Dallas Heritage Village
Dallas Heritage Village is a living museum boasting thirty-eight buildings. The entrance road, Main Street, leads into the Village proper; left behind are the electric lights of the park and upon entering the world of the mid to late 1800s, gaslights line the street.
Along the causeway, the small town takes form. The Blum Brothers' General Store and the Main Street Saloon sit side by side, their sides in clapboard. Along the side roads and alleyways, the various other services such as the post, the physician's office, schoolhouse and the church can be found. Further in and up against the edges of the village are the two story, pre-Civil War residences of the solid, upstanding citizens of the day including the Millers and the Sullivans.
The sun has been down for only a short time, but a particular vampire has been up for hours. The lack of sleep is nearly enough to drive him insane, as is being locked inside to keep from meeting the sun. Things have been difficult lately, right down to biting someone he once considered a friend. To try and clear his thoughts, baby Elliott decides to walk. Somehow he ends up in heritage village, and most likely sticks out like a sore thumb as someone who doesn't belong. This doesn't keep him from walking, even if he does seem to be paying more attention to his thoughts than those around.
~*~
The Village, at least the tourist portion, is closed. Alexa wouldn't be here, since she's got a shift at midnight. Mother's have odd ways of putting things though. Such as, "I gave birth to you and have put up with your ghost, go make sure everything is secure inside the shop."
Which is why the young, haunted woman is here. When she first exits the shop she doesn't realize she's not alone. Then there's a recognizable face. "Mr. Grant!" Waving to the man in the darkness, she smiles. She's had time to think on the offer and contact Skylar. He may be a creepy-stalker-serial-killer, but she should at least remind him of his offer.
~*~
Being alone is wonderful. He's left to his thoughts and there are no further temptations. The call is actually ignored at first as he isn't Grant and therefore shouldn't answer. Only after a brief scan of the area proves that he's basically alone does Elliott stop. The young vampire turns to view the source of the summons, causing him to stare directly at Alexa. The way he remains unmoving could almost be unnerving. "I believe that you are suffering from a case of mistaken identities." It wouldn't be good for him to claim to be someone of such importance, after all.
~*~
"You are Mr. Grant, aren't you?" Alexa peers through the darkness. She's not nightblind, but the Village isn't all that well lit after dark. So all she can see from this distance is the vague outline, and vaguer features. "Mr. William Grant?" Biting her lip, she backs up a step. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. Maybe she should have left things up to the assistant to organize.
~*~
The full name is proof that she has good reason for the confusion. He doesn't move for the time being, not even to shake his head. "I know of William Grant, and I have conversed with him. I, however, am not him." Finally Elliott raises his hands into the air, just enough to show that he means her no harm. "I can easily relay a message to him if you would like since I have caused confusion." She may not be able to see him, but he can see her just fine. For some reason all he can think of is Hope at the moment, so he's careful not to spook anyone else.
~*~
At the confirmation that she's made a mistake, Alexa's cheeks warm up with a deep flush. "I… I apologize. You look so very similar, and in the dark…" Her eyesight isn't all that wonderful in comparison to that of a vampire. "I… I didn't mean to… that is…" Teeth start to gnaw at her lower lip and she twirls her hair with her finger. Nervous reactions. "N-no, it's alright. I mean, Miss Erica is taking care of things, but I just wanted to let him… well you… I guess… know that uhm… I didn't f-forget about the offer."
~*~
He does seem to have an uncanny talent to upset young women these days. "Please relax, Miss. I have no desire to harm you, nor will I raise a hand to you. On that you have my word." He doesn't believe that Alexa will listen to him, not after his last human interaction. "I have been told that my appearance resembles that of William Grant, so it is an earnest mistake." His hands remain exactly where she can see them since Elliott is aware that it can go south fairly quickly from here. "If you give me your name, I can alert him to this instead of having you speak with Erica." Not being a stranger to nerves, he continues. "I can even give you my name, if it would make you feel better."
~*~
"You're not a creepy-stalker-serial-killer are you?" It may seem an odd question to ask, but she can't be too sure. Very nice people have seemed very strange to her lately. "Alexa. Alexa Whyte. Mr. Grant did some genealogy research for me, and was going to verify something but he said to contact Miss Erica with the details, and I did but…" Her nervousness seems to stem from something other than him, really. She glances at him apologetically and then gnaws her lower lip again. "I just didn't mean to insult you. Apparently insulting peo— " There's a deep breath and she mutters something to herself. Then she pinches the bridge of her nose and takes deep, calming breaths.
~*~
No matter what is causing the fear, she's clearly having an episode. A few slow steps are taken towards her as his hands remain in the air. "Miss Whyte, please calm down. I assure you that no one is going to harm you this evening. If one were to try, I would keep you safe." Elliott's not exactly certain how to respond to her question. "Since you gave me your name it is only fair for me to return the favor. Elliott Hartigan, at your service." The man even bows slightly. "I also have never killed another creature in my life, or unlife. Yet if that classifies me as one of them, then I apologize. As for you, however, you have caused me no insult. There is no need to apologize."
~*~
Alexa blinks at him. "No, you're a vampire. I understood that when I thought you were Mr. Grant." She has no fear of vampires. Just the utmost creepy people that keep telling her she looks like someone that died after meeting them. "It's the poltergeist. It's buzzing about. I can feel it. I'm already in enough trouble with my mother in regards to several broken jars. All I need is for it to get agitated and destroy the village. Then we'll have to move again."
~*~
"Poltergeist?" One of his hands moves to his chest, to the mark that he'll forever be branded with. "Either way, it wouldn't do to have to so upset. Nothing will happen while I'm around. You'll be safe." Elliott can't exactly promise this but he doesn't honestly believe in such things. Ironic, considering he's undead himself. "I was almost a priest once. If there truly is something here, I can help you." He can't, but she doesn't need to know this. His main concern is to see this associate of Will's is treated well. "You will only move if you choose to do so."
~*~
"My mother tried the priests once. An exorcism. It didn't help." Alexa frowns, her lips quirking into an odd little pout. What she wouldn't give to have the haunting stop. "She tried ghost hunters too. Nothing. It was really quiet for a while. It started up again a few months ago." When things changed in her life. "Why didn't you become a priest?" She looks at the man, then shakes her head a tinge sadly. "When the poltergeist gets too bad, mom makes us move. We've never really been in any one city for more than a year or two. Maybe three, but that's only if things are quiet." It's almost like she's compelled to tell someone, and this poor man is it.
~*~
This poor man nearly became a priest. He is used to listening. "An exorcism on you? Please tell me that I'm misunderstanding." The poor woman. Elliott pats around at his pockets before removing a small notepad kept on hand for things he may need for Medieval Times. A pen is removed and he scribbles his number onto the paper. "If they get bad, please call. You should not live in fear." He likely will be able to do nothing in the face of whatever it is that she is fighting but she clearly needs someone around. "The church is not as accepting of my current state as others seem to be, Miss Whyte. I chose this life over that and I have no regrets. Yet that doesn't mean that I am not the same person."
~*~
"On me, the house, the furniture…" Nothing worked. "It's not like I speak in tongues or anything." Handwaft. "It's just a poltergeist. People tend to get freaked out when random objects fly at them and furniture starts stacking itself." Alexa clears her throat. "Thank you," she says, taking the paper that's offered. Numbers seem to be something she's collecting. "Have you ever thought of attending a different church? Not all are as close-minded." She plays with her hair a little more as she looks over the number than tucks it away in her purse. "Why did you choose death over life?"
~*~
This poor woman. The words are not spoken and his expression is neutral. Practiced. "Obviously then they pay little attention to the news. Strange occurrences happen every evening. Besides, it is difficult to fear what cannot be seen." The comment on the church is not responded to as Elliott wishes not to go into that at the moment. He does, however, answer her last question. With all hope his words will calm her at least partially. "At the time, this life had more to offer. Each life presents challenges, and I would face whichever I chose. This feels right, however, if there truly is such a feeling." He pauses then as he considers more. "How is it that you have come not to fear us?"
~*~
There is a look on Alexa's face that on someone else would be very much saying "duh". She smiles at the man and then laughs lightly. "I've had a poltergeist haunting me since I was a baby. Why should I fear anything else? If I can live with a poltergeist, surely I can live with vampires. I'm not saying I'm not scared, just that it seems silly to fear something that can still walk among humans in corporeal form over something I can't see and have no control over."
~*~
He should have guessed. "That is a valid point, Miss Whyte." She seems far more reasonable and understanding than the last female he attempted to speak with. Human female, to be precise. Elliott finally shakes his head before his hands find home in his pockets. "Although it would surprise me none for one such as yourself to still harbor fear. I never held such fear, not exactly, although I've met plenty who do. The world is a difficult place to understand."
~*~
"Please don't get me wrong, Mr. Hartigan. I am terrified of being alone with a vampire." They do after all feed on humans. Alexa reaches into her purse and finds a clip for her hair so that she'll stop nervously playing with it. "But as long as you keep your distance we'll be fine." She can always run into one of the businesses and hide herself for a while as well.
~*~
That is what he's been expecting. "We're just as any other creature. There is good and bad in all of us. While I can assure you that I've been brought up well, taught to not attack others, I am also aware that it does little to bolster any trust." Elliott turns to look down the road. "I will not intrude, or approach too far. It is, however, unsafe for you to be alone at night. Could I at least offer an escort to a different, brighter area?"
~*~
There are consequences here. If she says no and angers him, she could wind up dead. If she says yes and goes with him, she could wind up dead. Alexa will just have to hope her poltergeist can handle it if things go from potentially bad to potentially worse. "No fangs, no coming closer?" Just to make sure that this is what she's getting before she agrees to it.
~*~
Everyone has so little faith in him these days. "I gave you my word, and it is a matter of honor. Besides, you may believe me to be a liar but I truly am a pacifist." Mostly. He holds on to as much of it as he can, at the very least. Elliott cannot argue with the deal as it helps him avoid the temptation of being close. "Should you prefer it, you need not even see me. My goal is not to make you uncomfortable, but rather to see that you are safe." Always a priest, this man. Mostly.
~*~
"I don't know enough about you to know whether your word is honorable, or you truly are a pacifist." Just so he's not insulted by the way she's acting. She would potentially react like this around any stranger she met in the middle of the night. "I'd prefer to know where you are. The thought of someone creeping around in the night watching me doesn't make me very comfortable."
~*~
"Fair enough, although I'm confident that any member of my church would assure you of the quality of my word." Hope would have, too, up until he bit her. "I can't walk before you as I know not where you are going. I choose not to walk behind you as you cannot keep me in sight. If I stand far enough away, with my hands in my pockets, does beside you work, Miss Whyte?" Elliott is trying, as he always has. He has pledged to hang on to his humanity.
~*~
Truthfully, Alexa might not want him walking behind. She couldn't see the attack coming then, if there's to be one. She weighs the options and nods. "Beside would be fine." Provided she can see him and he doesn't try to kill her. That creepy man from a few evenings ago really has her spooked, to say the least.
~*~
She'll find that he is far from any of the other creepy people that she's met. Elliott will, of course, hold true to his word the entire way. His hands remain in his pockets, his distance just far enough away from her. "As you wish." This will be all that he says, as well, unless she decides to make conversation. He's never been the best with small talk.
