Chaos

[rettop]

People jostled about in the marketplace. Everyone was rushing from one booth to the next, gathering the freshest fruits and newly cut meats. Giselle weaved through the clutters of humans. What is it with the marketplace today???, she thought. She could feel her temper rising. Violence started to dance behind her eyes. A temptation for blood prickled int he back of her mind. Her emotions were slithering from one to the next that she seemed to be unaware of her surroundings and started to bump into people.

[kmbartels]

Efren needed to pick up some essentials at the marketplace today. The newest addition to the Coven was a young vampire and he wasn't doing so well. He could see the scene in front of him change as he walked, two women haggling; their hearts beginning to beat faster, a vendor and man arguing about the freshness of a cut of meat began to flex their fists and gesture wildly at each other.

Trouble was brewing and with the crowds in the marketplace today that would not turn out to be a good thing. He was being pushed and was actually finding it difficult to move through the crowds. Quickly he shifted to the left in order to miss a particularly heavy laden women but didn't not account for the people on his right and rammed right into a small body.

[rettop]

Suddenly, she felt a solid figure push her forward, causing her to ram into even more people. There was some confusion and rude comments exchanged. Giselle peered over her shoulder and saw the man from the alleyway a few nights ago. For a fleeting moment, she thought that he was stalking her, in attempts to have her join his... coven. Judging by the look in his eyes, they said the contrary and looked as surprised to see her as she was of him.

"What are you doing in the marketplace? Trying to find more 'customers?'" she spat.

[kmbartels]

"No, I'm here for myself." He stated.

Efren was shocked to see the small red head again. He thought for sure she would avoid him at all costs. He felt a bit foolish, he hadn't meant to be so forceful the other night but his coven was getting too small to control the city and he would take all he could get his hands on. They were his family.

"Why are you here? Are you looking for dinner?" he looked down at her a smile tugging at his lips.

[rettop]

"Why do you care? Oh... I forgot... you actually feel sympathy for the living. You have feelings for the living. If you're going to go on with the coven, save your breath because I'm not joining."

She rooted her feet to the pavement, her hands crossed over her chest. She glared at the grin his face held. Thinks he's so funny, she thought. She glared at him.

[kmbartels]

Efren sighed, she was a difficult one this girl.

"If I promise to never ask you to join my coven again, will you at least be civil with me?" Efren asked, pleading with his eyes.

He was struggling with this girl, he'd never been more attracted to someone and still completely loath them.

[rettop]

She couldn't believe him, sounding so desperate to just talk to her... and that look in his eye, caught between to powerful conflicting thoughts. Giselle caught a slight attraction coming from his posture, his eyes. Hiding a grin, Giselle humored him.

"Fine. I can be civil. I hope you have a good day, Sir Tajh. I also hope you don't find anything ill and rotten in anything you purchase today." She caved in and released a smile across her face. She tilted her head over her left shoulder, so the sun would glow her red hair. "I'll be seeing you, perhaps?"

[kmbartels]

Efren didn't realize he was wearing his heart on his sleeve. A vice of his perhaps. He appreciated her beauty a second before he replied.

"I do believe you shall. In case you're interested. This Saturday evening there is a ball. A masquerade to be precise. I will be there, as will all of the vampire community in Cairo. It is invitation only though."

From his bag he produced an envelope, no name written on the envelope. Taking a pen he quickly scrawled something on the envelope and inside the card and handed it to her. The pen he placed back inside his bag.

[rettop]

She took the envelope with details written in old fashion loopy hand-writing. She had to admit, no one writes words so carefully, so poetically anymore she couldn't help staring at them.

Giselle pocketed the envelope into her handbag and slung it over her shoulder again. "Thank-you," she said. "Is it a formal or casual masquerade? Will there be others besides vampires?"

[kmbartels]

"You are most welcome. It is a very formal event. And I believe the only non vampires there will be the ones serving, and even those humans will be under manipulation."

Efren was surprised that she would go, but extremely happy that this wouldn't be there last encounter.

[rettop]

"Manipulation... so we can't Blood Thirst them?" her spirits sank a notch with the thought of not attacking someone at such a big event. But, she hadn't been to a ball, or the like, since her high school prom. Giselle's mind played of images on what the ball would be like. Would people be more somber in their choice of attire? Or would it fit the 'Hollywood style'?

[kmbartels]

Efren smiled at her question.

" Not every vampire in this city is in my coven. There is another coven here who takes the opposite point of view. Blood of every kind will most likely be provided."

Thinking for a second he added.

"This is an annual event, and it is treated similarly to a red carpet event. Many of the people here are very rich. I doubt that you will want for "anything" Saturday night."

[rettop]

Giselle had no idea that there was a coven that was geared more towards her lifestyle. Of course, she had only lived in Egypt for two weeks. Already, different outfits flashed through her mind. "No, I don't want just 'anything' for Saturday night's event... But this means I must do some shopping..."

Someone shoved into Giselle again and she was forced forward, into Efren. Her hands braced for the impact, they landed upon his chest. Her eyes were locked onto his the whole time, and she quickly withdrew herself.

"Sorry," gasped a mother chasing a son that was running away from her side.

Giselle gave a fake smile, letting the mother know that it was quite all right. The moment the mother turned back to her son, Giselle muttered under her breath, "Bitch." She had a feeling of revenge. It swam through her body and warmed the tips of her fingers. She wanted to sink her teeth into the woman who was so rude. And maybe the boy too for good measure. As soon as the desire flicked on, she shook her head and tried to ignore it. Now was not the time to ache for blood, not with so many people around.

[kmbartels]

Efren could feel the blood in his veins pump harder when Giselle was forced into his chest. He moved his hands to support her but she was just as quickly standing on her own.

He watched her react to the women and something flicked through his mind.

She has been hurt badly he thought

"Do you have friends that you're staying with in the city?" he asked making small talk.

The marketplace was beginning to clear, for which he was grateful the heat was getting stifling. The women and child were heading out of site, for which he was also grateful, for their sakes.

[rettop]

"No. I'm here by myself. Originally I'm from the States. New York, in fact. But I had to leave... start over..." Giselle pulled out her sunglasses and placed them on the bridge of her nose. Even though the crowd wasn't as thick, it was still hot and humid. She could feel pearls of sweat trickle down the back of her legs.

"Have you lived here long?"