke of sounded to be just as delightful.

Stopping, Nicola turned to face a window and peered inside. Looking back at Elric, she said “I think there might be something inside here” before pushing the door open. A bell rang as she walked inside and she made a bee-line to a far rack where some dresses were hanging all neatly. They were poofy and frilly and looked like they were pulled out of a history book. “I bet I’ll feel ridiculous wearing one of these things. . . ,” she muttered before turning to her vampire companion and indicating toward the hanging garments. “Is something like alright? It looks like they’re kind of classical. . . .”

→ THERE'S A STRANGEST EXCITEMENT TODAY IF YOU'RE AWAKE ←

→ STARRING Elric
→ COUNTING 999
→ LOCATION Inside a shop
→ WEARING ~
→ NOTES ~
→ LYRICS By Angels and Airwaves

[Vincent]

He listens intently to her explanation of her condition, and that becoming a vampire was entirely out of the question. "I understand. Tis not a life I'd have chosen as well, few people choose this life for noble reasons. I was born this way, Vincent was forced into it and still curses his vampiric nature even if he doesn't say it, and his younger heir Linx, he choose it to be with the one he loved for eternity." he said offhandedly. "The sun is perhaps something they miss the most, I've never had the chance to experience it myself. Some of us do count this nature as a good thing. Vincent hates it, yet he embraces it. It gives him the power to protect your species, and even will die for it if he must." he says, smiling lightly. He hated his vampiric nature, and always would. He constantly longed for death, for not even his vampirism gave him the strength he needed to protect the ones he loved.

He cast his mind back across the centuries, thinking of Cymoril, Yyrkoon, and the ruined tower of Bal'Nez'Bet, the tower of kings. He'd managed to slay his cousin, who'd usurped the throne for the second time, but his blade turned upon Cymoril, his love and betrothed, casting her into the pits of hell with Yyrkoon. For all his strength, he couldn't protect the ones he wanted. He turns back to reality, drawing a vial from inside his cloak, downing it quickly before slipping it away. "By all means, rant. I don't mind, everyone must vent once and awhile, else you'll become like me." he says with a wry smile, thinking of his constant brooding nature, and general dour attitude. "But I understand your frustration. I am an albino, physically weaker than the rest of my kind, and in fact would not even be able to move were it not for the use of drugs. I was very nearly cast out among my own people, and even though I wasn't, I remained hated by all." he says with a shrug, boots thumping along rhythmically.

He pauses as he in turn examines what she was indicating. "Yes, that will do nicely for the occasion. I dress the part every day, so thankfully I'm already prepared." he says with a chuckle. "If you'd like, you can have this one, or we can keep searching. And if it's not to your liking, we can always have it taken to a professional to have altered for you. Colour, lacing, embroidery, so on and so forth." he says shrugging. He sinks into his thoughts, turning it over in his mind, planning and organizing to work out the plans for the party. It was highly probably that nothing would go amiss, but there was always a chance where vampires were concerned. He needed to make sure she'd be protected as best as he could offer her. "Perhaps some silver lining as well, as an added precaution. Not enough to weigh you down, but enough to give any vamp a nasty burn if they try to grab you." he suggests, perfectly willing to let her decide for herself. He had developed a bit of a tolerance to it, but it'd still make dancing difficult. He smiles wryly, somehow amused by the image of him in extreme discomfort as they both danced and the thought that somehow she'd be taking extreme pleasure in his discomfort and pain.

[Karlee Aurora Spencer]

NICOLA CRYSTAL FARR

→ MY VOICE IS AS LONELY AS LOUD AS I WHISPER A JOY OF THIS PAIN
OH GOD I FEEL LIKE I’M IN FOR IT NOW ITS LIKE THE RUSH HAS GONE STRAIGHT TO MY BRAIN ←

What a strangely accommodating vampire. Nicola looked over at him for a second and then back at the small selection of dresses. Well, at least she’d found some things and they weren’t wandering aimlessly for hours. “I couldn’t ask you to go through all of that trouble for a dress I’ll probably only wear once unless you like me so much you want me at all of your special occasions,” she teased sarcastically, placing her hands on her hips as she scrutinized the dresses carefully. They were all dull colors. . . purple-gray. Pink-gray. Gray. Red. Okay, that was the brightest one. . . .

“Hmm?” she hummed, turning her head toward Elric but keeping her eyes on the dresses for a few seconds longer before giving him her full attention. “Silver? Oh right. Um. . . well it doesn’t really matter. I’ll probably be perfectly alright,” she assured her companion, offering him a smile to drive her point home. It seemed a little much for just one puny little human and she didn’t want him to go through all this trouble. He was already paying her up the wazoo.

She gave the dresses a few more seconds of consideration, pulling a few up to look at the back as she appreciated all of the minor changes in styling and stuff before she sighed. “Well I always look good in purple,” she muttered more to herself than to Elric. Flipping through the rack, she picked out her size and then turned to look around the shop. “I’ll just go try it on real quick to make sure it fits and then I’ll be right out.” She nodded to Elric and then headed toward the front where a bored-looking woman was eying them suspiciously.

“I’d like to try this on.” Nicola said, lifting the dress to eye level. The woman sighed and reached under the counter to grab a tag that had the number one on it, and then she walked around the counter and toward the dressing rooms, pulling out a key. Unlocking one of the doors, she let Nicola step in and then left her to do her thing, hanging the tag on the door.

Nicola hung the dress up on one of the hooks, letting it sit there for a moment while she removed but her bra and underwear. This was a daily ritual for someone who loved to shop, and she stepped into the dress, pulling it up and strapping it all together and stuff. When it was on, she brushed the dress straight and then looked in the vanity mirror for a second, turning and looking over her shoulder. “I feel fat and look ridiculous in this thing,” she muttered, flattening down the dress as much as she could. What was with the people in the really old days and their obsess over big butts? Least she didn’t have to wear a corset. . . .

Siging, Nicola figured that it would do just fine and she took the dress off and then put on her street clothes, replacing the garment on the hanger it had originated from and she stepped out of the dressing room, grabbing the little tag and making her way back to where Elric was waiting for her. “This will suffice,” she said, trying to smile. She wasn’t so upset with going to the party anymore. . . no now she was a little irritated that she would have to wear such a ridiculous outfit! But it was the theme of the party so she would have to suck it up.

→ THERE'S A STRANGEST EXCITEMENT TODAY IF YOU'RE AWAKE ←

→ STARRING Elric
→ COUNTING 598
→ LOCATION In a store
→ WEARING ~
→ NOTES ~
→ LYRICS By Angels and Airwaves