Jin nodded his approval at her willingness to participate in the ancestor relocation movement...or whatever it was that he was advocating.
"Good, next time another Sex Under the Sun for the lady."
He raised his eyebrows at her when she told him that she wouldn't let him get lost. Putting two and two together based on the conversation wasn't terribly difficult and unless Mara's math was decidedly different from his own then he figured he had found a tracker.
Looking around he saw that the blonde had moved on toward the stage. He seemed to be watching the band who were once again performing, sans one member. The dark haired woman was no where to be found and Jin supposed that the stain was being difficult.
Taking a few bites of his meal, he looked over at Mara.
"I wonder what the canines are up to. Hopefully they won't stir up any more trouble."
By they, he meant Sorcha, and by trouble, he meant another bleeding heart situation that she would likely drag him into.
Looking around the room, he noticed that PakPao and his Evenhet friend gone. He hadn't seen where they went after they had left the dance floor. Maybe they had gone somewhere more private to chat; Jin wondered idly whether Mara would like to chance checking several of those back rooms now that people have had time to wander away in groups of two.
"It seems we have also lost Artemis and Pak. Perhaps we scared them off?"
People-Watching
Mara didn't see Jin's language change as at all unusual. As he spoke, she understood the need for the obscurity. She listened quietly, nodding her head as she thoughtfully nibbled on a piece of tuna. As she and Jin spoke she kept her chair close to his, legs nearly brushing, and both of them angled themselves so that they could see peripherally to the doorway while still looking like they were having an intimate conversation.
Blending in with a crowd was not difficult for Mara; in fact, it was her usual tactic whenever she was unable to become a cat and hide away. After Jin spoke she laughed, laying one hand on his arm as if he'd just said something witty and charming. Her smile stayed in place as she responded to him in the same language.
"Even if that is the case, what can we do?" She asked. It was their job to observe and take note; not to step in and try to effect immediate change. "What did she discover that has her upset?"
It hadn't been very long. What could Sorcha have learned in such a short time? Mara had faith in Amir... if he had let these people come in he couldn't have believed they were an immediate threat. Amir wasn't above shedding blood in a public place if it was necessary, although he could act with subtlety and was apparently doing so now.
She kept her eyes on Jin's face although she had already extended her senses all around them. She could hear a woman's voice speaking to the doorman in a British accent.
"Are they remaining outside for now, or following them in?" She suspected Sorcha and Amir were staying outside for the time being or they might not have opted to send a message in the manner they did.
Jin
14 years ago
Mara
14 years ago
Mara just laughed softly at Jin's taking note of her drink request. She wouldn't be opposed to it. If there was a next time to worry about drinks at, at any rate.
She nodded her head slightly at his raised eyebrows, assuming he'd made the leap of logic and confirming it for him. Tracking was a skill Mara had employed many many times over the years and she loved it; it helped her satisfy her need to know, and it was one of the many tools she employed in her information-gathering. She didn't hesitate to offer it if Jin could make use of it.
Mara adjusted her newest parasol, making sure it was even with the first, and forked a morsel of raw steak into her mouth while she casually scanned the crowd. She couldn't imagine Amir causing any trouble that didn't involve werewolves but she didn't say so; hopefully he was enjoying being with Sorcha, if not completely enjoying being dyed and stuck on a leash. Even that, though, had been at least partially Amir's own idea.
"If they do," she responded, "maybe they'll be good enough to let us in on it again. I couldn't bear it if we missed out."
Since Jin was taking a turn looking around Mara applied herself to the ripe red strawberry on her plate; it wouldn't do for them both to be scanning the crowd like birds of prey in a field of mice. Following each bite of strawberry with a sip of her milk she nibbled away at the fruit quickly before answering Jin once more.
"Of course we did," she said with mock arrogance. "Our dancing was far superior. They had to be ashamed."
Clearly they were not, but Mara suspected they were enjoying a little time to themselves and hoped the best for Pak... perhaps things would be a little less complicated, at least tonight.
She nodded her head slightly at his raised eyebrows, assuming he'd made the leap of logic and confirming it for him. Tracking was a skill Mara had employed many many times over the years and she loved it; it helped her satisfy her need to know, and it was one of the many tools she employed in her information-gathering. She didn't hesitate to offer it if Jin could make use of it.
Mara adjusted her newest parasol, making sure it was even with the first, and forked a morsel of raw steak into her mouth while she casually scanned the crowd. She couldn't imagine Amir causing any trouble that didn't involve werewolves but she didn't say so; hopefully he was enjoying being with Sorcha, if not completely enjoying being dyed and stuck on a leash. Even that, though, had been at least partially Amir's own idea.
"If they do," she responded, "maybe they'll be good enough to let us in on it again. I couldn't bear it if we missed out."
Since Jin was taking a turn looking around Mara applied herself to the ripe red strawberry on her plate; it wouldn't do for them both to be scanning the crowd like birds of prey in a field of mice. Following each bite of strawberry with a sip of her milk she nibbled away at the fruit quickly before answering Jin once more.
"Of course we did," she said with mock arrogance. "Our dancing was far superior. They had to be ashamed."
Clearly they were not, but Mara suspected they were enjoying a little time to themselves and hoped the best for Pak... perhaps things would be a little less complicated, at least tonight.
Jin
14 years ago
Jin smiled at Mara and nodded his head in agreement. Yes, the truth is that he would hate to be left out of any mischief that might be going on.
"It would be a shame to miss out."
Her comment about the informal dance contest made him smile. Knowing Artemis, Jin didn't think there was anything that made the Roman ashamed, unless it was getting caught drinking cheap alcohol. No doubt even then the man would come up with a quick excuse like a scientific test or some such nonsense to cover the lapse in judgment.
"Yes, well, They could hardly be blamed not everyone has a reputation for landing on their feet."
He looked around the room and pondered what to do next.
"I suppose we could create our own mischief. Shall we go check out the other places around here?"
He grinned at her and then downed the rest of his milk in one shot. Wiping the back of his hand across his mouth, Jin sat the glass down and gave her a determined look.
"I'm ready!"
It would be an escape from the drunken appearance she had portrayed. Once they were out of the room Mara could simply be herself
"It would be a shame to miss out."
Her comment about the informal dance contest made him smile. Knowing Artemis, Jin didn't think there was anything that made the Roman ashamed, unless it was getting caught drinking cheap alcohol. No doubt even then the man would come up with a quick excuse like a scientific test or some such nonsense to cover the lapse in judgment.
"Yes, well, They could hardly be blamed not everyone has a reputation for landing on their feet."
He looked around the room and pondered what to do next.
"I suppose we could create our own mischief. Shall we go check out the other places around here?"
He grinned at her and then downed the rest of his milk in one shot. Wiping the back of his hand across his mouth, Jin sat the glass down and gave her a determined look.
"I'm ready!"
It would be an escape from the drunken appearance she had portrayed. Once they were out of the room Mara could simply be herself
Mara
14 years ago
Mara felt her lips twitch up with amusement as Jin knocked back his... milk. "That's so hardcore," she said with a teasing tone.
She was in favor of finding something to do, however. If she was to be here at this party she required constant distraction. Sitting around staring didn't suit her at all for the moment. Not unless she was able to remain in her other form, which quite clearly she was not.
Mara stood, remembering to wobble appropriately, and lurched over to Jin, who'd also risen. She weaved unsteadily on her feet, taking his arm and grasping it like a lifeline, slumping over a little to put her head on his shoulder.
They wouldn't be the first 'couple' to go off looking for a little privacy in this manner. And it put her lips very close to Jin's ear.
"I recall some doors that needed opening before," she murmured as they made their way across the room.
She doubted all of them were private party rooms, but even the one she'd seen earlier had had another little section off of it, like a prep area. It would be ideal for a quiet little get-together.
She was in favor of finding something to do, however. If she was to be here at this party she required constant distraction. Sitting around staring didn't suit her at all for the moment. Not unless she was able to remain in her other form, which quite clearly she was not.
Mara stood, remembering to wobble appropriately, and lurched over to Jin, who'd also risen. She weaved unsteadily on her feet, taking his arm and grasping it like a lifeline, slumping over a little to put her head on his shoulder.
They wouldn't be the first 'couple' to go off looking for a little privacy in this manner. And it put her lips very close to Jin's ear.
"I recall some doors that needed opening before," she murmured as they made their way across the room.
She doubted all of them were private party rooms, but even the one she'd seen earlier had had another little section off of it, like a prep area. It would be ideal for a quiet little get-together.
Jin
14 years ago
Jin gave Mara a warm smile, happy that he could amuse her at a party she had not originally cared to attend. It had been nice of her to come and help look for any signs of their mysterious assailant.
"That's just how I roll."
Jin held onto her as she wobbled into him, perfectly content to let her lean on him as long as she liked. The whisper in his ear was delightful, not just for being somewhat intimate in nature but also promising adventure on the horizon. Sure, it probably wouldn't be dangerous intrigue but who knows what they could find and that was part of the fun.
"Should we ease them open quietly or boldly push them open?" Jin grinned like a kid at Christmas "Or we could go all out and kick them in."
That option was probably out of the question but the other two were not. Coming out to the small hallway, Jin studied the options before them.
"So...Lady's Choice. Pick a door."
"That's just how I roll."
Jin held onto her as she wobbled into him, perfectly content to let her lean on him as long as she liked. The whisper in his ear was delightful, not just for being somewhat intimate in nature but also promising adventure on the horizon. Sure, it probably wouldn't be dangerous intrigue but who knows what they could find and that was part of the fun.
"Should we ease them open quietly or boldly push them open?" Jin grinned like a kid at Christmas "Or we could go all out and kick them in."
That option was probably out of the question but the other two were not. Coming out to the small hallway, Jin studied the options before them.
"So...Lady's Choice. Pick a door."
Mara
14 years ago
Mara laughed softly and shook her head a little bit. She hadn't expected Jin to actually have a sense of humor that was so lighthearted. She was enjoying this.
As they looked at the doors that were their options she briefly tuned in a little more with her keen hearing. She heard no voices behind either door, but there was a lot of chatter around them and a band; unless she was willing to really put forth a good deal of effort she probably wouldn't hear behind either door, and she was playing the part of someone unable to command much focus at the moment.
"Hmm. There's always the 'cover your ass' method," she said. "Left door, I think."
Once they were positioned in front of it, Mara held Jin back for a moment. She wasn't a big fan of the straightforward entry... they may as well have some fun with it. That way someone else might avoid some potential embarrassment.
Sliding around in front of Jin Mara twined one arm around his shoulders and buried her face in his neck. With her free hand she deftly tugged his tie loose a bit and plucked the top button of his shirt open. Then, hidden behind him from the majority of the partygoers, she mussed her own hair up a little bit, Wrapping both arms around Jin and pressing herself to him, she laid her cheek against his and smiled. "Okay, go."
((ooc: permission to be grabby!))
As they looked at the doors that were their options she briefly tuned in a little more with her keen hearing. She heard no voices behind either door, but there was a lot of chatter around them and a band; unless she was willing to really put forth a good deal of effort she probably wouldn't hear behind either door, and she was playing the part of someone unable to command much focus at the moment.
"Hmm. There's always the 'cover your ass' method," she said. "Left door, I think."
Once they were positioned in front of it, Mara held Jin back for a moment. She wasn't a big fan of the straightforward entry... they may as well have some fun with it. That way someone else might avoid some potential embarrassment.
Sliding around in front of Jin Mara twined one arm around his shoulders and buried her face in his neck. With her free hand she deftly tugged his tie loose a bit and plucked the top button of his shirt open. Then, hidden behind him from the majority of the partygoers, she mussed her own hair up a little bit, Wrapping both arms around Jin and pressing herself to him, she laid her cheek against his and smiled. "Okay, go."
((ooc: permission to be grabby!))
Jin
14 years ago
Jin waited for her choice, not really caring for any one over the other. He also wondered which method of entry she would decide on.
Cover your ....ah, that method.
He watched himself being disheveled with wry amusement. If only it weren't a ruse. Ah well, Jin was fairly certain he could play the part of the besotted lover unable to wait and be quite convincing. Mara was all the inspiration a man could possibly need; intelligent, graceful, sexy, confident and witty.
He wasn't entirely certain he would be acting.
Jin smiled into Mara's cheek and gave her a gentle kiss before murmuring softly.
"You are truly dangerous."
He pulled his companion close with one hand around her waist. Leaning down, Jin began kissing Mara's collar bone while pushing the door open behind her and tumbling them both through.
"Mmmm, the things you do to me...."
Jin slid his lips in a teasingly light touch up Mara's neck and swept his gaze around the room while gently nibbling on the edge of his partner's ear.
Cover your ....ah, that method.
He watched himself being disheveled with wry amusement. If only it weren't a ruse. Ah well, Jin was fairly certain he could play the part of the besotted lover unable to wait and be quite convincing. Mara was all the inspiration a man could possibly need; intelligent, graceful, sexy, confident and witty.
He wasn't entirely certain he would be acting.
Jin smiled into Mara's cheek and gave her a gentle kiss before murmuring softly.
"You are truly dangerous."
He pulled his companion close with one hand around her waist. Leaning down, Jin began kissing Mara's collar bone while pushing the door open behind her and tumbling them both through.
"Mmmm, the things you do to me...."
Jin slid his lips in a teasingly light touch up Mara's neck and swept his gaze around the room while gently nibbling on the edge of his partner's ear.
Mara
14 years ago
Clearly Jin had done this before. Mara didn't speculate on how or with whom; as long as they were convincing that was all that mattered. That said she still got a little shiver when he ran his lips up the side of her neck.
"Not to you," she whispered when he deemed her dangerous. Mischievous perhaps, but that was apparently their MO tonight.
She gave a little moan as they fell through the doorway, kicking it closed with her foot as they did, tipping her head back to see if they were actually alone in here. Hard to tell, with her eyes closed. Jin had very soft hair, her hands told her. And while she couldn't say anything about the rest of him, the crook of his neck tasted delicious.
Bad kitty.
She turned her head, just fractionally, and opened her eyes. Oh. "Jin," she whispered softly, just in his ear.
They were most assuredly not alone. Tucked back in the corner of the room there were four people. They all looked like young adults, three men and a woman, arranged in a tight circle. They had moved to conceal whatever it was they were doing and were all staring at them in shock.
The two closest to her and Jin looked startled and surprised, possibly a little guilty. The two with their backs to the corner, however, looked angry. And dangerous. And one of them had dropped his hand to his pocket in subtle, quiet threat.
What had they just tumbled into? Mara felt no fear. Only curiosity. And something else that was completely inappropriate. "Company," she murmured softly, but he had no doubt seen them already himself.
"Not to you," she whispered when he deemed her dangerous. Mischievous perhaps, but that was apparently their MO tonight.
She gave a little moan as they fell through the doorway, kicking it closed with her foot as they did, tipping her head back to see if they were actually alone in here. Hard to tell, with her eyes closed. Jin had very soft hair, her hands told her. And while she couldn't say anything about the rest of him, the crook of his neck tasted delicious.
Bad kitty.
She turned her head, just fractionally, and opened her eyes. Oh. "Jin," she whispered softly, just in his ear.
They were most assuredly not alone. Tucked back in the corner of the room there were four people. They all looked like young adults, three men and a woman, arranged in a tight circle. They had moved to conceal whatever it was they were doing and were all staring at them in shock.
The two closest to her and Jin looked startled and surprised, possibly a little guilty. The two with their backs to the corner, however, looked angry. And dangerous. And one of them had dropped his hand to his pocket in subtle, quiet threat.
What had they just tumbled into? Mara felt no fear. Only curiosity. And something else that was completely inappropriate. "Company," she murmured softly, but he had no doubt seen them already himself.
Jin
14 years ago
Jin wasn't sure he believed that she wasn't dangerous to him but he was not about to argue with her over it at the present moment. The little moan was enough to distract him from their intended mischief and Jin was secretly hoping they would find the place unoccupied.
Unfortunately they were not alone. He sighed as the soft voice whispered his name and told him that they had company.
There were kids in the room, four of them. He caught the gist of the scene fairly quickly; the two in the corner were afraid and looked a bit guilty. The other two, however, had no such feelings of remorse for their activities. One of them of them was reaching for his pocket. It didn't take a genius or a vampire with perception to sort out what the man was reaching for.
On top of everything else, he smelled blood. Potent blood and some other chemical smells.
Eternity
Jin narrowed his eyes. Letting go of Mara so that she was free to maneuver, he turned towards the other people in the room.
"You know that stuff will get you killed."
If not by consuming it then by the vampires who find the possession of their blood an offense worth killing for.
Unfortunately they were not alone. He sighed as the soft voice whispered his name and told him that they had company.
There were kids in the room, four of them. He caught the gist of the scene fairly quickly; the two in the corner were afraid and looked a bit guilty. The other two, however, had no such feelings of remorse for their activities. One of them of them was reaching for his pocket. It didn't take a genius or a vampire with perception to sort out what the man was reaching for.
On top of everything else, he smelled blood. Potent blood and some other chemical smells.
Eternity
Jin narrowed his eyes. Letting go of Mara so that she was free to maneuver, he turned towards the other people in the room.
"You know that stuff will get you killed."
If not by consuming it then by the vampires who find the possession of their blood an offense worth killing for.
Thug
14 years ago
Marshal looked up as the door swung open and a couple fell through, tangled up in each other, pretty heavily headed past first base rounding to second. The two kids he and JC had been introducing to Eternity were already starting to feel the effects... they looked first guilty and ashamed but as they started to feel the high they both grew glass-eyed and slack-jawed.
Marshal quickly gathered their various paraphernalia to him, seeing JC's hand slide down to his pocket as the couple looked up from their make-out session. Oddly enough the two broke apart with alacrity, looking mostly alert and not at all as out of it as he'd have expected them to be at a party like this.
"Looks like a couple of narcs," he muttered to JC.
Then the man with the white hair said something and Marshal felt certain of it.
"It's none of your business, old man," he said. "You just turn right on around and find another room." Then he chuckled. "Man, you're really robbing the cradle. Does her dad know where she is? Or do you just have enough money to afford her?"
He made a little shooing motion with his hand. He and JC could easily catch up with the two in just a little bit and make sure they didn't leak.
Marshal quickly gathered their various paraphernalia to him, seeing JC's hand slide down to his pocket as the couple looked up from their make-out session. Oddly enough the two broke apart with alacrity, looking mostly alert and not at all as out of it as he'd have expected them to be at a party like this.
"Looks like a couple of narcs," he muttered to JC.
Then the man with the white hair said something and Marshal felt certain of it.
"It's none of your business, old man," he said. "You just turn right on around and find another room." Then he chuckled. "Man, you're really robbing the cradle. Does her dad know where she is? Or do you just have enough money to afford her?"
He made a little shooing motion with his hand. He and JC could easily catch up with the two in just a little bit and make sure they didn't leak.
Stranger
14 years ago
JC, otherwise known as Justin Chase, had always been in trouble of one sort or another since the time he was in elementary school. His golden boy good looks, that now kept him out of serious trouble and got him into more than one bed, had once been the look of a pretty easy mark for every bully on the schoolyard.
Years and many relocations later, found JC using his image in a different way. He was considered a hard ass, willing to shoot first and ask questions later kind of guy. Some people considered him too dangerous to work with and said that it was only a matter of time before he either got sent to jail or got himself killed.
He reached for the gun in his pocket as soon as the door started opening, JC would admit that it was instinct at this point. In difference to the new kids in the back room though, he didn't start a scene. Customers...you got to think of their peace of mind.
Chuckling at Marshal's comments to the guy who had just entered, a part of JC hoped they wouldn't heed the warning that they'd been given. After all, he had plenty of E coursing through his veins and it would be a shame to waste it staring at two new shits as they "ooohed" and "aaaaaahed" at all the amazing senses and feelings that came with drinking a bit of the good stuff.
The couple might be narcs like Marshal suggested or they might just be two people who decided to pick the wrong door to open.
Giving the two an altar boy smile, JC added.
"Who gets horny in a cemetery anyway? That's just...sick."
Years and many relocations later, found JC using his image in a different way. He was considered a hard ass, willing to shoot first and ask questions later kind of guy. Some people considered him too dangerous to work with and said that it was only a matter of time before he either got sent to jail or got himself killed.
He reached for the gun in his pocket as soon as the door started opening, JC would admit that it was instinct at this point. In difference to the new kids in the back room though, he didn't start a scene. Customers...you got to think of their peace of mind.
Chuckling at Marshal's comments to the guy who had just entered, a part of JC hoped they wouldn't heed the warning that they'd been given. After all, he had plenty of E coursing through his veins and it would be a shame to waste it staring at two new shits as they "ooohed" and "aaaaaahed" at all the amazing senses and feelings that came with drinking a bit of the good stuff.
The couple might be narcs like Marshal suggested or they might just be two people who decided to pick the wrong door to open.
Giving the two an altar boy smile, JC added.
"Who gets horny in a cemetery anyway? That's just...sick."
Mara
14 years ago
Mara spun on her toe to face forward as Jin released her. The situation was fairly clear to her as soon as she, too, noticed what Jin must have. The idea of turning vampire blood into a chemical substance to be sold and abused was disgusting. She balanced up on the balls of her feet and waited; training took over at that point and having been taught almost exclusively by Amir, she had learned to do things largely his way.
That meant respecting chain of command and in this case, Jin was her superior. Acting on her own, Mara might have quickly taken out the man with the gun. As it was she stepped forward a little bit but stopped.
The comments of the shorter, stockier man didn't bother her. No one her creator had trained would be foolish enough to get hooked by jibes and insults. And applying that she was loose was the easiest one to make. It didn't bother her in this context.
However, the other man had commented about their location and Mara couldn't help wondering if his immediately reaching for his weapon indicated he was the more hot tempered of the two. So she addressed her comment to him.
"Well," she said conversationally in spite of her ready stance, "I can't imagine you would know how it feels, with a companion like that. You'd think with your looks you could have done one better."
She never took her eyes off the man's face but she was actually paying attention to the hand that appeared to have a gun.
That meant respecting chain of command and in this case, Jin was her superior. Acting on her own, Mara might have quickly taken out the man with the gun. As it was she stepped forward a little bit but stopped.
The comments of the shorter, stockier man didn't bother her. No one her creator had trained would be foolish enough to get hooked by jibes and insults. And applying that she was loose was the easiest one to make. It didn't bother her in this context.
However, the other man had commented about their location and Mara couldn't help wondering if his immediately reaching for his weapon indicated he was the more hot tempered of the two. So she addressed her comment to him.
"Well," she said conversationally in spite of her ready stance, "I can't imagine you would know how it feels, with a companion like that. You'd think with your looks you could have done one better."
She never took her eyes off the man's face but she was actually paying attention to the hand that appeared to have a gun.
Jin
14 years ago
Contrary to the kid's words, Jin did see it as his business. Vampires didn't generally give up their blood without a fight. He doubted that the vampire that the blood belonged to was still alive and people killing his kind or profiting on the murder of his people made it his concern.
He shrugged at the kid's taunting.
"Actually her father does know she's here."
Jin gave the kid a grin but turned his attention to the bigger threat in the room. Normally he would use his abilities to move across the space nearly unseen and insubstantial but he wasn't alone this time. Jin knew that Mara wouldn't be killed very easily, hell she wasn't likely to be hit very easily but he would still have to explain to Amir how he let his daughter get shot at while he was avoiding the blow.
He raised his eyebrows at Mara's taunting and took a hold of her hand.
"Let's not judge. They're kind of cute together."
Jin stepped back like he was going for the door, instead his next action was to squat, pulling the edge of a nearby table upward with his other hand. He pulled Mara down behind the newly made barricade with him. It wouldn't stop a bullet but it would slow it down.
Using his blending from behind the table, Jin eased to the side and moved around it.
He shrugged at the kid's taunting.
"Actually her father does know she's here."
Jin gave the kid a grin but turned his attention to the bigger threat in the room. Normally he would use his abilities to move across the space nearly unseen and insubstantial but he wasn't alone this time. Jin knew that Mara wouldn't be killed very easily, hell she wasn't likely to be hit very easily but he would still have to explain to Amir how he let his daughter get shot at while he was avoiding the blow.
He raised his eyebrows at Mara's taunting and took a hold of her hand.
"Let's not judge. They're kind of cute together."
Jin stepped back like he was going for the door, instead his next action was to squat, pulling the edge of a nearby table upward with his other hand. He pulled Mara down behind the newly made barricade with him. It wouldn't stop a bullet but it would slow it down.
Using his blending from behind the table, Jin eased to the side and moved around it.
Thug
14 years ago
Marshal rolled his eyes, not as taken with the taunting as he imagined the hot-tempered JC might be. He watched as the two began to move back toward the door, and then suddenly the man pulled his girlfriend down, up-ending a table as he did.
Marshal's first reaction was born of instinct. He faded quickly into his background, becoming all but invisible, letting JC be the target for now. These guys thought they were going to get tough and be heroes... well. Drugs might get you killed but so did fucking with the undead.
Assuming the two would stay crouched behind their barricade while they worked out some kind of fiendish plan or called the authorities or whatever, Marshal circled around toward the back side of the table, intending to jump them both from behind while JC held them off his way.
Marshal's first reaction was born of instinct. He faded quickly into his background, becoming all but invisible, letting JC be the target for now. These guys thought they were going to get tough and be heroes... well. Drugs might get you killed but so did fucking with the undead.
Assuming the two would stay crouched behind their barricade while they worked out some kind of fiendish plan or called the authorities or whatever, Marshal circled around toward the back side of the table, intending to jump them both from behind while JC held them off his way.
Stranger
14 years ago
JC blinked at the woman once before deciding what to do with that comment. He laughed and grinned. She'd be fun in a few minutes, assuming Marshal let him play.
"Well if you're offering to show me what I'm missing then I will be happy to learn."
The boyfriend didn't seem to like that idea and JC's smirk got wider as the man grabbed his date's hand and took a step back. The grin left his face when the table upended and his view of the couple was blocked.
He was tempted to move forward and go over it but the experience of plenty of fights stopped -that- impulse before it could fully realize itself into action.
Looking back at his companion, JC found himself suddenly alone. Bastard! The next time he siphoned some of Marshal's blood to sell he was poking the needle in extra hard.
JC was certain he felt something from behind him. He didn't see anything, maybe it was Marshal. The jackass can make himself invisible and he's still going to use him as a shield?! It was tempting to turn around to make sure but that would mean taking his eyes off the last place he knew the couple had been.
That's when he felt and arm slide around his neck. Choking, JC reacted mostly out of instinct. Taking the hypodermic needle out of his pocket, he jabbed backwards into the leg he could feel behind him. He may not know for sure -who- it was but he did know that they were about to be in for the ride of their lives.
"Well if you're offering to show me what I'm missing then I will be happy to learn."
The boyfriend didn't seem to like that idea and JC's smirk got wider as the man grabbed his date's hand and took a step back. The grin left his face when the table upended and his view of the couple was blocked.
He was tempted to move forward and go over it but the experience of plenty of fights stopped -that- impulse before it could fully realize itself into action.
Looking back at his companion, JC found himself suddenly alone. Bastard! The next time he siphoned some of Marshal's blood to sell he was poking the needle in extra hard.
JC was certain he felt something from behind him. He didn't see anything, maybe it was Marshal. The jackass can make himself invisible and he's still going to use him as a shield?! It was tempting to turn around to make sure but that would mean taking his eyes off the last place he knew the couple had been.
That's when he felt and arm slide around his neck. Choking, JC reacted mostly out of instinct. Taking the hypodermic needle out of his pocket, he jabbed backwards into the leg he could feel behind him. He may not know for sure -who- it was but he did know that they were about to be in for the ride of their lives.
Mara
14 years ago
Mara smiled at Jin's flippant response to her taunting and didn't resist as she was pulled behind an impromptu barricade. Facing Jin, she watched with arched brows as her escort-turned-cohort underwent a brief transformation over the next second or two. He turned a transparent white, the same pale shade as his hair, and then vanished entirely.
Well... obviously Jin had his method. While he got himself into position for whatever he was about to do, Mara peered out from the bottom edge of the table to see if their drug-dealing pals had moved. Oddly enough, she could see the two humans writhing in the throes of their first Eternity hits and she could see the feet of the man with the gun. But that was it.
Mara ducked back behind the table. Her mind worked quickly; her first instinct was to assume the stock, shorter man who was missing was a vampire. Unable to see him, Mara didn't worry. She had four other perfectly able senses to pick up the slack.
It took a small amount of focus. Mara's senses were normally keener than average but when she concentrated they heightened even more. She closed her eyes; she wouldn't need them yet. There was very little sound; if the other man was moving, it was quiet enough that the moaning, ecstatic humans across the room were covering it up.
No smells. Too many different foods being carried back and forth; it was hard to pick anything out.
But the air around her... now that told a story. And the story it told was that the man was quietly but quickly moving up along her left hand side. Too bad; it was a good trick but Mara was trickier. All she had to do was wait.
She tried to look helpless.
((ooc: Ability description courtesy of Jin))
Well... obviously Jin had his method. While he got himself into position for whatever he was about to do, Mara peered out from the bottom edge of the table to see if their drug-dealing pals had moved. Oddly enough, she could see the two humans writhing in the throes of their first Eternity hits and she could see the feet of the man with the gun. But that was it.
Mara ducked back behind the table. Her mind worked quickly; her first instinct was to assume the stock, shorter man who was missing was a vampire. Unable to see him, Mara didn't worry. She had four other perfectly able senses to pick up the slack.
It took a small amount of focus. Mara's senses were normally keener than average but when she concentrated they heightened even more. She closed her eyes; she wouldn't need them yet. There was very little sound; if the other man was moving, it was quiet enough that the moaning, ecstatic humans across the room were covering it up.
No smells. Too many different foods being carried back and forth; it was hard to pick anything out.
But the air around her... now that told a story. And the story it told was that the man was quietly but quickly moving up along her left hand side. Too bad; it was a good trick but Mara was trickier. All she had to do was wait.
She tried to look helpless.
((ooc: Ability description courtesy of Jin))
Jin
14 years ago
Jin had made his way across the room with no difficulty. Chairs and the like were hardly obstacles when you could go through them. The problem was that he had to be physical in order to do anything to stop the guy from shooting anyone.
He reached and arm around the man's neck and began to squeeze. The plan had been to knock this one out and then take care of the other one, though he doubted that his help would be necessary. There was a glitch in the plan when he felt a sharp pain in his leg. Looking down, Jin could see a pneumatic injector.
Oooookay. Not a gun.
Continuing to squeeze, Jin let the unconscious man slide down to the floor along with the other humans.
"Mara... We have a problem."
Belatedly he figured he should have found out from the man what was just shot into his leg but it was a bit late for that. He looked around the room for the other drug dealer and didn't see him. Frowning, Jin blended once more and headed back towards his companion.
Maybe she had already finished the other one off and he missed it. If so then even Mai would be impressed.
He reached and arm around the man's neck and began to squeeze. The plan had been to knock this one out and then take care of the other one, though he doubted that his help would be necessary. There was a glitch in the plan when he felt a sharp pain in his leg. Looking down, Jin could see a pneumatic injector.
Oooookay. Not a gun.
Continuing to squeeze, Jin let the unconscious man slide down to the floor along with the other humans.
"Mara... We have a problem."
Belatedly he figured he should have found out from the man what was just shot into his leg but it was a bit late for that. He looked around the room for the other drug dealer and didn't see him. Frowning, Jin blended once more and headed back towards his companion.
Maybe she had already finished the other one off and he missed it. If so then even Mai would be impressed.
Thug
14 years ago
Marshal moved quickly around the room and saw the girl, alone, crouched behind the table. JC would take care of the old guy. Marshal was best used stealthily. Like this.
He didn't plan on the girl not being as scared as she looked. In fact, he didn't really plan at all. And that proved to be his problem. Marshal was, after all, a fairly small fish in a much larger ocean. And sometimes the big fish wore tiny-fish suits. Or cat ears and colored contacts.
Either way she came flying at him like she knew he was there. If he'd had the time he would have stopped to make sure he'd actually blended.
"Fuck..."
It was the last word (and only word) he got out as his world was up-ended and he was hurled across the room. He hit the wall and landed with surprising grace on his feet, almost, but not quite, prepared for the sight before him. The girl, with a torn-off chair leg, bounded in two leaps over the table separating them now, and thrust.
And everything went black.
He didn't plan on the girl not being as scared as she looked. In fact, he didn't really plan at all. And that proved to be his problem. Marshal was, after all, a fairly small fish in a much larger ocean. And sometimes the big fish wore tiny-fish suits. Or cat ears and colored contacts.
Either way she came flying at him like she knew he was there. If he'd had the time he would have stopped to make sure he'd actually blended.
"Fuck..."
It was the last word (and only word) he got out as his world was up-ended and he was hurled across the room. He hit the wall and landed with surprising grace on his feet, almost, but not quite, prepared for the sight before him. The girl, with a torn-off chair leg, bounded in two leaps over the table separating them now, and thrust.
And everything went black.
Mara
14 years ago
Mara didn't often choose fight over flight. It was so much more natural to her to change shapes and hit the high road. But Amir kept her on her toes and in some cases when fight was called for, she understood why. Clearly flight hadn't been an option here. And Amir hadn't trained her for nothing.
The air stirred beside her and she whirled, reaching, grabbing, and tangling the stocky man into her arms. Levering with one hand and thrusting with her hip, she hurled him across the room.
Don't stop and think, Mara. Just act. Lessons from centuries past came to the fore and Mara reached for one of the wooden chairs next to the table and tore a leg from it.
The vampire against the wall had landed with suspicious ease. She had to move quickly, or she'd lose her element of surprise. Ironically cat-like, Mara swung her chair leg up like a javelin and jumped onto the table. Another jump and she had her victim right there. She heaved her improvised stake with a little grunt, putting as much as she had into it. Sometimes it wasn't strictly necessary to have a perfectly pointy object, if you used enough force.
She looked at her opponent, pinned like a bug, as he slid down the wall.
Somewhere in there she'd heard Jin's voice. Mara turned, looking for the other dealer. She could see him slumped on the floor.
"No problem," she said, straightening and dusting her hands, looking for Jin. It had been far too easy. But they worked well together.
The air stirred beside her and she whirled, reaching, grabbing, and tangling the stocky man into her arms. Levering with one hand and thrusting with her hip, she hurled him across the room.
Don't stop and think, Mara. Just act. Lessons from centuries past came to the fore and Mara reached for one of the wooden chairs next to the table and tore a leg from it.
The vampire against the wall had landed with suspicious ease. She had to move quickly, or she'd lose her element of surprise. Ironically cat-like, Mara swung her chair leg up like a javelin and jumped onto the table. Another jump and she had her victim right there. She heaved her improvised stake with a little grunt, putting as much as she had into it. Sometimes it wasn't strictly necessary to have a perfectly pointy object, if you used enough force.
She looked at her opponent, pinned like a bug, as he slid down the wall.
Somewhere in there she'd heard Jin's voice. Mara turned, looking for the other dealer. She could see him slumped on the floor.
"No problem," she said, straightening and dusting her hands, looking for Jin. It had been far too easy. But they worked well together.
Jin
14 years ago
Jin watched the other man hit the wall. Ah, there he was. Mara was quite impressive as she broke a piece of furniture and used it to spear the man...vampire, obviously through the heart.
Nice, he'd tell Amir except that would probably involve explaining the rest of the adventure and Jin didn't think he was up for all of that.
With a heavy sigh, He half slid, half sat against one wall, reappearing as he did so.
Mara informed him there was no problem. Jin chuckled and smiled at her.
Holding up the injector in his hand, he showed it to her.
"Oh, I think there's about to be another one."
Damn it, they now couldn't ask the other one what was in the thing. Ah well, it wasn't likely to kill him, whatever it was. He would just ride it out and hope at least a small portion of his dignity remained intact at the end of it.
"Could you move the humans out of the room. I don't know what this does but...I"
Jin blinked a few times. What had he been saying?
"feeding... bad....accident..."
He trailed off as the dent in the wall appeared to be fixing itself. huh, wasn't that handy? Jin was going to point it out to Mara but he seemed to have forgotten how to move his limbs for the moment.
Nice, he'd tell Amir except that would probably involve explaining the rest of the adventure and Jin didn't think he was up for all of that.
With a heavy sigh, He half slid, half sat against one wall, reappearing as he did so.
Mara informed him there was no problem. Jin chuckled and smiled at her.
Holding up the injector in his hand, he showed it to her.
"Oh, I think there's about to be another one."
Damn it, they now couldn't ask the other one what was in the thing. Ah well, it wasn't likely to kill him, whatever it was. He would just ride it out and hope at least a small portion of his dignity remained intact at the end of it.
"Could you move the humans out of the room. I don't know what this does but...I"
Jin blinked a few times. What had he been saying?
"feeding... bad....accident..."
He trailed off as the dent in the wall appeared to be fixing itself. huh, wasn't that handy? Jin was going to point it out to Mara but he seemed to have forgotten how to move his limbs for the moment.