To Turn or Not To Turn

Sheriff's Estate - The Vault

This room covers almost the entire ground floor of this house. The majority is taken up by a stylish reception area; three chunky, white leather couches places in a neat U-shape, with a low table in the centre. Another corner holds a modern, black table, six comfortable chairs placed around it as though for conference. The final feature is a bar, well-equipped behind it and with a pair of chunky fridge-freezers, containing a variety of synthetic blood. In one corner is a staircase, leading upstairs. On the same wall is a door through to the only area on this floor not part of this room, where sits a small bathroom and the route downstairs, a featureless door, metal constructed and lockable from one side only, though plated to fit with the design of the house.
Three walls are white, the fourth covered in ceramic panels to give some colour to the place. The floor is tiled, in a pleasant, neutral shade. Windows at regular intervals stretch from floor to ceiling, concealed blackout blinds above them. One wall bears a huge flatscreen television, and one aware of their surroundings will spot the speakers concealed at various points in the room. The general feel of this area is a clinical style, a blank, neutral canvas for whatever happens to be going on. Those who know Will generally refer to this area as The Vault, for the round pillars that stretch up to the roof.


Nights are becoming shorter, which is both good and a hindrance. Good as the young red-headed telepath can get more done during daylight hours. Bad, because it means less time with her chosen vampire. Tonight, she can be found at the estate. Curled up reading a book on the couch. It seems to be something quite normal for her these days. More normal than staying at her parent's home until her mother is able to function in society again.

Just as things have started to get better in Chloe's life, something has brought things to a grinding halt. Doris was attacked by a wolf. The telepath has become a little paranoid about the wolf attacks, figuring that they're all focused on people she cares for. Thus, she's putting even /more/ distance between herself and her siblings now, lest they be next on the attacker's list.

Shorter nights mean faster business. The front door opens silently, revealing the darkly-dressed figure of William Grant behind it. Clean and perfectly attired, his features are no longer graced with the touch of fake tan, having been thoroughly scrubbed away as soon as he was able. He is, however, wearing a suit, black (of course), with an equally dark (of course) shirt, open at the collar. "Good eve," says he, in that faintly Southern drawl. "How are we this fine night?" Easy grace carries him through the room, in the general direction of the bar.

It's such an odd couple thing, that his attention is first blinked at, then given a smile. The book is gently closed, and Chloe peers over at him. "My boss was attacked by a wolf," she replies. Things are not good, however she does add, "But I myself am well, thank you for asking."

Drifting behind the bar, Will manages to bring faint interest to the fore as he asks, "Do you know why or who? Wolf attacks are rarely nothing to do with werewolves, you realise." As he leans forwards to take a couple of bottles of blood out, he seems to change his mind, instead letting the fridge door close. Straightening, he turns back to walk towards the couches. His tone lacks emotion, as is usual. "There are a few things we must discuss."

"I know what was on the news, beyond that I don't know. Random wolf attacks are unsettling, whether it's a werewolf or not. She was bitten a few times, clawed, but left alive. She's in stable condition in the intensive care, but I haven't gone there yet." Chloe will likely go there in the morning, with some flowers and coffee if Doris is allowed to have it. An uncaffeinated Doris is a cranky Doris. "Things… why do I get the feeling this is going to be more bad news?"

"If she is in need of additional healing, simply ask," Will says, distractedly, "although I would prefer to keep the number of people I can hear to a minimum." In his head. Arriving at the couch, he turns to slide next to Chloe with impossible, inhuman grace and control, though he does not touch her, not quite. "Not bad news as such. I have reviewed your projected plan."

There will be no asking, and thus Chloe simply nods at him. The woman will recover or not on her own merits. Besides which, she's not really keen on Will sharing is blood with everyone. Knees draw up closer to he chest, and she gives him a look of confusion. "It's incomplete, I know. It's not the full scope of two-hundred years, but I figured that I had more time to finish the rest of it."

"The idea is solid," Will replies, with a slow nod. He then twists in place, nudging at Chloe's legs with a free hand and attempting to find himself using her an an impromptu pillow. "It is unlikely that you would be able to release your work to the general public for some time. Would that be acceptable to you?"

Knees nudged down a little, and a vampire head practically in her lap, Chloe just blinks down at him. Her shoulders lift in a small, near imperceptible shrug. Her smile returning slightly. "Would it have to be released to the general public at all? That seems rather dangerous to me, the fact that humanity would be able to track each vampire and know his or her history."

"I am glad you have grasped that without me needing to tell you," says Will, now languidly stretching the rest of his body along the couch. "Your plan is good enough. What else would you do with your life?" His eyes close as his tone waxes more relaxed, the drawl fading into his natural neutral accent.

A completely honest and open look is offered to him, her fingers falling to his hair, stroking through it gently. "I had thought that would take up the majority of my time for a long while, so I haven't really focused on what else would be necessary. Vampire historian, and all that." It's foolish, Chloe knows this, but it's something she could do.

"Very well," says Will, with quiet approval. He allows the touch to his hair for the moment. "It is necessary for me to inform you that we would not stay together forever, such is the nature of the relationship between Maker and child. Our more intimate relationship would also likely cease."

"Oh." The fingers don't stop toying with his hair as Chloe deals with what he is saying. "Is that something you want then?" As a woman who has only /just/ found intimacy to be appealing for once, she's not really sure how to handle what's been said. "Is the blonde woman not your child? She remains with you."

"I am comfortable with our intimacy as it is," Will replies. "I am simply informing you of the likelihood should you choose to join me in immortality." He lies motionless now, the picture of relaxed decadence, though his suit remains uncrumpled; quite how is anyone's guess. "Isobel is my child, though only recently returned to me. After a time spent together, eventually Maker and child must live apart, else fall to the dangers of nesting; brutality, decadence and raw, unfocused rage. This is not my way."

"How long?" Beat. "I mean, how long a time spent together?" Chloe's fingers stop toying with the hair, and she glances down at his face. "I have only just found you, and I'm not willing to lose you very quickly," she says quietly. She can survive if the time is short, but that doesn't mean she really wants to.

"I was with my Maker for centuries," Will replies, easily. "For others it can be a matter of months, years, decades. It depends on how well things proceed, especially in terms of time spent apart. Time apart should lengthen the time we are able to stand each other's presence. It is a strange phenomenom I have never experienced; it was never a problem with my Maker, and my only Child was taken from me almost immediately."

"Oh! How horrible for you," Chloe says, in regards to his Child being taken. "Months…" Well a few months is better than nothing, she supposes. "Would it be possible for me to have a little time to weigh the options then? If you'd like, I can start on my proposal right away, with the local vampires. That way, you will still have the information, regardless."

"No," Will says, ignoring discussion about Isobel. "Do not try it unless you are one of us, for there are many who would react badly to it." He pauses, for a brief moment of consideration. "Perhaps— put it to a few, guage reaction. Do not push it. You have time to consider whether you still wish to enter immortality."

"A few… if you give me names of those you trust, I will start there. Ones that will not harm me." Chloe doesn't have fear of vampires, but there /may/ be some who won't care about the laws, and those are the ones she wishes to avoid. "I would put it to my fans, but I've yet to find any," she says in a teasing tone.

"I'll have Erica provide a list," Will tells her, finally opening his eyes now to stare up at her, levelly. "Do you still feel that you will want to become vampire?"

"If it means only a year with you, you mean?" Chloe closes her eyes briefly, then opens them with a sigh. A smile tweaks the corner of her lips and she allows her fingers to drift down toward his cheek. "A year with you, as a vampire, is better than you growing bored of me in another month or two for being too human."

"I have already attempted to explain about emotional differences between our kinds," Will says, as he studies the girl with a penetrating if not uncaring look. "Perhaps you are correct; the choice is yours, as I have said. There is no longer the potential issue of you being the immortal virgin, of course."

Whether he wants the emotional connection or not, it's there. Chloe leans down to place a kiss upon his nose in a playfully intimate manner. "I have you to thank for that. It was truly amazing." Something that she looks forward to happening again in the future. "Perhaps I am incorrect as well, but as it's my choice…" Unless something happens to sway her from it, she's pretty sold on the idea.

"Of course it was," Will replies, mildly. "You were with me." His lips suddenly twitch into a smile, this one sly and amused. "There is something that is not your choice, though."

With a laugh, Chloe nudges him. "Egotistical much?" She obviously doesn't mind his attitude though, or she'd try to stake him again. "What is it then?"

"One does not live this long," says Will, before he flashes into a blur of movement, impossibly fast but immposibly gentle, lifting Chloe into his arms. "Without learning a few tricks. Downstairs, now."

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