An Experiment In Genetics

    Walter rolled off the dank mattress and stretched, fully extending his arms up to the ceiling and delighting in the crack of the vertebrae in his spine.  He reached over, carefully avoiding the circle of blood spreading from the gaping wound on his victim’s neck, and grabbed his boxers from the opposite side of the bed.  The woman wasn’t dead yet, but with how quickly she was bleeding out she wouldn’t last much longer.  Without a second glance, he began the search for his pants, which were eluding him for the moment.  He knew they came off not too long after he and

                          hair like a penny

                                    copper?

        that’s a weird name

his victim had made it through the door, just after he’d discovered what Erith had instinctively known about the woman’s lack of underwear.  At that particular moment, he was still riding the high from what ended up being the perfect combination of sex and sustenance he’d managed to accomplish that evening and wasn’t overly concerned about the disappearance of his pants.  A few seconds later, he heard approaching footfalls and tensed, only to laugh when he saw Erith’s face pressed against the window as she tried to see in through the spaces between the curtains.

    “Oi, Walter!” Her face lit up with a huge smile that exposed her deadly, pointed teeth.  She tapped the window with one long, bloodstained finger.  “There you are!”

    He grinned back and moved to open the door, sliding the chain lock out of position.  “Here I am.”

    “I could have saved myself at least half an hour if I could ever remember the name of this place.”

    “Yeah, I dunno; I just think of it as the turquoise one.”  Walter paused and looked around.  “Can you help me find my pants?  I’ve been tryin’ to find them for them for ages now and must be looking right past them.”     “You’re wearing them.”     “What?  No… I mean my American pants.”     “Technically all your pants are American.”     “The outer pants, Erith.”     “You mean those?” she asked, pointing at a pant leg just poking out from under the rickety table in the corner.     “Yes, thank you!”     “Not that you need them.  One of these days you really need to fuck me up like you do your victims.”     “I thought you said we were done havin’ this discussion.”     “Did I?  I lied.  Anyway, are you going to finish that?”

    Walter stared at his friend blankly for a few seconds before he realized what she was talking about, and shrugged.  “Go ahead. I mean… Like, there’s not a lot left but you’re welcome to it if you really want.”

     “Oh my god, are you OK?!”  Walter was slowly becoming more aware of his surroundings beyond the ringing in his ears. He’d have to remember to make Erith practice her aim a little better; he was almost convinced he’d find one of his eyes on the ground

                   it’ll be the brown one, knowing my luck.                                                     and it won’t grow back, either.

given how hard she’d hit him with that random 2x4 she’d found.  However, a quick poke with his fingers showed both eyes were firmly intact, and in perfect working order.  He flashed a smile up at the redhead and carefully got back up on his feet.

     “I’ll survive,” he said, wobbling slightly for effect.      “I’m so sorry!” the girl said, moving forward and doing her best to steady him.  “My boyfriend’s such a dick sometimes!”      “Truthfully, I think Erith did more damage to me than he did,” Walter said, gingerly touching the back of his head where his blood had already started to congeal on the large gash there.  If he’d fed more recently, it would have been completely healed already.  He frowned deeply as the hunger twined deeper into his cells.      “Still, I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t have hit you at all if it hadn’t been for Jimmy.”      “Well, I’m not so sure about that.”      “Is there anything I can do to help you out? Get you some antiseptic or something?”

     Walter’s frown quickly transformed into his usual smile.

     Walter whirled around to face the large man who’d just grabbed hold of his wrist, breaking his connection with the woman.     “Seriously, Jimmy?” the woman exclaimed.     “Yeah, seriously, Penny.”  The man made no move to let go of Walter’s wrist.  “I don’t like the way this guy’s all up in your business.”     “We were just talking!”     “There sure was an awful lot of touching for ‘just talking.’     “Listen… Jamie, was it?” Walter interrupted. “I honestly don’t got any interest in you whatsoever, so if you wouldn’t mind letting g—“

    Walter managed to break free from the man’s grasp, only to suddenly find himself on the receiving end of a very hard punch to the face.  He was unable to contain a burst of laughter, which only seemed to make the man angrier.

     Walter ordered another drink and, after making sure Erith really had gone in the completely opposite direction of his new mark, crossed the busy club to where the aforementioned redhead was leaning on a tall table.  He gently touched the woman’s arm, sure to make contact with her bare skin.

It's lovely to see Walter properly in action :D :D :D *squee*

8D   It’s been really good properly starting to write him, too! Me and @annon-in-gelydh have so much fun writing for him and Erith!  

blythelyre replied to your photo “     Walter pushed his way through the crowd to an empty space that...”

I don't know why it's so shocking to me that Walter's a vampire. I mean, I knew but I didn't... know? You know?

     Erith pushed her way out of the swinging door leading into the bathroom, giggling and enjoying the last remnants of blood on her tongue and the high that would inevitably last for most of the night.

     Walter was easy enough to find; they spent enough time together that she could pick him out of a crowd blind-folded. Even after he’d bathed. She drifted towards him, enjoying the reverberating bass tones that made their way through her feet and up her body.

     “Walter, love, have you heard the music?  I finally convinced the DJ to play Depeche Mode, and I think Dave Gahan is in my skin-- oh! You’ve made a friend!  Hi, pretty thing, what are you drinking?”      “A cosmo!”      “It seems you’re running low on that one...”

     Not taking her eyes off the girl, she waved over the bartender and ordered drinks for her and her new friend, ignoring Walter completely. The human was cute; she lacked any particularly interesting characteristics that normally attracted her, but her face was flushed from the heat and alcohol. Erith knew what it would feel like, feeding off of her energy, and wasted no time.  She reached out and gently touched her face, her hair, with the tips of her fingers while the human prattled on incessantly with no signs of disinterest. 

     Walter pushed his way through the crowd to an empty space that had just opened up at the bar, surreptitiously scanning the throng of bodies and mentally marking potential ‘dinners.’  He ignored the growing pull in the center of his body and ordered a drink, mindlessly fiddling with a stack of small napkins as he waited for the bartender to return.

     “This place, yeah?”

     It took him a few seconds to realize the young woman next to him was speaking to him.

    “What?”     “This place is crazy!”     “It’s… is it?”

     The girl laughed, and Walter became acutely aware of her scent – a heady mix of light floral perfume over the faintest hint of sweat and adrenaline – and felt a sudden surge of hunger.  He could make out her pulse even in the dim lighting of the club, and he had a difficult time regaining his focus.

     “I’m sorry,” he said, flashing a quick smile.  “I was totally spacing out, wasn’t I?”      “Little bit.  I’m Angela, by the way.”      “Walter. I’m just waitin’ for my friend to come back from the bathroom.”      “Oh, I didn’t realize you were here with someone!”      “Yep, my friend Erith,” he said, dropping his voice and leaning in toward the girl.  “She’s probably doing some coke; she shouldn’t be too much longer.”      “She? Oh… Well, I don’t want to get between you guys!  It was nice talking–”      “We’re not like, dating or anything; she’s my dad’s girlfriend.  We’re just friends.”      “Your dad’s… OK.  That’s… unexpected.  You must have one of those ‘cool dads,’ then!”      “Yeah, he’s pretty awesome.  So what about you?  Here with anyone?”      “Nope. I’m ‘celebrating’ the fact that my stupid fiancé decided he’d rather hook up with my now-ex best friend two weeks before we were supposed to get married.”      “That’s a weird thing to celebrate,” Walter replied.        “You might think so, but honestly?  As much as it sucks, better it happened before we signed a bunch of paperwork!”      “Yeah, I guess that makes sense.  Let me buy you a drink, then, ” he said, smiling and leaning even closer. “Then maybe we can dance?”      “I’d like that!  You’re such a sweetie.”

Oh, thank you!  ♥

Despite appearances, I haven’t actually abandoned it!  I guess you could say it’s on a bit of a hiatus, partly because of Real Life Bullshit™ and partly because I’ve been working on writing some stuff for it that’s ended up taking on a life of its own.  :X  

Erith: “Walter! I’m working! How many times have I told you not to bother me when I’m experimenting!” Walter: “I dunno.  Once or twice?  Are you gonna be long?  I’m starving.  Oh hey is that Jonah?  Why’s he here?” Erith: “Mostly because he’s a moron, from what Anastasia said, but I stopped paying attention halfway through the conversation. It was dull.” Walter: “He looks fine to me.  C’mon, just reattach his toe or foot or whatever and let’s go.” Erith: “It’s more complicated than that. Unfortunately. Although I could amputate the entire leg and use the body I have in the freezer…” Walter: “What’s this for?” Erith: “…but I wanted to use that for something else–what? Don’t touch that!” Walter: “Fine.”

Walter: “Hey Erith… Erith… Erith!  Look!  I’m a ventriloquist!  ‘Howdy Miss Erith.  Nice rack.’  Don’t be rude, Mr. S–” Erith: “Stop touching my things and get out!” Walter: “But I don’t wanna leave.” Erith: “Too bad, now leave before I garrote you with your own intestines!” Walter: “Would that even work?  C’mon, Erith!  Let’s go hunt.  I… hmm.. I’ll let you do my eye makeup!” Erith: “Fine. Go wait outside; I’ll be done in ten minutes.”

*less than two minutes later*

Walter: “Erith?  Are you done yet?  I’ve been out here forever.” Erith: “Fine!”

Meanwhile, the same time elsewhere...

The room was slightly dank and cool, but well lit. The sound of synths and guitars blared loudly throughout, accompanied by the occasional, enthusiastic hum from the tiny woman flitting about. She grinned constantly, sharpened teeth glinting wildly from the blinding halogen lamps that illuminated a motionless body stretched out on what could only be called an operating table. Various tubes and needles protruded from the body, while the woman gleefully wielded a scalpel in a strange, erratic fashion.

Erith: “Snip, snip, slice, yeah it’s no good…”   Erith: “You’re so much more interesting when you can’t open your mouth, Whatever-You-Said-Your-Name-Was. Maybe I should sew it up. Or cut out your tongue. How exciting!” She had only begun making a few minor incisions to the infected area before her attention was drawn to the unmistakable sound of her stone door sliding open and slamming closed again. Walter: “Erith?  Erith!” The distinctly horrendous southern drawl was accompanied by the clomping of heavy boots. Erith rolled her eyes before turning around to face her friend.

Ms. Benton: “Thank you so much for coming out tonight; it’s a pleasure to finally meet you both.” Orianna: “Likewise.” Ms. Benton: “So… what is there to say that you don’t already know? Your children are… way beyond the norm.” Orianna: “But..?” Ms. Benton: “But while Anders seems to have no problem playing 'by the rules’ so to speak, Ada is struggling a great deal with what I think is probably boredom.” Techrat: “How so?” Ms. Benton: “Well most of the time it’s an argument of 'Why is this important?’ or 'I already know this; I’m not learning anything,’ which she turns into speeches that last for a very long time, disrupting the rest of the class.” Orianna: “And Anders doesn’t seem to do this?” Ms. Benton: “Well… I mean if Ada begins to carry on he argues with her about the validity of the schoolwork. It’s a bit of a problem.” Techrat: “How is that any kind of problem?” Ms. Benton: “Well it’s a great deal of a problem, actually. Ada refuses to do her schoolwork most days and her grades are suffering; instead she spends her time bothering her classmates or finding new ways to disrupt the class.” Techrat: “She obviously needs to be challenged more.” Ms. Benton: “Honestly Dr. Marx, Dr. Stillmond, I feel like Ada just might be too advanced for regular schooling. Anders too, but Anders seems to relish surpassing his peers and being at the front of the class for everything.” Techrat: “What are you suggesting?” Ms. Benton: “I… I’m not sure. But I am worried that Ada isn’t getting the mental stimulation she needs.” Orianna: “And Anders?” Ms. Benton: “Anders is more content with… the hoop jumping I suppose.” Techrat: “I want Ada tested into a higher grade.  Anders as well; I don’t want to have him wasting his time with ‘hoop-jumping.’’ Orianna: “While it seems like a good idea, when I did it there was a great deal of social education that I missed out on.” Techrat: “Yes, well that ‘social education’ you missed out on I could have done without.” Orianna: “I just don’t know. We need to think about this.  Maybe there’s some way we can supplement their education?” Techrat: “We should spend some time discussing the situation.  Our children’s educations are too important to make a decision without giving it further thought.” Orianna: “I agree.” Ms. Benson: “Please be sure to inform the school of your decision as soon as possible.  In the mean time, I believe we’re finished here, assuming you don’t have any further questions?” Orianna: “No, we don’t.  Thank you.” Ms. Benton: “Thank you again for coming out tonight.”

Techrat: “That was unexpected.” Orianna: “I really like your hair.  You said something about the children’s teacher calling?” Techrat: “Mmm, yes.  We have a meeting with her tomorrow evening to discuss their progress and behavior.” Orianna: “Oh boy.  I’m going to worry about this later; right now, I just want to enjoy this peace and quiet while we have it.”

Techrat: “I just got off the phone with the children’s teacher.” Orianna: “Are the kids-- whoa.” Techrat: “Yes..?” Orianna: “Whoa.” Techrat: “What--”