❝ I’m thankful the world has evolved beyond torturous corsets, but this other contraption will be an odd adjustment. ❞ Ana, the name she’d be called once they reached the city, said with puckered crimson petals before stepping out for the first time. The outfit they’d scavenged together fit her frame nicely, and it allowed a freedom her vampiric clothing lacked. Onyx hues lined with black kohl sparkled in excitement, curious for what the city would offer and see the world beyond the darkness. ❝ Will I pass for a mortal within the gated walls? I don’t want to run into any trouble with the guards or get a bounty on my head the first time I set foot in the new world. ❞

   ‘  i wonder if i would lose my job if i punched a customer  ...  ‘  she grumbled to paxton as she slid an order to him, shaking her head ever so slightly.  ‘  whatever, i guess  --  but they better leave a good fucking tip if they’re going to have their hands all over my ass  !  ‘

                      “Paxton love, come over here and take a SELFIE with me.”    Rebekah held her phone out and motioned for Paxton to join her.  Simply tagging him in something would give a decent boost to her follower count.

             wind tousled raven locks as serana stared off into the distance, storm clouds brewing on the horizon line and within her dark gaze. the chill of the late eve breeze crept up her spine, goosebumps quick to rise on illuminated ivory skin. thunder barely registered to the vampire lost to questions & doubts, at the hands of two strangers who could pose a threat to her mission. they seemed to be harmless, -- dare she say kind, --- but lions disguised as lambs were often seen in humanity. a shallow sigh escaped off her lips, the same instant a branch snapped behind her. within moments, serana turned to have her blade in her left hand ready to strike whatever enemy dared to take her by surprise. however, the moment her gaze landed on his face, serana bit her lip and withdrew her blade. ❝ my apologies. is there something you need of me? ❞

       ever since the second separation from skylar, bay struggled to keep herself safe from another fall off the wagon & a trip down unhealthy coping mechanisms lane. she managed to keep herself straight with the help of alice, who let her stay until bay felt comfortable being on her own in her one bedroom apartment. however, when it became clear bay hadn't left her home except for class and therapy, alice forced her to immerse herself in the outside world again. the world terrified the young recovered alcoholic, especially in the big city where a bar seemed to be placed on every corner. even now, in the midst of the art gallery alice had suggested, champagne flowed freely among the guests in celebration of the artist's gallery opening. the bubbly became a siren song to her sober bloodstream; her heart ached and yearned for just one little taste of the liquid courage to get her through the unbearable lonliness she'd felt. rather than keep herself in temptations path, the brunette wandered away from the crowd towards the less admired artwork in the corner of the gallery. feet froze in front of another masterpiece, a quick intake of breath the instant emerald hues rested on the charcoal piece. for a moment, the siren call quelled in her veins and allowed peace in her overworked mind as bay absorbed the work. it seemed to call out to her very essense, a soul trapped in a never ending stream of chaotic thoughts and emotions unable to be contained no matter how tirelessly she tried.

       lost in her own interpretations, bay didn't register the person who planted himself next to her until emerald hues caught sight in her peripheral vision. instantly, the brunette forced herself to use both legs to support her weight, rather than lean on her good right side. pain crinkled her soft expression for the briefest of seconds, which she tried to hide as she kept her gaze on the art in front of her. after another moment of contemplation, bay decided to try to be social and turned to look the male head on rather than hide behind her don't mess with me side eyes. ( alice would be so proud to hear, and maybe it'd earn her a bit of slack from alice's insistance of new connections in her otherwise lonely existance. ) emeralds momentarily widened as they connected to sapphires, a flicker of awe at the beautiful shade and the stark contrast of his dark hair. simply put, the man before her was more beautiful than all the artwork combined and left her palms sweaty in nervousness. rather than reveal any weakness, bay lifted those guards around her heart and crossed her arms in front of her chest to hide her clammy hands & the slight quiver of her hands. the pain radiated from the weight on her left leg, yet she stayed firmly planted on both feet --- an attempt at a good first impression rather than receive any pity from the stranger. ❝ what brings you to this part of the gallery? everyone seems to be focused on the charcoal over there, rather than the real masterpieces in the corner. ❞