Felix Constantly Strikes Out: Strike One

We moved along the streets of Volterra in near silence. I walked near the street, while Demetri walked near the walls. Corin skipped along between us, a cell phone clutched tightly in her hand.

"Why do you have that?" I montioned towards it, and she chuckled.

"Because, Dear Felix, everyone wants constant updates," She held it up, pointing it at my face, "It even has video taking capabilities!"

Snarling, I shoved it away. She placed it in her pocket, a protective hand covering it.

"So, Felix," I glanced over at Demetri, who was watching the road ahead of us, "How is it you plan to... start your nightly adventure?"

I frowned. "We're starting off at L'Incontro."

"Starting off?" Corin glanced up, eyebrows raised. I really wished she's stop doing that.

"Yes."

"I thought your pick-up lines were brilliant. You told Aro you'd only be gone ten minutes, which honestly isn't a lot to brag about, when you have a get to the restaurant, get the girl, give her the pick-up line, and get laid." I had to admit, she had a point. I probably shouldn't have bragged about the short time it would take. No wonder Chelsea had been in a fit of giggles when we left.

"You shook Aro's hand before we left..." Demetri pointed out. "He won't be expecting us back so soon... not with all your doubtful thoughts."

Corin smirked. "Just because he can charm Gianna, doesn't mean it will work on others. You may be pretty, Felix- we all are- but your personality will send them running for the hills."

"My personality won't matter much, if they're just looking for a romp in the hay." I answered, winking at Demetri, who barely smiled at my crude humor.

Corin sniffed, and walked a bit ahead of us. I could hear her murmuring something about Gianna under her breath, but I ignored it. She liked the human secretary no more than I truly did. When she had served her time, it would come down to Corin and I. One of us would get her, to do with as we pleased.

Either way, Gianna was going to die. I shrugged it off.

Corin came to a stop several yards in front of Demetri and I, having caught sight of L'Incontro. As she waited, she tapped her foot gently on the pavement. Not out of irritation, I knew, but because she was trying her best to appear human.

It was something she was surprisingly good at, and I supposed it was because she remembered a lot of her early days, before her change. She didn't speak of them much- I never asked why, as we weren't especially close- but I knew they had been bad. I had been present at her Change, a couple centuries ago. She'd been broken, and bleeding, and near death. Santiago, who had been in charge of... "recruitment"... at the time, hadn't explained why he had saved her. It couldn't ahve been beauty, her face had been smashed. I supposed Aro had seen potential, which had been proven after her change, when she had convinced our secretary, Charles, to leap from the top of the tower to the ground below.

Corin's power was persuasion.

A cleared throat brought me back.

Corin and Demetri were both watching me with the same look of annoyance.

"Felix," Corin hissed. "Felix!"

"What?" It sounded dumb. I flinched.

Demetri frowned. "Were you listening?"

"No." I admitted.

Corin sighed. "Demetri and I will be at the far end of the bar. You can... attempt... to get a woman on the other side. And can you always be in plain sight? I want to tape this."

Growling in frustration, I started towards the bar.


I could see perfectly in the low, romantic light of the bar, as I swept between the chairs and tables. I had to breath carefully, it was stuffy in here, and the place stunk of fresh blood. Corin and Demetri had drifted away, and were seated at a table nearby- within hearing distance- and Corin was speaking into her cell phone.

"Nawh," She was saying, laughing lightly, "He's heading towards the bar. He hasn't spoken to anyone yet."

Chelsea's reply was distant, and I couldn't hear it over the music.

"I plan on taping it, Chelsea, don't worry. I shall never let him live this down."

Live what down? I wondered. Getting laid while she sits at a table with Demetri, talking on the phone to stuffy old Chelsea?

I snorted at my own wit. Stuffy.

I settled down at the bar, glancing up and down until I spotted a woman and the end. She was alone, and quite pretty for a human. Her hair was dark black, her skin olive. I smiled.

Local.

Standing, and winking towards Demetri- Corin now had her cell pointed towards me, her face amused- I started over to her, slipping into the seat.

She barely glanced at me, before looking back down at her drink. I could smell the alcohol on her breath.

Smiling, I leaned in so that she could smell the sweet scent of my skin. Still, she didn't look up.

I pulled my list out of my pocket, and peeked at it out of the corner of my eye. I heard both Demetri and Corin snort.

1. Where have you been all my life?

Clearing my throat to get her attention, I smiled, showing my white teeth.

"So tell me, Baby, where have you been all my life?"

Finally, she glances over, her face dark.

"Hiding from you."

As she stood and left, she walked quickly past my friends, who were both doubled over with laughter. Corin's phone was pointing at my face, and I thought that I could almost hear the booming laughter coming from Castle Volturi.

Sighing with aggravation, I turned back towards the bar.

Strike One.