Updated Wardrobe (Tag Drascarine)

[Claudia]

It had been so long since I'd updated the clothing I was used to wearing. I'd even purchases some new dresses, but nothing was quite like the beautiful clothing I'd worn when I was with Louis and Lestat. I missed those days, the fancy chiffon dresses, the lace, satin, and velvet. However, I did not quite give up those things, instead I chose to expand my wardrobe.

The mall was a wonderful thing. A collection of stores within one large building. Clothing of all styles, mixed in with shops selling housewares or furnitures. Stores dedicated to music or books alone. A marvelous invention, and a destination I chose at once.

The scents of food from the floor above mingled with the new manufactured scent of leather and twine. Cinnamon and popcorn, colognes of such variance as to cause my nose to wrinkle. We may smell of death, but it is the mortal who truly reek.

Weaving through the throngs of late night shoppers, I stopped first at a music store. One section was filled with discs and other devices that held a multitude of songs. The other was full of instruments. I was drawn to the keyboards, letting my fingers run over the keys. I missed the classic ivory of a grand piano. I walked passed the violins and thought fondly of Lestat. How I longed to hear him play.

I broke from my revere and left the music store in search of some clothing, as was my original intent. One darkened shop appealed to me immediately, Hot Topic. I was immediately drawn to the long, gothic skirts, replicas of Victorian styles. Corsets and dresses as well. I marveled at the options, and silently cursed that I was too short to reach some of the items I longed to have.

[Drascarine Allen Macurt]

It was late and I just got out of college. I didn't really care how late it was so I went home, and took a shower quickly. There was nothing for me to do. Maybe I should go out and have some fun. I deserve it. It is the weekend after all! Quickly I got dressed in my blue jeans, white shoes, black t-shirt, black jacket, and a sexy collar choker with an Ankh attached to it. I felt a little strange wearing the choker but maybe it will do me some good to let loose a little for once.

I was in a drawing mood for some reason. Not a designing mood but a drawing mood. I have not drawn since I was a young teenager. So that feeling may fade fast.

Finally I am at the mall! So many people though. The food smells so good. My favorite place other than Hot Topic, Spencers, AND Walden Books, is the Food Court!! My stomach was not grumbling yet though. I just wandered around for a while. I was not sure what to do. Well I wanted to draw so maybe I will go in Walden Books and see if they have anything.

Gee minutes sure do go by so quickly. Walden Books...Check! I got four drawing pads. What is wrong with me? I have never wanted to draw so badly in my life. Let's not forget the pencils, and erasers eh?

I am kind of wishing I had one of those small box wheel carts....

From what I heard every store has one not, but of their own design. I bet Hot Topic has the best! I smiled to myself, and hurried on to Hot Topic. Surely they had something that I am to like. When I stepped in I saw an applications, and a sign that said help wanted. I would love to work in this store! I filled out the application, looked around and wondered where the hell the staff was.

The customers were not here either. Maybe everyone is eating now? I felt kind of stupid right then and there. It couldn't be that. I made my way to the back, the staff room. Slowly I opened the door and walked inside, closing it behind me. Worst part is...The room is nearly sound proof so no one would have heard me if I screamed, but at least I do not scream like a girl.

Blood. Is that what I am smelling? I covered my nose, my stomach turning just a little. I walked in further. "Hello?" I called out softly. I turned my head and my eyes widened. Oh God Almighty in Heaven! Oh Gods and Goddesses in Paradise!! DEMON DEMON DEMON DEMON!!! I thought quietly.

[Claudia]

"Excuse me." I gave my sweetest smile to the girl with deep blue hair behind the register. She had a short, blue plaid, pleated skirt on, with over exaggerated boots over torn stockings. There were metal studs below her bottom lip, and another ring in her eyebrow. Strange accessories. She lifted an eyebrow as she regarded me. "What can I do for you, sweet cheeks?" She asked me while smacking on her gum. "Yes, I'd like to see some of those clothes." She smiled and grabbed a long hook from behind her. "Come on sweet cheeks, I'll get them down for you. You look like you'll need the extra small."

I ground my teeth. Though she did not intentionally taunt me about my age and stature, both very misleading, it still tore at me. Even her very presence annoyed me. She was more grown and developed than I'll ever be. A constant reminder of my eternal plight. She pulled down the items I asked for, and carrying them for me, lead me back to an area where I could try them on. "Go ahead and see how they fit. if you need anything, give me a shout." I nodded, taking the pile of clothes from her arms. "Yes, thank you."

I slipped into the first skirt. It was a bit too long, but with the right heeled shoes, it would be perfect. I fussed with the lace until the skirt itself hung perfectly. The top I'd chosen to try with the black lace skirt was a velvet brocade in the style of a corset. It was also black with hints of burgundy. However, I wasn't able to tie the back up by myself. I turned to the curtain and called for the clerk. It seemed the store had emptied quickly. There was no one else for her to assist.

As she came toward me, smiling, my lust and rage blended, boiling in my veins. I would kill her, and drink my fill. And I would leave with whatever items suited my fancy. She tied the top, lacing it while telling me how cute I looked. She had that mocking tone of an adult dressing a child. She called me the perfect little "Gothic Lolita". That was when the last strand broke. Vibrating inside, like a chord stuck, the note sustained low and long.

I turned with inhuman speed, latching onto her, my mouth aimed at her neck. Her scream reverberated through me as I drank deeply. Just before her heart stopped it's steady and slow pulse, I dropped her, licking a drop of blood from the corner of my lips. Smiling and sated, I readied myself to collect my clothing, both old and new, and saw someone standing nearby. So engrossed was I in my feeding and plans to attain new clothing that I hadn't known another mortal had entered. I looked up at him, still kneeling near the body of the clerk.

[Drascarine Allen Macurt]

It was just a child. She had to be a child. No...Do not be fooled by how she looks I screamed inside my head. No...I was not fooled. This was not a child. It could not be. I knew this was something else. A woman even if she did not look like it.

I stared before slowly backing away. "What did you do to the woman you demon?" I asked softly.

Claudia was so pretty, but I knew better. Though the funny thing is that I mistaked her for a demon, and not a vampire. Sometimes I am just stupid. Can't really blame me though. I do not really know anything about vampires. Not much. Really. The panic was in my eyes but I tried not to show it in my body language.

"Demon. Answer me. What did you do? Why are you here?"

My fear started to fade. I became more concerned about the woman on the floor than my own life. Cautiously I walked over to the woman, dropping to my knees and looking her over. I touched her cheek gently. She was a little pale. I touched the side of her neck not noticing the bite on the other side. She was still breathing.

My eyes flickered to the other.

"I thought demons possessed people. Not attack them. "

"Unless you where ordered to come here. I just don't understand you demons. Why can't you just leave us alone?" I scoffed softly. Yeah I was definitely in for it I just did not know it yet. Poor Claudia...She was probably laughing her ass off at me on the inside. She must think I am a stupid human. The clerk woman gave a soft groan. I blinked and smiled.

"I guess she is going to be okay." I looked to Claudia.

"You should get out of here before I send your butt back to hell. If I don't do it..I am sure you don't want a priest to do so. They are the worst and might not send you anywhere. No I think they may get rid of you for good. It's best to send you back." There was a slightly odd silence.

"W-What?" I backed away a little thinking I may have said something wrong. Then again demons were easy to piss off. However, vampires are worse.

[Claudia]

I glared up at the young man, quite young given my true years. I assessed him as he questioned me. Who was this mortal to question one such as I? And yet, it didn't seem he was completely mortal. There was something different, and I could not name it.

When he asked what I was doing, I nearly laughed. Instead, I gifted him with a sweet smile, letting my dainty little fangs show through y cupid's bow lips. "Why, I've killed her of course. Or rather, I have started to." His fear permeated the very air, an intoxicating scent when it came from any mortal.

I stood and backed up to the counter's wall, my hands clasped together in front, my head tilted to one side. My eyes never left him. "Demon? Perhaps. Perhaps not. In some form, I suppose, yes."

"Demons, spirits, angels. I suppose there are all sorts of things that can possess a person. But she is not possessed, nor do I have such capabilities." But Lestat did. In a manner of speaking. I shook my head, golden curls bouncing, still smiling sweetly. "No one sent me. I came of my own volition." I tilted my head querulously once more. "Us?"

He seemed concerned with this dying woman he did not know. His antics were....amusing in some manners. Clearly he was uneducated, but that can be said for all youths. He was simply....young. I laughed then, like the tinkling of bells. "Oh, she will die. You'll see. I haven't drank enough to kill her immediately. Only momentarily." I stepped closer, slowly stalking him. "I go where I please. I do as I wish. I've seen hell, I've burned in it! I've lived it! Hundreds of years, decade upon decade in this body! Never to grow up, never to grow old!" My eyes narrowed, my face creased and bunched in a cruel snarl as my voice rose and rose. Even those that physically appear my elder taunt me! Mock me! Treat me as if I am but a child, a monster, or both! No, I could never control my fury, at the best of time and at the worst of times....I was damned.

[Drascarine Allen Macurt]

It was as if I had been hit in the head or something. What Claudia said shocked me. My jaw dropped a little and I slumped into a chair, thinking I might fall on the floor instead. Luckily that chair was there. I would have looked like a fool if I hit the floor. Sometimes I was just too clumsy for my own good.

It did not seem that Claudia was a demon. I could tell she was telling the truth. It was a strange feeling deep inside me. So what was she? That was my big question. "What are you?" I asked my fear fading, being replaced by curiousity. Maybe I should not have been curious. I mean seriously...Curiosity killed the cat.

I think looked at the woman. I had almost forgotten her. I got up and sat next to her. Still breathing but barely. Why did this woman have to die? She done nothing wrong. I looked at Claudia. The girl could not grow up. Ever. I shuddered at that thought. I felt sorry for the girl and wished that i could change all of that even though she had killed this woman.

"Can't you save her?" I asked.

"Please do not let her die. "

Did this woman even deserve to die? Was she a murderer or something? I swallowed not sure if to ask my stupid question. Yet again my curiosity ebbed at me.

"Did she deserve death?" My voice almost quiet.