It was all I could do not to scream when I saw the state Liam was in. His face was bruised and bloodied, clothes torn, limping and he held his side gingerly, the parts of his face not the deep blue-black of fresh bruises, a nasty grey-white. Not asking anything about it was even harder, but I decided not to complain. This time. 

"It might be nothing but a woman out there gave me the creeps in the too-much-attention kinda way if you know what I mean."

I rolled my eyes as I went, vampire-speed, to investigate. If it was giving Liam the creeps then it was something. When I saw what, or rather who it was, I cursed steadily all the way back to Liam. 

"We're about to have a visitor. Stay here." 

I knew Liam wouldn't listen, he never did, but I hoped that he would. The shock of flaming copper hair making its determined way up to our door was unfortunately unmistakable. I just had time to flick the TV on and slip my half-swords behind the door when the knock came. I waited a couple of seconds and then opened the door. I registered a stream of curses coming from Liam before I shut them out. Unbidden, a typed sheet of print rose in my mind's eye while we engaged in an exchange reminiscient of wildcats with barely sheathed claws. 

NAME/ALIAS: Imogen.
SPECIES/DETAILS:Vampire of around 100 years old. Turned around 80 years ago. Sire, unknown. 
MOTIVATION:  One-time lover of the shape-shifter Liam, previously the consort of another vampire, identity uncertain.Turned Hunter after an incident around 50 years ago, involving the shape-shifter and tunknown associate(s). 
KNOWN ASSOCIATES: None outside Hunters. 
KNOWN ABILITIES: None beyond vampirism and Hunter training. 
ESSENTIAL DETAILS: Known to be prone to extreme emotional outbursts.
WARNING: TARGET IS KNOWN TO BE HIGHLY VOLATILE AND HIGHLY DANGEROUS. APPROACH WITH CAUTION. 

The final phrase always rang clearly in my mind. APPROACH WITH CAUTION. The bleak typeface somehow made it worse. As though the warning itself, to me, legendary bounty hunter The Shadow, was not bad enough. They never warned me with caution. The sparse information was also disturbing. Too many 'unknowns' and 'uncertains'. Usually, the orders came in a dossier several inches thick. They had dossiers on every known contact, down to the one-time barrista in the target's local coffee house. The single sheet, the lack of information, the only job I didn't complete. And now, she was here. My hand automatically strayed to my swords. I stayed my hand previously due to the unforseen influence Liam had exerted and a desire to cause him as little pain as possible. I had regretted it ever since. 

And now, she was bringing it all up. She actually had the nerve to smirk, over-confident in the safety of the exposed doorstep, in full veiw of the street.

 "As I remember, we parted company with you vowing revenge while bleeding to death somewhere in the Australian Outback." Vampires have long memories. It is considered impolite to bring up past grievances. To build up a hatred like that between Imogen and myself, we had to put real work into it. The hundreds of clashes we'd had over the years had always ended in a manner that was...unsatisfactory.

Imogen played a parody of someone looking back on fond memories. "I remember. You seem to have forgotten the legion of Hunters that descended on you and followed you for around fifty years after." 

"Yeah, I knew we should have decapitated you when we had the chance." I was more than angry now. My patience was frayed.

 "Problem?" 

"Just a pathetic turncoat vampire who is still hung up on a one-night stand." 

I saw from the sudden change in her expression that I had scored a direct hit.

"It was five months!" Her voice, already higher than average, ascended to octaves best reserved for bats. 

I shrugged, inwardly triumphant "Still a traitor. Working with the Hunters."

Imogen glowered darkly. "Says the exiled bounty hunter. I wonder if Zelthar knows how his pet is doing these days?" 

I practically growled at that one. Zelthar had been my 'handler' before I retired as the Shadow. He hadn't taken it well and promptly exiled me, making me Vampiric Public Enemy Number One. It was quite an honor. "Get out, before I make life really difficult for you." I let my old habits creep back, using subtle techniques to intimidate her.

Imogen smiled again, though her thoughts raced like a panicked rabbit. "Didn't you know? I'm moving in. I'm sure we'll be really good neighbours." 

I slammed the door. ^&@% subtle, her laugh had pissed me off to heights I'd only attained once, fifty years ago. 

I only picked up the fact that I was swearing when I saw the expression on Liam's face. After a brief discussion, I allowed myself to be persuaded to go over to Cody's. 

Cancer answered my knocking, dressed only in jeans, cuts and bruises and looking grumpier than usual. He took one look at me, dressed in old Shadow uniform, a long coat concealing my weapons and tossed a comment over his shoulder.

"Cody. Yours I believe." 

The surge of anger I felt at his dismissive comment was almost eclipsed by the storm of rage and fear Imogen's appearance had stirred up. 

Cody appeared quickly, appearing chilled and just as good-looking as I'd left him, a few hours before. 

"Thought you were coming over in the morning." He gave me a smile that I loved before I pulled him close to me, closing my eyes against his chest. Surprised, he returned the sentiment, kissing the top of my head. I breathed in his smell for a few moments, before I had calmed enough to let him bring me into the living room. Aria, Cancer and Rayn were all there. Rayn sprang up to greet me cheerfully. I forced a smile for him even as my eyes found Aria. She had registered the clothing and looked at me. 

"I think y'all got some explainin' to do, Asha." She said softly. 

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Author guidance for This exercise

Alley
Name: Aria
Age: 17 (appearance) 166 (actual)
Species: Vampire
Appearance: Loose black curls that fall halfway down her ribs. Eyes that change colour. Tanned skin. Hourglass figure. Very toned and athletic.
Personality: Very bright and positive, nothing really gets her down. Seems like an airhead but is actually very intelligent and knows how to get what she wants. Can survive on little blood and little sleep.
Other: A Southern belle. Worked in a circus with her parents when she was human as a contortionist. Fell in love with a Confederate soldier who turned out to be a vampire.

Name: Denver
Age: 18
Species: Human
Powers: Poison generation, Night vision and Pyrokinesis
Appearance: Chin length black hair which is usually tied back in a kind of messy ponytail. Almost luminous green eyes. Pale skin. Quite muscular. Around 6 foot.
Personality: A little negative at times, he's usually easy to get along with. Can seem a little quiet at first but isn't afraid to voice his opinions and get his point across.
Other: Disowned by his parents and stopped using his surname because of it.

Name: Emrys Cooper
Age: 19
Species: Immortal
Appearance: Messy dark blonde hair. Bright blue eyes. Kind of pale skin. Tall and thin.
Personality: Has an attitude problem. Usually the first to start an argument and the first to strike a punch. Kind of a nice guy once you get to know him.
Other: Smoker. Part Welsh. Has an older brother, Ianto. Lost his mother in childbirth and is neglected by his father because of it.

Burnthestars
Name: Cody Walker
Age: Eighteen (appearance) twenty-five (actual age)
Species: Vampire
Appearance: Messy, ear length black hair, grey eyes, kinda skinny, pale, generally wears jeans, a t-shirt and Vans, about 5'10", snakebite piercings and 20mm ear stretchers.
Personality: Fairly happy most of the time, a little shy, quick to make friends, but slow to trust people, has an occasionally mean streak, impulsive, loyal, protects his brother fiercely.
Other: bi-sexual, can sing and play guitar, high school dropout, though he can be intelligent and work through most problems if he puts his mind to it. Rayn is his younger brother. Training to be an elementary school teacher.

Name: Rayn Walker
Age: Nineteen (appearance and actual)
Species: Human
Appearance: Shoulder length black hair, brown eyes, wears skinny jeans and a band t-shirt unless he is cross dressing, very small, about 5'2", petite figure, feminine features. No piercings or tattoos.
Personality: Bubbly, hyper, very friendly. Can be shy or reduced to tears very quickly. Has learnt loyalty from Cody.
Other: asexual, plays guitar, graduated high school, obsessed with squirrels. Takes drugs and previously abused by his father.

Name: Luca Taylor, aka 'Cancer'.
Age: Nineteen
Species: Human.
Appearance: Short spiky brown hair, hazel eyes, dresses similarly to Rayn, muscular/very toned, tanned, 6'1", eyebrow piercing, tribal style tattoos.
Personality: mistrusting, cold to most, and can be an ass. Not someone to get on the wrong side of. Very temperamental.
Other: homophobic, can pick up how to play most instruments fairly easily, prefers to sing. Has telekinesis and healing abilities. Best friends with Rayn

CrystalRose
Name: Jake
Age: 22 years old.
Species: Immortal
Appearance: Short cut, spiky brown hair that is very ruffled. Bright Blue eyes which are always wide and open with a hint of curiosity in them. Strong jaw and firm features. He is very muscular. Quite Tall 6"1.
Personality: Very protective of those he loves. He is very kind and caring. Can play guitar very easily and has an average singing voice. When he gets angry he acts quick and almost stupidly but doesn't ever hurt anyone. Is a great climber and can fly a jet plane.
Other: He is gay but only discovered after breaking up with his fiancée who broke his heart. He wants to have a proper relationship but also finds himself not wanting to be tied down completely. Has the power to heal.

Name: Mery
Age: 19 years old (Body) 2450 years old (Lived)
Species: Vampire
Appearance: Long flowing chestnut brown hair which falls in waves to halfway down her back. Her eyes are a dark brown scorched with red. Her skin is pale and she's slim with curves. Stands at 5"7.
Personality: Can be a bit arrogant at times. Is very protective of herself and her friends. She doesn't like to be questioned and always knows if someone's lying. She doesn't like people being sad and always has to cheer them up.
Other: She's been best friends with Jake since she found him in an alleyway trying to save some newbie vampire. She has complete respect for him and he is like a brother to her. Doesn't believe in love since she had her heart broken by the person who made her a vampire.

Wittick Tomson a.k.a Witt
Species: Vampire
Age: Body is 19 but has lived for 1200 years
Looks: Short cut dark red hair which unless the sun shines on it seems black with a red tinge to it. Eyes are violet which seems like amethysts when he becomes hungry and his fangs grow out. Pale skin which is the colour of the moon when it is full. He's about 6"2
Personality: Is slightly arrogant and enjoys a good joke. Seems to be able to charm any lady he likes. When he cares for someone and respects them he is honest, caring and polite. Has a firm anger.
Other: Wants to find his human soul mate. He has strong telepathy.

Stargazer
Name: Rosalita Sophia Alexandria
Age: 21
Species: Sorceress
Appearance: Spanish, dark brown eyes, tanned skin, black hair. Slim, and medium height. Generally wears shorts or jeans and a nice top but will go for dresses on nights out and special occasions.
Personality: Cheerful, but has a temper on her. Fiercely loyal but careful to make friends. Cold exterior which makes her seem inapproachable, but she is actually nice and funny if she decides she likes you.
Other: Natural magic (elemental)

jabberwocky11
Name: Isaac
Age: 45
Type: mentally ill man who is obsessed with fish
Personality: Bubbly, Funny, Hyperish, Loud, Shy to women.
Other: lives with his sister, Gabrielle. Is in love with neighbour, Carla.

Name: Gabrielle
Age: 46
Personality: Kind, Shy, Strong, Nice.
Other: Lives with brother, Isaac and is in book club with Carla

Name: Carla
Age: 30
Personality: Kind, Shy, Low Self Esteem, Caring, Nice.
Other: Loves to read, in book club with Gabrielle and helps with Isaac.

LairdTom
Name: Mel, short for Melothil
Gender: Male
Species: Human
Age: Unknown to anybody, roughly late twenties
Occupation: Hitman
Appearance: Black hair in a short ponytail, average height, quite slender but deceptively strong, agile, grey eyes, olive skin with a small scar on his right eyebrow.
Personality: He appears to be a gentle man who gets along with children very well, and is popular with most adults. However, he's also a hitman, so he's actually quite ruthless and brutal, but only when necessary. He takes contracts from wherever and whoever he can get them from, and sometimes acts as a vigilante, attacking members of organised crime that work against him or any of his allies. He is, however, still a criminal.

moonwalker
Name: David Larson
Age: 28
Species: Human ghost
Personality: strong, athletic, smart, outgoing. Loves his wife Emily more than life itself.
Appearance: about 6' 2". Very blonde, with fair skin, blue eyes, muscular, built like a tank.
Occupation: Police detective
Other: David was murdered while mowing his lawn on a riding mower. He returned as a ghost to help his best friend and partner, Kyle Maxwell find his killer.

Name: Kyle Maxwell
Age: 29
Species: Human
Personality: quiet and introspective, a bit bookish. Good sense of humour. Very organized.
Appearance: about six feet, reddish brown hair, brown eyes, a few freckles. Built like a lineback, which is what he played in high school.
Occupation: Police detective, and David's partner, before and after he died.
Other: He helps David run the investigation to find David's killer

HannaKingdom
Name: Asha aka The Shadow
Race: Vampire (Bounty Hunter)
Personality: Reserved, feircely loyal, tough but a softie deep down. A romantic who cares deeply about the people she calls her friends.
Other: Skilled with her half-swords, trained assassin. Also can read minds and project thoughts.
Looks: Blue eyes, curly black hair, pale skin. Always dressed in black. Slim, dancer's build and a little over average height.

Name: Liam
Race: Shapeshifter
Personality: Friendly, enjoys a laugh, a 'big brother' figure, protective with a fierce temper when annoyed
Looks: (human) Dark, longish, messy hair, lean but strong, tall, looks about 20. In all forms has bright green eyes that are very distinctive.
Other: Can take the form of any animal and most people at will. Also immortal and Asha's room-mate.

Name: Imogen
Age: looks about 20, is in fact nearly 100
Species: Vampire (Hunter)
Personality: Short-tempered, feisty, always up for a fight, sneaky, vindictive, highly unpleasant.
Other: Hates Liam and Asha. Hunts and kills or captures all supernatural beings of any description. Moved onto the Street to spy on the people there and generally cause havoc.

updated Jul 25 '11 by Alley