A bite to eat (Steve)

[Anoushka bint Amir]

When Anouk wasn't out drinking her money away at Fangtasia, she liked to visit this little bar and restaurant, always ordering the same thing, Tru Blood, but this night she decided to go with a whole bottle of Pinot Noir, it looked like blood but still held a certain aspect for Anouk since it was human alcohol, her body just burned it off since it wasn't exactly human food. She sat there in her lonely booth near the foggy window, seeing a few cars pull up, nothing special. She let her fingers play with the rim of the glass before taking another sip, smelling the wine and all it's different flavors. Slightly fruity, a hint of vanilla and blackberries, robust. Anouk felt the best sommliers were vampires since their sense of smell was so acute, but sadly they didn't have the best taste buds.

(GO STEVE! )

[Steve Newlin]

Steve had parked his car in front of a small restaurant, he's been driving for hours and his stomach rumbled at the smell of the food wafting through the doors. It almost reminded him of Sarah's cooking which was tasty to the extreme. He didn't dwell on that thought for long, he had too much work to get done and he wouldn't be able to function on an empty stomach. as he walked through the doors he took a look around, he always liked to make sure there were no vampires that he could see of. But on this night all he seen was a lady with a bottle of wine, no harm there. So it has a bar, a small drink wouldn't go amiss.

As Steve looked at the menu he took another glance at the lonesome lady, she shouldn't be by herself at night, especially these days. He ordered Pinot Noir deciding to take it over to her table to see if she would accept company, he also ordered some food as he noted his stomach still growled at him. Carrying the bottle and a glass he approached the dark haired lady's table.

"Excuse me Miss, would you like some company?" Steve said as he gave her his most winning smile.

[Anoushka bint Amir]

As she took another drink, she set her glass down and saw a man in front of her with another bottle, the one she ordered a few hours ago was almost gone, so he was doing her a favor. But this wasn't any man, it was him. The one that wanted to destroy all vampires: Steve Newlin, JR. He was an interesting man, that was for sure and Anouk didn't feel like starting a scene in the establishment. So, she smiled and nodded, if she could blush she would. "Thank you. I'm Anouk by the way." Smiling, she nodded her head to the seat across from her, and thankfully her bite marks were covered up with her long, thick hair and the ones on her breasts were also covered by a dark green t-shirt, so no indication she was a vampire could be seen unless she decided to have a snack later with the man. Anouk played it cool and wasn't going to order any Tru Blood while he was there and just sip on wine and enjoy his company. Despite the fact most vampires hated him, Anouk thought he was merely ignorant and misunderstood, and scorned since his father died and the fiasco at the Light of Day church didn't help. "So, what's a nice man like you doing driving through Shreveport this time of night?"

[Steve Newlin]

Steve took the seat opposite Anouk as she introduced herself. "Anouk? That's an interesting name I don't think I have heard it before. My name is Steve by the way." Steve knew he shouldn't be entertaining women but he needed his food and why eat alone when he could enjoy company? He also felt he should take every opportunity to talk to people and tell them the truth about vampires. He still couldn't believe that most people accepted their evil lies, he knew them for what they were and knew it was his responsibility to expose their viciousness.

[blue]"So, what's a nice man like you doing driving through Shreveport this time of night?[/blue]

"Ah well, I have some business to see to, I actually live in Dallas and have just drove down from there."

[Anoushka bint Amir]

Dallas, eh. A Texan. She knew only one other from the great state, Stan and he was doing business with Eric.
"Well, it's a very old name, I'm not originally from Louisiana so that's why its a bit odd. You be even more interested if you knew my full name, but it's a boring subject."
She decided to fake some interest while she was at it and pretended to be on his side.
"Oh, Steve Newlin jr? The one on the TV? Why, I can't belive I'm actually meeting you!" Anouk said with a big smile, leaning in a bit closer to him and biting her bottom lip.
"I'm so sorry about what happened at your church. Those...dirty, nast vampires in Dallas sure have some nerve!"
She took another drink from her glass, anticipating his reaction to her false enthusiasm. She always loved the blood of a zealot, they had something warm and fierce about them. Anouk was determined to change his mind about the way he thought about vampires through a few ways, most of them involve a night he won't forget or maybe remember. She decided to glamor him a little later on and get him drunk possibly, or let him stay sober and un-glamored and see where this went.

[Steve Newlin]

((ooc: I'm not sure plotwise the events at the church have occured yet.))

Steve smiled at being recognised, he knew recognition was key to keeping their cause in the spotlight. "Yes, I'm Steve Newlin Jr." As Anouk took another drink from her glass Steve uncorked the bottle he had brought to the table. He poured himself a glass, this Anouk was a very pretty lady and he had to be careful how much he drunk. After filling his own glass he dutifully topped up Anouk's.

"Actually I'm in town on some business for the church, I always feel the need to get involved at a local level to show the people I am just like them. I'm hoping to spread the word thriugh Shreveport and the surrounding areas." Steve smiled, he was happy talking about the church and liked how Anouk was interested in it. He felt hopeful that if he was careful enough he could maybe have a new member on his hands.

[Anoushka bint Amir]

((oh, okay ))

Great, he was buying it. "Thanks." She said gratefully, smiling and raising her glass before drinking.
"Well you better get the word out fast! This place is an awful mecca of sin, especially that bar Fangtasia. I know girls who work for me who went in and they never came back out."
Anouk hadn't gotten the job Pam offered yet, but she had met some of the girls she be working above and they loved Fangtasia. They actually did leave, many times with a vampire or two in their arms and loved every minute of it. Was this guy Steve really that gullible? She didn't even need to glamor him to make the man believe her words. He was sort of cute, in a creepy "I want to kill all of your kind" kind of way, but she could show him a good time to maybe change his mind.

[Steve Newlin]

"Yes unfortunately girls tend to be a bit...more easily led. Although you don't seem to be that sort. Fangtasia? Hmmm I might have to pay it a visit just to see how bad it is. Though I would never go inside of course."

Steve shuddered at that idea, to actually walk in amongst those sinful creatures would be like tainting him, only if necessary would he take such a drastic action. Anouk seems like a nice girl, though she look a bit young to have people working for her. Steve put this thought aside, he wanted to try and figure out exactly how this girl felt about vampires, maybe she has a family and friends as well. Steve was always thinking about how he could make the church grow, obviously the more members the more serious they would be taken. It also meant he was carrying on his fathers work.

"So what do you do for a living Anouk?"

[Anoushka bint Amir]

"I've never been easily led on by such heathens, I know whats right and wrong in God's eyes."
Anouk smiled even larger and took another drink and began to play with her hair a bit, making sure not to reveal bite marks.
"Oh, well I'm an international relations coordinator for a hotel not too far from here. I have a knack for languages and dealing with people so it's a perfect fit. We do allow vampires in the hotel, something I'm not too fond of but I have to put food on the table so I can't really go complaining to the higher ups. I travel a lot, so I've gotten to see the world in many views."
She was talking of course about her and Maryam's travels throughout the ages, not her fake-work travel.
Anouk had to fight herself to not glamor Steve and just try to enjoy the mans company, which would get easier and easier as the wine in the bottle slowly dwindled down.

[Steve Newlin]

"Heathens? I like that word!" Steve miled as he listened with interest to Anouk's work. He was thinking how if he was lucky she could be his first missionary. Oh, now there's an idea, I'll have to sit down and think of where is the best place to send them. This thought hadn't occurred to Steve before, but why should his church not have missionaries? Most others do, it would be great if he could send off some of his soldiers off as well, though of course the best would have to stay with him.

"Yes, it seems most hotels accept vampires now. I always make sure I stay somewhere where there are no accommodations for them. I find it disconcerting they could be roaming the halls as I sleep. Does it not chill your bones?"

Steve sipped his wine as he watched Anouk, he was thinking maybe it was time to puch the subject a bit. Find out just how much she loathed vampires.

[Anoushka bint Amir]

Anouk nodded wholeheartedly as he spoke, he really seem interested in her. If he knew she was vampire though, he'd forget everything she said, how she was a nice girl and curse her. It was so funny how someone could like you, then find out what you really are, and then just throw everything about that person out the window.
"It does, knowing how ruthless some of them are, they could just burst into your room and kill you! But I know that would never happen if I was with someone like you, Steve." Anouk smirked and put her hand on his, wondering what his reaction would be when her icy touch met with his warm hands.
"Tell me, are you a God fearing man Mr. Newlin?"
Her tone turned from bright and ecstatic to darker and sinister in almost an instant, she loved seeing how human's emotions changed from an instant and she would imitate this. She heard his heart beat a little faster when she touched him and she could smell him, so pure and yet something so dark underneath. It was almost intoxicating, she could just curl up next to him and inhale that scent and even drink from him, wondering what the man's blood tasted like.

[Steve Newlin]

Steve understood what Anoul meant when she talked of vampires ruthlessness, he had felt it first hand. Although he didn't have evidence he knew it was the vampires who killed his father and mother, how could they not be cold-hearted and ruthless!! He watched as she moved her hand to place it on his, suddenly he realised his mistake. Her hand was cold, too cold, her fingers felt like ice on his skin and it made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end.

[blue]"Tell me, are you a God fearing man Mr. Newlin?"[/blue]

Steve knew his face told how he felt, he had felt the shock spread across it and felt his heart rate speed as he realised he was in the company of a killer. Something he loathed, and he had shared his wine with her. He had believed her stories of fear for the very thing she was, at his he became enraged. Angry that he was fooled, his blood pumped through his veins with the hatred he felt for all of these evil creatures and at the same time he knew she felt his heat beat faster. He steeled himself to face her, waiting for her to show herself.

"You know I am a God fearing man Anouk. I walk in his light, something you shall never again do."

[Anoushka bint Amir]

Anouk gave a sinister smile, but it still had a bit of softness. He was incredibly angry and she felt his heart beat faster and faster, it only excited her more. She let her fingers stroke the skin on his hand, her fingernails running over his warm flesh.
"His light. Hm. No, I probably will not walk in his holy light. But how could you say that, God forgives, he doesn't punish. Why are you a god fearing man, what is there to fear about a merciful, loving man. Or at least that's what your book preaches."
And her stories, they weren't all false,
"And I wasn't lying to you. Most people of my kind are heathens, heartless and cold. The older they get the more evil they get, except me and very few others. For some reason we've kept our humanity, but I doubt you believe me, I am a creature of the sin aren't I? I just kill mindlessly, right? Just moments ago you were fine with me but when I reveal what I am you turn away and shun me?" Anouk leaned in a little closer to his face, and began to whisper.
"You're just afraid of something you can't handle. Because we're not afraid of your words and we're not God fearing creatures."

[Steve Newlin]

As Anouk ran her fingers along Steve's hand he had a desperate need to snatch it away, but he knew that would show weakness, something he couldn't afford to have. He looked around the restaurant, then remembered they were by themselves except for the staff. Well, I'm sure I can handle a conversation with one vampire.

"So you agree vampires are heartless and cold, and evil. Yet you expect us to accept you for what you are? I am a God fearing man because God does punish those who are weak enough to fall to sin. He loves and is merciful but he punishes those that need punishment. To fear God is to respect him."

It was almost surreal this conversation he was having, talking to a vampire about God!!! If only there was a tv camera here. Steve slowly sipped at his wine trying to keep his anger in check.

"I was fine with you because I believed you to be someone who could relate to me. You lied to me vampire, you should have shown yourself to me from the start. To lie so easily truly shows your vile ways. Now I understand why young ones feel compelled to accept you, but hear me creature I shall spread the word of the church and you will be left standing in the doorways at dawn."

Steve felt his temper even out until it was a boiling slowly through his veins. Ths was what kept him motivated, gave him his directions.

[Anoushka bint Amir]

Hm, to fear God is to respect him. Interesting philosophy.
"Because, Steve, I could snap you in half in an instant. You'd die painlessly, but I am capable of that. But I chose not to. And those who try to mainstream? You should hate them too? I've always loved the question 'Is it better to be respected or feared?' I remember the days of Nero and Caligula, and those men were feared and eventually fell to their doom. The ones who where respected lived on in the people's memories." She revealed how old she was, but she was older than Caligula and Nero combined.
"To fear God is to love him? I don't think your God, or any God would like to be feared, but instead to be loved unconditionally without fear or any other emotion but devotion and love."
About showing herself? She scoffed a bit.
"You never would have spoken to me if I was sipping a Tru Blood, hmm? You're like every other human I've met, you fear what you don't understand. Try to understand me Newlin, maybe you won't be so afraid of the dark after all."
Anouk liked it when he got angry, she could see a vein beginning to bulge, but she reined herself back him. She was trying to make an example for her kind.
"I could glamor you now, I could kill you, feed on you, do awful things. But I'm not. Because I feel Mr. Newlin, and even though you may be human, I don't think you can feel a thing but anger and hate."