Arlo James

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

Well. At least one of them was having fun. His Little Bear seeming to take fair more delight then he was sure was warranted in helping him move those boxes and equipment around. The little creature leaping from that amp he moved to race back across the floor and onto another one. Arlo quite beginning to believe she was simply the sort of animal that was enthusiastic about anything and everything. It was cute, he supposed, that creature seeming filled with the sort of optimism he often pretended he had. The vampire still unable to summon her level of utter delight for the task and yet her antics managed to press a smile to his lips all the same. His attention deviated briefly from her and towards that mic stand and box of wires, Arlo making some effort to begin untangling them and sorting them only to have that almighty crash draw his gaze upward to eye that collapsed pile of drums and the apologetic panda standing by them. That was unexpected. His gaze narrowed slightly upon her, hardly voicing that accusation of a truth he knew all too well before that chuckle fell from his lips. He abandoned that box of semi-sorted wires then, strolling easily towards her as she chirped, the man having become almost fond of that sound.

"Yeah, yeah, I know. I'm your hero."

Well- maybe that wasn't exactly what she had been saying but did it really hurt to imagine it was? He reached easily for that drum, righting it then and placing it back with the others before the blue off his gaze rested easily upon that keyboard. It had been years since he'd seen a good one of those, his appreciation for that instrument evidently clear in that low whistle that slipped from his lips. He'd never been much of a keyboard player and yet there was still a tune or two he could summon from it when the moment required, the vampire unable to pass up that opportunity presented to him now as he flicked that power switch on. Turning the volume down as low as he could the man reached easily for his companion then, hoisting that little Panda up, her limbs flailing adorably, before placing her precariously on that edge and within reach of the keys. What talent Panda's had for musical appreciation he hardly knew and yet Arlo was never really the sort of person to care what someone else thought of his music. It was one of the few things he knew he did well. That Panda sniffed slightly at those keys before Arlo reached to let his fingers run across them, informing her of just what he needed from her before beginning to play that ever popular tune so many first time pianists were taught. God it had been so long and yet those notes came willingly all the same, his Little Bear managing those few each time he nodded towards her- even if her foot so occasionally struck the wrong one all the same, Arlo smiling softly in response. The man hardly needing to nod towards her by the end of that first song, his pet seeming to have picked up on it entirely. His assurance that she was basically Beethoven earning him what he was mostly sure was a grin judging by that look.

"I'm not sure that's part of the song."

He uttered as she very near stepped onto those keys, her feet pressing several at once, the animal seeming to delight in merely testing what sounds she could make, Arlo content to let her experiment for several moments before reaching gently for her once more- lifting her down and onto his lap- letting those final notes of her rather unique personal melody fade away. His arms rested either side of her then, his fingers still upon those keys, the vampire almost marvelling at the simple warmth of her. It was curious, really, the way in which he'd noticed she never seemed to pull away from him like most mortal creatures did- startled by his often cold skin. Maybe her fur simply protected her, he hardly knew and yet it was almost....nice, really, to have even one living thing not recoil from him. Arlo leaning forward to rest his chin lightly, almost playfully, atop her head then, enjoying the feeling of that fur as he exhaled softly.

"I can play another song you know, but you can't tell anyone I know this one, I learned it just so I could impress girls really and yet I never actually played it for one. There was a band once, an old band now, called Secondhanded Serenade, they have this song played on the piano called Fall For You. It's one of those cheesy songs, you know the type, don't worry I won't sing. My singing has never once improved a song. I like the sound of the music though, even though it' so simple. Let me show you."

It was easy then, to pick up that new melody, this one played simply from memory alone, those notes well memorised, these sounds far softer then the last. Arlo readily finding himself humming along to it all the same. The vampire unable to stop that very slight smile that tugged at his lips after having ceased to play anything at all in so, so long. He'd forgotten how much he enjoyed it. He'd missed it far too much, even if he was a little rusty right now, those sounds humming within his throat right along with those notes for just that Panda within his lap. After all, what did it matter if she heard him? She'd hardly tell anyone. At least he didn't think so. His fingers continued to coax that melody from that keyboard even as that soft hum slowly faded, Arlo speaking softly now and just above that music. The faintest touch of nervousness tainting his words as it so rarely did.

"There's something I've been meaning to ask you, Chicka. That vampire I met the other night, he saw a picture of you on my phone and he told me something that's been playing on my mind a little. He said your eyes-."

Whatever it was he had been about to say was abruptly cut off by that door opening once more, Arlo's fingers halted abruptly as Tim stood in the doorway, his features twisted into the sort of scowl Arlo was fairly sure wasn't the sort of look that preceded anyone offering him praise for a job well done. The man looking momentarily sheepish. What the hell are you doing?! We can hear you outside. Your supposed to be cleaning not playing, Arlo! Forget it now, the band's here, just help them get this stuff on stage and for Christ's sake keep that cat out of the way. Well. Someone was touchy. Arlo scowled as Tim all but stormed out of the room again, the vampire sighing readily. This jamming session so apparently over. He stood easily then, lifting his Little Bear up and onto his shoulder in the same motion, holding that hoody out for her to bury herself within as best she could before hoisting that keyboard up and carrying it out and onto that stage. When in the hell that bar had started to get so full he hardly knew and yet people were slowly beginning to fill that space and the alcohol readily beginning to flow. That 'band' so to speak, apparently made up of three Were creatures whom Arlo wasn't even sure were old enough to be in a bar.

"So what do you guys play?"

He inquired as he worked to set up that keyboard, adjusting the height of it before turning it back on to no doubt be destroyed by whatever horrendous song they'd decided to play, one of those Were's turning towards him now, eyeing him as if he couldn't quite believe the hired 'help' was talking. Great. He'd been demoted even further in life to the serving boy of some punk teenager. The Were shrugged his shoulders lightly before announcing it was pop punk. What exactly that was classified as Arlo wasn't sure he knew and yet maybe it was for the better, the vampire wandering off stage to grab another amp before hauling it back on to finish setting up. He stepped easily off to the side then, blending in with the crowd as he leant back against the wall. He was probably supposed to be moving something else and yet did it really matter if he stayed for one song? One hand lifted up to rub at his pet's ear absentmindedly, the man about to speak before that sound erupted on stage nearly jolting Arlo back into the wall in surprise. Were they singing or yelling?

"Bloody hell!"

His hands lifted automatically towards his overly sensitive ears, attempting to block out some of that noise. The bass was so loud he was drowning out the guy who was singing, the drummer was maybe the best part of that band. At least he was on time. Maybe that back room wasn't that bad after all. Arlo made his way towards the back of the building again, relieved at the lessened sound now- a hand suddenly tightening on the upper part of his arm- Arlo turning to face....another vampire. One way to well dressed for a bar.

"Can we help you?"

He felt both his eyes lift in surprise, his hand reaching almost protectively for his little pet once more as he eyed that older man who proceeded to straighten his tie. Are you Arlo? That, Arlo had learned, was never a good question. He probably owed this guy money, or he'd fed off him or his girlfriend or something, Arlo eyeing him warily still. Arlo Thomas James, that is you, is it not? No one ever used his full name. Hell, Arlo couldn't remember anyone he'd ever told it to. The vampire momentarily baffled now before gingerly nodding.Excellent. This is for you. The other vampire easily held out what appeared to be a very old, worn shoebox, Arlo staring blankly at it. A shoebox? What was he playing at? One hand reaching forward to tentatively take it.

"Sorry bud, what is this exactly? Who are you?"
I'm from Harper, Brown and Ridgeon. Solicitors. You were left this box. I simply require your signature here and here and-
"I was left this box? By who? Someone died? Are my parents dead?"

The other vampire sighed as if this was an entirely taxing affair he didn't have time for, flipping back a few of those pages on the paperwork he held, pausing to read for a moment. Patrick Riley McCoy. We've been looking for you for two years. Are you capable of signing this? Is she capable of signing for you? We will accept a paw print. He moved to hold that paper work then up towards the Panda and over the dumfounded looking Arlo.