Arlo James

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

That idle comment that he really only need think outside the box was met with another quirk of his lip. Arlo fairly sure he'd spent most of his life thinking outside the box. In fact, he was pretty sure he'd never fitted into any sort of box for most of his existence and yet hell, maybe she was right. Maybe there was something he hadn't thought of yet as far as money went. There was always those more illegal avenues he supposed, he'd branched into those more than once and yet still that guilt tended to gnaw at him each and every time. Maybe he was just a faulty sort of vampire, hell, maybe he'd change as he simply got older and older and lost all faith in the world as most vampires seemed to do. Maybe one day he'd be almost like Petra herself, somewhat...detached from that reality. He'd spent his humans years that way after all. Yet- he couldn't quite seem to give up on his own humanity or let it go so willingly. It was stupid really, the way he'd been as a human almost the opposite of the man he was now- at least in some ways. Arlo unwilling to let himself go beyond that petty theft and near harmless crimes he'd been caught in before. Maybe that was why he kept borrowing money from those.....less than reputable sources. Borrowing was better than stealing right? Still, he seemed to end up in a mess all the same. Either way, that grin rested on his features still, Arlo very near having mastered appearing as if nothing in that world ever bothered him.

"Sure, lay it on me after I've had my snack."

That hunger was readily beginning to tug at him once more all the same, Arlo entirely sure he'd be that much better at listening after he'd had a taste of the glorious blood. His thoughts briefly distracted by that show of her power all the same. The money just...appearing within her hand. Alright. That was pretty fancy. The man almost contemplating snatching up several of those bills as they fell to the floor before that simply faded away. Was that money really real or just an illusion? Wouldn't it disappear once she handed it over to other people? Did it work like that? Those questions readily turned within his mind then, Arlo staring at that space on the ground a moment longer, his features frowning with that quizzical look. At least until Petra seemed to seize on to that mention that she had been a fifty fifty shot, the woman almost bemoaning his lack of ability when it came to working out probability. The man chuckling softly in response to that sound of her own rather pleasant laugh. His shoulders lifting in that good-natured shrug.

"Maybe. Still, you might have over-estimated your own odds, eh?"

One eye lifted almost teasingly. Arlo inclined to find he actually enjoyed this girls company. She was weird, sure, but not a bad kind of weird. More like a....misunderstood kind. The assurance it was lucky he was good at survival prompting the return of that simper. Well- that he couldn't argue he supposed. Even if most of the time he was sure it was sheer dumb luck. Still, he'd survived Petra herself hadn't he? That had to be worth some points. Arlo largely oblivious to just how dangerous Petra truly had been and perhaps still was if she set her mind to it. His own thoughts for now, turned back to that blood he was owed, his efforts to explain to her just what would happen all but brushed off. Arlo hardly able to help that soft sound of amusement that rose within him all the same. The man affording her an almost knowing look. Alright then, if she thought she would be fine she was about to be in for a surprise. Still, why not let her think that? No need to worry her. His form shifted then to stand behind her, his arms embracing her firmly as his lips ran along that porcelain skin of her neck. His fangs easily finding that vein only to pierce it a moment later. That blood was a sweet, rich reward, coaxed to flow more readily by his saliva and that venom that readily acted to render his victim entirely unable to truly fight him even if she desired. Petra wrapped up and lost within that world of pleasure and delight and peaceful happiness.

The woman lent heavily against him then as Arlo fully anticipated she might. His grip tightening upon her to hold her upright and too- to allow him to continue feeding from her. The vampire effortlessly draining that blood from her veins even despite her bodies efforts to protest that feeding and readily heal. It was only once he was sated that he at last lent away, his tongue sweeping over those wounds to close them before easing his own form against that tree and down to the soft grass beneath. The man content to merely let Petra lay within his lap as she uttered his name. That sudden assurance she was not a piglet so momentarily caught him off guard, Arlo hardly assured as to what she was referring to before the realisation of that nickname seemed to strike him. Tht near pet name such a common part of his speech he rarely realised he was even given to use it. Besides, his victims so often tended to tell him all sorts of things within that state. Their hopes, dreams, desires, secrets, some of them inclined to seek intimacy with him while others merely stared in wonder at the world around them. How different people could be when everything bad was removed from them. Every worry and fear. Maybe that was why he still had some hope in the world itself- because he saw people at their best, at their happiest, at who they were beneath the weight of the world. Petra no different. Who would have thought? The girl declaring piglets were cute, her laugh sweet and pleasant as Arlo simply smiled once more, letting her speak freely as that venom rampaged within her system. The fact she was still conscious indicating her own strength.

"That's why I called you Babe, your cute, you just pretend you don't know it. I bet you could find a piglet if you wanted too, I think Petting Zoo's have them."

His words held that gentle tease all the same, Arlo chuckling softly at even the idea of Petra scowling at a petting zoo surrounded by children. She flopped heavily against him then, her head falling against his chest as he peered down towards her. The woman promptly declaring she was alright....maybe...she was a Lady. The Lady Petra.

"Alright then, Lady Petra, nice to meet you. Why did I stop what, Babe?"

She was almost nonsensical and yet Arlo had simply become used to it. At least, with the ones he stayed beside until they recovered. The young vampire unwilling to allow Petra to fall victim to a passing Hunter just as he had guarded Sebastian in turn. That sense of...responsibility seeming to demand he afforded some protection to those who let him feed willingly. Petra's announcement that she could eat a horse or an elephant or a human horse elephant saw his own eyes roll playfully.

"Sure, I reckon that sounds great. Tell you what though, why don't we find you a human the size of a human hmm? Tell me when you think you can stand and I'll bring you someone to eat, ok?"

Her eyes suddenly flashed open a moment later. The woman suddenly seeming assured that was better. Surprising that.

"Hi there. Nah, Babe. You sat down, you didn't fall. It's probably better you sit with me for a bit longer though. Why don't you tell about making money? You said you knew how right?"

Well, he hardly expected he might get a very good answer out of her now, still he hardly wanted her trying to walk just yet. The last thing he needed was her falling over and injuring herself or hitting a lamppost like Sebastian had done before the man had gone tearing into a park and tried to leap down an entire flight of stairs. That was the sort of adventure he didn't need a second time.

"Hey Petra, can I ask you something? Do you got anyone at home? I mean, you live with anyone or is it......just you?"