I'll take the lie [open]

[nada harper]

The music blared off the walls as she watched bodies grind and bump on the dance floor. Women dressed in next to nothing were wrapped in the arms of men they knew absolutely nothing about expect that they were there. And for a small slice of time nothing else mattered but the connect between them. There was no past to chain them back, no future to bar them in. Just the music, the movements, and the anonymity of it all. Sure they could have come with friends, started out with them, but this wasn't a place for friends. It was a place for strangers, and secrets, and forgetting what was outside. This was a place for things you wanted to hide from every one else because you needed that one thing that was all yours. Your adventure, your secret, the one thing you could smile to your self about when all the rest of the world thought you dull.

That's what it use to be for Nada. Back home in Seattle, she'd go to a place like this to get her fix of secret and flirtatious danger. Now she needed this for the sheer normalcy it brought her. That her life may be full of secrets, her own and others, but that she wasn't the only one keeping them to herself. She needed to see such uninhibited contact, such abandon because she couldn't recall the last time she had allowed herself the freedom of either. It was why she was still seated, why her drink was ice water, and why her attire was black flats, gray slacks, black turtle neck with a light coat and gloves said business woman over open for business.

Which she was. For once Nada had a client, and actual paying client. And she wanted no misconception as to why she was there. She may of chosen the location but that was more for her advantage than theirs. Nada was anything if not careful. She had, had her fill of being locked up and wasn't going to encourage another visit to this state's or any others psychiatric ward.

With cool eyes she survived the dance floor tipping her toe to the base as it thrummed through the building. She wanted to dance so bad, but wanted to meet her new client more. She was needed the money, and if she could profit from her little gift. By god she would. From her position on the second floor she could clearly see the bar, the entrance, and the restrooms sitting directly adjacent from the bar. Now all she had to do was spot her client, convince them they needed her help and send them on their merry way so she could start working. This sitting and waiting was killing her.

"Come on. Show up all ready." she gritted between clenched teeth.

[Concieved D'maggio]

The old black van skidded to a halt into the clubs parking lot. A call was received earlier about some drinks with old friends and some great female companionship. Being the type of person to never refuse a drink (or some time with women) Con was already in his van halfway through the call.

Con smiled as he looked himself up and down, his getup was nice but not to flashy. Just a regular black button up and some black jeans. He had decided to wear his long brown hair into a ponytail and his green eyes were practically glowing (because of the fact he had just fed before he got the call).

He walked to the club doors and took a deep hollow breath in.
"Get ready man, just calm yourself."
Con said to reassure himself. You see unlike most vampires, Con's nose was way more sensitive then mosts, he could smell almost everything and every living thing from ten miles away, besides that he was a normal Nightwalker.

As Con opened the doors he was assaulted by the flavors and smells of all the humans. It was a parade of sweat, hormones, lust, blood pumping fast, and the smell of sex being made in secret. "It figures I'd be invited to a dance club, whatever happened to beers in the tavern?" Con grunted under his breath

Con strode on in taking in the atmosphere, Finding his friends he took a seat in the booth and conversed with the females, two human and one vamp. A slow smile spread across his face as he took one of the human blonde's and began to "work" his charm if you will.

Before to long she was under his spell. A giggle here, a inappropriate touch there and the next thing he knew they were on the dance floor, grinding and sweating with the rest. "Lets say we take this somewhere more private, say . . . the bathroom?" Con suggested jokingly.
The human laughed and slapped him on the arm playfully and suggested they could go to his van.

Con stepped out of the van an hour later, his eyes glowing even more and a lit cigarette in his mouth.
"Too much for her to handle." Con laughed.
He took another drag and watched as his friends and they're company stumbled out drunkenly. Con waved them goodbye and stepped in again.

The assault of smells hit his nose, but one didn't quite sit right with him, It was a woman, that was for sure. She was frustrated, and beautiful.
"Son of a . . . " Said Con, never really having a humans scent really overcome him that strongly.

Whether it was a wild hair in his ass, or just out of boredom he didn't know, but he took a seat next to the woman dressed in business attire and smiled brightly.
"Hello, introductions to the side, but what will you be drinking." He said as his signature smile ran across his face.

[nada harper]

Nada had been staring down at the dance floor, switching between it and the entrance for so long she'd missed seeing the man coming up to her table. And probably would've continued being oblivious of his presence had he not spoken. With a quick jerk her eyes flew to the stranger. Scanning him up and down trying to figure out if he was her new would-be employer. Her hand idly toying with the straw in her empty water glass. The remaining ice clinking as she did.

Taking in his casual appearance of black on black and the charming smile he was giving her, she rather doubted it. People who knew, or had a general idea of what she could do, never smiled at her like that. They looked for the nearest door while trying to keep a minimum of three feet between them and her at all times. (As if distance would stop her from seeing what they didn't want her to see.) Handsome men who had no idea what they were getting into on the other hand, did. Over zealous cocking men especially. And he looked totally clueless, if not slightly buzzed.

Nada had to fight off the urge to fuck with him and say she was waiting for her boyfriend, but he hardly looked to the type to be bothered that lie. If he even believed she was waiting for her boyfriend, and frankly she didn't have the will to put in the effort required for the lie to be believable.

Pulling her eye's away from him she looked back to her empty glass, his words having finally registered. "Hello, introductions to the side, but what will you be drinking."

Nope definitely not her new paycheck. She thought with a sigh before pushing the glass away from her entirely, and looking back out to the crowded dance floor. "I don't drink." she replied, her tone even and frosty. Just loud enough to be heard over the music blaring below. Before looking back to him. And asking one question, just to make sure she hadn't just blown off her payday, "Micheal Skash, mean anything to you?"

[Concieved D'maggio]

The look on her face said "Not in you're wildest dreams . . . or until you try a shit load more bub." and her mouth said "I don't drink." Con smiled his usual devilish smile and smelt the air around her. No not a drinker . . . but she had drunk before.

Con smiled and waved the cocktail waiter in short shorts over.
"A V-cocktail if you catch my drift, and for the lady . . . one long island ice tea." He smiled and winked at the waitress and turned to wards the ice queen. He knew she would either hate him for ordering her such a girly drink, or shrug it off and act even more cold . . . he was hoping for the first, but with his experience most dames don't even put up the energy anymore.

Con smiled to her in the most smug look he could give her.
"I hope you don't mind if I ordered for you do you? I mean chivalry is never dead." He said lightly, hoping his Italian slang would take hold over him.

"Michael Skash, mean anything to you?" The woman said her lips accenting every word.
Con paused and began to think, he had many clients, but none named that.
"Nope Amiga, sorry to disappoint, but this is New York. Way too many people to remember." He said, his eyes meeting hers.

"But that name is not important, at least not to me and not at this current time, which I am sure you would agree on. Excuse me for my rudeness earlier, the name is Concieved. Its what the friends call me, want to know the real name it will cost you extra." He laughed.

He looked her up and down in his usual fashion. She was very nice, the business woman look was really looking good on her, but he also wondered what the naughty side of her was like too.

The waitress stepped up and began handing them they're drinks, He had hoped his drink didn't accent what was in it, but just his luck the liquid inside was way to noticeable. He smiled and handed the waitress a dollar, a small growl passed through his lips that only the waitress and him could possibly hear.

"So, is this Michael a client of yours? I mean, you look a little to business to be in a club like this. Let me guess . . . business woman by day? Mom at night?"
He grinned, knowing that if he was wrong it would start the chase.
"Or are you one of those kinky chicks who dress up special each time?"
Oh yeah, he was gonna get an ear full, but all according to his plan. If she fights back, she is defiantly worth it, if not . . . then trance her and start feeding. Such is the life of humans when face to face with his kind.

All around it was happening, there were maybe four, five vamps in this club. All knowing that by the end of they're night they would be full, but something was different about this one. Who knows, maybe she's worth keeping around

[nada harper]

Nada glanced to the ice tea that had replaced her empty water glass then back to the man that called himself Concieved. Really she was having a hard time with his name. Though she gave no outward show of it. It made her wonder just how doped his folks had to of been to name him that. Poor guy must of got his ass kicked a lot in school. Though he was certainly making up for the name with the confidence he was showing now. Ordering her drink, chatting her up, and making assumptions on her true nature. Which by all accounts were laughable to her. If only she was that normal.

The entire time he spoke, she sat back in her chair eyes glued to his, her face expressionless as she listened. The guy had a lot to say to a simple question. And she was debating whether or not she should send him packing. She'd been in the club some six hours and while he wasn't the first to come hit on her, he certainly was the most sober, and far more persistent. The last two had left as soon as she'd told them she didn't drink the first after she'd all but castrated him. She knew she'd been laying the bitch on thick, but damn it she wanted her pay check! And it was looking less and less likely that she would get it. Still she'd give her client one more hour, and entertain herself with Chatter Box in the mean time.

"Take a seat Chatter Bow." she said, rubbing her suddenly dry eyes, then waving to the empty chair across from her. "And the next time you order. Beer." she stated before looking back out to dance floor "Is just fine. Also yes, no and hardly. The suits on loan." looking back to him, she continued "So what's a vamp like you doing a club like this? Aside from picking up your happy meals." She questioned, in no mood to read between the lines. He didn't feel human, he felt like Trey and his drink was far too thick and red to be tomato juice. "Oh and just to get this out of way. You trance me, you bite, and I will hunt you down and go medieval on your ass. I've watched Pulp Fiction one time too many I know. But the sentiment carries. We clear?" she smiled her brightest.

[Concieved D'maggio]

Con laughed slowly to her threats, he knew he could take her down in a heart beat, quick and painless, but she smelt of like she was around other vampires, and the fact she flat out accused him of being one which was of course true.

He took the seat across her and sat back to relax.
"I wont trance you, or bite. Look at the eyes I'm well fed." He smiled and flashed his glowy green eyes.
"Besides, your way to interesting to kill, you practically guessed my nature correctly, looks like you know of our kind. Just to tell you, ounce you find out you never stop running into us."

He smiled and took a good look up and down at her, thank god for vampire eyes, makes everything look like and HD TV, but times five hundred. She barely had any blemishes, and her hair looked silky smooth. Her veins that popped out of her neck every time her heart beat looked healthy and fresh.

He grinned again and pulled his hair out of the tight ponytail letting it fall over his shoulders.
"So this Michael person, a client of yours? What's your profession? Lawyer, Tax attorney, Government goon?"
He cringed at the last part, he had his run in with the government way to many damn times. Even though most didn't know it, the government had tight watch on all supernatural beings.

He took a small sip from his drink and wiped his mouth with a handkerchief he held in his shirt pocket.
"Oh and by the way, the other vamps around here are watching you too, especially the one at the bar. His eyes keep darting back and forth over to this table.

He smiled and raised his glass to the vamp across the bar, and a very low growl was made by him.

"So I suggest that you can either chill here and possibly run the risk of being his "happy meal" as you call it, or we can choose another venue and continue this conversation somewhere else. Either way I think I should be heading out soon, he don't look none to friendly."

[nada harper]

FUCK! Nada cursed mentally keeping her outward expression unreadable as she looked to the bar and the vampire he'd mentioned. She knew there were Vamps in the bar. Thanks to the time she'd spent with Trey her -- so far -- only vampire friend. She'd felt the odd little spaces dotted through out the bar. She just hadn't figured out exactly where. And honestly hadn't thought she'd been making that much of a spectacle of her self. This is what you get for wearing a business suit to a bar where no one where's a suit. You dip. she scolded herself.

Crap, fuck, shit! The string continued. She had enough problems with the cops wanting her numerous conspiracy charges. She so was not in need of a undead entourage or to be someone's personal blood bank. The worst part of it seemed to be that Concieved was right she'd known about Vamps less than a month and suddenly they were everywhere. If Trey had been blabbing about her, she was going to stalk him. If he'd been talking about her gift she was going to do so much worse to him.

Looking back to Concieved she spoke. "Wasn't really a guess.That's not tomato juice." she nodded to his glass "And your eyes were still kind of glowy when you started talking to me." she explained her knowledge of his nature.

"As for Mr. Skash and my occupation. Neither are any of your business." she stated, leveling him with a 'drop it' glare. She had a strict policy on clients, even ones that didn't show. And she had a even stricter one on personal information. She wasn't going to tell him jack until she knew she could trust him. And so far all she knew she was to him was interesting and a possible snack for later, though he'd denied as much she still held it as a possibility.

But then she found herself looking to the bar again seeing the vampire there was still looking at her. She was seriously reconsidering giving Skash the extra hour. She had been waiting for two all ready. Most people would have left after the first hour. Okay Skash's time was up.

Tearing her gaze away from the vamp at the bar she looked right at Concieved. "Where'd you have in mind?" she questioned pushing up out of her seat, unwilling to waste anymore time being on the bar's unspoken menu, but willing to risk Concieved over the bar vamp as the lesser of her present two evils.

[Concieved D'maggio]

"Please don't cringe, and act like a ditz for a minute till we get to my van, don't trust your own car."
He said as he walked towards her and wrapped his arm around her waist. He leaned towards her ear and whispered as softly as he could
"Were going to my place until everything cools down, they know not to trespass onto my turf, until then act like you adore me."
He laughed to himself at the thought of miss prim acting like she had any kind of interest in him, he couldn't wait for the chewing out and and bitching he would get on the ride to his apartment.

He kissed on the cheek softly just to add effect, one for the vampires to think she was now he's, and just to piss her off a bit more.

He led her to the door his arm still firmly around her waist, and opened the door, so far so good. No sign of anyone following them, and no sign of hostility in the air. He opened the door to his van and let her in, he took the driver seat and started it.

"Everything is calm now, were all clear from here.
He turned to her and smiled keeping his senses on the road, maybe that would mess with her a bit. For some odd reason he got a kick out of messing with her.
"So you look stuff up for people I'm guessing. Well how much are your charges cause I'm looking for someone myself. You see, I'm old, plenty old, so damn old that I cant remember my wife, kids and extended family. I know, for a vampire I have a sucky memory. I have found one link, a old photo of my great great grandchild. I have searched all over and still nothing, could you help me?"

He pulled into his apartment and stepped out, he walked around and opened her door smiling, who says chivalry ant dead? He led her up the steps and inside, after the ride up the elevator and to door room 390 he welcomed her inside.
"Welcome to my own slice of heaven. Make yourself comfy, drinks in the fridge, just don't touch the red stuff in the door if you know what I mean.

The apartment was one of the best in New York, well the best in the district. Posters of Soundgarden, Nirvana, White Chapel and such were strung on the walls, on his book shelf's were endless copies of endless authors spanning through the centuries. He sat down on his couch and relaxed, it was good to be home. He patted the seat next to him and smiled warmly to her

"I promise I want do anything fishy, that stuff at the bar was just for show. I would suggest staying for night, at least till the sun comes up, and no funny business like killing me. The doors to my room are triple locked, and there is no way for sunlight to come in, and i will lock the kitchen up too if I have too, but I swear on my non life I will not kill you. Now about my family.

[nada harper]

From their smooth and overly affectionate exit of the club all the way up to reaching his apartment, Nada had been debating the wisdom of her actions. She'd never mentioned, not even hinted at, what she did for her clients. And he'd very astutely guessed at it and now wished to hire her.

Sure his apartment said he could afford her price, not that she'd ever really put much thought into the cost until after she'd figured out whether she'd be dead if she accepted. More often than not it was safer for her to point her employer in a general direction then head the opposite as fast and as far as the nearest greyhound could take her. Somehow she didn't think it would be that easy with this guy.

For one if he didn't like what he found he could always come find her. For another he seemed way too damn interested in her and she wasn't even being nice. And finally, she was slightly chagrined by his repeated dismissals of her bitchy attitude. It had been a while since someone had paid attention to her and not her words.

"Your heaven seems to be quite the assortment of Metal bands and hard backs." she stated, shaking her head as his invitation to sit. That charming open smile gracing his face once more. He really did like to smile this one. So much for Vamps being all broody and bloody. This one seemed totally the contrary of everything she'd ever read or heard about vamps. It was seriously messing with her mind. She didn't know whether to trust him or her two feet and start running like hell for the door.

"As for the job," she hesitated, growling at herself and her flip floppy mind set. She hated being at odds with herself. She was very yes, no, do it or don't. This maybe and possibly and uncertainty was driving her up a friggen wall. "That picture you mentioned. If you have it here I need to see it. Touch it. After I'll tell you how much. Not before." She stated, looking directly at him having finally made up her mind.

Just submit to the damn vamp, get paid and scram. Her mind scolded, as if it was that simple. What if he doesn't like what he finds? Then run, very, very, very, very fast. Oh you're so much help. "By the way. If I do this for you. Please keep in mind the old saying Don't kill the messenger. Cause that's all I am. I find, I show. If you don't like it. Not my problem. I'm human, not God." she stated with a fevor all her own.

"Oh an now that we're out of the club. Would you stop with the charming 'I can make you melt with a smile' routine." she snapped. "In no way am I that easy. My coming here was self-preservation. Nothing more."

Wow Nada, that's terrific. Let's piss off the Vampire who told you, you were being watched, got you safely out of the bar, is offering you a safe place to stay for the night and quite possibly a pay check to top it all off. her mind stated sarcasm dripping from every word. And you say I'm not helpful. You're the moron trying to get us Fucking Killed! her mind shouted.

"Ahh shit." Nada grumbled softly to herself. Realizing all too late how right her mind was.

[Concieved D'maggio]

If you cant win her trust by being nice, and she still puts up her defenses, then just show a little forcefulness. Those were the words that his old master had told him centuries ago. The comment about "being charming" struck a nerve, and his new weird obsession with messing with her and trying to take her defenses down added fuel to the fire.

He stood fast, using his natural vampire abilities. One second he was sitting and the next he stood directly in front of her, his nose not but one inch from her. He could smell the scent of her breath, and hear the heavy pounding of her heart. He knew he had scared her, but that wasn't the plan.
*Just make her understand that the bitchy attitude wasn't needed anymore* He thought to himself.

"You see beautiful, most vampires would have drained you and be done with you right then and there. I could have just left you there and be that vampires next meal. I want you to understand that when I do a favor I hope that the person would show some kind of appreciation. The bitch attitude really works for you in a sexy way, but after a couple of hours it gets old. I hope you understand that I'm not here to eat you, or to make you some sort of weird human pet slave."

He used his powers again to go to the fridge and grab a beer, then the next second he took his place right in front of her
"Now have a beer, relax, enjoy yourself."
He leaned in and kissed her cheek, a smile spread across his face.
"And try to smile for me, I bet you look even cuter when you do."

He handed her the beer and grabbed her hand, he seated her on the couch and winked at her. It took one second to run to his room, grab the picture, and appear back in front of her.

He looked at the old picture and smiled warmly to himself. It was a Little girl at a state fair holding a balloon.
*This is my blood, my own kin and I don't even know who she is or if she is even alive or has her own children. God just let her be the answer I have prayed for for all these lonely years.*

A single bloody tear fell from his eye, and was wiped away as quickly as it came.
"Here, this is my great, great granddaughter."
He handed her the picture slowly, he knew he must have shaken her up a bit from his spectacle.

He walked to his stereo which was the most expensive damn thing in the place and looked through his Cd's. He popped in an old Nirvana CD and set the music to where it was just a backdrop. He took a bottle of his personal stash and took a seat back on the couch, looking at the woman carefully.

Thoughts began to swirl through his head.
*She is a sensitive . . . touch something or someone and boom instant memory. God these humans get more interesting every century. I wonder if worked on the undead, probably not. And why the huge defense, this chick must have gone through allot. Probably a bad raising, shitty boyfriends, and allot of bad luck from the law is my guess.*

He sat closer to her, interested in how her gifts work and how much she could tell him. He smiled to himself and let one of his hollow sighs pass through his lips.

*Whoever she is" He thought to himself *This woman is the most interesting I have met in ages.*
He laughed one his awkward "I'm talking to myself laughs"
*Is this an attraction? God its been forever sense I have had one of those, and the last almost had me killed. God Con you are to easy for a pretty face and a interesting personality.*
He shook his head and looked at her one more time.
*Keep dreaming Con, this last thing this chick wants is a vampire admirer*
Again he laughed to himself and say back and relaxed. This was going To be a long and interesting night.

[nada harper]

Nada stared at the photo in her hand. He'd held it so many times wondering at it, lonely for a connection even if only a distant one. That all she was getting was him. His emotions, his memories. There was a trace of nostalgic happiness lingering from when the photo had been taken, but for the most part it was smothered in his sadness and depression.

Ah so he was the broody type. Just didn't show it. But he did like putting on a show. His scare tactic of telling her to be nice and be happy for his rescue hadn't been wasted on her. But she hadn't been scared either. Surprised, and a bit impressed. But not scared. Padded cells and doctors wielding proscription pads and lined yellow paper scared her. Not death threats.

Putting the picture aside she popped open the beer took a swig and leaned back into the couch. "You've smothered it." she said in a tired voice leaning her head back to stare up at the ceiling."All I feel is you. If you can get me something you haven't handled for years. Then maybe I can pull something." she sat back up and put her beer on the coffee table. "But this," she picked the photo back up handing it to him. "There was happiness when it was taken. It was a good memory for someone. But I can't tell you any more than that. Maybe if you can get me more, the person who owned it before you. Maybe I can pull something." she shrugged. Then went back to leaning into the couch staring at the ceiling.

"Was your Mom any good?" Nada asked out of the blue. Keeping her eyes on the ceiling raising her arms so her hands could grab the back just behind her head. "Mine was the best. No one could touch her. Not even the cops." she smiled at the memory. Her mother's best friend, a fellow escort. had told her everything from how long she'd been turning tricks to who with. Her mother had, had Judges, congressmen, even a state senator in her pocket. And one piss-ant lawyer had gone and screwed everything up.

Nada had no idea why she was saying any of this. It wasn't like he'd asked or even told her his mother was a whore like hers. He hadn't told her. Flying up from the couch she scanned the area looking for whatever she'd touched to make her know that. But all she'd touched thus far was the couch and her beer. Her beer!

Her head jerked angrily to the beverage. Picking it up she concentrated on the minor memory that had informed her of his mother's previous profession. He'd offer the drink to a another woman thinking her clothes made her look like a hooker, briefly causing him to think of his mother and what she would have thought of this worlds idea of clothing. Wondering if his prostitute mother would ever wear something so realizing. Then the woman he'd offered the drinks to was wearing nothing at all and all thoughts or his mother were replaced with. "Oh Christ! That is so much more than I needed to know." she snapped tearing herself away from the vision. And not soon enough in her opinion.

"This is why I don't drink." she mutter setting the bottle down, her hands tensing in a disgusted manner.

[Concieved D'maggio]

Con growled in anger as loud as possible, the windows around them shattered into millions of pieces, the walls shook, and car alarms sounded out into the cold night air.

The one thing that he had left, his last clue that could tie it altogether and finally ease his troubled and worried mind was bunk because of his own damn stupidity. Yes he had smothered it of course he had. It was the last thing he had of his family. This human woman must of had no soul, she barely batted an eye at the fact that this was the last of his everything, his future, his life. Gone, all down the fucking drain. He wasn't expecting pity, god knows he would kill her if she pitied him. All he wanted was just a sorry about your bad luck, but this woman just seemed cold.

She had leaned back and started to babble about the way her mother did tricks, and . . . if his mother was as good as hers. That was it to send Con into one of his rare rages. He's eyes glowed brightly and his fangs extended below his lips. The rage was clearly written on his face.
"First, without a bat of the eye you tell me that i "smothered" it, I don't know about you, BUT IF YOU HAD NOTHING LEFT BUT A FUCKING PICTURE YOU WOULD SMOTHER IT TOO."

Con knew that the louder his voice got, the more pain it would inflict her ears. He could not help it, this was beyond him now.
"Yes my mother was a whore." He was calming down . . . good
"There was twelve of us, and an alcoholic good for nothing father. She worked tricks around where the Bronx area is. She would come home and sing to us while our father was out fucking other woman and wasting the money she earned with her body. I was nineteen, and with four jobs to support my little brothers and sisters."

He sat next to her and took a deep breath, he turned his head and smiled at her with a somber expression. He grabbed her glove and handed it to her gently.
"Please, excuse me. I . . . just have nothing left. Nothing in this world can fill this gap now. I have nothing now, all my research and late nights are now just nothing but . . . wasted time.

He sighed and layed his head back.
"You know, I thought about it hard what I would do if I just met one of my kin. You must know, my words don't hit empty ears. I smell it on you, all over you. The smell of heavy meds and plastic gloves. The scent of shame and fear, and of heartbreak and misery. It reeks on you like as if you had never taken a shower. I guess we might be one in the same. Just a couple of nobodies without a thing to truly call our own."

He smiled and grabbed the gloved hand of hers. He sighed and kissed her lightly on the tips of her fingers.
"Please forgive me, again I apologize. If you wish me to leave your company then I shall retire early."

He disappeared and came back a second later with his biggest shirt and some pajama pants.
"Take this, its all that I have that is comfy.
He handed her the clothes and stood walking to the kitchen. He lightly laid his head on his dining table and sighed heavily.

*What a fucking asshole you are Con. It was not her fault at all, just let her change, grab something to eat and go to bed, you know for a fact that she will be gone tomorrow night.* He thought somberly to himself.

[nada harper]

Nada stared where he had disappeared into the kitchen, then got her feet and went after him. None of his words had fallen on deaf ears. But then she had her own anger to voice now. She'd told him not to shot the messenger and he'd practically mowed her down with a semi-automatic. She'd listened to his every rant, rave, insult and even apology and then he just up and left as if that was all.

Like hell! her anger screamed, spurring her on into the kitchen where she found him with his head on the table. Walking over she took the seat next to him spun it around and sat with the back against her chest as she reached over grabbed his chin and lifted his head to make him look at her. Anrgy, nothing-to-lose, vampiric depression, be damned she wanted to yell at some thing and since he started it, she could and would vent on him.

"I'm sorry" Nada said, first and foremost establishing that she did have a heart. Though she did her damnest not to show it. "I know a normal person would take more care in telling someone bad news.But... all I've seen is bad. And I haven't been normal in a very long time. Neither have you for that matter." she stated looking from him to the table top, removing her hand as she did.

"You're vampire you've had centuries to get used to what you've seen and done. I've had seven years." she stated looking back to him."Three of which were spent in a ansylum bound and drugged. With Doctor after doctor telling me I was complete bonkers. It's only the last few years that I've convinced myself I'm not. And that I've started teaching my-self not to scream and cry when I see a man being thrown off a bridge, or a woman slitting her wirsts, or one of the many other horrible things I've seen. And trust me, mankind has no limit to its imaginative cruelty." she added with a bitter jerk of her head as if to rid her self of the very images she was speaking of.

"I'm sorry if I don't show emotion for a family you lost decades ago. When I have to witness countless others lose family in ways worse than death and disease. I'm sorry I have to witness. While you only get to wonder." She seethed staring hard into his eyes. Her eyes snapping her own controlled rage, because as much as she wanted to make the windows shatter and set car alarms off--something she momentarily wonder if Trey could do--with her anger he all ready had. And she knew she didn't have that kind of power.

"What I am turly sorry for is bringing up your mother. I don't have myself as well trained as I would like. And just because the photo didn't work doesn't mean there aren't other ways. You said you had siblings. If she's your descendant it's possible a branch of your family kept in touch with your line. If you still remember where they lived way back whenever. I might be able to pull something from a location. And if that doesn't work there's always anstory.com." she shrugged.

"Look you've ignored the bitch thus far. And even saved my life. Possibly" she added with an uncertain wobble of her head. "So I'll make you a deal. I'll find your family if you let me crash here until I do. I...don't really have any place else to go." she admitted the last part sheepishly. Nada was not a freeloader and hated mouching off others. "I can do house cleaning or whatever oddjobs you can't take care of during the daytime. So I'm not just sitting on my ass." she offered.

"Sound OK?"

[Concieved D'maggio]

Con smiled and gave her a subtle wink.
"Well I don't really know about having a human staying in my casa . . . but for you. I guess it will be cool."
He nudged her softly and let a small laugh escape.
'God it's been ages since I've had a roommate and woman for that matter. My only rules are is that if you Liston to music just put it back, same on the movies too. Also to not come into my bedroom uninvited, especially while I am sleeping. I startle easy, and I would hate to kill you on accident."

He smiled and looked around, a small sigh left his lips.
"There is not much to do around here, just cook what is in the fridge. Damn this means I have to start buying regular food again.

He stood and walked to his cabinets. He opened one after the other finding nothing but dust and cobwebs.
[Huh, I really need to dust./i] he thought to himself.

"Well there is not allot to do around here, except for some dusting and fixing the stove. I also got the rent covered too, but it wouldn't hurt for you to get a job. Just to pass the time I mean."

He ran to his bedroom and opened his dresser doors.
[Shit, I have nothing for her to wear . . . this is a problem./i]

He leaned out of his doorway and gave one of his patented Con smiles.
"I suppose you don't have any clothes to wear, so I guess we need to go shopping then."

He flashed her one last smile and pulled out his wallet.
This will be on the house, but you owe me."

He laughed and pulled his shoes on.
"We only have a couple of hours before sunrise so we better get a move on. I love night time adventures, no matter how lame they are."

[nada harper]

Nada watched as he moved about his apartment explaining what all she could look forward to doing while there, or rather the lack there of. She did have to admit that even for a bachelor pad it was pretty tidy. which meant he was naturally a neat freak, or he had a maid who's job she would make exempt if she started cleaning. Either way it wasn't looking like her suggestion to keep house while staying with him would work.

So her next option would be job hunting, as he'd suggested. Oh how she dreaded that. The longest she'd ever had a job was a month and that was working at a animal shelter until it had closed down due to lack of funding. The entire time he spoke she wondered if she could find something similar here.

Until he went into his room and came out a moment later talking about buying clothes for her. That instantly put a slam on her financial breaks. Clothes! who said anything about my needing clothes! her mind shrieked. And what was that crap about owing him!

"Whoa, there chatter box. Chill!" she help up her hands to stop him. "I work in trade, not favors. Just feed me and let me crash on the couch and I'll find your family. Don't go spending your money on me. I can pay for my self." she stated lowering her hands. "Unless of course it's for food. Then by all means, spend away. But since you've all ready got your shoes on and everything. There any 24 hour grocery stores around here?" she asked."I got a craving for some coco pebbles and chunky peanut butter." she smiled pleased with her stomachs choice of junk food.

Then headed for the door to Con's apartment, pulling it open and leaving without even a backward glance. Until she popped her head back in. "Oh yeah. My name's Nada, by the way. And don't ask what's short for I'll never tell." She smiled full on giving Con a wink before heading back out the door.