friday night big screen | OPEN

Hector wasn’t sure whether he was too old for such a party. Despite his forever youth, he was pushing 763. Did he want to spend his evening surrounded by out-of-control young mortals who couldn’t handle their liquor? He also came to check out the competition for the evening. Word had been circulating around the tiny town that Mystic Grill was hosting an event and everyone was talking about it. Once piled with alcohol he was hoping the patrons would stumble over to the Ruby Slipper to spend their hard-earned money, helping his business to boom.

On arrival, he was presented with a glowstick. Green, orange or red. He wasn’t particularly looking for someone to share his bed with that evening, but if the opportunity presented itself. With that, he took the green one and fastened it around his wrist. A swift nod to the employees on the door before he headed inside.

The sound of the music and beating hearts was deafening.

It wasn’t on the same scale as the Ruby Slipper but still a decent party. Already the smell of alcohol and sweat clung to the air, as people were already letting go of their inhibitions whilst knocking back the shots. He weaved through the crowds, naturally heading for the bar, his tongue yearning for the taste of alcohol. “Two shots of whiskey and rum and coke” He spoke as the bartender drew closer, not that the dark liquid would have any impact on him, rather warming his stomach and placate his hunger for a short period of time. The bartender placed the shot glasses down on the bar and Hector drew his wallet out, pulling his card out to pay for the drinks. Simple tap, that’s all it took to pay for things nowadays. Fingers curled around the nearest shot glass as he brought it up to his lips to knock back the liquid before repeating the same with the second glass.

Running his tongue across his top lip, collecting the escaped droplets of alcohol he twisted his body back around to study the crowd out on the dancefloor. No one important in his eye line. No one that sparked his interest, not that he was looking for anyone specific. Maybe just a human to keep him busy for a few hours. He reached back to pick up his remaining drink. Gingerly he took a sip. Not strong enough, as always.

Another scan of the bodies, but his interest was sparked this time. A familiar face amongst the sea of strangers. The strobe lights were in full force, but he was certain it was Andy out there. She too moving through the revellers, sweeping drinks up unnoticed to those around her. With another sip of his drink, Hector laced his way through the bodies before reaching Andy. A smirk tugged at the corners of his lips as he watched the witch work her fingers around an unattended flute. He moved a little closer to Andy as she went to claim her free champagne. Swiftly, he took hold of her wrist though loosen his grip as she pulled back, contents of the glass shedding on the person behind. “Still up to your old tricks I see Andy”


ANDY LATIMER - hope this works

Over the years he had picked up his fair share of trinkets and interesting pieces of jewellery, either by way of deception, thieving or simply purchasing. Pirates had an eye for all things shiny and expensive looking and Hector was no exception but slowly he turned his attention towards cold hard cash. Cutting out all the bullshit of having to find a buyer for his stolen goods, instead just going straight for the good stuff. The boring stuff he unloaded onto various pawn shops around America, but kept the good stuff for New Orleans. The place that had magic flowing through the streets. People there were interested in the magical items he’d picked up, including Andy. Bits that had no use to a vampire but plenty to a witch.

Andy offered fair prices for his goods the first time they met, in turn Hector went back to her on various occasions. Eyes were everywhere in New Orleans, everyone was up in everyone’s busy so there was no surprise when Hector was yanked into a dark alleyway one night by a warlock, telling him to stay away from Andy. She had been banished by the magic community and if he was ever caught trading goods with her again he’d pay the price.

Hector didn’t ask any questions though. He was the type to stick to his own corner, refusing to be entwined with witch and warlock related business. Whilst he could snap their necks in an instant it wasn’t worth having a coven coming after you, especially one from New Orleans.

Of course Andy had found her way to Mystic Falls though. It was just a smaller boring version of New Orleans. Another place infused with magic and supernaturals. It was apparent she wasn’t pleased to see the vampire though. The glass she was holding dropped to the floor, causing him to step back a fraction not wanting to get champagne on his shoes. It was too late though as droplets lay on the fabric, his sigh lost in the music. He glanced back at the witch, an emotionless smile on her face causing his own lips to twist into a smirk, “I was just doing as I was told” He held his hands up in defence, “I was told you’ve been ostracised by the magic community and I wasn’t to deal with you anymore… I don’t tend to mess with your kind… doesn’t end well for anyone” Hector shrugged, feeling his explanation was enough, “What brings you to Mystic Falls anyway? Trying to get a pardon?”


ANDY LATIMER

Hector simply rolled his eyes at her sarcastic comment regarding his humour. He could have minded his own business, staying perched at the bar but he couldn’t resist the urge to show his face to Andy. Part of him was looking to rub salt in an old wound.

The drinks clearly had an effect on Andy and if he had to guess she had yet to reach her hand in her pocket to pay for one, instead sweeping up one's revellers had carelessly left unattended. It was a quality he had grown to admire in the young witch, though he’d taken a step back from those sort of antics in recent times, in an attempt to live a trouble free life. Emerald City had brought a stack of trouble to his doorstep though. Detectives poking their noses in and asking too many questions about the bar. All illegal activity had been swept under the carpet by this point and on the face of it, the bar was just that. A bar.

His lips parted, as he was about to defend himself. He’d never messed with witches, as such. Some of them had proven rather useful in recent years. Instead, he remained silent as Andy continued, a smirk still traced on his lips

A coward - A creature

Of course the witches and warlocks were quick to throw the term creature back at the vampires. As though they were some kind of parasite, often forgetting it was their kind who introduced such creatures to the world. Hector shrugged, his eyes drifting down to Andy’s hand for a second before looking back at her, “I’ve seen what you witches can do when you get your hands on spell books… hexes and curse....” He shook his head, a low hum in his throat, “No thank you” He wasn’t stupid, aware that a witch could make his life a living hell by a simple wave of their hand.

He watched as she reached back for a glass before being batted away by someone else. She twisted back to him, barking a question at him. He cocked an eyebrow, “Not like you to be sloppy” He quipped. His eyes darted past Andy on the people behind who were whispering amongst themselves. It didn’t seem like they were buying her act.

Hector wasn’t too bothered as to why Andy was in town, but her demand for drink had him chuckling. He looked down at her, pondering for a second longer than needed, “Fine” He responded in a low voice, no attempt to raise it over the pounding music. “Nothing too expensive” His voice was a little louder this time, but it was an empty request, knowing the witch would probably opt for something pricey. As though he owed her something. With a swift nod towards the bar he turned back, making his way through the crowd. Squeezing between the intoxicating humans until he reached the bar.

“Whiskey and coke with ice please” He spoke as the employee drew closer him, “And whatever this lovely lady would like”


ANDY LATIMER

Eyes narrowed at Andy’s suggestion she was being purposely sloppy. Just another way to secure a drink, but this time off Hector. A slim chance he’d just fallen into her trap like a fly to a venus plant. He lingered for just a moment longer, studying Andy’s face. Waiting for her to falter, but as always she was wearing her best poker face. Her stone-cold expression looking back at his own. Though he doubted her words he didn’t refuse to buy her a drink. With a wallet thicker that remained mysteriously thick, he didn’t mind parting with a few notes for an old friend. It was clear Andy was still sour about the past though, which was understandable. He too would have been furious if someone cut off his business ties overnight.

As he moved through the crowd the heat emanating off the moving body was making his skin feeling uncomfortable underneath his shirt. Soon as he reached the bar he peeled his blazer off, draping it over his left arm. He glanced over at Andy, a grin on his face as she spoke, “The day I run out of money is the day hell freezes over” Money was what made the world tick round and contrary to people’s dismissing comments, it did make a person happy. He was happier in his lavish apartment, surrounded by pricey goods, than a small grey motel room he’d resided in when he arrived in Mystic Falls. He was now making himself at home in the town.

With business booming at the club as well there was no slowing down for Hector.

His eyes left Andy for a moment as the bartender took her order. A quiet laugh at her request for good vodka. He turned his attention back to Andy as the employee disappeared to make their drinks. Hector slid onto the chair next to Andy, placing his blazer on the bar as Andy went on to explain why she was in town. To kill William. He raised his eyebrows, he was surprised, “You sound very sure of yourself…” A plan that she was certain wouldn’t fail, not that he doubted her. If he were Andy it would have been a plan he executed a long time ago but there was no harm in being patient.

But what did pique in his interest was William’s daughter being drawn in as an accomplice. He titled his head by a fraction, “Does his daughter know you’re about to drag her along?” Going against her own flesh and blood. Despite having a nonexistent relationship with his own father he couldn’t imagine taking his life. A swift nod to the bartender as he returned with their drinks. Hector manoeuvred a bit as he pulled his wallet out of his trouser pocket, sliding his card out to hand over to the employee, “Can you start a tab, please” The bartender took the card as Hector twisted back round to face Andy.


ANDY LATIMER

There wasn’t much in the way of originality at the blacklight party. A concept that had been reused many times before, but always fun nonetheless. Females dressed head to toe in green in the hopes of making someone jealous or vice versa. Hector always found himself drifting towards the females in orange. The ones who apparently could be persuaded by the right person. He considered himself to be the type of person who could persuade another, especially the females. He knew the right words to say and the right things to do. Of course, he’d picked up a few tricks along the way, but times had changed and Hector needed to change with the times. Women were not looking for husbands, someone who was able to give them a healthy happy family, rather they were just looking for a good time. Something which he was able to provide.

A short chuckle at her question, as he rested comfortably on the bar, dark eyes on the witch. Her low soothing voice as she leaned closer, asking if he’d changed his name, “I only changed my name once in the 60s” His voice was a normal level, after all, the humans surrounding them were as ignorant as always. In the end, he didn’t like the sound of his fake name rolling off his tongue. George Atwell. It didn’t have the same ring. “I was born into a wealthy family, yes, but none of that wealth followed me when I left England” It was hard to claim his parents' wealth after they passed when he too was presumed dead. The money only started rolling when he joined the seas as he discovered how much people would pay to get something, or someone, from A to B. “Contrary to popular belief I have worked for some of money. Butcher in London… stonemason in France… investment banker in New York... I also served in the army and fought in four wars”[/b] People had started to wise up when it came to the Second World War and men started to question how they’d seen Hector get shot but there was not a single bullet wound on his body.

Indeed, Andy was always sure of herself. The corners of his lips twitched into a smirk as she looked back at him. “Good, otherwise you’ll fail. If you tell yourself a plan is going to work, it will” Usually through sheer willpower for Hector. The moment he stepped into the Ruby Slipper he told himself it was going to be his soon.

Hector took a sip of his drink as Andy spoke, running his tongue along his bottom lip to collect the leftover liquid. “Aw, it’s no fun when they’re willing” He joked, a slight smile on his face as he reached for a napkin out of the dispenser nearby. With a quick shake, he straightened the napkin out before placing it on the bar and setting his glass down on top. “So what’s your plan? Kill William then what?” The magic community wasn’t about to open Andy back with open arms.

A sigh escaped him as he watched Andy knock her drink back. Not a single drop left behind. “I guess enjoying your drink is overrated nowadays” Mirroring her, he too lifted his glass, letting the contents run into his mouth and down his throat. Another short laugh at her compliment, “No need to sweet talk free drinks out of me… just don’t get too drunk because I won’t carry you home” He twisted his head to face the bartender, “Same again, but make it a double”


ANDY LATIMER