Arlo James

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

It was almost cute, really, the amount of faith Abby seemed to have in Sebastian to fix the utter mess that was his previous band and the music and legalities tied to it. Really, he supposed, Abby was the sort of person who often had a lot of faith in others- including himself. Sometimes more then he was sure he deserved. Still, he couldn't help admit that even he hoped Seb would be able to do....something. Even if Arlo himself wasn't exactly sure what that something was. Could he really get that money and rights back after all this time? After his band had been singing those songs for years? God, maybe it was better not to even think about it. Although it was slightly preferable to think about that rather then his parents. Still, the Crusnik managed that simper for his girlfriend all the same. If anything he appreciated her determined optimism and simple assurance that this was going to be a successful evening. Arlo hurriedly distracted from any further thoughts on that by Abby's utter lack f knowledge on music festivals! The simple shock of it very near seeing him run off the road. Those vampiric reflexes hurriedly kicking in to keep them both safe and yet still the shock of it was clear on his features, those bright blue eyes turned near incredulously towards his girlfriend then.

To think she'd never even been to one music festival! Arlo taking that opportunity to explain the idea behind it. Abby, in the least, appeared to consider the idea- even if she didn't seem entirely sold on it. There was still time to convince her, he supposed, maybe they could find a more mild one to attend first so she'd at least have the idea. Still, finding similar festivals at night often wasn't as easy. He'd have to look into it. That conversation shifted readily then to that musical magazine that had come to interview him. The very same magazine having showed a great deal of interest in Abby herself, especially after the woman had appeared at his side in all those wedding photographs as well. Arlo quick to assure her it was hardly anything to worry about and he certainly hadn't given that managazine any information outside of her name. His Little Bear's sudden query on whether or not she should have been worried prompting that grin once more, that chuckle falling from his lips.

"Nah, their just nosy is all. Nothing to worry about though. They're interested in harmless stuff like how long we've been dating and how we met and whether you play music as well- that kinda stuff."

It was, for the most part, largely harmless even if the press, in any form, tended to be judgemental of anyone who was in a relationship with a vampire and wasn't a vampire themselves. For some reason the world hardly seemed to care about interspecies relationships unless one of the people in it was a vampire or a hunter. The world seeming eternally fascinated by the idea either of those might date their very prey. Arlo rarely bothering to attempt to explain his own dietary preferences to those journalists. The last thing he needed was a bunch of angry vampires showing up at his door to run him out of town again. His hand reached easily for the radio then, that small grin finding his features the moment the music changed to something agreeable. Arlo content to tell Abby all about those songs that played and the bands that played them- at least until they drew ever closer to that town he'd left behind all those years ago. A town that had barely changed at all. Those white picket fences and neatly mowed green lawns exactly the same as they'd always been. As if the town itself was as caught in time and unchanging as Arlo. That insistence he hadn't been back here in years was uttered from his lips in the same moment as Abigail asked if it was weird to be back. Arlo frowning slightly as that car slowed to cruise along those residential streets.

"It's weird that it hasn't changed. I almost wish it had and yet, ya know, it looks exactly the same as the night they kicked me out. This was never the sort of town where things moved fast. I always hated it as a kid- it was never big enough for me."

That almost nostalgic, sheepish grin managed to find his lips at the very mention of that. Arlo pulling the car up outside a particular house then, one that looked exactly the same as every other in the street and yet one he'd recognise anywhere. He slid easily from his own seat to step outside and wander around to Abby's side, her door opened for her before she came to stand beside him. His Little Bear practically bouncing in delight to be out of that car while Arlo himself was significantly more assured he'd rather get back in it. God he hadn't been this nervous over anything since he'd asked Abby out that night. Still, that hadn't gone badly. Maybe this wouldn't either, right? He felt himself swallow almost anxiously before pushing that little white gate aside and heading up that path with Abby in tow. His feet rang out on that wooden verandah, Arlo halted in front of that door for several moments as one hand lifted to rake anxiously through his dark hair. The vampire seeming to steele himself before at last pressing that doorball- only to be met with applause.

"Did you just clap because I rung the doorbell?"

The amusement on his features was decidedly clear, Arlo turning to met his lovers gaze then before returning his attention to that front door. It was still closed. Huh. He couldn't even hear anyone moving inside and yet the porch light was on, along with the light in the upstairs bedroom. Dad only ever left the light on when they were home and awake. Arlo pressed that doorbell again only to be met with the same result, his gaze shifted back to Abby then. Was it breaking in if you used the key and it was your own house? Well, he didn't really live here anymore but still. Abigail's insistence they should just get that key saw him hesitate for only a moment longer before that shrug fell from his shoulders, she was right really. It was kind of his house and maybe it would be better if they weren't home. Maybe then he could just get in and out. Arlo stepped easily away from that front door then only to wander towards a series of flower pots along the side of the house, that spare key fished from beneath one. In all these years they'd never bothered to change it.

"Well, here goes. It's strange the light upstairs is on but i can't hear anyone inside either. Maybe they went to the neighbours or something. Still, it's a bloody strange time of night to go visiting isn't it?"

That key was effortlessly pressed into the lock, the door swinging open a moment later to let the pair into that quaint little two story home that was very much the picture of any eighties american home whose occupants, now getting older, had failed to change with the times. His Mother still had floral curtains in all the rooms, the kitchen floor was still made from linoleum, the couches still had seat covers to protect from the sorts of stains his homemaker mother had lived in fear off for so much off her life. The mantle piece above the fireplace littered with those family photos. Arlo willing to bet the beds still had dust ruffles. The tiniest smile managing to find his lips all the same as he turned back to Abby.

"Welcome home. The the nineteen eighties. My room is upstairs, I guess we better check there first."

He uttered softly. His hand held out to his companion then before leading her towards the stairs and up them to that second floor, the carpet here as equally dated, that second floor holding little save for a second bathroom and those three bedrooms that belonged to his parents, his sister and himself.

"I used to slide down that stair railing every morning and run straight out the screen door into the front yard. Dad used to yell at me for clanging and banging before nine on a Sunday."

It would be wrong, after all, to pretend as if he'd never had any good memories here. He had. Plenty of them, even if most of them had been when he was far younger. Still, those things that went wrong in his teenage years had been his own fault. He had no one to blame but himself for that. Arlo easily led the way across the landing then and toward his own room, the vampire frowning slightly at the light that shone from beneath the door, his hand pressing against it to push it open. Only to be presented with a room far, far different to what he remembered. That surprise on his features blatantly clear. Someone had turned his room into a nursery. His bed replaced with a crib. His furniture having all but morphed into a change table and a set of white draws, his walls decorated with pictures of baby animals.

"I....well I....this isn't my room....I mean it was but....what?"

His parents were....old. There was no way they could have had another baby. At least not one this young. Christ, had he got the wrong house? The key had opened it though, it couldn't be the wrong house. Maybe they were babysitting? The sudden, clear sound of someone else in that house readily saw Arlo pivot, those instincts seeing the vampire tug Abby back and closer towards him. Arlo barely having that chance to announce that someone was here before that door pushed open again. A young, dark-haired woman holding a baby having barely taken a step into that room before screaming at the sight of Abigail and Arlo in turn.

"Addi, it's me, Addi stop!"

That baby, by some miracle, hadn't started to cry even as Addison clutched it tighter to her chest as if she feared Arlo might attempt to eat it. The girl rapidly attempting to compose herself and yet her body remained almost ridgid as she eyed the pair of them. Arlo glancing briefly back to Abigail then.

"This is my little sister, Addison. I-"
"What are you doing here?"
"What am I doing here? What happened to my room, where did you get that baby? Did Mom and Dad adopt or something"
"Of course not, this is Avery, my daughter"
"You had a baby!?"

It was, he supposed, the first time he'd seen his sister in nearly ten years. She wasn't....a little kid, not anymore and yet the shock of it, of seeing her, really seeing her for the first time in so long was still clear on his features. Arlo struggling for words then.

"I...I mean...whose the Father?"
"I'm married Arlo, I got married four years ago."
"You didn't invite me to your wedding? I didn't even know you were seeing anyone."

The hurt in his voice, this time, was near blatantly clear. No one had even told him she was getting married, let alone invited him to that wedding or announced she'd had a baby. God, did this make him an Uncle? Addison, for her part, had seemingly recovered from that shock. The woman crossed the floor then, careful not to touch Arlo at all as she passed, before moving to place that baby down in the crib and settle the blankets over her. Addison straightening a moment later as her arms folded across her chest. Her entire posture as rigid and clipped as her tone. Her shoulders shrugging offhandedly then.

"Why would I invite you to my wedding? People would only be freaked out."
"Because....I'm a vampire?"
Because Mom and Dad told most everyone you died- which you did. People already bought lasagna and stuff, it would be awkward."
"Mom and Dad tell people I'm dead!? I'm not dead, i mean....not really."
"Whose she? Your still bringing groupies to the house are you? Cute, Arlo. She dead too?"

Addison's finger lifted to point blatantly at Abby then. Her words nothing but sharp all the same. Arlo still attempting to piece together the information he'd been flooded with before those protective instincts near flared once more. This...was not going well.

"This is Abby, my girlfriend, she isn't a groupie and she isn't a vampire. She's-"
"Oh a girlfriend. That's new. He must be a real riot in the bedroom being dead and all."
"Addison!"
"Mum and Dad aren't here Arlo, they didn't want to be here and you shouldn't be here either."