Escort Wanted

[Mordechai]

Mordechai was well south of the city on the highway through the wilderness. As opposed to normally quiet passage anywhere, a banshee wail screamed from the pipes of his Judge as he held the throttle wide open. Crouched over the handlebars, even his eagle eyes could not determine individual trees. The top speed of a Victory Judge was rev limited to 190km/h but hacking the eprom and reprogramming it was child's play to a hacker with Mordie's skills. The needle wavered gently, caressing the mark at 280km/h. A slight vibration in his pocket let him know he had an incoming text. Rolling off the throttle he accessed it with his mind as the bike slowed the gurgling exhaust punctuated by loud *pops* of back-pressure, as the high compression engine slowed the bike.

"If you could meet with me later tonight after I've given them both interviews that would be ideal. I'd like us to become better acquainted but already know you well enough that I think that you're tailor made for this job. If we agree, I will want to confirm with your... 'relationship status'? I don't think you are single, although it's not something we've ever discussed, so I'll need to know that your helping me isn't going to cause any conflict in your personal life. I hope you haven't any problem with that. Let me know if I can expect to see you and please do dress to impress if you're still interested in the job. ~Alex Q"

The bike was down to 40 km/h as he finished reading. Leaning hard to the left Mordechai performed a feat he never could have as a human. Spiking the brakes the massive killer slammed his booted left foot into the pavement pulling hard on the bars as the tread of his New Rock bit into the asphalt. The 310kg bike ripped into a U-turn, like it was a toy, in the hands of a child. Dropping low over the bars, throttle cranked to the stop, Mordie's 300lbs kept the front wheel just barely one half a meter from the street. As the speedometer slid past 120 km/h the wheel gently kissed the road. First the killer telepathically connected to his mate, ''My interview for the new job is tonight, on my way home to change'' Then an answering text to Mz Quartermaine. *Received, and acceptable*. Slowing as he neared the city he quickly wove his way to Veil Towers, parking on the berm outside the main lobby, he would be minutes at most. Interviews were beginning at 21:30, he would not be late. Shedding his coat in the elevator he lost his black silk shirt crossing the hall. Dropping them inside the door, he slid off his New Rocks and black leather pants. A quick shower, and he was into the bedroom of their lair. Dodging the scraps of satin and lace that kennedy called apparel, he considered the text as he went to his closet. ''Dress to impress'' he thought. Reaching into the big walk-in he slipped a new black silk shirt, 5x tall, from a hanger and slid it over his massive shoulders. Looking over his selection of clothes he next choose a pair of black leather pants, slipping into them. Function and beauty, they were made from the black back of an orca, and would turn the edge of the sharpest knife, if it was wielded by a human, and slow it considerable for any but the strongest of 'pyres. Black socks slipped on followed by a new pair of the same model New Rocks he always wore. Slipping a freshly waxed duster from its padded hanger he slipped it across his meter wide shoulders, turning for the door.
As he passed into the common area he flipped his stetson onto his head and locked the door.

The ride down the elevator was uneventful, as the killer studied himself in the mirrored doors. Walking out he swung onto the still warm Judge, gave it a kick, and roared off towards Wickbridge. 21:15, plenty of time. Zigging through traffic as he passed the 8th Dimension Mall, he pulled into the gated lot at the transit station. The bike would be safe there. Hoisting it easily onto its center stand the seven foot killer pulled a locking cover from a saddlebag and slipped it over the Judge, locking it in place. As he knelt to set the lock, his hands graced the handles of the twin fairbairn-sykes in his boots, checking they were secure, and ready. They were all he was taking with him, this was after all, just a job interview. 21:27. Three minutes till the interviews started. Mordie leaned against the Judge and lit a red, no worries on cancer anymore. Inhaling deeply, he watched the people on the sidewalk as the clock ticked in his head. As the designated time arrived, he saw the diminutive blonde allurist entering the door of the Metronome. Flicking the butt in the street, he crossed, entering ten steps behind her. Mordechai went to the opposite end of the bar, backing into the darkened shadows there. Tipping the empty he had purloined as he passed a vacant table to his lips, he nodded to the barmaid, as he watched mz Quartermaine greet one of the cities more vertically challenged citizens.

[Vincent (DELETED 4093)]

Vincent looked at his phone, checking out the selfie of the blonde he was going to meet. He put his phone away and waited for her to show up. He looked up when he was approached. He smirked, "Yep, that be me. Told ya it wouldn't be hard to find me." he said with a wink. He gave a firm handshake, even if his hand was small, a handshake had to be good no matter what.

"Hi Alex and its no problem. I haven't had much going on since moving here." he said, he thought a moment about a drink. "Sure, a Whiskey Sour would be nice." he added, "Thank you." Course being so small he had to be aware of how much he drank.

"So, are there really that many parties going on? I don't have a circle of friends yet to know about these social events." he said with a laugh. It had to be parties that not just anyone was invited to of course.

[Alexandrea]

Vincent had a good grip, the blonde noted as they shook hands. Her smiled widened and her head slightly nodded to him. She resisted the urge to remark that he hadn't sold himself short when he had mentioned he would be easy to spot. Instead she waved to Oliver and her favorite waiter headed their way, taking the drink order and then moving off quickly to fill it.

"There are always parties to go to!" The Allurist laughed. "And this is the start of Harper Rock's busiest social season. Plus this year, it's an election year so besides the usual fund raisers, auctions, fashion shows, holiday parties, gallery showings and other odd events? The next month will be extra busy with political rallies and election campaigning."

Oliver was back promptly with two whiskey sours and a basket of popped corn. He set it all down with a wink and Alex chuckled. He knew after a few drinks, Alexandrea would want something to chew on besides the scenery. The Allurist took a sip from her own glass and then ate the cherry.

Out of habit Alexandrea went to play with the stem of the small fruit, she had the odd skill of being able to tie it into 2 or sometimes 3 knots with her tongue. It was a party trick Alex enjoyed doing to make people laugh. The time was completely inappropriate for a gag like that however. And the blonde stopped her self in time, the stem paused centimeters from her lips and then was set down on a napkin of to the side.

"So when did you move to town, Vincent? May I ask you where you're from?"

[Nimrod]

Nim let Alex lead him away and sat down. He blinked when a cat was put on his lap. "Hi Miss Penny." he said, petting the feline. He did feel better. He took the fruit roll ups gratfully and unrolled one, slowing eating it up but part of it still hanging out o his mouth. He let out a sigh. "Fake? Oh...yeah Halloween. Glad it not some evil vampy message." he said, then got completely distracted with Halloween. "All the candy I can get.." he said, wondering what he would dress up as and who he could get to go with him. He never been. He wondered if he could get Alex and Kira to go, Kira always had candy, surely Halloween was her thing. Mike should come too.

He looked up, out of his distraction when he got a kiss on the forehead. He then looked at Penny. He rubbed her belly. "Penny and Peter..." he said, "Sorry Pen, it would never work out. You're a cat, he's a........zombie wolf?"

He rubbed the cat a little more, "I better get to work. Wanna play with the duster?" he said, so he was only half working and half playing with the cat.

[Vincent (DELETED 4093)]

Vincent grinned, "Glad to know this place has a social season. I've been so bored." he said, "I don't know much about the elections though." he added.

He picked up the glass, taking a drink from it and debating on the popped corn. Seemed better than pretzels. He got slightly distracted when she seemed about to put the stem in her mouth, there were some girls with some skills for sure but he wasn't sure if he felt disappointed that he didn't get to see the trick.

"I've only been here a few months. I'm from LA. I needed a change from the bigger city." he said, which was a complete lie. He sure needed a change to make sure he didn't end up dead in a gang related hit.

"Have you always been here or did you move as well?" he asked.

[Alexandrea]

"Los Angeles?" Alex asked grinning. "That's on my list of places to see before I... well, you know." She ended with a wink and chuckled. "Maybe you can give me a list of must see places that the average tourist might miss?"

The blonde finished off her drink a bit to quickly and not being the first time, the waiter wasn't letting any grass grow under his feet. Trying to nurse the new glass a bit more reservedly, Alexandrea took her time before answering the diminutive gentlemen.

"I'm from Toronto, to begin with." She began, deciding not to bother hiding the truth. "I came to Harper Rock to go to school and then left. But I found myself back here and decided it was the place I wanted to stay."

The Allurist leaned forward and decided to get to business. "So, Vincent. What do you do with yourself when you aren't applying to be someone's arm candy?"

[Vincent (DELETED 4093)]

Vincent smiled, "Really? It is a great city, I could tell you some really hidden places that would be good to see." he replied. A shame he most likely could never go back. It made him sad, he finished his drink.

He listened to her and nodded, "It is a nice little town, some strange things from time to time." he said, at least no one would look for him here.

He smirked, "Well, I've been thinking what to do with myself. I have a business degree, so I would like to try to find a job where I can use that." he said. "This whole arm candy thing sounded like a good change of pace with job searching. At least it be fun." he said with a laugh.

[Alexandrea]

"A business degree?" Alex said with interest. "I happen to own a couple of businesses, Vincent. Maybe you should let me have a copy of your resume'. Unless you wouldn't prefer to be considered for a real job that is better suited to your background?"

The blonde leaned back after taking a small hand full of the popcorn and nibbled slowly as she waited for the man to think about the chance for a job that had long range potential as opposed to a flash in the pan opportunity.

Alexandrea hoped he would be open to the idea. She couldn't see Vincent as her escort but he seemed very nice, she would hate to just turn him down flat without anything to offer him. He was charming enough but he lacked the self confidence Alex expected in someone she might bring as a 'date' to the local events. Some of her friends would eat the small man alive...

[Andrew McGee]

Black on black with a hint of charcoal grey. The suit fit him like the proverbial glove.

"Well you can tell by the way...." he was singing along with the radio, only to stop and frown deeply. Andrew stopped combing his hair and glared at the source of the noise before switching the station.

"Disco is dead. And if it ain't, point me in the right direction and it soon will be." He returned to his grooming. A few more sweeps of the comb and he took stock of himself. Becoming a paladin had its perks including feeling like the clock had rolled back ten to twenty years physically. The outer changes were less evident but it was still nice to see more of his original hair color and less of his forehead in his reflection.

"Not only am I the president of the Men's Hair Club, but they all jealous as hell of me." he laughed at himself in the mirror. He slipped on his tinted glasses and wondered should he even be doing this. Odds were good he'd get asked the wrong question or catch the wrong look from someone with or without fangs and he would open his mouth and things would go down hill quite rapidly from there. Relationships had never been a strong point of his and tactful decorum even less so. He thought it, he'd say it, even when common sense was screaming like a five alarm fire in the back of his head 'SHUT UP, McGEE!'

"Ah well, we shall see. We shall see." It would be interesting to see if the image matched up with the reality. Gun and wallet in place, he picked up his sword cane and gave himself a final inspection before heading out to the elevator.

"Stayin' alive..." he hummed as the doors slid shut.

*****

He entered the Met as if walking into his own home. He liked the revamped ("Ouch.") look of the place. It felt comfortable to him. That annoying feeling vampires was close was beginning to buzz in the back of his head, but considering the town in general there was few places he did not get that feeling anymore (except in the day time) so he did not react, but just let his eyes inspect the place as he took a seat at the bar. After ordering himself a drink, he began looking closer at the people around him. He found Quartermaine easy enough and he was surprised the photo matched who he was looking at. 'Now what is her sociological malfunction that she needs to hire an escort?' he thought to himself. He also took note of the man sitting with her. No jokes or comments even considered appearing in his mind. Anyone who could walk around in this town and not be touched or tainted by vampires, fadelings, blood thieves, sorcerers or whatever the hell else was hanging in Harper Rock was a force to be reckoned with, no matter what size he was.

"And here there be giants as well as hobbits," he sighed while lighting a smoke. You had to look directly to see the guy but once seen, there he was. Had to be close to seven feet when he was standing up. Guy was keeping his own eye on things. Ex military was McGee's guess. He had a good view of the entire place from that corner.

He took a sip and glanced at his watch. Obviously the man she was taking with was also applying for the job. He would take his hint to introduce himself to the woman when they had finished talking.

[Vincent (DELETED 4093)]

"I'd be happy to give you a copy of my resume." Vincent replied with a smile, "I think I know where one of your shops are. I've taken a look around the mall before.." he added. "I can drop it off there." he had a feeling he wouldn't be picked for arm candy, but that was fine. At least he got something out of this. "I'm sure you got other interviews, need me to hit the road?" he asked. "It was nice meeting you, I hope we can work together, one way or another." he said with a smile.