Dreadfully Dark (open)

[alice]

"Oh dear. Its getting dreadfully dark. And nothing looks familiar. "

She had always made sure to leave work during daylight hours. Even if her long shifts ended at night, Alice often waited with a cup of coffee for the sun. Somehow, this evening she had lost track of time. And it had been nice to talk to Esme in the elevator and lobby. It wasn't often she found someone who actually reached out to her in turn. It was...nice.

It was too late to turn back now. True, she could have just snagged one of the cots in the psych ward. But, how silly would that have looked at this hour? Alice was still new, and impressions were still being made.

Holding her purse and briefcase tightly against her body, Alice made her way along the edge of the park. Long slender legs moving swiftly, earnest to get to her loft condo that gave her a nice view of the park. Not that she would look out over it tonight. Instead, a good sleeping pill, and Alice would be out. It was the only way she could sleep anymore.

Without it, nights were thoughts, wondering off to San Diego. Searching in wonder just what Rio was doing. Alice could still remember the night that she 'ran'. When she told the Master of the City that she was leaving. Why she had felt the need to do so, Alice wasn't sure. Obligation? Maybe, just to have him tell her to stay and that she couldn't leave Rio? Yes, that was part of it. While her mind wanted to scream and run, her heart wanted to cling and stay. It still ached, hating Alice's religious convictions.

Even now, just walking through the park, Alice's mind was on the lovely vampire. If she wasn't working with a patient, or asleep on medication, the vision of the violet eyed vampire was there before her. The way she touched Alice, how the mortal felt when Rio's cool fingers smoothed over her skin. And the bite.

There, she was doing it again. Alice shook her head, the thoughts even taking her away from her own fear of the dark, fear of creatures hidden in the corners of the city, beneath bushes. Alice blinked for a moment, her stride stuttering for a moment. Even though this was the same path she had walked through to get to her condo from the hospital, there was nothing familiar about her surroundings. Her mind was off, far away. Somewhere much warmer, with palm trees, and....Rio.

[sh]

Amadeo tended to stay clear of anything related to dreams and fantasies. He could feel them as could all Arcadian fae even constantly about him. Usually they were of no consequence. Small things of no weight. The big dreams and longings sometimes tugged at him. The glamour they provided too much to completely ignore. As was the flaxen haired doctors yearnings. He promised he would repay her some small whit in recompense but he was drawn to her longing like a moth to a flame. Her yearning was the stuff of epics. Sliding alongside her as she strolled through the park Amadeo absorbed the bittersweet glamour of her happiness denied. He didn't want to trouble her but he would need to know her to return something of value to her. "Excuse me Miss. I don't wish to frighten you but as we are walking the same way I thought it appropriate to share our time. After all this is a large city."

[rionach]

Rio had finally finished her business with the Master of the City, and now she was free to roam. IT was now time to search out her beloved Alice. Alice who had fallen through the Looking Glass and been frightened of what she saw on the other side. Rio had so wanted to keep Alice with her that she had offered the ultimate of gifts to her, she wished to make Alice her human servant. Rio had never dreamed that Alice would run.

It had not taken long for Rio to find out that her precious mortal had scurried out of the rabbit hole and back into the light of day. Her former master had informed her almost straight away. Rio had been furious at first, but she had thought long and hard, Alice only needed to be convinced, that was what was required. So she had gained permission to seek out her pigeon that had flown the coop.

She had followed Alice to this city and had done her homework, it hadn't taken much to figure out where Alice worked or what her schedule was. So far Rio had been thwarted at every turn, since it seemed Alice had taken to staying within the building until the sun rose over the horizon. Rio was a patient woman, she had waited this long to choose her human servant she could wait a bit longer for Alice to peek her head out of the hole she had burrowed into.

Rio smiled when she saw Alive leave work, and her smile only grew as she saw her start off toward the park. She followed at a distance, just getting a feel for the woman's mindset. Evaluate how to approach her and once more renew their acquaintance. She quickened her steps slightly not wanting to let the mortal woman get away from her.

Violet eyes flashed in the darkness as another approached Alice, it seemed that she would have to show herself sooner than she planned. Gliding silently up to the pair, Rio positioned herself on the opposite side of Alice as the Arcadian. Effectively giving her a chance to cut off a retreat if it was needed. "It seems that we are all going the same direction. It reminds of another night in the not so distant past." Her words were almost a purr as she spoke them close to Alice's ear.

[alice]

So far away in thought, Alice nearly jumped out of her skin when a voice moved up upon her right. There was a slight squeak that escaped her throat. Her hand quickly covering her lips with fingertips to stop the noise, that had already disappeared into the night. The mortal froze in her steps, as she tried to allow her heart a moment to remember it's correct rhythm. She felt blood rush to her cheeks, giving them a slight pink hue.

Looking over the man quickly, he certainly did not seem the type of dark intent or a 'monster' of the night. Still, Alice was usually overly cautious. She knew she was one of the biggest 'fraidy cat' in the world. Admitted it to her own therapist. But, being safe, wasn't always a bad thing. Alice made a quick check of the lights, and trying to remember how far it was to the more busy sidewalks that would get her to her condo.

She offered the gentleman a polite smile, slowly letting her hand fall back down into place, "I'm sorry. I...you just startled me." A nervous laugh tried to push past a tightened throat, "Yes...this is a large city. A lot of people, we hardly ..notice each other don't we?" The comment about there being a lot of people was made more to calm herself, that there would be others about. And a hint to the male, that surely, they weren't alone. So trying any 'funny' stuff wouldn't be a good idea. Would it?

"Ummm, yes you may walk with me...for a bit, I was just..." Alice paused. Couldn't tell him that she was going to her condo...alone. Think of a lie, oh she hated to lie. But.... "..on my way to get something for dinner. So, we could walk a bit..yes."

Alice began to walk once more. Her bright blue eyes catching street lights, as she moved with a quickened step. She didn't expect to lose him, but her anxious limbs had that little 'flight' instinct coursing through every muscle and vein. He was probably a very nice man. It wouldn't be the first time she had met a nice stranger. But, Alice wasn't into taking that chance.

The blonde had just found her stride, when Alice heard a voice that evoked such a mix of emotions that she wasn't sure which one to select. It purred beneath her skin, tangling into her heart. A quick skip of the beat was all that was needed to know exactly who that voice belonged to. But, it couldn't. She was in San Diego. Alice's thoughts ran in the fraction of seconds, that seemed a span of half an hour. Surely, her mind was playing tricks on her?

Alice turned and there she was. A devilish smile on those perfect lips. Again, Alice jumped. But, this time it was more like she had just seen a ghost. The movement caused her to bump right into the male who had walked up beside her. Alice's hand rose to her chest, fingertips could feel her wildly beating heart thump beneath her skin. Part of her wanted to cry, to rush into Rio's arms and ask for forgiveness. The other said to run. Danger. She wanted to take you, keep you on the other side, in her world of darkness. Alice took another step backwards, accidentally stepping onto the toes of the man now behind her. She took a quick glance backwards, but just as fast put her eyes back to Rio, "I am sorry for stepping on you."

It was deja vu. Just as Rio had just mentioned. The were-rat and the vampire, finding her in the park. They had both scared her to death. At first, Alice was trying to get away from the male. And thought the woman who had walked up would avert his intentions. But, she was only to find out, that the woman was not safe after all. She was a vampire, a living dead woman who drank the blood of mortals.

The memories and this ghostly appearance made Alice's head feel light, dizzy. She swallowed a sudden dry lump in her throat, "Rio....you...what," Alice shook her head, trying to find focus and not believing that the woman she had run from was now right in front of her. The blonde keeping nearer to the male, whom she didn't even know, "...what...are you doing here? I told...didn't you get the message from the Master of the City?"