Swallow that Pill that they call Pride, Wren x Schmitty

[Schmitty]

An uncomfortable gurgle echoed through the plaster walls of the empty apartment. It wasn't quite empty but when some one that wasn't quite "normal" was trying to fit in, they generally tried to keep a low profile. Plus, for the location of the crappy rooms, it was an excellent price.
The owner of the deep sound was stretched across the mattress that was much too small for his long frame, as his arms and feet dangled off multiple sides of the bed. Another groan and the figure finally adjusted himself into a sitting position with the sheets tangled around his torso. He collapsed back against the miniscule pillow before finally making his way to his feet and stretching. From what he recalled, something interesting had happened the previous evening, but his memory was still foggy and his eyes hadn't even adjusted to the late afternoon lighting. Taking a glance at the digital alarm clock, the red lights read some time after 5:40... The last letter had been burnt out who knows how long.
The lithe male figure stretched again. As he wandered through the open space between the "bedroom" and the "kitchen", dragging the sheets behind him. Opening the old mini-fridge that rested on the counter he investigated the contents of the appliance. Some kind of really, really, old something or another was growing mold and now a strange greenish-black, fuzzy color. Other than that, weeks past "best buy" milk, and some other inedible substances that dare not be excavated from their dark homes in the back of the freezer. He groaned again, obviously the part of his mind that controlled the recognizable speech patterns had yet.

He wandered to the small door in the room that lead to the bathroom, finally dropping the sheet, before examining his reflection in the cracked mirror. A scowl crept over his features as the memory of the previous night flashed back. His long, thin fingers ran over the slight bruising around his eye, and the scratch down the side of his cheek. Bloody, drunken humans. He thought, taking a washcloth and dabbing the matching injury down his ribcage. They weren't terrible scratches, just uncomely, and now crusted over with dried blood.
Besides the discoloration and the bloodshot eyes, the male was rather attractive. He was taller, though not much at a little over six feet tall. He had narrow shoulders but long arms and legs, clad in an average dark tee and faded blue jeans. The only truly unusual thing about the rather plain creature was his eyes. When the whites of his eyes weren't stained with alcohol, it was more noticeable that his irises subtly merged and blended from one color to another. They were generally a darker blue, but when inflamed with emotions they'd become more vibrant and noticeable.
Aliks made another face into the mirror has he "organized" the mane of dark brown wavy locks. Once finally satisfied with the look, he brushed his teeth, and rinsed off his face, attempting to create a more publicly acceptable image. Meanwhile another growl echoed through his interior as the lion in his stomach announced its hunger.
With the previous knowledge of items in the room, Aliks grabbed a hooded sweatshirt and made his way into the city in search of a local diner.




ooc; TERRIBLE. But yah know, whatever. :]

[roaringatlions]

"Breathe in, only four more hours."

Near white hair set in loose, long curls bobbed up and down on her head as she lifted boxes and put them out in the main room. She was nimble, quick and graceful; her body agile and ready in strength to take on any task she was asked of. Ready to tackle any project, the young girl was the perfect candidate for being the store owner of Reality's Creations, the store her best friend and she had wanted to open for so long. The store was targeted at the youth culture, selling things like jewelry, clothes, books and items of aroma therapy that were associated with the "New Wave" culture.

Today she was dressed in light blue, hole-filled jeans that hung loose on her small hips. The small lines between her pelvic and her stomach could be seen when she was lifting boxes or hadn't realized her light pink, plain shirt had risen up. She could never quite find the right size to fit her small, toned stomach, but fit over her large ribcage. Often she would look in the mirror and wonder why her ribs were so large, but not her breasts. It was the only insecurity she had about herself, but she was easily swayed away from those thoughts and back into reality of loving one's self. She truly did love herself.

Her eyes were a brilliant shade of honey, and stood out underneath the blond of her perfectly straight bangs cut right above her eyes. Her eyebrows were oddly enough, a dark blond that could be seen well, compared to her fair complexion, but they were not big eyebrows, not like what was currently popular for her sheep genes. But it really didn't matter to her what was popular. She was running a beautiful new aged, cultural store that was frequently visited by young teenagers who would buy various different sticks of incense, mostly "Dragon's Blood" and then leave the store after staring at her, amazed at her strange features falling in together surprisingly well.

After finishing the inventory for the week, the girl returned to her place behind the register. Her name tag was a small sheep with the word Sylvi in the middle. That was her. Sylvi Jergens. To most she was just a name, just another face, but to her, Sylvi was number one in her book; even if she sometimes would put other's first. Mainly her best friend. She could be a bit pretentious at the worst of times, and her over-confidence had run down a few potential business companies, but Sylvi was still contented to be where she was right now. The smell of Sandalwood and Patchouli crossing thresholds in the air wafting her way made her drift into a dazed out, daydreaming state. She was sure no one would come in tonight anyway.

[Schmitty]

Somewhere between here and there, Aliks began to wander, driven by the many sights of the town. Sure, he'd been in cities before, but the sites and sounds of this particular one was more interesting, for the four blocks he had walked he'd already passed a handful of exotic stores and shops. For a moment he clothes his eyes and simply listened and inhaled the many scents and sounds. Something in particular caught his attention though.

He recognized the herbs... But they were unusual, not something you'd find hanging around the industrial areas of a large, sea side city. Somewhere in the distance a liner blew its low whistle as it echoed through the metallic streets. Opening his eyes again, Aliks' irises had blended into a calm lavender color, a time like this he generally would have to stay away from the "normal" population, but he was nearly entranced by the homely smells.

Unconsciously he began to follow the trail by his senses. Obviously the beast within his organs had given it a rest for the moment, but they'd be back. It wasn't long he could go without food. And even an even shorter time if he didn't actually get good food. That was the purpose for his arrival in the city. Lots of people, lots of options, lots of ways to get to the coast. It was the perfect area.

Finally he made his way into the New Wave shop. He probably stuck out quite a bit. The "little kids" were all dressed in dark colors with massive amounts of eyeliner around their eyes. One looked at him questioning, and Aliks responded with a nearly genuine smile.. Which seemed to freak the kid out more than him pulling a chainsaw out of his pocket would have. Happy with the outcome, the punk child sauntered away like a wounded animal, leaving Aliks in relative loneliness.

[roaringatlions]

The small chime on the door rung as someone stepped in. Usually whenever people come into the store, Sylvi only glances at them, before returning to whatever she's doing behind the register. But when that older man walked through the door and those little chimes went off, something went off in the young woman's head. Her large lamb ears perked slightly up; they were only thing noticeably different about her, other than her eyes. Which at the moment, she could not take off from that man.

It's not like it was attraction. It was just that he was so different than the others in this store. There was something off about him though, Sylvi decided quickly. There was something primitive. Maybe something hunter-esque. Sylvi just shrugged it off. She knew it was rude to judge on first impressions. Especially when all she could tell about him was his smell and his features. She pulled herself together and went back to thumbing through a fashion magazine by James Saint James, while waiting for anyone to actually make a purchase.

Her mind was reading an article on spiderweb-like dresses, but in the back of her head she couldn't stop thinking about the man roaming around her store. Who was he? What did he want in this shop? Where was he from? Was he going to buy something? What was he going to buy? What is that strange feeling she was picking up from him?

Sylvi shrugged and shook out her mind. She should just watch closely like she was supposed to and make sure no one steals anything. That's her job, she reminded herself. Her large, sheep ears went back to camouflaging themselves into her hair as she kept a sharp eye on that man in her store.

[Schmitty]

When surrounded by numerous different scents all within a very near area, it is difficult to discern one from another. There were many common herbs he could decipher, things like thyme, bay, and chives... Everyday things that could be used for cooking or others. As he wandered, he also passed by the potpourri. It made him stop for a moment, his eyes watering before a sneeze rang out, disturbing the delicate dried leaves... It was obvious he didn't spend very much time in shops like this.

There was something else though, some underlying scent. He recognized it, but only faintly... Plus, there was way too many other things clogging his sinuses for him to truly discern what it was. He wandered toward the back of the shop, away from the scents. Picking up certain stones and jewels he tried to refresh his memory with their names, however the underlying, mysterious smell pulled at him thoughts. As he began concentrating on it more, now able to focus on it without as much intoxication from the incenses, his eyes faded into a deep hazel to match the tiger's eye he was inspecting.

His fingers rubbed over the polished stone absently. Aliks also picked up the dark green stone with red speckles. Bloodstone. Both Bloodstone and Tiger's Eye were supposed to be grounding elements. He'd need that, both the calming, power granted by the Bloodstone, and the willpower, and integrity of Tiger's Eye.. Else this whole city living would be a terrible experience. He also picked up a Topaz and Turquoise as he passed them.

Finally, still not able to figure out what that antagonizing scent was, he decided that if he spent any more time, the girl behind the counter, who he noticed occasionally peeked at him, would get suspicious. He figured she probably already was suspicious of the male, he definitely was a different figure than the rest of the angsty kids experimenting with the stuff in their parent's basements. Aliks sighed, and finally made his way to the register.

ooc[I have to admit I'm not sure what all they sell in New Age, but I figure it's kind of like the Wiccan shops.... So if I've royally screwed with the inventory, then sorry ]

[roaringatlions]

The girl watched the man sheepishly. She let her ears lay low against her head, underneath her curls, so no one could see them. It wasn't every day you saw someone like Sylvi. There were weird creatures in this world, but not many stood out the way she had. She smoothed her cotton shirt and continued to flip through her magazine, not really paying attention to anything she read.

Every once in a while she'd steal glances up at the man, and he'd meet her gaze. She'd down cast her eyes once more, not in shame or embarrassment, but a feeling she couldn't place a word to. It was weird how this one customer made her so distracted. She really should be watching the little kids up front, who would probably rob her blind if she didn't pay attention to them ever.

She fixed her watch now on the three boys in the back of the store, joking about what sound like Satan, though to Sylvi it really didn't matter. Screw them, the were just stupid kids who think that they're so cool because they shop in an awesome store that sells things about witches and shit, she thought bitterly. She often wished that someone cool would just come in and swoop her off to a world that wasn't filled with punk-ass teenagers and selfish people. But that would never happen. This was the real world, not the romance novels she read on a day to day basis.

She watched as the man approached her counter, and the kids took a run for the door. They were probably stealing something, but whatever, she could just pay for it herself. It wasn't like she needed some book about spells or whatever they took. Dragons Blood Incense cones no doubt. "Can I help you?" she asked in a bored voice. It wasn't abrasive, it was obvious that she didn't want to be there though. Wow! she thought, he's tall! Sylvi thought that this man put her 5'5 to shame.

[Schmitty]

The whole "extra-sensitive senses" did not stop short with hearing. In fact, besides his uncanny sense of smell, his hearing was probably the next most improved alteration since his transformation. He had not always been like this... In fact, this whole thing was still exceptionally new to him. Aliks was still considered a juvenile of his breed, and was still sloppy and uncontrollable. Hence why he was here, in the big city, where stuff like this happens all the time.... Right?

As the younger group of disrespectful kids became louder and louder, as their plan to shop lift a few incenses became more and more agreeable, the headache erupting in the poor male's head continued to expand. It was bad enough his senses were already overwhelmed with the many scents of the store, but the noises, and the slight hangover made everything a whole lot worse... Luckily he was excellent at concealing his emotions... Including pain.

Aliksander was a bit taken back by the tone the girl responded to him with. Well, I guess if this really isn't a place you want to be might as well sound like it... Though that's pretty bad customer service.. He doubted the girl was all too concerned about that. Nonetheless, she was pretty enough, and it's not like he knew any one else in the city.. Might as well charm her..

He leaned his shaggy figure against the counter casually, inching a bit closer to the girl. "Well Sylvi," Aliks responded, reading her name tag and the little sheep next to it. The sheep... That was it! The light bulb went off in his mind as he finally recognized the scent. But how was it that this girl, Sylvi.....?
It was probably suspicious of him stopping in mid-sentence to ramble through nonsensical thoughts. The scent though, was absolutely delicious and antagonizing, now that he figured it out he was completely enthralled.

"Oh sorry," He finally snapped back to, shaking his head and grinning at her, now with cheerfully honey irises, "Just got lost on one of those mental tangents, you know?" He allowed a nervous giggle, attempting to seem awkward misplaced. "Anyways, you can help me by helping me around the city for a while. I just moved in the apartment complex a few blocks down." Aliks explained, setting the gems carefully on the table, attempting to be gentle and quiet.

[roaringatlions]

Sylvi watched as the man stood for a while looking at her, probably contemplating what he had done to make her sound so bored, or something of the sort. It didn't really matter to her. For all she knew he was thinking of pulling out a gun and robbing her blind, and she still wouldn't care. She looked down for a moment to enter her employee ID into the cash register, and when she looked up, he was inching close to her. She couldn't help the weird feeling of fear that flashed over her mind. Maybe he really was going to rob her blind.

But he spoke her name and stopped. Sylvi hadn't even noticed the pause in the sentence as awkward or at all an indication of some underlying reasons. She just couldn't stop thinking about how good his voice sounded to her. A small blush and an upturned twist of her mouth made her break away from what she was thinking about and back into reality.

He was not close to her anymore. She thanked whatever reason she had snapped out of it, because if she was any more stupid, she would have probably accepted the offer to show this man around town. And get a scolding from my best friend,she thought. She got scolded on what seemed like a regular, daily basis. "No, I'm sorry, sir. I can't leave this store until closing time." She watched as he gently set down a few stone on the glass counter top. She picked each one up slowly and entered a number into the cash register. When she was done the total came to five dollars and eighty-nine cents. "Would you like a nice bag for these or...?" She just stopped. She figured he would figure out the other option, no one was that stupid.

She shrugged her shoulders and flipped a curl over her shoulder and out of her face. "But thanks for the offer." She went underneath the counter and grabbed a small map that they gave to tourists who had wandered in. "But here, have this, if you need any help you're welcome to come back." Sylvi gave him a fake smile and put the rocks in a nice bag anyway.

[Schmitty]

A map? That's what he was getting? A God forsaken map? Maybe the girl was not as docile and innocent as he had expected. Oh well He mentally sighed, not like there weren't enough fish in the sea... That was a terrible cliche... Aliks hated fish, plus what he was looking for wasn't as fishy. There were however, plenty of people in this city. That he knew for sure.

He dug into his pocket, trying to find the wad of money he remembered having shoved in there at some point in time. Coming upon a lucky find, a twenty, he set it on the counter with a bit more enthusiasm than one normally should have when purchasing rocks..

"Well," He managed, rummaging though his jumbled thoughts. He attempted the most sincere smile that he could muster, (which was not too shabby) and looped his fingers through the handles of the small bag, and placed the map inside. "I'll probably be using this alot." A nervous laugh. "But hey, what time does a store like this close? Sometime around seven or eight right? Maybe we could grab a bite to eat" - no pun intended- "or something. Like I said, I only live a few blocks from here, and it would be my treat."

Somewhere in the back of his mind there was a little alarm going off: stalker alert. He liked to call it. Except, instead of random females unconsciously attracted to him, it was himself who was setting off the sirens. He wasn't being creepy was he? He was just trying to invite a pretty young woman to a meal. Normal people still did that right? He'd lost his sense of "normal" some time ago...

[roaringatlions]

Silently watching and giving this man back his change and handing him back his things, Sylvi observed a few things about him while she had the chance of not looking like a creeper. He was handsome, more handsome than she normally gave men credit for. He had such wonderful eyes, it was amazing to think that she hadn't said yes to his first offer. His hair, well, it was really neat, but it wasn't usually her favorite style of hair. Yet it appealed to her for no reason. She wasn't sure why, but she felt oddly attracted to this man right now. She usually wasn't attracted to men.

A blush ran across her cheeks as he asked her out for a second time. This man was persistent. "I don't even know your name," She smiled. Persistence was something she found very attractive. Maybe she would just accept that offer. It sounded like a good idea. "Well, if you tell me your name, you can swing by at 8:30," she started, glancing down at the counter, then looked back up, carefully. "I'll be ready by then and we could go get something to eat." Her stomach growled lightly at the thought. Nirvana, not a song that was supposed to be on the play list of the store played in the background.

"So, I'll see you at 8:30," she reminded herself as she watched two people walk into the store, ready to wipe the persuaded look off of her face; the look of attraction. She was a being a terrible flirt, but by the time he had came back, she would dress a bit more sexily, and hopefully turn on her charm. All of this for some random guy she had just met? What the heck? Why not! she thought to herself.

[Schmitty]

A sweet smile crept over his features as he noticed her face blossom into the adorable pink color that females turned when they were embarrassed. Blushing, it's always cute. "Well, we can fix that problem very quickly." He said with a nod. He switched the bag to the opposite hand, his left, and after pocketing the money in the same disorganized manner that he had presented the twenty. Then he extended his palm in the manner-like greeting. "I'm Aliksander Adams." He presented with his signature smile, as his eyes blended into an excited light blue.

"So yeah," He said, with a polite nod, "I'll meet you here at eight thirty.. I'd say, pick you up, but unless you want me to carry you, you'll have to make it on your own two feet." Aliks laughed carelessly, though this meeting was getting kind of awkward.


ooc; bleh, epic fail...

[roaringatlions]

Nodding at Aliks, the man's name was nice, she grabbed his hand and shook it firmly. She had always learned in business classes in college, that if you are a woman, you are less likely to get a job based on the firmness of your handshake. She smiled and laughed polietly at the man's joke. "I have a car, but we could walk around, I'd like that rather..." she just trailed off and waved at the man, when the two people that had entered the store came up to make a purchase.

She wondered while she was ringing them up, what Aliks was going to do when he was gone. She wondered herself what she was going to do when he was gone. She wanted to spend the rest of her time getting ready, but it was far too early to close up shop. Deciding that closing up thirty minutes early was the best option, Sylvi would spend that time waiting impatiently to be able to close up shop. The customers smiled and commented on her store, and she just nodded while handing them their change, taking note of Aliks when he was going leave.

[Schmitty]

ooc; Time skip per favore?

[roaringatlions]

ooc: Of course.

bic:

Time past slowly at first, but once Sylvi began trying on a million things per second, she felt surrounded by the pressure of trying to look good within only an hour of time. She wasn't sure what kind of mood she was in, which really didn't help with the need to want to look amazing, not just good. Everything just seemed to clash, or not work with what look she was trying to achieve, even though she wasn't clear on that look.

Eventually she threw on her hole-filled jeans that she had on originally and paired it with an ancient Sublime t-shirt that she was confused as to how she got it. None-the-less, she liked it. It looked great underneath her bright green, plaid, half sleeved, over jacket. She put on a light amount of make up and blew dry her curls. She felt like a million dollars and couldn't stop twirling around in her clothes in front of the full-length mirror. At last minute, as she slipped on her old, beat up converse, she decided to add the shining charm bracelet with the small mushrooms and stars that was sitting beneath the counter. This is the best part about working at a store that sells all different kinds of cool stuff, she thought to herself. She was excited to see Aliks again, as she waited impatiently, tapping her foot, her ears perked out for any noise.

[Schmitty]

It was amazing how quickly a drab apartment could change one person's mood. He had made his way home, nearly with a skip and a whistle with his happiness. (He didn't know why exactly he was happy his next victim had said yes. He contributed to the fact that he really didn't have to work all that hard for it.) However, as soon as his passed through that door and his now cheerfully blues eyes passed over the completely drab, white, walls, his spirits fell. He dragged himself into the shower to freshen up.

"Freshenin' up" by his standards was basically the usual, a shower, a shave, teeth brush, maybe even a little cologne - which he was amazed to find in his belongings-. He generally hated cologne, but he figured he might as well make it look legitimate. The only thing he failed to do, was brush the mane of wild, dark curls that roosted atop his head. He had decided a while back that there was no use in attempting to tame the beast of his luscious locks, they were too rebellious to lose, anyways. He even dressed up! And by dressing up, that means he found the other pair of jeans that he hadn't been wearing the previous night, some shirt with an obscure design in a bold tone, and a pull over hoodie so that he wouldn't freeze, not that he was freezing any time soon. It was just good to be prepared.

Then at promptly eight o'clock, he set out for the little store, meaning to get there early.