[ Hunting Gen down is probably, like, an extremely unfun and thankless task.
Yes, he has a stable home (now) but it's in Yima's manor, probably making it a little awkward for Gray if she wants to show up for a visit. Yes, he also has another home(-ish) but that's in Kowloon (Silco's turf), and hard to find, and does Gray even know about it? Otherwise, what are her options? Maybe she just had to ask around Highstorm's various establishments if anyone's seen this particularly lanky, dour-looking young man with a robot arm who dresses almost exclusively in all black, or maybe she has more clever methods at her disposal, but either way --
she'll eventually find herself before Bloody Marie's. A classy enough looking establishment.
Maybe too classy, in fact? Even from the outside it looks like a fairly upscale sort of place, with just a few well-dressed clients drifting in and out of the quiet bar. Unfortunately the frosted windows won't give her a very good view of what's going on inside, even if she decides to take a peek, and while she's perhaps still deliberating whether or not Gen is really in a place like this ... ]
Hello, little miss. [ It's a suave, beautiful young man dressed head-to-toe in black, gothic finery who calls out to her; evidently, he'd been just about to step inside before spotting her, since he steps away from the half-open doorway to look her over. As he draws close, Gray might notice the peek of fangs when he speaks. ] Your first time here?
[ He smiles, but there's something a little ... hungry about it. ]
[ Gray has been looking to do a little research on vampires for unrelated reasons, so imagine her surprise when she learns about an establishment caters specifically to them. Any why would Gen be there? A little bird (literal) told her it had seen someone of his description headed there, and animals have no reason to lie about such things. A bit of dread settles in Gray's throat at the thought that Gen may have been converted. Even if vampires in reality turn out to be more reasonable than their more fictional counterparts, that's a lot of added complication potentially added to Gen's life...
Gray is lost in thought enough that she doesn't notice the suave, beautiful young man in gothic finery until he's practically jump-scaring her. She startles, her hand shooting to release Add within her cloak until she realizes that the man is just being polite(?). She feels like an impostor here for a number of reasons, which adds to her usual shyness, but in reality she fits right into the aesthetic of this establishment. Between her cloak and palette of of blacks, grays, and whites, her facial scar, her quirky blonde streak, and now the searing red tattoo on the back of her hand, she looks as goth/ic as she ever has.
She gathers her wits and stares up at the very vampiric-looking man in front of her. She's finding that vampires are a physically flawless people as a whole, and when people are this beautiful, it's really very distracting. Still, she's gotta fake it til she makes it. Pretend you're feeling normal, Gray. ]
Ah, yes. Though I have a friend that should be inside...
[ Even if she is wondering more and more with each passing second whether or not Gen is really in there. ]
[ Gray says she has a friend inside and -- the gentleman gives a blink. Though his expression doesn't change very much, Gray might get the sense that he's just a touch disappointed? Something about the tighter purse of his lips and the slightest furrow of his brow before he smooths out his expression once more. ]
A friend, is it. [ His shoes clack off the pavement as he finishes closing the distance between them, bending down a little so he's closer to her eye level -- so he can peer through the window. Too bad being a vampire doesn't give him any special ability to see through frosted glass. ] Oh, I see. It might be a little difficult to spot your friend from out here, hmm?
[ But also, this position gives him an excuse to get a better look at Gray. She's definitely human. A bit small, so lacking in volume, but practically brimming with youthful vitality. A veritable jackpot for vampires.
Hence the brief moment of hesitation before he forces himself to straighten up, gesturing her towards the door. It sure is hard being a civilized vampire when someone so tasty is just wandering over so defenselessly. ]
Come, then. Let me show you around as we look for your friend. [ A perfect gentleman (other than staring a bit too hard at what he can see of her neck), he even holds the door open for Gray as he beckons her in. ] I take it your friend is one of our kind, then?
[ Gray's assessment of vampires as all being eyecandy sure is going to take a big hit if Gen's ended up being converted, huh. ]
[ Luckily we've been given evidence that Gen is one of the prettiest boys on the block, so the reputation of vampires will be able to rest easy if he one day joins their ranks.
Gray endures the man's not-so-subtle inspection with the hairs on the back of her neck standing on end, but she manages not to step away. The edge of her Shard gleams a deep green at the base of her neck, obscured by cloak and collar, tantalizingly out of reach...
Mistaking the man's fascination with her neck for one with her Shard, she turns to face him, putting her Shard firmly behind her. But thankfully the man does straighten back up, and she breathes a quiet sigh of relief.
She's feeling a healthy amount of hesitation about following a vampire into a den of many more vampires, but her unhealthy weakness to peer pressure wins out in the end. She carefully steps through the door, conscious of the man at her back as she looks around quickly for any sign of Gen. The establishment is busy with activity and bodies, yet it isn't as warm as she would expect it to be. She realizes belatedly that it might be because vampires don't generate heat the same way humans do — or so the stories go.
Failing to immediately spot Gen, Gray looks over her shoulder at the vampire who escorted her in. In part to mind her manners when she speaks to him, in part to mind the attention of the man himself. ]
No, he's human.
[ She thinks that should be safe to say?? Especially if she's been let in. ]
[ Rest easy, Gray! The man has zero real interest in your shard, and is instead staring intensely at what he can see of your blood pulsing through your carotid artery just under your skin!
And the focus of his gaze only ups a notch when he hears that this friend of hers isn't a vampire. So -- nobody's placed dibs on her blood for the evening? She's so small that she probably doesn't have that much to spare, and one would presume a single feeding would tap her out for the evening. How nice, then, that she might be unclaimed.
The thought has his voice coming just a little more crooning and syrupy as he begins leading Gray deeper into the establishment. ]
A fair number of non-vampires do visit, yes. [ They walk past a few servers in fancy garb carrying expensive-looking drinks, follows by a booth where a couple are flirting with each other, speaking softly to suit the ambiance of the store. ] Most in the company of a vampire acquaintance, admittedly. Thralls, or those simply smitten by one and wishing to court them in suitable fashion. Although ...
[ The next booth they pass by is empty, but in the one after that -- a (of course, beautiful) young man cradles a woman in his lap, fangs sunk into her throat. Gray's guide doesn't even pause, continuing the easy tour. ]
Some visit seeking the company of any vampire willing to humor them for the evening. Apparently, the sensation of being bitten can be quite enjoyable. Especially if done by one with a practiced touch. [ He smiles as he looks to Gray. Fangs visible. ] Would you perhaps be curious?
[ There's a lot going on in here. Gray isn't sure where she's allowed to look, so her eyes end up darting from fixation to fixation, all of these blatant displays of highly intimate vampirism shredding her nerves to ribbons. If the gentleman guiding her was having any difficulty observing her carotid blood, he certainly won't have any trouble seeing all the blood that's now flooding her ears and cheeks.
It's only by some miracle that she manages to listen to what he's actually saying. She looks up at him as she tries to refocus, onyl to startle visibly when he smiles sharply at her. She scoots to widen the gap between them, if only by a few inches. ]
I... actually, I've already been bitten in the past. It was, um, interesting.
[ It wasn't at all like THIS, and it was by a dhampir rather than a full vampire, but she's hoping that will be enough to convince the man that she is, in fact, good.
More importantly, could this mean that Gen has a vampire beau? Gray is wondering if coming here was a bad idea after all — though she probably should have wondered that from the moment the door opened. She isn't sure what she'll do if she comes upon Gen getting erotically bloodbagged around a corner. ]
'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?!
[ Maybe Liem could be classified as a novice, as it sounded like he didn't make a habit of drawing blood from people... but Gray is also pretty sure he was trying to be as much of a gentleman about it as possible. If he really wanted to, maybe he could be a parlor dhampir as much as any of these vampires — but that's not a thought Gray has any care to linger on.
As much as she came looking for Gen, Gray is awfully shocked to have actually found him. Forgetting her exceedinly helpful guide, she recoils hard enough at the sight of Gen in intimate recline that even her hood seems to jump on her head. ]
Gen!
[ Now they are both squeaky. More than ever, she doesn't know where to look — not at her guide, not at the vampiress, especially not at rumpled-looking Gen. She stares at a spot in a corner instead and automatically sidles along until only her upper half is visible around the frame of the booth. But even without her properly studying the scene, it's clear what's going on here. ]
Sorry, I didn't mean to... [get in the way of your sexy suck session.] Um. Should I come back later?
[ This isn't explaining what she's 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. ]
[ As mortified as Gray is, she has to feel sorry for the vampiress and her poor dignity. She's terribly aware of her vampire guide's hand on her back, but she doesn't have the presence of mind to politely extricate herself while Gen is out here pointing and shouting for the entire parlor to hear.
With both hands, Gray tries to gently but urgently lower Gen's pointing arm like his (extremely rude) finger is a brandished knife. ]
H-He let me in because he saw me at the entrance. I'd come because a bird told me you might be here...
[ Literally, not metaphorically, an actual bird. A tinge of embarrassment enters her voice. ]
He's just been explaining everything to me. That is... how the establishment works.
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?
[ Gray jumps with the hard clap of the vampiress's hand across Gen's cheek. She begins to step forward to intervene, but before there's anything to be done, the woman is already stomping away. Gray looks quickly to Gen to see if he's upset, but thankfully he doesn't seem bothered. Which does beg the question of how much this sort of thing happens to him...
A small sigh loosens Gray's shoulders until Gen begins asking questions. She blinks up at him, a bit of worry bending her brow as she notices him still casting suspicious looks at the vampire who showed her in. Without thinking of how it might sound, she answers his questions honestly. ]
I've been meeting more vampires [dhampirs actually], so I was a little curious about what their world is like.
[ Though that's a secondary mission to her. She shakes her head as if to clear it. ]
But I've been meaning to give you something, so I was looking for you too. I, um, just wasn't sure what kind of business this was when I came in. Otherwise, I would have looked for you another time...
[ 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.
[ Gray can't say she's ungrateful that Gen smacked the man's hand off her, though she might have chosen a more tactful way to do it. Before she can even think of begging pardon from the vampire with her eyes, Gen is bulldozing her all the way out the front door.
After she's wholesale spun around to face him, Gray blinks up at Gen. She grapples with him apparently admitting that he's a freak and/or weirdo, and then promptly ejects all related thoughts out the proverbial airlock. She already knew that he was comfortable with the physical pleasures in life, but she doesn't want that living in her head even a little. ]
I'll stay away.
[ She states that firmly for the record. Because it's true, and also so that Gen knows he can come back safely without fear of another Gray jumpscare.
Normally when Gray walks into a brand new world, she asks all sorts of questions to try to understand and find her place in it. In this case, she's happy to move the topic along. ]
I'll go in a moment, but first... I wanted to give you this.
[ She reaches around in her cloak, and then her gloved hand brings forth a metal cigarette case with generically classy scrollwork engraved on its face. If he were so inclined, he might be able to detect enchantments contained within. ]
[ 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. ]
[ Gray knows Rin and Gen know each other, even if they might not always get along... She figures that if Gen likes the cigarettes, he can always ask Rin to prepare more.
He'll find that there's an incantation engraved in the interior of the case. Gray tiptoes so she can see and point as she explains. ]
This is an enchantment that protects against impacts... though the effective area is small, and it only works once before it needs to recharge. It takes about a day.
[ He'll find that it's about as strong as a bulletproof vest, and its working area is the size of pool inner tube. Next, she points to the cigarettes inside, ten in number. ]
These five will create a calming effect on people who breathe its smoke in. And these five will disrupt magic and create a veil of privacy.
[ 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?
[ Rin did indeed pick out the tobacco (nice but not too nice because she knows Gen likes the cheap stuff) and roll it up herself. Just one of the many miscellaneous talents of Tohsaka Rin. Maybe there's a pile of less-than-perfect practice cigarettes lying around somewhere — or maybe not, since that would be a waste of money.
Gray is satisfied to see that Gen is satisfied, though she sobers at the insinuation that she'd only give him something nice in pursuit of a favor. ]
Gen...
[ Please!! She pauses briefly, picking through her thoughts. ]
I'm not in a position to protect you anymore, and you never wanted to let me before anyway. So this is my compromise.
[ If she can't protect him, then she wants to give him more tools to protect himself. Especially if he's going to get into public spats with Silco. ]
Please... keep this with you, even if it's just the case.
[ It's nothing personal? Gen wouldn't even think poorly of Gray if she were to be offering that gift to set up for a request. They might be akin to something like friends, but Gen still knows most relationships are transactional -- give and take. Debts and repayments. So what she says next earns a blink. ]
...
[ His first instinct is to laugh, honestly. Yes, Gray is a superpowered fantasy freak, but still. How much of a laughingstock would he be if he needed to be protected by anyone, like some weak little damsel, let alone by some little girl half his height? Ridiculous. (The fact that she wants to protect him at all is ludicrous.)
The only thing that gives him pause, really, is her sincerity. The fact that she's saying this so seriously. There's something sobering about it.
He'd simply been looking at her for a moment, but Gen gives a quiet sigh the next moment. Then raises his free hand -- to poff onto the top of her hooded head. He doesn't even rustle it this time, just pushes a little to get her to duck her head a touch. A little gentle bullying, mostly, but also so she'll be distracted away from the slight stiffness in his delivery.
He's always had a harder time lying about shit like this. ]
Alright. [ His compromise will be that he'll pretend her desire is a valid one. ] I'll carry it around. Right in my inner pocket and everything, promise. So you won't have to worry 'bout me, yeah?
[ As he planned, she ducks a little under his heavy hand. She recognizes it at least partially for what it is: a physical action to make up for a mental hesitation. She's found it to be a common tactic among a certain type of person. It isn't so different from her own tendency to withdraw into her hood when she's uncertain; in Gen's case, he is just bullying instead of retreating. In any case, she doesn't mind too much. She'll take it as an awkward show of appreciation. ]
... Alright. You promised.
[ She isn't completely sold that he'll keep the case on him as much as she'd like, but if he'll at least do it when he's headed into danger, she'll count that as enough. Though she'll disagree that she won't have to worry about him just because of this. There are so many ways for him to get into trouble, many of them bloodless and self-inflicted.
With her mission complete, Gray takes a last glance at Bloody Marie's. A fascinating establishment, even if it's not for her. ]
I should probably head back now.
[ The fight for the next Oracle is coming up, and a Meri in Highstorm will be viewed with more suspicion than usual — on both sides, even. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
action ; early november ; highstorm, near bloody marie's
Date: 2023-11-08 03:41 am (UTC)Yes, he has a stable home (now) but it's in Yima's manor, probably making it a little awkward for Gray if she wants to show up for a visit. Yes, he also has another home(-ish) but that's in Kowloon (Silco's turf), and hard to find, and does Gray even know about it? Otherwise, what are her options? Maybe she just had to ask around Highstorm's various establishments if anyone's seen this particularly lanky, dour-looking young man with a robot arm who dresses almost exclusively in all black, or maybe she has more clever methods at her disposal, but either way --
she'll eventually find herself before Bloody Marie's. A classy enough looking establishment.
Maybe too classy, in fact? Even from the outside it looks like a fairly upscale sort of place, with just a few well-dressed clients drifting in and out of the quiet bar. Unfortunately the frosted windows won't give her a very good view of what's going on inside, even if she decides to take a peek, and while she's perhaps still deliberating whether or not Gen is really in a place like this ... ]
Hello, little miss. [ It's a suave, beautiful young man dressed head-to-toe in black, gothic finery who calls out to her; evidently, he'd been just about to step inside before spotting her, since he steps away from the half-open doorway to look her over. As he draws close, Gray might notice the peek of fangs when he speaks. ] Your first time here?
[ He smiles, but there's something a little ... hungry about it. ]
No need to be shy.
no subject
Date: 2023-11-08 08:32 am (UTC)Gray is lost in thought enough that she doesn't notice the suave, beautiful young man in gothic finery until he's practically jump-scaring her. She startles, her hand shooting to release Add within her cloak until she realizes that the man is just being polite(?). She feels like an impostor here for a number of reasons, which adds to her usual shyness, but in reality she fits right into the aesthetic of this establishment. Between her cloak and palette of of blacks, grays, and whites, her facial scar, her quirky blonde streak, and now the searing red tattoo on the back of her hand, she looks as goth/ic as she ever has.
She gathers her wits and stares up at the very vampiric-looking man in front of her. She's finding that vampires are a physically flawless people as a whole, and when people are this beautiful, it's really very distracting. Still, she's gotta fake it til she makes it. Pretend you're feeling normal, Gray. ]
Ah, yes. Though I have a friend that should be inside...
[ Even if she is wondering more and more with each passing second whether or not Gen is really in there. ]
no subject
Date: 2023-11-09 06:42 am (UTC)A friend, is it. [ His shoes clack off the pavement as he finishes closing the distance between them, bending down a little so he's closer to her eye level -- so he can peer through the window. Too bad being a vampire doesn't give him any special ability to see through frosted glass. ] Oh, I see. It might be a little difficult to spot your friend from out here, hmm?
[ But also, this position gives him an excuse to get a better look at Gray. She's definitely human. A bit small, so lacking in volume, but practically brimming with youthful vitality. A veritable jackpot for vampires.
Hence the brief moment of hesitation before he forces himself to straighten up, gesturing her towards the door. It sure is hard being a civilized vampire when someone so tasty is just wandering over so defenselessly. ]
Come, then. Let me show you around as we look for your friend. [ A perfect gentleman (other than staring a bit too hard at what he can see of her neck), he even holds the door open for Gray as he beckons her in. ] I take it your friend is one of our kind, then?
[ Gray's assessment of vampires as all being eyecandy sure is going to take a big hit if Gen's ended up being converted, huh. ]
no subject
Date: 2023-11-11 12:04 am (UTC)Gray endures the man's not-so-subtle inspection with the hairs on the back of her neck standing on end, but she manages not to step away. The edge of her Shard gleams a deep green at the base of her neck, obscured by cloak and collar, tantalizingly out of reach...
Mistaking the man's fascination with her neck for one with her Shard, she turns to face him, putting her Shard firmly behind her. But thankfully the man does straighten back up, and she breathes a quiet sigh of relief.
She's feeling a healthy amount of hesitation about following a vampire into a den of many more vampires, but her unhealthy weakness to peer pressure wins out in the end. She carefully steps through the door, conscious of the man at her back as she looks around quickly for any sign of Gen. The establishment is busy with activity and bodies, yet it isn't as warm as she would expect it to be. She realizes belatedly that it might be because vampires don't generate heat the same way humans do — or so the stories go.
Failing to immediately spot Gen, Gray looks over her shoulder at the vampire who escorted her in. In part to mind her manners when she speaks to him, in part to mind the attention of the man himself. ]
No, he's human.
[ She thinks that should be safe to say?? Especially if she's been let in. ]
Do very many... non-vampires come here?
no subject
Date: 2023-11-12 04:59 am (UTC)And the focus of his gaze only ups a notch when he hears that this friend of hers isn't a vampire. So -- nobody's placed dibs on her blood for the evening? She's so small that she probably doesn't have that much to spare, and one would presume a single feeding would tap her out for the evening. How nice, then, that she might be unclaimed.
The thought has his voice coming just a little more crooning and syrupy as he begins leading Gray deeper into the establishment. ]
A fair number of non-vampires do visit, yes. [ They walk past a few servers in fancy garb carrying expensive-looking drinks, follows by a booth where a couple are flirting with each other, speaking softly to suit the ambiance of the store. ] Most in the company of a vampire acquaintance, admittedly. Thralls, or those simply smitten by one and wishing to court them in suitable fashion. Although ...
[ The next booth they pass by is empty, but in the one after that -- a (of course, beautiful) young man cradles a woman in his lap, fangs sunk into her throat. Gray's guide doesn't even pause, continuing the easy tour. ]
Some visit seeking the company of any vampire willing to humor them for the evening. Apparently, the sensation of being bitten can be quite enjoyable. Especially if done by one with a practiced touch. [ He smiles as he looks to Gray. Fangs visible. ] Would you perhaps be curious?
no subject
Date: 2023-11-15 07:36 am (UTC)It's only by some miracle that she manages to listen to what he's actually saying. She looks up at him as she tries to refocus, onyl to startle visibly when he smiles sharply at her. She scoots to widen the gap between them, if only by a few inches. ]
I... actually, I've already been bitten in the past. It was, um, interesting.
[ It wasn't at all like THIS, and it was by a dhampir rather than a full vampire, but she's hoping that will be enough to convince the man that she is, in fact, good.
More importantly, could this mean that Gen has a vampire beau? Gray is wondering if coming here was a bad idea after all — though she probably should have wondered that from the moment the door opened. She isn't sure what she'll do if she comes upon Gen getting erotically bloodbagged around a corner. ]
no subject
Date: 2023-11-17 10:17 pm (UTC)[ 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?!
no subject
Date: 2023-11-19 08:31 am (UTC)As much as she came looking for Gen, Gray is awfully shocked to have actually found him. Forgetting her exceedinly helpful guide, she recoils hard enough at the sight of Gen in intimate recline that even her hood seems to jump on her head. ]
Gen!
[ Now they are both squeaky. More than ever, she doesn't know where to look — not at her guide, not at the vampiress, especially not at rumpled-looking Gen. She stares at a spot in a corner instead and automatically sidles along until only her upper half is visible around the frame of the booth. But even without her properly studying the scene, it's clear what's going on here. ]
Sorry, I didn't mean to... [get in the way of your sexy suck session.] Um. Should I come back later?
[ This isn't explaining what she's doing here... ]
no subject
Date: 2023-11-20 04:48 am (UTC)-- 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. ]
no subject
Date: 2023-11-22 04:56 am (UTC)With both hands, Gray tries to gently but urgently lower Gen's pointing arm like his (extremely rude) finger is a brandished knife. ]
H-He let me in because he saw me at the entrance. I'd come because a bird told me you might be here...
[ Literally, not metaphorically, an actual bird. A tinge of embarrassment enters her voice. ]
He's just been explaining everything to me. That is... how the establishment works.
no subject
Date: 2023-11-23 04:55 am (UTC)[ 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?
no subject
Date: 2023-11-25 06:24 am (UTC)A small sigh loosens Gray's shoulders until Gen begins asking questions. She blinks up at him, a bit of worry bending her brow as she notices him still casting suspicious looks at the vampire who showed her in. Without thinking of how it might sound, she answers his questions honestly. ]
I've been meeting more vampires [dhampirs actually], so I was a little curious about what their world is like.
[ Though that's a secondary mission to her. She shakes her head as if to clear it. ]
But I've been meaning to give you something, so I was looking for you too. I, um, just wasn't sure what kind of business this was when I came in. Otherwise, I would have looked for you another time...
no subject
Date: 2023-11-27 02:47 am (UTC)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! ]
no subject
Date: 2023-11-28 09:08 am (UTC)After she's wholesale spun around to face him, Gray blinks up at Gen. She grapples with him apparently admitting that he's a freak and/or weirdo, and then promptly ejects all related thoughts out the proverbial airlock. She already knew that he was comfortable with the physical pleasures in life, but she doesn't want that living in her head even a little. ]
I'll stay away.
[ She states that firmly for the record. Because it's true, and also so that Gen knows he can come back safely without fear of another Gray jumpscare.
Normally when Gray walks into a brand new world, she asks all sorts of questions to try to understand and find her place in it. In this case, she's happy to move the topic along. ]
I'll go in a moment, but first... I wanted to give you this.
[ She reaches around in her cloak, and then her gloved hand brings forth a metal cigarette case with generically classy scrollwork engraved on its face. If he were so inclined, he might be able to detect enchantments contained within. ]
no subject
Date: 2023-11-29 06:06 am (UTC)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. ]
no subject
Date: 2023-11-30 01:47 am (UTC)[ Gray knows Rin and Gen know each other, even if they might not always get along... She figures that if Gen likes the cigarettes, he can always ask Rin to prepare more.
He'll find that there's an incantation engraved in the interior of the case. Gray tiptoes so she can see and point as she explains. ]
This is an enchantment that protects against impacts... though the effective area is small, and it only works once before it needs to recharge. It takes about a day.
[ He'll find that it's about as strong as a bulletproof vest, and its working area is the size of pool inner tube. Next, she points to the cigarettes inside, ten in number. ]
These five will create a calming effect on people who breathe its smoke in. And these five will disrupt magic and create a veil of privacy.
no subject
Date: 2023-11-30 06:00 am (UTC)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. ]
no subject
Date: 2023-12-01 05:13 am (UTC)Gray is satisfied to see that Gen is satisfied, though she sobers at the insinuation that she'd only give him something nice in pursuit of a favor. ]
Gen...
[ Please!! She pauses briefly, picking through her thoughts. ]
I'm not in a position to protect you anymore, and you never wanted to let me before anyway. So this is my compromise.
[ If she can't protect him, then she wants to give him more tools to protect himself. Especially if he's going to get into public spats with Silco. ]
Please... keep this with you, even if it's just the case.
no subject
Date: 2023-12-02 06:20 am (UTC)...
[ His first instinct is to laugh, honestly. Yes, Gray is a superpowered fantasy freak, but still. How much of a laughingstock would he be if he needed to be protected by anyone, like some weak little damsel, let alone by some little girl half his height? Ridiculous. (The fact that she wants to protect him at all is ludicrous.)
The only thing that gives him pause, really, is her sincerity. The fact that she's saying this so seriously. There's something sobering about it.
He'd simply been looking at her for a moment, but Gen gives a quiet sigh the next moment. Then raises his free hand -- to poff onto the top of her hooded head. He doesn't even rustle it this time, just pushes a little to get her to duck her head a touch. A little gentle bullying, mostly, but also so she'll be distracted away from the slight stiffness in his delivery.
He's always had a harder time lying about shit like this. ]
Alright. [ His compromise will be that he'll pretend her desire is a valid one. ] I'll carry it around. Right in my inner pocket and everything, promise. So you won't have to worry 'bout me, yeah?
no subject
Date: 2023-12-03 08:37 am (UTC)... Alright. You promised.
[ She isn't completely sold that he'll keep the case on him as much as she'd like, but if he'll at least do it when he's headed into danger, she'll count that as enough. Though she'll disagree that she won't have to worry about him just because of this. There are so many ways for him to get into trouble, many of them bloodless and self-inflicted.
With her mission complete, Gray takes a last glance at Bloody Marie's. A fascinating establishment, even if it's not for her. ]
I should probably head back now.
[ The fight for the next Oracle is coming up, and a Meri in Highstorm will be viewed with more suspicion than usual — on both sides, even. ]