The Dark In The Light

[EmilyHuene]

[fancybox2][/fancybox2][fancybox2][/fancybox2][fancybox2]

​

New York
2300 Hours

@EmilyHuene ; @vamp [/fancybox2]

Night time in New York city was always a wonderful thing. To the humans of the world, it existed as a place where anything can happen. The busy city roared on in a never ending slumber similar to that of Vegas or some other casino-ridden road strip. But for those who existed beyond the sights of the humans...the night was something different all together.

A hidden library off a dirty side street gave way to a secret underground warehouse where all creatures of the night came to party. Vampires, werewolves, fairies. All creatures who could see the Veil of the truth were welcome here. Though, goblins and orcs and the like didn't really venture this far inward to the busy city. They had their own little slice of the underground with the trolls under the bridges.

This particular venue was named the Fanged Tooth, as it's owner had an affinity for the Faerie blood in his ancestry. Those that personally got to meet with the man swore his teeth were even sharpened to give himself that look. It was all smoke and mirrors as the man barely had a drop of Faerie blood in him to begin with. But he was supportive of the community so no one called him out on it.

A girl in a purple cloak came out of the rain and entered into the hushed library nearing midnight on this normal Saturday night. In the back was an elderly lady clerk who seemed to be reading the same book every night. Tonight though, the girl didn't feel like socializing. She faded away in the light, turning herself into an ethereal projection that normal eyes could not see. She walked past the clerk and literally through the doorway (which was marked with an Employees Only sign) and appeared on the other side. It was as if she were a ghost.

There were two actual doors going in. One normal, and a second made of steel so as to block out sound. Like the first door, she phased right through it as if it wasn't there. Then, materializing into solid form on the other side, she felt the weight of gravity take hold of her again. The girl threw down her hood showing long, dark purple hair. It wasn't natural, though the girl wished it was; she had to dye it once a month to keep it looking fresh.

Walking down the curved set of stairs the music hit her instantly. Loud pounding music of some up and coming musician in the underground community blasted out of the speakers. The girl continued downward until she was entering onto the crowded dance club. Not a single person here was human, but a few chose to keep their more human features. One werewolf for example wouldn't bother turning full wolf as they didn't make good dance partners.

The girl would keep her cloak curled around her body as she moved around the dance floor. There were booths and tables off to the side of the dance floor. The kind of table rich people would sit at for hours and make deals at and things. How horribly cliche. Ignoring the other patrons, she kept herself at a distance from anyone else and found a nice dark corner to sit in.

​

 

[vamp]

.

It was late night, but the party was only just beginning. Most here were attending the party for some respite from the outside world, where they were forced to spend their lives in hiding. At the Fanged Tooth, and the other few establishments around New York City that were like it, people could be themselves, and had no need to pretend they were human. While most werewolves chosen to retain their humanoid appearance to dance, for example, some had turned wolf just for the shits and giggles, and were dancing around like that. Those were among the most extroverted among the creatures in attendance. Some, introverted by nature, simply stuck to the walls as if glued to them, holding red cups in their hands that they occasionally sipped from. One such figure was a youthful looking boy, hair white as snow—dyed, like a lot of other people in attendance had done. It seemed to be a trend in the underworld nowadays.

He was eyeing the party and the door as if waiting for invitation to actually start having fun, searching for someone to strike up conversation with. It was only when a girl strolled in, the first arrival in the past half hour, that he finally decided he might as well. He hadn't come here to stand around. He had been alive for centuries, and parties among strangers truly never got any easier. He silently noted that down as a good starter.

"Hundreds of years and I still can't socialize at parties," he joked, his appearance so fast it was almost as if he'd materialized to her corner. He could have if he'd wanted, but that would have been rude.

@EmilyHuene

 

[EmilyHuene]

The girl with purple hair jumped when the boy suddenly appeared at her side. She'd been so caught up in her thoughts that he might have just walked right up into her face and she might not have seen him. She blushed, giving him a small smile. She pulled the cloak around her tighter, a subconscious way of saying she was uncomfortable. But as she looked him over then, the smile growing a little larger. He was cute, and she rather enjoyed the fact that his hair was silver. There was just something about gray hair on a young person that was incredibly sexy. But she doubted she could ever pull it off herself.

"I'm told parties were quite different a hundred years ago," she tried to humor him with conversing. "Maybe in another hundred years they will change more to your liking?"

@vamp ​

 

[vamp]

.

He chuckled, his smile showing a fang on each side of his mouth. Normally, he'd be self conscious, but here he didn't have to. "The 1700s had some crazy parties, I'll be honest." He took a sip from the drink in his cup. Red, but it wasn't blood. The vampire was drinking wine. "Did you know that Bejamin Franklin was an avid orgy aficianado?" He'd met the man many years ago, though the fact had recently resurfaced in a Buzzfeed video. He'd grown fond of two of their series, especially since they were about history and the supernatural respectively, which were subjects that directly had something to do with him. It was fun to watch the humans dissect historical events that he'd lived through.

Had it been a weird fact to give out at a party? Sure. Was it zesty and not boring? Absolutely. The vampire—Seb—had found that being blunt made conversations way more fun than talking about the boring stuff other people used as ice breakers. Also, it was a pretty funny fact. "Still, partying is a timeless tradition, and many places—even human ones!—have quite nicely recreated settings of parties famous in the past. It's mostly the whole warehouse aesthetic I don't like. It feels kinda bland."

@EmilyHuene

 

[EmilyHuene]

As he kept talking, the girl would turn and lean into the wall to hear him better. It was actually quite difficult to do so in the place, so she ended up getting closer to him to hear a little better. She still had her cloak drawn around her, but she wasn't holding it as tightly as she had been before. Up close now, he'd notice a crucifix necklace around her neck, but the cross was turned on its side. It was strange to say the least, but if this vampire knew anything about magical items or spells, he might know this particular design was a glimmer, an illusion spell that was effective even on non-humans.

She listened to him talk about the past, and for a moment her eyes lit up. She wasn't so much interested in the history side of things, but did enjoy that fact he had been alive for so long. It reminded her of home, in a way, but she wouldn't go into why that was. Maybe if he got to know her a little better first.

"I guess I wouldn't know anything about that," she said with a shrug.

She would then extend her hand, offering to shake his. He was now able to see the black outfit under her cloak much more clearly now. It was made out of dark leather, and fit her body to a curve. Much like a leotard, it only came down to her waist and between her legs. She wasn't wearing any tights though, so her bare legs were rather exposed.

"My name's Emily."

 

[vamp]

.

Her cloak slowly parted, and through the small slit, he was able to see a crucifix. His eyes went wide for a moment, panic forming in his chest, before he noticed it was on its side. Seb exhaled shakily, his sigh giving way to laughter. "Nice necklace. Scared the shit out of me," he replied, reaching his hand out to shake hers. "Name's Seb."

He knew what it was for of course, though not why she needed it. People generally weren't very secretive at parties like this, many of them taking the opportunity to talk about themselves and overshare as much as possible with strangers they would never see again. "Illusion spell?" he asked, looking at her crucifix. His eyes glanced a little lower for a moment, but he darted them back up, looking back at her for her response.

@EmilyHuene

 

[EmilyHuene]

Emily backed up, clutching the sideways cross in her hand. She'd forgotten about that, and was now either extremely embarrassed about it, or afraid of it. She was surprised he recognized the spell though. "Uh....yeah...it's um....for my...hair?"

It was probably the worst lie she could have said. It was abundenly obvious she wasn't telling the truth. Now it only mattered if he decided to call her out on that. After all, they were among friends right? What could she possibly be hiding that was that bad?

@vamp​

 

[vamp]

.

He chuckled again, though it wasn't a mean laugh. Besides that, he looked cute when he smiled, his fanged teeth and attractive features doing him justice. "And I thought I was old fashioned," he replied in between giggles. "Dying it is too hard?"

He knew she was lying, but it was more fun and light to just joke around until she felt comfortable enough to divulge its need on her own terms. Seb wasn't an asshole, nor did he feel like he was entitled to know everyone's secrets, so he didn't press any further. He looked back to the necklace, rotating his head until he was looking at the cross the right side up, his features crumpling up into a frown. He had a natural dislike for crucifixes, his innate instinct toward self preservation causing him to. Besides, he wasn't really the most religious. Not after what he'd seen.

@EmilyHuene

 

[EmilyHuene]

Her face was flushed. She looked away, trying to hide the embarrassment behind her long hair. Her hand still clutched the necklace. She sighed and let go of it, letting it dangle once again. She could see him staring at it, and it made her uncomfortable. She didn't want to lie to him, but her secret was dangerous. Not so much to other people, but to herself. She shook her head, shaking off that desire to trust him. Emily had only just met this boy. Man? Eternals were hard to pronoun. Vampire. That was true at least.

"I'm sorry," she would say truthfully. "It's not something I can share with most people. Please don't be mad at me."

Emily wasn't sure why she even cared with this silver haired, beautiful specimen had to say. Normally she could give two f-cks to the outside world. She'd grown up without anyone judging her and she wasn't about to let someone hold it against her now.

@vamp ​

 

[vamp]

.

It seemed she was struggling, and she didn't have to. Seb shook his head and shrugged casually. "Hey, no need to! You don't have to tell me," he replied, smiling reassuringly. "I'm not mad. I lost any semblance of a quick temper years ago. Like—or undeath, I guess—is not fun if anything pisses you off." He'd met a lot of Eternals that were prone to outbursts, and not a single one of them seemed to be enjoying themselves. It was a bitter existence, really, if you got mad anytime something didn't go your way. It made him one of the most relaxed vampires, but Seb's mentality worked.

He turned to the party behind and then back to Emily. "I'd ask if you wanna dance, but all I know is the waltz, and this is hardly the correct setting." She didn't look like quite the dancer either way, though perhaps she would surprise him.

@EmilyHuene

 

[EmilyHuene]

He was very kind to not ask her anything further about it. She was thankful for that. He then explained that in his death he was very much calm and not at all heated like several other people she'd met before. Emily would shrug her shoulders and cross her arms in front of her; her breasts squished closer together but it wouldn't give him much sight since her outfit came up to her neck anyways.

"You're probably the only person who feels that way," she'd say with a giggle. "I guess what they say is true...wisdom comes with age."

Emily gave him a smile and then he'd look away as if to look around for something. When he turned back and asked her to dance, her eyes lit up. She'd surprised him indeed. Emily nodded quickly and took his hand, pulling him into the crowd before he could change his mind.

"It's easy!" she'd shout over the music. "You just move your hips to the music! Like this!"

Turning around, she moved her butt against his front and would align her hips to him. Her cloak keeping anything from touching. The music bounced with heavy bass like any exotic club. Emily put her hands on Seb's hands and guided them to her hips so he'd dance with her. Her hips grinded against his frame as she music pounded in their ears.

@vamp ​

 

[vamp]

.

To say she surprised him was an understatement. As the vampire turned and spoke, her eyes seemed to light up, which he knew was not a good sight. Dancing was not yet on the list of things he had mastered over the years, and he was slowly preparing himself for the awkward stares from those around him. As she grabbed his hand, Seb followed, eyes looking over her shoulder to the empty spot on the dance floor where she was leading him to. It was packed tonight, like always, though there were always spots like this, where you could always squeeze your way in and people would move out of the way to make more space.

As they came to a stop, he glanced at her to see what she'd do next, expecting her to start dancing in front of him and showing him moves that he could mimic. Instead, Emily turned her back to him and proceeded to do something entirely and drastically different, though he wasn't complaining. She lead his hands to her hips and he couldn't help but smile slyly. He slowly rocked around with her, though his movements were a bit jerkier—he was a rusty dancer. He looked up and glanced around, noting that no one was staring at him, ready to take his head off for dancing like an old man. A bit more comfortable, his movements became more fluent. It was hard to talk over the music, but he tried to nevertheless.

"I've had a few dance lessons before, but I daresay this is definitely my favorite teaching method," he laughed.

@EmilyHuene

 

[EmilyHuene]

"Ha ha! Enjoy it! The next one is going to cost you!"

The girl continued to dance with him like that through the rest of the song and when it changed, she'd adjust her tempo with the next one. About halfway through the second song she turned around and got close to him this way. Her hips aligned with him once more, her arms wrapped over his shoulders to keep him close. Emily wasn't the kind of girl to take him home right then and there, but she was enough of a tease to flirt with him and enjoy it. She'd probably never see this guy again anyways.

Emily giggled as she looked up at him, switching positions again to push her butt into his hips. Her arms raised up and she swung them in the air with the beat of the tune. Her neck was so close to him. Her hair brushing away exposing the naked flesh under the chain of the necklace. Depending on how sharp his smell was he'd be able to get a slight hint of sulfur coming off of her hair hidden behind the pomegranate shampoo she'd washed her hair with the previous night.

@vamp​

 

[vamp]

.

He held her waist as she grabbed her shoulders, and the two danced more slowly then, inches away from each other. He was about to say something when the music changed again—this DJ needed to make up their mind—and Emily twirled once more into the original position, though this time closer. He held her waist and grinded on her as respectfully you could grind on a stranger, his lower face hovering close enough to her neck that he could smell her blood. It mingled with the pomegranate of her hair, and he leaned closer without thinking much of it. The aromas were so appealing; he couldn't help himself. It was then that Seb picked up the faint scent of sulfur, the almost universal "stench" of magic. Perhaps she really was using the necklace for her hair.

No, the smell was coming from the necklace, not her hair. His mouth was close enough to her ear that he didn't have to yell to be heard anymore, which was relieving for his ancient vocal chords. "So, where are you from?" he asked, trying to gauge what this mystery girl's story was.

@EmilyHuene

 

[EmilyHuene]

A slight shiver ran down her spine as he spoke by her neck. His warm breath giving her tingles and chills. Emily liked the sensation. She was usually so cold, even in this packed warehouse. She leaned back into his firm shoulders and turned her head to look up at him. He asked her where she was from and she laughed before replying. Clicking her tongue three times as if he'd said something wrong she giggled and then smile.

"Would you believe me if I said I was born in New York?"

@vamp ​

 

[vamp]

.

Seb didn't pull back as they spoke, holding her as they danced, although they had slowed down to half-hearted rocking as they spoke. He laughed along, then replied. "Have you ever been out of New York?" he asked, still remaining inches away from her neck. He'd traveled the world for centuries, and it was hard to imagine remaining stuck in one place for long. His stay in NYC had been the lengthiest of late, having stuck around for a few years, but it was likely he would migrate elsewhere soon enough. The life of a vampire could be lonely, and without friends, family, or something else, he had no reason to settle down. Perhaps he would stop trying to constantly experience the world eventually.

"Stereotypically enough, I'm from a small country in Eastern Europe, though I haven't revisited in a few years." This was, after all, a discussion so they both got to know each other better; asking all the questions and giving no answers would just be an interrogation.

@EmilyHuene

 

[EmilyHuene]

Her new vampire companion would ask her if she'd ever been out of New York. Emily shrugged, pushing her shoulder ever that much closer to his fangs for just a moment. She had no idea how badly she was teasing him. Which was a good thing because if he were to bite her...all hell would break lose. Mostly figuratively...but also a little literally.

"I have not," she said with a nonchalant attitude. "I like it here. Never really thought of going anywhere else. Ok well...that was a lie. I've been like...through other places. To visit and the like. But I've never lived anywhere else but here. So yeah. I guess I have. But I only stay for the night and am usually home by morning."

There was a lot more to unpack in those stories, but they too would wait for another day. He then explained he was from some place in Europe. Go figure. That was about as cliche as it got when it came to vampires. She didn't pay it any mind though. She couldn't judge him for where he'd been more anymore than she could. Turning around once more she put her arms around his neck to dance facing him again. It also helped keep the conversation going if she could look at him face to face. Might also help them hear one another being that it was still super loud in there.

"I'd like to travel one day. Like to Ireland. Oh! Or Japan. My uh....grandmother was born there. I've never been out of the states. But I don't think I'd like living out there. When you love something, why leave right? But to see Tokyo?! How cool would that be?"

@vamp ​