#alanopher

[sunset-indies]

Small Town Blues || Alanopher

Drumming her fingers on the table in front of her, Alana tried her best to continue breathing. She hated this small town and everything it stood for. With a whopping population of just under five hundred people, she could not imagine a more mundane and depressing existence than residing here. Yet, here she was, trying her best to enjoy the smiles of the people passing by and the taste of bitter coffee on her tongue. It had taken her weeks to track down her shadow infected plaything, and once she had she’d almost regretted the urge to make sure he was protected. Not that she’d ever admit to him why she was here, but after a few days in Roxie, Mississippi, she wasn’t sure how much longer she could wait for him to notice she was around.

A breeze slipped lazily through the streets, teasing the summer heat off of those unfortunate enough to be outside. She watched as dresses were taunted upwards and women reached to smooth them down. Everything moved so slowly here, and there was almost no chance of entertainment. If Christopher didn’t stumble upon her sooner rather than later, she was fairly certain that she was going to give in to madness. What she wouldn’t give for a good murder to present itself, or even just someone interesting enough to give her a few good rounds in the sheets. It had been days since she’d given in to her most carnal desires, and she was feeling the effects of abstaining as if they clung to her chest.

Alana could almost feel herself growing restless, her skin prickling and aching to rip itself from muscle and bone. The growing need within her to take advantage of lust or search out fresh blood was like a pit opening in her belly and aching for public disturbance. She was almost tempted to do something irrational, like seducing someone in the middle of the street, but knew that keeping a low profile was far too important right now. Taking another sip of the sorry excuse for coffee, she glanced once more around the street and caught sight of the reason she was in this gods-forsaken town. With a smug grin and a well placed jolt of power, she sent him a single thought to entice the human into coming her way. It’s been a long time, stranger.

[sunset-indies]

Reunion | Alana & Christopher

The night air in Athens was crisp and cool against Alana's skin. It had been months since she'd been in the city, but it didn't seem to have changed any since she'd gone. Looking around as she passed through the once familiar streets, it was as if the past was made of ghosts in the shadows all around her. If she looked to her left, she could see one of the apartments that she still owned. To her right, it was almost as if she could see herself and Tatum walking the paths together. Shaking her head, Alana cleared her mind of all thoughts of Tatum. It was too painful to think of him, especially after what had become his fate. She must begin anew, and remember why she was here.

Making a left at the next street, Alana paused to watch a human couple pass by. The air shifted and she could smell the woman's perfume. The scent of jasmine threatened to bring forward memories that were too painful to think about so soon. She melted into the shadows and hurried onward. Why hadn't she taken to the skies? Flying would be so much quicker, and yet she had remained in two legged form. Glancing around her, she checked for onlookers. Once she was sure there was no one watching Alana leapt into the air and quickly shifted into the form of a crow, letting her clothes fall to the ground where she had stood. The wind in her feathers was such a welcome feeling that for a moment she merely glided with not destination.

Once she had calmed herself and regained control of her emotions, Alana flew in the direction of her original destination. It took her only minutes to reach the apartment building where Hades' pet resided. She flew to his balcony and tapped on the window with her beak, not quite ready to change back into the form he knew. Once she spotted the human through the window, she tapped the pane once more to be sure he would come and open the balcony doors. As soon as they were open, she flew close to the man and landed on his shoulder. He smelled of human, male human, and for once the smell was wonderful to her nostrils. "I should warn you that my clothes do not shift with my body." Her voice came easily out of the bird's beak as she murmured into Christopher's ear.