it's not my time ; alexander harper, bby.

[EVANDER CHARLES CROSS!]

The night had fallen across England as a soft blanket, bringing with it the promise of cool, fall winds. Looking up, Evander noticed the star-speckled sky, blinking once or twice as he marveled at it. The man had always enjoyed staring to the heavens, the night time being his only chance to do so unless he wished to commit suicide. This, of course, meant that he was a Vampire.

A dark maroon cloak whipped about his ankles and legs, the hood pulled up and secured with a spell he'd had a friend of his place on it. Evander was just leaving their house, having turned down a broom ride or floo home. He preferred to walk, even if it was three or four miles back to his own house. Besides, the night was both virgin and young- Evander would not leave it as such.

His fangs flashed gently in the open as a troop of Death Eaters gestured in his direction, both rowdy and smelling strongly of whiskey. Fools, the mental note sounded through his head Even we Vampires, the most disloyal of all to our kin, know better than to drink on the job. Then again, it was a whole different variety of "drink" that Vampires could be found enjoying.

Eyes wide and flesh turning pale with fright, they backed away from him. It seemed his reputation for a short temper with those that put themselves in his way had finally circulated through the masses. It wasn't often a Vampire would live as openly as he did in such a highly populated place, for fear of having a steak rammed through their hearts or their heads being severed clean from their bodies. Evander, however, was no coward and proved this by letting the Witches and Wizards now exactly what he was.

Besides, it kept them out of his way, and in the end that was all that mattered to him.

The winds seemed to grow more extreme as he ventured into the smaller alleyways and cobblestone paved streets of Diagon Alley. People were spotted in the distance, if one cared to notice, as black, retreating specks which seemed to wish to evade any and all confrontation. Or, Evander thought Meetings of any kind. Blinking in frustration, he growled. The winds were quite troublesome, weren't they?

It wasn't that late, perhaps eight o'clock. But that seemed to be late enough to clear most people out of Diagon Alley. Preforming what could only be called a theatrical turn-on-heel, Evander found himself wandering down a sharply curved side street. Blinking once he'd entered Knockturn, the Vampire clenched his teeth and narrowed his dark eyes. The people that wandered these streets at night were far more dangerous. They were also very open to showing others this speculation was more truth and fact than anything.

Glancing around, looking for a welcoming light, he finally spotted one. Stepping inside the store, he soon realized that it was a pet store. Curving his lips gently into a crescent-shaped smile, Evander took a peak at the selection. How ... quaint. He thought, staring at a pair of rabbits hopping around. They seemed to have been spelled to be different colours ... different indeed. One was blood red with bands of yellow, while the other was black and orange. Halloween colours, perhaps? " 'Tis the season ... " He mumbled before moving on.

Stepping up to the register, Evander looked for who was in charge. His hood laying flat against his back, it was no longer secret as to what he was.

[/SIZE]

[nightmare]

Tongue-tied and oh so squeamish
You never fell in love
Did you get what you deserve?
The ending of your life

Zan was alone at the store, her last employee having left about 15 minutes ago. She always arrived earlier than her employees, and was often the last to leave. Something about the fact that nobody wanted to stay behind to feed the nocturnal animals. Zan would argue whenever she was tired and remind them (forcibly) that she was the only thing keeping food on their table, but the truth was, Zan didn’t have much more in her life other than her store. She had few friends, many enemies, and no family she could contact. Therefore, she didn’t mind remaining behind to change the bedding of the Mooncalf, or feed the carnivorous rabbits. Speaking of which…

Zan went into the store room, which in turn led to a freezer. Her pet Kneazle, El Diablo, followed close behind. Zan rarely bothered to control her pet; nobody would want such an old, grizzled animal. He was over ten years old, but still a loyal creature. Of course, only loyal to her. Any hint of somebody different or strange, and his hackles were raised, making him an excellent judge of character. Nowadays, he disliked so many people, he was almost as paranoid as Zan was.

Zan walked deep into the freezer, her breath misting in front of her. She wrapped her arms around her and rubbed them briskly, trying to warm herself. She was wearing a long-sleeve shirt and a jacket, but the thin fabric didn’t seem to do much to keep her warm. She pulled down a pound of raw meat, neatly wrapped and labeled. She left the freezer as quickly as possible; it was always cold, and the chilly night air outside wouldn’t bring any warm relief.

She carefully stepped through the cluttered back room and back into the main store where, to her surprise, she saw a customer. Most people were indoors now; nobody wanted to be out at night anymore. He was examining the pair of carnivorous rabbits Zan had; a joke that enough people found amusing that Zan always had a few in stock. “Cannae help you?” Zan asked, her rough voice holding no hint of elegance or class.

The man had stepped up to the register, and Zan unconsciously took a step back. He was pale…unnaturally so. There was something else about him, something eerie…Zan wasn’t exactly sure what he was, but she would bet her life that he wasn’t human. She took a breath and looked him in one of his endlessly deep eyes, not flinching and not showing fear. “I said, cannae help you? You wouldn’t be wanting one of them, would ya?” she asked, indicating the rabbits that were innocently twitching their noses. She tossed the meat on the counter and nonchalantly pulled out her wand. She was going to use a heating charm on the meat, but it was also a warning: I’m armed, and dangerous.

[EVANDER CHARLES CROSS!]

The Vampire couldn't help but show his amusement at her attitude toward him. Then again, it was to be expected. As to not seem overbearing or threatening, the Vampire gave a slight bow of his head, closing his eyes momentarily. "Please, excuse me, I'm just here poking around. It seemed such a quaint little place from the outside ... and you surely have an interesting collection thus far." He motioned toward the Rabbits, which he thought about purchasing just to seem more believable.

In all reality, he had told the partial truth. Another part of it was the fact that he hated the winds- an annoyance in his view. Some thought they were calming, even to the point of leaving their windows open at night to "enjoy" them all the more.

Glancing at her wand, the Vampire couldn't resist smiling again, then letting an easy smile slide across his red lips. "Now, is there really need for that?" He murmured; if silk and chocolate had a sound, his voice would have mimicked it almost perfectly. Really, few knew the curses and spells that could disable a Vampire, or even kill one, but there were quite a few. Evander somehow couldn't wonder why a woman like herself would know them- considering the fact that she lived in Knockturn Alley of all places! It would be expected that one would pick up random bits of information on how to defend against what were considered Dark Creatures.

Evander had to wonder, though, how the palest beings of all were considered "Dark Creatures"; after all, their skin was the colour of snow.

Blinking, he turned and looked at the rabbits, though he daren't touch one without knowing what they were exactly. "May I inquire what they are first? I'm sure you aren't in the business of supplying harmless rodents to people," He cleared his throat before adding in, "After all, you are a seller in Knockturn. You're bound to have far more interesting things than just simple, magicked rabbits." He did wonder what they were, exactly. The colouring was definitely unique, but what other aspects made the rabbits the type of thing a store like this would carry?

Finally noticing the raw meat, his nose wrinkled and his brow furrowed. "Ugh. Animal blood. Disgusting stuff, really." He murmured, more to himself than to the woman behind the register.

[/SIZE]

[nightmare]

Tongue-tied and oh so squeamish
You never fell in love
Did you get what you deserve?
The ending of your life

Zan raised an eyebrow as the man murmured about her “quaint little place.” Zan wasn’t the slightest bit charmed by his smooth tone; years of paranoia and suspicion made her immune to suavity. Few people came “poking around” a place such as hers; most wanted something, bought it quickly, and left. In Knockturn Alley, it was never good to linger. The important thing now was to know exactly what he wanted, and why he was here so late at night.

Though, she reflected absently. He could just be coming in to escape the winds. Zan could hear them whistling outside, whispering and threatening to tear her humble store limb from limb, in a manner of speaking. Maybe he was just an innocent bystander…Zan glanced up at his pale skin, and knew she was wrong. This person was anything but innocent.

“What makes ya think this is for yeh?” Zan asked, her husky voice sounding even rougher compared to the man’s velvety smooth voice. She held the wand up, letting it linger on him for a moment, then lowering towards the packet of meat in front of her. She nonverbally cast a warming charm, allowing the meat to thaw quickly. The rabbits in the cage behind the man stopped frolicking and sat up, noses twitching. They weren’t particularly dangerous, really…as long as you kept them fed. “Just taking care of m’ store,” she continued, deftly cutting the meat into two equal parts with a knife she had slid out from behind the register.

The man asked about the rabbits, and Zan gave a wry grin, sparkling with sarcasm and dry humor. “Them rabbits ain’t harmless, you got tha’ right,” she remarked, scraping each half of the meat into a separate plate. She knew what he meant about her being a vendor in Knockturn Alley; nothing there was cute or innocent…at least, nothing that didn’t have a sting behind it. She carried the plates out from behind the counter, brushing past the stranger fearlessly. A shiver ran up her spine as she touched his cold skin (he was just outside, she reminded herself) as she walked over to the rabbits’ cage. “Come on, loves,” she said softly, opening the cage door just large enough for her hand to slide though. She shoved the rabbits to opposite ends of the cage, then lowered a barrier between them. She then put a plate of meat in each of their cages, then quickly withdrew her hand.

The rabbits set about eating immediately, their sharp teeth only seen now. They growled faintly, glaring at each other, Zan, and the stranger as they fed. “There ain’t nothing harmless here, as I’m sure you know,” Zan commented, returning to her counter to wipe her hands on a towel. Just then, El Diablo sauntered out from the back room. He caught sight of the man, froze, then growled. He stalked forward, his tail with the ragged tuft on the end flicking about wildly, and his fur puffed up to make him twice his normal size.

“Di, hush,” Zan scolded, just as the man commented about the animal blood. Blood. Pale, cold skin. Out at night, with a voice like velvet. El Diablo’s apparent mistrust of him. “You’re a vampire, ain’ ‘choo?” Zan asked softly, the statement more of a comment than a question. She remained calm, feeling her insides go icy. What could a vampire be doing here? “You here ta’ kill me?” she asked, sounding unruffled. She absently picked up the knife she had used to cut the meat and began to clean it with a towel. She awaited an answer, knowing that there wasn’t much she could do if the vampire was here to feed. However, she was sure she wouldn’t go down without a fight.

[EVANDER CHARLES CROSS!]

Raising an eyebrow as she questioned his own inquiry, Evander watched her heat the meat up and then proceed to cut it into equally sized pieces. "I meant no offense, you just have to be careful in these parts. I'm sure you understand." His voice was even and calm, almost indifferent.

Watching the rabbits eat, he couldn't help but grin. What a joke it would make! The laugh his brother would get out of it. A carnivorous rabbit ... and rather nasty ones at that, by the look of it. Perhaps he would purchase them both, though first he would of course check their price tags. One for himself, one for his brother. Shaking his head in wonder, Evander returned his attention to it's rightful owner and spoke. "Brilliant. How much are they?" He seemed quite eager to know. It was a rare occasion, somebody like him showing emotion instead of pure indifference.

Evander had to say he was glad she took no offense to him thus far, that was a good thing. Most would have demanded he leave as soon as they laid eyes on him, even if they didn't know what he was. The fact that he seemed so inhuman was enough to spark revulsion and fright in mortals. So far, so good. But, so far, had she figured out what he was? By the look of her eyes when he spoke of blood, he realized she hadn't, and probably had just stumbled upon the correct answer.

"Ah, a Kneazle. You do have an interesting collection." He wrinkled his nose, despite his friendly, warm voice. He'd never been too fond of cats, especially those of the Kneazle variety, since he'd been changed. Perhaps it was because they were just too alike.

He scoffed at her suggestion, looking somewhat offended. "Yes, I am a Vampire." He said blandly, looking into her eyes. He seemed almost amused, if the quivering lips gave any hint to his emotion. Evander couldn't hep but feel amusement toward humans sometimes- the simplicity of them. While he couldn't call it innocence exactly, he wanted to call it something of the same variety, with perhaps a different meaning in ways. "Kill? I assure you that Vampires nearly never kill to feed- I myself only feed from humans who are willing to offer themselves from me thank you." His tone wasn't offended, exactly, but close to it.

"No, I am here simply to escape the winds and have a look around. Perhaps purchase an animal," glancing toward the rabbits he added in "Or two."

[/SIZE]

[nightmare]

Tongue-tied and oh so squeamish
You never fell in love
Did you get what you deserve?
The ending of your life

“Aye, yeh have to be careful just about everywhere, nowadays,” Zan said softly, looking down as she said so. She could still painfully remember times when her employees had mouthed off once too much, and had simply disappeared. Or saw the Death Eaters ransacking a store where the owner said that the purebloods weren’t the best humans on the face of the earth. Zan knew more than a young adult should really have to know about being careful.

The man’s indifferent tone would have been irritating in another time and place. Here, even Zan put on a mask of composure until she knew whether somebody was to be trusted. However, the man’s interest in the carnivorous rabbits seemed sincere, and Zan gave a grin. A real grin, not one hiding pain or dry humor. “Forteh Gallons for one, 75 for both,” Zan said, listing the price smoothly. Unlike other store managers, she had the prices of everything memorized, just as she knew the exact inventory of her store at any time.

The man, or vampire as she know realized, fascinated her. Few people did anymore; most were either the bloodsnobs, who infuriated Zan to no end, or other impurities, cringing away from anything that would draw attention to them. He was…different. Interesting. She gave another wry grin as he commented on El Diablo, who had by now jumped up on the counter and was glaring at him with amber eyes. “Diablo here en’t for sale, m’afraid,” Zan said, rubbing behind El Diablo’s ears. “Got a few other Kneazles, but most turn feral. This guy here don’t like many others,” she added, feeling El Diablo growling beneath her hand.

Zan didn’t know a lot about vampires. Maybe if she had finished Hogwarts and learned more in Defense Against the Dark Arts or Care of Magical Creatures, she would be an expert. But her knowledge lay solely in creatures she could buy and sell. She had some vague, Muggle beliefs about them floating around in her head, things like they hate garlic and crosses. She also remembered one time when she was young, her and her younger brother, Neil, huddling in a blanket fort with the eldest brother, Brett, as he elaborately described the vampire that had visited the Great Hall during dinner one time. They had giggled and whispered their own thoughts about the creatures, which ended in Neil proudly declaring that he would rather die than become a vampire. The smallest smile quirked at the edge of her lips as she remembered; her memories from before her third year were usually fond ones.

The vampire looked her in the eye as he admitted to being a vampire. He had an amused expression, as if waiting for her to do something human, like scream or start trying to kill him. She tilted her head as explained about vampire feeding, and Zan found that she believed him. After a moment of silence, she spoke up. “I dunno if I trust yeh, vampire,” she said, her voice calm and strong. “But I do believe yeh, which is a step in the right direction. You’re a different one than most folk that come ‘round here.”

Another grin lit on her face as the vampire again expressed interest in buying the rabbits. “Slasher! Hel Hag!” Zan called sharply. The red rabbit and the orange and black striped one, respectively, looked up at their names. They were finished eating, leaving only a few remains of the meat on their plates. Zan glanced up at the vampire, a glint of amusement in her eyes. “I’m Zan, by the way. What’s your name? Gotta know yeh, now that we’re speaking business.” Again she walked by him, to remove the barrier between the rabbits and take out the dishes. They returned to each other, sniffing each other over for any excess blood.

[EVANDER CHARLES CROSS!]

"There's nothing to be worried about with myself. The Coven I've joined takes a neutral stand on the war, and I've noticed I have more Impure friends than pure." He murmured, tilting one head to the side. It was true, as he really went over it in his head. He considered himself "friends" with only a few, though would throw the term around so people wouldn't get confused with his usual stance on relationships. He was a quirky one when it came to that.

He understood her concerns perfectly, though, and was glad she was cautious for some reason he couldn't puzzle out. Perhaps he had taken a liking to her already, with her roughish ways and almost harsh demeanor. Evander gave a small smile and realized that was exactly it. She was the type of person that he could respect, one that he could even become 'friends' with should the situation turn out to be favorable.

The Vampire's smile grew slightly when she grinned and named their price. They were pricey, but it seemed everything was now a days. Besides, Evander had already decided that the silly things were a necessity, and so it didn't really matter if they'd been twice the price- he would have bought them even then. "I'll take both. I should think my brother will find them a ... curious type of rabbit, especially when in possession of Vampires." He said, voice soft but carrying. It was impressive, he though, that she knew the price off of the top of her head. That showed her obvious dedication.

He gave a small chuckle as she noted the Kneazle wasn't for sale. "Didn't suppose he was. In any case, most felines tend to rather dislike me." He said, looking at the cat with the slightest amount of disdain showing through.

He offered her an easy smile and an inclination of the head, before replying to her. "I'd have to worry if you did trust me already. In times like these, that would be asking for death." He said, in a rather even voice. It was true, as well. If he was anything, Evander tried to be truthful. While manipulative and strategic, he tried to keep the facts straight and conscious clear when using those two aspects of his personality. If he needed to lie, he did, however he would have rather not.

He walked smoothly over to the rabbit's cage, staring in at them. "Are they fine to touch? Do they tend to bite?" He asked, wanting to be sure before he tried touching them. Turning his head to her, he gave her his name. "I am Evander Charles Cross, Zan. Call me Evander, though, please."

[/SIZE]

[nightmare]

Tongue-tied and oh so squeamish
You never fell in love
Did you get what you deserve?
The ending of your life

Coven. The word sounded familiar, like something Zan should know about, but had forgotten. After a moment of thought, she remembered. It was what humans, and apparently vampires too, called their groups. They were a tightly bound aristocracy, though beyond that, Zan knew little. Well, she did know a few had joined the purebloods in their battle against the impurities, though apparently this one’s coven had not. That was good, she would hate to attack a potential customer…and friend. “Purebloods don’ make a lot of friends,” Zan remarked dryly. “They make allies.” Few purebloods she had seen (and fewer she had talked to) called somebody friend. They were “of a noble birth” or “a worthy heir.” They were never friends. Not that Zan herself made many friends, though.

Zan leaned against the wall, crossing her arms as she scrutinized the vampire. A smile crossed his face, as if thinking of something that amused him. Zan didn’t have the courage to ask. However, she gave an even larger grin when the vampire decided to buy both the rabbits. Carnivorous rabbits were hard to come buy and even harder to sell. She’d be financially okay for a while…she rarely made enough money that things got above “okay.” “Brother?” Zan commented, the question clear in her tone. She didn’t pursue it; if anybody asked about her brothers, she’d probably try to kill them. “I’m sure the Vampires will find them very entertaining,” she added, chuckling slightly. Almost nobody human understood the joke with the rabbits, but she figured the immortal vampires might find them amusing.

“Don’ take it personal,” Zan commented as the vampire dryly told her that most felines didn’t like him. “Cats are smart little creatures, ‘specially Kneazles.” At mention of his species, El Diablo glanced at her, taking time out of his current occupation of glaring menacingly at the vampire. Zan punched a few buttons in the old register at the counter until it creaked open, awaiting the money that would soon arrive. Zan would only put a few coins in it; the rest would be kept in a safe in her room, in case anybody robbed the store. Most would avoid doing so, but if they did, they would leave with enough money that would stop them from coming upstairs and attacking her while she was sleeping. Another useful trick she had learned in her years in Knockturn Alley.

Zan tilted her head, studying the vampire as he mentioned trust, the word that could make or break just about anybody. “Trust is too fragile to be tossin’ out ta strangers,” she murmured, mostly to herself. She hadn’t really trusted anybody in…a long, long time. Even her employees, most of whom she knew by full name and she talked easily with, hadn’t gained her trust. After all, there was a reason most of them were working in Knockturn Alley.

Once again, they were talking about Zan’s beloved creatures. She walked around to the cage, standing next to the vampire as he peered at them. She grinned; most people were under the impression that the rabbits would turn and attack you as soon as you went near them, like in a cheesy Muggle film. Before saying anything, Zan flicked open the cage latch and reached inside, grabbing the red and yellow rabbit by the scruff of his neck. He kicked irritably, but she had a firm hold on him. She brought the rabbit to her chest and snuggled him in her arms. He looked around owlishly, his nose twitching. It would be cute, except for the smear of blood under his chin.

“Jus’ ‘cos they eat meat don’ mean they’re vicious,” she said softly, so as not to startle the rabbit. “They’re like regular rabbits, maybe a tad bit more aggressive. Normal rabbits have a nasty temper, anyway,” she added with a slight laugh. Few people could imagine that cute rabbits would do anything vicious, though she had seen the non-carnivorous ones sink their teeth into somebody’s ankle. “This here’s Slasher, the male.” Slasher looked up at his name, glancing between the two people. “She’s Hel Hag. She’s a bit more calm, though greedier. Tha’s why I separate them when they eat; she’ll steal whateva he’s got,” she chuckled, glancing at Hel Hag in the cage.

The vampire finally introduced himself, and Zan was once again struck by how…different they were. He was calm and elegant and smooth, and she was…well, she was an impurity. Even his name sounded like something clean and polished, while hers sounded rough. Tha’s what happens when you’re an impurity, she thought wryly. “Well Evander, you can hold Hel Hag, see if she likes yeh,” Zan said firmly. She had trained these rabbits for weeks before putting them up for sale, and they wouldn’t bite unless they were really annoyed or really angry. Even now, Slasher had settled comfortably in her arms, his rapid heart beating in an uneven rhythm to her own.

[EVANDER CHARLES CROSS!]

Snorting gently, Evander nodded his head. "Yes, their behaviors remind me almost of the different Covens. In my Coven, at least, we tend to make allies, not friends, when regarding other Vampires outside of our little family." Of course, his Coven was quite large, but he referred to it all the time as his little family. That's what it was, really, a family. Many Vampires, normally related through having been changed by the same vampire or having changed another vampire or something along those lines, working together for a common goal.

He paused and looked up, when she questioned his using the word brother. "Uh, well, yes. You see, there are two terms for brothers in the Vampire world- Blood and Full. Blood brother was a person changed by the same Vampire that you were, that you've grown as a Vampire with, and are probably in the same Coven with. A Full brother is your actual brother, through family relation. My brother is both, his name is Kistin." He said, in a smooth tone, though seeming a little baffled at the need for explanation. You are in the presence of a mortal, remember? he calmly, and mentally, reminded himself.

"Entertaining ... yes." He said, letting out a small breath that could be taken as just that, small breath, or a slight laugh.

Taking in a whiff of her blood, hearing her heart beat, Evander took a step backward. He had fed recently, but not too recently. It had been long enough for him to feel slight hunger pains. Setting his jaw, he took a step forward, taking the position he had been in before. He nodded gently, turning and reaching into the cage. The rabbit seemed nervous, and he crooned to it, grabbing it up before it could dash off to the other side of it's cage.

Holding it up to his chest, he stroked the animal's soft fur. "Sweet little thing, she is," He murmured, almost to himself "I'll take them." The last part, though, was obviously meant for both of them.

[/SIZE]

OOC; super sorry it's so short D= German is stealing all of my attention/muse -__-`

[nightmare]

Tongue-tied and oh so squeamish
You never fell in love
Did you get what you deserve?
The ending of your life

It seemed every aristocracy was wary about making friends. It made sense; if you made friends, they could betray you, and thus those you cared about. It would be nice though, to have a family, even a vampire family. People who you trusted with your life (or unlife), and who would take care of you no matter what. Being in a coven didn’t sound horrible. Being a vampire, though, was an iffy subject for her.

Zan listened carefully as Evander explained about his brother. It was interesting; one never thought about vampires having family. Though it made sense to change your family once you were a vampire so you didn’t have to watch them grow old. It was different, somehow, to know that the vampire had a living family member that he cared about. It made him seem less of a mythical creature, and someone more substantial. Though thinking of any brother brought a familiar pang in her heart for her own brothers. Neil’s at Hogwarts…I hope he’s still okay. And I haven’t talked to Brett in years… she thought dreamily, spacing out for a moment. She came back quickly, and said “Thah’s interesting. So a vampire can have a lot of blood brothers?” Always interested in magical creatures, Zan was fascinated by the mechanics of the vampire society.

Zan almost laughed as Evander grabbed Hel Hag and cuddled her. It was hard to imagine a vampire cuddling anything, or using words like “sweet little thing.” It was good though; something else that made him more substantial and less mythical. “As soon as yeh pay for them, they’re yours,” Zan chuckled. She vividly recalled one time she had packaged up an augery for somebody and handed it to them before being paid, and they simply walked out the door. Luckily, one of her employees tackled him and (violently) coerced him to pay.

“Can I ask—“ Zan began, but she was interrupted. She heard a faint ruckus outside, and looked up. Another group of Death Eaters, drunk and laughing wildly, was stumbling by. One of them saw her looking, and winked roguishly. She saw him say something to his buddies, and they laughed. Zan curled her hands into sharp fists and bit her lip so fiercely it almost bled. It was hard to keep from cursing them, but she’d get in trouble. “Bloody purebloods,” she muttered to herself, her hatred clear in her voice.

“Anyway…” she said forcefully, tearing her attention from the Death Eaters. “I wanted to ask a kind of…personal question.” She paused, unsure of how to proceed. She had never spoken to a vampire, so she didn’t know if they would find the question horribly offensive, or not personal at all. “How old are you?” she finally said, deciding to get it over with. She was curious though; vampires were immortal. Was he really 50 years old? 100? 1000?

[EVANDER CHARLES CROSS!]

He took in a breath and then explained the more intricate dynamics of brothers in his coven. "Well, yes technically. However, being another Vampire's Blood Brother is more than just being turned by the same Vampire ... it's a pledge of loyalty to the other Vampire and a promise, of sorts. Because of this, sometimes there will be a Vampire who refuses to view another as his Blood Brother, even if it is technically the correct terminology." It felt strange, he realized, explaining such things to a person. He hadn't had to in a very long time, having been surrounded by Vampires, or people who knew a great deal about them already.

He let a ghost of a smile slip across his lips before placing the Rabbit gently back down into the cage. "Here, let me do that ... " The man said in that silky, chocolate voice as he reached into his pocket. Counting out the money, he walked to the counter and dropped it on the wood top. "You need no worry of me, Lady Zan; I wouldn't rob another being unless I had no other choice." His voice was even, almost showing hesitation. It wasn't like the Vampire was offended, not at all; it was more along the lines of wonder as to why he hadn't paid for the animals before hand.

"I'll also need to know how to take care of them, and will need to purchase items to help me with that ... if you don't mind?" He inquired, an eyebrow raised as his head inclined toward her.

Giving the Purebloods a level look, with his fangs in clear site, he watched as they scurried off. "That pack of fools won't be bothering you when I'm around, or anybody else in this shop for that matter. They may act tough, but when confronted with a well-rounded Vampire such as myself, they'd run scared." Evander's voice carried a hint of amusement, as if he found the entire situation funny. Death Eaters, he had decided long ago, were not worth his time. Or, the ones that were truly cowards weren't.

"Personal?" He asked, eyes widening a bit as he stared at her. Was this another joke about the two-hundred year old virgin? He dismissed it, though; Vampires and Vampire-friendly people only told jokes like that, though the way she went about questioning him made him suspicious. He'd heard the line so many times ... it was getting quite old.

Snorting slightly, letting a small amount of musical laughter trickle from his lips, Evander looked at her. "That was your question? I thought it was another one of those terrible jokes that are told all the time about Vampires ... " Shaking his head, he gave her a level look. "I'm one-hundred and seven, Zan." A small amount of amusement still shone through his features, though his eyes were as ageless as ever.

[/SIZE]

[nightmare]

Tongue-tied and oh so squeamish
You never fell in love
Did you get what you deserve?
The ending of your life

Zan listened patiently as Evander explained more about the vampire families, absently petting Slasher in her arms. “A pledge of loyalty…that sounds nice,” she said softly. She didn’t really have anybody loyal to her, except perhaps El Diablo. Her employees vaguely trusted her, but if they got a better job, they’d quit in an instant. It was interesting, how seriously the vampires took this blood brother thing. Evander seemed to know a lot; she would remember that for later.

Zan laughed easily as Evander dropped the money on her counter, silkily explaining that he wouldn’t rob her. “No ‘ffense, Evander, but I en’t no lady,” she remarked. She tucked Slasher comfortably under her chin with one arm, so she could sweep about 15 Gallons into the register, the rest going in a bag on the counter, that would soon be safely tucked away upstairs. “And you need not worry neither. I en’t never let anybody rob me,” she added, grinning wolfishly. Though she doubted she could stop a vampire, she could sure as hell make it difficult, as she had done for other human robbers. Knockturn Alley was not a safe place to be weak.

“’Course I’ll help!” Zan exclaimed as Evander asked to help get supplies for the rabbits. Still with one hand on Slasher, she reached behind the counter for a large piece of cardboard. She tapped it with her wand, and it folded itself into a large box with holes in the lid. She deposited Slasher in it, indicating for Evander to do the same for Hel Hag. “Now, yeh won’t need food; they’ll eat any raw meat yeh got,” she began, browsing the aisles for the supplies he would need. “They’ll need space, so yeh should get an enclosure tah set up outside. Probably some vitamins too, though that en’t necessary. Two separate water bowls and two food bowls, that’s for sure. Something hard for them to chew on, like a bone.” As she spoke, business-like, she was taking the supplies she mentioned off of the shelves and levitating them over to the counter, where they neatly piled up. Zan glanced over the pile, satisfied that it would be everything, and said, “And that’ll be ‘nother 20 Gallons.”

Zan glanced back up at the Death Eaters, a scowl forming on her face. Suddenly, they blanched, and darted away. Surprised, Zan glanced at Evander, who was exposing his long, pointed fangs. She felt a shiver go up her spine at the sight; for once, he actually looked scary. “They are bloody cowards,” Zan remarked, no hint of her own fear showing. So far, Evander hadn’t been intimidating at all. In fact, he had been quite polite. No reason for her to fear. Still, she was on her guard slightly more.

Zan grinned sheepishly as Evander laughed at her question. She supposed it really wasn’t that personal, but it made sense, to her at least, that one would be hesitant to talk about their past. Almost everybody Zan talked to seemed to have existed only from the moment she met them. Their past wasn’t important; their age, their home, nothing. “I don’ think I’ve heard any of those jokes,” Zan remarked, sounding slightly amused. She wondered what exactly you could joke about a vampire; there really wasn’t anything she could see.

Her eyes widened as he revealed his age. More than a century old? He had been around so long, and yet he didn’t look a day over thirty. “Wow,” she said softly. He seemed okay with the questions, so she asked another one. “Where are you from?” she inquired cautiously, knowing she was going into uncharted waters. She rarely asked others about their history, but she was curious.

[EVANDER CHARLES CROSS!]

He smiled subtly as she spoke of loyalty being nice, or at least sounding it. "Yes, it is nice. We Vampires can normally trust no one- it would be just like a human to get frightened and stake us while we sleep, and other Vampires are just as likely to try it or hire a human too, because we have gotten in the way of their plans." His voice was smooth, almost as though he were choosing what to tell her, and what to keep to himself. Evander did that more now a day than he had at any time in his life- now a day certain information could get you killed. He intended to live a few hundred more years at the very least.

Watching her magick things to the counter, Vesher quietly reached into the box and pulled out the female rabbit. As she cuddled her into his chest, he instantly decided she would be his. Stroking her soft fur, feeling the blood pulsing in her small body, the Vampire relaxed if only for a second. It was darker than black outside- the stars were covered by thick cloud, the moon sharing their fate.

When she looked at the Vampires and commented, he nodded and made a small sound of agreement. It was a mere vestige of the emotion he had shown before, but trace amounts of that same fierce manner still appeared around his lips- a slight curling of them, his fangs poking gently outward. At her words, he dumped the money on the counter, adding in five extra galleons. "For your troubles." He murmured, keeping his eyes on the retreating Death Eaters. They would have already disappeared from her vision, but he could see them clear enough. His eyes were almost like cat's eyes in nature- they took in all the light they could and allowed him to see better because of it.

He smiled gently and winced, before managing to say "Yes, well, those types of jokes generally stay in our crowd. Vampires and bleeders are the only ones using those, because they are the only ones with real reason." Before gently nibbling on his lip, he decided he'd go on. "You see, most think we are extremely morbid creatures, and I don't blame them, nor you for not knowing any jokes, and possibly not seeing what there is to joke about. Some Vampires, like my brother, are incredibly outgoing and funny characters. They tend to stay cool and collected in the presence of others to keep from shaming their covens and blood brothers, however in the company of those they know, they're outrageous."

He blinked before continuing, not really sure why he was. "Other Vampires, like myself, are calm and collected by nature. My Brother and I? We are opposites ... Kistin is a riot, I'm an execution ... if you want an abstract comparison of us."

He perked at her questioning where he came from. Gently stroking the rabbit as it began to fuss, he simply said "I was born in Italy, however as a child I moved from there to Romania, to Russia, to Germany, to France, and now I reside in the UK."

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[nightmare]

Tongue-tied and oh so squeamish
You never fell in love
Did you get what you deserve?
The ending of your life

Zan listened intently as Evander continued talking about vampires. He sounded like he was choosing his words carefully, something Zan had much experience with. “So yeh can die?” Zan asked, though it seemed fairly obvious after what he had said. However, she could never imagine anybody being able to kill a vampire. Evander seemed so…invincible. Though Zan was no weakling, she felt almost fragile compared to him.

Zan almost smiled as Evander cuddled Hel Hag; again, it was hard to imagine a vampire cuddling anything. “Yeh can change her name if yeh want,” Zan commented as she efficiently wrapped up the bundle of rabbit supplies. “Though I think they’re too fond of Hel Hag an’ Slasher. When I got ‘em, they were Flopsy an’ Cuddles. Horrible names for any self-respecting rabbit,” she added, a slight teasing tone in her voice. She usually changed the animals’ names when she got them; other people seemed to have a terrible taste in pet names.

Zan mentally counted out the coins Evander dumped on the counter, and was surprised when she heard a few extra drop. She glanced up at him, surprised. Nobody ever paid her more than they had to. Ever. The impurities were too poor, and the purebloods to stingy. “Thank yeh,” she said, trying and failing not to sound astonished. She glanced out the window, but couldn’t see anymore of the Death Eaters. Somehow, it didn’t surprise her that Evander could.

Zan couldn’t help but laugh as Evander explained about other vampires. She was learning a lot, far more than she could learn from any book or lesson. Who knew that vampires could be “outrageous?” When most people thought of vampires, they thought of blood and coffins. Zan was starting to think she’d have to change any preconceived notions about almost every other species, or half breed, that she had ever had. She was slightly stunned that he continued, talking about his brother. “Kistin sounds…interesting,” she said, sounding slightly amused. And then, she mentioned that which she had vowed to herself that she would never bring up again. “He kinda reminds me o’ Neil,” she commented, though inside it pained her to even say the name. She didn’t know why she said it, she really didn’t. It was like she had forgotten everything that had happened, everything that was happening.

Hoping that Evander wouldn’t notice her slightly strained voice and racing heart, she said, “Wow, yeh’ve moved a lot. Nobody I know has been farther than Ireland.” Her job almost completely forgotten, Zan was leaning against the counter, her arms crossed. “Do yeh remember Italy?” she asked curiously.

[EVANDER CHARLES CROSS!]

His features creased and furrowed into a slightly shocked look, as though he couldn't believe she was asking such a thing. "Well, of course we can die, Zan. It isn't easy to kill one of us at all, but it can be done. The sun, for one thing, is deadly." He explained, running his fingers through the rabbits fur in a way that suggested it was a completely unconscious action.

"We are secretive creatures, Vampires, and tend to keep to ourselves, with seldom exception. This makes us hard to kill, since we're rarely spotted. It helps us that we're also very strong, and swift as well." He finished off his short speech with a small smile directed at her, the rabbit fidgeting slightly. Looking down at the strange creature, he put her back in the box and folded the top up, closing it.

"I dare say, those are horrible names for any type of pet! I've always believed names should be symbolic." He concluded, with a slight nod of conviction. Evander was, above all things, rather opinionated. Though he was of good breeding, he'd been known to become snappish when it came to some topics, all but having to completely change the subject to keep from starting an argument. He might have been opinionated to a sharp point, but Evander still remembered that he was off a gentler type, and thus would never let a true argument spawn of trivial matters.

Evander took in her look for a moment, something like amusement prancing merrily around the landscape of his face. Smiling warmly, he murmured to her "When one is rewarded for being above standard, in any way, a thanks is not needed from that person." She didn't look like she was given extra many times, and Evander was thoroughly surprised. At first, he did recall, she had been somewhat hostile, but she'd warmed up easily enough. Perhaps it was because of his rather passive ways, or the fact that she didn't want to anger a Vampire, but Evander thought that neither was the real reason. If she was always as helpful as she was with him, how could people not see this and reward her for it? Then he remembered that he was among humans. They didn't have the privilege of a Coven to back them up financially, and these were dark times. Dark indeed.

"You wouldn't be able to see them," He said, noticing her glance out the window "I can't even see them anymore. You see, my eyes are somewhat like Cats eyes if you want a comparison- they take in more light than a pair of human eyes." It was in an informative tone, though brisk and friendly.

He chuckled gently as she noted her brother as "interesting", and so he was. "Kistin is ... well, he's something all right. Makes me wonder, sometimes, how on earth we are related. I've always thought he was adopted." His smile showed the fond feelings he held for his brother- even if he was completely irrational and dim at times, Evander did love him. "I think you two should meet sometime; I think you'd like him." He said it in more of a statement, than a question. It was hard not to fall in love with Kistin, he was such an extrovert. Kistin loved people, and in turn people normally loved him.

He gave a small smile, but one that showed his two fangs. "Yes, well, my father pis- erm, wronged the wrong men, hence my current ... condition." He had paused in mid-sentence, noticing he'd been about to curse in front of a lady. While Zan had claimed earlier she wasn't a lady, Evander refused to believe otherwise. Her tough exterior meant nothing to him- she was a woman and it was improper for a gentlemen to curse in a woman's presence.

At her question, he frowned gently, brow furrowing. "Yes, and no. I remember the Vatican, visiting it. I also remember running through the streets with Kistin, and beaches of some sort. But besides that, nothing really catches my attention in my memory. I was a young child back then, no more than five or six, and so my memories have faded." He spoke in a calm tone, though one that sounded slightly puzzled. He could recall more than that, such as his father waking him in the middle of the night, and running to Romania where he said they'd be "safe", though they were nothing of the sort. He wasn't about to bore her with his life story, however, and so kept such memories to himself.

"If you don't mind it too much, Zan, may I inquire of your own upbringing and it's whereabouts?" Evander questioned, looking serene, yet invested in the conversation.

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