Arlo James

See what it's like to be a vulture's lunch

He was sure he'd never quite been this happy to see Damon. At least, the last time he'd run into the man had hardly started out with any sense of relief falling over him. Hell, the last time he'd run into Damon the other an had been fixing him with that dominant all-knowing simper. Damon just had...something about him. A presence of sorts. A dominance really- in everything he did. Arlo entirely more submissive just by nature and hell, maybe that was why he felt it all the more and yet a part of him was inclined to believe other vampires felt it in general too. Every single one of them spinning to face Damon when he spoke. Arlo nothing if not an opportunist. His captor's distraction readily utilised as Arlo jerked himself free of that grasp with a subtle show of his own strength. Arlo rarely, if ever, utilising any of his own affinities despite the power of them. The Crusnik far more willing to rely on his fangs alone. He'd no sooner wrenched himself free of that grasp then his teeth sunk into the shoulder of the larger man, that fellows hand lifting up as if he actually intended to backhand him before that venom seized every muscle and nerve. His body crashing to the ground under the full effects of that sedation. Arlo licking his lips in response to that taste before managing something of a wave to Damon. Were they friends now? Had they reached waving levels of friendship? Seemed like it. He'd go with that. That comment seeing his lip quirk at little.

"I didn't exactly start this one, bud."

Any further words were cut off at the appearance of another vampire then. Arlo nearly instantly recognising that red-headed woman he'd met briefly in Damon's bare before. Isolt. That was her name right? He was sure he remembered it. She'd cost him a meal that night with her, well, overly pleasant demeanour and general good nature. The woman having spent half the evening talking to him and the rest of it keeping an eye on him even if she had pretended she hadn't been. Arlo hardly having had a chance to get near the vampire he'd selected for his meal that night and yet whether Isolt had purposely derailed his attempts at a meal or she was just, well, friendly- he hardly knew. His bright blue gaze briefly lingering on that dress that seemed to cling to every curve off her figure. The woman had a body alright, not that this was really the time to admire it. Arlo hurriedly looking away just in case Damon managed to glance towards him before Claire took it upon herself to turn on Isolt herself. The pair apparently known to each other. Claire's fist suddenly bunching before that solid punch was thrown right at the other woman, Isolt sidestepping it in one of the better displays of reflexes he'd seen before her own fist cut that air to smack with no small amount of force into Claire's nose. The scent of that blood permeated the air within seconds. That salty, metallic scent near causing that saliva to pool within his own throat. God but it smelled good. Arlo near forgetting just where he was in that moment. His eyes rapidly darkening and yet- the sudden roar of Claire's coven managed to slice through even that haze of hunger. All of them rushing forward now, Arlo himself all but forgotten.

That sudden golden wave off....something, seemed to erupt from Damon then, several of those other vampires sent flying. The sound of bodies colliding with buildings and thumping into metal echoing up that alleyway, Arlo forced to duck to avoid one of those flung figures. Good. He hoped it damn well hurt. Several more of them rushing forward then. Would it be totally wrong to sneak away? No one was looking right? No one was paying attention, he could be gone before any of them even blinked and yet.....leaving Damon and Isolt to clean up his mess seemed like it might not have been totally personable off him and they had been decent to him. Arlo debating that very thing as Claire lunged at Isolt again with the clear intention of exacting revenge for the dented nose. Another of her coven members lunging with her. He barely saw Damon move, the elder vampire pivoting in place, slicing at the air again before the attacking vampires body tumbled to the ground- his decapitated head rolling across the pavement several feet away.

"Jesus Christ!"

He could hardly stop the words as they fell from his lips. Those next few moments passing in a blur. Arlo pressing himself back against the wall in some vague hope no one would remember he was there, Damon proceeding to yank someone's heart out of their chest not five seconds later. God- was this him on a good day? That scene suddenly fell silent, Arlo daring to glance back towards Damon and Isolt then. Claire the only opposing vampire still left standing among what remained of her coven. The woman swearing up and down she would have that revenge on them and their coven. Arlo scowling briefly then. The man, at last, reaching for one of his own affinities- that webbing fired from his hand within the same moment- catching onto Claire's arm as she spun to look at him and back at that sticky web that clung to her skin. Arlo discharging the electrical energy within that web as she did. That single gasp was forced from her before her body convulsed, collapsing into a heap a few seconds later. The woman hardly dead and yet really Arlo was mostly sure he'd done her a favour. Had Damon gotten to her first her head would probably be rolling around like that other guys. That silence persisting then. Arlo at last glancing upward.

"Well.....that was, eventful. I mean thanks though, bud. You too. It's Isolt right? I appreciate you both kinda....helping me out there."

He shifted away from the wall at last, stepping over several of those fallen vampires to come towards the pair, the vampire noting how well the both of them were dressed. His features frowning slightly again.

"Were you guys at dinner or something? Shit, sorry about that. I didn't mean to ruin your romance or whatever. They just came out of nowhere. I didn't start anything, well, I mean, I did- I fed on one of their other coven members. I remember the guy. It was like a week ago though."

His shoulders shrugged, that look almost sheepish then although why he felt the need to explain to himself to them he hardly knew. Still- he was grateful they had showed up all the same. Arlo oblivious, largely, to the extent of his own abilities. The man often reluctant to use them for anything offensive in any sense. Arlo far more inclined to hit and run. That lopsided grin found his features then as one hand lifted to push that dark hair from his eyes. His gaze shifting between the pair then before settling on Damon.

"You know, this whole hunting business was ten times easier before you shut down my food source. That bar you guys run attracted vampires like moths to fire- or whatever the saying is. I know, I know, don't worry I won't start leeching of your customers again. I'm just saying."

There was no annoyance in the words, Arlo merely sighing at those extra lengths he was having to go to, of late, to travel further out in search of those meals when, before that night with Damon, he'd only had to linger around their bar long enough. Still- a promise was a promise right? Arlo making every attempt to make good on it and stick to his word. His gaze loosely rolling over that...mess that surrounded them. Hmm, who knew two vampires together could be so powerful? Maybe Damon had it right with that coven idea and yet the thought of it, still, made is features crinkle in disdain. Maybe a coven had saved him- but one had attacked him too. The prejudice it seemed- still existing with the young vampire.

"Is this Claire's whole coven? The guy I fed on isn't here but aside from him are their anymore. What if they come for you two?"