Jan laughed and smiled at Theo.
"So you liked the piano player? That is encouraging. "
He nodded his understanding about not seeing the point of pets. They were reasonable companions so some people told him but he was very fond of his solitude and lack of ties. It would seriously cramp his lifestyle to have a mouth to feed and a dependant responsibility.
"Wild animals and people in malls are more entertaining to watch anyway."
Those two things probably amounted to the same thing actually.
Jan turned back to the opera, reluctant to pull her away from the planned source of entertainment for the evening despite the urge to ask her more about what she did for fun or what all she had seen. He had been much encouraged that she watched cartoons and did not look down on him for asking about them. He was over five hundred years old and he knew that sometimes being treated like a teenager for an eternity was a trying business but he still managed to move forward with the times. He did wonder if he was not as adult as he might have been had he been turned at a later time in his life; did they keep something of their youth due to their appearance? Was there some outlook tied to how other people saw them? He was not sure but there were times when he felt sixteen and times when he felt a thousand.
An Evening with the Devil
Theo made her way up to the box office of the opera house, walking regally with her head held high, like a queen. Dani had told her that all she had to do was tell the man at the box office her name and he would give her a ticket to see that evening's showing of Faust, which meant that she must be a very important person tonight.
She certainly looked important, with her long black gown and high heels. Very grown up.
She approached the little man behind the counter and spoke in a clear voice.
"Theodosia."Â?
She waited patiently for the little man to give her the ticket she was promised, believing that she had done what she was supposed to do.
The little man, though, did not seem to agree, and instead of giving her the ticket, stared and stared.
He thinks you look pretty.
He's angry with you...maybe it's because he's old and bald instead of young and pretty.
This seemed reasonable to Theo. Jealous people were sad and should try to make the best of what they had instead of coveting other people. Deciding that perhaps he needed some additional help, since he had started to turn away and gesture to the next person in line, she put her hand on the counter. Her nails were painted with clear polish and she wore a ring with tiny red garnets that made a butterfly.
"Give me my ticket."Â?
The bald man gave her a completely uncalled for look and put one hand on his hip.
'Get outta here, kid. Members only.'
Kid? Kid! Oooooh, the nerve of that man!
Theo considered her options, remembering to contain her anger. She could practically feel her eyes flashing, though, and that gave her an idea. Focusing on the bald man, she pushed the image of flames dancing in her eyes to him and flashed him a malicious smile.
Maybe that would show him this was no 'kid' he was dealing with. She only did it for a second and he would probably just think he was crazy, or had too much to drink, but he was unsettled enough to perhaps be a little more receptive.
You scared him bad for a second!
Deciding the foolish man had had enough, she gave him another chance.
"Theodosia."Â?
Jan
18 years ago
Theodosia
18 years ago
"Maybe I just like musicians."Â?
Theo gave a little ambiguous shrug at her choice of favorite character that turned to a grin when Jan mentioned more amusing pursuits than keeping a pet. She didn't really like going to the mall but the discovery channel was always good for entertainment. Theo especially liked the exotic birds.
She wondered what animals Jan might like best but when she saw he had returned his attention to the opera she was happy enough to follow suit. It was, as expected, going downhill for their hero and she was soon quite taken in with the show.
It seemed to be bringing out the more theatric side of herself, though; her eyes went wide as Marguerite struggled to pray against the wishes of Méphistophélès and the devil choir and she gasped at the climactic ending to the act.
Goodness, this -is- getting interesting, isn't it.
She was curious as to what Paul really thought of the play but it seemed he was staying neutral for the moment. She turned to Jan, though, to see what impression the last act might have made.
Theo gave a little ambiguous shrug at her choice of favorite character that turned to a grin when Jan mentioned more amusing pursuits than keeping a pet. She didn't really like going to the mall but the discovery channel was always good for entertainment. Theo especially liked the exotic birds.
She wondered what animals Jan might like best but when she saw he had returned his attention to the opera she was happy enough to follow suit. It was, as expected, going downhill for their hero and she was soon quite taken in with the show.
It seemed to be bringing out the more theatric side of herself, though; her eyes went wide as Marguerite struggled to pray against the wishes of Méphistophélès and the devil choir and she gasped at the climactic ending to the act.
Goodness, this -is- getting interesting, isn't it.
She was curious as to what Paul really thought of the play but it seemed he was staying neutral for the moment. She turned to Jan, though, to see what impression the last act might have made.
Jan
18 years ago
Jan watched as the opera ended and Marguerite rose to heaven. The house lights slowly brightened and people began stirring, blinking bewildered at each before shuffling in a herd towards the door.
He turned and looked at Theodosia and made a remark that only someone of his own kind was likely to understand.
"I believe Marguerite was the least tragic soul in the whole opera. I wonder how many of them would comprehend that or are they all thinking instead what they would do if the devil offered them youth, prosperity and a really hot chick."
It might sound like a gift worth selling one's morality and faith for but having lived some of Faust's gift for five hundred years, Jan knew that it was not as sweet a deal as it seemed. There was no clause in there saying one had to enjoy any of it.
"It was sung very well. Don't you think?"
He turned and looked at Theodosia and made a remark that only someone of his own kind was likely to understand.
"I believe Marguerite was the least tragic soul in the whole opera. I wonder how many of them would comprehend that or are they all thinking instead what they would do if the devil offered them youth, prosperity and a really hot chick."
It might sound like a gift worth selling one's morality and faith for but having lived some of Faust's gift for five hundred years, Jan knew that it was not as sweet a deal as it seemed. There was no clause in there saying one had to enjoy any of it.
"It was sung very well. Don't you think?"
Theodosia
18 years ago
Theo sighed heavily as the curtain closed, satisfied with the ending but somewhat sad that it was over. Watching the crowd below filter out, she considered Jan’s comment, leaning forward in her chair as though one of the people might look up and answer their question.
We are all offered everlasting life.
Theo thought that was actually a pretty fair point but could see how a lot of people wouldn’t see it that way. She wondered if Jan had a choice in his own turning; some, she was told, did, and he had mentioned being adopted by people who loved him.
“It’s not the worst question you could be asking yourself, I guess; maybe they learned something about contentment and won't jump for the seemingly easy answer.”
She turned to Jan at his request for her opinion, lighting up.
“Oh yes, I thought it was wonderful! I could hear the feeling in their singing from all the way up here.”
Realizing, somewhat abruptly, that the end of the opera consequently ended the evening, she considered how to stall and perhaps get a little longer with her new friend.
“Do you want to wait a minute for the people to clear out? I didn’t like the crowd, and someone pushed you before.” She nodded her head, her expression totally serious. “I’m supposed to tell Timothy when I’m ready for the car to come pick me up but that will probably take a while anyway.”
We are all offered everlasting life.
Theo thought that was actually a pretty fair point but could see how a lot of people wouldn’t see it that way. She wondered if Jan had a choice in his own turning; some, she was told, did, and he had mentioned being adopted by people who loved him.
“It’s not the worst question you could be asking yourself, I guess; maybe they learned something about contentment and won't jump for the seemingly easy answer.”
She turned to Jan at his request for her opinion, lighting up.
“Oh yes, I thought it was wonderful! I could hear the feeling in their singing from all the way up here.”
Realizing, somewhat abruptly, that the end of the opera consequently ended the evening, she considered how to stall and perhaps get a little longer with her new friend.
“Do you want to wait a minute for the people to clear out? I didn’t like the crowd, and someone pushed you before.” She nodded her head, her expression totally serious. “I’m supposed to tell Timothy when I’m ready for the car to come pick me up but that will probably take a while anyway.”
Jan
18 years ago
Jan peered skeptically at Theo and then glanced down at the departing crowd.
"Perhaps, but I can't say that I have much faith in the intelligence of humanity... or our own kind for that matter."
Goodness, perhaps. There had been those people who would pity a boy on the streets or even a whore who would hold a crying child at night. Though since those early days his skeptical nature wondered if the people were good to ease their own conscience and if the comfort given was for some comfort returned. He did not mind selfish goodness. It was honest at least.
He grinned at her praise of the opera and was glad she enjoyed it, finding himself strangely proud as if he were somehow responsible for how good or bad it was by having seen it before and praising it earlier.
"I agree. They did an excellent job of conveying the emotion of the scenes. "
Jan slouched back in his chair in no hurry to get up and join the herd.
"I am content to stay up here. The company is much better. "
"Perhaps, but I can't say that I have much faith in the intelligence of humanity... or our own kind for that matter."
Goodness, perhaps. There had been those people who would pity a boy on the streets or even a whore who would hold a crying child at night. Though since those early days his skeptical nature wondered if the people were good to ease their own conscience and if the comfort given was for some comfort returned. He did not mind selfish goodness. It was honest at least.
He grinned at her praise of the opera and was glad she enjoyed it, finding himself strangely proud as if he were somehow responsible for how good or bad it was by having seen it before and praising it earlier.
"I agree. They did an excellent job of conveying the emotion of the scenes. "
Jan slouched back in his chair in no hurry to get up and join the herd.
"I am content to stay up here. The company is much better. "
Theodosia
18 years ago
Theo grinned, pleased that Jan had agreed to stay, but looked around at his comment regarding the company. Had someone else joined them?
He’s talking about you.
Theo beamed.
“Well I’m glad I picked up your ticket then.”
That reminded her that she still had his ticket, and she considered what to do about that for a moment. It might be nice to keep but it wasn’t hers. Still, he hadn’t asked for it back. Caught in the moral dilemma for a moment, she tugged at her hair before finally deciding she would feel better giving it back.
Fishing through her purse, she brought out said ticket and held it out for Jan.
“If you like to keep things like that.”
She found herself eying the glasses after that, though. While the ticket definitely didn’t belong to her, the glasses were definitely more of a gray area in her opinion. After all, they were there for her to use and right now they really didn’t belong to anyone. She picked up her pair and considered the matter settled.
“I definitely think these are ours now.” She nodded firmly to punctuate her statement.
He’s talking about you.
Theo beamed.
“Well I’m glad I picked up your ticket then.”
That reminded her that she still had his ticket, and she considered what to do about that for a moment. It might be nice to keep but it wasn’t hers. Still, he hadn’t asked for it back. Caught in the moral dilemma for a moment, she tugged at her hair before finally deciding she would feel better giving it back.
Fishing through her purse, she brought out said ticket and held it out for Jan.
“If you like to keep things like that.”
She found herself eying the glasses after that, though. While the ticket definitely didn’t belong to her, the glasses were definitely more of a gray area in her opinion. After all, they were there for her to use and right now they really didn’t belong to anyone. She picked up her pair and considered the matter settled.
“I definitely think these are ours now.” She nodded firmly to punctuate her statement.
Jan
18 years ago
Jan looked at the ticket and shook his head.
"That is alright. I tend to keep all my memories in my head it saves my apartment from getting cluttered."
His quarters held very little in them and over the years he had only collected a closet of boxes with stuff that he could not bare to part with. Most every thing was very tidy, possibly because there was so little clutter that it was hard to mess up, except for the area around his keyboard and desk which had stacks of music and writing and a trash can filled with empty soda bottles.
He had seen those that came from poverty that went out of their way to possess anything and everything, surrounding themselves in riches and clutter. Jan had tasted the opulence of court life but very little had actually been his to own, save for the occasional small gift or trinket from special admirers. These gifts were things that Jan would keep or sell depending on who had given them to him and whether he considered their company worth remembering.
Jan looked at Theodosia then and smiled; she was worth remembering but he patted his pocket thoughtfully. The programme for the opera was still there and crinkled reassuringly; he had his trinket to remember her by but the real memory would be kept in the lyrics that had been hastily scrawled along the side.
Watching her gaze at the opera glasses and apparently war with her conscience over the taking or leaving of them, Jan sensed a fellow thief. One of those who perhaps came late to the taking of things, he found children born on the street tended to have little conscience concerning such actions. 'You left it unguarded and now its mine' and that was that. Those who had lived a better life before finding themselves forced to steal seemed to need an excuse for taking something. The person wouldn't need it, wouldn't miss it or had obviously abandoned it. So he wondered what was Theo's story and did she feel the need to collect things in order to reassure herself that she was no longer destitute or was it simply a thrill and an answer to boredom that had turned itself into a compulsion? Mostly though, it didn't matter. Who was he to judge?
"I doubt they would be missed. Take those. I will put the noisy ones back in the table for next time. Though I wonder what impression I might have left on them."
He picked up the opera glasses he had used and held them out to her.
"Are they any better now?"
"That is alright. I tend to keep all my memories in my head it saves my apartment from getting cluttered."
His quarters held very little in them and over the years he had only collected a closet of boxes with stuff that he could not bare to part with. Most every thing was very tidy, possibly because there was so little clutter that it was hard to mess up, except for the area around his keyboard and desk which had stacks of music and writing and a trash can filled with empty soda bottles.
He had seen those that came from poverty that went out of their way to possess anything and everything, surrounding themselves in riches and clutter. Jan had tasted the opulence of court life but very little had actually been his to own, save for the occasional small gift or trinket from special admirers. These gifts were things that Jan would keep or sell depending on who had given them to him and whether he considered their company worth remembering.
Jan looked at Theodosia then and smiled; she was worth remembering but he patted his pocket thoughtfully. The programme for the opera was still there and crinkled reassuringly; he had his trinket to remember her by but the real memory would be kept in the lyrics that had been hastily scrawled along the side.
Watching her gaze at the opera glasses and apparently war with her conscience over the taking or leaving of them, Jan sensed a fellow thief. One of those who perhaps came late to the taking of things, he found children born on the street tended to have little conscience concerning such actions. 'You left it unguarded and now its mine' and that was that. Those who had lived a better life before finding themselves forced to steal seemed to need an excuse for taking something. The person wouldn't need it, wouldn't miss it or had obviously abandoned it. So he wondered what was Theo's story and did she feel the need to collect things in order to reassure herself that she was no longer destitute or was it simply a thrill and an answer to boredom that had turned itself into a compulsion? Mostly though, it didn't matter. Who was he to judge?
"I doubt they would be missed. Take those. I will put the noisy ones back in the table for next time. Though I wonder what impression I might have left on them."
He picked up the opera glasses he had used and held them out to her.
"Are they any better now?"
Theodosia
18 years ago
Theo grinned, quite pleased with her new present, and slipped the ticket back in her purse. She decided she would put them on the flag poles of her current sculpture, a towering work that was nearing the ceiling in her room.
The glasses would serve as the spy binoculars at the top of the tower.
She shrugged lightly when it seemed that Jan wasn’t interested in taking his glasses, reasoning that perhaps he didn’t like to keep things until he knew what they would be for. Theo didn’t have that problem; if she wasn’t sure what she would use something for, she put it in one of the dozens of colored bins she had dominating a wall of her room. Slipping her newest acquisition into her purse, she looked over at the noisy glasses Jan was holding out. She wouldn’t be surprised if Jan –had- managed to calm them down, actually.
“Well you’re not nearly as noisy as a lot of people.” She smiled as she took the glasses. “You’re not difficult to be around at all.”
She looked down, wrapping her fingers around the handle, and concentrated as though examining an artifact. Psychometry was a second nature, normally, but if she put more effort into sensing the results could be interesting.
She wasn’t particularly surprised that she didn’t hear anything for a long moment; it took time to really make an impression on an object and they had only been there a short while. She did, however, smile in contentment as music from the opera filled her senses.
It is always the innocents who suffer.
Theo raised both eyebrows and opened her eyes, tilting her head to look over at Jan before setting the glasses back on the table.
“Hmm. I think they took to your temperament. They are much better.”
Perhaps she only held that opinion because she liked the sound of Jan's voice and she found the insight interesting, but if anyone else could compare the before and after they would likely notice a marked difference and Theo felt anyone would agree the glasses were altered for the better.
/ooc sensing done with permission, not to mention consultation (thx!)
The glasses would serve as the spy binoculars at the top of the tower.
She shrugged lightly when it seemed that Jan wasn’t interested in taking his glasses, reasoning that perhaps he didn’t like to keep things until he knew what they would be for. Theo didn’t have that problem; if she wasn’t sure what she would use something for, she put it in one of the dozens of colored bins she had dominating a wall of her room. Slipping her newest acquisition into her purse, she looked over at the noisy glasses Jan was holding out. She wouldn’t be surprised if Jan –had- managed to calm them down, actually.
“Well you’re not nearly as noisy as a lot of people.” She smiled as she took the glasses. “You’re not difficult to be around at all.”
She looked down, wrapping her fingers around the handle, and concentrated as though examining an artifact. Psychometry was a second nature, normally, but if she put more effort into sensing the results could be interesting.
She wasn’t particularly surprised that she didn’t hear anything for a long moment; it took time to really make an impression on an object and they had only been there a short while. She did, however, smile in contentment as music from the opera filled her senses.
It is always the innocents who suffer.
Theo raised both eyebrows and opened her eyes, tilting her head to look over at Jan before setting the glasses back on the table.
“Hmm. I think they took to your temperament. They are much better.”
Perhaps she only held that opinion because she liked the sound of Jan's voice and she found the insight interesting, but if anyone else could compare the before and after they would likely notice a marked difference and Theo felt anyone would agree the glasses were altered for the better.
/ooc sensing done with permission, not to mention consultation (thx!)
Jan
18 years ago
Jan laughed at the statement that he was quiet.
"I am glad you think so. Can I call on you to repeat that opinion the next time my sister decides to disagree?"
He did wonder if she simply meant that he spoke less; certainly there were quiet people around, though perhaps he truly was one of the less talkative crowd. Jan had never gauged his outgoingness compared to others and he now wondered where he stood in the ability to be social. It was likely a matter of mood; he had his good ones and he had his bad ones. He tried to stay out of the way of crowds of innocent bystanders when he was feeling truly foul.
He smiled and her and gently took the opera glasses and looked at them in wonder. It must be amazing to have everything around you be able to tell you something about itself. It was also likely an annoyance from time to time. Jan looked around them at the seemingly quiet box, there were the chairs, the table, the curtains, the floor... it would be a constant stream of information and he was not sure how she managed keep sane through that kind of unending sense.
"That is amazing but does it ever stop for you? Could you shut it out if you wanted? Or did you simply have to get used to hearing it over time?"
All of his vampiric abilities that he had manifested so far were under his conscious control...though a few times in his younger days he had woken up from bad dreams to find himself twisted in near knots and huddled in some tiny space that no human could have crawled into. His glamour was not something he was consciously aware of using for a while. It took trying to convince a fellow vampire of something and the woman's near destruction of his face before he realized he had been using a talent.
"I am glad you think so. Can I call on you to repeat that opinion the next time my sister decides to disagree?"
He did wonder if she simply meant that he spoke less; certainly there were quiet people around, though perhaps he truly was one of the less talkative crowd. Jan had never gauged his outgoingness compared to others and he now wondered where he stood in the ability to be social. It was likely a matter of mood; he had his good ones and he had his bad ones. He tried to stay out of the way of crowds of innocent bystanders when he was feeling truly foul.
He smiled and her and gently took the opera glasses and looked at them in wonder. It must be amazing to have everything around you be able to tell you something about itself. It was also likely an annoyance from time to time. Jan looked around them at the seemingly quiet box, there were the chairs, the table, the curtains, the floor... it would be a constant stream of information and he was not sure how she managed keep sane through that kind of unending sense.
"That is amazing but does it ever stop for you? Could you shut it out if you wanted? Or did you simply have to get used to hearing it over time?"
All of his vampiric abilities that he had manifested so far were under his conscious control...though a few times in his younger days he had woken up from bad dreams to find himself twisted in near knots and huddled in some tiny space that no human could have crawled into. His glamour was not something he was consciously aware of using for a while. It took trying to convince a fellow vampire of something and the woman's near destruction of his face before he realized he had been using a talent.
Theodosia
18 years ago
Theo nodded her head at Jan’s request, then frowned for a moment as she realized the logistical problems.
“I don’t have a phone.”
She truly didn’t like talking on the phone because sometimes it made her feel confused and she had to concentrate very hard to keep that from happening. It gave her a terrible headache. She knew when it was Paul speaking to her but depending on the receiver and who else was in the room and whether the bad voices were out, there could be a lot going on. However, another solution quickly presented itself.
“But I have email. I’ll write down my address when we see Timothy again.”
She lifted her shoulders in a shrug at Jan’s next question, answering as directly as she could.
“I think there’s a little of both. It’s gotten better; hearing…so much, that no one else could hear, was scary at first. It still is sometimes.”
She tugged absently at her hair, frowning as Paul spoke in her mind.
I think he’s listening.
Shifting in her seat, she raised her eyes enough to look Jan’s way and then took Paul’s none to subtle nudge to better explain herself.
“That gift was one of the first, at least the first one I realized was happening. Most people didn’t understand.”
She looked down at the table for a moment, remembering when Paul decided to show up to help. She had been punished for screaming and crying and Paul had been the only one to understand. At first it had been frightening, having yet more voices in her mind, but Paul was brave and kind and helped her recognize the other voices and use them.
She didn’t want to tell Jan about Paul, though. She hadn’t told a –single living soul- about Paul because she was scared Paul would go away if she did. Instead, she looked out into the now nearly completely dispersed crowd.
“Sometimes they’re really loud too.” She grinned over at Jan, pushing bad memories away. “I should ask Timothy to call the limo.” She hesitated for half a moment, thinking that she was probably pushing her luck, but then went ahead and spoke her mind, as she was wont to do. “Do you have a ride home?”
“I don’t have a phone.”
She truly didn’t like talking on the phone because sometimes it made her feel confused and she had to concentrate very hard to keep that from happening. It gave her a terrible headache. She knew when it was Paul speaking to her but depending on the receiver and who else was in the room and whether the bad voices were out, there could be a lot going on. However, another solution quickly presented itself.
“But I have email. I’ll write down my address when we see Timothy again.”
She lifted her shoulders in a shrug at Jan’s next question, answering as directly as she could.
“I think there’s a little of both. It’s gotten better; hearing…so much, that no one else could hear, was scary at first. It still is sometimes.”
She tugged absently at her hair, frowning as Paul spoke in her mind.
I think he’s listening.
Shifting in her seat, she raised her eyes enough to look Jan’s way and then took Paul’s none to subtle nudge to better explain herself.
“That gift was one of the first, at least the first one I realized was happening. Most people didn’t understand.”
She looked down at the table for a moment, remembering when Paul decided to show up to help. She had been punished for screaming and crying and Paul had been the only one to understand. At first it had been frightening, having yet more voices in her mind, but Paul was brave and kind and helped her recognize the other voices and use them.
She didn’t want to tell Jan about Paul, though. She hadn’t told a –single living soul- about Paul because she was scared Paul would go away if she did. Instead, she looked out into the now nearly completely dispersed crowd.
“Sometimes they’re really loud too.” She grinned over at Jan, pushing bad memories away. “I should ask Timothy to call the limo.” She hesitated for half a moment, thinking that she was probably pushing her luck, but then went ahead and spoke her mind, as she was wont to do. “Do you have a ride home?”
Jan
18 years ago
Jan smiled as Theo took him literally about talking to Nova the next time she disagreed with his conviction that he was a quiet person.
"That's okay. I don't like talking on the phone much. It isn't very personal."
'I like seeing my audience.'
He did not talk much beyond what was important to him most of the time and that left him as a poor phone companion. He called when it was necessary but he could not think of a time that he had called up a person simply to chat.
Nodding in understanding about how something like that would be scary, Jan continued to watch his companion as she explained, green eyes lit with interest. New abilities came to them over time and he wondered if his next might be something that he wouldn't have conscious control over. Certainly such a thing would not be as frightening for an older vampire as would have been if the power had been one of the first to manifest itself.
He frowned a little at her statement.
"Your clan did not understand?"
How could they not know what was happening to her? Unless she was not a part of a clan in the beginning, people did join clan later in their life and Theodosia was quite old. Humans would most definitely not understand and would have thought she was crazy.
" That is rough. I hope it is a lot better now and that you have people who realize how gifted you are."
He smiled crookedly at her a moment before explaining his own experiences, feeling that it was only fair.
"I can twist my body up in all kinds of ways. This is an interesting talent to have when you're awake and aware of it but I had...nightmares during the first years after my turning and I would wake up hiding in cupboards or wedged in the closet. The other was the telekinesis and it was difficult to learn not to throw things around when I was angry or upset."
Jan smiled sheepishly. He had been a handful and he wondered if Simon ever regretted having saved his life. He had been, and still was, grateful for what was done for him and had not intentionally ever tried to cause trouble. He was moody by nature during his fits of inspiration and that caused odd things to happen with his new powers.
Dwelling on his past bad behavior was not something he cared much for when he had better company in which to take an interest in.
"Well I can't say that I understand everything but I do know what it is like not to be understood. So if you ever need a friend for anything then let me know and I'll be there for you."
He nodded in answer to her question.
"I drove here. I could drop you off instead...if Timothy wouldn't mind. He can come too. It's an extended cab truck so he won't even have to sit in the very back. The thought of the serious looking security man stuck kneeling in the bed of his truck was amusing though. [/i]
"That's okay. I don't like talking on the phone much. It isn't very personal."
'I like seeing my audience.'
He did not talk much beyond what was important to him most of the time and that left him as a poor phone companion. He called when it was necessary but he could not think of a time that he had called up a person simply to chat.
Nodding in understanding about how something like that would be scary, Jan continued to watch his companion as she explained, green eyes lit with interest. New abilities came to them over time and he wondered if his next might be something that he wouldn't have conscious control over. Certainly such a thing would not be as frightening for an older vampire as would have been if the power had been one of the first to manifest itself.
He frowned a little at her statement.
"Your clan did not understand?"
How could they not know what was happening to her? Unless she was not a part of a clan in the beginning, people did join clan later in their life and Theodosia was quite old. Humans would most definitely not understand and would have thought she was crazy.
" That is rough. I hope it is a lot better now and that you have people who realize how gifted you are."
He smiled crookedly at her a moment before explaining his own experiences, feeling that it was only fair.
"I can twist my body up in all kinds of ways. This is an interesting talent to have when you're awake and aware of it but I had...nightmares during the first years after my turning and I would wake up hiding in cupboards or wedged in the closet. The other was the telekinesis and it was difficult to learn not to throw things around when I was angry or upset."
Jan smiled sheepishly. He had been a handful and he wondered if Simon ever regretted having saved his life. He had been, and still was, grateful for what was done for him and had not intentionally ever tried to cause trouble. He was moody by nature during his fits of inspiration and that caused odd things to happen with his new powers.
Dwelling on his past bad behavior was not something he cared much for when he had better company in which to take an interest in.
"Well I can't say that I understand everything but I do know what it is like not to be understood. So if you ever need a friend for anything then let me know and I'll be there for you."
He nodded in answer to her question.
"I drove here. I could drop you off instead...if Timothy wouldn't mind. He can come too. It's an extended cab truck so he won't even have to sit in the very back. The thought of the serious looking security man stuck kneeling in the bed of his truck was amusing though. [/i]
Theodosia
18 years ago
Theo nodded her head in agreement with Jan’s assessment of the telephone and she wondered how he felt about other means of getting in touch. He hadn’t mentioned anything about the email and she found that she hoped there was a way they could get in touch with each other.
She nearly laughed at Jan’s question, her eyes wide with incredulity when she answered. She wasn’t offended by the asking, realizing that it was quite reasonable and that’s the way things should be; it was just so far off the mark as to strike amusement.
“Goodness, I didn’t even know what Evenhet was at first. I don’t think my maker wanted the Elders to know about me. It was quite a while before I got to meet anyone else in my clan at all.”
Nodding her head at Jan’s well wishes, she approached the implied question in a somewhat less than modest way, a fact Paul was sure to point out.
“Oh yes, they know I’m brilliant.”
She listened as Jan explained another of his abilities, frowning in sympathy at the mention of nightmares but finding she was curious about the talent when used deliberately. She’d once met a boy who could walk on his hands with his feet wrapped behind his head, a sight she had found most disturbing at the time, but she would guess Jan could put that to shame.
She looked up at the ceiling, feigning innocence, when he mentioned his telekinesis and how it could be tricky to keep from getting…destructive…when upset.
“I got my telekinesis when I was older…I think I still broke a lot of things though.”
Smiling softly and quite touched by the formal offer of friendship, it took the mental equivalent of a nudge from Paul before she remembered to answer.
“That’s very kind of you. I think we would make excellent friends.”
At the invitation to ride home with Jan, her smile widened to show small, straight teeth. She stood up with a nod of her head and opened up the curtain to check with Timothy.
“Do you want to ride in a truck?”
His expression indicated some amount of reservation but the voices remained quiet so it seemed he wasn’t upset by the request. After a moment and a look into the box he nodded his head and took out his phone, signaling for a moment to make his call.
Theo, meanwhile, flounced back to their seats, bouncing on her toes, but she spoke in her most dignified voice.
“We would be delighted.”
She nearly laughed at Jan’s question, her eyes wide with incredulity when she answered. She wasn’t offended by the asking, realizing that it was quite reasonable and that’s the way things should be; it was just so far off the mark as to strike amusement.
“Goodness, I didn’t even know what Evenhet was at first. I don’t think my maker wanted the Elders to know about me. It was quite a while before I got to meet anyone else in my clan at all.”
Nodding her head at Jan’s well wishes, she approached the implied question in a somewhat less than modest way, a fact Paul was sure to point out.
“Oh yes, they know I’m brilliant.”
She listened as Jan explained another of his abilities, frowning in sympathy at the mention of nightmares but finding she was curious about the talent when used deliberately. She’d once met a boy who could walk on his hands with his feet wrapped behind his head, a sight she had found most disturbing at the time, but she would guess Jan could put that to shame.
She looked up at the ceiling, feigning innocence, when he mentioned his telekinesis and how it could be tricky to keep from getting…destructive…when upset.
“I got my telekinesis when I was older…I think I still broke a lot of things though.”
Smiling softly and quite touched by the formal offer of friendship, it took the mental equivalent of a nudge from Paul before she remembered to answer.
“That’s very kind of you. I think we would make excellent friends.”
At the invitation to ride home with Jan, her smile widened to show small, straight teeth. She stood up with a nod of her head and opened up the curtain to check with Timothy.
“Do you want to ride in a truck?”
His expression indicated some amount of reservation but the voices remained quiet so it seemed he wasn’t upset by the request. After a moment and a look into the box he nodded his head and took out his phone, signaling for a moment to make his call.
Theo, meanwhile, flounced back to their seats, bouncing on her toes, but she spoke in her most dignified voice.
“We would be delighted.”
Jan
18 years ago
Jan smiled a bit in relief at the thought that her clan had not been terrible to her. She was Evenhet. He guessed that answered his question about which clan she was. They were, according to Tacharan, the touchie feelie group so it would seem odd to him if they had treated her badly. Every time they were mentioned he had this vision of office workers sitting around in a circle for meditation breaks, wearing suits and dresses and chanting 'Om Mani Padme hum' before going back to work. He wondered if the vampires blessed their prey before hand or maybe that was something for the old religious fanatics that might be found in Anantya.
He laughed at her modesty, deciding he liked her humor as well.
"Well they should. I think its obvious that you're brilliant. With excellent manners."
Jan grinned thinking of the lessons in etiquette that had been a recurring theme in the conversation. He was glad to know that he was not the only one who broke things with his telekinesis and found her quiet admission to the fact very charming.
He watched her get up and ask Timothy about the ride and then come back and accept. With a nod, he stood and stretched himself like a bow before turning back to her and holding out his arm.
"Shall we then?"
He laughed at her modesty, deciding he liked her humor as well.
"Well they should. I think its obvious that you're brilliant. With excellent manners."
Jan grinned thinking of the lessons in etiquette that had been a recurring theme in the conversation. He was glad to know that he was not the only one who broke things with his telekinesis and found her quiet admission to the fact very charming.
He watched her get up and ask Timothy about the ride and then come back and accept. With a nod, he stood and stretched himself like a bow before turning back to her and holding out his arm.
"Shall we then?"
Theodosia
18 years ago
Theo quite happily took Jan’s arm, quite pleased with this new opportunity to ride in a truck, and pushed the curtain aside once more before Timothy took over and gestured them out with an amusingly elaborate gesture. She beamed a smile at the body guard; Timothy was definitely a keeper.
After receiving a compliment on her manners she felt it wise to remember to be polite, even as excited as she was.
“Thank you for offering us a ride; that was most kind of you.”
The crowd was nearly gone, save a few business people in intense conversation in the lobby and some couples waiting for the valet to bring their cars around. Theo raised her eyebrows as they passed the suits, surprised to pick up so much emotion from what seemed to be a business meeting.
He’s angry and scared.
She’s very worried.
He’s guilty and ashamed; it must be his fault.
Their words were spoken too softly to register but their feelings were quite clear and Theo walked a little faster, letting Timothy open the doors to let them out onto the street exit.
/ooc outie out out...out!
After receiving a compliment on her manners she felt it wise to remember to be polite, even as excited as she was.
“Thank you for offering us a ride; that was most kind of you.”
The crowd was nearly gone, save a few business people in intense conversation in the lobby and some couples waiting for the valet to bring their cars around. Theo raised her eyebrows as they passed the suits, surprised to pick up so much emotion from what seemed to be a business meeting.
He’s angry and scared.
She’s very worried.
He’s guilty and ashamed; it must be his fault.
Their words were spoken too softly to register but their feelings were quite clear and Theo walked a little faster, letting Timothy open the doors to let them out onto the street exit.
/ooc outie out out...out!