Celebrating Friendships and New Acquaintences

Danielle walked with Claire to the club entrance, where Max was doing his best to look threatening and intimidating, though the too small tee shirt that showed a bit of belly hair kind of ruined the effect. Really, it was sort of adorable, the big galloop standing there trying to look scary.

She didn't think getting in would be a problem; Danielle looked pretty harmless and neither of them looked like troublemakers. She did, however, offer him a cookie, and while he declined the offer with a comment about watching his weight, he did let them through without much bother.

The ride up the elevator was swift and noisy, surrounded as they were by a group of friends who had arrived just behind them, but it was nothing like the chaotic noise of the crowd inside the club. She looked around for their new friend, hoping that their slight delay in getting there wouldn't cause a problem. The limo had circled the block twice before letting them out due to an inconveniently parked car covering the entrance, and while it was only a few minutes going alone to the House of Pain could be a tad intimidating.

At last she spotted the blonde, though she hesitated in moving forward as she seemed to be in a gentleman's company and she didn't want to be rude. Deciding that perhaps they could get drinks and try to discreetly make eye contact, she moved to the bar.

Turning to the bartender, she ordered a cranberry juice. While her boss probably wouldn't mind if she had a drink or two, she usually felt it was just good manners to go easy on that sort of thing when you were one's familiar.

"Would you like a drink?"Â?

/ooc permission to move Claire

"May I buy you a drink?"

Mathias couldn't help but chuckle,a deep earthy sound heard far too sparsely of late.
Accepting drinks from strange ladies now,are we? One would almost think you...sociable. Mathias' normal tendency was to stay on the edges,watching not interacting...but perhaps Ellis and..well perhaps everyone who suggested he thaw more were right.

"Vodka,neat and chilled,please. So,Shay - may I ask what business would keep a woman such as yourself from relaxing?"

She turned to the bartender, to make sure he heard Mathias's order, and then her eyes returned to her new acquaintance. She now had the ability to actually see him, and she found him ruggedly attractive. The ruggedness might have just been a result of the scar across his face, but it was subdued by the lovely green of his eyes.

"Now? I am a novelist...a writer of fiction...and no, it doesn't sound like a very harrowing job, I'll grant you; however, when I'm starting a new story, I really don't rest well until I get to the point where it starts writing itself. Development, research...I take my work very seriously."

She wondered what he meant by a woman, such as herself.

"And you Mathias...what does a man, such as yourself, do to put food on the table?"

The elevator doors opened up into a mix of people so crowded that it took her a full few minutes to make any sense of the mess. Upon closer inspection of a few the actions in the place, Claire wasn't sure she wanted to make too much sense of it, and that seemed highly unlikely to be possible to do in any case.

The noise in the club was louder than some of the battles that she had the misfortune of witnessing up close and she figured that her face probably appeared shell shocked as she tried to take all the information in.

Seeing where Dani focused her attention, Claire was able to make out Shalimar in the crowd. It appeared though that she had company and so when Danielle moved towards the bar, Claire followed in understanding.

"Ah, just what exactly is this noise?"

She hoped she was heard over it but was alarmed at how loud she had to speak. Hearing Dani's own question, Claire smiled and contemplated the drink situation for a moment. Leaning down so her companion could hear her over the music, she asked.

"Do you think they have a cider? If not a white wine will suffice."

Mathias smiled at Shay, her blue-green eyes glittering in the half light like the Aegean Sea.

"I am a researcher,specializing in early Christian sects. Not the most exciting field to be sure." There was truth in that,he did research..but that wasn't how he put "bread on the table" as Shay said. The truth,as they say,was more complex.

Don't forget knight. Women love a knight in shining armor - especially one as virtuous as you!!",the voices mocked him.

"What sort of fiction do you write? Anything I may have read?"

"No, possibly not all that exciting, but something we have in common. My work involves much research as well, especially when I am initially developing the story. I write fiction, but good fiction is based on truth...facts. Unless the reader believes the story, it won't be readable."

She found herself wanting to know more about this man...and while that was her nature, there was more here that intrigued her. She wanted to know how he got the scar, what made him want to research religious orders, where did he come from...

She turned towards the door again, not expecting to see her friends, and was almost disappointed when she did. However, she was the one who invited them to join her, she would not ignore them now.

"Dani! Claire!"

Shay spoke loudly, but didn't need to shout since the other women were standing so close. She walked over and gave each one a hug, and then turned back to Mathias.

"I'm so glad you made it...I didn't know if you had gotten lost, or decided not to come. This very nice man, Mathias, has been keeping me company. Mathias, this is Dani, and Claire."

And that was really all she could say about the other two women. She thought she remembered Claire's last name was Tremaine, but didn't believe Dani had given hers. So she gave Mathias the information she had.

Shay turned so her back was against the bar, and she could see Mathias on one side, and the girls on the other.

Deciding that the bottled cider they served here resembled something unspeakably nasty rather than anything like -real- cider, Danielle ordered a glass of the house white wine and handed it to Claire with a smile.

"Yeah, the music here is kind of...different. You get used to it though; after a night in here I sometimes have the beat in my ears the next day."Â?

Still keeping her distance, she tried to make her their presence known without interrupting the conversation, and smiled when Shay turned and greeted them immediately, though she was a little surprised, though not unpleasantly so, by the sudden hug. Shay seemed like a friendly sort, used to people and comfortable with talking to them, and in that respect the woman was not all that different from herself.

"Oh....yeah, we had to drive around a bit before we could get in. Hazard of the location I guess."Â? Grinning down at Shay's feet, she continued with a light wink. "Hey, nice shoes!"Â?

Nodding to the gentleman as Shay introduced him, Dani offered up her free hand to shake.

"Lovely to meet you, Mathias."Â?

She certainly hoped their presence was not interrupting anything; when she had first caught sight of Shay the conversation looked a bit intense from where she stood, what with Mathias holding Shay's hand and all. The woman had mentioned that she was going to the House of Pain to meet someone and Danielle had no wish to impose on that, as much as she had looked forward to the company.

Mathias bowed slightly to each of the ladies.

"The honor is all mine ladies. And truth be told Shay has been more of a comfort than I,her dancing can light the darkest area bright"

There was something..familiar about Claire,but Mathias couldn't place it precisely and now wasn't the time.

"I do hope I am not intruding on a planned gathering"

Originally Shay was going to use the evening to gather research, and get to know Dani and Claire better. Now she was torn.

Normally a man paying attention to her, would have warranted a nod, or even a smile from her, at first. She was not an easy person to approach...she was on guard all the time. It was a personality trait that served her well, especially when she had been a cop. However, the longer she researched her books, the more open she had to be...people didn't talk to someone who appeared cold, and standoffish.

In addition, she was lonely. Moving away from home, leaving behind all that was familiar, and not having experienced an intimate relationship in ages, left her wanting. The attention Mathias had shown, sparked an interest she'd not felt in a long time.

However, she would not ignore the friendship she thought she was building with Dani and Claire either. It was a difficult position for her to be in, but she would make the best of it.

She reached over to Mathias, and put a hand on his wrist, giving it a quick squeeze.

"Really, he is being too kind, though the compliment is appreciated."

She was full of smiles tonight as well, and shared them freely. Looking at Mathias yet, she shook her head.

"We all only met today, and are getting to know each other, while experiencing some of the nightlife here in Nachton. The more the merrier, right ladies?"

And now Shay turned back to Dani and Claire, hoping for confirmation from them both.

Cyrus was tired of waiting for his girls. They were spending way too long in the bathroom, so much so that their drinks had melted the ice. He put his shirt back on his arms, without bothering to button it, the knives along his spine and wrists kept it secure enough.

Stalking past the bar to the door of the ladies room he found his lovelies cornered by one very young vampire. He could tell the fellow was young simply by his lack of skill in seducing the girls to bleed for him without force. With a snarl and baring of his teeth, he spun the youth around. For a moment the taller man tried to show his dominance, but within seconds he turned into a whimpering shell.

Cyrus kept his hand wrapped around the vampire's neck and continued to stare into his eyes even as he addressed the girls. "Ladies, go to my booth, I will be right back with fresher drinks for you both."

The two thankful young ladies almost ran as soon as he finished speaking. They were his food, no one else's. Rather than destroy this one in public he forced him into the men's room. Amazingly there was only one occupant, who swiftly zipped up and left.

"Clan?" he growled at his captive who mumbled about being strong enough to stand on his own. Meaning he was clan less, possibly no more than a few months old, if that.

"Maker?" At the feeble shrug and blue tinge to the boys lips he let him go by flinging him into the wall. Watching his prey fall to the floor made Cyrus' lip curl in disgust. Youth today had no dignity, no skill or style. They thought strength meant you stood on your own under your own power. Foolish foolish foolish.

"You have two choices. For trying to poach upon my prey you will either die by my hand, or seek shelter in a clan. Try to hide and I will hunt you down like a rat and eat you for dinner." With a thought he shifted and leapt onto the man's chest, claws digging into shoulders and thighs, lips pulled back showing a mouthful of overly large teeth. With a rend of flesh, the leopard lifted his front paw and licked it free of blood and flesh. Doing the same to the other almost caused the youth to pass out.

With a mighty leap and back-flip, Cyrus landed on two human feet, not a drop of blood on him. "Clean up, then leave. You have 24 hours to have yourself the protection of a clan, or I come for you."

Walking out of the restroom and straightening his shirt he ran into his waitress. "Guarding the door love?" As she bit her lip, he figured she was guarding him, how sweet. Following her back to the bar as he requested another order of mimosas and a beer. "No worries love, cats always land on their feet."

Claire wondered if they did not have cider then and thought that was a shame. It was a wonderful drink and always reminded her of home. The other beverage that invariably brought the shores of her country vividly to mind by its smell alone was Muscadet but she very much doubted it was carried as a matter of course in such places. She had some back at the Manor and could indulge her longing for familiarity there at leisure.

"Merci"

Sipping the white wine, Claire turned to see they had been joined by Shalimar and her friend. She was somewhat startled by the friendly greeting and barely had time to get her glass out of the way. It must be a new American custom she was unfamiliar with as Dani did not seem nearly as surprised.

Turning towards the man she was being introduced to, Claire greeted him, having trouble wrapping her tongue around his name and so it came out with a breathy sigh in the middle, her accent showing despite her normal efforts to hide such things.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Mathias."

Proud of herself for having met so many nice people, since arriving in Nachton, Shay was also glad neither girl seemed to mind her inviting Mathias to join them.

She only wished she'd gotten him on the dance floor before hand. For how was she to ask him now, without it seeming to exclude Dani and Claire. While the bare chested man had danced very well with his two young partners, Shay wasn't keen on ménage à trois, in any activity, including dancing.

She smiled at Claire, and Dani, but her eyes kept returning to Mathias...She had so many questions for him, things she wanted to know about him...and being that he was so easy to look at, she hoped she'd have time to do just that, in another more convenient time.

"So Mathias...have you lived in Nachton long?"

She was burning with the desire to know...was he a resident, or just passing through. She almost crossed her fingers behind her back, waiting for his answer, and afraid because she wanted the opportunity to talk to him in more depth, that she'd find out after tonight, she'd probably never see him again.

"The pleasure is all mine. What man would not be merry in the company of such lovely ladies?" Mathias could not help but smile,Shay had a light about her that just..filled..him. It reminded him of someone else,long ago...

The smell of smoke wafted past his nostrils. Though it had been over 200 years it was as vivid as yesterday. An innocent soul,paid with her life for knowing him.....

Mathias gave Shay's hand a squeeze as well.
"I am actually just back from research in Romania. I am consulting with Duibne Industries on a project - top secret you know" He winked at Shay.

Mathias turned to Claire and Dani.
"I know we all just met,but I have a favor to ask. I'm to meet a friend here and when they arrive I will have to go - would you mind if I stole Shay for a dance?"

Hr smiled softly at Shay
"That is - if you want to risk my rusty feet"
He awaited her response- hoping she would,wondering why he cared.
What is going on with you Old Man?

Aside from her usual curious nature, Shay was almost mesmerized by Mathias. Each comment he made, generated more thoughts and questions, and she hoped this night wouldn't be the only contact she'd have with him.

The next request he made brought her mind to a stand still. That she had just been hoping to dance with him, and he was now asking her to do just that, was another one of those rare coincidences that couldn't be passed by.

She looked to Dani and Claire, pleading for their words of agreement. His own statement had indicated he wouldn't be in their company much longer, and she loathed the thought of ending their evening without a dance.

"Some how I think your self-deprecation is misleading, but I'd rather like to take you up on your offer."

Smiling at him, she slipped her arm through his, and again looked beseechingly to the other two women.

Claire listened to Mathias ask them if he could steal Shay away for a dance and concluded that they had indeed interrupted something. She wondered why the woman asked them to come join her at the club when it seemed that she wanted to spend more alone time with her friend.

Looking at Dani, she smiled encouragingly, knowing they could find plenty to talk about while the others were away. She turned to Shay and nodded her head.

" I believe we can entertain ourselves while you dance."

Just watching the strange people in this place would keep her occupied at least that long and probably then some. Seeing a few of the more scantily clad women walk by, Claire reached up to pull her absent shawl around her shoulders before she realized that she was not wearing it tonight. Some things were just habits , she supposed.

Not that it seemed their approval was necessary; as Shay had already slipped her arm into his and made the statement that she would love to dance. It would seem for a moment that they might not even had been standing there, and while that was a normal situation for Claire, it generally didn't happen when she had just spoken. She fervently hoped this was not some new manifestation of her blending ability because being dismissed -while- you were speaking to someone would get frightfully inconvenient.

"Some how I think your self-deprecation is misleading, but I'd rather like to take you up on your offer."

Mathias couldn't help but smile when Shay said that,or when she slipped her hand inside his arm.

With encouragement from her friend Claire (who promised they'd find entertainment),Mathias led Shay onto the dance floor.

A masque,a ball, a cotillion - the music changes and yet the dance remains..

Concentrating a moment,Mathias extended his senses and perception,letting himself move with Shay.

Knowing Mathias would not be around long, Shay didn't feel 'too' bad leaving Dani and Claire for the little bit of time the dance would occupy. She would make apologies later, and hope the women would understand.

Falling into step with Mathias, she walked alongside him to the dance floor, and was thankful the music wasn't too upbeat or frantic to require her to let go of the man. Though, unfortunately, it was too quick a tempo for her to lay her head against his chest...maybe it would slow soon...she could only hope.

Her hands on his shoulders, she began to move with the music, and him. He had good rhythm, and apparently knew how to dance quite well, so coordinating herself with him was a breeze. She was glad.

"See...your feet are far from rusty. You dance as if you've done so for eons."

She caught herself staring into his eyes, and she smiled. Then, letting the music, and the feel of him under her hands give impetuous to her movements, her eyes closed and she just moved.



(ooc - permission for Mathias to move Shay -- a little difficult to dance otherwise, right )

"See...your feet are far from rusty. You dance as if you've done so for eons."

Mathias chuckled,"Well they say I have an old soul"
It has been far too long since you laughed Old Man,and far too long since you held a woman...

The music was hardly conducive to any intimacy,but with Shay Mathias just enjoyed her company,the feel of her flesh and the music. They moved together, always touching,if only for a brief moment - Mathias found that he and Shay naturally moved together,without his senses being enhanced.

Either the music began to slow down,or the world just faded - but Mathias found himself holding Shay gently,just enjoying the two of them,

((ooc permission for Shay to move Mathias))

Amazing as it was, Shay felt the world around disappear. For this moment in time it was just Mathias, her, the music, and the floor beneath them. And even the floor almost seemed to just drop away...she truly felt as if she were merely floating...when she felt his arms around her.

Her head then did rest itself against his shoulder, and while she wanted to see everything about him, she closed her eyes again, and just felt him.

Later, when she was back in her flat, she'd probably analyze the night, and her reactions, to death. But not now. Now she wanted to just enjoy.

"Old souls...and kindred spirits..."

She said the words with a hint of pain. That term had jarred a memory she hadn't thought of in months now.

She and Mary had been termed that by different people, several times, when out and about together. They had both even commented on how they were sure they'd known each other in previous lives. And to this day Shay still felt as if a piece of herself died when Mary was murdered. Though they were both quite straight, they still shared an emotional bond unlike any Shay had experienced since.

Opening her eyes, she leaned back a little to enable her to see Mathias again. Was that why she felt so comfortable with him?

Shaking the questions away, her hands had moved from his shoulders to behind his neck, where she found herself teasing the ends of his hair as they continued on.

"Thank you for asking me to dance. To be honest, I had been hoping you would. It's been a long time...since I've danced...it feels good."

Danielle nodded in agreement with Claire's statement and gave them both a little wave as the two made their way to the dance floor.

"You kids have fun!"Â?

Though it could, she understood, be difficult to find one's way in a new city, which was part of the reason for coming along, Shay seemed comfortable enough in the club now. Even so, she kept half an eye on the retreating pair, as it was good to have someone looking out for you when you were new here. Mathias seemed like a nice enough sort, though, and if Shay thought he was alright Dani wouldn't worry.

Turning to Claire, who was also new to the club, she gave a little grin.

"Didn't need to tell them twice!"Â? She took a sip of her juice before continuing. "So what do you think of the place? I think everyone should give it a go at least once."Â?