Wesley's excursion to The Vesper Gardens

"Oh yea! That's right...I was just sitting here thinking you looked damn familiar, but couldn't place from where. I've seen you at the Towers too. Sorry I didn't introduce myself before hand, but if you notice, I probably looked a little preoccupied. Not that my life is all that involved, but I tend to not be the most observant kinda guy most of the time." Nic shrugged good naturedly, not at all embarrassed to admit his foibles. Well, not to a couple guys anyway.

Returning his attention to Wes, Nic nodded in agreement.

"Yes, Wes asked if I knew of any 'hot spots' and I was telling him the only two clubs I'm familiar with are the Club Eternity, and the House of Pain. I've no idea where the name for the House came from. Any time I've frequented the place it's been quite painless. Well, there was that one time with the hot brunette..." Nic laughed and shook off the thought, having been pretty much just kidding.

"So Will...you new to Nachton too, like Wes...or a returnee?" Briefly thinking of Maeve, Nic now new better than to assume everyone was either a long time resident, or a recent transplant. Nic also briefly thought about Will, and the fact that residing in the Towers meant he was either a vampire like Nic, or someone else's familiar, but in any case, not a threat to his meal. Even a vampire would undoubtedly respect the fact that Nic had secured Wesley's attention already, and not horn in.

Nic considered possibly offering to make another night of it with the two at Club Eternity, some date down the line, and then decided against it. Wes was to be food, and that was all. With William joining them now, it would be more difficult to leave less of an impression on Wes, but it was something Nic was still prepared to do. If he were to run into Wes another time, he didn't want any lingering thoughts floating through the guys head, which might lead to puzzles being solved.

Wesley was content at letting the conversation go between the two familiars. He did like a good story and the brunette thing peeked his interest.

"Brunette?"Â? he through in. He hoped to get something interesting going.

Will sipped his beer and chose his words carefully. "I've lived in Nachton for years. I'm just rather reclusive. You know that carpenters shop down on the strip? That's mine."

He was interested in getting to know his fellow clan mate and his chosen meal. It would be interesting to watch another hunt. At Wes's question he lifted an eyebrow in question to Nic. "Yes, let's hear about that brunette."

Smirking, then blowing off the 'brunette' tale, Nic only offered a taste. "Let's just say she was entertaining, and accommodating, and leave it at that...well I'm also fairly sure she would say the same of me." Truth was he was thinking of the night with Alexandra, and figured his assessment of that evening had been accurate.

Again Nic had to wonder how it was Will had been living in the Towers as long as he had, and Nic hadn't said hello sooner. Nic might not go way out of his way to hang out with his neighbors, but was never against meeting them at the very least.

"I think I may have driven by your shop a few times...can't say I've really looked into it though. What do you build...furniture...cabinets? Do you sell ready made, or custom? I ask not just out of idle curiosity, but because eventually I will need the skills of a good carpenter...for both furnishings, and the construction end."

It didn't surprise Nic to hear Will was a private guy...that seemed to be the way of most vampires. Sure, there would always be those who sought out the center of attention...good ol' Ellis was the first name to jump to mind in that respect. Nic couldn't imagine another person period who went more out of their way to make sure eyes were always on her. The fact that his impression of her were slightly tinged by the old fear he had, didn't occur to him. She was dead now, long live the new head of Tacharan.

Will figured there was more to the brunette story than what Nic shared, but he wasn't going to pry. He took a long pull of ale and nodded as Nic asked about his work.

"I build furniture and cabinetry mostly. I could build a house if need be, but I prefer the finer elements of my trade. I have some ready-made, mostly I am a custom crafter."

He took another pull of beer and pushed the hair from his eyes. He needed to be a bit more social, and hiding behind his hair wasn't going to accomplish that.

"What endeavor are you taking on that you would need a carpenter?"

Nic didn't want to exclude Wes from the conversation, but the guy seemed happy listening.

"I recently decided to either buy or build a resort type hotel, here in Nachton. Don't get me wrong, I this place fine, but I think Nachton is large enough to support two hotels, and I plan to have mine a little more 'spa' or 'resort' like...nice golf course, which will be specially lit and open nights as well. A nice combination indoor-outdoor swimming pool...massage therapists, manicurists...the whole shebang, working twenty four seven. With today's workforce, we really need to start accommodating people beyond those who work the typical nine to five. I'm even thinking about having a dance club that would cater to patrons who get in really late, and want to party into the later morning hours."

Nic swallowed a hefty gulp, and shook his head softly.

"Times, they are a changing, my friends."

The waiter must have figured he'd given the men plenty of time to make their decisions, and returned to the table. Nic's need to feed was getting only slightly more incessant, but he didn't appear anxious when he ordered his standard scampi and angel hair pasta, along with a ceasar salad.

Wesley thought it strange, a golf course lit for night play. That would cost a good deal of money. The kid did have big dreams that was for sure. He really wanted to hear more about the chick though.

Will told the waiter it would be just beer for him and perhaps a glass of water as well.

"That is an admirable goal you have there, Nic. I would love an after work rub down from a girl in not much more than her underclothes." Will let his hair fall forward to conceal the blush that colored his cheeks at such a crass statement. Clearing his throat he drank from and drained his beer.

"I would be happy to help you build things for it, but you would need to give me a year, it is only me in my workshop after all."

"Wes, old man...surely you've found something on the menu?" Nic was concerned that his 'meal' was sufficiently nourished, and strong for what lie ahead., but Wes seemed easily distracted. Nic couldn't blame the guy completely...he imagined when talk went between women, and woodworking, women would tend to be a bit more interesting.

And Will wasn't much help, offering up his fantasies about massages.

"Hey guys! Have a care...these will be respectable ladies, and gentlemen working for me...though I will do my best to hire those pleasing on the eyes, and their uniforms will be as well. Maybe something in the way of snug tank tops and shorts."

And now Nic's on mind was racing through images that had him wishing he'd been sitting with a table of women, and not men.

"I don't think a year would be difficult, that is unless I buy something already built. Then I guess it would depend on the amount of refurbishing necessary. Depending on the volume of work, would you ever consider taking on more hands?"

Wesley grinned at the idea of the outfits, "may not be respectable for long, don't you think?"Â? he laughed.

Then he added, "I'll have the fish and chips, if you don't mind."Â?

Will chuckled at Wes' comment. It would be an interesting time to be had, for certain. He shook his head at Nic. "No, I work alone. However, my shop is secure and I require little sleep, and I love my work, so it would be no trouble. I don't install things though. I have a fellow that does that. He may wish to hire on a few folk to help in that area."

Will grinned at Nic and looked longingly at his empty beer bottle. "Would those tank tops be white?"

Nic was relieved that Wes required no further prodding, and ordered a hearty meal. The waiter brought more drinks as if he read Will's mind, and set them in the center of the table. Nic had a standing rule that until he said otherwise, drinks were always to be refilled, any time he was entertaining. The staff at the Piazza had come to know Nic a few months back, due to his regular patronage.

"White?!" Nic laughed at Will's transparent request. "White was actually my first thought...with gold and silver accents. I was thinking along the lines of a Grecian bath, and that would work...massage by a goddess?"

He had more ideas...some more futuristic, and some less elaborate, but all were going for luxury, and pleasure. Once the deal had been set on the land and building, he'd begin devoting more time to the esthetics.

"I'll leave that all up to you, but consider this handshake my informal agreement. Once we get a little closer to signing papers, I'll have my solicitors draw something up that your's can look over...sound good?"

Nic held his hand to Will, and grinned. Though his love life might leave a lot to be desired, at least the rest of his life seemed to be falling into place.

"Ummmm goddess, I like the sound of that," Wesley added his little bit too the conversation.

He by rights, was feeling very good, due to the brew, most likely. He was grinning like a fool.

Will chuckled softly at Wes, once again. He hoped Nic liked his meals with a alcohol kicker. A smile still on his face he clasped Nic by the wrist, and shook his arm side to side. I real shaking of hands.

"Agreed. Come by my shop anytime and we'll look at some things and agree on a time frame."

Will didn't have a lawyer, he relied, oddly enough, on MARI for that sort of thing. He did not think Nic would swindle him, so he wouldn't bother to do more than read the papers over anyway. Will picked up the fresh beer and drank deeply.

"I wonder what kind of table a goddess would need." Will chuckled and lifted an eyebrow at Nic.

The truth was Wes had not allowed himself to think of women for a number of years. It was rehab. then a four year degree. But a new country and a new life.

He asked Will, mostly because Will and he seemed to have similar minds,"Will my friend, where in this town would one hook up with a friendly girl?"

Will rolled the bottle between both hands in thought. "Now, I guess that depends on if you want a friendly girl or a nice girl. I would think the clubs Nic mentioned is where you find the first and I prefer the Library or a museum for the second."

He drank of his beer again and smiled at Wed. "Granted I'm not the best person to ask. I don't date, I prefer to share knowledge and a love of fine things, more than awkward conversation and expensive over cooked steak."

Wes grinned over the chooses,"any nice friendly one around"

He knew it was a stupid question but his beer was kicking in.

"Personally, I think if you keep your eyes open, you're bound to run across a few. I've met them at clubs, those gardens we were in earlier..." Nic nodded to Wes. "I even met a couple right here in the lobby several months ago...if you make it a point to get out, and keep your eyes open...I'm telling ya, you're going to find some."

Nic winked, and took another swig of beer, before setting it aside. If he didn't slow down, he'd not be able to put any food in his stomach at all, and he figured Wes might think it a little strange if both Nic AND Will refrained from eating.

"Hell, I've met a few in the gym of our Towers...and even more at the mall." Nic didn't consider himself all that lucky normally, but considering the number of women he had met since coming to Nachton, he realized he might need to revise that assessment.

"Speaking of gyms...do you ever work out Will? I used to religiously, but lately I find it harder to drag my ass down there." Not that Nic had to work out...his 'condition' kept him in great shape as long as he fed regularly. But it still made him feel good to really work up a sweat, and feel the burn. He really wanted to get back into that habit.

Wesley thought about what Nic said. His success with the gals had always been not good. He was engaged just before he entered the service but she broke it off when he enlisted, something about not wanting to be a navy wife.

“Thanks, Nic, your advice well taken. I need to concentrate on my program, anyway,” he responded to his host.

Wesley wasn’t really sure the two chaps next to him were going to be friends with him in the long run. He had gotten on the negative side of life after the loss of his arm and the scaring. They were younger fit men and full of self esteem beyond his at the time

Will shook his head, then pushed hair frustratedly from his eyes again. Blowing a breath, he pulled the leather thong from his hair and pulled everything back and tied it up again. It wouldn't stay for long, but he had to do something.

"No, my work keeps me fit enough. I'm not a fan of these gyms, too much..." Will trailed off, he didn't want to say something that might alert Wes, and give the jig up.