#zyrynd

A month. That’s how long Kai had been a so-called free man, and even though he was, in the grand scheme of things, it didn’t quite feel like that. Work was hard to come by, having to patch together random labour jobs the rich people of Obsidian city loved to give him (underpaying ex-cons to do their less savoury jobs seemed to give them a rush). But he would take whatever he got at this point. 

But Kai was a good worker. He didn’t care about getting his hands dirty, and he didn’t ask questions. He was obviously a man with motivations, and though none of his employers knew of the small family he wanted to be able to support without leaning on his parents, they could tell he needed cash quickly. He’d spent the day in Port Grave, moving packages onto a ship heading god knows where, and honestly all he wanted was a moment to himself and a stiff drink. He loved being home, but he was still himself, a solitary man.

It was funny, how much a town could change in eighteen months. New bars had popped up, his old faithful busier than he’d like it to be. So Kai found himself wandering, instead lighting up a cigarette and enjoying the chill of the night air. That was, until he recognised the person heading towards him. “Well fuck.” He raised a hand in greeting. It was becoming a common occurrence, but at least an old friend of his own was more welcome than the grating voice of one of middle aged gossips who lived near his parents..

.

Lust provided the woman with the certainty needed to push through the next few circles. Doubt had been an unusual crutch for a lot of Dusty’s life. It was easy to blame failures on inexperience. Today, for a victory, much must’ve needed to change. It did not matter if she was not a vampire for long. This circle, placed by Pendragons and possibly the line of vampires she could belong to, had supplied such an advantage. No other being had over her, or others alike. Vampire’s speed was used to advance to the door, the wind thrashing through her hair a euphoric feeling. She stopped at once, forearm to the chest of a stranger as she slammed them into a nearby wall. The scent of blood and the taste of cherries on her swollen lips riled up excitement unlike any other. Tonight, she’d feast like a fucking queen. The exposed smirk widened with bared fangs.

“Been waiting for me long?” she inquired the stranger.

“Fancy finding you here,” the Hallmark greeting rolled off Dusty’s tongue, as a large pair of sunglasses glided down the bridge of her nose to reveal her face. In actuality, Dusty had planned to corner him here. Whether it be today, tomorrow, or the very next day -- whenever he showed up to check in on his busiest location. Dusty didn’t go to business school but had seen enough episodes of Undercover Boss to know regular visits equaled success. Uncrossing her legs, the heels of her boots clamored against the tiled floors as she rose to her feet. “You and I are taking a cruise today. I wouldn’t wear cashmere and I’d invest in a snorkel.” You couldn’t always tell what was and wasn’t literal with the vampire. She swirled her iced ethereum latte around, cubes filling the silence between them. “You too busy?” seemed to be the silliest question to ask Zyrynd Spector but she did it anyways.