'Interesting.' [ The vampire laughs gently at her answer. ] The work of a novice, perhaps? I feel most are able to earn a better review than just 'interesting.'
[ Ah, but he is a gentleman. As tempting as he finds her blood, the clients of this fine establishment know better than to misbehave -- Mistress Marie runs a tight ship, after all, and both rough-housing and hypnosis are banned on the premises. If Gray truly isn't interested in being shown a whole new world of fun (???) this time, he'll just have to try his luck again next time ...
Anyway, rest assured, Gray! She won't have to see Gen getting erotically blood-bagged tonight. She'll only have to see Gen almost getting erotically blood-bagged.
As in -- the next booth that comes into her view as she continues down the aisle is occupied by Gen lounging across a plush couch, manspreading like his life depends on it as he sinks into the cushions, with a beautiful vampiress plastered against his side. They both seem to be having a good enough time as they talk in low murmurs, the vampiress letting one hand playing through his hair and the other tracing little circles over his throat, right over the carotid. And just as she's leaning in, whispering something into his ear and earning a smug little grin, Gen happens to look over --
and jerks back so abruptly that the poor vampiress ends up faceplanting across his leg. ]
-- Gray?! [ Added proof of how startled he is by Gray's appearance: that protest comes a little squeaky and higher-pitched from the shock. Because for as much as he's a mean bully that likes teasing her, actually getting caught by Gray in this situation doesn't feel, uh, right. ] The hell're you doing here?!
[ Ah, but he is a gentleman. As tempting as he finds her blood, the clients of this fine establishment know better than to misbehave -- Mistress Marie runs a tight ship, after all, and both rough-housing and hypnosis are banned on the premises. If Gray truly isn't interested in being shown a whole new world of fun (???) this time, he'll just have to try his luck again next time ...
Anyway, rest assured, Gray! She won't have to see Gen getting erotically blood-bagged tonight. She'll only have to see Gen almost getting erotically blood-bagged.
As in -- the next booth that comes into her view as she continues down the aisle is occupied by Gen lounging across a plush couch, manspreading like his life depends on it as he sinks into the cushions, with a beautiful vampiress plastered against his side. They both seem to be having a good enough time as they talk in low murmurs, the vampiress letting one hand playing through his hair and the other tracing little circles over his throat, right over the carotid. And just as she's leaning in, whispering something into his ear and earning a smug little grin, Gen happens to look over --
and jerks back so abruptly that the poor vampiress ends up faceplanting across his leg. ]
-- Gray?! [ Added proof of how startled he is by Gray's appearance: that protest comes a little squeaky and higher-pitched from the shock. Because for as much as he's a mean bully that likes teasing her, actually getting caught by Gray in this situation doesn't feel, uh, right. ] The hell're you doing here?!
[ Her very helpful guide, of course, takes the chance to gently support Gray from behind when she recoils, resting a hand upon her shoulder to make sure she doesn't go staggering back into one of the waiters passing by. Best to make a good impression upon her if he wants to stand a chance at getting a sippy from her sometime in the future, if she should return to the bar!
-- which isn't something Gen's about to let slide. His companion's just straightened up with a whine of complaint, papping a hand against Gen's shoulder to make her displeasure clear as she says something about 'you can't just move like that!' when Gen bolts to his feet ... dumping her directly on the floor. ]
Hey, you get your hands off her!
[ Said as he points (extremely rudely) straight at Gray's helpful guide, ignoring the way his vampiress companion's very loud (but very reasonable) complaint of 'what the hell!' Followed by a hard huff as he addresses Gray next: ]
Did that guy talk you into coming here? What did he tell you?
[ Because, like. There's no way she came here of her own volition to get her blood sucked, right? U-unless she's actually pretty kinky and he just never knew??? ... there is a non-zero possibility of that, huh. ]
-- which isn't something Gen's about to let slide. His companion's just straightened up with a whine of complaint, papping a hand against Gen's shoulder to make her displeasure clear as she says something about 'you can't just move like that!' when Gen bolts to his feet ... dumping her directly on the floor. ]
Hey, you get your hands off her!
[ Said as he points (extremely rudely) straight at Gray's helpful guide, ignoring the way his vampiress companion's very loud (but very reasonable) complaint of 'what the hell!' Followed by a hard huff as he addresses Gray next: ]
Did that guy talk you into coming here? What did he tell you?
[ Because, like. There's no way she came here of her own volition to get her blood sucked, right? U-unless she's actually pretty kinky and he just never knew??? ... there is a non-zero possibility of that, huh. ]
Haa? What -- who's this 'bird'? [ Gen, of course, only assumes that 'a bird' is some sort of weird codename for someone or something? Has someone been watching him come here? ] And why the hell're you learning about --
[ Anyway, Gray doesn't need to feel too bad for the vampiress! Clearly unhappy with the turn of events and (very reasonably) running out of patience, she interrupts Gen by giving him a hard slap across the face. It's enough to have Gen stumbling a step sideways, and he just looks at her -- a little wide-eyed from the natural shock of it -- as she huffs, 'See if I ever invite you over again, you rude ass!'
She stomps off the next moment with the swish of her long robes, leaving Gen with one cheek still red. Despite his initial surprise, he actually seems pretty used to this sequence of events. He only rolls his eyes as she exits the scene before returning his attention to what really matters: Gray. ]
-- why the hell're you learning about how this place works? [ At least the slap had halted the momentum of his flustered anger, and he's looking a little calmer as he speaks again. A little. His gaze is still suspicious when it flicks from Gray, up to her guide, then back. ] You're interested in this place?
[ Anyway, Gray doesn't need to feel too bad for the vampiress! Clearly unhappy with the turn of events and (very reasonably) running out of patience, she interrupts Gen by giving him a hard slap across the face. It's enough to have Gen stumbling a step sideways, and he just looks at her -- a little wide-eyed from the natural shock of it -- as she huffs, 'See if I ever invite you over again, you rude ass!'
She stomps off the next moment with the swish of her long robes, leaving Gen with one cheek still red. Despite his initial surprise, he actually seems pretty used to this sequence of events. He only rolls his eyes as she exits the scene before returning his attention to what really matters: Gray. ]
-- why the hell're you learning about how this place works? [ At least the slap had halted the momentum of his flustered anger, and he's looking a little calmer as he speaks again. A little. His gaze is still suspicious when it flicks from Gray, up to her guide, then back. ] You're interested in this place?
[ Given everything she's seen of Gen's, well, everything, is she really surprised that Gen is accustomed to getting harshly rejected ... Gen had largely been shrewd about picking and choosing his targets back home when it came to accosting them and hassling them for a roll in the hay, but a 100% batting rate is a hard thing to attain. And getting slapped in the face doesn't sting that much after the first two or three times, as it turns out.
Anyway, Gen has much better things to worry about at the moment than the lingering sting in his cheek. ]
...
[ Though he says nothing for a moment, the way he shoots Gray's kindly vampire guide a rancid stink-eye is hardly subtle. And after seeming to think for a moment, lips pressed thinly together, Gen steps forward to smack the vampire's hand off Gray's shoulder. ]
Whatever. I'm done for the night. Let's get outta here.
[ With that, he starts bodily shoving Gray before him to guide them out of the establishment. Gray's guide offers her a genial 'We hope to see you again' as she's hustled away, which Gen responds to with a supremely shitty, 'Fuck off.' And by the time the vampire attempts one last 'I was speaking to the young lady, not you ...' they're already most of the way towards the door.
The moment he's finished shoving Gray back out onto the streets and let the door swing shut behind him, Gen spins her around so he can say to her face: ] Dunno what kinds of vampires you're hanging out with, but don't come here again. It's only for freaks and weirdos.
[ Rich coming from a regular! ]
Anyway, Gen has much better things to worry about at the moment than the lingering sting in his cheek. ]
...
[ Though he says nothing for a moment, the way he shoots Gray's kindly vampire guide a rancid stink-eye is hardly subtle. And after seeming to think for a moment, lips pressed thinly together, Gen steps forward to smack the vampire's hand off Gray's shoulder. ]
Whatever. I'm done for the night. Let's get outta here.
[ With that, he starts bodily shoving Gray before him to guide them out of the establishment. Gray's guide offers her a genial 'We hope to see you again' as she's hustled away, which Gen responds to with a supremely shitty, 'Fuck off.' And by the time the vampire attempts one last 'I was speaking to the young lady, not you ...' they're already most of the way towards the door.
The moment he's finished shoving Gray back out onto the streets and let the door swing shut behind him, Gen spins her around so he can say to her face: ] Dunno what kinds of vampires you're hanging out with, but don't come here again. It's only for freaks and weirdos.
[ Rich coming from a regular! ]
... Ha! Yeah, I did say somethin' like that, didn't I? [ Less "like that" and more "exactly that", but details. ] You know, it's rude to use people's words against them. You've been hangin' around too many bad influences.
[ Despite her jocular tone, she's clearly taken Gray's (well, her own) words to heart. She rolls onto her back and grins at her, holding up her fist. ]
We'll do it together, then. Just remember to follow my orders like a good squire... no, like a good Master should. [ hm ]
[ Despite her jocular tone, she's clearly taken Gray's (well, her own) words to heart. She rolls onto her back and grins at her, holding up her fist. ]
We'll do it together, then. Just remember to follow my orders like a good squire... no, like a good Master should. [ hm ]
Huh? That voice...
[ Mordred sits up so suddenly that Norangie scatters in fright, her jovial expression replaced by a scowl. ]
You heard it too, right? Where are you hiding, you bastard? [ She sticks a hand under the couch and starts furiously sweeping it from side to side, as if a whole-ass knight could possibly fit in the tiny space. ]
[ Mordred sits up so suddenly that Norangie scatters in fright, her jovial expression replaced by a scowl. ]
You heard it too, right? Where are you hiding, you bastard? [ She sticks a hand under the couch and starts furiously sweeping it from side to side, as if a whole-ass knight could possibly fit in the tiny space. ]
[ Attagirl, Gray. Gen acknowledges the fact that he's a freak (derogatory), but it is absolutely not something that you need to worry about.
At Gray's prompt acquiescence Gen just gives a low grunt and a little huff. Good. He's still not entirely happy that she even came here in the first place, but he knows Bloody Marie's has a bunch of fussy rules; the vampires there probably won't just go trying to pursue Gray lest they get banned from the premises. Good enough.
And while he's digging through his pocket for a cigarette, distractedly wondering if he should maybe walk Gray to the nearest cornerstone or not, given she's a Meridian in Highstorm -- ]
Ah?
[ Oh, right. She'd said something about having something to hand over. Gen frowns as he accepts the cigarette case; he narrows his eyes in scrutiny as he looks over the front, then the back, then flips open the lid. ]
What is this. It looks expensive. [ A quick sniff at the cigarettes; there's a much deeper smell to them than his usual smokes. ] Smells expensive, too. Did someone give'em to you?
[ He's just, like, assuming she ended up with these so she's handing them over to him because he's the only smoker she knows. ]
At Gray's prompt acquiescence Gen just gives a low grunt and a little huff. Good. He's still not entirely happy that she even came here in the first place, but he knows Bloody Marie's has a bunch of fussy rules; the vampires there probably won't just go trying to pursue Gray lest they get banned from the premises. Good enough.
And while he's digging through his pocket for a cigarette, distractedly wondering if he should maybe walk Gray to the nearest cornerstone or not, given she's a Meridian in Highstorm -- ]
Ah?
[ Oh, right. She'd said something about having something to hand over. Gen frowns as he accepts the cigarette case; he narrows his eyes in scrutiny as he looks over the front, then the back, then flips open the lid. ]
What is this. It looks expensive. [ A quick sniff at the cigarettes; there's a much deeper smell to them than his usual smokes. ] Smells expensive, too. Did someone give'em to you?
[ He's just, like, assuming she ended up with these so she's handing them over to him because he's the only smoker she knows. ]
[ She looks at Gray in confusion, and at the cage she draws out with even more skepticism. Only when Add finally, foolishly speaks up does Mordred narrow her eyes and turn her attention fully onto him. ]
I knew it! Kay, you lout! I'd recognize that obnoxious voice anywhere! [ It's the sort of thing one might say about an old friend... but there isn't any trace of fondness in her voice. Instead: ] Hey, is it okay if I kill him? It is? Cool.
[ REACHING FOR THE CAGE, though she's only going to furiously rattle him around if she gets ahold of it. At this point, Gray can probably tell the difference between her "killing intent", and her Killing Intent, even if one can swiftly turn into the other. ]
I knew it! Kay, you lout! I'd recognize that obnoxious voice anywhere! [ It's the sort of thing one might say about an old friend... but there isn't any trace of fondness in her voice. Instead: ] Hey, is it okay if I kill him? It is? Cool.
[ REACHING FOR THE CAGE, though she's only going to furiously rattle him around if she gets ahold of it. At this point, Gray can probably tell the difference between her "killing intent", and her Killing Intent, even if one can swiftly turn into the other. ]
Add...? The hell kind of name is that? If you ask me [ nobody did ], you should be callin' him subtract!
[ Said while still ringing thatbell box, though she eventually stops in favour of holding him up to her face to better glare at. ]
So, what? You've been cheatin' on me with another Round Table idiot this whole time? Exactly which one of us is the traitor here?
[ Said while still ringing that
So, what? You've been cheatin' on me with another Round Table idiot this whole time? Exactly which one of us is the traitor here?
[ Gen is generally an inconsiderate and rude piece of shit, but he's also very much used to being one of the tallest people around. So almost by reflex, he holds the cigarette case lower so Gray can point out the two batches without having to get up on tippy toe for it. ]
Hmmmm.
[ Good thing he did, too, because the explanation is interesting enough. It earns a thoughtful little hum, and Gen idly picks one out -- the privacy type -- to hold up to his nose and give a sniff. Is magic is supposed to have a smell? It just smells like an expensive cigarette. Is Rin used to handling smokes? She didn't seem the type, but it sure looks and smells legit. ]
I don't really smoke anything this fancy ... [ He says, rudely. But it's just an idle observation, not a complaint. He returns the cigarette to the case and snaps it shut afterward, knowing something this nice should be handled properly. ] I'll take'em, though. See if I ever need'em.
[ A pause. Then -- ]
What're they for, though? You need me to do something for you?
[ Is this a bribe. ]
Hmmmm.
[ Good thing he did, too, because the explanation is interesting enough. It earns a thoughtful little hum, and Gen idly picks one out -- the privacy type -- to hold up to his nose and give a sniff. Is magic is supposed to have a smell? It just smells like an expensive cigarette. Is Rin used to handling smokes? She didn't seem the type, but it sure looks and smells legit. ]
I don't really smoke anything this fancy ... [ He says, rudely. But it's just an idle observation, not a complaint. He returns the cigarette to the case and snaps it shut afterward, knowing something this nice should be handled properly. ] I'll take'em, though. See if I ever need'em.
[ A pause. Then -- ]
What're they for, though? You need me to do something for you?
[ Is this a bribe. ]
Ha! When you put it that way, suddenly I'm fine with it!
[ When Gray says the Rhongo-word, she scowls again, and pokes at Add like it's his fault. ]
... You really are shameless, bringin' that lance out in front of me again. Lemme guess — he's some sort of seal?
[ When Gray says the Rhongo-word, she scowls again, and pokes at Add like it's his fault. ]
... You really are shameless, bringin' that lance out in front of me again. Lemme guess — he's some sort of seal?
Childhood friend? Sure you don't mean pet?
[ Karma is real, because midway through the word "pet" is when Add chomps down on her finger, and Mordred pulls her hand back with a yelp. ]
All right, I really am going to kill him this time. Is there a hammer around here?
[ Karma is real, because midway through the word "pet" is when Add chomps down on her finger, and Mordred pulls her hand back with a yelp. ]
All right, I really am going to kill him this time. Is there a hammer around here?
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