Alright thanks to the reviews of Vampirate 2.0 and night creature and xxErin I am going to take Paint it Black of the backburner. It's nice to know that people are actually reading it gives me a confidence boost which helps the flow of my ideas and writing.
I am also brimming with inspiration I just watch the new Pirates of the Caribbean movie so I am ready for pirates and I have been studying with True Blood on demand. Also I just got the new vampirates book on my nook but I am refusing to read it until this story is done that way all ideas are my own and I don't piggyback on the book. However for those of you who have read Empire of Night and this story if I write something that is a blatant difference like…that beheading a vampire only makes them mad but in the book it actually kills them go ahead and tell me. I give permission so I may address that.
Also again this story is strictly about Connor others may make an appearance but again only really about Connor.
And because you asked I will put a werewolf fighting scene I'm not sure how I'm going to work it out or tie it into the plot but I will since I think it will be cool.
Disclaimer: I do not own Vampirates, but all original characters are mine.
Please read, review and enjoy.
Ch.6 Subtle Transformation
Three days was all it took for Connor to be able to cross the wire however it also took Lance the same amount of time. He progressed but if Lance who was only human was able to do it than did this training really actually help him train as a dhampir. Not only did it feel like a waste of time but it was hard trying to tap into the part of him that Connor wanted to get rid of; the part that he was afraid of , ashamed of. Gabi had asked Connor to meet early before school at the pond they used for training for something but he wasn't sure what she wanted. He walked up the path but as he reached the pond he was met with the scene of Gabi bending over backwards in a bikini top and shorts. Connor face turned red, as he watched her contort her body. Suddenly he felt ashamed for just standing there watching like a peeping tom, so he 'ahemed' catching her attention. Gabi flipped herself onto her feet.
"Good morning Connor." Gabi greeted. She walked over to the tightrope that was still set up over the pond.
"So why did you ask me to come here so early?" Connor asked watching her walked to the middle of the rope as easily as walking on a sidewalk.
"Simple, it is time for your first evaluation. Now strip and get on the rope." Gabi motioned to the other side of the rope. Connor wasn't sure if he would ever get used to her blunt way of putting things. However he failed to notice how she liked ordering him to 'strip'. Connor climbed onto the rope and carefully met Gabi toward the middle of the rope.
"So what is my evaluation?" Connor asked trying to keep his eyes from drifting downwards.
"Keep up here for fifteen seconds" Gabi smirked making him feel that there was more to it than what she said. "While I distract you." And there was the rest.
"Wait a second!" Connor tried to reason with her but he was too late. Gabi jumped off of the rope and flipped over him. He looked up to see her twist. She landed behind him; close to him. She leaned forward her mouth next to his ear.
"What's the matter Connor?" Her breath tickled his flesh sending goosebumps over his arms and back. But he could feel her fingers barely touching his back tickling him. He tried not to laugh but it was just a distraction. Gabi stabbed her fingers into Connor's side.
"Kidney shot!" Gabi yelled; too happily. Connor jumped away from the assault and before he knew it, he was standing on the rope facing Gabi, his fist up ready to defend himself. "It looks like someone's instinct is acting up."Gabi noted mentally. That was all she needed to know but not one to be beat Gabi went in for a low kick to Connor's feet to knock him off. Much to her surprise Connor bent his knees to get to her level and caught her foot. The smirk on his face did weird things to her ego…and her stomach. "Congrats Connor you pass; and just in time for school." Connor smiled triumphantly. Gabi rolled her eyes however she got her fun after all; Connor slipped on his way to get off of the rope and fell into the pond below. All he could hear was the hysterical laughter of Gabi after he resurfaced.
"Crap!" Connor yelled after he pulled himself onto the bank. "My underwear us all wet and I don't have time for it to dry."
"I'll dry em'." Gabi said easily. "Just take them off." Connor's eyes went wide in shock but his thumbs had already hooked themselves into the elastic waistband. Gabi's face, for the first time that Connor had known her, went red. "You could go behind a bush first you know!" Gabi screamed. Connor laughed hard. The look on her face was priceless. He went behind a bush as Gabi grabbed his boxers; a red light shined from her palm and the boxers were dry in less than ten seconds. "Here." Gabi threw them at Connor's face, still angry.
"If you could dry them with your powers than why didn't you just dry them with me in them?" Connor asked after he was dressed and they were walking to the school.
"Well," Gabi began after she regained her composure. "I used a supernatural ability that I call Increase. I can increase a certain aspect of something, like brittleness or, strength, or in your case the evaporation of water. And I haven't completely mastered it yet so I could have accidently turned you into a raisin." Connor mentally pictured himself as a raisin; not pretty.
"Well I was also wondering," Connor thought back to their first meeting and their second. "Why you didn't heal that hickey after I…you know." Connor felt himself get sick.
"Connor that is a conversation for a later date besides we really need to get to class we have a very important Biology quiz today." Connor groaned remembering that he didn't remember to study for said test. They walked to the school until they realized they were late. Frantically Gabi and Connor ran for class, Connor felt normal running to try make it class on time. They were greeted by Mr. Montgomery.
"Well I'm glad you two decided to join three seconds from the bell." The bell rang right on cue. "Take your seats, take your seats." Mr. Montgomery gave each of them a copy of their tests and sent them on their way. Connor sat down and looked at the test. It looked simple enough it was just matching. Then he turned it over and looked at the essay question. "I do not miss tests." However due to the teachers wanting to end the week with tests Connor had a test in each class. Algebra was the easiest since Mrs. Quivers allowed him to take a supplementary quiz since he had only been in class for the week. However in choir Connor was required to sing.
"Now Connor you will be given three minutes to memorize the piece of music." Mr. Staccato handed Connor a sheet of music. He wheeled his wheelchair over to the piano and played the starting pitch for Connor.
"Um… Mr. Staccato why are you in a wheel chair?" Though Connor's question lacked tact it was warranted since the day before the teacher had stood six foot five.
"Connor you will not distract me from your evaluation." Finality was obvious in his voice. Connor looked down at the music. "I really don't miss this."
After Connor's music test the other students went by, to what seemed to him, quickly but as they it came to Gabi's turn the bell rang signifying lunch. "Ugh, no fair I actually wanted to do this." Gabi complained.
"Yeah, well no one else really wants to hear you." Wanda, skinny and blonde, was the most popular girl in the school, and she tried to defend that title tooth and nail.
"Excuse me?" Gabi asked tucking the red fringe of her hair behind her ear.
"You heard me Gale, no one really wants to hear you belt it out." She turned to Connor. "You did excellent Connor. A little rough around the edges sure but still great. If you ever want some tutoring I would love to help you out." Wanda traced Connor's jawbone with her finger and turned to leave with a wink. For a second Connor was dumbfounded and captivated by Wanda.
Gabi sensed Connor's attraction and sighed. "She may not be a dhampir, but she sure knows how to put boys in a trance." Gabi rolled her eyes. "Whatever let's get to lunch." Connor followed Gabi as they walked over to the cafeteria. On a small chalk board next to the entrance the day's specials were written out: mystery meat, green beans and chocolate brownies for desert.
"So what are we doing this weekend?" Connor asked while looking at the mystery meat cautiously. The meat was decorated in what looked like fuzz with a purple sheen.
"Don't worry hun." The Lunch lady spoke with a smoker's rasp. "There's no meet to worry about." That made it worse.
"Well since you did well this morning I was planning on moving on to something a bit more abrasive." Gabi smiled mischievously. Connor wondered whether he should be more scared of the day's lunch or Gabi's training. Gabi reached the end of the line and paid for their lunches.
"You know you didn't have to pay for my lunch."
"Well, look who's the gentlemen." Gabi smiled. "I don't mind besides I'm going to have a lot of fun later." Connor and Gabi walked to an empty table; as they walked they past Wanda's table filled with her followers. Then Gabi tripped her tray went falling to the floor. The meat making a strange slurping noise as it hit the ground.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Gabi, you should pay more attention to where you are going." Wanda smiled amused; her foot was still left out where she had tripped Gabi. "So clumsy; Connor you should be careful who you hang out with, you don't want to be dragged down when they 'trip'." Anger rose in Connor he could feel it heat his blood. He couldn't stand it when people so blatantly picked on others. It reminded him of how sometimes Grace would get picked on because she was smarter than the other girls. Connor was about to say something but Gabi grabbed his arm and led him to the table.
"Gabi, why didn't you do something?" Connor and Gabi sat down across from each other.
"Oh, I will." Gabi said stealing Connor's brownie from his tray. "All though this is a good lesson to give you now." Gabi looked Connor in the eye, he could tell that what she was about to say was important. "Connor, though we may be dhampir's we will still be burdened with the same problems as everyone else. And it is our duty, not to use are abilities to try and change everything around us." Lace walked over and sat by Gabi he was smiling until he took in the solemn atmosphere.
"Lance, Graphta, Tango, Marmalade, Monkey, Spork, G.Y.H., now." Lance set down his tray down and left determined.
"How did he get lobster?" Jasmine spoke outraged from behind Connor. "And we get this slop!" She dropped the tray on the table the 'meat' jiggled like gelatin and made farting noises.
"It' not that bad." Jacoby spoke optimistically. "Look." He placed salt onto the 'meat' and watched it shrink in size.
"Yeah…you really shouldn't eat that." Gabi admitted.
"Gabi I got everything you needed." Lance returned with a mischievous grin. "And Mr. Staccato is in place and has been told too."
"Good." Music started playing in the cafeteria and Gabi stood up and stood in the middle of the cafeteria. Many other students looked for where the music was coming from.
"I wake up every evening with a big smile on my face
And it never feels out of place
And you're still probably working at a 9 to 5 pace
I wonder how bad that tastes
Gabi shaped a smile onto her face as she sung the lyrics and then feigned curiosity with the last line. All attention was on her some people watched with curiosity others, with annoyance but most with amusement.
When you see my face
Hope it gives you hell, hope it gives you hell
When you walk my way
Hope it gives you hell, hope it gives you hell
Suddenly her voice went hard and mean, her attention on one obvious person.
Now where's your picket fence, love?
And where's that shiny car?
And did it ever get you far?
You never seemed so tense, love
I've never seen you fall so hard
Do you know where you are?
As she sang love her voice went sweet and loving but then changed teasing. Some students stood up moving to the music.
And truth be told I miss you
And truth be told I'm lying
Again her voice went sweet but then changed to an insulting tone but even then it was still lovely to listen to. The students were entirely entranced by the performance.
When you see my face
Hope it gives you hell, hope it gives you hell
When you walk my way
Hope it gives you hell, hope it gives you hell
She sat on the edge of the table and sang like and looked like a total rock star.
If you find a man that's worth a damn and treats you well
Then he's a fool, you're just as well, hope it gives you hell
I hope it gives you hell
Gabi placed her arm Around Wanda's shoulders and sung.
Tomorrow you'll be thinking to yourself
Yeah, where did it all go wrong?
But the list goes on and on
Gabi looked directly at Wanda and gave a cheeky grin.
Truth be told I miss you
And truth be told I'm lying
Again her voice mocked sweetness and then teasing. She kissed Wanda on the cheek. Wanda tried to wriggle out of her grasp but was stuck in her hold.
When you see my face
Hope it gives you hell, hope it gives you hell
When you walk my way
Hope it gives you hell, hope it gives you hell
If you find a man that's worth a damn and treats you well
Then he's a fool, you're just as well, hope it gives you hell
Gabi pushed Wanda away from her.
Now you'll never see what you've done to me
You can take back your memories, they're no good to me
And here's all your lies, you can look me in the eyes
With the sad, sad look that you wear so well
Gabi jumped onto the table and sang to the member s of the cafeteria; fully aware that all eyes were on her.
When you see my face
Hope it gives you hell, hope it gives you hell
When you walk my way
Hope it gives you hell, hope it gives you hell
Gabi kicked the air her leg straight in the air in front of her face. Basking in the attention the cafeteria was filled with song as the students sang along.
If you find a man that's worth a damn and treats you well
Then he's a fool, you're just as well, hope it gives you hell
Gabi twirled to the other end of the table moving trays out of the way.
When you see my face
Hope it gives you hell, hope it gives you hell
When you walk my way
Hope it gives you hell, hope it gives you hell
When you hear this song and you sing along, well you'll never tell
And you're the fool, I'm just as well, hope it gives you hell
When you hear this song I hope that it will give you hell
You can sing along, I hope that it puts you through hell
Gabi sat down on the edge of the table one more time and kicked her leg up as she sang the last 'hell'. The room exploded with applause. Gabi was panting but smiling more sincerely than Connor had ever seen. Wanda looked at Gabi with a glare that could curdle milk. Gabi walked back to the table and sat down.
"Good going Nightingale!" Jacoby congratulated Gabi's performance. "That was great. Even greater that I didn't have to pay."
"That really was something." Even Jasmine knew that the performance was impressive.
"See Connor I told you I would do something." Gabi smirked at the speechless Connor. But he wasn't speechless because of the show. He was listening to something that he couldn't ignore. Gabi's swift heartbeat was beating on Connor's eardrums loud and delectable.
"Speaking of things to do." Jacoby snapped Connor out of his trance. "Connor, are we going to be seeing you after school?" Instantly Connor began to feel guilty. While training with Gabi he was ignoring his friends. True he wasn't just playing around but they didn't know what he was actually doing and he didn't want them to know, out of fear of what they might think.
"Sorry Jacoby. Gabi is helping me study." Connor apologized gaining him a dejected look.
"Why are you trying so hard Connor?" Jasmine was on the attack now. "We aren't going to be here for that long. Once we learn enough we are gone. Besides you are a pirate what do have to learn here that can help you?" Jasmine was actually hurt that Connor didn't seem to have time for them. Making him feel worse.
"There is a lot that Connor can learn that he can use." Gabi retorted. Jasmine looked at her surprised. "Look just because this isn't some fancy Pirate Academy doesn't mean what we learn here isn't useful."
"This stuff may be useful for you land lubbers but for a pirate this stuff is useless." Jasmine was quick to show her point.
"Really?" Gabi was getting angry. "Then did your Pirate education help you figure out the relationship between a vampire and a human?" Gabi lowered her voice to keep others from hearing. Jasmine showed confusion for a split second but regained her composure just as quickly.
"Please, predator and prey not hard to think of." The blatant look on Gabi's face made Jasmine rethink her answer. "Or parasite."
"I'm sorry you're wrong." Gabi looked anything but sorry. "It's mutualism. I can get that you don't understand since you have a very limited knowledge of vampires, but if you took the time to study some biology and a few myths and the vamps out there it is pretty obvious."
"It is not!" Jasmine did not like being contradicted or thought less of.
"Yeah, it kind of is. And should you really be arguing with me? Afterall who is the professional Vampire Hunter here you or me?" Gabi smirked knowing she had won the two confrontations in one day. The bell rang signaling the end of lunch. "Looks like it's time for class. Hopefully you will actually pay attention."
I know this doesn't really seem like much happened but this chapter was to help me get back into the swing of things. I hoped you liked it. Also I introduced some ideas and prospects that are very important for the story as a whole. I wonder if you guys can figure out which ones they are.