Arlo James

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

He was almost sure she liked picking those decorations. Almost. He couldn't quite tell and yet if a panda had ever been delighted before he was sure this one was. Her little paws reached for those decorations with glee, reaching for the shining, delicate snowflakes she seemed to like the best though why Arlo hardly cared to query as he plucked them from the rack for her, adding them to their growing collection before making his way back to the counter. The way his little pet so buried herself down into the warmth of his coat the moment that store clerk set his eyes upon her was hardly unnoticed by the vampire and yet it took barely a glance from his own blue gaze before that man looked hurriedly away. Arlo was, perhaps, hardly a threat to the man and yet he didn't know that. The vampire seeing no need not to make use of his species reputation at least occasionally, handing over those bills and too, a few more, for that extra gift he slipped so easily into the bag without his little companion noticing. Their ride back was fortunately short, made shorter still by Arlo's evident love for speed in every form, his vampiric reflexes assuring they were hardly ever in any real danger despite the way the girl clung to his jacket as if they raced into the mouth of hell itself. Typical woman. A soft chuckle left his lips at just that thought before he mounted those stairs, climbing back up to his hardly impressive apartment to place that bag on the table, followed a moment later by his little bear.

It was easy then to reach into that bag, plucking that extra gift from within to pass it to her. Arlo considering perhaps a little to late that she could hardly open it herself, the man moving to assist with that ever traditional mention of 'Merry Christmas' as he did. It wasn't much, not really and yet it had been years since he'd given a Christmas gift of any kind. He never had the money for it and more than that, he'd never had the friends to give anything too. At least not anymore. His descent into vampirism had very quickly seen most of his friends and family disappear, all of them seemingly terrified he would end them, drain the blood from their veins or worse- make them like him. As if he knew how. Maybe it didn't count, giving a present to a Bear and yet it was something right? Emotional things were hardly his forte, the gift hardly even wrapped and yet it was more then he'd given in a long time. Animals, after all, were far easier than people. Those ardent blue eyes rested against her little red form, watching with a ready curiosity as she examined that gift of glazed fruit before reaching one paw out to grasp it, bringing it to her lips before squeaking in delight, teasing his own grin to his face before she hurriedly reached for another. Hmm, his girl had a sweet tooth then. He could hardly help that chuckle that found its way to his lips, the vampire amused at the delight she found in that fruit before the realization that she had someone else she should surely be spending the holidays with seemed to dawn on him. Christmas with him, after all, hardly seemed an exciting thing. Besides, her real owner must be looking for her, right? The suggestion had barely left his lips, Arlo at least attempting to let her know she could leave if she wanted, that she needn't feel obligated to stay with him if she didn't want to- the Panda suddenly seeming almost offended at the suggestion. One eye arched upwards as she waddled across that table to climb into the paper bag, sending it and the ornaments toppling to the table in an attempt, he supposed, to draw his attention to it.

"Ok, ok, don't get your tail in a knot. We can do the tree first. I just thought you might have someone better to spend Christmas with, that's all. Didn't want you thinking you were stuck with me."

One hand reached out to ruffle the fur on her head affectionately once more, a crooked, toothy grin flashed in her direction as he reached to scoop up that bag and carry it towards the tree, leaving the Panda to finish her fruit atop the table before coming to join him as he crouched down before the tree. It was a little lopsided, a little balanced against the wall and yet it would have to do for now. Maybe it wasn't' quite perfect but neither was anything else in his house, including himself. In fact, right now, he was damn well hungry and yet even that thought was cast aside as he plucked the first decoration from the bag, sliding it on and over that branch before admiring his handiwork. He reached for another and another, attempting to space them out with some evenness before glancing back to his companion.

"Here, Chicka, come and put your decoration on. Where do you want it?"

He reached easily then to pick her up, holding her towards the tree, the snowflake decoration in his other hand, waiting for the girl to indicate just where she might like to have it before sliding it onto the appropriate branch, placing her then on the floor beside the bag to choose another one before attempting to follow her directions again. Why he was even bothering he hardly knew. It seemed to please the Panda though and that, god knows why, was somehow important to him. That last decoration was slipped onto the tree, Arlo stepping back to admire their jointed handiwork. It was the first tree he'd had in years and really, it wasn't all that bad. It didn't have any presents beneath it but that, he supposed, didn't matter all too much. One hand lifted to run back through his hair, leaving those dark locks ruffled and askew.

"Looks pretty good, eh? I don't know where you got this tree though. If some angry family comes bashing down my door later tonight I'll know who to blame. Don't look at me like that, I'm just teasing you, babe."

His words were laced with that ready humour all the same, another chuckle parting his lips at the look upon the creatures face before he scooped her up once more, collapsing back in dramatic fashion onto the couch, placing the Panda on his chest and away from his injured shoulder, arms folding behind his head.

"You're not expecting me to sing carols or anything though are you? This is about as Christmas themed as I get. You know, sometimes, I swear you know what I'm saying."

His own head tilted just slightly, as if attempting to look at the panda from another angle, one of the few creatures....ever, not to appear terrified of him. It was refreshing really. Either way, he was glad for the company.

"Are you going to share that last bit of fruit with me or what?"