Seeking Sustenance - All welcome :o)

[Existentially Odd]

Kerr afforded the bouncers a nod as he passed them and walked in to Risk, left hand deep in the pocket of his coat, right hand atop his walking cane. The sound of heavy guitar chords vibrated through him as he made his way beyond the entrance, the Tool song playing at this late hour reaching a bewitching crescendo. It was just after three in the morning, still a while \'til sunrise and time enough to get a drink that would sustain him until he met Mandy Lynn again.
 
He intended to be there when she exited work the next night.
 
Usually when he came to Risk, Kerr would sit quietly at the bar and enjoy a few glasses of blood but tonight he was restless. Sawyl\'s fault, Mandy\'s fault, who knew? He had the urge to press against a living being and take from them, however, and he knew this could be accomplished, he just wasn\'t sure how. There was etiquette... mortals marked that could not be killed, others that were not marked but were willing to be drunk from... he just didn\'t know the first thing about approaching one of them.
 
He decided the best course of action would be to follow his normal routine as closely as possible and observe how others did it. So he sat at the bar, leaning his cane against it before swivelling on his stool and facing the dance floor. His hands toyed with his coat, fidgeted with the lapels, dipped into his pockets in the end as he gazed around predatorially, hoping to learn how this was done.
 
The scent of sweat and blood was in the air, the hypnotic, heavy rhythm of the music - was it turned up louder, the later it got? - rolled through him and hunger rose like a sharp knife piercing his gullet, suddenly and achingly powerful. He hadn\'t wanted this badly in a long, long time, and he was growing increasingly aroused by the prospect of fulfilment, the longer he simply sat and watched. He gazed longingly at the writhing bodies on the floor, the couples undulating seductively against one another in booths, his desire blossoming voraciously as he searched for the way to slake his own thirst.

[Mandy]

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Panting, Mandy Lynn slowed her expeditious pace and came to an abrupt halt in the center of a seriously unfamiliar street.

   She`d seen no opportunity in which to make any turns, no branching roadways or cul-de-sac dead ends, so she remained confident that her navigation thus far was most probably correct....but, how far should she run? Body shaking, she rested her palms atop her knees and bent over, struggling to regulate the shallow nature of her breathing. What was it he had told her before? Her mind raced back to the conversation they`d shared prior to Kerr taking his leave...he`d said seven blocks to reach his home, hadn`t he...or was it eight...and down that way...

Her eyes drifted the length of the road where she rested, questioning if the path she`d seen him take earlier was in fact the same path he`d pointed out as leading home to his estate. Hmm, now that she thought back on it...hadn`t he directed her attention down an entirely different street? Coughing, she corrected her stance and rubbed her hands together for warmth. Perhaps he had someplace to go before heading in for the night? If she stopped now, she might never know for certain.

Though her lungs burned slightly from exertion in the bitter night air, she continued onward at a mild jog. Just a few more blocks, that was it, and if she couldn\'t`t find him during that time, she`d simpley have to limp off home.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

What on Earth...


"Risk?" Mandy whispered to herself, standing several yards away from the strange night club she`d inadvertently stumbled upon. It was the last visible structure before the road came to an unexpected end, fading off into the pitch blackness of oblivion. Strange...she`d never once heard of such a place before this moment, not even in passing. She swallowed hard.

The parking lot was packed with vehicles and the thunder of music from within sounded loud, even from where she observed with curious interest on the street. Could this possibley be where Kerr had gone?

Hesitating, her fingers toyed with the zippo in her keep, smoothing its sleek edges and rubbing the detailed carving of its crest. Would it be wise to enter a place so bursting with activity, alone? She glanced back over her shoulder to ensure that no one had come up behind her during her distraction, satisfied to find the area deserted all save for herself. If Kerr was indeed within the club....she wouldn`t have to worry about being alone....but that was a big "if". She pondered over her options for the better portion of 7 or 8 minutes before finally arriving at a set course of action.

If she were fast, she might be able to enter the club, take in a quick glance around to determine if Kerr was actually inside or not, then head back out before any undesirable incident could take hold of her...and that was assuming that any trouble would come from the situation at all. People always seemed to antisipate the worst of things...

Empowered by her decision, Mandy clutched the zippo tightly in her hand for strength and marched her way across the remaining distance between her and the club....

[Existentially Odd]

Kerr was growing frustrated. He’d found he was a target for being approached – apparently sitting at the bar and staring around hungrily was enough of a signal to mortals – but only by men. After his interlude this evening, he definitely wanted to taste a woman, to smell her and feel soft warmth against him, not the unsatisfying press of hardened muscle. There were only a few women here still - well, two that he could see, and both were smoking and giggling drunkenly about the place with other kindred.
 
 
He didn’t want them anyway. It seemed he would go home frustrated for tonight and come back tomorrow night, earlier in the night (he struggled to recall Mandy’s shifts and was pleased when his memory informed him that she finished at 1am). Still, even though he’d decided this was the best plan of attack, he couldn’t bring himself to turn around and simply order a glass of warmed blood from the bar to tide him over; he wanted too badly to let go so quickly.

[Mandy]

The over-powering Oder of cigarette smoke attacked Mandy`s senses as she entered the front door of Risk, a thick haze all but impairing her vision, forcing her eyes to water relentlessly.

Two men sized her down as she hesitated in the foyer, her small form dwarfed by the bulk of their muscle bound structures. Bouncers no doubt......well, they had no need to fret with her. Judging by the bass of the music and the countless gyrating bodies she could just barley make out on the dance floor, she would be the least of their concerns tonight. Smiling weakly at the stone faced sentries, she cautiously entered the main of the club.

The bar was surprisingly busy given the extreme time of night...or morning depending on how one viewed such things. Didn`t most places in the area close around 2am, give or take a few half hour increments either way? She loosened the collar of her jacket and pulled a shaggy looking scarf from round the slender column of her neck, repressing a hacking cough. Lord it was hot in here! How silly she must appear all decked out in a heavy, woolen jacket when it felt about 90 degrees within! Did no one suffer such as she? A simple glance around and she had the answer to her silent musing. Of course not.

Feeling rather out of place, Mandy Lynn stepped in from the entrance way and off to the side lines where her presence might continue to go unnoticed. No point in drawing unnecessary attention to the obvious fact the she was completely out of her element. She was there for one reason and one reason alone...and dancing in her winter coat was most definitely not it.

Her eyes feverishly scanned the bustling crowd, searching for any sign of her beloved Kerr. Would he truly come to a place such as this? Somehow, she hadn`t pegged him as the "clubbing" type, but that was neither hear nor there. They`d only just met! There was bound to be an endless sea of secrets and unexpected surprises in store for her should he ever decide to share. A smile touched her lips at the thought. One might require an entire life time in order to discover the many enticing qualities that made up the id of her charming Kerr. Perhaps two.

She craned her neck, struggling to see over the bouncing participants on the dance floor but they made the going slow. Damn, she could see nothing from this vantage point, perhaps if she moved a little more to the left...

From out of no where, a hand suddenly attached to Mandy`s wrist, stopping her in place with a start. For a fleeting moment, there came the possibility that Kerr had found her first...oh how much simpler that development would be! She turned...her smile fading fast. There stood a young man, no more than 23 or 24...his hair hanging long and wild around the frame of his face. While his features were pleasant, he wore a slightly intimidating grin.

"Looking for something?" he asked, or rather, hollered as to be heard over the thunder of the sound system. Mandy took in a deep gulp of air.

"For a friend." she called out, meaning of course, that of Kerr. The stranger however interpreted the statement to imply something more.

"I`d be happy to be your friend." he shouted and without so much as a warning, twisted Mandy`s wrist in his palm. She winced with pain, tugging instinctively against him, but found that she was unable to wrench free from his grasp. He looked deliberately at her exposed wrist. "No mark...."

"Let me go!" she cried out...a sudden twinge of fear filling her chest, her hand running cold in his tight grip. She pulled and wrench, her cries progressively turning into screams she soon doubted anyone would be able to hear over the booming music and clanking glasses. He appeared amused by her desperation, his grin growing ever deeper as she continued to fight his hold. God, Kerr had been right...she wasn`t nearly tough enough when the moment counted most. And now, her ignorance had landed her in a whole world of trouble.

Tears filled her eyes, her wrist growing red from the struggle, but she couldn`t just give up. She dug her feet into the wooden floor boards and tugged with all her might, alas the man was as a mountain unto himself. "Kerr!" she sobbed, her broken voice lost in an ocean of unconcerned people. Even if he were there, he would never be able to hear her over this mess. Why couldn`t she have waited until tomorrow to give back Kerr`s lighter....now in her haste, she feared she might never feel the touch of his skin again....

[Existentially Odd]

It wasn\'t the screams that did it - there were plenty of those to be heard in here, generally of delight - it was his name. He heard her call his name. Looking towards the entrance, a sight that he hadn\'t expected in his wildest dreams (nightmares?) met his gaze.
 
Mandy. In trouble. In here.  Shit.
 
He was there in a blur, everything else forgotten as he faced the other immortal down.
 
"Let her go," he snarled, not touching the other, not looking at Mandy, focussed only on the vampire. He was younger than him... Kerr pressed more orders against the other\'s mind, swiftly claiming Mandy as his -
 
She\'s mine, go find your own blood. Otherwise, what you find here will be more painful than entertainment, youngling.
 
- and waited to see how the other would react. He didn\'t want a fight, but he would, if he had to.

[Mandy]

Her heart missed a beat as in the blink of an eye, Kerr had some how managed to materialize before her.

His jaw was set like stone, his gaze, boring into the one still holding Mandy against her will. Were they going to fight? God, she hoped not. Should Kerr find himself injured tonight she would never be able to forgive herself for it. Blinking, she watched them as they stared each other down, the rest of the club either oblivious to the possibility of a brawl or uninterested in such shows of strength.

The younger man flinched.

"Take her." he finally spat, throwing Mandy like a rag doll square into the welcome arms of Kerr`s embrace. "I didn`t really want her anyway." She clutched Kerr`s body desperately close, peeking out from the fabric of his lapel. The instigator wore a defeated expression upon his face, rendering her most confused as to what had just happened between them. Was it possible that Kerr had some measure of pull here at the club that made the other man dare not chance a fight with him? It was a possibility. At least it appeared as though no scuffle would occur between them now.

After what seemed like an eternity, the stranger stole one final look into Mandy Lynn`s fearful eyes, then took his reluctant leave. Finally.

She shivered against Kerr`s body (Despite the heat radiating off the dance floor) and refused to let him go. What would she have done had he not been present to save her? That man might have, killed her...or worse.

   There was so much that she wanted to say to him (her original purpose for coming now long forgotten) but shaken as she was, all she was able to manage seemed so much less than the heartfelt thank-you she`d intended to deliver....

   "I`m so sorry, Kerr." she sobbed, burrying her face against his chest. "Please don`t be cross with me."

[Existentially Odd]

Now that he was able to focus on something other than the aggressive vampire, he was calmer, but finding the processing of her appearance difficult. How had she got here? Why was she here? He could only conclude that the answer to both questions was the same; him. She must have followed him and because he hadn\'t expected her to do anything more than go into her apartment and fall asleep after a long night\'s work, he hadn\'t bothered keeping track of anyone else on the streets (if anyone was out and about, they were likely to be kindred or knowledgeable of the supernatural presence in the city, so he would be able to defend himself openly, should there be trouble).
 
He had to admit to himself that he\'d also been somewhat wrapped up in reminiscing on the events of the pleasant evening he\'d spent with Mandy, and hadn\'t exactly been observant. What was that expression...? Head in the clouds. Yes, his mind had been elsewhere. He was as angry at himself for allowing her to find him as he was angry at her for doing the finding.
 
He pressed her against his firm chest and bundled her across the room to retrieve his cane from against the bar before walking her back outside. The movement was awkward as his right hand was held against the crown of her head (shielding her eyes from any sights he didn’t wish to explain), the rest of that arm across her back, and she was so upset that she wasn’t walking quickly, just clinging to him. He was firm in is directions, however, and he didn’t let her look about or slow them down.
 
As they walked past the bouncers, he paused momentarily to show them her face and mentally convey that this young woman was not to be allowed access to the club again, without his permission. They gave him a startled look, and then glanced at Mandy before nodding. He doubted she understood the release of her head and the swift circle he turned on the spot as anything but a minor readjustment of their body positioning and a check behind them to ensure that they weren’t being followed. Almost immediately after the spin they were continuing rapidly along, his right arm now holding her to his side via his hand at her waist as he marched her back towards her home. Her left arm was snuggled in behind his coat, very comfortably wrapped around his waist. If not for the stony look of anger on his face and the tears on hers, they might have passed for a comfortably happy couple.
 
Many thoughts flew through his mind –
 
What did she see? Why did she come? How did I let her follow me, how could I be so stupid? How could she be so stupid as to follow me? She’s lucky she wasn’t fed from, that I didn’t have to fight for her. What if she’d seen that? What is she thinking? How do I fix this?
 
- but he\'d eventually picked the opener he was most comfortable with by the time they’d walked past two blocks of businesses and were getting back to the suburban part of the east side again.
 
“You shouldn’t have come,” he told her, his voice thick with concern for her - though even to his own ears it simply came out as sounding like anger. He knew she was frightened – fucking hell, she should be terrified! – and he didn’t want to make her hysterical but he had to say it. She really shouldn’t have come after him, let alone enter Risk. The name alone should have tipped her off, but she was obviously stubborn. He admired that as much as it exasperated him; he\'d definitely better make his point once and make it well, this first time. He could never let a repeat of this night come about.

[Mandy]

“You shouldn’t have come,”

   Mandy winced as the words entered her ears, his voice brimming with what she could only asume was anger...or frustration. Long before he`d opened his mouth to address her, she`d known that he would not be happy with her run in at Risk. Had the eliment of danger not even been present, she still got the feeling that Kerr would have remained equally displeased to find that she`d followed him to the club at all. Tonight would go down in the books as one of the worst judgement calls ever during the short span of her existance, and yet...she found herself devoid of regret. True, the experience had been frightening but even so, she`d won the chance to be at his side one more time.

    She trembled against his body, wiping her tear stained cheeks with the back of her free hand.

    "I...I only wanted to see you again--" she whispered faintly, struggling to keep pace. He said nothing, but continued to plough deliberatly along. Would he not even look at her? Her stomach sunk like a rock. What if he decided to never see her again because of her actions tonight?

   Panic flooded her veins.

   She could not accept such a conclusion...not when it was the initial need to be near him which contributed to this whole mess in the first place. She didn`t know why after only a few hours of his company that he commanded such total domination over her heart or why she found herself drawn to him like like a moth to a flickering flame, but there was no mistaking her desire to be at his side. Such emotions were utterly irrational, but somehow, it was the will of her impetuously beating heart.

   Besides that, her persistance to search him out may not have been completely unfounded anyway.

    She dug deeply into her pocket, repressing a cry of pain as the raw flesh of her injured wrist brushed against her jacket lining. The sting rather reminded her of a serious rug burn...but she chose to ignore it, deeming the irritation secondary in comparison to proving her case with Kerr. Her fingers glanced over the item that she sought, snatching it up with extreme haste. She withdrew the tiny lighter, presenting it before her protectors eyes. "I wanted to return this to you...I found it out on the sidewalk shortly after you left...." Would it be enough to justify the unessesary danger she placed herelf in tonight....hardly, but perhaps it would serve to explain why she`d decided to seek him out, if only out of the kindness of her being.

[Existentially Odd]

When he’d felt her flinch (so subtly, but he felt it) against him and then start digging about in her pocket, he slowed slightly, bringing them both to a stroll when the lighter was held before his eyes. A frown creased his forehead as he stared at it, processing thoughts in an attempt to skillfully negotiate the path to understanding. She’d risked her life for that? Followed him all the way to Risk to see him again and return some foreign object? He couldn’t understand it… until he considered her genuine nature and how giving she was. In that light, it was typical of her to want to be helpful – and he couldn’t fault her honesty, with regard to wishing to see him again. So she’d picked up some trinket and raced after him to kill both birds with the one smashing boulder.
   
   “It’s not mine,” he growled, resuming their former pace once more.  This time, he was determined to march her right to her door and be sure that she got inside safely. And hopefully stayed there, for if she followed him again, she’d find his home (which, to be brutally truthful, he had more or less given her instructions to, he realized with a sinking feeling) and he’d be damned if those feral bitches locked in the west wing would get the scent of her.
   
   She wilted again, miserably putting the lighter back in her pocket and he felt compelled to say more. He wanted her scared, but not in a bewildered way. Short of telling her everything, he wanted her understanding of the perils she’d faced. He wanted her to understand a lot of things. He sighed inwardly, realising the impossibility of this.
   
   “Look, I appreciate the gesture but there was no need for it. You’ll see me again; it didn’t have to be half an hour later. I… I need you to promise me you’ll never go back to that club again, can you do that?” he grumbled resignedly, expecting questions and trying to predict them and come up with suitably vague answers before she could voice them. This night had become more wearying than he’d anticipated it would and more than ever he regretted being unable to gain some sustenance to help him continue on with.

[Mandy]

Her fingers toyed with the utterly useless trinket resting at the bottom lining of her pocket, her spirits flying a little lower than she was normally accustom to. How was it possible to feel so alive one moment and then...so horribly miserable the next?

They plugged along, Kerr refusing to turn his gaze from the street ahead. He wore an expression of deep determination and it was obvious that he intended to deliver Mandy home, come Hell or high water. If only he were accompaning her under different cicumstances. Well, she had only herself to blame for that.

    She felt horrible, her mind unable to stop itself from replaying the whole of his dialogue to her since they left the gates of the club. It rather reminded her of being scolded by a caring parent, or protective sibling...brash, but with an underlying current of concern. He`d spoken most forcfully to her at the go, but toward the last, sounded slightly worn down, thin. No doubt the effects of rushing about during the early morning hours were starting to catch up with him...who knew when last the poor man had managed any sleep. On the positive side, it appeared as though he would still continue to meet with her after the fact. Thankfully, she hadn`t spoiled that for the both of them with her thoughtless behaviour.

   She subconsciously adjusted her arm about the round of Kerr`s waist.

"I… I need you to promise me you’ll never go back to that club again, can you do that?”

The only reason she`d even entered in the first place was for him...there would be no extenuating justification in returning there now. Submissively, she nodded her head and stared down at the pavement as it rapidly moved beneath them. "I promise."

God, she was so disappointed in her self...so embarrassed! Her efforts didn`t even seem to matter now in the face of having needlessly burdened Kerr with the matter of her safety, and for what? A stupid piece of metal which he didn`t even own! It might almost have been comical if she weren`t so cold and suffering from a chain of regret initially thought not to exist.

Her fingers tightened around the lighter...there was no need to hang onto this stupid thing now....

Mandy pulled her hand from the reaches of her pocket, the object in question just barely glinting in the lamp light. If only she hadn`t seen it laying on the ground before...then things would be different now and she might still maintain a certain measure of dignity. Well, hopefully the real owner wouldn`t miss it too badly...and without a second thought, she tossed the sorry reminder of her momentary lapse to the mercy of the sewer-strewn gutters.

[Existentially Odd]

He was heartily relieved by her promise to stay away from the vampire club and he stopped mentally berating himself for allowing her to follow.  When she continued to keep her peace, his thoughts calmed also and he was pleased that she didn’t argue or question, just agreed.  She’d obviously been scared enough to realise the danger she’d been in – another good thing.  All the pre-emptive answers he’d been accumulating began to dissipate as he calmed down even more.

When she threw the lighter he was both bemused and aghast; she no doubt saw the folly that had resulted from the object’s discovery, but he was concerned at the bitterness of her action.  He regretted that she was upset, but told himself it was for the best.  That she now knew enough to keep away from dangerous places and had an inkling of the lurking dangers in the city was for her own good… despite the sad way it made him feel.  He’d been stripped roughly of his own innocence once and it only made him more passionate about protecting it now.  Well, passionate if it got close to him.  Probably another reason he kept himself so apart from mortals, in general.

“Don’t be too hard on yourself,” he murmured after a while, giving her waist a reassuring squeeze, “all’s well that ends well, as they say.  Perhaps it would have been better if I had told you I was planning to locate your workplace on the morrow and walk you home again, and then all this could have been avoided.”  He looked down at her, tucked beneath the crook of his arm, and offered a small smile.  “I just wanted to surprise you, that was all.”

[Mandy]

That was exactly what she needed to hear.

Her expressive, little smile suddenly returned to its rightful place of display, her heart...forging new wings on which to soar. It hadn`t been anger he showered upon her moments prior...it had been concern. Mandy`s heart fluttered breathlessly as she slowly came to understand.

For the first time in a great many years, someone had actually been worried for her.....her. The very idea seemed foreign to her, unnatural. Not since Nancy`s passing had she experienced the comforting blanket of another\'s concern. And oh, to know that feeling again after so long....

In one of her characteristic, (andsudden) bursts of affection, Mandy Lynn wheeled around front of her walking companion with extreme prowess, halting him on the spot. She threw her arms loosely about the column of his neck and following the course of her momentum, crashed with surpirsing force up against his chest. It had been an abrupt action to be sure, but she simply could not find it within herself to restrain the flow her relief.

"Thank-you so much..." she whispered heatedly into the shell of Kerr`s ear, squeezing him close."For saving me tonight.....for saving me in ways you can`t even realise."

[Existentially Odd]

He blinked in surprise at suddenly finding himself embraced (in the non-lethal sense) and it took him too long to respond appropriately. He was just so startled. In a few of her heartbeats he’d sorted himself out, however, and leaned down to wrap his arms around her as well.
 
And that was when it happened.
 
He hadn’t put any thought into the action, was simply responding in kind, but before he knew it his face was down near hers, his cheek pressed against her temple, and that lingering scent of blood was awakening his senses again. It was in her mouth but he didn’t head there, without thought he pressed his lips downward, against the pulse at her warm, silky throat. It was torturous but a heady thing, to smell the blood, her skin, to feel her pulse, to know that if he just opened his lips and adjusted their bodies ever so slightly he would have the perfect position from which to…
 
His eyes fell closed and he allowed himself to be swamped by the desire for only a few moments but, oh they were blissful. He inhaled everything into his lungs, wanting to fill himself with this unquenchable thirst for her, to capture only what was allowable (her aroma) and hold it within him. Her blood… would be the ultimate prize and he ached to be worthy of it, even while he told himself that such torture was a masochistic indulgence one of his age and intellect was a fool for entertaining. He squeezed her, taken by the intoxicating instant, further enchanted by her soft curves pressed to his lean hardness.
 
Then he forced himself to let her go, swiftly putting some space between them, his hands braced against her upper arms as he offered a watery smile. He had to get away from her before he did some damage.
 
“You’re welcome, of course,” he told her, his voice tight. “Now, we should get you home.  Really.” But he didn’t move.

[Mandy]

Mandy`s heart hammered within the cage of her chest, her face flushing an impossible shade of crimson. Had that been Kerr`s lips she felt just now pressing against the base of her neck? She blinked speechlessly, attempting with little result to slow to course of her thunderous pulse. What had just happened....why had he stopped?

She swallowed a lump forming in the back of her throat, unsure as to what would be the most appropriate thing to say next. Say? What could she say...she didn`t even really understand what had happened yet! In one instant, Kerr was in her arms, caressing her throat with a most wonderful sensation she had not yet expected to feel so early on in their linkage, and the next....he had her at arms length away, addressing her as though she were someone he`d only just tripped into on the street (no manner of irony intended). Perhaps he felt things were moving a little too quickly? Such was a common misconception of those not familiar with her tendencies to touch...she was often perceived as "putting the moves" on others she meant only to share an affectionate interlude with.

Seeking to remain uninjured by his sudden withdrawal, Mandy`s smile crept back upon her lips, but only in part.

"Alright." she agreed softly, a most calming expression crossing her features. She manipulated her arms in such a way that he would understand to release her and without hesitation, he let her forearms free. Only, an instant later...he was hit with the realization that his right hand had suddenly been captured by the tender hold of her left. She tugged at him in a playful fashion, allowing the matter of their embrace to drop for the time being (the night had been eventful enough without adding that can of worms to the mix as well).

   "Lets get moving then...."

[Existentially Odd]

“Indeed!” he agreed with thoroughly forced cheer. He set off again, this time with her hand around his. After a few steps, he readjusted his grip so that his larger one encircled hers in a more comfortable manner. Her skin was soft and there was still that damnably inviting warmth to it that made him realise he’d never replaced his gloves, not since The Blue Moon. Well, they were bloody anyway, and it was acceptable enough for him to be cool against her – she’d not said anything about it so far. And they’d certainly made enough contact this evening for her to have had the opportunity.
   
   Grimly, he quickened his pace in an effort to wipe indulgent thoughts from his mind.
   
   Continued here.