Alaric Boyle's Story

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"Yes, I know," Chantal replied softly, eyeing the dainty white cup of hot green tea she ordered. But the gentle response was only a lie, a mask to hide the actual frustration that burned within her. She awoke this morning with a message from Damon, her manager, requesting to meet for breakfast. Late and still groggy from spending half of her night going over various storyboards to no avail, she rushed to the cafe she worked at only for another lecture. What did it make this one? The fifth? Sixth? Damon sighed in front of her, sitting back in his chair and crossing one leg over the other. Green eyes were fixed on her face with a dash of sympathy.

"I'm not snapping at you or trying to rush you, but eventually, you are going to need to come up with another storyline. Maybe a branch off of the original - we can expand the universe...create a new love interest - " Chantal's eyes shot up quickly, a hint of determination blazing in the usually warm orbs.

"This is not The Vampire Diaries," she said resolutely. "If and when I have a new idea, it will not have anything to do with the first series. I want something...different." Chantal, feeling like she was getting too excited, sat back, grabbed her cup, and took a few sips. She could hear the breath that Damon let out and cringed inwardly. Another lecture in...

Three...

Two...

One...

"Fine," he replied and Chantal looked up, surprised. Damon stood slowly, eyeing something over her head. "I will try to put off the publishers, but I need something, Mai. Perhaps you need to get rid of...distractions." Chantal blinked, mouth agape with confusion and she followed Damon's gaze to see a smirking Alaric at the register. Smiling just a little, she turned back to her editor and nodded. Damon only shook his head in reply and after bidding her safe week, left. A few moments later, Alaric was taking his place.

"I think you intimidate Damon," she remarked to her companion. Alaric shrugged, wrinkling his nose in distaste. He was not a fan of that Damon person. Despite the obvious concern the other man had for Chantal's career and studies, the not-so-discreet display of protectiveness Alaric showed for Chantal only seemed to make itself even more notable after Ric discovered the man's feelings for his ward.

"Then that only means that I am doing something right," he replied gruffly and Chantal giggled. Her day didn't seem like it was going to go too bad.

Toby blinked rapidly as he was dragged from his position on Claudes foot by Odette and into the kitchen where settled in one of the seats and watched patiently as she began to search for blood. "If you see any coffee, give me a shoot.", he called cheekily over to her before leaning back against the table and closing his eyes, just taking a step back and smiling as he felt the slight sliver of sunlight shinning through the blinds touch his skin. It was good to be aware... Now all he needed was a Coffee...

Toby opened one eye as Claude entered the room and could already feel the slight grin coming over his features at the possibility of finally getting some coffee. "Brilliant! Mind if I escape to find whatever new establishment has been set up to bring me the miraculous beverage of god?", he asked Claude in an almost pleading tone though he knew his leader would let him go without a problem. He was pretty much useless without his coffee fix...

He was already shrugging on a denim jacket as well as a set of slip-slops (As he loves to call them.). Though he was still dressed in the clothing he had slept in, the fact that it was just a tee and jeans meant he could go out without having to change... Though maybe a shower was in order... Oh, it could wait till he got back, until then, a heavy dousing of deodorant.

"Anyone want to join me for coffee?", He questioned, his hand resting upon the door handle. It was a question asked more out of politeness then anything as he was pretty sure every vampire in the room put blood over coffee... Unlike him... But he was just weird and he didn't care.

[Editing on Cyber's reguest.]

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Chantal was about to make a remark when she heard the familiar BING of the bell, signalling that yet another customer had entered. She glanced over her shoulder to smile at Rebekah, who faithfully carried her surfboard. But then the smile morphed into a thin line as heat rushed almost immediately to her cheeks at Rebekah's statement.

"Wh-what...? I-I-I-I w-wasn't..." The nervous stammer was rather comical in Alaric's eyes and he snickered, causing a small but harmless glare to reach Chantal's eyes. Contrary to popular belief, they were only two people who could actually entertain Alaric and they were the few whose presences he could handle. Rebekah and Chantal. He smirked at Rebekah.

"Sure, there should be," he responded to Rebekah, ignoring the rather adorable and comical pout on Chantal's face for a moment. A beat later, his eyes met hers and his smirk widened into a smile, teasing almost. It was actually astounding. Alaric must have been in a good mood today. Chantal could hardly remember a day where he wasn't off in some corner brooding. "Think you can go find it without me?" Chantal's pout deepened.

"I...you...shut up, Ric," she grumbled under her breath, knowing very well that only he could hear her. Alaric only chuckled again. Chanti set her cup down in front of him and glanced back at Rebekah over her shoulder. "Peach or strawberry?"

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Alaric paused at Rebekah's question, hand poised over the tray of cash he was just about to get the change from for his current customer. He didn't respond for a moment, his eyes slightly faraway.

It wasn't the first time he was asked this question and more than likely, it would not be the last. And it wasn't like it was too difficult of a question. He cared for Chantal - perhaps, in some way, he might be able to fancy himself loving her. Maybe not in love with her, but love was...a delicate enough term to be used when describing that relationship. But more importantly...

"My relationship with Chantal is as it is - between the two of us, no offense," he said as politely as he could as he finished ringing up the customer, offering a pleasant smile to the departing male. Blue eyes found Rebekah's and softened. "But I do not...favor that editor. He...his presence is irritating."

He could have been an asshole. He could have been rude; his norm. But...this was also Rebekah - a sweet girl, someone he cared for as well. Maybe not on the same level of strong concern and overprotectiveness as Chantal, but then again that was because a girl like Rebekah could take care of herself. Chantal never would be able to.

As he awaited Chantal's return with the fruit for smoothies (she would be making the smoothies, no doubt), two new people entered. One in particular capturing his attention solely. Pale skin and dark hair, she wasn't like the other. There was no heartbeat. Her eyes were fixed on Alaric just as his were on her; she was dangerous.

There were not many vampires in Seattle. Alaric prided himself on knowing a good number of them; perhaps not all, but a good few. And she was not a familiar face. And unless -

He did not trust her.

And he only hoped Chantal would take her time.

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"No problem," Chantal called over her shoulder and hurried into the back storage room. Well, it was a kitchen and then a door to get into the storage, but whatever. Chantal filed through all of the ingredients they might not have out front and hurried to find them.

Damon complained all the time that she spent too much time here - that she really didn't need this job. With income still coming from her book sales and from the new TV series that would be premiering this year, she and her nice apartment were fine. It wasn't like she splurged often; in fact, she spent more on family than anything else. He would rather her working on a new book while continuing her studies.

What he didn't understand was that she felt at peace her. This was where she spent hours working on her book, where she saw people and used them as the faces of her characters - their temperaments became a part of her characters. She couldn't not be here. Though, she was beginning to think that his dislike of this place had more to do with his dislike for Alaric, which was puzzling but obviously none of her business.

"Aha!" Chantal let out an exclamation of triumph, holding up the frozen peaches. Thinking quickly, she grabbed some cream, milk, frozen strawberries, and the peaches. As quickly as she could she made her way back out to the front and grinned at Rebekah, who was standing close to the register. "Found them! One peach smoothie coming right up. You want whipped cream?"

And then Chantal noted the tension. Well, there was enough tension for her to notice above the chattering customers sitting in seats and the ones still waiting for their orders to be ready. She smiled at one of the workers awkwardly, curious as to why Alaric was practically glaring holes into the brunette female and the male with green eyes. A very cute guy - Okay, time to get started, she told herself mentally and got right to business, brushing past Alaric to get to the register. She tossed him a curious stare over her shoulder.

"Sorry about the wait," she said kindly, a sweet smile on her face towards the brunette female and the male standing behind her. "I'm Chantal and I can take your order."

Claude proceeded out of the ancient house with Clarissa. It was time to hunt, but not before observing the surroundings. He will try to stay away from Odette, let her do her own thing even though his heart as a father told him to follow her every movement to make sure she is alright. This new culture was much more different that the time he lived in. The women showed much too much skin. He was lucky that Odette was not like that. She was always sensible. They saw a cafe that seemed to be very crowded so they continued to walk down the streets, seeing many humans and nary a vampire.What did this time have in store for the new Coven?

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Rebekah smiled at Chantal when she gave her the smoothie. "Thanks Chanti." She turned to the new woman that Benson had called 'Snow White'. "I recommend the smoothies, Chantal makes them great." She turned to Keela. "Not really, I went surfing this morning." She turned back to Alaric to see him glaring at the new woman in the cafe. "Alaric. Why are you staring at her...? It's rude to stare at the customers."

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"Right, my apologies," Alaric said gently to Chantal, taking over at the register while she prepared the smoothies. He glanced back at the vampire, cast her a warning glance, and began to play the charming cashier. He didn't technically need the job. With his years of being alive, Alaric had wealth that he hadn't even touched yet. Chantal worked here and if more vampires were coming, it meant that he needed to keep a closer eye on her.

A moment later, he recalled Rebekah's words and gave her a crooked grin in return. "Would you rather I stare at you then?" He teased. "I always had a thing for hazel eyes." He even added a wink, causing a grinning Chantal to make time to punch his arm lightly.

"Stop trying to dazzle people," she chided gently, mirth glinting in her eyes. "It's not nice." She had just finished with the guy with beautiful eyes - seriously, beautiful eyes? - and sighed, content. Chantal's warm gaze then turned to the brunette Alaric had previously been glaring at, Jordan, and the blonde, Keela she believes, that Rebekah had spoken to. She had seen Keela before and actually found the name to be kinda cute. "And would either of you like to try the smoothies? Don't do this often and don't tell anyone I did, but I'll let you try them for free."

Chantal chose to ignore Alaric's disapproving glare.

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Smiling, Chantal set to making more smoothies while Alaric took on more orders. Once they were done, she held one up for Jordan, Keela, and a few more for other customers. Just as she was about to work on a few cafe specialities, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She usually kept it off when she was at work, but after meeting with Damon, she simply left it on silent. Pausing, Chantal pulled it out to see a text from Damon. She looked up at Alaric only for him to be staring at her, expectant.

"I need to step out real quick," she said apologetically, biting her lower lip when Alaric only glanced at her phone, rolled his eyes, and went to make drinks. She took off her apron quickly and headed out, dialing up Damon's number. What did the company want now?