The Festival

[Lynn Von Arx]

Lynn watched as Alavda walked away. She had hoped that maybe while she was checking everything out that Alavda did not think she was ignoring her on purpose. She just got to the island and wanted to make a good first impression, at least one good one today anyways. She laughed at how awkward she was with that new man she just met and looked up at the ceiling. She was slightly curious if she could have something like Thomas and Alavda had all those years ago. She shook her head quickly to try to get those thoughts out of her head as she realized how selfish they made her seem. She never wanted Alavda to know how jealous she was of her all that time ago, because in all reality she was more happy for her. She only wished that that same happiness would come back to her friend.

She was just about tie the cords down together when she heard a familiar voice and froze, the cords falling to the ground. Oh no, Bladen had found her. She panicked more. OH NO THOMAS MUST BE HERE TOO! Her mind shouted to her as she turned around and looked at Bladen. Yes, she had a fear of him, since she knew his abilities well, emotional manipulation. She was never sure which he carved more, turmoil or blood, but she shook that thought out of her head as well and took a deep breath. "Where is Thomas? Did he come with you?" She said in a hushed tone. She would be polite and answer his other question later, but for now, this was priority.

[Bladen Thorne]

Bladen chuckled when he felt a surge of fear spike from her. He inhaled deeply, taking it in. He upped the fear just a tad for kicks and giggles.

He made a disappointed noise when she asked about Thomas, "Tsk tsk, Lynn, asking about another man when I'm right here." he leaned in a little closer to her, chuckling again, "You know very well that Thomas and I arrived on the island on the same ship..." he feigned ignorance of what she meant, but quickly said, "Ah, but you mean where is he now, yeah?" he paused for effect, "I came alone, girl. I was...eager to see this famous festival." Oh yes, Bladen was very enthusiastic about the festival. So many people, so many veins with hot blood pumping through them, so many minds to mess with...he felt like a dog in squirrel hell.

"Now, why would you be asking me about Thomas," he leaned back and put his hand under his chin, as if he was thinking about the possibilities.

[Finley]

Finley had been at the festival grounds for all of two minutes when we found a boulder to sit on. He looked all around him and played his lute and watched the people around him.

He spied two vampires on the stage that was quite a distance away from him. He couldn't hear what was being said, and he was certain that they would not know that he saw them interacting. They looked like two lovers having a spat. Inspired, he made up a song on the spot about two lovers who met by means of fate, only to end in betrayal.

[Sam Emrys]

Sam smiled to Jayleen and handed her two cookies in a white paper bag with the price written on it. One cookie was chocolate, and one was a raisin oatmeal. "The second one is free. It would be a shame to have any of this go to waste" She explained. In truth, she couldn't be sure if Jayleen actually wanted the oatmeal raisin cookie, or if she wanted chocolate chip like so many fooled by their similar appearances. "My name is Samantha, by the way, and thank you very much. This is truly a beautiful island" She said happily.

[Jaylene Bennet]

Reaching for the cookies, Jaylene smiled appreciatively, "Ooooh..." TWO cookies? For the price of one? She very much approved, "Thank you so much!" she broke off a piece of one and chewed...mmm chocolate chip! Just what she wanted.

"Nice to meet you Samantha," she took another bit of cookie and savored the taste before saying, "I'm glad you find the island as beautiful as we do...especially since you have such good cookies! If you're not already, you should open up a bakery. I think you'd make a fortune!" she laughed

When she heard Evie's voice, she let out a startles squeak, but grinned after she saw who it was that snuck up on her, "Evie! I'm glad you decided to come after all that griping," she ignored Matthias's low growl and quickly hugged her friend in greeting. "Evie, you HAVE to try these cookies! Samantha here makes the best cookies I've ever had!" she leaned in closer and whispered, "They rival Max's grandmothers. But don't tell the Landon boys I said that!"

She was so glad that Matthias was trying to be nice. She often found herself trying to keep the peace between the two when they spoke.

"We just got here ourselves. I hear that they have a lot of music planned for tonight." She knew she was really reaching for conversation, but she wanted to say something before either got the chance to get other the other's skin.

[Lynn Von Arx]

Lynn glared at Bladen, not only forhis comment about feeding on people here, but even joking about her being interested in him "Bladen! You know we can't do that, nor should we, these people are trying to have a good time, and it's against this island's rules. You just got here, do you really want to get kicked out that fast? Also, not in your wildest dreams would I even give you a chance..." Lynn sighed, shaking her head though her heart was still tight about knowing if Thomas was there or not, that was until Bladen said that he came alone. Lynn then sighed again, but in relief. Thank goodness she didn't have to worry about the two right now. When Bladen asked her why that was important she acted innocent and smiled. "Well, usually you guys are two peas in a pod and I was afraid he may be causing havoc as much as you were." That sounded like a good lie to her, hopefully he would take the bait.

[Evelyn Connor]

Evie looked at the cookies and took one. She didn't want to be impolite as she looked at the girl with crazy arm and took a bit. Jaylene was right, they were delicious! She could not let them know, so she made sure the twinkle in her soul did not show through and shrugged. "They are ok, and I have no idea who this Max is, is he your friend or something?" Evie looked confused then blinked.

"Wait...you said Landon boys, oh geez is it that crazy smoker?" Her nose scrunched at the thought. She looked back at the crazy arm girl and lifted the cookie up. "Hey, don't stop making these, the more you do, the better they may get." She wanted to change her thought process away from the nasty boy. She then looked around and saw a fairy walking by that she hadn't seen before. She gave him a brief thought then looked back at Jaylene. "Should I leave you to hang out with your boyfriend?"

[Bladen Thorne]

He threw his head back and gave a booming laugh, "Ah! Did I say that out loud?" he mused through his chuckling, "Or perhaps as well as daywalking, you're a mind reader as well?" he pretended to quake with fear, "How scary!"

When she commented that he and Thomas were connected at the hip, he snorted, "We don't follow each other like sad puppies, my dear." Although he did secretly admit that he and Thomas rarely travelled separately these days, "but ah, it appears that you don't remember Thomas's temperament as well as my own. Thomas isn't the sort to go out of his way to wreak havoc on innocents." he started to walk around her, pausing when he realized that he couldn't walk around her because she was pressed against a wall, so he paced in front of her instead, "Now what could a good girl like you be hiding..." he tapped his chin, "ahhhhh...could it be...that Alavda does not wish to see him?" he used his ability to bring out a little more fear with a touch of guilt to see if it would make her talk, "Is that why you're making him hide from her?"

[Adrian Belrose]

Adrian had just finished his rounds for the night. Now he could relax and enjoy the festival...well, he would try to relax anyways. Being in any leadership position did not allow one to relax during a function. Alas.

As he walked through the festival, he realized that he was heading toward the stage. He chuckled under his breath. He was thinking about the songbird's friend, Lynn and was heading to where he saw her last. He marveled at how silly he was being. He started picturing himself as a young schoolboy following his crush around. The corners of his mouth where lifting into the beginnings of a grin when he saw her and a strange vampire.

He watched them from a distance, trying to gauge the situation before acting. He had seen this vampire before. He met him a long time ago when he was still living in Europe, and he remembered that he glimpsed him weeks ago when he had arrived to the island. He thought back to the man's name...Bladen. Ah yes, now he remembered. Bad sort, that one. He had heard that his behavior only got worse when his wife committed suicide. He turned his attention back to Lynn and thought that she looked frightened...or surprised...or some mix of the two. Suddenly protective, he hopped on the five feet tall stage in a single jump and stepped between the two.

"The lady doesn't appear to like your company, Bladen." Adrian had on his leader mask, a composed facade that only showed a hint of his displeasure, "Step away. Now."

[Lynn Von Arx]

Lynn gave Bladen a concerned look when he seemed to see right through what she said. She muttered french under her breath about how dumb she was for expecting him to believe that. She then went wide-eyed as he asked her what she was hiding. She was going to play coy and say nothing, but he seemed to piece two and two together and she gulped as she felt herself feel worse for putting Thomas and Alavda in this station. How could she be so selfish? She wanted to explain herself, but what if Bladen completely ruined it all? The fear of that stopped her as she looked around to see if anyone could come and help her.

Just as she though it, the man from earlier jumped the height of the stage to come and help. Is he a mind reader as well? Is that his ability? Regardless she rushed to get behind him. "Thank you..." She muttered softly, she didn't want to push Bladen any harder than she had to so she told herself she would give him a proper thanks later.

[Bladen Thorne]

Bladen frowned when the Belrose leader interrupted his fun, "Did she appear that way?" he cocked his head to the side, "She and I were just having a little...talk," he leaned over to look around Adrian so he could grin at Lynn, "Weren't we, Lynn?"

He turned his attention back to Adrian when the man stepped a little to the side to block Bladen's view of Lynn, "So protective," he crooned, "How sweet." his voice sounded insincere when he said "sweet". He and Adrian stared each other down. Bladen so badly wanted to mess with this one's head. He only hesitated because he was not ready to leave the island. Bladen knew he could hold his own against the older vampire, but if he messed with someone as powerful as Adrian...well, he could kiss the island goodbye for a couple of centuries.

So instead, he gave Adrian a slow, mocking bow, "Since she means so much to you, I will do as you ask," for now he added in his mind. Then he turned around slowly, left the stage, and disappeared into the crowd.

He would be back. Much later.

[Adrian Belrose]

Adrian did not like the feeling he got from Bladen. The man didn't lie...but Adrian didn't need over a thousand years of dealing with maniacs to know not to trust him. He frowned after Bladen left. The slowness and disrespect of his movements was subtle message to him, I leave because I choose to. I do not fear you.. He would have to have his people watch him.

After Bladen was gone from sight, he turned to Lynn, "No need to thank me. The man's a bastard. I'm sorry you had to endure his presence." His face took on a concerned expression, "Are you alright?" he gently placed his hands on her arms in a comforting sort of way.

[Lynn Von Arx]

Lynn didn't want to look at Bladen, but when he peeked around to see her from behind Adrian, she looked up at him and frowned. Why did he like picking on her so much? Was it because her reactions were exactly what he wanted? None the less, she was happy that Adrian was there to help out and watched as Bladen walked away. She sighed in relief when he was far enough away and smiled up at Adrian.

"No, I had every reason to thank you, his ability was starting to work its ways on me, I could feel it." She rubbed her arm right below his hand. "If it was not for you coming when you did, I do not know what he would have done to my mind, so thank you so much." She gave him a genuine grin, "I am alright now, especially since you are back." DID SHE JUST SAY THAT ALOUD? Her face went a deep red as she tried to move away from him. Oh, this is why she should never try to talk to people that she is infatuated with, she always messes it up.

[Adrian Belrose]

Adrian could not hold back his grin. So she was noticing him too, eh? He didn't want to let her move away, but he dropped his hand from her arm, not wanting her to feel trapped. "I'm glad I could be the one to rescue you. I admit, I was seeking you out when I saw him bothering you." he stepped a little closer, not conscious that he did so.

He suddenly felt impulsive. His heart fluttered as he held his arm out to her, "If you're finished here, I'd be honored if I could escort you through this festival," then he added with a conspiratory grin, "So that no one unsavory bothers you, again tonight. You have my protection, Lynn."

[Lynn Von Arx]

Lynn was expecting him to rush off after she said that, but when he moved closer to her and even admitted himself he was seeking her out, what was she suppose to do. A goofy grin was on her face as she listened to him offer to escort her through the festival. How could she say no? He was one of the leaders of the vampire clans here! She quickly shook her head and took his arm in her hands. "I would be happy to have you accompany me tonight." She was really hoping that Alavda was not around, for if she was, she would not hear the end of it.