Arlo James

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

Arlo could hardly prevent that near bemused look that found his features in the wake of that stream of items Abby insisted was in her bag, the vampire peering almost warily into that abyss. After all, women's bags had always been something of a mystery to him. In fact, he was fairly certain womens bags were a mystery to most men. The sort of place a girl kept her secrets and yet based on Abigails description her bag was full of clothing and lotion that vaguely smelled of mangos. How'd have guessed? Her insistence she had also packed an extra blanket prompted that near lopsided quirk to his own lips, Arlo readily about to argue that he was almost certain they didn't need extra blankets given the time of the year and the notion that he was pretty sure hotels had those already if you asked. That very look of excitement on the woman's face however saw those words catch in his throat as his head simply shook in good-natured amusement. Why ruin her fun? If she wanted to bring ten blankets then so be it. His hand reached easily for her own once she seemed convinced she had finished packing and locked the house, the red-haired women practically bouncing down those steps after him as they headed for the rental car. Arlo promptly refusing to buy one when he was surely only going to need it for one trip right?

Even despite his earlier attempts to explain, well, something off his unusual family situation and prepare Abigail for the concept that his parents would likely have no interest in seeing him, let alone meeting her (if only by association to him) - the woman seemed distinctly excited all the same. Her simple exuberance for the whole thing had a way of tugging that grin to his own features. He was oblivious, truly, to any idea his girlfriend was trying extra hard to combat that anxiety that had a habit of finding him over the whole affair. As far as Arlo was concerned Abby was just being, well, Abby. Excited, happy, fun-loving, sweet Abby. Arlo inclined to find she was somehow even more attractive when she smiled like that. The vampire readily having come to discover he liked making her happy. He liked making her smile and somewhere in between all the nonsense tonight would probably bring he was still determined to at least try and make the best of it- even if only for her sake. His Little Bear so having a talent for almost soothing those nerves. In the very least they had a road trip to look forward too and that would be fun wouldn't it? He liked road trips. Especially the kind he was sober enough to actually pay attention too, let alone the peace that came with driving at night and avoiding most of the noise of the city traffic.

Those bags were easily deposited in the trunk of the car, Arlo moving to settle into that drivers seat before effortlessly turning on the car and pulling away from the curb. The vampire paused only to lean sideways and let his lips brush sweetly against the young woman's cheek in that chaste and yet affectionate kiss. He really was glad she had decided to come. Her presence a distraction against the eight million thoughts that had decided to take up residence in his mind and would surely have been running a damn riot in there without her. His vampiric tendencies so having a habit of forcing him to assure she was safe and happy, to focus on her rather then himself and in that moment he was almost glad for them. At least, he suspected it was a vampire thing. He'd never been this fixated on someone as a human. Then again, Abby was significantly better than any other girl he had dated growing up. It hadn't taken him much longer then their first meeting to decide that. Every part of him distinctly attuned to her in a way he never really had been with anyone else. Maybe he'd put that on the list of things to ask Seb about when they got back. Vampiric obsessiveness. Abby's insistence she was glad to come readily drew his blue gaze back toward her, that ever-present grin still in place as he nodded.

"Yeah, Ab's. Course we are."

If only he was as confident as he sounded. Abby tucked her feet up on the seat as they pulled out of that quiet neighbourhood, Arlo steadily maneuvering his way from the suburbs and toward the city with the intent of pulling onto the highway that would eventually lead them right out of town. The inner city itself proved to be busier, those city lights flickering and flashing as people hurried about to meet dinner reservations or friends outside of bars. It was the very sort of night he would normally have relished. After all, a warm night like this brought people out in droves and that much prey brought out other vampires which only made his job all the easier. He probably should have eaten before deciding to drive halfway across the damn state. Then again- he was always hungry- such a sensation hardly new to him in any sense. Arlo mostly sure all vampires were hungry even when they weren't hungry. He'd eaten yesterday though, that was sure to cover him, he was at least...ninety percent sure. His thoughts drifting back to that topic at hand and the calculation of how long he thought it might take them to reach his childhood home. Hopefully it wouldn't be too late. He'd rather get this over and done with tonight without having to linger another day. Arlo readily choosing to comment instead on the likelihood of finding a fruit basket to eat. The vampires eyes lifting at Abigail's bold insistence hotels didn't have fruit baskets. He was pretty darn sure they did. At least, some of the ones he'd stayed at with the band had had them. Although....maybe the hotel had only done that for them? Maybe it wasn't common? Arlo suddenly inclined to question everything he knew about fruit baskets. His gaze flicking briefly, if not suspiciously, back onto his girlfriend, those following words entirely good natured in their teasing.

"Uh-huh and how many hotels have you stayed at to base that....you know that....thing....the fancy word you taught me. Umm. Hypothesis! What are you basing that hypothesis on, hmm?"

Ha. He'd remember the word. One of Abby's fancy science words at that. That vampire inclined to feel momentarily pleased with himself. Arlo going to far as to look even momentarily smug as they finally made it through the city and onto that open highway. Miles and miles of, well, blackness stretching before them. His own gaze accustomed to see decidedly well in the darkness and even with those minimal street lights above. His hand extended easily to the side, Arlo turning that radio on quietly if only to hear that background music as it played, his features scowling slightly at that song that was only a verse away from finishing. Thank god. He'd never been a fan of Alanis Morissette. Abigail's sudden mention of staying an extra night at the hotel saw him briefly glance away from the road once more. He hadn't considered staying merely for the sake of, well, a small vacation of sorts and yet really why couldn't they? Abby didn't have school until Monday and it wasn't as if he had anything booked this weekend, his shoulders shrugging good naturedly as that simper found his lips again.

"Sure, why not? We don't really have a reason not too. I think this hotel even has a hot tub. I think I could be convinced to get in that."

That grin widened easily on his lips then, Arlo chuckling all the same as his mind found itself content to picture Abby in that same hot tub with him. That was, well, a rather satisfying thought really. His attention returned to that road, Arlo smoothly changing lanes before leaning back in his seat, one hadn't resting on the wheel now, the other resting on the window sill as he mentioned those new job offers and the possibility of going to that music festival totally for free if he agreed to play at it. Seb had been right. That wedding had all but launched his career into the stratosphere. His phone rung all the time, he had agents ringing to ask if they could manage him, he had other musicians asking if they could play with him. All he had to do was pick and choose! That toothy grin flashed towards Abby once more.

"I had a call from Rocket Entertainment, they wanted to know if I was looking for a new manager. That's the third one this week! Can you believe it? Nitro Music also wants to talk record deals and i've had four bands ring to ask about playing with me or doing a few cover songs with me. The music festival is offering me free entry and a pretty good pay check to do a guitar solo at Night On The Green. I think I might do the festival, it'll be fun, but I like playing a little hard to get too you know? I also want to talk to Seb about this whole manager business before I go signing anything. I got into shit with that last time."

He frowned slightly, his head shaking as if to dismiss the rest of those less than pleasant thoughts. Abby's sudden, innocent on what a music festival was seeing his eyes widen. Arlo mostly sure he'd almost driven onto the wrong side of the road in pure shock. She didn't know what a music festival was!? How was the possible! She, his girlfriend, didn't know what a music festival was. That shock surely clear on his handsome features. How did he even begin to explain the glory that was a music festival.

"It's like....a giant outdoor concert. Think of it like a festival with food and stalls and all that but right in the center there is a huge stage and heaps of different bands and artists play. Its like going to fifteen concerts for fifteen different people all at once. The bands and artists have to get invited to play. Sometimes they are really famous people, sometimes they have a few emerging artists and stuff- its a really great career platform. If your there to watch you just pay to get into the grounds then you find a spot on the grass and listen to the music, or you can walk around and buy stuff or eat food. It's pretty great. Really casual. A lot of people get drunk though. It's usually a lot of, well, teenagers and young adults, early twenties and stuff. We'll stay away from that though."

He was passed that. Long passed it now. At least, he liked to think he was. He'd hadn't touched a drug in years and he couldn't remember the last time he was drunk beyond sensible. Besides that....person he had been was not the one he wanted Abby to know. That guy wasn't nearly good enough for her. He didn't want to be that guy any more.

"Do you reckon you'd want to go? We don't have to if you don't want, hell, if you think I shouldn't do it I can take up one of the other offers. Rolling Stone magazine called to have a phone interview too. They asked about you."

That almost cheeky grin managed to find his lips then as he chuckled, one eye lifting almost teasingly as Arlo continued to near lounge in that drivers seat as the car rolled smoothly long that flat, open highway.

"Everyone saw our picture in those magazines and newspapers from the wedding and everyone wants to know who you are. You've become a woman of mystery the music world is determined to solve, babe."