Voodoo Hoodoo

[Storyteller]

Edenor
As he entered the bar again and headed for the basement he stopped dead in his tracks as he realized there were people here again. At least the red head he had met the night before though the other man he had never seen before. A slightly heavy sigh escaped him as he made his way to the bartender ordering another double of vodka neat and went to take a seat at an open table this time giving a nod towards the woman in greeting as he sat.

Amalea
Amalea raised an eyebrow as the mystery man from last night came down the stairs. She was surprised to see him return given his dislike of crowds; she had warned him. She nodded politely, "Evening."

Edenor
He sat back, his feet moving to rest on another chair as he lifted his glass and tipped it back. it didnt last more than a couple of seconds before it was empty and he set it back down to slide across the table. He figured it would get refilled when it got refilled. Hearing her greeting he gave a faint smile as he teased, "It is indeed evening or I would not be here again."

Amalea
Her eyes rolled as she countered, "Of course, I doubt many fancy sporting a smoldering or ashy look." Slipping out of her seat, she made her way through the maze of chairs to the jukebox. Making her selection, she paid the required amount and hit play. It was a rather long track but the artist was quite good in her opinion. If the menfolk didn't like it, they would just have to choose the next one. Reclaiming her seat, she smiled as she took a sip of her wine. (( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCL94-MsxYc ))

Edenor
He watched as she got up to play some music on the jukebox and mulled her words over and almost replied but as he realized his joke was a bit on the morbid side he decided it would be better to just concede the point . As she sat again he couldn't help asking, "So as business allows huh? Seems to me your business allows it at least a decent amount. What business are you in if you dont mind my asking?"

Mortll
It had been a busy week at the Voodoo Mortll was going to blame it on the Eclipse though it had lasted much longer than one day. She had been making regular stops at the winery to supliment her normal order she was making a fresh delivery and popped into the basement to see who all might be about .

Amalea
Amalea laughed softly, "Some days are better than others." She smiled sweetly, "I have three currently, with ideas in the works for an additional two or so." Spotting Mortll, she waved in way of greeting, "Evening, Mortll."

Mortll
"Hello Amalea Hows the night going for you my dear ?"

Amalea
"I'm in one piece, so gotta be a good night."

Edenor
Three? He didn't want the headache of one much less three, or five for that matter. more power to her. As Mortll entered he gave a slight wave with his hand, "Hello again Mortll, hows the city treating ya?"

Mortll
ran her hands over her body as if checking herself "I am too unless you want to double check me and make sure "

Doc
Doc had been writing in a book, in the far corner. Perhaps writing was a strong definition. He was attempting to write. But just as he would start to write something, he would pause. Stop. Pull the pen from the paper, and change his mind. This was his actions for the last thirty minutes. The only thing that had been put to paper was a few lyrics, "say something.. I'm giving upon you."

Amalea
Amalea snickered softly, quite sure after last nights conversation that the question was meant more to rile Doc up than herself. Two could easily play the game, "Perhaps you should get an expert opinion...say...a doctor's."

Edenor
"Specifically a brain doctor. Need to get your head checked Mortll." He smiled at her as he said it and gave her a playful wink.

Mortll
"Ive had my head checked ... im not quite normal ... but everyone knows that ... Whats up Edenor i see you drug yourself out again tonight "

Doc
Doc sighed. He circled the lyrics. Most of the lyrics rang true. He made an oath. But now.. that oath seemed useless.. He shut the book.

Edenor
He shrugged slightly, "Thought I'd get out and find this place empty but it wasn't. Companies not so bad so far. Other than Mr. Broody over there." He indicated with a cant of his head the man sighing to himself with his book.

Amalea
"I don't think anyone in this city is normal," she giggled softly. Christ that was an understatement.

Edenor
He eyed Amalea after her statement and an eyebrow slowly lifted, "I don't think you're even allowed into this city if you're normal."

Amalea
The red-head shrugged, "I was *mostly* normal when I came here." Glancing at the corner, she frowned slightly before giving Doc a soft mental poke ~Everything ok?~

Edenor
"Ahh but there's the rub. Mostly normal means you weren't no matter how much you might have pretended you were."

Doc
Doc stiffened ever so slightly as the mental message came through. **** him. He hadnt even noticed people had arrived. He looked at her and winked, and sent her a mental message. ~Yes. One of those.. so you think you have the world figured out moments.. only to realize.. you had no ******* clue.. just hit me.~

Edenor
Standing up he figured it best to be on his way, he'd had his drink and even socialized if only a bit. Giving a quick short wave with his hand he headed for the way upstairs, "Have a good rest of the night folks."

Amalea
Amalea shook her head at Edenor, "What was normal to me...is not normal to everyone else." She was would leave it at that; it was safest. She smiled at Doc, nodding her head towards the empty seat at her table in silent invitation. ~Ah, nasty buggers those moments are.~ She was not unfamiliar with them. "Have a good night," she called after the departing male.

Doc
Doc only stood and collects his book to move to Alamea's table, after the other male had depart. Amalea needed time to socialize outside him. Alright maybe that was unfair. His thoughts warred with each other. He only wanted her to be safe; the one said. AS he SHOULD! the other side demanded. But not at the point of oppression! You are to ******* obvious the first side railed at the second. **** you! Doc rubbed raked his hair back. He needed a drink.

Amalea
"Mortll, you work too much, woman. Come join us." Amalea had the suspicion it would be another quiet night and there was no reason for the woman to be slaving away. Never mind that things seemed a bit tense in here tonight. "How's the book?"

Doc
Doc took a seat at Amalea's table. If her question for him, he would show. He opened the book so she could see the lyrics.

Amalea
Curious, she took the silent offer and read the words... lyrics, really. Oddly enough, it was a song she was familiar with and had heard many times. "Interesting choice," she commented, softly.

Doc
Doc nodded slowly. "You are you never to old to learn. I know from first hand experience." He paused. "Sometimes I can be unbending. And I need to change that."

Mortll
smiled as she sat 3 bottles and 3 glasses on the table Priest red wine and Scotch pick your poison. What is your life changing revelation Doc Ive had a few of those recently and thanks for being there when i needed someone to talk to "

Amalea
"An immortal existence would be rather dull if learning was impossible," Amalea smiled softly. "Trees are still strong, yet bend with the wind."

Doc
Doc looked at Mortll, "Our experiences as children.. they color our adulthood. But... " Doc looked at Mortll and Amalea, "What if in adulthood, we looked at those experiences through.. fresh eyes.. ? What then?"

Mortll
"Doc i came to Harper Rock driven by a obsession with a mistake i made as a stupid teenager Id be fucked if i didnt look at things through fresh eyes "

Doc
"Yes. I did not have that luxury." He snorted derisively, "Now I do." He almost blurted things out that he did not want to see the light of day. He barely held back. "that is all."

Amalea
Amalea could certainly agree with the fact childhood experiences affected adulthood. She just wasn't sure she was the right person to ask about seeing things through fresh eyes; she was still a baby to most vampires. And honestly, she wasn't sure she still fully grasped how her screwed up childhood affected things today. She could guess though, "I'd hazard that your perspective on things changes?"

Doc
"It has." Doc shook his head, "Over the weirdest thing. A tree. A ******* tree. And Now.. I am re-evaluating my whole basis for decisions I have made in the past. " He looked at Amalea, pointedly in the eye, "It is like an epiphany hit me. Something that was so simple .. that I should have seen.. But did not. " He drew a breath, and took a few seconds to collect his thoughts. "You have no idea how .. ******* humbling that is."

Mortll
"Everything changes and being rigid just gets you broke Ive learned to be flexable on alot of things that just no longer made any sense in my life ". She looked at Doc " I know what you mean "

Doc
Doc loolked at Amalea, hoping to impart something of substance. "She says that, yes.

Doc
Doc took a breath, "But.. " He paused, "It is harder that it sounds. So much harder. " He almost added something, shook his head, and back tracked. "See.. I thought I was right. With all of my being .. I thought I was right. And now.. Now.. I see.. that something as simple as a tree.. A ******* tree... can change my perspective. That is huge.. ."

Mortll
Mortll spoke softly " What did you change your mind about Doc ?" she paused "What happened ?"

Amalea
A tree? Amalea was wise enough not to ask though she hadn't missed the look he gave her. She understood the concept in theory; it was the actual practice she wasn't sure she could put into exercise. She nodded lightly, as if to second the questions."

Doc
Doc shrugged, "What I changed my mind about.. isnt the issue. The issue.. is .. I have been ******* wrong." He looked down, and braced himself. "I do not like to be wrong. And I was .. Wrong."

Mortll
almost laughe almost she knew he was serious and she wouldnt go there ..."Look Doc reality checks will do that ... they **** with you big time and we all get them from time to time ... You are just going to have to deal with it as best you know how ... if that isnt enough we are here dont let something like that break you You are too bullheaded and stubborn for that ... but it helps if you can talk to someone about it just to get it out there to one person ya know "

Mortll
"Even if it isnt us "

Amalea
"She has several good points," she commented quietly. "Even baby steps are still steps forward, though they may not seem it."

Mortll
fell silent Mortlls last reality check had been a Red headed crazy lady coming back into Docs life. She shook her head getting rid of the thought .

Doc
"Alright I get it.." He frowned, "reality checks happen. But not to me... until now!" His voice raised an octave. He sucked in a breath, as he counted. He looked at Amalea, "Do not be like me. Do not pretend you are infallible. Because when you are proven wrong.. it is gut wrenching. It is soul crushing." ((for Doc.. Pride before a fall curse.. is driving most of this))

Amalea
"They do tend to occur when most unexpected. Eventually everyone will likely experience one." Amalea nodded slowly, taking careful note of his words. "I'll try my best," she promised softly.

Doc
Doc just nodded. He was quiet for a several moments. "Now.. I have go make something right." he stood up. "Mortll . .Kid.. enjoy your evening.."

Amalea
"Have a good night and good luck."

Doc
Doc gave Amalea a quirk quirk of his lips. "You too Kid."

Amalea
Amalea just silently shook her head in amusement.

Lincoln King
The staircase was surprisingly eery for a cybercafe, then again, he didn't often find himself in cybercafes. Linc had come here to meet an associate, one of programmer's turned hackers who helped protect his business from others who wanted to sabotage it. He'd come down to look for an ATM, and found a room full of people. Two of them he recognised immediately, the man standing who he'd met the other night trying to get his associate laid, and the attractive redhead he'd been eyeballing most of the night. "Oh... Hello..." He glanced around, hoping the ATM would appear.

Amalea
Amalea looked up in time to see the man she was fairly sure was 'Lincoln' from the club the other night, "Good evening, looking for something or someone?"

Lincoln King
The greeting wasn't the warmest, and he had the feeling he'd interrupted something, that although the area was accessible perhaps it was invitation only, a private area. Maybe the pimply punk who'd looked vaguely smug as he'd directed Lincoln down here did it as a joke, without the intention of actually helping him. "Hey. Yeah, I was looking for an ATM, some kid said it was down here, but..." He took another quick look around, shaking his head. "Sorry if i'm interrupting a meeting."

Amalea
"You're not interrupting anything," she shook her head lightly. "I'm not sure I've ever seen an ATM down here though." She turned to Mortll, "But it's your place, so you got an ATM hidden somewhere I've been missing?"

Mortll
"Its Temporarly out of order " Mortll looked at the man Human male Sorcerer if she was reading him right "Do i know you ?"

Lincoln King
Linc was exhausted, it had been a long week and some pockmarked pleb playing a little prank wasn't doing anything for his mood. A hand swept across his face, masking a quiet groan, giving him time to put a more pleasant smile back on his face. "Ah, looks like I may have been "played" then. What... Is this place?" He asked the redhead, since she seemed to be the only one actively partaking in conversation or offering assistance.

Lincoln King
The other woman spoke then, and he finally took a better look at her. "Apologies, no, I don't believe so. I'm Lincoln, it's a pleasure to meet you i'm sure..." She hadn't given a name, so he trailed off politely.

Mortll
He had asked his question at the same time Mortll asked hers "Its a place for vampires and people who are friends of Vampires to meet and i am Mortll Lincoln this is my place " she smiled politely

Amalea
Amalea was content to let Mortll answer Lincoln's questions as she mulled over the conversation the trio had just had. It was the first one in a long time she had felt completely out of her depth and, frankly, she didn't like that feeling. In an unconscious reaction, she rubbed her arm lightly.

Lincoln King
Ah, some kind of vampire den, and they were open about it? That was interesting, but he didn't knock it, after all he owned a business that was designed to be inclusive of everyone and their wants, their needs. "Mortll, so you're the owner?" His gaze shifted to Amalea, noting the way she touched at her arm, but having no understanding of what the gesture meant.

Amalea
Noting the male looking at her, Amalea realized where her hand rested and moved it to nab her wine glass. "She is," she supplied smoothly,

Lincoln King
He gave her a polite, almost apologetic smile. "I see, very nice. Always good to meet another of the cities business owners. Well, I consider myself an ally to vampires, so i'm glad you have a place you feel safe. This city got a little wild after secrecy went up in flames."

Mortll
"Before it became known that vampires existed Humans were not allowed down here it was a place for us to be ourselves without prying eyes now that humans know it still is a haven for us Only those that are knowlegable about us and acepting find this place agreable otherwise i kindly or not so kindly show them the door if you get my meaning " Mortll watched the newcomer carefully

Lincoln King
The sorcerer nodded, giving a quiet hum of agreement. "I can appreciate that. You should come along to the next Bitr event, everyone is welcome, no matter what their... Status?"

Amalea
"What's a Bitr event?" That was something new to the red-head.

Lincoln King
He laughed gently, "Bitr is a company, an app and website. It is designed to connect vampires, humans, and... Extra special humans." He winked, implying the hidden meaning, "Socially. Sort of like Tinder for the modern age. It's one of my projects."

Amalea
"A dating thing?" Her nose wrinkled slightly at the prospect. "Or is it something more than that?"

Lincoln King
He shook his head, "More. While sure, it is used for people to try and make dates, it is also used for people who want to feed safely or be fed on, for people who want to meet friends who understand. Perhaps they are newly turned, or perhaps they haven't found their way in life without a mentor. It brings people together."

Amalea
"Gotcha, a social-mediaesque safe haven," she nodded. It was certainly an interesting concept and it sounded like it had been successful thus far. "Perhaps I will have to give it a poke."

Lincoln King
"You're welcome to." He fished out a card, handing it to her. It was his personal card, "If you shoot me an email I can set you up with free access to premium service, let me know what you think? I always like getting opinions of people who understand both sides of things. All sides of things." He shrugged, "Anyway, we host regular events for people to meet at, to support the community and get them engaging. I see no point in discriminating, we should judge based on character not..." He gestured vaguely, "What we are?"

Amalea
"Thank you." She took the card and slipped it into her pocket for safe keeping, knowing that if she put it on the table she was likely to forget it. "I'll be sure to set aside some time this weekend to give it a look over. " She smiled, "It's got to be a better experience than trying to wade though the vampire-free forum that's floating around." She shook her head, "That's a mess so I'm definitely all for somewhere that's got some more sanity to it."

Mortll
Morll sat there silently "This app could be abused very easily whats to keep it from being used by the unsavory type that just want to capture us kill us i can see these paladin types using it to capture a fledge ?"

Amalea
Amalea silently acknowledged that Mortll had a point. She was surprised she had slipped up and failed to see that possibility herself.

Lincoln King
He nodded to both women, "A possibility and a risk that we don't shy away from, we encourage people to meet initially in public places, to tell someone where they are going or take a friend. We have yet to lose a member to such things, but there is always that risk... With anything. How many people are taken off the street and killed or hurt at random? Of course this may increase the risk, but so far so good... I guess you choose what is important to you, what you're willing to put out there, to risk."

Lincoln King
He put up a finger, "Also, we do have records of all interactions via the app and website, so we can help if anything were to happen."

Amalea
Lincoln's comments made sense to the red-head though she was going to defer to Mortll on the subject. That she prided herself on seeing issues like this before they became issues and had completely missed this was unnerving.

Lincoln King
((And I think she's snoozed ))

Amalea
Abruptly, the red-head stood, "Please excuse me, I need to head out." She smiled at Mortll and Lincoln, "Have a good evening." She headed for the staircase, eager to get out and hopefully clear her head.

Lincoln King
He watched her go, before giving Mortll a kind smile, putting a card onto one of the tables. "If you want to discuss, i'd love to hear your thoughts. Goodnight." And he followed the redhead up the stairs, to the exit. What a strange night.




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This thread was submitted via a live roleplay chat in the Voodoo Cybercafe Basement area. Participants and rewards were: Edenor earned 656 RPP. Amalea earned 1476 RPP. Mortll earned 809 RPP. Doc earned 994 RPP. Lincoln King earned 1234 RPP.