Apathy Kills

Red saw stars and whirling planets as he crouched over in agony. The small woman had come from nowhere. What the fuck business was this of hers? Falling to his knees, hunched over, he bit his lip and stifled his own pathetic cries as his vision began to clear.

Arrogant bitch was exchanging words with the dark-haired kid, cool as you please.

And those shoes were so last summer.

Red felt the pain ease just a bit and stayed where he was, curling his left hand into a fist. When he was positioned properly, he rose, using all of his momentum on a six-foot frame to sock the bitch in the jaw with a wicked lefthanded uppercut.

Gaining his full height, Red stood over her, mindful of the family jewels, ready to move if that was where she aimed a kick or a punch at again. His thigh-high, thick-soled boots rested on either side of her.

"Nice shot Princess. How about I get a turn?"

Red lifted one foot, boot poised as if to jam his heel into her middle. Weaker sex, his ass. If the whore wanted a fight she'd get one. Suddenly noting the bitch's footwear (a really nice pair of Manolo Blahniks), Red adjusted his aim and brought the heel of his boot down on her shoe, snapping her own heel off.

"I guess that's what happens when you shop at Payless."

Since Jan seemed to be distracted by the commotion regarding the one - wait, two - redheads, Tai felt free to take on the big man who was rolling to his feet quickly. His first impression proved to be the correct one; the man launched a set of punches at him that were well-timed, well-aimed, and calculated to throw him off.

Tai was skilled enough to know the pass for what it was however, and he skillfully evaded or blocked each blow with precise motions of his own. He had a moment to admire the man's footwork; since his creation, Tai had found his heightened agility to be a huge asset in martial arts. Proper footwork was a key building block, and this man's steps were as precise and quick as his.

Sparing a glance at Jan, Tai boggled at the scene before him as it appeared his partner-in-crime was taking a breather from his taunting.

"Can I get you something to make your stay more comfortable?" He called. "Tea? Maybe a nice geisha girl?"

Shaking his head he ducked yet another series of punches and kicks. He should come here more often. This place was far more fun than he'd initially thought.

“Frustration… you know how it is.”

Val rolled her eyes making the nature of her frustration clear. God she did hate being interrupted it just left her… unfulfilled, in more ways than one. Ah well.

Of course now she was guilty of the exact same thing that had made Ms. Prissy so easy to take advantage of, she’d taken her eyes off him. She wasn’t ready for the punch at all it hurt and threw her back quite nicely and she wound up flat on her back. Sometimes that wasn’t a bad thing, but in this situation it was.

Oh dear god those were here shoes! Her SHOES!

“You fucking bitch!”

She was so pissed off that short exclamation came out with a very strong brogue. But it didn’t last.

-Now- this fight was about her. Before it had been a quick in make a point and out but no way in hell could she back down now. Scowling intensely she sized up his foot wear.

“What about you? Hot Topic much? What are you fourteen?”

Actually they weren’t bad, at least not from a costuming point of view, she might not mind having a pair. They’d be fun to play with.

Pulling herself into a ball she managed to flip her feet over her head and roll to her knees and then to her feet. Forward would have been easier but he was right there, in the way. As it was the way he was straddling her made backwards difficult; finally an advantage to being short she did fit between his legs. The trouble was she was no off balance, thanks to the pantywaist breaking off her heel. Still she charged him, shoulder first right into his stomach and then launching herself up her head connecting with his jaw. Not the best move she’d ever made, but she was resilient enough it wouldn’t kill her. All the weight on the balls of her feet, she bounced back just out of easy reach.

“You –sure- you don’t want him back.”

But she’d also learned from her mistake and didn’t take her eyes off the bitch.

Jan watched the big guy go flying and silently applauded his new friend's skills. He then turned his attention to the red head that was slowly coming out of the protective curl. After a kick like that he doubted he'd be public enemy number one any more.

He gave a theatrical wince and said

"Ouch, that even hurt me just watching."

Glancing around at the club, where they were drawing a small crowd of watchers, he decided he was missing something. He knew just where he left it. Using his gifts, Jan tugged on the sleeve of a nearby waitress running the tables. When she looked around to see who had grabbed her, he smiled and waved her over.

She had a bemused look on her face as she drew near, watching the fight in progress she said

"Did you just..." realizing there was no way he could have been responsible, the waitress stopped. "Nevermind, did you need something."

Smiling, Jan shrugged "Did I just grab your sleeve? From where I was standing, don't be silly. Didn't you see the guy who went past?"

She shook her head, tearing her focus away from the ruckus to look at him again.

"I can see why; he was kind of forgettable. Anyway, I left my glass of red wine on the bar. Would you be kind and retrieve it for me? I'll keep my eye out for anyone else wanting to cop a feel."

The waitress laughed and told him good luck with that in this place and then headed towards the bar. Turning his attention back to the entertainment in progress, the taller redhead was now straddling the shorter one. Jan figured the shoe comment was going to be taken personally and breaking those...a crime.

"Now, you've gone and made her mad, Red. I'd run while you still can."

The smaller woman flipped backwards and came up fighting. Yes, indeed, she seemed to have taken the breaking of the Manolo's personally. After a brief bout of aggression the newcomer to the fight appeared to be ready to let him take it back over.

Jan shrugged.

"But,you're doing so well!"

The waitress returned with his wine and he took the glass and returned Tai's comment with a smile.

"Thanks, but I'm good."

((OOC: No, he doesn't know Red's name. He called her Red because its the obvious nickname for someone with that haircolour.))

The ruckas seemed to be dying down, so Miya turned away. A shame that the entertainment had gone so soon. She quickly txt'd Delilah wondering if she had somehow missed the other woman. As Miya waited for a response, she sat down at the bar, crossing her legs and surveying the room.

Rock felt like something out of a Jackie Chan movie. He was no slouch when it came to a good fight, but apparently this Asian fucker wasn't either. They exchanged blows in the small area that contained their fight, but no one landed a hit on anyone else. Rock was highly suspicious now; an ordinary human wouldn't have done so well. Dodged a few blows, maybe, if he were skilled enough... but every one? And be able to give as good as he got? Not likely.

It only made the fight that much more of a challenge.

Rock maneuvered the smaller man around to where he had a better angle, not at his own opponent, but at Red's. The smaller red-headed bitch had damaged Rock's property and that was not cool. Swinging at the Asian, Rock finally managed to land a glancing blow off the man's jaw. While he recovered, Rock spared the time to turn and grab the redhead from behind. Lifting her easily, he growled and threw her conveniently in the direction of the smart-assed brat who'd started the whole thing.

"Here. Play nice."

Then it was business as usual as the Asian regrouped and made Rock far too busy to notice what his beanbag toy did next.

Once again Red saw stars. He was not a small man, but anyone's head connecting with his jaw was bound to leave an impression. He managed to stay upright but he sure wasn't at peak form.

He was holding his hands out in front of him, half expecting the redhead to make a move. Instead of coming at him though, she simply flew across the room flailing, in the direction of the dark-haired man.

It took Red a moment to realize Rock had intervened, and he shot his lover a wink. "Thanks, sugar."

Unfortunately, as was often the case, Red was in over his head just a bit. He often relied upon Rock to bail him out when his temper got the better of him. He didn't mind and he suspected Rock didn't either. It made the rest of the night that much... kinkier.

He suspected Rock had his hands fuller than usual though... for whatever reason, he hadn't put the little Asian dude to sleep yet. Rock was usually pretty efficient, and it had been a while since Red had seen him take this long. Granted the guy seemed to know what he was doing, although Red was no expert.

Glancing at the pile of woman and kid, Red decided to lend Rock a little hand. Grabbing an available bottle from the nearest table, Red got into position. It was a good bottle... a shame to waste it this way too, but if Rock needed his help Red was willing to go the distance. As the fighting pair turned, Red brought the bottle down on the Asian's head, expecting him to crumple.

He didn't; that was problematic. He just looked pissed.

Tai was suitably annoyed with himself when the big guy managed to land a heftly punch. It didn't hit fully; he was momentarily stunned. As he shook himself, he watched as the big man literally pulled the smaller redhead off her feet and threw her toward Jan. He grinned and laughed softly. Hopefully his opponent's aim was good... give Jan something to do aside from sit there and be snarky.

Tai didn't watch what Jan did; he was busy getting into place once more. The rain of blows began again, only this time they began to land a few more here and there. Tai knew he was being stalked by the taller redhead as well, but the larger guy's assault was such that he had no chance to combat both at the same time. Considering the larger man the worse of the two, Tai ignored the other.

When something came crashing down on his head he barely managed to maintain focus long enough to block the current set of punches and kicks. His heightened senses picked up the smell of blood and scotch. Good scotch too, but fuck it burned in a head wound!

Tai found a spare moment to whirl and jab his fingers into the other man's windpipe. He didn't collapse it, but the redhead dropped and would have to spend a minute or so figuring out how to breathe again. Spinning back he caught another fist to the face from the big guy.

This was beginning to be distinctly one-sided. Tai kind of liked the odds, but damn if he didn't wish Jan would get his hands dirty. They were probably full at the moment though, so Tai settled for working his way toward his cohort if for no other reason than to watch and see what happened next.

It was late, real late and Delilah felt her slim phone vibrating in her pocket. Damn that was most likely Miya wondering where she was. Had she not fallen asleep watching that damned movie National Treasure she would have made it here on time.

As she entered the club she texted Miya back that she had arrived with an apology. The club was as dark as the strip club she noted. It was going to be hard to spot Miya in this cluster fuck of people and darkness, let alone Pauly.

Above the music she heard a commotion and her gaze immediately was attracted to a large fight.

Didn't the bouncers in this place break that shit up?

It was during her scanning of the fight that she noticed red hair. Good lord was Miya inside the brawl? That couldn't be a good thing if she was; the poor girl had just moved here and now upon her invitation had gone to a club to get beat on.

Shoving her way through the crowd Delilah's small body made it easy to get to the site of the fight. As she burst through the crowd a man's body crumpled almost on top of her.

"Assface get off me!" She shouted and shoved at the thin but heavy man. He fell to the ground clutching his throat and she kicked him once for good measure.

Two more men separated her view from the flash of red hair she was momentarily able to spot. A rather large meaty bastard and lithe Asian man. What an odd combination. She wondered what the little guy was thinking. Maybe he had some of those martial art skills to kick ass with. God she was so stereotypical of others.

Seeing a way around the two, Delilah darted behind the bigger guy and stuck a jab of elbow into his kidney, hoping to give the small one time to run or perform a sweet move or something. She knew she wasn't much of a force but she was small and boney. An elbow could almost be as painful as a knife should it be aimed properly. Something else she had found out the hard way.

It was a tough squeeze around the two and she craned her neck to see if Miya was amongst the other fist throwers.

Jan managed to get a sip of his wine in and to muse upon how well the night was turning out. Watching the fight in progress, he managed to get a good view of the redhead being flung at him; such knowledge didn't give him the time or space to get out of the way however.

Tossing aside his still half full glass,lest it end up on him like the last one, Jan threw up his hands to block the incoming body. Wrapping his arms around her waist, Jan bowed backwards teetering precariously and almost falling over with a good portion of the small redhead on top of one shoulder. Luckily for him, and her, he was very limber. He carefully set her down and hoped that the aggressiveness he had seen from her so far wouldn't be directed his way.

Giving her a cheeky smile and a wink before he let her go, Jan said.

"Fancy meeting you here. You too busy for a drink?"

He then looked up to see what the other redhead was planning and who her particular target might be. Tai was taking quite some time with the big fellow; perhaps he had chosen this couple better than he originally intended.

Jan chuckled to himself, at least the Asian couldn't complain that this tussle was over too quickly.

What the hell?! Val had totally not been expecting the big dude to get involved, but then again half the fun of a bar fight you never quite knew what would happen. She was trying to right herself, to take the impact with some kind of grace or at least be able to recover; but that was very hard to do. Fortunately and rather unexpectedly though she was caught. What were the odds of that?

Glancing back at the catcher, she returned the grin.

“Never too busy for a drink. You buying?”

Settling back on her feet, she debated what to do about her broken heel. It really did make things difficult, but she couldn’t bear to ruin the good one. It was possible if she could find the other heel, she could save the shoe yet.

She winced involuntarily as the Asian slowed down the red headed girly man. That had to hurt, but the bottle of scotch… that was criminal. Cheerfully and lightly jabbing the kid in the arm she jerked her head at the other two.

“Come on you’re missing all the fun.”

That said Val tore of at full speed and launched herself on the back of the big dude. She locked her arms around his neck and jabbed the remaining stiletto heel in his side. If they hadn’t drawn so much attention, she’d have bit him too.

Val knew full well this was not the smartest move she’d ever made and she would probably wind up getting smashed into the wall, but until then, she was the little Irish monkey from hell doing her best to keep him from breathing.

Miya siped her drink at the bar then saw a flash of the unique hair that was only Delilah. Well she thought she saw the flash. Setting the drink down on the bar, she slid off the stool. The ruckas which had seemed to be dying down had moved a little bit and the person she thought was Delilah was on the edge moving inwards. Miya slid around the people with an ease and reached out to touch the woman's shoulder carefully not wanting to get hit. "Delilah?" Miya shouted above the crowd, wanting to make sure she heard her.

The scent of blood hit the air and Rock was certain it was from the Asian. Although Red's bottle seemed to slow him down momentarily it certainly didn't stop Rock's opponent. If anything, he realized, the lithe Asian was moving even faster, his previously expressionless face taking on a look of ferocity.

Rock was angered to see Red go down clutching at his throat. His famiiar was taking more of a beating than he had wanted, but before he could even assist Red he was assaulted twice more. Someone jabbed something sharp (a fist? An elbow?) into his kidney at the same time his redheaded grenade backfired on him and leaped upon his back.

Compounded with the Asian's renewed attacks, Rock was ready to concede this one. He slipped backwards, avoiding the Asian's punches by an uncomfortably narrow margin, pounding the redhead (gently) against the bar. He didn't want to kill anyone... he just wanted the bitch to stop riding him like a prize bull.

It was a testament to his agility that he was able to block a few attacks, but the Asian was raining blows upon him hard now.

"Enough," he said, ducking and dodging while trying to scrape his rider off on any nearby furniture. "We've had enough. Let's call it."

Maybe he would see reason.

Tai felt a rush, like adrenaline, as he smelled his own blood. His mouth, fortunately, was tightly shut. He could feel his fangs extend as his muscles seemed to swell. the big man opposite him slowed down - or did he speed up? Whatever happened, he suddenly felt fresh, excited, energized. His kicks and punches came faster and faster. His opponent was quick, by Tai remained quicker by just a second... and seconds counted like hours in this sort of combat.

It was pure and simple bloodlust. He knew it in the corner of his mind left for rational thought. He was enjoying it, though. Kicking fiercely, ignoring the other man's words, he sent the larger man and his impromptu rider crashing through a table. The big man staggered upright and Tai noted, again with the little bit of thought, that it was impressive the redhead still clung to him like a burr.

He whirled again, lashed out with two punches and a quick roundhouse before catching the man's hand and dragging him close. Catching himself before he began to grin, Tai remembered to keep his mouth shut. Planting one leg he used it as a lever as he twisted the big man's arm, ducked, and heaved both the man and his passenger over his hip. As they flew, Tai spun beneath them, coming down hard on the man's chest and whipping his elbow down, stopping just short of a killing blow.

The scent of blood was still there, still stirring him, but it was quickly fading. Tai felt spent, or at least, a little tired. He looked down at the man he'd almost killed and watched as his various cuts and bruises began to seal themselves over.

Allowing himself a laugh, the man's words finally registered. "Consider it called."

He backed off, only then realizing the smaller redhead was still stuck underneath them both.

She was slipping on her own footing as the redhead she thought was Miya flew ontot he back of the huge man she had just elbowed.

That was certainly not Miya, and now she was about to tumble into the heart of the brawl face and hands first.

'Fucking A! I'm gonna ruin my new damn jeans!'

The sticky filthy floor taunted her as she reached out for the bar to pull herself back up and away from the scene. Feeling a gently touch on her shoulder she caught herself in time to spin her head around waiting for a blow, but when she saw Miya's face she smiled.

"Miya!" she exclaimed.

It was then she felt the grasp of a strong forceful hand on her upper arm. A small yelp escaped her lips as she was tugged farther away from the messy fighting area. Her arm shot out to Miya as she was forced away. Abruptly yanked to a halt she scrambled to look at her attacker.

"What in the world are you doing!" Panos shouted above the noise of the House of Pain's loud blaring music.

He had been sitting in a booth along the wall when he had seen the fight start. It was amusing to watch, especially when the redheaded woman joined, until he saw Delilah elbow her way in. What in the world was she thinking? As tiny as she was she was going to join a fight with a group of guys, in the House of Pain? This place was rough enough as it was being it was a hot spot for feeding, at least it was for him and imagened other vampires used the place for the same, let alone to be involved in a fight here.

Quickly removing himself from inbetween the amazingly hot brunette and her pretty little blonde friend, Panos slipped through the crowd in time to see Delilah pulling herself up with the bar rail and the giant man barely missing her as he rammed the redheaded woman on his back into the same space.

He was pissed as he reached out and yanked hard on her arm. A part of him hoped he dislocated the thin appendage. He saw that she was reaching for a woman infront of her and he made a face and stopped.

"Answer me!"

For a second Miya saw her friend and they were about to hug, but then she was pulled away by that overly hot man. They were on the opposite side of the crowd from Miya though. Miya studied the problem as she carefully edged around the people still brawling. The look on Delilah's face had been one of worry perhaps? Miya wasn't sure. But she knew that she had to get to her. She'd known enough people in the DC club scene to know about the date rapes, drugs and kidnappings from predators that haunted clubs.

Luckily they seemed to be standing still for the moment. Miya stalked up to the man who had pulled on her friend. "Stoppit! Leave her alone!" She wrinkled her nose in her anger, which was more comical than frightening. She bluffed the next part from her interactions in the DC scene. "Don't you know better! You are supposed to ASK before grabbing someone elses submisive!" She puffed herself up, jutting her chin out stubbornly.

((Miya out to form new thread!))

"We can put it on my tab."

Jan grined at the little redhead and was about to join back into the fray until he got a good look at Tai. The game seemed to have gone from fun to deadly serious in an instant. He could smell the sharp tang of blood and felt the instinctive ache as his fangs sought to respond. Fighting that urge, he pulled the larger redhead out of the way towards a booth.

"Stay here. I'll try to stop it."

Damn but the man was fast, Tai was already crashing his opponent into the decor before he could reach them. He heard the other's call to end it but he wasn't sure that message got through to the Asian. Being a Tacharan was to know what someone in the grips of near mindless rage looked like because with a leader like Ellis and a clan known for its hotheaded members you were bound to witness it sooner or later. Seeing the throw that was going to squash the petite little firecracker like a bug, Jan concentrated his telekinesis upon easing the downward momentum of her and the man she was still clinging to in the hopes of lessening the damage.

"Coming through."

Jan slid past Tai and bent down to try and retrieve the redhead from underneath the large man. Reaching a hand down towards the small ones visible from underneath Tai's sparring partner, Jan said.

"Excuse me but you're squashing my new date."

He saw Delilah's face go through all the expressions, shock, fear, anger, and back to shock again. Her mouth opened and before she could say anything the woman she had desperately grasped for previously was upon them.

"Stoppit! Leave her alone!" Her voice full of false bravado demanded. "Don't you know better! You are supposed to ASK before grabbing someone elses submisive!"

His head whipped back to Delilah and he gave her a scornful look. Here he was saving her ass and this tiny bag of blood was trying to stop him. Why? Because she thought he was trying to steal her away.

He was definately much more sauve than that.

Witha roll of his eyes he released Delilah's arm. The clubs lights shone off the newly formed bruise. Damn she was delicate.

She couldn't believe her eyes. Pauly was here, AND he had just saved her (and her brand new jeans) from certain doom. She couldn't of planned the evening any better. All the shitty things he had said before had been said just to piss her off for sure. Why else would he have just helped her?

Her mouth dropped open to utter some kind of thank you when Miya stalked up. It was obvious she thought of Pauly as some kind of threat to Delilah.

To her dismay Pauly dropped her arm. Unconciously she rubbed at the frozen spot his hand had been that now seared with pain.

"Miya! It's ok, this is my friend Pauly. He was just helping me out from under that fight."

She stepped forward to hug the girl.

"I'm glad your ok! I thought you were in the middle of that fight. I saw redhair and kinda paniced. Silly me! I'm so sorry I was late! I fell asleep during a movie and bleh."

From behind her she could feel Pauly turning away and she spun around. He was not escaping that easily.

"Pauly! Where are you going? This is Miya."