Regular bars didn't work for him. The bartenders always though they were psychiatrists, and tried to get the heavier drinkers to talk out their problems. His problem was so deep seated for years on end, no amount of talking would get him over it. To avoid these nosy bartenders, he frequented the busier places, with louder music and more people.
Seated at the corner of one of the bars in The Aerie, Dan sipped at his drink, which was one of many. He never counted anymore, and he pitied anyone who did keep count. Everything from ordinary ales and lagers, to mixed drinks and wines. He drank it all, no matter what the flavor or taste, for the taste no longer mattered, it was just a way to drown away his sorrows.
One look at him would put him in the category of the usual drunk. His clothes was that of a simple grey short-sleeved shirt, and faded jeans that were torn a bit at the legs. His hair was an unruly mess, and beard had gone without maintenance for a while, showing bristles along his cheeks, while a full beard covered his chin. Oftentimes, as was the case this evening, even his futile attempts to cover up his sorrow with other emotions would prove to be pointless, and he'd wallow in despair and brooding as he drank his fill.
-- Edited by DANIEL BENNETT on Saturday 18th of June 2011 04:43:06 PM
Work had been picking up quite a bit as of late, especially once the sun had set. Tonight was no different. She'd been out on the dance floor for well over three hours before she'd even realized it. It wasn't until a tiny bead of perspiration trickled from her hairline, following the line of her cheek, down her neck and then disappeared into her cleavage that the statuesque hawk decided to take a break. She managed to roll her hips once more in time to the music and then turned on her heel and leave the wide open dance floor heading in the direction of the bar.
Lifting a hand, she signaled for a bottle of water with a cheerful grin, and then pulled her hair down from it's clip, shaking it out. Cherry had felt most of it slipping from the clip's grasp, and she toyed with her hair for a minute, running her fingers through it before twisting it up and placing it back in the clip so it could stay off her neck. The lithe woman could easily be pegged for a dancer of the club, as they were dressed all in like colors, though different colors, and most of the outfits somewhere had either the name of the club or at least the symbol on them. Tonight she'd worn a deep sapphire blue halter top that had 'The Aerie' written in tiny flowing script just above her left breast, along with a tiny black mini skirt and black leather boots that went up her long legs to mid-thigh.
When the tender slid over her bottle of water, she gave him a playful grin and grabbed the bottle, unscrewing the top and bringing it to her lips for a few long hearty gulps, drinking it as if she were a man parched from the desert. A satisfied sigh left her lips as she set the bottle down, and actually took a seat at the bar, taking a minute to rest her limbs before moving back out onto the floor. Her golden-brown gaze took over the other patrons, noticing the man with a scruffy beard, and an elegant eyebrow lifted up. He didn't seem the usual type to visit such an establishment.
For a moment, she wanted to let her senses stretch out, and find out on a metaphysical plane if this man was something more to meet the eye, but then reconsidered. That would be a little rude. Besides, he didn't smell of vampire, or shifter for that matter. Instead, she let a dazzling smile spread across her lips and turned towards the man. "Evenin'! How are ya tonight? Haven't seen you here before. New in town, or just checkin' it out?" She'd wait for his response, assuming he gave one, and even if he didn't that wouldn't stop the bright cheery look as she extended her hand in greeting, "I'm Cherry, a pleasure to meet you...." It wasn't hard to see she was fishing for a name or some type of introduction.
-- Edited by TEMPESTE MARCEAU on Saturday 18th of June 2011 04:05:05 PM
Usually, he would have done whatever he could to just go unnoticed, and uninterupted from his enjoyment of the drink. And how he yearned to do that now as well. Instead, he'd look up while enjoying his drink, perusing the crowd when he spied the woman looking his way. Till she headed towards him, he tried to play it off that he hadn't noticed her, however, that would not be so easy.
Then she started to speak. Bleeding hell. Oh well, some things could not be avoided. Though he still tried, remaining silent, paying attention to his drink, and savoring it. He'd eventually cave in, and look her over. From the feet up to that cleavage. His eyes would eventually reach hers, though they did remain half-lidded. Any normal person would brush him off simply as a drunk, but despite the amount of alcohol he had consumed, he was far from drunk.
"'ello dere," he'd say, his voice clear, but quiet. Perhaps he could get away with minimul speach. He'd definitely not volunteer any unneccesary information. His arm would unfolde from the bartop, and reach out to take her offered hand, but only gave a brief shake, before returning to it's place, folded under his other arm. "'m foine," he said turning his gaze forward again. "An' oim new, indeed."
While most any normal person would have brushed the man before her off as a drunk, Cherry herself was far from normal. Her honeyed gaze watched his face as he spoke as little as was possible and still not be rude, which had pearly whites catching the lushness of her lower lip to keep that smile from growing wider. It wasn't hard to see that the man would probably prefer it if she just left him alone, which of course just sparked her curiosity all the more. After all, why come out to a booming club if you wanted to be alone.
When his hand reached out to take hers in a light grasp, she shook it for the brief moment he allowed and then settled her arms back down at her sides. "Well, I figured ya were new here, on account of I ain't seen ya before. Though don't think I didn't notice ya didn't gimme your name." Her eyes sparkled with mischievous amusement as she called him on it, leaving him two choices, to tell her, or not to. Either way, she wasn't likely to be offended. "So what brings ya to the Aerie? Lookin' for a vampire to sweety up to? Or maybe just tryin' to drown your world in the flowin' booze?"
Her perceptive glance went to his glass while her fingers brought her own bottle of water back up to her lips, swallowing the rest of the liquid in a quick gulp. The bartender started to move towards her and she lifted her hand to wave him off, giving another cheerful grin. Her head turned after that, eyes scanning the dance floor, noting that the other dancers were taking up her slack, keeping the people occupied while she took her break. After that, her gaze returned to the man seated beside her, and she wiggled her brows at him. "Ya always so talkative and lively, or has the cat stolen your canary?" she asked teasingly.
Well, this was not something new for him. He was used to people probing him to talk. This human race, always so addicted to this talking thing. He'd let her talk her fill, and then some. If she wished to speak, he'd let her. As she did so, he continued to nurse that drink.
When the last of it was gone, he had nothing left to stall, and nothing left as an excuse. He'd set that empty glass down before him, folding his arms together once more over his chest as he leaned back in his seat, casting his gaze back to her, looking out of the corner of his eye without moving his head.
"Oi tink you be t'e canary. Chirpin' away. Me name be Daniel, an anyw'ere oi be, it be for t'e drink."
-- Edited by DANIEL BENNETT on Saturday 18th of June 2011 04:40:52 PM
A brow lifted when he likened her to a canary, and the corners of her lips tugged upwards, wondering what the man would think if he knew how close to the mark he really was. Of course, she wasn't truly a canary, but it was close. As he'd nursed his drink, Cherry had wondered if he'd speak at all, his silence piquing her curiosity that much more. Strange to think that curiosity killed the cat, but lucky for her, she wasn't of the feline persuasion.
"Chirpin'? Me? I suppose that's true enough, though seein' as you're mostly silent as the grave I guess it makes up for it?" She noticed that his drink was empty and with a subtle motion of her hand, the bartender came to refill it without a moment's hesitation. "Well, Daniel, a fine name for a fine gentleman that goes to crowded places to be alone. Though it is a bit of a contradiction. I'm wonderin' if you yourself ain't a bit of a contradiction."
That liquid golden gaze studied him for a few minutes before another beguiling smile swept over her features. "I suppose since you're just here to drink you wouldn't be interested in takin' a spin around the floor with me then huh?" After all, it was her job to make sure people were enjoying themselves, and of course to get out there on the dance floor.
Whether or not he was close to the mark wasn't really what he was aiming for. Whether she was supernatural or not mattered little to him, as she was merely a talkative woman to him at that point. And he was just a loner man who brooded often. Given the situation, however, the previous comment's meaning was ironically close to the mark on more than one point, given what he was.
"Surele' you wouldn' wan a drunka'd steppin' on yo' toes," he said softly, looking forward to glance at the refilled drink. "An' 'eaven forbid 'e barf on ya."
He'd reach forward, picking up that glass and taking a hearty gulp of the fortified brandy. Half empty, he'd set the glass back down, and turn in his seat, back to face her. Once more, he'd look her over, again giving her body a healthy examination and just as before did not even attempt to hide the manner of his gazes. Once more, his eyes would settle on hers.
He preferred not to oblige, but he wanted to shut her up, more than anything else. "A'right, miss. If it'll quite ye' down a bit, oi'll oblige ta a dance."
-- Edited by DANIEL BENNETT on Saturday 18th of June 2011 05:27:55 PM
A delicately arched brow lifted up when he suggested he might step on her toes, or even toss his cookies on her, but she just gave him that same, bright-eyed, cheerful grin and shrugged her shoulders and she hopped up from her chair. "I'm pretty sure that I can keep my toes from your brutality. As for you being sick on me, well... I can be pretty quick when I'm of mind to be."
She tilted her head to the side as she watched his eyes rove up and down her figure. She'd been a dancer for a long time, and most places weren't as tame as the Aerie so, the statuesque hawk was pretty used to such glances. Of course, she was also used to being in more revealing clothing when receiving said glances, if that was possible?
When his eyes settled back on hers, she wiggled her brows, not to be overly flirtatious, just to show that she'd seen the look and it didn't bother her in the least. As he finally acquiesced to dancing with her, she gave a small, bubbly cry of excitement, and grabbed his hand. "I can't promise that the dance will silence me, but if you'd prefer me to stop talkin' you coulda' told me to step off."
With that said, she led him onto the dance floor, expertly skirting other dancing couples and groups until she find a space wide enough that he should not feel boxed in. It was also big enough that should he actually get sick, she could easily get out of the way. Turning back to face him, her hips started moving in time with the DJ's rhythm and she inched close to him, dropping her hands onto his shoulders. "So, what brings ya to New Orleans?"
Dan was prone to silence and brooding, but if there was one thing he wasn't, it was rude. He would continue to not be rude, and not tell her, as she put it, step off. It wasn't the terminology he'd use, even if he was mean. He wasn't sure what to make of it.
Her cry of excitement surprised him too. He wasn't expecting it. He had his notions about her, but suddenly they were all wiped away as he began to gave her a new look over. He had to start from square one, but that wasn't something new for him. He just hoped that there was one thing she wouldn't end up being. He'd let her lead him to the center of the dance floor, where there was ample room. He wouldn't be getting sick, for he had barely, by his standards, drank anything, and was perfectly in control of himself. He had said such originally hoping it would get her to leave him alone. His way of not being rude. But now that he was on the dance floor, there was no more getting out of it. So, for once, he submitted to being ... social.
He'd watch her moves at first, eyeing how she moved, especially her hips. He didn't care if she knew he watched, he never did. He didn't care to be subtle. It was boring. It was more fun to be direct. And, he was a pervert. Once her hands rested on his shoulders, his eyes would once more return to her own. Her question was heard, and registered plainly, but he would still take time to debate it. His hands went to her hips, carefully caressing the curve of her waist as he thought it over. His own body would move in time with the beat as well, remaining smooth and mellow for the moment, nothing overly fantastic.
"Well," he'd start... "oi came 'ere ta get away from me 'ome."
Dancing was her life, and her passion. Nothing could be truer for Cherry. It wasn't just modern dancing either, but all forms of movement that she was inspired by. It just so happened that for most shaking your derriere to a thumping beat tended to pay the bills better than other, higher art forms. Her limbs easily flowed with the beat of the music in a way that was elegant yet sinful at the same time. Her body arched and bent while her hips twisted and undulated almost hypnotically. When the surged from one song into the next, so did her movements with a graceful assurance that can only come from natural talent.
The whole time she danced, the cheerful smile never slipped from her lips. The spinning lights gave her a somewhat ethereal glow as her eyes watched his face. She didn't miss the looks he gave her, but didn't worry upon them either. This was her job, to get people out there on the dance floor and have fun. It helped of course, that she enjoyed every minute of it.
Golden-brown eyes stared back into his as he pondered her question, and for a minute she wondered if he was going to continue being as tight lipped as he had been. Her worry was for not, however when he decided to answer her, yet at the same time, leave only more questions in it's wake. The hawk had a vast curiosity about people in general, and an effervescent nature that belied what she truly was. Her head tilted slightly to the side, and she gave a nod, before spinning in a small circle and settling back right where she started from. "So did you not like your home, or have to get away? Assuming you're not from anywhere around here, if that accent's anythin' to go by."
His accent was pretty unique. It would be unmistakable, to most anyway, that he was from England, though his accent was that of the cockney sort. He was no Londoner. As for why he left England, that was bordering on what he wanted and did not want to reveal. He pondered on it for some time as his body matched her moves to a degree, dancing with her to the beat.
What was deemed as sinful by most, was deemed as fun to him, and so it was what he took part in, most of the time, especially since he left England. He wanted to part himself from anything that reminded him of his time there. Hence why he wished to refrain from speaking of it. So, in this regard, he would.
Dan kept quiet, and danced, keeping an arm about her waist as they moved. He pulled his mind from the question and to the dance, to keep himself from thinking about it. Due to that, his dancing would get a little better, as he tried harder at it. The crowd around them began to even watch them more than focus on their own dancing.
-- Edited by DANIEL BENNETT on Monday 20th of June 2011 11:36:48 PM
The night was not overly busy, but the club was still doing well for business. Nikolai Kasyanov, resident vampire bouncer was wearing what was expected of him. He didn't mind usually, but tonight he must have been in one of those moods. His training with Nike had been going fairly well, but sometimes the inner beast still got the better of him.
He had kicked out four rejects already that night for making fun of his outfit. Black eyeliner, studded leather belt and bracelet, some cream makeup to make him have a deathly pallor even though he had fed on one of the blood dolls right before his shift began. Leather pants, and an open victorian shirt topped the outfit off. He was not a happy camper tonight, and he really didn't know why. He walked around, his fangs bared, though that wasn't due to his mood, but to complete his ensemble.
What was a result of his mood was his release of the reins he held so tightly usually. His senses tracked everyone in the club, human and supernatural. He knew the moment Cherry had left the floor to get a drink, and would have went with her, but instead, he chewed out his fellow bouncers, since it was their job to keep the dancers, and the DJ hydrated, that way they never had to leave their posts.
"Why did you not bring her water? Is not simple enough? Be silent, no excuses. Unless you are tossing dumb drunk punk out, you keep eye on dancers. They have drink at all time. You understand, da?" His russian accent was thick with anger and irritation. The other bouncers knew he was not to be messed with tonight, especially when he was correct. He turned again, and saw Cherry with a man.
Again, it usually wouldn't bother him, but that mood again. The power swept forth from Niko like a flood, drawing many eyes to him, as he pried to see what nature of being his girlfriend's dancing partner was. Especially since he was undressing her with his eyes. A growl escaped the kindred's lips as he saw the man caress her waist, and he started towards the dance floor.
The man was quiet, which to most people might be infuriating, but it was just fine with Cherry. Some people had a gift at being friendly, like she did, while other's preferred to keep to themselves. So it didn't bother her in the least that he was being so tight lipped. Of course, it brought a alluring smile to her face that his dancing skills seemed to improve with his silence. As they moved fluidly together across the floor, people seemed to back up, giving them more room and creating a large open circle around them.
With the additional room, she didn't let her talent go to waste at all, and started using the room to her advantage, pushing away from the man before spinning in a circle right back into his arms. They met chest to chest, and she hiked a long leg up curling it around his hip. The hawk anchored herself to him by holding onto his shoulder and then leaned back so far her head was nearly touching the dance floor itself as her arm stretched out beautifully. For a moment she held that pose, and then pulled herself effortlessly back up with a darling little twinkle in her eyes.
It was so rare that she could do anything beyond just shaking her ass to the music, that she very nearly beamed at her partner. She was sure nothing could dampen her spirits at that moment. Then she felt it. A stirring of power she knew all too well. Turning her head to the side she caught sight of Nikolai heading towards her with a near murderous look in his eyes. A single brow arched up and golden-brown eyes flashed a warning before she turned her attention back to Daniel.
"You are a better dancer than you give yourself credit for. I wonder why that is? To shy to admit you're good, or just figured you could put me off by telling me you're likely to step on my toes?" She laughed as she asked the question teasingly, wiggling her brows for good measure.
-- Edited by TEMPESTE MARCEAU on Monday 27th of June 2011 03:48:40 PM
He'd hold his arm over her head, letting their touch nearly part, fingertips all that kept them in touch as she moved away, only to spin back into his chest. His arm locked with her own, and down she'd go in that dip, as he stood upright. It was a rare occurance for him as well to enjoy the dance, and such was shown with a slight grin.
However, as they stood there with his arm around her body, and to her chest, fingers still tightly gripping her own, he couldn't help but morph that grin into a smirk. Allude to him being bad at dancing? That was merely a statement to get her to not bother him, but now he was debating it. He had won many of femme's hearts over with his ability to dance, that was one of the ways he got one of the only things he actually sought after in women.
Nevertheless, he would still keep his lips sealed, and would end their little pause in the dance, by spinning her back out, and then in once more, where he could grasp both her hands. He was a fan of many different types of music and dance, and so as the upbeat music continued, he would move into steps that mimiced old jazz, or swing as some called it. A kick to the left, a kick to the right, then he'd release her hands, moving his hands up to her hips, to lift her into the air, and swing her about to either side of his hips. All with a smirk present on his lips.
He had noticed the vampires surge in power, but for the most part, since she did nothing about it, he would have no reason to really react either. He just went on enjoying the dance.
As Nikolai strode across the room, he saw the lithe way they moved together. He knew it was her job, but did she have to do it so well?!? He pushed through the crowd, his bulk acting like a juggernaut in motion as he steamrolled his way to the dance floor. A few seconds before he got there, he let his power flow forth towards the man, yearning for the tendrils of power to seep into his consciousness. "You look thirsty. Go get drink." And he shoved a fiver into the man's hand. He turned towards Cherry, and his eyes were swirled with power. He did not advance it upon her, but he spoke in his low russian accent where he knew she would hear. "I would like to speak with you. If you can spare the time away from the humans."
He would turn away, and head to the back rooms, not even looking back to see if she followed. He found an empty hallway, and turned in. He leaned against a wall, and tried to calm the beast inside. His power slowly retreated back into a tenuous grasp, and he knew if Nike was around, he would get scolded or slapped for letting so much be unrestrained. He was so concentrated on his own control, he didn't know if she had decided to come along or not. "Cherry..." His voice was low, and he was speaking more to himself than her. "I don't like feeling like this..."
She saw the smirk on Daniel's lips, and her eyes twinkled with mischievous amusement. He was pretty damn good and he knew it. Her mouth curved into a huge grin for that moment in time and she even gave another small laugh, to show her enjoyment of the moment. He didn't have to answer her. When he pushed her out, and pulled her back in, the motions changing, morphing into that old jazz/swing steps, she went right along with it.
Her body movements mirrored his perfectly, and when his hands found her hips again, she moved fluidly into the lifts as if it were as natural to her as breathing. People gathered watching were making an even wider circle as the pair went into more difficult and flashy dance steps. Her hair was beginning to fall from it's clip as they continued to jive and other patrons were starting to applaud their antics.
When Nikolai walked up, the mood immediately sobered for the crowd gathered, and the people started to disperse even before the vampire told the human he was thirsty with a tendril of power reaching out to enforce the statement. Cherry felt the power rise around her, and her gaze flew from Daniel to Niko a frown marring the perfection of her cheery disposition. She watched as the kindred handed her dance partner some money and then turn that stormy gaze on her.
Her defenses were up the moment she looked in his eyes, not about to get tried by the power she felt swirling within him. His words were so low that others might not have heard him, but she did, and it made the look on her face go from bad to worse. Golden honey hues watched as he turned and walked off while her dance partner looked confused for a minute, most likely from the shock of vampiric mind tricks. She bowed her head gracefully to Daniel and hastened off in Niko's direction.
She was a few seconds behind him, anger coming off her in waves. Pushing through the door that led to the dressing rooms she spotted him leaning against the wall. Marching up to him, there was a fury in her eyes that had never been there before as her hand lifted up and she smacked him as hard as she could across the cheek. "How dare you?!" She was seething, and it showed in the way her limbs trembled from trying to hold back her rage. "Who the hell do you think you are that you have the right to interrupt my job?"
Her chest was heaving as she spoke, trying to get all the anger out at once. "You are not my boss, Nikolai, and you have no right to do what you just did! This is my job! And, if you can't handle what I do for a living...." She let the tumble of words stop, hinting at the underlying threat she was making. Her hands settled at her hips, before she gave a sigh and turned her back on him, crossing her arms over her chest. "I'm not some prize possession to get jealous over because someone else is paying me attention."
He was slightly out of breath, he was human after all. And the temporary confusion would only last a moment, before in the center of that dance floor he lifted the money he was given. He was thirsty? Well, he would never turn down a free drink, but....
"Foive quid!? What kinda bloody drink is this gonna buy?"
He turned over towards the bartender, not even approaching the bar yet, and waved the money in the air.
"Oy! Bartenda. Can oi get a juice box with t'is foiva?" He laughed out loud, completly not serious, but merely poking fun at the man's obvious jealous overreaction. He didn't care what kind of trouble he was more then likely getting himself in to, for it was far too late in his life to start taking things cautiously if he hadn't up until now.
Instead, he stuffed the five in his pocket, and marched back over to the bar. Once at the bar, he'd slump back down on the same stool he had been in before, and plucked up his left behind drink, to finish it off. That was a roundabout way to be left alone, but ... well, it was fun for a moment.
The slap came, and he didn't move. He knew he shouldn't have pulled this stunt. He thought he had gotten rid of that old human emotion of jealousy. He did have the presence of mind to look properly abashed. He knew it was her job to dance with people. He had seen her get closer to guys, and girls, than she had with the man he had sent away. There was just something wrong this night. He didn't feel like himself.
"I'm sorry. I should not have done what I did. I saw him touching you, and I could not control myself." He slid down the wall, his elbows on his knees, and his fingers through his pitch colored hair. "I do not know what is wrong with me tonight. I am never like this. I feel like I did when I was first turned."
It wasn't the situation, but the memory of the years he spent in a blind animalistic rage trying to hunt his sire down, that made a few bloody tears escape his eyes. That time had been a blur for him as it happened, but when he finally grew enough to control himself, he hated the things he had done. The way he had lived had been disgustingly offensive to anyone or anything.
