Preparations | Aysel |

[Kleo]

--The following transcript was a live chat roleplay--

Preparations
03.11.14 | Family Crypt | Wilderness

Text Messages

Kleopatra: Aysel, do you have anything going on today, or could you possibly meet up to iron out some party details?

Aysel: I can meet. Just tell me where.

Kleopatra: How about the crypt? And if you’re really not busy, I can be there in 30.

Aysel: That is fine. I will be there soon.

Kleopatra: Perfect! I’m heading that way now.

---

Kleopatra: Sliding the phone into a hip pocket, Kleo pushed herself up off the stool she’d been perched on at home, tucked the slim portfolio sitting on the countertop into her bag, and headed for Cherrydale.

Arriving, Kleo walked the short distance from the transit to the Graveyard, slipping between its gates and following the path to the family crypt. Once inside, Kleo took off her bag, sank down onto the leather sectional, and waited for Aysel to arrive.

Aysel: She turned in her steps and headed for Cherrydale. She was 15 miles in to a twenty mile run and figured she may as well finish. So she ran the five miles to the graveyard, sliding through the gates, she ran towards the crypt, only slowing to a walk when it came in view. She walked the last few feet and opened the door, slipping inside she gave a small smile at Kleo. Her black clothes of mourning had been traded for all black running gear, right down to her socks and trainers. The only difference was her running shorts fell to just below the knee, rather than going all the way to her ankles.

“Salaam alaikum.” She said as she sat down beside her.

Kleopatra: Kleo looked up as she heard Aysel entering, a small smile turning her mouth as her eyes slid over the woman, observing what she had on. The shoes and overall attire brought her to the conclusion that she’d been doing some form of physical activity. She’d never seen Aysel in such a causal state...well, casual for Aysel that is. Even in the less modest attire, there still seemed to remain a certain formality.

“Evenin! Thanks for comin over. Were you workin out?”

Aysel: “I was just finishing a run. It was very nice. And I am always happy to meet with you.” She reached down and slid her shoes off as was proper, then grinned at Kleo. “I like to run. It is very relaxing.”

Kleopatra: Kleo grinned. “Definitely is a relaxin thing to do. Puttin this party together, I’ve been too busy to get in all of my usual miles, but I’m gonna make up for it after the event’s done. I think my daily trainin evens things out anyway.” She gave a small shrug.

“Shall we get right into it, then?” She reached into the bag she’d taken off and pulled out the leather folder she’d stashed in it, and looked at Aysel expectantly.

Aysel: “Yes, I am eager to see what you have come up with.” She moved to the edge of the couch and waited, looking expectant and excited.

Kleopatra: Kleo laughed lightly. “Don’t go gettin too excited, I don’t wanna disappoint!” Her heavily inked fingers opened the folder and spread it out on the coffee table in front of them so they could look together. “There’s not much that needs to be done- the venue takes care of a lot of things itself. Additional drinks, and some cakes oughta do the job I think, and some light decorating. These are the types of desserts I had in mind...like, look at this cake!” she pointed. “And you made some nice drinks for me the other night at Necropolis...I was hoping you could do something similar for this? I even found some cool recipes you could try for those who can drink, and humans if any of those make an appearance.” She pointed again. “Like this...what do you think?”

Aysel: She studied the photos with a tilt of her head, pursed lips and a finger tapping the table. “I cannot bake much. But the drinks I can cover, doing a variety of things like I had made for you as well as this one.” She tapped her finger on the shots. “Perhaps a few others with fingers floating in them or something.”

Kleopatra: ”Don’t worry about the cakes, I’ve already put in orders at a couple bakeries around town for those.” As Aysel confirmed she could make drinks, including the bizarre shot Kleo had stumbled across, Kleo nodded. “See, I knew you’d be able to deliver! Add whatever you’d like- the scarier the better. I also have another idea, for bottles of alcohol and specialty bloods if I can get my hands on those.”

Aysel: “What kind of specialty bloods? Please do not say Camel.” She wrinkled her nose and made a face. “I might be able to help since I do the ordering for the club.”

Kleopatra: ”...I hadn’t even thought of that! Doesn’t sound too appetizing, either. I haven’t really given much thought to the types...there’s the selection at Arbor Vitae here in town, I just wonder if the owner would mind me covering their labels with some theme-oriented ones instead. Surely I could reach out and ask her if I needed to...why, do you have a dealer? ...Errr, for bloods like that, I mean.” Kleo bit back a laugh.

Aysel: She snorted and laughed, relaxed enough that she elbowed the woman lightly, easing in to the collaboration of party planning with a woman who was quickly becoming a very good friend. She waggled her brows and grinned. “I have a dealer for a great many things. From blood to body parts. Do not ask.” She flashed her a grin. “Ariadne is the owner, yes? I do not think she would mind, but you can ask.”

Kleopatra: ”OW!” Kleo exclaimed dramatically at the gentle bump from Aysel, grinning in the wake of her feigned pain. “Oh do you now? I’m gonna forget you told me that….for now.” Her tone was ominous and teasing. “Yeah, that’s her! I hope she wouldn’t mind...but I think I’ll ask anyway, just to be sure. Is there anything else you need from me, for the drinks...besides payment of course?”

Aysel: She looked over the drinks list again, head tipped to the side as she pursed her lips. “Not really. But do you want top shelf alcohol or no?” She laughed at the woman’s dramatic, picking up a pillow and thwaping her with it.

Kleopatra: ”That’s a good question. I like quality, but I honestly don’t think a large number of the guests are gonna be drinkin the alcohol. Maybe a few bottles of the good stuff on hand for the straight drinks, and then for the ones where there’s gonna be another flavor element, we could go with somethin a bit less pricey? SKYY never did me wrong as a human, and I ain’t never heard a complaint about Jack.” She grunted as the pillow collided with her body, plucked it from Aysel’s hand and returned the affection.

Aysel: She flailed dramatically, falling off the couch in a tangle of limbs and fake groans of agony. “My love! She hath slayed me!” She cried out, making a few more overly dramatic noises before going still for a few moments. Then she spoke again.

“I think that is a wonderful idea. Speaking of ideas, I need your help…” The last part came shyly as she peeked at Kleo from behind one hand.

Kleopatra: Kleo burst into a loud laugh, staring down at Aysel writhing on the floor in amusement. Offering a hand to help her off the floor, Kleo replied to her words. “Then that’s settled! What do you need my help with?...is something wrong?” She frowned.

[Aysel]

--The following transcript was a live chat roleplay--

Aysel: She shook her head as she got up, feeling shy, she sat down beside the woman and took her phone from her arm, pulling up a picture of Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride. “I wish to do this, but I have no idea how.” She said as she showed Kleo. It was modest and yet, with the right touched, could be frightening. “Can you help me? I want to be a little more frightening, too.”

Kleopatra: Kleo leaned over to see what Aysel had to show her, and nodded. “Corpse Bride! That’s a cute movie. Are you the one who had Micah ask me if coming as her would be appropriate? You know you could’ve asked me yourself, I don’t bite!” Kleo pouted, pretending to be upset before breaking into a smile. “But yeah, if that’s the look you’re goin for, me and my paintbrushes can definitely achieve that...with lots more fright, of course.”

Aysel: She shook her head and frowned slightly. “It was not me.” She sighed and shot the woman a pleading look. “Now I really need help finding a costume. I do not want to copy someone else!”

Kleopatra: ”Sorry! But I guess it’s good he texted me and good thing I told ya, huh? I wouldn’t wanna share a costume with anyone either. I’m sure we can come up with somethin between the two of us. Do you wanna go the more traditional route...street clothes and gore, or would you like to really be someone? You’re not limited to characters who are already undead. If you wanted, you could be a zombie referee. You get what I mean?”

Aysel: She looked thoughtful, then smiled as she watched Kleo. “I would like to be someone else. I am tired of all black. I want to liven it up for the party, so to speak. Perhaps a night of make believe is just what I need.”

Kleopatra: Kleo liked where this conversation was going- she wasn’t one to intrude on other people’s business, let alone their fashion, but Aysel opened the door hadn’t she? “I’m liking the sound of this Aysel. No offense...but I’m a little tired of you in black, too.” She was teasing. Kleo had her preferred colors to wear, too, but she did try to change it up from time to time. “But what should you beee…” Kleo dragged out the word as she began to think. “Got a favorite book...movie...television show?”

Aysel: She shook her head. Then an idea came to her. “I want to be Madame Bathory, back from the dead!” She said in excitement. “Perhaps there is a way? A tattered gown, ooze and such? Oh Kleo can we do it?!”

Kleopatra: Aysel was adorable in her excitement, there was no other word to describe it. “Gimme a moment...I gotta look up who “Madame Bathory” is.” She pulled out her phone, connected to the internet and did a quick Google image search. “Oh, her! We could definitely do this Aysel. Take a razor to a gown...add some blood...paint your face and bloody that up too. Yep, more than possible, and I doubt anyone else if gonna think of this, so you’re safe in that regard!”

Aysel: “I did some research on her during my travels. A scary and fascinating woman. It was either her, or Vlad Dracul's wife. She committed suicide before the Turks could take over the castle. Threw herself from a window and into the river below.”

Kleopatra: ”Sounds fascinatin. The name and bits of her story sound familiar, but I don’t know anything extensive about her. Sounds like you really took an interest. My not so guilty pleasure is doin research on Cleopatra the seventh. I’m sure there’s no surprise there.” she laughed

Aysel: “Considering your name, there is no surprise.” She smiled as she looked at the woman before her. “When I was 18 I fled Turkey. I made my way around the world doing research of a sorts. I suppose it is what you Westerners call Paranormal Research. The mythology and legends of the rural parts of Europe, Asia and even a little in the US.” There was a lot she was leaving out, but she figured that would be just enough for now.

Kleopatra: Kleo was impressed. She would’ve never pegged Aysel as the type to “flee Turkey” for her own pursuits. She was looking at the woman in a new light, realizing there was much more to her than meets the eye- that perhaps, they had more common ground than she’d imagined. Kleo hadn’t even run away from home, hopping continents, but she’d sure had a number of adventures in her day, many without permission. “Did you find anything interestin...what were you even lookin for?”

Aysel: “I found many things.” She paused and fidgeted. “I grew upon tales of the Djinn. Not the genies of Western culture, but the terrible, blood sucking demons of the East. I believe all myth and legend comes from truth. So I suppose I was searching for the truth of it all.”

Kleopatra: Kleo nodded slowly. “I see...so, given your circumstances now, do you still...consider us to be blood sucking demons, do you think yourself a demon?” Kleo couldn’t help but wonder. “Have you found the truth you were lookin for, or are you seeking more information still? There’s a lot to learn, to figure out, I think, so I’d understand if you weren’t satisfied yet.”

Aysel: ”Despite Zakar’s insistence, I do not believe the Djinn and Vampires are the same. As for finding the truth and being satisfied, I do not think that will ever happen. There are always things to learn.”

Kleopatra: ”Very, very true. I have a good idea of what vampires are…” she laughed. “But, I don’t know about the Djinn. I feel like they’ve been mentioned in enough of my conversations, that I should probably do some research of my own, to understand. I don’t like being out of the know, if I can help it.”

Aysel: “Zakar refers to Micah as Djinn all the time. But he now finds it to be a wonderful nickname between the two of them.”

Kleopatra: ”Yes, perhaps that’s where my confusion comes from. Nicknames and Micah go hand in hand.” Kleo shook her head softly. “So, about the Bathory lady...any ideas on where you wanna get the dress from?”

Aysel: “I think I can find some places on line. Especially if I can find some reference art in case I need a powdered wig. And we should be liberal with the blood spatter as that is what she is known for, bathing in the blood of her young serving girls.” She snickered and peeked at Kleo. “Were I not so shy, I would make a foam bathtub and pretend to be nude soaking in blood. But that is not something I can do.”

Kleopatra: ”That’s a good idea, and I’d suggest the fastest shipment they have so we have time to destroy it.” She smirked. “There are some good Halloween stores that operate online year round- I’m sure they have some wigs that would do for this event. Bein liberal with the blood is not an option- I’ve already stocked up on the paints and such I plan to use on myself, so we’re good there. If you wanna mix in some real blood too, I’ve got loads of that back at my place- up to you.” Kleo blinked several times when Aysel mentioned her idea for a bloodbath- literally. “That would be pretty cool, the tub! Maybe another time?” She gave a wink. “I need to be decidin what I’m doin with my own costume and makeup.” Her forehead creased slightly as her brows furrowed.

Aysel: “You are certainly brave enough to do the tub. Perhaps that is what you should do? And no I did not mean real blood. I do not want to be attacked by a pack of piranha like vampires!” She said with a laugh.

Kleopatra: Kleo laughed. “Some of the ideas I’ve had...would make the tub look modest. I have different types of blood...paladin...feral...black feral...but yeah, I think I’m gonna stick to paint and artificial stuff myself. Do you wanna get together again when your costume pieces come in? We could have a destruction party!” she laughed. “Razors and wine...well, blood for me, but wine for you!”

Aysel: She laughed softly and nodded. “I think that sounds perfect. I will let you know as soon as I have collected everything. In the mean time, you let me know if there is any thing else I can do to help get everything pulled together.”

Kleopatra: ”Great! And hopefully the next time we get together I’ll have figured out what I’m doin with myself. Send me tab once everything's been calculated, and I’ll send payment over as soon as possible- I don’t like leavin loose strings, and I know this stuff ain’t cheap. I might need some help settin things up the night before or evenin of? I could give you a buzz.”

Aysel: “I will be happy to help. And once I get things figured I will let you know.” She grinned and rose. “See you soon.”

Kleopatra: Kleo stood as Aysel did, though she didn’t intend to leave immediately, it seemed the respectful thing to do. “Thanks for everything Aysel, I’m lookin forward to seein you. Enjoy the rest of your night!”

Aysel: “As am I, Kleo.” She stepped in to her trainers and checked her phone to make sure her music was loaded for the run home. “Stay safe.” She said with a wave, slipping out the door.

Kleopatra: ”I will!” Kleo called back. Not quite ready to make the trek home, she sank back into the couch, and turned on the television. She watched “reality” t.v until she couldn’t take it anymore, finally abandoning the Crypt as well.