Dale McCall
Human
Elements of the past and future combining together to make something not quite as good as either.
Posts: 12
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Post by Dale McCall on Jun 28, 2009 22:42:02 GMT -5
“Chris, are we nearly there?”
A young man with long shoulder-length hair groaned as his passenger asked the question. Dale, as his passenger was called, had been asking the same question over and over again for the last half hour, and if Chris didn’t have his driving to concentrate on he probably would have strangled the younger man by now. Staring ahead with golden orbs, Chris noticed the clouds rolling dark and ominous across the sky, purple and grey and about to unleash their fury at any moment. The trees either side of the road were swaying in the wind, leaves dropping off their branches and spinning their way to the ground. Truth be told, Chris wasn’t exactly sure how much longer they would be travelling for. The directions they’d been given seemed to be sending them on a wild goose-chase, and Chris was beginning to suspect that the whole thing had been a mega wind-up. Whatever it was, though, it wasn’t funny.
“Chris?”
Chris snapped his head round to look at his raven-haired friend. “No, Dale!”
Dale blinked two large grey eyes at him before sinking down in his seat. “Orright, don’t get your knickers in a twist, I was only asking.”
“Yes, but you’ve asked the same question about a million times. I’m sorry, Dale, but no, we aren’t nearly there.”
The clouds broke then, and rain fell down in a torrent, flooding the windscreen and impairing Chris’s visibility. He snapped on the wipers and took his foot off the pedal slightly; the last thing he wanted was for them to go skidding across the road and into a ditch.
“Do you think we’ve been had?” Dale asked dejectedly, looking out the misty window across the thick growth of trees surrounding them.
Chris sighed. “Yeah, I think so, little man.” Then, to make his bad day even worse, the car suddenly started to splutter, and Chris was forced to pull over just as the engine died completely. “Great!” Chris slammed his hands against the steering wheel. “Oh, well that’s just brilliant, isn’t it?” He unclipped his seat-belt and reached round behind him to grab his torch from the back seat.
“Chris?”
“What?” he replied, a little harshly.
“Can I do anything to help?” Dale’s voice, although concerned, was mostly calm, and it helped Chris to focus.
“Yeah, um, you can sit in my seat and start the engine when I tell you too, but don’t touch anything until then.” Chris popped the bonnet and opened his door, climbing out into the rain.
Dale sighed, pushing some of his hair from his temples, and slid over into Chris’s seat. After a truly awful day of endless driving and stupid arguments fuelled by tiredness and frustration, Dale was afraid the van breaking down would send Chris into meltdown, and the last thing Dale wanted was to have a huge bust up with him - The guy was a blood sucking vampire after all.
Dale wound the window down and called out, not wanting to lean out and get his hair wet, laughing quietly in despair at himself as he realized how shallow that was.
Chris didn’t respond to him at first, his head stuck under the bonnet as he shone his torch over the innards of the car, hissing as he burnt his hand on the engine. He knew the basics of car maintenance, but he couldn’t for the life of him work out what was wrong and not only that, he couldn’t even see that anything was wrong. He fiddled with a few wires, then leant round and shouted to Dale. “Dale! Turn the key!” The engine spluttered, groaning horribly. Chris cursed, slammed the bonnet down and walked round to the side of the van, leaning against the door. Dale stopped turning the key and looked at him expectantly.
“Can you fix it?”
Chris stared at him irritably, rain pouring down his face and soaking his clothes, blonde hair flat against his head. “No, Dale, I can’t. Shift over.” He opened the door and slid in, banging it shut after him and rubbing his hands over his wet face.
“Well they can’t be too far away can they?” Dale shrugged. Chris gave him a look. How that little man could stay so optimistic all the time was beyond the 27 year old. “We could always call a tow-truck.”
Chris blinked at him incredulously. “Don’t be stupid. Why would they come out for a broken down car all the way out here? We’re still an hour from the town. I don’t think they’d be too concerned about the fact that you have nowhere to plug in your straighteners.”
Ouch.
Dale’s bottom lip pouted a little and he leaned in a little closer to the passenger seat window, turning his back to the sodden wet vampire. “Was only tryin’ to help.” He grumbled.
Chris, shocked at the emotion in Dale’s voice as much as he was by the lack of a comeback, turned to face him, his eyes full of guilt. “I’m sorry, Dale, that was uncalled for.”
Vince shrugged, still not at him. “S’ok.”
“No, it’s not.” Chris sighed, putting a hand on the petite mans shoulder, causing him to turn to look at him. “I’m sorry,” Chris said again, his voice full of sincerity.
Dale offered him a small smile in return, which was quickly replaced with a frown when he saw how wet Chris was. “You should get in the back and get changed before you catch a cold.”
Chris shook his head. “Vampire’s don’t really get cold, Dale.” He reminded him.
“Oh yeah” Dale spoke absentmindedly, and began to drum his fingers against the arm rest.
A very familiar ire rippled up Chris’s spine and into his brow, causing his jaw to clench noticeably. “What’s with the tapping?” he managed calmly.
“Do what? The tap-tap-tapping?” asked Dale with an expression of innocence. He began to drum a little faster “Is this annoying you, Chris? The tapping?”
Chris’s left eye experienced a slight twitch as his ears were once more assaulted with Dale’s upbeat percussive sequence.
“Yes, Dale. The tapping is annoying me. So why are you doing it?”
Dale grinned cheekily. “Oh, I know why I’m doing it,” he answered quickly, tongue flicking up to curl impertinently about his incisor.
“Why then?” Chris grimaced, his fingers digging into the side of the torch he still held in his enclosed hand. Dale’s fingernails adopted a more subdued rhythm as he seemed to consider Chris’s question. One set stopped their percussive nonsense entirely as Dale lifted a hand and examined the enamel. He then peered out of the window again, the rain blurring his view slightly. “Hey, how far do you think their house is?” he said vaguely, frowning down at his manicure.
“Only one way to find out, I guess.” Chris shrugged, moving to open the door. “Wait here.”
“What? Why?”
“I was gonna take a run around the area, just thought you might not want to get wet.”
That was true. Dale didn’t want to get wet, but he didn’t think it was fair that Chris was already soaked and willing to go back out there while he just sat there. Plus, he didn’t want to be left alone on this, quite frankly, creepy country road. He told Chris as much, and so they left the car together, Dale gasping as the icy rain hit his skin and stung his eyes. Grabbing an extra jumper out of the back for Dale, Chris locked the car, and they made their way across the quiet road and climbed over a wall into a muddy field. Dale looked around him warily as they neared the trees.
“I hate woods; they’re scary.”
“It’s not really a wood, Dale, is it?”
“It’s dark, so it’s bad ‘nuff,” The little man replied, raising a hand to his face and pushing his dripping hair away from it.
They sped up their pace, at Vince’s insistence, mud splashing up their legs and leaves falling from above and catching in their hair. All the while, Dale was grumbling about all the time he spent fixing his hair that morning.
“You could have stayed in the car, you know.” Chris smirked as they hurried along through the trees.
“And leave you out here alone? You migh’ as well put a hat on your head with capital words flashing ‘Vampires Eat Me’. At least with me ‘round they might see you aren’t that bad.”
“I’m sure they wont mind you either.” Chris chuckled. “I mean, look at you; feather cut, the pointy features. Put you in the ‘50s, you’d be imprisoned for being a witch. They’d lock you in a trunk! You’ll fit right in, I’m sure.”
Dale smiled crookedly at his friends attempt at a joke, before gasping as he felt himself being lifted onto Chris’ back. “Wha’ you doin’ you pringle?” He yelped.
“We’ll never find them at your lazy pace. We’re running.” And with that, Chris took off, feeling Dale’s arms tangled around Chris’s shoulders and clung to his neck even tighter. As if he was terrified his friend wanted to drop him.
To Dale, when he didn’t have his eyes squeezed firmly shut, everything passed by him in a blur of green and brown colors. He could hardly feel the rain on his skin anymore, only light crystal sprinkles upon his pale features. Opening one eye just a crack, Dale saw that the clouds had cleared slightly. He couldn’t tell which direction they were running, they could have been running in circles and he wouldn’t have known it. But still, he placed his full trust in the vampire that carried him. He felt the freezing air whip past his face as Chris ran, arm’s holding Dale firmly under the knees as he sprinted across green grass and dirt. Oh! Dale thought, one hand releasing itself from Chris’ shoulders and grasping his head. His hair probably looked like a mess!
After what seemed like only a few minutes, Dale felt Chris’ pace slacken before they came to a complete stop in a small completely symmetrical meadow. The raven haired young man grumbled as he combed his fingers through his hair, trying to ruffle it up to it’s former shape. “I’m going to have to straighten it all over again.” He complained.
“Shh!” Chris put a hand up to quieten Dale as he listened, sniffing the air every so often. “I’m pretty sure we’re close.”
“How can you tell?” Dale sniffed at the air too. All his nose could detect was the stench of wet soil and woods. Chris didn’t answer him. He knew this place very well. The Cullen’s Clearing. This was the place where Victoria and her army attacked. Chris had been fortunate enough to avoid the attack, but he still shuddered at the memory. Knowing that all of the other newborns that he knew were now dead. He was sorry that they’d been turned, and had to die. Given the chance, and under much different circumstances he liked to think that the other newborns could have chosen a different path for themselves.
But it was a fools dream.
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Post by Isabella Cullen on Jun 29, 2009 1:44:13 GMT -5
.x.Bella Cullen.x. It was good to be back in Forks again, we had left for a time while Renesmee was growing, even someone slow would have realised if she reached the physical age of 17 in 7 years rather then well 17, but she had stopped growing 3 years back and I was so relieved even after finding out that she would stop growing at that age I had continued to worry about her. After all she was my daughter and what mother wanted to see their child become and old lady and die before she was even technically 20. It was a rainy day in Forks as usual which meant that the vampires could come out and play. No it wasn’t what you were thinking it had nothing to do with turning to dust, no we vampires couldn’t go out in the sun for the fact that our skin sparkled like billions of tiny diamonds when we stepped into sunlight. Not the best thing when you were trying to pass yourself off as human.
It was Sunday and the rest of the Cullen’s were out and about hunting, I had gotten a call from Alice just before. She had already told us about the vegetarian vampire and his human friend that were coming to look for us. But it seemed that they had broken down and decided to travel by foot. Alice saw them coming out at the clearing where so much evil had taken place, from Victoria’s attack to the Vultui coming. With Alice off with Jasper, Rose and Emmet, Carlisle at the hospital and Edward, Esme and Renesmee off picking up their broken down van, I was the only one left to round up the strays… Joy.
So here I was sitting up a tree waiting for them to show so I could get out of the rain and do something more fun… like oh I don’t know, anything! It was back to school tomorrow how horrid I had already done it once as a human and now I had to do it again as a vampire a least I would have Edward, Renesmee, Alice, Jasper, Rose and Emmet to entertain me, and in a way I was glad that Renesmee wouldn’t be able to spend all her time with Jacob, I mean I understand that he is perfect for her and I trust him and all but shouldn’t she be able to dip her toes in the pool a little first see who else is out there.
God you sound like your father Bella, I told myself he and mum tired to tell me not to settle for Edward that I should see who else was out there but I hadn’t listened to them. I knew Edward was the love of my life and I didn’t need to go out with other boys to know it. I sighed I knew the same was true for Renesmee but in truth even though she was the same physical age as me she was still my baby she was too young to date I mean technically she was only 10 years old!
My thoughts were pulled up short when I heard someone running, I knew right away it was the vampire and human I was waiting for I could smell them. The sweet blood pumping through the humans veins and his accelerated heartbeat were hard to miss for a vampire, even one like me who had extreme self control even when I was newborn, and of course vegetarian vampires were not immune to that scent, oh no it still tempted us, it still smelt sweet and we longed to taste. The difference between the wild vampires out there and us was that we resisted the urge, satisfying it with animal blood instead.
I didn’t have to wait long for the two to break through the tree line into the clearing the smaller man, the human was clinging to the back of the vampire. I remembered when that was how I used to travel with Edward but I didn’t need to anymore I could keep up with him easily now that I was a vampire, it was a true feeling of freedom, though sometimes I did miss those wild rides.
I smiled as I heard the vampire shushing the human, I sat as still as a statue in the tree waiting for a moment as he spoke, ‘I’m pretty sure we’re close’ then she heard the little man ask how he knew and my laughter sailed into the sky like the tinkling of bells.
I stood up in the tree and jumped, sailing through the air I landed easily, even in the ridicules high heals that I had put on this morning. More to satisfy Alice who was always complaining about my sense of style or lack of. I had pulled out a pretty summer dress of lavender satin and the matching heals to go with it. Of course now the satin clung to my body in the rain, my usually lightly curly hair hung straight around my shoulders and my golden eyes sparkled. Smile still graced my lips as the bell laughter died away.
“I’ll have to tell Alice she was wrong she said you knew about Vampires Dale, but if that were true you would know that Chris could smell us, me most prominently of course since I was the closest but he would also be able to smell the rest of my family too.”
I said looking at Dale with a smile as my bell tone voice flowed from my lips and into the clearing. I flashed forward standing right before them in seconds. It was great being a vampire sometimes especially the speed, god she loved the speed.
“Hi Chris, so you want to be one of the Cullen’s, your eyes are already golden so that’s a good start, at least we know you haven’t been feasting on any humans lately. Of course it’s Carlisle’s decision whether you get to stay with us or not, but personally I don’t see too much of an issue with it. Though you may want to reconsider wanting Dale around the house. We aren’t too popular with the Volturi at the moment and they wouldn’t hesitate to kill him if they decided to come back and teach us a lesson.”
I didn’t know how much they knew about us, but I was pretty sure they didn’t know able Alice’s power which is what made this all the more fun, I loved it when I could bamboozle vampires by knowing their names and why they were here. One of many awesome things about being a vampire, of course not all vampires had their own oracle, so we were special in that way. I loved it when vampires came around that didn’t know about Alice yet thanks to her we knew everything they were planing so we could easily confuse and intimidate them with our knowledge.
“Oh yes and Dale don’t worry we have a straightener back at the main house for your hair, and your van should be there by now too, so should we head there or would you rather stay out here in the rain, I know it doesn’t bother you or I Chris but Dale looks frozen”
I continued easily, I couldn’t resist the urge to throw in the fact that we not only knew who they were, why they were here, and where they would be but we also knew where their van had broken down and had already retrieved it. Just then the phone in my pocket started ringing and I smiled and pulled it out holding up a finger and turning to face the trees.
“Hey… Yes I’ve found them… You got the van?… Good Dale looks in the need for some dry clothes… Can you throw some food together too?… Yes my guess is Dale will be hungry after how long Alice said they have come… Ok bye”
The conversation didn’t last long, I spoke quickly and quietly like Edward and his family used to do around me when I was still human. I had never been able to catch what they were saying, their words had been too quick and quite for my less sensitive human ears. I knew the vampire would have heard everything that was a given, and I had slowed down and slightly louder each time I said Dale, just for fun to make him wonder. Emmett was right it was fun having a human around that knew everting made things more entertaining.
“Alright lets go”
I said taking control of the situation, I knew that Chris would be able to follow me and Dale would be on his back so I turned and sprinted into the forest again. My speed was fast but not flat out, I made a concerted effort to slow my stride slowly as even vampires were slightly slower runners when there was someone clinging to their backs.
It took all of 5 minutes before I could see the river, with an easy leap I cleared it and kept running up to the porch of the big house where I stopped and waited for the other two. I knew they would follow, they were the ones that came looking for us after all. I had an idea that they probably hung back to talk alone for a few minutes but no worries I had just laid a fresh scent trail Chris would be able to follow it with ease even in this rain.
Word Count ;; 1,595
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Post by Chris Tiergan on Jun 29, 2009 9:03:16 GMT -5
Chris didn’t have time to answer Dale’s question before the smaller men let out an almost inaudible squeak. Both eyes stared as a young woman with long dark hair leapt down from one of the trees and began to move towards them. Before Dale asked how Chris knew they were close, the blonde vampire had heard her soft chime of a laugh above the tree-line. Then before he could answer the question, the unfamiliar vampire was in sight of them.
The young woman spoke quickly, with a sharp sense of humor in her delicate phonation. She also knew both their names. Victoria had said nothing about the powers that the Cullen clan might have possessed, but he had been aware that the possibility that at least one of them had a power, was out there. Perhaps knowing about the duo’s presence was one of them.
Chris looked at Dale with an amused smirk. The poor little guy looked almost as pale as the young woman in front of them, and he was shaking like a leaf. Chris couldn’t tell if it was from the cold, or from fear, but he suspected the former. After all, Dale had spent so much time with him already.
There was a brief flicker of something in the female vampires eyes as she looked at Dale, that Chris identified all too clearly. After all he’d been guilty of it many times before. Even now, as well as he was getting to know Dale, he still loved the way the younger mans blood smelt, savoring it. He could hear Dale’s heart pumping through his veins, and it did tempt him. Yet he felt unusually protective of the little twenty one year old in the brief while that they had known each other. An affinity, he guessed some people called it.
“In his defence, I really haven’t had allot of time to tell him all the basics yet.” Chris put a hand on Dale’s shoulder as he spoke in a rapid humming voice that only vampires could understand. He knew that Dale wouldn’t be able to tell that he was talking, but at least the hand on his shoulder might calm him a little. The little guy hadn’t said a word yet.
He thought about her comment about the Volturi though. True, they would not take it kindly if they found out about Dale. After all they caught on about Bella very quickly. But the only reason that they did find out at all was because the young woman, who had been human at the time, had paid a visit with Alice to save her former boyfriend, now husband from killing himself. He might be foolish in thinking that they would not find out about Dale, but he was willing to take that chance.
She addressed Dale now, causing the raven-haired man to look at her with wide, grey, captivated eyes. His pale face broke into a sort of grin when she’d finished, and the blonde-haired man could only guess why. “You may as well have given me a free ticket into heaven.” Dale grinned. His hair really was a sodden mess, very unlike the usual mane of raven feathers that he usually knew and loved.
Chris however, was more happy about the fact their car had been brought back from the road and up to the Cullen’s home. So at least a couple more where present.
“Do you care about anything but the welfare of your hair?” Chris crinkled his nose.
Dale looked up, his eyes wide and earnest. “You don’t know what it feels like for me if my hair doesn’t look good. I feel all uncertain and awkward all the time. You wouldn’t know how that feels.” He paused, head tilted. “Well, of course you do, but it’s different for me! It’s like my confidence melts away like a sugar cube in the rain. I don’t like it.”
The corners of Chris’ mouth turned downwards at the comment, but he didn’t press it further.
“You’re right,” Chris said to Bella instead as she announced that they had to leave. “Better get His Magesty out of the rain before his confidence deflates completely. Devil may care about him catching a cold, of course.”
“Giddy up.” Dale knew that this was his cue to jump onto Chris’ back this time. He’d barely had time to blink before he realized that Bella was already blurring out of sight. “Hold on, tight.” Chris cautioned him before he too, took off at jet speed after the woman.
Although aware of the extra weight on his back, Chris was having little problem carrying Dale. Even if he were not vampire he was pretty certain he wouldn’t have any real problem carrying him a ways. Chris was a fairy muscular, guy, while Dale was the opposite. He looked like a little marionette dressed up like a futuristic prostitute most days.
It took five minutes before a river suddenly came into view. Chris grinned and quickened his pace as he ran towards it. He could still smell Bella’s scent quite clearly. While living with Victoria and the other newborns, he’d become a fairy good tracker. Dale yelped as Chris jumped about five meters from the rivers edge, tightening his vice-grip around the vampire’s shoulders. Chris made sure to keep his hands underneath Dale’s knees for support. If he had dropped the young man (unlikely, he scoffed), he’d still be right there to catch him. His feet hit the ground firmly on the other side of the river, and Chris sped up his pace once more.
Finally, they cleared the trees, and what stood before them made them stop and gasp. The house wasn’t just a house, but a large manor, all glass, and very imposing.
“Wow. It looks like a film set.” Dale spoke with awe as Chris let his feet drop to the pavement and they began walking towards the door, where Bella stood. Dale feeling a little better as he was swept up in the grandeur of the place, which was captivating even through the terrible weather.
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Post by Isabella Cullen on Jun 29, 2009 10:52:30 GMT -5
.x.Bella Cullen.x. I waited on the porch for the two men to show I could hear inside that Edward was moving around the kitchen on the second floor and Esme was hovering in the living room right through the door with towels no doubt just waiting to start her fussing on all of us. Even though neither Chris or I needed it since we didn’t feel the cold regardless she would likely fuss obsessively over Dale first before turning her attention to Chris and I. That’s just who Esme was, she was a fusser, in a lot of respects she was a mother to every vampire in the Cullen household even her Husband Carlisle got fussed over obsessively.
Just then I heard the thump of Chris jumping the river and sure enough within a few seconds he burst through the tree line with Dale clinging desperately to his back, I couldn’t help releasing her bell toned laugh when the small human man whispered about it looking like a movie set. I also heard the throatier chuckle from Edward, the light chuckle from Esme and the one from upstairs that was rather similar to mine but sweeter. Renesmee must be in one of the rooms on the third floor, probably Alice’s reading some of her magazines.
“Welcome to the Cullen’s family home”
I said with a sweep of my arm, I opened the door and ushered them both inside, not allowing any time for objections. Immediately Esme pounced as I knew she would, she had towels out and with a very quick, “Dale, Chris welcome to your home” she started pushing towels into Dales arms “You must be frozen” and “Why didn’t you stay in the van, we were coming to fetch you” escaped her mouth as she did so, always the worrier I thought as I went to move off to the stairs to go see Edward. “Oh no you don’t your soaked too”
Esme scolded me and was pushing towels into my hands now before pushing even more into Chris’s “You might not be able to catch a cold like poor Dale here but that’s no reason to have to walk around wet” She said firmly and I kissed her on the forehead.
“Ok Esme I will dry off on my way to see Edward then”
I said with a smile and she frowned looking at me with those penetrating, caring eyes I knew she wanted to argue but she wouldn’t, as long as I actually did make an attempt to dry off. “Esme your smothering them” I heard Edward say he didn’t bother yelling because we could all hear him perfectly anyway except for Dale of course, I was about to head upstairs when he came down instead carrying a stack of blueberry pancakes, they looked gross to me now, before I was changed my mouth would have been watering but it wasn’t really appetising now.
“You will have to excuse Esme she can be a little over the top sometimes” Edward said casually yet lovingly I watched as Esme pouted at him playfully and he hugged her shoulders “In a good way of course” he added with a grin. “Nessie would you stop hovering and just come in” he spoke easily over his shoulder, being a mind reader was really helpful sometimes I thought, but thank god he couldn’t read my mind. I sighed in exasperation though, I still didn’t like the nickname that had been given to my daughter.
“I do wish you would all stop calling my daughter after the lock ness monster, her name is Renesmee”
I said as the now teenage girl skipped into the room rolling her eyes at me, “I like the nickname mother” she said easily and I shook my head, I would never understand the appeal of being named Nessie, but she did seem to like the nickname, heaven knows why.
“Chris, Dale this is Esme, Edward and Renesmee and I’m Bella”
I said suddenly realising that no one had introduced themselves to either of them not even me and I was the one who brought them here. Esme quickly picked up on that fact when I added my own name to the end and gave me a stern look before focussing her attention on the boys. “Come in, sit, dry off, your vans in the carport, Rose will fix it when she gets back from hunting, eat.” She said everything like and order almost and I couldn’t help smile poor lads didn’t know what they were getting themselves into.
Word Count ;; 759
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Dale McCall
Human
Elements of the past and future combining together to make something not quite as good as either.
Posts: 12
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Post by Dale McCall on Jun 29, 2009 23:17:36 GMT -5
“Welcome to the Cullen’s family home.” Bella spoke with a swing of her arm as the two boys stared up at the grandiose manor. It really was an imposing sight to behold aswell. It was remarkable glass mansion, which looked immaculately cared for, which wasn’t surprising since being a vampire, you could not sleep, so you had to occupy yourself with something while all of the humans were sleeping. It was framed with full size windows, making the surrounding forest seem even more a part of the house.
That clearing not too far away might have been theirs, surrounding by all of the pine trees. Quiet. Secluded. Beautiful. It was the perfect place for a vampiric family to reside, really.
Bella opened the door and stepped inside, both Chris and Dale a step or so behind her. Dale’a eyes scanned the room as he took in the main room. Like the outside, it was rather grand, with a long staircase and a patterned floor. The room was very spacious, and the walls were a creamy white. Upstairs, he could just see a couple of paintings in gilt frames hanging on the walls, and to the far right of him a large, ornate looking piano held a vase of roses – red’s, whites and pinks. Everything Dale laid his eyes on was beautiful, especially the people surrounding him. Now Dale was a pretty handsome guy, and he was well aware of this fact. He took great pride in his appearance. But standing amongst this angelic family, he almost felt down right plain. Almost. How vain was that.
Dale barely had any time to take in the surroundings before he was immediately standing face to face with a tall blonde vampire-woman, fussing on about how cold he must be, and shoving towels into his arms. She smiled widely as she handed Chris a few towels too. He gave her a smile of thanks before he started to stroke the towels over his arms and face. Dale, not wanting to be rude, mimicked his friends actions.
“I’m sorry, we didn’t think to stay in the car. We didn’t even know that you knew that we were coming.” Chris’ voice was slightly muffled as he ruffled his hair up in the towel.
“Your home is genius.” Was all Dale could think of to throw into the conversation, as the blonde woman continued to hand them towels. Looking down at his arms, Dale realized he was holding at least three now. He was grateful though, even though they were out of the rain, he still trembled slightly. He wondered if their clothes were still packed in the back of the car, or if any of the vampires had thought to bring them inside. From the looks of things, he wouldn’t be surprised if they had. The way that this blonde vampire was clucking over them you’d think she was their mother or something.
Even though he was at first, Dale had been a little frightened of Bella when she approached them, Dale realized now that his fear had been unfounded. He hadn’t been scared in the sense that any of these vampires would hurt either Chris or himself, he had been a little more frightened of the possibility that they would turn them away. Not so much Chris, but himself. He realized he wouldn’t have had anywhere else to go. He couldn’t go back to London for a while, not till this whole debt thing blew over. How was Howard doing, he wondered. He was sure that his uncle was safe, if not in any danger at least. He’d paid off the debt, it was Dale the man had been worried about. Dale volunteered to help with the robbery, he had no idea, at the time, the trouble it would get him in.
Dale ran a hand through his damp, tangled hair; he made a mental note that as soon as he could, he’d have to find a mirror to see what damage had been done. He heard a small noise towards the stair case and looked up to see another man, quite taller than he was descending the stair case. In his hands, he held a plate of what looked like pancakes.
“You will have to excuse Esme, she can be a little over the top sometimes.” The man spoke, setting the tray down before giving the woman a hug. There was definitely something maternal about this blonde woman, and it made Dale feel a little warmer inside as she reminded him of his own mother. He then turned and called to someone hovering up on the stairs. Moments later, a dainty girl pranced into the room, tsking at the Bella, only a few years older than herself. Wait, daughter? He looked at the two young women, trying to identify their ages. Both looked around the same age. There was no way... could vampires even have children? He made a mental note to ask Chris to fill him in.
Pleasantries and names exchanged, both Chris and Dale shook Edward’s hand when his name was spoken, and giving each of the women a smile each. When Edward shook Dale’s hand, the older guy gave him an odd smile, almost amused. As soon as Bella was through the introduction, Esme was quick to jump on them, again. Rose was going to fix the car, so that meant there was at least one more vampire he hadn’t met yet. How many more were there anyway?
“There are eight of us. Nine, now if you include Chris.” Edward smirked cheekily, at Dales now perplexed expression. “Eat.” were Esme’s final words before he felt her place a cold hand on his back and usher him towards the pancakes. Chris decided to tag behind them. At least with Chris not too far away, Dale might feel a little more comfortable. But it was hard not to really, these people were almost treating both he and Chris as if they were old friends.
“What are these?” Dale enquired quietly, leaning towards Chris as he looked down at the pancakes.
“They’re just pancake’s, Dale.” Chris gave him an odd look. Surely the kid had seen pancakes before.
“Yeah, but what’s in them?” He picked up a fork and cut a little off, and looking at the little purpley blue bits in them.
“Blueberries.” Chris rolled his eyes.
“Oh! I don’t mind that.” Dale grinned and bit down on the slice hungrily. Chris smiled and they sat in companionable silence as Dale ate. Dale seemed to be more at ease now, Chris noted, and he was pleased. They were making a good impression. If worst came to worse they’d probably just have to leave again. He wondered if he and Dale would split if that happened. He did not want to put his little companion in any danger. Without the Cullen’s to help him become a vegetarian, as they called it, there was the possibility that Chris could lapse and attack Dale without even realising it. The blood lust was an overpowering thing. Chris decided it wouldn’t be healthy to continue that train of thought. He needed to remain calm and focus on being proactive. Even so, it took him a while to realize that Esme was talking to him.
“Chris? Chris.”
Chris shook his head. “Sorry, Esme.”
“Are you all right?” She looked concerned. Chris hadn’t realized his thoughts had made their way onto Chris’ expression. “Yes, sorry.” He gave her a tentative smile. “I guess I’m just a little hungry.”
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Post by Alice Cullen on Jun 30, 2009 2:33:01 GMT -5
.x.Alice Cullen.x. Eyes shone bright golden as Alice, the shortest by far with her little pixi cut hair lead the party back toward the Cullen house, hand in hand with Jasper, Rose and Emmett bringing up the rear, it had been a good weekend. They had travelled further from home this time to hunt down a grisly or two for Emmett they truly were his favourite and Alice liked them too it was fun. Knowing that being as small as she was she could bring down the vicious and powerful beast with ease.
They were coming from the opposite direction as they made their way back to the Cullen’s house, Alice wanted to go in through the garage she knew know one had gotten the gear from the back of the van for the two newby’s to change into and she knew that the little human Dale wanted to change. Alice was most excited about Dale, he was someone after her own heart, he loved fashion and looking great and so did she. In her eyes he was another doll for her to dress, and unlike Bella he would be receptive to receiving awesome clothes.
She could see the house now and smile crossed her lips with ease as she slowed to open the door to the garage before walking swiftly to the van and easily pulling out all the bags from the back, and there were a few, the little guy had a pretty good collection already she thought with a smile, as little Alice loaded up with bags walked through the door off the garage and into the house, she soon came into the main living area and tossed the bags aside.
“Some welcoming committee you lot are, you didn’t even bring their bags inside.”
She said with a big smile on her features as she took in the room, Dale was sitting scoffing down blueberry pancakes while Chris hovered near by obviously making sure the younger human didn’t feel too put out by all this. Esme was being the typical fuss pot she usually was and was hovering over the two. Bella, Edwards and Renesmee were having a discussion about planing a hunting trip with Chris, by the sounds of it Edward would be the one to take him as Nessie and Bella had only just recently hunted. Esme hearing this piped up that she would like to come too, it had been a few days since Esme had hunted Alice realised, her eyes were starting to loose the golden hue to them and turn black.
“Well why don’t you three go do that, me and Dale have a date with a hair dryer, straightener and some of the clothes I brought the other day for him. May as well get it done now while Chris is already wet”
She said in her singsong voice as she walked/danced around taking the towels from Esme and turning back to Bella.
“And Bella nice to see you finally taking an interest in the clothes I brought for you.”
She said with a grin and watched as Bella rolled her eyes, she knew Bella only ever pulled them out to humor her, but she did look good in girly clothes and Alice did wish she would wear things like that more often but at the same time she knew she wouldn’t, Bella was too stubborn and her fashion sense certainty hadn’t changed when she did.
“One of these days I will convince you to take a more active interest in your clothes selections, and now that I have a partner in crime it may just be sooner rather then later.”
Alice said with grin, she obviously could already see that her and Dale were going to get along fine and it didn’t worry her in the least. Jasper hovered further back with Emmett who was quietly chuckling over Alice. “I wonder if you will be as much fun to have around as Bella was before she was turned, such a shame that had to happen, I did so enjoy that clumsy little human who always walked herself into so much trouble” He said in his bear of a voice chasing his words with a loud laugh which everyone of the Cullen’s in the room joined in on.
“Come on Dale lets go do something with that hair of yours, you can eat those while I work”
Alice said grabbing the plate and his arm, gently without applying too much pressure but enough to yank him up from the couch and tow him toward the stairs which she skipped up ahead of him expecting him to follow and not ask too many questions, she reached the landing of the second floor and kept going up to the third floor, she looked over the edge and frowned.
“Come on slow poke the straightener awaits!”
She said with a giggle and kept on up the stairs, she got the landing and skipped along it stopping at the entrance to Edwards old room which she had already converted to suit the man, there was a comfy bed, flat screen TV, dvd player, a table full of hair products and straightener and hair drier a huge full length mirror framed one wall, and the closet was packed. It was at the closed door that she waited for him to catch up.
Word Count ;; 894
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Dale McCall
Human
Elements of the past and future combining together to make something not quite as good as either.
Posts: 12
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Post by Dale McCall on Jun 30, 2009 3:39:13 GMT -5
Dale had barely finished half of one of the pancakes before he heard a door behind him open, swallowing the mouthful of blueberry he had in his mouth as four more vampires walked in; two male, two female, and each one as beautiful as the other. It was the one in the front that caught most of his attention though.
A little woman, probably not much taller than a young teenager tip-toed lightly through the door, carrying all of Dale’s and Chris’ things with surprising strength. Chris had mentioned the strength that vampires held but he had no idea up till then just how much strength they really had. Most of the bag’s that the little vampire held were Dale’s of course; he had packed up most of his necessities from London before they left, which was about three large suit cases full. Chris really only had the one small bag. It was rather frustrating really, when Chris never listened to him about his lack of fashion-sense. Down right exasperating, actually.
One of Dale’s bags alone held a little section for his magazines. Dale didn’t like to read. To him, most books were just meaningless text and old paper, once white now turning into a type of yellowy brown. Dale liked colorful magazines with few words and lots of pictures. Saying what’s in and what’s not, where the coolest peepz are hanging out these days, and what to name your mutt (pet dogs are SO in). Dale soon put the idea of having a dog to a halt, knowing Chris wouldn’t let him keep one. The blonde would probably wind up drinking it clean of all it’s blood anyway.
The raven-haired young man had almost stopped shivering completely, but his clothes were still damp. Only now with the warm pancakes in front of him and in the safety of a house did he feel dry enough for comfort. Looking at the pixie-like young woman in front of him, he couldn’t help but smile at her. Her whole appearance from her hair, make-up to her attire just screamed ‘one of us! one of us!’
And she bought him clothes?! Who was this little Angel?
She addressed Edward and Esme at first, commenting on a conversation that he hadn’t heard. Chris had looked up as the pixie-vampire spoke, looking a little relieved that the others had invited him along to where ever they were going. Dale couldn’t help but have the feeling that the invitation wouldn’t be extended to him though, and he wasn’t sure if he wanted to go where they were going either. Beside’s, even if he had been invited along, he would have declined immediately after he realized that the little vampire was addressing him now.
Dale had all but forgotten the pancakes now as she danced across the room. “Come on Dale,” She said, taking him by the forearm and pulling him to his feet. “lets go do something with that hair of yours, you can eat those while I work.” He gave a fleeting look towards the pancakes for a brief second, not really that hungry anymore now that the subject of straighteners and clothes where brought up, but decided to let her take the plate along anyway, for courtesies sake. Dale gave a fleeting glance at Chris as Alice pranced ahead of him up the staircase. Dale gave Chris a look that seemed to ask, ‘will you be okay?’. Chris smiled knowingly. “Go on.” His grin growing wider as Dale beamed with delight, running up the stairs after Alice. After all, by the sound of it Edward and Esme were planning a hunting party.
It had been a few days since Chris had hunted. He had planned on leaving Dale alone for a couple of hours the day before, but the little guy was hopeless when it came to doing as he was told. If you told him to jump, instead of asking ‘how high’, he’d probably poke his tongue at you, and sit down instead.
As Dale approached the room that the pixie-vampire was standing beside, Dale realized that if he weren’t wearing his slightly heeled boots, he would probably be the same height as little Alice, if not maybe an inch or two taller. He liked wearing heeled boots; really only because he was so short. At least the boots gave him the appearance of height. He was quite upset that those boots had gotten so wet too. They were probably worth more than everything Chris owned.
Still smiling as he neared the door, Dale’s tongue flicked up to curl about his incisor. It was just a habit that had developed over the years, he wasn’t sure why he did it. “You have no idea how great warm clothes and dry hair sounds right now.” He spoke lightly, as he reached the top of the stairs, spotting the little vampire standing beside a door at the end of the corridor. He still wasn’t sure how bad his hair looked. Truthfully it was doing his head in just wondering how it looked. Maybe it didn’t look too bad...
Through the preoccupation, he wondered briefly how everyone here seemed to know his and Chris’ names. They’d never met before, he was sure of that. God, he wished he’d paid more attention to what Chris had told him about vampires. Dale came to a stop at the door, wondering what on Earth was inside. Everyday seemed to bring a new surprise lately.
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Post by Alice Cullen on Jul 2, 2009 8:59:59 GMT -5
.x.Alice Cullen.x. Alice smiled at the young mans words, oh she knew exactly how great it sounded to the man she loved clothes and looking great as much as this small man here did. A small giggle bubbled up and escaped her lips, sounding like bells chiming.
“Believe me I know, so without further delay welcome to Chris’s and your new room”
She said in her easy bell toned voice, she eased the door open and waved him through ahead of her with a flourish of her arm and a little curtsy, huge smile on her lips. Grabbing his arm she pulled him in and without letting him look around too much pushed him down into a chair placing the pancakes on the table in front of him and turned him to face the mirror.
Then grabbing up a hair dryer she set to work blow drying his hair dancing around the back of him as she flittered from one side to the other the blow drier working easily on his damp hair. She got it dry but before starting on the straightener she packed the blow drier away and grabbed his arm gently pulling him with her as she flittered over to the closet. Throwing the door open and she revealed, a closet through of expensive designer jeans, flashy shirts, hats galore, shoes, pants, jackets, everything the young man could ever want.
Downstairs she could hear the others moving around getting ready to go on the hunting trip, Emmett and Rose had migrated to the garage and Emmett was making jokes and checking rose’s ass out as she leaned over the engine of the two guys that showed up today, fiddling around to see what was up with it. Then she heard Edward speak from downstairs to her his voice didn’t rise above normal conversation but she heard him clear as a bell.
“Alice, you may want to explain things to him, even if he is distracted right now he is still very confused” He said with amusement on his voice. Alice laughed easily at his comment, of course she sometimes got so wrapped up in her visions that she forgot about the fact that the other person didn’t know that she knew, she really should explain it too him.
“Thanks for the Heads up Edward.”
She said easily humour still laced in her voice as she spoke, before she turned back to the young man.
“Ok so pick an outfit, get changed and then I will come back in and we will finish your hair and I will explain things too you, and don’t even think about not telling me when your changed cause I will know!”
She said with an easy laugh before she flitted out of the room and pulled the door shut behind her leaving Dale in the room on his own. As she made her way down the stairs she saw flashes of Carlisle driving home, his speed was fast, the windscreen wipers were going crazy but he could see easily as all vampires could, his eyes were black and there were bags under his eyes.
“Edward, hold off leaving for your hunting trip for like 2 minutes, Carlisle is that far away and he is hungry, I’m sure he would want to come too”
Alice spoke matter of factually then she was standing in the main room again, Bella and Renesmee were sitting on the couch, Renesmee was touching Bella’s forehead and both of them had grins on their faces. This was a normal thing for them, Renesmee had a special gift for projecting her thoughts into peoples heads through touch, it was her favourite way to communicate, especially with Bella, it was her way of telling her all about her day.
Edward and Esme had stopped on their way out the door to wait for Carlisle as she had suggested, Jasper wasn’t in the room, he had gone upstairs to their room, she could hear him in there, it was entertaining how easily they stuck to their normal lives even with the arrival of new members to he family.
Word Count ;; 685
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Dale McCall
Human
Elements of the past and future combining together to make something not quite as good as either.
Posts: 12
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Post by Dale McCall on Jul 3, 2009 2:20:21 GMT -5
Dale’s grey eyes widened as he stepped past the door frame, and entered a large room with one large glass window where a wall should have been; not unlike the large glass wall that faced the south side of the house, except now, it had a large set of curtains that could be drawn together to make the room darker, or lighter. The curtain was a new installment, seeing as when the room was Edward’s, of course he did not need to sleep but since there would now be a human residing in there, Dale would obviously need darkness in order to get the rest his body needed through the night. The window looked down upon the pine-tree forest that he, Bella and Chris had been running through not too long ago. The floor of the bedroom was overlaid in a thick Prussian carpet, in light contrast compared to the creamy shade of the walls. Several shelves were set up, as well as a desk, and a large bed with crisp turquoise sheets.
This was Chris’ and his new room? Was she really serious? No one had ever really given Dale anything so grand in his life. If he still wasn’t so shocked he probably would have embraced Alice with one of the biggest hugs in history.
Dale was still a little shocked as Alice wrapped an icy hand wrap around his arm and led him to the desk, setting the now forgotten pancakes in front of him. He was broken from his trance, however as he peered into the reflective surface of the mirror, viewing his own image for the first time since he was sitting in the drivers seat of the car, ‘helping’ Chris as the blonde vampire leant over the bonnet, getting soaked in the rain.
Dale’s hair, to his great relief, didn’t look as bad as he thought that it would. Sure it was still very damp, and it didn’t look anything like how he was used to seeing it. Like he had told Chris in the clearing, if Dale’s hair didn’t look good, he just felt so uncertain and awkward all the time. It was like his confidence melts away like a sugar cube in the rain. Dale’s hair was always a basic back-comb structure, slightly root-boosted framing with a cheeky fringe. Right now, it was much flatter, and just looked so lifeless. At least now, at long last, he could breath a little life back into it.
His grey orbs glanced quickly to the side when he heard a familiar ‘whzzzz’ sound behind him as a blow-dryer was plugged into the wall, and he felt a dry warmth around the back of his neck as his hair was unceremoniously taken in one hand and blown about. Dale chewed on the bottom of his lip as the dryer worked on his damp hair. It wasn’t that he didn’t like it when people touched his hair... okay, he hated it. But that was really only when it was done up, and right now, he could do nothing with it, and it was all the rain’s fault. At the moment, it felt nice to be a little pampered by the gorgeous little pixie.
Less then a few minutes later, he noticed her pack the dryer back into a little drawer compartment attached to the desk, but before she pulled the straightener out, she seemed to change her mind - much to his relief- took his arm again, and flitted across to the closet. Dale noticed that when she took his arm, apart from the iciness of her touch, she was rather gentle with the way she handled him; almost as if she were anxious that she might break him. Chris had tried to explain that it was a vampire thing. Each vampire held remarkable strength; so much that they could break a pine tree like a tooth pick, or watch a stone crumble like rubble if they decided to punch it. He’d said that Dale, to them, would be as fragile, if not more than, a porcelain doll.
Dale gaped inside the large walk-in closet as it’s door was trust open and the light touched his skin. If this were a cartoon, Dale thought to himself, he’d probably be hearing harps playing, and angels singing by now. Everything his eyes landed on was totally androgynous and high-street London; from designer drainpipe jeans, boots with heels, faux-fur, shirts, jumpers, jackets, and sparkling accessories.
“I’ve stepped into Wonderland, haven’ I?” His mouth hung wide open at the sight of it all as his eyes scanned over everything twice, just to make sure that it was all still there. He even half-thought that he had seen a little rabbit carrying a job-watch peek out from behind one of the coats at one point.
“Ok so pick an outfit, get changed and then I will come back in and we will finish your hair and I will explain things too you, and don’t even think about not telling me when your changed cause I will know!” Alice’s chime-like voice giggled, before she went to flit out of the room again. Dale wasn’t entirely unconvinced that Alice wasn’t the white rabbit, herself the way she darted about the rooms, so keen on just being everywhere at once.
“Thank you!” He called to her as she skipped out the doorway, unsure if she even heard him or not. His grey eyes then sweeping over the jackpot before him once more.
Now, down to business. Dale thought as he walked over towards the first rack of clothing and started to leaf through some of the jeans till he found a pair of grey drainpipe jeans that looked roughly his size. Wait...how’d they know his jeans size?
Forcibly pushing that odd thought from his mind, Dale nearly tripped right into the wall as he unzipped his damp jeans and tossed them into a conveniently placed washing basket beside the door. The new pair of jean’s slid over his leg’s perfectly as he then hooked a thin leather belt around his waist. He shook his head from side to side, looking for some sort of mirror, and smiled when he realized that there was a full-size mirror hanging on the cupboard door. These vampires had thought of everything.
Flaunting his new drainpipe jeans, Dale flicked some raven-colored hair from his eyes as he leafed through more racks, this time looking at the selection of shirts and jumpers. “Hmm,” He tilted his head to one side a little uncertainly as he pulled out a white woolen jumper. It was not unlike one of the jumpers that he had packed with him before he left London, though the one he owned had a face on the front. Dale’s face. The story behind that was there was this woman who wanted to knit his portrait. Whether he was telling the truth or not, was, of course, debatable. With that brief memory in mind, Dale absentmindedly hummed to himself as he tossed it into a ‘maybe pile’.
It probably took longer than one would consider normal for Dale to choose between the three jackets, four pairs of boots, two jumpers and six t-shirts he had pulled from the closet. But in the end he’d chosen a black t-shirt with a rib-cage and spine pattern on the front and back, as well as the dark drainpipe jeans he’d chosen. The boots, he’d decided on wearing - for now, anyway, he’d change into another pair later on - were a mauve color.
Dale stood by the cupboard door for a moment, swinging back and forth admiring his reflection before he spun on his heel, finally a little happier to be wearing something dry, and sat down at the desk chair once more. Carefully, he picked up the straightener, which was now steaming hot from when Alice had turned it on before showing him the gateway into Wonderland.
He stared into the mirror as he pulled the straightener through his ebony hair, being extra careful not to burn the back of his neck as he reached the back. As much as he loved having his hair straightened, he did hate having the hot implement that close to his neck. Once the hair around his shoulders was straightened, Dale turned the straightener off, leaving it to cool on the table. He then opened one of the other drawers on the other side of the desk, moving aside gells and hair ties, mascara, eye liner, eye shadow, and even lipstick!
Sure, Dale admittedly, did put eye-liner on occasionally. That was just his look; he conformed to specific subcultures which he considered vogue, such as mod, goth, punk and new rave, adapting them to fit his androgynous dandyesque appearance. But what was he going to do with lipstick? He grinned evilly for a moment, as the thought of ambushing Chris and smearing it on his face sprung to mind. Fat chance of that happening though, Chris would probably squish him flat.
Chuckling to himself, Dale pulled out what he’d been looking for - a bottle of mousse and a can of hair spray. Then, spraying a decent amount on his hands, he began to massage the mousse into the top of his head and hair near his temples and fringe, giving it a little spike. He then took the can of spray and, squinting his eyes shut, he sprayed it around the finishing touches, making sure that it’d all stay in place this time. There was NO way he was going to go back outside while it was raining now, he thought decisively. They’d have to drag him, kicking and screaming.
Then, with one last fleeting look in the mirror, Dale began to make his way back downstairs towards the family of vampires.
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Post by Carlisle Cullen on Jul 3, 2009 3:57:01 GMT -5
Driving a deluxe Porche through the rain, Carlisle sped up the familiar, sweeping drive way that led towards his manor. The handsome young doctor had been eager to get home quickly from work at the hospital; not only to see his beautiful wife and six children, but because while he’d been on shift, his clan had gained two more members. Alice had called him, telling of two more people who wished to be included in their household. He almost hadn’t believed it when she informed him that it was a male vampire and a male human travelling together. Sure, Edward had courted Bella while she was only a human, but she had been a female human aswell. Two males travelling together almost seemed abnormal; but of course, Carlisle was no stranger to that.
A slight crease formed on Carlisle’s brow as the thought lingered on his mind. Was the vampire-man aware of the possible danger he’d put the little human in? Carlisle knew nothing about these people apart from what Alice had told him on the phone, so he shouldn’t jump to conclusions. He didn’t know where these two people had come from, or how the vampire-man had been turned. Why was he travelling with a human? Of course these were all things that he’d be able to ask them once he arrived back home.
Windscreen wipers thrashing back and forth against the windscreen, Carlisle slowed as he entered the drive way and garage. With barely a sound, the motor cut as Carlisle pulled the key’s from the ignition, picked up his bag from the passenger seat and exited the car. His eyes, once golden, but were blackened from a lack of hunting lately, instantly picked up on an old Ford falcon, with two vampires leaning under the bonnet. “Hello, you two.” He smiled warmly towards Rose and Emmett.
“Hi Carlisle,” the couple chimed together, Emmett coming out from under the bonnet with a smirk on his features. “The two of them sure travel in style don’t they?”
Carlisle chuckled lightly at his son-in-law, side-stepping around the car as he headed for the garage door. “I think we’ll try and find something a little more suitable for them, soon.” He said thoughtfully, before he stepped through the door and entered the main room.
“Hello, my darling.” Esme was right by his side as soon as he’d stepped over the threshold, embracing her husband in a hug. He held her close for a moment, his pale lips on the top of her head before he pulled away and grinned across the room, where the newest addition to their vampiric clan was sitting. Taking one of Esme’s hands in his own as he crossed the distance between the room, he held out his other hand, as the blonde stood from his seat and offered his own in a shake. “You must be Carlisle,” the newcomer spoke, dropping his hand after a moment. “Edward was just telling me a little about you. My name’s Chris.”
Carlisle smiled at his son, who offered a small smile back towards his fatherly-figure. “My name is Carlisle.” The blonde doctor spoke, turning to face Chris again. He was a fairy good looking young man, not as pale as a usual vampire, a little older than himself, probably a little closer to thirty, but Carlisle could see that the man had only been a vampire for a few years. His eyes were golden; that was a good sign. It showed that he had been sticking to the vegetarian life-style. He wondered briefly, what Chris had been living off before he found them, and how long he’d been attempting their life-style.
“Well, I’m sure that we have allot to talk about,” Carlisle clasped his hands together, a look of earnestness on his pale features. “but I thought there was one more of you too. Where is your...”
Carlisle’s question was answered as another young man, probably very closer to nineteen or twenty descended down the stairs and looked around the room. His grey eyes landing on Carlisle almost instantly. Carlisle could hear the young man’s blood pumping a little faster as he looked at him, but there was little fear on the small man’s face. He was a very petite little thing, probably very close to Alice’s height, and build. His hair was midnight black in shade, shoulder length and he had grey eyes. His features were quite pointy; a long, slightly crooked nose, which Carlisle suspected might have been broken a couple of times, and a strong jaw.
His attire was definitely something completely different to what Carlisle was used to seeing people wear. His whole appearance was completely androgynous and Carlisle guessed that this young man was definitely the sort of person who favored the highest fashion trends and combining subcultures. Right now, he could see that the young man was flaunting a more punk-look. A small black t-shirt still hung a little loosely around his thin frame; a bone rib-cage pattern visible on the front. He more dark grey drainpipe jeans and mauve boots. Could he see a heel there too? The corners of Carlisle’s mouth tugged upwards as the young man approached him. “Hey, my name’s Dale,” Carlisle detected a slight cockney lilt to the boys accent, which showed that he’d probably come from South London. "You're home is absolutely genius" He smiled warmly.
“Carlisle,” He smiled, shaking the boy’s hand, pleased when the little punk did not wince at the iciness of his hand. Carlisle could feel the boys pulse under his skin now. “Welcome to our home.” He added as an after thought. There were so many thing he wanted to ask both of them.
“Edward and I were going to go out hunting, Carlisle,” Esme spoke, still standing at his side. “We decided to wait, and see if you wanted to join us. It’s been a few days since you hunted.” She looked at his blackening eyes and her forehead creased slightly.
“I think that’s a good idea,” Carlisle nodded, it had been a few day’s since his last hunt. He had just been so busy at the hospital.
“Alice, Rose, and Emmett have already come back from their hunting trip.” Edward spoke for the first time since Carlisle got home, “Our little pixie has taken a shining to Dale, already, and since Chris hasn’t really filled him in on most of the essentials of what to do and what not to do when you befriend a vampire, she’s volunteered to fill in the blanks.”
Carlisle looked at Chris, and could plainly see the regret and slight embarrassment on the man’s features. How irresponsible, to not warn Dale of the potential dangers of being around any of them. Did Dale know anything about what he’d gotten himself into?
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Post by Alice Cullen on Jul 21, 2009 9:23:48 GMT -5
.x.Alice Cullen.x. Alice wasn’t surprised as she heard the car pull up in the garage she knew that he was coming and she knew when he would arrive, she smiled at the exchange in the garage between Carlisle, Rose and Emmett. It was true the Cullen’s were used to driving in style and the car these two had arrived in was anything up fancy or stylish. That would change however once they were officially one of them, that was once they had a chance to sit down and the others asked all the questions they wanted to ask.
Alice heard Dale coming down the stairs and knew better then to skip up the stairs stopping his passage and dragging up back up again to finish his hair. Carlisle would be curious about the boy that was travelling with this vampire, the only case they knew of where a human and vampire were close in anyway was Bella and Edward but they had been in love. She knew that they were all curious about it but it was important to make their guests feel comfortable first.
She stood back watching as Dale and Carlisle met, choosing to not butt in this time, though it was difficult for her, she was bouncing on the balls of her feet she was keen to get moving. The sooner they send the hunting party out and she explained things to Dale the sooner they would have their questions answered. She saw the flash of a look in Carlisle’s eyes that said he didn’t like the fact that Dale had been dragged along and not filled it.
Seeing this Alice knew it was time for her to bounce into action, and so she did, moving forward her movements like a dance she came to a stop between the human and Carlisle the man who was like a father to them all.
“Don’t be too hard on Chris about this Carlisle he is new to our lifestyle and the fact that Dale is still alive speaks truckloads for his self control, besides, This gives the rest of us something to do while you all hunt, so shoo, I made them wait for you, but Chris needs a feed so don’t dawdle any longer then you need too go on off you go.”
She said in a bossy little pixie voice, then she turned and grabbed up the bags that were laying on the floor where she left them easily before turning back to the room.
“Come on Dale lets finish off your hair, Bella, Nessie, come on you two can help me fill him in”
She said a smile on her features as she flittered back upstairs she could hear Bella below.
“Come on Dale, there is no arguing with her when she is like this, especially when you still human believe me I know all to well”
She said with a grin before she followed Alice and Renesmee up the stairs to the third floor landing where she saw Alice was already in Edwards old room the bags were on the floor there now and Renesmee was standing by the door, now all they needed was the human she thought.
Word Count ;; 532
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Post by Chris Tiergan on Jul 22, 2009 3:45:42 GMT -5
The look on Chris’s face was of pure embarrassment as he caught the countenance in Carlisle’s eyes, which were so identical to his own. How could he have been so careless? How could he have exposed Dale to such danger without making sure the kid had been aware of what he was getting into?
Dale’s disposition was so naturally trusting, and naive and innocent that Chris simply... forgot, he supposed, to tell him. They had only known each other for a few weeks after all; there were many thing’s that neither knew about each other. Some of which, Chris was sure would never be discussed. He was only speaking for himself, but he knew that if Dale knew (or if any of these people knew about how his vampiric life had started off, he didn’t think he’d ever be able to gain any trust back). God, he was so pessimistic at times.
Dale was a very curious little character. Even in the short time that Chris had known the twiglet of a man, he felt that it was almost impossible not to feel attached to him. What he’d learnt about Dale in the short time he’d known him, was that Dale was very naive, and child-like with a ‘run-between-the-raindrops’quality about him, giving him the ability to land on his feet in the most difficult of situations.
It was impossible for Dale to treat anyone with cruelty; he was a sunshine kid. Dale had a quite idiosyncratic taste for things. He just had this weirdness in the guise of a small child telling an adult a story. His weirdness has a friendly face. Dale had tendency to say what’s on his mind; his subconscious was very close to the surface.
Chris would never openly admit it, but he felt a little envious of Dale for possessing these qualities. Which was probably why he often spoke as if he were a little more superior to the androgynous little dandy. Dale usually got everyone and everything that he wanted as well as allot of luck on top of that, which also made Chris jealous and annoyed with his own bad luck.
This clan, this family that both he and Dale were being introduced to was nothing like Chris had seen before.Very few clan’s that he’d heard of ever rose above two or three vampires, and here he was standing amongst close to a dozen, all living in comfort and ease with each other.
Could his and Dale’s presence disturb that balance? It would surely cause problems. Problems that had really only just snuck up on him.
As Dale introduced himself to Carlisle, Chris caught a glimpse of the smaller female vampire - who, come to think of it, was roughly the same size as Dale - bouncing on the ball’s of her feet, impatient to get into the conversation again. He had to admit himself, that he was eager to get out of the house to go hunting already. Although he had built up a fair amount of tolerance to Dale’s blood, it was still rather inviting, and the last thing that he wanted to do was hurt his little friend, or no doubt get himself killed by a dozen vampire’s if he attempted to do so.
Still feeling a little ashamed of his actions with not explaining things to Dale sooner, Chris was gratified as Alice’s desire to get involved soon took over, and she verged upon the conversation to defend him against Carlisle’s silent judgment. Chris was even more grateful, as she also reminded them that he still had not hunted yet. From the expression on Esme’s face, and the darkened tinge to her golden eyes, she was also deliberating the same thing.
Then, as Alice picked up their luggage, which Chris guessed she intended to take up to their room, Chris looked at Dale, who had been uncharacteristically quiet for a moment, and observed his expression as Alice suggested they finish off his hair before vanishing back up the stairway. Dale paled, freezing in his tracks.
Unfortunately for Dale, his best personality trait (ie his complete and utter honesty) was working overtime against him, as a flash of what was clearly ‘bother’ crossed his pale, half-arsedly painted face. Chris gave him an amused stare, which Dale returned with a look of anxiety across his pointed features.
If there was one thing that Dale hated, it was when people touched his hair. He remembered a time, a few day’s after they had met, Dale had been so upset with Chris for accidently dropping, and breaking his hair straighteners that he’d locked himself in Chris’ car and refused to come out for about an hour.
Chris could have easily broken into the car and towed the sulky little whelp out, but one) he didn’t want to have to break into his own car, and two) Dale would make damn sure that Chris got no peace and quiet till he’d replaced the straighteners anyway. So, in the end, Chris only managed to coax Dale out once he’d replaced the straighteners. Again, Dale got his own way.
Why did Chris feel a constant need to baby-sit him?
Chris could almost see the blood in Dale’s veins pumping a fraction faster as he stood, silently debating with himself over what he should do. It was obviously messing with his inner harmony. But then, as suddenly as it came, the look of disquietude vanished from his pointed features and his sunny disposition overrode whatever ill feeling he’d experienced when Alice had suggested she ‘fix’ his hair. This sudden change in facial cast, Chris realized, was a result of Bella approaching him, giving him an almost knowing grin, before explaining that there was really no use arguing the matter with Alice while she was this enthusiastic.
“A’right,” Dale nodded with agreement, and Chris couldn’t help but look a little closer at Dale, trying to find any trace of anything behind the sudden acceptance that his hair was going to be tampered with. And there it was. A slight squaring movement in Dale’s jaw gave away the hidden apprehension the human was feeling. Wow. Did Dale really care that much that he and Chris were accepted into this clan he’d actually, willingly let someone touch his hair?! This was...this was a moment that should be documented in history or something! A thousand years from now, people would probably read of this day and marvel at the dedication and assiduousness Dale had displayed. Okay, probably not. But Chris would definitely not forget it.
With that, he watched as Dale followed Bella and Nessie up the stairs after Alice, who he could hear was already fidgeting upstairs, standing at the door of the room. She was probably using all of her will power and self-discipline to refrain herself from running back down the stairs and dragging all three of them back up there with her.
“Shall we get going, Chris?” Carlisle’s voice broke through his thoughts, and Chris nodded, feeling a little better than he had been a moment ago. He complied, catching up to walk beside the blonde doctor, and he, and Esme led the way to the front door. He knew that he’d have allot of explaining to do along the way - which he was dreading more than anything. What could Dale do in a situation like this? Naturally his self-assured sunny disposition would be shining through already, and he’d be listing off all the positives of the situation. What positives?
Well, at least he didn’t have to live of strays and rats anymore.
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Post by Carlisle Cullen on Jul 22, 2009 8:37:00 GMT -5
Carlisle lifted his head skyward as he, Chris and Esme stepped out onto the driveway, and into the drizzling rain. The blonde doctor blinked up at the sky as the tiny drops of rain sprinkled onto his pale eyelashes. There were so many thoughts, so many questions running through his mind. But of course, time was on their side.
“Are you ready, Chris?” He tilted his head to the side to look at the newcomer, who nodded his acquiesce and began to follow after he and Esme as they ran forwards onto the field. “So, please tell me Chris,” Carlisle spoke with an even breath, keeping his pace evenly with Esme, who was looking forward’s as they ran through the drizzling rain, over the wet grass and through the dense grove of forest that had engulfed them. “How is it that you and Dale met?”
Carlisle’s eyes laid straight ahead as he ran, but he could perceive the sudden tenseness of Chris’ posture as he ran beside him. “We met in London,” Chris spoke after a short moment, and Carlisle had a feeling that the newcomer was choosing his word’s carefully. “in an alley. A couple of guy’s where beating him up, though I’m not sure why. He wouldn’t say.”
Carlisle’s handsome brow creased slightly as Chris continued.
“I was close by when it happened, and when I saw them beating him like that, I just couldn’t help but come forward to defend him.” An expression of remorse filled his tanned face. “They were laughing as they pounded him. I didn’ find anything funny about it. Random. Cruel. Not funny. I ended up breaking both their arms.”
But did he regret it? From the sudden look of distaste on Chris’ face, Carlisle doubted he felt any remorse for hurting those men like he did. “You should have seen him, the poor kid. His nose had been bleeding - I was surprised I held control for as long as I did. He bruised up pretty good after that.” Chris’ mouth twinged into a minute smile. “Locked himself in the bathroom of a flat I was staying in - which was a regular thing when he was having a sulk - It took me three hours to convince him that the swelling around his nose would go down. Christ knows he already looks like a goblin as it is.”
“You did a very brave thing, in helping him.” Carlisle spoke with commiseration. “I understand why you felt the need to tell him. Explaining everything must have been difficult; you haven’t been a vampire for very long have you?” Chris shook his head. “A few years.”
The trio ran into another clearing, onto a bed of silken grass that spread in a wide pan, then tapered away into ragged cliffs that overlooked a deep valley laden with smoky fog. A river, deep and quickly flowing, cut along side of the tree line, disappeared in a twisted stencil into the deeper recesses of the forest.
They stopped running. Carlisle took a few steps forwards to peer over the cliff, standing on the river’s sharp bank, distractedly looking for the place the water flowed into the rock and hence underground, since there was no waterfall. He reached down, splashed his face with the cold water, and then walked back to stand beside Esme, who had now pulled Chris into a hug, murmuring soft word’s. Carlisle couldn’t help but smile with affection at the sight. Of course, Esme, his beautiful wife and the motherly figure to all who entered their home would want to cluck over Chris, even though the young man did look uncomfortable to be held in the arms of the woman, who was still practically a stranger to him.
Although Chris did look a few years older than Carlisle, the blonde doctor could not help but think of him as a little younger. After all, although Carlisle looked in his early 20’s in body, he had hundreds of years of vampiric life over this newcomer. He wondered where, and when Chris had been turned. But then again, these questions could be asked all in good time.
“What have you told Dale, so far?” Carlisle spoke, once Esme had pulled away from her hug. Chris, looking a little embarrassed, coughed once before he answered.
“In the alley, I told him that I was a vampire. It didn’t take allot of convincing, Dale is so trusting and naive already, but he knew that no ordinary being could break two full men’s arms and knock them unconscious in a matter of 30 seconds.” He went on. “I told him that I wasn’t like the vampire’s he would have heard about. I asked him if there was somewhere I could take him, or someone I could call, but he said no, he only needed to get out of London as soon as he could.”
“So you suggested he stay with you?” Carlisle looked surprised.
“Sort of. I wanted to get out of London too, but it was hard, since I have a hard time reflecting sunlight and all. So we teamed up. ‘You scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yours’. You know? With what little money we had, we decided to come here.”
A sudden, cold breeze swept through the small field; the leaves rustled and soughed in hushed echoes. The cries of things unseen were amplified by the gesture, and the forest appeared to suddenly come to life. The air charged, the river flowed as ichor in some pagan ritual of spirits concealed, and all three vampire’s were awed by the sudden, phantasmagoria quality of his surroundings.
The rain had almost stopped; the sun deciding to make an appearance at last, peering out from behind the clouds. The ball of light illuminated the dim forest with limpid light, light that reflected yellowish-green from the individual, dewy blades of grass, the waxen leaves, from the creepers that swung gently in the wind. The bubbling river became a rush of liquid metal amongst stones that resembled sun-bleached skulls. An ancient altar, long abandoned, crumbled at the edge of the grassland.
“You had heard about us?” Carlisle queried, his blonde locks of hair, shining golden under the dim sunlight.
“Of course, who hasn’t?” Chris replied, with a shrug. “I hated the vampiric lifestyle. I never wanted to hurt humans. I had already begun the vegetarian lifestyle before I met Dale,” there was hesitance in his voice now, as if he was struggling to find words. “I’d been...coming out at night, mostly and...feeding on...strays.”
Carlisle could sense that the subject’s where making Chris uncomfortable now. Obviously he had not wanted to admit to have fed on stays while roaming the streets. But it had taken allot of dedication. To live so long with a human, as well, he must obviously want to live this lifestyle, Carlisle thought to himself. Chris will be a welcome addition to the family. “You’ve displayed allot of devotion to the vegetarian lifestyle.” Carlisle smiled at the newcome, who in turn, offered a tentative smile in return. “I’ll be glad to be able to call you our friend.”
Then, with that, all three vampire’s trust themselves into a run, scenting out their meals.
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