Arlo James

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

Arlo could hardly help that fashion he felt one eye lift upward in expectation as his girlfriend clearly contemplated how viable it was that they might actually get a fruit basket at the hotel. Arlo was, to a certain extent, a veteran of hotel and motel sleeping and he was mostly sure some hotels really did give you those added extras. He supposed though, at the time, he had been a lot more famous than he was now and famous people often got extra things. Maybe those 'gifts' in the hotel rooms all those years ago had really just been, well, bribes by the hotel to encourage the band to stay there again. Still, Abby seemed determined to prove him wrong before promptly announcing that she knew they didn't have fruit baskets because she's seen pictures of the hotel rooms online. That was a fairly good point. Arlo frowned slightly in that contemplation as Abigail made her point- before querying whether or not that were staying at a super fancy hotel, that lopsided grin finding its way back to his features then.

"Well, it aint super, super five star fancy, it only had four stars but that still makes it a tiny bit fancy."

He finally had, for the first time in a long time, the money to be able to stay in a five star place- especially if only for a few nights and yet in this case, his hometown simply didn't have a five star hotel. It's wasn't big enough or enough of a tourist destination for that. Four star it would have to be. Although whether or not they would actually have fruit baskets still remained to be seen. That, he supposed, was a mystery they would both look forward to solving. Hell, maybe if they didn't have one he could send out for one just to surprise Abby with, maybe that was cheating. Still, his lip quirked at the thought as his fingers reached for that radio. That first song was hardly to his liking and yet it was almost over, there was every chance they'd play something decent after that, maybe something he knew how to play or could tell Abby about. Whether or not Abby actually understood what he was saying when he talked about that music he hardly knew and yet she always seemed interested in the least. She was a good girlfriend like that. Arlo determined to show an equal interest in the things she did even if her school work was often completely beyond him. Still, she'd taught him about photosynthesis. He remembered that. That was a thing he'd learned- and the word hypothesis- which he'd managed to use in an actual sentence and he was damn sure was pretty impressive for that alone. Still, the promise of a hot tub and a longer vacation at that hotel seemed to delight the girl all the same. Abby insisting she'd been right to bring a swimsuit all along as Arlo grinned once more- even as those images of just what she might look like in that very swimsuit all but invaded his mind. God, he could picture it now. Maybe it was lucky he hadn't worn tighter jeans. The vampire shifting slightly in his seat. Arlo quick to mention that upcoming jobs if only to distract himself from those all-too pleasing thoughts.

His Little Bear, as always, seemed pretty excited to hear about those new job opportunities even if he was mostly sure she had no idea what he was saying with half of those names. God it was good to have work again, to have opportunities and interested people- he'd missed it so much more than he was willing to admit. All of it. He just had to do it right this time. He couldn't screw it all up again, not like before, not when he finally had something to lose. At least this time he had friends, real friends, that had to be a help right? Abby's sudden query on that manager interrupted those thoughts, his gaze flicking briefly to her before turning back to the road before him.

"Nah, not yet. Honestly I'm almost tempted to just manage myself. I reckon I could do it, with a bit of help anyway, or just a really good financial planner. As for joining a band I...."

His features frowned once more, Arlo lifting one hand to run it through his hair as that sigh escaped him.

"I just....I don't know if I want too, not after it all went to shit last time. I mean, I guess I can't be solo forever right? Playing the guitar and covering other bands songs will only get you so far. I've had offers, good offers too, I guess I just want to get all of this mess sorted out with my old band before I drag a bunch of news guys into it. I'm really hoping Seb can help with it all, if there is even anything left to help with. My parents might have thrown all of my stuff out."

If that had happened there would be nothing left to do but forget it all. Maybe that would be for the better and yet it still irked him to think off his first band just....leaving him. Maybe he was too hung up on the past. His head shook lightly, as if to clear it, Arlo having little true idea of just what he thought on the whole situation before he mentioned those new jobs he's been offered and the chance of a music festival. Abigail's clear confusion on that very event all but prompting that excitable explanation from the vampire in turn. Arlo unable to help that grin even despite how overwhelmed Abby appeared in that moment. The woman almost hesitantly suggesting it sounded fun.

"Don't worry, Ab's. I wouldn't let anything happen to you."

It was more true then he was sure she realised. Those protective instincts, when it came to her, were....beyond anything he'd ever truly felt before. They were almost frightening, even to him, even despite his efforts to rein them back most of the time. That mention of Rolling Stone magazine and their own interest in Abby seemed to grab the girls attention, Arlo chuckling softly as they continued to cruise along that highway, at least until that soft utterance about her Father and whether or not he'd seen it. God. Maybe he had. Those newspapers had been everywhere. Then again was a man really going to read about a royal wedding in depth enough to read the twelve page liftout where his and Abby's picture had been. Maybe not. He could hope not. Had Abby even told her dad about them? Maybe it was better if he didn't know, although then it seemed just...sneaky somehow. Arlo attempting to show those thoughts aside for now. He had enough to worry about with his own father before adding Abby's to the mix. He'd have plenty of time tomorrow to worry about Abby's.

"People are curious, they always want to know. It's just the way it is. Being a mystery is good though, keeps them interested but gives your privacy too. Don't worry, I didn't tell them much about you, I figured that was for you to tell if you wanted and besides- I don't want to share you."

Those final words were near teasing, Arlo grinning back towards her again as they continued down that highway. The music finally changing to something Arlo was mostly assured was far better, the vampire turning it up just a little as his fingers tapped at the steering wheel. The vampire content to pass the time with talk of those things they'd seen in Italy and how he was mostly sure no hotel was ever going to live up to that palace. That drive, he was sure, seemed shorter somehow though whether it was because he'd been distracted for most of it or because he wasn't looking forward to it he hardly knew. Arlo steadily becoming more quiet (a rarity for the often overly chatty vampire) the closer and closer to that home town they drew. The pair passing that 'Welcome' sign just after ten that night, Arlo slowing the car to something more agreeable for a suburban street. Those houses the very epitome of suburban living with their white picket fences and neatly hedged lawns, every tree the same, every house in possession of a verandah with potted plants it was almost...idyllic really.

"I haven't been back here in like eight....nine years."

The words were muttered more to himself really and yet loud enough that Abby might well have heard them anyway as the car continued down the street. It was another twenty minutes or so before the vampire made a left onto another quiet street, the car pulled easily against the curb outside one of those houses that looked, from the outside, as idyllic as every other house in the street. The lawn as neatly mowed and perfectly cut to match every other lawn. That verandah light was on, as well as another light upstairs and yet the rest of the house looked quiet. Arlo forcing that small smile onto his lips as he turned to Abby again.

"Guess this is it. It looks exactly the same as when I was here last. People around here don't like change much."
He slipped his seatbelt easily off, the door opened a moment later as he stepped out, his arms lifted above him a moment in that stretch before he moved to Abby's side of the car to open the door for her. Those lights were on and yet there was no car in the driveway. Had his parents gone out just to avoid him? Maybe......maybe it was almost for the best. At least he wouldn't have to face them. Even if a tiny part of him had almost wanted to see them. Almost. Arlo led the way through that little white gate and up the path and stairs that led to the front door. The vampire hesitating for several moments before at last pressing that doorbell- the sound echoing throughout the house. At least his stuff wasn't all thrown out on the front lawn. That meant something right? That sound echoed again before finally dying. His own superior hearing failing to pick up on anyone moving inside as his features frowned.

"They only ever leave the light on when their home and awake. Dad turns it off when he goes to bed."

He near mused the words, his gaze glancing upward at that light still on and shining from the second floor window. Arlo pressing that doorbell again only for the same result. Well this was...weird. That confusion surely clear in his face before he turned back to Abby once more, his shoulders lifted in a shrug of sorts. That touch of anxious surely clear in his voice, a stark difference from the normally near overly confident man.

"I know where the spare key is. Do you think it counts as breaking and entering if its my own house? I mean- I'm not even breaking anything I'd just be....entering. It'll only take me ten minutes to grab my stuff and leave a note for them. That's not illegal right?"