Child of the Night

[Cubby]

OOC:

Hugh Freeman
5'10", 165
Dk Brown hair
Blue eyes
Mid 40's

Hugh has been a government employee most of his adult life. He's always done the right thing and always does what's expected of him. Hugh is the first to work at the office and most of the time the last to leave. Several years ago he lost his wife to an inoperable form of cancer and withdrew even further into his own world of work and duty. He didn't attend office parties or social functions unless he absolutely had to do so. He wasn't anti-social at all, he just preferred to keep his private life private. He had always been that way.

No one could claim to have ever known much about Hugh and his life outside of the office. That was his story as far back as anyone could discern. Even his time in the mlitary had a similar ring to it. None of his Army buddies would ever have been able to tell anyone if had ever been drunk much less dated any women while he was in service. This despite the close proximity in which soldiers lived.

Hugh was a mystery to most folks. An uninteresting blip on the radar of life. Hugh had carefully crafted that image to keep his inner secrets safe. Hugh's secret was nothing terrible of foreboding. It was of the more lurid nature. He preferred relations with people on the fringes of society. Women who you would not likely take home to mother or intorduce at an office gathering. Yet, women who knew what passion, sex and life were really all about.

He really considered himself a true child of the night. When otehrs were crawling into bed he was just beginning his evening entertainment. Hugh often roamed the strets in search of the right woman or women. Like his taste in partners, his appetite was slightly unconventional too.

 

[Miss_B_Haven]

Raevyn Micheaels
5'7" 115
Black hair with firey red highlights.
Green eyes.
Late 20's.


Raevyn was a bartender at a musican's club downtown. The Booth had it all: live bands, chic decor, and top notch service. She aimed to please her customers, and made great tips. As head bartender, she didn't take lip from anyone.

She had more than a few tattoos... Her body was a proverbial canvas that she loved to cover with artwork. She was also a fan of piercings... Having 12 in various places all over her body. Her lifestyle was alternative, to say the very least.

-----------------

This was just another night for Raevyn... A popular band was getting ready to take the stage, and the bar was getting busy. She jerked the top off a bottle of Yuengling, and handed it across the counter to a customer. The next drink was a dirty martini... And then a Jack and Coke. Two more beers. Another damn daquiri. A shot of Jager. A glass of Guinness. She noticed her bra becoming tight, which signified her tips were good. She liked to give her faithful customers a bit of a show when they were gracious with their tips.

The band started to play, and the crowd died down. Reyven poured herself a shot, and leaned back against the counter. She pulled a wad of ones out of her bra, and began to count it. She noticed an older gentleman approach the bar, and she sauntered over to him, She leaned her elbows on the bar, her breasts heaving out of her short cropped top. "What'll it be, darlin?"

 

[Cubby]

Friday Night

Sitting in the glow of the flourescent lamps of his cubicle Hugh was completely submerged in his work. He was steadily tapping away at the keyboard putting together yet another of the seemingly endless government reports he authored every year. Dull as the work was, it was necessary. More importantly, it was useful to someone. As he tapped on the plastic keys he was vaguely aware of the sound of the clock. His typing slowed as he found himself listening more and mroe to the clicking of the clock. He didn't usually find himself drifting like this. It was Friday though and that had to count for something.

Hugh alwasy worked toward his Friday evenings. It had become a ritual over the years. He labored all week long like a drone in a beehive for the reward that awaited him each Friday night. So, it cmae as no great surprise that he was beginning to wonder if his time had finally arrived. He glanced up at the clock and realized that he had just completed his twelfth hour at work. Nothing terribly new really. Ever since Wendy had passed his days had gotten longer and his weekends more dark.

He pivoted in the chair and faced the window on the ninth floor. He was greeted by the darkening evening sky. He sat there regarding the onrushing night like an old friend. The big question facing him tonight was whether he would even bother to ride the subway home, or just head out into the night as he was. His eagerness was getting the better of him. He really wanted to get right to it. He had waited a whole week since his last encounter.

"I suppose I could go down to the gym in the basement and shower." He muttered to himself.

 

[Miss_B_Haven]

Raevyn served up a few more drinks, before informing the other baristas that she was going out for a smoke. She stepped out of the bar's back door, and into the cool night air. She pulled a pack of Camels out of her back pocket, and brought one to her lips. She lit it, and took a long drag... What a night. She was making excellent money, the bar was packed... Customers were happy... And the girls were behaving tonight.

Raevyn acknowledged a group of people who passed her on the sidewalk... A group of regulars, coming in for the Friday night show. She finished her smoke and headed back inside. She greeted the group of regulars, and got them started with the first round of drinks. She flirted with one of the guys in the group, pulling his change out of the stash in her bra. She pulled her shirt down just enough to give him a glimpse of her nipple ring before handing him his money. She grinned devilishly, and moved on down the bar.

Things had slowed down since the band started, so she scanned the crowd for familiar faces.

 

[Cubby]

After the shower downstairs Hugh headed out for another night of wandering the streets in search of whatever entertainment struck his fancy. The night was not even started for most people so he decided to look for a place to wait until the evening was ripe and ready for harvesting.

He walked for blocks paying scant attention to most of the people he saw. Most were office workers on their way home to the signifcant other and kids. Certainly, they mistook him for one of their own and paid him just as little attention as he did them. Occasionally there was the woman who drew his attention. He had seem the type in his own office. Women who had the hint of a tattoo showing at their shoulder or ankle. Or, perhaps had a few too many piercings. The younger ones who sported dark nail polish and makeup that was just slightly within bounds of acceptability in the workplace. Each one of them was delicious to his way of thinking, though he would never openly approach them at work. He had to maintain the appearance he had carefully cultivated.

At lenght he came upon a bar in a part of the town not frequented by the trendy crowd. The Booth looked like his kind of place. He entered and instantly liked what he saw. As he drew closer to the bar his eye cautght the bartender. She was lovely. He was especially drawn to her tattoos and black hair.

The band started to play, and the crowd died down. Reyven poured herself a shot, and leaned back against the counter. She pulled a wad of ones out of her bra, and began to count it. She noticed an older gentleman approach the bar, and she sauntered over to him, She leaned her elbows on the bar, her breasts heaving out of her short cropped top. "What'll it be, darlin?"

He regarded her for a moment and replied, " I'd like something that will wake me up. I've been in the office all week and I need something that will jolt me to life. What do you recommend?"

 

[Cubby]

Hugh smiled inwardly as he watched the bartender. She was lovely and her body art was intriguing. He loved the story that tattoos told about a person. He admired her willingness to wear her soul on her body.

"Tips are good tonight." He remarked nodding to the bills tucked into her top. Of course she kept them there merely for effect. He liked the mesage it sent.

 

[Miss_B_Haven]

He regarded her for a moment and replied, " I'd like something that will wake me up. I've been in the office all week and I need something that will jolt me to life. What do you recommend?"

Raevyn bit her lip, her piercing moving slightly. She thought for a moment before replying.

"Well, a Jager Bomb would wake you up... Or a cup of Irish coffee... Depends on what you like." She straightened up and put her hands on her hips. "Or you could just take a shot of Jack with me." She winked at him playfully, knowing he wouldn't take a shot with her. Whiskey is no way to start a night on the town.

Raevyn looked him up and down for a moment... A week at the office, eh? What's this guy doing here then?

 

[Cubby]

"Well, a Jager Bomb would wake you up... Or a cup of Irish coffee... Depends on what you like." She straightened up and put her hands on her hips. "Or you could just take a shot of Jack with me." She winked at him playfully, knowing he wouldn't take a shot with her. Whiskey is no way to start a night on the town.

"I haven't had Jack since I was in the army. I don't know that I could handle it this early. I need to keep my wits about me or I migth get taken advantage of." I replied through a faceteous grin. "How about a Jager Bomb. I used to drink JagerMeister a lot back in those army days. Maybe that will bring me back to myself."

I looked around the bar a bit and it seemed quieter than I would expect. "Does this place always stay at about this level? Or does it get . . . crazier?"

 

[Miss_B_Haven]

"I haven't had Jack since I was in the army. I don't know that I could handle it this early. I need to keep my wits about me or I migth get taken advantage of." I replied through a faceteous grin. "How about a Jager Bomb. I used to drink JagerMeister a lot back in those army days. Maybe that will bring me back to myself."

I looked around the bar a bit and it seemed quieter than I would expect. "Does this place always stay at about this level? Or does it get . . . crazier?"

"Aw, well you're no fun, Army-Man." Raevyn said with a playful pout. She cracked open a Red Bull and reached for the Jager. She poured his drink, and slid it across the counter to him.

"The bar is quiet now..." She said, responding to his inquiry. "The real action is in there," she nodded her head towards the stage and dance floor, situated in a slightly separate room. "Evansgreen is a pretty mellow band, for us. Popular, but still mellow. If we've got a real rowdy band and a young crowd, it can get a little wilder. The downtime between sets can be exciting... Just depends on the night." She grabbed a rag and roughly wiped a wet spot from the bar. "What brings you to The Booth tonight, soldier?"

 

[Cubby]

"Aw, well you're no fun, Army-Man."

I liked her playfulness. "I suppose that depends on what you like for fun doen't it." By the look of her I could see she would be very entertaining in her own right. I listened attentively to her description of the bar and what was hot and what was not. "I just might check out the other room. . . . " He caught himself wanting to use her name but hadn't bothered to intorduce himself yet.

"What brings you to The Booth tonight, soldier?"

"I'm Hugh." He reached accross the bar and offered his hand to her. "Nerdy name, nerdy job. . . oh and it's ex-soldier. I work for the government now in an office. No more travel to exotic locales for me." He flashed a broad grin.

"I was just out wandering the streets looking for some excitement. My Firday night ritual." He said raising the beer in salute to nothing in particular. Taking a long pull on the beer, he replaced the bottle with the shot without even taking a breath. Down it went.

Before the shot glass hit the bar, "I think I'll have that shot of jack now."

 

[Miss_B_Haven]

"I'm Hugh." He reached accross the bar and offered his hand to her. "Nerdy name, nerdy job. . . oh and it's ex-soldier. I work for the government now in an office. No more travel to exotic locales for me." He flashed a broad grin.

"I was just out wandering the streets looking for some excitement. My Firday night ritual." He said raising the beer in salute to nothing in particular. Taking a long pull on the beer, he replaced the bottle with the shot without even taking a breath. Down it went.

Before the shot glass hit the bar, "I think I'll have that shot of jack now."

Raevyn took his hand and shook it firmly. "I'm Raevyn... Some people call me Rae." She laughed at his description of his profession. "For the government in an office eh? Sounds pretty square to me." She winked at him, grinning. "Glad you found the Booth tonight... Gotta be better than a cublicle and a computer screen."

Raevyn watched as he downed the shot, the glass tapping down on the surface of the bar. "Atta' boy," she said, reaching for a bottle of Jack and two fresh glasses. She poured them swiftly, and carefully handed his to him. She raised her glass. "To a Friday night on the town," she said. Raevyn tossed her head back and quickly downed the shot, then placed the glass back on the bar. She licked her lips slowly. "Mmm... My guilty pleasure."

 

[Cubby]

"Glad to know you Rae." He said lightly shaking her hand. She had a nice firm grip, something he found particularly attractive in a woman. It spoke of confidence.

"For the government in an office eh? Sounds pretty square to me." She winked at him, grinning. "Glad you found the Booth tonight... Gotta be better than a cublicle and a computer screen."

"You don't know the half of it Rae. Though it has paid the bills for the last twenty or so years. And it has enabled me to live the lavish lifestyle to which I have become accustomed." Hugh smirked and laughed a bit at his sarcasm.

"Atta' boy," she said

, He smiled and held out his hand to received the next drink. He took another pull on the beer in the moment that it took Rae to fill the shots.

"To a Friday night on the town," she said.

Hugh smiled broadly and repeated her toast adding, "To any night out on the town." He tilted his head back and literally poured the shot down his throat. NO glass touching his lips.

She licked her lips slowly. "Mmm... My guilty pleasure

When Hugh recovered from his shot he asked Rae, "This is your only guilty pleasure? Or is it that you don't feel any guilt for your other pleasures?"

 

[Miss_B_Haven]

When Hugh recovered from his shot he asked Rae, "This is your only guilty pleasure? Or is it that you don't feel any guilt for your other pleasures?"

"No guilt for my other pleasures is more like it!" Raevyn laughed, placing the used shot glasses in a tray beneath the bar. "Mr. Daniels is the one thing I'll never tire of... No matter how many shots I take, how many drinks I mix, I'll love him all the same." She held her arms out away from her sides, and turned slightly. "You can see my other guilty pleasure... Ink." She laughed, adjusting her top.

She had to laugh at his quip about work. "Well, bartending isn't glamourous, nor is it something to brag about... But it's fun, the money is good, and it's a 5 day a week party." She turned around to ring another customer up for the other bartender. "It pays the bills... Can't complain too much. I'm self-sufficient."

 

[Cubby]

"No guilt for my other pleasures is more like it!"

"Hugh raised his beer in salute to Rae's statement. "No regrets and no guilt for our pleasures." He blurted out.

"

Mr. Daniels is the one thing I'll never tire of... No matter how many shots I take, how many drinks I mix, I'll love him all the same."

"Good for you Rae. be true to your man! I have an on again off again relationship with old Jack. Mostly, it's been off. Until lately. I've been drifting more into his camp each day."

"You can see my other guilty pleasure... Ink." She laughed, adjusting her top.

"I do and they are wonderful. I have a couple myself. Very old, very badly done but still they are there. I'd show them too you, but I don't think they would understand." He said looking around the bar.

She had to laugh at his quip about work. "Well, bartending isn't glamourous, nor is it something to brag about... But it's fun, the money is good, and it's a 5 day a week party." She turned around to ring another customer up for the other bartender. "It pays the bills... Can't complain too much. I'm self-sufficient."

' Ah self sufficiency. I can uderstand that Rae. I made a committment a long time ago to never be in a position to be dependent on others. I know it sounds harsh, but I don't mean it that way. I don't like being scrutinized. When you are dependent on others you open your whole life up to their scrutiny."

 

[Miss_B_Haven]

Rae smiled when he commented on her tattoos. "I love my ink... No regrets, that's for sure. Every one tells a story, every one is original... And yours must be service tatt's, right? The most interesting kind. I love old tattoos... The old style is wonderful."

She admired his views on independence. "I spent most of my life depending on someone else... So I'm not in any hurry to get back there again. I love my studio apartment in the city, my little sports car, and my little dog." She giggled, filling a plastic cup with ice. She filled it with Coke from the fountain, and took a sip. "Mmm... Good song."

 

[Cubby]

"I love my ink... No regrets, that's for sure. Every one tells a story, every one is original... And yours must be service tatt's, right? The most interesting kind. I love old tattoos... The old style is wonderful."

"Id love to hear the story of each of them. I like looking at tatt's on a woman. They reveal so mcuh about her inner self. It's like going to a museum and really looking at a painting. The longer you look at it the more you see. Then there's the whole erotic side of tattoos. I mean how hot is it to see a beautiful body covered in beautiful inkwork?" Hugh paused to sip on his beer. "Yeah mine are definitely service tatt's 'Death before dishonor' and all that crap." He smiled shyly as he described them. "I doubt you'd find much of interest in my tatt's Rae. They are purely back alley art one level above a prison tatt."

"Though if you are really interested. . . I'd love to show you my etchings." He said laughing through the last bit.

"I spent most of my life depending on someone else... So I'm not in any hurry to get back there again. I love my studio apartment in the city, my little sports car, and my little dog."

"I know what you mean. My awakening came very early. I was born into a stuffy midwestern family. When I got to be a teenager and mom and dad found out what kind of son they really had. Well, let's just say the hammer fell rather abruptly. I couldn't really get out from under their thumbs until I was old enough to enlist. When I turned 18 I joined and never looked back. That's when I decided no one would ever hold a living or a living space over me again."

 

[Miss_B_Haven]

"Id love to hear the story of each of them. I like looking at tatt's on a woman. They reveal so mcuh about her inner self. It's like going to a museum and really looking at a painting. The longer you look at it the more you see. Then there's the whole erotic side of tattoos. I mean how hot is it to see a beautiful body covered in beautiful inkwork?" Hugh paused to sip on his beer. "Yeah mine are definitely service tatt's 'Death before dishonor' and all that crap." He smiled shyly as he described them. "I doubt you'd find much of interest in my tatt's Rae. They are purely back alley art one level above a prison tatt."

"Though if you are really interested. . . I'd love to show you my etchings." He said laughing through the last bit.

"I've got quite a few stories to tell, then," Rey said, pulling up her shirt to reveal the work on her sides. "Tattoos are definitely erotic," She continued. "If I said they weren't a turn on, I'd be a damn liar!" She tugged her shirt back down, her clevage becoming a little more exposed. "Etchings, eh? Oh my... " Her voice trailed off, before being interrupted by a giggle and a grin.

"So... What are your plans for the night? Take home one of my lovely, intoxicated patrons?"

 

[Cubby]

"

I've got quite a few stories to tell, then," . . . "Tattoos are definitely erotic,"

"If I said they weren't a turn on, I'd be a damn liar!"

"Damn right Rae, on all counts." Hugh hoisted his nearly empty beer and tipped her glass of coke in mock salute. "The whole process of getting inked is a turn on and always has been for me. Deciding on what to have on your body is about as intimate as sex itself. Though it is generally a singular thing. The interaction with the artist ans his tools. The anticipation of the final piece of art. Almost like waiting for a climax really." Hugh laughed a bit. "I'm sorry, that was probably a little too much too quick wasn't it? Still, I'd like to hear about your stories. Especially the ones heidden from view there." Hugh nodded toward her torso and grinned.

"Etchings, eh? Oh my... " Her voice trailed off, before being interrupted by a giggle and a grin.

"I sure wouldn't call these hieroglyphs on my body art. Not like those on you. By comparison I might as well have had a guy with a soldering iron doing mine. Besides they've faded with age. Not like yours at all. Yours are so alive."

"So... What are your plans for the night? Take home one of my lovely, intoxicated patrons?"

"Something like that. I usually spend my weekends out on the town and only go home late Sunday night. Keeps me in touch with my inner demons. We like each other. <He smiles playfully. Though honestly, I'd rather be taken home by you."

 

[Miss_B_Haven]

""Damn right Rae, on all counts." Hugh hoisted his nearly empty beer and tipped her glass of coke in mock salute. "The whole process of getting inked is a turn on and always has been for me. Deciding on what to have on your body is about as intimate as sex itself. Though it is generally a singular thing. The interaction with the artist ans his tools. The anticipation of the final piece of art. Almost like waiting for a climax really." Hugh laughed a bit. "I'm sorry, that was probably a little too much too quick wasn't it? Still, I'd like to hear about your stories. Especially the ones heidden from view there." Hugh nodded toward her torso and grinned.

"I sure wouldn't call these hieroglyphs on my body art. Not like those on you. By comparison I might as well have had a guy with a soldering iron doing mine. Besides they've faded with age. Not like yours at all. Yours are so alive."

"Something like that. I usually spend my weekends out on the town and only go home late Sunday night. Keeps me in touch with my inner demons. We like each other. <He smiles playfully. Though honestly, I'd rather be taken home by you."

"My ex was an artist," I say with a smile. "We spent much time discussing and designing my pieces... And even more time ravaging eachother after I'd gone under the needle. It's a wonderful mix of pain and pleasure." I look down at my torso, following your nod. "Oh, these?" I ask, pulling my jeans down to display a sparrow tattooed on the inside of my hip. "Nothing too special."

"So you're out here every weekend? How have I never seen you then? Where do you lurk... The other side of downtown?" I laugh, refering to the young and preppy clubs and bars just across town. "Well, I don't know about taking you home... I barely know you, soldier. But I do know of a place that serves great pizza... If you'd like to go after last call, that is."

 

[Cubby]

"We spent much time discussing and designing my pieces... And even more time ravaging eachother after I'd gone under the needle. It's a wonderful mix of pain and pleasure." I look down at my torso, following your nod. "Oh, these?" I ask, pulling my jeans down to display a sparrow tattooed on the inside of my hip. "Nothing too special."

"I doubt that Rae. As much effort as you probably put into them I doubt that any of them are really no big deal. Perhpas now that the passion has passed, they seem like no great thing. Though I'd bet if we could tap you back into the emotions that created them you'd find them to be a really big deal."

"So you're out here every weekend? How have I never seen you then? Where do you lurk... The other side of downtown?"

"Lurking. . . that about sums me up. The eternal lurker. I'm not a yuppy side of town person. I'm a little too old for that set. Besides, government employees are generally considered to be beneath any self respecting yuppie. Though there was this one particular one. " Hugh's voice trailed off a little. "Let's just say that since my wife passed I've reverted to my old ways. Have you ever seen the old Dracula Movie? When Bela Lugosi describes his brides as 'Children of he Night?'" Hugh pauses as Rae stares at him quizzically. "No, I don't think I am a vampire <he chuckles> I just feel more at ease in the night on the other side of the tracks."

"Well, I don't know about taking you home... I barely know you, soldier. But I do know of a place that serves great pizza... If you'd like to go after last call, that is."[/QUOTE]He smiles at her remark, "Well maybe some day you will introduce me to Casa Rae. Until then I'd love to share pizza with you."

 

[Miss_B_Haven]

"I doubt that Rae. As much effort as you probably put into them I doubt that any of them are really no big deal. Perhpas now that the passion has passed, they seem like no great thing. Though I'd bet if we could tap you back into the emotions that created them you'd find them to be a really big deal."

"Lurking. . . that about sums me up. The eternal lurker. I'm not a yuppy side of town person. I'm a little too old for that set. Besides, government employees are generally considered to be beneath any self respecting yuppie. Though there was this one particular one. " Hugh's voice trailed off a little. "Let's just say that since my wife passed I've reverted to my old ways. Have you ever seen the old Dracula Movie? When Bela Lugosi describes his brides as 'Children of he Night?'" Hugh pauses as Rae stares at him quizzically. "No, I don't think I am a vampire <he chuckles> I just feel more at ease in the night on the other side of the tracks."

"Well, I don't know about taking you home... I barely know you, soldier. But I do know of a place that serves great pizza... If you'd like to go after last call, that is."

He smiles at her remark, "Well maybe some day you will introduce me to Casa Rae. Until then I'd love to share pizza with you."[/QUOTE]

"Well, they're still a big deal to me. But without the story, they're not much of anything..." I laugh, and continue listening to you speak. You bring up your wife's passing, and my heart sinks a little. "I'm so sorry to hear about your wife... It must be difficult... Lonely."

I laugh at your name for my place. "Casa Rae makes it sound so fomal... It's anything but! There's another hour or so before last call... Think you can hang around until then?"

OOC: I'm going to have to leave you hear... My eyes are getting heavy, and my posts are growing shorter. We'll continue this later?

 

[Cubby]

"I'm so sorry to hear about your wife... It must be difficult... Lonely."

"Thanks Rae, that's very kind of you. Wendy was pretty much everything to me until she passed last year. I imagine it would be the same sort of feeling having your tatt's removed along with a layer or two of skin. Wasn't that graphic?" Hugh smiles a little though his eyes have watered over. "Never the less, Wendy always told me that she loved me best when I was just being myself. I met her when I had just gotten out of the army. I was still making these weekend trips into the night back then. I met her on one of those nights. She knocked me right over. Though she took some convincing. Eventually, .... I guess you could figure it out." He smiled at Rae. "Lonely? Not really. I've always been sort of solitary. I like to work alone and have private time to myself. Still, there were more reminders of her in our house after she left than I anticipated."

I laugh at your name for my place. "Casa Rae makes it sound so fomal... It's anything but! There's another hour or so before last call... Think you can hang around until then?"

"Hey now Rae! I might be old, but I think I can stay up long enough for some good pizza and the company of a beautiful woman. Though if you have some iron pills back there this old man might take them just to be sure."

OOC: I'm going to have to leave you hear... My eyes are getting heavy, and my posts are growing shorter. We'll continue this later?

Absolutely my friend. I wouldn't miss it for the world.

 

[Miss_B_Haven]

"Thanks Rae, that's very kind of you. Wendy was pretty much everything to me until she passed last year. I imagine it would be the same sort of feeling having your tatt's removed along with a layer or two of skin. Wasn't that graphic?" Hugh smiles a little though his eyes have watered over. "Never the less, Wendy always told me that she loved me best when I was just being myself. I met her when I had just gotten out of the army. I was still making these weekend trips into the night back then. I met her on one of those nights. She knocked me right over. Though she took some convincing. Eventually, .... I guess you could figure it out." He smiled at Rae. "Lonely? Not really. I've always been sort of solitary. I like to work alone and have private time to myself. Still, there were more reminders of her in our house after she left than I anticipated."

"Hey now Rae! I might be old, but I think I can stay up long enough for some good pizza and the company of a beautiful woman. Though if you have some iron pills back there this old man might take them just to be sure."

Raevyn leaned against the bar and listened to Hugh speak of his wife. "The best thing to be is yourself," she added. "Why bother pretending to be something you're not? If someone can love the real you, then you know you've got a keeper." She knew all too well how hard it was to find someone willing to accept you for who you are. Her tattoos were just the tip of the iceberg for most guys she'd dated. She wondered what Wendy was like... Just a quiet curiosity.

"I understand what you say about being solitary... Outside of the bar, I'm pretty much a loner," she laughed. "I get enough night life as my '9-5', so I enjoy my mornings spent alone. I usually go home after the bar closes, sleep for a few hours, then get up to watch the sun rise. I run down the block to the coffee shop for a latte and a paper, and sit on my balcony to read. That's the best time in the world for me. I wouldn't trade it for the world."

"No iron pills back here, hon... Just plenty of liquor and beer!" Raevyn laughed, taking a sip of her soda, and an order from a customer.

 

[Cubby]

"The best thing to be is yourself," she added. "Why bother pretending to be something you're not? If someone can love the real you, then you know you've got a keeper."

Hugh gulped a little beer when she said that last bit. "My God Rae, that's exactly how Wendy used to talk. You two could have been sisters. Or, well all things considered, mother and daughter. Amazing. That surely brings back some great memories." Hugh smiled lovingly at Rae. "You've made an old geezer's night my dear. For that I thank you." He said with a flourish of the beer bottle.

I enjoy my mornings spent alone. I usually go home after the bar closes, sleep for a few hours, then get up to watch the sun rise. I run down the block to the coffee shop for a latte and a paper, and sit on my balcony to read. That's the best time in the world for me. I wouldn't trade it for the world.

"That's how I feel about the sunset. When it comes on, the world takes on a stillness. Just for a minute or two. Like when the snow falls heavily. Go out before the plows hit and it's dead silence. Nothing moves. not even the birds sing. The same thing happens at nightfall and sunrise. It's the perfect time to be alone." Hugh sat for a second and seemed to be considering his next statement.

"Maybe that's why I prefer the night. Most people see it as an opportunity to go out and be themselves without the prying eyes of the daylight world judging them. It brings out a darker side of life that most people are not prepared to admit to much less discuss during the day. Drug peddlers, prostitutes, street thugs, people looking for the element of danger or unpredictability in their normal drab lives come to the night. Though most of the only sample it and return quick as they can to their "regular" lives during daylight. For me, these trips into the night are more like having a transfusion. If I didn't have the night I would shrivel up and blow away. I make forays into the daylight world to make a living, I go into the night purely for living. Does that make a bit of sense or am I just jager rambling?" He smiled and nodded to Rae.

"Can you tell me a story? About one of your tattoos? I'd love to hear one no matter how short. They are all so fascinating to me. Ever read the Illustrated Man? Silly question right?"

Rae was quite fascinating to Hugh. Unlike most people out at this time of night she seemed to be able to see him. That sounded weird, though it was fair to say. Most people were superficial and only wanted to get their buzz going and the conversations were about as interesting as a tablecloth. Most people didn't really see anyone except themselves. Rae on the other hand had sight. Maybe she had just developed the skill of a really good bartender to listen and hold conversations with customers. Or maybe not, Hugh thought not. She seemed to be the one thing real moving around in this bar. The rest merely floated from one drink to the next and listened to music they would completely forget by morning.

 

[Miss_B_Haven]

"Maybe that's why I prefer the night. Most people see it as an opportunity to go out and be themselves without the prying eyes of the daylight world judging them. It brings out a darker side of life that most people are not prepared to admit to much less discuss during the day. Drug peddlers, prostitutes, street thugs, people looking for the element of danger or unpredictability in their normal drab lives come to the night. Though most of the only sample it and return quick as they can to their "regular" lives during daylight. For me, these trips into the night are more like having a transfusion. If I didn't have the night I would shrivel up and blow away. I make forays into the daylight world to make a living, I go into the night purely for living. Does that make a bit of sense or am I just jager rambling?" He smiled and nodded to Rae.

"The night gives most people a mask to wear... But for me, the night is my life. I go out into the daylight to see a different side of the world. Kind of like you and your weekends here, but opposite. And you're making plenty of sense... The Jager hasn't affected you at all." Kate gave him a wink and a grin.

"Can you tell me a story? About one of your tattoos? I'd love to hear one no matter how short. They are all so fascinating to me. Ever read the Illustrated Man? Silly question right?"

"Well..." Kate said, thinking of which tattoo would be good to describe to him. She pulled her jeans down a bit, exposing both hips this time. "My sparrows commemorate my travels. The red one, the first one, being the first time I traveled below the equator. I went to New Zealand for three months. The blue one being for backpacking across Europe on summer with my best friend..." She laughed. "I get tattoos for every silly occasion."