A Good Excuse to be a Bad Influence, Charlotte, Mary

[Charlotte Devereaux]

Abnormally attracted to Sin - - -

She may be dead to you,
but her hips sway a natural kind of faith
that could give your lost heart a warm chapel

angre Underground. Center of the universe. At least for tonight, anyway. Charlotte leaned against the bar, waiting for the bartender to pour her a pint. It was busy tonight, like it was every night. The crowd waiting at the bar spanned three vampires deep, and that wasn’t even counting the others scattered throughout the dancefloor and in any number of private lounges.

Buried deep within the underground city of Seattle, Sangre was a sanctuary for the vampires of an exclusive set. They prided themselves on their secrecy and security, fully vetting any vampire who wanted to gain access to the club. Once they had passed, they were given a small, golden pass which would allow admittance for the possessing vampire along with one accompanying guest. The club also had an entire department dedicated to keeping news of its existence from the human population – it was this attention to secrecy that likely kept the Volturi from beating down their doors to stop such a large number of vampires from convening in one place.

Charlotte was alone tonight, like she was most nights she entered the tunnels for a little sanctuary. Her husband, Peter, insisted that they visit the not-so-great-state of Washington on a regular basis so he could visit with his best friend, Jasper. Jasper had taken up residence on the Washington peninsula, taken a wife of his own, and adopted an entirely new lifestyle. Though Jasper was like a brother, Charlotte had a very different relationship with the tall southerner than her husband did. He was the man who fed on her and yet, couldn’t finish the job. He was the one who brought her into the hell of the southern wars, and commanded the army with fear. He was also the one who tried to murder her the night Maria gave the order to exterminate her army.

In the years that passed, Charlotte and Jasper had forged a tenuous friendship. She knew, now, that he had also been punished for her escape and prevented a search party from storming after her and Peter. Despite this knowledge, and the fact that he had entirely changed his behaviour and lifestyle, Charlotte still found it difficult to truly connect with him. Under constant suspicion in the Cullen household, due to her red-eyes and her talents, the need to escape was always present from the moment Charlotte walked in the front door. Luckily, Peter wasn’t offended by her need to separate herself, so she seized the opportunity to take a night of freedom and run as quickly as she could.

Which is what had lead her to Sangre Underground tonight. The music was pounding through the building and Charlotte could feel the vibrations throughout her body. "Thank you!" She shouted to the bartender, tapping the counter twice over several bills. "Keep the change!" The bartender grinned, giving her a thumbs up as he moved on with his orders. Charlotte turned, sipping her drink and surveying the crowd. She recognized several faces among them; Char collected phone numbers like most women collected shoes, and more than once Peter had rolled his eyes at his “little social butterfly”. She started making her way through the crowd, pausing to talk to some friends from New York, before continuing across to a platform where several other women were dancing.

She downed the rest of her drink in one gulp, enjoying the head rush that came with it and set her glass down on a passing barback’s tray. She climbed up on the platform, reaching behind her to pull her hair down from the safety of it’s messy topknot, her desired hairstyle when running long distances. As she shook out her long, blonde waves, she moved her body to the rhythm of the music and slipped into her mental home. Dance had always been her sanctuary, her moment of peace in an ever changing word. Even as a human child, she’d slip into her toe shoes and dance the evening’s worries away on the front porch of the plantation. It was the one thing that she could cling to, the one possession that no one could ever take from her. As she danced on the club platform, completely oblivious to the world around her, Charlotte felt the stress visiting Jasper slipping away.

Tag: _Mary Words: _number? Outfit: _click Notes: _any?

_{This template was made by} MEL THE MAGNIFICENT !? _{of Caution & SDS}

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[Mary Bethune]

when I close my eyes, I am
AT THE CENTER OF THE SUN.

Sangre. What a beautiful place it was. Mary needed this place right now. It was a welcome escape from her recent trials and tribulations. Deep in the underground of Seattle and far away from all of her problems, Sangre was a sanctuary for an exclusive set of vampires and she was glad to be a part of that set. Mary tapped her boot to the beat while she waited for her drink to arrive.

Mary was infamous in her vicarious life. She managed to fall in and out of love like it was a fashion statement. Recently, she had met a man in Canada while trying to escape the drama in the Southern part of America. Of course, with her heart on her sleeve, she fell head over heels before knowing who this man really was, ex-warlord from the heart of Texas, in Canada to escape the many who wished to see him dead and of course the Volturi. He had her used and abused before she could realize the hole she had dug herself.

Now, she’d escaped. Escape was one of her specialties. Romany or the commonly called gypsy by birth, that she was, it was in her blood to be able to get out of a tight spot with unique precision. As soon as she broke free, she ran. There are few people in this world she can call her true friends, but if she has ever needed help there was a coven in Washington that she could turn to. The Cullen’s had problems of their own however and she had plenty of people that she knew in Sangre, including the owner, who really was a true friend to her and had been for years.

The server winked at her when he placed her drink on the table. Mary responded with a flirtatious glance and slid the money to the edge of the table mouthing the words “Thanks.” She took in the size of the crowd from her seat. It was another busy night. She smiled, lifting the glass to her lips to take a long gulp. Busy meant fun and that's just what she planned to have tonight. Sangre was good for eliminating her worries, if only for the moment.

Mary finished her drink and made her way through the crowd. She, of course, had to stop and chat with a few acquaintances along the way. Through her worldly travels she had met many people. Socialization was a huge part of Mary's life. She loved to meet new people and have some kind of connection to them, whether it was just a conversation or something more. This helped keep Mary out of herself, which in all sense of the word, was a good thing. Besides, not many vampires could resist wanting to know her after seeing her odd style and bright and ever changing hair.

Mary made it up to the platform. A smile planted on her face where it usually was. She began moving to the music and flowing with the sound, bringing her close to a blonde woman near her height. She noticed a few scars in the flash of the light, figuring she was a soldier. Mary admired her blouse she turned and continued to dance to the sound, the music taking over her mind.

and I cannot be hurt by anything this wicked world has done
’CAUSE I HEAR VIOLINS.

TAG Charlotte Devereaux
STATUS Complete
THE FINAL COUNT 556
NOTES
MUSIC Center of the Sun
LOVE taye, (AMOEBA !) of CAUTION 2.0.

[Charlotte Devereaux]

Abnormally attracted to Sin - - -

She may be dead to you,
but her hips sway a natural kind of faith
that could give your lost heart a warm chapel

harlotte moved over slightly as the redhead climbed up to the platform with her. Instinctively, she looked her over, scanning her body for any traces of the familiar scarring prominent in the southern battles. As she moved to the music, Charlotte glanced at her face, taking a mental picture and running it through her memory banks. Enemies came in all shapes and sizes, and could turn up in the oddest of locations, even nightclubs. A quick inhale, trying to detect any familiar scents lingering on her skin. A quick scan with her power read her desires, and Charlotte smiled gently, relaxing. She was just here for fun, not to carry out acts of revenge long overdue.

Even though years had passed since she and Peter had escaped the south, they still tried to keep a low profile. Or, rather, Peter tried to keep the low profile, constantly erasing any trace of their whereabouts. They had no documents, never used any banking accounts, and only once had an address. Charlotte pressed her lips together at the memory. She'd somehow convinced Peter to settle down. They'd adopted false names and tried to establish a home life. It hadn't lasted long, Peter's nerves never quite calmed, and Charlotte could tell that he didn't enjoy it. A few months later, they'd moved and gone nomadic again.

Charlotte, on the other hand, had a different tact in making sure the enemies of the past stayed off of their trail. She had a wide network of friends and contacts, people whom she kept in contact with on a regular basis. She knew that the best way to stay one step ahead of anyone who might be seeking information on their wherabouts was to keep a cautious ear to the gossip, and gather information of her own. Thanks to her special ability to read and manipulate desires, it was impossible to lie to her. The desire to deceive overpowered any words that may have been spoken.

However, the redhead's desires had no deceptions...and...oddly, Charlotte thought, no inhibitions, either. She smiled, instantly making a connection. As Charlotte swung her hips, she turned slightly in the direction of the redhead, trying to see if she could catch her gaze and nod a greeting.

Tag: _Mary Words: ₇₄₂ Outfit: _click Notes: _any?

_{This template was made by} MEL THE MAGNIFICENT !? _{of Caution & SDS}

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[Mary Bethune]

when I close my eyes, I am
AT THE CENTER OF THE SUN.

The rhythm of the music crept into Mary’s veins, pumping each of her muscles to contract and sway along with the tempo. Her eyes close, embracing the feeling of release. The numbness began creeping to subdue any pains or worries still fighting to ruin her good time tonight. She was here to forget, that’s what she needed tonight. No one could stop her now. She was doing what she did best, packing the pain away to throw out the old, and staying afloat until undoubtedly someone new stepped in. This was the vicarious and unhealthy cycle Mary had seemed to adopt over time, regardless of her many resolutions to change it.

Mary opened her eyes when the song transformed into the next one. The blonde she was dancing near had caught her eye, and was nodding a greeting towards her. Mary grinned and returned it, the blonde’s blouse catching her eye again. She leaned forward, not missing a beat with her movements, “I love your blouse!” She exclaimed, trying not to shout even with the loud music.

There was someone new, someone fresh for her to interact with. This was the reason Mary could never say no to Sangre when she was in a rough spot. The special effect the place had on her could change a near death experience into lost memory by the time she exited the building.

and I cannot be hurt by anything this wicked world has done
’CAUSE I HEAR VIOLINS.

TAG Charlotte Devereaux
STATUS Complete
THE FINAL COUNT 226
NOTES Sorry it’s so short!
MUSIC Center of the Sun
LOVE taye, (AMOEBA !) of CAUTION 2.0.

[Charlotte Devereaux]

Abnormally attracted to Sin - - -

She may be dead to you,
but her hips sway a natural kind of faith
that could give your lost heart a warm chapel

harlotte grinned, swaying her hips and raising her hands above her head, swaying with the new rhythm. "Thank you!" She shouted over the music, knowing that the redhead would be able to read her lips, even if she couldn't hear her. "Your corset is fabulous." She nodded her head in gesture. "Vintage? Love Victorian style."

Charlotte was eager to learn more about this new stranger, but her guard wasn't down entirely. She'd learned in the past that spies and informants could come in the oddest packages, and even if this person's intention wasn't to gather information on Charlotte currently, there was nothing to confirm that she wouldn't do so in the future if the right price was offered. Still, it was nice to have the opportunity to chat with someone new, especially one who shared Charlotte's sense of style.

Her eyes scanned over the club one more time, looking over each face for a hint of familiarity. She branched her power out into a modest circle around her, scanning as much as she could, searching for any interest other than what was expected. Though this place was a sanctuary, and well guarded, one could never be too careful, and Peter would never allow her to go off on her own again if she let down her guard.

It was the first lesson she had learned in the south. Do Not Get Caught. If you were caught, do not expect rescue. After she and Peter had fled Maria's grasp, he had drilled it into her at every turn, to the point where Charlotte had fired back, asking if he thought she was an idiot. Sometimes, as noble as his intentions were, his overprotective nature was overwhelming for a strong southern girl who had always made her own way. She knew the risks as well as he did, she knew the warning signs, she knew to keep an eye on the crowd at every moment, and know at least three ways out of every room.

Her eyes darted to each of her exit points. Yes, they were all within reach, should this turn out badly. But, somehow, Charlotte didn't think it would.

Tag: _Mary Words: ₃₆₄ Outfit: _click Notes: _any?

_{This template was made by} MEL THE MAGNIFICENT !? _{of Caution & SDS}

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[Mary Bethune]

when I close my eyes, I am
AT THE CENTER OF THE SUN.

Mary smiled at the blonde woman and looked down at her corset top. “Thanks!” she exclaimed “It’s from the Victorian period, I bought it in Europe somewhere and modified it myself. So, I guess that would be considered vintage, right?” Mary laughed, and looked towards the door at a group of incomers. She habitually looked around to see if she was going to encounter a friend or foe when new people walked in. She expected to run into people she knew when she went out, she just hoped it wasn’t a bad encounter.

Mary stared at the door a moment before her focus came back to the woman she had been talking to. Her throat stung with a familiar burn, she was getting slightly hungry. The music had turned to a tempo that suggested romance and she wasn’t in the mood to drag someone onto the floor. She hated to be alone however, and she thought this woman she was dancing next to would make good company at the very least.

Mary stopped moving to the beat and looked towards the bar, instinctively she licked her lips. Smiling, she turned to the blonde, “I’m getting parched. Do you want to go get a drink?” She fixed her boot laces while she waited for a response. Her feelings wouldn’t be hurt if her offer was declined. She could find company anywhere, it was rare that she was able to find her company in another female though and tonight she didn’t want to deal with men.

and I cannot be hurt by anything this wicked world has done
’CAUSE I HEAR VIOLINS.

TAG Charlotte Devereaux
STATUS Complete
THE FINAL COUNT 254
NOTES length will come with conversation
MUSIC Center of the Sun
LOVE taye, (AMOEBA !) of CAUTION 2.0.

[Charlotte Devereaux]

Abnormally attracted to Sin - - -

She may be dead to you,
but her hips sway a natural kind of faith
that could give your lost heart a warm chapel

harlotte’s gaze followed Mary’s as she looked toward the door. Her eyes scanned over the crowd entering, searching for any familiar faces or figures among them. She closed her eyes for the briefest moment, using her ability to scan for any threatening intent, whether directed toward herself of someone else in the club. It was an automatic response to new company to the point where it wasn’t even a conscious decision on her art anymore. Finally satisfied that there wasn’t any danger, at least not currently, she offered a quick nod in Mary’s direction as her question came.

“I’m getting parched. Do you want to go get a drink?”

“Yeah, I could use another.” She smiled as she waited for Mary to fix her boot lace. It had been a long few days among populated areas of Washington. She and Peter had been expressly forbidden from hunting humans on the Olympic Peninsula. Any hunting had to be done well away from the Cullen’s area of residence, (Territory, Charlotte thought, bitterly, though Carlisle would never admit to being the commander he was) and hunting a live meal in Seattle brought its own complications.

The vampire population of Seattle and the surrounding areas was higher than other cities, owing to the scarcity of sunny days. Vampires could roam freely every night, and nearly every day, which made the city one of the most desirable in the country to live in. This was one of the reasons that Sangre had been doing so well; when you’re one of a handful of nightspots that cater to a particular clientele, it was hard not to be successful.

However, vampires were territorial by their very nature, and having so many in one location only increased this tendency. Small territories, or turfs, had been established, essentially drawing the city into quadrants. Most allowed outsiders to travel freely through their areas, but hunting in them was another story. When you needed to hunt live prey in Seattle, you had to plan carefully and take your time with it. Charlotte was very much led by her venom and her desire for food, and sometimes lacked the patience that it required.

“You want to go to the bar, or go check out the booths?” She gestured to the many small caves, filled with long plush benches and draping velvet curtains. Servers moved among them, bringing bottles and glasses to the occupants who preferred a more relaxing area for conversation. “Or, were you thinking a live hunt?”

Tag: _{Mary Mary, Quite Contrary} Words: ₄₂₂ Outfit: _click Notes: _any?

_{This template was made by} MEL THE MAGNIFICENT !? _{of Caution & SDS}

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