Arlo James

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

"You know we're only going to be gone overnight right, babe? Seriously, this is a really big bag. What do you have in here?"

Were you allowed to look in a girls bag when you were her boyfriend? You were, right? Arlo glancing down into that very bag that had been all but thrust into his arms as Abigail hurried around to make sure she hadn't forgotten anything last minute and that all the doors and windows were locked. He could hardly deny she was thorough in any sense. Even with her packing. Everything was so....neatly folded. Arlo's own features scowled slightly at the thought off his own bag, that single backpack with a change of clothes and his toothbrush the only thing he'd actually brought with him. Had he underpacked? Hell, maybe he should have worn something nicer for visiting his parents after hardly having seen them in seven....eight years. Was it more? Maybe it didn't matter. It had taken him well over an hour to convince Abby it hardly mattered what she wore, chances were she wouldn't meet them at all. Arlo mostly sure they were going to arrive only to find all his things resting on the front porch so he could take them without having to come into the house, the vampire at least attempting to prepare Abby for that. For the very fact his parents likely had no interest in seeing him at all. A part of him, maybe, trying to prepare himself for that as well.

He'd called home three times this week. The first time he'd gotten no answer. The second time he'd left a message asking them to call back, a call they never returned. The third time had been only yesterday to let them know he was coming though whether they had gotten that message either he hardly knew. Still, he'd tried right? He'd told them. He;d given them plenty of time to, well, get out of the house he supposed- if they didn't want to see him and yet really a small part of him, a tiny part, almost hoped they'd be there. Even if just to...see them. He'd given up trying to call them years ago. He'd hardly dared to go home. Not after the way he'd left and yet they hadn't called either. Not Dad, not Mom, even Addison hadn't called. Weren't sisters supposed to look out for you when parents didn't? God what was he getting himself into?

He managed that almost lopsided grin all the same as his Little Bear turned to face him now that she seemed sure the house was actually locked. Arlo nothing if not almost masterful at pretending everything was alright even when it wasn't. The vampire determined not to let Abby see how, well, stressed he was over going home. Even he wasn't exactly sure what those emotions were- aside from the fact that they didn't exactly seem good. He was braced for that rejection from his family- one he knew that, when it came, would be undoubtedly final and yet a tiny part of him almost hoped it wouldn't happen. A tiny part of him was still hopeful and god how it hurt to be hopeful. Still, they had a few hours drive ahead of them yet right? Nothing to worry about right now.

Some of that tension, in the least, seemed to find its way out of his body. Arlo holding his hand out towards Abigail, waiting for the girl to take it before leading her down those front steps off her neat little townhouse and toward that waiting rental car. His bike, after all, was hardly ideal for driving that far and if it rained they'd have been, well, wet. His free hand reached out to open that passenger side door for the red-haired woman, her bag placed easily in the trunk of the car beside his own before that too was shut down. Arlo making his way to that drivers seat then before settling himself within it and revving that engine to life. An easy, genuine grin finding his lips now as he glanced toward his girlfriend.

"It really was good of you to come, Ab's. I am glad you did."

That nickname of sorts feel easily from his lips, Arlo leaning over just enough to place that singular kiss on her cheek, that gesture decidedly chaste and yet readily affectionate. How the hell he'd ever convinced a girl like her to go out with him god only knew. She was so...so.......hot. He was mostly sure that was exactly the word. She was hot from every angle too. He'd checked. Yet it was more then that. Abbey was not like any other girl he'd ever dated. She was better. In every way. Hell, she was better than him, he was sure of that. The vampire mostly sure he was punching out off his league- at least when it came to class and yet god how he adored her! Even when they weren't together and he was waiting for her to come home from her evening class or working on his music or waiting for her to come over she was always on his mind. Arlo nothing short of utterly whipped in every fashion. Just like he'd accused Seb of being over his boy. Ha, the elder vampire would have liked that. A significant portion of his thoughts, lately, inclined to consider all the things he'd like to do to her other then just those simple kisses and yet he could be patient right? Mostly. Those very thoughts cast aside for now as the car pulled away from the curb and out onto the road. At least driving at night meant less traffic.



"I reckon we'll get there about 10 or 11pm tonight. We'll see my parents, grab the stuff and then crash at the hotel for the day and drive back tomorrow night. Even if my parents aren't....er.....thrilled to see me at least we get to spend a day in a nice hotel, eh? It won't be as nice as that Palace of Seb and Dorian's but they might totally have a fruit basket you can eat."

He might as well put a positive spin on it right? Even if only for Abby's sake. Arlo mostly sure 'thrilled' was not at all the word his parents would use when it came to seeing the vampire son they had kicked out all those years ago. Arlo making some effort to brush passed that topic off his parents once more even if it was one they hadn't totally, really, fully talked about. He could still try and avoid it for at least a little right? His bright blue gaze glancing towards his companion once more.

"Did I tell you I got some new job offers this week? I even got offered tickets to some music festival for free if I play at it. We could check that out if you want?"