Bean Scene Cafe
Bean Scene is a small coffee shop and cafe that caters primarily to a younger crowd. The cafe has always been at least a year late in joining any given fad, and in the past it's been done in western-style, set up as a beatnik hangout, a go-go disco, a fern bar, and once even attempted to cash in on breakdancing. A plaque has recently been placed above the door, and says, "No fad is dead until it appears to Bean Scene".
Case in point, the cafe has a grungy feel to it.A grey brick facade has been placed over the walls, the flooring looking more like a worn down metal grid, complete with old sewer grates every few feet. Tables and chairs set about the cafe are quite casual in appearance, made of metal meant to look rusty and splattered with multi-colored paints. Metal street signs hang from the wall amid images of garage bands. Behind the counter is a black chalkboard displaying the available items and costs.
It's becoming fairly late in the afternoon, late enough for the sun to have set, yet not late enough for the coffee shop to have shut. Quiet mellow music plays in the background and the few patrons not out enjoying a more lively friday night hardly leave the place as crowded as it often is, it's for this very reason that Michael's come here to night, it's not crowded so that he can't enjoy the smell of his coffee and his thoughts, yet it's got enough people to give it background noise. He's sitting in his usual booth, he leans back in a casual fashion yet he's taken to the statue like motionless vampires often adopt when having no reason to do otherwise, apparently he's not looking to keep secret his nature anymore.
—
One would think that after all the coffee showers and bad experiences that this location has brought she would learn to just stay away. Sadly she is in need of something warm, and a place to duck in out of the streets. Ever since a certain someone made a certain fact rather public, walking around has been extremely difficult. The door to the coffee shop is actually slammed on one particular vampire that has seen fit to pester her. At least Faith doesn't seem scared, just annoyed. The counter is her first destination as a stiff cup of hot chocolate is just what the doctor ordered.
—
As Rose makes her way to the counter Michael moves, he rises from his seat and he begins to make his way over to her, his expression as warm and friendly as ever. "Rose, it's good to see you, it's been too long." He motions to his booth. "Would you care to join me?"
—
She's back to wearing her turtleneck again. The marks beneath it are oh so faint and hard to spot, but they are there. This time Rose does not jump when approached. In fact, when she hears the familiar voice she actually smiles. "Michael." It's said more to relieve her than anything. The young woman turns to face him and smiles. "I didn't think I'd run into you here. It's quite a treat. I would love to join you if you don't mind some company for a while."
—
Shaking his head Michael grins slightly. "I would welcome it." He motions for her to lead the way. "I have not seen you for some time, I had begun to worry." He frowns a little. "I wonder if you've heard from Hiro?"
—
With her hot chocolate in hand she begins to follow Michael. "Worry? Well, I do get the feeling that I'm barely allowed to live. Since that Miss Symon or whoever she is hates me so much." There's irritation to her tone but it is used only to mask her fear. Rose actually looks away at the mentioning of Hiro. "About seven other vampires got to me first."
—
Frowning Michael looks at her. "Did any of them harm you at all?" He sounds genuinely concerned. "And I suspect you're being a little extreme to say Miss Symon hates you." He watches her a moment as he sits back in his seat. "I would suggest that you choose Hiro as your protector, I believe you are already associated with him quite well?"
—
"Not yet. At first I was scared, but then I learned what happened. Now I'm just irritated." And scared. Rose slinks down into her seat, both hands cupping her hot cocoa. "I've had a conversation with her. I just get the feeling that she'd have me dead if I weren't who I am." The feeling being that the woman all but said as much. A deep sigh comes before she shakes her head. "I don't think being claimed at all will go over well. Hiro's at least teaching me to try and protect myself." So well that she's already been bitten, likely by him.
—
Nodding Michael frowns, his expression becoming somewhat concerned. "The claim would make sense, it would protect you from any attention. You are as you said 'who you are'" He shrugs. "Hiro would seem the suitable choice, he seems to care for you, and he seems to be fairly considerate." Leaning back once again he attempts to meet Roses eyes. "Although I suspect that he's not got the restraint to offer protection without expecting you to let him feed." He shakes his head very slightly. "Still the choice is yours, I wouldn't make it for you." He pauses a few moments. "How is Mr Fontane? He must have taken the events of the parade particularly hard."
—
"He's the logical choice, if I need to make one, which would be logically. My life is just all sorts of screwed up right now, Michael. I'm still happy, don't get me wrong. I really am! I just know now that there's no escaping what must be my destiny." Vampires. Rose finally looks up at him, allowing her eyes to meet his. "You're right." Her turtleneck is moved slightly to reveal exactly what he's talking about. "It hurt." At this Faith points to her temple, to indicate her head hurting. Thankfully the topic has changed! Somewhat. "He's broken. I think I broke him. It's just stressful for him in all aspects of life."
—
There's a slight frown once the scars are revealed, but Michael doesn't say anything, his attention seeming to turn to what was said about Ivan. "How so? What seems to be the problem Rose? What could you have done to him that would break him." He studies Rose for a moment, his expression thoughtful.
—
At least they can focus on something else, even if it really is also upsetting. "He can't admit to anyone that we're together." Yes, the girl is upset. Rose obviously has feelings involved here, strong ones. "If people find out, then he gets into trouble because he's taking advantage of me. At any moment that group that took me could go after him. And when he found out that I was going out at night to meet up with Hiro?" She doesn't need to explain further. "I think I probably should just be locked away." At this she actually smiles. "I think it might be better for all."
—
Michael nods slowly, he's obviously been taking it all in, and when he speaks it's with surprisingly compassionate tones. "Maybe you should simply take a step back, you've both been through a lot. Such things can cause strong emotions, without giving you the time to process them." He frowns very slightly. "You'd probably be best to make this relationship less serious until such a time as you're both able to make the commitment safely?"
—
Well, now, there's something she's not been told before. Hell, not even her sister knows just how much she cares for Ivan. Faith just stares at Michael, wondering just how much he knows and how much she should say. "Well, I didn't have anywhere else to go," she finally explains. "I can't go back to the facility, and Hope will just freak out. But living with him really is stressful for both of us, I think." It's great too, though!
—
Michael doesn't move, his eyes continue to rest on Rose, unblinking or moving, his body requires no movement to prevent muscle stiffness or to allow breath, so he's just motionless for a few moments and then he speaks slowly. "I wonder what your plans are now? You can remain with Ivan indefinately, allowing the fact that you have no where else to go keep you there." He raises a hand quickly. "I'm not saying that would be the only reason, but it would certainly hurt any others if you allow yourself to feel trapped." He lowers the hand continuing with the thoughtful slow, and gentle tones. "Or you can decide that you will gain some distance, some independence and some freedom… your life has been on hold for too long already, maybe it's time you looked at resuming it?" He continues his tone taking on a slightly sad edge. "Your time in this world's too short as it is, trust me."
—
She can get behind most of that, she can, up until his final words. Her eyes become as wide as saucers as she watches him. No, Faith is not afraid of him but possibly what he may know. "I'm going to die soon, aren't I?" It's so sudden, it really is, but she doesn't sound upset. It is like she already is expecting this. The young woman is uncomfortable because of this but makes no motions to leave. "I get that feeling. It's like, no matter what I do, it all comes back to the same things. I'm either going to die, or be turned, which is basically death as well." Oh, look. Hot chocolate. Her gaze focuses on it and she drinks, allowing herself time for composure. "I was actually looking at colleges in this area and was hoping to transfer my credits. It almost seems like a waste if I won't be around for it, though."
—
Shaking his head Michael laughs. "There's no reason you should die 'soon' at least not by your standards." He sighs a little. "Rose you need understand I rarely bother to count my life in anything less than centuries now. When I say your time is short. I speak from a very different perspective." He shrugs. "I meant you will have another sixty… seventy years, you must live your life in them." He pauses a moment, his tone becoming a little cooler. "My existence as been far from the same as Death young lady."
—
The hot chocolate is placed back to the table before Faith reaches for her face. Her hands rub there for a moment before going back to her hair. It's tugged as she slouches down more. The memories keep flashing back, same as they did the night before, ever since she was bitten. If Rose looks like she's in pain it likely is because she is. "But if I were a vampire, then Hope would try to kill me." People argue with her on this fact but she actually has evidence of it now. "I shouldn't be worrying over all of this around you. I'm just not myself right now. I should probably get back." Even though to do so would clearly cause a fight. Being trapped in the middle is difficult. "I haven't spoken to him in a while, after all."
—
Studying Rose Michael once again gets that distant thoughtful lack of an expression. "Rose, no one intends to turn you into a vampire do they?" He once again has that concerned edge to his voice, he's not going to argue with her about her sister, he's never met Hope, and doesn't totally doubt the truth to Roses' statement. "And I had always presumed you had no wish to be a vampire?" He shrugs slightly. "I have been trapped in the middle many times before, the simple fact is as difficult as it may be you must pick a side and run for it as fast as you can." He frowns a little. "It's not safe, but it's the only way to come through."
—
Slouching any lower would pretty much put her on the floor. "Those people tried to make me think that I was a vampire. Some vampires out on the street, I'm sure, would love to turn me. After they have their fun." This isn't said with bitterness, not at all. Instead the woman rubs at her eyes. "No offense, but I've had my life ruined in many ways because of vampires. Nothing is ever going to be the way that it was. Ever." Suddenly Faith sits up tall, an almost passion behind her eyes. "I get nothing but pain but I still struggle because I can't hate any of you. I -want- to, as mean as that sounds. I should, but I don't. I just feel bad in the end. It's my destiny, perhaps." The AVL will love to meet her, surely.
—
Michael looks at her, he still seems as sincere as he ever has. "Rose, what's been done to you was terrible, it was foul and it was wrong." He too carries an edge of passion. "You feel empty because you have no focus for your anger, you burn up all the other feelings because you don't know who to be angry with." He looks at Rose for a long moment. "Do you think you should be angry with me? I failed you after all? I didn't do as you expected and you were hurt because of it."
—
Anger? Yes, she's full of it. As evidenced by the fact that her fist slams against the table. Granted, that act alone hurts and she regrets it immediately but at least she doesn't sink back into her slouching position. "I want to be angry at someone. I have no one. I can't even be angry at the one two years ago because she's dead." It's no fun having your outlets taken away from you. Faith sighs and begins to hold that hand now that she's realizing just how much it hurts. "I'm not mad at you." It's said through clenched teeth at first due to the pain but she eventually softens. "It's not your fault. No one is responsible for me other than myself and how could you have known anyway? If anything I feel bad because I got you into trouble."
—
Shaking his head Michael grins a little. "No, I never got in trouble, you misunderstand that situation. And if I can't be responsible for you, then how can you claim responsibility for me? Or anyone else for that matter?" He looks at Roses hand, before once again intending to meet her eyes. "I did what I did for my reasons, I offered my protection because you needed it. It was a choice I made gladly, and would again." He smiles a little. "Although now circumstances have…. altered somewhat I'm not sure you are best served with me as your protector in future."
—
That hand continues to throb and be held as she considers her words. "I'm held to different expectations. I see it. At least I feel like, like when Miss Symon speaks to me." Isobel really is a woman that scares the hell out of Faith and it shows. She does look up, though, only to find his gaze meeting hers. "In a perfect world I wouldn't need protection. I just don't understand, even to this day. How can you, or anyone else for that matter, keep me safe? And what do I owe in return? There has to be something."
—
There's a very small nod as Michael looks at Rose. "I can't promise to keep you safe from everything, I can't ensure safety from all threats, but if you were under the protection of a vampire no other could touch you in any way." He frowns a little. "That is a law and tradition of incredible age and importance to our people." He sighs slightly. "That is all I can offer as a promise, beyond that many do whatever is in their often not inconsiderable power to protect their charges." His lip quirks up in a slight smile. "The price is something to be worked out between the human and the vampire. I will admit that I offered you protection intially because you interested me, and because allowing young and foolish vampires to feed on you was dangerous." He frowns a little. "Yet since then I have come to like you. I rarely grow to like humans, although recently it happens increasingly often."
—
It's all swirling around in her mind now, a mix of his words and her memories. Not once will Faith mention what is happening as she fears it will take her to places she's long left behind. That injured hand does press against her neck, against the puncture marks there. So many things to consider and not much time left to do it. "I think my sanity is temporary." So soft are Rose's words that they're actually whispers, intended for only Michael. "And then I'll be right back to where I was." She shakes her head and looks to a clock on the wall. She panics, attempting to stand but slipping right back down into her seat at first. "I really should go before I cause more issues. I don't want to be a stranger with you. I will run into you again."
