A firey-haired Irish woman sat at the bar. She smiled- carefully hiding tiny fangs. Her eyes were green and haunting- they drew Ariel to them at once.
"Nikolaos..." she said sweetly, stretching out one hand. "How are you?"

She surveyed the other woman before taking her hand. Nikolaos didn't trust many ancients- but she and Ariel did seem to get along. "Ariel- my pleasure... I am well- I trust you are too?"

"You have been gone a long time... and why did you choose to meet here?" she asked. "Of all places...."

"You need to lighten up Ariel- relax and listen to the heartbeats and the pulse- It's exciting"

Ariel smiled wickedly. "I suppose so- is that what we are here for- a meal?"

Nikolaos sighed. "And I had a few questions- I wondered if you could answer them for me?" she asked.

"Of course" Ariel said, nodding- "So- whats for dinner?"


ooc- sorry it's short

Taye, or TJ as he was usually called, quite enjoyed being flashy. Unsurprisingly, this particular character trait was easy to spot. His rust-red hair (which he enjoyed telling people was indeed all natural) was cropped close to his head--the better to display the wild, spiky patterns shaved into it. Both ears were pierced, the large clear stones glinting in the club's lights.

He also wore a suit. It was a startling lime-green in color, standing out all the brighter against his beautifully dark skin. Not a pimp suit, mind you, for it was perfectly conservative in all ways except the color.

Strutting to the bar, there was no other way to describe that walk, he flashed a gleaming smile at two women sitting there, catching the last words of their conversation. "Dinner? 'Less you two are on a liquid diet, ya ain't gonna find that here," he chuckled a little and ordered a Cosmopolitan. "Got plenty of alcohol, gotta say."

Ariel smiled, running fingers over her black jeans as she crossed her legs on the bar stool- revealing black heels. Actually this was the first time she had worn shoes... in awhile- maybe two weeks. Woo hoo! New record! She was a barefoot kind of laid back gal- with a thirst for violence and blood. Ohhh- what a combination! Her shirt however was simple- a white tank top. She felt pale next to the flashy arrival. The brightness of the man made her smile. The suit! Goddess it was great!

Ariel gave him a smirk. "It's not nice to eavesdrop..." she teased before adding. "I love the color- don't you Nikki?"

Nikolaos was dressed flashier than Ariel- but then- Nikki hunted differently than Ariel did as well. Nikolaos sported a black halter top and a jean skirt- long legs seemingly endless. Her feet were touched by baisically- firey red stripper heels. She wasn't a stripper- True... but the heels were sexy. Nikki nodded. "It's lovely" before flashing a brilliant white smile.

Taye's gaze was drawn to her legs as Ariel trailed a finger down the snug black jeans--a reaction he was sure her oh-so-seductive movements were meant to elicit. Mm, black heels as well. He did appreciate color coordination. And the white tank. Simple, but not in a bad way. You had to love classic.

If he'd had any say, however, he would have chosen a much brighter top. Hot pink, perhaps, to put some color in her cheeks?

Taking a sip of his drink, Taye toasted her as he replied, "I do apologize. It's a simply awful habit of mine." His eyes laughed a little, but at himself. "If it means making it up to you, let me buy you a drink?"

He grinned again as they commented on his suit, toasting them both appreciatively. "Clothes do make the man," he smiled, indicating his suit with a flourish. Switching his attention to Nikolaos for a moment, he tapped a finger against his glass and pursed his lips. "Love the shoes, by the way."

OOC: *giggles at Juris/Deuce* I've never had a character before that was utterly and completely over the top. It's not too much is it?

ooc- not at all :) btw do you have a profile for juris?

Ariel smiled at him and nodded. "You can buy me a drink- if you buy Nikki one too"
Nikolaos smiled.
"I'm Ariel" , the former said with a laugh- "And yes- clothes do make the man"
Nikki smiled appreciatively as he commented on her heels. She knew she had done well choosing them tonight- but really- this was Ariel's parade. Nikki had already found a target tonight.

The greek ancient uncrossed her legs and leaned towards the brightly outfitted man, her long wavy blonde hair falling over honey brown eyes that drew you to them. "I'll have an Amarillo Sour and Nikki would probably prefer wine- red- any kind it doesn't matter to her"

"Right" Nikolaos added with a curt nod.

OOC: No, sorry. He's one of the characters I'm trying to decide if I want to take the time to make a full bio for him...

"My pleasure," Taye replied chivalrously, inclining his head. As the bartender made his way back towards the three, Taye motioned with his hand. "An Amarillo Sour for this delightful lady, and your best Burgundy for her equally delightful friend," he called, watching as the man nodded and began to get the drinks together.

Taking another small sip of his own, he idly unbuttoned his Day-Glo jacket and leaned against the bar. His eyes studying Ariel in a friendly way, he asked, "So, what brings two gorgeous women to a bar all on their lonesome? Good fortune--for me?"

ooc- you should! he's fun

Ariel smiled. "Good fortune for you" she smiled, sipping her drink. She licked her lips- savoring the taste. "Mmmmm" she murmured as she leaned against the bar, glancing at Juris. "Thanks- got a name?" she asked, arching an eyebrow gracefully.

Nikolaos drank her burgundy without even paying attention to the others save a "Thank you" and a curt nod. Nikki's thoughts were elsewhere tonight. Vincent... She had to find him- make things better. She couldn't sense him so he must be sheilding- or gone- out of the city... She closed her eyes and pursed her lips. She shouldn't have left- shouldn't have left him without a promise- that she'd come back.

Ariel noted Ariel's sadness and patted her shoulder once before turning back to the man. "So- do you come here often- and are you usually the company of good fortune?" A tiny whisper in Ariel's mind wondered what the suit would look like splattered in blood. A tiny smile of hunger and satisfaction with the thought graced her fine features as she sipped the Amarillo Sour.

"Taye. Or TJ," the thin man (he looked a bit like a dark-skinned, well-dressed scarecrow) replied with another tip of his glass. His eyes tracked the way her tongue slid over her lips. She, much more than her companion, seemed to draw the eye.

Slow movements, wicked grins.

Indeed, the redhead seemed disctracted. Taye would usually have tried to talk to her as well, but she seemed off in her own world. And when he was away in his little world, he liked to be left there by himself.

"Here? Not that often. It isn't much the place for suits and I do love my suits," he said, giving his lapel a little tweak. Smiling, he added, "As for my fortune, well... innit the fun in that all how it ebbs and flows?"

OOC: I think I'm gonna go with vampire. Pretty young, though, only around fifteen/twenty years as one. Also, as you might have noticed, I changed his name. I just don't think Juris or Deuce suits him very well...

Nikolaos was indeed in her own world. With a small sigh she dismissed herself and left. Ariel really wasn't paying attention to Nikki. She was paying attention to the ridiculous vampire in front of her. She smiled, running her tongue over her lips, not seductive- just sugestive.
She watched his eyes study her mouth, her grins- and it pleased her.

"You're watching my mouth." she stated. It wasn't a question. She leaned forward- one thousand years of age aching in her bones. A coarse whisper asked the other,
"Looking for fangs?" she teased. He was young- so very young compared to her.

It made her smile. "How long have you been in the city?" she asked, moving now to stand beside him, leaning back against the bar slightly. She occasionally sipped her drink as she studied him carefully- and wondered whether he was gay or not. How many straight men wore suits that color- God she was so uneducated in this new world. She should sign up for a pop culture class at the college or something. Hmmm. That was a good idea.

It didn't shame him that his hand trembled a little as he raised his glass to his lips. So she was a vampire. Taye wondered why he hadn't been able to tell--at least, not for sure. He'd had a suspicion but that was it. It was embarrassing, really, how hard it was for him to know.

But then, he'd never had a proper teacher... his own sire had known next to nothing about vampirism. (And had been killed shortly after turning Taye.) All Taye knew of what he was was what he'd learned through trial and error. And popular fiction.

Keeping his easy nature he smiled and replied, "Just looking." He hadn't really been looking for fangs, after all. "Here? Just about six months." Tapping his glass on the bar for a refill, his dark eyes followed her as she moved. "You?"

Ariel smiled with pleasure. He didn't know. She felt surprise grip his heart like a fist. She laughed softly, looking down then back up at him with haunting honey brown eyes.
"You're face is so calm- yet you are surprised- You must be newly dead?" she asked- not quite sure how young he was.
"Oh-" she said offhandedly-- "I've been in this city awhile- a few months. I rather like it honestly..." her voice trailed off as she studied him. He seemed to know nothing of their kind.

Most vampires caught onto her age- a whopping one thousand. Perhaps she was still sheilding very hard- possibly- probably. But then again- there is no such thing as too many defenses. It was for the best- but she didn't think him a threat and she didn't feel any other vampires in the bar tonight since Ariel had left so she let her guard down just a little bit- leaking a tiny amount power that bit like an icy wind into the air.

"Vampires have... a- what's the word..." she whispered to him, leaning forward. "Aura.... Can you sense me now Taye?" she asked. he should know- be acknowledged- understand. Or he would eventually mess up and die. She didn't want that for him. He seemed kind. He was not marked with such black stains as others.

Taye looked down into his newly refilled drink at Ariel's offhand question. He wasn't entirely sure why, but he suddenly felt ashamed, inferior. Still, he managed a quick smile, and attempted to regain the ease he'd had before. "Newly? I s'pose... Seventeen as a," unsure again, he paused and dropped his voice, "a vampire."

Then he felt it. A sudden change as if... he didn't know quite how to describe it. It was as if some bubble had popped, a chill wave of water washing over him. Taye managed not to jump, but it was a close thing. His dark eyes widened as he looked at the other vampire. "You can... do that? Just turn it on and off like that?" his voice was a whisper, though he likely could have shouted without anyone paying any attention.

Yes, he could feel her now. As if she were radiating cold power. Amazing. Taye's fingers flexed around his glass; he was almost sure that if he tried, he could feel her power in the air like pressure.

Ariel flashed him a knowing smile. "Seventeen sounds about right...." she reflected- her voice soft and gentle. Her honey brown eyes observed him now- as he felt her own power pass over him, embrace him in the arms of death- the arms of lonliness- the arms of a woman scorned.
A warm smile heated her face and drove away the icy chill that surrounded them- and that wasn't even the whole of her. It was merely the tip of the iceburg. It was the first raindrop in a storm....

The warmth in her eyes that her smile created was astonishing. To Ariel as well as to the others who knew her inner self- the cold calculating ice princess who had fought so hard to survive all these centuries.
"I can do that.... I'm much much older than you love" she touched his hand on his glass. "Don't worry- I won't bite. I rather enjoy you. You're nice- not so corrupt as some.... or are you?" she asked, rasing an eyebrow. She had never been given the mental ability to sift through others' minds. Even if she had- she would never use it without an emergency. She was more of a physical threat- very fast and very skilled in fighting styles.

She sighed and leaned back. Patient. Waiting for an answer.

Fascinating. As her expression changed, it was as if the texture of the air, no, her power, changed as well. The coolness suddenly evaporated, as if it had never been there at all. The smoky, body-heated club was back--alcohol, perfume, and sweat making the air sticky.

Taye looked down as her hand brushed against his, almost surprised he didn't feel a jolt. Imagine... not only having that kind of power, but able to use it like an artist uses a brush. He could only dream.

"Corrupt?" he looked a little puzzled, then looked down. "I don't know. I never--I mean..." Taye trailed off, marking this as one of the rare times he found himself at a loss for words. "I try not to hurt people, but--well," he rubbed his hand against his temple unconsciously, "sometimes I do."

"And that is what makes you so wonderful..." she said softly, staring intently into his eyes- unafraid and glad of the encounter. "You try not to hurt people- Have you ever met one of the sadistic vampires of this city? I saw a vampire drop a man oof of a roof yesterday" she kept her voice low enough that no one else could hear.

"He didn't even take a bite. he wasted a perfectly good life... You'd never do that would you Taye?" she asked, their conversation suddenly diving deeper than the usual banter of the bar. She leaned closer to him, making sure they weren't overheard or their lips were read. She smiled once again, a warm ray of Greek sunshine flashing through her eyes- a flicker of the life that was so long gone.

Wonderful? It had never really even crossed Taye's mind that vampires existed like the one she spoke about--dropping a man off a roof. He struggled to keep his horror from his face and looked down in his drink. "No... I've never met one like that," Taye replied quietly.

"I thought I was bad. Never had anyone show me how to do--anything. The first time, I couldn't handle it. I... I killed the guy." Killed was a mild word, Taye thought. He'd ripped a man's throat open. "I used to be a paramedic. I used to save lives." He spread thin hands as if pleading. "Now I take them."

It seemed as if an entirely different guy was sitting there than had just a few minutes ago. The crazy hair, the blindingly green suit, it didn't fit with the troubled look on Taye's face--not like it had with the rubber grin and bright eyes.

Ariel offered him a warm and sorry smile. "It's a harsh world we live in- now more than before. Humans can do as much damage as we do- but we seem to be called to destruction" she sighed. "Killing is not so afwul.... most vampires do kill- sometimes we have to-" she shrugged. "It is sad...."

She watched his face fall- He was so- what was the word? Depressed? Disappointed? No. Troubled. Yes.

Ariel sighed again heavily. "I did not mean to upset you so--- I'll go now..." something squeezed her dead heart. She didn't want to make him so uncomfortable. The injury in his eyes told her she had only thrown salt.
"Terribly sorry... I thought you should now- that you're a hell of a lot better than the rest of us......" her voice trailed off- as if she were lost. She backed away from him and made her way towards the door- leaving her drink behind.

Killing is not so awful...

Wasn't it, though? Taye had been a normal guy before. He'd gone to high school and then to a community college and finished his education at a four-year. Then he'd become a paramedic, like he'd wanted to do since he was a little kid. Yes, really.

And then he'd gone out for a beer and ended up in the arms of a vampire. He had no idea why Pat had turned him. Taye might have asked, but... well, it was less than a week after he'd been turned that Pat had been, well. Could a vampire die? Was it called dying when they weren't entirely alive? Pat had ceased to exist in any case.

Lost in his own thoughts, Taye stared at the pink contents of his glass for a moment before he realized Ariel was leaving him. "Hey, wait," he called, hurriedly tossing an unknown amount of money at the bartender for their drinks. Pushing his way through the crowd, he managed to nip out the door behind her.

"You're... older, right? Couldja... can you help me?"

"I don't want to ruin you dear... I've upset you. Trust me I will only upset you more if I take you into the vampiric world" she shook her head. "I can help you but you will not like it- You will have to hurt people sometimes Taye- We all do- even if we don't realize it we hurt people" Ariel turned away, frustrated. He was an innocent idiot and one day he was going to get chewed up by a bigger badder vampire- but wasn't his soul more important than that of his life? Let him die without ruin, she thought. Let him go on in his path trying to be a good boy.