ROLEPLAY HQ - hypothermic

Theodora gripped the steering wheel, her jaw throbbing with pain. Blood mixed with saliva, staining her lips and chin. The snow-covered highway stretched out before her. The dark sedan had disappeared into the snowstorm, but the memory of the attack was vivid. She saw the headlights through the snow, before it smashed into the back of her Chevy Biscayne, sending her skidding. Another hit sent her crashing into the guardrail. Dazed, Theo stumbled into the freezing night; two figures emerged, closing in quickly. The attack was brutal. Theo landed a few blows, but her assailants overwhelmed her. A sharp kick shattered her back teeth, blood filling her mouth. The other hesitated. Theo scrambled to her feet, darted back to her car, started the engine, and sped onto the highway. Now, driving through the relentless snow, her thoughts were consumed by pain and exhaustion. She needed to rest. The amber lights of a truck stop and café appeared through the storm. She pulled into the lot, her Chevy sliding before righting itself. The headlights shut off, and she stepped out, her boots sinking into the fresh snow. With practiced ease, she retrieved a black duffel bag from the trunk. She pulled her coat tighter around her frame and headed toward the entrance. Theo tapped her boots against her legs to free some snow before stepping inside. The warmth of the building washed over her but did little to ease her tension. She quickly scanned the room and she made her way to the back of the store. Exhaustion and paranoia took their toll, but for now, she was safe. Safe enough anyways. Theodora entered the restroom, tossed her bag onto the counter, and sighed. Once composed, she entered a stall, lifted her top, and unstrapped the gun from her waist, sighing as she rubbed the reddened skin. She placed the gun on the toilet tank and changed out of her bloodied clothes. After tucking the pistol into her waistband, she washed up and headed out into the truck stop.

The smell of blood hit his senses before she had even gotten into town. She was a vampire he could smell that easily. Vampires always smelt different to humans. They tasted different too. Of course, no one person tasted the same. Blood types and diets affected how people tasted and the same went for vampires even if blood types weren’t quite as important for them since they tended to feed on people with different blood types. Tracking the scent of blood he followed the scent and stepped into the small cafe that was very familiar to him. He had been there a couple of times over the years, it was run by a kind elderly couple that always marvelled at how his youth seemed timeless. He wouldn’t let the couple be killed, not by vampires if he could help it and if he was too late then he would make sure that the vampires that hurt them would pay for it. Spotting a bloodied woman leaning against a wall it wasn’t difficult for him to make out that she was the vampire that he had sensed. Sneaking up behind her he wrapped his arm around her hips and gently pulled her close purposely angling her so that no one else could see her wounds before he pressed his lips against her ear.

10:42 AM

“I like the people who work here. Endanger them and you will regret it.” He whispered to her harshly before his voice softened. “Follow my lead and I’ll feed you my blood and I’ll help you get better.” He added before he smiled as an elderly man came over to serve them a kind smile on his face. “Welcome, Oh Percival who’s the lovely lady you brought?” The man asked before he paused. “Is she okay?” “She’s going to be fine she just started having cramps during our date. Would you mind if we go into the bathroom for a bit to let her catch her breath?” He asked pretending they were dating and the man quickly nodded. “Of course. Just say the word if you need any help from me or my wife.” “Thank you, Walter,” Percival said softly before he tried to pick her up planning to take her into the disabled bathroom if she’d let him, knowing it had a baby changing station.

10:44 AM

@Theo

Theo felt a pit in her stomach as she sensed him near, her assumption being that he was one of them. The sensation of hands wrapping around her sent a surge of adrenaline through her veins. Instinctively, she pushed hard against him, her voice sharp and angry. "What the fuck. Get your damn hands off me," she spat, pulling back as one hand migrated towards the pistol tucked into her waistband. Theo had never liked being touched, but this was definitely enough to piss her off. The unexpected pain only served to irritate her further. Her mind raced as she calculated her options, knowing she didn’t have the energy or strength to fight back effectively if this encounter went south. Her injuries from a recent altercation were still fresh, and she was running on fumes. With a determined shove, she freed herself, her dark hair falling into her face. She quickly pushed it aside, revealing the full extent of her battered appearance. A dark bruise circled her left cheek, blackening her eye, and her lip was split, adding to the road rash on her chin. Despite these visible signs of recent violence, Theo’s demeanor and style acted as a formidable shield, warning others not to underestimate her. Clenching her jaw, she took a moment to look him over, her eyes cold and calculating. She then turned to face the older man, her posture tense and ready for action. All the while, she kept her hand poised to draw the pistol from beneath her coat. Theo hadn’t come here looking for trouble, but she wouldn’t hesitate to defend herself if necessary. Every muscle in her body was coiled, prepared for the worst, as she awaited the next move. @All time Jack

He didn't see himself as an aggressive person. He didn't like fighting others, he didn't like hurting others. But what he disliked far more was seeing the people he cared about hurt. Which was why after she shoved and spat at him pulling against him with one of her hands at the waistband of her pants gripping something he saw as worrying he glared back at her. Knowing how hurt she was, he wanted to be nicer to her and when she shoved against him exposing the details of her bruised and bloody face. But he wasn't going to let the kind old man get hurt so he sprung forward in a rush of speed and wrapped his arms around her body again, but much more securely this time. His arms linked together over her stomach before he gripped her hands and pinned them in place. "Let go off a hurt and hungry vampire? I'm not going to risk you hurting anyone I care about." He told her firmly taking advantage of their height difference by lifting her off of the ground. With that he looked over at the old man that worked at the cafe. "I'm sorry I try to keep other people like me out of here. I promise I won't let anyone endanger anyone here. Just stay out of the bathroom until it find out her intention." Without waiting for the man to answer him back, he carried her into the emergency bathroom. Careful not to cause her any unnecessary pain before he then set her down on the floor. "Tell me what's so important in your pocket and I'll let you go. You're going to need to feed with how hurt you are. Let me help you." He growled into her ear his grip on her body not loosening. @puppet.loosely.strung

11:13 AM

@Theo

Theodora’s jaw tightened as she tried to stifle her pain while being restrained. Her captor's grip was ironclad, fingers digging into her arms painfully. An almost feral growl escaped through her grit teeth as she was lifted against her will. The moment her black boots left the dirty linoleum, she kicked back against his legs with all the strength she could muster. Pain and exhaustion weakened her blows, but she didn’t care. Every bit of her wanted to keep fighting, even as her body betrayed her, growing weaker with each desperate strike. Dread washed over her as she was carried into the dimly lit bathroom, the harsh fluorescent light flickering overhead. Theodora didn’t trust most people, but especially not other vampires. Their intentions were hardly ever good, and this one seemed particularly dangerous. The sharp sensation in her side, accompanying her labored breathing, snapped her from her thoughts and kept her alert. Once her feet were back on the ground, she shut her eyes and threw her head back hard and fast, hoping to headbutt him as he spoke. It grossed her out to have someone this close, invading her personal space. This wasn’t one of her usual transactional interactions; there was no gain to this. She hated it. Theodora kept one of her hands tightly on the pistol, refusing to release it. It wasn’t loaded, she knew that. But they didn’t. She’d been out of ammunition for a week now. Brandishing the weapon was usually enough; she hadn't had to show her hand. Her dark curls obscured her face, strands clinging to sweat and blood. The iron tang of blood tainted her mouth, a grim reminder of her precarious situation. To a point, she understood the mistrust. Vampires were rarely straightforward, their lives a constant game of deception and survival. But this was excessive. You dealt with things like this in private. You didn’t start putting hands on people without exchanging words first.

8:01 PM

“I don’t need your fuckin’ help. Let go. I ain’t stayin’ here,” she said after a moment, her voice hoarse but defiant. She could feel her strength waning, her body still tense and rigid but beginning to still. Her breaths came in ragged gasps, but her spirit remained unbroken.

8:01 PM

@All time Jack

He ignored the growl that left her lips as he lifted her up. It wasn't like he was expecting her to be happy about getting lifted up off the ground. He ignored her weak kicks as well as it was clear that she was tiring herself out before she could cause him any real damage. Her headbutting him once they got into the bathroom left him wincing but still it wasn't enough pain for him to put her down and he retaliated by pulling her body against his more tightly knowing that he would cause her pain. If she released her hand from her waistband and let go off what ever it was that she was holding onto so tightly he wouldn't have been so harsh with her, but he knew that she could have anything in her hands and he wasn't about to let anyone stake him in the chest or stab him with a dagger if he could help it. He wasn't going to let frail couple get hurt or worse. He was going to do all he could to make sure that they were happy enough to die from natural causes. Which resulted in his. Eagerness for lack of better word to make sure that she wasn't a threat. "Well too bad you're getting it." He answered her back just as stubbornly but unlike her he had his full strength behind him, his breathing slow and controlled. "If I let you go right now what do you think will happen? That you'll have some bacon and pancakes and you'll be fine after a good night's sleep?" He asked her harshly his deep voice firm in her ear. "We both know you'll need blood. Even if you try to fight it or do you want to lose control and kill someone? Maybe you don't care." He didn't know her, he didn't trust her and when it came to others like him he tended to expect the worst. Which was why he was going to help her whether she wanted it or not and if she could prove to not be a threat then he'd let her go. He wrapped his arm around her body more firmly pinning her arms to sides with just the one arm before his free hand cupped her face and with a surprising gentleness he got her to face him. "Try

7:09 PM

to trust me and I'll do the same if I wanted to hurt you I would have done it by now." He told her before he showed off his fangs to her only instead of biting her he bit his lower lip to make himself bleed and then gently claimed her lips. @puppet.loosely.strung

7:09 PM

@Theo

Tears forced their way into her eyes as he tightened his grip on her. She blinked them away angrily, refusing to let him see her cry, and used the last of her energy to fight him. Her efforts were futile, but desperation fueled her movements. With a trembling hand, she managed to pull the pistol from her waistband, but it slipped from her grasp, clattering onto the dirty tile. The old ivory peacemaker lay there, mocking her with its proximity yet unattainability. The harsh buzzing of the worn fluorescent lights intensified, morphing into a sharp ringing in her ears. She felt her strength waning, and darkness began to creep at the edges of her vision, threatening to engulf her. “If I die, I die. But it ain’t gonna be by your hand,” she spat, her words ragged and slurred. The reality of her dire situation pressed down on her with a crushing weight. Theodora’s focus wavered. Images from her past flashed through her mind like a broken film reel. For a moment, her body betrayed her, relaxing as if seeking an escape in the memories. But she shook herself free from the reverie, fighting to stay present. ‘Get out. Get out. Get out,’ she mentally screamed at herself. The adrenaline that had kept her going was gone, leaving a trail of agony in its wake. Every part of her body screamed in pain. She wanted nothing more than to collapse and let the darkness take her. “Fuck you,” she hissed, venom in her voice, just as he pressed his lips to hers. The taste of their mingled blood and her cherry chapstick filled her mouth, igniting a tempest of emotions: rage, instinct, disgust.

8:49 PM

She could no longer resist; her body’s instinct to survive took over. The blood that had seeped into her mouth worked quickly, knitting together some of her injuries. It wasn’t as potent as a fresh source, but it was enough. As a flicker of strength returned to her limbs, clarity returned to her mind. Tears streamed down her cheeks despite her efforts to hold them back. With renewed determination, Theo jerked her head back and then slammed it forward, headbutting him with all the force she could muster. Her anger had reached a boiling point; she felt violated, not aided. “You fuckin’ freak,” she screamed, her voice raw with fury. She kicked back with one leg, trying to break free from his grip. Though she wasn’t fully recovered, she had found enough strength to resist, to survive. She would not be broken.

8:49 PM

@All time Jack

They were both stubborn that was clear how they both interacted with each other. He tensed as he watched the gun fall out of her hands and frowned. In close quarters he knew that a gun was a smaller danger then a blade but he also knew how loud this inventions were. He also knew that a gun made it so it didn't matter whether she was weakening or not. He couldn't help but roll his eyes when he heard her words. "I already told you that I wasn't going to kill you." He told her frowning before he kissed her ignoring her hissed out words. He picked on the cherry taste of her lips quicky, in another life he might have enjoyed kissing her but in this life he felt her temple slam into his. The pain made him groan and growl reflexively. He leaned into her more closely as she screamed at him, his body pushing against hers to limit the amount of force she could kick him with. He bared his fangs again before he pressed his lips against her neck making her feel his fangs against her in warning. "I'm trying to help you. Stop giving me more reasons to not trust you." He growled against her neck before he picked her up off the ground again and carried her over to the sink, carefully he set her down on it and kicked her gun over to the door. "I'm going to give you some time to calm down now. All I've been trying to do is feed you and make sure you don't hurt anyone here." He told her before he walked over to the door to get out of the bathroom and leaned against it while watching her. @puppet.loosely.strung

5:33 AM

@Theo

“I already said I don’t want your help,” she protested, her voice sharp as she turned her head, trying to escape his grasp. Her movements were jerky and frantic, but his hold was firm. Once he placed her onto the sink, she quickly jumped to her feet, the cold porcelain against her legs a stark reminder of her vulnerability. Rage still coursed through her veins, her body working overtime to repair itself. Using her coat sleeve, she wiped the blood and tears from her face, smearing them into an unrecognizable mess. Her jaw tensed as she locked eyes with him, her stare hard and unyielding as he blocked the doorway. “Right. And none of that was necessary. I came to wash up before you started grabbin’ on me and causing a damn scene. I wasn’t stayin’, jackass,” she snapped, her voice dripping with venom. Theo adjusted her disheveled clothes, the fabric feeling rough against her skin. She pushed her wild black curls back from her face with a frustrated sigh, her hands trembling slightly. “So now, are you gonna get the fuck outta my way so I can get back on the road?” she demanded, crossing her arms tightly over her chest. She shifted her weight onto one leg, her stance defiant and unyielding, her eyes never leaving his. Breaking her harsh stare, she glanced down at the old Casio watch strapped to her wrist. The sight of the cracked face and faded numbers brought a fresh wave of irritation. She was behind schedule now, a delay she could ill afford. Rolling her eyes, she calculated the time she had lost and the adjustments she would need to make. The coppery taste of blood still lingered in her mouth, a bitter reminder of the confrontation. Though she wouldn’t admit it, she was beginning to feel better, her body’s natural healing process kicking in. She reckoned she could make up the lost time if she drove straight through the night, a prospect that both exhausted and exhilarated her.

6:49 AM

@All time Jack

Maybe he had came on too strongly too cautiously. He just knew that he couldn't trust a stranger in such a place. Not when they were a vampire knew how his kind could act. "You needed blood. We both know that." He pointed out to her ignoring the venom in her words as well as the way she glared. "I'm not going to try and force you to stay here. If you want I can walk you out I'm a moment" He told her before. He paused mulling over his words. "I'm sorry that I acted so strongly. This place is important to me. Can you understand why I would be so cautious but I am sorry about hurting you." He told her before he took a small step closer to her and held his arm out for her as an olive branch. "I gave you a bit of blood but are you still hungry?" He asked her as he looked back at her moving away from the door and with the step closer they were reminded of how much bigger he was then her.

1:23 AM

@Theo

Theodora's jaw tightened as she listened to him, her eyes narrowing with suspicion. "Yeah, I needed blood, but I didn't need your help," she retorted, her voice laced with frustration. "I can take care of myself." His apology gave her pause, but she wasn't ready to let go of her anger. "Look," she started, her tone sharp, "I get it. You're tryin’ to protect what's yours. But you gotta understand that some of us ain’t like them. Some of us just wanna get by. We ain’t choose this life for ourselves.” When he stepped closer and offered his arm, she glanced at it with disdain, then back at him, her glare intensifying. "I'm not hungry anymore," she snapped. "And even if I were, I wouldn't take anythin’ from you." She took a step back, creating more distance between them. "Next time, maybe ask before you decide to play hero. Not everyone wants savin’, especially not from someone who thinks they know best." She glanced at her watch again, the crack in the face a stark reminder of the time she'd lost. "If you really wanna help, you can get out of my way and let me get on. I've got places to be, and I don't need you slowin’ me down." Without waiting for a response, she stepped past him, her movements brisk and purposeful. She bent down, picked up her revolver from the floor, and slipped it back into her waistband with a practiced motion. Theodora adjusted her denim jacket to conceal the weapon once again. Theodora shoved the bathroom door open, muttering "jackass" under her breath as she stepped out into the dimly lit rest stop. Her eyes scanned the area, quickly locating the black duffel bag she had dropped during their altercation. She strode over, grabbed it, and slung it over her shoulder, the weight familiar and comforting.

8:56 AM

As she headed for the door of the truck stop, she could see through the glass that the snowstorm had worsened, the wind howling and snow swirling in dense, blinding flurries. She pushed the door open, bracing herself against the cold blast that immediately assaulted her. The icy wind bit at her exposed skin, but she pressed on, determined to get back on the road. Her breath came out in visible puffs as she trudged through the thick snow, each step a struggle. The snowstorm was relentless, but so was she. She pulled her coat tighter around her and set her sights on her destination, her mind focused on the path ahead despite the chaos of the storm. @All time Jack

Theodora trudged through the snow, clutching the duffel bag tightly. She reached her old Chevy Biscayne, quickly tossing the bag into the passenger seat. As she turned to head back to the truck stop, she sensed them. Her jaw tightened as the vampires emerged from the shadows, closing in on her position. The leader, a smirking figure, stepped forward. "You think you can escape?" he taunted. Theodora’s hand hovered near her revolver. "I ain’t runnin," she retorted, her voice icy. "And I ain’t afraid of you." The leader lunged, and she drew her revolver, aiming it steadily at him. He halted, eyeing the weapon warily. She knew the gun was empty, but she kept her grip firm, not betraying her bluff. "Back off," she warned, her gaze unwavering. The vampire hesitated, uncertainty flickering in their eyes. Theodora took a step back, maintaining her aim, her mind racing for an escape. The storm howled around them, and Theodora knew she had to act fast. She couldn’t fight them all, but she could outsmart them. She just needed an opening.

1:34 PM

@All time Jack

He hummed as he heard her reply before he shook his head. "Maybe you can. Don't look at it as me helping you then, look at as me being overly cautious." He answered back to her quickly as he crossed his arms over his chest. For a moment when she replied to his apology he was about to relent and agree with her but his stubbornness won out as he instead shook his head. "I'll take that into consideration for the next vampire I come across." He told her not being very sincere. He rolled his eyes lightly when he saw her glare, noticing the watch that she looked at. "Sure you're not. And I'm sure that you won't need to feed again soon with how much more damage your body needs to repair." He answered back to her in deadpan. "I wasn't trying to save you." He reminded her before he shook his head. "I'll walk you out at least." He told her not giving her an option as he watched her retrieve her revolver and hide it before he followed her out of the bathroom and out of the diner. "The weather sure is bad are you sure you want to head out right now?" He asked her but he didn't expect her to really answer so once she left he took a small step back and went back into the diner.

11:56 AM

His plan was to check on the old couple to make sure that they were okay at least that was until his senses picked on the scent of more vampires. He couldn't help but sigh the moment he picked up on the scent. He wasn't a fan of his own kind that was clear. But he was getting a little hungry now that he had been fed on so he left to check on them. When he found them at a deadlock, with Theodora pointing her gun at the three vampires defensively it was easy for him to guess what kind of scene he was looking at. At least now he knew why she was so hurt when he met her. "Do you still not want my help?" He asked after he snuck up behind them before he lunged forward and grabbed the leader, his fangs glistening before he made his attack by sinking his fangs into the man's neck and drinking greedily making sure to do damage when the man pulled himself free. @puppet.loosely.strung

11:56 AM

@Theo