In a day that had started like many others before it, Solenne had found himself in between a rock and a hard place. Or three of them. Caught between the growing number of rogue vampires, his old affection for an old flame, his new affection for a new human. The position of 'elder' made him ever so slightly weary but he continued nonetheless. The conversation in the small cafe that Solenne had visited two days in a row had ended in largely frosty notes, his jab at Beatrix about Tholo and the chewing out he had gotten from his manager was plaguing his mind as he stared at Mia, his soulmate he had met the day previous. He rubbed his hand across his face, gently closing his eyes to lose his mind to the air for a few seconds.

The light of afternoon filtered across the city's skyline, the setting sun throwing bright oranges and dark shadows out. Tonight was a night for many more to meet their soulmates. The old vampire could feel the thrumming energy of fates design before his mind filtered back into his body.

Solenne smiled and nodded “you aren’t wrong there…” he laughed and placed a hand to his soul mates cheek “and I have something to ask you later tonight” his thumb rubbed gently across her cheekbone before looking to the growing line of customers that Delilah was having trouble with controlling “You go back to work before you give another reason for her to be angry at me” he winked and left, giving her a wave before quickly walking through the door of the cafe. Solenne furrowed his eyebrows together under the glare of the sun that was slowly lowering in the late afternoon. The vampire chewed his lip gently and continued walking through the town, knowing that he should head straight up town.

-- That night --

The old vampire looked at the blonde in front of him. She bounced up and down, she had been listening to Solenne practice all night and was very excited about the night. The entire theater was filled to bursting point. The concert was only described as a ‘performance by a multi-talented artist and an accompanying band’ so the crowd was eclectic; metal heads rubbing shoulders with glamourous woman, punks next to suited men. Some people had figured out how and when Solenne performed and thus there were a few people wearing his merchandise, shirts with red print of the name Nocturnal. Solenne couldn’t help but smile. This was what he loved...making something for everyone.

“Are you ready?” Marie called out.

The vampire simply nodded and grinned, walking out on to the stage. The vampire stood at the center of the stage, people unsure of what to make of him. Some, those wearing his shirts, knew that had indeed picked correctly and squealed gently. The vampire took to the mic “welcome one and all” he smiled gently “to my show” he held his arm out gently as confused murmurs ran through the crowd about where the backing band was “or...should I say...our...show.” The crimson eyes of the vampire closed and his body blurred. Solenne’s body split in half, then half again, four exact replicas of the vampiric multi-instrumental artist stepped out from behind the one at the mic. The crowd took in a collective breath “I hope you enjoy” the five vampires went to their respective instruments and waited. The main one, dressed in a fine suit of dark crimson went to the piano. The thin fingers danced along the ivory keys in an otherworldly sonata in an attempt to bring tears to people's eyes. He looked out into the crowd to watch the interactions.

Granddaughter,

I hope this letter finds you well, though I fear it does not. I write to you because I felt your sorrow today, though when this letter reaches you, I suppose it will have been yesterday.

It has been so long since you have felt deeply enough for it to trigger my empathy from so many miles away, and then I realized what day it must be. My dear, it has been centuries since my son passed. And if Francis was alive to see you today, he would be so proud of the strong, independent woman you have become in his absence; but your deep well of sadness? Well, that would be enough to kill him all over again. He would want you to be happy, my darling, as I want you to be happy. Whoever this gentleman may be, he doesn’t know how lucky he is to have you. Don’t be so pained by the opportunity to find love again, you deserve all of the happiness this world has to offer.

Scotland is so beautiful this time of year, you should visit me. Even though I have no plans of dying anytime soon, you know that my seat on the Council will belong to you some day, it would do you some good to meet the other elders. Either way, don’t hesitate to write me back, you know how much I hate those blasted phones.

With all my love,
Frida

Béatrix folded the parchment carefully, inhaling the scent of her grandsire as it wafted from the page. It had been a long time since she had seen the ancient Scandinavian beauty. Frida was the oldest vampire she knew, a daughter of Cain himself, and she held a coveted seat on the vampiric Council - coveted by all vampires but Béatrix, that is. The last thing she wanted to do was deal with vampire politics alongside all of the crusty ancients. Francis never wanted that seat either but alas, Francis was Frida’s favored childe, and Trixy was his, so the responsibility would fall to her… someday.

Trixy closed her eyes and exhaled deeply. The letter couldn’t have come at a better or worse time, but that was the way things were with an empath. Just like Trixy’s special power is that she can hear and change the thoughts of those around her, Frida can feel and change the emotions of those around her, but if it is a blood relation like Béatrix, she can feel them from half a world away. If only Freda knew what the ‘gentleman’ was - a member of the mongrel race that killed their Francis - maybe then she wouldn’t speak so fondly of him.

Thoughts swam in Trixy’s brain as she held her face in her hands. All of this drama and fanfare, and she still hadn’t done her job. There was still a rogue vampire on the streets, murdering innocent women in the night, and Béatrix was moping in her apartment about some name on her wrist? No, this simply would not do. If she had any hope for gaining redemption for her past transgression, it would start by trying to be a bigger person. Villains don’t get happy endings, but heroes do…

That being said, Trixy pulled out her smartphone and flicked her finger to the most recent contact. Solenne.

“Veuillez pardonner mes actions.” The text began in her native French. “I didn’t ever expect your words to cut me, SoSo, but I shouldn’t have reacted the way I did. I would still like any information on that rogue, if you have it.” It was the closest Beatrix could come to an apology, and for the second time in one day, surely it was a sign of change – or maybe just the end of times.

Danilo looked down to the glass he was holding, the liquid in it giving a nice burn down his thought when he was drinking it. What kind of day... The last two day actually. Eyes wandered to his wrist hidden away by his white glove.

The dark bar, was far from silent in a way its air filled with smoke was pleasant to him. One could still his own words and Danilo was once more impressed at the ability of his friend to pick the right bar to get comfortable in. The right bar to accompany their mood, after a day that wasnt all that good...

Yesterday, yesterday morning he just could not wait to see his soulmate. He took a vacation from his work this week so he could spend the days getting his soulmate to know. Maybe he could cut it short working in the kitchen would be nice. A small smile appeared on his lip as he drunk his glass empty, looking to his friend sitting beside him in the dark bar. To think yesterday Dan was fearing the name to get crossed out or vanish and now he feared to look at what his glove hide, because he may never again meet them, did he really miss the chance...

The Dragon couldnt help than wonder if his wolf friend was feeling the opposite to him. He even hide the fact the date was coming and now that Dan meet the vampire paired up with his friend... She was the stubborn type, but he was sure they would make a interesting pair. Danilo was sure they would end up as a couple, just the wedding will take a lot of time before it comes true.

''Another Tholo~'' Dan sung his wish to his friend with the bottle, waiting for him to pour him another drink. '' So last question I promise. '' Danilo was amusing himself by questioning anything and everything about his friend soulmate.

''Where do you think she has a tattoo? She looks like the type to have one. Maybe a rose on her lower back... That is popular this days.''

The red head grinned remembering the only other time he drunk this much... back in his student days in a far city singing with his classmates about loves never meet, forgiveness and longing of a lonely heart. He felt nostalgic and he wasnt even hundredth, but back than things looked so simple. He poked his friend in the shoulder to get his attention, just as much as to distract himself from days past. '' You must admit she has a great figure as well. ''

Tholo had brought them to a place where he could hopefully think. It wasn't any form of fancy bar or like the place of the previous night but the atmosphere of the establishment provided a calming vibe to it that made him get comfortable. The smoke drowned out his senses which made it far easier to think about the events that had transpired over the last couple of days, or maybe just the few hours before. All the while he provided Danilo with his own refreshment and answered whatever question the dragon had for him, even the odd ones. He had much preferred to keep the moment more on Danilo and helping him with the dilemma that he had missed his soulmate but after the morning events it would seem that was now impossible.

Danilo asked for another drink to which Tholo poured more into his glass. Tholo gave an amused look at Danilo with his latest question but thought about it for a brief moment.

"I would imagine more on one of the shoulders," he said ",But perhaps a black rose rather then the usual red or white. Something unique you know with the little details of the thorns to match her personality. Fiery yet perhaps something more." As he heard himself speak he knew the alcohol was setting in which meant they had been there for some time if alcohol was actually making him speak his mind and his thought details on his soulmate. He felt a jab to his shoulder that brought him back to reality.

'' You must admit she has a great figure as well. ''

Tholo gave a slight chuckle."Yeah I'll admit to that one. Even for a vampire," he said taking another drink from his own glass. Perhaps this big bad wolf could turn things right for himself still after all, either that or strike out with number three.

Amena stepped off the plane and into the airport in her new home, New York City. Her soft blue eyes scanned the area, wondering if the sole purpose of her being in America would already be in the airport. A quick trip so she could go back to Ireland and visit her family. Yet, she was sorely disappointed. A sigh escaped her lips and she gripped her carry on backpack strap with a bit of a tighter grip. Quite a shame, seeing as it was a Michael Kohrs backpack. She walked over to baggage claim, her Dolls Kill platform boots clacking against the tile.

A style like hers wasn't uncommon in New York, an artsy and creative area with a diverse set of people at every corner of the city; but she still held a strange aura about her that kept the people at a distance. It was her way of feeling comfortable in a new environment. Amena grabbed her black and red suitcase from the conveyor belt and walked out calling a taxi. She was about to press the little green button when she heard a honk and a familiar shout.

Amena looked up to see her friend, Jesse, whom she met back in the 80s. Jesse was the only one that knew her secret and Amena thought of her as the sister she once dreamed of. Now she was in her 40s but she still looked beautiful and vivacious. Amena smiled and strolled over to her. She made arrangements to live with her for the time being, seeing as both her children are almost out of high school and she was terrified to be alone. Amena put her suitcase and bag into the trunk and slid into the passenger side of her friend's Minivan.

Jesse grinned and said "are you excited to meet your soulmate?" Amena shrugged slighty, but of course Jesse would bring that up right as she plopped her butt into the seat. Jesse was anything but a smalltalker. "I'm not sure" she replied. "I guess I feel... forced? I've never met him but I have to spend the rest of my life with him." Jesse nodded and started driving to Jesse's house.



Night fell and she wanted out of the house. She threw on a tight black dress and a pair of stilletos. The fire engine red dress gave the redhead a rush and she smirked. She quaffed her hair into a messy, curly look and did a smokey eye- crimson red lipstick combination. Amena checked herself out in the mirror before leaving the small guest house. Thank goodness the guest house is separated from the actual house. She liked her isolation and, as long as Amena paid her part, she could do what she wanted.

Amena called a taxi and said to the driver "take me to a bar with live music."

The few hours Mia had had after her shift ended had been a whirlwind of panic and calm. Delilah - flustered, excitable, and so incredibly dependable - had gone to unsolicited lengths, jolted to action by the words, "Delilah, I'm going to need a dress."

Mia's usual jeans and crewneck shirts were done away with. Delilah had plenty of dresses it appeared, which she was just too eager to pass on to Mia for the night. She had played dress-up with Mia as her mannequin, growing increasingly tense as the hour hand crept slowly on, before finally she stepped away from Mia in a turqoise dress that swept the back of her ankles, and nodded, satisfied.

Mia had only just sighed her relief, ready to gather her skirts and leave, when Delilah forced her back into her seat and produced the most complete make-up set she had ever seen. "You've been waiting for the chance to play fairy-godmother your whole life," Mia said, recoiling into her chair as Delilah waved a mascara wand dangerously near her eyes.

"Nonsense," Delilah said flippantly, her entire face a work of concentration. "Just to get a daughter I can do this to on a regular basis. Now if you could just stop looking so afraid I'll poke your eyes out that would be great."

The only thing Mia feared - apart, admittedly, from that - was that Delilah would make her unrecognisable. But when she got to look in the mirror once more, she didn't see another creature altogether. It was still her reflection staring back with eyes wide, but...different, somehow, in a way Mia couldn't tell.

Delilah pulled away, capping the lipstick, and beamed at her. "Now go, and take pictures!" Hustled out of the apartment with a purse stuffed into her hands, Mia got into a cab and was waved off by Delilah, before she could get in a profuse word of thanks.

Mia arrived at the theatre, met with a swarm of people who each looked different from the next, but all similar in their intent to listen to Solenne play. She found a place toward the side of the hall, not quite sure what to do with herself but feeling her skin thrum with quiet excitement. She caught sight of fans in Nocturnal t-shirts, who proved themselves to be a supportive fanbase when the main attraction stepped out onto the stage.

Solenne greeted the audience, and Mia smiled to herself. She had only just met the man, but she was beginning to feel an irrevocable pull towards him. She sucked in her breath with the rest of the crowd when he played the first trick of the night, but the spell for her was quickly broken with a breathless laughter, as the immaculate copies all reported to their stations and instruments. Settling in, Mia prepared herself for an impeccable show.

Alexey put on his most bored, uninterested, most uncaring expression on his face as the lady in front of him babbled about her need to get one specific book before the entire store closed down. Being the second shift at Barnes & Noble means that he's usually the one that closes up- he goes around flushing out all the bookworms from the couches and windowsills. And this particular lady decided her need for getting The Extreme Book of the Cook was more important than his need for something other than burgers or books for once that day.

Eventually the older woman stopped, stamped her foot, and demanded, "Are you even listening to me?!" He stared at her, straightened, and responded calmly, "Why of course, miss, but hear that? That's the sound of the store being closed. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll just lock up since it's already ten minutes past closing time- No no, no need to thank me, goodbye!" He gently pushed her into the rotating door thing (Thank God she didn't try to shove her way in, or resist too much), firmly pushed the door around so she was out into the open air, and slid the lock home. He gave her a wave through the glass (he swore he could see the steam rising from her head), and went through to start shutting off all the lights in the overly large building.

Had it been any other city, the building would've been a large, sprawling building that probably had two stories and was filled to the top with books. But, this was New York City, and such space was quite limited- so instead, it was a six story tall building.

He stepped out through the back entrance, and began the short walk to a hangout a friend of his had invited him to. Well, short relative to Russia- he walked quite a ways to get places, there, and it was usually very cold. That, and the organization in America was so much better than Moscow- there it was all one way streets and very small and squished, hard to navigate easily. In American cities, he could walk in a straight line, and find himself all the way across the city, no problem! He could see for miles in the checkerboard city, and navigation was a walk in the park! Sometimes literally.



After twenty minutes' worth of walking, he found himself walking into a bar at the given address. It was unusual, since his buddy knew that Alexey didn't like to drink much, except for some vodka, when the occasion calls for following a stereotype- he holds alcohol down surprisingly well for some reason. Either way, he walked into the bar, and stood for a moment, scanning the crowd for his friend, before a hand shot up over the heads of everyone else, and waved him over.

Sliding into a booth along the back wall, he raised his eyebrows in question to his well-connected friend. The son of a not-so-legal gambling boss, Nikon Shaw was introduced to Alexey when he first came over to the 'States, by [of all people] his mother, who apparently was a very similar person running a very similar organization in Moscow [until the payments to the local police wasn't enough, and they busted it in]. Nikon raised his hands, saying, "Easy Alex, look, someone just came in from Ireland. Take a look." From his jacket, Nikon pulled out a photograph. Pictured on it was a woman, redheaded, looking out over the camera, looking for something. She looked a tad annoyed, maybe disappointed, and Alex gave Nikon that look.

"Okay, look, a woman named... Amena..." Nikon watched Alexey glance at his wrist, and the current day that said today, and laughed when Alexey's eyes widened. "Wow, you reeally are indifferent about it, aren't you? The entire world goes out of their way to keep track of the days until they meet their soulmate, and you hardly even glance at it until someone brings it up?!"

Nikon leaned back, laughing. When he was finished, he found Alexey's face dark and glaring at him, and Nikon held his hands up in placation. "Hey, I may have sent out feelers for the name Amena, and this is the first notable one. Based on some of my scouts, and the location of her hotel, she's probably heading to..." He pulled out another piece of paper, this time with an address sprawled in unfamiliar handwriting. "...Here. A local vamp is performing there, 'sposed to be really good or somethin'. You might want to get moving, mate. If you hurry, you might just reach the place as she arrives."

Alexey looked at Nikon, somewhat uncomprehendingly. Then he flicked the picture back at Nikon [after taking a glance at it, for memory], and rushed out the door.

Two blocks down the street was his destination; he could make it in four or five minutes if he walked. He made it in two and a half, at a fast pace. Standing outside the apparently popular hangout, watching people stream in and out, he paused, uncertain. Was she already inside? Not yet here? He scanned the road; he didn't see a redhead with long hair on the sidewalks, and started targeting taxis. Eight taxis were in sight; three turned off before they reached his street. Five more; two were coming from where he had come from, three coming from the direction he had been moving in. The two that had 'followed' him had only a couple random people; a suited guy, and a casual jacket-clad couple.

But as the last taxi from the direction ahead of him approached, his wrist tingled. And as it got closer, that tingling went from a small annoyance, to a gentle heat, to feeling as if someone took wire and pressed it in his skin. He locked on to the taxi that was approaching last; he could see through the windows of the other two, closer cabs. He waited, in the crowd, until the cab pulled up to the sidewalk.

Redhead; in a dress; beautiful, exactly as the picture described, besides her attire. Barnes and Noble always demanded that he wear something 'proper,' which fared well, now. Black slacks, a white button up collared shirt, and a black "fancy-vest," as he called it, making him look more like a waiter or valet than anything. He watched her from the crowd, unmoving, as she paid the driver, but before she could open the door, he jumped forward, opening the door with a burning wrist, saying in his notable Russian accent, "Welcome to America, miss. I think you have the right stop, methinks." And he smiled, in an effort to appear more welcoming and friendly, despite his inner turmoil of anxiety and nervous excitement.

Amena watched the street lights pass as the taxi driver complied. She sighed softly, thinking about her soulmate. Alexey. She definitely had no clue what this man even looked like, but the name was definitely more on the Russian persuasion. It was strange how just one name could make her insides flip in anxiety. How one date, this day, could make her so figity. Yet, she had everything to lose with this one name and one date. Her soulmate could make or break her love life.

That was the one thing she did not like about this soulmate situation. He controlled one aspect of her life without even being in her life yet. She shook her head and leaned back into the seat. The taxi came to a slow stop in front of a strange building. Tingles ran through her arm from her wrist and she knew he was close. She gave the taxi driver his pay and reached to open the door.

She didn't realize how close her soulmate was until someone opened the taxi door before her hand could touch it and she looked up. Her wrist went from a slight tingle feeling to a complete burning sensation and her stomache dropped when she saw his face. She stepped out and stood up in front of him, her blue eyes wide with nerves and curiosity, she smirked slightly as he spoke.

"You've got a cute accent. Keep it up" she replied. Her wrist still burned as she spoke so it only confirmed her assumption. "Though, your accent doesn't match your name, Alexey." He was quite handsome, but his clothes were quite casual formal for a bar scene. She looked back into his eyes and smiled softly.

The azure blue '56 buick regal pulled into the empty parking space in front of the old building. Plastered on its wall was a poster, 'Live Music' and from inside came the unmistakable beat of some band being played badly. The hour ride was smooth and without incident adding a bit of ease to the dark haired driver. His hazel eyes looked round the street of the building. It was even less busy outside than inside. The only sign of life was two young women plastered with clown makeup, smoking off to the side. Sebastián slipped his hand into the back of his pocket, finding a folded piece of paper and opened it.

Solenne Nocturne

6 Delancey St

He glanced down before looking up at the numbers displayed on the front of the place. The numbers matched the same numbers on the piece paper. " *Avas," He spoke softly as pulled the keys out of the ignition, pocketing both the keys and paper back into his pocket. This as one place he did not want to be but there wasn't a lot of choice.

A few hundred years ago, a non-aggression pact was made, as long as none of the gypsies interferes with the vampires business of New York. The gypsies were allowed to stay. However, any supernatural gypsies that steps foot, had to come forth to the vampire Elder. It has been two days since they're arrival to the city with the tribe. Another day more would had been insulting and would be the beginning of a unwanted conflict.

Jovanka looked over at her brother and then over at the building and turned to her brother once more. Jovanka did not want to come, she wanted to be among her people. Back at home, it was rough but it was safe. She parts her lips to speak only to be hush by the older sibling. "*Pen, I am here. It will not be long, we go inside, introduce to the *moolo and we will be back with the tribe."

There was silence from Jovanka as she paused and looked thoughtful, before smiling, she opened the door as she slid out of the car. Sebastián walked over to her, sliding his arm through Jovanka's, partly as a show of brother's affection, but mainly so he could pull her from harm's way. The two headed inside, in search of the vampire.

To say the place was in dire need of a refurnish was an understatement. The area was too closed off, causing little to no space for the growing crowd. Sebastián cursed silently to himself as he felt the nails of his sister dig into his arm. To the average eye, it was a swarm of people out for a fun night. To Jovanka, it was burning turmoil as she avoids the contact of the passing patrons.

Jovanka felt the muscles of his arm tighten, tensing of the discomfort that she reflecting upon him. " Estaré bien, Sebastián."

Sebastián nodded, looking out at the singing man on stage absently before he pushed his way into the crowd, seeking to find a vampire for assistant, with his sister in toll.

And so… The date has finally arrived.

The day had passed by normally for Nejmah Hassan: rise and shine at 6 AM, beauty routine, two-hour work-out, breakfast, photo shoot for Allure magazine, dress fittings for Alezzia Rosseau’s new evening gown line and just enough time to grab a quick dinner before getting ready for Solenne Nocturne's concert in the evening. The tickets had been a gift from a friend; an events correspondent for Allure magazine who couldn’t attend the event because of previous commitments, and had asked Nejmah the favor of attending the show and give her honest opinion on it. Nejmah had willfully agreed and invited the guy she was seeing to be her date to the concert, but she’d changed her mind at the last minute and made up an excuse for her to go alone. The 24 year-old Australian lead model of the new Hugo Boss line and Nejmah had been talking for a few months now (and the tabloids had been making a field day about it), but they were nothing more to each other than a distraction until they found someone worth their time.

During the shooting, the photographer had jokingly complained that she was lacking her usual spark, and that she seemed distracted. The truth of the matter was that she was distracted. No matter how hard she tried, Nejmah couldn’t put to rest the thought that today was the date that had been inked on her wrist since birth. It was today that she was destined to meet her soul mate, the man whose name had been permanently branded into her skin. Though she had always been skeptical about it (hell, she hadn’t even fallen in love with anyone in her life!), there was no doubt that there was a growing sense of anticipation and nervousness in her.

What if the myth was true? It wouldn’t be the first time that an urban legend was proven to be real. It had happened with vampires, werewolves, witches, and even with her own kind; they were considered figments of a creative imagination up until they came out of hiding and made the humans understand that they meant them no harm (unless they attempted to harm them first, of course). But admitting that the tale of her tattoo was real would mean that the man whose name she had on her wrist would be the person who was destined to be her forever. What was the point in being tied to someone for the rest of your life when there were so many people left to meet? The level of skepticism in Nejmah was high, but deep inside her the reason why she had remained single for this long had been just in case the myth wasn’t as fake as she thought it was.

A half hour before the concert, Nejmah was flagging down a taxi in front of her apartment in the Upper East Side (a coming-of-age gift from her father). Thankfully, the concert hall wasn’t far from where she lived, but walking there with heels would be suicide. During the ride, Nejmah noticed that a small burning sensation was coming from her tattoo. A little wave of panic swept through her. ‘Shit… Does this mean that today really is the day?’ Nejmah thought to herself, a worried scowl peeking in her beautiful features. But before her mind started racing and building up a variety of scenarios, she had arrived at the concert hall.

The line to enter was ridiculously long, but the benefits of having VIP tickets were that you got to avoid precisely that. So Nejmah walked directly to the front of the line, presented her ticket and was allowed inside in an instant. The people in the line groaned and muttered as she went in, but Nejmah paid them no attention and haughtily made her way to her seat, the tail of her black, long-sleeved mermaid gown trailing behind her.

Nejmah's seat was in the center of the third row, which gave her a perfect view of the stage. Not long after she had taken her seat than a very handsome young man stepped up, which she assumed was the man of the hour Solenne Nocturne. He gave a quick introduction, then did something that left Nejmah and quite a few other people speechless. He closed his eyes as if focused on something, then his figure began to blur and divide until there were four other copies of himself, each of them dressed in a different outfit. 'I wonder what type of supernatural he is...' Nejmah thought to herself, still wide-eyed at what she'd just witnessed. Meanwhile, Solenne and his copies had already assembled themselves in their respective positions and we're ready to begin the show.

The whole concert hall went the type of silent in which you could hear if a needle hit the floor after being dropped. As soon as the first notes of the piano started to play, Nejmah was instantly captivated, and the little burns coming from the ink on her wrist were quickly forgotten. The music that began was harmonious, beautiful and in perfect synchronization. It was a delight to her ears, which was evident in the beaming white smile that spread through her red-painted lips.

Soon after the music gained momentum, the burning sensation in her wrist became more intense, until it was downright painful. Gritting her teeth, she impatiently looked around, knowing that the source of this pain had to be near. Her eyes fell on a couple who was making their way through the crowd of people in the back, and when her eyes focused on the man holding the woman's arm, the tattoo suddenly burned Nejmah's wrist like a hot branding iron.

She let out a little whimper of pain, but turned to look at the inked name that was now glowing brightly against her skin. As soon as her eyes had gone off the man, the burning subsided a little, but when she looked back at him it returned full blast. She had to do that a couple of times for the shock to leave and for the reality to sink in: the stories had never been a myth after all.

Nejmah didn't really know when she decided to, but before she knew it she was standing up and blindly making her way to where the man was now standing, each step that she took towards him making her tattoo burn more intensely. When she was behind him, she gently tapped his shoulder and waited for him to turn around.

"Are you my soulmate, sir?" Nejmah asked politely, waiting for the man's amswer. Strangely, there was no pain in her wrist anymore.

Adam

Adam walked the streets. There was some sort of concert going on today, but he didn't want to go. He was feeling quite strange. One part of that might've been the fact that Will, his anti, had been growing stronger and more untameable each day and wanted out. The other part might've been that yesterday he'd bumped into his soulmate in the metro, his wrist burning. He'd kept on walking, trying to avoid him.

When the name Danilo had first shown up on his wrist, he had been teaching his class how to actually be their characters rather than just acting them. Metaphorically, of course. Well, maybe the name had shown up before that. But he'd noticed it then and there. He kept his cool, but he was really freaking out. He didn't want to hurt another soul or outlive them.

But he knew there was no denying it or avoiding it, even if he tried before. Everyday since that day, he couldn't help but wonder what they'd be like. Would they like the rain, or hate it? Did they prefer one sugary thing over the other? But when he'd been able to meet them, Adam had avoided them.

He felt kind of guilty, for missing his soulmate. He still didn't want to, but still had no choice all the same. He'd waited all day, and there was still no sign of them. To ease himself, he'd went outside and began to walk. He heard the concert a few blocks away.

As he passed some sort of bar, Adam felt his wrist burn a little. Less than the first time, but still a burn. He looked down to see the name Danilo glowing.
No..., he thought. He stopped in front of the building, deciding whether to go in or not. Finally, he sighed, heading inside as his wrist burned more. He looked around, looking for someone who might react to their own wrist burning.

The small office was dimly lit, most light coming from the small desk lamp that sat slightly precariously on the corner of the desk that was positioned oddly off to the side of everything, facing a wall. It's surface was cluttered with various stacks of paper, pens, and currently the resting head of the immortal that sat in the chair behind the desk.

Letting out a small groan Titus lifted his head to look down at the paper in front of him, a short single page length thing scrawled over in red ink. Reaching out he took hold of a sharp tipped fountain pen that had rolled some ways down the length of the desk. Uncapping it Titus wrote on the top of the page "Redo and hand in again" and moved the page to a pile to his left. He was about to grab another paper when his eye caught the glint of the blood red ink on the small 3 page packet. Sighing he capped his pen and leaned back muttering quietly "Iv'e told them three times now not to use red. Or was that last years class... Have I even told this one?" He paused in his moment of confusion, a slightly worried look crossing his face before he finally resolved to just tell his students the next time he saw them.

Placing his pen once more on the desk Titus rose from his seat, a yawn breaking free as he did so. Stepping away from the chair he crossed the linoleum floor of his office, finding the light switch with a practiced reach in the dark and flipping it to turn on the overhead light. As light flooded the room it revealed that the state of it was an almost mirror of the desk with various shelves sitting here and there on the walls, and down the middle of the room, each filled with books or small trinkets the spanned ages. Yet there was a sense of order to the chaos, an almost chronological progression that played out on the shelves, but Titus ignored all of it as he slowly walked back to his desk. Pulling a chain that hung from under the lamp he turned it off and gathered a couple of things, a key ring, couple pens and the like, ending with a simple grey jacket which hung on the back of his chair.

As he left Titus double checked that he turned off the light and locked the door before swinging his jacket on and walking out of the building, offering a small conversation to the janitorial staff that had begun their work in the hallway. As he emerged into the night air an electronic beep sounded from his left wrist. Lifting it up he saw it was the watch that he wore face down was pulsing a low green light, which oddly enough made him grin "Left before the alarm again, guess I need to reset it." As he moved his hand he almost missed the numbers that were just barely visible from underneath the watch-face. A set of what looked like letters, that he made no effort to read them again as the information they contained had been read a hundred times over.

So instead he thrust his hand into his pocket and pulled out his phone, he had heard about a venue that had live music tonight from some of the students, and supposedly it was going to be a fairly good show. Clicking on the phones display, and with a few thumb strokes he brought up directions to the place (throughout all the years in the city the ever changing layout still threw him sometimes) and some information about it, "Huh a vampire venue, should prove interesting and its not to far. Wonder if they still don't mind me wandering around." Clicking off the display he se of though the main entrince , his shoes making a clacking sound on the tiled floor of the large main floor before he exited the building, joining the main street and found himself once more blending in with the natural hum of the city.

Danilo sipped some more of his drink, listening to the ideas for tattoo his friend soulamte may or may not have. Would his soulmate have some? He emptied his glass, as if trying to drown his thoughts away.
"Yeah I'll admit to that one. Even for a vampire,"

''Admit it you want to kiss her... or have you already felt her lips, mmm? '' Danilo took the bottle, even if he was a dragon and could handle alcohol really well, added to the fact he grow up with rakija such a enjoyable drink in his opinion it, he still wondered if he was starting to get tipsy. The need to sing a old song, he was resisting the urge, pouring both him and Tholo a drink more. My love you agonizing my heart with out knowing....

As if responding to the a inner melody a gently burn started, or did it last for a while? He barely noticed it. Placing his glass down he spoke in a sober voice.

''Tholo....I think ....my wrist may be burning ...faintly... Or I drunk a few glasses too much?...'' Maybe just this one time he should not jump up, like yesterday morning when the sun warmed his hand up, instead of a real burning. Maybe he was all just imaging it because he was... just like that a dreamer. Dreaming up what his heart desired. That would be stupidly!

Looking once more at Tholo, in the dragons eyes one could see the fire shine, before the bangs fall over them like a curtain. Dan grabbed his hat and staff, gently placing the hat on the head and holding the walking stick under his arm. He than processed to step on the table. '' Sorry Tholo.'' He said as he nearly tipped the bottle over.

''Good evening.'' Dan started bowing elegantly sliding the staff into his hand while the other took the hat off. '' May I steal a moment from your attention. '' He put the hat back up and leaned with both white gloved hands onto the walking stick. '' I must know if by chance my dear beloved soulmate is here. You see I kinda lost him the last time. '' He chuckled amused he was either drunk or determent, he couldnt be sure. There was one thing Dan was sure.

He isnt letting his soul mate out his claws, with out getting him to know at least.

''This time if I miss you I am sure my friend would be able to track you down, right?'' Did that sound way to, off?... Hopefully not. It wasnt scary sounding or? ''It is my pleasure to meet you, the stars have paired up our hearts with a unbreakable bond. So please step closer to me. Данило Сувић is how you speak my name.''

Adam

Adam sighed. There was no way this guy was his soulmate. But as he looked around, he sighed because he noticed that no one else had any reactions as if their wrists were burning. But when he mentioned not missing his soulmate again, he knew the chances were raised that this was in fact his soul mate. Adam sighed, stepping closer inside.

"Hello, I'm going to guess you're Danilo Suvic. Or how you pronounced your name before. My name is Adam. I think am your soul mate," he said, walking closer.

Adam had to admit that he was cute, with his orange hair and his hat. His outfit was fancy, but not too fancy.

Rainbow Moonstone wasn't doing much. She was sitting at home, playing her guitar randomly while reading a book. She did this regularly, and was actually pretty good at it. Unlike most people, she'd rather stay home than go out to some concert.

She knew that the day to meet her soulmate was coming, and it was strange to think she had one. As a gem, you didn't really need love. It was just a side thing. But it intrigued Moonstone, and interested her. It was such a cute little thing, like glass. It could be strong, but messing with it too much shattered it into tiny fragments.

When she'd first gotten her soulmate's name on her wrist, she was confused as to what it was. She had to ask someone in the library (which was weird, because you don't talk in a library) and they'd told her all about it. She'd then asked what love was, and that was a very interesting conversation.
So she found it quite cute what humans did. They were so peculiar, with their love.

And she stayed inside, playing her guitar and reading books. Before long, her mind wandered on to thinking about her soul mate. Would it be a he or she? Would they like books? Would they be human, or some other sort of creature? What would they look like? She got so off track, she had to read the whole chapter all over again.

'' Sorry Tholo.''

Tholo was confused on what the dragon had to be sorry about but soon found out as the bottle was nearly tipped off the table all over him when Danilo jumped onto it and started pronouncing his reasoning for the odd act."Oh boy," Tholo sighed to himself and took the bottle now and finished it off for himself. It took him all of his control to not and try and pull the dragon down from the table. He had said he would help Danilo with his soulmate searching, unfortunately he never gave into the consideration on what might come with it. He had just assumed maybe a chance run in on the streets or just a simple hello in the bar, not an entire scene. It didn't help when Danilo brought him into the matter by stating that he could track the person down if they scurried off. He prayed that would be unnecessary.

Luckily for Tholo that seemed to not be the case as someone did step forward after the odd display that Danilo had just performed. He hardly seemed surprised by the fact that the person was of the same gender. After all after living for a few centuries you got accustomed to seeing many odd pairings that ultimately seemed to work in the end.

"Well their you go Danilo, you found the name on your wrist," he said patting the dragon on the back as he got off the table ",Just please don't get on anymore tables when I'm around. Now that I'm of no assistance I think I shall be off. Danilo take care and get home safe. Adam, good luck." With that Tholo slipped out of the bar into the night air. It probably was foolish to drive the car with the buzz he had but he did anyways and managed to not get into to much trouble. As embarrassing as the scene Danilo had made he was happy his friend had found his soulmate. All he could hope for was that the other guy would keep him happy. It gave him some glimmer of hope that perhaps he could work things out with Trixy.

He parked his car in the driveway before making his way to the door, stumbling with the keys at first before he unlocked it finally and made his way up the stairs, locking the door once more. He didn't bother undressing, he just landed on the bed and was soon adrift asleep, for once falling asleep in peace.

Alexey just smirked, and asked her in perfect, unaccented English, "Oh? Are you telling me I'm doing Russian wrong? I assure you, it's the real deal, considering I grew up there." He showed her his soul tattoo, glowing as it was. A date, written in regular numbers, and a name in Russian- but translating to "Amena." Alexey glanced at her, and smiled back.

Offering his arm like a good gentlemen, he told her, "Well, now I know that I am in luck. Fortune favors me today, to find that my soulmate is a beautiful redhead- a rarity from where I come from, making you even more impressive to me. My apologies if my apparel is not matching of yours, or suitable for where we are going- truth be told, I had largely forgotten about this soulmate business, and a friend had to send me in the right direction to catch you here, so timely-like."

By this point, he was shot with nerves and was forcing himself to project a calm, easygoing, relaxed demeanor, unconsciously bolstering his subtle aura to be more powerful, more suggestive. People around him took more notice of them, some staring openly, all of their thoughts turned more towards exactly how Alexey wanted people to perceive him- a handsome, friendly, relaxed man who happened to be very lucky.

And for the more powerful supernaturals, they suddenly took note of the dragon's presence, and some tensed, searching for whoever was using such a compulsion aura. Most people were staring amiably- but a few others were annoyed, and in a couple peoples' cases, quite aggravated. All by one man who didn't even know he wasn't an actual human man.

Béatrix silently stared at the cell phone for a while, turning it in circles on the table with a single finger. Even with over six centuries under her belt, Trixy liked to keep up with the times, unlike her aforementioned grandsire whom preferred letters over phones. Moments passed, and Solenne had not responded to her text. Maybe he was giving her the silent treatment because of her behavior? That was a bit of an egocentric thought, it was more likely that he was busy, perhaps spending the night with his new human plaything, even. Her stomach grumbled at the thought of some of her own human consorts.

Trixy hadn’t the energy to go out to the club and get her dinner the fun way, so she settled with the bagged blood she had in her fridge for dinner. The light from the refrigerator cast long shadows across her face as Trixy peered in, grabbed a pack of o-negative, and promptly tore it open to pour into a microwaveable mug. Bagged blood wasn’t ideal, as it had a somewhat foul aftertaste, but it cut the cravings when getting it from the source proved difficult. The appliance beeped and Béatrix retrieved the blood and huddled it under her chin as a human would a cup of cocoa on a cold night.

Closing her eyes and inhaling the bouquet of the blood as if it were a fine wine, Trixy tried to push the stress of the past few days out of her mind. After a few hearty gulps, Trixy headed out to the living area with her mug of sanguine delight. She sat at the piano beneath Francis’ painted portrait, it was one of the few items that she kept from the years when he was still alive, and she moved it with her on her travels. Cliché as it may be for a vampire to play the piano, Trixy knew how to play only because of her human upbringing. She wasn’t some magnificent musician, it was just a skill that all noble ladies in the 14th century acquired if they ever wished to marry, along with needlework. Never-the-less, Trixy sat and ran her fingers along the keys as if it were completely natural, tinkling out the beginning chords to a ballad for her late soul mate. Her singing voice was soft and pleasant, breaking with emotion occasionally.



The rest of the song went on as ballads do. One line mentioning dancing naked in the moonlight. But the next line she sang was new, surprising even herself as it passed from her lips.



Her fingers halted over the keys and a graveyard silence fell upon the room. Was that really true? After all this time wallowing, was she finally ready to move on? More so, did she want to move on? Trixy glanced down at the name on her wrist before clenching her fingers into a fist. Maybe, but definitely not with a wolf. Trixy slugged back the rest of the blood and swallowed it down hard. It was best not to dwell this little episode, and just go to bed; So she did just that. Thankfully, when a vampire goes to sleep, no amount of thoughts can keep them up, because they sleep like… well, they sleep like the dead.

People were staring at Danilo as he started talking, each head in the bar has turned towards him. He himself was focusing on anyone that may try sneaking up to the door to run away. Tholo would help him for sure to stop him from getting away. That what are friends for.

To his surprise or luck his soulmate stepped forwards just as he asked them to. Danilo took in a breath.
"Hello, I'm going to guess you're Danilo Suvic. Or how you pronounced your name before. My name is Adam. I think am your soul mate,"
He stepped off the table walking up to Adam and offering his gloved hand before he chuckled. ''Silly me.'' He moved the hand to his teeth biting down on the tip of the glove and sliding it off to show the name on his wrist, Adam was clearly to be seen but a faint shadow under the name Adam could be seen as well. The name Adam overlapped the faint name that read Will. Offering his hand for a handshake.

Dan was just a bit nervous as he showed his wrist. The red scales on the back of his hand going up the forearm and under his long shelve, could be noticed. His soulmate will not reject him because of it, right? Maybe in the dim light of the bar they will think of it as a tattoo? They will not get scared away because he was a dragon, right? Why was he so unsure, that was not like him...? Because there was a chance they didnt just miss each other but his soulmate run away from him.... His stomach clenched, that was surely not it.

"Well their you go Danilo, you found the name on your wrist," The pat of his friend relaxing the dragon in question. His smile grow as he heard Tholo asking him not to get on any tables anymore. He didnt promise it, tables made such lovely stages. ''.... Danilo take care and get home safe. Adam, good luck."

''I will Tholo, you too. Thank you for being there. '' Dan called after his friend just as the man was leaving the establishment. Refocusing back onto Adam with a cheerful attitude. Things will work out.

''You can call me Dan if it is easier for you, that was my friend, the big bad wolf. Or Tholo for short. He is a sugar cube at heart. Lets go for a walk, this place lacks fresh air, dont you think?''

Pale fingers danced slowly across the ivory keys of the grand piano that was center stage. The Solennes that stood besides their instruments all looked around into the crowd, their minds were all separate...there was no joining magic between them. The one dressed in a leather jacket and jeans, hair slightly longer than the rest, was the first to spot Mia. He gestured to the others and they all followed his gaze. Each and everyone of them fell for Mia once more.

This was Solenne's secret that he displayed to the world under the guise of a magic trick. Where Trixy could read minds, Solenne had a more practical ability. He could split his personality. His rage, his passion, his logic, his humour, his sadness. Each of the bodies were manifestations of one of those traits. Each of those manifestations had more blood on their hands than Solenne liked to think about. Each of those manifestations were the closest he had to family.

The suited piano playing Solenne closed his eyes, fingers moving faster, the slow somber song rising into discordant notes and fast tempo. The guitarist Solenne picked up his instrument and began a driving heavy rhythm that mingled with the deep heavy discord of the piano. The show was about to pick up. The drummer raged against his instrument; the bassist strummed; the pianist stood up to the mic and breathed in slowly.

Hoooooold
Hold your breath
Stumble and fumble with the dress
Your pulse rise
Beneath my eyes
And you will faaaall in liiiiiine

Biiiiite
Bite your lip
Pout out the sorrow
And contemplate your grip
On the neck
Of the maaaan you looove

Noooood
Nod your heeead
Comply to me
And each one of my demands
Despite your mind
Screaming no

The singing Solenne kept his eyes steadfast upon Mia, his deep crimson eyes glinting with thoughts hidden deep in the mind. The Singing Solenne just so happened to be the manifestation of the vampires passion. It was showing.

The redhead in question looked down at her own apparel and blushed slightly before looking back up at him. She said "flattery doesn't get you anywhere with me, you'll have to remember that. As for this" she pulled at the bottom of his vest "it's not about the clothes. It's about the man inside them." She smirked and winked before walking past him and toward the bar. She looked over her shoulder at him and smiled before looking back at the doors. Amena blushed softly, thanking the night for hiding her crimson cheeks from view.

She hadn't been so bold before. Not in her life. Not even with her husbands before. Was it that her soulmate brought it out or was it the night that effected her so? Amena shook her head as she walked in and grabbed a seat at the bar, her head and heart swimming. He was the most attractive man she had ever seen in her many years of being on this earth. She could feel her past self coming through and she did not want that to happen.