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Post by Jackson Conner on Oct 13, 2009 22:58:42 GMT -5
He was sitting there in the dim twilight, staring off into space and waiting for the one he was now picturing in his head. The picture he had of her was one of the very first time they ran into each other...literally. Replaying her every movement in his head, staring at her, and memorizing her curves, especially the curves around her strong, yet dazzling, golden-amber eyes. Then he leaned back, and closed his eyes, and sat in his dreamland for a while longer. He took a deep breath and then exhaled slowly, and another deep breath...and...*sniff, sniff* 'Hey! I know that scent!' His eyes flashed open and he spotted her in the middle of the square, walking towards him. She had on a teal and black dress and she was absolutely captivating. As she neared him he knew, that if he'd had one, his heart would be pounding, and that she'd have stolen it right then and there.
"I do believe I found you in nineteen hours and thirty seven minutes...Nice choice. The Roman Coliseum, birthplace of competitive sports." The pause she threw in the middle of her two sentences was full of a tone, of which, he was certain that he couldn't help but smirk at. She was completely pleased with herself. Yes, his trek had been semi-long, but it was fairly easy...all she had done was follow her nose, and the direction of the lady at the airport. He hoped that he could give her more of a run for her money on his second attempt. But for now he would revel in the fact that he was going to get to spend the rest of the evening with the most beautiful girl he'd seen in his extra long life.
"Well, well, well, look-ee who we have here...and yeah, this wasn't exactly where I was originally planning on coming but wound up here anyways. While waiting on you, I began thinking of what we could do while in this beautiful city...and I figured we could take a mini-trip while we are here...whatta ya say doll-face?"
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Post by Mikaela Conner on Oct 13, 2009 23:15:05 GMT -5
Mikaela was proud of herself. She had found the object of her affection in less than twenty hours when he had treked himself halfway across the world from where they began and now she was beginning to plan her own adventure for Jackson. It was going to be grand to know how he would squirm trying to find her. Of course, the chase was half the adventure in this little game she had challenged him to. Taking nothing for granted, Mikaela revelled in the moment of being in the Coliseum with Jackson. He had brought her to one of the most beautiful cities in the entire world, which she was impressed with. Almost everything he did impressed her, which was entirely surprising in her book.
Taking in the beauty of the moment and the night, Mikaela was shocked when Jackson asked her to go on a mini-trip with him while they were in the city. What is going on in that boy's head? she thought absentmindedly, keeping her thoughts drawn inward. Of course, she had already tuned out his thoughts as per the rules of the game, but she couldn't help but wonder exactly what he had in mind for the evening. She could feel her heart, which had not beat in forty years, begin to warm with his presence. He was funny and quirky, which she could not get over as she had always been drawn to the badasses of the world...well, more badass than Jackson that is. Yet, there was something about the way he smiled that would have melted her heart if it was still beating...hell, it melted it anyways regardless of if it was moving or not. Looking back at him, she gave a slight smile. "Alright, what did you have in mind?" she asked, knowing he was up to something. Jackson always had something up his sleeve.
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Post by Jackson Conner on Oct 13, 2009 23:26:03 GMT -5
Digging deep down into the core of himself, he mustered up the courage to take her by the hand. They hadn't had the slightest touch of each other since they slammed into one another in the forest, and this was just as exhilarating. He smiled brightly in the night that concealed both of their secrets, and confidently led her into the Colosseum through a secret place that he had found years before in his many travels. He led her through the passage and into the inside of the massive arena, once there, he said..."Ok, so, tell me something about you. I want to listen to what you've got to say about yourself...anything, and everything, I want to know." He smiled knowing that he he totally just put her on the spot, but he didn't care, he was also being sincere, everything within him wanted to know what she was all about, what makes her happy? What makes her sad, frustrated, joyful, excited?
He believed that she was keeping her end of the bargain and not sneaking tidbits from his mind because after they were done looking around here and talking he had another plan in action for when they got bored. He wanted to be with her as much as possible, and soak in every minute of being together with her before she felt the need to start the next leg of their epic game.
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Post by Mikaela Conner on Oct 14, 2009 14:25:13 GMT -5
Mikaela was completely taken by surprise as Jackson took her hand. His skin was smooth and comfortable against her own, which surprised her as she had not touched another person since her transformation. Admittedly, she liked this feeling that she had growing inside of her. It was almost like she was walking on air as Jackson lead her through some passageway she had not seen when she came in. When he started asking questions, that put her on the spot right away. She had not been prepared to answer such questions coming from him on short notice. It had been a long while since she had carried on any sort of real conversation with anyone, so she knew she would sound like a complete moron in trying to spit out what she wanted to say.
"Well, I like to travel," she started off slowly. "That's something I've always liked, even in my human life." Mikaela thought a little bit more about what exactly she wanted to reveal to him just yet. One thing she had learned was you never just go off the deep end when you meet someone for the first time. "My favorite color..." she added, stepping back and and spinning around in her dress, "is obviously teal. Um...I'm not really the dress up kinda girl, but looking nice every now and then is okay." Stumbling through the words in her head, she tried to think of something else that wouldn't sound so lame. Come on...think, think, think... she mentally badgered herself. Her heart would have been racing by now if she were still human, so she was thankful she wasn't. "What else do you want to know?' she finally asked, out of ideas.
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Post by Jackson Conner on Oct 15, 2009 23:52:47 GMT -5
'She travels, her favorite color is teal, she looks amazing as a dressed up kind of girl, hell she looks amazing no matter what…what else do I want to know?' He followed her jumpy train of thought and realized that he really had taken her by surprise. By the question, or by taking her hand, he couldn't tell which had affected her more…Maybe it was both instances that had her, for the first time since they met, struggling to come up with words. With a final reluctant tone of resignation, she asked him what he wanted to know about her. In his head he shouted 'Everything! Every miniscule detail!' but he figured, as things had gone so far, that they would have quite some time to get to know each other from the inside, out. So, to her he politely said, "Well, if you don't mind talking about it…how about your life before you were….changed? Or, if not, what makes you, you…for example…Danger makes up who I am. Even in my human life…I walked the line then too…"
This last statement was quite a hint to how he was changed, if she didn't catch it, then he would definitely explain himself after she finished with what she wanted to tell him. "But, I mean, please don't feel obligated to tell me, if you don't want to. I'm just interested in you… He trailed off, slightly embarrassed.
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Post by Mikaela Conner on Oct 16, 2009 0:52:00 GMT -5
Watching as Jackson seemed to sort through his thoughts, Mikaela could tell he was trying to decide what to ask her. At the same time, she knew she wanted to know everything about him as well. There was so much left to be asked and infinite amounts of time to do so in because they were vampires, but she was so impatient to learn. However, she reigned herself in and kept patience because this was Jackson's time to ask questions. She knew her time would come soon enough. "Well, before this life I was very much human and my parents' pride and joy," she started, thinking back to her life before becoming a vampire. "I was their only child, so they raised me to be my own person and do things my own way...which is probably why I am the way I am now."
Digging a little deeper, Mikaela remembered random moments from her human life...achievements like graduating high school and then college. She had been studious, but a bit of a wild child at the same time. "I graduated from UCLA with two degrees, one in Art and the other in Journalism. My parents were so proud that they sent me on a cruise to Alaska...which is consequently when I was turned into this," she concluded, glancing down to her own body once before looking back at Jackson. Sharing her story, the full version of it at least, was one thing she could not bring herself to do just yet. It was so personal that she had never told another soul. "I guess that is one of the other reasons I am the way that I am...more or less anyways," she tacked on the end to make it a little lighter conversation than it was. "Anything else you'd like to know about the fabulous Mikaela Anderson?" she asked, laughing a little.
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Post by Jackson Conner on Oct 16, 2009 13:56:23 GMT -5
Listening patiently he became more and more impressed, "Art and Journalism, very nicely done, I don't blame your parents for being as proud as they were." Jackson paused, and hoped that he hadn't crossed the line by saying that. And then, answering her last question, he asked, "When you say, "the way I am now" what do you think of…I guess in other words, how do you see yourself, Miss Fabulous?" He was being completly serious, but tagged on a crooked smile in hopes of her not shying away from his question.
He wondered, exactly what she did think of herself because he noticed that when she was thinking to herself, her eyes became brooding, and very introverted; but when she was just talking and giving Jackson grief, her eyes sparkled. What he really wanted was for her to answer this question as honestly, and as vulnerably as she dared herself to be with him, even though they were still practically strangers to each other. That way, he could counter her thoughts by telling her how he saw her, in all of her wondrous beauty...and hopefully begin to build a solid foundation of trust.
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Post by Mikaela Conner on Oct 16, 2009 20:48:07 GMT -5
As Jackson complimented her in his own way, Mikaela gave a shy, but reserved smile. She was even more certain that if she was still human, her face would have been flushing by now. Jackson was exactly the kind of guy that had a way with words that no one else did and she could tell that without even knowing him that well. She had always thought she would want someone exactly like him when she was human. He was humorous, sarcastic, and thoughtful in his own way. Every bit like her in male form...which was somewhat ironic since she thought she would never find that in her lifetime. Even her extended lifetime. And now that she had found him, she didn't want to let go of the wonderful feeling she had when she was with him. It was like he brought her to life when she had been dead for so long and she never wanted to lose that feeling now that she finally had it.
When he asked her how she really saw herself, she paused for a moment and thought about her answer. No one had ever really asked her that. In fact, no one had ever really asked her anything like that before, so it caught her off guard. However, his smile made her feel a little more at ease with the situation. "Well..." she said, stumbling a little though her thoughts. "I guess I've always thought of myself as independent in a way...not that I didn't want to be around others, more that I found strength in solitude." Mikaela bit her lip for a moment more in thought. "I'm adventurous and don't take no for an answer. And I'm not afraid to try things most girls would think are too dangerous." A sly smile spread across her lips as she looked back at Jackson, knowing that her last answer would throw him for a loop.
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Post by Jackson Conner on Oct 18, 2009 23:19:59 GMT -5
Jackson nodded in agreement with every thing she had mentioned about herself. 'Independent, yes. Strength in solitude, understandable and admirable. Adventurous…and doesn't take no for an answer…right on the button. And more daring than other girls, yeah, I can see that too.' He admired her, he could see that she was kind of 'the strong, silent type' and when she spoke, it was with purpose, and thought. It was about this time in their conversation that he realized that they had now come full circle inside the coliseum and motioned for them to stop walking and then turned to face her. He nodded and said, "So, I agree with what you've said, and I'd just like to add that those traits aren't usually found in women, but I admire you...it…those traits... very much." He scoffed at himself; now it was his turn to be having issues with finding the words he wanted to say. He mentally cleared his throat and began to add, "So, I want to add, that I admire the fact that you tend to think before you speak, where as with myself, I don't often think through what I'm about to say…I just say what's on my mind, when it crosses my mind. Which, as you have probably noticed, is completely jacked up….And now my rambling has proved my point. I also want to add that….you're well…huh…and I'm just...um." He paused once more, but as he started up again as soon as he knew what he had to just spit out, and as he did, he began talking faster and faster. "Well. I guess what I don't understand is, why me? Why are you even giving me the time of day? You're absolutely beautiful, and intelligent, and strong, and independent, and beautiful…doesn't even begin to describe how stunning you are to me…so…why me? Why here? Why this game? How am I so lucky to be the one you ask to share this with?" These thoughts had been in the back of his mind all day, and like he had told her, he doesn't often think before he speaks, and so all of his built up questions and confusion came to the tipping point and there it was...out in the open.
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Post by Mikaela Conner on Oct 19, 2009 19:49:21 GMT -5
By the time Mikaela had finished her explanation, they had made a full circle around the Coliseum and had stopped with Jackson facing her. When the words started flowing from his mouth, she felt like all the world had stopped and the only two things moving were herself and Jackson. Everything in the cosmos was staring at them. And as he stumbled through his words, she could not help but smile because he was adorable. His flattery was something that Mikaela was not used to at all. In her human life, she had been content to be the wall flower that no one really took a second look at. And now she had the complete and utter attention of one man who seemed utterly fascinated by her and she loved that feeling. But, at the same time, she knew that she was just as attracted to him. And all of this came to fruition as Jackson asked the pinnacle question of why she was giving him the time of day...adding that she was beautiful and stunning. Mikaela had never received such a compliment before in her life, so she was literally at a loss for words for a few moments.
Taking an unneccessary breath, she held out her hand and took his gently. "What a lot of people see as confident and sexy is actually me covering my insecurities and emotions," she began slowly, hoping he would catch on to her answer. "However, you...you see past all of that to the person I really am." Mikaela paused for a moment and bit her lip. She had never been this honest or open with someone before, especially a man or another vampire. "You see...when I was changed, I was horrified at the monster I had become and so I isolated myself...away from my creator and from everyone I could possibly hurt. I never saw my family again. And then, by chance, I slammed into you and find that you are absolutely wonderful. A breath of fresh air after sitting in the dark for so long." Biting her lip again, Mikaela looked at the ground for a moment to compose herself. Real emotions were hard for her when she had been so out of practice, but it felt good to allow herself to feel something for the first time in forty years. "And I guess what all of this means is to just say that I...I like you." There it was, her confession...out in the open. And now all she had to do was wait for his reply.
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Post by Jackson Conner on Oct 26, 2009 0:40:51 GMT -5
Stunned. Bewildered. Astounded. Surprised. Flabbergasted. These were just a few of the words and feelings that ran through Jacksons head in the split second after she told him how she felt. 'She LIKES me! huh…doesn't make sense…o well.' His mouth formed words, yet his voice failed him. He wanted to let her know how he felt about her too, and yet his brain still wasn't functioning. He made a face at himself and then stopped and composed himself.
For lack of brain functioning all he could spit out was, "I like you too. A lot..." He breathed a sigh of relief. There, he had let her know now too. He tightened his grip on her hands and said "…Not that you didn't already know. I mean, I could hardly conceal my thoughts back in the forest on the first day we met."
It was at this point in time that he remembered the second part of what he wanted to show her. He hated to ruin this special moment, but also got anxious and excited to show her the next part of what he had planned for the night. He looked at his watch and said, "Oh geez, um I just remembered, I want to show you something else for my first leg of the game. Would you mind if we went somewhere else to finish this conversation?" He did feel sorry that his inattention to focus on things had caused him to break up this sweet moment. However, he knew that she would absolutely enjoy the next place they went and offered the crook of his arm as an escort would.
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Post by Mikaela Conner on Oct 26, 2009 14:28:16 GMT -5
Mikaela held her breath and for the first time in nearly half a century, she felt like she was falling into the unknown. This entire confession was unknown territory for her; nothing she had ever done as a human or vampire could compare with how she felt now. Her words ran together in her mind and she thanked whatever higher power that she had control over it otherwise Jackson would have gotten a bunch of garbled sentences that made absolutely no sense to anyone else but her. Oh God...I can't believe I just did that...what will he think. Well I could just listen but that's breaking the rules...damn it. What if he doesn't like me back...then what? ...this could get awkward. Her mind ran at nearly ninety to nothing for the seconds that passed between the two of them until she heard him speak and felt him squeeze her hand. He felt the same. Someone actually reciprocated her feelings.
Relief hit Mikaela like a brick wall, but it felt nice. A genuine smile fleshed across her face, one she had not given since she was a human. Jackson then mentioned continuing their conversation somewhere else and Mikaela knew that she would go anywhere so long as she got to go with him. "Of course," she replied, taking his arm as he held it out to escort her to their next location. In the back of her mind resided the knowledge that the game had to continue, but for now...they were on official time out. As they started walking out of the Coliseum, she glanced over at Jackson. "So where exactly did you have in mind?" she asked coyly.
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Post by Jackson Conner on Oct 27, 2009 23:11:44 GMT -5
After he spilled his feelings and she realized what he was saying to her, a smile crossed her face like none other he had ever seen. Had he still been burdened with a beating heart, it would have stopped completely at the sight of her. As he settled himself down she asked "So where exactly did you have in mind?" He patted her hand that rested on his arm and said "Oh, you'll see…come with me, were going on a short trip…I know that technically it's your turn to hide, but I wanted you to experience this." Then, as quickly as he could, he swept her off her feet, literally; he pulled her into his arms so that he was completely carrying her. She was light as a feather and fit perfectly in his arms, and as he began to run towards their new destination, he did his best not to stare at her so that he could watch where he was going.
A few minutes later they arrived smack in the middle of Venice and Jackson slowed down to a brisk walk, and gently set her back on her feet, so that they would become inconspicuous to the few humans who were still up and around them. He headed toward the canals and spotted what he was looking for. An empty gondola, with a gondolier who seemed to be waiting just for them. He gently escorted his lovely date to the gondola and helped her inside.
Once they were settled in he took her hand once again…only this time, it was an easier and more natural thing to do. He looked her in the eyes and playfully said, "Ok, sooo, where were we?
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Post by Mikaela Conner on Oct 29, 2009 14:59:07 GMT -5
Mikaela was baffled by his calm demure about the whole situation. It was like he had planned the whole thing while she was on her way to Italy, which she wouldn't be surprised if he did. Then, without warning, she felt herself being swept off her feet. This was the first time Mikaela had ever been swept off her feet, literally or metaphorically, and she liked the feeling that she got from it. It was like butterflies, just like her mom always said it would be when she was a human, though she would never admit that out loud. At least for the moment. Her heart, had it still been beating, would have been racing by now as they took off through the streets. She was focusing on where they were going, but was distracted by his scent. She had never noticed before how wonderful he actually smelled, but now that she had she couldn't resist it.
When he slowed to a walk and set her back on her feet, she knew that they were in the middle of Venice. She was directed toward a gondola by Jackson and couldn't help but smile. All of her human life and for most of her immortal one, she had wanted to ride on a gondola in Italy. As Jackson helped her inside, she bit back a wider smile. This was a dream come true for her and there was no one else she wanted to share it with than Jackson. As they began their ride, he took her hand and it felt completely natural. As he looked into her eyes, she looked back and smiled easily. "I think we were at the part where we admitted that we liked each other," she said calmly. While cool and collected on the surface, Mikaela was treading uncharted waters.
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Post by Jackson Conner on Nov 3, 2009 0:11:43 GMT -5
A sly, crooked smile formed on Jackson's face. He loved hearing that…"I think we were at the part where we admitted that we liked each other" Each other had been the key word...It wasn't, "I think we we're at the part where you admitted that you liked me and I laughed in your face." For this, he was very thankful and made himself comfortable as he ooched himself in closer to this girl who liked him back. He felt as if he were in the 6th grade all over again. Except this situation was way more important to him, there were way more benefits for being friends with this girl, as opposed to his "girlfriends" back then. Not that he only liked this girl because of the benefits, but well, they were benefits.
"Yes, right. So… He paused now because he didn't know where to take the conversation, finally he said "Soooo, where did you think I was taking you while you were looking for me?" He felt incredibly lame, but it could be considered a legitimate question.
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