A brief stop off. [Buffy]

[11tk38]

Brodir was doing what he often did after sunset, staring at his closet deciding what to wear. Not that he is obsessed with fashion or anything, he just still isn't sure what is appropriate these days. "I need a personal shopper", he mutters to himself. He finally decides on a pair of dark blue denim jeans, a white undershirt and a purple dress shirt. As always he tops it off with his leather jacket, as it seems to be expected. He pulls on his boots and decides tonight is the night he explores Jamerson Falls.

He has only been in town for two weeks, so it is time to see what this town has to offer. First off he notices that the streets are not as clogged as the New York streets he was accustomed to, to be honest it is a welcome relief to him. Brodir walks for a while, not really keeping track of the time. A sign for a cafe catches his eye, and since it is still open he thinks its reasonable to assume they serve Trublood.

Brodir enters the cafe and heads straight for the counter bypassing someone who looks like they are still making up their mind. A bonus of being a vampire is that it narrows your choice of beverage. The young woman at the counter asks, "What can I get you tonight?". Brodir quietly responds, "I'll have an O Negative Trublood". He puts a hundred dollar bill on the counter and says "keep the change". He then quickly walks to the order pick-up area to avoid any unwanted gawking from the young woman. After he receives his order, and a curious look from the cafe employee, he heads for a booth away from others.

Brodir opens his bottled blood and takes a drink. It tastes like mud to him, but he finds the O Negative is at least a smooth mud.
As he continues to dink his beverage he wonders if anyone has taken notice of him and his drink of choice.

[BUFFY JUDAS DIOR]

“Sorry, I’m late…” Buffy said as he entered the café, his schmock in his left hand. “Nice of you to bless us with your presence.” The bartender said. “No, problem.” Buffy said sarcastically as the bartender gave him a warning look. A couple of people waved to Buffy as he made his way to the back, he causally waved back. He walked past Brodir without a second glance, or noticing that someone was sitting at the bar. In the back, he was putting on his white polo and black dress shorts, when one of the girls came back to greet him.

“Hey Emily…” Buffy said pulling on his schmock. “Buffy! There’s a vampire here…” She said to him. Buffy perked up and toned in on her thoughts. He’s hot too! But I don’t want to be called a fang banger! He looked down and smiled. “Where is he?” Buffy asked, excitedly. Buffy had been around a couple vampires but they all got weird with him, rushing to leave or trying to get him alone. Pleading with him, to leave with him. He had been bitten several times when he was younger but no harm was done.

Emily, held his hand and pulled him out to the front, pointing her head towards the vampire general direction. Buffy looked at him, drinking O negative true blood. The man was beautiful; he had dark features, black hair that look like satin sheets. His pale complexion just brought out his features more, making them appear inhumanly dark. His brown eyes looked charming and invading as if they could pierce right through Buffy and peer into his soul. Buffy sighed, completely taken over. He blinked as Emily pulled on his shirt, “stop staring…” she told him but he wasn’t listening. Instead he grabbed his order book and walked over to him.

“Hello.” Buffy said brightly. His eyes finally leaving the others and looking at the floor. He looked back up, “you’re the first vampire that I actually met face-to-face.” He smiled. “I mean most of them get weird but I never really meet them. They usually just try to…” Buffy shut his mouth. “What I mean is…can I get you something to eat?” He asked. He was getting discombobulated, he took a deep breath. “I’m sorry. I’m treating you like some fan boy.” He laughed at himself. “My names Buffy and I’ll be your server.” He smiled confidently finding his equilibrium.

[11tk38]

Brodir had been sitting a while when someone walked passed him, heading for the back. The young man didn't seem to notice Brodir but Brodir certainly noticed him. It was the young man's scent, he smelled somehow more alive than others. Fortunately the young man didn't hear his fangs reflexively unsheathe. Brodir fought the urge to follow him and retracted his fangs. He needed another Trublood, perhaps a cold shower, not that he really paid attention to water temperature.

He was wondering if he would have to return to the counter for another beverage or is a server would wait on him. Thats when he noticed two employees gawking at him from the back, he ignored them as Brodir had grown accustomed to it since the Great Revelation. He also idly wondered if the two employees knew that he could see them. Then they disappeared only for one of the employees to emerge and head straight for him holding a menu or beverage list.

As the server approached Brodir realized it was the same young man that walked passed a little bit ago, the one with that intoxicating scent. Brodir seemed to be mesmerized by him until he realized he was rambling like a star struck fool. Oh, typical thought Brodir to himself, then the young man surprised him by apologizing saying , "I’m sorry. I’m treating you like some fan boy.” Perhaps there was hope for him yet. The young man introduced himself and informed Brodir that he would be his server. Buffy, an odd name for a man, hopefully he didn't have the same secret career as the blonde on Television, Brodir mused to himself. Finally Brodir says "Apology accepted. I could use another Trublood, O Negative please." Then Brodir decided if he could knock Buffy off balance again since he seemed to regain his composure and said, "You walk with a slight limp, are you injured?".

[BUFFY JUDAS DIOR]

Buffy picked up the empty bottle of O-Negative and realized it was cold. “Oh..” He said surprised. “They didn’t heat it up for you...” He said and looked at the bartender who stuck out his tongue. “I’ll get you a warm one.” Buffy promised. Buffy looked down at his right foot that the limp was on. “Yeah, years ago I did Ballet. I got injured badly so I had to quit for some time.” Buffy told him and smiled, “I’ll be right back.” Buffy turned and walked towards the back throwing away the True Blood bottle with a clank.

“Emily…” Buffy called when he got to the back. “Did we get in our new shipment of True Blood yet?” He asked as she stalked over. “Yeah it’s in the back cooler…” She told him, she stood there with a dumb smile obviously expecting more out of him than that. He had better tell me what that guy talked about. I want to know every word and how he said it. I wonder if Buffy got his name. Buffy will probably scare him off with his flirting…that boy. “Emily!” Buffy said, “will you shut up a moment please?” Buffy said feeling a slight headache.

“I didn’t say anything…” Emily said, as Buffy walked away. Buffy opened the cooler with a smile on his face from what Emily was thinking. He opened a fresh box of True Blood and put it in the microwave. He heated it up and brought it back out. He approached the man and put down a napkin and then the True Blood. “There you go, on the house.” Buffy said as the bartender snorted. He ignored him and looked back at Brodir. “So what’s your story?” Buffy asked him.

Buffy had never spoke to a vampire and didn’t know what to expect. “And what brings you to Jamerson? Are you staying in town or just visting?” Buffy asked. Hopefully this guy would be staying for a while. He didn’t know what it was about him but there was something that drew Buffy to him. Some unforeseen force pulling him to Brodir. Buffy stood on his tippy-toes and looked around the bar to see how many table he had. Is that a vampire? Why is Buffy talking to him? This place is making me sick. were just some of the thoughts he heard.

I’m going to kill that vampire! I don’t care what the police say vamps and fang bangers killed my wife. Revenge will be so sweet and I can get some more V too. The last thought came from a young frat guy in a white and blue polo. Buffy looked at him then back to Brodir. He seemed nice enough, Buffy would have to keep him here until they left or gave up. He wasn’t going to let this vampire get hurt. And it wasn’t like Buffy could convince him to stay. He would just have to figure out something secretly that would make him stay.

[11tk38]

Hmm, the question Brodir asked Buffy about his limp didn't seem to fluster him, most people seemed to be disturbed by Brodir's attention to detail. Brodir also thought to himself he should go to the ballet as he had not been in a year or so. Buffy turned and walked away to retrieve a fresh Trublood, Brodir watched him as he went. There was something familiar about Buffy's scent... but no that isn't possible he had seen one since Ireland, five hundred years ago.

Brodir decided to use his supernatural senses to overhear Buffy's conversation with his coworker Emily, they didn't say much. Strangely Buffy told Emily to shut up, but as she stated in protest, she hadn't said anything... weird.

Buffy returned with a fresh and warm Trublood, and then the questions began. He asked of Brodir's story to which he replied, "My name is Brodir. I died a long time ago, in a Battle you have probably never heard of. Since then I have traveled the world seeing, learning, and doing many things. I've also managed to become quite the polyglot in my travels, but I assure you to fill you in on my story in its entirety would take months". "And to answer your other questions, I have moved to Jamerson Falls to get away from New York city. So I should be here for the foreseeable future."

That's when Brodir notices Buffy doesn't seem to be paying attention. Although Brodir can't seem to figure out what Buffy is distracted by. Hopefully Buffy isn't as flaky as most of the others in his generation, Brodir thinks to himself.

"So, what about you, what is your story? Were you born here? I doubt it as you seem to lack this regions accent." Brodir wonders if he can keep Buffy talking, to see if he can figure out why the smell of his blood seems so captivating?

[BUFFY JUDAS DIOR]

Buffy’s head turned back towards Brodir when he mentioned his name, “Brodir? That’s an unusual name, but I guess Buffy is too.” He smiled politely. “Maybe in he coming months, I’ll get to see more of you.” Buffy said with a flirtatious smile. He looked back towards the table with the Frat boys then back at Brodir. There was something about his eyes, if he wasn’t too careful, he may get lost in them. “I went to school for Ballet in New York. After my injury, I ended up here. I’m originally from Ohio. My family is pretty strict.”

He sighed, “they wanted to keep me in Ohio somewhere close to them. They were always scared of vampires. But I am supporter of vampires. Even though most get weird around me.” He told Brodir. He quite casually took the subject away from his family. He never talked much about his family besides mediocre things. Most people would think he was some sort of vampire hater like his family, not to mention how wealthy they are. He cut his ties to them when they became supporters of the Fellowship of the Sun. He wanted nothing to do with them.

“My accent is Ohioan. I don’t think I have one but everyone tells me I do” He drawled. Buffy looked at the bartender who was busy making drinks and that and looked at the seat next to Brodir, “may I?” He asked before he sat down. “My mother used to tell me when I came into a room, I was a shining light, said I had a powerful light but I never knew what that meant.” Buffy explained. “Ever since I was younger I attracted a lot of vampires. We moved around a lot because of it. Mom said they were trying to steal my light.”

Buffy didn’t know why he couldn’t just shut up. But looking into Brodir’s eyes he wanted to bear his soul. Something that typically never happened when he met a guy. It was hard for him to date since most guys would have thoughts that Buffy didn’t like. He met racist, pig-headed or sometimes extremely depressive guys. Reading people’s minds was not a fun task. “What time are you from exactly?” Buffy asked curiously. “You seem very young. Older than me but still young. When were you turned?” Buffy said before he shut his mouth.

He wanted to know everything about Brodir. He just met the guy and already felt closer to him.

[11tk38]

Brodir raises an eyebrow as Buffy invites himself to sit, but at least he asked first even if he didn't really wait for a response. Judging by the fact that Buffy looked over at the man behind the counter, Brodir know that employees probably are not allowed to sit on the job. Brodir listens carefully as Buffy talks about himself and his family. Brodir takes particular note about the topic of Buffy's mother and the mention of his light.

Buffy then changes the subject back to Brodir. Brodir gives a small smile to the questions and says, "I assure I am not that young, I was in fact born in the year 990 a.d. I was made vampire in the year 1014 at the age of twenty-four. So I'm actually over a thousand years old. Still think I'm young?"

Brodir decides to shift the conversation back to Buffy,"Well your mother obviously thinks there is something special about you, tell me is she right?", Brodir is beginning to think Buffy might be supernatural himself. Buffy's scent reminds Brodir of something that isn't possible, but his talk of light makes him wonder. Brodir wants to know more about Buffy's family tree, maybe if he shakes it hard enough something supernatural will fall out.

[BUFFY JUDAS DIOR]

Buffy smiled shyly, “I meant what age were you turned. Twenty-four is still young…” Buffy told him. “You will have to tell me about your past later when we have time. I think it would be interesting to know about the times you grew up in.” Buffy was full of questions but he was trying not to make this seem like an interview. He wasn’t going too good at it. When Brodir asked him next question Buffy looked at him. His mouth was slightly open as if he could speak at any moment, but he only looked at Brodir for a while.

What was Brodir’s angle, asking him such a question? He didn’t want to get upset about it but maybe he had already said too much. Or he could just be overreacting about the question. Special could mean anything, Brodir didn’t know about his powers, how could he? He tried to read Brodir’s mind but he wasn’t picking up anything. “I can’t hear you…” Buffy told him. “I don’t know what you’re talking about…” Buffy said finding his composure. “Excuse me for a second…” Buffy said as he smiled his way out. He went into the back room and out the back door.

“I’m overreacting…” Buffy told himself. He pulled out a pack of cigarettes and lit one. “Come one Buffy, he can’t know…”

[11tk38]

Brodir watched Buffy go, well that struck a nerve he thought to himself. He is hiding something, I better act fast if I want to find out what. Brodir listened to Buffy walk through back room and out the back door. Brodir got up and moved faster than any of the humans present could see. He stopped the back door from closing and listened again. Brodir heard Buffy say, “I’m overreacting…” , then he heard a lighter ignite and a cigarette begin to burn. Next Brodir heard Buffy say, “Come on Buffy, he can’t know…”, got you, Brodir thought.

Before Buffy could put the cigarette to his lips, Brodir quickly moved up next to him and took the cigarette. Brodir flicks the cigarette into the dumpster saying, "Those will kill you, you know." He gauges Buffy's reaction to his sudden appearance, "I feel I must apologize if my question offended you back there, also for if I scared you just now".

[BUFFY JUDAS DIOR]

“Ahh!” Buffy said as Brodir appeared. He couldn’t believe how fast Brodir was, it was amazing but his heart was leaping out of his chest. "Those will kill you, you know." He heard Brodir say into his ear. “So could you…” Buffy said frightened by Brodir’s sudden appearance “in the back of a diner…no point for taste.” Buffy told him, stepping back. "I feel I must apologize if my question offended you back there, also for if I scared you just now" He said as Buffy pushed him, even though he wasn’t strong enough to move such an old vampire.

He tried to push him again, “you can’t sneak up on me in an alley! You scared me half to death!” Buffy told him still trying to push him. He slapped his right shoulder, “you’re a vampire! Can’t you just walk slow for Christ sakes. I thought you were gonna try to drain me!” Buffy said. “Where’s a stake?” Buffy said looking around. He turned away from Brodir before taking a breath and just relaxing. “That was my last cigarette too.” Buffy told him with his back turned from him. He turned back to Brodir, “How did you know?” Buffy asked.

“I want to know how you knew I was different…” Buffy asked Brodir. Before he remembered why he didn’t want Brodir to leave the bar. “The Frat guys…” Buffy said. He walked over to Brodir, “come back inside, I’ll explain later.”

[11tk38]

Brodir was amused by Buffy's protests, and even more so by his failed attempts to shove him. Brodir almost forgot how fun toying with people could be, especially Buffy. As Buffy's heart rate increased Brodir's senses were flooded with the sweet, intoxicating smell of his blood. He managed to keep his composure and prevent his fangs from snapping out. Still Brodir could not shake the feeling of being a predator circling his prey.

But Brodir's overall mission had been accomplished, Buffy had just admitted to being different. Buffy had asked how Brodir had known, I don't think he realized how many clues he let drop. Then again most of those clues were dropped where a human could not have overheard. Then Buffy mentioned something about frat guys, then invited Brodir back inside promising to explain what he means. "I look forward to hearing many of the things you have to say", Brodir replies. "Please, after you."

[BUFFY JUDAS DIOR]

“I look forward to hearing many of the things you have to say” Buffy heard him and rolled his eyes, he reached for the door but it was locked from the inside. Buffy gave Broidir another look, “come on, we should hurry to the front.” Buffy told him. He looked down at Brodir and slid his hand into his big hands. He looked back up at Brodir and smiled a bit before rushing back to get him inside. Buffy led the way until he heard the front door close and saw the frat boys walking outside. Three bigger guys were walking towards Brodir and Buffy and Buffy backed up into Brodir.

He quickly tried to read them, Fuckin’ fang banger! I’ll show them both how good sex- “H ey! You sick bastard, let us through” Buffy said looking at the ‘leader’. The dumbest one was always the leader, he could just intimidate the other pretty well is all. “Shut up fang banger!!” One of them yelled. Buffy just now realized that they were circling Brodir and himself. “What did you call me you low-life shit stain of a man?” Buffy asked him. Buffy put himself in front of Brodir as he ran towards the leader.

Quite effortlessly, he threw Buffy off of him and sent him into the dirt. Buffy lay there, he had cut open his eyebrow and placed a hand over it. He looked at the blood then back to Brodir.

[11tk38]

Brodir took note of Buffy's eye roll as Buffy reached for the locked door. Brodir knew it was locked as he had locked on his way out, he was hoping the locked door would help keep Buffy off balance so he could continue seeking Buffy's secrets. Additionally there was the added benefit of having to walk around to the front, more time to keep him talking.

However Buffy seemed a little worried and it seemed that worry was no longer about Brodir discovering his secrets. Brodir also took note of the fact that Buffy's worry didn't deter him from making physical contact with an added coy smile. So that answers that, Brodir thought, that should make getting answers easier. He let Buffy lead him around front, however after rounding the last corner of the building, Buffy suddenly backed into Brodir.

Brodir noticed Buffy seemed a little scared of these men, perhaps he has encountered them before? However the verbal exchange between them would seem to indicate otherwise. Brodir was not really paying attention to what they were saying, he was busy noticing how the men were circling them. That's when Brodir caught a glint off of what he assumed was a silver chain. That's when Buffy sprang into action, Brodir took note of how Buffy got in between Brodir and the leader. Brave, but ultimately foolish as the larger man knocked Buffy to the dirt. Instantly Brodir's senses came alive with the scent of Buffy's freshly spilled blood. Brodir's fangs sprang from their resting place of their own accord, but he did not mind, they made him look all the more intimidating.

The leader jumped at Brodir trying to pull something out of a pocket, a weapon Brodir assumes. Brodir holding back the full force of his strength, planted a foot into the leaders chest. He felt ribs break beneath his foot, good Brodir thought. The leader flew back several feet, but Brodir did not wait to watch him land, he turned faster than any human eye could track and strikes the assailant with the silver chain in the throat. Again he holds back as he does this, which is getting harder to do with the heat of battle washing over him... and the incredible smell of Buffy's blood. The third man he decides not to hit, instead Brodir seizes him by the throat and squeezes the man's wind pipe and both arteries of the neck. It only takes a few second for the man to fall unconscious.

As the man falls to the ground he takes stock of the other two, the man he struck in the throat is writhing on the ground gasping for air. The leader is laying on the ground a few feet away hugging at his broken ribs. Brodir then hauls Buffy to his feet, and asks "Are you okay?", but Brodir can not take his eyes off the wounded eye brow. With out waiting for a response, Brodir turns and stalks toward the fallen leader reaching into his coat pocket.

He pulls out his cellular phone and hits speed dial nine, "Yes, I would like to report a crime. Outside of the Falls Cafe, three men attempted to abduct a vampire. Yes I am the vampire in question. Yes all three man are alive but incapacitated for now. Very well I will wait for them". Brodir hangs up his phone despite the request to stay on the line. Having regained his composure Brodir realizes the other patrons in the cafe are watching, ignoring them he turns back to Buffy and repeats, "Are you okay?"

[BUFFY JUDAS DIOR]

Buffy held his eyebrow, “shit” He said looking away from the blood on his hand to Brodir. He sprang into action so quickly, he could make Buffy dizzy. One by one the men were all tackled and thrown aside as if they were just rag dolls. Buffy had never seen anything like it, this vampire was strong so strong. Buffy’s efforts to help were unparallel to what Brodir could do. Were all vampires this strong? He couldn’t tear away for the simple seconds that it lasted. Buffy was pulled to his feet via Brodir, he had to admit how impressed he was by Brodir being so…He couldn’t think of a word for it but it definitely aroused Buffy.

His eyes were wide when Brodir got him up and asked if he was okay, “uh…” Buffy started when Brodir went and grabbed one of their phones. The law in this town would have Brodir’s head before they even got his story. Buffy was going to warn him but it was too late, he was talking to the officers. Buffy looked around at the people around him, watching both of them. Oh my god! That vampire is going to kill those boys! Weren’t they just walking past? GOD DAMN VAMPIRES! And look at that fang banger… Buffy heard them.

“There goes any thought of them helping us…” Buffy said to himself. He looked back at Brodir as he hung up and asked if he was okay again. “I’m fine, I guess. You have to get out of here.” Buffy told him. “These people are going to sell you up a river…” Buffy said looking at them, “you should all be ashamed of yourselfs!” Buffy told them turning back to Brodir, he took his hand again. Unbeknownst to him right away, it was the hand that had fresh blood on it.

“Come on! Trust me…” Buffy told Brodir as he started to run towards the line of trees that were across the street. “Human beings make me sick, what hypocrites!” He told Brodir as he ran. “I live on the other side of the woods. It’s about three miles that way…” Buffy pointed. He put an arm around Brodir’s next, “that’s your cue to run really fast..” He smiled and linked arms around Brodir’s next, closing his eyes.

[11tk38]

Brodir was about to protest about Buffy's plan to run when Buffy grabbed his hand... it was the hand that had Buffy's blood on it. The still warm sticky blood once again flooded his senses, he wanted nothing more than to taste Buffy, something was so different about him. When Brodir finally snapped back to his senses he realized Buffy's arms were around his neck and he was saying something about running real fast.

"No stop", Brodir said. "One, why run, when I could just fly? Two, too many people saw me, if I run now I will only become a fugitive, and I would rather continue living here. Three, too many people in there know you, your place is the first they would look." Brodir removes Buffy's arms from around his neck, and realized his fangs were still out, he sheathed them.

Brodir puts his hand, the not bloody one, to Buffy's lips to silence any protests. "Listen to me, I will speak to the police when they arrive, you will go into the dinner and wait for me. This is not a request. Go. I will deal with the police, do not worry I can be very persuasive. Trust me."