Children of the Night: IC

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Las Vegas, Nv
Friday evening
March 1st, 2009
The Blood District



The current state of the world and in particular the United States was that Others were the majority and had nearly equal rights to their human counterparts. It had taken years of fighting and lobbying and in many cases outing politicians to get the the current level of equality and supposed acceptance. Overall were creatures of every variety were more tolerated because they didn't prey on humans. Not that vampires did either, well those who played by the rules and that was the vast majority. It was just that humans were still very uneasy accepting beings that survived on human blood to exist. Of course if a human wanted to join their world as one of them or as a spouse there was about 10 times as much paperwork involved. Some thought it was the government's subtle way of making things difficult without being obvious but they didn't seem to calculate the tenacity of the Others. In decades past vampires had not only marched side by side with African Americans for the end to segregation but they had marched and protested for their own rights. Were creatures and the rest of the Others had been content to continue hiding, out of fear and because they didn't want human eyes upon them. It was hard work convincing those who had been hunted to put their trust and faith in the descendants of their persecutors. That changed during the Human Genome Project, a carrier of shifter genes, but not an actual shifter was tested and the curtain came crashing down. They were outed and all they could do was be upfront and take whatever came their way. Of course like minority races before them they had their own hate groups to deal with, all of them very vocal. Most were religious groups, one supposedly backed by the Vatican and others were former skinheads and Neo Nazis that realized there were other things to worry about than humans of different races mixing. Plenty of others had died or been severely injured by these radicals. A preschool that openly accepted Other children, a gym and homes belonging to those most outspoken were firebombed. Teenage shifters on various sports teams had either been harassed from their teams or blatantly targeted by their competition, many of who's parents bore hatred for Others.

The oasis in the desert was not only mecca for tourists and high end gamblers it was also one of the most progressive cities on the Western half of the US and boasted a preturnatual population nearly as large as its human population, of course that counting those who were out of the broom closet so to speak. You would think vampires and other creatures of the night would avoid a city that gets so much...sun, but human, vampire, were-creature, or other, Las Vegas was the place to be. Well more specifically the Blood District. Despite the moniker making it seem like it was only vamp friendly, the Blood District catered to everyone and everything. From the Wild Out Restaurant which carried just about every meat known to man to Crymson, one of the hottest dance clubs in town, human or Other. The highlight of the Blood District though was the Black Stardust, the top ranking adult club in the US. They had a full male and female revue with Other beings of every flavor. The vampire owners, Amara and Duncan, prided themselves on having the best club and also one of the safest. Duncan was former highlander and he only hired those for the security staff that met his rigorous criteria. Amara, his wife was the brains behind the club, a former courtesan, she saw beauty in everything and felt what humans could do, the Others could do better. The Blood District was established as an Other version of the Moulin Rouge. Other performers in the early days of Vegas glitz and excess were not allowed to stay on the strip after their shows. Unlike black performers such as Sammy Davis, they feared for their safety if they did try to stay, especially in the case of vampires during the day as they slept. Thankfully there was some use to having lived that long and managing to amass wealth. Within two years open property not far from the strip was purchased and the Blood District was born. It also become the only part of Vegas not controlled by the mob. In time it has grown into one of the hottest spots off the Strip to go, whether you be tourist or local, Other or human.


At the bar sipping a glass of Blood vodka, Catlina was busy watching the early night crowd. Men and women alike, mostly human, filtered in wanting to catch the main shows as well as to get something a bit more private in the VIP rooms. They had a steady list of private parties nearly 7 days a week. The money was good and everyone loved their jobs. The Black Stardust was more than just a club. It was also home to many of the employees and temporary home to Others passing through the area. Catlina was a vampire, not a young one by anyone's standards except for those who had a good two hundred years on her and she was 275. What most people knew about her was either word or mouth or was from knowing her. Her past was no one's business and wild horses couldn't drag it out of her. The physical scars were gone but the emotional ones still lingered.

The saying, 'Time heals all wounds', was complete and utter bullshit in her book. The people who believed that had never been seriously wronged by another in their lives. Catlina didn't let it get to her though, everyone from her past and her human life and early life as a vampire were dead. She nodded to Duncan as he stalked past, hair tied back with a suede leather tie as he went to talk with the bouncers. Some days she though Duncan was a bit overly cautious. The club had the kind of security and surveillance system that the casinos dreamed of. Only idiots and people with death wishes messed with the Black Stardust. The security was nearly all were creatures, as they were open 24/7 and it paid to have a security staff that could work all three shifts. Shifting in her seat, she pushed her hair back and set her now empty glass down. Catlina wasn't due to be on stage for several sets which meant she had time to mingle. Like many vampires who were under 500 years, her original skin tone had only paled slightly. The Hollywood stereotype, death white vampire was only a result of managing to survive for a very VERY long time. The only young vamps that were pale were those who had been so in life. Catlina turned her head and women rushed to their seats as the music started as the thick black velvet curtains began to part. Their newest dancer, Soren was up first and it hadn't taken long for him to develop a following. Then again a half dragon was rare and very exotic, he also put any male model to shame. Catlina ran her hand down over the pair of black skinny jeans she was wearing. A red and silver Chinese dragon was screen painted on the left leg. It went well with with the black and silver corset she was wearing. It was cinched nice and tight and accented her figure well. With her hair down Catlina did look the roll of a stripper in part wit her street clothes but she also didn't stick out if she were to head out to the BD streets. One would think after living for so long and through the age of corsets she would have stopped wearing them, but Catlina liked the way she looked in them. The whole outfit was completed with a pair of 6 inch black open toed stilettos, dark pink painted toenails peeking out.

Bear stood at the door to Black Stardust, his massive frame encompassing much of the entrance way. He was wearing a black T-shirt, the tight material moulding nicely to his large muscles. A tailored pair of suit pants came down to end in a shiny set of black shoes. As head of security at the club, he wore a suit jacket, but preffered to leave it open in the balmy Nevada nights. His ear piece hung loosely down his shoulder, and he knew he should technically have it in, but the night was still young and the club still filling.

Quietly he surveyed the ever growing line outside the club, all manners of people waiting for entrance to one of the most famous joints in the Blood District. Both human and Other could gain entry, however troublemakers and drunks were given no leeway.

Already Tyrone had picked out several rather conspicuous looking customers, and in his mind they had already been denied entry. Although he hadn't been here long, Tyrone had an uncanny ability for judging a person's character, and he put it to good use as a security guard.

Another person handed him an ID, checking the date of birth and the picture he then looked into the face of it's owner. He hadn't seen this guy around before, and there something to the tilt of the corner of his mouth that Bear didn't like. Mentally marking him down he waved him through. It was then that he heard the footsteps of the owner behind him. Duncan had the almost weightless step of a vampire, mixed with the stalking quality that comes from being an A grade predator amongst lambs. Turning slowly he looked over at the cautious and worrying proprieter, Duncan's face almost always a barely concealed mask of concern. In his big deep voice, not much more then a growl, Tyrone said,

"Evening Duncan, any problems?"

Duncan gave a short shake of his head as he scanned the early crowd, "Not at all Tyrone, lad. Just getting a feel for tonight's crowd is all." Duncan briefly turned his head towards the horde of screaming women at the stage and shook his head. He still couldn't for the life of him why Amara wanted to run such a place, but his wife was happy and that was enough for him. "Just make sure you and the others are on your toes tonight. I don't expect trouble, but you never know with them," he was referring to their human customers. The Others who came in kept out of trouble; one they didn't want to deal with Tyrone and the other guards/bouncers and two they didn't want to cross Duncan. The ancient Highlander had a reputation ten miles long and they all knew he had no problem dealing with troublemakers the old fashion way. As old as he was he only had to answer to the few Elders in the city who were older than him. Clapping the bear on the shoulder he nodded, "I will be in the office if you need me." With that he turned and made his way through the crowd, which parted for him without a second thought.

Catlina had finished her second drink and was headed outside for some fresh air and a bit less noise. As she passed Tyrone she gave him a nod. She liked the werebear. He was a nice guy once you got past his tough guy, exterior and she agreed with Duncan hiring the young man. Since Tyrone had come on the number of problem dropped sharply. Outside she stretched and looked around. It was a typical Friday in the Blood District there were people and Others all over the place, coming and going from business to business. The Black Stardust looked directly towards one of the small bars as well as string of shops. There was a smoke shop, an adult store and a couple other shops. There was already a line forming outside of Crimson Rhythms and Rhapsody. For a Jazz and Blues bar it was very popular but Catlina chalked that up to the owner more than the music. Micheal had a voice and a musical talent that could appeal to anyone. The two of them were casual acquaintances, through Amara and Duncan. Duncan had thought the younger vampire about true sword mastery when he had still been human. At the time Catlina had already been turned but did not meet Micheal until years later when he came to Las Vegas. Thinking she would stop in later she headed for the smoke shop, she was down to her last, Red Smoke. Red Smoke was potent and sold only to vampires.

It was a clear summer night, nothing but star and moonlight, this far from the strip, it wasn't drowned out by all the neon lights.

Tyrone never ceased to be amazed at the way Duncan just seemed to flow through crowds without a second thought, as though subconsciously people knew to get out of this man's way. Bear was right about to resume checking ID's when Catlina walked outside.

She nodded and Tyrone couldn't help but feel a little clammed up and nervous. Instead of the smile that he wanted, he merely nodded stone faced back. He knew he came across as a quiet tough guy, but despite with customers it normally wasn't intended. Around such pretty vampiresses, and seemingly even more so Catlina, he just froze. None of his Indian lore or hunting in the forest had prepared him for the enchanting presence held by many of the female Others.

With slight dissapointment Tyrone noticed Catlina's gaze linger slightly on the sight of Crimson Rhythms and Rhapsody. The owner was an attractive "young" vampire with the voice of an angel, Michael de Rousseau. He had heard more than one woman, human and Other, gushing over him as they entered Stardust from Crimson's.

Internally he sighed, he doubted he'd ever have the natural charisma and grace with women like Michael. Instead he either came across as intimidating or uninterested. With resignation he went back to checking ID's.

The crowds were growing ever longer now, and he put back in his earpiece. There was no chatter so he assumed things inside were going well.

Right then a man stumbled up to Tyrone, and dropped his ID before he could hand it over. Obviously intoxicated, Tyrone didn't need his enhanced sense of smell to catch the overpowering stench of whisky. Without thinking he waved the man on his way, not saying a word. But this guy stopped in the middle of the line, insistent on gaining entry.

"I'm perrfectly shober," slurred the man, the whiskey smell becoming even worse as he opened his mouth. "It'sh ok, I'll jussht go in." With that he tried walking straight passed Tyrone. But Tyrone was having none of it. Placing a hand firmly on the fellow's shoulder, he turned him away from the door. Leaning in nice and close he murmurred into the drunk's ears. No-one else heard what was said, but the man paled significantly, his drunk stumbling taking on a rather hasty edge as he headed back towards the strip and more accommodating security.

Stepping back Tyrone resumed checking ID's, but not before calling another guard to relieve him. The club was not yet near capacity, but it had enough people to warrant Tyrone's intimidating, yet strangely calming presence.

Once the other bouncer arrived Bear walked back into the club, happy to be away from tedious job of being on the door.

Catlina sighed as she stepped back out into the busy district and lit up one of her Red Smokes. Taking a soft drag she slipped one hand into her back pocket and started walking. Maybe she would stop in on Micheal, the younger vampire was decent enough company, when he wasn't being so serious, but Catlina chalked that up to all the schooling he had gone through as a human youth and his time around Duncan. Now there as a vampire who could make a clown change professions. He's want's all bad but when he wasn't around Amara or talking about sword play or the "old days" he was as personable as a statue. She hadn't fed when she woke, but only because the previous night, Catlina had fed before bed. A rather nice and cute donor. Of course as a rule she didn't sleep with any of the men or the few women who provided her with food. Only because it complicated things.

There was no shortage of people and Others she could take to her bed, but Catlina was no bed hopper. Having been passed around by her husband when she was first turned, Catlina had a slight distaste for having a string of multiple lovers. And as to why she didn't have a current partner? No one had caught her eye enough to make her want to pursue them. Red tinted smoke wafted past her as she moved through the crowd. AS her eyes scanned the crowd it was easy enough to pick out the BD Virgins. they couldn't help but have these wide eyed stares as they looked around. If they were on the Strip they would be easy picking for pickpockets or worse, but crime and violence was low in the BD. The less Other and human authorities had to meet the better and whenever humans and others clashed it was like watching the local police and the FBI work together. There was no bigger pissing match. The door was propped over at Crimson Rhythms and Rhapsody, music wafting out. Unlike if it were a night club the music was loud enough to drown out everything within close proximity. Titling her head as she flicked the ash from the end of her smoke Catlina could tell Micheal wasn't playing.

Every musician had his own style and signature, no two played the same piece exactly the same way. Micheal had a talent that was truly rare, for any race. For the life of her, Catlina couldn't understand why he was content to just own and perform in a bar, but to each his own.

Michael had a stool pulled up underneath him on the wrong side of the bar, his usual bartender out sick for the night, leaving him to tend to the patrons of Crimson Rhythm & Rhapsody when they needed fresh drinks. Next to the register sat the red mojito that he was sipping at while listening to the band that was playing. They called themselves “Bloodshot Iris” and they were decent. They still needed some fine tuning to do, their sound raw and unpolished but what they had was still really good. He tried not to critique the music, but his ear was so well trained between his natural talent and a few centuries of study of music, that he found himself hearing what they should be playing instead of what they really were playing; a change of a chord here, a delayed beat there, that would polish the tune into something impressive. They band wasn’t bad, they were just young and still defining themselves. What they were playing would have been considered Ska-Jazz but carried a darker overtone to the melody and lyrics when they didn’t improv. It was fitting that they played in the Blood District instead of the strip.

Michael picked up his drink and finished it off as the band was finishing up the set they were playing. When they were finished he stepped out from behind the bar and went up on stage with the band and went to the mic, “Lets hear it for Bloodshot Iris,” to which the modest crowd applauded. When the clapping had died down he picked up the mic from the stand, “After a short intermission we’ll have one of the house favorites with us tonight, Shades of Gray. It would be a good idea to get a fresh drink if you are gonna want one, during the intermission”. While he was speaking, Michael’s eyes were scanning the club picking out the regulars and preparing a list of what he knew he would have to mix up once back behind the bar. “The bar is open and wet for now...” As those words passed his lips and his eyes darted around the club who should pass through his door but Catlina, one of the dancers from Black Stardust, perfect timing as always even if I am the only one to notice it and she looks dressed to kill as always. He held back a sigh as he finished what he was saying, having lost track of the potential orders when he spotted her. She was quite beautiful and anyone, human or other would likely give just about anything to have a shot at spending time in her company away from the club. Michael appreciated their friendship for what it was but anything more was just awkward to him still. Since the death of his love Colette he had had others in his bed, just none of them vamipres. Most came as donors with extra gratifications during feeding, only a few had he enjoyed the company of for something still casual but more connected. It didn’t completely make sense as another of his kind would be the most compatible and likely satisfying. Even though it had been nearly a century he was still mourning her death and hadn’t moved forward. Whether it was that he wasn’t ready to, didn’t want to, or just didn’t know how to, was a mystery even to his own mind. What he did know is that the pain of her loss was still fresh in his heart and it showed when he played a piece of that tone. “...but won’t be during the first set, as I’ll be filling in for the usual Saxophonist who couldn’t make it tonight.”

He then turned from the stage and headed back to the bar while the road crews did their thing breaking down and setting up between the acts. When he was behind the counter there were already patrons from the crowd lined up and calling out orders. From the corner of his eye he knew she had spotted him and was making her way to the bar. To help her progress, he listened to the multitude of voices and picked out the similar orders and started mixing them up in batches making the small alterations necessary in the individual glasses. It was only the first wave and he knew there would be at least two others coming between now and when he would make it to the stage for the first set. It may or may not leave much time for him to talk with Catlina, but he would do his best to make time for her. He owed her that much as they were more then casual acquaintances, but not exactly friends either. In addition her ties to Duncan and Amara, at least in his eyes, granted her some extra effort toward courtesy at the very least. As he thinned out the crowd by filling orders and taking money Catlina came more and more into view, in a matter of minutes she would be at the bar, as he finished passing drinks to one of the guests he spared a moment to smile and wave in her direction as he made eye contact with her, so she knew they were intended for her, before turning back to finish off the last of the orders that were still being called out over the background music that was playing over the system.

Fy drove her way through the dessert. It had been a long while since she had seen anything through her windows aside from dry earth, cacti and the road. She amused herself by singing along to the music her iPod fed to the radio of her not so new car. Her mind wondered to that morning, where she had been surprised to find her friends had been bombarded with last minutes projects and the like and had had to cancel on her. Too bad it was supposed to be a way of celebrating her twenty first birthday. They had urged her to go without them, promising to make it up to her later.

A lot of driving later, she found herself arriving at the strip, parking at Flamingo's. She had been saving money for this trip, and the rates were just barely on her student budget, but she managed. After all the checking in hullabaloo and getting to her room, she took a quick shower, dressed in a comfortable pair of jeans and a black mock-neck top with open shoulders before making her way downstairs to explore, ending up on the Blood District.

She had always loved music and she had been excited to learn that she had been good enough to earn that scholarship in UCLA. It was no wonder then, that she felt herself drawn to Crimson Rhythm & Rhapsody. Her petite body made its way thought the crowd, managing to sit at the bar. After the band that had been playing finished it's set, she found herself sulking slightly, her finger curling a strand of her log, wavy dark hair in it.

"Happy birthday to me" she mumbled to herself in a dejected tone under her breath.

Catlina made her way through the crowd at the bar before finding an open stool, right in front of Micheal. "Busy night as usual." She smirked softly as she made herself comfortable. Micheal wasn't the type of man to be flirted with, not overtly anyways. He was either going to be interested in you or he wasn't. Of course from what she had heard, Micheal wasn't interested in anyone or even sleeping with anyone. Having one's lover violently taken from them though had a tendency to change one's outlook towards romance and sex in general. "So what are the odds I will get to hear you play before I have to go back over for my set?" Catlina let her hand sweep down the space of the bar in front of her. The black lacquered wood was a nice touch really. Micheal had a style all his own and his place reflected that. Letting her eyes roam over him, Catlina was reminded that most what she did know about him was second hand. It wasn't like the two of them made its a habit to really socialize away from either of their jobs or their mutual friends.

"While I am here though, let me get a glass of Blood vodka, on the rocks of course." She licked her lip slowly and brushed her hair back over her shoulder.

The stage crew had finished breaking down and removing all the equipment that was set up for Bloodshot Iris when Michael grabbed the house microphone that hid behind the bar, “Alright folks that’s it bar is closed for the time being, I’ll see everyone here when the set is done.” With his ever present business smile he finished up the orders for those who had joined the lines at the bar as quickly as he could marking down those regulars who were on tab, or taking cash from those who weren’t. Once the line was gone, he mixed up one more drink, something that resembled a Long Island Iced tea with a few changes. The concoction contained citron vodka, raspberry schnapps, silver rum, triple sec, orange juice and sweet and sour mix and strained into a martini glass before carefully topped with 151 proof rum. With a smile and nod he turned to Catlina, who had just reached the bar moments ago, “Be with ya in just a sec Kitty, have something I’ve got to see to. Need to put a smile on someone’s face. Frowns are bad for business.”

Even through the noise of the called out orders and idle chatter that filled the club between sets he had managed to overhear the young lady at the far end of the bar in a mock neck top playing with her hair. She mumble something about it being her birthday, so taking the glass down to her he slid it in front of her before pulling out a lighter and setting the rum on top ablaze. “Lighten up and enjoy yourself, frowns and moping around feeling sorry is no way for a pretty young lady to get noticed around here. I know, I’ve done enough of it to satisfy a few lifetimes.” Taking a shallow breath Michael shifted the tone in his voice from serious to something that reflected the smile on his face and was completely genuine, not just to make her feel better. The little joke he had planned he hoped would have the right effect on the unfamiliar face in his bar. “This one’s on the house, have a Happy Birthday Bitch. I’ll check up on you when the set is over. There better be a smile on those lips when I get back.” He caught her brown eyes with his sparkling blues, that gleamed even more with the joke fresh from his lips, long enough to give her a bright playful smile before he headed back to the other end of the bar. He didn’t give a second thought to explaining that ‘Happy Birthday Bitch’ was the name of the drink he gave her. He would save that for when the set was done and he came back to check on her.

Michael slowly walked back to the spot where he started on the bar in front of Catlina, taking his time. His eyes glanced over her as he made his way to her spotting her fingers drumming over the carved and black lacquered wood as if contemplating something. His mind running two completely opposite thoughts all at once adding to the awkwardness of this particular meeting between them, the first being that the drumming of her fingers was the odds on favorite result of his slip in calling her Kitty, instead of Cat or Catlina, not the fact that he left her waiting for the drink. Hell I barely noticed that I slipped till I stepped away. I hope she isn’t pissed. Even if she is I deserve it but damn she does look good in that outfit. The second thought crept in and collided with the first. He still mourned the loss of Colette, but for some reason Catlina had a way of slipping past that clinging mourning in little ways that made him notice her more then any other woman, especially for the fact that she was a vampire like he was. It was her slipping in under his radar that kept him on a more professional stance when he was around her. He didn’t intend on coming across as completely serious and stoic, but he was nervous about what would happen should he ease back and let something more show. Las Vegas was supposed to be his new lease on life, just like Chicago was, but the ghosts of his past still haunted him. Logically he knew that Colette would be happy for him moving on after her tragic death, but there was still something in his heart that wouldn’t let him. Even after that demon, Jack the Ripper, who took her from him was vanquished and banished back to the hell it came from he was still emotionally trapped in London almost a century ago. The time he and Nikoli, his mentor and friend, spent in Greece the following year was supposed to do away with the mourning. Heads lost in the bottle and tears, before going their separate ways had done some good. Now was the time to think about taking the last of those steps. Michael was never one to play against the odds, the few chances he took were carefully planned and calculated, the riskiest of them was stealing from the mob. More specifically after Al Capone was put away, he raided the vault, which explains why Maury found it empty when it was uncovered. With the money he was able to get the club set up as well as a nice home not too far from the BD. What he needed was some more time to think and thankfully the set would give him that time. Playing with Shades of Gray was easy enough since he helped in composing or refining a number of their pieces, after much pleading from the lead of the group when he had watched Michael one night some years ago.

Michael shook his head giving his hair a toss, more to clear his mind then anything else, but disguised the action as moving a stray strand of hair that had fallen over his left eye, as he took the last steps that closed the distance to where he was standing in front of Catlina once again. “So that was gonna be a Blood Vodka on the rocks, right.” he said pulling out a stemmed lowball glass and twirling it around his fingers before bringing it to rest on the bar between the two of them. Picking up a shaker from under the bar, he used it to scoop up some ice and pour it into the lowball, “Yup business is good as always. I can’t complain at all. As for if you’ll get to hear my playing or not all depends on how soon you are due on stage for you next set.” Reaching behind him without taking his eyes from Catlina, he picked up the right bottle and poured it over the ice before sliding the glass to his guest. “ As soon as the stage hands are done setting up, I’ll be covering for the saxist from Shades of Gray. I think you can stick around for a bit, it’s not like Duncan and Amara ride you like a broken in mare about when you need to be on stage or on the floor. Should be only a few more minutes before things are set.”

Fy had been in her own little world, thinking about the things she could do and feeling slightly out of place, when she felt a glass being delicately placed in front of her. Her eyes lifted, about to tell the bartender she hadn't ordered anything yet, when she stopped and watched, surprised. Of course the man was very good looking; sapphire eyes that glinted with mischief, coppery red hair that looked soft to the touch and handsome face, but it was more than that. He seemed to have an air around him that demanded her attention and, as such, she barely noticed that the concoction in front of her had just been lit on fire.

His voice went from serious to relaxed, his smile playful while he jokingly ordered her to enjoy herself and smile before he left. She frowned, at the effect he had had on her, almost as if, for lack of a better word, he had dazzled her. As she thought, her fingertips unconsciously traveled along the side of her glass. Looking down at the drink, she fought with herself, trying not to succumb to the smile that tugged at the corners of her lips. Failing miserably, she took a bit of the drink and chuckled softly to herself, wondering what else he would say when he came to 'check up on her'.

Catlina took a slow sip of her drink and nodded, "Only because they love me so much." She chuckled softly, not it was more than Amara and Duncan knew she loved her freedom above all else and was never late for a set. Even when she had been with them, they had placed very few restrictions on her once she got her legs under her and learned the full extent of what her abilities were and the way things were supposed to be in their world. even in those dark days what her husband had done was looked down upon, but because they had been isolated there had been no one willing to or even able to stop the horror that had been her life for so long. "You know I love listening to you preform Micheal. Very few, human or vampire have such a talent and an ear for music." turning her head slightly she saw the human girl smiling to herself. "Looks like you impressed her," more like intrigued. It came with the territory, even the plainest of vampires managed to charm most humans. The change did nothing to affect one's looks, but it did give you a different sort of air. That you were more than just what the eyes took in. Add to that a voice that could make a nun soak her habit and you could guarantee your bed was never empty.

Gods forbid though that he or anyone else try and use that to their advantage. Feeding on humans in the current climate could easily land you in jail. All it took was for one jilted lover to cry foul and it could very well be game over for that vampire. Which was why the donor system had been welcomed with open arms. It cut down on the chances of bite regret. It was usually the men who were targeted the most, human women no matter who they were dealing with did not take reject well and that led to seeking revenge and hurting their former partner anyway they could. "So what is it going to take to actually get you over to the StarDust without it having to be just to go hide at the bar or in Amara and Duncan's office. A little skin never killed anyone you know."

Over at the Black StarDust all hell was breaking loose as a small bachelorette group had decided rather than pay for a VIP room they were going to try and have their own private show in front of everyone and drag the dancers, twin shifter nicknamed Castor and Pollux off the stage. Rule one was never touch the dancers unless you were on the stage, and the bride to be fueled on booze and her friends had not only hoisted herself onto the stage but had grabbed both men intent on having the best last night as a single woman ever. Which left the two with the delicate job of getting her off the stage WITHOUT hurting her and to prevent themselves from being dragged down. Tyrone, Duncan and two other bouncers were currently making their way through the crowd to prevent things from getting any messier than they currently were. Of course if they didn't get the crowd calmed, Amara would be out and things certainly would get ugly and fast. The Elder vampire saw all of the dancers as her children and as such she tolerated no disrespect from the paying customers.

Tyrone surveyed the club, enjoying the few moments of calm away from the monotony of checking ID's. He was about to stroll over to the bar when his earpiece chirped. Apparently a gang of women, most likely a hen's night, had taken it upon themselves to get hands on with a pair of dancers. Tyrone sighed, so much for his quiet night.

He turned on the spot and made his way through the crowd. Not far from him he noticed Duncan, also making his way through the crowd to the trouble. It never ceased to amaze Tyrone that the old Vampire knew exactly where an incident was about to occur, and was there almost as quick as security.

When Tyrone reached the stage he found the gaggle of women. One of whom was on stage, Tyrone surmised her to be the soon to be bride, the other rest were crowding around the stage looking on and cheering. Half mumbled words fell from Tyrone's lips, the strange phrases contained a power that was ethereal to the ear. The spell was orginally used to calm wild predators in the forests, but Tyrone had adapted it for use in the club. The women seemed to calm a little, but the pack mentality was hard to break, even with shaman magic.

The throng barely noticed as he pressed through, his large, black clothed form sliding surprisingly lithely between women. Once he reached the stage he motioned for the other two bouncers to clear the women pressing around the stage out. As they began sheparding them out of sight Tyrone jumped nimbly onto the stage, and moved slowly toward the bride to be. His big deep voice was calming and tranquil.

"Mam, I'm going to have to ask you to step away from the dancers," Now that she no longer had the cheers from her friends, Tyrone was hoping her alcohol fueled sense of invincibility would dissapear as well, especially faced with such oviously overwhelming opposition. Half of his job was appearing intimidating and in control, even the meekest troublemaker would resist fiercely if they thought they could get away with it.

As Catlina sipped her drink Michael fixed himself another red mojito, “Well Catlina, they have known you for so long and better then anyone else really. And you have earned that affection.” When he finished shaking the drink and straining it into his glass he took a slow deep sip of his favored libationary concoction. He had known Duncan and Amara for the better portion of his life; it was shortly before he had been brought over that he was introduced to them by his mentor. He hadn’t met Catlina at that time, instead their introduction came some years later when he consulted with Duncan and Amara about how to go about things for avenging the deaths of two women very close to him. It was possible that while he was touring Europe with Nikoli, Maria, and Colette that Catlina had seen him performing but he never could be certain. His focus was on the performance, not the audience. “I’m very lucky Catlina, but above all else I enjoy being able to share my gift with others. This...” His eyes glancing around the night club before returning to her, “... might not be a coliseum or some massive stage for tens of thousands to watch at one time, instead it has something that those lack and that is getting to get the feed back from people and it be genuine. I’ve had my fill of fame already. With the club I can help the new artists who are struggling for fame in some form. But before I ramble more thank you. I’m glad you enjoy stopping by to listen when you can.” He smiled at her compliment. When he noticed her look down at the young lady who he made the special drink for his smile broadened, “Well there is no point in sulking around when you are somewhere that is intended to take your mind away from your worries.” He raised his glass toward the woman down the bar, should her eyes glance up to see it, and held it there for a moment before raising it to his lips and took another drink. "So what is it going to take to actually get you over to the StarDust without it having to be just to go hide at the bar or in Amara and Duncan's office. A little skin never killed anyone you know." He set his glass down on the bar Cat’s words trapping him given his last statement and catching him off guard. Fuck she is good. No getting out of this one this time, not at least without a huge berating about hypocritical thinking. Seems it is time to face the music.

Michael did his best to not let expression show on his face when she pinned him between their words. He knew she had a point but also hated to admit it. Fortunately she had left him an out but he would play it fairly and give her a chance to convince him. “Well Cat I’ll make a deal with you. Since they are just about done setting up, I have to go get my sax and get up on stage. Sit and enjoy me playing as much as you can, but before you go slip back here behind the bar and leave me a note with your best offer to convince me in the tip bucket. Once I have things closed up here, if I can’t resist, you’ll see me at StarDust. You’ll still be working then right?” He smiled as he spoke and pointed out the notepad and bucket behind the bar as he mentioned them both. With a nod to his guest he slid toward the exit from behind the bar nearest her and the door that lead back to the offices. When he had cleared the bar he walked over next to her and leaned close to her, “But if you will excuse me for the moment I have to get ready for the stage.” He waited there long enough for her to speak before turning and heading through the door to the office.

Once through the door he went back behind the desk and opened the top drawer and pulled a key from it. With the key he opened the closet behind the desk and produced from within the case that held his tenor sax. Michael was rather peculiar about his instruments. Even though any of the stage crew could have gotten it for him and made sure it was properly tuned, he never allowed it. To him his instruments were extensions of himself, each one having a different voice and way for him to express himself. Only with care and dedication could he keep those voices perfect and clear. He extracted each piece from the case and assembled the instrument with speed and precision, the reed being the last part to be attached to the whole. Raising it to his lips he ran through warm up practice scales as a force of habit as much as to make sure it was still in tune , his fingers moving deftly over the keys and the instruments voice carrying out from the office into the main area of the bar for those close to the door to hear. When he was satisfied that everything was in order he looped the strap over his shoulder and exited the office, making his way to the stage pausing long enough near the bar to smile at both Catlina and the young woman who had previously been sullenly sitting at the other end before he gave her the drink.
He stepped up onto the stage and took his place to be joined by the band moments later. When Damian, the lead of the group, had introduced them all and taken up the bass guitar from the stage, the band opened the set with a piece that could be best described as a contradiction to itself for those who did not fully understand music. Even though the main melody and harmony at first seemed to clash, they soon counterpointed against each other producing something that spoke of sadness and depression as well as joy and happiness all in the same moment. The lyrics spoke of the turmoil of daily life but how from that the good things sprouted forth. As Michael played many thoughts came to mind and he let the notes flow from the depths of his soul. His pain and loss, his hopes and shattered dreams all taking shape in the song that he had helped the band leader compose. When Damian had brought the unfinished idea to Michael one evening he knew he had to help in the writing of this piece. It wasn’t surprising that it was chosen to start the set. It had become very popular with the regular crowd and always had the entire house applauding when it was finished.

“Of course, wouldn't want to disappoint the audience you know.” Catlina said softly as she took another sip and watched Micheal walk off. It was no surprise that he headed for his office first and not the stage. He was one of those musicians that kept their gear, if not under lock and key, someplace where only they could get to them. Some would say he was anal and paranoid, but having seen his skill and talent grow over the years Catlina didn't blame him. The instruments were his tools and any good artist no matter what the medium, preferred to handle things themselves. It wasn't that others weren't qualified to tune and set things up, Micheal did hire the best of the best after all but after awhile, you found the sweet spot of the instrument. You knew it better than anyone else, possibly even the person who had made it to create the most perfect notes. Such dedication was why Micheal was one of if not the best around. He lived and breathed the music. She shifted around on the barstool when he came back out, sax in tow and joined Shades of Gray on stage. Quick and efficient he was soon ready and the bar filled with music as the once milling and chattering crowd about came to a standstill. Alone, he was absolutely great, but with others he incorporated himself into the mix and added his own touches to what was already there. The song was somber but also upbeat, a walking contradiction, but one that worked well together. It made you stop and think and then scratch your head wondering what was going on exactly. Leaning back Catlina rested her elbows on the bar and let the music fill her head. As much as she tried not to she found herself zeroing in on Micheal on the sax. He poured himself into everything he did, but this one was different. The emotions and feelings there were so raw, so powerful and so needy that it was like the notes were intent to just pull your heartstrings hard enough to break them.

From there they held to the same tone, throwing in more upbeat songs every so often to not completely bring the crowd down. She really was impressed but them Catlina always was when she watched Micheal preform. If he ever stopped performing he would make a good band manager, the perfect ear and eye for talent Crimson was almost always packed to capacity, even on nights with just the house band. He knew how to draw the crowd, human and Other and truthfully he could if he wanted could do like other business owners and just sit back on his ass and watch the money roll in. Micheal didn't of course, which was another point for him in her book. At one point or another every vampire had that point in their lives where they just sat back and enjoyed their immortality and wealth. Only the truly decadent continued to live that way. The rest would find some new venture or hobby to encompass their free time since they did have so much of it. Living forever or close enough to it could get boring very easily if you didn't find something to make it all worthwhile and interesting.

As the fourth song came to a close her eyes found the clock hanging over the bar mirror, she had to get back to the Black Stardust and get things ready for her own set. Getting up and making her way around the bar, Catlina grabbed the paper and pen and started to write, looking Micheal's way every so often as then pen glided across the paper. Smiling as she finished, the dancer set the pen down, 'If you were anyone else I would go into great detail of what you have been missing so I'll be brief, curiosity kills cats not vampires. So which are you?' She folded the paper and then pressed it to her lips, dark red lips under his carefully scrawled name before she slid it under the bottom of an empty glass. Along with the money for her drink and enough for a tip as well. Coming back around the bar Catlina gave the crowd one last scan, Micheal as well before giving her hair a toss and hading out the door and back to work. As she headed back across the street she could see the bouncer marching a group of women out. Looked like she had missed the all th fun while enjoying Micheal's hospitality. It was almost always the women, the male clientèle has the common sense to realize that the bouncers would have absolutely no problem thrown them out onto to the street quite literally. The women? No matter the club, no matter the city, get a big enough group and add enough booze and they started acting like animals.

////////////////

As Duncan guided the other drunk women to the doors he kept an eye on Tyrone. He had all the faith in the world in the Bear's ability to control the crowd if need be. Of course if all else failed he would get physical if he had to. The other women would just have to wait outside for their friend, once they were outside and under the watchful eye of the other bouncers Duncan headed back towards the stage to watch the small face off between the bride to be and the shifter. Duncan would only get involved again, if the woman proved to be more trouble than first assumed. Many times it was hard to tell with humans who was talented and who wasn't. Over the centuries humans had learned to hide themselves from normal humans as well as Others, not wanting to be singled out on either side for good or ill. Even now many still hid, because to some normal and small minded humans, the tiniest bit of supernatural ability made you into a freak and an outcast. The last thing they needed was an outburst of drunken and uncontrolled power.

The redhead stumbled slightly as she looked Bear up and down. You could almost see the look in her eyes and the gears clicked over in her head, not that she should stop making a fool of herself, but that she had found a much better target for her advances. “My aren't you a big one. Don't think I remember seein' you on stage.” Her eyes were still glassy as she let go of Castor, who made a quick exit off the stage with his twin. Closing in on Tyrone, she stumbled once more, this time falling into his arms, her lips brushing his for half a second. “My hero,” She cooed drunkenly as she threw her arms around his neck. “So wanna play?” She pressed her body against his so forcefully that had he been human, the woman quite possibly would have sent them falling from the raised stage.

Tyrone was stunned at the woman's reactions. Any man would have seen no hope in competing and left, instead she slowly advanced on him. A strange feral glint in her eyes.

"My aren't you a big one. Don't think I remember seein' you on stage.”

Tyrone noted with satisfaction as Castor quickly left, getting away from the situation. One-on-one this woman was definitely no match for Tyrone. Until she fell. Quite purposely.
The contact of her lips on his stunned him. He'd never been the subject of such ardent lust, though he had seen it almost nightly. Almost all of his thoughts abandoned him, and she clung to him with a fierceness that both surprised and excited him. But his mental discipline and sheild slammed in not a half-second later.

“So wanna play?”

A million and one possible scenarios ran through his mind, a lot of them involved peeling the woman off him and escorting her outside, and although Tyrone could do this without really hurting the woman, assuming she was human, it would not do well for the image of the club.

Instead Bear leant down close and put his lips very close to the woman's ear. Mimicing the dancers he'd seen do this a million and one times so comfortably, he said,
"I do." His words were chosen for affect, trying to remind the woman of the man waiting at home for her, remind her of her love for him and there impending wedding.

He didn't give her time to rebuild any mental defenses that she may have lost, instead beginning a series of phrases and incantations to calm the woman, at first reducing her heart rate and breathing and then slowly stopping the rush of adrenaline through her system as she tried to work her troublemaking. All the while his lips never left the mere inches they were from her ear, and he knew his breath was blowing lightly across her lobe, distracting her from the words making them all the more affective. As long as she was distracted she hopefully wouldn't notice the affects of the spell until long after they were too late.

Tyrone's big arms enfolded her, as much to distract her from the encroaching drowsiness as support her slowly relaxing body. With practiced ease he picked her up in his big arms, carrying her relaxed body as her now glazed and near empty eyes stared at the ceiling. He never stopped chanting, the rythmic sounds doing as much to hypnotize her as ensorcel her.

He stopped as he neared the exit, placing the woman on her feet and holding her till she regained what semblance of balance she had that was not affected by alcohol. When the spark of consciousness had definitely returned to her eyes, Tyrone looked at her and said in his big deep slow voice,
"From all the staff at Black Stardust, we'd like to wish you a good end to your night and a congratulations on your wedding." He then surveyed the rest of the women gathered around. "I suggest you get her back to your hotel, she's going to be groggy for a while."

The bridal party waited impatiently near the door to Black Stardust after having been escorted outside by the mountain of a man who didn’t even give them his name. They had seen how the bride to be was acting and knew it would only be a matter of time before she would be joining all of them outside. After a few minutes of waiting there was the indistinct mumblings of someone talking right beside the door briefly before another mountain of a man, this one even bigger and stockier then the first walked the bride to be out to where they were gathered and waiting. "I suggest you get her back to your hotel, she's going to be groggy for a while." was all he had to say before he turned and went back into the club. Moments later the limo pulled up to the doors of Stardust and the bride to be was loaded in followed by her party of friends. The limo pulled off taking them all back to which ever hotel on the strip they were staying at, the Blood District and the evening’s events to be nothing more then a fond alcohol clouded memory for all of them.

Back inside of Black Stardust, the show continued and the crowd acted as if the scene from just moments ago had never happened. Every one who went to establishments like the club knew that such things could and would happen, it was just a matter of being there to see it or not. It didn’t matter if the entertainment was male or female, mortal, vampire, shifter or some Other; sooner or later someone got too drunk or just plain stupid and tried to get more then was appreciated by the performers. It was then that people like Duncan and Tyrone had to step in and make sure it didn’t get out of hand and that no one was hurt.

Duncan glanced around noting that the crowd has settled down once the bridal party was removed, and the entertainment resumed. As his eyes passed from one end of the main room to the other his eyes passed over one of the clocks hanging behind a bar and noted the time. It was half past one in the morning, and so far things were going very well. The bridal party was the only incident so far and hopefully would be the only one of the night. After wandering among the crowds for a few more minutes he found a spot near the bar to lean against the wall where he could survey the entirety of the main room of the club with a sweep of his eyes. His survey of everything going on in the club revealed nothing truly out of the ordinary, but one observation did seem odd. The table that had seated the bridal party some minutes ago was now occupied by a lone gentleman; he was seated facing the stage with a stack of bills laid out on the table with a drink in his hand. It wasn’t really all that strange except the fact that he was alone. Most of the time the best seats were occupied by larger groups seeking the best view, not a lone patron with a modest stack of money. Duncan had seen the man before on only a few occasions. His warrior’s background had disciplined him to remember as much about everyone and everything that he observed in the club as he could. As he watched the patron take what another would consider a jinxed table he thought back to the times when the man had visited Stardust before.

Duncan recalled that the last time the clean shaven, brown haired, hazel eyed man had visited he sat just at the bar talking to the bartender of the evening in between drinks being mixed and poured. The conversations must have been pretty typical otherwise the bartender would have said something to either him or Amara about it. The time before that he was seated to the right side of the main stage in the first line of tables. Again he was sipping at a dark colored drink and had a modest stack of money that he tipped the dancers with favoring none over any of the others. He would get up from the table in the middle of each set and walk his roughly six foot tall frame over to the stage and offer up tips to the current performer in an almost professional manner. His mannerisms when near the stage were always polite and moved in a way so that the dancer shouldn’t feel intimidated or that any special attention was being paid them. On both occasions like this evening the gentleman had worn khakis and a light earth toned polo shirt carrying in a blazer over his shoulder and setting it on the back of his chair. The shirts fit neither too snug nor too loose, but Duncan could tell the man took decent care of himself. His average build was toned from regular exercise but not overly muscled, and the masculine lines of his face were sharp and distinct showing no traces of excess weight. All in all an average patron, but on this occasions something was different about his actions, nothing truly wrong, just odd and out of place. As Duncan pondered over the relatively new patron to Stardust, the DJ spoke through the microphone, over the house music that had filled the club, announcing the next dancer on the stage.

Catlina of course got back to the club after all the fuss. Nodding to Tyrone and the others at the door once more, she headed back into the thick of things. On stage was as one of their more exotic dancers. Katie, was jokingly called TK, was currently performing above the stage, sans wire. Katie was one of the few humans who worked at the Black Star Dust, of course it was probably one of the more safer places for her to be working considering. TK was a telekinetically gifted human, which gave her and advantage when it came to keeping things, fresh and new with her act. At the moment she was doing flips and twists in the air as she contorted herself about. Catlina was honestly impressed because to do what she did required absolute concentration. It also helped that she could collect her tips much faster and clear the stage in the amount of time it took most dancers to get the first piece of clothing off. Her eyes bounced over the lone man occupying one of the VIP tables, but didn't really think too much of it. There were just times when you wanted your space.

Seeing Duncan holding up the bar wall Catlina made her way over to see how things were going with the vampire she considered her big brother. “Evening oh kilt-less one.” Catlina liked to rib Duncan about his kilts. It wasn't that she didn't see anything wrong with them since they were a good link to his past, but for that fact he wore them most of the time now at Amara's insistence and the younger vampire knew it had everything to do with easy access. “So did I miss anything fun?”

“Not, much at all Catlin. No more than the usual rabble in and out of things. Bear has been on his game as always. You have perfect timing as as well, since wee TK will be off stage soon.” Duncan gave her a smile and a nod. Depending on who you were to Duncan determined just how many words you could squeeze out of him at any one time. You could take the warrior out of the battle but not the battle of the warrior and for Duncan it was action first; words MAYBE second.

“Hey I don't get paid the big bucks for nothing. You know I would never let you or Amara down. Now I do have something that should put a smile on your wife's lovely face. I might have convinced Michael to come over, though I'll believe it when I see. Now I need to get my lovely ass back to the dressing room.” Catlina raised herself up on the balls of her feet and kissed his nose playfully. “Now smile, you are going to scare off the paying clientele one of these nights.”

“I smile and you know it, lass, now what's this about Michael coming over?” Duncan raised an eyebrow slightly at that. He had always been under the impression that the club was not really his taste. Not that Duncan held it against his former student considering if not for Amara and the fact she did love their place so much, it would be the last place, he would ever be caught dead working. It made him laugh sometimes because he knew his long dead kin would have been fighting each other for the opportunity to be around so many women. The fact the club also had male dancers would have been easily brushed aside for the chance to stare and eyeball the lovely ladies they hired without fear of reprimand. It just wasn't him though; Duncan only had eyes for Amara. Which was just fine with the petite Turk since she also had a bit of a possessive streak to her that would bring out that not so sweet and gentle side of her that made his blood warm.

That didn't mean he didn't see the appeal of the dancers though. Take TK for instance, she was new not only to the club but also to the job itself but she was a natural talent. If he remembered correctly she had been a professional dancer before her powers had fully manifested. Once that had happen she had found that many humans could be more biased against their own kind being talented than they were of the Others in general. TK was currently floating back down to the stage though she was far from done with the set. As the music changed to a pulsing and erotic mix of club dance and middle eastern styles., TK stopped inches above the floor, hovering. Large silk scarves that had been set on the stage floor rose up and began to swirl and writhe around her as she moved to the music. Her interpretation of the ancient veil dance was as inspired as it was tantalizing. Pulling his eyes away from her he returned his attention back to Catlina.

“Oh I just told Michael that he needs to lighten up a bit and that it wasn't all that fair to me and Amara if he never comes over to actually see how things are even though we make it a point to stop in at Crimson all the time to see him perform. As I said I will believe it when I see it.” Giving Duncan's arm a pat Catlina smiled, “Don't worry I'll make sure not to make his head explode if he does show up. I'll see you after my set.” Flashing Duncan another smile Catlina turned and headed back to the dressing rooms, not even noticing the eyes that had been on the pair of them as they had spoken. The same eyes that watched her stroll through the velvet covered doors. She had just enough time to change and freshen up before TK was done. Between each dancer there was at most, unless there were props to be moved, a maximum of about 3-6 minutes. Which was just about enough time to put in a new drink order and depending on who was tending tap, enough time to get about half out and to the customers. So as things began to wind down with TK's set the waitresses started milling about, careful not to block anyone's view while taking refill orders as well as first orders for those who had recently came in.

As TK's feet finally touched the stage, their resident DJ, Xero came over the speaker system. “And that was the lovely TK. Up next in your favorite and mine, Catlina. So remember to tip your waitress and get ready for a hot night in the city people.” Ambient music rolled on as he clicked the mic off. A few customers got up and stretched their legs; since Catlina was up next, a few of the female patrons found a male dancer to head off with into the VIP rooms with. Duncan now had a small tumbler filled with blood laced whiskey in hand and watched as everyone began to settle back down. The lights dimmed and a blue spotlight was all the light on the stage at the moment. “The Black Star Dust is proud to present the Mediterranean Jewel. The one the only...Catlina!” The black rhinestone covered curtain started to draw back as Beborn Beton's Another World came over the sound system. Catlina was dressed like one of the go-go girls from the dance clubs on the strip. She had a sheer bolero top over her bra and a pair of red, equally sheer chap pants, laced at the sides on to match the black top. Catlina also now sported a seven inch pair of black stilettos. Her gaze was from everyone and no one at the same moment as her body swayed to the opening notes. Catlina's hair flowed freely as she moved further out onto the stage. It was going to be a hot night all right.

Thumping down the stairs of the Greyhound she had been confined to for three days, she hitched up the heavy backpack higher onto her shoulder. Well, here I am in Vegas, she thought with a touch of sarcasm. Growling softly as another passenger casually pushed past her, “Hey, watch it!” The passenger, a scrawny teenage girl, muttered an apology before running off to embrace an equally scrawny teenage boy. Now that was trouble waiting to happen, she thought watching the young couple.

Deciding it looked like a nice night, she set off to find a place to stay. She really didn’t need to travel this way, but old habits were hard to break. It had become habit, for staying under the radar of the government. Now that things have changed she could, in theory anyway, come out of the closet and live like normal people. The sad fact was though, there was still so much fear and prejudice toward those of the otherworld that it was actually smarter in most cases to just play human.

As she was turning a corner she caught site of a huge for sale sign stuck up on the side of a two story building. Stopping she looked up, her excellent night vision allowing her to see into the darkened windows enough to see that it was indeed vacant. With a little work I could do wonders with this old building. A little reinforcement for those times when the change got a bit hinky…she thought to herself. Taking her cell out she made a note of the realtor and their number, figuring she’d call them in the morning. Slipping her phone back into her pocket she sets off happily thinking she may have just found her new home.

Hearing music coming from somewhere up the street she meanders toward it. Many of the shops along the way were casinos; the few that weren’t were closed for business at this time of night. Lifting her eyes to the sign where the music was coming out of she reads “Crimson Rhythms and Rhapsody.” Enjoying the music she makes her way through the door, barely avoiding crashing into a beautiful woman as she leaves. “Sorry.” She murmurs stepping aside then pausing to watch as she wanders up the street to another club…”Black Stardust”. Finally she turns and enters the jazz club. Her hazel eyes search the modest crowed for an open seat, she smiles as she spies one at the bar thinking it was probably the one the woman vacated. She meanders through the crush muttering apologies as she goes til she finds herself at the stool just before a plump middle aged man can claim it. Smiling a beautiful, beguiling smile she slides onto the stool leaning her pack against the legs under her feet. The man smiles back, enchanted, and offer to buy her a drink. Shaking her head no, but offering him another smile she watches as he moves back through the crowd to stand just to the side of the bar. Sighing, she settles in to listen to the music and wait for someone to take her drink order.

Michael slowly drew the sax away from his lips, a smile softly touching the edges of them. The selection that Shades of Gray just finished was another of his favorites. Damian had composed this one with no help at all, and it was a beautiful, rhythmic, upbeat, almost rock style number. He slipped the strap loose from over his shoulder and back, before setting the sax on top the stool he had been sitting on. He had no reason to worry about it there. He knew the band well enough to know it would be safe. As the rest of the musicians took a short break he slipped back behind the bar from the stage as Damian made the announcement through the microphone. “The next few numbers in the set don’t need Michael to be up here, he’ll be behind the bar taking one last round of orders. So here it is everyone. This is officially last call. If you want something hard or wet the time is now while the getting is good. Otherwise you’re on your on as for where and whom to get it from.”

When he had gotten behind the bar the first face he should have seen was that of the young lady, whose name he had yet to inquire of, that was previously lamenting her birthday. Hmmm... She must have excused herself to the ladies room. I hope she makes it back before I have to get back on stage. I’ve got all the time I need to take; they have a good number of pieces that don’t need the sax, so I’ll check for her again before I make my way back up there. Once deeper behind the bar his eye caught a glimpse of the clock on the wall, noting it was right around two, and then he saw the new face at the end of the bar, where Catlina had been sitting, at the edge of his vision. It wasn’t a distinct look of impatience on her face he noticed first, but Michael could tell from centuries of observing people that she was waiting for something. With a bit of a spring in his step, he made his way to her first. “Welcome to Crimson R&R, I don’t think I’ve seen you around here before. I hope you’re enjoying yourself so far. My apologies for making you wait; you’ve caught us on an awkward night to say the least. First I have the bartender call out sick, without anyone else to tend tonight, and then I get beckoned onto stage to cover for the most popular of the local bands regular saxophonist.” Slowly and consciously, he took an unneeded breath to pace his speaking, “So what can I get for you before the crowd throngs over here, and leaves me with little time to breath let alone talk?” As he waited for her to give the order to him, he looked over what he could see of her from behind the bar. The auburn hair and green eyes were a striking combination, and the rest of her features matched up well with her face. Handing her the drink, he added in as an afterthought, “By the way my name’s Michael. I’m the owner of Crimson, and end up covering when staff is short handed.” He flashed a smile broad enough that it glinted with just a hint of his permanent fangs in her direction. It wasn’t meant to intimidate or scare; he hadn’t even meant to let them show. He was just in a very good mood. Michael enjoyed playing music of any kind; almost more then he enjoyed unlife itself. It wasn’t the applause from the crowd tonight, or even the glimpses of others swooning as result of the notes that came from the stage, the music was just that important to him in itself. He could have easily been famous and exceptionally wealthy with the level of talent he possessed, and he was well aware of it. For Michael, it wasn’t about the fame or the fortune to be made; it was all about the music. It was why he ran Crimson the way he did. He wanted to see those that played for the sake of the music do well, and have somewhere that they could always display their art. Not even the approaching throng of thirsty patrons could ruin his good mood. He had barely enough time to politely excuse himself from his newest guest, “Well no rest for the wicked it would seem. Let me get these orders out; I should be able to spare a few minutes before getting back to the stage, and checking up on one other person should I see her again.”

As he did before he took the stage, Michael efficiently worked through the crowd making headway for the bar. This time it was slightly easier, recalling what he could of the orders from before, he was able to mix up portions of what he would need for later between orders. His actions behind the bar were rhythmic and flowing as the music once again filled the dimly lit club. He moved with the tempo and beat that Shades of Gray laid out for the audience to listen to. He wasn’t dancing, just matching his movements and timing to the beat. It seemed to help the orders flow smoother and get out to the patrons faster, the synchronization of his movements was not intended to be a variation flair, he just let himself get caught up in the music once again and it affected his feet and hands instead of flowing out of him through an instrument. As he cleared the crowd, he spared glances back at the new face where Catlina had sat previously. He also scanned the bar area from time to time to see if the birthday girl, as he dubbed the woman from before in his mind, had returned. When everyone, who wanted one, was served a fresh drink he glanced again for the birthday girl and still didn’t see her. He collected the tips and put them in the bucket at the back of the bar. Sitting beneath the glass that Catlina had sipped her drink from sat a note as he expected. He left it there for now knowing he didn’t have a great deal of time before he would have to make his way back on stage. He turned back to face the crowd and closed the distance to the stool that held his newest patron. “So where were we? What brings you to Vegas Ms? ... ...” His voice trailed off having not heard the young woman’s name yet even if she had spoken it.

Sometimes nature calls and, sadly, it called right after the music was done. Even as she waited for the always-present line to use the lady's room, she could remember the feel of the songs she had heard, her skin slowly sucking in their rhythm, making her close her eyes as she let it take her where it will. Music always had that power over her, to relax her and take her places that she could only dream to one day truly see, infecting her with its beat making her hips move and her heart soar.

After finally finishing up in the lady's room, she returned to her seat and searched for the man with the playful smile. Her gaze roamed along the maze of people, most taller than her, to have it settle on the man, seemingly occupied. Her fingertips automatically moved to travel the rim of her empty martini glass lightly, her lips tugging into another small smile.

As she sat watching the band, she found herself humming along with the rich sensual music. Leaning her arms against the bar top she tries to ignore the numerous people around her. She didn’t like crowds, they made her nervous. All through the performance she scanned the lounge making a mental note of where all the exits were. Her glittering green eyes tracked the sax player through the crowd to the bar. His voice was nice she noted as he launched into his spiel. The rich, sensual scents of aftershave tickled her nose, but under that was the tell tale smell of death. Vampire, she thought to herself. Offering him one of her more natural smiles, she orders a Sex on The Beach.


Smiling to herself as she watches Michael go about serving the rest of his patrons, she notices he keeps looking for someone in the crowd. Must be someone special for him to be actively looking for them, she thought to herself sipping the drink set before her. Ideally she scans the crowd again, making a mental note of who left and who arrived. Her eyes settle upon a petite woman clearly enjoying the music and atmosphere. She takes a deep breath, breathing in the scents around her trying to decipher what this sensual little dancer is.


Smiling as the club owner once more stands before her, she holds her hand out, “I’m Krym. I heard this was a good place to get lost in. So, Michael, can you tell me where would be a good place to crash for a few days til I find a more permanent place? I saw an empty building down the street I plan on calling about in the morning, but that does little good for the remainder of tonight.” She chuckles softly as she sits back down on the stool. Readjusting her backpack on the floor with her foot, she offers up another smile.

Michael took Krym’s hand and shook it softly before raising it up and kissing the back above her fingers. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Krym, hopefully I’ll see you again when things aren’t quite so crazy.” He looked her over attempting to size her up as he had learned so long ago when training with both Duncan and Nikoli. Getting lost in the crowds, hmmm... Either she has something to hide, or she is legitimately scared of something. Even the elder vampires don’t talk about hiding; they call it being behind the scenes. The thought passed through his mind as quickly as she spoke the words and moved on to the topic. “Well with as many faces as pass through Vegas, I guess someone could easily vanish into the crowds and not get noticed unless they did something worthy of attention. As for a place to crash I can’t help you out personally, but I know the owners of Stardust across the street. We go back a good ways. I was going to be heading over there once I have everything closed out here. If you would like to come over with me I would be happy to introduce you and see what they can do to help you out.”

He let his voice trail off before he fixed another Sex on the Beach and set it down in front of Krym with a smile. “Definitely a very unique name you have there Krym, like the rest of us in this part of town, I’m certain you’ve got quite the story to go along with it. Not that I am trying to pry, just saying is all. That extra one will make sure you get at least half way till closing time at three.” After he had fixed himself another red mojito while listening to her, he smiled after taking a small sip. “Unfortunately, as much as I would love to stay and chat I have one more new face in town to check up on before I get back to the stage. Again it was a pleasure Ms. Krym; I will see you outside after the last set is over and I have things closed up here. I would figure it to be between three thirty and quarter until four when I am done with things.” With a perfected smile still on his lips he turned and headed down the length of the bar toward the stage and stopped in front of the young lady who was celebrating her birthday, now that she had returned.

He found her in the seat she had previously occupied with a smile on her lips and a finger running around the rim of her martini glass. “See, doesn’t it feel better to be smiling and enjoying yourself instead of pouting and lamenting that something wasn’t quite as you had planned it. Life is about making the best of what is instead of what was supposed to be. Very seldom do things turn out how we plan or expect them to. If they did most of us wouldn’t be where we are today. So what can I get you for round two? I’ve got enough time for an order and some conversation before I have to get back on stage. If you want to pass on one or both I understand. The important part is I got you to smile.” Michael smiled as he spoke and tried to catch her eyes to see if the smile was a genuine one or if she was putting it on for appearances. As far as the clientele were concerned as smile was a smile, but Michael liked knowing that he made a difference in someone’s day when they reached in him lowered spirits.