rascals & rationalization.

69. vampire. works well with kids. Remember there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.

[rosabellemoretti]

@tannerxpark

Rosabelle was usually very intelligent but, she had a bad habit of taking risks that she probably shouldn’t take. Leaving a club at 2 am on her own and insisting on walking home was definitely one of those risks that could end badly.  Determined as ever, however, she took off with just her phone in hand, stumbling out of the club and making her way down the street. It was a moment of drunken haziness where she viewed herself to be invincible. She was a witch after all, wasn’t she? She could get herself home without incident, couldn’t she? 

The streets that she was familiar with slowly changed into streets that she had never walked down before but instead of turning around, the drunk witch continued on, determined to make her way home by herself. Walking past an alley, she froze, thinking she recognized it. Without thinking and without hesitation, she turned down it away from the street lamps that had illuminated her way before. Even in the dark she felt comfortable enough, until she heard footsteps behind her.

“Ever hear that it’s wrong to sneak up on people?” she asked, her words slurring just slightly as she turned around.

[tannerxpark]

Tanner had just finished having drinks with an old friend that was passing through town when he saw the girl. She was stumbling around and considering this neighbourhood wasn’t usually the safest, Tanner decided he would follow her. It sounded creepy but Tanner was worried about this girl. She looked lost and a little confused. She turned down an alley and then Tanner slipped up and walked too close to her. The girl whipped around and slurred some words at her. 

“Oh, Jesus. I’m sorry. I was just...” He sighed. “I was worried about you. You were stumbling around and this isn’t really the best place to get lost. I can walk you home, if you’d like. I was heading home myself.” He smiled at her. He extended his hand. “I’m Tanner, I own the daycare.” 

[tannerxpark]

“I used to have a teddy like that when I was little - Mr Bear. Clearly toddler Max didn’t have the same level of creativity that I do now,” she chuckled. “Apparently, the nurses at the hospital where I was born rallied together to buy him for me after my mom passed. At least, that’s the story I was told the first time I asked someone where Mr Bear came from. More likely I just picked him out of a toy box in my first group home and refused to give him up, but it’s a sweet story all the same.” She handed the bear over to Tanner, a smile on her pink lips. “I have no doubt that Logan will get this little guy back to his owner in one piece.”

Tanner nodded as Max spoke and smiled at her. “That is such a sweet story Max, I bet the bear was a great and I’m sure the bear does have a lot more meaning than you think. Do you still have him?” He asked her with a smile. “Oh yeah, Logan’s great with the kids, he’s a natural.” Tanner nodded. “Sometimes I wish he was here more than just part-time but, oh well.” He replied. Tanner shifted and ran his fingers through his hair. “So, let’s go then. Come on, the first round is on me.” He replied with another smile. 

[tannerxpark]

“I wasn’t going to put it in those terms exactly but…” she trailed off, a smile growing on her lips as she finally stopped circling the younger vampire. “You learn with time and effort. The longer you work with me, the better you’ll be.” Runa replied, watching as he threw another punch at the bag. “Mmmm, but the sword would be an awfully good distraction for whoever you’re fighting to pull out some very sharp wood.” she commented with a laugh. “And we definitely don’t want that happening to you.” 

Tanner rolled his eyes and wiped the sweat from his forehead. Fighting with Runa once a week was always a good time considering she always tried her best to knock him on his ass and usually it happened. He was so confused as to why a small girl half his size could throw him like a rag doll every time but he was willing to learn how she did it. “Alright, alright. We don’t want sharp wood, of course. I don’t wanna die anytime soon, I’m only seventy years old.” Tanner replied with a small laugh and a wink. 

[tannerxpark]

Nodding her head, Lilian thought to herself how she should have figured he was something supernatural. This entire town was, and many of the humans kept to themselves at night. “Seventy, huh?” she asked first, almost taken aback by that being his age. “Well, we’ll have to celebrate when it comes around. I’m actually a werewolf, believe it or not.”

Tanner chuckled and nodded. “Yup, it’s a really big deal to my parents actually.” He smiled at her and replied with another smile. “A werewolf huh? We’re supposed to be mortal enemies. What do you think about that?” He asked her. “I mean... werewolves and vampires.” 

[tannerxpark]

“Just looking for little red riding hood,” Juliette teased with no desired intention of divulging the reason as to why she had found herself on the side of the road. “You know, big bad wolf and all that.” So it wasn’t really that great of a joke if she had to explain herself, however, that didn’t stop her from further pushing the teasing remarks. “I know,” she huffed, green eyes venturing anywhere but at the driver. “You should see the one that picked me up on the side of the road. Mamma was right, don’t go hitchhiking, you never know who you are gonna meet.” 

Tanner rolled his eyes. “Yeah, I know that fairytale.” He nodded and put his turning signal on and checking both ways before making another right turn. “What happened to your car?” He asked her. “I mean, did you even have a car?” He shook his head. “Did it break down? Do you need someone to look at it?” He continued. Tanner knew Juliette had brothers and wondered why she didn’t ask them to come get her. He shrugged. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to make things uncomfortable.” 

[tannerxpark]

“Hey, Tanner! Oh no, I actually came to collect a book I left. I’m determined to finish it by tonight because according to my Amazon account, the sequel will be shipped to me by tomorrow, and I want to dive right in without going through that period where the interest dies out a little, you know?”

Tanner chuckled at Violet and nodded. “For sure, I get that. Let’s have a look around inside and see if you left it there.” He smiled at her and put the rest of the toys in the box beside the  gate. “When did you last see it?” He asked her. “I think I saw a bunch of books by the counter.” He replied. 

[tannerxpark]

God he was going to have to put his book down. He’d had to make Tanner put his water down, too. He ambled over, closer to his brother, putting the book down on the end table, too. He knew, without a doubt, he’d forget it there once they moved away. The Da Vinci code, he told his brother. It’s addicting. I thought I had better taste, but I guess not.

Tanner chuckled and shook his head. He spoke as he signed. “The Da Vinci code. Sounds interesting. Do you have the second one too?” He asked. Tanner picked up his water and took a sip as he waited for his brother to answer him. He nodded and smiled at him. Logan was always the favourite, at least Tanner thought. Usually his parents had a few other kids in and around the house but when they got Logan, they decided to just take him in. At this point, Tanner was already living in his apartment but it was nice that he got to spend more time with his new brother. “Come on, let’s go get some food.” He replied. “You look like you haven’t eaten in three years.” Tanner continued with his voice and his hands. 

[tannerxpark]

Tanner was lovely he seemed like a humble guy and one that had his priorities in the right place as he opened the door for her and allowed her to step out in the fresh air; “So how long have you been working here? Little Rascals?” it was a cute name she had to give him that; “It’s a daycare centre right?”

Tanner nodded. “Yeah, we have an office in the back too. I run my practice out of there for kids that need extra help or just someone to talk to.” He stated. “I’ve been open for about twenty years but I’ve been a phycologist for almost thirty.” He replied with a nod. He glanced over at her and chuckled. “Oh, I know. I don’t look very old but trust me, I’m almost seventy. Perks of being a vampire, I guess.” He said with another laugh. “What about you Posey?” He asked her. “What do you do?” 

[tannerxpark]

When he mentioned he had been working for thirty or so years, Lilian shook her head in disbelief. He hadn’t looked but  couple years older than her maybe, so now she had a few questions circling her head. “Thirty-ish years?” she questioned first, looking him over a bit before continuing. “I’m sorry, and this could be a weird thing to ask you, but you’re not actually human, are you?”

Tanner chuckled and nodded. “No, I’m not.” He shrugged. “I’m actually a vampire. Well, a new vampire. I’m turning 70 this year.” He said with a small laugh. “defiantly not a weird question though, by the way.” Tanner said with a smile. 

[runavollan]

“Your left side is exposed.” Runa began, slowly circling them as she observed their stance. It was a busy Saturday at Tyrs Krigere, with the sounds of clinking weights filling the building. Even most of the cardio machines were in use, which was rare for a Saturday this time of year. Not that she was going to complain, the gym being so busy gave her something to do. When it was near empty, she spent most of her time sitting at the front desk or utilizing the punching bag, so this was much preferred. She continued to circle the person that she was talking to, eyes flickering over their frame as she observed their position and made mental notes on how to fix them. Making her way closer, she gently placed her hands on them to adjust their stance and lower their arms just slightly to cover their left side.

“In hand-to-hand combat, you’d end up with some nasty bruises, and that would just be the least of your worries.” the woman began, pulling away slightly to observe them once more. “And if your opponent had a knife, you’d better hope an ambulance shows up before you’re bleeding out.” she commented with a faint smile. “And if they for whatever reason had a sword, you’d have very little chance.” she chuckled slightly. 

[tannerxpark]

Tanner had been sparing with Runa for a few months and every single time he did, he learned something new about his abilities and about being a vampire. Although he was turning 70 this year, Runa was over a thousand. She knew so much about the world and he, did not. “Alright, Alright, Runa. I get it. I suck. Come on.” He replied. “I doubt if someone had a sword. I’d be fine.” He chuckled, throwing another punch to the bag hanging on the wall. 

[tannerxpark]

“Next corner?” She asked, not really sure if the guy actually knew what he was talking about. Dani was almost sure that she already had turned the corner only to end up at some weird person garden, which leads directly into the woods. She wouldn’t have been surprised if that was where the man carried his victims. “I think that would be way better.” She watched him collect the toys and added. “And appreciated of course. So what are you? Like a Manny?” She grinned, not used to seeing that, but she wasn’t making fun of the guy, simply teasing. 

Tanner nodded. “Alright, sounds good.” He chuckled. He placed the rest of the toys near the door and walked towards the girl. He laughed again and shook his head. “A manny?” He half-asked. “Oh no, I mean, there’s nothing wrong with that but no. I actually own this place and I have a practice as well. I mean, I’m a child phycologist. I don’t do much around here anymore but I still do the accounting and weekly operations and stuff.” Tanner said with a shrug. He smiled at her. “I should probably introduce myself, I’m Tanner.” 

[tannerxpark]

Chou looked about, even after the man had spoken before turning so him and shaking his head. “No. I was looking for the children, but I must have missed them. If I’m passing by as they finished I give them a little show… I hope they weren’t disappointed.” He’d been collecting samples in the forest and lost track of time. “I suppose I can make it up to them next week.”

Tanner smiled and chuckled. “What? Really?” He nodded. “For sure, they all wanted to spend the last hour inside today for some reason.” Tanner crossed his arms. “I’m sure they’ll be around next week, I think it was the weather that threw the kids off this week.” He chuckled. “I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Tanner.” He smiled at the other. 

[tannerxpark]

“Well if it isn’t Mr. Sunshine himself. Guess you’re taking that offer.” she retorted with a teasing tone lacing her words just before hopping into the car. The door closed shut behind her only once her bag was placed on the floor and her attention was returned to Tanner. “Which is good because I’ll probably give you tickets anyway for looking at me funny.” Another half-hearted jab that followed as she reached for the seatbelt to buckle up. “It’ll pay to have friends in high places, Tanner.” 

Tanner rolled his eyes and shrugged as Juliette got in the car. “Oh well, I can handle it.” He chuckled and pulled the car back into drive. “So what happened?” He asked her. “Why are you walking along the street by yourself?” He turned down main street and started to head towards the more residential neighbourhood. “Seriously.. you don’t know what kind of creepy people might have pulled over.” Tanner stated. 

[tannerxpark]

“I find most things that men seem to say don’t make sense,” she teased, before letting out a small laugh. Turning to continue walking, she listened to him and nodded her head. “Actually, yes. I’m a police officer down at the station. Probably a reason why I don’t mind walking alone as much. What about you?”

Tanner nodded and smiled at her. “Awesome. Being a police officer is stressful job, I applaud you.” He replied. Tanner shrugged. “I’ve been working as a child phycologist for the past thirty-ish years. I own Little Rascals too, so I help out and run the operations there too.” He replied to her with a smile. He loved his job and he loved helping kids grow into themselves and have the freedom to do so.

[tannerxpark]

The blinking light in his room went off, distracting Logan from his book. They’d installed one in every room once he’d moved back home, so that he’d be alerted whenever someone entered through the front or back doors. It was helpful for times like this, when he wouldn’t have known otherwise that there was someone else here. He closed the book around his thumb and carried it with him, walking out of his room until he reached the landing, looking down onto the stairs to see Tanner. No, Logan shook his head. And though he didn’t like to do so, hating the way he could feel the words in his ears without actually hearing the sound of his voice, he chose to speak instead. He’d have to tuck the book under his arm and then use limited mobility, and he couldn’t sign around it. “Just you and me,” he said. 

Tanner nodded and took another sip of the water and then placed it on an end table so he could sign better. As he spoke, he made his hands mimic the words. When Logan’s hearing disappeared, he and everyone else in the house started taking lessons so he could learn it faster and so he could feel comfortable still talking to them. “What are you doing?” He asked. Tanner motioned towards the book. “Did you start a new book?” He continued. 

[tannerxpark]

Nyx had been sent here by one of her clients, she was still in session, and though her child had been taken home by another parent for a sleepover, she needed some files that apparently Little Rascals had. She strolled up glancing around the area, she had never been to this building before or really this part of town much–it was all a bit new. “I guess so, are you the owner?”  she asked coming up the gate and smiling sweetly at the man. 

Tanner crossed his arms and nodded at the woman. “The one and only.” He replied cooly. “Which kid are you here for?” He asked her. “Sorry, I don’t usually do the pick ups but someone called in sick so I had to help out more than usual.” He replied with a shrug. “I’m Tanner, nice to meet you.” He said, extending a hand towards her. 

[tannerxpark]

Alex’s last patient had ended up going into labor right before her eyes and so she’d gotten stuck at the hospital a little later than she had expected and with Scout of town visiting family she was on her own to get Briar. Hurrying down the block to the daycare she approached the gate finally slowing down. “Oh yeah! I’m Alex, I’m Briar’s mom. I’m so sorry I’m late. My first patient went into labor and here I am. You know how it is, babies come when they’re good  and ready and always on there own time and wow I’m rambling I’m so sorry.” 

Tanner smiled at the woman and nodded. “Alex. Lovely to meet you, I’m Tanner.” He pointed to the building. “I uh, own the place. I’m usually not here this late but they needed extra help.” He nodded as she continued to ramble. She looked a little young to be a mom but most of the parents around town were usually younger than Tanner expected. “Briar’s actually inside, it’s really not a big deal that you’re a little late.” He smiled at her. Tanner opened the gate for her to come into the yard and headed towards the door. “She was colouring when I came out here but she might have started something else.” He told her.