Hailey Hawthorne (youngestheroine) wrote in thisdarknight, @ 2016-07-26 17:48:00 |
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Entry tags: | !locale: french quarter, edesie baron [npc], hailey hawthorne, regina hawthorne |
and if all the lights are out
Who: Edie Baron, & Hailey & Regina Hawthorne.
What: Hailey successfully tracks down where Regina now calls home.
Where: Members Only.
When: Early evening.
Warnings: None.
Progress: Gdoc, complete
In New York, Hailey had been an early bird. She’d wake with the sun and get a good breakfast before diving into school work or classes. She barreled through to the evening and went to bed before midnight and it worked. But New Orleans had always been a different animal. It came to life with the setting sun and now that her sister sort of did the same, Hailey quickly returned to her old style of sleep: going to bed late and waking up late.
At first, she lingered in the hotel room during the day until Regina would arrive by breaking up her time between sleeping, watching tv, and going to the hotel pool, but that grew old quickly and she began to wander the old, familiar streets of the French Quarter in the middle of the day as she reacquainted herself to the city that was still thick in her blood. Hailey figured that the middle of the day was the safest from vampires and wouldn’t quite get her into trouble with her sister. Of course, she didn’t tell Regina what she was doing during the day; she was an adult and could do what she pleased, right? It wasn’t like she was doing anything too exciting anyway. She’d linger at Beckham’s Books, finding books to pore over and petting the friendly store cats, then she would meander to the various cafes she always enjoyed and find some food. She tried to be thrifty and cautious with her spending--she didn’t have a job yet after all--but Regina every evening would produce cash to cover for her meals. As the sun began to dip she’d return to the hotel and wait for Regina’s arrival.
All the while, Hailey peppered her sister with questions of this whole new world. Of course, it wasn’t entirely new. Hailey knew about vampires -- Kindred, although Hailey didn’t feel like she was allowed to call them that since she was human -- years before but she hadn’t allowed her mind to linger over it. She hadn’t wanted to, it’s what killed their parents after all and whenever she spoke of the topic, it was ridden with worry for Regina and her job of choice. Now the worst happened, one of the worst things at least -- the other would’ve been death, and Hailey had to face it all and only in the best way she knew how: by learning all she could.
Regina wasn’t an easy egg to crack but Hailey knew that she would get her answers with persistence. For instance, Regina couldn’t eat anymore which made Hailey always a little uncomfortable when she would be eating in front of her, like she was rubbing her hunger in her sister’s face. Hailey also discovered a few details about where Regina apparently slept during the day and she was determined to track it down. It was all based on offhanded remarks. A friend’s place, somewhere on Bourbon, something about it being member’s only. While Regina would eventually give up the information, it at times took too long for Hailey’s patience.
So on another sunny day, Hailey woke late and picked through what clean clothing she still had. She selected a happy sundress, something light and a white eyelet that made her tanned skin deepen in color, and left her long blonde hair draped down her back in waves. With skin-tone ballet flats on her feet, a wristlet bag looped around her wrist with all her minor essentials, she left the hotel as the sun began to meet the edge of the world. Heading further into the French Quarter, she ignored the calls from drunk men and avoided the stumbling of drunks, hopped over puddles of god knows what, and scanned the names of the various clubs she passed by.
Bourbon street was one of her least favorite streets. It smelled like puke, piss and stale beer; the bars were always overpriced with drinks filled with sugar, and the tourists flocked to the area and behaved like idiots. Locals tended to stay away, except for the ones who were good at pickpocketing or wanted to find a good time for the night. Still, she meandered down the road with her eyes on the names of places, wondering which place was her sister’s daytime bed, and paused when the establishment Member's Only came into view.
Already a line was formed outside the door of a mix of clientele waiting to go in. Hailey joined the slow moving line as the sun set. She worried at her bottom lip, wondering if she would get in to see Regina or else have a frantic call from Regina who had gotten to the hotel and discovered Hailey was nowhere in sight.
“I need to see your ID,” the large man at the front of the line murmured, jolting Hailey’s attention to him. She blinked, realizing he was speaking to her, and reached for her wristlet.
“I’m nearly thirty,” she sighed, grabbing her ID and thrusting it forward. This wasn’t the first time but it was still irritating. The man glanced at the card and gave a nod, his arm sweeping back as if to introduce the doorway for her. Hailey replied with another smile and stepped inside.
And there she froze, just inside the door as she stared at the red and purple lights and the stripper poles positioned throughout. Her stomach turned and she wondered if she shouldn’t have had a late lunch. A strip club? What the hell type of work was Regina doing for this place?
It was early in the evening but already there were women dancing with hungry men surrounding them. Hailey frowned and began to head towards the bar. She needed a drink, at the very least, and preferably to ask someone if they knew of Regina. Funny that the first time she ever went into a strip club was to find her sister.
The bar was relatively empty -- people were more interested in the various dancers -- and Hailey found herself relieved to be alone. She hopped up onto one of the stoles and gripped her wristlet in front of her, waiting politely for the pretty bartender to notice she was there so that she may order.
The Asian woman wearing little more than a man's vest as a top finished up a few more drinks before spying Hailey at the end of the bar. Intrigue crossed her face, and she moved down the bar toward the young woman.
"You look like you're lost, my lamb," she said quietly, though was somehow still heard over the pounding music. Hands with black painted nails spread over the counter as she leaned toward Hailey. "The bouncer could've given you directions without you having to come inside."
Hailey looked up at the woman, her eyes widening at her outfit from close proximity, but after a second she changed her expression to one of pleasant happiness. She smiled, sitting up a little straighter. “Maybe I’m a little lost, but I was hoping that you could help me.” She glanced at the row of bottled alcohol behind the woman and then back to her, meeting her gaze. “And maybe get me a drink. A rum and coke, please?”
The woman nodded, moving to mix the requested item. It came to hand quickly and easily, and she slid it in front of Hailey. Her hand lingered on the glass, touching Hailey's fingers as she took it.
"I can try to answer your questions, but I can't imagine what you're looking for. A job? There are a number of clients who have quite the sweet tooth."
Hailey’s eyes widened and her cheeks quickly grew pink. “Oh!” She whispered, then looked down at her drink. “Oh, no… no I’m not looking for a job.” She quickly took a sip of her drink and glanced around, obviously uncomfortable or nervous, or both. She swallowed and returned her gaze to the woman. “I was wondering if you know Regina Hawthorne? If she… uh…works here?” Was she allowed to say slept there? Was she allowed to indicate she knew more?
The woman's brows flew up on her forehead in surprise, though the smile on her face never abated. She settled on her elbows on the counter, her full attention fixed on Hailey. "You don't look at all her type, kitten. I think you're very, very lost. What do you want with her?"
“I just want to see her,” Hailey admitted, her fingers tapped at the cold glass nervously. “Regina’s my big sister. I’m Hailey. I just came back to town and she had mentioned this place… I wanted to see if it’s where she stays.” She bit her bottom lip and looked at the woman expectantly, wondering if she would reveal if Regina did work there or sleep there, or whatever this weird establishment had to do with her sister. “Oh, and it’s nice to meet you, I don’t know your name though.” She quickly held out her hand, then paused to wipe the condensation from the wet glass off before offering it once more.
The woman's warm brown eyes darted down to Hailey's extended hand, which she then took with her own. Her touch was cool, room temperature, but certainly not enough to be considered healthy. Hailey raised an eyebrow, recognizing the woman for what she was.
"You can call me Edie. And yes, your sister is here. She never mentioned any relatives coming by. I assume she doesn't know you're here?" Releasing Hailey's grip, she waved to a nearby server wearing nothing more than pasties and a g-string. The redhead nodded, stopping by the bar with her tray under one arm.
"Lucy, my darling, will you run upstairs and let Reggie know her sister is here?" Lucy smiled and nodded in reply, her lips never fully showing her teeth. Her gaze moved down and over Hailey appraisingly, and then she slipped off down the bar to disappear behind a curtain. Edie's gaze returned to Hailey. "If there's one thing I've learned about your sister, it's that she doesn't care for surprises."
Hailey shrugged. “If you know my sister so well then, you also know how hard it is to get her to give up any information. I’ve been trying to figure out where she’s been staying since I got home and she’s had me basically locked up in a hotel.” She sipped her drink, somehow feeling a little more at ease with the idea that Regina was on her way. Gently, she sat her glass down on the bar and glanced around her. She still was relatively alone with Edie so she saw her chance. Still, she leaned forward and kept her voice low. “Your hand was cool to the touch, so I’m assuming you are… well, you share the same… uh… classification as my sister?”
Edie's face lit up with amusement; clearly she was less shocked by Hailey's question than she was delighted. She leaned into Hailey's form, her hand moving forward again to cup around the one Hailey was holding her drink with. Her lips parted, a tongue running over white teeth and glistening fangs.
"Classification? You are a treat, my lamb. I think I know what you're getting at, and no, I'm not. Though we are the same species."
To Hailey’s credit, she didn’t lean away or jump. She did, however, stare at the sharp fangs that Edie had. Regina had, more or less, avoided showing Hailey that attribute to her new status. But the fangs were fearsome and sharp looking, making the entire existence of vampires all the more real despite that Hailey had spent time with her sister often enough over the past few days.
She swallowed, and pulled her gaze up to meet Edie’s. “Oh,” she replied, then realized that wasn’t enough of a reply. “I’m still learning about it all. I know there are, uh, different classifications but I don’t really… I can’t really tell the difference yet. No offense. Do… do you know Regina really well then? Is… is she okay?” She stared at Edie, her eyes pleading. She knew the vampire was trying to get her heart to quiver (she did) and maybe for her to sweat a little (also true), but perhaps she could shed a little more light on Regina’s world for her.
Edie's brows rose, and she settled back a little, leaning on her hands on the counter's edge. "I don't think that's my place to say. Besides, she'll be down here soon enough, and I'm far more looking forward to seeing her reaction at your presence here."
Speak the name of the devil and he shall appear; Regina suddenly edged around one side of the bar, a frown written so deeply on her face it looked like someone had hit her with a shovel. Her gaze could have pierced holes in Hailey's face. Her tongue slipped around her top teeth, pushing out her upper lip as she looked from her sister to the Kindred behind the bar.
"I'm gonna head out for the night; you don't need me, do you?"
"Oh, Reggie, darling, I don't need you for anything," Edie quipped back, making Regina frown all the harder. "But I'll be sure to let you know if Savoy sends another little message." She leaned up and away from the bar, glancing back at Hailey. "It was lovely to meet you, little lamb."
Hailey swallowed, she knew Regina’s facial expressions enough to know how displeased Regina was. It coincidentally was the same face she often wore when she was woken up, both of which applied to the moment. Hailey took a quick swallow of her rum and coke before setting it on the bar.
“It was nice to meet you too, Edie,” Hailey replied, glancing back at the women. She hopped off the stool and glanced at Regina again with a frown before pausing to go into her wristlet. “I’m sorry, I don’t carry much cash with me,” she murmured, embarrassed as she produced a few crumpled bucks that she placed gently on the bar. It wasn’t much for a tip and really, she had only gotten one drink, but she felt it was the polite thing to do. “Maybe I’ll see you again?” She said it like it was a question, glancing up at Edie, but the question was more-so of whether or not Regina would ever let her out of her sight again. Edie pocketed the money with another elusive smile and turned away to attend to other customers she'd been neglecting.
Hailey turned to Regina. “Hi Gina,” she said, smiling, trying to keep the air light and turn Regina’s frown around. “Did you sleep okay?”
"We can talk about this outside," Regina muttered through gritted teeth. She wrapped one pale hand around Hailey's elbow, steering her sister toward the strip club's front door. The strength behind her grip and her push didn't give the younger woman much choice in where they were going. "I can't believe you did this, Hailey, I just..." Regina sighed, weaving through the growing crowd that, thankfully, was more focused on the bar and the stage than they were in the Kindred with the marked face.
“Regina, calm down,” Hailey hissed, being forcefully lead along. She twisted to look at Regina all the same while being pushed along. Her eyes were pleading but her voice was certain. She understood this would piss her sister off, but Hailey fully believed she had a right. “First of all, I am an adult and if I want to go somewhere I should be able to. Second, I stayed within the vicinity of what you laid out. I didn’t leave the French Quarter. I didn’t go past Canal. But I am going nuts in that hotel all day. And I came over here just before sunset and figured if this wasn’t where you are staying, I’d just stay here until you came to get me rather than wander around. Anyway, I want to know where I can go if I need you. What if the hotel burned down in the middle of the day? At least I could come here and wait for you.”
Regina bit back everything she wanted to say, instead focused on getting her sister out of the strip club and onto Bourbon. The crowds didn't abate; if anything, they grew thicker and drunker the more they moved outside. Regina didn't let go of Hailey's arm until they were onto a side street, and then finally the somewhat gently pulled her sister in front of her.
"You have my phone, Hailey, you can call me if you need me. Do you want something like this to happen to you?" She motioned to her face with a quick, angry gesture. "God, it's like you want to fucking make it easy for them. I just..." She squeezed her eyes closed, bringing one hand up to massage her forehead. She swallowed, a decidedly human gesture amidst all her paleness, and slowly let out a breath. Her eyes opened and settled sadly on her sister.
"Well, now you know. I just... I just need you to be more careful, all right? Christ, Hailey."
Hailey’s shoulders slumped but she stared pointedly at her big sister. “I will, I am. I’ve only gone out during the day when the sun is out, I promise, and I’ll continue doing that. With this-” she motioned toward Members Only, “I just wanted to know where you slept. I figured you’d be pissed but I want to know more about this life of yours.
“I’m not going anywhere any time soon, Gina, and you have to get that through your head. And while I’m here, I can’t be locked away the entire time and I want to know more about you. I’ve been gone for so long and it’s not fair that you’ve been doing this alone. I’m here and I’m not going anywhere. When I do go, maybe you can come with me. But either way, you aren’t alone anymore. Just… welcome me in already. We’re together again and we’ve made it this long, just the two of us, and I’m ready to do it all again. We’ll be okay but we have to be a team about this.” She sighed, feeling deflated. A drunk pushed by, knocking into Hailey’s shoulder, and she took a step closer to the old brick wall and crossed her arms over her chest. Biting her lip, she waited for Regina to yell at her some more, or close off, it was Regina’s two default reactions as of late.
And she did exactly the latter; Regina boxed everything up, shutting the conversation down entirely. "We're done with this topic. I obviously can't stop you, and now Edie knows about you, which means everyone will know about you, and..." Regina stopped herself mid sentence. "I don't even want to think about it. Let's just...go find something to do. I don't have any work tonight, yet. Did you eat? Or we can go to a bookstore, if we can find one still open."
Hailey’s lips thinned into a line and she grew still, staring at her sister for a number of silent moments. She hated when Regina played the avoidance game and she nearly called her sister out on it -- nearly. It’d all come out eventually and something else stirred in Hailey’s mind. “I hadn’t thought of that,” she admitted, her stance relaxing slightly. “That Edie knowing about me would mean everyone would know. I didn’t think of that and I’m sorry.” She bit her bottom lip and studied her sister once more. “And no, I haven’t eaten yet. I still need to get dinner. Maybe we can go over to Clover Grill?”
Regina bobbed her head in reply, needing to keep silent to prevent further scolding from leaking out. Instead, she took her sister's hand and led them down the street adjacent to Bourbon. Once they could see the vivid lights of the burger place, the blonds beelined for it and the numerous tourists and local drunks that populated it. For a little while, they were lost in the crowd, the same as any other French Quarter patron.