vampires and look-a-likes.  Oh my!  (GrinningHound + Sephora)
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		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Human Solos =&gt; Topic started by: Sephora on 25-04-2008, 05:33:49</h2>
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				Title: <strong>vampires and look-a-likes.  Oh my!  (GrinningHound + Sephora)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sephora</strong> on <strong>25-04-2008, 05:33:49</strong>
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				Holly wasn’t sure what made this night feel different then the rest, but it did. Something felt different, wrong almost. She couldn't quite place it, but she felt as though something was about to happen.&nbsp; Then again, she HAD just moved into her brand new apartment, so it was probably just moving day jitters.&nbsp; Shaking her head in dismissal of those sorts of thoughts, she takes just a few steps closer to the man she was walking with none the less. <br><br>Walking with Max during the middle of the night, it made her forget her troubles, when she was with Max…the world just felt like a better place to be when she was with her best friend. Maybe it was because there was the sense that his large muscled form could take out anyone who felt the need to bother either of them. Or maybe it was the way he always managed to give off a sense of calm and how his deep brown eyes gazes down at her with the look of a loyal puppy dog. Then again, maybe it was just because she had known the man since she had been in diapers and had gotten so used to him that he had turned into a kind of security blanket for her. <br><br>The girl in question didn’t look like much to worry about. With her blonde curls tied in a loose bun with a pair of chopsticks keeping them up, and her tiny body standing right next to a bodybuilder of a man who obviously spent more time in the gym than at home, the girl really didn’t look like she could scare a rabbit. But that didn’t matter. It didn’t matter that she was about as intimidating as a bunny, because the two remaining boxes that were split between her and Max were the last of her belongings that were being moved into her very own apartment!&nbsp; It had taken a lot of time and a lot of hard work, but Holly had managed to find a place for rent that she could not only afford, but not have to share with a roommate. <br><br>So it was easily understood that Holly was practically bouncing with excitement.&nbsp; "You know something Max?&nbsp; I think things are about to get really really good for me." the young girl says with a content sigh, shifting her box in her hands as she looks up at the building that would be her new home. <br>"Does that mean your going to pay me for carrying all your crap up for you?" the man jokes dryly, grinning cheekily as Holly thwaps her hand against his shoulder for the comment.<br>"Don't get your hopes up." she says blandly.&nbsp; Putting her box down for a moment, the young girl pushes the door of the apartment complex open, ushering her friend inside before picking up her box once more.<br><br>Just as she prepares to enter the building and leave the outside world for the rest of the night, Holly pause for a moment and watches a few stray cars pass by; shivering as a trail of goosebumps suddenly go up her spine.<br><br>Shaking her head,&nbsp; Holly laughs at herself softly.&nbsp; <br>What was she thinking? Something felt different today? <br><br>Today was going perfectly. 
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				Title: <strong>Re: vampires and look-a-likes.  Oh my!  (GrinningHound + Sephora)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>GrinningHound</strong> on <strong>25-04-2008, 06:56:38</strong>
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				The hunger was upon him.<br><br>The pulse of life around him shot through his head, each heartbeat throbbing in his temples like the bang of a heavy skin drum.&nbsp; A perfect blend into the dead of night, flapping leathery wings as he flew jauntily over the lit city below.&nbsp; "Night.....life...." he hisses to himself, begrudging those below their livelihood.&nbsp; Though he was active at night, it was hardly a 'life'.<br><br>Would that he could deprive himself the blood, and finally sleep forever, but the hunger would not be ignored.&nbsp; He closes in on a filthy alley, sensing a dim pulse.&nbsp; <em>I am a monster, robbing them of life to sustain my own.....existance</em>, he thinks to himself.&nbsp; <em>The least I can do is rid someone of their suffering.</em><br><br>Just as he swoops around the corner of the tall apartment complex, he is given pause.&nbsp; A powerful beating thrashes his senses, and his reddened gaze focuses on the man.&nbsp; <em>He roars with vitality.&nbsp; Such strength, power!&nbsp; I am sure he is exquisite....</em><br><br>His tongue licks his fanged lips as the bat hovers in the shadows, watching Max's form bristling with energy as he opens the trunk of his car.&nbsp; "I can.....resist!"&nbsp; A screech peels the night as he vents his frustration, tearing himself from the scene to round the bend.<br><br>The strung out vagrant is drained in short order.&nbsp; An efficient, necessary feeding.&nbsp; No flair, no pleasure.&nbsp; The blood is disgusting, it reeks of hard liquor and abuse.<br><br>Invigorated, he keeps his human form and walks from the alley.&nbsp; Dressed in well cut black and gray, a petticoat over a vest and shirt, and with a tasteful, if antiquated red bow tie, he turns the corner.&nbsp; Again he spots the large man, but having fed so recently, he keeps his gaze averted and continues down the street, taking what little pleasure he can in the crisp night air.<br><br>Averting his gaze doesn't help, though.&nbsp; Nothing could have kept his eyes from her.&nbsp; That build...curves...the blonde curls shimmering in the moonlight....and the sweet laughter, the euphoric tinkling of tiny bells.<br><br>He stops, <em>dead</em>, in his tracks, whipping his neck about to take her in.&nbsp; <em>It is impossible</em>, he reminds himself.&nbsp; <em>An illusion borne of hope.</em>&nbsp; Almost gathering the conviction to turn away, a shiver wracks his spine and keeps his longing gaze fixated.&nbsp; She turns her face toward the street, and he sees her clearly.&nbsp; <em>It is!</em><br><br>His heart jumps.&nbsp; Not as a matter of circulation, but a primal reflex from the mental excitement.&nbsp; Paralyzed, he stands on the sidewalk, savoring the sight until she disappears through the doors, and into an elevator.&nbsp; He stands stone still in shock for a bit longer, mind whirring with <em>What if's?</em> and <em>Can it be's?</em><br><br>Swallowing once, the foul copper taste remaining on his tongue brings him back.&nbsp; He approaches the doorman, clearing his throat.&nbsp; "May I come in?&nbsp; I have to speak to the building manager." he asks the doorman.<br><br>"Certainly sir, ask at the counter." he opens the door for the monster in disguise, inviting him into the building.<br><br>Walking inside, he heads toward the counter, but his eyes seek out the elevator.&nbsp; The light is on eleven.&nbsp; "Floor eleven...." he breathes to himself, turning to leave.<br><br>"On second thought, it is late.&nbsp; I will inquire tomorrow." he informs the doorman in a deep, elegant tone.<br><br><br>He strolls quickly down the sidewalk, diving into the shadows at the corner of the building, his thoughts going to stealth, to navigate the darkness unseen and unstoppable.&nbsp; His dark form fades to mist, and the transparent cloud floats back to the door, seeping through the cracks unnoticed by the doorman, across the lobby, and into the elevator shaft.&nbsp; Counting eleven floors upwards, the mist oozes into the hallway.<br><br>The halls are nearly silent at this hour, save for some casual chatting just around the corner.&nbsp; The sentient mist crawls across the ceiling, and peeks around the bend.....waiting with patience borne of infinite time.&nbsp; Finally, the muscled man from before opens one of the doors, saying goodbye.<br><br>Her voice strikes his ears all too clearly.&nbsp; If mist could jump, he leaps, retreating in a senseless panic, but not before noting the number on the open door.<br><br><em>This could be real!</em> Is his only thought as he speeds through the darkness, back to his gloomy sanctuary.
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				Title: <strong>Re: vampires and look-a-likes.  Oh my!  (GrinningHound + Sephora)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sephora</strong> on <strong>25-04-2008, 22:21:26</strong>
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				Leaving the elevator and walking to the door of her apartment, Holly fumbles around with her box for the second time that day as she rummages through her pocket in search of her apartment key.&nbsp; Finding it after a moment or two, Holly quickly jams the key into the lock only to have the door open on its own from the light push. "You know you really need to try locking your door sometime."&nbsp; Max says from behind her. Rolling her eyes and laughing sheepishly, Holly strides inside, placing her box down quickly before opening the door farther to let Max inside. "I thought I had locked it...I must have forgotten too.&nbsp; No big deal." she responds with a shrug.&nbsp; <br><br>"You say that now, just wait until you come home to an empty apartment and find all your stuff stolen." Max says, hiding his serious warning with a joking tone.<br><br>Waving away her friends advice nonchalantly, Holly takes a few steps further into the room, a look of pride crossing her features as she takes in the space that was littered with brown cardboard boxes that held all of her belongings inside them.&nbsp; She had fallen in love with the place the first time she had seen it, and who could really blame her?&nbsp; With a tiny kitchenette connecting to what seemed to be a living room type of area, the place already had half of the necessities she needed.&nbsp; Even without that, the single bedroom inside had its very own closet! And a fire escape attachment to the window, just for safety!<br><br>"Well...this place looks...like a closet." Max teases, shoving his hands in his pockets.&nbsp; In truth, the apartment was tiny, cheap, had neither heating nor air conditioning, and had a potential rodent problem.&nbsp; But in Holly's eyes it was the best place to live in the entire city.&nbsp; Because she was paying for it by herself, and didn't even have any crazy roommates to deal with.&nbsp; "Oh shush.&nbsp; Just wait until I unpack all of my things and get settled in, then make your judgments." Holly responds with a pout.<br><br>Walking towards the kitchenette, which basically meant taking four steps to her left, Holly opens her mini fridge and grabs two bottles of beer.&nbsp; Tossing one to Max, she leans against the paper thin island that "separated" the kitchen from the living room, and clinks her bottle against his.&nbsp; "To a new start and a great apartment." she cheers with a smile.&nbsp; "And to cheap rent and hot next store neighbors." Max quips back, dodging the punch that Holly sent his way with a laugh.<br><br>After an hour or two of hanging out and unpacking a few random things, Holly bids her friend farewell.&nbsp; <br>"I still need some help moving furniture around tomarrow, so do me a favor and <em>try</em> to get here on time."&nbsp; Holly says, leaning against the doorframe.<br>"Yeah yeah, I'll remember.&nbsp; I'll remember."&nbsp; Max responds, waving her off as he walks away from apartment 11D and towards the elevator.<br><br>Letting out a sigh, Holly shakes her head and walks back inside her apartment, closing the door behind her with a resonating click.&nbsp; She needed to get some sleep.&nbsp; <br>&nbsp;<br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: vampires and look-a-likes.  Oh my!  (GrinningHound + Sephora)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>GrinningHound</strong> on <strong>26-04-2008, 01:47:33</strong>
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				Claudius sinks into a once fine velvety plush chair, now faded and flattened with dust and decades.&nbsp; He claws at his forehead, running his hands through hanging black locks of hair.&nbsp; "It must be just a lookalike.&nbsp; There are millions of pretty young girls, must be thousands with similar features.&nbsp; It's been a long time, a <em>long</em> time.&nbsp; I bet they really look nothing alike, I'm seeing things!&nbsp; It's been so long, so <em>lonely</em>!&nbsp; Of course I'm imagining things."<br><br>He looks up with a sudden realization, and shoots from the chair, darting across the room.&nbsp; He shoves aside a heavy wooden door, it crashes against the stone walls of his keep and hangs limply off the hinges.&nbsp; Ignoring the damage, Claudius stalks down the corridor and tosses aside another barrier, entering a cobweb covered room filled with stacked boxes, cabinets, and chests.&nbsp; He moves between the obstacles, toward the back of the room, to a large, magnificent mahogany wardrobe in the back corner.<br><br>He calms himself with some deep breaths, not that the oxygen was necessary to him, but the act itself was relieving.&nbsp; Reaching slowly to grab the handles, he rests his shaking hands there for a long moment, with his eyes closed.&nbsp; Sighing deeply, he steels himself and opens the doors, revealing a rack of covered clothes.&nbsp; Thrusting his hands between the garments, he parts them aside on the rack, and reaches to grab something from the very back wall of the wardrobe.<br><br>Carefully, reverently, he removes a larg, flat square, covered in a cloth wrap.&nbsp; Claudius peels the fabric from it slowly, tears creating dark spots in the dusty gray as the painting is uncovered.&nbsp; It's an old work, his first masterpiece, a portrait of her....and, it seems....it could very well be a depiction of the young lady he saw this evening.<br><br>Weeping freely now, he replaces the cover and sets the painting back behind the clothes, closing the doors on the physical memories, and drags his feet from the storage room.<br><br>Dropping himself back into the chair, he sits for hours, musing to himself, reliving a painful past, and contemplating an uncertain future.<br><br>"I must know her." he breathes as the sun rises outside.&nbsp; Fatigued, both mentally and physically- he has not been feeding properly for at least a decade- Claudius crawls to a spacious silk lined coffin, unceremoniously falling into it and pulling the cover down.<br><br><br>OOC:&nbsp; Feel free to jump forward and write Holly wherever you'd like.&nbsp; I'm enjoying this a lot, too, I think it will turn out great. ;D
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				Title: <strong>Re: vampires and look-a-likes.  Oh my!  (GrinningHound + Sephora)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sephora</strong> on <strong>26-04-2008, 04:48:52</strong>
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				Letting out a groan and wiping away the sweat that caused her brow to glisten, Holly grimaces as she takes in the boxes that she had yet to unpack.&nbsp; It had seemed like it would be such an easy job when all the boxes were still closed, but as the hours ticked away she found the task boring and difficult.&nbsp; The day had also taught her that the lack of air conditioning would be a bigger problem then she had first assumed.<br><br>She had gone through the living room easily enough, unpacking a few photographs, a lamp or two, and an incomplete shelving unit, but found herself unable to really do anything with the things she had unpacked until Max arrived and would be able to help. The kitchen was the easiest part of her day however , having to only pull out plates, bowls, and other kitchen supplies and put them in their proper drawers.&nbsp; &nbsp;<br><br>Max arrived an hour late but she couldn't hold it against him.&nbsp; Well, she COULD, but she needed the use of muscles a bit too much right now to start an argument over it.&nbsp; And by god if she had to put another piece of clothing into her closet (the most boring part of moving in if you asked her) then she would tear out her hair.<br><br>So they worked through the day, and as the hours ticked by, Holly and Max had managed to unpack ninety percent of her boxes and had set up her bed, her television, a small kitchen/living room table with two chairs, a few shelves, and a cushiony love seat. Now they were about ready to collapse.&nbsp; Holly had chosen to lay herself out on her love seat/couch, while Max hadn't even bothered, his entire body sprawled out on her living room floor.<br><br>"Four more boxes."&nbsp; Holly says, her tone implying that they should get back to work, while her body refused to move from its current coma like position.&nbsp; <br>"no." Max groans out forcefully, so unwilling to move was he, that he ignored the tiny fly that had landed right on his chest.&nbsp; "Why can't you just save the rest for later?" he questions in exasperation. <br><br>"Because, I start my new job tomorrow and I'm not sure if I am gunna have the time or energy to finish." she explains with a sigh, blowing a loose strand of blonde out of her face.&nbsp; The messy ponytail she had on managed to keep most of the slightly sweat ridden and very tangled mess out of the way, but random stray curls still managed to spring out in random places.&nbsp; It annoyed the hell out of her, but she was too tired to even think of doing anything about it.<br><br>"We don't have energy NOW."&nbsp; Max complains, finally rolling over on his side; causing the fly to zoom off and away.<br><br>"Ugh, fine you big baby.&nbsp; Lets have a dinner break then...I wanted to check out that chinese place on that corner anyway." Holly says, giving into Max's will and her own desires with a sigh.<br>"I'm not moving." Max states solidly.<br><br>"Aren't you supposed to be the athletic one between us?" She sighs, "Fine, I will go out and get it.&nbsp; You can...try to stop smelling so bad."&nbsp; Holly says, grunting to herself in stress as she forces herself off of her oh so comfortably couch and out the door.<br><br>She had been so busy today, her worries and bad vibes from yesterday hadn't even crossed her mind. Then again, nothing had happened so there was no real point in concerning herself over it. Stretching her arms out over her head, Holly teeters down the sidewalk; her sleepy green eyes searching for the chinese food place and praying that they would order to go.&nbsp; 
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				Title: <strong>Re: vampires and look-a-likes.  Oh my!  (GrinningHound + Sephora)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>GrinningHound</strong> on <strong>26-04-2008, 08:07:46</strong>
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				Claudius rose with sundown, feeling restless.&nbsp; Something was on his mind again.&nbsp; A new mystery to investigate.&nbsp; Something he cared to know.&nbsp; For the first time in a few years, he has a goal, and for the first time in centuries, he is driven by emotion.&nbsp; He couldn't do it in this condition, though.&nbsp; He had let himself become weak, succumbing to a vast ennui, hardly even feeding.<br><br>A fine meal was the first order of business, to rekindle his strength.&nbsp; He needed to find some good blood.&nbsp; There was an underground system in place, organized by the world's vampires and their followers.&nbsp; He could arrange for some supplicants, those obsessed with vampires and willing to give their blood to a master who would take them in.&nbsp; They would come in small groups, so that he could feed on each only partially, keeping them all alive to regenerate their fluids and serve him again.<br><br>He used to be on top, the first of his kind to come to America in the 1700's.&nbsp; He still had his contacts and connections, and was still revered as one of the most powerful creatures of the night in North America.&nbsp; His influence, though, has waned with his increasing reclusive behavior and withdrawal from the formal circles.<br><br>It didn't matter, he had long become tired of the 'vampire' game, the clan warfare, politics, the obscene debauchery and unfathomable opulence.&nbsp; Now...now he felt the thrill of <em>life</em> upon him again.&nbsp; A <em>passion</em>.&nbsp; He was seeking a woman, and Claudius wanted the <em>hunt</em>.<br><br>He peeled from his window, perched on the upper floor of a mansion that had survived there since the first settlers came to this region, masterfully stone cut Elizabethan architecture with a certain gothic inspired flair in the windows, balconies, and towering roofs.&nbsp; The city had sprung up not so far away, he was technically just into the suburbs, and so the demonic speed of his leathery winged flight brought him to the streets quickly, busy and lit even as darkness overtook them.<br><br>No more drug addled skeletons, he would feast well tonight.&nbsp; A pang of guilt struck him as he realized that it was his intention to remove an innocent life.&nbsp; He had never become comfortable with that in all his years sucking victims dry, having targeted despicable individuals in some manner of twisted charity.&nbsp; Oh, but how he lusted after innocent blood.<br><br>He swooped about the night, overlooking the people who walked the streets, the incessant pounding in his head giving way to pain as he obsessed more and more about the meal, even drooling as he passed over groups of tender flesh.<br><br>Eventually, an abrasive sound assaulted him, pumping from a squat, dimly lit building just off Main street in the cultural area of town.&nbsp; Men and women clad in black, sporting buckles and chains and leathers stood outside, cigarette smoke curling into the air.&nbsp; The pale skin of revealed stomachs and crimson red lipstick struck his eye.&nbsp; He reckoned that inside it was dark, loud, and crowded.&nbsp; This would be a fine place to feed.<br><br>Claudius settled down in the alley alongside the club, and shifted back into a man.&nbsp; Blue black hair hung on his head, and he took a moment to draw a comb from his old fashioned petticoat and tame it, placing it back into a pocket underneath his red bow tie, before entering the dark establishment, down a narrow staircase just inside the door.<br><br>It was dark, perfect.&nbsp; Black clad forms swayed to a high pitched, furious noise, deep, raspy lyrics drowned in excessive instrumentals.&nbsp; Claudius subtly parted the bodies as he made his way into the center of the dance floor.&nbsp; He grabbed a young woman roughly by the shoulder, and spun her around, away from her current partner, to face him.&nbsp; A brief protest was quelled with his severe black gaze, the stare of a vampire.&nbsp; His eyes were seductive and suggestive, endless and hypnotic, deeply powerful, and he showed to her all his inner might, slowly shifting back and forth, getting into a slow, rhythmic dance as she followed his every move.<br><br>Even dancing felt good, having been so long, the minor connection with another body creating an itch in the back of his mind.&nbsp; And itch that had gone unscratched for ages.&nbsp; Slowly, he leaned into her, to place his mouth on her neck.&nbsp; His mind, however, only saw the girl with the golden locks, and realizing this, he saw that this was not her, and his trance was ended.&nbsp; There was only one woman he wanted to enjoy.&nbsp; Frustrated, he lost his sense of subtlety, biting down hard and messy.&nbsp; She screams, a gurgling cry that he ignores as he drinks the sweet nectar, moaning at the back of his breath in satisfaction.<br><br>A bludgeoning about his back makes him aware of the spectacle, and he summons the restraint to toss the girl aside before he does any serious damage.&nbsp; A large man wails on him angrily, Claudius would certainly be lying on the floor were it not for his malevolent strength.&nbsp; With a screech, the monster pounces on him, grasping him about the neck and forcing the much larger man to his knees with only a flex of his forearms.&nbsp; He removes one hand from the thick neck and dives for him as well, drinking for a few seconds.<br><br>He casts him away as well, and shoves a group opposing him to the floor with a wave of his arm.&nbsp; He tackles another girl, sitting frightened, onto the bar, taking the last bit he can hold from her slender neck, then makes fast for the door, disappearing into the night with infinite haste.<br><br>That had not gone well, but no one was seriously hurt, and now he was invigorated.&nbsp; It was time to go to apartment 11D.<br><br><br>On his flight there, he spots her, walking out of a small restaurant just up the street with a bag.&nbsp; His heart would have stopped were it moving.&nbsp; <br><br>Calling upon all his cunning, he comes up with a plan.&nbsp; He needed to make sure of her, he needed to see her more....even if he couldn't actually approach her just yet, so paralyzed by his nerves and by a number of grim outcomes that have been playing through his head.<br><br>He had to see more....to watch and wait and think.&nbsp; A proper vampire never ran into something without investigating it, a natural preservation instinct, intensified a thousand fold by immortality.<br><br>The small bat dissolved in the black sky, into a thin mist, which drifted lazily toward her.&nbsp; He lingered about her for a moment, blending with the natural fog, studying her eerily familiar features.&nbsp; Then, he floated into the bag she was carrying, and in the gap just beneath a box of pork fried rice, and between a bag of egg rolls and a lo mein, the mist collected, coalescing into the small furry creature again, his wings cramped, but otherwise tucked hidden away.<br><br>He needed to be invited into a private residence, but over the years he found that if he were physically brought in, it counted all the same.
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				Title: <strong>Re: vampires and look-a-likes.  Oh my!  (GrinningHound + Sephora)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sephora</strong> on <strong>26-04-2008, 16:52:35</strong>
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				Walking into the tiny Chinese place, Holly finds herself overwhelmed by the intoxicating scents of friend rice and specialty sauces. The chatter of families and friends are everywhere, and the tiny shop looks as though it was filled to capacity.&nbsp; She loved places like this. Places were. in her opinion, humanity was at its finest.&nbsp; In one corner a pair of teenagers sat akwardly; obviously on their first date, while at a table away from them sat two sixty year olds; a couple who had obviously been together for decades. Then, just to add to the noise; families and friends of every size and flavor sat in every spare area; shouting and laughing, all happy and all together.&nbsp; It just gave Holly such a nice warm and fuzzy feeling.&nbsp; <br><br>Waiting in line for a few minutes, her exhaustion temporarily forgotten as she happily continues to take in the restaurants atmosphere.&nbsp; The young woman actually had to be brought to attention by the elderly woman who worked as the front clerk, who was now clearing her throat; obviously an act of trying to gain Holly's awareness rather than an actual cough.<br><br>"Oh!&nbsp; Sorry about that..I guess I will have the lo mien...and the..hmm" Considering for a moment or two, Holly finally shrugs.&nbsp; "Max can just have the fried rice...does that come free with egg rolls?" She questions with a hopeful smile as the woman nods, writes down her order, and sends it to the back.<br><br>After around fifteen minutes of doing nothing but looking around the room and chatting up the elderly woman, Holly's food is handed to her in a large brown bag.&nbsp; Rummaging through her pockets for cash, Holly finally manages to pull out a waded up twenty dollar bill.&nbsp; Taking back the change, she waves goodbye to the woman and walks out of the restaurant, her pace a little bit faster now as she wishes to arrive home while the food was still hot.<br><br>About half way there Holly stumbles slightly, not actually tripping, but something causes her feet to hesitate.&nbsp; There it was again.&nbsp; For the second time in two days, shivers run down her spine.&nbsp; She felt as though she was being...well, watched.&nbsp; Biting down on her lower lip; she forces herself to laugh at her own antics.&nbsp; "I am just tired." she says, trying to soothe the sudden anxiety.<br><br>Continuing onwards,&nbsp; it wasn't long before Holly reached her apartment complex and to her room; otherwise ignorant of the small bat that had found a place in between dinner.<br><br>Pushing open her door, Holly rolls her eyes and lets out a sigh as she see's that Max hadn't moved an inch since she had left.&nbsp; "Dinner's here.&nbsp; You think you have enough energy to get off the floor?"&nbsp; she asks with a laugh as she places the bag on the small table they had set up earlier.<br>"I can try."&nbsp; Max responds with a grunt as he exaggerates the effort of lifting himself off the ground with groans and moans. <br>"You done yet?&nbsp; Your foods getting cold over here."&nbsp; Holly says with a grin as she pulls out the lo mien and fried rice.&nbsp; Not actually looking in the bag as she does so, leaving the young girl ignorant of the bat that may still be laying atop the egg rolls otherwise. 
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				Title: <strong>Re: vampires and look-a-likes.  Oh my!  (GrinningHound + Sephora)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>GrinningHound</strong> on <strong>27-04-2008, 02:31:02</strong>
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				Claudius feels a whoosh of tingly relief as Holly unknowingly carries him across the threshold.&nbsp; That feeling tells him that he has been granted entrance into a private residence.<br><br>Dissolving into mist again, he escapes into the air as she opens the bag, seeming a simple cloud of light steam as the warm contents hits the evening chill of the unheated apartment.<br><br>Immediately unnerved by the sight of Max, again, Claudius clings to the ceiling, invisible, and watches.&nbsp; Is she with him?&nbsp; That would be agony, certainly.&nbsp; Eternity walking alone, and his one love is smitten with another man, unaware of his existence?<br><br>So, Claudius watches, a mere couple hours that would have passed as a blink stretch to an unbearable eternity.&nbsp; He had always loved Amora, since centuries ago in Rome.&nbsp; He had kept her memories hidden away in that wardrobe, an attempt at forgetting, immortality was too long to suffer that loss.&nbsp; However, the poignant sorrow coincided directly with his becoming a monster, and so the memory lingered as part of the curse, it seemed.<br><br>Truly he was fascinated by her, and the mystery behind her appearance intensified it.&nbsp; Each simple mannerism that reminded him of his lost love strengthened his resolve and certainty that this was some divine circumstance, and no mere coincidence.&nbsp; The sweet, flowing laughter, her simple, pretty smile and light, teasing flirtatious nature.&nbsp; The way she bit her lower lip in brief contemplation, or slurped her noodles with a loud, playful noise.<br><br>Claudius realized that it was entirely possible that he was just imagining the similarities, making a connection where none existed and fooling himself.&nbsp; It really didn't matter, though.&nbsp; He was absolutely hypnotized, and felt not at all strange that he was, in effect, stalking her.<br><br>He learned her name through Max, who said it once or twice, and it was beautiful.&nbsp; He learned she had just moved here, and Max was helping her into the place.&nbsp; The big man didn't live here, and through their conversation he gleaned, to his great relief, that they were just good friends, with no serious romantic connection.<br><br>He sighed audibly, and for a brief moment the two could hear the sound, a gentle hiss, like the air being forced from a tire.&nbsp; Thankfully, it was barely noticeable, and left no lasting impression or concern for them.&nbsp; It could very well have been water in a pipe, or any amount of other things that one hears living so close to neighbors and in a big city.<br><br>After helping her with the remaining boxes, Max finally left, and Claudius became quite aware that he was alone with Holly, now.&nbsp; The night was young, however, and he was firmly entranced by the little nymph who stole had stolen his heart and mind.&nbsp; He hung on the ceiling, impossible to notice, and watched her every move with the utmost admiration and patience.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: vampires and look-a-likes.  Oh my!  (GrinningHound + Sephora)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sephora</strong> on <strong>27-04-2008, 23:31:50</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Rolling her eyes as Max finally manages to sit down in his chair, Holly tosses him his rice before she opens up her own noodles.&nbsp; "Ah, do you smell that?&nbsp; Thats the smell of good food right there."&nbsp; She says before diving into her meal.&nbsp; She hadn't relized how hungry she was until right then.&nbsp; Chowing down on her meal,&nbsp; Holly slurps up her noodles loudly, causing Max to look at her with disbelief.&nbsp; <br>"You know, chewing your food isn't half as bad as you'd think." He says as he takes a bite of his own rice.<br>Holly's response to his comment is to merely slurp her food up even louder.<br><br>After a few silent minutes of filling their bellies,&nbsp; Max and Holly begin to talk.<br>"So whats up with you Holly?&nbsp; You seem more on edge than usual." Max says, pointing one of his chopsticks at her accusingly.<br>"I don't know..."&nbsp; she begins, biting down on her lower lip nervously, glancing away from Max as she rubs her arms; suddenly cold.&nbsp; "Ive just been feeling as if...well, I don't know...like..somethings wrong or something..you know?" She says, glancing around her apartment nervously, suddenly finding the place a lot smaller and more confining than she previously had.<br>"Awww, is little Holly scared of the big bad apartment?" Max teases in a babyish voice.&nbsp; "I warned you about this when you first said you wanted to live alone.&nbsp; That you'd get scared like this.&nbsp; Unfortanatly for you, Ive got a big date tonight, so I can't stay the night."&nbsp; Max continues, stretching his arms out as he grins widely.<br>"Really? Thats great, whats her name?"&nbsp; Holly asks with a smile, forgetting about her earlier fears in return for interest in her friends&nbsp; love life.<br>"Sparkle!"<br>Holly stares at her friend blandly, with contempt for a few minutes before speaking,&nbsp; "Why do you continue to date strippers?" she asks blandly.<br>"Because they have the best boobs." Max chirps out happily, only to get hit straight on the forehead with one of Holly's chopsticks.<br><br>"Stop being such a pig and grow up!"&nbsp; Holly grinds out before freezing when she hears something that sounds like a hissing pipe.&nbsp; Now that would be just great.&nbsp; It was bad enough there was no heat in the building to speak of, if the water pipes busted on her she didn't know what she would do.&nbsp; "Just get back to work all right?&nbsp; I will clean up here."&nbsp; She grinds out as she see's Max doing nothing but laughing at her antics, rising to her feet, she begins to work on tossing out the empty Chinese boxes as Max goes to work on putting away the last of her belongings.<br><br>After around two and a half hours of working like this, Max glances at his watch and lets out a yelp.&nbsp; "crap!&nbsp; I'm late for my date!&nbsp; Sparkle will never put out at this rate!" Max cries out in anguish.&nbsp; <br>Rolling her eyes, Holly purses her lips before waving him away.&nbsp; "Just go.&nbsp; And remember to use protection!"&nbsp; She adds, calling out the last bit as Max practically dashes out her doorway.<br><br>Letting out a laugh and another sigh, Holly wipes her hands on her jeans as she looks around her room.&nbsp; "Well, Ive fully unpacked...so there's really not all that much left to do."&nbsp; She says with a smile, none the less however, the young woman manages to find things to do.<br>She spends the rest of her night putting up photographs of a mix of cheap copies of paintings, along with a few photo's of family and friends.&nbsp; After doing that, she works on plugging in her television correctly, spending a good three hours on simply hooking up cable.&nbsp; <br><br>After that, Holly spends the rest of the night for herself, skimming through a book or two, and flipping through tv channels.&nbsp; She also puts together the outfit she planned on wearing the next day; carefully placing the business outfit on the kitchen table so it wouldn't wrinkle.&nbsp; <br><br>Taking a one minute long shower, one that only lasted such a short period of time because the firt thirty seconds were freezing cold, while the last thirty were boiling hot, and not to mention the obnoxiously high water bill she had to pay for it,&nbsp; Holly jumps out of the shower; hissing in pain as her skin suffers from the heat.&nbsp; Cringing to herself as she turns off the water,&nbsp; Holly quickly blow dries her hair and gets ready for bed.<br><br>"It's been a good day."&nbsp; Holly finally breathes out with a smile as she snuggles into her bed, gripping her covers tightly as she makes a mental note to buy herself a heater before drifting off into a deep slumber.&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: vampires and look-a-likes.  Oh my!  (GrinningHound + Sephora)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>GrinningHound</strong> on <strong>28-04-2008, 03:14:46</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Claudius runs off as Holly begins getting ready for bed.&nbsp; <em>It would be improper to spy on her further</em>, he thinks as she begins to undress for the shower.&nbsp; He manages the resolve to peel his focus from her.&nbsp; Besides, the anticipation will make this all the sweeter, and inspire him to action.&nbsp; As patient as the everlasting stones, even the immortal vampire couldn't wait for this passion to reenter him, to feel her love again.<br><br>He returns to his dreary estate, and busies himself with a block of marble, half carved, an unfinished project begun twelve years ago, the tools lying on the floor just where he left them.&nbsp; He brushes the cobwebs away and takes up the chisel before noticing the feature's on the woman's face.&nbsp; Originally intended as a depiction of Pandora opening the box, he is finding it difficult to concentrate on such a morbid topic as the unleashing of all the world's suffering.&nbsp; He's too happy and hopeful right now.<br><br>With a flick of his wrist he knocks the head from her body, and takes up another chunk of marble, slowly forming a different image until the dawn calls him to his coffin.<br><br><br>Claudius wakes up the next evening, wishing he could go out during the day.&nbsp; It would likely make it easier to get a chance to speak with Holly.<br><br>Before that, though, he wishes he could use a mirror.&nbsp; He had no idea how he looked, and was aware that his attire was sorely out of fashion.&nbsp; Smiling, he recalls a time he had gone shopping for a new wardrobe.&nbsp; The attendants were eager to help him into new clothes, but when it came time to try them on, they had gone pale white and became terrified when they saw he had no reflection.&nbsp; The tabloids had a good time with the story of two young girls in a high end metropolitan clothing store who swore they had dressed a vampire.<br><br>Maybe some supplicants would be useful.&nbsp; He certainly had the funds to put up a few servants, and it would make it easier to feed without causing trouble.&nbsp; He wasn't' informed on the current vampire scene in the city, there was always the possibility of a slayer catching wind and causing trouble for him.<br><br>So....before he would court this young lady, he would have to make sure it was safe, for the both of them.<br><br>He picked up and old style telephone, with the turn dial.&nbsp; He hasn't upgraded to the modern times, yet, and dialed an old friend.<br><br>He had risen Marcelle in the 50's, after having become at odds with a crime boss.&nbsp; He managed to place Marcelle into a position of influence withing the organization.&nbsp; He would know about any relevant news, and could help him begin networking with the vampire world again.<br><br>"Claudius?" Marcelle answers the special line.<br><br>"Master, still." Claudius replies.&nbsp; "You have forgotten your manners, Marcelle?"<br><br>"Never, master.&nbsp; I apologize.&nbsp; It has been so long."<br><br>"Not so long, Marcelle.&nbsp; Understand that you are young." Claudius rasps into the phone.<br><br>"Apologies, master.&nbsp; It is good to hear from you."&nbsp; The voice on the other end seems nervous.<br><br>"Marcelle, do not fear me.&nbsp; Respect, me, always, but fear only if you have reason to do so."<br><br>"Never, Master!&nbsp; What can I do for you."<br><br>"I am returning, Marcelle.&nbsp; I have lain dormant too long, but now....now I see the world anew."&nbsp; Claudius smiles to himself as he contemplates the future.&nbsp; "Marcelle, you know this city, correct?&nbsp; You have kept control in my absence?"<br><br>"Always, Master.&nbsp; You have placed your faith in me well." Marcelle's smooth voice regains a hint of it's bravado.<br><br>"I need an update,&nbsp; On everything.&nbsp; And I need supplicants.&nbsp; You may have heard of a....misadventure in Club Rampant, last evening."<br><br>A tone of surprise.&nbsp; "I assure you I had men investigating, Master.&nbsp; That was you?"<br><br>"Yes.&nbsp; Keep it quiet?"&nbsp; A command, not a question.<br><br>"Certainly, Master.&nbsp; Would you like to discuss this in person?&nbsp; There is a...private establishment, called the Black Label."<br><br>"Where it used to be?"&nbsp; Claudius asks.<br><br>"Apologies, Master.&nbsp; No, that was disbanded when a group of Paladins were poking around during the Clinton administration."<br><br>"They must have been inept, Clinton was reelected." he laughs.<br><br>"Quite, Master.&nbsp; Nonetheless, we have relocated."&nbsp; Marcelle gives Claudius the directions.&nbsp; "Would you like an escort, Master?"<br><br>No, I will see you shortly, Marcelle.&nbsp; You have done well.&nbsp; Continue to do so."<br><br>"Yes, Master.&nbsp; It is good to hear from you."<br><br>Claudius hangs up, collecting himself.&nbsp; He leaps from the window, taking flight with leathery wings.<br><br><br>OOC:&nbsp; I'll post more later, or if you would like to play Marcelle and some folks at the Black Label, that would be great, too.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: vampires and look-a-likes.  Oh my!  (GrinningHound + Sephora)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sephora</strong> on <strong>28-04-2008, 21:44:44</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Immediately after Marcelle hung up the phone with Claudius, he instantly called in a handful of lower vampires.&nbsp; Ordering them to inform all those he had sent out that he was calling off the search on Club Rampant, Marcelle leans back in his leather chair.&nbsp; Why was Claudius reawakening now?&nbsp; The man had never been impulsive, it was one of the many things that Marcelle admired his master for...so what had caused him to be so reckless at Club Rampant?&nbsp; Sending a few quick emails to several of his minions to prepare for any orders he may soon have for them; Marcelle lowers his eyes.&nbsp; His Master would need an update on the past century.&nbsp; Clothes, electronics, and who knew what else...Marcelle didn't know where to begin.&nbsp; He supposed he would simply have to await his Masters orders.<br><br>The moment Claudius arrives, the entire population inside the Black Label goes silent.&nbsp; Half of them could sense the power that had stepped into the club, and the other half were human servants who knew to be silent when their masters were.&nbsp; <br><br>Only a single vampire walked forward, obviously nervous as he steps up to Claudius.&nbsp; "Marcelle is in the VIP lounge sir...would you like me to take you there?" the brunette vampire questions softly.<br>Up a metal staircase led to the VIP lounge.&nbsp; Usually holding a decent number of the elite, the room was completly empty except for the slightly short vampire rising from his chair as Claudius enters.&nbsp; Wearing an armani suit with his black hair gelled back, it is quite apparent of the vampire in questions original italian heritage.&nbsp; "It's good to see you Master." Mercelle states with respect, his head tilting downwards slightly. "Are you in need of drink?&nbsp; There are more than a few girls downstairs who would be more than willing..." Marcelle states, leaving the rest to finish in silence as he waves his hand towards the one sided window that faced the club; the other side only seeing mirror.&nbsp; <br><br>&nbsp;<br><br>(I figure we can have different time frames for our characters until they meet.&nbsp; is that alright with you?)<br><br>Waking up to the voice of some random and overly caffeinated radio talk show host,&nbsp; Holly grumbles incoherently as she slams her hand down on her alarms off button.&nbsp; Barely conscious, Holly blinks tiredly, staring at the ceiling, and for a moment or two she wonders where she is.&nbsp; Before memory slams her in the face and she jumps up to look at the time.&nbsp; <br><br>Or at least she tries to, legs tangled in the sheets,&nbsp; Holly's jerking motion causes her to fall and tumble off of her bed and onto the freezing floor.&nbsp; "Agh!"&nbsp; The girl cries out as she kicks and pulls at the sheets until she finds her freedom.&nbsp; Finally freeing herself and rising to her feet, Holly grumbles a little while rubbing her temple.&nbsp; This was NOT the way she wanted to wake up every morning from now on.&nbsp; Glancing at the clock,&nbsp; the young woman curses to herself before dashing around her apartment, grabbing a bagel for herself in the midst of shoving herself into her navy blue skirt and matching business jacket.&nbsp; <br><br>Bouncing onto the elevator with one high heel on, the other being forced into her foot with her hands, bagel in mouth; Holly was a sight to behold.&nbsp; <br><br>By the time she had made it to work however, she looked every bit the sophisticated young woman; albeit with a slightly messy hairdo.&nbsp; <br><br>Walking into the auction gala, Holly's heels echo against the marble floor, her eyes nervous as she searches for some kind of main desk.&nbsp; Spotting the human resources office, Holly steps inside only to find herself face to face with the elderly man who would be her boss.&nbsp; "Oh!&nbsp; Um-hello, Mr. Peterson.&nbsp; I'm Holly Southwell, You interviewed me awhile ago about-" she is cut off half way through her stutters as the man speaks; the wrinkle worn scowl never once leaving his face.<br>"Yes yes.&nbsp; As my secretary your desk will be in front of my office.&nbsp; There is paper work on the Athens exhibit that needs to be filled out on your desk.&nbsp; Send it to me once your done."&nbsp; He states grumpily as he trots back into what had to have been his office.<br>Looking like a scared bunny for a moment, Holly hesitates before slowly following the man and stopping at her desk, cringing as she see's the mountain of paperwork that covered her desk.&nbsp; <br><br>This was going to be a long day.<br><br>(Oh!&nbsp; And you can play any characters you want to with Holly as well.)
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: vampires and look-a-likes.  Oh my!  (GrinningHound + Sephora)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>GrinningHound</strong> on <strong>29-04-2008, 03:50:45</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Claudius manages not to sneer with disdain at the lavish surrounding and the decadence in the club.&nbsp; "I'll drink when I leave.&nbsp; The most pressing matter is going to be getting some servants so I won't have to cause a ruckus."&nbsp; He takes a seat near the big window, and looks out into a fabulous view of the lit skyline.&nbsp; "I'll have them help me find some modern attire and...whatever else I'll need to fit in.&nbsp; I want them good.&nbsp; No one untested, no one too new.&nbsp; Career supplicants.&nbsp; Only three, enough to feed properly without crippling them.&nbsp; They'll live in my guest wing, and double as housekeepers, I will pay them.&nbsp; I have....a great amount of work to do cleaning and decorating the manor, if I want it fit for company...." he trails off at that, lost in thought.<br><br>Recovering, he looks at Marcelle.&nbsp; "It seems you have been doing well.&nbsp; Tell me all that has happened since I brought you in."<br><br>Marcelle is silent for a moment, thinking of how to begin.&nbsp; "Well, one important thing you should know....." he begins to inform Claudius of the important political and cultural events and goings on, as some servants bring them a rich meal of dripping steak and exquisite wine.<br><br>"Master, there is a historian you may wish to speak to.&nbsp; He would be most able to fill in any details or prepare you some documents."&nbsp; Marcelle says, delicately sipping his glass of red wine.<br><br>"Hmm.&nbsp; Very well."&nbsp; Claudius chews eagerly on the red steak, cooked only enough to make it hot.&nbsp; The meal does taste better than he remembered, probably just due to it having been so long since he's experienced it.<br><br>"I'll get you his business card before you leave, Master."<br><br>"Yes.&nbsp; Also, get someone to take my measurements.&nbsp; I want some suits purchased and delivered to my home during the day."<br><br>"Very well, Master.&nbsp; Do you need some assistance with financial matters?"<br><br>"I have money....." he thinks about it.&nbsp; "Just make sure to get me a servant who is knowledgeable enough to help me with these sorts of things.&nbsp; There's that....card, that holds money from a bank, now, correct?"<br><br>"A credit card, Master?&nbsp; Certainly, I'll make sure to find you a servant who can serve as a personal assistant."<br><br>"I have placed my trust in you well."&nbsp; Claudius compliments.<br><br>"Thank you, Master.&nbsp; It is nearing morning.&nbsp; Would you like a drink now, or an escort home?"<br><br>"Yes.&nbsp; Keep in contact, Marcelle."&nbsp; A serving girl leads Claudius into a private room, where she takes his measurements, and then presents her neck for him to rejuvenate for the evening.&nbsp; Another two servants enter, one helping the other to rest, and another who leads Claudius to a limousine that brings him back to his mansion as the sky slowly begins to brighten.<br><br><br>OOC:&nbsp; That's all good.&nbsp; Things will be getting interesting soon. :)<br><br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: vampires and look-a-likes.  Oh my!  (GrinningHound + Sephora)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sephora</strong> on <strong>29-04-2008, 04:27:09</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				OOC: So I take it we our characters are back on the same timeline now?<br><br>Running a hand through her hair in frustration, Holly fills out what had to have been her seven hundredth form of the day.&nbsp; She had been warned that this job would be both difficult and tedious, but she hadn't realized she would have this much to do on her very first day.&nbsp; Letting out a whimpering sigh as she discovers her second pen had run out of ink, Holly slams her hands down on her desk before rising to her feet.<br><br>She needed a lunch break.<br><br>Walking into the building's cafeteria, Holly is quickly picked up by a small group of coworkers.&nbsp; All of whom were kind enough to voice their condolences to her for getting Peterson as a boss.&nbsp; Apparently he was famed for being not only a brilliant historian, but also a twisted sadist when it came to his employee's. <br><br>After lunch, Holly welcomes back her desk, one that seemed to have only increased in the amount of paperwork coating it before she had left.&nbsp; <br>She spends much of her day in the same fashion, answering phones, transferring calls, typing up reports on the computer, and filling out forms for things she was utterly clueless about.<br><br>By the end of the day, the blonde was wiped.&nbsp; Her feet throbbing and her entire body crying out in exhaustion, the young girl drags herself along the city streets that were quickly darkening under fading sun.&nbsp; "When I get home, I am going to pass out and die."&nbsp; the young woman promises herself with a groan as she undoes her hair from its up do that had appeared so efficient when she was running out of her apartment this morning.&nbsp; It is in the midst of this that Holly crashes into an unknowing innocent bystander.<br><br>"Watch it!"&nbsp; The cranky young woman grinds out as she works at pulling herself up off the ground, a difficult feet in heels.<br>"Hey, you were the one who crashed into me!"&nbsp; The thuggish looking brunette man grumbles at her, none the less helping Holly to her feet.<br><br>"Yeah yeah..." Holly mutters back to the man, walking away from him without a second thought.<br><br>Reaching her apartment, going up the elevator, and collapsing on top of her love seat; Holly kicks off her heels and lets out a loud groan. She had thought she had been tired yesterday!&nbsp; She had no idea...ugh.&nbsp; And now she was hungry too...<br>Glancing at her tiny kitchenette that now seemed miles away from her seat, Holly shakes her head.&nbsp; Between food and a nap, she was choosing a nap.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: vampires and look-a-likes.  Oh my!  (GrinningHound + Sephora)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>GrinningHound</strong> on <strong>29-04-2008, 05:12:48</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				OOC:&nbsp; Hmmm......how do I want to do this....<br><br>Upon rising the next evening, Claudius finds a box at his front door.&nbsp; Inside are a handful of contemporary suits, ranging from sharp black and 'dressy' to more subdued grays.&nbsp; Also contained is a note.<br><br><br>Master, I will have a selection of servents all willing and uncomparably suited to your needs ready for you on Saturday evening.&nbsp; Tentative plans are for a driver to pick you up at midnight at your estate and bring you to the Black Label to meet them.&nbsp; Please call me if you need anything.<br><br>Included is the card of the historian, if you would like to speak with him.<br><br>-Marcelle.<br><br>PS:&nbsp; Your answering machine isn't working.<br><br>The plans were solid enough.&nbsp; He flipped the card about in his hands, and went inside to call.&nbsp; Dialing the number on the rotary, he put the reciever to his ear.&nbsp; Nothing.&nbsp; Calling again....nothing.&nbsp; A faulty number?<br><br>No, he sighs.&nbsp; The power cord to his phone was broken, cut in two.&nbsp; Likely chewed through by a rat.&nbsp; Having no other way to contact this man, he was about to set off toward the Black Label, when he stopped.<br><br><em>I can't rely on him too much.&nbsp; I need to maintain an illusion of power.&nbsp; I am far too vulnerable now to risk letting anyone think they can climb the ranks.</em> Claudius broods to himself, and steps back down from the window ledge.<br><br>He had confidence in Marcelle.&nbsp; He had raised him, after all.&nbsp; It was others.&nbsp; Rumors tended to be magnified in the world of vampiric intrigue and suspicion, and he couldn't risk it.<br><br>So, the vampire decided, he would go visit this man at his office during the day.&nbsp; Sunlight wasn't actually harmful to his kind, that was a myth.&nbsp; It did rob them of a considerable amount of power, though, made them more vulnerable.&nbsp; Claudius wasn't terribly worried.&nbsp; He felt a little reckless, a little eager, even, to feel alive again under the warm day sun.<br><br>He decides to go back to his marble, to spend the night delicately carving a face for his beheaded statue.&nbsp; Long into the morning he works, consumed in the features, before the sun crests the horizon, stinging his eyes, unused to the sight.<br><br>Another couple of hours, he dons a new suit, immaculate black with pinstripes, and a crimson red shirt beheath it, with a solid black silk tie.&nbsp; A striking look, really, given his decent height, dark eyes, and midnight black hair, swept back with a few strokes of his comb into smooth, mid length waves.<br><br>He decides to walk the distance, it takes a few hours.&nbsp; Were it not for the fatigue caused by the sun, he would be having a grand time.&nbsp; He even manages to shake that off, walking with a spring, happy to be back and feeling like a normal man, walking under the sun.<br><br>The man was an auction coordinator, named Harvey Peterson.&nbsp; Was he a vampire, or just involved in the society?&nbsp; Marcelle hadn't said, and Claudius had not thought to ask.<br><br>He walks in, following the signs in the gala, to stop dead when he steps into the secretary's office, speechless and immobile.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: vampires and look-a-likes.  Oh my!  (GrinningHound + Sephora)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sephora</strong> on <strong>30-04-2008, 21:03:48</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Waking the next morning to the sound of an annoyingly chipper radio talk show host, Holly slams her hand down on her alarm; successfully finding her off button.&nbsp; Glancing at the time, the young woman smiles serenely, she had woken up on time this morning; thank god, and could now prepare herself for work at a sane rate.<br><br>Shoving a piece of bread into her toaster, Holly quickly works around her morning routine, getting dressed, cleaning herself up, etc. etc.&nbsp; Making a light reminder to herself that she still needed to call both Max and her family to assure them she was alive and well,&nbsp; Holly strides out of her apartment; a thousand times more confidant and graceful than she had just one day prior. <br><br>Taking the short ten minute walk to work,&nbsp; Holly takes the time to look around her.&nbsp; Taking serious note of the grocery store and washer/dryer center, Holly narrows her eyes as she makes sure to keep the location of the buildings to memory.&nbsp; &nbsp;Reaching the Auction house with a sigh, Holly tugs a loose tendril of hair that had fallen out of her braid.&nbsp; She needed to remind herself that her job was a great opportunity, and that even though it totally sucked now, it would take her far, and help her get the kind of job she really wanted.<br><br>Greeting a few of her new acquaintances with an easy smile and light wave, Holly settles down into her desk, grimacing as she see's a whole new stack of files that needed to be completed.&nbsp; Quickly organizing the giant mess of papers into categories revolving around what needed to be finished now, by tomorrow, and before she was even hired; Holly shakes her head, wondering what kind of job experience this would give her.&nbsp; What was she going to put on her resume from this?&nbsp; That her penmanship was impeccable? <br><br>After working a couple hours in a fashion that she was quickly discovering would be the norm, Holly looks up from her paperwork as she hears the office door open.<br><br>"I'm sorry, can I help you with something?"&nbsp; &nbsp;She asks with a small smile as she looks curiously at the man who remained standing in front of the doorway.&nbsp; He was certainly handsome, looking like someone who had came right out of a magazine add. Chiseled features and broad shoulders, piercing eyes and solid stature...She knew that people like him existed, but the only time she could recall seeing someone like him was in an advertisement or a toothpaste commercial.&nbsp; <br><br>He wasn't really her type though, so Holly didn't really think much in that aspect.&nbsp; Her mother had always warned her about men who were a little too good looking, they would only bring her trouble.<br><br>Along with all of that, there was something about him that unnerved her.&nbsp; Goosebumps roll down her spine, and Holly finds herself shifting uncomfortably in her seat.<br><br>Biting down on her lower lip and glancing nervously towards the door to Mr.Peterson's office, she forces herself to give the man a meek smile once more as she asks, "Do you have an appointment?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: vampires and look-a-likes.  Oh my!  (GrinningHound + Sephora)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>GrinningHound</strong> on <strong>30-04-2008, 21:54:17</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				OOC:&nbsp; He's not a Ken doll! :)&nbsp; That description is more or less accurate, but I'm thinking the whole effect is almost too <em>severe</em>, making him look a little more dark and intimidating, and less like a model.&nbsp; (Unless you're advertising a funeral home...)<br><br>You called Holly Mina a couple times.&nbsp; I looove that name, but try not to mix it up. ;D<br>*******************<br><br><em>Damnit, think fast, think fast!&nbsp; You're centuries old, you've overcome more than <em>generations</em> have witnessed!&nbsp; She's still a woman....</em><br><br>"No appointment." he says in his deep, almost raspy tone.&nbsp; "He will want to see me, though."&nbsp; Claudius can sense her unease, and he forces himself to smile, approaching the desk.&nbsp; "Could you call him, for me?"<br><br>She seems unsettled by him, the usual effect, he notes with disappointment, and a growing sense of dread gnaws at the back of his mind.&nbsp; <em>This might....go badly.</em><br><br><br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: vampires and look-a-likes.  Oh my!  (GrinningHound + Sephora)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sephora</strong> on <strong>30-04-2008, 22:07:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				OOC:&nbsp; Lol, I hadn't thought my description of your character was ken doll like, ^^ I was just trying to write a creative way of, "he looked almost unreal; but not in the ugly way."<br><br>As for the Mina thing, Sorry!&nbsp; :P I have been working on character creation for another rp I am going to be doing, and I must have just mixed it up a little.&nbsp; Sorry! <br><br>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br><br><br>Blinking curiosly at the mans throaty tone, Holly reaches for the phone, hesitating for a moment as she gives Claudius a wary, unsure look.&nbsp; "Alright...and what did you say your name was?" she asks with obvious uncertainty before listening to whatever answer he gave her.<br><br>Pressing the button that screened over to her boss's phone line, Holly keeps her eyes on Claudious as she speaks.<br><br>"Hello Mr. Peterson.&nbsp; There is a Mr. Claudius (Insert whatever your character says here or nothing if otherwise) here...he would like to see you.&nbsp; Are you available?" she asks lightly.<br><br>(Do you want to play Peterson, or do you want me to continue too?&nbsp; Or do you want to share him?)
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: vampires and look-a-likes.  Oh my!  (GrinningHound + Sephora)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>GrinningHound</strong> on <strong>02-05-2008, 00:26:50</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				(Let's share him.)<br><br>Peterson stomps out in a huff.&nbsp; "This close to a big exhibit I can't be distracted by everyone who walks in that door.&nbsp; That's why I have <em>you</em>" he jabs a finger at Holly, "sitting here.&nbsp; You make <em>appointments</em>, so I can get things done!"<br><br>He takes a deep breath and looks at Claudius.&nbsp; "Can I <em>help</em> you?" he nearly snorts.<br><br>Claudius looks over him coldly.&nbsp; "Just now, when I walked in, I asked to see you.&nbsp; She called you, and now we are speaking."&nbsp; He takes a step toward the slightly taller man, meeting his incredulous gaze.&nbsp; "I call this efficiency.&nbsp; You will now apologize for your inconsiderate words."<br><br>Peterson guffaws just under his breath, with a nervous grin.&nbsp; "And you are?"<br><br>"Claudius, just as she said on the phone.&nbsp; Now, apologize to the young lady, and we may begin our discussion.&nbsp; Marcelle recommended you."<br><br>Peterson stands mouth agape, staring at Claudius in shock, for a moment, before half stammering something, and turning to Holly.&nbsp; "I'm sorry.&nbsp; Thank you for buzzing me."<br><br>"Good.&nbsp; Now, let's speak in private for a moment."&nbsp; The vampire strolls calmly into Peterson's office, and the red faced businessman follows, shutting the door behind him.<br><br><br>Claudius only half pays attention as Peterson goes over some important matters in detail.&nbsp; He leans back in his chair, gazing through the narrow glass panes around the door at the perky blonde woman while she busily takes calls and fills out forms, straining his ears to catch her melodic voice as she issues her bubbly greetings over the phone.<br><br>"Good...right.&nbsp; Why don't you print me a copy of all that, and send it to Marcelle.&nbsp; I'll read it over at my liesure." he dismisses Peterson after an hour of the man denying calls and moving appointments.<br><br>Claudius walks back out into the small secretary room.&nbsp; <em>I need to know now!</em> he thinks, swallowing his fears.<br><br>He smiles, nervously, a totally different visage from the confident, imposing man that had so easily melted Peterson.&nbsp; "I would like to take you out." he bluntly tells Holly when she hangs up the phone.&nbsp; "Would you....go to lunch with me?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: vampires and look-a-likes.  Oh my!  (GrinningHound + Sephora)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sephora</strong> on <strong>05-05-2008, 23:18:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Grimacing as she hears Mr. Peterson go into what was quickly becoming his usual level of nastiness,&nbsp; Holly can barely murmer out a decent level of excuses, explanations, and/or apologies before the man-Claudius, intervened.&nbsp; She could only watch open mouthed as the man bluntly takes control of the situation, showing blatent superiority and dominance over her boss, and then going so far as to make her boss apologize to her.&nbsp; Watching the two entire Peterson's office, Holly couldn't help the grin from spreading across her face.<br><br>It was nice to know that there were people out there who wouldn't tolerate Peterson's crap.<br><br>The wide smile still on her face even as the two men dissapear behind her boss's closed door, Holly goes about her work, a little bit more chipper than she had been previously.<br><br>After around an hour or so of delying previous appointments, answering phones, and filing out more of those damnable files,&nbsp; Mina finds someone standing in front of her desk just as she hangs up on another random caller.<br><br>A slightly familiar someone.&nbsp; Looking up at the man with a polite smile, Holly can't help but feel a slight gratitude towards the man.&nbsp; He managed to not only get her out of trouble, but even managed to get her boss to apologize to her as well!&nbsp; Seeing the man who had been so cool and confidant a mere hour before looking at her with such nervousness left Holly a little confused, at least, until he opened his mouth.<br><br>"..wha-?" Is the intellectual answer Holly is able to stumble out, so completly thrown off by the mans question.&nbsp; He wanted to go to lunch?&nbsp; With her?&nbsp; "Well..." biting down on her lower lip in thought, it really only takes Holly a second or two to decide.&nbsp; While normally she wouldn't just jump the gun like this...she DID owe the man after all, and it didn't hurt that he wasn't all too bad to look at.&nbsp; "Alright, sure.&nbsp; My lunch break isn't for another half hour though...you wanna meet up at that little cafe across the street from here?" she offers happily.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: vampires and look-a-likes.  Oh my!  (GrinningHound + Sephora)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>GrinningHound</strong> on <strong>08-05-2008, 14:16:22</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				A small wave of relief washes over him as a genuine grin spreads over his face.&nbsp; "Yes, that is good.&nbsp; I'll see you there." his gaze lingers on her for another moment longer, staring into her eyes, when he turns to leave, walking quickly.<br><br>This whole thing was nerve wracking, he thought as he walked across the street to the cafe.&nbsp; Such unease was almost foreign to him.&nbsp; For hundreds of years he's been able to glide in to any woman's heart, without hardly a thought as to the formal process.<br><br>She was different, though.&nbsp; He wouldn't charm her with his eyes.&nbsp; The similarities to his first and only true love were too perfect, she must be something special.&nbsp; Immortality was boring, and now along came a single, consuming passion, the uncertainty made him feel alive, somewhat giddy and anxious, but also afraid.<br><br>Sitting at a table under the pavilion, he orders a fruit juice.&nbsp; A small television is on in the corner, a local news channel.&nbsp; He watches it with strange intent, the world is different than it was fifty years ago, the last time he was very active.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: vampires and look-a-likes.  Oh my!  (GrinningHound + Sephora)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Sephora</strong> on <strong>12-05-2008, 20:39:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Letting out a breath she hadn't known she had been holding once he leaves, Holly runs a hand through her hair and smiles sheepishly.&nbsp; Well, she certainly hadn't been expecting THAT to happen today.&nbsp; Who knew that she would get asked out in only her first week working here?&nbsp; Well...it wasn't really <em>asking out.</em> It was just lunch after all.&nbsp; Nothing to get to stressed over.<br><br>So she doesn't.<br><br>In fact Holly practically forgets all about her lunch date for the next half hour.&nbsp; Finding tons of things to busy herself with from files to fill out to phone calls to deliver and receive.<br><br>It was only as she walks out of the Gala that the true impact of the situation hits her.&nbsp; She was about to eat out with a man who she knew absolutely nothing about.&nbsp; Well, she knew his name; Claudius.&nbsp; But that was only because he had told her in order to inform his boss of his arrival.&nbsp; In fact, she was fairly certain she had never actually introduced herself!&nbsp; The entire situation just seemed so odd...<br><br>Never the less, Holly continues onwards to the small cafe, shaking her head in disbelief at the whole scenario.&nbsp; Spotting Claudius sitting at one of the outdoor tables, she greets the man with a small wave and a brief smile before walking over to his table and taking a seat.<br><br>"Hey there."&nbsp; She says sheepishly, suddenly finding herself feeling a little embarrassed.&nbsp; 
			</dd>
		</dl>
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