Beneath Those Shades [Open]

[Jasper Hale]

Silent as the gravedigger's sigh, Jasper now balanced perfectly on the edge of a seat - facing away from the rest of the restaurant's bustling customers. He was still; his muscles taught with the frustration that raged within his mind, whilst, beneath his dark shades, he plotted and planned the chance for each chattering teen to follow him out in the streets of Seattle.

Beneath those shades, honey eyes glistened a midnight black - scarcely reflecting the golden tint. He thirsted, yes. A reason of why he had left Alice's company at their home that day. He needed to get out of the house, even when he knew the threat of being recognised was heightening. It was slimmer in Seattle, but he'd made sure to keep a low profile - resting unreadable glasses upon the bridge of his nose and a scarf pressed tight around his neck, currently grasped frantically within his alabaster palm as he brought it little under his nose.

He was doing well, if he could boast, to stay controlled in such an area. It was remote by no means, even at this late hour. There were plenty of young couples singing and talking at the height of their volume. To the larger groups, he payed uttermost attention - seemingly oblivious to his tormenting dishes as the tables of college girls giggled and whispered to each other with his every movement. He had glanced their way once, earlier that night, unable to stop himself with the wishful hopes that clouded his mind. But he wouldn't.

He wouldn't break.

Jasper failed to flinch upon the arrival of a waitress, the same petite red-head that had visited him several occassions that night to offer him service. This time, he kept his gaze fixated on the door, his exit route if the time came when he couldn't take temptation anymore. "No thankyou," he whispered, his voice strained but soft non-the-less. "I've a slight headache, perhaps..." he fought the urge to ask her into walking outside with him, "Perhaps, you could ask to keep the music down a little." At that moment though, the conversations around them hushed a little in volume as though they had only being built up with his own frustration.

[Mara "Lizzy" Myles]

Mara needed to go somewhere where no one would know where she was. Lately she had been seeing the same people everywhere, and she swore she was being watched. What she didn't realized was someone was watching, not to mention following her. She drove longer than she ever had before, looking behind her constantly. When she reached Seattle, she didn't realize she had been driving that long. Besides, a lot was on her mind, and maybe getting away would help, especially with her paranoia. The matter was, she couldn't defend herself as well when she was in human form. It was only in wolf form that she was able to protect herself with her abilities. Right now, she was vulnerable, and if someone was after her, she needed to get away. It didn't occur to her that she might need to go to those who could help her.

Somehow, Lizzy had found herself in a restaurant, still looking behind her, worried she was being followed. No one could mess with her when she was alone, but that was the problem - she was alone. Now she had to find someone to sit with, anywhere that would keep her both distracted, and safe from whatever thing she had it in her mind was following her. The first and actually the only place she saw where there was a single person by themselves was at a table with a guy who seemed to be rather unhappy, if that was even the right word for it. She took a deep breath, and did what she normally wouldn't do - talk and sit with a complete stranger. She sat down right away, not really asking if she could, but she didn't want to be rude. "Hope you don't mind. There isn't really anywhere else to sit." she said, and it was the truth, because there wasn't anywhere else to sit, but that wasn't her reason for sitting with this man - no, usually she would have rather stood than sit with a stranger. Her reasons were her own and required no explaining, especially to a stranger.

She looked at him, and he really did seem very uncomfortable. "If you really don't want me to sit here, I understand, I can move." she said, trying to be polite. She would move, but she hoped he would let her stay. She needed any type of distraction, and the protection of a conversation, so no one else (who might be following her) could start a conversation with her and say hold up a gun to her to make her leave. This was something to be worried about, as she was extremely far from invincible when in human form. If she could turn into wolf form, at least she would have her super half-breed abilities, but otherwise, such as now, she was completely defensive.

[Jasper Hale]

His muscles rigid as another sat at his table, his throat strained a little - raw from his thirst. Coal-like eyes stared hard at the table he had originally being observing, waiting a few moments before he showed any sign of recognising her approach. Well... her abrupt companionship. Silently, he forced himself to breath naturally; wincing mentally as the sharp mixtures of blended blood types filled his nostrils. It stung almost painfully as he tried to casually adjust his grasp upon the scarf to cover his nose whilst looking natural. It was a difficult task, but he managed to pull the woolen material closer to himself, shifting so that his elbow was rested upon the table and his head upon his hand.

"It's," he struggled, his voice rasping a little as he watched her from beneath those shades of his, "It's not a problem., Miss.." For now, at least. But his mind was already wandering with sickened ideas of how he could hurry her company out of the restaurant unnoticed. She'd come over to his table now, he could make it look as though he'd been waiting to meet her. It would be the perfect rendez-vous. They could stand up and walk out together, and not one soul would suspect a thing. He tilted his head a little, glancing back towards the tables of students around them, smiling only slightly from his own amusement as the petite waitress tried to casually catch his eye once more, before he returned his attention to the girl only a short distance away. Would she willingly leave with him, if he spoke with her, offered her companionship or protection. He could sense her haste, it's effect only adding to the restlessness he found in plotting and to the increasing volume of the room.

Each pulse beat, each thud of her tormented heart as it furiously worked its selfish hours of pushing her blood circulatory. He subconciously leant a little closer, shaking his head once to silence her questioning, only to recoil abruptly a few centimetres. Maybe his lust for her life-fluid had blinded him, but she sure as hell smelt funny to him now. Wrinkling his nose in slight disgust, Jazz ran a paley-translucent hand through his honey coloured locks in an attempt to recover said non-chalance. Hrm.

"Isn't there anyone you're supposed to be meeting...?" he asked in a soft and calm tone of voice, really ignoring her scent for the time being. If he could get her to relax around him the whole idea of her disappearance would be much easier to cooperate. Then, if he found her scent too much, too... strange, he would leave. "No friends, family... enemies?" he continued, his words hushed though perfect with his visage. Human... he should be able to persaude her a little, shouldn't he? Though, he was terribly out of practice. It seemed to go down well with the younger flocks around the room, anyhow. Still, here she was.... confusing.

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[lex]

Maybe if Mara hadn't been so focused on the thoughts racing through her mind, then she would have actually noticed that the man she had so discreetly sat with was a vampire. As a pack member of werewolves, she usually wasn't keen to vampires, and the fact that he seemed so uncomfortable could mean his being thirsty -possibly so thirsty he could attack her as well, even if she wasn't exactly human. However, Mara did not notice this fact, as she was too far into the matter of her follower, whoever it was, or whatever it was. She couldn't even sense much, or smell out anything. That was the problem with her being a half-breed, at least in her way. She was vulnerable and basically human when not in wolf form. Nothing about her suggested being a vampire besides her power, and also small insignificant things that no one would much notice.

"I wouldn't say something is alright with you if it wasn't, stranger. You are obviously not comfortable, but since you said it was fine, I will assume it is, and ignore the fact that it is not. Just be warned, you have thus brought upon my company to yourself." she said, looking behind her towards the door before adjusting her eyes back on him. She wasn't the least bit hungry, but she ordered a drink from the waitress as she passed. Maybe sipping on a drink would calm her nerves and make her less nervous. "I'm Mara, by the way. And you are?" she asked, not extending her hand as many would. She simply wasn't a shaking hands type of person. Besides, she figured getting even closer to him might make him otherwise more uncomfortable. She looked at him, curious why he was here if he didn't want company, and if he didn't seem to want anything to eat. Why come to a very public place with food, if you didn't want to be in public or have any food? It was weird to her, but instead of connecting the dots properly or paying any attention to her gut feeling, she was far too worried about her current situation.

"Um...no. I came here to get some thinking room, if that makes sense. It just so happens everyone else picked this very place for their own adventures. No other tables were available, and yours was with a smaller amount of people, obviously." she said, realizing that maybe coming her after all wasn't smart. Not that she had planned to come here in the first place. She had just been driving, hoping that she could drive far enough away from her worries, however, her worries were never far behind, always catching up to her, even if she managed to get a small distance away. "Friends? I certainly hope not. Wouldn't be smart for me, especially if I want to think. Family? Parents are working, and my sister really shouldn't be around. It wouldn't be a good idea. And enemies? Who on earth would be meeting an enemy, especially in such a public and happy place, at least, for some people." she paused only a moment before continuing. "And were you waiting for anyone? Or did you just come for the food?" she asked sarcastically, pointing out that no food was actually in front of him, and he didn't seem to want to eat anyway. It was strange that she had sat here, instead of anywhere else. She didn't care if a lot of people were at a table. They would have moved, because Mara had that affect on people, so why she had chosen here, was mysterious to even her.

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[Jasper Hale]

Dark eyes staring unobscured as the girl ordered a drink, his lips twisted into a slight sneer; irritated and aggrivated by her scent, her taste shall we say. An interesting thought. What would she taste of? He inhaled a touch, sniffing the air discretely though regretting it immediately when the flood of smell intoxicated his airways. It was overwhelming, the number of people around, each quietly involved with their conversational dilemas whilst one lonely vampire felt the saliva pool a little upon his tongue at the sweet temptation of those around him. But there was still the mystery of the girl besides him, and to be frank, she smelt a tad canine. Like a wet dog, smouldered by the warmth as a cluster of it's owners cuddled the dear thing to it's death. Faintly inhuman, but he expected nothing from it. Perhaps she had simply being stroking a pet for too long.

"I said it's fine, isn't that enough?" he muttered, pressing two fingers to his temples and lightly massaging the bridge of his nose between two alabaster fingers. What more could he offer her? Room service? His words had been hushed, but almost growled with his frustration - withstanding temptation was a difficult task on his behalf, indeed. "My name's Logan," he smiled briefly, confident as he rested his chin upon his marble-like hand, "it's good to meet you Miss Mara." Jasper's lips twitched back to their original position, a firm line set perfectly against his jaw.

"Me? No, I'm a lone wolf such to say," he noted somewhat harshly, his irritation at the word almost obvious in his tone. Ironic.

Leaning back in his seat with his arms crossed tight across his chest, a small smirk managed to peak his otherwise angered expression at her comment. "I already ate, though, if you must insist I would have no problem in ordering a dish for yourself, Miss," he retorted, turning his head slightly to judge the distance from a near waitress. "Enemies, well...." Jasper paused, lifting his hands to rest behing his head with a small exaggerated stretch, "Wouldn't you rather know where they were? That you could see them besides you rather than where they're waiting behind your back?" He rose a thin eyebrow, watching for her reaction cautiously. And then would he make his move. Dog or no dog, he needed some kind of nourishment and this was the easiest chance he could get.

[Harper McNeel]

Mara was probably being a little more impossible than was needed, but to be honest, it kept her mind off of everything she needed to escape from - thus giving her that very escape. She let out a breath, and her body relaxed, finally realizing that whoever had been following her seemed to be long gone, although she still had doubts every time the door opened to the restaurant and she heard it. It was finally now that she realized some signs up why the man before her was so agitated. The cold pale skin (cold obviously because of the color, not necessarily how pale it was), the fact that he wasn't eating, and how in a room full of the smell of human blood mingling also with her own, he was extrememly uneasy. She realized it now, yet was not worried at all. "I know what you are." she spoke with ease, yet quiet so only he would hear. Her voice wasn't indicating any emotion - in fact, how she said the statement was pretty much matter-of-factly. The only hint of any insinuation was the way she said it, the words behind it - how she felt smug that she knew about him and brought it out in the open. He was, after all, without doubt, a vampire.

"It is fine. Sorry. I understand why you are so uneasy now. Makes sense. I doubt you realize why I am not running scared?" she said, again as a simple fact. Her expression however wasn't as if she was stating facts - it was as if she felt sorry for him, and cared to some degree. She didn't feel sorry for many people. but in this case, she did. It was hard not being human and living around people in the first place, but when you had to worry about feeding on them? She didn't have to have any type of blood to be alive, but she could still drink it, and the thing was, it gave more strength for her than a whole night of food could for a normal person.

She smiled at his comment, not bothering to actually say anything about it. "Well, I guess we both are then. It is very nice to meet you Logan. Are you new to Washington?" It seemed only right that she'd carry on a conversation with him instead of just sitting there expecting him to stay. She needed him to stay. She couldn't be alone right now.

"You have a point. I want to know where they are, but meeting them somewhere? I'd rather know where they are and know they are far away from me, thanks." she said smiling. She really didn't like having to deal with drama, in or out of being superhuman and all. She mostly just wanted to be out of things like that. "Thanks, but I am not hungry. I have far too much on my mind." she said, stating very simply her reasons for not eating anything herself. "What about you? Why did you come here? Were you planning on meeting someone, or just trying to get away from someone? There has to be more motive than the food - to be honest, it isn't even that great." she said, the last part hushed so she wouldn't offend the waitresses or anyone who worked there. It was odd that she was being so considerate of others today, but lately, she had been trying to turn over a new leaf and start fresh. Being a bitch and one of the two 'queen bee's in her town wasn't a very fulfilling life anymore, and she loved Audrey, but things had to change, because she wasn't as happy ruining someone else as she use to be. Mara was changing, and in the grander scheme of things - it was a good change. Maybe these changes wouldn't be good to her best friend, but over all, they were.

[Jasper Hale]

Disgruntled and growing more and more delighted to the option of feeding, Jasper drifted a little subconciously: leaning a little in his seat, slightly closer to a happy and bustling group of giggling teens at the nearest table. He had a perfect oppertunity here, with the girl, Mara, being so close by and willing to sit with him like this but the idea of her taste wasn't giving him a longing he particularly wanted to suffice. In a way he felt like his family would call it cannibalism, but then the sickly canine mix was suffocating him as he inched a little further back in his seat. And still, with all this he couldn't understnad what he felt was true about her. Why would that be the case? As much as his mutual allyings with the packs in La Plush, but surely non would go that far?

Such a disgusting idea, he couldn't fathom it.

"That took you long enough," he scoffed in a low mutter, off put by her smugness as she called his bluff. He sat rigid as she looked at him, forgetting momentarily the small picky traits he had picked up and learnt from his family over the years; his eyes hard behind the large shades with perched atop of his nose. It was a time when he really wished he'd calm himself down rather than others, but he would always know it was only illusional for a limited time. "I have a faint idea, but I do not understand it," he hissed through gritted teeth, beginning to tap his fingers too harshly against the wooden tabletop - minute dents appearing from the repetitive action. He glanced down at the momentarily, making a mental note to fix it before any waitress came a-wandering over once more.

An aura of calm flickering uncertainly before he expanded it around the room, he sighed lightly in relief. At least when everyone around him was calm and quiet it would numb his mind a little. Then he could at least focus, without having loved-up-couple-number-one confusing him with their emotions. For now, he was thankful for this mellow serentiy that had abruptly filled the room.

"Not this time around," he smiled softly when she asked on his arrival in Washington. "I just don't get out much," he shook his head and shot a sideways glance towards the bar, the fingers of his right hand gently moulding the wood back to it's original flat surface. It was easy to see how the general atmosphere had allowed his swift mood change. He was subject to that after all.

Thin cerise lips twisted into a light smirk at her smiling words and Jazz leant forwards, intrigued, "But then you are meeting with me, surely you see the risk in that? There is little chance for attack when they are so in the open as we are." His voice had picked up a new, hushed tone, speaking with the knowledge of the fight. Her point was clear, as was his, but this Mara was running from someone. Someone - did she even know who? Waving the waitress away without even the slightest smile towards her, Jasper's brow furrowed for a moment before returning to his stoic appreal. "Like I said, I don't get out much. I have been cooped up in that house for far too long, I took what minor opening I got and fled to here. I will go back of course, but it seems I picked the wrong day to leave...." he indicated to his throat in a swift, fluid motion too quick for the average human to notice. Chuckling a little at her words, he crossed his arms back over his chest after running a pale hand through his hair out of habit, "I am not here to hunt, rather to stop myself from doing so. I had assumed I would've grown used to this by now, be oblivious to their-" he hesitated, trying to find a word which wouldn't make it harder to say, "-lives..."

[Mara "Lizzy" Myles]

She almost rolled her eyes as he commented on her lengthy time to register his true nature. She didn't care about that. Mara was a part of the La Push pack, sure, but she didn't take it quite as seriously as everyone else. She wasn't too fond of vampires at the moment, but talking with one for a short time couldn't hurt anything. Besides even in the open, her first duty would be to kill him immediately if he posed any threat to those around, or herself. Granted that would take shifting, and then letting go of a large secret, but she knew she could work around that so it wouldn't have to be so public. Besides, it wasn't her bright idea to keep it hidden about being a supernatural being. And she couldn't exactly do much as a human, when she was powerless, now could she? However, she wasn't worried for a second that he would turn on her or those nearby, not in the open. The vampires wanted to be left alone just as the werewolves did. She just wanted to live her life. "I am sorry that I have more pressing things to worry about than your kind." she said, almost harshly. She didn't mean to be so horrible, but it came out that way out of natural habit for just exactly who she is, and the fact that her mind was currently elsewhere. Granted she had just spoke against who could be considered her kind as well, but not totally. She didn't go around drinking human blood and murdering people, now did she? She might be horrible, but she wasn't a cold blooded murderer at all. Getting her started on this little 'vegetarian' but wouldn't help either. She had some very harsh, specific views on that too.

"Well, it is simple really." she said, leaning forward so as not to be heard by any nosy people. "My mother and father were .. as you could say born enemies? It came natural. But they managed to have a child, who is I. I don't remember them, and I can't say if they actually loved each other, but I am here, aren't I?" she explained, bitter and sad as she thought about it. She honestly didn't know if her real parents loved each other. If maybe for one second they had just lost their minds and in an act of angry passion spawned a child they decided they obviously did not want. She, herself, had found herself in bed with many an enemy out of basic urge, and angry passion. Could it not be said that her biological parents somehow did the same? And once realizing their large mistake created something unnatural, decided to give the child away? She shook her head to get rid of the thought, and convinced herself once again that she didn't care, and that she actually had a family she loved now.

Her mind finally settled back onto the vampire in front of her, and she wondered exactly what good could honestly come from this conversation. He interested her, that was easy to tell, but she could feel he was holding back on giving any real information, so why should she? "That is too bad. This area can be quite welcoming." She tried to fake kindness, but she was Mara Myles for crying out loud, and she didn't have to. The only reason she was trying to be civil was because she didn't want to cause a fight, and she had her mind elsewhere. The good thing now, however, was that she was sure the person who had been following her, the thing, whatever it was, was long gone. She could leave now, anytime she wanted. So why wasn't she?

She let out an annoyed sigh before answering him. "You obviously aren't here to hunt, and you don't want to cause a scene, just as I don't. Therefore, I see no risk in talking with you, at all. In fact, all I see is some good coming from it." Yeah, the good was she could stop and kill him if he even tried to do something wrong. She didn't doubt this at all. She would and could do whatever was necessary to protect the lives of those who were innocent. Maybe Mara was a horrible manipulative evil bitch, but she wouldn't take someone's actual life from them. She ruins and ends social lives and emotions, not actual lives. She isn't a killer - and killing him in the defense of innocent people wouldn't mean she was a killer either, that would be she was a protector, like she had sworn to be. Besides, you can't kill something that is already dead, even if it is walking around pretending not to be. "You came to the right place to escape whatever isolation you were in. I'm sorry that my arriving here has spoiled your day, but you can where I might not honestly care about that." she said, giving a forced half-smile. Mara was back to herself. No kindness. What interested her about this Logan, was that he was actually proving to be quite the competitor, and threw back comments as fast as she made them. It was refreshing to see someone who could hold their own and wasn't weak. But what more can you expect from one of his kind? After all, vampires aren't weak. Far from it. She had half the blood to prove that.