Who: May and Damien What: Random run-in When: April 14 Where: Art and Music Festival Rating: low
While it wasn’t exactly a show entirely for Alyssa, May knew some of her work would be on display. She also knew a few other artists who were showing their work or playing some music and overall, May thought that it’d be a nice distraction after the events on April Fools that she was still getting over.
As she was walking through, she noticed the man she knew to be Damien. They had never officially met and May decided that it was time to change that. She headed towards him and offered him a friendly smile. “Enjoying the festival?”
So far, Damien’s meetings with Alyssa’s family had been a mixed bag. However, outside of almost being killed by Kol, the rest of the run-ins had been rather tame. In his opinion, his meeting with Ned and Alyssa’s art show had gone rather well. Then again, any meeting that didn’t involve Damien tapping into his more primal urges was a success. Though, it did take him far longer than his brother Bran to arrive at that point. He had far better control than his younger sibling.
Currently, Damien was making his way towards Alyssa’s display at the Art and Music Festival. It was nearing dusk and while Damien normally loathed being awake any time before the moon was up, he wanted to be with Alyssa more. Just as he was turning a corner, a woman approached him. He recognized her as someone close to Alyssa, someone she considered family, but he could not quite recall her name.
She offered him a friendly smile and asked how he was enjoying the festival. Damien noted her heartbeat was steady. “I just arrived. Though, I do not see why I wouldn’t. I am an advocate of the arts,” Damien replied.
“What about yourself? Finding the experience exhilarating?”
“I wouldn’t go so far as exhilarating.” May’s smile warmed as if she were making a small joke, but she enjoyed the visual the word gave her. Like art could be the ultimately extreme sport. “But I’m enjoying myself. I like the live music mixed in with everything. It feels like a real community. Something I miss from New York.” There was a lot of exhibitions and collaborations in New York and May had always thought it felt like the arts community was one big family, even if Broadway was there to remind everyone of capitalism.
“I’m May Parker. Peter Parker’s aunt and Alyssa’s friend.”
Damien nodded. It had been sometime since he’d visited New York. Being the head of a house often had him jetsetting all over the world. Because he was a vampire, he’d already seen most of it. New York still remained one of his favorite cities even after 200 years.
“I haven’t had the privilege of being in New York in some time,” Damien replied. “But I understand what you mean.” Broadway may remind everyone of capitalism, but there was a sense of family amongst those who created and kept the city colorful and rich in tradition and culture.
May. Yes, that was her name. “I believe Alyssa has mentioned you before.” And it was possible he had seen May comment on Alyssa’s posts too. “I’m Damien,” he introduced himself. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, May.”
“I’ve heard all good things.” Okay, wel, she’d heard very little except that Alyssa was happy and he could be a little moody. Being that Alyssa was technically much older than her (and so was Damien, she realized) it wasn’t like May expected Alyssa to share many things, but she was happy for her.
“I know you’re not exactly new anymore, but how has Madison been treating you?” She paused, then added. “Hopefully you managed to miss the whole April Fools thing?”
Damien actually looked amused. It was a brief glint in his blue eyes and then it was gone. “Then you certainly can not be referring to me,” he replied. That might be as close to playful as Damien got with someone who was not his brother or Alyssa. Though, he didn’t see Alyssa spilling all of Damien’s deep, dark secrets to May.
He settled his arms on his chest. “It’s been an adjustment, but I imagine it was an adjustment for everyone who arrives here.” Losing his role as head of household in seconds was a large pill to swallow and there were days Damien desperately missed his town, his former place in the world. On those, he buried his anger and frustration under layers of cigarette smoke.
“While I enjoy watching a good prank as much as someone else, I’d rather not be involved in it. Thankfully, I was spared.” But he was aware that others were not. “What about you? Did you miss out on the April Fool’s ‘thing’?”
She nodded. “I was only just getting used to the idea of aliens, magic, and multiple realities when I was brought here, so you’re right about that. I think for some people it was a bit easier.” Like that woman who lived in the blue police box in the park. From what Peter told her, The Doctor was an alien who traveled in time and space. She had to figure this place was a little more familiar to someone like her.
“Just one and it was anticlimactic. I wanted to prank my nephew and his friend before they got me - they’re usually so good at it. I made some eggs, but they were out of vanilla puddling and apricot for the yolk? Only the Dome turned them into actual eggs so I guess the prank was on me since I spent all that extra time for a very completely normal breakfast.” May offered a smile that was both making fun of herself but also a ‘what are you going to do?’ sentiment. May was just glad it hadn’t been anything bad.
Damien nodded. Seeing as she’d experienced multiple realities, the vampire already thought she might be a step above him in the adaptation department. He’d never considered their being multiple versions of Earth, let alone entirely different worlds. It could be overwhelming if one sat long enough and thought about all of it. Damien did his best to not dwell on this knowledge too much. It tended to give him a headache and he already had his brother for that.
“Considering what some of the pranks were, I would say you got off lightly.” The Dome certainly pulled no punches about that sort of thing. Damien was just grateful he hadn’t been pulled into the craziness this time around.
“I think you’re right. And The Loft was still able to be open which I know some places couldn’t stay open. So I’m not complaining.” May knew when to be grateful and not look a gifted horse in the mouth.
May paused as she looked at one of the things that caught her eye before saying, “I wanted to say - I think you’re good for Alyssa. She needs someone to love her and friends can only do so much.” There was a difference and while May wasn’t sure she could necessarily explain why or how, she still felt that way. “Which isn’t me saying ‘thank you,’ because I always think that’s kind of weird to say to people, but I just wanted you to know I’m happy for her. For both of you.”
“I have yet to visit that establishment. Perhaps I will stop on one of these nights.” Damien was not into gaming. He did not have time for it back home and it had never struck his fancy. However, he liked to know a little about everything going on in town.
The fact that May thought Damien was good for Alyssa amused the vampire. Some might believe he was the worst thing to ever cross the young woman’s path. However, he wasn’t about to voice any of that to May. There were enough people who did not support the two of them together. It was refreshing to find someone who actually did. Who actually didn’t see Damien as terrible.
The vampire nodded. “You are one of the few who has been in support of us being together.” And now that they were officially together, in a way, it meant more that people recognized it. Of course, Damien was still dealing with the conflicting feelings of reciprocating Alyssa’s feelings. It was brand new to him, but one thing he knew for sure was that he didn’t want to be without her. He did love her even if admitting it hadn’t occurred right away. “I do appreciate it. I do care for Alyssa and I will always protect her.” Even when it was clear Alyssa did not require protecting. Damien still would be there because she was his as surly as he was hers.
“If you do, let me know. We have pretty good drinks and your first visit can be half off.” May wasn’t sure Damien would continue to frequent, though strangely they did have a few locals who came in frequently just to eat and/or drink and she wasn’t going to complain about that revenue stream.
“A good thing neither of you strike me as the sorts of people to care too much what the opinion of most people are.” There would be people who they did care, obviously, but both Alyssa and Damien, even from this short meeting, didn’t seem like the sort to let people influence them too much. It was a talent and one not everyone had.
“But that’s good to hear. Keeps me from doing that whole dramatic ‘if you hurt her’ speech.” Though it would also be a bit ironic, May knew, since not only could Alyssa handle herself, but Alyssa was older than she was.
May smiled which was an indication she knew the ridiculousness of the comment. “I’m going to go in search of one of the food vendors here. I’m told some of the food here’s quite good. But it was nice to finally meet you Damien.”
“Well then I suppose I have to go if I get half off.” Damien would probably not go more than once unless Alyssa showed an interest in repeat visits. Which was possible given who May was to the netherling. However, if Damien was going solo, he probably wouldn’t visit more than once. Just to satisfy his curiosity if nothing else. “No, we don’t let others define us,” Damien replied. Damien didn’t care what people thought of him and he knew Alyssa didn’t either. It was one of the personality traits they had in common. It was admirable and one of the things that drew Damien to her when they first met.
Damien looked briefly amused. “You could and while I can respect it, I also would not care. So it’s probably best we just skip it.” Besides, Damien knew that Alyssa was hardly as vulnerable as she might want everyone to believe. She could hurt Damien as surely as the vampire could hurt her. The Red Queen was not nearly so naive or innocent.
The vampire nodded. “It was nice to meet you as well. Enjoy your meal.” So far, Damien’s two run-ins with Alyssa’s friends had gone well. They hadn’t ended in a shouting match or threats so Damien considered it a win.