|
Post by jarahamee on Mar 22, 2018 23:19:53 GMT -6
Ru sat down next to him, rearranging himself, and then focused on somewhere a little down from Ari's shoulder. He tried not to focus on his body or his face too closely, and then thought about it. Not from blood, but family. He wished he could say that much. Maybe he could make some new friends to be his new family. He rubbed his hands together and smiled in a way that made it more of a grimace.
"Well, my...I have a mom and a dad at home, and a sister. I can't visit them right now because it's too dangerous but I'd like to."
He would have liked to say, after all the elder vampires were destroyed and the mess was all settled, then, finally, he could go back and enjoy his life there again, but right now he could get all his family killed by showing up as a vampire and letting them know he was alive. Ru just held his hands up a little and frowned. What could he do anyways?
"...Maybe I'll meet your family someday. What are they like?"
|
|
|
Post by kilnarak on Mar 25, 2018 4:49:57 GMT -6
Ari held still while Ru sat down, trying not to fidget. The vampire didn't sit too close, which was good, but he was aware of the direction of the man's eyes. After a moment he shifted a little, pulling at the front of his jacket, turning up the collar.
He tried not to look too uncomfortable, though he breathed out a bit heavily when Ru answered - glad for the focus shifting to a subject that was not his neck. Still he adjusted his collar a little again, then moved his hand as if to scratch at the back of his neck - running his fingers over the brand there.
"Yeah, a sister? Older or younger? I guess uh... yeah. I guess that does make sense, that if you went to them you might attract unwanted attention on them... Are there uh... a lot of, you know, people... like that you left?"
He wondered if he knew them - though that was unlikely. He certainly had never seen Ru before tonight. He fidgeted a little, fingering the mark again, then bringing his hands back to the front to rest on the table.
"I uh. I mean maybe you could, if you want sometime. I'd uh, I'd probably need to talk to Marche about it first... I wouldn't wanna just... you know, surprise him with a guest, but uh. I donno. He's uh... He's my... We're... uh... a couple?" He stumbled a bit over the words, unsure of how to easily explain his relationship with Marchelute. He rapped his fingers against the table, looking down at them and worrying his lip as he thought. "He's... He's nice. I like him. He uh, kinda comes on strong though. But you don't seem like you'd bash heads with him so it'd probably be fine..." He glanced up at Ru again thoughtfully.
"There's uh. Kid too. Not mine or anything. Agency placed him there. He's okay, kinda creepy but... still a good kid. They're... the only ones usually at home, but depending on the day and time there can be others around..." He fidgeted again. "I'm not that great at, you know, describing people. But uh, I mean you'd probably get on okay?"
|
|
|
Post by jarahamee on Mar 25, 2018 14:44:18 GMT -6
Ru smiled faintly and noticed his not-particularly focused gaze was making him uncomfortable, and likely for a good reason. He forgot about the whole neck thing, and honestly, he had to admit, he seldom did bite there. When he had to, he had used a wrist, but he supposed that reputations would always linger. He chewed on his lower lip thoughtfully as he considered things. He sometimes looked at his family's social media accounts, wondering what they were doing. Almost a year from the supposed accident, and they had mostly gone back to how things were before. His anniversary, that of his 'death' was coming up soon, and he wondered if they were going to post to celebrate it in some way. They had already 'celebrated' his birthday this year without him, at his empty grave site, and he wished he could reach out to them, just to say something, or maybe to be a lingering ghost of comfort. What would the harm in that be?
He looked up at Ari's eyes, his expression difficult to read before he said, rather simply;
"Younger sister. Mother always says she looked a bit like me... We actually had a whole group though we all went our separate ways to avoid detection. Most of the older-sibling vampires don't care that much about us, but they do think that we may betray them and the older vampires to the rebel group. I just want to be away from this whole situation if I can.."
Ru had to say, the traitor had made this whole matter more difficult than it needed to be. They could have gone on without any intense attentions from others but here it was. Then, his eyes widened slightly. Oh, so he was with someone. Then, they could be friends, it was understandable.
"Oh! Oh, I would like to meet them. I am uh, not someone who creates conflict I hope... I don't think I'll be butting anyone's head."
|
|
|
Post by jarahamee on May 31, 2018 17:31:34 GMT -6
At that moment, someone who had been in the corner took a few steps closer, but anyone perceptive would notice their attention seemed to be focused on the two of them, but Ru more than anyone else.
|
|
|
Post by kilnarak on Jul 12, 2018 19:40:16 GMT -6
Ari nodded awkwardly at Ru's description of his family, the humans he could not go to visit and the vampires that he did not wish to see again. That latter was understandable, and he supposed he could understand not wanting to upset his human family, though he had nothing like that.
He smiled a little at Ru's interest in meeting his own 'family' - the vampire almost sounded excited. "I'll... Uh... I'll bring it up, when I head back. I mean it's probably fine. Just probably safest..." He caught his lip in his teeth, worried it a moment as he considered something. "How can I get in touch with you again, though? Do you have a phone or uh... I mean I guess we could just meet up again here or at that coffee place, set a date... Are you any good at hiking? Or can you... you know? Be uh, be an animal?" That had been one of the things that had drawn him to the coven, when he had been younger... But not all of them seemed able to do it...
Ari was almost too distracted speaking to notice a man approaching them - for all that they were in a quieter area of the club, there was still a lot of noise and movement around them. It was only when he realized that the man was approaching their table, moving in a direct line toward them did it strike him as strange. His head jerked up and he straightened, turning to look at the man. Not a regular, not someone he recognized - not someone who worked here. His fingers curled against his lap under the table.
"Yeah? You uh, you lost?" He tried not to sound nervous - there was no reason to be nervous here. Even if his old coven or Ru's came here... the Boss wouldn't let them start shit, right?
|
|
|
Post by jarahamee on Jul 13, 2018 22:23:51 GMT -6
Ru's eyes lit up just a little bit at the idea of meeting Ari's family. He had not met most of his friend's families but it was always a nice gesture when he was invited. It meant he was a trusted person, and it meant a lot for him to be trusted. He puffed out his thin chest, just a little, and smiled just a little more. It admittedly looked a little ghoulish in the light of the club, but how could he have known.
"Oh, I have a phone now. Uh, or we can meet at the coffee place on Monday if that is ok. Or uh, yes...I can be an animal. I can turn into a bat, and supposedly I can become a wolf too. I've never really succeeded."
He looked sheepish, and rubbed his arm just a little bit. His shapeshifting skills had never been the strongest, and he admitted, though he could shapeshift certain parts of his body into a more lupine form, he had never accomplished complete transformation. He had not become a wolf, and he was unsure how he would feel about becoming one either.
"...I can..um, talk to animals..."
He also seemed to notice the man, and if he could have, he would have blushed. He did not want this kind of attention, and he could feel the hard stare of another vampire watching from the shadows. Maybe a familiar vampire at that. It worried him. Why had they come to talk to him? He turned his head away and tried not to stare too hard. Then, the vampire strode over to meet them.
In the light, he could see; it was not anyone he recognized, but they did seem almost offended by his presence. A gaunt, pale face, and eyes that shone red in the dim lighting back here. Long black hair pulled back into a ponytail. The faint smell of blood. Ru suddenly realized, even if he was a stranger, often vampires were concerned with clans and lineage. A foreign vampire in someone else's turf, what did he expect?
The vampire stared down at him. An older, more experienced being. This was his first time here after all, and they were likely concerned about someone hunting in their grounds. How could he know Ru could not care less about hunting or prey. He looked at Ari, as if he was an afterthought, and frowned.
"I'm not lost, are.. you together?"
The voice that came out of the person was deeper than one might have anticipated. More so, the new person seemed suspicious, and actually somewhat concerned. If Ari had insight, he could read that he seemed to be wondering if Ari was charmed or if he was willingly here with Ru.
|
|
|
Post by kilnarak on Jul 13, 2018 22:58:38 GMT -6
"A bat or maybe a wolf? I guess uh... yeah that could work. That'd be quicker than hiking. I uh. I can too. I mean. Not a bat or a wolf. Uh. I'm a... a cat. But I learned how to be a bird too... but I don't see well at night as a bird so... I mean I guess I can just lead you on the ground, whichever you uh, you wanna be..." Ari glanced up at Ru, then down at the table, working out how they might get to the Bunker most easily.
His attention for that shifted when the man approached. At first he had thought he was just a human, but his scent was off, it put his hackles up. Ari straightened and fidgeted back, away from the stranger, his pupils dilating in fear.
"What-What's it to you?" His pulse thudded in his throat, his heart beating too fast and too hard. "I'm-I'm not working right now, but that doesn't mean I won't call Jade over if you-you start shit!"
|
|
|
Post by jarahamee on Jul 13, 2018 23:58:31 GMT -6
Ru stared back at the vampire. Maybe him being here raised too many questions. He would have held his breath if he could, but he had no breath to hold. He considered standing, but he knew that was more likely to trigger antagonistic actions... Was this vampire angry at him for being here, from another clan? Or concerned for Ari's sake? He could not tell. It could go either way. He looked like he wanted to say something, but instead, a small strangled sound came out of him.
"Uh... H..yes..."
He stumbled far too much. He had lost the ability to feel adrenaline, but that did not mean he lost his ability to feel fear. His long claws dug into his palms.
The vampire paused, seeming surprised by the pointed reply from Ari, the supposedly helpless victim. He took a single step back, and his lips drew back in a slight snarl, flashing his fangs. He did not want to attract security. Even if vampires were welcome here, there was no good in angering the management. He withdrew.
"... Nevermind."
Ru looked relieved to see the other vampire go, but he didn't speak until he was out of sight. He smiled at Ari, and then released his...held...breath? He would have blushed if he could, but instead he tapped Ari's hand as if in support. His expression softened. The tension he had not notice he had held released.
"Th...thanks."
He was not sure what kind of trouble would have been started, but he was glad it was all headed off now. He noticed he had not asked Ari if he wanted such contact, and he pulled away.
|
|
|
Post by Salandis on Jul 14, 2018 18:42:24 GMT -6
Moana had been amused when Ari returned with a friend, but it was normal enough here. When you work at a place where others usually go to unwind, sometimes work and play overlapped a little. The rules on that were simple: Staff off duty were treated as well as any other guest by staff on duty, and staff off duty limited themselves as guests and did not go outside patron areas of the club. It worked fairly well, and applied equally to casuals and contractors – however you fit the description.
Of course that broke down a little when incidents occurred, but… well, that’s what the concealed cameras were for. The enchantments on them that caught any being cost a bunch too, and Moana was less than pleased by how she looked on them. Still, it caught every irregular customer immediately, and the posted guard advised the rest of security through their intercom system.
Indeed, her ear-bud updated her that Jade was already having a little chat with the other party. Bystander interventions were laudable, if that’s what it was, but in this place it was quite safe to leave any problems with security. With luck that vampire would take it as another indication of just how good this club was, and perhaps become a regular.
She herself slid into a seat at the table with Ari and his slender guest, and smiled. She was well dressed, in a clinging black one-piece that covered just enough to stay professional, her hair braided tightly and flowing over her shoulder. She was wearing her favourite slim gold chain earrings with a matching necklace.
“Couldn’t stay away Ari?” She said lightly. “I’ll put your next drink on my tab.” She turned her attention to the newcomer, and her smile became apologetic.
“I am sorry for any interruption,” She started. “The owner of the premises desires that every guest should feel as welcome and safe here as if they were at their own home.” She paused, leaning forward over the table, then went on. “As this club caters to a broad range of clients, I would also like to advise you that donated blood is available from the bar – just talk to Jade.”
|
|
|
Post by kilnarak on Jul 19, 2018 1:15:35 GMT -6
Ari sat still and straight, the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end - the most he could do to raise his hackles like this. Most vampires made him uncomfortable, afraid, and this one was no different. He wasn't sure what he would do, exactly, if the man had pressed him - he wasn't sure he'd make it across the room to Jade, though he knew security would come eventually. He didn't want to panic, but just not wanting wasn't enough to stop him from panicking anyway.
Luckily, the strange vampire left without causing any more of a scene. Ari remained tense for a few moments, then slowly seemed to deflate, relaxing and sinking into his seat. He straightened a little when Moana appeared, sliding into a seat across from him - he hadn't noticed her approach and it startled him a little, but he smiled a bit nervously at her all the same. He liked Moana, even if she tended to set off his 'LARGER PREDATOR!' alarms.
"Mn. I, uh... We... I don't know. I know you uh, you all look after me so... and I know this place is open all night, so it seemed uh... I mean a good place to go to... chat?" He finished his little speech a bit lamely, baring his teeth in a brief grimace at his inadequacy to properly articulate what he meant.
"This, uh. This is Ru. We just met, at a coffee place. You know the one a bit down from here on the big street? It's still real crowded this time of night, I guess all the people gettin' off night shifts-- Um. But. Yeah. Uh..." Ari paused, realizing he was rambling. He drew a deep breath, breathed out slow, then tried again. "Uh. Yeah. So. Ru, Moana. Moana, Ru. Introductions. I'm... no good at this..."
He sunk down a little again, slouching his shoulders. "But uh, I'm um, I'm glad you showed up, Moana. I mean uh, I just saw you like an hour ago but it's... still good to see you?" He bared his teeth in another quick flinch of a grimace. He could still feel his heart in his throat, and that nervousness wasn't making conversation any easier.
|
|
|
Post by jarahamee on Jul 20, 2018 1:45:31 GMT -6
Ru watched him leave, and would have sighed with relief at how anti-climactic it all was. Whether the other vampire had been motivated by protecting Ari, or was simply picking a fight because he was a vulnerable fellow, he would never know, but he was glad that Ari was willing to stand up for...well, one of them, possibly both of them.
He shared a gaze that conveyed both anxiety and mutual relief with Ari. The sustained eye contact remained until the strange woman approached them. He studied her briefly: As tall as the both of them, maybe a little taller, with a lot of confidence. She was a carnivore amid two timid...well...other carnivores. He then looked sheepish when he realized that this person knew the two of them, and looked down at his feet before offering his hand.
Ru's grey-blue eyes still looked nervous when he replied:
"It's...It's good to meet you. H..hi. You um, you also work here.."
He could guess from the familiarity between the two, and smiled gently, close-lipped. It was only polite not to bare teeth unless he needed to. He may not have changed much with the transformation, but he still knew when and when not to show his teeth.
|
|
|
Post by Salandis on Jul 28, 2018 1:28:31 GMT -6
Moana listened carefully to Ari's ramble, offering him an encouraging smile. Tired, she decided. Probably a little spooked, either by the city or the incident - but not from his new friend. He made the introductions, and Moana smiled in return to Ru, the careful tooth hidden smile of a predator. Quite unlike that rather rude guest that Jade was still dealing with. She shook the vampires hand without flinching, then leaned back a little.
“I am afraid I am still on the clock.” She said with a sigh, looking at her wristwatch. “But…” She raised her hand to her ear, and murmured quietly into her earpiece. When her hand came back down to the table it was still empty – but the earpiece was gone. She smiled again. “Turns out I was due a break, and how could I turn down such lovely company? If you don't mind me being here a few minutes, anyway.” She crossed her legs under the table, relaxing into the chair.
“Well welcome to Lucid, Ru. As Ari already said, it’s a nice quiet location that tries its best to be a haven in the city centre. Have you been in Wathais long?”
|
|
|
Post by kilnarak on Aug 1, 2018 17:38:59 GMT -6
"I don't mind, um. So long as it's not, you know, a problem." Ari flashed Moana a quick grin. "I uh, I am glad to see you. I mean, I already said that... but... Yeah."
He quieted himself, catching his lip in his teeth a moment and worrying at it. He glanced from Moana to Ru, watching the vampire now instead. He was curious how Ru would answer, and... well... it kept him from from rambling awkwardly again.
|
|
|
Post by jarahamee on Aug 1, 2018 21:03:48 GMT -6
Ru reflexively hard-swallowed, and crossed his legs, leaning back into his chair as he reflected on things with a certain kind of steady focus. He was a little intimidated by Moana, but she was being friendly, and he liked that. He would do his best to make a good impression. He swept his thin fingers through his hair and crossed a hand over his abdomen.
"Uh, well, no, actually. I just got here a few weeks ago, and got a new job and an apartment and everything."
He would have blushed with all the attention that was focused on him, but he could not anymore, and he was thankful for it. He instead looked back at the both of them with obvious shyness and continued.
"I um, it's good to meet you guys."
|
|
|
Post by Salandis on Aug 6, 2018 21:27:58 GMT -6
Moana was about to respond when Meliae arrived, tray in hand. Moana grinned up at the dryad: She was a rare bird, strictly ‘club only’, who was very well liked. She even got along well with Frankie! Needless to say Mel and Moana got along fabulously. Moana collected her own drink, an iced tea, and sat back again with a sigh.
“Ah yes, I remember when I first got here too. Travel visa in one hand, minor stipend in the other, and sleeping in a park for my first week straight.” She grimaced. “It sounds like the process has improved a bit, though.” She sipped at her tea. “Ari had a bit of a rough start too, but now is somehow doing fantastic for himself. I’ve heard of that mountain manor house.” She smiled to take any sting out of her words. “You’ll have to score me an invite out there sometime!”
Somewhat to her own surprise, she found she rather liked Ari. The kid had good instincts, if nothing else: She had never been anything but a club employee and an aide to The Boss around him, but he always seemed to know she was capable of much more than just shifting.
“So Ru, are you liking the city so far? It’s an orderly kind of place. The Underground is pretty great too, although it can be a bit unnerving.” She laughed. “Almost everyone down there has no disguise charm, turns it off, or displays non-human traits out of embarrassment. I won’t lie, my first time down there was pretty overwhelming.” She sipped out of her tea again, making a waving motion with her other hand. “The shops down there are incredible, though. It’s worth just going down to browse, you will find things for sale you never even dreamed of.”
|
|