A Bleeding Heart

[Odessa Spiros]

Odessa tromped through her basement/home, flipping chairs and furniture of the sorts all of the place. She was angrily sputtering out curse words. Her friend, Dob, had already been pegged by a pair of scissors. Lucky for him, the vampire blood, or lack thereof, allowed him to heal from the gash in his calf quickly. "Dess, calm down, please. If Brian see's you flying a rampage he's probably not going to stay for dinner." He griped, grabbing her shoulders hard. Odessa reached up to slap him, but thought better of it. She backed away from his grasp and picked up her dagger, strapping it to the inside of her left forearm. Of course, vampires wouldn't need it, but the silver blade was fun to tease with when it came to werewolves. She waved a goodbye to Dob, not bothering to turn around and offer a slightest bit of action for helping clean the mess she had made. That's what brothers were for, after all. The city was nicely cold outside. Odessa brought a light jacket with her for looks of being a normal human, but where she was going it wouldn't matter anyway. A bikini in negative degree's would raise no suspicion from the vampire race, but it would in the human world. She carefully picked her route to the National Park, careful not to cross with many other vampires. Sometimes the species got a little to horny for her taste. Odessa was happy with the turnout at the park- empty. Her eyes scanned for the perfect spot and she found a bench hidden away by bushes. After laying with her back pressed against the wood, Odessa took the knife from her forearm pouch and started carving words on the bench's back.

[Solomon Drance]

I tilt my head back to look up at the grey, ominous sky. I breathe in the cold air deeply- it was definitely going to snow. I pull up the collar of my grey duster against the wind- not that it would brother me- and trudge on through the forest. The trees were all hardwoods, densely packed like sardines in a can. I bury my large hands deep into my pockets and keep my head down as I walk, hoping my body language would put others off, not that anyone was out here. No one was stupid enough to wander around the National Park during the dead of winter. My old black boots make soft thuds as I walk, my eyes focused on the ground. I was probably the only person out here, no company- not that I wanted any. There was one other outside being I would have welcomed- Veran. We could have educated conversations about any topic, he had been my best friend, mentor, and the one who turned me. My full mouth tighens into a grim line at the thought. We might've even been involved if he hadn't been burned- relationships with the same sex were very common place back.. oh, how long ago was it? Seven hundred and two years ago. I had to be the oldest Vampire still walking this Earth, and even if I wasnt, I had to be the oldest on the North American continent.
Im so lost in my thoughts I walk into one of the few small gardens in the Park- somewhere I never went. I disdained from company, both humans, werewolves, and other Vampires. Perhaps it was because I didnt want to be hurt again- not that Veran would have died if he could have stopped it. I walk down a small path that cut through the hedges that were ten feet tall, my intense blue eyes stopping on a brunette. I freeze, my lifted foot coming down. I look at her silently for a moment- another Vampire.

[Odessa Spiros]

Odessa stalled her movements, watching as a blonde vampire approached. He was old, that much was see able from a mile away. Lucky enough, she saw him before he saw her and already had a teasing line ready for when he spotted her. Odessa sat up and crossed her legs ever so elegantly. A wary look put a facade over her playful manner. I know nothing about the murder on 4th street. She offered dryly, pretending to inspect her nails. A breeze came through, rustling the bushes around her and almost making her disappear for a moment. In the two seconds it lasted, Odessa had darted to where she stood beside the blonde vampire. Unless, I committed it. Then I would know, right? Her finger trailed up his neck and found- oh, yes, no pulse. A soft chuckle passed her pink lips and she stepped a comfortable distance away from the beast. The name Solomon kept passing through her mind, almost annoyingly. Dob took it among his self to make sure Odessa knew every single elder vampire that passed through. Solomon was one of them, and by the time she recognized who he was, her teasing had already cut too deep. If he found out she really did kill a mundane the night before, he would have permission to burn her right in the park, as would any vampire. Solomon Drance. Fancy seeing you here. She purred, cocking her head to the side.

[Solomon Drance]

My clear blue eyes watch as she crosses her legs, her grey eyes focused on her nails. The murder on 4th street. I hadnt caught wind of that one yet. Though I didnt venture out into the city much, I still had my ways of finding out about the goings on in town- both human crime and supernatural. It doesnt surprise me as the brunette seems to almost appear at my side, she was old, though nowhere near me- no one was. I stand still as a rock as Odessa's finger meets me neck, where it would find no pulse. I remembered her name now- I knew every Vampire within a hundred mile radius of Ataraxia. I let a soft sigh escape my full lips, I was already getting tired of her ridiculous comments. I had a disdain for company at normal times but now it was more of a hatred. "Ah, you know me." I say slowly, a light Russian accent under some words. "Pardon me, Miss Odessa, but I really must be going." I add in my gentlemanly way, spinning on my heel to start back down the garden path. I sincerely hoped she wouldnt follow me, I wasnt above fighting a girl- besides, she could take it.. probably.

[Odessa Spiros]

Odessa sought him off with a smile, half grimace. Of course, when she finally met someone of interest it had to be the one vampire who didn't socialize with his own kind. She watched him walk away with a frown stretching her petite features. After an inner battle with herself, she swiped her knife from the bench and strapped it to her forearm while walking after him. Odessa caught up quickly and fell in step beside him. No words came from her for near two minutes; she tried to put of a vibe that screamed he was no fun. She kept no interest in him, but other things around them; not saying anything to him, but to the one vampire they met. Finally, when the two were far from the National Park, Odessa spoke. I must say, for a man with someplace to be, I've kept up with you rather nicely. For affects, she gave a little huff of breath. Not that she needed it, and forgetting that it stung her windpipe. The pain was nothing but annoying. She took a deep gulp to release it. Odessa, now satisfied of the lack of annoying pains, was back to her teasing game. If you want information about mundane deaths, I know a few people who just always seem to be there. She tried to to let on that she was at every death that had happened in Ataraxia since she'd been there, and that she was the cause of a good percentage of them. The most recent, a stoner mundane that believed fully in the vampire species had starting yelling out details about Odessa. Her reaction to sun, the red that always seemed to tint her already ruby lips(easily covered with a pearl pink lipstick), the was she walked, as if gliding. It had attracted attention from other people and soon everyone in the area was listening to the mundane rant and rave. Odessa ended it with a kick to his throat, toppling the head off his body. The humans gasped and ran away, but not before Odessa charmed them, leaving her clear free and blaming it all on a bad dream. Vampires that were around applauded her. They two, knew what trouble the stoner could have gotten them in.

[Solomon Drance]

I hear her footsteps come up behind me before she falls into step beside me and I almost let out another sigh. Why would she have to be the one to take an interest in me? Though, certainly, it was just the attraction of annoying me that allured her- not me looks. I had the unnatural beauty of a Vampire, though it was clear that even in human life I had been handsome. I roll my blue eyes to myself. Did she really think she had something to tell me that I didnt already know? Well, other than the details of the murder on 4th, but still. "Go on, humor me." I say blandly, turning my head towards Odessa slightly. After a second, I turn my gaze back forward, my eyes roving over the surrounding park and my eyes straining to listen over the howl of the winter wind. Why had I come out of my home? Maybe it was just the pent up energy I had, though I hadnt hunted in quite a while. I could go a long time without needing blood, though eventually I would. But, now with my stupid little tag along, I wouldnt get to. She obviously prefered to just outright attack her victims, where as I ambushed and then erased their whole memory of me. "I really do have to go." I state suddenly, stopping. I started off down a small side path, picking up my pace to a smooth, fluid jog. My duster blows out behind me slightly like an odd sort of cape and I hate the drag it builds that holds me back.

[Odessa Spiros]

Odessa opened her mouth to say something, but he quickly cut her off with an excuse. She glared at his retreating figure and shot a couple passing by a look that would kill. Of course they were thinking she was a desperate girlfriend trying to cling to her only love. Bad for them, they caught Odessa at the wrong time. She flashed her fangs, grey eyes taking on a shinny red hue. A silent scream came from the girl and her partner, a scraggly looking brunette boy, ushered her away quickly, throwing Odessa odd glances. Her eyes sparkled and she turned to head back home to Dob, but stopped. Solomon had offered no goodbye. She turned and trotted along the path after him, even nearly two minutes behind Odessa caught up with him. After jumping in front of him, incisors poking her lips and drawing blood from them, she gave him a solid stare. That is really no way to excuse yourself when all of the vampire population knows you are not one for a date. Odessa snapped, her brown trendles falling loose from their hand band. She tucked a strand behind her ear, eyes not leaving Solomon's face.

[Solomon Drance]

My blue eyes roved over the small lake and I stop to lean against a young oak at the very edge of the forest, gathering my duster back around me. I can hear Odessa coming before she jumps in front of me, my chiseled face registering no surprise. I almost roll my eyes as she makes a dig about how Im not social. If she knew about my great past love life, she wouldnt dare say anything. I hold myself back from saying something about Veran- that was one thing I kept near and dear to my heart. "Get the hell out of my way." I snap, my patience thinning. I breeze past her and follow a fork in the trail back into the woods. I knew this one well, it eventually led up to my cabin, but it would soon branch off to trail down to the lake- where hopefully there might be a careless human blundering around.

[Odessa Spiros]

Odessa was now angry, even if she honestly had to right to be. Her eyes turned a full blood red, one inch long and curving over her bottom lip. Her eyesight helped her follow Solomon. When she found him, he was walking towards a lake. The moon reflected off of it's surface and every now and then something below it's surface would cause a ripple in the glass-like appearance. Her eyes narrowed in on the male vampire and she stalked towards him, looking like the monster she tried not to be. Hey. I don't remember you having permission to snap at me. Odessa hissed, slinking up in front of him again. The beautiful face she had was sharp and pale, veins very visible. Before she realized what she was doing, Odessa had raised her hand and slapped Solomon, nails raking a trail of blood from his eye to his chin.

[Solomon Drance]

"I dont need permission." I snap, my blue eyes finally rolling towards the sky in a sort of God-help-me exasperation. Heh, if there was any God- I highly doubted there was. Only Vampires, Werewolves, Humans, and the terrible form of justice we used these days. I honestly hadnt seen the slap coming- what kind of brain dead moron would challenge me to a fight? My own hand flashes out, lightening quick, to connect with the side of her face and send her to the forest floor. Suddenly theres a sharp branch in my hand and I hurl myself towards Odessa. I body slam her- even though she was already down- and my arm presses against her pale, pulseless throat, my make shift stake finding her vulnerable stomach. I jump to my feet and leave the stake in her as I race into the forest, moving faster than a cheetah, and follow the path that leads towards my cabin. The stake would hold her, keep her down to where she couldnt follow me. I unconsciously slow to a stop. What if I'd actually hurt her? No, I couldnt, even from the five minutes I'd known her, she'd seemed tough as nails- rough and tumble. I small splinter couldnt hurt her.. could it? I let out a loud primal roar of frustration and turn back the way I had come, deciding I couldnt just leave her there.

[Odessa Spiros]

Odessa's head rocked back and she tripped over her feet, falling. But before her vampire reflexes could kick in, their was a stinging burning in her stomach. He had stabbed her. She looked at him, uttered a word an watched him walk away and made sure he couldn't see her before ripping the stick out and throwing it as far as she could. A satisfied 'plunk' as it hit the water sounded seconds later. Odessa curled in on herself, holding her pale hand over the puncture wound in her stomach. It really wasn't that big of a shock. She was, after all, the one who had started it all. Ruefully, she thought that if in Solomon's shoes, she would have done more than he had done. She would have ripped their head off and enjoying their acidic vampire blood. Odessa shuddered at her own gruesome thoughts and closed herself tighter into the ball, pain swarming her whole body. Right before everything went black, she saw and heard an approaching figure. He was back. To kill her? Make fun of her? Save her? Odessa ruled out the last without a second thought.

[Solomon Drance]

I look at the balled up figure of Odessa warily before walking forward and squatting down beside her. I almost reach out a hand to her throat, but there wouldnt be a pulse there anyway. I let out a small growl of annoyance before leaning forward to pick her limp form up and hold her to my chest protectively. I start back towards my cabin, walking carefully in an attempt not to jostle her wound too much, the wound I had inflicted. But, it had been second nature. Be attacked, fight back. I had, and she couldnt really blame me for that. I huff slightly and quicken my pace and within five minutes my cabin appears in a break in the woods. I start up the faint path and take the porch stairs in one bound. I shift Odessa's unconscious body to one side so I can jiggle the door open, my foot closing it firmly behind me before I lay her down on the couch. I run a large hand through my hair, letting out a sigh. Why did I have to go out today? I needed blood, but now I had a charge- someone I had to take care of. Great. I angrily shed my duster and toss it to the small table in the corner of the room, straightening the plain grey shirt I had underneath it- no need for a longsleeve, the cold wouldnt bother me.

[Odessa Spiros]

Odessa woke up, her back on something much softer than the forest floor. She opened her eyes slowly, their natural green back in place. The smell hit her first- dust and wood. Very quickly she was up, looking around the cabin she was now in. At first she thought someone may have wondered across from her and contacted Dob, but when her sight landed on almost familiar blonde hair, she frowned. You could have just killed me when I was, oh, I don't know, passed out. I'd like to spare the pain. She hissed. Odessa had grabbed her jacket and was no heading for the door, but turned around with her hand on the handle. Why would he have carried her all the way to this cabin and set her on a bed if he was going to kill her? Unless he was trying to fatten her up first (completely comical, vampires had a horribly high metabolism). Odessa gave a dramatic sigh and headed back towards the couch, closing her eyes once settled. I do have a killer headache She supplied dryly.

[Solomon Drance]

My blue eyes immediately turn to Odessa, watching her warily. She was still in no position to attack me again, but the wound had to have healed a little bit. I bite the inside of my lip thoughtfully, I didnt have any bandages or anything- barely any medicine either. I shake my head slightly as she tells me I should have just killed her, but I stay silent- biting my tongue. I turn away as she heads towards the door, let her leave. It'd be a good thing for me to be free of her. I start into the kithcen, intending to grab a bottled water or something to tide me over ebfore braving the outside world again. I dont reply as she sighs heavily ebfore complaining of a headache. I open a drawer in the kitchen and pull out an unopened bottle of asprin, tossing it to her carelessly before turning back to grab a water. I move back over for my duster, deciding I could leave her here- wasnt like I had anything for her to steal. I pull it on and start towards the door, flipping the collar up around my pulseless neck. "I wasnt lying when I said I have to go." I state simply, hand reaching for the doorknob.

[Odessa Spiros]

Odessa watched Solomom from half opened eyes. She wasn't very interested in where he was going, but she still wanted to be nosy. If you have to feed, I am a vampire. Not like I'll freak out. Her shoulders lifted in a limp shrug and she popped a pill in her mouth, swallowing it and then leaning up to put the bottle on the table. A horrible mistake, as her stomach convulsed suddenly and she let out a groan, rolling over on the back of the couch. Ow. Odessa closed her eyes and waved at Solomon in a 'go away, I'm fine' way. She kept her eyes closed however, until he had left. It was only thirty minutes later when Odessa got bored enough sitting there she started talking to herself. I bet Dob couldn't believe I was a virgin. But, is that really something you tell your brother, Odessa? 'Hey, did you know I was a virgin?' No.. no it isn't Odessa. Then she started to giggle madly over nothing.