New Friends at Flannigan's

Apollyon had fallen silent for some time. He sipped his alcohol quietly.He glanced at his pendant, which was still on the table after Fallon had inspected it.The light gleamed off of it and caught his eye.He picked it up when the ladies went to the restroom.He looked at his name on the pendant..... "Sarimir" It sparked a memory he would have liked to black out forever... His mind began to drift to that event that changed him forever....

"No."

His willpower and his mind struggled. he tried to pull himself out of it....his mind insisted, he could feel thousands of years rewinding before him, past his years in europe as "Apollyon, The Destroyer" past his mercenary days in China, back to his father's estate, the Sarimir estate.He heard nothing but the sound of air blowing through a wind tunnel. He saw his mother,a beautiful egyptian woman. He now laid his eyes upon his sister, like him, Half-Egyptian, Half-Roman.They had just completed the change, they felt unlife in their blood.He now saw himself. the greatest warrior he had ever known, on his knees, tears welling in his eyes. all power was drained from his body.They were yelling at him, hate in their eyes.They felt the thirst, they despised the gift he had given them.A stream of light poked through the door. his mother, Khepri, felt the burn of the sun on her back, it seared her skin for a short moment before she cleared herself from its path.His mother and sister looked at each other. Their intention was all too clear.His mind fought back with all the will he could muster.

"NO!" He slipped from the flashback, back to present time....

Noting the ladies were back, he rubbed the sides of his nose. He hoped he had kept that internally, and that no one had noticed him.He still had the pendant in his hand,His strong grip was firmly on it to the point,that a small but visible amount of blood was on it from where his fingers clinched it. He smiled at everyone and put the pendant back on his neck.Playing it off, he spoke.

"Forgive me, My migranes are somtimes triggered when light gleams into my eyes."

Startled by Peter's outburst, Fallon instinctively shifted towards Cyrus. When she saw the other man's verbal eruption seemed to have even taken him by surprise, she relaxed and moved back in her chair. She hadn't seen any light that might have caused his reaction, but was concerned, none the less.

"Sometimes ice on the back of the neck helps me."

She offered. She was lucky her migraines were few and far between, but when she had experienced them, it was sleep, and a bit of ice that seemed the only cure.

Considering going up to the bar and asking for some ice and fresh napkins, Fallon hesitated. For all she knew Peter had tried her remedy before, and found it worthless. That bit of doubt was enough to keep her tied to her chair.

He smirked at Fallon,

"No need for anything,I appreciate your concern."Pausing for a moment,and managing to get another smile out of himself, "It comes and goes. I'm allright now, I assure you."

He poured himself another glass of scotch, this time downing the entire glass in one gulp.

Chuckling at Aishe's comment about knuckle dragging he bowed his head in acknowledgement. "I am sure I have never dragged my knuckles about, possibly my tail, but never knuckles."

He continued to laugh quietly at his own private joke while he picked up a small chip and pondered which sauce to dip it into.

The scent of blood had him peering at Darius intently. Either his clan mate had bitten his own lip or it had to do with the medallion in his hand. The explanation was probably a cover up but he was not going to bust him on it in front of the two unknowns.

"Understandable. Shall we call it a night or will you be ok?"

It was not yet so late that he needed to get Fallon safe and sound in her new place just then, but if he had time he was going to inspect the location intently. Perhaps even curl up close by, though he doubted she would want a leopard in her home. But he also needed to contact Mai and see about bringing her to the manor. Deciding nothing was more important than making sure his fledgling and clanmate were ok, he ate the potato wedge with a dollop of red sauce most americans used while he listened to Darius' response to Fallon.

The fire in his brain eased now and his muscled relaxed. He was ok now.Letting out a sigh he replied,

"No need. Im okay now, Just a little sensitive to flashes of light on occasion.Even a little gleam from a knife or a piece of glass can trigger my migranes."

after pouring himself another glass of scotch, he looked to the bottle. He had done his share on it and then some.He began to feel more comfortable as time drew on, or as some would call "Fuzzy".His mind strayed from the flashback and focused onto the rest of the group.

"Careful there, slugger," Aishe said across the table to Peter. "No migraines before bedtime. Really ruins your sleep."

She made light of it, but her voice was concerned. She didn't let on, but also in her mind was the fact that her ride was drinking a whole lot and eating very little. It might be wise to walk back to Liefde; it wasn't very far from here. But she did have to make sure Peter got home safely. Well... they weren't ready to leave yet, perhaps given a bit more time she'd work something out.

Turning to Ambrose, she realized she'd missed out on some of the conversation while in the bathroom with Fallon.

"I might have missed it," she said to him, "but what brought you to Nachton? I know you're a musician, but do you have family here? friends? A contract perhaps? I would love to hear you play sometime. I sure can't make music of my own, but I love to listen!"

Migraines, nasty things and so volatile. His mother had them and it was not a pretty sight, but as the others had expressed concern and Peter said he was alright Ambrose wasn’t going to dwell on it.

Having thought the conversation was drifting a bit Ambrose was a little surprised to be drawn back to the forefront of the conversation.

“My works been shifting to New York, and the commute from LA was killing me but since I didn’t want to live in the city…”

He paused considering, well it couldn’t hurt and was perfectly vague.

“I’ve got some distant family out here too. It seemed like a good time to introduce myself. If you want a concert work on Peter there, maybe we could put something together but I don’t promise Beethoven.”

The last bit was said with a smile. Although it sounded like fun now that he’d opened his mouth.

The yawn came over her suddenly...so suddenly, in fact that she was half into it before she could cover her mouth with her hand. Not being sure if anyone caught it, she mumbled a soft...

"Excuse me."

Without thinking...maybe it was a combination of the alcohol, late hour, or her new condition that she was not quite used to...Fallon leaned slightly sideways and rested her head on Cyrus' shoulder. She would have liked to cuddle against his arm, but that thought brought her back to reality, and she sat upright.

"Sorry...but I think I may have reached my limits."

She looked apologetically to Cyrus, not wanting to disturb his evening, but also needing to get her luggage to her new home, and 'move in' before she would be able to sleep.

"If you would like, maybe your driver could take me home, and then return for you? That way you can continue to visit?"

This was all spoken under her breath and into Cyrus' ear...she really didn't want to upset the party.

Cyrus looked at Fallon with concern as she yawned and mumbled an appology. She kind of looked all sleepy and cuddly for a moment before she shot back upright. At her whispered questions he gently patted her hand.

"No worries, I too think it may be time to call it a night."

Returning his attention to the table he nodded politely and made their excuses for departure. "It was a pleasure meeting you all. Unfortunately its time for us to get going. Does anyone need a lift anywhere? My driver has more than enough room in the Denali."

The waitress had been close enough to hear his comment about leaving and came to thank him for his business. He deftly slipped her another large bill and expounded on the wonderful food and service. With a gentlemanly kiss on her hand and a vow to return he watched as she scurried off to the kitchen.

Apollyon stood up and gave a respectful bow to Cyrus.He glanced over Fallon and Ambrose and replied.

"Yes I Believe I've reached my limit tonight also, I pray my little episode didn't startle anyone." His head sank for a brief moment as he retrieved a card from his wallet. Focusing his attention to Ambrose now he continued."Here is my card," Apollyon pointed to the number at the bottom of the card. " This is my cell phone number. If you're ever looking for a guitarist or pianist, Gimmie a call."

Apollyon looked to Aishe now. Realizing he had maybe had too much scotch, and combined with the earlier incident, might have make her a little uneasy if he were behind the wheel.Smiling, he asked the one who resembled his long departed sister a question.

"If I recall correctly, you're not far from here. Might I interest you in a stroll home?"

Aishe was surprised so much time had passed. She was still full of energy, but fortunately not bursting with it as she had been earlier, when she'd come upon the frisbee idea. She was going to sleep like a log come morning.

Standing with Peter and giving him a nod, she smiled at her new friends. She would have liked to hug Fallon good-bye, but the woman was across the table from her. She settled for her usual bright smile instead.

"It was lovely to meet you all. I hope we'll bump into each other again. Good luck with your family visit, Ambrose! I hope you settle in well." With a little wave in Cyrus and Fallon's direction she said, "Call me soon!"

With that, she left enough money to cover her share of the food bill and a decent tip, and slipped away from the table before anyone could protest her contribution.

Peter had already begun to wind through the tables toward the door, although he looked like he'd be happier roaring and throwing them aside with glee. She grabbed her purse from the back of her chair and hurried to catch up with him.

"And don't walk so fast this time, you big oaf!"

((ooc: Aishe and Apollyon out (with permission)!))

Though she was glad he hadn't minded leaving, it was still a little sad to break up the party. Fallon really was having a pretty grand time with her own friends, for a change. Though she had made a few friends in the school she taught at, Ted never let her go anywhere with them, unless he was along. Consequently, her 'friends' soon were limited to his.

Standing up, she would have liked to hug Aishe good bye, and confirm that she would be calling her again soon, but the other girl was on her way out, and there was just too much distance to cover, without it looking strange.

"Good bye, it was great fun at the beach, and good to have met you both. I will!" She answered, enthusiastically, at the request to call...glad Aishe really gave the impression she wanted her to.

Fallon thought about putting some money on the table, as Aishe had done, but hoped whatever Cyrus had been giving the waitress would be enough. It was also a force of habit not to think too much of money, when out with men. Being under Ted's thumb for so long, Fallon never had money to pay for things, and naturally assumed it would be taken care of. She knew that was not how life on her own would be, but for now she would rely on Cyrus' generosity a while longer.

Finally giving way to her weariness, she did wrap an arm around one of Cyrus'. He wasn't very tall, but neither was she, and it was nice she didn't need to crane her neck to converse comfortably with him...or to lean against him, and gather a bit of support.

Fallon noticed the 'attentive' waitress, and some sort of interaction between Cyrus and the girl, and smiled. She had to wonder if Cyrus would be visiting the girl and possibly adding her to his harem. Once again she had to agree, his methods had merit.

"Ambrose, it was also good to meet you. Good luck with your endeavors here in Nachton. Perhaps we will run into you again sometime."

Letting her head droop to Cyrus' shoulder again, she all but decided once she got to her new place, it was bedtime for her...anything else could be put off until tomorrow.

With a smile he watched his clanmate and the girl leave. Hopefully the walk would clear the booze fog Darius was swimming in and perhaps give him time to bite his date if he was so inclined.

Standing and adjusting his coat he rolls his eyes at Aishe dropping money on the table. The restaurant was going to be happy tonight. With a small bow of his head he addressed Ambrose. "Was a pleasure to meet you. The drinks and food are on us should you wish to stay. Alternatively if you need a lift, my driver can take you wherever you desire in Nachton."

Fallon snuggling up to him was making him feel protective. Like an overprotective lioness and a cub just opening its eyes. Draping his arm over her shoulders he settled her comfortably against him as he awaited the musicians decision.

Accepting the card and nodded.

“If things around here go well I’ll look you up. Thanks great to meet you both.”

Well that was actually good timing, wasn’t it. Ambrose quickly finished his drink and stood to acknowledge the ladies and to get himself moving.

“I appreciate you all letting me join you. But no thank you I’ve got a ride.”

It sure seemed like the waitress was going to make out like a bandit, but nights like this had to be few and far between. Without a second though he also left something to contribute to either the bill or the tip, whatever it worked out too.

Not wanting to over stay his impromptu welcome he picked dup his cane and found his way out. Now he just had to find a place to crash.

((OOC… out…)

Suddenly finding herself a little impatient, once Ambrose took notice of their leaving, she half pulled Cyrus out the door. As usual his driver was waiting, and they were whisked away in no time flat.

(Fallon and Cyrus out too! Lock please.)