Shortcut interrupted

A new year. A new year that for all its intends and purposes, also promised a new start. At least that was how Ian chose to see it. He’d been living in the Southern District for roughly four months now, and it hadn’t exactly played out, as he had thought it would. The original dream of course, was to live in Central City. A dream he had not yet given up on, however, his savings had only allowed him a rather unflattering apartment in the south.

But this was a new year! He had recently gotten a job at a restaurant. A somewhat shady restaurant, that quite possibly ran a side business whitewashing money for a local gang, but it was still a job and Ian had chosen to be optimistic about it. He earned money, and hopefully at some point in this year, he’d be able to move out and find something better.

On this particular Tuesday evening, he had been doubling for the dishwasher and had stayed way pass his actual hours. But the owner was at least fair, and promised to pay the extra hours, so Ian really couldn’t complain.

He finished up in an optimistic mood, and eventually left the damp kitchen in favour for the just as damp streets. The chill air of January was heavy with misty rain. Too little to bother with an umbrella, but still enough to get a bit wet. Ian zipped his jacked all the way up and pulled the collar closer. Luckily there was no wind as Ian passed through the dark streets, cutting corners where he could and occasionally avoiding the sketchiest looking characters walking about at this time.

Eventually he passed an ally way, as he had passed so many others. But only a few steps ahead, he stopped. It could be a shortcut. It most certainly looked like a shortcut, and it would save him going around an entire block, which he really didn’t feel like in this moist weather.

And without thinking too much more of it, he traced back and turned left in between the two buildings. They even seemed to block out some of the misty rain, and Ian felt confident in his decision until he was about halfway through. Someone else was here.

/ I’m stealing this one!

There was always something about winter to be disliked. Well for Nahia, her lists of dislikes seemed to be higher than her list of likes. She disliked how the cold weather kept people packed in warm clothes or even worse, kept them unpacked as they simply wouldnt leave their homes. As a vampyre that enjoyed a good night hunt rather than buying cold yucky leftovers from a bloodbank, there was just something about the warming feeling down her throat as the raised heartbeat seemed to echo in her head. Just the thought of it made her mouth water a little, like that one psychological experiment with the reward bell and the dog.

She dreamed far so often of the hunts she could make that her mind spiralled off into the unknown. She hadnt even realized that all this thinking of feasting on someone else had made her body turn and follow someone ahead. Human. She could smell it from the distance, the recognisable smell of walking decay. Essentially that what was she saw them as. Walking bloodbags that only neared thier expiration date as days passed.

She stopped as he seemed to notice something, maybe she had been too pushy in her want to near in on him. “You dropped this,” she said, pulling out what seemed to be a dollarbill of the currency used here in Gambion - 10 units. Not exactly something a person would want to lose.

/ Yay! Sorry for the long wait ^^'

There was definitely somebody else in the ally way. He was sure of it. But he wasn’t sure if he should turn around and look or just pick up the pace.

But then he heard the voice of a woman, and as she did not sound drunk or threatening, Ian came to a halt and turned around to see what he might have dropped. “Oh, er…” He ran his hands over his pockets as if to check where the money might have fallen out. He wasn’t sure if he had even had that much money on him, but surely, she wouldn’t be telling him he had dropped it, if she hadn’t seen it fall out of his pockets. Any other person would have kept it then.

“Right, well… Thank you very much. I didn’t even notice.” No longer feeling threatened by the other individual, he came closer to get his money back. A sincerely thankful smile spread across his features. “I thought most people around here would have just kept it. You’re a good person. Can I treat you anything?”

She just smiled sweetly as the human searched his pants to figure out if it was true. It wasnt really, but would a schemer give away their tricks? Nahia thought not. Him moving closer made her different-coloured eyes light up as her smile turned broad, showing off a little teeth but easily concealing her fangs. “Yeah, it’s no problem,” she shrugged his thanks. She studied his features, her eyes darting around his face. Looking into his eyes, she narrowed hers at his offer. “Hmmmm....” she thought out loud, letting him grab his money.

“How about a drink?” She asked with her head tilted curiously to the side. She moved a bit of her curly black hair behind her ear, keeping her smile ever sweet. She wasnt sure what was compelling her from grabbing him and sink her teeth into that perfectly soft spot at the nape of his neck. The thought made her feel the weak buildup of saliva, moistening her teeth for the attack. But she remained still. Waiting for him to consider her suggestion.

Ian pocketed the money, and nodded. "Sure." It was only then he really got a good look at the honest person who had given him his money back. She was pretty. Especially her eyes were very unique, and her smile were so sweet. She looked a bit out of place actually, in the dark ally way.

Ian suddenly felt a bit guilty for offering her drinks. Even though it was her idea. But maybe she was lost, and maybe she needed help? Maybe she felt scared being alone in this part of the city?

"I mean, only if you want to. If you want I can just walk you home or something. Do you live near here?" Both his hands slid down his pockets as he started walking again, as he tried to sound casual and non-threatening.

// Nahia just wasnt working out for me. If you wish to continue, I could use Nahia as an npc and pitch in Tessa?