Arlo James

See what it's like to be a vulture's lunch

If only he'd had some idea of how well Damon had his character pinned down from just those few moments of observations. Arlo so fortunately oblivious to those conclusions the older vampire had already drawn, Damon readily having picked up upon his hit and run lifestyle. The younger man far more inclined to run, in nearly any situation, rather then stay and fight about it. H lacked those territorial instincts of his counterparts, the man more akin to a veritable ghost most of the time. Except when he got desperate. When desperation made him careless and he settled for whatever target he could find for the night like he had done now. Lukas had never been a great meal. Arlo had known it from the start and yet he'd been enough to tide him over until he could find someone else. A well fed vampire. Someone like Damon really and yet there was something distinctly...powerful about Damon that seemed to incline him to think otherwise. Nothing about Damon indicated this man was an easy choice, nothing except that glorious scent of his blood. God he could just about imagine the taste of it. Those questions seeing him swallow those desires, at least for now, his answers apparently disappointing to that elder vampire. Damon scowling at him, the gesture alone seeing Arlo bristle slightly all the more. Always thought they knew best. The older ones. Always thought they understood. Damon was the same. He didn't understand. He probably never would. Arlo berating himself internally all the more for having gotten caught at all. His gaze jerking away from Damon's at that question about teaching himself discipline. As if it was easy. Maybe when he was a century old he'd learn it too- but in the meantime he had a hell of a long way to go. Damon was right, he supposed and yet Damon looked the type to get satisfaction out of hearing he was right- that enough to see Arlo become stubborn all over again and remain distinctly silent.

Those questions about his Maker hardly inclined him to speak any more than he had already. That scent of blood tugging at him, toying with his mind, pressing against him and threatening to undo him all over again. That war of hunger and self-preservation one he was beginning to lose more than win more often than not. Just when he thought he was starting to win at this, at living this....life it seemed he was only being dragged back again. Damon evidently a believer in the 'tough love' of the world, as it were. Arlo sure the other man would have gotten on well with his Mother with an attitude like that and yet those thoughts of a family that no longer existed to him were roughly shoved aside all the same. Arlo quite content to tell Damon exactly what he thought of him. The other man taking it so easily within his stride. Maybe he was used to being called a jerk. Didn't seem that surprising. Arlo biting all the more firmly down upon his jaw as the scent of that blood threatened to undo him again, his control fracturing further with every passing moment.

"I lived this long didn't I? Unless you're going to kill me- which by the way- your taking your god damn time."

He was pretty sure he didn't need this guys help- if that's what this even was. Some weird version of help. Arlo having decided Damon was maybe the bossiest vampire he'd ever met and yet that...dominance seemed to just about exude from him. Arlo, perhaps, more inclined to the submissive side of nature, that along seeing him uninclined to argue to openly with the man. His desire to escape remaining intact all the same. If he'd just turn around...or look away....or something. Arlo's frustration in those moments finally getting the better of him- not that being told to shut-up seemed to even see the other man blink. Damon gave a whole new meaning to the word calm. Arlo snorting in response, refusing again to admit that maybe this wasn't all going to go away and yet Damon could. Damon could fuck right off and leave him the hell alone- it was like he wanted to get bitten. That threat to rip out his fangs perhaps the only thing seeing the younger man hesitate before the other vampire stepped abruptly forward, the scent of him almost overwhelming then. The last of Arlo's newly gained control snapping, his hand already reaching to grasp Damon and haul him close enough to bite. Just one bite. Just one taste.

His gaze met Damon's own, that look brief and yet enough to allow the older vampires power to seize him so unknowingly. That desire to....behave suddenly seeming to overwhelm everything, even that hunger. That stubbornness flaring but briefly once more, Arlo frowning slightly in question of those orders before the press of Damon's power simply overwhelmed his own, his hand held obediently out to shake on it before he was left blinking in confusion. Arlo not even really sure what they'd been arguing about before, his striking blue eyes flicking from Damon to the collapsed Lukas and back again before that command to follow him saw Arlo turn to trail after him. It seemed a good idea, not like he had any other plans for the night or anything. The younger vampire inclined to ask why he wasn't being given candy or a puppy to get in the car. Wasn't that what all the good kidnappers did?

"I accept money. I'll even take a check."

His lip quirked slightly, trailing behind Damon all the same and towards that car. One hell of a fucking car at that, his own eyes widening, a snort of astonishment falling from him as he halted just before that shining black vehicle. A look of utter appreciation upon his features then as on hand lifted to brush the near-black hair from his gaze. The car suddenly roaring life with a flick of Damon's wrist. Alright then. So the guy wasn't just all talk. He could flick lights and start cars. Arlo contemplating what lights and cars had in common that seemed to let the man manipulate them before one hand reached forward to brush against the side of the Mustang.

"Dude, are you like rich or something?"

It seemed a legitimate question, Arlo settling into the passenger seat a moment later. The younger vampire's demeanour having shifted entirely in the wake of Damon's own manipulation. Arlo almost unable to remember just what had been stressing him out in that alleyway as that car slowly pulled away from the curb. He'd never been in a car as nice as this, at least, not legally anyway. How bad could this Damon guy be? Although....this idea of hunting still didn't sit well with him. Arlo entirely sure Damon was going to discover just what Sebastian and Malek and all the others before them had. Arlo and human blood a truly....curious mix. That concern brushed aside for the moment as he lent back in that chair beside his newfound companion.

"So that hot red-haired chick, how'd you get a girl like that? I mean, no offense, but you're kinda intimidating and broody. You're not with the mafia are you?"

He probably was. God. He probably owed him money. That's what this was about. A sting. He should have known. This was how it ended. Well- at least he got to ride in a nice car.

"Hey bud? We're not going to kill anyone are we?"