Hematologist Edward Dalton... (nothuman_humane) wrote in new_worlds, @ 2010-02-21 02:56:00 |
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Entry tags: | edward dalton, elizabeth collins |
Who: Edward Dalton and Elizabeth Collins
What: Chance meetings
When: Today
Where: Las Angeles
Rating: PG-13
Status: Incomplete
Edward Dalton ran his fingers through his hair and sighed, his thoughts, racing. He stared down at his fingers with yellow eyes, which glowed in the purple sky. The sun would be up soon but he kept on walking through the park, taking long drags from one of the last cigarettes in his pack. Intertwined in his fingers were strands of his brown hair. He gently moved his long, pale and graceful fingers back and forth so that the strands of brittle hair would fall gently to the ground as he walked. Then, he put his hands in his pockets.
Though it was still thick and dark brown, his hair was slowly falling out, strand by strand. His ears were beginning to change shape, point like the ears of an elf in a science fiction or fantasy movie. It was very surreal. These were side-effects. Side-effects of what happens when a vampire does not feed. His body was suffering, wearing away, becoming feral and he knew that soon he would become a danger to this world. He would not be able to control himself. He would not be able to contain his impulses and his hunger for blood would grow so great that he would attack.
In his time, the Vampire race had overcome the humans. Humans were harvested for their blood, which could be purchased on any street corner, mixed in with your coffee and sold like fine, aged wine. It made Edward sick. He never wanted to become a Vampire but was forced into it by his younger brother. He did not feed on humans but lived off of animal blood. He worked day and night trying to save the humans from his race’s savagery, trying to find a chemical substitute that would sustain the Vampires... but his laboratory work proved unsuccessful, even violently disastrous.
When he awoke in this time period, it was as if his dreams had come true. All of the Vampires seemed to have vanished. He’d gone to work and everything had changed. No one was awake at night any longer- only he. He had yet to meet anyone like him. He thought, perhaps he was the only vampire left. For several days he stayed at home, thinking about what to do with himself. The blood supply he carried would only last him about a week. Where would he get food now? How would he survive? He couldn’t very well go to the grocery store in the middle of the night and pick up a few gallons of pig blood anymore. That was his world, not this one.
Just after the sun had gone down and Edward stepped out of his house last evening, he passed by the tall white building of the Red Cross. He looked up at it, dressed in his usual black slacks, black belt, shoes and overcoat with white button down shirt. He lit up a cigarette and stared, thinking that this place had blood that was given willingly. He could....... No. He forced the thought from his mind. He would not sink so low as common thievery. He would not take blood that was meant to save lives merely to suit his own greed. That night he went back home and slept the day away without a drop of blood touching his lips.
He woke this present evening (before his present stroll in the park) and looked in the mirror. He noted his pointed ears, drawn cheek bones and the purplish, grey circles underneath his eyes. He decided then and there that it was too risky to allow himself to put others at harm. It would be foolish. He knew first hand what could happen if things were to get out of control. He would not risk another Vampire epidemic. He walked into the kitchen and drained his entire blood supply down the sink, so he would not be tempted. Though the smell made his knees weak, his mouth water and his eyes roll back a bit. There was no point in prolonging his life.
Edward stopped at a wooden bench, partially shaded by the leaves of a tree. He took one last drag from his cigarette and threw it to the wet grass, extinguishing it under his shoe. He removed his jacket, wondering just how cold it was outside, being it was the end of January. Having no blood flow lowered his body temperature. It did not feel cold to him anymore. Laying the jacket on the bench, Edward squinted up at the sun, which was starting to peak over the horizon. He rose his arm to his face to shield his sensitive eyes and gasped, exposing his bright, white fangs. It had been years... years since he’d stared into the sun. It was gorgeous... a multicolored orb, bursting brilliantly, blaring bright colors of red and gold and orange. It hurt his vision but he imagined it was a wonderful last sight to behold.
He pulled the fabric of his white button down out of his pants and began to unbutton his shirt. The more skin he exposed to the sun, the faster he would die. He didn’t want to think about the pain but he imagined having one’s skin slowly burn and then burst into flames would be extremely uncomfortable... excruciating as a matter of fact but it was the only way. Using a stake would be too difficult and as there were no guillotines about, the sun would have to do. Laying his shirt on top of his jacket, he took off his socks and shoes. He wasn’t even sure why... perhaps because he wanted to feel the frozen green grass crunch beneath his feet one last time as he walked forward out of the shade.
He did so... taking a deep breath and whimpering as he felt his skin instantly began to react to the light, burning, slowly darkening and smoking all around him, withering away. He closed his eyes and clenched his fists, trying not to scream. His arms began to tremble and he thought he heard a soft sizzling sound. He bared his teeth but could hold it back no longer. He screamed as the sun felt higher in the sky, stronger than before and his knees, weakening, started to fall. But just before he hit the ground, he felt a body collide with his. He felt himself being tackled and forced back under the tree, into the shade. He stared up at the blonde woman with wide amber eyes, his body shaking, his exposed skin still screaming but already starting to slowly lighten and heal. He was in too much shock and pain to speak.
The blond woman had been taking a very early morning walk, mostly to think; away from everyone in the mansion, away from Isaac mostly. And of Jonathan, he… made it hard. Jason wasn’t going to leave her alone until she agreed to leave the city with him, she loved him. Really she did, but. It wasn’t easy. If she up and left, the enemies she’d make in those that were now allies and even friends. And she thought, what made it the hardest. She loved Jonathan.
It wasn’t fair of Jason, and wasn’t fair of what he was asking of her. Yeah, she took off. Left everyone she ever loved. But her heart had been broken when her Uncle died; more broken than it had ever been. Even more than when she lost her grandfather and the one person she wanted, even more than her baby girl, he refused to return her calls, and was never home. So, just like tonight, she took a walk, walked herself right out of the city limits to her grandfather’s old place and then just… never returned to Reesyn.
She had been out for hours, when she smelt it. She didn’t have increase scent like a lot of those around her, but that smell. The scent of burning flesh. Was something she was rather use to, scent of anything burning. But that of flesh was certainly distinctive. The blond followed the smell to the wooden bench and tree that the stranger had stopped under. When she spotted the trembling Edward, she instantly realized what he was, especially as she saw his teeth, as the man couldn’t handle the pain any longer. Liz didn’t even think, she ran towards him, and tackled the man back into the shadow of the tree. She stared down at him with questioning eyes, a sadness in her stare. “Why?” She asked, holding him some.
Edward’s head collided with the ground, which was a bit harder that it should have been since the soil was frozen. Otherwise the grass would have cushioned him nicely. Lights exploded in front of his eyes. He was disoriented for a moment from the fall and from the pain. His body was screaming out in protest but he did his best to ignore it. He lifted his head and looked up at the young woman on top of him with a furrowed brow, his chest rising and falling. He could hear his breath rattling, his lungs were filled with the ashes of his own flesh. He could see tiny bits of blackened skin all around him and he’d imagined he was a shade or so darker now, though he could feel himself already healing.
“I....” he backed away a bit, his eyes trailing down her face toward her neck, so long and pale and white. He licked his lips, suddenly feeling so hungry. He swallowed and forced himself to look away, backing away from her further and leaning up against the tree. He was trembling, not with cold- as he was rather immune to it (not even his breathe vaporized in the morning air) but he trembled with the aftershock of such horrific, self-induced pain. He’d never felt anything quite like it. “You shouldn’t have...” he spoke, coughing, trying to get the ashes from his lungs. He avoided eye-contact, staring at the ground. “Please go.... I don’t want to hurt you.”
She frowned as he hit his head, giving an apologetic gaze. “Sorry.” She muttered. She watched him carefully, when though his skin was charred she could see the obvious differences in him from those vampires she knew herself. He also didn’t look well, she didn’t know for sure, but he seemed as though he hadn’t feed in a while. She’d seen those that the Coven, had taken captive from rivaling Houses. They were chained up, weren’t feed until they delivered information demanded by those in charge; by Jonathan, and others.
She watched him back away, he seemed frightened. Liz watched him staring at her, she noticed that he didn’t seem to be healing the way she ought to have thought. So, perhaps she was right, he hadn’t feed. Him coughing, she seemed sympathetic and odd gaze in her eyes. Liz didn’t know whom he was, what House he belonged to. But she was compelled to help him. It was obvious what he was doing, maybe only because she had tried a thing or to similarly herself since leaving Reesyn. But, it saddened her. Liz shook her head, as walking closer to him again.
“I can take care of myself, stranger... don’t you worry about me.” She stopped in front of him; Liz gazed at the rising sun, with concern. She placed a hand softly against his face; with her eyes she was still asking her first question, why? The woman had many sharp silver rings upon her hands, and without thinking about it she raised her right hand to the side of her neck and pressed the metal into her skin, puncturing it, drawling blood. Her brown eyes then found his, and she stared at him.
“Sorry....” he began, glancing up at her. He fished in his pockets and took out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. “For saving my life? You have nothing to apologize for.” he spoke with a raspy voice. He listened to her, raising an eyebrow at her, finally making eye contact again when she said that she was able to take care of herself. He said nothing to protest it, just held his cigarettes in his hand. Then, she was lifting her ring to her neck and he shook his head. “Don’t...” he whispered. But it was too late. She’d cut herself and his eyes were immediately drawn to the crimson liquid dripping down her neck.
His nostrils flared and his breathing suddenly became more labored. He licked his lips again, the air filled with the scent of her blood. His pupils became enlarged and before he could control himself, he leaned forward slowly approaching her on his knees. He appeared as if he were in a trance, wrapping his pale, cool arms around her waist. Edward leaned her back and ran his tongue up her neck, catching all the blood that dripped down it and pressed his lips against her neck. Carefully he drained the blood from her body, moaning at the sweet, coppery taste, hating himself for loving it. There was something different, something special and alluring to her taste. He wanted more. He continued to suck, holding her firmly, trying hard to resist the temptation to bite down, his teeth grazing against her skin.
Then, he forced himself away from her, still holding her but pushing her away. He gasped, his eyes rolling back in his head a bit, a line of blood dripping down his lips. He struggled to regain his breath and his composure, feeling his body react, his ears round, the pain ease and the blackness of his skin fade.
She had shaken her head. Liz was sorry that she had hurt him further than he already was, as he’d hit his head. “No, not for that.” She’d answered. Curiously watching him, what was it that had compelled him to walking himself outside at dawn? The witch wouldn’t have stopped; even if he’d told her not to before she was able. If one thing to describe Liz, it was Stubborn. Once she made her mind up the only way to change it was forcing her, and it wouldn’t have been changing her choice.
It was something about a vampire craving blood, the way their body reacted to the scent, the loss of control… that Liz found very sexy. She sighed softly as she felt his tongue along her skin, then his lips. Her arms dropped to his waist, holding him some. What she noticed most was how gentile the vampire… the man, seemed to be with her. He didn’t lose control, at least not completely. She tense just slightly as she felt his teeth graze her skin, as though anticipating him biting down. Liz tightened her hands around his waist, but he didn’t. And she whimpered slightly. The damn woman had wanted him to bite her, and was disappointed that he hadn’t.
Her eyes had fluttered shut, as she moaned softly at the sensation of him draining blood from her, her body ached slightly as the witch felt herself being aroused by it. He pulled away then, and eyes opened to look at him. Watching him, again. She smirked, leaning forward; bringing her lips to his, kissing him slightly but more licking away the line of blood upon his cold lips. Watching as his skin seemed to heal, more appropriately this time. She brought those naught lips of hers to his ear, “Fell any better… stranger?” The woman realized how she must have seemed, a little crazy for one. And, just… she didn’t know what he’d think so she wasn’t going to speculate. But Liz knew she was awful, had to be. Or maybe she had just become that entirely shameless that she’d do just about anything because of her total lack of thinking before reacting to desires.
He could sense her arousal, feel it, taste it and he feed off of it as well. His body reacting to it. The blood filled him, pumped through his veins and he moaned. When she leaned forward and licked his lips, kissing him, he couldn’t help but flick his tongue against hers. He’d given in to his lust and his desires and he disgusted himself because of it. It had been years since he had last tasted human blood. The taste was thick and sweet. So warm and fresh- nothing like the animal’s blood he’d kept stored at home. Her body was so warm... so, so warm...
He watched her, finally coming down off of his high. He caught sight of the smirk on her lips and closed his eyes as she whispered in his ear. He nodded, backing up from her a bit again. As much as he wanted her, he couldn’t- just couldn’t take advantage of her. It would be wrong of him to do so, especially after she had been so giving. She had saved his life. “Yes... thank you....” he spoke, grabbing his cigarette from off of the ground. He had abandoned them there while he fed on her but now, he thought, was the perfect time for a smoke. He took one out and pressed it between his lips. Then, offered the young woman one. He stood and lit his cigarette, grabbing his shirt and shoes from off of the bench and starting to redress himself.
She watched him, nodded as he back away again this time letting him. Although not wanting to let go of him. She sighed at herself, sitting down at the bench. “Na, thank you,” She told him as he offered her his cigarettes, she’d never spoken any. Growing up sick the way she had, it would have been rather stupid, not to say she didn’t occasionally indulge in smoking other things besides tobacco. As he redressed himself she stared at the sun rise. It was going to be difficult to get him someplace safe, she stared curiously at the shadow. It would disappear soon.
But, there was something she’d been trying. A spell, but it wasn’t practiced and didn’t wanta chance it. “So how you plan to get inside before that sun rises any higher?” If she woulda had her car, it wouldn’t have been an issue, but the woman had been walking. Which alone itself in LA at the wee hours of the morning could have been dangerous, but like she’d said, she could take care of herself. Easy. The woman was surprised that the man hadn’t asked her why she’d been so willing to help him, or how come she knew straight off what he was. Cause, sually, in her world .. or not hers but the world in general didn’t really know about vampires existing. But then again Liz didn’t know he was from another place and time, where everyone knew, and humans barely existed anymore.
Edward had finished buttoning his shirt. He took a long drag from his cigarette and exhaled the smoke through his nose. “You don’t mind do you?” he asked, gesturing toward the cigarette in his hand. He offered her his other hand to help her up. Then, he looked over toward the exit of the park toward where he had parked his car. He cleared his throat. “Yea... hadn’t planned that part out...obviously...” he chuckled a bit ironically, thinking it was a bit ridiculous he was still alive. “Can you drive?” he asked.
“Naa, not at all.” Which was her being polite, although one might think the idea of her being so was ridicules. But, people she was around all the time these days, didn’t really actually know her. she could be a heartless little bitch, it was what her place in the Coven she now resided in sometimes required, and in a way that was her too. she wasn’t sure, sometimes she felt like she was two nearly completely different people. The person she was with those she loved, her friends… those left. And the way she was now. She still thought as the girl before, just acted as the one that was now fighting some other creatures’ war. It was complicated.
But it was crap that she didn’t mind, he was able to deal with smoke, she did all the time. But it causes her to draw on magic to keep herself from breaking into an asthma attack. But she didn’t say anything more on the matter. Wasn’t that big deal anyway. If she dropped dead, then, she wouldn’t have to deal with shit, but a little cigarette smoke wasn’t going to kill her. Liz took his hand that he offered to help her up with. She nodded, “Yep.” She answered to his question about her being able to drive.
Being a vampire, Edward was immune to the long term side effects of cigarettes. He didn’t think of the effects it had on others. He’d forgotten what it was like to be human- to feel human. Though it had only been ten years it felt like so much longer. He reached into his pockets again and took out his keys. He showed them to her. “I have my car.” he explained. “It’s sun-proof... enough to get us out of here.” he explained. “If you wouldn’t mind coming to pick me up... we can take it from there...” he shrugged, taking another long drag from his cigarette.
Liz nodded in an understanding manner, reaching her hand out for the keys. “I don’t mind none, just gotta tell me where it is.” She made a face though then, “And gotta promise me… or… you don’t know me enough to make promises I guess… but… I don’t wanta come back to get ya and find out you tried for another walk in the morning sun rays?” She kind of rambled there, that was what the real her did; she could be a complete dork ass and just spoke with little stopping or thinking what it would sound spoken aloud. Just spoke as words, and things came to her.
Ed nodded. “Sure. You just have to follow the path right through to the exit and make a left down Union Blvd. It’s parked on the block- big black Chrysler can’t miss it.” he explained, pulling is sunglasses out and putting them over his yellow eyes. The brightness of the daylight was starting to hurt his vision. He smirked when he heard her next statement. “I promise... as long as you promise not to run my car into a tree.” he said exhaling more smoke, finally throwing his cigarette to the ground and extinguishing it underneath his black shoe. “I’m sorry you had to see that... I’m Edward by the way. Ed Dalton.” he said, extending his hand for her to shake.
Liz nodded, listening as he told her where to find his car. She took note, knowing exactly where he meant. And nodded, taking the keys in her hand. fiddling a little with the ring as he'd spoken. Liz had smirked a little herself then, "I promise, besides only been known to plant cars into the sides of buildings, not trees." She laughed slightly to indicate she was joking. Although the statement was true. She shook her head, "Na, it's alright." She extended hers, shaking his hand. "Elizabeth Collins... although, please. It's just Liz." She chuckled a little then said she'd be right back, and headed to get his car as quickly as possible.
Edward watched her as she walked out of the park and toward his car. He placed his hands in his pockets and wondered what she would think of his Chrysler. She was sure to notice that, like he, the car was from another time period- specifically the year 2019. She followed the paved path back into the park and then onto the grass up to the tree, pulling up to the shaded area so that he could get inside. He placed his hand on the handle, pulled it, sat in the passenger’s side and thanked her. He leaned over, turned on the GPS and set it to his apartment. Then, he looked over at her, and wondering exactly how to start the conversation of why he’d walked out into the sunlight. He knew she wanted to know. He knew she’d also want to know about to know about the car.
Liz sat quietly as she drove, following the directions of the GPS. She was very curious about the car. It was very apparent to her, that it was more advanced than other vehicles she'd seen. Or at least, it seemed. Occasionally her eyes drifted from the road and onto him, but then quickly returned. He was a very curious individual. Liz wanted to know what would have happened to cause him to want to kill himself. that is what he was trying to do. Not that she hadn't thought of it her ownself, and if it'd been as easy as it was for him, not that it musta been easy to withstand all that pain. But easy enough to sit and wait for the sun to rise. She likely would have not been there to have safed him. The silence seemed to be loud, and awkward and she wished she could say something to make it seem less so. But she wasn't sure what.
Edward had activated the day-driving which blocked out all of the windows, including the windshield. The car automatically raised a LCD screen hooked up to a camera on the top of the car so that Liz could see the road. The Vampire leaned his head on the glass and sighed. He noted how curious she was and thought, perhaps it was rude to keep her so locked in the dark. “2019. That’s the make of the car... that’s the year that I am from. I don’t know how I got here but things are... very different...”
Liz listened as he spoke; at first giving a disbelieving face. As though it was impossible. But then, she wielded magic and fought a war that'd been raged for centuries by creatures of the night. Many people would think that crazy and impossible. So instead she nodded; and besides of late, the last few months at least many odd things have been happening. ans she'd heard stories of people just appearing in places. she'd thought it was all silly rumors. but maybe it had truth to it. "Well..." She began sounding accepting of the facts he just stated. "Perhaps it was magic gone a stray. I've seen some rituals, go awfully wayward. Maybe something of that effect is to blame?" She sounded confident, and yet curiously questioning.
Edward nodded. He supposed if he could wake up in a time where Vampires took over the world or where they didn't exist, where they did exist, nine years in the past- anything could be true. It certainly seemed like magic. "In my time... there are very few humans left... Vampires have taken over and humans are hunted, harvested for blood......... I didn't want to see that happen here." he spoke softly, trying to explain, trying to answer her question "why." "I don't want to endanger this time period and risk another epidemic."