Arlo James

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

He was oblivious, really, to just how much that mention of her being 'cute' had meant to the young woman. After all, a girl like that surely heard it all the time. Arlo most surely he must have been at least the thirty fifth guy to ever say it to her. Probably in the least eloquent manner. Maybe she'd remember him for that right? Still, as that almost rush of words unfolded from her it became rather clear the man that he was hardly going to be remembered by her for something so mundane as that. Rather, she was going to remember him for being the bloody Muppet who put her down his shirt. This, he was sure, was a complete low point in his life. Maybe that was a bit dramatic. The vampire thing might have been his true low point. Wait- no, it was what he did that early that night that had led him to becoming a vampire- now that was the real low point. Arlo having done everything within his power to block out the memories off that night. He'd refused to talk to Patrick, he'd destroyed those newspaper articles that reported on it, he'd even deleted it out of Wikipedia. Nothing was as bad as that. This was really more of a, well, not exactly his grandest moment when it came to speaking to a woman. A woman he'd apparently known for months, hell, nearly a year. A woman he'd told more too then any other being in the world all because he thought she was a Panda. God, what had he said? What had he admitted too? He was never that open with anyone. The vampire stuttering slightly over exactly what had happened to that car before that forgiveness fell from his lips all the same. Maybe he should have been mad? Still, Arlo was almost sure it was basically impossible to be mad at such an adorable girl. Especially not one that was hugging him. The young woman fitting almost easily against his body, that hug returned, despite his surprise before he finally released her.

It was that mention of another vampire that readily saw the man scowl. It was stupid, he knew, he didn't have any claim over the woman in front of him even if she had been his pet for, well, a year. That probably didn't really count. Yet still the idea of her being near another vampire was....not that nice to think about. He felt....possessive he supposed. Possessive and obsessive and temperamental at the idea of it. Those very feelings just the ones he'd mocked other vampires for allowing to rule them. It was in their species, in their genes, in whatever it was that made them up he supposed. Vampires by definition were notoriously territorial and entirely prone to be possessive over that, usually, singular being they had feelings for. Arlo scowling slightly further at the idea. This all too much to consider and yet still the idea this other vampire had killed someone in front of his Little Bear was almost abhorrent to him! Those words a little more pointed then he truly meant them. The young woman huffing at him before declaring she didn't choose to go but had been carried instead under the false pretence of playing tea. How did you even play tea? What did that even mean? How old was this vampire? Four? It sounded ridiculous to him and yet he merely offered that sigh.

"Maybe just avoid that whole neighbourhood."

That was sound advice wasn't it? It sounded good to him. Maybe she should stay away from that side of town entirely. Maybe she should just stay inside. Maybe she should just stay inside with him where he could keep an eye on her all the time and then.....that escalated quickly. Arlo shaking his head once more. His attention focused then on Abigail further making an effort to explain that situation between them and who exactly the Chocolate Man was and why he deserved a guitar. This was a lot to take in. Hell, this might have been one of the stranger conversations off his life and yet she, Abigail, looked so damn pleased with herself. The woman apparently thrilled at the idea of their staying friends even as Arlo found himself correcting her on Sebastian's name before his apologies seemed to tumble from his lips. The jumping and the car stealing and the shirt and the bar. Not one of those the sort of things you were supposed to do with a girl. At least not unless you knew her really well. Maybe not even then. Abby apparently content to praise him for his jumping ability, Arlo looking almost sheepish then.

"I could probably do it better- although I can do the teleporting thing now so we totally don't have to do it again. As for the bar I mean, I guess it was alright, it's not the worst place. The music was bad though, it was way too loud for that space and the bass needed to be turned down and the drummer wasn't in time. I could show you some good music later- if you wanted anyway."

She probably didn't. Not after that experience. Arlo's fingers glancing down at that guitar all the same. The man almost thoughtful for a moment before amusement found his lips then, the vampire asking after just what her plan had been tonight. To sit on his doorstep and wait all evening? What had she been playing to say when he showed up? Probably something close to what she had said then he supposed. That rush of words that had all but poured out of her stirring that amusement within him again. This easily the strangest friendship he had ever had and yet, Arlo was a distinctly....relaxed sort of person. The man so simply taking it all in his stride. He was totally sure how he felt about the fact his pet was actually a person, at least, he was still trying to remember anything he'd said to her or done to her. God he was an ass. One hand lifted to his head all the same, running through his hair, the man almost little anxious even if he wasn't sure why. They were still friends right? That hadn't changed had it? He didn't think so. That invitation to come home with him was met with more glee then he'd expected. His lips pulling into that lopsided grin before he continued on about that wedding he was pretty sure they were invited too. Mostly sure. Seb hadn't uninvited him. Abby seizing onto the mention of that event with almost the same glee. Weddings and women. All girls forever seemed enchanted by them.

His lips parted to answer that flurry of questions before Abigail promptly rounded on him, Arlo staring at her once more. She was a bit of a spit-fire when she got going, although coming from someone her size it was almost comical. The young woman declaring that he'd promised to take her to the grocery store for....apples. Had he? His features near blank for a moment before that realisation of that conversation in the library seemed to dawn on him. That request she had typed into the computer turning within his memory before she gestured to that guitar. Well- it wasn't nearly as heavy for him as he suspected it was for her, still, he saw no need to actually correct her. Arlo gesturing up that footpath then, the man content to lead the way up that street and towards home, making space for Abby beside him.

"Well we can go on Thursday night, I mean, if you want. They have late-night shopping then so I'll be up and we can get apples. Are you really sure that's all you want? A trip to the store? I mean I can get you something else too."

It was far easier in this form to simply ask her. Arlo meeting her gaze a moment as they moved in between those people, his attention shifting back to those unanswered wedding questions.

"It's the Chocolate Man's wedding, although I reckon we should probably call him Sebastian because I dunno that he will be totally in to that name. He invited me like a Month ago but he was kinda high at the time and he said a lot of weird things so I'm not sure if he was serious or not but- he hasn't uninvited me. You're invited too. He told me to bring you. I....told him about you, when I thought you were a Panda."

It was Arlo's turn to look almost bashful then. That grin tugging at his features before he continued.

"It's important because he's marrying the King of Italy, like the legit fucking King of Italy. They have Wikipedia pages. We might have to go Italy for it though, or England.....I don't know. You should see Seb's house. It's huge, I saw it from the outside one time when I walked him home. It had guards around it and everything. I think the Mafia might be protecting them. Either way, it's probably made of gold inside. I haven't met Dorian yet though- the dude he's marrying. I don't even know what you wear to weddings. I don't even own a shirt with buttons. Will I need buttons? You've seen my wardrobe I-"

He paused then, his features frowning slightly, Arlo glancing sideways at the woman beside him then, the man contemplating for the first time whether or not he'd ever gotten undressed in front of Abigail before. God. What had she seen? How much had she seen? His thoughts shifting briefly to several times he was almost sure he'd stripped down in front of her. He'd almost always turned away though hadn't he? The man pushing that lobby door to his apartment building open then, holding it open for Abby to pass.

"Did I...er....did I ever?........if I ever got changed in front of you I apologise I just thought of that. I mean, I did think you were a Panda. I also think you should know my bedroom can get really drafty. It was cold."

That almost teasing simper tugged at his lips then. Well. He couldn't have her thinking any less of him could he? It was often cold in his apartment. Heating cost money after all. Arlo wholly oblivious to the idea such a reference might have been missed by the girl entirely as he held open his own door for her now. That brand new black leather couch clearly standing out in that apartment.

"I got real couch since I saw you last, what do you think?"

Because, somehow, it mattered what she thought.