Ishtar
Wed 09:19PM EST
How true. Hmm... it should be sometime soon, in the next few weeks. What Family do you hail from? Might help in finding those specific friends.
Pearce
Wed 09:22PM EST
We've known each other five minutes and already you want to meet my family? I didn't know we'd hit it off so well. *chuckles* I suppose you wouldn't really want to meet them. They're hillbillies. Like the Beverly kind.
Ishtar
Wed 09:24PM EST
Ahh, you are a Wanderer, then? We have a few of your Family about. **she smirks** Well, it would be nice for me to be able to say you were well-accounted for if any of those ;in charge' were to ask me. *she shrugs* Up to you, however...
Pearce
Wed 09:27PM EST
*looks a little bemused* Wanderer? Yeah, I guess you could call me that. I mean, I did just wander into town. But I don't really care to get ahold of my 'folks' just now. Maybe I'll track them down on my own. *shakes his head, still kind of chuckling*
Red Eric
Wed 09:31PM EST
"Aw, whassa matter," an exaggeratedly concerned coo as Red Eric hoists himself up on the stool on the other side of Pearce, "family issues cropping up?" Wham, his open palm slams the bartop. "Tender. Tender! Let's get a round of beers, huh? Two each, here here and here." - indicating himself, Ishtar, Pearce. "Heinekens, I'm paying."
Pearce
Wed 09:33PM EST
*watches the bearded monster order the beers, amused and bemused*
Pearce
Wed 09:33PM EST
We're just trying to settle who's family sits on what side of the church.
Ishtar
Wed 09:34PM EST
Very well. The Boss likes to have a count, is all. **She reshuffles her feet on the barstool railing, the black gucci heels making little noise against the railing.**
Ishtar
Wed 09:38PM EST
**She doesnt even bat an eye as the bohemeth loudly pounds on the bar. She nods once to the bartender, and rolls her eyes slightly. She is humored by Pearc's words, however does not smile.**
Red Eric
Wed 09:39PM EST
"Yeah, well," as the Heines are dished up, "lemme tell ya, nobody's gonna be sitting on her side of the church because chicks like that?" - shoots a glance (electric blue.) at the cool-lipped lady down on Pearce's other side, "They won't ever let you between their ice-cold thighs, man. Take it from me." SMACK, he whacks Pearce on the back. And you can bet he spoke loud enough for the woman to hear. "Drink up, buddy." Picking up his first Heine, he takes what is for all intents and purposes a long swig, other than the fact that he doesn't drink anything at all.
Then, "Who's your boss, lady?"
Pearce
Wed 09:40PM EST
*raises up the first Heineken and takes a sip* Thanks for the drink, stranger, but I normally take them one at a time. Oof...! *jerks forward as Eric slaps him on the back, spilling the beer he's holding and knocking over the other.*
Pearce
Wed 09:42PM EST
Ah, what a mess... sorry about that. *begins to sop up the mess on the bar with a handful of napkins. While he does so, he shoots a sidelong glance at Ishtar*
Ishtar
Wed 09:43PM EST
**She gives him a long, cool stare.** And you are, Sir?
Ishtar
Wed 09:44PM EST
**She acknowledges Pearc's look, and sighs.**
Red Eric
Wed 09:47PM EST
"Eric," he says to both, offhand. "My friends call me Red." Why? His hair's not red, and neither are his clothes. Then, snorting, he explains to Pearce patiently, "The first one's for now, the second one's for after she turns you down flat, dumbass." Funny, 'dumbass' comes off almost affectionately. Grinning at Ms. Long Cool Stare, then, "Your wildest dreams and your worst nightmares all rolled up in one. Or, hah, was that your line? Have a drink, lady, it won't kill ya to unwind after a long day on the job. So who's your boss?" Clever, how he went right back to that.
Ishtar
Wed 09:51PM EST
**Though the bartender brings her the drinks, she does not touch them, nor does she unfold her arms from the bar. Her friendly disposition is fading.** Mr. Red. I am Ishtar. The Boss is a Warrior, Mr. Triston. **SHe looks him over, remembering his every detail, as she does everyone.**
Pearce
Wed 09:53PM EST
*makes a mental note, then leans over the bar and hails the bartender, gets some more napkins, and finishes cleaning up the mess.*
Red Eric
Wed 09:55PM EST
"Ah," crisply. Does the grin widen just a bit, the beer paused on his lower lip? "Curious, he's my boss too. Head of my-a Famiglia, too." Affected Italian accent, there. Smirking, "Real bloodsucker, that one." He shifts, leatherclad (all Brujahs wear leather. It's the law of the land. This one wears unstudded, unchained, unspiked leather, though - Milan cut, quite stylish.) elbow sliding up on the bar as he faces Ishtar across Pearce. "So say I wanted to let him know I'm in town. Would you be one to have a little chitchat with?"
Pearce
Wed 09:58PM EST
*smiling, he shakes his head and crosses his arms, leaning back a bit on his barstool to leave room for Eric and Ishtar to chat across him*
Ishtar
Wed 09:59PM EST
**She leans foward, one shoulder shifting, her voice lowered for the benefit of the gentlemen. She allows a soft, knowng smile to light her alabaster features, her almond-shaped ice blue eyes unblinking.** Not offically. But it seems I am the only one that seems to care. I can get word to him. **She pulls back now.**
Pearce
Wed 10:00PM EST
*to Eric* Our lady here operates out of a sense of duty. Better than us, right?
Red Eric
Wed 10:04PM EST
The lip of the bottle taps lightly against the edge of his lower teeth: even white teeth suddenly revealed in a compelling, sharkish grin as his searing blue gaze flickers toward Pearce. "Naw, we do it for the fun'ovit. So, Lady Icy Thighs, let's go somewhere a little more private to talk. Upstairs?"
Well... that was quick. To Pearce, "I'm sure she won't mind a little menage a trois," the blatant bawdiness underlined by a hint of genuine question: Eric, after all, didn't possess that unique talent for soulseeing.
Ishtar
Wed 10:04PM EST
**She grins.** Duty, and self-preservation. You do both know of the history of this place?
Pearce
Wed 10:05PM EST
I'm not sure, Red, that I'd want your thighs rubbing against me any more than she'd enjoy it. But if you'd rather drink in private, we could arrange something, I'm sure. Does this dive have a pool table, or a lounge or something?
Red Eric
Wed 10:07PM EST
Eric flicks a glance at the ceiling. "Heard there's a private club upstairs. Members only."
Ishtar
Wed 10:07PM EST
**She glares gently at Red, then stands, graceful as a cat. She throws the bartender a glance, then nods to both of her companions to follow her. She glides effortlessly through the crowd, and towards the stairs.**
Pearce
Wed 10:08PM EST
*gets up, to follow Ishtar* Don't forget to pay your tab, Red.
Ishtar
Wed 10:11PM EST
**She mounts the stairs, and leads them to a large room. There is a window seat wrapping around one wall, and it is to this that she heads, and settles herself calmly there.** This better?
Red Eric
Wed 10:11PM EST
Red, 'gentleman' that he is, lets Pearce go ahead of him while he flips a twenty down and turns to follow. Bringing up the rear, he shuts the door to the stairs behind him and locks it. The door has impressive sound-deadening power: the stairwell is nearly silent, save for the hum of machinery heard dimly through the walls and the faint buzz of voices outside.
"Blueblood or Rose, Lady Icy Thighs?" Not that Red knew which was worse. Stomping up the stairs, he adds to Pearce, "What about you, buddy?"
Pearce
Wed 10:12PM EST
*goes casually up the stairs, pauses, and looks back at Red* She said she's a Rose. Me? I'm a Beverly Hillbilly.
Ishtar
Wed 10:14PM EST
**She smirks as she settles.** Rose, Sir. Which is worse in your estimation? Now, as to the history of this place. The last Council was slaughtered by ther Sabbat, or so it is said. This was because, it is also said, of poor organization. I do not want to see that happen again. Therefore... I act as self-appointed welcoming commitee... that way there is a constant count of us in the City. Easier to Muster the Troops, if it ever becomes nessessary. Mr. Red, are you polanning on staying here for a while?
Pearce
Wed 10:16PM EST
I don't think poor organization had anything to do with it. A march of a few dozen Sabbat up the East Coast is probably what did it.
Red Eric
Wed 10:17PM EST
Emerging out into the upstairs room from the rather claustrophobic stairs, Red shucks his jacket and tosses on the seat beside Ishtar. He himself, though, goes to throw the drapery open while Ishtar gives them the history lesson. Might as well be a Tremere for all her bookkeeping skills there. Glancing over one sinewy shoulder while he drags the curtains open to give them a few of the city, "Fuck if I know. One of you fucks everyone over for money, the other for art." A flash of a grin. Then, "I'm staying as long as I care to, yeah. But I'm not gonna be a one-man militia, if that's what you're heading toward."
Ishtar
Wed 10:18PM EST
**She smirks at Pearce... so much more well-behaved than the last Wanderer she had encountered.** Perhaps. But the Boss is either too busy to come and meet the masses, or too stuffy. **She turns to Red** You say you know of him. What have you heard?
Pearce
Wed 10:19PM EST
*leans on the edge of a table, looks around briefly* Is this where you all meet? Got enough cameras? Microphones, too?
Ishtar
Wed 10:20PM EST
Not at all, Mr. Red. It helps to know our assets, as well as our weaknesses, is all. And, sorry to disappoint you, but, I am not fucking anyone. That is a silly mechanic of the mortals to procreate... we do not procreate in that way... so why persist in looking foolish, writhing underneith each other? **Her voice is calm and businesslike, but with a hint of humor.**
Pearce
Wed 10:22PM EST
*gives Red a sideways glance over Ishtar's reaction to him, then shakes his head* About how many of us are there around town?
Red Eric
Wed 10:25PM EST
The last curtain is dragged open. He leans on the wall between two yawning floor-to-ceiling windows, arms folded across thick chest in a supple black pullover, blue jeans. A shrug. "Nothing. Just that he's Brujah. Pretty weird to have a Brujah running a city, if you ask me. We like to stick closer to the streets, usually." Cocking his head to the side, then, he stares at Ishtar for a moment before he bursts out laughing. "Oh, I had no doubt of that, Lady Icy Thighs. But fucking me over, that I'm a little more worried about."
Ishtar
Wed 10:27PM EST
**She turns to Pearce.** As far as I know? There are two of your Family... however one of them hs not been seen for a while. **She turns to Red, a small, sardonic smirk playing over her blood red hips.** Now... fucking you over.. hmm... **With an uncharistic wink, she turns back to regard Pearce.**
Pearce
Wed 10:30PM EST
If she's at all intolerant of your sex, Red, fucking you over is par for the course. I think that we'll be lucky to survive in this little town, the way politics are in this part of the country.
Pearce
Wed 10:30PM EST
What is it that brought you here, Red? Sounds like you've got a plan for the place.
Red Eric
Wed 10:38PM EST
"Plan?" Blank. "I came here 'cause it was fuckin' boring in Arizona. Nothing but tumbleweeds. Far as I'm concerned, I'm gonna find myself a place, settle down, kick the ass of anyone who tries to take it, and work from there." A moment's thought, and a chuckle. "Guess if we all do that, we'll eventually take over the city by default, huh?"
Pearce
Wed 10:39PM EST
I just think it's funny that anyone chooses to come to Jersey. Enough get stuck here, but few really choose to come to Jersey. And ask Ishtar waht she thinks of dry weather...
Ishtar
Wed 10:40PM EST
to Pearce, Red Eric: **She chuckles at Red, deciding that she will come to like him, probably.** As far as I know, there should be a Court held soon, probably in a week or two. The Keeper and the Prince will both be present there.
Pearce
Wed 10:41PM EST
to Ishtar, Red Eric: And think about it... not long ago, a storm of nasty Black Hand mutants stomped up the coast and murdered everyone in sight. If you didn't hear about it in Elysium, it was damned near in the papers. Big headlines "Sabbat Comes Out of the Closet". So, why would you come here to settle down?
Red Eric
Wed 10:42PM EST
"Who said I chose to come?" Red fires back, smirking. "My goddamned T-bird broke down and I took it for a sign from below."
Pearce
Wed 10:42PM EST
*smirks* Funny, the same thing happened to me.
Red Eric
Wed 10:43PM EST
"No shit!" Red's back rubs over the wall as he turns toward Pearce. "What year's your 'Bird?"
Pearce
Wed 10:44PM EST
It was a '77. Now it's a 666. Satan got it. Now I'll have to get a hybrid car.
Ishtar
Wed 10:45PM EST
to Pearce, Red Eric: **She snotrs delicately at Pearce's joke about her and dry weather** I came to ensure that the City was firmly in Camarilla hands..
Annamaria Kelsingham
Wed 10:46PM EST
She is not at all out of place, in this small bar populated by young professionals out for an evening on the town, a few drinks after work, and so she hardly draws the eye. Another young lawyer out for an evening on the town, another young professional - someone up-and-coming in government, or finance, some accountant or insurance junior vice president, in a well-tailored powersuit, sleek and black with the suggestion of a white blouse beneath her blazer and a long winter coat. Fine blonde hair is pulled back into a loose chignon, and the long backsweep of golden strands frames a porceline complexion, complete with a subtle hint of color to her cheeks. Pale brows and pale lashes frame blue-gray eyes, a storm gathering in the distance, on some summer sea. There's an old-fashioned name for such a look: an English rose.
And, indeed, the name is borne out by her accent, the subtle lilt of the British upper classes infects the few words she murmurs to the bartender. Half-a-glance toward the door and she turns and walks through the club toward the door leading to the private club upstairs.
Pearce
Wed 10:50PM EST
*straightens up slightly at the sound of someone coming up the stairs, and waits*
Red Eric
Wed 10:51PM EST
"Hah!" Eric slaps his thigh, grinning. "Mine's a '67. You know what you gotta do? Change the oil twice as often as they say. Keeps 'em alive twice as long." He knuckles his goatee (still not red, nope. sorry.), glancing at Ishtar. "Sounds ambitious, Ishtar. You angling for Primogen?" Straight to the quick, that.
Ishtar
Wed 10:53PM EST
**She levels a look at him, and then her eyes quickly dart to the door, then back.** I angle for nothing. The others of my Clan here are... as children. Wherever my talents are needed, is where I will place them.
Pearce
Wed 10:54PM EST
What's the current situation with primogen? You said there's not a full council...
Pearce
Wed 10:54PM EST
Who are we missing?
Ishtar
Wed 10:56PM EST
**She purses her lips** The Keeper, who is of your Family, **she nods to Red** speaks for mine at the moment, as well as for hers. I do not think there is a Nosferatu Speaker, nor a Gangrel.
Red Eric
Wed 10:57PM EST
He levels a look right back at Ishtar, the blue of midsummer skies at dawn - and doesn't look away. "Bullshit," he proclaims, and it's softened by a grin only after a beat, as he glances toward Pearce. "We're missing a Toreador Primogen, buddy. I'd wager my left arm on that."
Ishtar
Wed 10:58PM EST
We have a Malkav, and a King, I believe. I do not think we have even one Warlock in the City.
Red Eric
Wed 10:58PM EST
"Count your blessings," mutters Eric to the topic of Warlocks.
Annamaria Kelsingham
Wed 10:59PM EST
It's a quick climb. Her pace is hardly langorous, and the faint retort of her low, professional heels on the risers echos up above her. Soon enough, she has gained the top of the flight. She pauses, a sidelong glance at the door that lifts to meet the guards' gaze. Murmured words exchanged, she knocks once, a short, sharp rap, an auctioneer's efficient notification: fair warning, then pushes the door open and continues into Elysium. Along the way, she has doffed her long winter coat, and now she carries it over her forearm. She lifts that hand in a faint wave to Eric, and walks toward the small group.
Pearce
Wed 11:00PM EST
Doesn't sound too promising.
Ishtar
Wed 11:00PM EST
**She smirks, and, calling upon her mastery of the english language, wisely says nothing as to the state of the Warlocks. She hates them, every one of those backstabbing sons-a-bitches, but her sense of properiety makes it impossible for her to say so.**
Pearce
Wed 11:02PM EST
*at the sound of someone knocking* Should we let them in? Only our kind can come up here, right?
Ishtar
Wed 11:03PM EST
**She frowns, and nods.** That door should not be locked. I will speak to Miss Chase about fixing the know. Please, let them in.
Red Eric
Wed 11:03PM EST
Eric is leaning against the wall between two huge windows affording a glorious view of Trenton...if Trenton could be said to be glorious. Ishtar is seated on a windowseat lining the adjacent wall; Eric's leather jacket is slung beside her, and Pearce is meandering somewhere in the room (sorry man, I forgot where he is). At the rap of knuckles the Brujah bestirs himself, crossing the room to pull the door open. When you're six-three, fast and strong as a panther, you don't fear much.
Stupidly, perhaps, but there it is.
An electric grin matches his electric eyes. "Anna. Still alive, I see."
Pearce
Wed 11:04PM EST
*Pearce is a tallish, kind of thin fellow wearing a heavy wool sweater and nice, clean cordouroys. His hair is kind of long and blondish, falling around his head more or less haphazardly. He has a charming grin and somewhat sparkly gray eyes, and carries himself with a roguish, carefree demeanor*
Pearce
Wed 11:06PM EST
*when Annamaria enters the room, he takes a long look at her, crossing his arms as he leans against a table* Is this what you Trenton girls do every Wednesday night?
Ishtar
Wed 11:07PM EST
**She sits there, the epitome of preternatural grace and elegance, if not beauty. Almond shaped
eyes of the coolest ice blue, framed by thick, sweeping ebony lashes, lazily scan the newcomer. Her long ebony hair is swept up into a bun , a few little tendrils left hanging to her shoulders, to delicately tickle the nape of her neck. The
perfectly behaved hair frames a flawless, angelic alabaster face, her full lips like pools of blood on freshly fallen
snow. Her feline 5'7 frame is sinfully encased in a soft ivory silk blouse, the V neckline offering a tasteful view of
clevage. Her black business slacks hug every curve, whitout being indecent. Onyx and silver dangly ear rings flash in the dim light. She holds about herself an easy confidence, the air of one who is rarely challenged. Her unadorned hands are folded in her lap, the manacured nails flashing like diamonds in the dim lights. She holds about herself an easy confidence, the air of one who is rarely challenged.**
Annamaria Kelsingham
Wed 11:07PM EST
"If you mean metaphorically," the cool curve of a dry little smirk. "then I suppose I am. Crawled so far up the Prince's arse that you're now the doorman, have you? It's an impressive rise in station, and so quickly." Her mouth thins with the suggestion of repressed humor, but that is the only sign of it to find its way to her features.
"Now get the hell out of my way, hmmm?"
Ishtar
Wed 11:10PM EST
**She raises a sculptured eyebrow.** And you are, Miss? **she asks, evenly, her voice lilting with a faint Italian accent.**
Red Eric
Wed 11:10PM EST
"Fuck off, Annamaria," goodnaturedly enough, as he stands blocking her way for just another beat before stepping aside. Door shuts behind her and, this time, doesn't lock. He leans against it instead, though, his weight probably shutting it as securely as the rather flimsy-looking bathroom lock.
Annamaria Kelsingham
Wed 11:13PM EST
Annamaria's chin rises in both appraisal and greeting as her eyes pass over Ishtar and Pearce as she steps around Eric and into the room proper. "I wouldn't exactly call myself a Trenton girl." Some mild humor in the woman's voice, before her attention shifts to Ishtar. "Ms. Annamaria Kelsingham. Brujah, if you must know. It's always good to see that the advances of the last thirty years have yet to find their way into Elysium."
Tossed across her shoulder, a brief glance toward Eric. "Sorry, Eric. Next time I'll remember my manners. How much groveling is appropriate for someone in such an exactled position?" Amusement lingers in her eyes as she shifts her attention back to Ishtar.
Pearce
Wed 11:15PM EST
Do all Brujah know each other? I thought it was just the lunatics who were all friends.
Ishtar
Wed 11:16PM EST
**She regards Ms. Kelsingham, her icy blue eyes drinking in the new Brujah, remembering her every detail.** Hmm. Yes. Have you had a chance to meet with your Primogen?
Ishtar
Wed 11:18PM EST
**She shrugs.** I didn't build it.
Red Eric
Wed 11:18PM EST
"Nah, Anna and me met when I was a Deputy down in..." moment's thought, and a glance toward Annamaria to confirm, "was it Albuquerque? Hellhole city, anyway. Thought she was a fuckin' Blueblood and tried to kick her ass when she bit my ghoul." Tried being the operative word. "She straightened me out."
Pearce
Wed 11:19PM EST
No kidding.
Ishtar
Wed 11:20PM EST
**She smirks now, allowing the information to settle in her mind, and deciding something. She waits for Ms. Kelsingham to respond**
Annamaria Kelsingham
Wed 11:22PM EST
"Well, there are some who grade us not much better than lunatics, so we tend to stick together. Just think of us as one great, big happy biker gang, though with fewer unfortunate goatees." Shifting her coat from one arm to the other, she flashes Eric a glance, amused. Some minor insult lingers on the tip of her tongue, but such things can be misinterpreted in exalted company, and she manages to hold it back.
"No, I'm afraid I haven't met my Primogen, or anyone else for that matter." In the pause, she shifts coat back to the other arm and lifts a polite, questioning brow. "And I'm afraid I didn't catch your name, either."
Pearce
Wed 11:23PM EST
I'll keep it that biker gang thing in mind. But for tonight, I've got to get going. I haven't yet found a place to sleep, and I'm worried that the hotels will be booked up, with the Shriners in town and all...
Ishtar
Wed 11:24PM EST
**She watches the interaction bemusedly, but does not allow the interest to reach her expression.** I am Ishtar, of the Toreador. Welcome to Trenton, Ms. Kelsingham.
Red Eric
Wed 11:25PM EST
Red Eric tongues his upper right canine, straightening and moving away from the door so Pearce can get out. "I got a warehouse down on 4th and Freid. They're tearing it down in a month, but you can crash there if you need. Don't sleep near the south wall, though. Got holes."
Ishtar
Wed 11:25PM EST
I will let Prince Triston know that you are in town, Mr. Pearce. Have a safe eve.
Pearce
Wed 11:26PM EST
Oh, actually, before I leave, could I have a word with you, Ishtar?
Ishtar
Wed 11:28PM EST
**She nods.** I will walk you out. **She rises gracefully from her seat, and glides towards the door, with Pearce.** I will be right back, Mr. Red, Ms. Kelsingham. **she nods for Pearce to lead the way.**
Pearce
Wed 11:29PM EST
Goodnight, everyone. It was good to meet you both... *sidles up next to Ishtar, takes her by the elbow and turns her away from the other two, as he goes to leave*
Annamaria Kelsingham
Wed 11:29PM EST
"Steal one of their ugly little hats, and maybe you can crash their party. It won't guarantee a good time, but maybe a meal and a place to sleep." There's a faint glint in her blue gaze, but her features remain well-schooled in a polite little smile as her eyes travel back to Ishtar. "Well met, then, fair rose." Chivalry is, perhaps, not dead, but it has a sense of humor.
And once more, over her shoulder at Eric, mouth thinning with humor once more. "A warehouse, hmmm? Impressive digs, Eric. Is that where you wine and dine them?"
Ishtar
Wed 11:32PM EST
**She nods at whatver Pearce is saying, her expression not flickering.**
Red Eric
Wed 11:32PM EST
Eric grimaces a bit. "Eric or Red will do. No 'Mister'. Nice meeting you too, Pearce." As the Toreador and the Gangrel (thought they were generally...hairier) make their way out, Red watches them disappear into the crowd below and then kicks the door to turn to Annamaria. "They're either nice people or a pair of liars. I'll figure out which it is eventually." Producing a pack of gum, he takes one and tosses the rest to the Englishwoman. "I wine 'em and dine 'em in the flat I took you to, babe. Must not have worked if you forget so readily, though."
Ishtar
Wed 11:34PM EST
**She replies, and a faint smile appears on her blood-red lips.**
Annamaria Kelsingham
Wed 11:36PM EST
"They're Kindred." Annamaria responds with a flat, edged look as she swipes the pack of gum from the air, glances at it, lifts a brow, and tosses it back without taking a piece. "My money's on the latter."
The corners of her mouth quirk upwards. "Here I thought I was special. Now I find you take everyone there, I think I'm devastated. In fact, I'm not sure I'll survive the shock. Could you call my lawyer? I need to write you out of my will."
Pearce
Wed 11:39PM EST
*concluding his conversation with Ishtar, Pearce throws on his coat and scarf and goes back out into the slush...*
Red Eric
Wed 11:40PM EST
"You're Kindred," replies Eric coolly, lightning-blue eyes unflinching, grin unfaltering. "Does the same go for you?"
Thwap, gum hits his palm, he puts it away. "And it's a bit late for that, Anna," he adds. "You're dead already." He looks her up and down as he crosses the room, picks up his jacket. "All dressed up and stuck in the fuckin' attic of a club. Wanna go somewhere a little more fun?"
Ishtar
Wed 11:41PM EST
**She returns to the room upstairs, making no noise on the stairs, until she gets to the closed door. She clears her throat politely to give the two Warriors fair warning, before opening the door, and returning to her spot on the couch.**
Meadowen
Wed 11:44PM EST
She walks in the door and smiles at the doorman, who just shakes his head and lets her pass. She is a very pretty young woman of about 16 years old. Her green eyes sparkles with imish glee. She is dressed in a short red dress with a black leather jacket over it , its tied at the waist, and knee high boots. She stops and looks around courious
Annamaria Kelsingham
Wed 11:44PM EST
"Absolutely, Eric." Her reply: just as cool, just as unflinching, hard and faceted as a fucking diamoned. "I thought you knew."
The coat rustles as she unfolds and shakes it out. The rest of her reply is desultory and diffident: a glance around the room, a quick little shrug. "Sure, what did you have in mind?"
Ishtar
Wed 11:45PM EST
**SHe regards them, their expressions, but says nothing about that.** Well, Your Primogen is Miss Amber Chase, also the Keeper of Elysium. As I told Mr. Red and Mr. Pearce, Court should be in one or two weeks. I will inform Prince Tristan of your arrival in the City. Is there any way that he can contact you?
Red Eric
Wed 11:49PM EST
Improbably, his eyes soften with humor, the eyelids drooping a little. "Of course. Just checking, babe." The jacket slides on with an expensive, heavy hiss, and he buttons it up. To Ishtar, thinking, nodding, "Sure. He can call me. Got a good memory? 555-2711. Any way I can contact you?"
Meadowen
Wed 11:51PM EST
She shrugs and heads upstairs and she heads to the room
Ishtar
Wed 11:51PM EST
**She nods, and from her pocket she pulls two business cards, a phone number only.** I have an excellent memory, Mr. Red.
Red Eric
Wed 11:54PM EST
"Please. No 'mister'. Just Red, or just Eric." He reaches forward for the card, glances at it. His grin flashes like a blade in the sun. "Depending on whether you're a friend or not."
To Annamaria, then, "Hell, I don't know. Figured we'd go drag-race your Jaguar or something. You still got that Jag? I'll drive, you can hold on and scream like a preschooler."
Meadowen
Wed 11:55PM EST
She doesnt walk in, but leans against the door and smiles at the back of Ishtars head. Waiting
Annamaria Kelsingham
Wed 11:56PM EST
"Certainly." Her hand slips into her coat pocket, and she pulls out a narrow silver case, embossed with some heraldic design. No more than a quick flip of her wrist and it springs open. Annamaria pulls a small white card - the size and shape of a business card - from within, and crosses the room to hand the card to Ishtar. It is, improbably, a 1-888 number that connects to a private voice mail box, and, much like Ishtar's card, there is no name embossed on the heavy linen paper.
"Thank you for your hospitality, Ishtar." Murmured, as she accepts both cards and hands one to Erik, sliding her own back into the case, which is deposited back into the pocket of her suitcoat. She casts a brief glance over at Meadowen, one pale brow rising briefly in appraisal, before her attention returns to Erik. "Now, what did you have in mind? If it's a fucking biker bar - " The threat trails off, perhaps all the more real for its silence. If she cannot even think of what she'd do, it must be so much worse. And then: "you're kidding me. You've a heavier hand on the wheel than a fourteen-year-old on his first blind date. If we're drag racing, I'm driving."
Ishtar
Wed 11:57PM EST
Red, then. **raises a brow at the drag racing thing.** Please, do not get into too much trouble before I am able to tell the Prince of your arrival? **Oh My God, is that a joke? From her? Priest would have a heart attack.**
Ishtar
Wed 11:58PM EST
**She nods to Meadowen as she enters.** Miss Meadowen, good evening.
Ishtar
Thu 12:00AM EST
**She nods to Ms. Kelsingham.** Of course.
Ishtar
Thu 12:01AM EST
**She takes the card from Annamaria, and slips it in a pocket.**
Meadowen
Thu 12:01AM EST
She smiles "Miss Ishtar....How are you ?" she looks over at the two kindred and smiles alittle "Speaking to the prince now? You the primogen of the rose's now ? "
Annamaria Kelsingham
Thu 12:01AM EST
"We'll try to control ourselves." Dryer than a good chardonnay, accompanied by a quick, smirking little glance toward Red Eric as she swings her coat over her shoulders, slides her arms through the sleeves. "Let's get out of here, hmmm?"
Bryant Wilkes
Thu 12:02AM EST
Quietly Bryant enters dressed in a tailored gunmetal grey Armani 3 piece... Calf skin shoes and doe skin gloves along with gold wire rimmed glasses round off the young man's appearance...hair cut in a caesar he's the epitome of busines like apparel. taking in the scene, he removes a cigar from a silver case, bites the end off anf lights it.
Ishtar
Thu 12:04AM EST
**She raises a brow** Not as of yet. The Prince and the Council have yet to meet. I have merely taken it on my shoulders to act as a Harpy would... sicne there seems to be one. **She speaks disdainfully of that little inadequacy**
Meadowen
Thu 12:05AM EST
She tugs her lower lip with her forefinger and thumb "i would hope they havent met yet, considering >I< am on the counsil.....THAT would annoy me. but be typical" laughs "I cant seem to figure out how to use that damn phone"
Bryant Wilkes
Thu 12:05AM EST
Turning, he heads upstairs. footfalls measured and precise...every movement a conservation of energy.
Red Eric
Thu 12:05AM EST
He smirks at the Toreador. "Don't worry. I'm sure if I get in trouble, it'll have something to do with you." There's a nod for Meadowen, and then, pulling the door open, his eyes meet Annamaria's: flame blue on ocean hue. "Yeah," he replies, challenging, "let's go. Heard there's a streetrace on South Devon tonight, just east of the freeway. Think you can handle it?"
The door shuts behind them.
wolves, sheep, munch.
Red Eric
Mon 10:44PM EST
...and since Tuck seems to more or less up and disappear as well, someone snickers at poor abandoned Meadowen. "You do have a way of chasing 'em off, don't you?" Relaxing on the bench not too far from her, ankle up over opposite knee, arms up along the back of the bench: 'Red' Eric. Not that he was redhaired or anything. Where'd the name come from? You'd have to ask him.
Meadowen
Mon 10:44PM EST
She turns away as the young boy fades, maybe he was just a figment of my imagination. God knows there is enough of that going on. She sits on the bench , her legs spread very unlady like. She is dressed in a paten leather body suit, that covers her tightly from head to to, thigh high paten leather 6' steletto boots and matching gloves, her hair is lifted by abit of wind and she pouts , shaking her head "yeah.....I think I'm the only one left damn it. And I am NOT going in the closet to get them, fuck that"
Meadowen
Mon 10:50PM EST
She looks over at Red Eric and her brow raises , then lifting her arm she sniffs "maybe its my perfume?" she turns her attention back to him and tilts her head. Watching him intenty as she does just about everyone.
Red Eric
Mon 10:51PM EST
His dress code is considerably less...er...interesting. Jeans (slightly baggy), belt (studded and heavy), jacket. Leather, yes, but not a biker jacket. No studs, no spikes, no chains. Euro cut, though not tailored. Storebought. "That, or what you're wearing. Probably pegged you for a fuckin' hooker and when you didn't put out..." a shrug; topic change. "You got any gum?"
Meadowen
Mon 10:54PM EST
Her head jerks back at the Hooker comment.A almost feral look passes over her face but bleeds away just as fast she nods , then digs into her backpack, she pulls out pepper mace and looks at it and frowns "what the hell?" shakes her head and continues to dig for a bit "I seriously need to figure out if I can get the kitchen sink in here, I have everything else I think...ah, here we go" tosses him some big red, then stares at him again.
Red Eric
Mon 10:57PM EST
The ease in the gesture is remarkable, really: the way his hand comes off the back of the bench and snaps neatly closed over the pack of Big Red. "Thanks." Ain't no lout, Eric. Or not usually. Wait 'til you see him riled up. Pulling out a stick of gum, he folds it into his mouth and tosses the pack back. Sharp eyes had caught the pepper mace, though, and tugs his mouth into a smirk - "Afraid of big bad men in the alleys? Dress down a little and you'll get by better. So lemme ask you something, huh?"
Meadowen
Mon 10:58PM EST
She ducks as the gum flys over her head. A habit really. Then shrugs "sure.....and I like how I dress"
Red Eric
Mon 11:00PM EST
Er...whoosh. "You dropped your gum," he points out, and then it's off to the races. Flat-out and conversational, "What the fuck are you lookin' at?" He holds out his hands, shrugs. His jaw works as he chews the gum, loosening it up, working the spit in to soften it. "I mean. What, am I exceptionally handsome? Exceptionally ugly?"
Meadowen
Mon 11:02PM EST
She snickers and picks it up. then thinking she shoves abit into her mouth and considers the question then shrugs "No, I just have a staring problem" she grins
Red Eric
Mon 11:06PM EST
So he kinda...stares back for a minute, deadpan.
Then, abruptly, he grins back. And it's charismatic. It's goddamned charismatic. A likeable grin; a little sharkish at the edges maybe, but compelling. "Yeah, all right," he says reasonably. "I can dig that. So what's your name, Staring Problem? You know No Doubt's got a song called that? You like No Doubt?"
Meadowen
Mon 11:08PM EST
She blinks and shrugs "no doubt. Meadowen...My name is meadowen" she tilts her head again, looking at him, then shrugs "your kinda cut......your smile is very...interesting"
Red Eric
Mon 11:11PM EST
While she's talking, he's blowing a bubble. That takes skill, blowing a bubble with regular gum on a cold day. It doesn't get too big, and he sucks it back into his mouth in a flash of white teeth before replying. "Oh yeah? Thanks, I guess." The grin goes self-consciously lopsided for a minute. Then, "Eric. That's me. No Doubt's a band. Pretty good. I got one of their CDs in my car. You wanna follow me back there, I can letcha borrow it."
Meadowen
Mon 11:12PM EST
She stands, and then searches out her pepper mace again, and nods "yeah, I would like to hear it, I am courious." picks up the back pack and puts it over her shoulder. Then stuffs the mace into a glove.
Red Eric
Mon 11:17PM EST
Mace in the glove, no problem-o. Eric's faced down worse. "Always good," he replies, and drops the ankle across his knee down. Both feet hit the pavement with a thump. He scratches his shoulder and pushes himself to his feet, stuffing hands into his pockets. "Back this way. 'Bout a block away." Chuckling, "Well-lit all the way, and all. There's a 24-hour convenience store too, so it's not like I'm dragging you into a deserted alley. No fear, hey?"
He's not lying either. There's a 24-hour 7/11 knockoff somewhere along the way, door shut to keep in the heat. A lonely-looking middle-aged man's browsing magazines inside, but Eric just walks right past, sneakers eating up distance. The boy's broad-shouldered, probably sinewy under all those clothes, but certainly no Mr. America. His car, as it turns out, is some rebuilt black Thunderbird from the mid-60s. Classy old girl, flames down the side and all.
Meadowen
Mon 11:21PM EST
She stops and looks at the car for abit, then nods "very nice.....You know, you didn't give me your name" she smiles and raises a brow "she cross's her arms and watches him again.
Red Eric
Mon 11:25PM EST
"Yeah, found 'er in a junkyard. Took me five years to fix up." He slaps the roof affectionately and then looks across at her, brow furrowing briefly before it clears. "Sure I did. I'm Eric. My friends call me Red." Grin. "Long story."
Unlocking the driver's side, he crawls in headfirst and riffles through the glove compartment, taking out a stack of caseless CDs. Straightening, he riffles through them like a dealer through his cards. "Aw...shit. Y'know, I left it at home."
Meadowen
Mon 11:27PM EST
She nods and leans up against the wall of the buiding and smiles, her arms still folded she watches him again.
Michael
Mon 11:28PM EST
Tourist. At least, that's what he looks like with the map in his hand and a slightly befuddled expression on his face. Stepping out of the transportation centre, he stands in the middle of the walkway and frowns more.
"Oh." a soft oh at that. Twisting the map around again, he nods to himself. "That's better."
Red Eric
Mon 11:29PM EST
"So..." an empty sort of gesture, earnest, "...you got a car? You can follow me to my flat if you want. I'll bring it down."
Meadowen
Mon 11:31PM EST
She just smiles, and sucks on her teeth a moment, well this COULD be fun, or it could end up messy. She considers it. Then shrugs "I'm sorry, I don't drive"
Red Eric
Mon 11:33PM EST
He watches her smile, suck on her teeth, and generally consider. He glances up the street at the poor lost tourist, contemplative, and then back at her. There's a drop in his decibels; a lopsided sorta grin over the top of the Thunderbird. "Well. I could drive ya."
Michael
Mon 11:33PM EST
Now then. Stuffing the map back into his coat, he smooths the coat down automatically. Twisting his neck to the right and then left, feeling bones pop and set again before he turns. Down the right then.
Hands slide into pockets as he strolls down the city streets in his battered black boots. Wide eyes taking it all in in a white pasty face not so uncommon this time of year.
Meadowen
Mon 11:36PM EST
Her green eyes follow his gaze and she takes in the new guy for a few moments, then turns back to Eric. She gives him a very innocent, pouty experssion "But, Mr. Wolf, how dangerous that could be.....you might decide to gobble me up"
Michael
Mon 11:38PM EST
Blink. Cocks his head to the side, he looks towards the two others. Nce car. He stops for a while, staring at the car and enjoying the view. They don't make them like those anymore.
Chuckling, he shakes his head and looks up again, trying to see the stars in this city. Like always, he fails.
Red Eric
Mon 11:41PM EST
Eric's eyebrows go up. Lifting one hand from the top of the car, he tilts his head to slide his fingers experimentally over the curve of his ear, across one shutting eyelid, and then along the ridges of his upper canine teeth. "Hmm. No points to the ears, no big gleaming eyes, no great sharp teeth," he says, laughingly. "Just a hunch, but...if I decided to gobble you up, Meadowen, I don't think you'd complain too much."
Nope, they certainly didn't make cars like this anymore. Classic American musclecar, is what it is. Very popular when Eric was in high school. Of course, he looks like he's just out of college now - but quite a few years have passed.
Michael
Mon 11:43PM EST
He lowers his head once more, letting his gaze travel cross the streets and abck to the Thunderbird, linger on it. Nice, nice car.
Smiling to himself, he taps his foot on the alleyway, thinking. After a moment, he blinks. Oh. Now what was that he wanted to do...?
Michael
Mon 11:45PM EST
He wonders what the two of them are talking about. Saying goodbye? Saying hello? Saying how much will a blowjob cost? Crude, but then, if he's learnt anything about America they are crude.
After a brief moment more of contemplation, he sighs again and twists on his feet. So. He was walking. And something else, if he could figure it out. Really figure it out.
Meadowen
Mon 11:46PM EST
Her attention once again slides to the young man, and she tilts her head. Watching.. She says absently "things are never as they seem Eric"
Red Eric
Mon 11:48PM EST
Well, goddammit if the girl wasn't stubborn and hell-bent on playing it coy. Eric's stomach was growling. "Well, that's true enough," he replies, smiling. "But hey, if you want a ride, offer still stands."
Then he casts a casual glance down the street at Michael turning away, he raises his voice to a goodnatured call, "Hey man, whatcha looking for?"
When you're having chicken pot pie, you don't care if it's a rooster or a hen. And when Eric wants some of that good liquid nutrition, he could care less whether it's a man or a woman. Just covering his bases, is all.
Michael
Mon 11:52PM EST
Now. There was something. Lips catch in his teeth for a moment before he runs a hand through greying hair. Young, that he was not. Crows feet at the eyes, and if he smiled, you get the impression that those lines would deepen further. A middle-aged befuddled old men.
Blinking, he pauses. Considering. Then he turns slowly, looking at Eric and the girl. Friendly group. "Umm... I'll remember in a second."
Pauses, realising what he said wouldn't carry properly and walks back towards them.
Meadowen
Mon 11:53PM EST
She rolls her eyes and looks over at Eric then laughs, shaking her head. Her hands go to her hips and she drums her fingers on them. Waiting. She tilts her head and listens for abit then nods in agreement with the one holding a "conversation" with her.
Red Eric
Mon 11:55PM EST
Friendly group, and a tad bit mismatched. The man's casually dressed, jeans and jacket; the woman's in a leather catsuit. And a backpack. Go figure. Eric put a hand to his ear in the universal gesture of 'can't hear ya'. "Sorry," as the man comes closer, "what's that?"
Meadowen
Mon 11:57PM EST
She steps closer to Eric and rest a hand on his arm, smiles at him and looks over at Michael "well...3 wolves in the winters madness, and no sheep to be seen" sighs and damn near laughs again "though some thing the wolves are Sheep"
Michael
Mon 11:57PM EST
Closer now, within speaking distance, he smiles at them and nods. "Umm... came down here to look for a hotel. Now, just have to find it."
Chuckles, shrugging his shoulders. "I left my things there and well... Nevermind. Thank you though. I'll be fine. I think you and the lady have some business..."
And he falls silent, frowning at Meadowen. "Excuse me?"
Meadowen
Tue 12:00AM EST
She shrugs, getting bored with the game. When will they ever learn to understand her family? Her eyes take in the area, as if searching for something, doing a "sweep" one might think, she cocks her head and listens intently
Red Eric
Tue 12:01AM EST
And - yeah. Eric seconds that thought - or starts to, before he raises a hand and touches Meadowen's wrist lightly.
Fingers get cold easily. But even on a cold day, the wrist, with its bundles of nerves and tendons and arteries and veins, tends to remain warm. Meadowen's, though? Is cold.
A slight chuckle escapes him, half annoyed, half amused. Like a mask, the good cheer drops and Eric pushes his hand through his hair, slaps it down on the roof of the car. "Well, shit." Another laugh, short, breathed rather than voiced. He shoots the woman a glance. "Coulda told me earlier and saved me a lotta fuckin' time."
A moment's thought, his eyes sweeping the mostly empty street. "Might as well do a fuckin' intro, huh? I'm Red Eric." Like a cop flashing a badge, he pulls his jacket open to reveal a flicker of an inverted anarchy symbol stitched in red on the inner lining.
Meadowen
Tue 12:04AM EST
She nods and smiles, winks at him. Then looks over at Michael. She smirks and wonders if he will get it soon enough "The mirror is broken" shrugs agian and tilts her head to look at eric and winks. "more fun this way. "
Michael
Tue 12:07AM EST
A hand runs through his hair again, making even more of a mess. He cocks his head to Eric, a single eyebrow raising before he sighs. Great. Anarch and what? Malk most likely.
Oh great. "Ummm... mirror?" Looks around slowly, trying to see if there is a mirror broken. "Where? Seven years bad luck really."
Red Eric
Tue 12:09AM EST
The wink gets her another glance shot at her, wavering between annoyance (great, fuckin' Kook) and amusement. Yeah, never say Red Eric doesn't have a sense of humor. "Cracked from side to side," he murmurs, as though reciting, and then straightens up from the car, hands braced on the ridge at the edge of the car's top. "Yeah, really? You'd probably be singing a different tune if you'd spoken up any later. Was getting ready to munch on one of you."
He eyes the middle-aged man in the convenience store (like a hawk on a mouse), finally shuffling toward the checkout now. "Guess there's still him," he says, low. "But shit, I'm tellin' ya, these types taste like shit. Like old socks and TV dinners for the last 15 years."
Michael
Tue 12:14AM EST
"Oh hum. Oh dear." He smiles slightly befuddled, his head bent down slightly to avoid their eyes. He shifts his feet again, almost slightly agitatedly and mutters. "Really. What's munch?"
"Slang you know... it's so hard to keep up with." flashes them a smile, shrugging. "And you know, you Americans. Speak really strangely. And it's not 'vay-se' it's vase. Like vast."
Red Eric
Tue 12:21AM EST
Eric mutters under his breath. "Jesus Christ. Munch is to eat. Munch equals eat. Get it? Look - " taking a few steps back from his car, opening the driver's side door and tossing the CDs into the passenger's seat, " - I'm gonna go get a bite to eat." That should be unsubtle enough for the absent-minded one. "Maybe I'll come back when I'm full, and not so damn grumpy." The door slams into the frame with a solid thump, rocking the Thunderbird on its struts. "Nice meetin' ya, Meadowen. Nice meetin' ya too, guy I don't know the name of."
With that, he pulls his collar up against the wind and runs his hand through his hair, rather like a man preparing for an important interview. A moment passes. His shoulders relax, his stride loosens, and he heads into the convenience store, standing aside for the middle-aged man. Looks like he'd pegged the girl behind the counter, instead.
Mon 10:44PM EST
...and since Tuck seems to more or less up and disappear as well, someone snickers at poor abandoned Meadowen. "You do have a way of chasing 'em off, don't you?" Relaxing on the bench not too far from her, ankle up over opposite knee, arms up along the back of the bench: 'Red' Eric. Not that he was redhaired or anything. Where'd the name come from? You'd have to ask him.
Meadowen
Mon 10:44PM EST
She turns away as the young boy fades, maybe he was just a figment of my imagination. God knows there is enough of that going on. She sits on the bench , her legs spread very unlady like. She is dressed in a paten leather body suit, that covers her tightly from head to to, thigh high paten leather 6' steletto boots and matching gloves, her hair is lifted by abit of wind and she pouts , shaking her head "yeah.....I think I'm the only one left damn it. And I am NOT going in the closet to get them, fuck that"
Meadowen
Mon 10:50PM EST
She looks over at Red Eric and her brow raises , then lifting her arm she sniffs "maybe its my perfume?" she turns her attention back to him and tilts her head. Watching him intenty as she does just about everyone.
Red Eric
Mon 10:51PM EST
His dress code is considerably less...er...interesting. Jeans (slightly baggy), belt (studded and heavy), jacket. Leather, yes, but not a biker jacket. No studs, no spikes, no chains. Euro cut, though not tailored. Storebought. "That, or what you're wearing. Probably pegged you for a fuckin' hooker and when you didn't put out..." a shrug; topic change. "You got any gum?"
Meadowen
Mon 10:54PM EST
Her head jerks back at the Hooker comment.A almost feral look passes over her face but bleeds away just as fast she nods , then digs into her backpack, she pulls out pepper mace and looks at it and frowns "what the hell?" shakes her head and continues to dig for a bit "I seriously need to figure out if I can get the kitchen sink in here, I have everything else I think...ah, here we go" tosses him some big red, then stares at him again.
Red Eric
Mon 10:57PM EST
The ease in the gesture is remarkable, really: the way his hand comes off the back of the bench and snaps neatly closed over the pack of Big Red. "Thanks." Ain't no lout, Eric. Or not usually. Wait 'til you see him riled up. Pulling out a stick of gum, he folds it into his mouth and tosses the pack back. Sharp eyes had caught the pepper mace, though, and tugs his mouth into a smirk - "Afraid of big bad men in the alleys? Dress down a little and you'll get by better. So lemme ask you something, huh?"
Meadowen
Mon 10:58PM EST
She ducks as the gum flys over her head. A habit really. Then shrugs "sure.....and I like how I dress"
Red Eric
Mon 11:00PM EST
Er...whoosh. "You dropped your gum," he points out, and then it's off to the races. Flat-out and conversational, "What the fuck are you lookin' at?" He holds out his hands, shrugs. His jaw works as he chews the gum, loosening it up, working the spit in to soften it. "I mean. What, am I exceptionally handsome? Exceptionally ugly?"
Meadowen
Mon 11:02PM EST
She snickers and picks it up. then thinking she shoves abit into her mouth and considers the question then shrugs "No, I just have a staring problem" she grins
Red Eric
Mon 11:06PM EST
So he kinda...stares back for a minute, deadpan.
Then, abruptly, he grins back. And it's charismatic. It's goddamned charismatic. A likeable grin; a little sharkish at the edges maybe, but compelling. "Yeah, all right," he says reasonably. "I can dig that. So what's your name, Staring Problem? You know No Doubt's got a song called that? You like No Doubt?"
Meadowen
Mon 11:08PM EST
She blinks and shrugs "no doubt. Meadowen...My name is meadowen" she tilts her head again, looking at him, then shrugs "your kinda cut......your smile is very...interesting"
Red Eric
Mon 11:11PM EST
While she's talking, he's blowing a bubble. That takes skill, blowing a bubble with regular gum on a cold day. It doesn't get too big, and he sucks it back into his mouth in a flash of white teeth before replying. "Oh yeah? Thanks, I guess." The grin goes self-consciously lopsided for a minute. Then, "Eric. That's me. No Doubt's a band. Pretty good. I got one of their CDs in my car. You wanna follow me back there, I can letcha borrow it."
Meadowen
Mon 11:12PM EST
She stands, and then searches out her pepper mace again, and nods "yeah, I would like to hear it, I am courious." picks up the back pack and puts it over her shoulder. Then stuffs the mace into a glove.
Red Eric
Mon 11:17PM EST
Mace in the glove, no problem-o. Eric's faced down worse. "Always good," he replies, and drops the ankle across his knee down. Both feet hit the pavement with a thump. He scratches his shoulder and pushes himself to his feet, stuffing hands into his pockets. "Back this way. 'Bout a block away." Chuckling, "Well-lit all the way, and all. There's a 24-hour convenience store too, so it's not like I'm dragging you into a deserted alley. No fear, hey?"
He's not lying either. There's a 24-hour 7/11 knockoff somewhere along the way, door shut to keep in the heat. A lonely-looking middle-aged man's browsing magazines inside, but Eric just walks right past, sneakers eating up distance. The boy's broad-shouldered, probably sinewy under all those clothes, but certainly no Mr. America. His car, as it turns out, is some rebuilt black Thunderbird from the mid-60s. Classy old girl, flames down the side and all.
Meadowen
Mon 11:21PM EST
She stops and looks at the car for abit, then nods "very nice.....You know, you didn't give me your name" she smiles and raises a brow "she cross's her arms and watches him again.
Red Eric
Mon 11:25PM EST
"Yeah, found 'er in a junkyard. Took me five years to fix up." He slaps the roof affectionately and then looks across at her, brow furrowing briefly before it clears. "Sure I did. I'm Eric. My friends call me Red." Grin. "Long story."
Unlocking the driver's side, he crawls in headfirst and riffles through the glove compartment, taking out a stack of caseless CDs. Straightening, he riffles through them like a dealer through his cards. "Aw...shit. Y'know, I left it at home."
Meadowen
Mon 11:27PM EST
She nods and leans up against the wall of the buiding and smiles, her arms still folded she watches him again.
Michael
Mon 11:28PM EST
Tourist. At least, that's what he looks like with the map in his hand and a slightly befuddled expression on his face. Stepping out of the transportation centre, he stands in the middle of the walkway and frowns more.
"Oh." a soft oh at that. Twisting the map around again, he nods to himself. "That's better."
Red Eric
Mon 11:29PM EST
"So..." an empty sort of gesture, earnest, "...you got a car? You can follow me to my flat if you want. I'll bring it down."
Meadowen
Mon 11:31PM EST
She just smiles, and sucks on her teeth a moment, well this COULD be fun, or it could end up messy. She considers it. Then shrugs "I'm sorry, I don't drive"
Red Eric
Mon 11:33PM EST
He watches her smile, suck on her teeth, and generally consider. He glances up the street at the poor lost tourist, contemplative, and then back at her. There's a drop in his decibels; a lopsided sorta grin over the top of the Thunderbird. "Well. I could drive ya."
Michael
Mon 11:33PM EST
Now then. Stuffing the map back into his coat, he smooths the coat down automatically. Twisting his neck to the right and then left, feeling bones pop and set again before he turns. Down the right then.
Hands slide into pockets as he strolls down the city streets in his battered black boots. Wide eyes taking it all in in a white pasty face not so uncommon this time of year.
Meadowen
Mon 11:36PM EST
Her green eyes follow his gaze and she takes in the new guy for a few moments, then turns back to Eric. She gives him a very innocent, pouty experssion "But, Mr. Wolf, how dangerous that could be.....you might decide to gobble me up"
Michael
Mon 11:38PM EST
Blink. Cocks his head to the side, he looks towards the two others. Nce car. He stops for a while, staring at the car and enjoying the view. They don't make them like those anymore.
Chuckling, he shakes his head and looks up again, trying to see the stars in this city. Like always, he fails.
Red Eric
Mon 11:41PM EST
Eric's eyebrows go up. Lifting one hand from the top of the car, he tilts his head to slide his fingers experimentally over the curve of his ear, across one shutting eyelid, and then along the ridges of his upper canine teeth. "Hmm. No points to the ears, no big gleaming eyes, no great sharp teeth," he says, laughingly. "Just a hunch, but...if I decided to gobble you up, Meadowen, I don't think you'd complain too much."
Nope, they certainly didn't make cars like this anymore. Classic American musclecar, is what it is. Very popular when Eric was in high school. Of course, he looks like he's just out of college now - but quite a few years have passed.
Michael
Mon 11:43PM EST
He lowers his head once more, letting his gaze travel cross the streets and abck to the Thunderbird, linger on it. Nice, nice car.
Smiling to himself, he taps his foot on the alleyway, thinking. After a moment, he blinks. Oh. Now what was that he wanted to do...?
Michael
Mon 11:45PM EST
He wonders what the two of them are talking about. Saying goodbye? Saying hello? Saying how much will a blowjob cost? Crude, but then, if he's learnt anything about America they are crude.
After a brief moment more of contemplation, he sighs again and twists on his feet. So. He was walking. And something else, if he could figure it out. Really figure it out.
Meadowen
Mon 11:46PM EST
Her attention once again slides to the young man, and she tilts her head. Watching.. She says absently "things are never as they seem Eric"
Red Eric
Mon 11:48PM EST
Well, goddammit if the girl wasn't stubborn and hell-bent on playing it coy. Eric's stomach was growling. "Well, that's true enough," he replies, smiling. "But hey, if you want a ride, offer still stands."
Then he casts a casual glance down the street at Michael turning away, he raises his voice to a goodnatured call, "Hey man, whatcha looking for?"
When you're having chicken pot pie, you don't care if it's a rooster or a hen. And when Eric wants some of that good liquid nutrition, he could care less whether it's a man or a woman. Just covering his bases, is all.
Michael
Mon 11:52PM EST
Now. There was something. Lips catch in his teeth for a moment before he runs a hand through greying hair. Young, that he was not. Crows feet at the eyes, and if he smiled, you get the impression that those lines would deepen further. A middle-aged befuddled old men.
Blinking, he pauses. Considering. Then he turns slowly, looking at Eric and the girl. Friendly group. "Umm... I'll remember in a second."
Pauses, realising what he said wouldn't carry properly and walks back towards them.
Meadowen
Mon 11:53PM EST
She rolls her eyes and looks over at Eric then laughs, shaking her head. Her hands go to her hips and she drums her fingers on them. Waiting. She tilts her head and listens for abit then nods in agreement with the one holding a "conversation" with her.
Red Eric
Mon 11:55PM EST
Friendly group, and a tad bit mismatched. The man's casually dressed, jeans and jacket; the woman's in a leather catsuit. And a backpack. Go figure. Eric put a hand to his ear in the universal gesture of 'can't hear ya'. "Sorry," as the man comes closer, "what's that?"
Meadowen
Mon 11:57PM EST
She steps closer to Eric and rest a hand on his arm, smiles at him and looks over at Michael "well...3 wolves in the winters madness, and no sheep to be seen" sighs and damn near laughs again "though some thing the wolves are Sheep"
Michael
Mon 11:57PM EST
Closer now, within speaking distance, he smiles at them and nods. "Umm... came down here to look for a hotel. Now, just have to find it."
Chuckles, shrugging his shoulders. "I left my things there and well... Nevermind. Thank you though. I'll be fine. I think you and the lady have some business..."
And he falls silent, frowning at Meadowen. "Excuse me?"
Meadowen
Tue 12:00AM EST
She shrugs, getting bored with the game. When will they ever learn to understand her family? Her eyes take in the area, as if searching for something, doing a "sweep" one might think, she cocks her head and listens intently
Red Eric
Tue 12:01AM EST
And - yeah. Eric seconds that thought - or starts to, before he raises a hand and touches Meadowen's wrist lightly.
Fingers get cold easily. But even on a cold day, the wrist, with its bundles of nerves and tendons and arteries and veins, tends to remain warm. Meadowen's, though? Is cold.
A slight chuckle escapes him, half annoyed, half amused. Like a mask, the good cheer drops and Eric pushes his hand through his hair, slaps it down on the roof of the car. "Well, shit." Another laugh, short, breathed rather than voiced. He shoots the woman a glance. "Coulda told me earlier and saved me a lotta fuckin' time."
A moment's thought, his eyes sweeping the mostly empty street. "Might as well do a fuckin' intro, huh? I'm Red Eric." Like a cop flashing a badge, he pulls his jacket open to reveal a flicker of an inverted anarchy symbol stitched in red on the inner lining.
Meadowen
Tue 12:04AM EST
She nods and smiles, winks at him. Then looks over at Michael. She smirks and wonders if he will get it soon enough "The mirror is broken" shrugs agian and tilts her head to look at eric and winks. "more fun this way. "
Michael
Tue 12:07AM EST
A hand runs through his hair again, making even more of a mess. He cocks his head to Eric, a single eyebrow raising before he sighs. Great. Anarch and what? Malk most likely.
Oh great. "Ummm... mirror?" Looks around slowly, trying to see if there is a mirror broken. "Where? Seven years bad luck really."
Red Eric
Tue 12:09AM EST
The wink gets her another glance shot at her, wavering between annoyance (great, fuckin' Kook) and amusement. Yeah, never say Red Eric doesn't have a sense of humor. "Cracked from side to side," he murmurs, as though reciting, and then straightens up from the car, hands braced on the ridge at the edge of the car's top. "Yeah, really? You'd probably be singing a different tune if you'd spoken up any later. Was getting ready to munch on one of you."
He eyes the middle-aged man in the convenience store (like a hawk on a mouse), finally shuffling toward the checkout now. "Guess there's still him," he says, low. "But shit, I'm tellin' ya, these types taste like shit. Like old socks and TV dinners for the last 15 years."
Michael
Tue 12:14AM EST
"Oh hum. Oh dear." He smiles slightly befuddled, his head bent down slightly to avoid their eyes. He shifts his feet again, almost slightly agitatedly and mutters. "Really. What's munch?"
"Slang you know... it's so hard to keep up with." flashes them a smile, shrugging. "And you know, you Americans. Speak really strangely. And it's not 'vay-se' it's vase. Like vast."
Red Eric
Tue 12:21AM EST
Eric mutters under his breath. "Jesus Christ. Munch is to eat. Munch equals eat. Get it? Look - " taking a few steps back from his car, opening the driver's side door and tossing the CDs into the passenger's seat, " - I'm gonna go get a bite to eat." That should be unsubtle enough for the absent-minded one. "Maybe I'll come back when I'm full, and not so damn grumpy." The door slams into the frame with a solid thump, rocking the Thunderbird on its struts. "Nice meetin' ya, Meadowen. Nice meetin' ya too, guy I don't know the name of."
With that, he pulls his collar up against the wind and runs his hand through his hair, rather like a man preparing for an important interview. A moment passes. His shoulders relax, his stride loosens, and he heads into the convenience store, standing aside for the middle-aged man. Looks like he'd pegged the girl behind the counter, instead.
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