She's quite pale, Max thought. I hope she isn't sick. That was all the thought she intended to give to the other girl across the Bazaar from her. It was a beautiful day out. Blue bird songs, a few wispy clouds, warm sunshine and all that. Max returned to her book; it was about famous photographers from south America, which she'd always had a quiet fascination about. Crumbling stone structures, towns over grown by jungle and long abandoned. She would love to take pictures there, if only to have an excuse to get away from the buildings she'd photographed a hundred times loved to read here, the loud and indecernable voices gave her a simple comfort, like listening to rain.
She looked up again to see the pale girl was leaving, but nowhere normal. She wasn't going down any main walk ways, just an alley. Max became slightly concerned; the alleys around the Bazaar, around any bazaar, usually weren't too safe, and the girl looked in no condition to defend herself. Max put her book in her bag and weaved through the crowd of shouting people. When she turned the corner of the building, she saw the girl slumped against a wall, she walked hurriedly toward the girl. As she neared her, she realized distance had disguised the girls age, it was much closer to Max's own than she previously thought. She noticed the girl had dyed her hair as blue as the ocean, and that she was also wearing a black leather coat. Strange, Max thought, with how warm it is today.
"Excuse me ? Are you hurt?" Max said, keeping a respectful personal space distance. The girl jumped a little and looked up at Max. The girl smiled and looked at her.
"I could be doing better. Thought I could make my grocery trip a little earlier than normal for a change, probably not the best idea." She had a very calming voice. Max decided she wasn't going to hurt her, so she moved a little closer.
"These alleys aren't the safest places. Can I help you at all? Are you hungry? Thirsty?"
"I think a good start would be your name, just so I know who I'm talking to."
"I'm Maxine, but I like Max better. And you?" Max was now knealt in front of the pale girl.
"Chloe. Add price if you want to be formal, also, don't be formal." She exhaledwith a smile, indicating amusement with herself.
"Alright Chloe. Can I help you at all?"
"I actually don't know. Can you do anything about the sun?"
"The sun? No I don't think so. Is it hurting you?"
"Sort of, I mean I usua- wait. You don't think I'm crazy?"
"No, I've heard of people who are allergic to sunlight before."
"Oh you mean normal people."
"Normal?" Max said her head cocked to one side slightly.
"Well, uh... I'm. Well. You see." The pale girl laughed at her jumbling. She opened her mouth to show her teeth, something she hadn't been doing the entire conversation. Her pointed canines grew larger and became sharper, stayed that way for a bit, and then returned to normal.
"So. Yeah. Vampire. Hi." Chloe said to her awkwardly. Max replied with a short, and noticeable "Hmm."
"Not freaked out? Booga booga booga? No? Welp. Aren't you odd." Chloe looked surprised, obviously Max was a rarity.
"So. Vampire. You probably need blood then?" Max fully intended to help this girl, but then again, she didn't exactly want to be a Vampire.
"Well. I mean. Yes, blood. I don't hurt people if you're thinking that. Despite popular culture, vampires such as myself don't crave any specific sort of blood. Then again, Don''t see many animals around.. So I'll just have to ask you for some."
"Ask?" Max was surprised. Culture taught her that if vampires did exist, they weren't a polite bunch.
"I didn't think you would ask at all if I'm honest, though, yes I can give you some of my blood. I guess , since popular culture is wrong, you won't be going insane from drinking too much?"
"Nah that's a newbie problem, I'm pretty old. You'll be fine. I swear on this leather jacket. Cost me five hundred bucks."
"Well if you swear on that how can I refuse?" Max said jokingly.
"Ok ok ok." Chloe laughed. "Sarcasm aside. If it's ok, I'd prefer it from your neck, just faster for you that way. Plus the wrist sucks way worse. Trust me. I'll only take enough to get back home. Swear."
"Go for it. Can't be worse than flu shots."
"Oh man I remember he getting the flu. Anyway. Movies get this part right. Although it isn't terrifying."
Hope this doesn't hurt Caulfield, Max thought, you don't want this backfiring. Max pulled the collar of her shirt down, and bent her head to the side. She felt Chloes hands touch her. One oh her shoulder, the other, on the ground-facing portion of her face. They were a little cold, but not very; and they were incredibly soft. She actually trusted Chloe more now. She felt the sharp teeth prick and sink into her neck. Chloes lips were pressed against Max's skin, they felt puffy, and warm. She was surprised just how HUMAN Chloe was, vampires weren't supposed to be considerate. And just like that it was over. It really didn't hurt so bad; it was a lot like getting her ears pierced. But more drawn out. Chloe pressed her lips to the spot, sucking out Max's blood. It didn't take long, and Max didn't even feel woozy.
"Mmm. Thanks. I feel much better." Max took a bandaid out of her bag and placed it over the two holes.
"No problem, I'm glad I could help." Max gave a smile of finality.
"Hey. Can you stay with me? I enjoy your company."
"Sure Chloe, but you have to tell me about yourself, I did just let you go cannibal on me."