A/N: Here's chapter thirteen! Why don't we check up on Harper? I'm sure she's doing great! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Bloodlines, but I do own my OCs.
"I had a feelin' you'd be here."
Harper felt her chest stir at the sound of that voice. She sat up and turned over her shoulder, "Oh…hello…"
"Hey." He sounded so nonchalant as he sat next to her. But, she supposed that's what he was good for.
She lowered her head and turned back to the bar, back to the four empty shot glasses in front of her. Tonight was a quick and hard night.
He looked over her, his eyes lingering on her bare ring finger. He turned away, "You okay? I mean…physically."
"I don't know." She muttered.
There was a paused filled by the booming music of the Asylum, "You wanna talk outside? Can't hear myself think in here."
"Do you have any cigarettes?" She looked up at him.
He averted his gaze, "Yeah."
"Okay." She stood up, clutching his arm on her way out. They sat on the pavement outside, leaning against the wall. He lit and handed her a cigarette. After taking a few puffs, she looked down and just stared at the ground.
"Where've you been staying?" He asked eventually.
She pointed to the apartment complex above Trip's Pawnshop.
"That place's got roaches."
"I don't care."
He crossed his arms, "You can come back, Harper. We don't have to…to be anything."
She shook her head, "No. I'm…I don't want to."
"Harper—"
"I said I don't want to. I'd appreciate it if you left me alone."
"I don't want you to die. You're already sick."
"I'm fine." She insisted, "Please…"
He stood up, "If I find you here in a week, I'm getting help."
"Fine." She could find a new club to drink at. A new city to live in.
He stood up, finally a bit ticked, "You know it was my kid too, yeah?"
She took a shaky puff on her cigarette, closing her eyes tightly and gritting her teeth.
"You know, maybe dere was just too much damn alcohol in your system when you conceived him. Hell, you probably drank while you had 'em, didn't ya?"
"I would never." She said quietly.
"Whatever. Don't get me wrong, I'm not grovelin' to you. I don' want you back, but I don't want you dead either, we clear?"
"Crystal." She said through clenched teeth.
"Good. I'll see ya in a week." He huffed, walking off.
She took another draw on her cigarette, hoping it could calm her more. Hoping that, maybe combined with the shots she drank, it'd make her feel less.
But that damn blood in her veins kept her way too sober for her liking. She just sat under the overhang for hours, listening to the light rain that'd come on and off like an old light, down the street someone yelled about the end of days.
She wished the end of days would come. Kill just as many people as it would Kindred, enveloping them all in a fiery death.
Maybe she'd get so drunk, she wouldn't feel it.
A billowing cloak and clanking metal footsteps could be heard as Harper watched an extremely familiar figure pass by. The silver hair and dark blue almond-shaped eyes made him even clearer to make out.
It gave her that burning feeling. It wasn't anxiety, or excitement. It was a bright combination of surprise and nostalgia, it hurt somewhere deep in her chest, but lit up her brain like a Christmas tree, "Jasper?"
Jasper picked up his name rather quickly, his eyes going from attentive to fearful when he looked at who called him. He started walking faster.
She stood up, grasping at one of the pillars. She was in no shape to run, "Jasper, it's me! It's Harper!"
"Harper?" He asked, whirling around.
She gave a slight smile, something she hadn't done in ages, but it was pained, "You…" She trailed off as she stumbled closer, "Found yourself in the World of Darkness as well…?"
"World of Darkness?" He fibbed.
"Yes…" She looked around herself, "Did…you have time to talk?"
"Perhaps." He said, "Though I'm quite busy. I have work to do."
She nodded, "Did you…want to catch up somewhere? Surfside Diner, maybe? Or…my apartment?"
"Yes, very well. Make it quick."
She nodded and decided on the Surfside Diner. He didn't need to know her living conditions.
Her footing was unstable the entire way back, but she did her best to not show it. She only really stumbled twice, but quickly caught herself. When they made it inside, she sat in one of the first booths, feeling a massive headache sink in. She tried to shake it off, "You look so…so nice…" She offered a little smile, "I think Dalton would be upset if he was…still with us…he wouldn't want so much competition…"
"I rather think he wouldn't recognize you. Not like that."
She gave a weak smile, "No, I don't think so either…" She said softly, "I'm terribly sorry you had to see me like this…I've been having some…" She just shook her head and tried to hold her tears back, "It just hasn't been the same, after he passed. I know it sounds weak, but…that was the same time I was ghouled…the night he died. My regnant passed away just…within this past year and I switched but…" She shook her head again, "Switching blood bonds over is…is no easy task, I suppose."
"Ghouled?" He asked, "So you are a part of this game now…"
"Yes. I have been for…quite some time." She briefly looked out the window, then looked back at him, "How about you?"
"I was Embraced over ten years ago."
"Embraced…" She asked, staring at the table, then she met his gaze, "Would you like a ghoul?"
"I don't suppose you mean you, do you?"
She cracked a little smile, "I do."
"What do you have to offer?"
"I…" She paused, "I'm not…adept with melee, but…I could do anything you wanted me to…" She said, "Any paperwork, emails, chores…anything. I need to get away. I need a regnant who isn't involved in L.A. Jyhad…" She looked out the window, "I served the Prince of L.A. for fifteen years before he passed…I…like to think I was helpful. He never fired me."
"The Prince of L.A…paperwork…emails…chores…so you were a Camarilla rat?" He asked.
"Yes…I was…" She said, a tad nervous, "I wasn't…as ill as I am now…" She looked back down at herself, "I had a little more cash, too…he paid well…"
"I take it…you're…disillusioned with their ways?" He asked, she not only saw fangs, but a snake's tongue, as well.
That was certainly unsettling.
"Um…yes…yes," She gathered her wits, "I…would rather align myself to an independent now…I'm not sure if you fall to a certain…side…or clan…"
"I owe my loyalty to Lady Natalia." He said, "This Prince of yours…he is deceased…in what manner did he die?"
"Mutiny." She muttered, "He wasn't a very good Prince."
"Ah, I find it rich how an organization who prides itself on its good intuitions and 'safety for all Kindred' could fall in such a manner. I suppose the Camarilla isn't what it quite presents itself to be…"
"No…" She said softly, "I think every sect has its flaws…I've hardly been of any use to them since he's passed. My current regnant already has another ghoul who does his tasks for him. If I left, he wouldn't care, or notice, I'm sure…"
"So…you have a current regnant." He looked annoyed, "You realize this means that even if I wanted you, I would have to wait until his blood leaves your system, yes? It is against the traditional ways to ghoul someone else's ghoul."
"It would only take another week, at most." She looked nervous, "I…I could really use the blood, anyhow…" She looked away, "I've…been trying to kill myself." She said very quietly, "I didn't think I'd actually…find a chance of freedom…"
"Besides, we're not looking for a secretary, Harper. We don't need someone to sort for us or anyone to take calls. I doubt Lady Natalia has had the time to even learn about computers. We are on the road to conquest and we'll get it either by open battle or deceit and trickery. What Lady Natalia would really like, is to hear that I've Embraced a new soldier." He leaned in slightly.
Her deep blue eye were wide and nervous, "If you'd be willing to train me, I'd do anything." She looked away, "But I'll tell you just the same as I told the Prince. I refuse to be Embraced." She closed her eyes, "I don't even care if I serve as a blood doll. I will not be Embraced."
"What's the matter…what use will being alive grant you now?"
She rested her forearms on the table and stared at it blankly, "I'll take any chance I can to have a family. You know that. You know how important that is to me." She looked up at him again, "I would lose that if I became a Kindred."
"Oh, this again…"
"What?" Her eyes hardened a tad, as did her headache.
"What, did you think I'd forget you spouting this nonsense since the fifth grade? It's like you haven't changed at all." He said, "I thought that Dalton's death would perhaps give you some time to…reflect…on everything that's happened…but…" He looked her up and down, "What can I say? I don't believe I recognize the woman sitting in front of me as the same person I've known nearly my entire life."
"Is it so wrong to dream? You seem nothing like you used to be either, mind you." She added.
"Yes, I've matured a bit. A logical reaction to tragedy."
Her eyes teared up and she looked way, "Yes…and I just…drink…drink until it goes away…" She feebly rubbed at the tears, "He used to drug me, you know…" She gave a bitter chuckle, "Because I'd get so depressed and go on drinking binges…imagine that…" She bit back a sob, "It's really no wonder the child was lost at all, when my body is such a fucking mess…I can't even eat without losing it…I'll be dead by tomorrow anyway, maybe I should just take your offer!"
"That would be a step in the right direction. Think about it, Dalton's died, and all you have to show for it are fifteen years of slavery for a bitter Prince. Following me would be your wisest course of action." He smiled.
She looked away, wiping at her eyes, "How long will you be in the city? Or, California, I should say…"
"Until Lady Natalia secures it, I daresay." His smile grew, "It's inevitable, I doubt the Prince has ever dealt with a threat like her…"
"Let me think about it." Her voice was low and bitter.
"Think about it?" He asked, "I'm most likely not going to wonder in this…filthy cesspool of a city ever again. You'll be lucky to see me ever again." He said, then he smiled once again, "Although, if you tell me where you live, I may think about visiting you once again. Because we were such dear friends and all…"
"I'll give you my number instead."
He rolled his eyes, "Very well."
She prattled off her number listlessly, looking outside, "I'll do my best to pick up."
"And I'll do my best to contact you in the first place."
She gave a ridged nod. "I'm glad you're okay…despite what place you're in…it's nice to know that…someone's still around…"
"Despite what place I'm in?"
She shook her head, "Never mind."
"Well, if that's all the business we needed to discuss." He rose from his seat.
"Yes. Thank you for…talking with me."
"Yes, we'll see if you wise up for my offer…until next time." He began to depart.
As she moved the wine bottle back, a drop of blood spilled on the countertop. Tess's eyes darted back and forth mischievously before she swiped a thumb across the surface and collected the drop, licking it off. She winked at her 'date' and held a finger over her lips as she brought the 'wine' back to the fridge, "I can't handle the thought of wasting a drop of it. It's quite pricy."
"Mmm…where do you get your blood from?" Goddard asked.
She slid the glass over towards him, "A very long time ago, I had a…suitor, I supposed. He collected it. Offered me a bottle." She sat across from him, "He's passed since then…but…even before that, he was a Tremere, he swore his life away to secrecy. He wanted no part of me."
"I'm not surprised." He said, "You strike me as a woman with a large history. Your eyes look vibrant, yet weary. You've clearly been through a lot, suffered a fair amount of hardships since your journey into the Jyhad."
As he started, she was almost expecting a lecture. Some sort of rant about how she shouldn't throw her body away, but she was relieved and warmed to hear he completely averted the topic. "Well, I'm still young. They say it takes…what, half a decade to get over the changes? The physical and mental changes. I think it's accurate. I feel nowhere near adjusted." She took a sip from her own glass, almost smelling Leo's cologne somewhere in there. Remembering the taunts she gave him about a long-term relationship. "I think in my case…un-life granted me too much confidence. I extended myself on a limb too frail to hold me up."
"I see promise in them." He said, "They're…inspiring to look at." He went on, then his eyes widened and he cleared his throat, "Well…the kine seem to complain about the heat a lot nowadays…or at least the heat during the day…I suppose in effect we are spared of it during the night…"
Tess's lips curved into a smile as she took another sip of her glass, leaning in and meeting his gaze, holding him there. That mischievous smirk was unfading. "It's been a long time since I've been complimented. I'm not sure if you could tell or not, I'm trying not to be too voracious. I think a lot of the promise you see is right in front of me."
He chuckled, "How poetic of you. Perhaps my dialect is indeed rubbing off on you…"
"I think it might be. I can be a bit like that. I wonder if I spent time in Europe, if I'd develop an accent."
"Perhaps, the ways and customs of a land have a funny way of catching up to you…"
"What was it like? Where you were staying?"
"Where was I before I came here? In California?"
"Yes." Her eyes lit up with excitement.
"China."
"What was it like? Where exactly did you stay?" She leaned in, "Oh, you'll have to forgive me. I have some Japanese blood in me, but I've never even been near that direction. It just interests me."
"I hid atop trees." He said, "It was a stay of both infiltration and education. I was undetected."
"Ah ha…so what were you seeking?"
"Knowledge…of our eastern counterparts."
"Right…" She nodded, "Well, I won't dig into it." She held a hand up, "Discussing work isn't polite." She smirked.
"Well, I'm quite glad…most of the information I've gathered was incorrect anyway…"
"Is that so? That's always so frustrating, isn't it?"
"Yes…especially if you've spent nearly a century over there…"
"I'm so sorry…"
"…in my time, I've learned other things there. Concepts that were helpful to my survival…"
"Well, at least you learned something. It wasn't all wasteful, was it?"
"Yes." He said, "I learned how not to sit in a tree." He smiled, "But in all seriousness, I think I learned the most effective way to take apart a Kindred."
"Take apart a Kindred?" She asked.
He nodded, "Since then, none of them have lasted very long in battle against me. At least the Anarchs haven't."
"Mmm, they didn't stand a chance, did they?" She asked, her eyes growing a tad distant as she remembered Nines's arms around her, catching her from her own suicide. The amount of raw trust he put into her.
The memory of where he was now.
She shifted uncomfortably, "They should have seen it coming." She tried her best to fake the same attitude most of the Camarilla shared about their demise.
"You'll have to forgive me."
"Hmm?" She looked up, then swatted a hand and took a sip of her drink, "Oh, it's nothing. I was getting distracted."
"Yes, well, forgive me for striking a nerve, at the very least."
"It's alright…" She sighed, "I really threw myself into the arms of everyone I could. I regret it now, is all."
"We all made mistakes at that age, Tess."
She chuckled softly, "No." When he stared on in confusion, she said, "I can't even look at myself in the mirror without…wincing. I've ruined my reputation to important figures in every direction I turn…I suppose it's some of the reason I've more or less sheltered myself in downtown. It's been quiet."
He took a sip of his blood, "I apologize, Tess. I do hope that one day you'll be able to look upon yourself with a bit more favor, it can take quite a bit of time for the heart to heal from the jaded darkness that is self-pity."
She gave a little nod, "Thank you. I appreciate your sentiments."
"Perhaps I should…give you some time alone…"
"Yes, I'm sorry, I didn't realize how late it was. I can't thank you enough for stopping by."
"Of course, I will stop by in the future, if you are permitting."
"I would love it."
He smiled, heading for the door, "Good evening, Tess."
She expected things to be maybe a little awkward, since they were living together, and now, kind of, sort of, lovers.
On the other side of that coin, she wondered if it'd be kind of nice. Maybe they could sit on the couch together and bicker about what sort of movie to watch, or share from a glass of his fancy blood. She could pick out which color tie he would wear, (it was always green, anyway.)
In reality, since that night, so long ago, she hardly saw him. He was constantly out, doing 'research'. By the time he came back, he was always famished, irritable and exhausted. At least he'd never snap at her, but she could tell he was testy, and it was best not to push his boundaries.
And finally, two nights ago, she squeezed out a little bit of information. She learned he was taking the 'day off'.
And that day was today.
She peeked open the door to his cavern, of course, he was sitting at his computer, scrolling through lines and lines of data. He winced as the light gushed in and turned over his shoulder, "Ella, hello, dear."
"Hi…" She said, "So…what have you been doing lately?"
He rubbed his eyes with one of his knuckles, "Research."
"I know…you always do that…I meant the constant flaking in and out of the tower."
"I've been…inquiring the help of the Nosferatu." He said, "I couldn't do much more research, their firewalls were barricading just about every useful source. I needed to…prove my dedication, I suppose. Those types can be quite infuriating, mind you." He stood up, "I'm not sure which I'd prefer, spending my life chained to a pole with a Nosferatu, or a Toreador. They're essentially opposites, but both equally as intolerable in their own right."
"Uh…right…" She said, for a fledgling, keeping up with all of these clans was beyond annoying to her, "What did you need the Nosferatu for?"
"Removing the firewalls. Or, I shouldn't say that." He walked into the living room, but his gait was always more like a strut to her, considering how lanky he was. He opened the refrigerator and fetched some blood for the both of them, "Allowing me access into them. Granting me the security information so I could dig further." He took a sip, "There have been many whispers of distant clans in our community. State, even. I've been trying to research as much as I could to plan some semblance of defense, at least." He took a sip from his glass, "And of course, I was also running a series of unrelated errands for our elders."
"But what does all of that mean?" She asked, "For what purpose is all of this? You always do this, you always…tell me what you're doing, without explaining it first."
"Protection. That's it. I don't want to stand against someone I know nothing of. It's embarrassing, for myself and the Camarilla. I can also spread this knowledge to others in the Camarilla."
"So…there are clans that even you don't know about…?"
"I'm almost certain there are bloodlines the Prince doesn't even know about." He sat on the couch, "But that's the thing. There are clans, and bloodlines. It's all rather complicated. Bloodlines are usually related to a master clan, without an antediluvian. I suppose…like…how the Nagaraja are a bloodline, while Cappadocian is a clan. You had Cappadocius."
"Who?"
"Your Antediluvian. The first Kindred of your clan."
"Right…so…we all have these…grandfather…original vampires…at the top of our trees…right? I remember you telling me something like that…"
"Yes, that's right. Bloodlines do not have that. They originated in other means." He said, finishing his glass, "Most of my research is on them, as they are the most mysterious and difficult to trace."
"Right…" She sat next to him, "Totally confused…but…I'll just have to get used to the feeling…"
"Apologies." He offered a slight smile, "Over time, it will clear up, I'm sure of it. You're a very bright girl."
"Ugh…it's like every time I think I have Kindred figured out, there's ten more things I don't know about…"
"I think it's like that for anyone under a century. In the past week, I've heard of clans I've never heard of before."
"Oh yeah?" She asked, "Anything interesting?"
"I wouldn't want to overwhelm or confuse you."
"You're right…" She said, "Aside from Cappadocian or Ventrue, I get completely confused…"
"That's alright, dear." He leaned in to gently peck her cheek.
"Doesn't it get annoying sitting in the dark like that, though?"
"Hmm? I find it relaxing."
"Relaxing?" She asked, "Jeez…my eyes hurt just thinking about it…"
He chuckled, "You're still young. You'll learn soon that things like that don't harm us, or have long term effects."
"I know, cause we're dead…"
He chuckled again, "It'd be like a Kindred being afraid of blood-sucking insects."
"Well…that'd still be bad…wouldn't it…? Don't we need blood too?"
"They wouldn't bite us in the first place. We wouldn't be viewed as a food source. We're corpses." He said, bringing one leg over the other.
"Well, that's at least a comforting thought…"
"Mmm." His eyes grazed over her before he leaned in to kiss her lips. Her eyes widened, then she loosely wrapped her arms around him and kissed him back.
He slowly inserted his tongue, peeking an eye open to ensure she was alright with it. Her eyes widened a bit more, but she seemed nonetheless comfortable with the development.
After letting her adjust for just a moment or so, he uncrossed his legs and gently ran his hands down from her shoulders to her hips and thighs, lifting her up onto his lap. When she gave no signs of protest, he held her hips tightly and continued the little make-out session, moving his lips down to kiss at her neck. Part of her almost felt compelled to laugh at the amount of her lipstick all over his lips, if she wasn't so nervous, "Derek…"
As he moved his lips away, the look on his face was like he was in some sort of torpor, "…mmm?"
"Let's…slow down a little…okay? We kissed in a field…during a Sabbat raid…escalate things…one step at a time…"
He blinked a few times, adjusting his tie, "Oh…uh…forgive me…I didn't know this was your first time…"
"You mean it isn't yours?"
"It isn't…" He said, then quickly added, "It was just my sire, nothing meaningful, really…"
"I mean…the hunters in the Society of Leopold perved out on me a lot, but…no, I've never done anything." She said, "And look, I don't think we should so quickly…"
"Right…I suppose…" He gently set her back down, a good distance from himself, "Keeping things professional wouldn't be a terrible idea." He adjusted his tie again, one of his feet tapping.
"Why are you so surprised by this?" She asked, "On what planet do people go from…little kisses…to…sex? Mars?" She asked, "Unless you just wanted…a fling or something…oh my god…"
He shook his head, "That isn't it. Settle yourself." He crossed his arms, "It's just been a while."
She sighed, "Maybe this was a mistake…"
"What?" His eyes grew, "Don't…don't be so hasty. The blame falls on my shoulders, not yours. It…it shouldn't happen again." He wasn't an animal, right?
Then he looked over at her and melted again. Maybe he was.
"No…I mean…you're the only guy I've been in contact with for…months…because the Prince doesn't trust me…or whatever…maybe it's just in my head…"
He paused a moment, meeting her eye, "Are you attracted to me, or are you desperate?"
"Desperate." She snapped, "Of course I'm not desperate!" She clenched her hands into fists, "There was…an attraction…maybe…"
"'Was'." He muttered, "I had no idea I'd offended you so much, that wasn't my intention at all."
"You didn't…" She wilted, "I'm sorry…I just…I just have cabin fever…being in this room all the time, it's driving me crazy…"
"Did you want to go out for a walk?"
"No…it probably won't do anything…"
"It will give you fresh air, a bit of perspective." He held a hand out, "Come along."
She looked up at him, her eyes glossy, "I'm sorry, Derek."
"Don't be sorry." He gave a little smile, then held his arms out, "It was me."
She gave a small smile, getting up and giving him a hug.
A/N: Anyone who can figure out Derek's kink from this scene gets a cookie. Thanks for reading!