Business As Usual [Closed]

[Lucyfer]

“It is a phase. He will grow up.”


That was the mantra that the pale woman sitting in first class besides the window had to keep repeating to herself as she considered the irritant who was sitting somewhere in coach. Funny, really. Her ‘brother’ was over a century old and yet she considered him a child. Of course, a century old was nothing to her, nor to their father.


To say that she and her brother had issues would be an understatement. “So,” the lucky fool who got her brother’s ticket began to speak, “What are you in California for?” He put on a charming smile, but Damia Adams, first childe of Victor Adams, just side-eyed him, narrowing those dark blue orbs until the man was convinced to look away from her and leave her in peace.


She brushed black, wavy locks out of her line of sight and let her head fall against the wall of the plane. She watched the stars. There was no moon out tonight. ‘Soon this will be over. Soon I can go home.’ Though even she wasn’t sure what home was anymore. It certainly was not Rome. Not any longer.


The plane would be landing soon. Then she could grab her brother and pull him along to their penthouse in California, and actually discuss business with him. ‘He’ll run us into the ground, father.’ All they’d worked towards, ruined, because the pompous aristocrat didn’t know anything and refused to learn.


“We will be landing in five minutes. Please remain in your seats….”


The words of the stewardess rang all the way into coach, and the brunette man pouted as he heard it, “Well, I was hoping this trip could last longer,” he had been enjoying his conversation with the woman he met in the last airport he and his sister had been in. Well, most anything was better than his sister. She, rather like their father, was too serious to be entertaining—except when she was pissed.


He didn’t like her humor, then, though.


He turned his silver eyes away from the sight of the airport below and to the woman who had been his companion for the trip. “What is it you’re going to Cali for, anyway?” Valerian Adams realized he hadn’t asked that. “Will you be here long?” He was hopeful. It would be a nice escape from the business he was supposed to do here. He wasn’t even sure why he was here, it was clear to him that Victor and Damia could handle everything.


“To learn.”


Right. That had been what his father said, anyway. To learn. He supposed he did need to learn, but he would agree with Damia on one thing--he was young. He still felt the vigor of life in him, even if he was not alive any longer. He'd never grown much. He was around 19 when he was turned, after all. He didn't know the first things about business, even if his mortal family had been heavily involved in business in London. Textiles.


He wasn't into that any longer. His father ran hotel empires and had stocks in Apple and Starbucks. Valerian had difficulties keeping up with it all--technology just advanced so quickly!

 

[Zotohxan]

The girl's pale grey eyes turn to the brown haired boy beside her, "Oh, I'm actually moving here, with my cousin." Her silky voice which had been filled with silent giggles and happiness thus far during the trip now held a solemn tone as she speaks about moving. In truth, the black haired girl's parents had recently been killed in a car wreck, leaving Emilina Johnson with no one to care for her. And despite already being eighteen years old, she wasn't ready to be out in the 'real world' by herself, yet.


Having previously lived in Oklahoma, she called up her only living relative in the country; Aaron Price. He was her cousin, 3 years her elder, and her childhood best friend. She truly couldn't wait to see him again, but at the same time she felt a sadness at leaving the boy beside her.


Suddenly, a thought hits and the happiness returns to her tone, "Say... What's your name?" She giggles softly behind her delicate hand, "Here we are, having been talking for near two hours and I don't even know your name."

 

[Lucyfer]

Valerian laughed at the realization that they don’t know each other’s names, and at the happiness that the woman was there to live. That would make coming upon her easier during his stay. “I’m Valerian Adams,” he knew Valerian was no longer a popular name, not that it had even been popular in his own time. His parents had just liked how it sounded. It sounded like the man they wanted to raise.


“I’m here for business, but I’m not sure how long it’ll take. Perhaps we could see each other some time?” He asked, then, “That is, if I could get your name and number?” The wheels bump on the ground, and the plane begins to pull itself forward. An announcement is made by the stewardess that cell phones and small electronic devices can now be used, and so he takes out his phone as if on cue, and turns it on.


Following that was a text message already there from dear Damia.


Do not forget our


luggage. I’ll contact


transportation.


Valerian flicked off that screen quickly. ‘Whatever.’ He’d do as asked. It’d likely get him more time with the woman if he waited for the baggage without Damia, anyway.


~***~


Up ahead, Damia hit the send button and put her cell phone back within the confines of her purse. A stewardess asked, “Do you want anything to drink?” And she shook her head to decline, again. The humans had nothing she wanted to drink, though she was thirsty. She was unused to going so long without even a sip of blood. Back home, she had blood in wines bottled up for her to consume at her leisure.


Travel made things difficult. She knew at the hotel there would be the blood wine to drink, and she just had to wait.


Patience was something she was good at, but she still disliked being denied. ‘Transportation will be easy. We’ll get there soon, get set up, and prepare for these damned negotiations.’ Or she would. She might just gag and restrain Valerian and make him sit in a corner.

 

[Zotohxan]

Emilina smiles to Valerian ,"I like your name.. It's unique!" She says before pulling out her own cell phone and turning it on, a text from Aaron coming thorough.

Can't wait to see you, kiddo!


I'll be waiting at the baggage claim, see you soon!


-Aaron
​

"Okay...." She says with a quirked eyebrow, looking down at her phone before she hits the home button, then goes into her contacts to add a new one. "Add in yours?" She asks with a smile, "And.. My name is Emilina, Emilina Johnson." She bites her bottom lip in a bit of nervousness. She'd never really been one to talk to strangers, especially not to give them a way to stalk her like her phone number.. But who knows, this one seemed different...

 

[Lucyfer]

“Thanks,” Valerian put a hand behind his head, a gesture he’d seen other humans do. It hadn’t been common in his time, but he thought it fit the situation. It seemed they had both received texts, and Valerian stole a glance at her phone to read it.


The cousin, then. He even added a signature to his texts, as if people wouldn’t know. How quaint. “Sure,” he said, and took the phone from her to add in his number, typing it in and then shifting to send a text to the number. His own phone buzzed when it was done, allowing him to have a text from her phone, “There ya go,” and he offered the phone back to her. “Now I have your number, too. We should meet up some time tomorrow evening. I have business meetings throughout the day, but I should be free after eight.” That sounded like a safe time. He wasn’t sure when, exactly, the sun was going to set in California, but eight sounded good.


If not, he could just say the meetings were running late and he’d catch up with her just as soon as they were done. “So, your cousin, is she nice?” He didn’t want it to be too obvious he’d stolen a look at her text, so he guessed the wrong gender.


The plane came up to the gate then, and people began to move about to grab their things. Valerian shifted into the aisle and raised the storage bin above them, and grabbed his carry on from it, and then made room for Emilina to get hers while making sure the crowd didn’t push him forward.


He saw Damia exit the plane when he glanced towards the exit.


~***~


Damia didn’t waste a second in waiting for Valerian. She would know where to find him, at baggage claim, and right now the important thing was ensuring their transportation and knowing where to find it. ‘Because you just couldn’t give me the numbers of any of the local vampires in the area.’ Victor had one flaw. He was no good with technology. He had a few other humans for such things, but time had been short. She hadn’t gotten the contact information of the vampires in this area who would be of assistance to herself and Valerian.


Her eyes skimmed the area right outside, and found the signs that pointed her towards transportation information. She followed the arrows, amusingly enough, to the baggage claim area where there were a few counters peddling cabs and buses.


She ignored those and went right to the one peddling luxury vehicles, “Excuse me,” she crossed her arms over the counter and leaned forward. She smiled when the man looked at her, and he lit up, realizing this would be a sincere customer.


It wasn’t many who came over to him dressed in a tailor-made evening gown, and the deep burgundy of her dress spoke volumes about excess, “I’m going to need a limousine to take myself and my brother to the Emerald Gates.” One of the hotels her father owned, and the one they were to be staying at.

 

[Zotohxan]

(( ;-; I'm so sorry! I thought I posted a reply, earlier!))


Emilina chuckles and nods, "He is wonderful. And, after eight..." She bites her lip, thinking as she stands and takes her carry-on out of the overhead bin. "Um.. I'll have to make sure it's okay with Aaron, but it should be alright. I have no clue what that dude's planning, though."


~~~~~~


Aaron stands at the baggage claim, his emerald green eyes scanning around the various travellers coming to pick up their luggage. However, his eyes end up zeroing in on a woman in a very elegant evening gown. Who wears something like that on an aeroplane? He asks himself, then shakes his head and begins to look around once more for Emilina.


((And I'm also sorry that my posts are so short >.> My muse just kinda sucks right now x.x))

 

[Lucyfer]

((No worries, so long as it keeps things moving))


If Valerian could have blushed in embarrassment at her emphasis on the gender, he would have. As it was, such a reaction was impossible, and so he just managed a sheepish smile. “Of course,” Valerian said, “I’m sure he’ll want to catch up with you, and might have a dinner planned,” he sounded understanding. In truth, he was jealous already that this Aaron would have such influence on their plans.


As the path ahead started to allow, he began to move forward, “Just, keep in the loop, all right? I should be available most evenings while I’m here in town, and I would like to see you again.”


Off the plane and towards baggage claim. Valerian also cast a glance towards Damia as they entered the area, annoyed that they were in the same area for her business. It meant he’d probably be dragged away sooner. He pretended not to notice her, though, and pointed ahead, “That one says baggage for our plane.”


~***~


There were constant eyes on her, but it was just as Damia liked. She and her father had made names and wealth for themselves, and neither were particularly shy about it—unlike Valerian, who went around in hoodies and jeans when he felt like it. He could be forced into suits, but he preferred the casual wear of the day.


She didn’t notice his arrival. Her eyes were fixed on the man as he typed into his computer to set up her order of a limo and driver to the hotel, as quick as possible. “All right miss, ah—”


“Adams.”


“Miss Adams,” he smiled. “That should be here in about ten or fifteen minutes.” He extended her card back to her, a glorious black piece of plastic, “I can give you a call when it has arrived so you don’t have to wait around here.”


“Thank you. I appreciate it.” She inclined her head and stepped back from him and his counter.

 

[Zotohxan]

Emilina smiles and nods as Valerian points out the baggage claim, "Right.. Thanks!" She smiles, "Thanks for keeping me company on the plane, it would've been insanely boring without you! And I'll text you tomorrow to let you know if Aaron says it's alright for me to come or no-" Her speech is cut off as Aaron spots her and grins happily, "Emilina!" He shouts, running over and picking her up in a giant bear hug.


Em laughs and hugs him back, "Aaron!" As he sets her back down, she gestures to the brown haired boy beside her. "This is Valerian, he was the one who kept me company on the plane." She introduces with a smile, then gestures to Aaron, "And this is Aaron, my cousin. Sorry it's not a girl you could hit on~" She says teasingly, giving her newest friend a wink.

 

[Lucyfer]

Valerian takes a step back as Aaron comes running, giving the man plenty of room to rush over and pick the girl up. He sizes the cousin up, debating if he’d be much of an issue if, in fact, Valerian did wish to get much closer to the young woman. He certainly had some strength to him to lift her up so easily, but human strength rarely bothered Valerian.


Human intelligence was the issue. “Good to meet you, Aaron,” he greeted, again let a sheepish smile come to his lips at Emilina’s embarassing remark, “Ah, yes, the way she described you sounded rather feminine,” he’d get her in trouble, too, “but I’m glad to hear that you seem to have the feminine qualities of compassion that my dear sister seems to lack.”


He had heard her approach, and turned his head in time to smile at her. She did not return it, proving his point. “Damia, our baggage isn’t here yet, why don’t you go relax in the Starbucks?” There was one nearby, too. They were everywhere, of course, part of the reason it had been such a good investment.


“No, thank you,” her eyes moved from the boy, to the girl she’d seen Valerian with at the other airport, “Who are your friends?” Not that she cared all that much, but it would be good to research them a bit. It would be her luck if Valerian stumbled upon hunters already.

 

[Zotohxan]

Aaron had playfully glared at Emilina when Valerian mentioned her description being feminine. "You little brat." He mutters while pinching her nose. Emilina playfully squeals, slapping away her cousin's hands, "Stop it!" She shouts with a laugh.


As Valerian's sister comes over, she smiles and holds out her hand, "I'm Emilina, and this is my cousin Aaron." She says politely. Aaron, however, simply openly looks 'Damia' up and down, trying to figure out why she would be wearing such clothing at an airport of all places...

 

[Lucyfer]

Touch revealed much about their kind. Damia had no choice, given her own nature to be outwardly polite, but she knew her hands were cold. Of course, they’d been cold as a human, too.


So, she took Emilina’s hand and shook, grasp firm. “Damia Adams,” she answered the greeting. She showed no irritation at the lack of a surname. She would figure it out, make a few calls to get the list of passengers for this flight and find the name Emilina. It didn’t sound like a common one. “It is good to see Valerian making friends,” she said as she released the other woman’s hand.


“I was planning to spend some time with them after our business tomorrow, or another day,” Valerian said, and caught the death glare that was sent his way for just a split second.


“Oh, really?” Her surprise was genuine. “We shall see if there is time. We do have a dinner to attend on many of these nights.” It was then she noted Aaron’s gaze, “Yes?” Pointed, irritated.


Valerian saw their bags and made a motion to Emilina to signal that the things from their plane were finally being sent to the carousel. He moved to retrieve his and Damia’s things.

 

[Zotohxan]

Emilina slaps her palm against her forehead, "I'm sorry... Manners... My name is Emilina Johnson, and he's Aaron Price." She half smiles before rushing over to grab her own bags from the carousel.


Aaron sighs and looks apologetically to Damia, "I'm sorry about her, she's always been a bit scatter brained... And, her parents just passed, so she's being a bit more wild to try and cover up her pain... So, she'll probably still be like this for a little while, but I'll be trying to help her. I do, however, promise that she won't be a bad influence or do anything to hurt your brother." He says honestly, a soft smile on his face.

 

[Lucyfer]

“It is not her that worries me,” Damia answered Aaron. She cast a glance to the two collecting the luggage, “Or rather, she worries me only because my brother has no impulse control and is about to ruin all my carefully laid investments,” considering she only looked to be in her early twenties, it was probably strange talk to hear.


Then again, her attire had already proven she was strange. “You may want to advise your cousin to avoid wealthy playboys met on planes that are only in town for business. It never works out. He gave up his first class ticket to try and impress her,” Damia would do what she could to see that this relationship stopped here. Aaron could be a good ally in stopping it, if indeed his cousin Emilina listened. "But he's a fan of exaggerated gestures. It's meaningless."


Valerian knew it was a risk to leave Damia alone, but he imagined it would pay off. He grabbed up his bags, followed by Damia’s, “Sorry about her. She’s older than me,” as if it weren’t obvious, “Bit serious. Dad stuck her with all his hopes and dreams and she takes business a bit too seriously. Doesn’t know how to lighten up at all, but she means well.” He couldn’t be down on her too much.


Valerian did like her. He wasn’t sure if he loved Damia in any sense. They were only related through Victor. They had not been siblings before. Even so, he’d “grown up” around her, and he understood many of her reasons. He didn’t like or agree with all of them, but he understood she was not cruel without reason.

 

[Zotohxan]

Aaron sighs, "Honestly, if it were up to me she'd stay away from all men... Rich playboy, or poor book reader, or anything in between. But, of course, she's eighteen and thinks she knows better than anyone and everyone so it wouldn't matter what I say." He rolls his eyes a bit as he sees her struggling to pick up her bag.


"I should probably go help her... She may talk like a big bad wolf, but she's actually incredibly weak... And right now, not just physically." Is all Aaron says simply before walking over to take Emilina's bags from her.


She, on the other hand, had been conversing with Valerian with a small half smile and a shake of her head, "Believe me, you don't need to apologize... He may not seem like it, but Aaron is more than capable to act the same. My Dad, too, was very strict and business-oriented." As she reveals this small bit of her previous life, her features become coated in sadness which she tries to repress.


Emilina clears her throat and forces a small, but convincing, smile to Valerian, "Sorry, I just don't generally talk about my parents..." She breaths in deeply, subtly, as she tries to pick up her bag.


"Jeez! What did I put in here?!" She calls in a strained, whining voice. It's then that she notices Aaron walking over with an amused expression while watching her struggle. "Aaron! Help me!" She calls out.

 

[Lucyfer]

“I can see that,” perhaps it was never good to confess that she saw the human’s weakness, but Damia did. Of course, centuries of being alive helped to recognize these things. ‘No, they’re not hunters, but still.’ Any wrong move and Valerian could doom them. “I’ll talk to my brother, then, if your connection with your cousin is so weak.” Not that her connection with Valerian was better, but she could hold their father over his head.


Sometimes, it worked.


The phone rang as Aaron walked away, and she quickly answered it. “Hello, this is Miss Adams.” Miss. She’d had so many better titles in her time. The speaker on the other line informed her that the limousine was right outside, “Fantastic, thank you very much.”


Valerian saw that sadness, but he couldn’t think of a reason why. Well, rather, he could think of several reasons why, but he had no way to understand which of them was correct. He saw Aaron leave behind his sister to help Emilina. Were it not for Damia’s baggage on top of his own, he would have had a free hand to help her out. “At least you’re not that way,” he said, “I like that about you. You seem optimistic.”


He didn’t struggle under the weight of any of his bags, which might be surprising considering he wasn’t exactly built like a football player. He had tone, but in looks, it shouldn’t be the sort of tone that easily picks up five different pieces of luggage. “Probably something more practical than evening gowns,” Valerian snickered, as if that would explain why he had such an easy time. Three of the bags were hers, of course.

 

[Zotohxan]

Aaron rolls his eyes a bit as he walks over to Emilina and picks up her one bag. "Really? One? That's all you brought?" He asks in disbelief, earning a slight blush from his younger cousin who shrugs, "I don't have much... That's all my stuff." She admits a bit sheepishly, not looking either of the men by her in the eye.


Aaron sighs and nods, "Whatever." He says, turning to walk off, "We'll just have to take you shopping sometime soon, so that you can Get some stuff. Maybe that'll be tomorrow's endeavour?" Emilina's eyes go wide and she looks toward Valerian, then back to Aaron, "But.. I was going to hang out with Valerian, tomorrow..." Aaron shrugs, remembering Damia's earlier words, "Do it another time."

 

[Lucyfer]

Damia caught the exchange as she approached the group after her phone call, and ignored the flash of anger in Valerian’s glare towards her. He knew. Of course he knew. Damia was never subtle in her attempts to thwart him. “Our ride is here, Valerian.” Damia told him, glanced to the others, “It was a pleasure. Do take care of yourselves.” She took Valerian’s arm in her hand to pull him away.


“Do you two need a ride?” Valerian decided to ask. Perhaps Aaron had shown up via bus, or a cab. He would make the gamble anyway. “I know we’ll have enough room if you need it.”


Valerian felt Damia’s nails dig into his arm, and was grateful right then she didn’t elongate them. All vampires were predators, and all had natural weapons besides their canines. Those pretty, painted nails, were deadly weapons in hiding.

 

[Zotohxan]

Emilina smiles happily and is about to nod before Aaron shakes his head, "No thank you. I drove here to get her, thanks anyway." He says politely, though he just wanted to keep Emilina from anyone who may hurt her. And from Damia's words, he'd want to keep her from Valerian.


Emilina glares at Aaron as he gently grabs her wrist and starts pulling her away, her bag in his other hand. She then sighs, realizing she won't be free of his hold as she turns back and waves to Valerian, "Bye Valerian! Bye Damia!"

 

[Lucyfer]

“Bye! I’ll see you later!” Valerian called to Emilina, though Damia gave no further farewells to them. Her grip tightened, and she pulled.


Valerian walked.


Valerian’s sheepish demeanor died away as soon as he couldn’t see Emilina and Aaron any longer. “What was that?” He hissed, tearing his arm out of her grip and managing not to drop any of the luggage. “What did you tell him?”


“That you’re a wealthy playboy, which I am not incorrect about. Anyone can do the math from there,” Damia answered, walking on without a glance at her irate brother. He kept pace. “I do not need your games right now, Valerian. We have a job to do, and then we can go home. I want to be done with this as soon as possible.”


Valerian had been hearing that since the start. “Why? Why not have some fun away from father?”


“Because your kind of fun will get the attention of hunters, and I promise you, brother, there are hunters here. There is a great enough population of us, that I know it.”


“Yeah? Been here before?”


Damia sighed. “No, but I know those who are here.” History was a funny thing. She did have history with some of the vampires here, “I want you here, Valerian.” They went through the automatic doors. “You do not know them, and you may be able to keep my temper in line.”


“Temper, you?” He knew it was there. He also knew it rarely broke in public. “Fascinating. Tell me more.”


The limousine was there, the trunk popped for them, and Valerian deposited their things in the back before they both took seats in the roomy back of the limo. “No. Best you enter with a fresh mind.”


Valerian crossed his arms over his chest. “You’re no fun, you know.”


Damia ignored it, looked out the window. “How did this place used to be? Did you ever see it?”


“During the gold rush,” she said.


“Of course,” Valerian muttered. Of course she’d be anywhere there was money. “Do you do anything except get rich? Don’t you want anything more?”


For a moment, it looked as if she might answer and give him an insight into what, exactly, she craved out of this unlife. Then, she laughed, shook her head, and averted her gaze to the window. "I want more," Valerian said, but she didn't speak again. The siblings rode in silence to their hotel.

 

[Zotohxan]

As Aaron leads Emilina to his old, beaten up and hardly-working car, he throws her bag into the back and gestures to the passenger side, "Get in, kiddo!" He says in a chipper tone, causing his little cousin to glare at him as she gets in the passengers seat then slams the door after her.


"What's your issue, Aaron?!" She shouts irritably, catching him off guard as he climbs into the driver's seat, sticking the key in the ignition and starting up the car, "Uhh.. What do you mean?" He asks, genuinely confused.


"I man... Why won't you let me hang out with Valerian?!"


"Because. I'm in charge of you now, and I feel like he'd just use you."


"Idiot, I can take care of myself! And I'm 18, no one is "in charge" of me!"


"If that's how you feel, then why are you here? Why did you come to me instead of staying on your own?"


Emilina had to admit... He had her there... She decided to move in with Aaron because she knows she's not ready to be on her own, and her mental health isn't perfect now, after her parents deaths, either... The rest of the drive was silent, neither of them looking at the other, not even the radio playing as background noise.

 

[Lucyfer]

The limousine pulled up to the hotel, and the door is opened for the two by one of the hotel employees. “Miss Adams, Master Adams,” they are greeted by a man who inclines his head, “We were expecting you.” And indeed, they were, as someone comes right out to fetch their baggage. “The Penthouse has been prepared for the two of you. Do you know how long you are to be staying with us?”


“Not presently,” Damia answered, “I will let you know when I know, but it should be no trouble?” They owned the damn hotel chain.


“No, no trouble at all,” the man answered, “We are pleased that you are visiting. Come right this way,” and he led them inside, to the elevator, and informed them of the pin to access the penthouse suite.


Very few were even allowed to use the penthouse, and when they were, they were always another vampire. The reason was self-evident when the elevator doors opened. The windows had metal blinds that would be lowered during the day, and the room itself was always stocked with bloodwine.


A human who saw the arrangements here would have too many questions. “Finally,” Damia said on entering, and walking right to where a bottle was. Valerian chuckled as she poured it into a goblet.


“Oh, indulge,” he said, “You’re starving.” She shot him a glare, and sipped from the glass. Starving she might be, but she’d never admit it. “We could have drank before arriving.”


“Humans.”


“Right, I forget,” Valerian walked over and took the bottle up himself. He didn’t pour it into a cup, but drank straight from it, earning a dirty look, “You only drink vampires, and never from the vein. When was the last time?”


She hadn’t been desperate in years. By the time Valerian was sired, bloodwine was common. Valerian still slummed, now and then, or took of humans. “Centuries,” she answered. “It is unnecessary, and we do not need the attention from hunters. There is bagged blood if you prefer,” she reminded. Human blood, that, but human blood was necessary. Vampires couldn’t make their own blood, so taking blood from a vampire still came at a cost. Humans were fortunate. They could make blood naturally.


The elevator doors opened again, and their baggage was brought in, “We’ll place it, just leave it there,” Valerian said, and the man with the baggage did as asked, then left them. “You know, there’s no high quite like drinking from the vein.”


She rolled her eyes. “Drug users say the same of heroin, or whatever poison they prefer. It does not make it acceptable.”


“Wasn’t it, once?” He asked, “Wasn’t there a time when you couldn’t live like this?”


“Yes,” she said, “And those savage times are gone.”


“Savage? You were a savage? I thought you were a proper Roman patrician. What was your name?” He didn’t know. He’d never known what her original name, much as he didn’t know his father’s original name. He didn't even know where his father originated.


“None of your concern,” Damia answered. She set aside her goblet and walked to pick up her own luggage. “You may do as you like this night, but be ready for tomorrow. Also…if I catch wind of such improper activity, Valerian, I will contact father. Remember what you are.”


He took another swig from the bottle as she walked out. ‘How could I forget?’ The taste of blood had never been good, and he frowned as he realized he didn’t actually want to drink this swill. He did prefer the bags—humans. Their father said a taste for vampire blood would come with age, but he wasn’t so sure. Damia, apparently, had always liked it to the point that in those savage years, she had murdered vampires who were unwilling to part with their precious blood.


Now, of course, father could pay to have such blood made, and provide the donors with plenty of bagged blood to replenish their own supply of blood.


Valerian did go out that night, but returned before dawn, no scent of blood on him. He found Damia in the library, a laptop set up, but she was ignoring it. She was reading up on the local vampire population, and the hunter situation. Valerian didn’t bother her, but took to his bed to rest as the sun came up. He still required sleep.


Even so, he woke that afternoon in spite of himself. He tiptoed out of his room and checked for Damia once again. When he saw her collapsed on her own bed, not changed out of her clothing, he smirked and crept back out into the living area. He found his phone in his pocket still, and he took it out and shot a text to Emilina.


Hey. How goes the


moving in? You


doing all right?

 

[Zotohxan]

As Aaron pulls up in front of his old, broken down two story red brick house, he shuts off the car and turns to Emilina, "Em. Stop being so upset, okay? I'm just trying to keep you from getting hurt."


But, of course, Emilina happily ignores her elder cousin and simply gets out of the car and stomps up to the front door. She wiggles the door knob, sneering at the red wood panel and crossing her arms over her chest as she waits for Aaron to come unlock it. Which he does, after grabbing her bag from the back seat. "A thank you would be nice..."


"Letting me make friends would be nice."


"It's for your own protect-" Aaron's cut off by Emilina shaking her head and giving him a glare.


"Just unlock the door. I may stop being pissed at you if I can just get in and sleep. Jet lag's a bitch."


Aaron sighs and nods, reaching forward and unlocking the door. "Your room is on the second floor; third door to the left." Emilina makes no further attempt at conversation nor thanks as she angerly stomps through the door, climbs up the stairs, then enters the room her cousin had assigned to her.


It wasn't anything too fancy. A blood red carpet, white walls, a single window facing the West. There was a double bed with a pink and green polka dotted bedspread, and a white dresser across from it. There was a connected door which lead into the fairly small closet, a desk on the wall beside the window, and a night stand on either side of the bed. It was nothing like the lavish room she knew growing up, but... She knows that nothing will be the same without her parents.


She lays down and falls asleep almost instantly, sleeping through the night.


The next day Emilina's awoken by Aaron's voice filtering through her door as well as the smell of bacon and pancakes. She groans awake, still not speaking a single word to him as she makes her way down the stairs, still in her clothes from the previous day as she flops down into a seat and gratefully eats the delicious breakfast, but doesn't break her silent treatment to thank him.


That's how the day goes until the afternoon, her ignoring every attempt Aaron makes at getting back on her good graces. Currently she sits flipping through the TV channels, trying to find something decent to watch to pass the time until her overbearing cousin returns from the store.

Teenagers by My Chemical Romance begins to play over her phone, indicating that she's received a text message. She picks it up and instantly a smile crosses her face. She reads it over then replies.




Hey. Moving in is


well enough, but


my cousin is still


being a douche...


Hows it for you?


??
​

 

[Lucyfer]

The girl’s answer is almost immediate, and Valerian laughs aloud at that. Well, this was good. She was still interested in him. Now he’d have to find a way to slip away from Damia later. He didn’t believe this Aaron would be capable of keeping Emilina away, not if she was already referring to him as a douche.


He typed back.


Bored. Lunch break,


then another meeting.


Glad you’re getting


settled. Think your cousin


will reconsider any


time soon?


He sends it off, and gets up, deciding these would be conversations to have in the privacy of his own room, lest Damia woke up early. She rarely did. It was difficult to remain awake during the day. Even Valerian found it to be so most of the time. Today was an exception.

 

[Zotohxan]

Emilina smiles happily as Valerian's reply comes so soon. She lays down against the couch, now ignoring the television which was showing something like a sparkling vampire and emotionless girl.. Whatever it was, it left much to be desired for the girl. However, while she reads the message she gets a small frown at the last bit as she types back.


No clue. He's still


saying that you're some


kind of mastermind, or


something. Basically that


you're going to only hurt


me in the end. x.x I don't


know. He's being


unreasonably overly


protective. What about


your sister?


While she did feel a bit self conscious about sending a message quite as long as she did, she just had to vent for a moment. She hesitantly presses the SEND button, hoping it wouldn't freak him out to read something so long.

 

[Lucyfer]

It seemed Aaron had been forward with his sister. Valerian arched an eyebrow at the words, and the question. ‘What about her?’ He wasn’t sure how to respond, or what answer she was truly looking for about her. He took a few moments to figure out how to address it.


Yeah. Damia’s doing.


We travel a lot. She


wants me not to


make any ties to


places. Everyone gets


hurt because of that.


He wasn’t lying, he considered. He did travel a lot, and that was part of Damia’s reasoning. Ties were bad, particularly among mortals. There was much more to it, Valerian knew. For Aaron to be freaking out as he was, Damia must have told him something terrible.


So, Valerian added:


Just the risk we


take in living. And


I’m not like her. I


need friends.


Send. He hoped that explained things well enough, though he still wasn’t sure if he had answered the ‘sister’ question at all.