Red Cedar - The Bandstand

[Eri]

Seth ran his hands through his hair, trying his best to keep the unruly locks from covering his eyes before reaching down. There was a guitar case at his feet, resting against a small bag that jingled slightly when it moved. He had his weapons in the bag, mostly from paranoia, but today was a relaxation day.

Being a hunter could be stressful, so when he asked his uncle if he could learn music, the old geezer found no reason to object. As long as he didn’t fall behind in his training, he could play as much as he wanted.

He unzipped the case, pulling out an acoustic guitar. It was made from Western Red Cedar, and he ran his fingers gently over the strings as it hummed a practice chord. He tested and tuned the instrument, the temperature in this area different than the last place he had visited.

Soon he was ready, and began to play a soft tune, looking at the people as they walked by. A few seemed to laugh, for his rough appearance didn’t match the beautiful instrument in his hand. The song probably sounded silly too, and he couldn’t help the frown that creased his brow. Damn brats, he thought. Apparently people around here couldn’t appreciate good music.

[Âłíșōñ]

Luschka walked slowly with her hands in her pockets, and her head down. As a werewolf when she was in public she tried not to attract too much attention to herself, but other times she couldn't help it. Like now. She heard the soft music from thirty yards away and her head shot up. She loved music. All music, though alternitive and rock were her favorites. This song was beautiful as it flowed into her keen ears. She needed to talk to this strange man playing this wonderful instrument so beautifully.

Being an orphan she always had time to do what she wanted considering how she never had any responsibilities. She had learned to play piano, guitar, trumpet, the harp, the flute, the clarinet, and even the violin in her short nineteen years oflife here on Earth. Walking over to the man, she saw his face and recognized him. After all, nothing escaped her careful eye. Seth Amos. Twenty five. Human--and worse. Werewolf Hunter, she thought nervously. Werewolf hunters were the only thing she was afraid of. She observed him though and smelled the air. His weapons were here, but where she didn't know. She could smell the faint hue of werewolf blood on silver from where she stood.

He looked calm...Better not chance it. She thought skeptically. Blinking a few times and listening to the music she decided that she might be safe after all. I mean, it's not like he has supernatural powers that enable him to know when a werewolf is present..., She was still unsure of whether she should approach him or not, but after a while of rude staring, she shrugged. What the hell?

Walking over to him, she sat on the bench beside him. She crossed her legs and put her arm on the back of the bench casually. Hi. I'm Luschka. But you can call me Lu, or Lusch. I like both. So either one is fine. She thought about her introduction and figured even though she knew who he was it would be safer to ask. Who are you? She looked at him with her piercing ice blue eyes.

[Eri]

He had been so focused on his playing, he hadn't even noticed when a pretty girl suddenly sat next to him. His face possibly showed the surprise before he frowned slightly. It was more towards himself though, for he could easily be struck down at any moment. The Amos family was famous for their killing, which was why when he was hunting he often had something covering his face. After having his parents hunted, he tried his best to hide his lineage when working. It didn't work well though, for he knew any werewolf worth their fang could just smell it on him.

He glanced over at the girl, a brow raising at her questions. He continued to play, but he did answer her question. "Seth," he responded as his hazel eyes clashed with her blue, "Are you a local?"

[Âłíșōñ]

Lu watched him continue to play. She loved this song. She smiled happily as he continued to play and when he asked her if she was a local, it grew larger. I guess you could say that. Yea. Sure. You're new aren't you? Do you plan on staying long? She could ask this, no? Even a human would ask this. But maybe not with the same burning curiousity. She was truely curious to see how long the Amos boy would stay, whether it was temporary or permanent.

She worried for her pack and her newly found friend, Samuel Bailey. She looked at this boy. He was rather handsome. If he wasn't a werewolf and his hopes and dreams were not to completely wipe out her entire species, she would totally go out with him. Maybe even now. Who knows? Lu was a rebel after all. She flared her nostrils and smiled gleefully. You're cute, she said placing her face in her hands and resting her elbows on her knees.

Her thick, long lashes were black, despite the fact she was naturally a bleach blond and her eye brows were dark too, giving the impression she dyed her hair--which she didn't because it looked weird on wolf fur. Her neon yellow v-neck t-shirt showed her cleavage and her light jean jacket emphesized her curves, as well as her distressed, tight skinny jeans. Her leather ankle boots were the perfect accessory to show she was bad-ass.

[Eri]

He turned back to his guitar, looking down as his fingers strummed against the instrument. His hands ran up and down the neck of the guitar as he played, his brain at work to figure out how to answer. He wasn’t used to someone being so friendly straight up with him.

He nodded and shrugged, not honestly knowing how long he would be in the area. Days, weeks, months...years...not that he'd ever put much thought into it. He had heard that werewolves were in the area, which meant he would simply be there until he felt they were all gone. Sometimes the job would be easy, and just the sound of the name Amos in the wind would send them deep into hiding.

He doubted that, but he'd be extremely bored if they all ran away.

At her comment on him being 'cute', he visibly jumped in surprise. He missed a chord, and fumbled to get back into the song as his head turned to her again. He took a second survey of her. She looked to be taller than him, and he could see that she was also younger. She was also very pretty, and normally pretty girls stayed away from him. Well, sometimes. He was a little oblivious about it, but he was such an aggressive person others tended to stay away.

"I think you're a little blind." he stated, "I'm pretty sure cute is not in my description."

[Âłíșōñ]

Luschka laughed light-heartidly and sat up. She looked at him for a second before shaking her head and responding to his words. Ha, fine. You're sexy. That better? She asked wrinkling her nose with amusement. It was true. Whether he was a werewolf hunter or not, he was sexy. Touching his well-muscled arm, she shived slighty. Woah. That was weird. I'm not cold...or scared.

She pursed her lips and shrugged to herself. She laughed again and resumed her idiotic grinning. She had an amazing smile, with perfect teeth. It was really hard to find anyone with a mouth like hers. Her tongue was a perfect pink, her teeth a perfect shade of pearly white, her lips soft as a cloud. She sighed and layed back, assuming her original pose. Listening to the music again she closed her eyes and smiled. You play wonderfully, she said, opening her eyes to look into his hazel ones. Do you mind if I ask who taught you? She mused quietly.

[Eri]

When she smiled, he finally also let out a boyish grin. He looked roguish, and nudged her hand slightly when she touched his arm. "Sexy? That's much better." he said as he shook his hair from his eyes. Despite being a hunter, he had somehow managed to keep his face from being scarred. He had on a long-sleeved black shirt and loose fitting blue jeans, which did a good job at hiding the scars he did have.

He glanced at her hands, seeing that they were just as pretty as the rest of her. He would probably like hanging around this place if there were more pretty, nice girls like this around here.

At her next question, he glanced down and changed to a more Spanish tune, speeding it up to have a little fun. "My uncle hired teachers for me when I was six, and I was taught how to play by many people." he responded, glancing down at his bag. He was also taught how to kill by many people, though he couldn't remember any of their names. The geezer was the one who taught him most of what he knew, and the rest just thought he was a spoiled rich kid that wanted to learn how to beat people up. Well, they were partly correct.

"Do you play at all?" he asked, leaning back a bit more and visibly relaxing. He had been slightly tense, but was slowly getting more comfortable. He was actually asking a question too, which was strangely polite of him.

[Âłíșōñ]

Her heart thudded unsteadily when he nudged her hand. She nodded when he responded to her question. Noted. She stated, subconciously. She was still thinking about how he had shaken his hair from his eyes. It made her feel all warm inside. Wierd, she thought taking in this new observation of feelings she thought she didn't have. She saw him look at her hands and inside, she jumped up and down with satisfaction--but outside she just looked at the sky, pretending not to notice.

When he asked her if she played she grinned. She laughed thinking how it would be better to ask what she didn't play. Yes. Alot. Probably more instruments than you can say in one breath. I know I can't and I have very large lungs. She said chuckling a sexy laugh with an intriguing grin. I play piano, guitar, harp, flute, clarinet, trumpet, and the violin. I also play the cello and the viola. And I sing too. I also dabble in other instruments, but I only know a little. She fell silent, thinking of how many instruments she had mastered in the mere seven years she had been an orphan.

[Eri]

When she suddenly grew silent, his head tilted slightly in questioning. He finally stopped playing for a moment, resting his hands on top of his guitar before looking to the sky in thought. “I was classically trained to play the guitar, piano, violin, drums, trumpet, trombone…I picked up an ocarina when I was in Asia a year ago. I had to stop my lessons when I turned thirteen though for other, more important studies.” Such as archery and fencing. He had also been taught various languages at that time, and he could speak numerous dialects. He travelled a lot, and had to learn about the places he might be hunting in. Before you can train your body, you must train your mind.

Sadly, he knew his personality was more physical than his uncle would like, but he managed to live this long with it.

He turned to her and gave his boyish grin again, “It’s nice to meet another music enthusiast though.” He looked at the people walking by, a few giving him weird looks. He was a stranger, he knew. His anger flared momentarily, his brow creasing as his body turned rigid. He caught himself though, and relaxed again as he turned his attention back to her. “A couple people were laughing at me earlier. Apparently not everybody think I’m sexy like you do.”

[Âłíșōñ]

Lu smiled and very subtly scooched an inch closer. So slowly, that he might have not even noticed. But, of course, he would. He was a hunter after all. She smiled, ecstatic to find someone who could play alot of instruments like her. Likewise. She spoke with a tender tone, one that would suggest how much she felt for him if she hadn't quickly jumped into her next reply, but then again, he probably noticed that too. I'm glad to find someone who can play alot of instruments like me. We should have a jam session some time. she said chuckling.

When the humans walking by gave him funny looks she felt like growling at them, but knew if she did, they would piss their pants and Seth would slaughter her. So she restrained herself. How could they not see how amazing he was? She sighed and shook her head. If they can't see how sexy you are, than they are the blind ones. Take it from me. If I had the opportunity I would make out with you right away, no hesitation. They're just skeptic jack-asses and don't like to believe in the things that scare them most. Screw them. In the end, what's really going to matter is who you were in your life. Make the most of it and don't let a single moment go to waste. She smiled slyly when she saw a large guy with a beer in his hand.

Hey! You! She called to the big guy. He turned with a menacing look in her eye. She stared back with soul-piercing eyes. Bring me your beer. I'm thirsty, she said demandingly. Something about the confidence and leadership and dominence in her voice made the large man bring her his beer. Thanks She said taking a sip. She held out the bottle to Seth and winked. Want some? You know you do. she said with a devious grin.

[Eri]

He noticed her itch closer to her, but barely, and felt a sharp pang. This girl was extremely friendly, and he wasn’t sure what to make of it exactly. Twenty-five years of being raised to kill, and he only knew basic knowledge about intimacy. Well, not that he was completely innocent, but finding some random woman after a night out on the hunt was more of a way to relieve himself of possible nightmares. Today was not a workday though, and he had to keep reminding himself that only a crazed werewolf would attack him in such a public place.

“A jam session?” he pretended to mull it over, his face turning to one of doubt before he grinned and nodded. “Sure, though I only have my guitar with me. I can’t carry a piano on my back, and those electric ones just annoy me.”

He noticed her anger, and couldn’t help the smile that came from it. She had more spunk than he originally thought, though his face darkened slightly at her last statement. Make the most of it? How many people did he see killed by werewolves? How many times did he plunge a knife into one, watching and waiting, as it turned human as the life faded from its eyes? Nights spent on the forest floor, his own life dripping away as he wondered if he’d see the sun again? She didn’t know the half of it, but it wasn’t something he was going to be sharing anytime soon. He waved the thought away, jumping when she called the big guy.

When he turned, Seth couldn’t help but inflate himself with pure strength. His instincts to fight and protect came in, and he returned the menacing look with his own. It disappeared though when he saw her staring at him. Upon the beer delivery, he burst into a fit of laughter, taking the bottle that was offered and taking a deep swig before handing it back to her. “I swear, I thought you were going to cause a scene. You’re not just a little blind, you’re a little crazy too.” He said, managing to contain his laughter.

[Âłíșōñ]

Lu smiled at the thought of seeing him again and when he told her how the electric pianos annoyed him she broke out into laughter. Ditto, she said with a grin before taking a long sip of beer. Her heart thumped unsteadily and she slightly blushed when she thought of how they were sort of exchanging spit, sharing the same beer. Looking at his obvious amusement of her awesome skills she smiled a huge grin. Bite me, she said and took another swig.

Offering him more she took another two inches closer to him. She had made it larger this time because she was feeling bold. She so badly wanted to touch him in an intimate way--but she didn't want to scare him off. She looked into his amazing hazel eyes and blushed, a little deeper this time. She thought of her lips on his, how that might feel. She thought about how an embrace would change her view of the world. She stared, not realizing that she was slowly leaning in, but then a loud bang made her jump and she became aware of what she was doing.

She quickly sat up straight and sighed, wishing she could kiss him, but how could she? She barely knew him. And he was a werewolf hunter! How did she keep forgetting this?! Looking at the sky, she, for the first time ever, finally found herself at a lost for words. She twiddled her thumbs with her beer between her legs.

[Eri]

He raised a thick brow at her, "You're very bold. Are all girls around here like you?" he questioned as he took the offered beer and took another swig. In all honesty he wasn't very keen on alcohol. His uncle was a bit of a drunkard so he only drank every once in a while. He never drank in the daytime, but when a pretty girl is offering he had a little trouble refusing.

He was about to ask another question when a loud bang jerked his attention away. He looked in the direction of the noise, eyes narrowing as he waited to see if it would start again. If it sounded like danger, he'd have to leave his new acquaintance to investigate. It made him a little upset that he might have to leave, and irritation began to bubble within him.

As a hunter of the Amos family, he was more of a protector of mankind than an exterminator. He turned his attention back to her and noticed her twiddling thumbs. "Something wrong, Lu?"

[Âłíșōñ]

She looked up from twiddling her thumbs and looked at him, pursing her lips. Not alot of girls are like me, Seth. I'm one of a kind. She spoke with a soft grin but it faded, slowly. She listened and smelled the air discreetly so that he wouldn't notice. Regular hunter. Dead elk, she concluded. Sighing she looked at him again thought about his question. Should I tell him I want to kiss him? Ugh. I'm insane. She didn't know how to start.

Thinking, she pursed her perfectly pink and soft lips. Well...uh...I want to kiss you but I don't want to make things too awkward. And plus I just met you so I don't know what you would think of me afterwards. She blurted out. She turned and closed her eyes tightly. Damn I probably sound crazy. Sighing, she refused to look back at him, afraid of how he would react. She said it because that's how she felt and she always said things the way they were.

[Eri]

“Being unique isn’t a bad thing,” he commented, giving another smile. When he didn’t hear any more gunfire, he didn’t have to pursue the noise anymore. They were in a park though, so he didn’t like hunters so close to a place where they could possibly accidently shoot people.

Why the hell was he worrying about a deer hunter? There was an extremely pretty girl willingly sitting next to him. She had even been the one to get the alcohol, not him!

At her exclamation, he couldn’t help hesitating. He wasn’t sure if he had heard her right, but her sudden shyness was a giveaway that he had heard correctly. “Well, I think you’re a little blind, a little crazy, and very bold.” He said before leaning forward and gently placing his lips to her temple. “Though a pretty girl like you shouldn’t be asking strangers to kiss them.” He murmured into her ear, before moving back.

Smooth, he thought. Where the hell is this coming from?