That Special Shake
10.27.14 | The Handle Bar | Redwood
Kleopatra: Kleo liked her job at the Handle Bar. She got to work with a great group of people and even enjoyed on the job perks. Furthermore, the crowd the place drew was interesting, to say the least. The fact that the building was and had been undergoing remodeling hadn't stopped business. There was never a short supply of shady folk looking to get their fill, or perhaps looking for a fight. 10.27.14 | The Handle Bar | Redwood
Several hours earlier the bar had been abuzz with conversation and commotion- drinks and laughter all around. The place had since calmed down, and Kleo had taken to rearranging the bar, making sure everything was in its place.
Stagger Lee: Ever since that night out with the paladins, the Handle Bar had become one of Stagger Lee’s favorite hangouts. Not just because of the bourbon they sold. But also for the shady company that used to lurk in the backrooms. The spot seemed very popular with gangsters of all kinds, and Stag liked to engage them in fights, take their lives, and their possessions. This time though, he didn’t even venture into the further back areas of the vast place, because right at the bar he saw a face that caught his interest. He’d noticed it on one of the auction cards at Lancaster’s not long ago. “Hello Kleo” he greeted the tattooed woman, lifting his hat.
Kleopatra: Roused from her concentration on the task at hand, Kleo looked up then stared, wondering if she was supposed to know the male...because she didn't. She was immediately suspicious. “You are...?
Stagger Lee: "My name is Stagger Lee...I saw your profile at the auction."
Kleopatra: Relaxed some, but still remained on guard- it was in her nature. “You did? And did you like what you saw, Mr. Lee...may I call you Mr. Lee?”
Stagger Lee: "Yes that works. And I do like what I saw. That's why I have contacted you..." he replied, "...there was a lot of promise in those lines."
Kleopatra: She laughed softly, her head bobbing up and down in a nod which caused dark strands to shift about her shoulders and back. “What kind of promise would that be, might I ask?”
Stagger Lee: "I saw many very interesting things there, a lot of ideas forming on my mind", he smiled darkly, his eyes focused on her. "But before we discuss these many potential pleasures, I would like you to know that there is something not stated in your profile which would be absolutely essential for me."
Kleopatra: Kleo could probably guess at some of those interesting things, he was a man after all…or perhaps she wasn't giving him enough credit. She pushed those thoughts away, and focused on the words he was speaking then, instead. Absolutely essential? What could he be talking about. She'd thought her profile was pretty thorough. "Oh? What would that be?"
Stagger Lee: He leaned in a little closer now, so close that he could smell it, take in its wonderful fragrance, for he was a hunter and his senses were keen. "Your blood" He spoke, in a soft whisper, his lips now close to her ear, "Just a few pints, not all of it" he added.
Kleopatra: The two words he spoke tickled her ear, and caused several creases to appear between her sculpted brows. "My blood…just a few pints...not all of it?" she spoke slowly, repeating back what he'd said to her, while simultaneously tossing the idea around in her head. She was a confident sort, to the point that some would say she had an ego, even. A bit of an ego was healthy in her opinion, and furthermore, necessary, to make it in this world. Kleo valued herself, and more importantly, her blood. She'd never spoken it aloud, but it was a major reason why she had no childer of her own- she'd found no one worthy of her blood. She couldn't and wouldn't give it away so easily. "I'm afraid...I can't give that up...without a fight." Her eyes met his and held steady. He could interpret that as he wished.
Stagger Lee: Her reaction was quite interesting to study. The thought of giving up some of their own blood always was so hard to fathom for a vampire. So ironic as they took so much without even asking every day. "A fight" he replied, "Now I am even more interested."
Kleopatra: Kleo was no fool, she'd known something was different about the male as soon as he approached. His scent had been hard to distinguish- human, but with distinct qualities that were anything but. She'd done unspeakable things a time or two, to people who'd asked her for the very same thing. She'd lacked control then. "Wi." she said simply, in Creole tongue. "A fight…" she continued. "...As in if you fight for it, well then, I guess you'll have earned it. Does that scare you, Mr. Lee?" there was a faint tone of teasing in her voice, and a smirk threatened to break through on her lips. "Are you having second thoughts?"
Stagger Lee: "Oh you have no idea how much that does scare me, Madame Kleo", he replied to her teasing, then added, more seriously, "I am absolutely certain your blood will be even more delicious after a good fight."
Kleopatra: Kleo picked up on the sarcasm, but didn't doubt the man was probably scared, to some extent. He should be. Is that what they do with the blood? She wondered. Kleo realized she'd never given much thought to what the people asking for her blood planned to do with it. She'd imagined they divided it into vials and sold it on some underground market. Maybe that was her being naive, or maybe she'd watched one too many episodes of True Blood. "Is that what you want my blood for, the taste?" she pressed him, tossing out the question casually
Stagger Lee: "Yes" he replied,trying to sound as casual as possible "the taste. The best of blood is even better than the best of whiskey." There was much more to it than just the taste, the power it held, the strength it gave, but why should he tell her those secrets. He was sure he knew much more about her kind then she knew about his kind. And he wanted to keep it that way. "I think you'll most likely understand these notions."
Kleopatra: Kleo didn't believe him wholeheartedly, but now wasn't the time nor place to attempt delving further down that line of questioning. "Blood's better than whiskey, eh? I'll have to take your word on that." Kleo smiled, the corners of her mouth lifting a fraction. "And I'm sorry, I think I missed something...which notions do you think I'll understand?" She was playing the aloof card. Clearly, she knew exactly what he was referring to, but she couldn't come out and say so, could she?
Stagger Lee: "Oh you don't drink whiskey?" he asked, intentionally misunderstanding her, "out of principle or just never tried?" Of course she wouldn't admit to what she was, but who would, really. "The fine notions and details of taste. Mind if I illustrate?" He ordered two glasses of whiskey now, a bourbon and a scotch.
Kleopatra: Kleo’s eyes narrowed slightly, trying to gauge the man’s intent with the question he’d just asked- was he trying to trip her up? “No. I drink whiskey...it’s just been awhile since I’ve had it, or any other alcohol for that matter. I used to be able to knock ‘em back, but here lately it never seems to settle right with my stomach, so I try to avoid it as much as possible.” There. That wasn’t so hard to believe...right? “What’re you gonna show me?” Kleo poured bourbon and scotch respectively, setting them down in front of the man.
Stagger Lee: "Look at these two," he said as he pointed at the bourbon - a Wild Turkey-, then at the scotch - a Glenlivet."They don't look terribly different. The bourbon is a bit darker, but that's all." He held the glasses to the light as he spoke."They taste a lot different though, as you might know." He looked at her as she talked about her stomach. "...Maybe you should accompany them with a hearty meal" he said. "Do you like game?"
Kleopatra: Kleo listened along as he talked liquor, her eyes following the assent of the glassware as he held them up to catch light. "Oh yeah, I see what you mean..." Her head bobbed along, showing that she understood. "I do know, actually. And yeah, maybe that's my problem, the food part. I'm not a big eater. I'm guilty of drinking my calories. Bad habit, I know..."