[i]"I've been singing since I was a kid, and I use to play my dad's guitar…”[/i]

Mila noticed the faint smile on Char’s face as the girl seemed to recall some distant memory from the past. It struck her suddenly that she could empathize with that kind of nostalgic feeling. As the years went by, it became more and more difficult to remember certain details about her childhood, her parents… But every once in a while, something would trigger a memory and she would slip into some dreamy reverie about her past life. Now, as she studied Charlie’ s distant expression, she wondered if her own eyes ever became as pensive as the girl’s were now. So wistful and far away. For a brief moment, she stopped looking at her like she was a meal and found herself studying those blues eyes in an entirely different way…

Another rush of blood across the girl’s cheeks quickly snapped her out of it.

It was one thing to admire her blush from across the room, but quite another to be seated so close to her and to feel that heat flare across her skin. The only type of warmth she could detect now. Mila clenched her jaw, willing the bloodlust to subside for just a while longer. How long had it been since she’d practiced this kind of restraint? She hadn’t kept a pet in at least a few decades, maybe longer. She’d lost track.

 It was rare for someone of her kind to keep a human the way she was planning to – without the girl even knowing it at first. While most of the vampires she had come into contact with over the years fed only once or twice from their prey before moving on, she had met some with pets. Their methods were much different than her current plan. The humans they ensnared were treated strictly as playthings. They always kept several at a time so that if they were accidently too rough with one, there were plenty of replacements. The humans they kept were always pale and thin, since their cruel masters hardly thought to let them regain their strength before another feeding session. The most unusual aspect of the arrangement was that the humans stayed willingly. Mila was all too aware of the intensely pleasurable sensation of a vampire’s bite for its victim. Apparently for these “pets” it was enough to keep themselves enslaved. Like meth addicts, they became addicted to the pleasure of the bite, offering their own necks pleadingly in hopes of another fix. 

She felt conflicted about those arrangements. On the one hand, it sounded delightful to have a few humans to wait on her hand and foot…but sometimes those situations could be complicated and messy, not to mentions problems with jealousy and favorites. Mila was convinced she could create a better set up with Charlie – even if she would be laughed at by her peers for behaving so civilly to her food. 

But sometimes behaving civilly could be difficult to do, especially when her food had such large, appealing blue eyes that were currently peering into her own. Mila could see Charlie make an intentional effort to hold her gaze. The vampire stared steadily back at her, amusement and desire flickering across her features. It felt like there was a magnetic force between them, drawing them closer together. She was aware that Char was leaning in closer and she did the same, constantly resisting the urge to glance down at her neck, her lips. 

[i]"The only people falling head over heels for me are creepy old guys looking for a 'good time.' I wouldn't even go there even if men interested me."[/i]

Mila raised her eyebrows a little with interest. That was another thing she loved about this day in age. There was still prejudice in the world of course, but it was more acceptable now than ever to be open about things like sexuality. It was a non-issue. “I’m sure they’re not the only ones falling for you,” she laughed. “They’re probably just the loudest and most obnoxious.” She suddenly pictured a group of sleazy guys making catcalls at the girl, catching up with her after a performance. Her face stiffened. “…But if any of them harass you – tries anything at all – just…let me know, will you?” she added, and although she said it in an off-hand manner, there was a note of steel in too - a weight behind her words. 

As she watched Charlie suppress a yawn, Mila glanced at the clock as well. “Yeah I’m pretty beat too. It’s been a long day.” She stretched, feigning a look of fatigue, which of course was something she couldn’t feel and hadn’t felt for over three hundred years. She vaguely remembered enjoying sleep at one point in her life. Now it was just another pretense. 

She followed Charlie to her new room and examined it cheerfully. “It’s just perfect. You were right, the view is great.” She turned to her new roommate and beamed at her. “I know I keep repeating myself, but I just can’t tell you enough how grateful I am.” She reached out and took one of Charlie’s hands, giving it a squeeze before letting it drop again. “You’re the best. I think we’ll make great roommates.” 

Mila sat down on the bed, still smiling at her. “I guess I’ll say goodnight now. It’s Saturday tomorrow, do you have to get up early? I don’t work tomorrow myself, but I’ll probably run some errands, grab a few of my things. Visit the main office too, so I can sign my new apartment lease~.”

She would wait silently now, until she was sure Charlie had drifted off into sleep. And then, finally, all her efforts for the past two days would be rewarded. All she had to do now was be patient…