Standing Out (anyone)

[jozi]

London

The roars of the city went on just as they would always, never stopping, never quieting. People swarmed, every face you see, you’d forget in a mere second. Line and lines of pubs and bars formed on the streets, music coming from each, from classical to jazz to rock. Looking at the eyes of others, you could scarcely notice the cold ones, the warm ones, and then them, the people. A creaking door opened from a late-day pub. Then came in another pedestrian, with a long, long cloak in dark color with a small hood that had just been taken down from their head. The cold air finally settled with the warm air of the pub, it was winter outside, freezing. Though this one didn’t look so cold, her hair was dark brown and long, green eyes, pricing as they locked on an object. She looked a little young to be on her own, in a bar.

Ava hung up her coat on a rack, not caring if it were stolen. Who would want a piece of rags anyways? Her eyes examine the room carefully, there were more people in here than she would expect, but that would be perfect, it would be easy to be different, but blend in all at the same time. She saw many people dancing, ordering drink, chatting, or just sitting at tables minding their own business. Over at the end of the bar is where Ava perched herself at a stool, and someone two seats away ordered a drink. This was Ava’s plan. You haven’t eaten in days, or even took a sip. Here is what to do... Her mind thought, this was a part of her mind that she didn’t really control, it more just spoke, told her things to do, but sometimes she didn’t like the thought.

The bartender set the untouched drink at the person’s bar-space. Here is your chance that babbles mouth is too busy talking to notice his drink even came. Ava vigilantly watched, Roco, her thoughts, was right. The person was oblivious. She wordlessly scooted over a seat and put a firm grip on the drink and blasted off across the pub without being noticed. Her heart raced, she was only fifteen and didn’t need to get into a fight, or… make a scene. She found her place to sit, a far table, and looked down. A glass of white wine it was, with a colorful little toothpick in it that blended with little floral designs. “Really, flowers?” She spoke to herself, but shrugged. She noticed some eyes looking her way, Hey I’m twenty-one. I can drink can’t I?.. But then she remembered, I look like I’m practically fifteen. Ava let out a sigh and took a sip; it was a bit strong, but sweet, probably local around these parts.

Then all the looks went away, Ava guessed they witnessed it everyday and have better things to do in the town of London. All but one, a pair of eyes that would refuse to let go in her sight. She didn’t look back, not knowing who the person even was, she could just sense it. Please go away. Ava cringed in her seat.

[Will Warrender]

Getting out of the cold was the first thing on Will's mind, he had a long day down at the docks and he was practically chilled to his very core. There was nothing worse than working outside in the cold of London's winters. It was about as pleasant as burning yourself on a hot stove-top. At least it felt about the same.

The young man stretched as he walked into the pub with a stretch and a crack of his back. Now was time fore the second thing on Will's mind: a drink. Really he was a simple creature, Simple but not daft, he made a quick scan of his surroundings before settling in too much. No telling what sorts of people a place like this collected. Ever the nerd, his mind kept going over Star Wars quotes: “Mos Eisley spaceport. You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious.” he said ever so quietly under his breath with a grin.

"Oi, barkeep. Jus a pint. Something on tap." he all but barked as he walked up to the bar. It took a moment before a glass was put in front of him, but he seemed contented at that, quickly handing over payment as he took a seat, a haggard teen, in tattered working clothes, hardly what you'd see in an American bar, but in an English pub, more likely than one would think. "Dun suppose you got any crisps eh?" He was a bit peckish now, but he wasn't too sure if they had anything for that.

"Hallo--" Will couldn't help it, it wasn't very often that there were many women in the pubs around here, at least, not ones that were by themselves, of course, his introductions got cut off sharply as his requested bag of crisps bounced off the side of his head. But still he smiled at Ava looking sort of doofy as he scrambled to grab the assailing chips, offering it to the girl. "Um...fancy a crisp?"

[jozi]

Ava took another sip and tried to fancy her eyes in another direction, the television, how nice... soccer, she never really had watched one before, thus for growing up in a small, poor family, oh so far away. Her mind went into deep thought; she took another sip of some white wine. I didn’t agree with her, it would only make her hunger worse. How am I sposta’ eat when I feel I could eat a cow and all I get is a hamburger? She thought to herself, anger making her grip her glass hard. Then Roco, the, the ‘thing’ in her mind that a voodooist somehow got in there, well why don’t you kill a cow, I’m sure no one will mind you k-

But Roco was cut off a wavering sound came over too her, the eyes that still locked, in a deep “Hallo--” She shut out the thoughts in her mind and looked over, a tall man, early twenties it seemed said that, walking up to her with all the free spirit in the world. A bag of chips came out from nowhere it seemed and then in front of her he held out a bag of chips. He offered them to her, but should she take one? They smelt so good. Ava locked her eyes once more as Roco answered inside her head. Take them. They’re just chips… Ava looked up at the man, lightly smiled, “Why, thank you.” She said reaching her hand in, defeating the temptation to scarf down the bag like the wolf she was. She took one and simply bit off the end, and then took another sip of white wine.

It seemed so obvious, of course, the only girl in the bar, sitting alone. Ava just shrugged, what would it matter to her, “Do I know you, Heir?” She asked simply not rude, but not too bubbly either. He wasn’t a monster, no, she could tell. No bad smells of a vampire and no familiar smells of a wolf. Her smile turned half-ways crooked. Roco spoke in her mind again; Humans have no use to you… Ava. You need a job. Ava didn’t listen instead she brushed her brown hair behind her ear and leaned back in her chair with arms crossed with a stupid smile on her face.

Heir-Mr.
sorry if the mind thing is confusing,...

[Will Warrender]

((Naw everything is fine!))

Will chuckled as the brown haired girl looked at his bag of crisps like she half expected them to jump out at her. "Yea...I was a bit s'rised they attacked me like that too." he joked rather easily, putting his beer down for a moment as he took a couple and popped them into his mouth.

“Why, thank you. ”

"Oh...um, you're terribly welcome." He had the politeness of someone who had been taught such things, it was...practiced and awkward. But he kept a smile on his face, which was honestly...a sincere thing. He obviously wasn't being nice just to pick up some chick, hell, it didn't even seem like he was trying to flirt at all. "Help y'self." He placed the bag down in front of Ava and then pointed to a chair near-by. "Mind if I join you?"

“Do I know you, Heir?”

Will kept standing until she said something about him being invited to sit down and then shrugged. "I dun think so...I just saw you sitting out here by yourself..." He had this feeling he was just weirding this poor girl out standing here, he cleared his throat and scratched at the back of his head trying to figure out what to say. "Jus that, I...well, I thought if I stood 'round 'ere, the shady types wouldn't give you no trouble..." He was noble like that, even though he knew it wasn't probably appropriate. "Sorry."

"Er...I'm Will."

[jozi]

Ava couldn’t hide her laugh, she had to admit it was nice to at least talk to someone, one would think you’d go crazy without a two-minded head like Ava’s “I don’ know, I don’t trust no chips these days.” She laughed, of course joking. She sat straight up again. Let’s get outta here you dog! Roco demanded Nope. Ava simply thought to herself. His voice sounded polite and rehearsed, like as if he was a graduate from law school. “Mind if I join you?” Ava was about to say ‘Get lost’ but she just nodded her head; he didn’t sound like the annoying type trying to hook up. “Suit yourself.” She said grabbing another chip, Twas’ just nice to have some person who cares more about some sci-fi movie and laughing than being ‘cool’ or ‘tough’ around. “Thanks for the crisps, I was getting lil’ hungry.” She said. Damn right we are.
"Jus that, I...well, I thought if I stood 'round 'ere, the shady types wouldn't give you no trouble..."

Trouble!? I’m twent-… oh yea. Ava thought then nodded, “Thanks I hear them gangs are swarmin. But I can take care of myself.” She smiled neatly, like she had no worries at all, but then after a few moments she found what she said was a little curt. Great now I feel bad… Ava gave a hidden sigh. Why would you feel bad? He’s just some kid, probably drunk. Roco said. Then Ava, if she could give her own conscience an evil glare, she would.

“N’ver mind there Will, my name is Ava, Ava Jones, but you can call me AJ if you'd like.” She smiled and held out her hand in a greeting, “I’m new in town, don reckon you could tell me about these ‘gangs’, eh? Are you part a gang? Are there any ‘odd’ or ‘strange’ people?” She asked, trying to hide her eagerness, what she really wanted to ask is, Are there wolves!?! Do they live around here!? Are you one!?! Though she doubted the last one. Then Roco butt-in again, Don’t you think you’re asking quite odd questions there, you don’t need anyone on your back. Well how else will I find out? And after Ava’s face became completely calm, very discipline in not such a ‘high’ manner as Roco would call it.

good cus im confusing myself.

[Will Warrender]

“Suit yourself.”

Will flopped down gracelessly into the chair across from Ava with a grunt, really it just felt good to get off his feet. "Thanks." he really was gracious. "Percy says- I shouldn't drink alone, its the sign of alcoholism." He laughed and then lifted his glass to the girl before taking a sip. "Oh you jus want the rest?" he looked down at the bag of chips and pushed them forward. They weren't exactly what he was thinking about when he wanted something to snack on.

"Gangs? Um...yea I guess so, there's a few rough good ol' boys that hang around the docks...an..." He paused for a moment and then hummed, scratching at the back of his head again as he tried to figure out what to say "I...I never said y' couldn't look out after y' self..." He wanted to make that completely certain, it wasn't like he was trying to White Knight or nothing. He wasn't that lame.

“I’m new in town, don reckon you could tell me about these ‘gangs’, eh? Are you part a gang? Are there any ‘odd’ or ‘strange’ people?”

Thank goodness for the beer! A quick drink gave him some time to compose himself and his words before he bothered to talk again, really his social skills were a veritable train wreck, at least, he felt so. "Y'know, I don't know a whole lot 'bout gangs...but if its strange people...well, I know a couple of them...though...I don't quite follow."

[jozi]

Will flopped down in the chair and went on. “Percy, is that one of your folks?” Ava asked and took a sip of her wine. “Welcome.” she answered even though she had nothing to be thanked for so much. He took a large sip and then offered her the bag of chips, and at this point she was afraid to eat any more, her desire for meat, red meat went on. These chips just made it worse, so she found a some-what nice way to turn them down, “Thanks, but they’re a bit salty to me.” She lightly smiled, even though every cell in her body just craved to go into the back, find the freezer and eat every single piece of raw meat she saw. Other were’s they’d just help themselves, find a dark ally, and someone who wont be missed, then they’re happy. Though Ava, new to the whole werewolf thing, even though she was born as one, she remembered thinking that she was human, and had no problems basically eating chips.

Everyone kills, but you kill to eat. Though Ava didn’t like the fact, specially knowing the name of the person she’d eat, that would be terrifying. “Oh, I see.” Well monster or not, we’ll find out. “And-well….” She stumbled for an explanation, “I just grew up in a rough world is-all… so it’s just habits to say that I can, you know, to me it’s like if you can’t take care of y’rself, ya die. But thanks.” She laughed, hoping she wasn’t sounding too stuck-up, some things would just slip out.

"Y'know, I don't know a whole lot 'bout gangs...but if its strange people...well, I know a couple of them...though...I don't quite follow.”
Well that’s what Ava was looking for, or at least a little. But she just responded with a slight nod, the wine hadn’t kicked in yet, she guessed being very tolerant it would be a while. Her mind went.. Over there, smell that? Ava glanced over her shoulder, behind her people poured throughout the doors, and all Ava could smell was alcohol, patties, burgers, and humans, flesh. Ava tried to shake her head, releasing Roco from convincing her to notice that anymore. “Well, don’t the government do somethin’ bout it?”

[Will Warrender]

“Percy, is that one of your folks?”

"He's a good mate of mine." Will knew if he talked too much about the guy, he was bound to get in trouble, Percy had a way of knowing things like that, and well, he wasn't too fond of getting scolded. "Yea...an' the crisps didn't suit me either..." he agreed with so much, since well they didn't taste right to him either, maybe it was too much salt, or not enough vinegar. He couldn't tell.

“I just grew up in a rough world is-all… so it’s just habits to say that I can, you know, to me it’s like if you can’t take care of y’rself, ya die. But thanks.”

But as Ava started to talk about her life he just shook his head, "Oh, don't worry about it, I know how it is." For a moment Will shivered at the thought, up until a while ago, he would have left this pub and gone out to sleep on the streets, and now, well, he had a place to call home. It was a sobering thought to say the least. But he laughed along to keep any weirdness slipping from his mind into his mouth. It was just better that way.

“Well, don’t the government do somethin’ bout it?”

"What makes you think the government isn't run by...strange people?" Will smirked a little, mouth closed as he ran his hand over the stubble on his face. "At least, that's what I've heard...however reliable my sources are...I dunno. Jus what I heard." He shushed himself after that, looking about cautiously as he took another sip of his beer, really he shouldn't let people get under his skin like this, he was starting to think like him. And that was no good. But he had to admit, it was a valid argument Percy had...never seemed like there was anything stopping the supernaturals of London.

[jozi]

Something’s up with this guy… Roco thought inside her head. Why do you suppose? He seems fine to me.
Ava was surprised, she thought she’d hear more about Percy, but then somehow, someway Ava became to preoccupied to ask more about this ‘Percy’..Maybe it was hunger. But He was probably just another guy, roaming around London with nowhere to go. Ava leaned back once more, her wine was nearly gone, and so she just pushed it aside, “Okay.” She took the bag of nearly half-eaten chips and threw them to the next table, landing neatly.

I know how it is. Will had said, somehow Ava felt that he might actually have it worse than her, but she still couldn’t believe that. Or could I? Well Ava grew up without a father, in a very poor family, her mother eventually dying from illness because they didn’t have the money to cure her. Ava’s hands grew into tight fists, then slowly relaxed. “Yes, I guess a lot of people grow up not-so-good type around here, well unless you’re rich. Part of the government mostly.”

"What makes you think the government isn't run by...strange people?"
“Government? Well wouldn’t people have to be sane to run a city like this?” Ava said, again without thinking before she said it. Maybe that’s not the kind of ‘strange’ Will’s talking about. Ava looked at him with a questionable look on her face, “Well I guess there are always rumors going around. The city is big and I guess with a lot of gangs, comes a lot of suspicions….” Ava responded. Hurry, we should get out of here, if there are suspicions they might be real. They might not be too, where would I go? Ava was stumped, she’d been in the city for a mere…day? Well she still had a lot of catching up to do. So many things to look for, but she had all the time in the world; she would soon stop aging entirely, and then be immortal. “Do you have suspicions?” Ava asked. Wait… I don’t even know what I’m looking for, for sure.

eek X[

[Will Warrender]

“Yes, I guess a lot of people grow up not-so-good type around here, well unless you’re rich. Part of the government mostly.”

"I would 'sume so...its just a rough neighborhood in a tough city, think its because we're packed like sardines an' never see the sun." Will said it almost wistfully, like a poet running over his words, but then that dopey look started to slink back on his face, "Y' pretty preoccupied with the government aren't ya? You sound like him..." It seemed like Percy and this gal would get along pretty well if they didn't tear each other apart in a fit of paranoia.

He smirked a little and then finished up his beer. "As for crazy folks in the parliament, well, if y'ask any crack pot in a tinfoil hat, you'll hear it'ss probably less crows in Palace of Westminster and more wolves...if ya catch my drift." The dirty blond shrugged a little not sure if he bought that all himself, but well, his dad always said there was something about the suspension of disbelief. Of course, he also said his mum was a vampire, so he really couldn't take his dad's words with much of a grain of salt.

It was really no wonder that man was deported.

Will snorted a little and shook his head, trying to shake out the bitter feelings before turning his attention back to Ava. "Suspicions? Suspicions of what?" Well that was just bloody confusing right there.

[jozi]

"Y' pretty preoccupied with the government aren't ya? You sound like him..."
Well thinking about the governments..... Sardines, that's right. Ava took a quick glance around, the place was packed. "Well I'm just thinkin' maybe the government could do a better job." Now it seemed as if Ava was the human with strong suspicions not the one creating them. Well she certainly knew a bit. The government could be hiding something, maybe the were hiding werewolves and vampires, if not they could be that themselves, tough Ava felt a little too unfomfertable talking about that anymore, she must sound insane. Why ruin peoples llives by telling them there are unknown creatures out there that possibly will kill you....? For there good, that's why. Ava stopped a slight growl of frustration come out of her vocals.

"As for crazy folks in the parliament, well, if y'ask any crack pot in a tinfoil hat, you'll hear it'ss probably less crows in Palace of Westminster and more wolves...if ya catch my drift."
Ava wasn't sure she caught the hint of what he was saying, but she did catch the drift. "I see you're exposed to a lot of this, but you know I'm sure if these things were real, they would've exposed by now, so..." and that was Ava's sudden change of heart, she felt the need to end the conversation. She bit he lip lightly, Percy possibly was exposed to the werewolves, possibly got away or wittnessed it. Now she knew only that it was indeed no secret. Why is this a threat to you? No one knows about you being a werewolf, and if so, who would do anything about it? Right! For once Ava agreed with Roco.

Will finished his beer and Ava could guess he felt as weary as she..well either that or Ava was just asking quite random questions...
"Suspicions? Suspicions of what?"
Ava's mind went blank and for a moment it wasn't her controling her voice, more like the little idiot in her mind, "Of werewolves of course!" The an imeediate face palm, or more to her mouth to stop her from talking. Shit, now...just walk awawy....please Ava stoold frozen waiting for the reaction of Will. And whatever it was, maybe he would know, or maybe he'd say something else, and the Ava, well she could make a run for it....? No that would draw more attention to yourself. Well there went that, Ava tried to stay calm thinking to herself, saying werewolf, whats wrong with that, that's not anything odd to say to a human..right? That's not anything odd. She confirmed. Oh how she wished she was wiser, having the conscience of an experianced elder and not some freak.

don't worry squee...Ava is having a moment

[Will Warrender]

"Well I'm just thinkin' maybe the government could do a better job."

Will rolled his hand around dismissively as the concept of government was brought back around. "Meh, jus government, nothin' good or bad about it...and even then, sorta subjective t'the individual whether or not they do a good job..." Seemed everyone around the pub bitched about something or other, be it parliament, senate, or even judicial. He had his suspicions about who controlled what, but mostly, they had been planted in his head by a very sick man. But there was one thing he was certain of:

"What? You sayin' vampires and werewolves aren't real?" He grinned, a rare wide toothy thing, he had a couple of molars missing and one of his front teeth were chipped, it was a hell of a thing really. "Naw, naw that just isn't true. Hell I got eyes. That's not suspicion, that's just damn near common sense..." he chuckled a little, looking back at the bar tender and ordering another beer and then gesturing for Ava to feel free to order whatever for herself.

He sighed for a moment, and leaned back in his chair, still smiling, seeming all too entertained by the prospect that he was in front of a nonbeliever.

[jozi]

"Meh, jus government, nothin' good or bad about it...and even then, sorta subjective t'the individual whether or not they do a good job..."
Ava gave a silent, agreeing nod. Still a frozen nod as will spoke. Ava scratched her shoulder looking up as she thought, “Yea, monarchies can very from time to time, when you look at them they seem so great, but dey could also be the reason your bankrupt, especially them dictators.” Ava’s spine had an icy chill around it, it felt every moment was a month, and every minute a year. If there were so many complaints about the government, and so many gangs and fighting everywhere, well that must mean there would be a greater person, someone who controls a lot, maybe as much as the government, but more, unpublicized about it. There was only one thing that Ava knew, and that was that she’d be staying in this town for a long, long time.


"What? You sayin' vampires and werewolves aren't real?" He said.
And along with a great big grin showing much of his missing teeth, well only a few were missing, but Ava’s mouth dropped wide open, clear almost hitting the table, before she shut it politely, anger at herself flared inside, Well you could’ve told me that one! Why the hell didn’t I know that these-… oh my god… shoot me. Her mind raced a little too much and she could hear Roco snickering inside, then in trying to calm down, “Well my bad, I grew up in Germany, were I’m not sure if anybody even knew about werewolves and vampires existing, I’ve only been here for about, not even a week.” Ava looked around at the people around her, so it was true, all of these people knew out of common sense that there are monsters living amongst them, and maybe some of them were vampires or werewolves themselves. Well damn… She turned back to Will, “No, no I know they’re real all right, that’s a fact.” She smiled.

Then she saw Will order another beer and also suggesting that she’d order something too, she looked at him with a nod of thanks, then at the bar tender. A slight sigh came out of her mouth, and a few seconds later, a rumbling sound her stomach, “Well, a plate of raw meat would be good…” She chuckled, “But I’ll just have a glass of wine, thanks.” She looked back to Will, an eyebrow lifted, “So there are a lot of us… -or them?” She asked, well all that trouble for a glass o’ wine. Ava, you got to learn how to socialize better. The stale voice came from her head.

[Will Warrender]

"Eh...if the government doesn't bother with me, I tend not to bother with them..." Will shrugged, his smile quickly fading as Ava's mouth dropped open, he could feel his face getting hot and red as the embarrassment started to creep in.

“Well my bad, I grew up in Germany, were I’m not sure if anybody even knew about werewolves and vampires existing, I’ve only been here for about, not even a week.”

Will, rubbed his hands over his face as he pulled himself back together for a second and then looked the girl over. "Oh, well, I only know this...cause well, my sister is a vampire...and I guess its weird that I'm not...see...since she was born that way an' all..." He didn't stay it directly but apparently one of his parents had been supernatural, but he had never known who, or why. His father had said it was his mother, but...he wasn't even sure that she had ever existed. The only thing he knew was that he had a lot tests run on him when he had been very young. "But I guess you think I'm a bit of a nutter eh?"

He forced some awkward sounding laughter, more like a cough as he placed her order, but he waited a moment as he looked at the girl. "If you want to order something to eat...be my guest." he said with a very curt nod.

"As for a lot of em...well I don't know...It's not like I keep an eye out for em."