♪ New Friends ♪ (Closed)

[Skylar]

This RP is set on 1st January 2015.

A new year, a new start, a new friend. Well... Hopefully. Ricky asked me to play nice with Juliet and get to know her so I'd set up a night out for us. Nothing special, just a trip to Lancaster's where we could sit down, chill out and get to know none another. I've got to admit the first time I met her I was thought she was trying to mark Ric out as her territory but she was pretty cool with me at the Altaire get together. You gotta respect a girl that's got your back. I almost felt sorry for Ric when she automatically sided with me when he was being his usual self, almost, but not quite.
I don't overdress for the night but I do make sure I look like I made an effort. I'm wearing jeans and heels as usual, but instead of my trademark rock themed, tight t-shirt I've got on more of an evening top. I don't need to worry about make-up as I've had the semi-permanent stuff done, what with me not wanting to look in the mirror and stuff. Add a bit of lip-gloss and I'm pretty much good to go. My hair is down, as always and despite the fact that I design and make my own jewellery, I'm not actually wearing any sort of adornment outside of a set of simple hoops in my earlobes.
I'd of reminded Ric of where I'm going but I haven't actually seen him today; that's not unusual. He's never about when I wake up. One of these days I might actually ask him where it is he goes so early, but for now I'll just write it off as one of his quirks.
I take out my tome, say the words and end up in the den as expected. I'm a little wary of this place since I fell in the traps but there's nothing much else to do but suck it up really. I wait for the elevator and try to figure out how long it will take me to reach the pub from the station. Thankfully, I don't actually have to go via a station though, as when I step out onto the correct floor, I realise there's a portal that will take me straight there. I've got to admit, I've not actually used it before, which is stupid of me, but it'll be pretty damned nifty now I know it's there.
I arrive at the pub in record time. I'd said I'd meet her an hour after sundown and I probably have about 15 minutes to spare, so since I don't plan on actually paying for my drinks tonight, I head to the bar and help out the staff as needed. The girls are always glad of a hand with any of the more physical tasks like clearing out the crates of bottles, bottling up and such and since I don't even break a sweat with that stuff, I'm happy to do whatever it is that makes their job easier.
By the time the allotted hour comes, I'm standing behind the bar, drink in hand chatting with a couple of the bar staff. The place isn't exactly empty but everyone that needs a drink has one and the glass washer is full and working on a couple of trays of empties, so there really isn't anything that needs to be done.

[Juliet]

It’s still strange to Juliet, seeing Cassadee’s reflection in the mirror when she went into the bathroom of Blood Diamonds, ignoring the looks of her employees as she leaned forward to check her make up to make sure that the shade of foundation was right. Despite being back for weeks, it confused her and on occasion, she found herself buying the wrong shade. Paler, wider hips and with a nasty attitude that was too dominant, there were many things that Juliet didn’t quite like about her new body. But, she wasn’t in the mood to kill herself and return a week after. It would be too difficult to explain to Phoenix and Roderic.

“My phone’ll be on, but try not to disturb me. I’m going out with a friend tonight.” She drawled in the English accent she found different to the Spanish one she’d grown up with, glancing at Rosetta who offered her a smile. In the weeks that she’d been back, she’d learned that the woman liked her quite a bit and said that she reminded her of Juliet. “I wonder why.” She thought, resisting the urge to roll her eyes at it again. Lifting her hands to the necklace she wore, she adjusted the diamond pendent and then after glancing one more in the mirror, Juliet turned to head back into her office.

The only thing out of place in the neat area was her gas torch, which was still cooling down from the short time she’d spent fixing a gold necklace for a customer. “Rosetta, before you leave, can you put the torch up for me, please? If you don’t, it’s not a big deal; I can get it later on.” She called out as she grabbed the black jacket that matched her skinny jeans and pulled the cloth on. She’d chosen a dark blue sleeveless blouse for the evening, her heels matching the same shade. Her hair was down, wavy and loose. A comfortable, but still professional look for work.

“I’m hanging out with your friend today. Be proud, you didn’t have to physically drag me out of the office.” She chimed into Roderic’s head as she collected her keys. Telepathy had been one of her favorite abilities and it still remained to that day. Taking one last look around the office, Juliet then glanced at the clock and noticed that she had a few minutes to make her way over to the pub. Without another word, the brunette made her way out of the shop and into the elevator.

It felt strange, going out and planning to enjoy herself, but Skylar had been sweet. Juliet was lacking in the friends department, too, and if the girl could deal with Roderic, she was sure that she was a good person and patient. “Lancasters.” She repeated the name in her head quietly, ignoring the tug in her mind from an email as she kept walking. Down the street, to the west. South. It didn’t take her very long to get there, but long enough that she knew had she kept going at work, she would have been late. When she stepped inside, Juliet shrugged out of her jacket and folded it over her arm.

She looked for Skylar, green eyes searching for the blonde’s familiar face and when she spotted her, Juliet lifted her hand and waved in greeting before making her way over to the bar. She hadn’t been there previously, but she’d heard good things about it in passing.

[Skylar]

I see Juliet walk in and return her wave. The girl looks good. Smart casual. I know we aren’t exactly planning to tear the town up or anything, so it’s good neither of us went all out. We might feel compelled to go to a club or something then and while I’m not against dancing and drinking, clubs just aren’t a good place for conversation. And I want to talk. I can’t righty get to know the woman if we can’t speak now can I?
“Hey Jules!”
I might be a bit too enthusiastic. I place my drink down and literally hop over the bar. Well. I hop onto the bar, kneeling for no more than a second before I turn myself to sit on my butt and swing my legs over to the other side. I hop to the floor and embrace the woman, giving her a tight hug. Ric may not like this kind of thing but most women do. I’m not sure if she’s the hugger type but at this point I don’t care. Much like Ric, she was going to get the real me. Only she was going to get me at full force. Not the watered down version Ric had to get so he didn’t go running screaming into the night. The guy has issues.
“You look good Juliet. I’m loving the jeans.”
I’m not just flattering her for the sake of it either. I really do love the jeans and she looks good in them.
“So… What’s your poison? We have a very palatable bloody mary… If you catch my drift.”
I’m hinting at the fact the woman can order blood if she wants it. Human blood that is. I know Ricky can’t drink here unless I bring him something special but I can’t exactly say theat. Actually., I’d kind of forgotten to bottle some of my own blood on the off chance that kind of vampirism ran in the family.
I wait to see what she wants having taken a step back so I’m not all up in her personal space. My eyes sweep the room; not in a suspicious way, I’m checking to see where we can sit. There a couple of places around the edges that aren’t taken, places where we could sit and not be disturbed. Not that I mind being disturbed exactly, but I’m preparing for a conversation that might be better off if it’s not overheard. I mean I want as much dirt on Ricky as the woman is willing to give. He’s a tricky one and I’m sure she’ll have some good tips on how best to handle him. Though I don’t think I’m doing all that bad on that front myself. I’ve kind of managed to get him where I want him. I’ve all but moved in and he seems happy enough with things as they are; undefined. I know I have to tell him at some point that we’re dating but I really don’t want to raise that subject just yet, as labelling what we have might spook him.

[Juliet]

Before possessing Cassadee, there wouldn’t have been any hesitation to returning the hug and as it was, the brunette was a little surprised at the greeting but in truth she didn’t mind it in the least. It took her a moment to register, but after it went through, Juliet returned the hug just as tightly and chuckled. The action itself was refreshing and it reminded her that she was once again alive and not stuck in the Shadow Realm, lying to those she cared about to her whereabouts or moping about somewhere.
As Skylar stepped back, she smiled at the compliment, “Thanks, I love your top.”

Juliet took the moment to actually look at her, her green eyes moving over the other woman to take in her appearance and outfit. She’d liked that at the Altaire party that Skylar hadn’t gone all out and given the fact she was close to Roderic, she figured it was likely a good thing that she’d been comfortable. He had been the one to bring Juliet out to look for a box he had buried just to get her out of the office once.

“That sounds great, actually.”

She had never been much of a drinker in her past life and blood was blood. Originally, she had some reluctance because of the fact that it was just strange in general, but growing up on a farm gave her enough thumb injuries that the taste had never bothered her. Animal blood was what she had started off on, but eventually she moved onto entirely human after she could simply lure one with ease and put them in a trance.

Reaching into her purse, she began to search through it to find her wallet as she mentally tallied the amount of times that she had lost the damn thing in the handbag. It took her a few minutes to dig it out and popped it open. “How much will it be?” Money wasn’t an issue, so she didn’t mind to pay at all. Even though she had closed up one of her businesses, her bank account was always nice and large.

Juliet lifted her head to look at Skylar, watching her as she looked around for something and her eyebrows lifted lightly as she waited politely.

[Skylar]

I smile and nod and turn my back on Jules just long enough to order one of the extra special bloody marys and my usual. I'd get it myself but I kinda have company now and since I'd hopped the bar I wasn't going back. Besides, it’s still kinda quiet and the girls could do with something to do.
"Put your money away babe. I'll get these. The girls can keep a tab for me. They know I'm good for it."
I'd pay for it too. I don't tend to steal booze or blood for others, not from Ellie. I may take the piss by not paying for my own drinks most nights but that's kinda to be expected. I might explain that to Jules later.
"I hope you're not the squeamish type Jules."
I turn back to face the girl while the staff sort my order out.
"You may hear more than you want to if I have too much to drink tonight. Or even if I don't."
I laugh. I know what I'm like and it's only fair to warn her. Though if she can put up with Ric's behaviour, I'm pretty sure me being an over-sharer won't upset her. I mean I like Ricky and all but he can be an arse when he wants to be.
"I kinda have a tendency to say what I think before I've fully thought it through. Like my mouth runs away with itself and the thoughts aren't even fully formed before they're tumbling over my lips. So if I say something inappropriate just tell me it's TMI. And if I start babbling - much like I think I am now - feel free to tell me to shut the **** up."
I grin at her and turn to retrieve our drinks. I indicate in the direction I want us to move with my elbow, as I'm keeping hold of her glass till we get to the table. Not sure why. Habit maybe? I dunno.
"So you know Ric well?"
The question sounds stupid and the moment I ask it I could kick myself but I had warn her about my brain-mouth disconnect. I probably should have sat us down and talked about the weather or something first before grilling her about Ric but then wasn't he the reason we were here? He's what we have in common.
I sit myself down on one side of the booth. We've pretty much walked back to the entrance but that's not so either of us has a quick exit, that's just because that's where the booths are; booths offer the best level of privacy in here, well, if you don't count Ellie's office.
"I'm sorry. We don't have to talk about him if you don't want to. It's just well... He's our common ground and all that."
I slide her glass along the table towards her, a smile on my lips. As much as I do want to know a bit more about Ricky, I want to know about her too.

[Juliet]

“Are you sure?” She lifted her eyebrow, pausing before she thought about it, “If they’re on you this time, they’re on me next time. Fair?” After putting her wallet away, Juliet readjusted the strap over her shoulder as she then gave a shake of her head.

She wasn’t squeamish, hadn’t been for a long time.

“Just don’t throw a spider on me and we should be fine. She didn’t really think it was possible for her to get squeamish aside from anything but spiders. Those things were just gross and didn’t make any bit of logic to why they existed. Her green eyes watched the staff before Skylar turned back to her and she blinked.

A soft shake of her head was given, “Don’t worry about it, it won’t bother me.” After dealing with her employees giggling about everything and anything in between, Juliet didn’t think she could hear anything that would cause her to go running for the hills. As Skylar explained it all, she resisted the urge to chuckle. In reality, she understood quite a bit.

Some days, she had no filter and it mortified her with what could come out of her mouth. That was Cassadee, Juliet was sure of it. Other days, she preferred to filter herself and her thoughts. She could be too blunt, not blunt enough, and it was becoming a hassle in day to day life, really.

Her heels clicked against the floor as she followed after the other woman to a booth, “It’ll be fine, honest.” She smiled warmly. The question doesn’t phase her in the least and it takes her a moment to think about how to answer. And she took it as she then moved to sit down opposite of Skylar and setting her purse on the seat beside her.

“Do any of us know him well?” She laughed lightly, before lifting her hand to rub at the back of her neck in consideration. Roderic. Roderic. “Oh, no. I don’t mind it at all.” She felt like she was repeating herself, but truthfully she didn’t see any point to walk around topics. “I know him well enough, I guess. Or I did. He’s my brother.” The answer was so normal that she didn’t think any other way to explain it.

“I hired him after Nixy,” It didn’t occur to her to actually use Phoenix’s full name, “brought him into the family to work at the clinic I ran.”

[Skylar]

"Good point. He's kind of a secretive squirrel ain't he?"
I take a sip of my JD and coke and settle into the seat of the booth a little better.
"You know I kinda can't imagine Ric working for anyone. I hope for your sake he was working out back away from the customers, because as much as I like Ric, a people person he is not."
I laugh. That's not news to Jules, I'm sure of it. Anyone that's met Ric can tell he's not exactly a people person. I half wonder if that's part of what drew me to him in the first place. Most bad boys - being my type of guy - don't much go in for pleasing the masses and Ric's no different there. If he doesn't know or like you, he doesn't give you the time of day. He's the complete opposite to me in that aspect because I'm perfectly happy talking to a complete stranger on the street or at a bar. That's not a bad thing. Just means I'm the approachable sort, and that's a good way to be if you hope to make it in the music industry, which I still kinda, sorta, maybe wanna do.
"So... since we're already talking about him and everything..."
I take another quick sip of my drink, though I don't exactly need it to ask what I'm about to ask.
"And I know I should probably be more subtle and all that and wait till we've had a few more drinks but I'm kinda a little too curious for the answer... Has Ric had a lot of girlfriends? I mean... have you ever know Ric to date anyone before? Like proper dating, not his mixed up version of 'friend dates' or whatever that was."
I give a quick laugh, because I actually quite like the way Ric gets things twisted at times; it's rather cute.
I soon realise that I should probably have added another sentence on the end of what I said though, as it's too easy for her to jump to conclusions and assume we are dating. Well we are, technically, but with a little luck I can clear that up after I get my answer. Not that he'd admit to dating now. Hell we haven't even had that conversation yet. I believe him, I do. I don't think he's the type to date, but he is the type to be surrounded by women - apparently - even if they are all pretty much family.
I look into her green eyes, a friendly smile on my lips. There's no reason for me to be embarrassed. It would be nice to get a little more info about Ric form someone close to him, someone he actually claims as family and seems keen for me to know. He may think better of this in the future but it is, what it is. He can't go back on it now, after all this was his idea.

[Juliet]

“He is.”

Juliet nodded her head in agreement. A secretive squirrel indeed.

“He worked in the morgue of the clinic, honestly.” She didn’t think she’d ever seen Roderic deal with people aside from Altaire, now that she thought about it. And even then, it was iffy, she thought. “Worked on things occasionally, too. He’s not much of a people person and while my pride doesn’t like me to admit it, I can’t fix anything mechanically. And as for electronics, the fact I can turn on a computer is a bit of a miracle.”

She crossed one leg over the other as she took a drink from the palatable drink, still slightly cautious because she wasn’t one to drink more than she absolutely had to when it came to blood, but the tension relaxed once it didn’t come back up immediately and collected a napkin to wipe off her upper lip as she listened to Skylar. It was refreshing, really, seeing that someone else cared for her sibling. Especially knowing he wasn’t someone that was easy to get along with either.

“Well, I didn’t think Roderic liked women for a long time.”

Juliet started and paused, trying to think of how to continue. A thoughtful expression played across her features, “And then for a while I didn’t think he liked men, either. Phoenix had to force us out together in a friend date, which is kind of how he gets to know others.” The first time the two had hung out, Juliet had kissed him on the cheek in thanks for the rabbits foot that was sitting on her keychain and he had awkward turtled. The thought brought a small smile to her face.

“From what I know about him, he hasn’t dated any one during his time in Harper Rock. But then again, even for as how close we may seem, he doesn’t talk about himself very often.” Her fingertip moved across the rim of her glass, her eyebrows furrowing thoughtfully. “He was a blood thief,” She said softly, “before Phoenix turned him.” It was really strange, calling her sire Phoenix. “If I remember correctly, she beat him to death with a rock.”

The smile she returned was a bit sheepish at her words before it returned to a friendlier version after she had spoken and recovered from what was said.

[Skylar]

I listen to Juliet as she talks about Ric. A lot of it doesn't come as a surprise either. I can all too easily imagine him working in a morgue. Unfortunately. I think the idea of touching dead bodies, like human ones, is a little bit icky but each to their own I guess. I can't imagine Ric up on stage singing and playing guitar, so... I let that image pass, in favour of thinking about him with men. That too didn't sit right. I was pretty sure he was straight from the start, though maybe that was just my hope speaking since I knew he was my type the moment we met. I smile to myself but the smile doesn't last long as she tells me how he died.
"Aw. Poor Ricky. Is that really true? I mean I believe you but damn. That's so harsh. Was he really beaten to death with a rock? Damn. I really can't imagine ever speaking to my sire again if that had happened to me."
I kinda have to admire him. I mean the guy obviously doesn't hold grudges. Or maybe he does and he got even afterwards. I'd have to ask him about that. See what he says. I mean I don't have the best death story what with it all being over so quickly and a complete accident but wow.
"Why'd she turn him if she wanted him dead? Actually scratch that. I've met him. I can guess why she'd want him dead. His turning... was that something to do with him being a blood thief? Though actually... That's all kinda morbid. I should really ask Ricky that myself."
I take a sip of my drink. Mainly because I actually kinda need it. the thought of Ric being beaten to death like that makes me feel sick. I couldn't do that to animal, let alone a human being. Just the thought is... And that it happened to someone I care about... It's just too much to take in. I take a second sip of my drink and then set the glass down. My hands cup the vessel and I stare into it for a moment.
"So he really doesn't date. I guess I'm not all that surprised. He could have dated in the past and not known it. he doesn't really understand what's going on between us as it is. He's like a step behind. He's just about admitted to us being friends and well... we've kinda been dating since the auction. I'm not sure if I should tell him that or just let him figure it out for himself."
I shrug and look up at Juliet. I'm suddenly struck by how my words sound and have the overwhelming urge - no need - to explain myself.
"He told me at the start you see that he doesn't date. So I figured telling him that, that's what we're doing might spook him. I was kinda hoping he'd of figured it by now. And now, the longer this goes on the more worried I am to just say it and see what happens. I really like him. And I don't want to ruin what we have just to put a label on it. If that makes sense? Oh god I sound like a crazy woman don't I?"
I find my glass in my hand once more and I gulp down a couple of larger mouthfuls as I wait for Juliet to call me out on being some kind of creepy stalker or something. I probably shouldn't have said anything, She could tell Ric and then where would I be? I don't want to lose him because I can't keep my mouth shut.

[Juliet]

“Yeah, from what I can remember.” Her reaction caused Juliet to try not to laugh at the idea, and it made her feel happy that Roderic had found someone that could care for him. She never thought it’d be possible, really, because he seemed to have issues connecting with others. “Don’t really know why, though. I used to wonder if she gave him brain damage before I realized that was just how he was.”

It was the truth, too. She’d been concerned, and that was probably one of the first reasons she agreed to hang out with the man initially. But, she actually liked him at first, too. Legion had always seemed full of himself, Anansi was just creepy. She got along with Calix then, and Zwei. In some ways, she appreciated the way Roderic had been able to seem distant from others without having others drag him out of his hiding places, so to speak.

“You should, he’d probably be able to explain it better.” It made her wonder if there had been any peaceful turnings within the Altaire line, even with her own childer, there hadn’t been. “She’s nicer than our adjustments to this life make her seem.” Juliet herself had been accidentally mauled by a fadebeast after she’d been asking Phoenix if she was alright, having come across the woman weeping in an alleyway.

Lifting her own glass to her lips, she took a drink and listened to Skylar speak, watching her as she then gave a nod of her head to saying he didn’t really date. From what she knew, that was the truth. “Well... sometimes I think that what Ric doesn’t know won’t hurt him.” He hadn’t known how deep her depression had been running, and in truth, that had been because she didn’t want him to be hovering over her twenty-four-seven in the past. “Maybe you could leave him a checklist or a book on dating and relationships?”

She didn’t think Skylar sounded crazy at all, really. Juliet took another drink from her glass and set it down, wiping off her upper lip once more with a napkin that she crumbled up lightly and set in her lap. “Hey, you don’t sound crazy.” Juliet offered a smile, “Labels won’t ruin anything, not if Ric cares for you. And if he didn’t care about you, he wouldn’t be around you.”

She toyed with the decoration on her drink, “From my experience, sometimes not having a label on something initially allows you to feel out your relationship more. It lets you see the limits and boundaries the other person has and if you think you need to tell him eventually what you two really are, I just hope you don’t have to hit him upside the head hard for it to sink in.” Juliet did know how difficult the man could be. And she hoped it wouldn’t be too difficult to tell him, really.