Pak sighed with a little bit of relief when Rowan and Christian decided to dance. That would give her a little breathing room. Just as she was relaxing Christian threw a curve ball and invited she and Cam to the floor as well. Since she'd been the one to half suggest it she couldn't very well say no. But no big deal it wasn't like they were actually dancing with each other any way. It was just an excuse to get on the floor.
She'd gotten half way to the floor when the tempo changed. Crap. This wasn't ideal. Rowan so far didn't seem very fond of her and beyond that he was on a date with Christian. Pak looked about a bit awkwardly.
"Yeah... I mean you don't have to. I don't want to horn in or anything."
She smiled a lopsided sheepish smile, trying to convey that she didn't dislike the idea or at least not Rowan she just wasn't much of a dancer.
"Besides I'd probably step on your foot or something."
If that wasn't a graceful out she'd handed Rowan she didn't know what was.
Drive - The Howl (OPEN)
Sometimes, I feel the fear of uncertainty stinging clear
And I can't help but ask myself how much I let the fear
Take the wheel and steer
It's driven me before
And it seems to have a vague, haunting mass appeal
But lately I'm beginning to find that I
Should be the one behind the wheel
-Incubus
Camille pulled her ivory wrap around her bare shoulders and tried not to look nervous. Standing at the steps leading down the club section of The Howl, Cam nervously looked around as she was jostled by the quickly moving patrons heading down to see the head lining act. It was early still, hours before her Reese...Red...well he wasn't hers, per say.... Shaking her head, Cam almost turned to leave when a large group of women caught her in their wake and forced her to move down the steps. Being unceremoniously moved to the tables surrounding the stage, Cam pulled her wrap tighter around her.
Wearing tight black capri jeans with matching suede espadrille wedges and an ivory silk tank to match her wrap, Camille shifted uncomfortably, trying to ignore the rush of annoyed auras from the females. Her hesitation was beginning to annoy her, so she took a deep breath and selected a table near the back of the venue. Draping her wrap over the back of the chair, she slipped off her small purse and tried to look nonchalant.
The auras around her varied from elated, energetic, apprehensive, and aroused. She filtered the harsher emotions and concentrated on trying to read the body language of the patrons around her, connecting the dots, as it were - putting emotions to people. It would distract her for a little while hopefully. Reese had been on her mind all week, and she was fairly certain he would play later that night, but she hadn't decided if she was going to see him again. Unconsciously she reached up and pulled her hair into a low ponytail, running her fingers through her long black tresses.
Pakpao
13 years ago
Rowan Murphy
13 years ago
In a bizarre twist of fate Cris invited Cam and Pak to join them on the dance floor and just as they got there the music changed to a slower song. Rowan almost turned to take Cris's hand before realizing that Cam was facing Cris expectantly. Regardless of having been asked to dance by his date, Rowan realized there was no way Cris could politely turn their clanmate down. He swallowed the quick irrational sting he felt and immediately brought his own subterfuge into play, knowing what this meant.
Shields erected around him like a brick wall Rowan turned to Pakpao with a warm smile to hide the awkwardness he felt at being forced to partner the woman he had previously reprimanded, however gently, for her attitude toward his date.
"Nonsense," he said, Pak's words further driving the point home that he could no more refuse to dance than Cris could. Cris would understand. Rowan couldn't leave Pakpao out in the cold anymore than Cris could leave Cam.
Taking Pakpao's hand Rowan forced his subterfuge up so hard he felt his head pound. He had no idea if she was an empath or not but he didn't want her to know, either way, how disappointed he was to find himself dancing with the one person at their table he'd have felt awkward with.
"I have more than one foot. You can't possibly hit them both at once," Rowan joked. "Look, you're tiny."
He held her properly, not an inch closer than was appropriate but not at a distance either. As they began to move Rowan grinned back at Pak and said, "And if it's really that bad I can just pick you up and save us both the trouble."
Privately, he wished his third margarita wasn't sitting up at their table. Well... maybe by the time this song ended it would have undergone mitosis. Margaritatosis. Or something. In the meantime he focused on Pakpao... and her feet.
Shields erected around him like a brick wall Rowan turned to Pakpao with a warm smile to hide the awkwardness he felt at being forced to partner the woman he had previously reprimanded, however gently, for her attitude toward his date.
"Nonsense," he said, Pak's words further driving the point home that he could no more refuse to dance than Cris could. Cris would understand. Rowan couldn't leave Pakpao out in the cold anymore than Cris could leave Cam.
Taking Pakpao's hand Rowan forced his subterfuge up so hard he felt his head pound. He had no idea if she was an empath or not but he didn't want her to know, either way, how disappointed he was to find himself dancing with the one person at their table he'd have felt awkward with.
"I have more than one foot. You can't possibly hit them both at once," Rowan joked. "Look, you're tiny."
He held her properly, not an inch closer than was appropriate but not at a distance either. As they began to move Rowan grinned back at Pak and said, "And if it's really that bad I can just pick you up and save us both the trouble."
Privately, he wished his third margarita wasn't sitting up at their table. Well... maybe by the time this song ended it would have undergone mitosis. Margaritatosis. Or something. In the meantime he focused on Pakpao... and her feet.
Christian Bern
13 years ago
Christian walked with the others to the dance floor, glad that Camille and Pak, who both seemed to be having anxiety of various kinds, agreed to join them. He was not planning on the song becoming something so intimate.
"So it would appear." He smiled reassuringly at Cam, not wanting her to feel awkward with his own dilemma. She held her hands out to him and he took them. "Are you sure your red head won't mind?" Cris looked over at Rowan. [I sure hope mine doesn't mind. I'm sorry, Love.] He sent in a tone full of regret. [I promise you the next dance. Perhaps we can request another slow one?]
As they began to move, he glanced again at his date, checking his lover's aura with a worried glance. It was not difficult to tell the difference between Rowan's normally open colourful aura and the pale closed off one that he saw now. Subterfuge. His own was normally up but now it was tight shield around him as anxiety and guilt set in. Cris didn't want either Rowan or Cam to notice, or anyone else for that matter.
He could hear Pakpao and Rowan behind them. Christian knew that Rowan wouldn't leave their clan mate to dance by herself even after she said that it was okay. Rowan simply wouldn't be that unkind. Sure enough, Rowan quickly told her that such a notion was nonsense and joked cheerfully about having more than one foot. If it weren't for the tight reign on his emotions, Cris would almost, 'almost', suspect nothing was bothering his boyfriend. [You are still convincing me that you are a saint.]
Looking up at Cam, he smiled "So did you meet, Mr. Charisma, here?" Christian nodded his chin toward the stage.
"So it would appear." He smiled reassuringly at Cam, not wanting her to feel awkward with his own dilemma. She held her hands out to him and he took them. "Are you sure your red head won't mind?" Cris looked over at Rowan. [I sure hope mine doesn't mind. I'm sorry, Love.] He sent in a tone full of regret. [I promise you the next dance. Perhaps we can request another slow one?]
As they began to move, he glanced again at his date, checking his lover's aura with a worried glance. It was not difficult to tell the difference between Rowan's normally open colourful aura and the pale closed off one that he saw now. Subterfuge. His own was normally up but now it was tight shield around him as anxiety and guilt set in. Cris didn't want either Rowan or Cam to notice, or anyone else for that matter.
He could hear Pakpao and Rowan behind them. Christian knew that Rowan wouldn't leave their clan mate to dance by herself even after she said that it was okay. Rowan simply wouldn't be that unkind. Sure enough, Rowan quickly told her that such a notion was nonsense and joked cheerfully about having more than one foot. If it weren't for the tight reign on his emotions, Cris would almost, 'almost', suspect nothing was bothering his boyfriend. [You are still convincing me that you are a saint.]
Looking up at Cam, he smiled "So did you meet, Mr. Charisma, here?" Christian nodded his chin toward the stage.
Camille Sotoria
13 years ago
Cam took a deep breath and fell into step with Christian. The song was smooth and easy, not encouraging anything that would require lots of moving, but being in Christian's personal space or rather him being in hers did make her inner resolve almost snap like a twig. The flow of emotions surrounding her tempered down and it helped her relax. Christian might have been more concerned with Pak's partner, but the less attention she received, the better. That was, until, he decided to make small talk.
"I did meet him here, in fact. I just happened to find this place and saw him perform." Cam reached up and tucked her hair behind her right ear. "I accidentally ran into him after his set. He...followed me, actually, and we got a slice of pie together. He's very...sweet."
Cam looked at Christian chin, opting not to look him in the eye. It was easier to focus on that when she spoke. She felt nothing from him, oddly enough, but she realized maybe he was one of those who could hide their feelings. What must that be like, to be able to hide how you feel? Cam tried not to think about the potential that any one of her three table mates might have been empathic like her. Or even two empaths together - how gloriously naked that must be.
"You and Rowan are very cute together. Have you been together long?"
Suddenly there was a flash of intense curiosity that made her face tighten in a wince, then it was gone. Looking off to her right, she watched as the crowd parted revealing a tall man with light brown hair and hazel brown eyes. He was looking at Christian.
"Friend of yours?" she asked politely.
"I did meet him here, in fact. I just happened to find this place and saw him perform." Cam reached up and tucked her hair behind her right ear. "I accidentally ran into him after his set. He...followed me, actually, and we got a slice of pie together. He's very...sweet."
Cam looked at Christian chin, opting not to look him in the eye. It was easier to focus on that when she spoke. She felt nothing from him, oddly enough, but she realized maybe he was one of those who could hide their feelings. What must that be like, to be able to hide how you feel? Cam tried not to think about the potential that any one of her three table mates might have been empathic like her. Or even two empaths together - how gloriously naked that must be.
"You and Rowan are very cute together. Have you been together long?"
Suddenly there was a flash of intense curiosity that made her face tighten in a wince, then it was gone. Looking off to her right, she watched as the crowd parted revealing a tall man with light brown hair and hazel brown eyes. He was looking at Christian.
"Friend of yours?" she asked politely.
Simon Huntington
13 years ago
Simon looked back toward the bathroom and could see Vivienne standing at the back of a long line. Then he turned and looked back at Red's girl and Christian Bern on the dance floor. Pursing his lips, he thought to himself, 'How could I not do this?'
Moving through the crowd, he made his way over to the Evenhet security manager as he danced with Red's girl, Cam. Pulling his hands in, Simon fought hard to avoid being touched by the crowd - he always hated the jostling and touching of strangers, especially drunk ones. The crowd settled down to enjoy the soft slow music. Finally he was within about twenty feet when he got a clear look at the girl.
Her skin was a soft, light brown, much like Viv's with extremely long, black hair. It shimmered like oil as it shook gently against her back. Her outfit was modern, reasonable inexpensive, but her wrap was classic, sheer and ivory silk. It draped on her shoulders and hung off her arms as she held Christian. She was a pretty little thing. Suddenly she snapped her head in his direction and looked at him.
Pretty perceptive, too.
She whispered to Christian as she averted her eyes shyly making his interruption that much easier.
"Christian, been a long time."
Moving through the crowd, he made his way over to the Evenhet security manager as he danced with Red's girl, Cam. Pulling his hands in, Simon fought hard to avoid being touched by the crowd - he always hated the jostling and touching of strangers, especially drunk ones. The crowd settled down to enjoy the soft slow music. Finally he was within about twenty feet when he got a clear look at the girl.
Her skin was a soft, light brown, much like Viv's with extremely long, black hair. It shimmered like oil as it shook gently against her back. Her outfit was modern, reasonable inexpensive, but her wrap was classic, sheer and ivory silk. It draped on her shoulders and hung off her arms as she held Christian. She was a pretty little thing. Suddenly she snapped her head in his direction and looked at him.
Pretty perceptive, too.
She whispered to Christian as she averted her eyes shyly making his interruption that much easier.
"Christian, been a long time."
Pakpao
13 years ago
He was being a good sport about things. Pak wasn't sure she'd be quite so gracious if some one had made off with her date. She grinned at him and did her best to play nice as well.
"I'm more dangerous than I look."
They weren't cuddled up like lovers or even good friends but at least he wasn't holding her at arm's length. That would have hurt her feelings. It was tempting to send to Kem or Eiryk or Aishe. She wouldn't mind hearing a friendly voice right now. But Pak didn't let herself give into that temptation.
"Read any good books lately?"
She cautiously teased Rowan. Pak wasn't sure why she thought she'd upset him, or Christian, or both, but she thought she had and an olive branch never hurt any one. Unless you beat them with it.
"I'm more dangerous than I look."
They weren't cuddled up like lovers or even good friends but at least he wasn't holding her at arm's length. That would have hurt her feelings. It was tempting to send to Kem or Eiryk or Aishe. She wouldn't mind hearing a friendly voice right now. But Pak didn't let herself give into that temptation.
"Read any good books lately?"
She cautiously teased Rowan. Pak wasn't sure why she thought she'd upset him, or Christian, or both, but she thought she had and an olive branch never hurt any one. Unless you beat them with it.
Rowan Murphy
13 years ago
Rowan sighed to himself, hearing the tone of regret in Cris's voice. There would be other dances. Very soon. [That sounds wonderful, my own,] he sent back, his own tone equally regretful, taking care not to let Cris hear any of the brief selfish hurt he'd experienced at finding himself in this awkward position. [I can handle just about anything if you keep calling me that. I'll be waiting for you.]
He turned his attention back to Pakpao, shaking his head at her. "I'll take my chances."
Her next question made him laugh. "None that weren't dropped on my head. But no. I've been a little busy at work for reading. And well," he tilted his head to the side and shrugged a little, glancing at Cris. "I've had other, more pleasant, distractions."
He looked back at Pakpao, considering his next question. "If I may ask..." he hesitated and then shook his head at himself. He wanted to know. "Is there... bad history between the two of you?"
Pak didn't seem to like Cris much. Rowan didn't mind asking why. He wanted to know why Cris's presence would make anyone uncomfortable. It was second nature to him to try to figure that out. Cris hadn't mentioned as much but he could only imagine that the sort of reaction Pak had given him would hurt his feelings.
He turned his attention back to Pakpao, shaking his head at her. "I'll take my chances."
Her next question made him laugh. "None that weren't dropped on my head. But no. I've been a little busy at work for reading. And well," he tilted his head to the side and shrugged a little, glancing at Cris. "I've had other, more pleasant, distractions."
He looked back at Pakpao, considering his next question. "If I may ask..." he hesitated and then shook his head at himself. He wanted to know. "Is there... bad history between the two of you?"
Pak didn't seem to like Cris much. Rowan didn't mind asking why. He wanted to know why Cris's presence would make anyone uncomfortable. It was second nature to him to try to figure that out. Cris hadn't mentioned as much but he could only imagine that the sort of reaction Pak had given him would hurt his feelings.
Christian Bern
13 years ago
[Then its a date. Ah wait, it was already a date. Its a plan. ]
Christian listened to the story of how Camille met Red and it seemed very normal but romantic. There was no rescuing from a burning building or star-crossed lover type of drama but it sounded like they had a good time and got to know each other. In the end normal was probably better and more lasting than all the good movie action anyway.
"He seems to be quite the romantic as well. Do you want to see him again?" As an empath he already knew the answer to that question, at least he knew what her feelings suggested, but Cam might decide that she didn't want to see the singer again for some reason that had nothing to do with her emotions.
Glancing over at his partner, he smiled. "No, not long at all really. We got drunk together, passed out and don't remember what happened. However, he was quite the gentleman." Leaning down to her ear, Cris added "And I fell for him instantly, but don't tell him that. I'm might still play hard to get."
He looked over when she asked about a friend, noticing and recognizing the tall frame of the Tacharan leader.
"An acquaintance. Simon Huntington, This is Camille, Camille, Simon."
Christian turned toward the man and smiled. "Yes, it has. Alfarinn has been staying out of trouble...for the most part." He sent to Rowan. [Hmm, I wonder what the Tacharan Elder wants. He never struck me as interested in idle chit chat.]
Christian listened to the story of how Camille met Red and it seemed very normal but romantic. There was no rescuing from a burning building or star-crossed lover type of drama but it sounded like they had a good time and got to know each other. In the end normal was probably better and more lasting than all the good movie action anyway.
"He seems to be quite the romantic as well. Do you want to see him again?" As an empath he already knew the answer to that question, at least he knew what her feelings suggested, but Cam might decide that she didn't want to see the singer again for some reason that had nothing to do with her emotions.
Glancing over at his partner, he smiled. "No, not long at all really. We got drunk together, passed out and don't remember what happened. However, he was quite the gentleman." Leaning down to her ear, Cris added "And I fell for him instantly, but don't tell him that. I'm might still play hard to get."
He looked over when she asked about a friend, noticing and recognizing the tall frame of the Tacharan leader.
"An acquaintance. Simon Huntington, This is Camille, Camille, Simon."
Christian turned toward the man and smiled. "Yes, it has. Alfarinn has been staying out of trouble...for the most part." He sent to Rowan. [Hmm, I wonder what the Tacharan Elder wants. He never struck me as interested in idle chit chat.]
Simon Huntington
13 years ago
Simon shook Christian's hand all the while glancing at Camille. He reeled in any emotion or indication of suspicion and let his face color with interest as he looked at her. Camille's face tightened for a moment as she searched his face with hard eyes.
"Oh well, we all know Alfarinn, don't we?" Simon grinned and released Christian's hand. Pursing his lips, he looked back at Christian's blue eyes and shrugged. "I'm here with a friend and saw you across the way here. Had to say hello."
Simon looked back at Camille who's face had smoothed over. Her look was concentrated and penetrating, making him wonder if she just wasn't reading his body language when she spoke.
"Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Huntington. An honor, really."
"Is it?" he asked with a chuckle.
Camille gave him a small smile and seemed to retreat within her wrap. All the clan leaders had some sort of reputation within the city, good or bad, so he wasn't as surprised to know that Camille recognized his name. Still, reaching out into his aura with Vivienne, he was careful to withhold the suspicion and disappointment that he oddly enough was beginning to feel for Viv's friend, Red. That poor boy had no idea what he was getting himself into.
"Would you like to dance?" Turning to Christian, he lifted a hand in an offering to Camille, and gave him an apologetic tilt of his head. "You don't mind if I cut in, do you Christian? Just one dance?"
((ooc lemme know if shaking hands isn't kosher))
"Oh well, we all know Alfarinn, don't we?" Simon grinned and released Christian's hand. Pursing his lips, he looked back at Christian's blue eyes and shrugged. "I'm here with a friend and saw you across the way here. Had to say hello."
Simon looked back at Camille who's face had smoothed over. Her look was concentrated and penetrating, making him wonder if she just wasn't reading his body language when she spoke.
"Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Huntington. An honor, really."
"Is it?" he asked with a chuckle.
Camille gave him a small smile and seemed to retreat within her wrap. All the clan leaders had some sort of reputation within the city, good or bad, so he wasn't as surprised to know that Camille recognized his name. Still, reaching out into his aura with Vivienne, he was careful to withhold the suspicion and disappointment that he oddly enough was beginning to feel for Viv's friend, Red. That poor boy had no idea what he was getting himself into.
"Would you like to dance?" Turning to Christian, he lifted a hand in an offering to Camille, and gave him an apologetic tilt of his head. "You don't mind if I cut in, do you Christian? Just one dance?"
((ooc lemme know if shaking hands isn't kosher))
Camille Sotoria
13 years ago
Cam knew of Simon Huntington but had never seen him before. Who in her world didn't know of the Leader of Tacharan, the third clan of cast offs from the rest of their vampire nation? It made Cam wonder why he had come over. Not to just meet her? Why would he even care?
Simon Huntington was void of any feeling whatsoever. She searched, as deep and as hard as her ability could, but he was hiding everything. Looking at him, he exuded the power that held his rag tag bunch of young vampires together in a cohesive clan. Cam had heard the whispers in the street, though, and wondered if his 'friend' wasn't the old Tacharan Leader herself.
They exchanged quick pleasantries, being polite as one could be, and then suddenly he asked her to dance. Her anxiety, which had been in check up until this very moment, suddenly raged against her. The attention was beginning to grate her nerves, but her struggling confidence was determined to not let this man intimidate her. She was older than he was and Christian was nearby if things got uncomfortable. Nodding politely, she reached out and took his offered hand.
Simon Huntington was void of any feeling whatsoever. She searched, as deep and as hard as her ability could, but he was hiding everything. Looking at him, he exuded the power that held his rag tag bunch of young vampires together in a cohesive clan. Cam had heard the whispers in the street, though, and wondered if his 'friend' wasn't the old Tacharan Leader herself.
They exchanged quick pleasantries, being polite as one could be, and then suddenly he asked her to dance. Her anxiety, which had been in check up until this very moment, suddenly raged against her. The attention was beginning to grate her nerves, but her struggling confidence was determined to not let this man intimidate her. She was older than he was and Christian was nearby if things got uncomfortable. Nodding politely, she reached out and took his offered hand.
Pakpao
13 years ago
Well that was... apparently Rowan had decided to either forgive her for any faults imagined or otherwise or at least give her another chance.
"I appreciate you taking the risk."
It was easy enough to relax into the dance now that she was pretty sure Rowan didn't hate her.
Pak cast a quick glance at Christian and smiled a little. It looked like the book to the head might have had some positive results. Did that qualify her as a match maker?
"It does look like you've had better uses for your time."
Rowan's question took Pak by surprise and she stared at him for a second or to before stumbling out a reply. She was so startled that she actually answered truthfully.
"No.. not... er... he scares me..."
Pak didn't know why either. Maybe it was the security thing, maybe it was something else. She knew she shouldn't be afraid of Christian but she was.
And suddenly said scary blond was out a dance partner. Hoping to avoid a discussion of her phobias she quickly changed the subject.
"You know I could use a drink... would you mind?"
She had no issues conveniently disappearing so the guys could have something of a date. Now if only Rowan would take her up on it.
"I appreciate you taking the risk."
It was easy enough to relax into the dance now that she was pretty sure Rowan didn't hate her.
Pak cast a quick glance at Christian and smiled a little. It looked like the book to the head might have had some positive results. Did that qualify her as a match maker?
"It does look like you've had better uses for your time."
Rowan's question took Pak by surprise and she stared at him for a second or to before stumbling out a reply. She was so startled that she actually answered truthfully.
"No.. not... er... he scares me..."
Pak didn't know why either. Maybe it was the security thing, maybe it was something else. She knew she shouldn't be afraid of Christian but she was.
And suddenly said scary blond was out a dance partner. Hoping to avoid a discussion of her phobias she quickly changed the subject.
"You know I could use a drink... would you mind?"
She had no issues conveniently disappearing so the guys could have something of a date. Now if only Rowan would take her up on it.
Rowan Murphy
13 years ago
Rowan glanced over to Cris and Cam as he spun Pak slowly around. [That's the Tacharan Elder? He won't cause trouble, you think, will he?]
Christian didn't seem too terribly worried though, so Rowan followed his lead and continued to partner Pakpao. He smiled at her and laughed softly.
"What can I say, I'm a thrill seeker." She wasn't as bad a dancer as she professed to be; she was doing just fine.
Her answer to his rather uncharacteristically personal question, though, surprised him. "Scares you? I'm sorry." The answer left him perplexed. It wasn't that Cris was a cuddly teddy bear, exactly, but Rowan had seen him at work in the bookstore and found his presence... well, comforting. He had exuded competence, confidence. It was wonderful. And pretty damn hot.
But then, some people were drawn to authority figures (especially sexy blond ones in suits) and some were turned off by them. Rowan understood then that he and Pak just tended to be at opposite poles in that regard.
There was some momentary confusion as the Tacharan Elder cut in on Cris and Cam, leaving Cris alone. Rowan frowned, torn, and Pak took the opportunity to squirm out of their dance, sounding flustered. His bad. And yet...
As Pakpao almost fled the dance floor Rowan turned to Cris and held his hand out. "Well then. Do you mind bumping your plans up a little earlier?"
Christian didn't seem too terribly worried though, so Rowan followed his lead and continued to partner Pakpao. He smiled at her and laughed softly.
"What can I say, I'm a thrill seeker." She wasn't as bad a dancer as she professed to be; she was doing just fine.
Her answer to his rather uncharacteristically personal question, though, surprised him. "Scares you? I'm sorry." The answer left him perplexed. It wasn't that Cris was a cuddly teddy bear, exactly, but Rowan had seen him at work in the bookstore and found his presence... well, comforting. He had exuded competence, confidence. It was wonderful. And pretty damn hot.
But then, some people were drawn to authority figures (especially sexy blond ones in suits) and some were turned off by them. Rowan understood then that he and Pak just tended to be at opposite poles in that regard.
There was some momentary confusion as the Tacharan Elder cut in on Cris and Cam, leaving Cris alone. Rowan frowned, torn, and Pak took the opportunity to squirm out of their dance, sounding flustered. His bad. And yet...
As Pakpao almost fled the dance floor Rowan turned to Cris and held his hand out. "Well then. Do you mind bumping your plans up a little earlier?"
Christian Bern
13 years ago
Christian looked hard at Camille before stepping away but it appeared that she was at least resigned to dance with Simon for one reason or another. Perhaps he had the wrong impression of her and social situations didn't bother her as much as he thought.
"Be good." He warned Simon as he turned around to leave the dance floor.
In the mean time Rowan had been asking Pak why she disliked him so much. Apparently he was scary. With that revelation Rowan's dance partner quickly left the dance floor in search of drink. It was either out of politeness or to stop Rowan's further questions. Whatever the reason, he was grateful to her.
Cris folded himself into his partner's embrace, leaning against his shoulder. With a contented sigh, he smiled. "It seems my dance card has become a little more empty. I think I can fit you in."
[I want to keep an eye on Simon and Camille. I'm not sure I trust him to have good intentions, despite Alfarinn liking him. He's way too cunning for his own good and I can't imagine what interest he might have in our shy clan mate.] But he hoped to find out.
Leaning back to smile up at Rowan, he sent. [That doesn't mean I'm not going to grope you in public though.] With that warning, his hands slid down to his partner's ass, and Cris pulled Rowan closer.
"Be good." He warned Simon as he turned around to leave the dance floor.
In the mean time Rowan had been asking Pak why she disliked him so much. Apparently he was scary. With that revelation Rowan's dance partner quickly left the dance floor in search of drink. It was either out of politeness or to stop Rowan's further questions. Whatever the reason, he was grateful to her.
Cris folded himself into his partner's embrace, leaning against his shoulder. With a contented sigh, he smiled. "It seems my dance card has become a little more empty. I think I can fit you in."
[I want to keep an eye on Simon and Camille. I'm not sure I trust him to have good intentions, despite Alfarinn liking him. He's way too cunning for his own good and I can't imagine what interest he might have in our shy clan mate.] But he hoped to find out.
Leaning back to smile up at Rowan, he sent. [That doesn't mean I'm not going to grope you in public though.] With that warning, his hands slid down to his partner's ass, and Cris pulled Rowan closer.
Camille Sotoria
13 years ago
Simon Huntington pulled on Cam's reluctant hand, encircling his long arms around her waist. His touch made her involuntarily flinch and his proximity made every single alarm in her head go off. She wasn't even going to bother looking up into his eyes, she really did not have the confidence for that.
Why was she dancing with him? Considering she wouldn't even shake Reese's hand that first night, that was a very good question. Huntington's clan meant nothing to her; they were like quick flashes of light, a distraction almost. Not even a tenth of her age, these little...orphans were. Simon Huntington seemed out of place in Tacharan, if the stories were true. He had no business leading cannon fodder, but maybe that was why he stayed.
"Camille?" he asked, his voice humored and soft still over the music.
She raised her eyebrows and looked at his mouth. "Mr. Huntington?"
"Really? Please, call me Simon."
"Of course," she replied politely.
"So why is it the singer singled you out?"
Cam shrugged noncommittally. "I'm just another fan. He appears to be quite the showman."
"Oh, I doubt that."
Cam finally flicked her eyes up to his hazel ones. He was staring down at her, searching her face. It bothered her she could not feel his emotions, leaving her to have to figure out just what the mask he was wearing meant. Simon was so tall and the feel of his body beneath her hands were hard with muscles, working class probably at his turning, certainly not nobility. His hands were large and warm against her back as they wrapped around one hip and Cam could feel the callouses on the hand that held hers. It all felt too familiar.
"I'm not interested, Mr. Huntington."
Simon's face cracked into a huge smile and he looked off behind her shoulder, chucking. "That's all right, Camille, I wouldn't presume to ask if you were."
Cam felt the pit of her stomach drop when something akin to intense hate rippled through her mind, turning her attention toward the stage as the music suddenly stopped.
Why was she dancing with him? Considering she wouldn't even shake Reese's hand that first night, that was a very good question. Huntington's clan meant nothing to her; they were like quick flashes of light, a distraction almost. Not even a tenth of her age, these little...orphans were. Simon Huntington seemed out of place in Tacharan, if the stories were true. He had no business leading cannon fodder, but maybe that was why he stayed.
"Camille?" he asked, his voice humored and soft still over the music.
She raised her eyebrows and looked at his mouth. "Mr. Huntington?"
"Really? Please, call me Simon."
"Of course," she replied politely.
"So why is it the singer singled you out?"
Cam shrugged noncommittally. "I'm just another fan. He appears to be quite the showman."
"Oh, I doubt that."
Cam finally flicked her eyes up to his hazel ones. He was staring down at her, searching her face. It bothered her she could not feel his emotions, leaving her to have to figure out just what the mask he was wearing meant. Simon was so tall and the feel of his body beneath her hands were hard with muscles, working class probably at his turning, certainly not nobility. His hands were large and warm against her back as they wrapped around one hip and Cam could feel the callouses on the hand that held hers. It all felt too familiar.
"I'm not interested, Mr. Huntington."
Simon's face cracked into a huge smile and he looked off behind her shoulder, chucking. "That's all right, Camille, I wouldn't presume to ask if you were."
Cam felt the pit of her stomach drop when something akin to intense hate rippled through her mind, turning her attention toward the stage as the music suddenly stopped.
Reese E Deardon
13 years ago
Red tried not to stare as Camille stood up and began dancing with one of the men at her table. He had so clearly seen the embrace between the two men, making it obvious, at least to him, that he had nothing to worry about, but oddly enough he kept his eye on the blond as he took Cam into his arms.
It was a simple jazzy tune he was playing on his guitar, forgoing any vocals. Enough to slow the tempo down, give people time to refill their drinks and make the manager happy. Every one was happy. Happy, happy, happy. Yet Red still stared at Cam as she danced with another man.
Backing away from the microphone, Red cleared his throat and looked about the bar, moving his eyes automatically left to right, doing their normal scan when he saw Viv walk off to stand in line at the bathroom. His heart went out to her and her bladder which was probably being stepped on by her baby. Dom and Marko returned to the side of the stage and he nodded to them with a smile.
Looking around distracted him enough to not feel the tense pain of jealousy that was forming in his gut. It was foreign to him, feeling that way. He was so used to not caring. It was so much easier that way. But seeing Cam had been exhilarating and just touching her hair had been...he didn't even have the words. He felt a smile touch his lips as he stared down at the floor in front of him, methodically going through the motions with the song, not even paying attention. God he really did like her. Blinking, he shook his head and looked up again.
And saw Simon Huntington holding Cam in his arms.
It was a simple jazzy tune he was playing on his guitar, forgoing any vocals. Enough to slow the tempo down, give people time to refill their drinks and make the manager happy. Every one was happy. Happy, happy, happy. Yet Red still stared at Cam as she danced with another man.
Backing away from the microphone, Red cleared his throat and looked about the bar, moving his eyes automatically left to right, doing their normal scan when he saw Viv walk off to stand in line at the bathroom. His heart went out to her and her bladder which was probably being stepped on by her baby. Dom and Marko returned to the side of the stage and he nodded to them with a smile.
Looking around distracted him enough to not feel the tense pain of jealousy that was forming in his gut. It was foreign to him, feeling that way. He was so used to not caring. It was so much easier that way. But seeing Cam had been exhilarating and just touching her hair had been...he didn't even have the words. He felt a smile touch his lips as he stared down at the floor in front of him, methodically going through the motions with the song, not even paying attention. God he really did like her. Blinking, he shook his head and looked up again.
And saw Simon Huntington holding Cam in his arms.
Vivienne Sena
13 years ago
"Ok, you know what. I gotta GO!" Viv pushed through the line and walked up to the men's bathroom, pushing in the door.
Two men standing at the wall urinal pushed themselves forward to hide their delicate bit as Viv lifted her chin in salutation and pushed into one of the stalls. Good lord the baby was doing a job on her bladder. Stepping on that, kicking her stomach, playing with her intestines as she grew bigger and bigger inside Viv, with less room to move every day. She still had a good two months to go, too.
"Whew!" she said, finishing with a relieved sigh. Fixing herself, she walked out of the stall and washed her hands as two different men pressed themselves up against the urinals. "Gentlemen. Good evening."
Walking out, she threw the paper towel she had used to dry her hands into the basket near the door and passed the long line to the ladies room. Standing on her toes, she looked out into the crowd, looking for Simon.
/Hey, where'd ya go?/
Failing to answer, Viv looked at the stage and saw Dom and Marko had returned to their spot, obviously not wanting to make small talk with Simon. She couldn't blame them. Moving across the room, she hopped up to see what she could see when the music faltered and came to an abrupt stop. Viv looked to her left and saw Red pull the strap over his shoulder and turn the guitar in his hand like a bat. He dropped down to the dance floor and began pushing through the crowd with determination. Following the direction of his hellish glare, Viv saw...aw CRAP.
Rushing forward, Viv pushed against the people, praying she could get to Red first before he broke his Gibson guitar over Simon's head.
/God damn it, Simon!/
/Uh oh/ was all he replied.
"Sorry, excuse me, EXCUSE ME, RED WAIT!" Making it to the center of the room, she cut off Red as he got within twenty feet of Cam and Simon. "Red, stop." She shoved against his chest and he physically moved her forward a good couple feet.
"God damn it, Red. I said STOP."
Red did stop, finally, at the level of authority in which she barked at him. She wasn't his boss, but she could still pull some rank and he glared down at her with blazing eyes of blue. Dom and Marko pushed through the crowd and flanked him, ready to grab him if he rushed Simon as JT got up from the drums and began to spin some records, trying to distract the crowd from watching the imminent bar brawl.
Viv turned and looked back at Simon who dropped his hands off of Cam but smiled. "Simon, I swear." He shrugged at Viv innocently.
Cam moved forward quickly, separating herself from Simon and coming up to Red, laying her hands on his chest.
"Seriously?" Red barked incredulously at Simon. He looked down at Cam, his face tight with anger as she pushed him back softly, away from Simon.
The music started loudly, signaling a return to a faster tempo and the crowd staring began to disperse.
((OOC All out))
Two men standing at the wall urinal pushed themselves forward to hide their delicate bit as Viv lifted her chin in salutation and pushed into one of the stalls. Good lord the baby was doing a job on her bladder. Stepping on that, kicking her stomach, playing with her intestines as she grew bigger and bigger inside Viv, with less room to move every day. She still had a good two months to go, too.
"Whew!" she said, finishing with a relieved sigh. Fixing herself, she walked out of the stall and washed her hands as two different men pressed themselves up against the urinals. "Gentlemen. Good evening."
Walking out, she threw the paper towel she had used to dry her hands into the basket near the door and passed the long line to the ladies room. Standing on her toes, she looked out into the crowd, looking for Simon.
/Hey, where'd ya go?/
Failing to answer, Viv looked at the stage and saw Dom and Marko had returned to their spot, obviously not wanting to make small talk with Simon. She couldn't blame them. Moving across the room, she hopped up to see what she could see when the music faltered and came to an abrupt stop. Viv looked to her left and saw Red pull the strap over his shoulder and turn the guitar in his hand like a bat. He dropped down to the dance floor and began pushing through the crowd with determination. Following the direction of his hellish glare, Viv saw...aw CRAP.
Rushing forward, Viv pushed against the people, praying she could get to Red first before he broke his Gibson guitar over Simon's head.
/God damn it, Simon!/
/Uh oh/ was all he replied.
"Sorry, excuse me, EXCUSE ME, RED WAIT!" Making it to the center of the room, she cut off Red as he got within twenty feet of Cam and Simon. "Red, stop." She shoved against his chest and he physically moved her forward a good couple feet.
"God damn it, Red. I said STOP."
Red did stop, finally, at the level of authority in which she barked at him. She wasn't his boss, but she could still pull some rank and he glared down at her with blazing eyes of blue. Dom and Marko pushed through the crowd and flanked him, ready to grab him if he rushed Simon as JT got up from the drums and began to spin some records, trying to distract the crowd from watching the imminent bar brawl.
Viv turned and looked back at Simon who dropped his hands off of Cam but smiled. "Simon, I swear." He shrugged at Viv innocently.
Cam moved forward quickly, separating herself from Simon and coming up to Red, laying her hands on his chest.
"Seriously?" Red barked incredulously at Simon. He looked down at Cam, his face tight with anger as she pushed him back softly, away from Simon.
The music started loudly, signaling a return to a faster tempo and the crowd staring began to disperse.
((OOC All out))
Rowan Murphy
13 years ago
Rowan nodded at Cris. [We can keep our eyes peeled.] He grinned when his partner's hands grabbed his ass and pulled him close. He wrapped his arms around Christian's slight, strong frame and pulled him close, splaying his large hands over Cris's back.
Lowering his head he kissed his boyfriend long, hard, and deep, forgetting there was music to be danced to.
[You know, we can keep an eye on things from over here too.]
With a wicked smile Rowan took Cris's hand and pulled him along to the other side of the room where the crowd was nowhere as thick and the lights didn't quite seem to get to. Gathering his partner back up Rowan swayed with him, dancing slowly regardless of the fact that they were off the dance floor. There might have been some more kissing involved. Maybe. But here in their quiet little corner there were very few people to notice or care.
((Ooc: Rowan and Cris out for all practical purposes - they are still around the club and accessible if anyone needs them but otherwise are just doing their thing and will mingle casually until everyone goes home.))
Lowering his head he kissed his boyfriend long, hard, and deep, forgetting there was music to be danced to.
[You know, we can keep an eye on things from over here too.]
With a wicked smile Rowan took Cris's hand and pulled him along to the other side of the room where the crowd was nowhere as thick and the lights didn't quite seem to get to. Gathering his partner back up Rowan swayed with him, dancing slowly regardless of the fact that they were off the dance floor. There might have been some more kissing involved. Maybe. But here in their quiet little corner there were very few people to notice or care.
((Ooc: Rowan and Cris out for all practical purposes - they are still around the club and accessible if anyone needs them but otherwise are just doing their thing and will mingle casually until everyone goes home.))