Log; Ongoing

[charitaslamia.livejournal.com]

When; Friday, August 14th, Night
Rating; PG-13 (just to be safe?!)
Characters; Antonio Vega (charitaslamia ) and Shalimar Fox (feralside )
Summary; Shalimar offered to show Antonio around the Underground (the clubs, anyway)
Log; As soon as it was safe to travel, the sun being well below the horizon, he made his way to building 10, apartment 42, just as Shalimar had instructed. He was happy to have a guide to the lower bowels of this place, having heard horror stories from several residents. He knew he could be more difficult to kill than the average citizen, but he was no fighter, and he welcomed the companionship. If he was correct, there was a club called the Raven down there reputed to sell human blood. He made a mental note to insist on checking that particular establishment out.

Once he arrived at the correct door, he knocked politely.

Comments

[alittlewild.livejournal.com]

There were a few clubs in the Underground but something told her that he'd probably find the most enjoyment out of the Raven. She'd decided that when he got to her place she'd suggest checking that one out first and if he didn't like it there well, there were plenty of other places to go in the Underground.

"One second," she shouted when she heard him knock. She quickly finished cutting up some meat and put the plate down for her cat before going over to open the door.

"Good evening," she said smiling. "Sorry about that I was just finishing up feeding Tiberius."

[charitaslamia.livejournal.com]

He returned her smile in kind. He'd enjoyed the conversations they'd had over the network, and it was nice to finally meet her in person.

"Good evening, Shalimar. It's quite alright."

[alittlewild.livejournal.com]

"I'd offer to show you my place but I don't have much in the way of anything," she stepped aside so he could see a bit of her apartment showing just how little there was in it. "I was thinking we could check the Raven out first, that work for you Antonio?"

[charitaslamia.livejournal.com]

Her apartment was indeed as sparce as his own. "Things don't make a home, Shalimar."

He nodded at the mention of the club. "I have been meaning to give it a look."

[alittlewild.livejournal.com]

She shrugged, "I like having a lot of free space, to meditate and do my workouts. So this just works better for me."

She started out of her apartment, "Great, let's get going then shall we? It's not a bad club actually, I've enjoyed going there."

[charitaslamia.livejournal.com]

He chuckled. "My own living space tends to be cluttered with my latest projects."

He followed dutifully after her as they left the apartment. "If it plays host to a wide variety of people, I should enjoy myself."

[alittlewild.livejournal.com]

"Archetecture projects?" She looked at him curiously.

She closed the door and locked it and then walked out of the building. "Oh it does, all sorts go to the Raven." Walking from her building she started towards the entrance to the Underground. "It's a bit more wild than the ones above ground like the Lux or some of the others."

[charitaslamia.livejournal.com]

He nodded. "Yes, just so."

He made sure to note the path they took as they made their way to the underground. "It should want for excitement, then. I'm intrigued."

[alittlewild.livejournal.com]

"Working on anything here?"

As they went further down into the underground she became more and more thankful that she'd worn a strapless shirt, it could get pretty hot down there. "I can't say it's for everyone since it can be dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. But if you're looking for a good time and can handle yourself that's a whole different story," she said smirking.

[charitaslamia.livejournal.com]

"Well," he said with a smirk. "I'm not working on any official work, no. I am working on several side projects, though."

His nostrils flaired as they entered the enveloping darkness of the underground. The air was thick, and he could smell blood on the air. It was disturbing to note he couldn't determine the species of whatever had bled. "I can handle myself well enough."

[alittlewild.livejournal.com]

"I'd like to see something sometime," she said grinning.

She noticed his reaction and was reminded of the first time she'd come down here, "Smells pretty strong of blood doesn't it? Took me awhile to figure out some of the different scents, some of the blood is monsters from deeper or ones around and some is just from the different people here."

[charitaslamia.livejournal.com]

"Of course."

He sniffed again. "It reminds me of a low-rent brothel."

[alittlewild.livejournal.com]

"Maybe I could visit Vitruvius sometime and you could show me something then?" she asked.

She laughed, "That's one way of putting it. Some places it's worse, you can smell things like fear still lingering around." As a crowd of people passed them she stood still for a moment. "Like them, there's a few in their group that smell like fear, their heartbeats going faster, chances are they have no idea what they were getting into. This was almost overwhelming the first time I came down."

[charitaslamia.livejournal.com]

"I can arrange that."

His stomach grumbled as he watched the group pass hungrily. "Yes. I see you're point."

[alittlewild.livejournal.com]

"And here we are," she said as they reached the entrance to the Raven. "Want to head to the bar first and get something?"

[charitaslamia.livejournal.com]

He nodded. "I hear they sell blood. Are you aware of the type?"

[alittlewild.livejournal.com]

She gave him a sly grin, "Can't say I've gone up to order some myself, I've heard it's human. We can ask if you'd like."

[charitaslamia.livejournal.com]

He looked duly intrigued. "Human would indeed be delightful, but if the victims are killed, I'll have to decline." He waved a hand before she could comment. "I know, I'm rather Green for a vampire."

[alittlewild.livejournal.com]

"You can ask about that," she smirked and started through the crowd towards the bar. "You don't kill?"

[charitaslamia.livejournal.com]

he shook his head. "No. The Lord frowns upon such things."

[alittlewild.livejournal.com]

"I frown on it myself, I like a chase during a fight but I won't kill," she sighed. "Not that I don't have the urge sometimes, especially here."

[charitaslamia.livejournal.com]

He opened the door and held it for her. "The urge is always present. It is what you do with that temptation that counts."

[alittlewild.livejournal.com]

"Aren't you the gentleman?" She walked through the door giving him a small smile and nod of thanks. Entering the club all of her senses became more aware of every scent, sound, and sight around her. As they walked towards the bar she swayed her hips in rhythm with the music in the background, she was aware of the fact that quite a few men watched her as she went by but it wasn't her intent or concern. "That's true, there are times when it's harder to resist than others. Seems like a lot of my kind just give into it."

[charitaslamia.livejournal.com]

His hackles raised at the smells around him. There were as many predators here as prey. The scents of blood, sweat, and smoke of many persuasions pervaded the room, giving it an almost hypnotic effect. "And some places make it more difficult than others."

[alittlewild.livejournal.com]

"This whole City is difficult, way too much like a cage sometimes," she said as they entered the bar area. There were a few empty tables with the raised bar stools that they could sit at later if they wanted to, first though she wanted something to drink. "You want me to ask what type of blood they serve or do you want to ask yourself?"

[charitaslamia.livejournal.com]

He followed her to the bar and chuckled at her offer. "No, I do believe I can manage."

He waved to the bartender and waited patiently. "How long have you been here, Shalimar?"

[alittlewild.livejournal.com]

When the bartender came up she ordered herself a long island iced tea and then waited for him to order for himself.

She thought for a moment, "About three months I think. Sometimes it seems longer sometimes shorter. It's a hard place to get used to. "

[charitaslamia.livejournal.com]

When the bartender turned to Antonio, he smiled. "Yes, I hear you serve blood. Is that correct?" When the bartender nodded, he continued. "Very good. Do you serve human? If so, may I ask, what is the origin of your stock?"

The bartender chuckled. "Buddy, if you gotta ask, I think you should stick to the animal. How's a glass of wolf's blood sound?"

Antonio looked a bit wary but nodded. Once he had his glass and had taken a sip he looked pleasantly surprised. "Well, at least it's heated."

He returned his attention to Shalimar. "Three months? I can see how time would seem altered, given the circumstances one often finds oneself in here."

[alittlewild.livejournal.com]

Shalimar tried not to chuckle at the exchange between the bartender and Antonio and then even harder not to chuckle at his expression after sipping it.

"Yes, three months. It's not so bad minus the curses and occasionally the annoying people," she shrugged. "What do you think so far?"

[charitaslamia.livejournal.com]

He smiled playfully and sipped again. "That wolf blood is a bit gamey for my taste, but it will do in a pinch."

[alittlewild.livejournal.com]

She took her own drink and swirled the straw around before taking a sip. "Gamey? Nice description. I'm glad it'll do in a pinch, better than this is the worst crap I've ever had." She took another sip of her drink, "So getting used to the City at all yet?"

[charitaslamia.livejournal.com]

"Well, it's good to know the alcohol is sub-par." He sipped at his meal again. Not sinking his teeth into his dinner was different. He wasn't sure if he liked it or not.

"I suppose I'm settling in alright. I've recently become the acting manager of Victrola, you know, so I believe that makes me your boss, Shalimar."

[alittlewild.livejournal.com]

"It's not sub-par, I like their drinks pretty well. I've had better but I've definitely had worse," she rolled her eyes. "I was on a stake out at one bar with the worse drinks ever, I swear they watered everything down."

"You're not going to threaten to not pay me if I ever call you an idiot are you?" She smirked leaning in, "Or flirt with me on the job like a certain other boss?"

[charitaslamia.livejournal.com]

He laughed. "You have nothing to fear, Shalimar."

[alittlewild.livejournal.com]

She smirked, "Maybe I won't have reason to call you an idiot then." She stirred her drink with her straw before taking another sip of it. "Met anyone interesting in the City yet?"

[charitaslamia.livejournal.com]

"People are interesting by nature," he said, as he scanned the bar. "And bearing that in mind, I have met many interesting people."

[alittlewild.livejournal.com]

"I don't know if all people are, but most I've met here aren't bad," she shrugged. "I'm not great with the getting to know people thing, but here you almost have to. At least you haven't made any enemies yet have you?"

[charitaslamia.livejournal.com]

"They are. Even people you cannot, due to personality conflicts, get along with. They are all collections of thoughts, feelings, desires, and emotions. Everyone of them singular in their composition." He smiled. "People and communication are skills, dear. And all skills must be honed." He shook his head. "Not as of yet, no. Though I do not possess many of them, even in my own world."

[alittlewild.livejournal.com]

"Okay Obi-Wan, if you say so," she chuckled. "I don't have a need for that skill. I think I've made at least one enemy here. But I have a lot more back in my world. You're lucky you don't have many in yours."

[charitaslamia.livejournal.com]

He chuckled. "I don't because I relate to people. You'd be surprised the power of conversation."

[alittlewild.livejournal.com]

"I should say something sarcastic like teach me this power Master, but I'll resist," she laughed. "Ooops said it anyway. I tend to only end up not getting along with women. Or people trying to kill me."

[charitaslamia.livejournal.com]

"You already know this power, Shalimar." He smirked. "I am 542 years old. I am deeply dedicated to my faith. I have a love of art, music, and literature, and I design buildings. What do we have in common?"

[alittlewild.livejournal.com]

"Are you trying to be Obi-Wan again?" She scoffed. "That would depend on the type of art, music, and literature you're referring to."

[charitaslamia.livejournal.com]

"I have no need for Star Wars to teach anything." He laughed. "I'm fond of the Beatles, and graphic novels, though I do, of course, have a deep appreciation for the fine arts as well."

[alittlewild.livejournal.com]

"Everyone needs Star Wars." She made a look of mock shock. "I like the Beatles for the most part, but I like most types of music. I'm more into rock than anything. I happen to like graphic novels but I also like classic literature."

[charitaslamia.livejournal.com]

"Then perhaps we have more in common than I thought. My apologies."

[alittlewild.livejournal.com]

"Too late for that tiger, I wonder if a lot of people here get the impression I don't do much other than flirt and go to clubs," she said it in a light tone. "I actually have quite a few interests that may surprise people."