Gail's Characters (fullmoonpill) wrote in light_of_may, @ 2009-09-06 20:15:00 |
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Entry tags: | #group scene, 2009-06-14 |
No more hiding for you!
Who: Connie and Mercy and John
Where: The house, then out!
When: Evening, after sunset
After a rather exhausting day spent helping out the search parties-- Connie was very, very glad it wasn't sunny out; Rebecca had pretty much dragged him out to help, on only about four hours of sleep snatched after dawn-- Connie was ready for something fun. And as far as he could tell, so was Mercy, because as far as he could tell, she hadn't left her room all day while they were gone. The girl had hardly left her scent around the house, she'd been out and in it so seldom.
That was changing tonight, dammit. He rapped lightly on her door, tail twitching this way and that.
Mercy was laying on her bed, reading a book, as she had pretty much been doing for days. She had all of her things unpacked and set up, though in truth it wasn't much. No pictures of her family. Any true personal possession was long gone.
There was a knock on her door and she looked up, figuring it was Rebecca making sure she ate. "Come in." she said, setting her book to the side. She was dressed simply in jeans and fitted save the whales t-shirt. She realized going through the clothes she had bought she really wasn't paying attention to what the hell she was buying.
Connie poked his head in. "Well, hey, there, bookworm." He took in her clothes, grinned bigger, and gave her a thumbs up. "Like the shirt." Then, coming the rest of the way in, tail flicking around behind him, he asked, "Whatcha reading?"
Mercy looked up, a little surprised that it was Connie who was coming in to see her. He had been out helping with the search and had assumed he would be tired. Then again, he was a vampire so she supposed he was used to being up at night even if he was up all day. "Uh, thanks..." Well, apparently a Save the Whales shirt was cool. Who knew? "Oh, I'm reading The Gunslinger by Stephen King." she said, holding up the new paperback.
Saving the whales was something Connie could get behind, definitely. "Is it good?" he asked, coming to sit, all uninvited, on the edge of her bed. "Good enough to hole you up in here all day and night?" The second question was less innocent and more pointed, but still said with a smile that said he was teasing.
"It's very good. I bought the entire series." she said with a smile. The one thing in abundance in her room was books. She had a lot of work to do to be up to the library she had had back home, but she was working on it. She blushed at his second statement. "Well it's...um...definitely a classic series..."
"You can always read tomorrow," Connie said, coaxingly, with his best puppy-dog eyes. Or maybe sad-rabbit eyes. It all came out to about the same thing, in the end. "I think you should go out tonight and have fun, instead of holing up in here for the rest of the night, too."
Mercy perked an eyebrow. "I should, should I? And where, pray tell, will I go?" She had no idea where to even go to have 'fun' as he put it. Then again, his idea of fun and hers were probably vastly different.
"I don't know. Somewhere. Anywhere!" He spread his hands wide, as if to show her the whole world was open to her for fun. "I'll take you for a ride on my motorcycle. I can take you to a movie." His gaze narrowed and he paused. "How old are you?"
Mercy smiled a little. She hadn't know he had a motorcycle, but she was sort of scared to even fathom riding it. A movie would be full of people and dark, but how much safer could she get than with a vampire? She tilted her head a bit at his question. "Um, I'm 16. I'll be 17 in September."
"Damn. Should've guessed. I'd love to get you into Heme, but I don't know if they'll let you in that young." Connie sighed. "Well, could just go out for coffee and a movie, what do you say to that? Huh?" Grin back in place, his tail poked her in the knee.
"Heme? That's the vampire club, right?" She had be very curious about the club in truth. It came from reading too many vampire novels as a kid. She had probably an unhealthy interest in vampires. Of course, living with them was making it easy for her to learn. "Well, you're a vampire. I'm sure vampires bring people they feed on with them. What if you passed me off as that?" She suspected Connie might be a little bored to just go to the movies. She would think if she was immortal and older, going to the movies with a teenager wouldn't be the most entertaining thing.
While movies themselves didn't usually bore Connie-- if they were funny or action-packed, he usually liked them just fine; he was easy to please-- sitting still that long might have been a problem, admittedly. He considered, then shook his head. "I don't think they'd let me bring in an underage companion, no matter how much I liked the taste of her. Though I suppose we could try it, and if we're turned down, at least you saw the outside."
Mercy shrugged. "I just didn't want you to be bored." In truth, Mercy had no idea what to do for a night out. She had always been a reader and spent a lot of time alone. Now it was a bit extreme with her near constant seclusion.
"Mercy, you are very nice, but you definitely need to stick up for yourself," Connie said with a grin to her "whatever you want" attitude. But she had seemed at least a little interested in the vampire bar, so that was what he was going with. "Come on, we'll try out Heme, and if that doesn't work, we'll see what we come up with." He gave her elbow a little tug, aiming for her to stand up.
"Ok, ok." she said with a small smile, standing up. "Um...I don't think Save The Whales is a good one for a club..." She didn't even know if she had anything that would be good to go to a vampire bar.
Connie looked her over, then himself. "I suppose a ratty t-shirt probably isn't the best idea, either. I'll go change, you do the same, and I'll meet you out at my bike?" He stood up, then paused and added, "Er, bring a jacket, it's a bit wet!"
"Ok, Connie." Mercy closed the door behind him and decided she was absolutely insane. Going to a vampire bar. With a vampire. Yup, crazy. She went to her closet. She had some nicer stuff and she wasn't the dress type anyway. She pulled a pair of tight blue jeans that flared at the bottom and a blood red velvet tank top. It seemed appropriate. The shirt had been on sale and she had liked the feel of the velvet. Who knew she would be wearing it to a vampire bar?
Mercy got dressed, putting her red hair up in a fashionable messy bun. She wore the Doc Marten boots Nox had picked out for her, along with a leather jacket. All in all she thought she looked pretty cool. So no one would notice her obvious lack of bite marks on her neck, she added a thing scarf as an accessory. Mercy didn't wear make up, but she really didn't need to. She was pretty enough without it. Finished, she headed downstairs and to Connie's bike.
Connie was already out there, with a hat and leather jacket and scarf against the rain, though it was only sprinkling right now, anyway. He waved when she came out and sat on his bike, patting the seat behind him. "There's a helmet and everything. I hope it fits." He eyed the bun, determined not to admire a jailbait teenage girl. He had no desire to end up in jail-- or make her uncomfortable, for that matter.
Mercy more than likely wouldn't even notice if had been checking her out. At this point, a relationship was the last thing on her mind. She took the helmet and took out her hair, letting her red hair loose. "So much for having my hair up." she said with a grin, putting the helmet on her head. "All set."
"It looks better down, anyway," Connie said with a grin. "Though we can stop to put it up again before we go in, if you really want." He started his bike's engine, then asked, "So how to you like your bikes? Careful, not-so-careful, or daredevil?" He didn't want to scare her, after all, like he had Isolde. At least Isolde, after all, had the knowledge she most certainly wouldn't die.
"Just drive how you normally do." she said, getting on the bike behind him. She had never been on a motorcycle before and it felt odd. Mercy wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing against him tightly, a little nervous but also excited.
He'd go for not-so careful and see how she took it, then. The tail curled around her waist, back, and Connie made an effort to keep where it touched appropriate this time. Jailbait, he thought firmly at it, then kicked up the stand and pulled away from the curb with a noisy revving of engines.
Mercy felt a lot more secure on the bike with his tail around her. When he took off she let out a surprise squeak which turned into a thrill of laughter. For the first time in a while Mercy wasn't thinking about the crap in her life. Her heart pounded as they drove and she squeezed him a little tighter, her long red hair flying behind her in the wind.
Grinning at the laughter behind him, Connie sped up as he pulled into the street itself and turned a corner, leaning into it. He knew his limits, and these weren't anywhere near them, but it probably felt a little dangerous to Mercy.
Apparently Mercy liked danger. When he leaned she easily leaned with him, squealing like a nut. The rush was amazing. She had never had the opportunity to do anything wild like this. Maybe that's what she needs. To do things crazy so her mind was occupied.
"You havin' fun back there?" Connie called over his shoulder, accelerating onto the main road. The squealing sure made him think so. Who knew the little bookworm would enjoy a fast ride so much?
"Oh yes!" she cried, a huge grin on her face. Who knew, indeed? She was having a hell of a time just on the drive to the club. She really needed to get out more.
Connie laughed and his tail gave her waist a little squeeze. "Good! Hold on tight, then, I'm gonna pop one!" And once he was sure she was secure, he hauled back and gunned the engine at the same time, popping the front wheel up for a few seconds before dropping it back down with a bounce. Hopefully it'd go over well than it had with Isolde.
It definitely went over well. Mercy let out a loud whoop of joy as she clung to him for dear life. Maybe she had some kind of death wish she didn't know about because the more dangerous things Connie did, the more she was enjoying herself.
Grinning smugly to himself, Connie spent the rest of the trip just taking corners at blinding speeds and weaving between traffic-- not that there was a ton, as it was still wet and rainy, and it was a Sunday evening to boot-- but he thought it was enjoyable to all involved. Isolde could take some lessons from the bookworm, ha.
Heme was a little ways out of town, but at the speed Connie was going, they were almost there. He slowed them down as the little run-down-looking building came into sight, along with its pre-requisite crowd. At least the protesters had finally given up.
Mercy looked over his shoulder when they pulled up, stiffening. It had been a good idea back home, but know that they were there, the sight if the crowd had her heart pounding and her nerves on edge. "That's a lot of people..." she said softly and it was obvious she was scared.
John usually thrived in a crowd. Always impeccably dressed, the vampire had already accomplished his business inside: he was curious to know what the police -- and everyone else -- had learned about the kidnapped teens. It grated his nerves that the job was hurting his own business and had sent people nosing into his affairs... No, he didn't feel like playing the crowd tonight, not with the mood so black. Outside the bar, the well-dressed seemingly young man paused. It never ceased to amaze him how many people always waited outside this place... With a smile -- perfect and charming as always -- he nodded towards the car that had slowed as it passed.
The bike slowed more and Connie pulled into Heme's parking lot, giving Mercy a reassuring squeeze with his tail. "Heme's a popular place," he shrugged. "That bother you?" He could feel her heartbeat against his back picking up, and turning his head a little once the bike rolled to a stop in a parking spot, he could catch a tiny whiff of fear-scent. He didn't notice John just yet-- he'd not met the man before, and was more concerned with Mercy at the moment, to be honest.
She took in a shuddering breath. She could feel be stirrings of a panic attack and that really was the last thing she needed. She's likely shift in the crowd just becoming so overwhelmed. She bit her lip. "Crowds of people and me don't mix too well. Jeeze, I'm a total idiot, aren't I?" She shook her head, glancing toward the club again when he eyes feel on a man smiling and nodding to them. She blushed and smiled just a little in return to be polite.
John's trained eyes immediately picked out details others might have missed. The girl on the motorcycle was nervous as hell -- she was tense, and her glance towards the bar seemed to confirm that it was not the bike which worried her. Rather than return to his car, John decided to do as he always did: go with the flow. He would have to pass them on his way to his car anyway, so why not stop to say hello? Smile still in place, he stepped forward with a relaxed, easy stride, and asked, "Are you quite alright, Miss?"
Keeping his tail curled securely around Mercy, hoping maybe it'd make her feel a little better, Connie shook his head and was about to speak-- at least until the other voice piped up, and he craned his head around to blink at the speaker.
Another vampire, unless the noise from the bar itself was hiding the sound of his heartbeat. Well, not particularly surprising, given this was Heme. He grinned a bit lopsidedly at him, then glanced back at Mercy. "Are you okay? We can go, if you'd rather...."
"I'm alright, out here anyway. And by the looks of it they take security seriously." She noted the bouncers at the door checking IDs. She had rather good eyesight along with scent and hearing. She smiled at the man. "I really am all right."
"I'm so glad," John returned with a genuine warmth. "Are you going inside?" he inquired politely with a glance back towards the bar. "It's a bit of a nuthouse tonight. There's a gang of police inside bothering every vampire that comes through the door -- and most of the known hunters as well. It rather ruins the experience." With an equally warm smile, John held out his hand. "John Patten."
After another glance back to Mercy, Connie guessed, "No, don't think we're heading inside. Especially not if they're hassling people. Though I'd hate to think any cop would bother a Luna House vampire-- we'd rather die again than deal with hunters. Yuck." He made a face. He took John's hand and added, "Connie Nim. And Mercy." The last came with a nod and a quick smile to the girl.
There was a chance John might recognize Mercy from the news. Her picture had been all over for a month while she was missing and then again when she was found. "Nice to meet you." she said shyly, feeling safe with Connie but definitely smelling vampire on John.
"Just as I was leaving, Sebastian Van Cleve came in. Not even the VIP section could keep them out." John shook his head slightly, as if he could not believe it. He knew what the other man had meant -- their families were supposedly related, if one could believe the legends. "It's a pleasure to meet you both," John said, eyes lingering on Mercy a moment. Rather than inquire why she seemed familiar, he instead smiled again at her. "If you're looking for a bar that's a little more private, I would be delighted to host you both at my establishment." Producing a card, he smiled as he handed it to Connie.
"Well, Mercy's technically underage, but...." Connie took the card, brows going up. This was the guy who owned that place? Rebecca said she didn't go there, not liking the smell, but he was free to if he wanted to. He glanced at Mercy. "What do you think? Interested, or would you rather just do the movie thing? I think that new Star Trek movie's still out."
Mercy was probably crazy, but she felt some impulse to go to this man's club. Had to be a death wish. But she was confident Connie would keep her safe and she wanted him to have fun. "I'm up for it if you are, Connie." she said with a shrug.
When John had been Mercy's age, there had been no such thing as underage...and John believed there was no reason for there to be one. He smiled broadly at them both, openly pleased with their decision to join him. "We have a variety of non-alcoholic drinks," John informed them both cheerfully. "But, of course, you would be welcome to try some alcohol as well." To Connie, he added, "And I have a variety of blood types available, fresh and otherwise." Smoothly, John asked, "Do you know where I'm located?"
"No alcohol," Connie said firmly. "Not that I don't think you can handle it, Mercy, but Rebecca would kill me, and I'd rather not wind up dead again. --I've heard of your place, mister Patten, though I've gotta admit I've not been there. The card got an address?" He flipped it over to check.
Mercy wondered what John meant by 'fresh or otherwise' for Connie, but she supposed he would only be drinking blood. That was still in abstract for her, having never seen a vampire feed. "I can just have soda, Connie, it's fine." she said with a small smile.
"It's not on the card, actually," John said with a smile. "I don't mean to sound dodgy, but you'll understand why I prefer to invite guests myself. It is a necessary measure to protect my clients as well as my employees." It was quite true: were the anti-supernatural parties to find his home, a great number of people could get hurt. He relayed the address to Connie, as well as provided some rough directions, concluding with, "It's the big house on the hill. You can't miss it."
"All right, then, thanks," Connie said, and put the card away in his pocket. "Ready for another ride, then, Mercy?" he asked, flashing her a grin. He had a feeling the answer would be an enthusiastic yes.
Mercy wondered what she was getting them into. Her instincts screamed 'predator'. Sure, she felt the same with Connie, but this was a whole new level she wasn't used to. There was something about the fact it was so obviously dangerous that spurned her on. "I am ready!" she said with a grin, looking forward to the ride.
"Good," John answered smugly. "I'll see you there." With a tip of an imaginary hat, he said, "Miss." So saying, he stepped by them on his way to his car, pleased with himself. Perhaps tonight might be alright after all.
By now, Connie didn't have much in the way of protective instincts: either he was too hyped up and excited to care, or he was down enough to welcome trouble, plus he was over a hundred years old. Not much really gave him pause, instincts-wise, anymore. He saluted John briefly with the tip of his tail, then wrapped it more securely around Mercy and packed them out of the parking spot. "Off we go, then!"
Mercy held on to Connie tight as they drove to the other club. She wondered what kind of place John ran that he would let a 16 year old in to. It excited her, to do something that was so obviously dangerous. Maybe she was more crazy than she thought.
She perked up as Connie slowed down in front of the new club. "So, what kind of club is this exactly?"
"Basically the same as Heme, far's I can tell, only a lot less public," Connie shrugged, coasting into a parking space all over again-- though this one was along a massive driveway, rather than in a boring old lot-- and killing the engine. "Rebecca doesn't like it here, she says, but she didn't tell me I couldn't come, so it can't be bad. She's already warned me off a couple other places."
Mercy hopped off the bike, taking off her helmet and running her fingers through her red hair, getting it in some semblance of order. It wasn't raining at the moment so it wasn't frizzing, which was a good thing. She hated when her hair frizzed. "Ok, let's do this." There wasn't a crowd outside, so she felt calm.
"I'd say after you, but in a vampire bar, that might not be the best idea." Connie grinned teasingly. "They might take you for a wide-eyed fangbanger, and then we'd be in trouble." Instead, he put an arm around her shoulders and led the way up to the front, opening the door and ushering her in.
From outside, John's looked like a private residence with a large, sweeping driveway and plenty of foliage to keep prying eyes from seeing too much. The mansion opened into a scene from Gone with the Wind. The parlor was decorated in a blend of modern fashion and antique woodwork in a brilliantly seamless design. A redheaded vampire who looked about to fall out of her short black dress stepped forward with a welcoming smile for them both. "You must be Connie and Mercy," she murmured in a sultry bedroom voice that seemed as natural for her as breathing was to the living. "John said to welcome you on his behalf. He will be along shortly. He has instructed me to fulfill all of your needs on his tab for this evening." She flashed them a perfect smile as she gestured for them to step inside. "Please, come in and take a seat."
Mercy's eyes went wide as she looked around the club. She saw people lounging about, some vampires feeding off humans who seemed to really be enjoying it. "Oh my..." she said softly, sticking close to Connie. This was an entirely new experience for her, that was for sure. Well, she wanted different and Connie not to be bored. Looks like she got it.
Connie's brows went up in surprise, his own self. "Uh." He glanced at Mercy, confused. On his tab? The random guy from Heme... was covering their drinks? This guy was either desperate for repeat customers, really stupid with his money, or really, really weird. Or something. "Okay, I guess, thanks...." He did, however, keep his arm around Mercy's shoulders, especially in the presence of so many vampires who might take interest in a little were like her.
"I never did understand why people like it even when it's the kind that hurts," he murmured to Mercy, eying some of the other "couples" in here, and directed her straight to the bar.
"So sometimes it feels good and sometimes it doesn't?" Mercy asked curiously as they went to the bar. She hopped up on one of the stools, taking off her leather jacket to reveal her deep red velvet top and left her throat and shoulders bare. She ordered a coke as she looked over the crowd with her bright blue eyes before looking back to Connie.
Jesus, but that girl had gone all out. That was not a shirt Connie would have expected her to wear. He kept his eyes politely where they belonged, above her throat-level, and ordered a fire elemental blood, since hey, it was on the menu, and hey, the rich bar-owner was paying! He hadn't had good fire elemental blood in a long time, and he liked feeling warm as much as the next vampire. "Well, sure. It depends on the vampire. Some lines hurt more than others. My line's one of the gentler ones, we feel all soothing and stuff."
John had not been far behind Connie and Mercy. Having taken a moment to compose himself, John had entered behind them. He spotted them seated at the bar, paused a moment to smile at a few of his regulars, and then he stepped into the conversation. "Either way, the arrangement is mutually beneficial to both parties." John gave them both his charming smile, flattering and private, as though they were the only two in the room.
Mercy turned, not having sensed John coming up to them. All she could really smell was blood. It was a little disturbing to her, but she supposed living with vampires that was something she would have to get used to. "Thank you for inviting us." she said with a blush and a small smile.
Though he wanted to protest that it was hardly mutually beneficial when it hurt people to be bitten, Connie didn't really want to get into an argument with the man paying for his very expensive drink. He curled his tail around Mercy's ankle, just because. "And for offering to pay our tab," was what he said, still completely blindsided by that. "That was more generous than I had any idea to expect."
"I'm generous to my friends," John answered as he leaned against the bar, making a gesture with his hand. The bartender nodded and served a red drink to him wordlessly, then returned to her work. "I'm glad you could come." With a sip of his drink, John glanced around with a mirthful laugh. "To be honest with you both, this is not just a drinking establishment. If you'll forgive the crudeness, Miss, this is as much a whorehouse as it is a bar."
Mercy almost did a spit take when John informed them the bar was also a whorehouse. She swallowed her sip of soda, blinking. "Oh my..." was the only thing she could say to that. She was in a whorehouse. Oh my god.
That... really wasn't something Connie had wanted, or needed, to know. If he wanted women, he'd get them himself, thanks, and not pay for them. He just about choked on his own sip of blood, too, and had to cough a minute to get it into the right tube. "Uh. Yeah, okay. No wonder Rebecca doesn't like this place." Especially if they were as forthcoming about it with her, as they'd just been with them!
John instantly looked truly apologetic. "I'm so sorry," he began at once. From the counter, he picked up a napkin, which he offered to Connie with a sincere frown. "That was in the interest of honesty and so you wouldn't be shocked to learn of it later. Obviously, my little plan backfired. Are you alright?" John didn't expect either of them to be interested in that part of his business -- he had honestly wanted to save them the surprise.
Mercy was surprisingly adjusting to the idea. Her mind seemed to work totally differently now in an odd situation like this. She had faced a living hell for a month. What was one whorehouse, right? Yea, right. "It's fine, I guess. As little as less than a century ago prostitution was perfectly legal." When in doubt, her mind pulled facts from the history channel.
Mercy got herself a puzzled look from Connie-- he'd expected the bookworm to be more weirded out than he was, actually-- then he shook his head, tail curling a little more around her ankle and calf, half idly and half protectively. "As long as you don't expect me to partake, well, whatever." Connie did not pay for girls, thanks. Not with awesome girls like Isolde and Felicity in the world perfectly happy to spend some time with him just so he could make them feel good.
John chuckled softly and shook his head slightly. "Of course not. You came in escort of a young lady. I did not expect you to abandon her at the bar. Consider it a warning for if you decide to explore the rest of the house." They were welcome to do just that if they set their minds to it. Smiling, John turned his attention to Mercy, then, and added, "I must say I am completely charmed. It is rare to meet a young woman with such culture."
Mercy turned bright red, looking down at her lap. She didn't have culture. Just a lot of books and educational television. "I um...like to read." Understatement, much? She was really out of place here in more ways than one. She looked up through her pale lashes, sipping her soda a little nervously.
With that warning, Connie decided he wasn't exploring the rest of the house, nope, no way. Not tonight, at the very least. He hated the thought of someone who wanted him to pay them for sex or biting. It just made him unhappy, and want to pay them without taking either one-- and he didn't have the money for that. "She's my surprising little bookworm," Connie agreed with Mercy's statement, shooting her a smile to show he was teasing. "I don't think either of us expected you were gonna enjoy yourself out of the house, did you?"
It was obvious from her expression that Mercy hadn't expected it, either. Connie, in a good mood, held up his glass to the bartender. "Another for both of us, I think. And thank you for inviting us," he added to John, grinning. It was definitely becoming an interesting night, that was for sure.