Ms. Blake? Now, he hadn’t called her that in a while, at least not until their initial meeting were long behind them, waving in the distance. And that change of demeanor, the ones that only vampires can successfully do almost shocked her. Anita was almost positive that it was because of her, that perhaps she had harmed his feelings- which she had now begun to realize after years of hunting them that they did- and perhaps harmed a potential friendship at that. Could she, an almost murderer in the eyes of many supernaturals, be friends with a vampire? Was that possible? How could she trust someone with the power to snap her spine in the blink of an eye? How could someone trust her enough to lay down their defenses and allow her to be a part of their life? Their death?
Anita felt the coming rages of another migraine and held the bridge of her nose in attempt to calm the gnashing sea of thoughts and worries.
“Hey.” After a few moments of quiet consideration, Anita stood and maneuvered her way around her desk, following the now somber vampire out of her door to her greatest of embarrassments. “Look, I didn’t mean to be rude or anything,” she smiled slowly, her eyes downcast, “It’s just been a long day and I haven’t had anything to eat.” She chuckled, “Remember, I get hangry.”
And now for an even odder moment, she found herself rubbing her hands on her work trousers, “Uh, would you like feed me? No, go eat with- er, come watch me eat?”
He was hurt and it was from how she was acting towards him, yes he was a vampire but he still had feelings and she had hurt them. He knew she found it hard to trust people and let her defenses down but he had been nothing but nice and a gentleman at that. He had not pushed the fact that he had feelings for her, he had not been as Jean-Claude had.
He stopped walking as she came out of the office, he turned and looked at her. “It is not what you said…..it is what you didn’t say, I could tell what was going through your head when I gave you my gift Ms.Blake. Do not blame it on being hangry.” He told her with s frown before running a hand over his face.
He thought about her offer for a moment, watching her rub her hands on her pants. “I can cook for you if you wish…Or we could go out and you can get something to eat.” Axel was still upset at how she had handled the who situation. “Though I will point something out Anita. I am not Jean-Claude, not everything I do is a play to get you into my bed nor is it a power play. I am on the council, I have enough power, I do not need to be master of this city. Though I have stayed long than I had planned because of certain things. The gift tonight was just that a gift for putting up with me and the ripples I have caused by being here. So do not assume that I am like every other vampire you have dealt with.” He told her letting everything that was building up with how she had been acting out.
Anita grinned wider and shook the package, her ears pricking at the concentrated sound of probably seeds? She shook it again, her brows furrowed in thought until she set the box down, reached into her drawer for a knife and cut the gift open. “Eh,” she responded over her fixed project, “I’ll have a break when I’m dead at this rate, no offense.” The thought sparked her interest and she jolted her head up from the focus, her mouth agape and apologizing, “Oh, sorry.”
Heading back to opening the gift, a little bit more solemnly than before, Anita managed to free its contents with a satisfying smirk. “Coffee and Chocolate,” she pursed her lips approvingly at the vampire, “You know the ways…” Now that thought was interesting. Anita wasn’t certain why he was trying to get on her good graces, was this a political ploy, was he trying to woo her away from Jean-Claude to prove that fancy-fresh fang that he could? Was she just collateral payment in the council’s sending the ancient vampire to the states to reel Jean-Claude in? Was this just so that he could undermine, sneak into her bed while sneaking into the Master of St. Louis’ layer and take over from the shadows?
The thoughts hurt her head and she frowned unknowingly as she set the box down with a curt, “Thank you, Mr. Alrikson.”
She sighed, pushing a hand over her thick curls, “Well. I’m now in charge of the whole, punishment thing,” her brows fluttered, “So that at least changes the way it’s operated so far… It seems that your ‘suggestions’ turned into giving me a headache.” Anita chuckled lightly at that and leaned back in her chair, folding her arms slightly and glanced around at the blue walls surrounding them, “All in all he hasn’t given up hope to make me… his, for the lack of a better term so his approach is lighter, but still bothersome. Harmless. But bothersome.”
He laughed as she apologized for her joke he shook his head and smiled at her. “Why are you sorry? You would not even be able to have a break when you were dead unless you were in the ground.” He smirked as he watched her open the box.
“The ways to your heart?” He asked with a small smile as he noticed the change in her now, he had a feeling that she was thinking that this was all a big political move on his part and that he just wanted to steal her away from Jean-Claude, while yes the later was a little true, he had just wanted to thank her for putting up with him and letting him call upon her when he needed help.
He frowned and stood up. “You are welcome Ms. Blake.” Axel told her, his tone changing from being light hearted and fun as it had been to more serious and hurt.
“At least that has changed.” He mumbled as he moved towards the door. “Perhaps he will never give up Ms.Blake, to him you are nothing more that a symbol of power, he would see it as giving him a leg up on the ladder of power to have the executioner at his side. I shall leave you to your work. Lord knows you have a lot to get through.” Axel told her as he opened the door and walked out of it.
Anita chuckled quietly at the ancient vampire’s musings, her brows quirking at the small blush Ronnie managed to equip herself with once she left, leaving a leering wink at the animator.
“Ah, yes.” She blinked slowly, looking away from him in thought. Anita didn’t mean to not follow up with the vampire after their last little run in, she honestly was just tired. Something about his kindness versus Jean-Claude’s constant ‘come-hither’ attitude only seemed to agitate the animator more than she could bear and found herself steering clear from both of them, despite Jean-Claude’s constant calls and unwelcomed gifts.
However, here he was, with gifts of his own.
“Shoo,” she flicked a paper at his propped feet, smiling lightly until he removed them and handing her the package with that sweet grin. “Oh, thank you.” Anita reached forward and grabbed the package, battling the childish urge to shake it.
“Is it rude to open it in front of you?”
Hi gift was more of a thank you than a I want you in bed with me now. He smiled as she picked up the parcel and he could see the almost glee in her eyes at it. “You can shake it if you want, it does not have anything in it that will break.” He told her as he leaned back in the car.
“It is not rude, I brought it for you so you can open it when ever you wish.” He explained as he picked up the nearest bit of paper work that was sitting on the desk. “Now I can see why you have not come to see me, all this paperwork. Makes me think you need a break Anita.” Axel told her.
“Have you managed to talk any sense into Jean-Claude? Or is he still trying to fight what I have suggested to him?” The vampire asked as he rubbed his chin and watched her.
Anita’s eyes shot up towards the familiar male’s voice, her lips slightly parting in surprise, both pleasant and worried. Their last conversation ended on an odd note, at least on her end, and left a sour taste in her mouth. She wanted to like him, she wanted to enjoy his company but so far all of her luck with vampires were, well, worrisome.
Speaking with the posh prince of St. Louis was a challenge that the marshal wasn’t prepared for. He had wanted to trade her full involvement in the affairs of the vampire home for his halt on the barbaric practices of the past. Meaning that Anita was now in charge of punishment, another sneaky way of getting her to ‘fulfill her purpose.’
“Evening,” Ronnie purred as Axel walked past her and into Anita’s office, her lips pursing in appreciation while Anita watched her friend ogle at his assets.
“Good bye, Ronnie,” She sighed at her friend, waving mockingly until the woman disappeared with a disappointed slump and an approving thumbs up towards the marshals way. “Well, that’s how it goes here.” Anita smiled softly and folded her arms over her chest.
“So what brings you here?”
He had paid little attention to Ronnie as he walked in, though he did give her a nod and a smile, even wiggling his hips a little as he could feel her eyes on him. He looked around her office not surprised to see that it a little like what he had seen of her apartment.
Axel put his feet up on her desk as he watched her, tilting his head as she crossed her arms over her chest. “You bring me here, I have not seen you in a few weeks and I thought I would have seen you by now.” He told her as he moved his feet off of her desk they had just been there as a playful thing but he knew she would not like it.
“I also brought you a little something for putting up with me while I have been here.” Axel told her with a grin and he handed her the parcel he had walked in with.
Anita found herself shuffling through them and hoping to find the manila folders that she knew she had just bought yesterday… Or was that last week? Time lately had just seemed to move on and on, falling over the other without remorse that it was just kicking the animators ass. She was exhausted from her ‘talks’ with Jean-Claude, she was behind on her marshal reports, and she had more than four requests to fill in animating dead parents and lost wills. She was, for the lack of a better term, tired with a capital T.
“Hey, don’t sleep here overnight, Anita,” Veronica glanced over into her office, the leggy blond and closest friend smiling warmly at Anita from over her piles of paperwork. “We need to get you something to come home to so you stop…”
Ronnie’s voice was lost as Anita picked up the soft cold embracing touch of a vampire. Thankfully it wasn’t moving too fast but it had managed to find its way into the little building, it was familiar and Anita wasn’t sure if that was a good thing.
“Well, speak of the devil…,” Anita heard Ronnie giggle, which was somewhat odd coming from the detective.
“If it’s who it is, tell him I’m busy,” She decided not to look up from her desk, still in search for those manila folders but keeping a steady eye on her weapons in the opened dresser next to her.
He hadn’t seen Anita in a few weeks and it had concerned him due to the fact that he knew what the master of the city was like and for all he knew the master of the city had been hiding her, but when he had found out that she had been busy with work and talks apparently with Jean-Claude, he still had her card from the first time they met and he used it to find the building, glad that it was a public place and that he didnt have to be invited in.
He could sense that she wasnt alone up there, the other person as far as he could tell was a normal human. Once he got to the door to the Animators Inc door he knocked on it so that he didnt scare them.
“Evening ladies.” Axel said, his voice was soft as he stepped into the room, carrying a parcel with him for Anita, it wasnt the normal flowers and chocolate as he didn’t think that was Anita’s thing instead it had the best Coffee bean that money could buy as well as some chocolate to go with it.
“I can see you are busy.” He commented as he stepped into Anita’s office and sat down in her chair.
“I’m a big girl,” Anita laughed as she spoke to him from the other side. It was odd, he was odd. The animator didn’t want her mind to the hopes and dreams of woman far more vulnerable than her, but she couldn’t fight acknowledging that he wasn’t human, even if she wasn’t the poster girl for humanity herself. And just from the fact that he was halted at her doorstep reminded her of such.
Although he looked sweet, even particularly dashing in how his eyes shown in the night, he was the undead. She hunted his kind and received more than too many scars to prove it. He wasn’t safe and he wasn’t cute and cuddly, they were born killers and efficient at it, and the way it looked to her, he was even older than Jean-Claude so potentially more dangerous. Perhaps this whole kick on compassion and kindness was an act, a ploy to play with her humanity for the same end as Jean-Claude.
She sighed away the thought and blinked up at the vampire, her light humor slightly drifting away to somber solitude. “Good night, Mr. Alrikson.”
“I trust you can handle yourself Anita, but attacks on the mind are a lot harder to fight off then attacks on your body.” He pointed out as he watched her, he could tell that she was thinking and he would love to be in her mind wondering what was going through it as they stood there talking.
He nodded and moved away from the doorway, holding his hand out to her as she said goodnight. “Goodnight Ms. Blake. I do hope to see you again soon.” He told her as he took her hand gently and kissed the top of it. He wanted to just go inside and protect her from any and all attacks that Jean-Claude might have because of her spending time with him.
It was almost a blink of an eye that she found herself meeting his gaze, their hands touching briefly until she grabbed the keys and stood. A slight shiver resting against her shoulder and not all of it from the coldness of his hands.
Anita chuckled, “Knowing him, he might just be waiting for you to leave.” While humor laced her words the animator did attempt to test the waters and spread her metaphysical senses just in case the brooding vampire happened to be near by, watching her as he always seemed to do. “I will try,” she shrugged and unlocked her door, stepping over the threshold, “Go and eat.”
“I would not put it past him to be lurking around in the shadows, waiting for me to leave so he could try to charm his way into your home. I do not think I have to tell you not to invite him in do I?” Axel asked as he leaned against the doorway when she opened the door and stepped inside.
As much as he wanted to be in there with her, he knew that it was up to her as to whether or not he could. “I suggest turning your phone off, also I would wary of any dreams you have, with the mood he is in there is no telling what he will do. I shall eat, and look more alive next time I see you.” Axel joked knowing that when they did not eat they did look a little more dead.
“Hey,” Anita chuckled darkly, “I don’t plan on sitting by while it does, and I don’t think I’ll be allowed to anyway.” She smiled distantly as they found their way back to her doorway, a hand digging in her pockets for her keys. “Well, I gotta go and shower,” she announced, looking down at her keys for reaching a hand to touch the door handle, failing at ignoring how almost normal their conversation turned, as if they were just any normal dating couple. Anita even dropped her keys and cursed herself for the pathetic musings.
“Oh Crap,” she reached down to grab it, “Uh, keep me informed on any other changes with him, Jean-Claude… I’ll try to head over there tomorrow if duty allows it.” Although there was a wandering notion that she would receive a call if not a summon from the childish Master Vampire.
He smiled and was glad that she wouldnt sit by and let the city fall to ruin because of one vampire who staked a claim on her. He opened his mouth to say something as she announced that she was going to shower but thought better of it.
As she dropped her keys he quickly bent down at the same time she did to pick them up, his fingers brushing over hers as she reached them before he did. “I will…” He said softly as he stood back up and met her gaze for a moment. “I am sure he will summon you tomorrow anyway, I am surprised that he hasn’t already tried to get you to go over there tonight.” Axel said with a smirk as he put his hand on her arm gently. “Enjoy your sleep, and try to get more than a few hours tonight.”
Anita sighed again, “You see, that’s the problem… I don’t need a vampire. I don’t need Jean-Claude,” she passed a hand over her face. “I don’t want these marks, it gets in the way of my job, it distracts me because I’m always looking over my shoulder, it puts me on the inside of these stupid political schemes…” She felt herself getting worked up again and took the moment to step back and assess her own emotions. Maybe she did need to eat something.
“Sorry,” Anita glanced back over to the vampire who probably didn’t necessarily care about her modern independent problems, “I mean, no offense on the whole,” she gestured with a shrug, “Vampire thing…”
She met his gaze, her eyes shifting over his pale face, lingering lightly over his blind eye. He really was beautiful, of course different than Jean-Claude’s version of beauty which included the idea of marbled perfection, but there was something about his imperfections that were… striking. “Well, um,” Anita cleared her throat and looked away, beginning to climb the stairs back to her apartment, “I’ll talk to Jean-Claude about…. yeah.”
He sighed and looked at her. “I do not mean you need a vampire…that’s not what I meant at all with my words. I want to help you….He has you on edge, worried because of those who would come after him and go through you to do it….I..” He sighed again and just shook his head at her. “I am sorry..” He meant it, he was sorry for the position she was in and what she had to deal with and he wasn’t making it easier.
“You dont need to be sorry, my kind should be the ones who are sorry.” Axel said softly as he met her gaze and watching her, he did feel attracted to her but he was not going to just force himself on her. As she looked away he nodded and began to walk up the stairs once more with her. “Please do so, unless you wish to see this city crumble under his mess.”
the-solitary-monster 