Dark Streets

[kmbartels]

((First Post....I'm excited ;D))

The dark streets felt comforting after a desperately long day spent in doors bored out of his mind. It was the night that called him. He was a night owl, so to speak, and felt himself more at home in every shadow than he could ever feel during even the most gray of days.

There wasn't much going on the streets tonight. The occasional shady characters looking to score a deal: a few hookers here and there; their tight barely there clothes clinging to their bodies; an advertisement for temptation. But other than the few usuals barely a soul wandered along with him on this harsh Egyptian night. His eyes wandered up and down the street for a sign of any of his fellow dead. He couldn't distinguish anyone from the people on the street and soon gave up, he needed to feed.

His sandals touched the sand just outside the city and he was overwhelmed by the smell of the desert. Taking off his plain white tunic he carefully folded it and laid it on the ground. He lifted his face towards the stars and sent off a silent prayer to Nut, goddess of the night, for luck and protection. Seconds later he was sprinting off into the desert, fresh blood on his mind.

After his dinner he replaced his tunic and wandered back into the city. The last place he wanted to be was in his apartment so he found himself walking towards the main hub of the city. He knew that soon he would find some one to recruit to his coven. He could taste it....somewhere in this city was some one searching for something different. Time would tell who it would be.

Efren had long since stopped drinking the blood of humans. He knew that his brothers in death would always crave human blood, but he had discovered that he did not need it in oder to survive. Blood was all he needed and that could be taken from animals with out any trouble where as seducing and drinking a humans blood took much more effort than necessary. Since breaking away from his coven and coming home to Egypt, Efren had begun his own coven called Seker in dedication to the God of Death. There were very few vampires that chose to live in covens being a very recluse species. But the vampires that chose his lifestyle had a tendency to need support. They all lived together in an apartment building just outside the main city. Close to the desert in order to hunt and yet clear of the city to stay away from temptation.

It was a simple life, but it was beautiful and gratifying to not have to take human lives. And when one remember the human life as well as he does, the will to honor that heritage runs deep.

Efren stepped into a bar conveniently called "The Bite" and sat in a corner booth. He loved watching the people interact. Especially since his social skills had completely deteriorated from his time as a recluse. There were a few from his own coven, and many humans who could not seem to resist tempting his kind. But tonight there was a new Vampire.

[moonlightxxdance]

(Thank youu.)

Emberr walked into the bar, with an ironic title considering she was a vampire. She walked up to the counter and smiled manipulatingly at one of the bartenders. He looked her up and down, pasuing to look at her mid-drift and miniskirt. Most people would expect her skin to be covered in burns considered she dressed that way everyday, but she was pale. Dead people usually were. The bartender handed her a drink ignoring the fact she was underage. Hey, so what if she's two years too young?

She leaned against the counter and looked out around the bar. She spotted many other vampires in the room, which was unusual especially based on how they were dressed. They were all dressed to blend in traditionally with the adults in Egypt. Emberr much prefered more style, which was being brought to Egypt, but mostly by younger generations.

She looked around and saw a mix of traditionally dressed Egyptians and teens like her, there were more dressed like which Emberr also expected considering the bar seemed more like a younger seen. Emberr choose a place to sit alone knowing someone would approach her pretty fast.

[kmbartels]

(( yay! It's been too long since I've been apart of an RPG...))

The young vixen that had entered "The Bite" was looking to stand out. That much was obvious. Efren signaled a waitress and ordered a drink for himself and asked what the new vampire was drinking. The waitress smiled at him and said she would send another her way if he'd like. Nodding he sat back to watch. He would talk with her and see what her plans were in Egypt and decide if she was Coven of Seker material.

The Female vampires were usually much more interested in the type of life he led. The guilt they felt in drinking human blood was much more deeply felt. And they were usually taken away from more in their human lives.

So Efren watched as the waitress brought another drink to the Vampire and pointed in his direction indicating that the drink was from him. Efren was curious to see how the Vampire would respond. He'd received mixed signals from situations such as this one and could never tell when he'd be taken seriously or given the cold shoulder. That was something else about female vampires; they were impossible to read sometimes.

[moonlightxxdance]

Emberr got handed a drink from one of the girls working there and she pointed to one of the more traditional looking vampires in the crowd. She thanked the girl and turned so she could look over her shoulder at the other vampire. She raised an eyebrow at him curiously and waited for him to walk over and talk to her. He didn't look like the type of guy who was hoping for some fun so she was curious why he had bought her another drink.

She smiled at him from her seat and then relaxed in her seat looking at the one across from her, hoping he would realize she meant for him to sit there. She brushed some of her long, dark brown hair out of her face as she waited.

[rettop]

"Oh come on," pleaded an eager female 'friend.'

Giselle bore her eyes into Abigale's. Normally, Giselle preferred to be on her own. Alone in a quiet place with dark shadows where she could surround herself in. Ever since her arrival, Abigale had hung onto Giselle's hand, trying to befriend her. Since she promised herself to find a new life, she tried to change her conduct.

She didn't know how much longer she could take it.

"Fine," she muttered. Abigale's face lit up with excitement, she squealed and strutted through the doors of the bar, her butt wagging for attention. Giselle rolled her eyes.

There were so many people in the bar. A game show played on the televisions as the men chugged beer after beer; rambling jovially about women. A few of them grinned sheepishly as Abigale approached the bar and asked for drinks. It took a lot of will for Giselle to get out of the doorway. She could feel herself getting irritated and angry; she hated crowds. When she reached Abigale, the woman turned around with her blue eyes so bright and said, "I ordered a couple Bloody Marys, I hope that's ok?"

Giselle replied, "Whatever." She sipped her drink with her mind wandering, not taking in a single word Abigale was saying. She missed her old home, back in the States. How familiar the shadows were to her, how they were both empty and alone. There was a comfort there, but the unease of the constant reminding of that horrible night was too great. Looking down in her glass, she pretended that it was real blood within the glass. And that blood was her ex-boyfriend's. A second wind of revenge swept over her. But it was impossible to kill him again.

But the burning sensation ached within her core. The taste of the bitter blood, how it seeped from the small cuts from her fangs, how the shortening of breath would try to hold onto the night. She remembered the look upon the victim's eyes, full of fear... She yearned to watch one's skin slowly turn pale, then blue. It was relaxing to her. Giselle could feel the beast inside her squirm. She needed blood, and for the first time, she appreciated Abigale's company.

[kmbartels]

Efren's attention broke from the strange female vampire when a bubbly human girl burst through the doors and strode confidently towards the bar. It wasn't the human that held his attention however. It was her stunning companion. Obviously not interested in being in public places she had stopped short and stood in the doorway daring anyone to even look at her more than once.

She's a vampire Efren thought curiously.

What was a Female vampire doing hanging out with a human she so obviously disliked. His interest piqued Efren continued to watch as the human talked the ears off of the vampire until her eyes glazed over.

The vampire was beautiful, that was obvious. Her dark moody eyes did not take away from that fact. Indeed it seemed to make her more attractive. Efren was staring when a look Efren had seen before came over the female vampire. He knew exactly how it felt to have the blood lust course its way through you until you could no longer see straight. It became very obvious that he would need to keep an eye on this one. She was not thinking about the next antelope she would feed on; instead she was looking her "friend" over like she was a juicy burger.

Rare i suspect Efren mused, waiting to see what she was planning for her "friend."

[moonlightxxdance]

Emberr glared as another vampire strode in. Is it a convention of hell raised creatures or something?, she thought warily. Emberr didn't get along with people when many of her kind were in a room. She had her nauils around the edge of the table and started to dent it with her fingers before she rembered to let go. She glared impatiently at one of her drinks, she knew if she picked it up she would probably break it into pieces.

Emberr tapped her foot to channel her discomfort into something so she wouldn't smash something. She looked around at the vampires again. She immediatly noticed they all looked identical and had the same look upon their face, they were a coven. the new girl who came in, however, was not part of it, at least not yet. Emberr bit her lip nervous that she might upset them in some way. She tapped her foot faster.

[rettop]

Keeping her calm, Giselle amused Abigale by laughing at her ridiculous jokes and helped her flirt with a couple men. She made sure she was close to Abigale at all times, not wanting a different vampire to snatch her and drink her youthful, carefree blood. Continuing to order drinks, Giselle made sure Abigale was quite at ease, leaving no room for rational thought.

When Abigale was starting to show severe signs of being drunk, Giselle held onto her hand and whispered, "I think it is time that we leave." Abigale started to complain, but Giselle interrupted, "I have some drinks back at my place. We can finish the night there..." she thought of something that would sound more 'exciting' or appealing, her mind raced for what Abigale would enjoy. "Like a sleepover."

"OMG! I love sleepovers!" She got all giggly and tossed her platinum blond hair over her shoulder.

Giselle didn't know if she could make it back to her apartment. The hunger in her swelled and chorused throughout her body. It screamed within, wanting the exotic feeling of the flesh around her fangs, how they would penetrate through the skin, puncture the soft veins. She could not remember the last time she had desired so blood so much. Giselle continued to smile at Abigale and pretended to act like any other... girlfriend.

They left the bar and continued down the deserted streets. She could feel the small pebbles under her shoes, the stale breath of wind surrounding her body. Whispers crept from the stone sidewalk, the sand-covered street. But Abigale was ignoring all that humans would heed warnings of the night. Still laughing, Abigale was waiting for her next treat.

"I know a shortcut, Abby," Giselle whispered, and continued to lead her down a dark alleyway.

"Oh, I've always loved that nickname. Don't you have a nickname? Like Gez?"

"No, I don't have nicknames."

"Oh, that's soooooooooo sad! I'll call you Gez! Your name reminds me of those deer things in Africa... what are those called?"

Abigale never received an answer. Giselle grasped her wrist a little tighter, so she could feel the blood pulsing through her body. The alleyway was lit with one weak halogen light. The night bugs were crashing against it, the walls were covered in graffiti and of substance no human dared to think or wonder about. Giselle pressed Abigale against the wall. Before she could ask what was going on, Giselle kissed her on the lips and traced her neck with her fingers. Giselle noticed how her fingertips were trembling, desiring nothing else but to grasp Abigale's neck so she could bite. Abigale quit resisting and started to giggle again. Giselle started to kiss Abigale's neck, tasting with her lips the warmest, tenderest spot.

She found it. Wasting no time, Giselle opened her mouth wide, she could feel her fangs elongate with passion for sweet flesh. The moment the tips of her fangs touched Abigale's skin, she felt ecstasy burn throughout her body. Excited, she dug deeper into Abigale's neck. The soft muscle tissue hugged her fangs, they were warm and tender, just as she had hoped. She could smell the blood seeping from the puncture wounds, it brushed against her upper lip as she continued to sink her teeth; she lapped up the blood with her tongue like a cat. With each drop of blood, she could see memories of Abigale in the back of her mind. How she was molested by her uncle, when her grandmother died, when she lost her virginity, when she was proposed- only to cheat and leave her husband-to-be. She drained every thought out of Abigale, savoring every drop, examining every detail of every memory.

Satisfied, only when the last thrashing of Abigale's throat had ceased, she withdrew her fangs and watched the color drain from her skin. Giselle let go of her victim's shoulders and watched the body fall to the ground. "Thank-you," she said softly. Giselle stood there for a moment, gathering all the thoughts that she had drunk, recalling the taste of her victim's blood that was slightly stained with alcohol. But no matter, it was sufficient enough. At least she can go without cravings for a few days.

[kmbartels]

Efren's hand tightened on his glass as he watched the female practically drag the human from the bar. He set down his glass and followed her out of The Bite and onto the street. He would have to find the other female vampire and talk to her another time. His priority was to his city and his Coven and this vampire threatened everything that he stood for.

Stalking her through the streets he watched as her victim babbled incoherently about absolutely nothing and the vampires blood lust grew.

She has incredible patience he thought. Most human blood drinking vampires had very little patience for their victims.

He watched very closely as they entered an alley and the vampire kissed the girl. She was seducing her. And odd thought seeing as there was no love for the actual human. Instead it was a love for the kill that drove the vampire to slay her in such a romantic way.

Efren's need to stop the female from feeding was intense but he stayed himself and forced himself to watch. A hungry vampire (especially a female) who'd been deprived of her meal would not be fun to try and reason with.

The last drop of blood passed between prey and predator and the vampire dropped the girl's body to the floor of the alley. A small splash could be heard as the body landed in a puddle.

Efren chose this as a prime time to come out of hiding. Deciding that it was best to flatter before offend he state simply,

"That was like watching art."

[rettop]

Startled, Giselle turned on her heel, her breath caught in her throat. She was relieved that the man who interrupted her peace was a fellow vampire, and not another human who would draw attention.

There was a different feel to him... the way he spoke. She could not place her finger on it. From the interruption, her fangs shrank to their normal size a lot quicker than usual. "You enjoyed that? I try to perfect the art and passion of Blood Lust. Lot more satisfying." She fingered through her curls absentmindedly. "And you are?"

[kmbartels]

"Right to the point. Good. I am Lord Efren Tajh."

He bowed ever so slightly to the female indicating with every movement that he meant no harm to her.

"I would welcome you to Cairo and to Egypt. May I inquire as to your name?"

[rettop]

She was not expecting him to be so courteous. "I am Giselle. Giselle Eshan." She didn't bother to curtsy or bow. Instead, she continued to play with her hair, her eyes examining him. "Well..." she said, breaking the silence, "I best be off. Late night."

She walked past him.

[kmbartels]

"Wait" Efren commanded extending his hand to stay her.

"There is a matter I must discuss with you. You see, I am the leader of a coven here in Cairo. We are a peaceful coven and do not drink the blood of humans. I realize that not every vampire is capable of such control around humans, since our first curse is that of Blood Lust, but I must ask that you attempt to control yourself while you stay here. I will not ask you to refrain from drinking human blood, but do not bring violence down upon my city." He kept his voice stern but even.

"We can offer you a safe place to stay, away from crowds and slayers as well." he offered.

[rettop]

Rage flickered through Giselle like the spark of a lighting match. It burned softly, causing no harm. She suppressed the flame inside her. "I have already made arrangements, I'm well off thank-you. I don't need your accommodations. I don't need your suggestions on a 'healthy' life." She took out a cigarette and lit it, inhaling the intoxicating poisons. "Goodnight." She continued down the street.

[kmbartels]

"Please, Giselle, wait. I'm not trying to offend."

It seemed hopeless tonight. No matter what he did, he couldn't get it right. Not a single recruit in months and the Coven was restless. He would need to at least find someone to bring them a little spunk.