Name: Rorin Storm

Gender: Male

Age: 23 (Human) 300 (Vampire)

Appearance:

History: Rorin was born a vampire before pure bloods became so rare. The covens of western Europe bickered and fought amongst themselves forcing the nobility into hiding. Rorin's family was slowly killed off by an up and coming vampire coven from the east that was more of a syndicate bent on total rule than a safe haven for its members. Rorin was left with the family estate and rarely left the property situated in the outskirts of London. He became a recluse and only ventured out to feed. Servants stayed and tended to the estate as was appropriate being as how the money was always plentiful through the many investments of the Storm family. Rorin took to learning the old ways of the Family Sword Techniques about has ruthlessly as he took to drinking his pains away. Recently, a child hood friend, Jacob Halstead, has been visiting Rorin and eventually stayed in the main house with him to try and coax Rorin into rejoining society. Jacob is of the mind that, "A young man who wants not of love is truly an old fool."

[OOC NOTE: This one is set in the old western European boom time frame, think top hates and large estates with plenty of high society politics and petticoats... I would appreciate anyone interested in this RP waiting for Sesha to lend her response before posting. Thank you.]



[IC:]

It had been only half an hour since the sun had set, the hues of purple and blue faded softly away into the abyss of the now blackened sky. Though the occupant of the coach that now trotted its way down the muddied streets of London had never seen the sunset, nor a sunrise for that matter. No, for Rorin there were few lights, only a darkness that seemed to constantly weigh in heavy on his dead soul. He raised his cane and tapped the wooden partition that separated him from the coachman on the outside. It was a sharp rap on wood and the coachmen merely responded by slowing the travel of the four horses that he had only moments ago whipped to a trot. Beads of sweat began to dot Rorin's pale brow, it was always like this, if the hours of drinking didn't sicken him, the lack of the life sustaining blood did. He dabbed his head with his handkerchief and took a deep breathe. The coach stopped in front of the pub and Rorin ran his fingers through his hair before placing the top hat atop his head. "How did I let Jacob talk me into this?" He asked himself silently.
Jacob, a long time friend had recently decided to take Rorin under his wing in the arts of not being an old codger at the young age of only three hundred years old. So as part of Rorin's training, he was to mingle with the underground populace of card players at the local pub. Jacob had said that the idea was fool proof, because the only people that played cards at this pub were mortal men. Rorin would not have to worry about losing any money because if he lost the game he could always tail the gentlemen that took his money and have himself a meal. The only reason why Rorin accepted was because he liked the thought of actually stalking his prey as opposed to hiring familiars who may or may not run off or worse, get sick with plague.
Still, Rorin had an odd feeling in his stomach. The kind that he should not even recognize. Anticipation. After only a few nights, he had managed to make pleasant aquaintance with one of the patrons to the table who said that he was inviting a few friends to join in some festivities. What that meant for Rorin was a meeting with more than just the five players, the barmaid, and the bartender. Even so, this feeling did not sit well with him, not just because of the increase in people. There was something more. "Something, but what?" He thought to himself as the door was opened for him and he inhaled the light smell of cigars and strong drink. "Gentlemen, miss, good evening once more." He said aloud as he stepped into the dimly lit establishment.

Raye looked up as the door opened and in blew a tall, handsome man. She was instantly hit with a curious feeling. His eyes seemed to draw people to him. It was her first night in London. After days on a train, she had finally arrived. She was running from her past. She had decided that she could easily blend in here. The only thing that made her stand out was her eyes. They were a deep blood red color. She didn’t know exactly how she had come to have eyes like these. Her father had told her that she was cursed by Satan himself when she was born. After her mother’s death, her father never even wanted to look at her. So, she packed her belongings and jumped onto the next train.

Raye sat on a stool next to the bar and let her long black hair hang over her eyes so that he didn’t know she was watching him. She wondered what was drawing her to him, it was a new feeling to her. The bartender came over after a minute and asked her for another drink. “No thanks,” she managed to mumble. The bartender gave her a strange look and walked off. Raye had no idea what she was going to do tonight. She had nowhere to sleep and little money left to even eat. She finished her first drink and watched this mysterious stranger.

((OOC: Character Info: Name: Raye Age: 18 Eye Color: Blood Red Hair Color: Jetblack [will add more as the story goes]))

Rorin's eyes went completely black for only a split second when he noticed the young woman with black hair. And who might you be? he thought to himself. The barmaid said her good evening to him and took his coat, hat, and cane so that Rorin could take his seat at the table. "Gentlemen," he started with a nod to each of the other players, "shall we begin?" Rorin tried to concentrate on the game that was about to begin, but he found himself casting short glances at the raven haired beauty who seemed to take over the room in her silence. That was when he noticed her eyes beneath the cover of her hair. "You and I are not so different are we..." he sent, wondering if she was what he thought she was.

The cards were dealt and the first round of betting started. Rorin took one extra moment to take in the young woman before returning his mind to the game. He took one short glance at his cards before tossing them in the discard pile and calling out "fold". Try as he might to watch what the other men were doing on the table, his eyes found themselves on her again and again. Something about her intrigued him, that feeling that he had felt outside of the pub returned and he resolved that she was the cause. "It looks like my money won't be the only thing that gets lost tonight, my pride just might follow closely behind as well." He joked slightly towards the other players on the table. All of them exchanging grins. The card players thinking the joke aimed solely at the game, but Rorin's fang filled grin suggested a certain knowledge that would not immediately present itself.

Raye watched as the mysterious stranger dealt out cards to the players surrounding the table. She thought that he might have been looking this way but wasn't sure if it was at her or if it was at the bartender behind the bar. She watched for awhile more and decided that she needed to have another drink. She tapped on the bar and the bartender came over. She motioned for him to lean close and asked him, "Who is that guy over at the poker table?" The bartender pulled back and looked to where Raye had motioned. He returned his attention to Raye, "That's Rorin. He's a regular. Not too much is known about him though." Raye nodded and picked up her glass and tilted it to her lips. She emptied the contents and slammed it back to the counter. Her gaze returned once again to the poker table and the stranger Rorin.

Her whispers sent lightning bolts through Rorin's ears. The next hand was dealt and he nearly passed out one too many cards at the mention of his name. He took note of the drink that she ordered and raised his hand to the bartender. "Bartender, if you will, I'll have what she's having, and please, I will pay for her drinks this evening." Rorin called from the table. The other players looked at their cards and around the table as if he had not said anything. Humans, so engrossed in things so simple. he thought to himself with contempt.

Several hands and almost two hours passed and now there were only three players that remained, Rorin and two other older gentlemen. Rorin was surprised that he had lasted the game this long given that his concentration was constantly taken to the young woman at the bar. Her crimson eyes held his gaze for more than a moment when his eyes went black and remained that way. He folded his hand and waited for the other two to agree to a short break before walking over to the bar for another drink. He stood so close to her that their arms almost touched. His head turned to look at her once more before looking away again. "You are a new face here." He said with an air that hid the fact that he did not know anybody particularly well at all.

Raye heard Rorin call from the table that he would pay for his drinks. She was surprised that a stranger would offer to pay for her drinks. She had never been treated with that much kindness. She glanced over at the table and noticed that only three players now remained. She glanced at the clock and noticed that it was getting extremely late and she still didn't have anywhere to sleep.

She let out a gasp as something barely grazed her arm. She turned quickly and looked up at Rorin standing close to her side. "You are a new face here." he said to her. She managed to regain her composure and speaking just above a whisper said, "Yes, I just arrived today. I'm Raye."

"A pleasure to meet you Raye." He replied with a polite nod. Rorin's lack of social contact began to show through in the silence after his words. He sipped his drink and looked at the clock, his eyes darting every which way but always returning to her. He needed to do something, needed to occupy himself in some way so that he wouldn't be able to say anything that might put her off to him. Poker was easy, you only said a few words. An actual conversation with someone, albeit easy to start, was always hell for him to continue or finish.

Rorin reached into a pocket and pulled out a small silver case and a matchbook. After opening the case, he placed a single aromatic cigarette between his lips and lit it. The cool smoke tickled his lungs and he breathed a small cloud up towards the ceiling before offering the case to Raye. "Tell me Raye, do you have family nearby?" He asked suddenly as if he didn't know where the question came from.

Raye noticed the unusual silence that followed his comment. She glanced at him as though to say something but decided against it. She felt safe around him for some strange reason. It was a feeling that she hadn't experienced before except with her mother. She stared down into her glass as memories floated through her mind. She had no idea what she was going to do now.

She started as Rorin reached into his pocket and pulled out a silver case. She watched with curiousity as he pulled out a cigarette. When he offered it to her she shook her head, no. She had no idea how to even hold a cigarette. Her father always smoked but she had never wanted anything to do with him. She was surprised by his next question. Family? She didn't have any to speak of anymore. She looked up at Rorin and said softly, "My mother is dead. My father doesn't want anything to do with me, so here I am." She looked down quickly as a single tear ran down her cheek.

Rorin replaced the case and matchbook in his pocket at her signal that she didn't want to try one and motioned the bartender for an ash tray. Her reply sent a small shiver down his spine. Without thinking he raised one hand to dry the tear from her cheek as he took a lazy drag from his cigarette. He exhaled the smoke in a direction that would send it away from them before consoling her. "There now, I'm sure there is no need for tears. Would you like me to take you home, or wherever you are staying? I feel awful for having asked you something that made you upset." He said, his voice low, barely above a whisper.

Raye's body tingled as his hand brushed the tear from her cheek. His touch was tender and without thinking she leaned her face into his hand. She looked up with sad eyes and gave a sad smile that barely graced her lips before returning to it's sad frown. She sighed, "I don't have anywhere to stay. I just arrived and this is the first place that I wandered into." Her red eyes seemed to glow from the lights in the bar. She shrugged her shoulders as if to say that it didn't matter. She wondered how she could have met someone so kind in such a short time.

He didn't think, just reacted. Rorin turned his head towards the other two card players and told them that he would have to continue playing another time. He snuffed out his cigarette in the ash tray and looked Raye directly in the eyes. "I am going to take you to my home, I have more than enough space and you could stay in one of the many guest rooms to give you enough time to find your own place." He offered. His eyes went to the clock, they wouldn't have much time until the sun came up over his estate if they were to leave right then. "Do you have any luggage here that I should have my driver place on the carriage?" He asked, his tone reflecting something of a small rush.

Raye sensed the rush in his voice. She was a bit startled at the offer. She wasn't the trusting type but Rorin seemed so kind hearted. She was still worried about the rush in his voice, it gave her a sense of unstability. She noticed that he glanced at the clock as if he might not have time for something. She looked to him once again, "Luggage? I don't have any with me." The only thing that she carried with her at all times was the ruby pendant that hung from her neck. At the moment she had it hidden under her shirt so no one could see it. Her mother had given it to her when she was born.

The look on her face told Rorin that she was somewhat suspicious of his offer. It was true, he was being rather forward, it was partially due to the guidance of his friend Jacob to be more outgoing, and partially something else. Something that he didn't quite understand. Her lack of luggage put a curious look on his face, he hoped she hadn't noticed. "Well then, let us go outside and I will inform my driver of our departure. We can leave immediately, or as soon as you like." He said, taking care to not speak to her as if he was in a hurry despite the fact that the travel time could put him at odds with the coming dawn.

She was surprised by his openness. She hadn't found anyone that was so welcoming to a complete stranger. She saw a curious look come over his face when she mentioned that she didn't have any luggage. It was only there for a split second and then it masked over by his kind expression. She noticed that he was trying to hid the rush in his voice. She wondered what worried him about the time. It was almost dawn and she needed to get out of the smokey atmoshpere of the bar. She slipped off her stool and stood up next to him. Her slender frame was only 5'8". "We can leave now if you like. I need to get out of here." She grabbed her cloak and wrapped it around her shoulders.

Rorin did not say a word, he merely made a gesture with his hand and led the young woman outside where his driver waited with the carriage. The dew was beginning to fall and Rorin's coachman had already drawn the shades and closed the openings of the carriage. The horses snorted and stamped at the breeze while Rorin took Raye's hand and helped her into the carriage. He followed her inside and took a seat across from her on the soft bench seat. The night air had a slight chill to it and the carriage shook from the shivering of the horses at its yoke.

Without needing a word from his master, the coachman reared back and cracked the whip above the horses so as not to strike them, but simply to signal them to go. The carriage lurched forward and before long they were moving at an easy trot up the road and towards Rorin's estate. Having not noticed before that there was no light inside the cab, Rorin reached up with a match and lit the wick of the small oil lamp that hung between them from the ceiling. A dim light bathed the velvet seats and had the lamp not swung fro side to side so much, it would have almost been considered romantic. Rorin glanced at his pocket watch, they would arrive in time. His demeanor relaxed visibly at the thought of not having to rush so much though he was still very much aware that he would have to excuse himself from giving Raye a tour of the estate until later in the evening when the sun went down. A permissible dismissal of an event I hope. He thought to himself as the carriage bumped along.

Raye followed quietly behind Rorin into the dew of early morning. Rorin reached out and took her hand to help her up into the carriage. As their hands touched Raye felt a shiver run down her spine. She sat on the soft bench seat and noticed that all of the shades were drawn and that it was very dark inside the carriage.

Raye grabbed onto the edge of the seat as the horses started on their way. She watchd as Rorin reached up and lit a match into the oil lamp overhead. As it ignited it let a slow glow into the carriage. Raye looked over to Rorin and noticed how the light flickered in his eyes. It was such an intense gaze, almost romantic. He seemed much more relaxed now that they were on their way. Raye took this opportunity to ask some questions, "So do you have any family around here then?"