Like Coffee and Venom (open, but limited)

[Ephraim Steele]

Silence settled over him well. It had always suited him, to refrain from speaking while others went about conversation. He picked up far more information than what one may be saying with their mouth this way. He was concentrated on the trio, listening to what each of them had to say about the other, catching the little glances shot his way and toward one another, as well as the way their bodies moved and reacted one to the other. Sawyer, being the coarsest, against-the-grain of society person he had ever known, gave a light twirl and fell into the man’s lap immediately at the offer. He could see in the way she twisted and moved without care, that she was driving at something, but what would it be? Was it to get a rise out of him? Was it to simply slap the face of convention? Maybe it was her inability to turn away from an issued challenge, or perhaps some kind of misplaced guardianship of the young waif. Whatever it might be, he was sure that it was working.

He schooled his expression and allowed only a single brow to rise as she glanced at him. He hoisted his cup of tea and drank, debating on whether he would allow himself to be drawn into the arising situation, or if he would remain on the fringe of this interaction to better study the individual entities involved. They were, so far as he could tell from the way they spoke with one another, complete strangers, meeting for the first time with the most ridiculous of attitudes and some kind of mutual understanding? He wasn’t entirely sure, to be honest, and would be much more comfortable when the sun was shining. At least, then, he could feel safe that none of the company present were of the… nocturnal persuasion. He took another slow sip of his tea, draining the cup and setting it aside as he schooled the twitch in his jaw, the tic a tell-tale sign that his patience was, in fact, wearing thin with the antics. He took the opportunity to return to the counter for another tea. The barista was with him in an instant, and the exchange was only momentary, before he was returning to his seat with a tall, steaming cup of oolong tea, the best remedy for his lack of patience.

He slid into his seat again, and pursed his lips to blow the rising steam, the scent of the herbal concoction filling the air around him. He cocked his brow again at her “introduction,” and hid his smirk behind his cup. “Sponsor, you say? I suppose that would be fitting, though such a small, insubstantial part of the whole picture. But by all means, be coy; play vague. Do what you will.” He waved his hand, and took a refreshing sip from his tea, banishing the images of violence from his mind and setting his thoughts to things more productive, the usual task of watching over the woman insistent on risking her own neck. Eventually, he would show her that taking such risks was hardly the best way of going about… well, honestly, whatever she was trying to do here. Until then, he would be content with keeping himself under control and enjoying his relaxing tea, anticipating a nice, long sleep in the bed waiting for him back in the apartment above the flower shop.

[Isis Louhi (DELETED 8004)]

Isis bared her teeth at the man who kept calling her kitten. Really, she didn't care how cute he was for an old man, she just wanted to shake him until his dentures fell out or whatever old people's teeth do, or perhaps she would knock his chair from beneath his feet. While she contemplated her choices, a wicked grin peeked from the corners of her mouth. However, instead of either of these options, she simply rolled her eyes. "You don't scare me, and neither does anything else on these streets. I'm meaner than anything that comes after me." She meant it too. She'd killed a mountain lion with a handgun and a rusted sword she'd found inside a cemetery, for god's sake. And she'd been making it so far, hadn't she? Even with the cops taking potshots at her because she 'looked' like the perp that they were now hunting. Once they realized she was a kid, the police would stop shooting at her, but they didn't know she was guilty.
Baby faces hid lots of surprises.

She was lost in her thoughts again for a moment until he spoke about her not doing it for him. Then she looked up, panic in her eyes. Did she talk out loud again? Looking at his face for the brief glance revealed nothing, so she looked back down at her coffee cup. No, he's probably one of those annoying jerks that thought he was god's gift to women or something. Trying to cover up her embarrassment, she spoke again, sneering at him. "I wasn't offering, old man. No interest in geriatrics, thanks." She looked at her chewed nails as if they interested her more, even as she faked a delicate shiver, and turned her body away from the table. She was trying not to look at the annoying man in front of her,and so she didn't notice the woman settling herself in his lap.
Instead, she turned more to look at the quiet man, a bit perturbed when she didn't see her new favorite person in the city. However, she saw how the lights gave the quiet man a tired but alert look, and shrugged a single shoulder, as she gave him an actual smile. It's not his fault I'm edgy, I guess. Still. I wish I could get out of here before the cops come. Isis imagined he wouldn't be an easy mark, so she turned back to her own table, the annoyance pasted back on her face. It intensified as she finally found where the woman had went.

Pathetic and gross. God, I hope I don't suck as much as these guys when I'm an adult.

She looked down, crossing her arms in front of her, as she balanced the chair on two legs. Her annoyance shifted to boredom and she yawned, before curling her lip at them. "Will both of you give it a rest. I know the streets aren't easy, but I'm still here." She stared pointedly out the window at the increasingly rosy sky, ignoring the guy's referrence to orphans. It wasn't any of his business and besides, she'd given up on heroes ages ago. Her father made sure she was broken of that quickly.
At least this city gives me a chance. Other than the occasional tweaker that thought he was an animal and bit me, it hadn't been too bad.

Isis snorted again as she thought about finding the tweaker and breaking his jaw, but she'd only caught the shadow of him running, not a face. Frowning, she resumed thinking about the best spot to hold out in the wilderness, as she mumbled under her breath, "This city is full of victims and assholes."

[Verin Truska (DELETED 7956)]

Verin chuckled as the woman returned his offer with a quip and the moment that she slipped into his lap, his left arm came up to wrap around the woman’s waist. The woman was lighter than he had expected, but then again, women generally lacked the bone density that a male had. ”She could only outrun me if she was a track runner.” A chuckled rose to his lips as his palm flattened along the woman’s stomach and rested his chin upon her shoulder. He fell silent then as he listed to Sawyer speak and give introductions, which made him lean back into his chair, his blue eyes watched as her mouth formed words. The man shrugged then as he suddenly shifted to lift a hand to lightly take a strand of Sawyer’s black locks and gently tugged upon them. She was beautiful for a woman who needed a sponsor, most recovering addicts were not so pretty and missed a tooth. Some even had less hair, yet hers seemed rather full and soft to the touch.

What was this woman an addict of then? The question played inside his mind then before the familiar smirk returned to his lips and he cocked a brow at the woman in his lap. ”Well, you see darling, I saw you enter this here little café and I thought to myself, I wouldn’t mind giving her a good time. So, as I entered, I saw this poor little kitten and I thought to myself again that women have a soft spot for little kittens. Which brings me right here, sitting beside the little kitten, looking like some good Samaritan with the beautiful woman in my lap.” Oh if only his motives were more pure than his explanation. The smirk returned to his lips then as he shifted forwards and his palm brought Sawyer back towards him so then her back was pressed into his chest once more. His free hand lifted to gently moved her hair from her neck and he gently pressed his lips to the soft curve presented. ”Sweetheart, the name of the man of whom you seated yourself upon, is Verin.”

The man remained like that for a moment and softly blew a breath upon her neck. He briefly wondered if she knew about vampires, her response would probably give him some insight if she did. Slowly, he relinquished his hold upon her and leaned back into his chair. His blue gaze shifted to the kitten beside them, a kitten who had yet to give a name. He slung an arm over the back of his chair then and chuckled some more. Oh he was glad that he had bothered to stop into this little café indeed. ”Little Orphan, you look like nothing that I would take seriously. You just look like a little kitten with little daggers. If I don’t scare you, then my diabolical plan has worked.” Yet another smirk worked its way to his lips then as he glanced back to Sawyer.

Indeed, he had come in because he had spied Sawyer outside and agitated. He had also come in to keep an eye upon her, but he also didn’t expect when he had offered, that she would slip onto his lap. Now that he was here with the woman in his lap, he wanted to leave with her and take her to his hotel room to enjoy all that her body had to give. It was rather interesting to see just how intentions could change in the blink of an eye. His gaze trailed the curve of her neck and imagined his tongue trailing along such a curve. Verin allowed another smirk to rise to his lips then as he glanced over towards the man that Sawyer had introduced as Ephraim. ”Why so serious, friend?” The paladin shifted his attention back to the woman in his lap then and lifted his right hand only to lightly trail his fingers down her right side. If only they had been alone and there wasn't a kitten sitting right beside them.

[Sawyer (DELETED 7853)]

“You don’t know **** about what really happens out there, kid. At least let me offer you a source of income so I don’t find you whoring yourself on the street corner to some old freak with a doll fetish,” she said with a slow curve of her lips. She hadn’t missed the determination and defiance in the girl’s eyes, and she knew that it mirrored her own - but she had a look of purity about her, and she was still someone that could be redeemed. She, much to the bible thumping freak’s disappointment, was too far gone. Without waiting for her response, she pulled a crumpled business card from her jean pocket and tossed it into her lap, knowing she would take it. The girl was young - but she wasn’t stupid. Even if she didn’t want her help now, she would need it in the future. She knew that all too goddamned well.

Closing her eyes as she heard his voice, then, she took a deep breath and shook her head. She hated how easily Ephraim creeped beneath her skin and made her so aware of his presence. He was like a lingering shadow, and damn, she wanted to escape him. His statement sent her reeling, and she sank her teeth into her tongue to stop the scathing retort that begged to be released. Usually, she didn’t give a **** about causing a scene, but something gave her pause, and she gave a slow shake of her head. He’s just trying to **** with your mind, that’s all it is. Focus, girl. Forcing her muscles to relax, she clenched her fingers around her dagger, the blade hidden easily in her palm as she shifted her attention to her human seat, and arched a brow.

“You think really ******* highly of yourself, don’t you?”

Her tone was as light as she could make it, but it held the undercurrents of unease. From her position, she couldn’t discern what he was - did he have a pulse? He didn’t feel cold beneath her, nor did his touch as it slid along her form, but what all did they really know about the undead? They still hadn’t been able to tell her what the **** was wrong with her, why she craved the blood as much as she craved her next hit, so she knew their education was limited. Shifting her position when he leaned forward, she slid her hand along his chest, her palm tracing the expanse of his muscles until it sought its goal. Heartbeat. It was light, but it was there, she could feel it as it worked to pump the blood through his veins, and almost instantly, her entire form relaxed.

Uncurling her fingers from around her blade, she allowed it to fall back into the confines of her pocket before she slowly pulled her hand free. She was the picture perfect image of innocence in that moment, her blue eyes wide and her lips forming that all too familiar pout as she tensed once again beneath the feel of his kiss. Had she been wrong? Worry darkened her eyes, and it wasn’t until she felt him retreat that she allowed herself to relax. It was a dangerous game she was playing - and she couldn’t help but wonder if he was in on the act. “Verin,” she repeated, allowing the name to roll easily from her tongue. Once upon a time, she would have given in to the advances and allowed herself to fall prey to the way his breath heated over her skin, but times had changed. She had changed.

As much as she loathed to admit it, the thought of a night spent tangled in his arms no longer appealed to her, but ****, she wanted it to. She wanted to twist her fingers into his hair and taste his skin - if only to rid herself of the light that she felt splintering through her soul. She belonged in the Underbelly of this town, where miscreants and sin ran freely.

She had no ******* right to think herself anything better than trash.

Her body reacted to his touch in a way that she hadn’t in a long time, and she knew that she was falling rapidly into his trap, even as all of her defenses fell into place. You really don’t want this, Sawyer, you just want to self-destruct. Her fingers twisted in her lap, the strength of her hold turning her knuckles white as she tipped her gaze towards his, her will weakening with each brush of his hand along her skin. He was detrimental to her health, and she ******* knew it. She just had to keep reminding herself of that little fact, but damn, he made it difficult. He had the eyes that she could lose herself in and the smile that could feed her addictions in more ways than one - and she was powerless to stop it. Now would be the time for you to do your job, Thor, before I show you just how unsavable I really am, she thought as she reluctantly pulled her hand from his musclebound chest.

[Ephraim Steele]

Catching the young woman’s smile, he returned the small expression, and tipped his cup of tea to her before he took another sip. The hot, fragrant tea passed over his tongue and filled the pit of his stomach with a warm, soothing sensation as he did his best to focus on her, to push Sawyer’s obvious antics as far from his mind as he could manage. He lifted a hand to his chin, idly stroking the coarse curls of his well kempt beard, his hard, sharp blue gaze moving over the young girl’s face. He let his smile grow warm, then, and decided that he would try to strike up conversation, at least, with the little rebel. He knew well what it was like to be such a spitfire, full of piss and vinegar and ready to lash out at anything that looked at you wrong. It was a simple sort of life, to live with the rage there on the precipice of your whole being, every waking moment. It was a fast life, too, and one that snuffed out quickly, as he’d learned.

He sat his drink down and laced his fingers protectively around the cardboard cup, as if he were hoarding it to himself as he gave her that warm smile. “I don’t think I caught your name, though as you undoubtedly heard, mine’s Ephraim. Steele. You sound like you know a lot about what’s going on out there.” It wasn’t such a stretch of his imagination to believe that someone so young would know the streets. Often, it was the youngest of them that could see without being seen, could hear without ever even being in earshot. They talked, and talk was valuable. He slowly let his fingers unlink, spreading his hands across the table shrugged his shoulders and shifted in his seat, letting his frame lean back against the chair. “Heard anything out of the ordinary lately?”

Finally, he let his hard eyes move back to Sawyer and the man that had so crudely introduced himself as Verin. He took a moment, locking down his reflexes. To let his body react would have been poorly executed. He let his hand move to slide inside the breast of his coat as he knit brows the color of dark honey. He wrapped his fingers around the hilt of his knife, to ground himself, to remind him that it was there, and that he didn’t have to use it. Not just yet. He cleared his throat, then, and ran his thumb across the base of the blade’s hilt. “You two mind? You’re acting like a couple of cats in heat, and it’s disturbingly disappointing to say the very least. Especially of you, Sawyer.”

His voice was schooled, even and unwavering, though he wanted to throw something at the both of them. It wasn’t bad enough that they were pawing at one another like some kind of absurdly lustful ritual, but that they were practically on the brink of foreplay and almost on top of a woman as young as the complete stranger they seem to have completely violated for the morning. It was, quite frankly, an affront to everything that Sawyer had told him she’d wanted, what she was working for. Even if she hated him for it, this was what he was here for. He moved to his feet, then, and pushed his chair aside. His eyes didn’t leave the pair as he pulled his hand from his coat, empty, and smoothed down the article of clothing. “You have my apology, Miss. It seems there’s a situation I need to handle. If I’m not back, the number on the back of what she calls a business card is the number to the gym that I run for her. I can’t offer you a job, as she owns the place and it is her say, but I can offer you something a little better in the means of self defense than a pair of untrained fists.”

He moved to the pair of what should have been the adults in the café, but had turned into little more than a pair of horny teenagers at the first sign of one another, and placed a hand on Sawyer’s shoulder, twisting the leather of her vest and hauling her up off the man’s lap. He kept his fist twisted into the soft leather of her vest as he shook his head. “I think you’re entirely capable of using a chair.” he let his gaze move between the both of them, then, as he frowned. “You’re both ******* adults. Act like it, and show some restraint. It isn’t that hard.” He turned to his table and swiped the cup of tea from the flat surface, turning to face the small stature of his companion. He knit his brows, and hauled her out the door. He was just too exhausted to keep himself from throwing punches much longer.

So much for that saintly patience.

[Isis Louhi (DELETED 8004)]

Isis rolled her eyes as she heard the orphan comment from the annoying o-, No, his name is Verin. Pompous, self righteous jerk. I wonder if you know that your name sounds like a dead Roman's horse. Her own thought caught her off guard and she laughed at herself, tilting her head back as she did so. It soon died as quickly as it had started however, as she turned to watch the sky lighten more. She took one last sip of her tepid coffee, then sighed as she looked at the three adults. Taking the card offered from the woman, she shrugged at the woman's words, even as she slid the card across the table into her pocket. She looked at the quiet man last, and was surprised by the warmth of the man's smile and introduction.

Ephraim Steele. That's actually kind of pleasant. Sounds like one of those angels mom used to talk about.

Isis decided then that maybe she should give him a second chance. After all, it may be the closest she ever got to an angel, because she sure wasn't going to heaven. She turned and gave him her full attention, her eyes more grey than blue today, making them look like frost over water. Listening to what he said, she shrugged a shoulder, her voice low as she admitted more than she should in her worry.
"My name is Isis. Like the goddess in Egypt? My mother had weird taste," she gave a gamine smile, then continued. "I wouldn't say this place is normal. Some tweaker has bitten me twice this week, and I try to stay in different areas every night. The police here shoot first, and ask questions later. And there have been a couple of people on bath salts running after me lately. I swear I'm a crack shot, but they just keep coming." Her face started to slip a little, looking more vulnerable as she spoke, her tongue running across the bottom of her top teeth as she scratched behind her ear.

Isis turned to look at the couple on the chair, trying to ignore that he had her spilling nearly all her secrets. Her vulnerable face slid back behind the mask, covered with a general air of disgust as she looked at them.

Honestly, I'm more worried that Ephraim will catch onto me than loudmouth over here... Oh, for god's sake, get a room!

She rubbed a hand down her face in exasperation, and became increasingly interested in her coffee cup. She sat that way for a few minutes, blocking out everything else. Finally, picking up her coffee cup to take it to the barista, she went to get up, only to catch Ephraim dragging his friend back out the door. Another laugh escaped her lips before she scowled again.

Careful girl, you let that barrier break, and you'll shatter like glass on the floor. You want to be one of these marks on the street all messed up?

"Well, it's been real, and it's been fun, but it ain't been real fun, you know?" Isis slid her chair back as she said this, inching her backpack closer to her with her foot, her eyes wary as she slid from her seat to crouch as she picked it up. Standing back up, she slung it over one shoulder haphazardly, and gave Verin a mock salute. She tried very hard to resist the urge, but she couldn't help but sling her foot in the direction of one of the chair legs. A look of pure mischief danced in her eyes, but was disrupted by the sight of the police for the area. Her eyes narrowed, even as she moved towards the counter.

Placing her cup down, she murmured to the barista. "Hey, Evan, right? Any way you have a back door? You see, I've been missing school again, and they'll probably want to drag me back. I just wanted a day off, you see, as I get bored. I'll go back tomorrow, but I really need to not get caught today. Can you do me this favor?" Isis looked up at him from a tilted head, trying to go for innocence. When the barista nodded, she squealed, bent over the counter and kissed his cheek, and darted out the back door, calling out to Varin as she went.

"Peace out, smelly trout!"

[Verin Truska (DELETED 7956)]

Verin wanted nothing more than to argue that of course they were adults, but that didn’t mean that they couldn’t have any fun. The man always filled his time with women, alcohol and death, so it wasn’t unusual to see him with a woman in his lap looking like a horny teenager. He had many demons to kill and many a memory to wipe from his mind. So, keeping his hands full, meant that his demons left him alone. The moment that Ephraim mentioned that they looked like a pair of cats in heat, the man smirked and shifted so then he could trail his day old stubble down the woman’s neck. He loved the reactions he got from her and he wanted nothing more than to play her like an instrument. However, the woman was suddenly pulled from his lap by the same man that seemed outraged by it all and hauled her out the door.

A brow rose at their retreating backs before he simply shrugged and leaned back into his chair. Ephraim kind of reminded him of some saint who didn’t indulge in any of the sins of man. It wouldn’t have surprised him if that was the case though, for he seemed to have some kind of steel rod shoved right up his back with all of the proper manners of a man from the 50’s. It was then that the young kitten decided that she too was leaving and a simple shrug of his shoulders was given. That was fine with him, what did a man like him say to one that was so young. Don’t drink and drive? The man wasn’t a very good role-model, especially ever since he had received his paladin runes. Trouble was his middle name, amongst many other descriptive personality traits. However, his goals were really not of virtue. The young one had been about to swing a kick at his chair, but had stopped when she had spied something out the window. Something that interested him naught.

Finally, he apparently found himself alone in a café and a simple shrug of his shoulders was given as he leaned back into his chair. Verin’s right hand moved forwards to pick up his coffee mug once more to drink from it. There was alcohol in it and he wasn’t about to waste it just because a few people left the party. He was used to being on his own, so even though they had left him alone, he didn’t mind so much. Although, he did wish that the woman would have stayed for some guilty pleasures of the flesh. ”Hn,” he said softly while he enjoyed the simple cup of spiked coffee. His blue eyes watched the guy behind the register glance at his phone before ducking around the back and his gaze shifted then to spy the sun slowly rising above the horizon.

He rolled his shoulders then and his right hand slid up the sleeve of his jacket before he tugged free the small little dagger that was hidden along the underside of his forearm. Verin placed it upon the table in front of him beside his coffee mug and he pushed one of the jacket’s sleeve up to reveal the rune at his wrist. His fingers would lace together while his eyes focused upon the small dagger. None of his runes meant anything to those who did not know about what lurked within Harper Rock, but those that did know, would know just exactly what he was. So long as they held the knowledge. To the random on-looker, he just looked like a simple street thug. ”Everyone has secrets and everyone tells lies.” He said softly, mostly to himself. It used to be his wife’s favourite quote by some other woman and as the sun rose each day, he made it so then he would honour her memory in the smallest of ways. It was then that he reached forwards, picked up his mug and drained the last dregs, before he placed it back upon the table and returned the dagger back into its small sheath along the underside of his forearm. He then pushed back from his seated position and moved towards the door, pushing through it and out into the morning sun. The day had already begun, which meant that it was time for him to sleep so then he too would rise with the predators of Harper Rock.