Drained [Open]

Subject: Drained [Open] Sat Dec 29, 2012 2:06 pm

((No specifics, other than Kiku just so happens to be out on the town and has stopped in a little pub somewhere that isn't the Velvet Rope. Anyone and everyone is welcome to join. Be warned, this might turn utterly random XD))

Kiku was far from tired.

He was too used to it by now to really care, but somewhere in the back of his mind, he recalled that the night was for sleeping. He had hazy memories of placing his head on a pillow, tucked securely beneath blankets in a warm, safe home. He recalled his brothers in the next rooms, noisily snoring or sleep muttering in Japanese about the state of their minds. Sleep had been a blissful thing back then, an escape into a realm of strange yet fantastic dreams that always faded with the morning. But those times were long past, and Kiku couldn't exactly recall the last time he had gotten himself a decent nights' sleep...or even had any dreams other than the nightmares that plagued him, day or night.

Kiku was not the type to drink.

When his 'problems' had started, he had been far too young to even consider alcohol. As he traveled, searching for the cure to his ailment, he found that drinking beer was often preferable to risking the local water supply, especially in the villages. He also found he disliked beer immensely, especially cheap beers that seemed utterly popular in more secluded (and penniless) places. Still, it wasn't as if he could afford much else; he didn't exactly have a steady job, and constant adrenaline didn't pay the bills on its own. The few times he had happened to take his drinking just a bit too far (really only a couple), the hangover not too long after had been enough to discourage him from doing it. Adrenaline kept him awake, and sped the blood to pound incessantly in his brain rather than helping him be rid of the damned thing sooner.

Still, that night, Kiku found himself in one of the little city's pubs, a beer in his hand. He leaned back against the wall, the corner table in the perfect location to people watch. Unfortunately, he had chosen a slow night to come, and the only others present seemed to be intent on a game of sorts. He had come to escape his own loneliness, but instead found he felt more lonely by being essentially ignored. He took a sip of the beer, cringing at the bitter, yet watered-down taste. He resolved to finish the thing and then leave, as he noiselessly tapped his foot under the table in the hopes that his adrenaline would behave itself for a bit.

Posts : 83 Join date : 2012-12-06

Leon was incredibly happy to have found a pub. He'd been hiking for weeks without any sign of human or human shaped civilisation. He only had the clothes on his back and a spare pair in his pack. His current clothes were dark green and brown, to blend into the wild. He wore long back hiking boots with silver spikes on the ends, brown armbands with aboriginal markings, a matching holster on his thigh as well as several concealed weapons.

He wandered into the bar and ordered a strong beer and threw his back by his feet.

Subject: Re: Drained [Open] Wed Jan 02, 2013 10:28 am

Kiku sat for awhile, sipping the beer and trying not to shift around in his seat every few seconds. The owner of the pub had already stopped by his table a few times, and stole glances at him when he thought Kiku wasn't looking. Kiku only caught him by pure accident, though it still bothered him. He disliked people staring, but he knew his condition didn't exactly make it easy for him to simply blend into the background. He tried small movements, like drumming his fingers on his glass or tilting his head. But nothing satisfied the pent-up adrenaline coursing through him.

Finally, he decided that perhaps he ought to go to the counter and order something. The small walk would do him good, and at least food of some sort would distract him for a short while. He stood, taking his beer and made his way over to the counter, the other occupant going unnoticed until he nearly brushed shoulders with him. "My apologies..." He murmured, hoping the man would mistake him for drinking a bit much rather than being rude. He set his beer down on the counter, though he intended to retreat back to his corner table the first moment he could.

((I swear I'm trying to keep them short *stares at this* I hope this is a bit easier O.O))

Guest

((Well, let's see what sweet little Veta decides to do with your Kiku first... Meh heh heh... >:3))
She watched the pub, eyes flickering, nails digging into the bark of the tree.

Humans. Tasty morsels that sauntered beneath her eyes like varied goldfish, taunting the cat that lingered above them - in fact, if she wanted to be completely honest, she reminded herself of a gigantic puppeteer. Watching everything above her, occasionally deciding to leave her post to snatch a few puppets off the stage; their time in the play was over with.

As she stared at the pub longer and longer, she realized instinct was tugging at her, pulling her closer and closer, willing her to the slanting surface below her. It took all her willpower not to pounce on the pub and tear the shingles from the roof.

She could practically taste blood bathing her tongue, coating it in such sweet warmth that words could hardly describe what she awaited. In fact, she didn't know she was climbing down the tree until she touched ground, her mind so focused on the human prey before her that she was nearly enveloped with light from an open window. Shit, watch where you're stalking, Veda!, she thought viciously to herself, slinking into the shadows and biting her lip; if she had been human, she would have bitten into a blood vessel...blood would have splashed along her bottom lip...blood-

The door swung open - another human walked into the pub, eyes bleary with exhaustion. It was just like humans to be dead-tired, hardly able to take one step in front of the other, and expect to be jolted awake with beer, or liquor...or whatever humans drank these days. In fact, it made her job much easier - weakened their senses, weakened their ability to make sensible decisions...

And the goldfish practically swam right into the cat's claws.

She dashed to the door, opening it slightly. Blinking against the light that flooded her eyes. How could humans stand this light? It was treacherous! Retracting her trademark fangs into her gums - and sliding her tongue over her teeth to make sure they all seemed in place, like a normal human's mouth would appear - and stepping into the pub, she slid hands across her dress, smoothing out the wrinkles and pieces of tree that still clung to her.

Eyes turned to look at her, drinks hit the table, a few whispers met her ears like poison entering a bloodstream. One of these - or all of them, she was feeling a bit feisty tonight - would end up bathing in their own blood tonight. It was at the time she imagined such a thing that she noticed him - and her skin chilled.

He looked...well, how else could she describe him? Delectable.

Subject: Re: Drained [Open] Wed Feb 27, 2013 2:22 am

Kiku felt self-consciousness rise to color his cheeks as the man behind the bar finally turned his attention to him. Stalling for time, he slid onto the stool, careful not to bump into the man lounging beside him. He briefly wondered if the man was trying to stand out, especially in a pub where the most exciting thing happening was a game of cards. The thought fled, replaced with panic as he tried to come up with a suitable answer for the staring man behind the counter. He watched the man's lips move in slow motion, though the demand to know what he wanted reached him a few moments after.

He muttered, something remotely resembling food falling from his lips as the man cocked his head in confusion. He tried again, knowing he had been more successful when the man nodded and grunted as he turned towards the kitchen. Kiku sighed, momentarily relieved that he would no longer need to be failing at socializing with the man. He fleetingly felt guilty for not being able to articulate his wishes better, but he dismissed it as quickly as it had come. He was far too used to the ignorance of people to truly let something so inconsequential bother him. Though he prided himself on politeness, he could only do his best, and for him, that meant either speaking in a rush or not speaking at all.

He retreated to his table, dragging his beer with him. The man at the counter seemed to be too relaxed to notice, or perhaps he did not care. Kiku did not mind either scenario; he would not have to speak to him, unless the man spoke to him first. He slumped into his seat, sipping his beer and trying to blend in with the slowly rotting wood behind him. His gaze flicked from the counter to the backs of the card players, never quite able to settle on either space for long. He sipped his beer, fingers drumming on the glass as he tried to still the racing adrenaline. He breathed, conscious of each breath sounding shaky in his own ears. He needed distraction, something to take his mind off the fact that he was both exhausted and energized.

His food came, and he thanked the man in a rushed murmur that drew attention to him. He smiled a wobbly, almost shy smile, an embarrassed flush dusting his cheeks before he hunched in his seat. Attention shifted from him again, bringing with it a sigh of relief from his lips. He glanced down at his food, and occupied himself with cutting everything into smaller and smaller pieces. The motions helped focus the energy, exerting just a microscopic bit more as the pieces shrank. When the pieces were small enough to pick up on one of the tines of his fork--he would have asked for chopsticks, but not only did this place never have them, but he would have never been able to handle them--he stopped and placed the knife on the table with a dull clatter.

He took another sip of his beer, trying not to feel the stares leveled in his direction. The opening of the door sent a small gust of chilly night air skittering into his corner. He shivered, partially from the cold and partially from the adrenaline humming as his muscles remembered exercising in such conditions. He lowered his eyes, focusing on the plate in front of him, the fork vibrating as he attempted to pick up one of the tiny pieces of what was once a large piece of meat. He finally succeeded, hand continuing its violent trembling as he raised the food to his lips and ate it. He repeated this, beginning to drum the fingers of his unoccupied hand on his knee beneath the table. Perhaps...perhaps he could finally eat a full plate, without incident, or without his adrenaline forcing him to retreat from the pub.

((We shall see, won't we now? <3 And he did notice her, he doesn't tend to focus well, poor dear~))

Posts : 83 Join date : 2012-12-06

Leon murmured a 'no worries' as he felt someone bump him and apologise. He was used to it. You expected people to have difficulty walking in a pub. He kept drinking slowly, his eye on the clock in front of him. He needed a decent amount of sleep tonight, and hopefully there was a place nearby where he could kip for the night. A warm bed. A real bed, he almost sighed in pleasure at the thought of it.

But he felt his hackles raise as he sensed something behind the pubs door. His senses rarely let him down as they were stronger than an ordinary humans. The smell of blood and hunger. And age. A vampire....

Guest

((Yes, the poor dear...
But perhaps I'm calling him that for a different reason...))

She walked in; head pounding, hands clenching, eyes narrowing at the humans around her. Why did they stare? Why did they make so much noise? How could they go about every single day not disgusted with the filth each one of them exhausted onto the world?

So, she tried to blend in with them; tried to prepare herself to talk, tried to prepare herself to stare, look, make eye contact; mentally reminded herself that it was time for her to become one with the prey - be the wolf in sheep's clothing.

Until she remembered one very important thing - humans breathed. So, she inhaled a breath. Exhaled.

Inhaled

Exhaled.

Inhaled.

And kept up the routine until a familiar sensation filled her lungs; air filled those sacs, giving her the feeling of buoyancy. It was amazing humans couldn't feel these vibrations and sensations...perhaps they were too miniscule in comparison to the world surrounding them.

She approached the bar, sitting on a stool and opening her mouth; she hadn't talked like a normal human in so long that she was afraid her voice would come out raspy; hissing, snarling, like how a vampire usually approached a human. So she cleared her throat, sucked in some air and... "Could I get a glass of vodka please?"

All the while, her eyes kept darting around; momentarily forgetting her human prey, she looked around the bar - something didn't feel right. Something...she just couldn't place her finger on it.

Subject: Re: Drained [Open] Fri Mar 08, 2013 2:18 am

Kiku struggled through his meal, often having to pause in order to allow the shaking in his hands to subside before he could continue. He found his appetite diminishing quickly, and it wasn't long before he set his fork aside completely. He placed both hands beneath the table, quietly tapping on his knees in the hopes of diffusing some of the pent-up energy humming through his veins. To help distract him further, he glanced over to the table of card players, trying to figure out what they were playing. His mind provided several possible games, though each came and went too quickly for him to grasp at one. He tried to focus on their voices, hoping to pick up hints from their frustrated grunting or their quiet exclamations of victory. But their voices touched his ears slowly, his thoughts slipping away and creating an odd lack of synchronization with their actions.

He sighed noiselessly, raising his hands and pushing the plate away. He had eaten about half of the meal, which was more than he usually ate...or could manage before he needed to move again. He felt guilty for not being able to finish, especially since he was still fortunate enough to be able to afford to eat a decent meal. But the adrenaline hummed through his veins, demanding that he do something other than sit still. He had long ago stopped wondering how his body still functioned without the necessities of proper food and adequate sleep, though the absence of both only made him feel his own strangeness more and more as time wore on. He still did sleep, or rather, experience periods of collapse when the energy finally deserted him for a brief time.

He stood from his seat, the scraping of the chair against the floor making him wince and the card players glance up from their game. He dropped his gaze, standing as still as he could until he felt their eyes leave his back. He clenched and loosened his fingers, forming a fist and letting it fall flat as he tried to push some of the adrenaline away. After a moment of simply breathing, his nerves calmed enough for him to make his way slowly to the counter. He needed to pay his tab, and then he would be on his way. The small pub was beginning to feel enclosed, and his limbs craved fresh air and solitude. He carefully avoided running into the same man from before, as well as a woman that had entered the pub a short time ago. He caught the owner's eye quickly, fingers shaking as he dropped the appropriate coins (and a tip) on the counter. The coins rattled for a few seconds, until the man enclosed them in his rather thick fist and grumbled something that sounded like 'come again'.

He turned away, keeping his eyes on the floor. He had only the stretch of floor between him and the door, and the less attention he drew to himself, the better. Slowly, though really at as normal a pace as he could muster, he forced himself to put one foot in front of the other, his shoes making the floorboards creak as he made his way across the room.

((Pfft, oh word play, so punny *shot* If you want to do a higher rated RP, we can always start a new one, since this one is rated PG. *so tempted to just throw something in the Velvet Rope setting*))

Guest

((Hmmm...something higher... :3 Why not? I'm always up for the likes of that))

She watched him leave the pub, slamming her glass against the counter successfully. This was all playing out beautifully - everything falling into place like snowflakes in the middle of winter, slowly and carelessly landing exactly where she had fashioned them to land.

She glanced around, wiping her brow. Nervous energy began racing through her, like the streams of water that she normally passed whenever exploring ruins. She opened her mouth, grabbing the vodka and sipping it slowly, hoping to calm that feisty bubbles of hunger bursting inside her. She had to wait just a little longer, just a bit, give him time to believe he was actually safe...

She hardly knew what she was doing when she slammed the glass down, grabbing a cloak seemingly left behind on a stool, wrapping it securely around her, and trudging to the door. Her fangs itched relentlessly - she was almost afraid they would unsheathe themselves of their own accord.

Opening the door, she stepped into the night, immediately darting into a shadow. And waiting. Waiting for the perfect opportunity.

Posts : 83 Join date : 2012-12-06

Leon wondered if he ought to follow the two. Did the first realise the second was a vampire? Not likely, he smelt human and was unlikely to have Leon's senses. Still, not everyone appreciated being saved, some preferred to help themselves.

Though... perhaps he ought to warn him at the very least. He placed his glass on the counter and followed the two outside.

Guest

Another scent - this one much huskier - brushed past her nose; nails closed around the tree branch she had leaped to. There were two of them; two pathetic mortals scrounging about at night. Ha, this was too good; they could end up being tasty morsels (the first one definitely, she needed sustenance) or minutes of entertainment - in any way possible. Her tongue flicked out to swipe along her lips as a sadistic giggle escaped her lips, entering the air and echoing around the forest.

Well, so much for her cover. She pounced from the tree to land on the forest ground, standing upright and sweeping her crystal green eyes over both men. She grinned, letting her infamous canines stretch over her other teeth. "Now, who should I kill first?"

Posts : 83 Join date : 2012-12-06

Concealed beneath both of Leon's arm guards, were sharp, long knives. While they wouldnt kill a vampire, they could deal out some serious damage. Leon let his senses roam, judging by the speed of this creature, it was possible he could out run or leap it. However the other man might not be able too. He could just leave him to the vampires mercy, but that was against Leon's personal morals. He had one advantage over this creature, she thought him pure human.

Grinning, Leon replied, "Dont you think you should introduce ya self first, love? Its bad manners you know."

Subject: Re: Drained [Open] Thu May 30, 2013 10:42 pm

Kiku pushed through the door and stepped out into night. The air around him raised gooseflesh, but he paid it no mind. At least it would provide some cover to the shivers running relentlessly down his spine. He tugged on his sleeves, as if the thin fabric could provide him any warmth against the chilly air. The racing of his blood made him warm enough, though outwardly he appeared as cold as anyone else fool enough to wear only the barest covering. He let his fingers fiddle with the fabric, no longer containing the fidgets that had plagued him while being seated in the pub. There were no people outside to stare at him, or to make comments they thought he could not decipher behind his back. Idly, he checked his belt, satisfied after a moment that all of his possessions were intact and in their right place. No one had ventured near enough to him in the pub to potentially pickpocket him, but Kiku would not take any chances...especially with one particular item.

He trudged forward, his pace slowed despite his muscles screaming for him to act faster. His body was feeling the fatigue, the utter exhaustion that hit him after three or so days of simply moving and moving. He stopped to rest, leaning against the sturdy trunk of a tree. He would need to decide what he wanted to do...where he wanted to go. Kiku did not keep a permanent place of residence, choosing instead to move around the city every so often. There were plenty of vacant buildings, and he often chose those farthest away from large gatherings of other humans. The last thing he wanted on his conscience was to be the reason vampires or werewolves came into a heavily populated area. Deep down, he had little influence on what the vampires and werewolves chose to do. But he knew the way his own blood worked, the way HE had made him. He would take no chances.

Noise behind him caught his attention, and he turned quickly. Using the trunk of the tree for cover, he scanned the forest around him. He finally pinpointed the sound, the noise coming from a tree close to the pub. Had someone...or something been waiting there? Quietly as he could, he reached to his belt. His trembling fingers closed around the handle of one of his knives, and with a little shifting he managed to thread the nearly invisible wire between his fingers. If it came to a fight, he would be more effective in close combat. But the wire would serve as a distraction, though it would mean the sacrificing of one of his blades. Kiku would only resort to that if he had to; the blades were some of his last, and he did not know when he would be able to find the resources to make more.

He moved around the tree trunk, coming back onto the pathway. A woman he recognized from the pub stood at the base of the tree. 'So...she was following me...?' His grip tightened on the handle of the blade. Her gaze met his for a brief moment, the burning of her green eyes making a shiver race down his spine that had nothing to do with the adrenaline in his veins. His shoulders tensed, and he brought the blade into a more suitable position for defense. His other hand reached for his belt, retrieving a second blade from one of the many pouches. The moonlight glinted from the silver, though all appeared dull compared to the heated stare of the woman. He kept his gaze just below hers, intuition screaming that he shouldn't meet her eyes again. Instead, he stared at her lips, crimson in the half light and pulled tight into a smirk. A frown tugged at his own lips, and he adjusted his stance a little as he felt her gaze sweep over him again.

He blinked in surprise as the voice of a man reached his ears. 'He was...in the pub...as well...' He vaguely recalled bumping into the man on his way to the bar, though the details of their meeting beyond that fled his mind. His gaze flicked from the man to the woman, uncertainty as to whether the man would prove to be a threat. The woman had already put him on guard. Instead, he shifted a little, so that he could keep them both in his sights. Inwardly, he began to try to focus his thoughts, shaky breaths slowly, painfully slowly evening out. The trembling in his limbs never ceased, instead becoming worse as his natural fight or flight instincts mingled with the constant stream of adrenaline coursing through his veins. Resting would have to wait, though his body protested as he attempted to drive the adrenaline into his concentration, into sharpening his thoughts and preparing his reactions.

((I am SO SORRY you guys for not responding to this! D: It sort of fell off my post radar. Feel free to poke me though if I forget again!))

Posts : 83 Join date : 2012-12-06

Leon adjusted his stance, waiting for the oppertune moment. His senses told him this other man was neither vampire nor werewolf, but that did not mean he was not dangerous. Though people like Leon were rare, it didn't mean he might be the only one. And humans could be just as evil, just as dangerous as any creature. He would remain on his guard until one of them made a move. He could still leave, he doubted the vampire was interested in him. Too often his unique nature made him almost invincible He didn't smell right to their noses, so they might dismiss him. Werewolves might think him kin. Vampires might consider him of little importance because they craved normal human blood.

Or both might think him an ordinary human. It was impossible to tell. But Leon knew he would not hesitate to defend himself and if need be, the other man from the pub. But he did not want to strike without provocation.

Subject: Re: Drained [Open] Wed Jun 26, 2013 2:07 pm

((Since Veta left us, I'm just going to write the female vampire as a NPC. If it works better for you, Leon, you can also control what she does, so between the two of us, the RP can continue without getting that awkward 'well-what-now-Veta-is-gone-and-we-were-just-being-attacked-by-a-vampire' stage ^^ Anything in Italics and not in blue would be the NPC's actions))

The vampire hissed, narrowing her eyes as her gaze darted between the two men. "Which one...which one..." Her gaze finally settled on the frailer of the two, the one that had originally piqued her interest in the pub in the first place. She risked catching the attention of the second man, but if she could gain one meal she would be satisfied. Besides, the arrogant man did not interest her, only made her killing instincts scream to see his blood. With another low hiss, she lunged for the shorter of the two, her fingers curled like claws. The knives in his hands caught her eye, but she doubted he would touch her once. Humans were slow, and even this intriguing being would prove no match for her enhanced senses and physical capabilities.

Kiku shifted, his grip on the knife changing as the vampire moved. The adrenaline in his veins screamed for him to move, but he remained in his stance. The vampire's physical capabilities far surpassed his own, and moving would only put him at a greater disadvantage. Instead, he wiggled his fingers, checking the wires threaded around each digit. Good. They would come in handy, should the vampire choose to attempt to confuse him with her movements. Vampires were crafty creatures, and he could not afford to be caught up in one of her traps.

He kept his attention on the vampire, though he sensed the other man altering his own stance as well. The other man so far had not proven to be a threat to him, though Kiku would not allow his guard to drop. He did not know if this man was truly human, or if perhaps he was working for the vampire. Part of him doubted the latter was true, though he would not rule it out. His grip tightened around the handle of his knife, the thin wires digging slightly into his fingers. He tensed as the vampire hissed again, the adrenaline within racing all the faster in anticipation of the fight.

He raced to his right as the vampire lunged for him, releasing the knife in his left hand in her direction. The wires unfurled from his fingers almost silently, the moonlight glinting from the metal as it stretched. The knife missed the vampire, but the wires caused her to veer from her intended path. He frowned as she maneuvered around them quickly, and he tugged the knife back to him as he took a few steps back. Keeping his gaze on her neck, on her shoulder...anywhere but on her face, he shifted both knives in his hands before throwing. The wires threaded together, creating a nearly invisible web between the two of them as the blades sunk into the ground. He knew it would not buy him much time, but it would cause the vampire to keep her distance...for now. He flinched as she tugged the blade closest to her from the ground, tearing the wires. He winced in pain as the metal tightened around his fingers momentarily before snapping, though he did not spare a glance down to determine the damage.

'I will need...to make another...' He frowned in frustration at the loss of his knife. He had made the blades himself before leaving home, and metals for such blades were rare and difficult to come by. If he could not win it back from the vampire, he would need to abandon it. He withdrew from his belt another knife, this one a simple affair. He reserved such blades for emergencies...or when close combat became a necessary evil.

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