It hadn't been close to a hundred yards before Shay felt the pain. She slowed down immediately, and stood there...in the middle of the street.
"Shalimar O'Mannon! Where is your head woman?!"
She growled out loud, angrily. So immersed had she been in her writing, that aside from losing track of time, she had also just now remembered her condition. Talk about doing too much too soon.
Frustrated she walked over to the curb, and sat down, head in hands. She didn't feel like crying, for a change, but did have to wonder about herself.
Before coming to Nachton, Shay had been the logical, level headed one in any group...her family, her friends, her co-workers... She was the one people turned to for help in organizing their lives...situations...helping to turn chaos in to normalcy. And now? Now she was the one who needed someone like that. Now...well, now she was just not herself.
Running Scared
Spending the entire day writing had been good for Shay. She had written very little since returning from the hospital, and the aftereffects of the charity ball explosion had left her slightly melancholy.
Alexi seemed remote, and she chalked it up to his unresolved issues with Ellis, having Tristan living with them, and her. Shay knew she hadn't gotten much easier to live with since the operation. It had more to do with her brother and his coming child, but she didn't blame him. Shay was thrilled to know she would be an aunt soon...just not as thrilled as she would have been had the baby been coming to her.
Once she had realized what time it was, she knew she had to quit writing. The house was still as death, and she didn't know where either Alexi or Tristan were, except neither were home with her. A little grouchy, and feeling a little abandoned - whether justified or not - Shay thought now would be a good time to run.
The weather outside was still cold. Spring was creeping into Nachton, but slowly. So she went with track pants, a tank, and a hoodie to run in. Of course socks and her Nikes finished off the outfit.
Leaving the boys a note, she dropped her key into her pocket, along with her IPOD, hooked up the ear buds, zipped up the pocket, and jogged out of the house and onto the street. Her hair was pulled into a sloppy ponytail that had already come undone a bit, but she merely brushed the wayward strands from her face, and ran on.
Shay
18 years ago
Fallon
18 years ago
Friday night...work was over, and Fallon was at loose ends. She had a fridge nicely stocked with food from Cyrus, and would be thanking him properly the next time she saw him, but that would be back up. As long as she had time now, and nothing pressing to do except worry about her date tomorrow, she guessed she could go in search of dinner.
It amazed Fallon a lot, that she had become so easily accustomed to feeding this way. Surely a large part of the comfort came from knowing she wasn't really hurting anyone, and in most cases was even providing pleasure...or so she had been told, and come to observe.
The issue of procrastinating, or just plain forgetting to feed was one she was highly sensitive to now, and had no plans on repeating. Thoughts of Ana still flashed through her head at the most inopportune times, but they were becoming less stressful as time passed.
It had occurred to Fallon to go in search of Tristan, but that seemed like more trouble than it would be worth. The boy was fine to look at, but didn't hold a lot in the stimulating personality department. And since she had allowed her feelings for Cyrus to change, there was an oddness to her feeding from men, and pleasuring them, whether by sex or not. It now seemed less confusing and emotional to feed from women.
Alyssa hadn't been at the convenience store, or Fallon would have taken the girl for a walk. It had been a little disappointing, as she had been a good meal the last time, but unless she had quit her job, Fallon felt certain they would be running into each other again.
The night air was invigorating as she walked along the sidewalk. As she often did, she had walked to work tonight, happy she didn't live far from the Rec Center. The walk home was then her time to 'hunt', and it also allowed Fallon time to wind down from her class. Her senses were alert, and poised...waiting for the first sign of a prospect.
It amazed Fallon a lot, that she had become so easily accustomed to feeding this way. Surely a large part of the comfort came from knowing she wasn't really hurting anyone, and in most cases was even providing pleasure...or so she had been told, and come to observe.
The issue of procrastinating, or just plain forgetting to feed was one she was highly sensitive to now, and had no plans on repeating. Thoughts of Ana still flashed through her head at the most inopportune times, but they were becoming less stressful as time passed.
It had occurred to Fallon to go in search of Tristan, but that seemed like more trouble than it would be worth. The boy was fine to look at, but didn't hold a lot in the stimulating personality department. And since she had allowed her feelings for Cyrus to change, there was an oddness to her feeding from men, and pleasuring them, whether by sex or not. It now seemed less confusing and emotional to feed from women.
Alyssa hadn't been at the convenience store, or Fallon would have taken the girl for a walk. It had been a little disappointing, as she had been a good meal the last time, but unless she had quit her job, Fallon felt certain they would be running into each other again.
The night air was invigorating as she walked along the sidewalk. As she often did, she had walked to work tonight, happy she didn't live far from the Rec Center. The walk home was then her time to 'hunt', and it also allowed Fallon time to wind down from her class. Her senses were alert, and poised...waiting for the first sign of a prospect.
Shay
18 years ago
Knowing she should turn back and head for home, Shay did just that. Crossing the street without really thinking, hands stuffed in the pockets of her hoodie, Shay didn't even notice the other woman on the street. Once quite observant, and circumspect to things around her, she was now blind to all but her thoughts.
Her pace was still leisurely, barely faster than a stroll, but it still felt good to be out, and just moving around. She began to hum, hoping to find Alexi at home, once she returned. The more she thought, the more she knew it was imperative for her to apologize to him.
She also came to the conclusion that it was time to talk to Tristan, and find out exactly what he thought he was going to do with his life. Shay loved her brother, but she really thought it was time for him to go home. Though he and Alexi got along okay, having her brother live with her now, in the beginnings of a new life, with a partner, couldn't help her relationship with Alexi. It was selfish on Shay's part, but it was Shay's life. Her brother needed to find his. If he chose to stay in Nachton, she'd do whatever she could to help him get situated...elsewhere.
A noise finally penetrated her fog, and Shay turned to see another woman walking up from behind her. She slowed her pace, but continued humming, wondering if this woman was one of her neighbors.
Her pace was still leisurely, barely faster than a stroll, but it still felt good to be out, and just moving around. She began to hum, hoping to find Alexi at home, once she returned. The more she thought, the more she knew it was imperative for her to apologize to him.
She also came to the conclusion that it was time to talk to Tristan, and find out exactly what he thought he was going to do with his life. Shay loved her brother, but she really thought it was time for him to go home. Though he and Alexi got along okay, having her brother live with her now, in the beginnings of a new life, with a partner, couldn't help her relationship with Alexi. It was selfish on Shay's part, but it was Shay's life. Her brother needed to find his. If he chose to stay in Nachton, she'd do whatever she could to help him get situated...elsewhere.
A noise finally penetrated her fog, and Shay turned to see another woman walking up from behind her. She slowed her pace, but continued humming, wondering if this woman was one of her neighbors.
Fallon
18 years ago
There was something about this woman, that Fallon was now walking behind, that gave her pause in approaching.
Her hunger was not yet fully upon her, so she was in no hurry, but after watching this younger woman, Fallon thought something might not be right. She noticed the woman had slowed down, and thought about slowing her own pace. She didn't, but instead she kept walking as if nothing was out of the ordinary.
As she neared the woman she could see she was slightly taller than Fallon. Normally that made no difference to Fallon, because in truth it seemed almost everyone was taller than she was. That was kind of strange too, because the other woman seemed smaller, no frailer, than Fallon.
When she hunted, Fallon's insecurities all but disappeared. It was probably due to the fact that her need to survive was becoming more refined, but still just as strong as ever. Whereas when frightened she used to climb within herself until she found a safe place to come out into, now she stood still and blended into her surroundings, keeping a keen eye on what was going on, and making sure she was ready to flee if necessary. In hunting it was different. Having found people weren't given to fearing her, or even putting themselves on the defense when around her, Fallon could easily maneuver herself close to them. Once close, her growing open personality pulled the person in, and once that connection was made, Fallon had yet to fail at securing a bite.
Taking a deep breath as she came upon the other woman, Fallon looked directly at her and smiled.
"It's a very nice night tonight for a walk, but then you must know that."
Studying the woman, Fallon could see large circles of blue beneath her eyes, which confirmed her suspicions. There was something up with this one, but was it just a matter of sleeplessness, or was there more. Fallon usually steered away from getting involved with her meals. Tristan had been a lark, and she hadn't really gotten involved with him anyway. The fact that she knew Alyssa's name, and Tristan's name, was even more than she cared to know. Food was food, and friends were friends, and never the twain should meet.
Her hunger was not yet fully upon her, so she was in no hurry, but after watching this younger woman, Fallon thought something might not be right. She noticed the woman had slowed down, and thought about slowing her own pace. She didn't, but instead she kept walking as if nothing was out of the ordinary.
As she neared the woman she could see she was slightly taller than Fallon. Normally that made no difference to Fallon, because in truth it seemed almost everyone was taller than she was. That was kind of strange too, because the other woman seemed smaller, no frailer, than Fallon.
When she hunted, Fallon's insecurities all but disappeared. It was probably due to the fact that her need to survive was becoming more refined, but still just as strong as ever. Whereas when frightened she used to climb within herself until she found a safe place to come out into, now she stood still and blended into her surroundings, keeping a keen eye on what was going on, and making sure she was ready to flee if necessary. In hunting it was different. Having found people weren't given to fearing her, or even putting themselves on the defense when around her, Fallon could easily maneuver herself close to them. Once close, her growing open personality pulled the person in, and once that connection was made, Fallon had yet to fail at securing a bite.
Taking a deep breath as she came upon the other woman, Fallon looked directly at her and smiled.
"It's a very nice night tonight for a walk, but then you must know that."
Studying the woman, Fallon could see large circles of blue beneath her eyes, which confirmed her suspicions. There was something up with this one, but was it just a matter of sleeplessness, or was there more. Fallon usually steered away from getting involved with her meals. Tristan had been a lark, and she hadn't really gotten involved with him anyway. The fact that she knew Alyssa's name, and Tristan's name, was even more than she cared to know. Food was food, and friends were friends, and never the twain should meet.
Shay
18 years ago
"Hi...yes, it is a nice night, and a good neighborhood for a late run as well."
Shay responded, but didn't really have her mind on what she'd said. It came out more like some canned response she might have made to anyone who had spoken to her just then. She looked back to the other woman, when it occurred to her that she had looked at her once already, and didn't remember what she'd seen.
"I'm sorry...I don't mean to be rude, but I'm just not really here, at the moment."
Another statement pulled out of the air, to offer up a little excuse for not being chatty or overly friendly at the moment. Shay was a little surprised to see the woman had kept pace, and not walked on. But she just wasn't into cultivating a friendship now. Maybe if she said nothing further the woman would grow bored and pass by.
Shay responded, but didn't really have her mind on what she'd said. It came out more like some canned response she might have made to anyone who had spoken to her just then. She looked back to the other woman, when it occurred to her that she had looked at her once already, and didn't remember what she'd seen.
"I'm sorry...I don't mean to be rude, but I'm just not really here, at the moment."
Another statement pulled out of the air, to offer up a little excuse for not being chatty or overly friendly at the moment. Shay was a little surprised to see the woman had kept pace, and not walked on. But she just wasn't into cultivating a friendship now. Maybe if she said nothing further the woman would grow bored and pass by.
Fallon
18 years ago
So it appeared Fallon had guessed right; this woman had issues. Yet she seemed healthy, if a little tired, and still probably good for this evenings needs. It was a little inconvenient that she didn't seem to want to talk, or have company. Fallon had been making great progress in coming out of her shell with people, and with strangers it was even easier. But she wasn't so confident that she relished the idea of dealing with someone who was shut off to her.
"Oh...I'm sorry. I didn't intend to intrude. I know what its like to need to be alone. I'll not bother you further."
Fallon spoke with sincerity, and did understand. That didn't sway her from her agenda though, and she hoped she had put enough sympathy into her voice to elicit the response she sought from this woman. If she had guessed wrong, and the woman didn't feel at all guilty, Fallon would keep walking and seek out someone else to appease her need for the night.
"Oh...I'm sorry. I didn't intend to intrude. I know what its like to need to be alone. I'll not bother you further."
Fallon spoke with sincerity, and did understand. That didn't sway her from her agenda though, and she hoped she had put enough sympathy into her voice to elicit the response she sought from this woman. If she had guessed wrong, and the woman didn't feel at all guilty, Fallon would keep walking and seek out someone else to appease her need for the night.
Mathias
18 years ago
The spring night air was crisp and cool against his skin as Mathias began a slow jog down the street. Shay's note did not mention where she was going,but there was a path they tended to follow and so it seemed the best bet to find Shay.
Moving quicker,his breathing precise and smooth,Mathias found himself not thinking about the killing,the death or anything else besides putting one foot in front of another. His tense form began to relax and his gait lengthened. This was exactly what he needed.
Up ahead he thought he saw Shay talking to another woman. Slowing down he approached the women.
Moving quicker,his breathing precise and smooth,Mathias found himself not thinking about the killing,the death or anything else besides putting one foot in front of another. His tense form began to relax and his gait lengthened. This was exactly what he needed.
Up ahead he thought he saw Shay talking to another woman. Slowing down he approached the women.
Shay
18 years ago
The sound of disappointment seemed strong in the woman's tone, along with contrition, and Shay now felt a little guilty. The time to wallow in her own self pity was at an end, and now would be just as good a time as any to put a stop to it.
Stopping, she turned and looked at the other woman, putting a hand on the woman's arm.
"No...I'm the one who's sorry. I'm being incredibly rude, and you've done nothing to deserve that.
I'm Shay..."
The hand she'd placed on the other woman's arm, was now extended to her along with a friendly smile.
"I'm afraid I've been self indulging and need to stop, so please, don't run off."
The other woman was cute, though she seemed...something. Shay sensed there was more than a casual chat brewing in the woman's mind, but paid it little more than a passing thought.
"Do you live in the neighborhood too?"
Once the question was asked, Shay shook her head. Of course this woman must live in the neighborhood...why else would she be walking about. Yet Shay then also remembered the last person she'd met out walking in her neighborhood ... Paul ... and Paul didn't live anywhere close. Might this woman be a vampire too? Should Shay be on the defensive?
Stopping, she turned and looked at the other woman, putting a hand on the woman's arm.
"No...I'm the one who's sorry. I'm being incredibly rude, and you've done nothing to deserve that.
I'm Shay..."
The hand she'd placed on the other woman's arm, was now extended to her along with a friendly smile.
"I'm afraid I've been self indulging and need to stop, so please, don't run off."
The other woman was cute, though she seemed...something. Shay sensed there was more than a casual chat brewing in the woman's mind, but paid it little more than a passing thought.
"Do you live in the neighborhood too?"
Once the question was asked, Shay shook her head. Of course this woman must live in the neighborhood...why else would she be walking about. Yet Shay then also remembered the last person she'd met out walking in her neighborhood ... Paul ... and Paul didn't live anywhere close. Might this woman be a vampire too? Should Shay be on the defensive?
Fallon
18 years ago
Taking the woman, Shay's, hand in her's Fallon smiled,
"That's really okay. My name is Fallon, and yes, I live a few blocks over."
Pointing in the general vicinity of where Fallon's home was, she was about to lean in and whisper into Shay's ear, when something moved off down the street. Fallon just happened to catch sight of a man, also jogging, approaching. She also noticed the man slowed down as he neared, and sighed. Either he was planning on speaking to them, or he knew Shay. Whichever came to pass, it would undoubtedly kill any chances Fallon had with feeding here.
Turning towards the man, Fallon waited to see if Shay would acknowledge him, and if Fallon would then need to excuse herself from the trio. On the slight off chance the man kept going, Fallon figured it wouldn't hurt to wait a bit longer.
"That's really okay. My name is Fallon, and yes, I live a few blocks over."
Pointing in the general vicinity of where Fallon's home was, she was about to lean in and whisper into Shay's ear, when something moved off down the street. Fallon just happened to catch sight of a man, also jogging, approaching. She also noticed the man slowed down as he neared, and sighed. Either he was planning on speaking to them, or he knew Shay. Whichever came to pass, it would undoubtedly kill any chances Fallon had with feeding here.
Turning towards the man, Fallon waited to see if Shay would acknowledge him, and if Fallon would then need to excuse herself from the trio. On the slight off chance the man kept going, Fallon figured it wouldn't hurt to wait a bit longer.
Shay
18 years ago
Feeling herself at ease in Fallon's presence, Shay was still a little curious to know why the woman was out walking around this late at night, far enough away from her home as to not just be on a casual stroll. She too became distracted though, when Fallon turned to look behind them. Shay's eyes followed in the same direction,and came to rest on Alexi. She grinned, and waved.
"THAT is my better half, Mathias."
Delighted to see he had returned home in time to join her, Shay was only slightly disappointed that she wouldn't be able to actually run with him. Instead she hoped maybe she could talk him into just walking for a bit.
Turning back to Fallon, she hoped the woman would take it upon herself to continue on her walk. It had seemed like ages since Shay, and Alexi had spent much time alone. She wouldn't be any more rude to Fallon though, by suggesting that. Shay would just hope maybe the other woman would understand by her actions, that she wanted to be alone with her man.
"THAT is my better half, Mathias."
Delighted to see he had returned home in time to join her, Shay was only slightly disappointed that she wouldn't be able to actually run with him. Instead she hoped maybe she could talk him into just walking for a bit.
Turning back to Fallon, she hoped the woman would take it upon herself to continue on her walk. It had seemed like ages since Shay, and Alexi had spent much time alone. She wouldn't be any more rude to Fallon though, by suggesting that. Shay would just hope maybe the other woman would understand by her actions, that she wanted to be alone with her man.
Fallon
18 years ago
Well, the evening hadn't progressed as well as Fallon had hoped, but she wasn't completely disheartened. With the arrival of the man, she knew she wouldn't be feeding from the woman, so there really wasn't much reason for her to remain.
Besides that, she was getting the distinct impression the woman REALLY didn't want any company from her now.
"Well, I won't bother you any longer. Enjoy your evening. It was nice meeting you Shay."
And without waiting for a further response, Fallon continued her solo walk, again turning her attentions to locating her dinner.
(Fallon out)
Besides that, she was getting the distinct impression the woman REALLY didn't want any company from her now.
"Well, I won't bother you any longer. Enjoy your evening. It was nice meeting you Shay."
And without waiting for a further response, Fallon continued her solo walk, again turning her attentions to locating her dinner.
(Fallon out)
Shay
18 years ago
She smiled at the other woman, as she prepared to leave, and nodded. Under other circumstances Shay really would have liked taking the time to get to know her, and hoped in the future they might meet again. Shay realized that for all the people she had met in Nachton, besides Mathias she really hadn't made any strong ties.
She had never again run into Danielle or Claire, and Addison only twice, and even then they had never been able to really talk or get to know each other. Ginnie and Alex had been fun, yet even being in the same clan with the two of them didn't seem to bridge the gap between human and vampires...and Shay definitely felt one there. Wren was a sweetheart, but obviously ensconced in her new love life.
And Paul. Paul seemed to be the one person she had spent more than just a few minutes with, and yet he had gone and disappeared pretty much. She had tried calling him since seeing him at the charity ball, but kept getting his voice mail, but after leaving a few messages she gave up on him too.
Her book was keeping her busy, but not so busy as to ignore the other concerns in her life. And though she loved Alexi madly, he still seemed so lost in his concerns about Ellis, and the clan. Shay could think of no way to go about helping him there, and that caused her more than a little bit of pain and frustration. Yes...she could be there for the sex...and the sex was still wildly satisfying...but there seemed to be a part of him inside that was either removed from her, or walled up, and no matter how she tried, she just couldn't get in.
Of course she also knew she wasn't the easiest person to be around now either. While she had come to terms with the things she could no longer have in her life, it would be a while longer before she knew what it was she would fill those empty holes with.
Noticing Fallon was out of sight, Shay turned her eyes back towards her love, and she smiled. She took the stance of a woman waiting impatiently, tapping her foot, arms crossed beneath her breasts, head cocked to one side. When she tried to purse her lips, she gave up and just grinned. How could she even pretend to be angry with this man? It was futile to try.
Once Alexi caught up to Shay, she kissed him with a passionate 'Welcome' kiss, wove her arm through his, and headed home.
(Shay and Mathias out)
She had never again run into Danielle or Claire, and Addison only twice, and even then they had never been able to really talk or get to know each other. Ginnie and Alex had been fun, yet even being in the same clan with the two of them didn't seem to bridge the gap between human and vampires...and Shay definitely felt one there. Wren was a sweetheart, but obviously ensconced in her new love life.
And Paul. Paul seemed to be the one person she had spent more than just a few minutes with, and yet he had gone and disappeared pretty much. She had tried calling him since seeing him at the charity ball, but kept getting his voice mail, but after leaving a few messages she gave up on him too.
Her book was keeping her busy, but not so busy as to ignore the other concerns in her life. And though she loved Alexi madly, he still seemed so lost in his concerns about Ellis, and the clan. Shay could think of no way to go about helping him there, and that caused her more than a little bit of pain and frustration. Yes...she could be there for the sex...and the sex was still wildly satisfying...but there seemed to be a part of him inside that was either removed from her, or walled up, and no matter how she tried, she just couldn't get in.
Of course she also knew she wasn't the easiest person to be around now either. While she had come to terms with the things she could no longer have in her life, it would be a while longer before she knew what it was she would fill those empty holes with.
Noticing Fallon was out of sight, Shay turned her eyes back towards her love, and she smiled. She took the stance of a woman waiting impatiently, tapping her foot, arms crossed beneath her breasts, head cocked to one side. When she tried to purse her lips, she gave up and just grinned. How could she even pretend to be angry with this man? It was futile to try.
Once Alexi caught up to Shay, she kissed him with a passionate 'Welcome' kiss, wove her arm through his, and headed home.
(Shay and Mathias out)