James makes sure to make eye contact with J.D. and Lewis before joining Morgrym in the cab.
Charlotte remains quiet on the ride with Kent and Dalton, her thoughts elsewhere, some still remaining in Gary. She wonders if Jeremy had known this might happen, if that's why he hadn't gone to the Prince's gala. "Coward." She thinks to herself.
When they arrive and stand outside of the Sears tower, she's content to let the boys flex their mouths and muscles to try to gain entry, staring off into the night, seeing the Chicago streets for the first time. "There is more death here." She notes to no one in particular.
As Morgrym flags down a cab, she wonders for a moment how they'll all fit into it. A little yellow clown car, stuffed with grinning monsters, ready to spread delight or despair to anyone they should happen across. Turning to Kent she has a large smile on her face. "We're all clowns." She says.
Rick follows the others on his bike to succubus club.
BAPTISM OF FIRE - Friday - January 1, 1993 –
As Morgrym tries to flag down a cab, Rick hustles back to the parking garage and grabs is bike.
Six is a damn tight fit. Charlotte not wishing to be stuffed in with the boys opts to take a lift on Rick's bike.
The cabbie turns back to the group and laughs, "You Americans, never enough drink and drugs out all night. Party. Party!"
Quickly enough the ride is over and Morgrym pays the man and the group once again assembles this time before the Succubus Club. The Club's neon lights are still on and the crowd out front shows that this party might well go on till dawn!
The Cure song Just Like Heaven blasts from within loud when the doors are closed and really loud when they are opened. A line forms, even at this late hour, at the front door. The mix of patrons varies from Goths to Preps to the plain odd. Two bouncers, one massive and one of average height and weight man the front door.
The bigger bouncer approaches, "Excuse me sir but you can't park your bike there, we have a lot in the back".
Juggler shrugs, "Who cares how long your dick is when yer dead. I get the analogy though.
Well, tell you what, regardless of what comes next, I'll bring you to meet the boys and girls. You convince them that your skills are worth having around and I'll share the keys to the Kingdom with you. F@+% up and it's a long walk back to Modius'. Fair enough?"
"Hey guys, if I could leave this here, that'd be awesome. I don't wanna have to make this beauty" he says, referring to Charlotte, "walk around front from the back lot. Unless there is a V.I.P. entrance on the side we can slide through. I'll bring you each the best bottles I can find from inside, eh? Nice end to a long shift?"
BAPTISM OF FIRE - Friday - January 1, 1993 –
The bouncer's demeanor shifts radically, "S!#* man sorry, you're cool. Tell you what, to make it up to you, I'll bring you right in! Just you and your girl? And don't worry, your bike is safe with me keepin' an eye on it".
"Thanks, brother. Yeah me and her, and I got some friends over here too."
Morgrym again nods to his associate and will move through the vip back enteance into the club.
James surreptitiously places two twenties in the friendly bouncer's hand as he sweeps by. "Happy new year to you and your friend here."
When Rick mentions not wanting to make a beauty wait, Charlotte looks over at Tara. "I think he likes you." She whispers to nothing, an uncharacteristically teasing smile spreading across her face. A hushed song escapes her lips, "Tara and Rick, sitting in a tre-", before she's seemingly interrupted. "Oh hush, he is not too old for you. Besides, danger is sexy." She pauses before adding, "Sometimes."
Rick contemplates making a comment about ménage à trois, then thinks better of it.
BAPTISM OF FIRE - Friday - January 1, 1993 –
As you enter the music is rather mellow. How Soon Is Now?
As you enter to dirty looks from those already on line, you find that the layout of the Club is not terribly unique. However, it is clear that whoever own it is incredibly wealthy. Teak tables, marble floors, and crystal chandeliers adorn the room in a tasteful not gaudy manner. The sound system is state of the art and the lighting is fantastic!
The bass amps are pointed directly at the floor and it pulses with the rhythm. The place is packed wall to wall with Mortals with a dance floor that is perhaps 10,000 square feet all on its own. It sits at the farthest point in the back of the Club.
The amount of bouncers within the club is staggering though they do manage to remain at the edges of the dance floor they are also a bit of a barrier to entry and no one gets a glass out there. A few signs say no drinks allowed, you wonder if that applies to Kindred as well.
Three hanging dance floors increase the size of this already massive space. Accessible via spiral staircases from within the ground floor of the main dance floor two of the 20' by 10' platforms hang suspended 18' and 21' feet off of the floor at different spaces over the main dance floor where they sway slightly to the dancers gyrations. Thick tarnished brass railings surround the platforms. The final hanging dance floor is 30' by 20' and sits only 5' away from the main balcony in the back of the club though it is 15' off of the ground floor. This stage does not sway and is more well anchored than the other two.
The DJ, whose booth you cannot see, changes the song. Deeper and Deeper.
The dance floor is the only well lit area on the ground floor. Arranged in the blackness surrounding it are round tables just to the south and west along with a line of booths to the east. Beyond the booths is located a fore door. From here it is difficult to tell how of each are here though you surmise none are available. Billowing cigarette (and other?) smoke make the room seem even darker.
Against the west wall to the farthest point north is a bar as well as a set of stairs leading down. A fire exit is also on this side, to the east of the stairs leading down.
To the south is a raised bar that also has several tables. Beyond that is a hallway which you will have to enter to see what lies within.
Finally, two sets of stars, one northeast (right next to the fire exit) and the other next to the far hallway on the other side of the raised bar lead up to the balcony with neon signs prominently displayed - Elysium.
Once more, the music changes. Just Like Heaven
At the moment your coterie stands near the coat check and the Men's and Women's rest rooms. As per usual, the Ladies room has a long line and the men's a short one, those women who don't give a damn head into the Men's room to cut the wait.
The crowd pushes around you but with Rick's Presence still active most give your group some space.
The crowd itself is an eclectic mix of people but the prevailing "culture" is that of the Goth.
At the very edge of the dance floor is a man slam dancing, you can see him just at the edge of the light. His head is shaved and he has a dagger tattoo above his right ear and a safety pin through his nose. He wears a black mesh long sleeve shirt with black jeans and combat boots. You notice him because the bouncers do not bother him and he is the only person here that appears to be dancing this way.
Now that you have surveyed the room, how do you wish to proceed?
Music switch! Temple of Love.
James takes a few moments to breath it all in. The music (not what he grew up with, but he's flexible), the warm bodies pulsating to the music, the money changing hands at the bar. He *likes* this place.
"What say you, friends, shall we head for the balcony? I feel like the neon signs are for us."
"Your guess is as good as mine...to be honest probably better." Dalton says, wondering who in the hell would actually want to be in a place like this...garish lights, too loud, too many people.
"Yes, though the DJ could learn a thing or two. Let's get the business over with and then rejoin the party."
As "Just Like Heaven" kicks on for the second time, Charlotte is stunned, a look of concern spreading across her face. She closes her eyes, and after a few moments, a smile moves to replace the frown. "Ah, of course." She says. "Next up will be 'Temple of Love'. Then 'Cuts You Up'."
By the time that "Temple of Love" begins playing, Charlotte has become otherwise distracted, her eyes sweeping the floor. As she spots the man moshing, her eyes widen and she smiles again, noticing both him and the individual further in the darkness. "There are few cousins here, but I have discovered them."
Morgrym usually finds beauty in much different views then what he looks at now but there is a moment he struggles before he moves on first one step then another.
Morgrym licks his lips a moment at the mortal press and then listens as some kindred are pointed out.
let us find out cousins and see if we cannot locate what we seek
BAPTISM OF FIRE - Friday - January 1, 1993 –
Seated Figure - Lavender (Conservative) with shifting Light Blue (Calm), very light almost as if more bored than Calm).
BAPTISM OF FIRE - Friday - January 1, 1993 –
Morgrym opts to head up the stairs of the Club to sign labeled "Elysium". As he makes his way in that direction one of the bouncers steps in front of him, "Sir, can I see your VIP credentials?"
BAPTISM OF FIRE - Friday - January 1, 1993 –
The security guard blinks and nods his head, "... please proceed sir".
As you reach the heavy security door up the stairs, the guard at the top nods to you, "Welcome to Elysium". As you enter, the place is nearly vacant. It looks like just a few blood dolls are present. They look in your direction expectantly as does the bartender. He narrows his eyes a bit but looks expectantly nonetheless.
Morgrym will move up to the bartender and sit down at the bar and give the fellow a moment to arrive before saying I am looking for another fellow like myself, who is in charge here.
BAPTISM OF FIRE - Friday - January 1, 1993 –
The music playing here is the same as downstairs but the volume is much more bearable.
The bartender purses his lips, "I'm afraid when the place gets really crazy on Holidays most of the VIPs just choose to stay away Sir.
There may be someone downstairs that hasn't left yet or arrived late as you have. I can also take a message for you which I can deliver tomorrow".
Choosing to steer clear of the more aggressive kindred, Charlotte makes her way towards the seated figure. With a smile, she nods to them. "Mind if I sit?"
Rick will sit at the bar as well, walking in with Mr. Black.
Waiting for a break in the conversation, he asks for a gin and tonic.
BAPTISM OF FIRE - Friday - January 1, 1993 –
Rick slips by the guard pointing to Morgrym's back. He moves in after Morgrym and sits near him at the bar. The barkeep turns to Rick with a who the hell is this guy look on his face but says, "A beer or something more... exotic?"
BAPTISM OF FIRE - Friday - January 1, 1993 –
As she gets closer she can see the man is white, well dressed (s$!* he has on an ascott!) and has a blase' look upon his face. He perks up a bit as you sit, "You may and who might you be my dear?"
After taking a few minutes to really get a feel for the place...
Caging the joint:
James heads up the stairs to join Morgrym and Rick in the upstairs lounge. He lets loose his own wave of Awe just the guard returns to his station.
Presence:
"Thanks for keeping the riff-raff out." he says as he sweeps by, placing a twenty in the mook's suit pocket with a practiced aire.
As he arrives at the bar James announces, "I will have the latter."
"Oh, nothing too fancy yet. Gin and tonic is good." says Rick, looking to keep toe conversation light and let Morgrym steer the topic with the bartender.
BAPTISM OF FIRE - Friday - January 1, 1993 –
The bartender shrugs and pours a gin and tonic for Rick. He then turns back to Morgrym, "So do you want to leave that message or what?"
Once James makes his preference known, one of the girls a teen-aged latina, already enamored with him, in Awe it seems, slinks over, "Want to share a booth, sexy..." She whispers into James' ear.
Charlotte looks at the man in disbelief. "Underdressed, apparently." She mutters, looking at her own outfit of jeans and a t-shirt. "I'm Charlotte. New in town. My uncle's sent me on something of an errand." She rolls her eyes. "He's afraid of his cousin, you know. Terrible thing."
Cocking her head, she looks at the man again, and tries not to snicker at his ascott. "You don't look like a man who's afraid of much of anything."
James looks at the girl and with a purring invite in his voice tells her, "As soon as I have my drink and we can a grab a booth. Till then, why don't tell me all about yourself"
I will give it a few hours and wait. Maybe someone besides the owner will come along and offer me a sweet deal and the owner will miss out. Such a shame
BAPTISM OF FIRE - Friday - January 1, 1993 –
"No I am not, quite perceptive of you. I do have to ask you if you'd like to head upstairs with me. I prefer it there I was just waiting for one of you to approach me..."
BAPTISM OF FIRE - Friday - January 1, 1993 –
The girl laughs at James as if he told a funny joke, "I'm the only drink you need sugar..."
The bartender shrugs, "Suit yourself stranger. I don't think anyone else is coming in tonight but I've been wrong before".
---
This place is packed and people come and go, you don't see any who might be Kindred outside of the two that Charlotte pointed out already.
Charlotte looks at him in disbelief. "Thou wouldst dine where others have already? Gross, dude." From there she looks off to the side, as though listening to someone who isn't there. "Right?" She says to the nothingness with a laugh. "What happened to romance?"
Looking back to the man, she shakes her head, "Sorry. Look, I'm just trying to find someone named Lodin. Know him?"
BAPTISM OF FIRE - Friday - January 1, 1993 –
At first he appears a bit confused, when you state the name Lodin, he perks right up and his demeanor changes. "Who are you is the first question I need to ask, that you are seeking the Prince of the city? I've never seen you before".
Charlotte bristles at the inquiries. "Said I'm not from around here and I'm on an errand." She responds, giving him a look that says 'try to keep up'. "It would probably not be prudent for me to say more than that." Narrowing her eyes, she adds. "I don't know you, either. And Tara doesn't trust you."
BAPTISM OF FIRE - Friday - January 1, 1993 –
The man rolls his eyes at Mallory, "Then at least you are not new.
Let's just say that Lodin's not a fan of newbies. You tell me who sent you and I'll find a way to arrange a meeting. If not, well, I'm not tying myself to someone who's on borrowed time..."
"Hermosa, my thirst is deep as the ocean and just as everlasting. To unleash it fully would leave you quivering with want unfulfilled. Let us retire to where I might show you its tiniest fraction..."
James will make sure that sightlines are secure in the booths and that feeding will cause no masquerade issues prior to refreshing himself in a restrained manner.
---
Charlotte frowns, not really wanting to tell this man anything more, but decides she doesn't have any other leads. "Prince Modius" She says finally.
BAPTISM OF FIRE - Friday - January 1, 1993 –
The man laughs, "Prince Modius, he's still using that old honorific? Well, see nobody gets to meet Lodin. He never sees anyone anymore and if you're with Lodin, you're not anybody you see, you're nobody.
Still, I like you, you're different. Tell you what, I can arrange for you to meet with Neally, he'll talk to Lodin for you".
---
Charlotte seems to be making some headway with the figure she is seated across from. Of your other companions there is no sign. Julien seems agitated, "I don't like this, why's no one here. All this meat, where's the market for, you'd think our kind were clamoring for all this. Wait, that guy over there, slamdancing, I think he's one of us... Maybe uh, one of you should go talk to him?"
BAPTISM OF FIRE - Friday - January 1, 1993 –
As James finishes his "drink", the phone at the back of the wall behind the bar rings, "Yeah ok, yeah".
He hangs up, "Alright folks, last call".
The blood dolls moan but start to gather their things, those who haven't had their fix try to get "noticed" by Morgrym and Rick.