Disgraced: Twins of the Zodiac

An Attractive Stranger...And A Pickup Line

    Their street led right into the busy part of Luxeville. Aurora didn’t have far to go to reach the crowded shopping district. One thing that Aurora could not deny was her love of the town and how it was made.

    It was considered quite large for a town with its population of a little over twenty-one thousand; yet quaint with its mix of old-fashioned, old-world charm and contemporary lifestyles.

   The up-to-date did not overwhelm the antique charm of the town, though it did serve as a means for younger generations to find the uniqueness of the town more tolerable.

    However, even with such things as the few built new age shops, cell phone stores, and malls, none of it could ever take away from the allure of Luxeville’s antiquated theme; brick paths along every other street and side street, sidewalks, lined with old-world lamp posts and street signs that could closely be referenced to a Mary Poppins film.  

    Aurora loved how the lamp posts had to be lit by lamplighters, a charming tradition, and just as the sun would make its decent behind the clouds, no less.

    It was all just a breath of fresh air to Aurora. She'd take a descending sun any day over the stress of her brother’s complete and utter, continuous, disregard for her opinion or just her feelings in general. The setting sun coupled with the small breeze made for the perfect antidote to her frustration...no matter how temporary the feeling was. In the end, regardless of how beautiful the mixed set of the evening sky was, it could not heal her of her almost insatiable hunger-pangs.

    She drove her delicate hands roughly across her face, pushing her hand back until her small fingers entangled themselves into the soft strands of her mass of frost-bitten, blue-black hair. A sweltering warmth began to emanate her body in tune with the sickly sweet taste that suddenly pushed its way to her tastebuds. Aurora's need for nourishment was becoming more demanding by the minute.

    The breeze gradually dried the sweat from her body as she continuously walked down the street. Fortunately, the day wasn’t too chilly, so she didn’t look like a total nut as she steadily made her way down Richmond avenue in her black high-impact mesh sports bra and her green high waist Capri leggings. She had just finished working out after all; and was so angry with Jeriko that she could not stand there another minute without thinking that she’d probably say or do something that she may regret. Especially, with her hunger being so strong and nagging. Not to mention the growing dislike that she was gradually starting to feel for this little daughter of Luxeville. There just wasn't something right about that girl.

    That thought aside, even in the day not being excessively chilly and reasonably sunny, though not too much so, she accrued more than a few stares; some curious as they walked by.

    A few of the bystanders were, no doubt, wondering about the peculiarly beautiful girl that everyone constantly saw-even knew her name- but no one really knew the story behind her. Most others, however, were simply perverts and silent admirers of the atypical Aurora Valentine. This was how Aurora preferred it; look but don't talk.

    Aurora had always carried, what some would consider, a strange air about her. Sure, she had the young and angelic features of a beautiful seventeen-year-old girl, but her aura spoke of someone much older and experienced. Sensible, she thought, considering the fact that she was a few years shy of two centuries old.

    One hundred and ninety-seven whole years of being on planet earth and still, she could not seem to get herself or her life together. This was a constant bothersome thought on Aurora’s mind. Might as well have been on this earth the seventeen years that I look, she thought to herself as she constantly felt like the mundane teenager who just didn't know where her life was headed if anywhere. She was lost.

    So engrossed with her thoughts and how truly dysfunctional life was for not only her but Jeriko as well, her distant gaze didn’t catch the run-in that she was about to encounter in time.

    The hard knock didn’t send her tumbling because of her inane strength, but she did stumble back a little, as the one whose chest she bumped into was considerably hard. Needless to say, she was surprised because even in her significantly smaller form that should not have happened with a normal human. Her interest was piqued.

    “Excuse me, miss.” The extremely large and uniquely handsome man stood before Aurora. “I didn’t see you there-”

    Aurora could catch, by the accent in his voice that he definitely wasn’t from the town of Luxe-more than likely he wasn't a Virginian at all. She looked at the extremely attractive stranger. 

    “Apparently.” She countered. Just because he was nice to look at did not mean that she'd lose her snarkiness or quick wit.

    Where the man’s gaze seemed to be ill-focused as he surveyed his surroundings, Aurora took this time to appreciate how truly handsome the man was.

    His features were hinted at a Japanese descent, eyes narrow, dark, penetrating, and still mesmerizing-so dark a pupil couldn’t even be seen. His skin was quite fair and his jawline was strong and angular; not too much facial hair, but enough to make him more physically impressive to the eye. His lips were full, but not too full and his jet black hair was short and suavely combed back with a part to the side, rendering a small and thick strand of frost colored hair-nearly the same shade as hers, to fall across his eye. How strange. He was not only tall but quite nicely built in form. Bet he’d taste quite nicely, Aurora thought.

    “Miss?”

    Apparently, this man had been talking to her-why the word miss was what broke her from her reverie, Aurora had no clue, but it broke nonetheless.

    “I-yea-what?” Aurora retorted, slightly flustered now. Never had a gentleman been attractive enough to cause her to fantasize. Though, then again, the attraction wasn't the only thing that distracted her from what he was saying. She was quite hungry.

    “I...was just asking if you knew where Bishop street was.” He said a half chuckle escaping him as he spoke. The smile that accompanied the reply was knee-buckling.

    Well, aren't you attractive? The thought repeatedly ran through Aurora’s mind as she took in the man. She couldn’t decipher whether he was older or only slightly older.

     “Do you know?” He asked, once again, breaking her from her thoughts.

    So annoyed with herself for allowing her mind to veer off course again, Aurora took it out on the man standing before her-the man that was asking her a reasonable question.

    “Do I look like the town map to you?” She asked. Deciding that killing him would be a waste, she walked away from him. Or at least she started to when she felt a tug on her wrist. He had grabbed her! Ha! Ballsy, she thought. 

    Aurora stopped, as she really had no choice-this man was quite stronger than she suspected. She looked at his hand-the one that was suddenly attached to her wrist, her amethyst gaze then slowly traveled up to him, incredulously. He certainly must have lost his mind.

    “I-” He paused. “I’m sorry if I’m being forward-”

    “Yea” Aurora cut him off. “Very much so.” She answered, just in case he needed confirmation of his forwardness. She was suddenly revisiting the idea of taking him as a meal, impressively strong or not.

    “I’m sorry, I just…” His sentence trailed off as he stared down at her, seeming reluctant before he asked. “Do I know you?”

    Aurora, eyebrow furrowed, looked at him curiously. It was hard to read much off of him-maybe it was because she wasn’t trying. Using too much power in the hungered state that she was in would definitely put, not only this extremely attractive stranger’s life at risk but everyone else in the surrounding area as well.

    “Is this some sort of a pick-up line?” She asked.

    He responded with a sheepish chuckle before he unconsciously started to move closer to her, his hand still attached to her wrist. Aurora didn’t comment on this fact yet because, if she were being honest, she hadn’t felt a man’s touch to her skin in a while. It made her all...tingly inside. So, she allowed it...for now.

    “No, I-” He shook his head. “You just-you really look like someone that I know-well, used to know.” He shook his head and scoffed. “Honestly, I should have known better. You’re far too young anyway.” He mumbled that last part, his gaze veering over her. 

    Definitely...a strange man, this one, Aurora thought as she kept her curious gaze upon him. 

    “Who is this person that I so remind you of?” Aurora asked. “Maybe I know them?”

    He simply shook his head. “Not so sure you would. As you’ve probably already realized, I am not from here.”

    “Well, didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out,” Aurora countered. “Despite what you may think, I have been around.” Aurora then countered. "So, you never know who I know,"

    “I doubt you’ve been around long enough to see the places that I’ve been.” He said.

    Aurora rolled her eyes, all the while thinking, you’d be surprised. She eyed him again. “So, are you going to tell me the name of this person or what?” She finally asked once more.

    “Now that I think about it, I fear that you may take offense if I tell the name.” He replied.

    “And why would that be?” Aurora returned.

    “Because it’s a guy.” He sheepishly answered, rubbing the back of his neck as he averted his gaze. His other large hand still gripped to hers by the way.

    “Sooo, you’re saying I look like a man.” Aurora countered. Somehow, she figured that that wasn’t necessarily the case, but still-wouldn’t hurt to make him sweat a little.

    “Oh, no! No, no, no, no, no!” He quickly clarified. “I-no! In fact, you’re…” He paused. “Well…”

    As deep and intimidating as this man’s aura was, she found it cute that he was so awkward. “Well, what?”

    “I probably shouldn’t say, considering what I thought you were to the man?”

    “And what was it that you thought, I could be to this man?” Aurora inquired. “Whose name you refuse to give me.”

    He shrugged. “Maybe his daughter or-I don’t know.”

    “And why,” Aurora started curiously. “Would me being his daughter have anything to do with what you were going to say about me?”

    “Because, he was my best friend, and…well, you’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.” He complimented. “I’m sure he wouldn’t find that appropriate of me to say about his little girl.”

    Aurora could not believe this, but she actually...found herself blushing at this man’s compliment to her beauty. He may not have been as old as she, though he assumed so, but surely he had been around enough beautiful women to see the best of the best. Especially, considering how extremely attractive he was. And yes, Aurora’s beauty was a given so she should not have been surprised by his words. So, why was she? Either way, she had to recover quickly before he realized how much his words affected her.

    “So, what’s his name?” She asked.

    “Rorick.” He finally answered. “Rorick Joaquin Vale.” 

    The name sounded familiar, almost like an echo in her head that was trying to force her to remember who this man was. But she couldn’t. Apparently, the name wasn’t important enough to remember, so she didn’t stress the idea. However, she answered him nevertheless.

    “Well, my father is dead and my last name is derived from his; and it’s not Vale.” Aurora returned. “So, I guess you’re safe.” She answered. “Now...are you going to let go of my wrist now? Or will I have to resort to less...lady-like measures?” She asked.

    “Ah, no! My apologies!” He said sheepishly. “I’m never this awkward around females-not even ones that are beautiful as you.” He smiled.

    “Thought you said that I was the most beautiful.” Aurora teased, though in a way assuming that she was serious.

    “You definitely are.” He countered, chuckling as she caught him up. “And fast with the wit as well.” He complimented.

    Aurora shrugged. “It’s a gift.” She looked at him a moment longer before, she started away again. “Nice talking to you-” 

    “Wait!” He caught up to her again, grabbing her wrist as he did before. 

    Aurora turned around, annoyed but not too much to reprimand him. She looked at the place where his hand was and no sooner she did, he quickly retracted it, wordlessly saying his apologies.

    “Will I see you again?” He just blurted.

    Aurora smirked. “So, that was a pick-up line earlier.” 

    “Haha!” He chuckled. “No, I jus-I like talking to you.”

    Aurora didn’t know what to make of this man as she looked at him. She shrugged. “Depends on how long you’re in town, I guess. Maybe we’ll run into one another again.” 

    He nodded. “My name is Azul, by the way.” He smiled.

    “Azul,” Aurora repeated, she nodded. “Nice.” All the while thinking that she was glad she didn't decide to lure him into an alleyway and murder him.

    "Guess, I haven't impressed you enough to learn a name," Azul added with a smile.

    Aurora shrugged, amusement upon her face as she answered. "Takes more than a charming smile to get my name, Azul."  She said and turned around. “It’s the next street over by the way.” She added as she kept down the street.

    “Ex-excuse me?” Azul replied in slight confusion.

    “Bishop street,” Aurora said, not bothering to turn around and make eye contact with him again. “Keep down and make a right. It’s the next street over.”

    “Oh, thanks!” He called after her as she was getting farther and farther away. He seemed to have forgotten the whole reason that he was there in the first place until she reminded him of it.

    “Yea, see you around,” Aurora replied. Though, in truth, she didn't think that would more than likely happen. He was a handsome face that she chanced upon. She'd probably never see him again. And she was alright with that.

    “Is that a promise?” Azul asked his voice sort of low, not even thinking that she could hear him. So, he was surprised when she turned around to look at him.

    “I don’t make promises.” The corner of her lips turned up in a small hint of a grin, and kept down the gradually emptying street, a small smirk on her face as she thought, but maybe I will see you again, Azul.