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Post by Darian Raniari on Sept 19, 2010 15:15:34 GMT -5
The sun was setting as Darian walked up to the small clinic.
The vampire pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket, wiping sweat from his brow and cursing the hot, dry Texas weather. His jet had set down a couple of hours ago, and he'd waited on board until the sun had begun to set. Then, it had been a simple stroll across town to Dr. Nicodeau's clinic.
It hadn't been hard to learn the location of the place, not when you had resources like Darian's. He had contacts everywhere, very well-paid contacts who worked very hard to get him any information he wanted or needed. And now, here he was gazing at the place through his dark sunglasses, a slight smile upon his lips.
Wasting no more time, Darian pushed the door open and strode in, taking his glasses off and putting them in his pocket once he was out of the pale glow of the setting sun.
The first thing he noticed was the smell of blood. There were a lot of injured people here, and the fact that most if not all of them were hunters sent chills of pleasure down the vampire's spine. For a moment, he thought about scrapping this little surprise visit with Helena in favor of an all he could eat buffet...
He shook those thoughts off. He was here for a reason. He had to know if he could use Helena... If hurting her could help him torment Sastre just a little bit more...
Darian's smile broadened when he thought of all the things he could do to her...
((tag Helena))
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Post by helena on Sept 19, 2010 22:25:03 GMT -5
“Well, I ain't never been the Barbie doll type
No, I can't swig that sweet Champagne, I'd rather drink beer all night
In a tavern or in a honky tonk or on a four-wheel drive tailgate
I've got posters on my wall of Skynyrd, Kid and Strait
Some people look down on me, but I don't give a rip
I'll stand barefooted in my own front yard with a baby on my hip
'Cause I'm a redneck woman!”
[/i] The quiet room around her seemed to vibrate with the sound of wild country music, and with a happy abandon, she sang along with it. Her voice wasn’t anything to shake a stick at, and according to her brothers, she could crack glass fifty miles away if she put her mind to it, but when Gretchen Wilson sang? A girl could do nothing but sing right along with her. The small clinic, her pride and joy, was stuck between a fashion store and a bait’n’tackle. None of her neighbors seemed to enjoy her choice of music, and she was counting the minutes until that telltale pounding on the wall, or blast of the telephone forced her out of her bubble of enjoyment. But, until then, she was content to hop around the room, singing on the top of her lungs and laughing when she forgot the words. Doing a little two step, she pushed an ancient vacuum cleaner along the soft rug beneath her sandaled feet, singing as she went. The plain white dress she’d chosen that morning was practically blowing in the wind spat out from the tear in the vacuum bag, and she laughed as she imagined herself as some redneck Marilyn Monroe. Gretchen got to the highlight of the song, guitar blasting and drums rocking, and abandoning her chores, she leapt into the middle of the room to boogy it out. It was no matter that the windowed double doors that sectioned off the lobby from the treatment room where she danced, was probably giving everyone a clear view of the crazy woman dancing to an obnoxiously loud song. Or that, at any minute, a potential patient could be walking in, in search of some advice for a happy, healthy life. All that mattered was that she’d managed to pay the rent, stave off her brothers from descending onto the clinic- the loveable, protective little buggers- and stalked a particularly stubborn hunter into submission. AND, on top of that, she hadn’t killed herself yet! …Okay, scratch that last one. Whoever put a chair in the middle of the walkway should have their butt kicked a few times. As she danced her way toward the lobby, the sweet lemonade she’d made that morning fresh in her mind, her foot managed to find the only piece of furniture she hadn’t noticed. With a yelp and a crash, she came tumbling down onto the carpet, smacking her butt into the floor. Ah, the joys of being absentminded. And people wondered why she didn’t normally cut loose like she had that morning. With a sigh, Helena lay on her back with her eyes closed, listening to the last dredges of Redneck Woman, before the shop went quiet. She stared at the ceiling, counting the cracks on the top. “Lemme guess…now that I’ve managed to dent the floor, there’s someone outside waiting to be seen,” She muttered with a little shake of her head. With a grunt, she pushed herself to her knees and proceeded pushed herself up far enough to peek through the window. Yup, there he was; a dark haired stranger in all of his ‘I bet he’s thinking he’s better off bleeding out’ glory. Bah, on the one day that she didn’t have any criticals, or patients in the ward… Shaking her head at herself with an amused snort, Helena straightened her white lab coat and made sure that her messy ponytail wasn’t making her look like Medusa on steroids. After sliding the vacuum back into its cave near the door, she moved out into the lobby, a friendly smile on her face. ”Hello, and welcome to ‘Round the Corner Clinic,’” She said, making sure her voice wasn’t overtly chipper. Most of the Hunters that stopped in after hours were liable to cringe at her bubbly side…the babies. Instinctively, her eyes skidded over his body, looking for any obvious injuries. ”I’m Doctor Nicodeau. How can I help you today?”[/center][/blockquote] |
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Post by Darian Raniari on Sept 20, 2010 16:19:44 GMT -5
Darian smiled charmingly at her.
Reaching out, he gently took her hand, raising it to his lips and kissing her fingers softly. He let his lips linger for a moment before giving her hand a light squeeze and releasing it. After doing so, he let his eyes drift up her body until meeting her own and winking.
"Good evening, mon ange," he said softly, letting his french accent tinge the words just enough to sound mysterious and sophisticated. "I've heard wonderful things about this charming little clinic of yours, and I simply had to come and see it myself."
His smile broadened as he looked around the room, finally letting his eyes settle warmly on her again as he spoke.
"Forgive me for being forthright, but the descriptions I've heard of you, and the pictures I've seen, do you absolutely no justice..."
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Post by helena on Sept 20, 2010 21:30:06 GMT -5
Well…this definitely wasn’t her regular kind of client. Surprise was practically stamped on her face as the stranger took her hand and kissed her knuckles. Right on cue, her cheeks proceeded to heat and she shifted from one side to the next as she resisted the urge to snatch her hand away. Holy cow, did guys still do this kind of greeting? She was used to blood, guts and ‘DON’T LET ME DIE!’ when guys came in after hours. Not…charm.
Gah, focus, Helena, focus. Stop thinking that you wished you’d touched up on the lip gloss before he walked in and focus! She mentally commanded herself to start breathing again, and managed not to suck in half the room’s oxygen when he released her hand. Were her fingers really tingling? Wow, she had to get out more.
Surrounded by the Texas atmosphere as she was, Helena found herself smiling again when she caught a French twinge to his voice. Now there was an accent that she recognized! Grasping her hands in front of her, she beamed at his compliment about the clinic.
”Thank you,” She said, looking around the little waiting room with a fond expression on her face. ”I’m glad that we’re so well known. It means a lot to know that you’d want to come check us out yourself.”
Whatever pride had been in her voice proceeded to disappear when the conversation turned to her. ”Pictures of me?” She repeated, head tilting curiously. Who the heck would have pictures of her, outside of her hospital ID? ”I’m sorry, who did you say you were again?”
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Post by Darian Raniari on Sept 21, 2010 14:33:41 GMT -5
Darian turned away, covering his eyes with his hand and feigning embarrassment.
"Where are my manners?" Turning back to Helena, he smiled warmly and bowed a little. "My name is Darian. Darian Raniari, and I've heard so much about you from one who I believe to be a mutual friend."
Darian slowly began walking around the reception room, taking in everything. He stuck his head into some of the various hallways and rooms, making mental calculations as he went along. After several minutes of this, he nodded and strode gracefully over to the counter, pulling out a checkbook and pen. After silently filling it out, he moved back to stand before Helena, handing it to her, a slight smile upon his lips.
"I trust that this is a sufficient amount to bring things here a little more up to date? I'd feel much better knowing that the health and lives of those who come to you for help could be better served." His smile broadened as he continued. "I know who your typical clientèle are, and I think we'd both agree that their lives are of the... utmost importance."
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Post by helena on Sept 27, 2010 20:44:29 GMT -5
"A mutual friend?" Once again, Helena couldn't help but repeat what the man had said, confusing evident in her eyes. Had someone mentioned that one of their friends would be dropping by to take a look at the Clinic? She really couldn't remember...perhaps it was one of the Hunters? Or someone who thought that such a man could help her in some way? Oh, maybe he was a doctor as well! She caught something underlying in his accent; perhaps he was someone who ran a similar program to hers, and sought to join forces? A thrill of excitement ran through her at the thought, but it was quickly replaced by surprise, when he began to move around the clinic.
Trotting after him, the doctor did her best not to sound too flustered. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Raniari. You have to tell me who our mutual friend is, so I can thank him for sending over such gracious company." Another friendly smile slid onto her lips, as she flashed a grin at the man.
...A grin that immediately transformed into that of a shocked 'o' when she caught sight of the check in his hands. "Holy cow, forget up to date; this could get us a space station!" She exclaimed, before she could stop herself. Wincing, she smacked a hand over her mouth and resisted the urge to roll her eyes at herself. Yes, Helena, squawking out the first thing that comes to mind is always a good idea.
After clearing her throat and trying to ignore the fact that she probably looked both shocked and embarassed, she tried again. "Mr. Raniari, this is very generous of you. When you say my 'typical clientele...' are you included in their ranks as well?"
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Post by Darian Raniari on Sept 27, 2010 22:10:43 GMT -5
Darian smiled brightly at the woman.
"My, my, a woman who speaks exactly what's on her mind..." He shook his head, slipping the checkbook back into his jacket pocket. "Don't be embarrassed, my dear. I find such a woman to be quite rare, and think that the world could use a dozen more like you."
He began meandering around the clinic again, smiling to himself as Helena followed along behind him. He had heard her earlier questions, of course, but he thought he'd take another stroll around the place before answering. Let her stew on things for a bit...
Finally, he decided to respond, choosing to answer her last question first.
"I suppose I am something of a hunter myself," he told her, turning to face her as he leaned against the receptionists' desk. "I find the life invigorating... Hunting down and destroying those... creatures that others fear to face?" His smile broadened and he winked at her. "There's simply nothing like it."
Standing up straight once again, Darian strode across the room to a window, leaning against the frame as he stared out, pleased to find that the sun had all but set. It would make his jaunt across town to the airport much more pleasant.
"As far as our 'mutual friend' is concerned," he went on, "he is a most extraordinary man who calls himself 'Sastre Quicksilver.' " He looked back over his shoulder, letting his eyes catch and hold Helena's. "Tell me, Doctor: are you and he very close?"
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Post by helena on Oct 1, 2010 22:44:09 GMT -5
Darn, there she went; blushing at the drop of a hat again. She stared down at the check, still amazed by the number on the little green paper. Dazed, she shook her head.
“Well, you won’t have to worry about my not speaking my mind around here, unfortunately.” A nervous laugh escaped her as she forced her eyes up to look at him.
…Well, at the back of his head, that is. What was with his trying to tour the clinic? Was he looking to buy the building, or was he just being nosy? And he was definitely skirting some of her questions, which raised a few red flags. Oh, please say she hadn’t invited a serial killer into her clinic, or something. She glanced back down at the check in her hands.
Scratch that; she hoped she hadn’t invited a rich serial killer into her clinic.
Shaking her head at herself, she brought herself back to reality when he spoke again. With a wry expression, she crossed her arms over her chest. “Yeah…quite the life. I’ve seen what the wrong side of a razor sharp claw does, so I’m more of a fan of the ‘running away’ kind of lifestyle.”
When he leaned against the window, she stopped a few feet away, studying his face. He seemed so…ethereal, almost. How strange and slightly romance-novel-esque. Yeesh, she read way too much.
A bit surprised at his next question, Helena frowned and shifted a bit from foot to foot. “As close as anyone can get to a Hunter, I suppose. I’ve known him for quite a while…since I first started up the clinic. Why do you ask?”
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Post by Darian Raniari on Oct 2, 2010 17:56:36 GMT -5
Darian moved forward, reaching out boldly and letting his fingers brush against Helena's cheek.
"You really are quite stunning. I'm amazed Sastre never told me how beautiful you were..." Turning his back to her again, Darian began poking around the clinic once more, absently checking out various rooms and closest and the like.
"As far as why I asked, it was simple curiosity. He and I go way, way back..." He smiled, adding cryptically, "We're more like brothers, really. Anyway, if you want to know the truth, he went and got himself hurt pretty bad a couple of weeks back, and I'm sort of traveling around, looking for anyone that he may consider a friend."
He sighed and looked down, shaking his head a bit.
"I'm afraid, though, that he doesn't seem to have many people who are particularly close to him. I just thought that if I could convince a friend or two to come visit him, it may raise his spirits a bit." Looks back up at Helena, locking eyes with her and speaking in a low, intense voice. "Tell me, doctor, do you know of anyone else he may be close to? Anyone that he would like to see? Maybe someone special to him?"
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Post by helena on Oct 17, 2010 21:20:22 GMT -5
Okay, so there was definitely something up with this guy. For one thing, he seemed so…out of place, in her small clinic. There was something about him that made her stomach do a few flips, and when he leaned forward to touch her cheek, she froze. Surprise and confusion stole through her as she watched him.
“Ah…thank you,” She said, a bit awkwardly. She shook herself when he started to inspect the clinic again. “Brothers, huh? That’s nice. I always get the feeling that Sastre needs people around him. He’s alone much too much lately.”
Gah, now she was babbling. Slipping her hands into the pockets of her lab coat, she did her best not to fidget, especially when he turned an intense look in her direction. What the heck was up with this guy? If she had spidey senses, they’d be going insane. Now, the question was; were said insane senses good or bad? And, even more importantly…were said senses being directed by Helena the Wonder Slut?
The doctor did her best not to release the dramatic sigh that appeared in her chest. Great, now her libido was actually influencing her gut. Oh, she really had to get out more…
“To tell you the truth, I don’t know of anyone he’s fond of,” She said carefully, watching him as intently as he seemed to be watching her. “But, you know…as a brother, you would probably know more than me, right?”
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((Gah, this probably wasn't in English. Sorry, Darian! Brain HURTS...XD ))
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