It was a typical night at work as always. The young blonde girl moved around the lounge, collecting dirtied dishes to take back to the kitchen. A ‘family’ member had hired her on to help keep the place tidied towards the beginning of the year. Kaelyn enjoyed her job. She was able to keep to herself for the most part, yet able to socialize as well when she felt the need. There was always family near to keep her feeling safe and she never had to feel alone while there. She felt lucky that she was able to keep her job after the incident with the Shadow Realm. Not only did she just up and change bodies from her original young 16 yr old body to a random 19yr old body, but she had completely freaked out upon her return. She disappeared from the public eye and ditched out on work for a couple weeks. She had been too timid to go into work.
Nexus was just a little hole in the wall lounge, hard to find unless you knew what you were looking for, however it always managed to stay busy. There were always people of all sorts in and out of the joint. Cute couples on romantic dates, groups of college kids gathering for a night out or just the random bystander who happened to pop in. Tonight was no different. On stage there was some man sitting on a stool, playing a guitar and singing. He seemed to be known by some locals because the taller tables that surrounded the front were all filled up, along with some of the standing room in the back. There was a small line at the bar and the few booths along the sides had different couples and groups of people within them.
Kaelyn was off in her own little world as she weaved her way in and out of the people, doing her duty, collecting dishes, beer bottles and garbage. She was half spaced out, head bobbing a bit to her own music in her head. She had a classic stuck in her mind at the moment, “Eye of the Tiger.” It was keeping her at a decent pace, getting her stuff done, giving just the bit of motivation she needed to get through the last half of her shift. Only a couple more hours left and she could head home...but for now she had to keep busy.
Blood and Whiskey
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Stagger Lee
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Re: Blood and Whiskey
River Rock was one of his favorite areas in the city. Stuck between the Quarantine Zone and the Wilderness and with the dockyards in the north, it was a rougher place than many other districts in the city. It was quieter than other districts, less overrun by the in crowds. Yet of course, like in all those districts, there were one or two places which had become popular, places that were only known by word of mouth, popular with a mixed lot of locals and hipsters.
Nexus was such a place. Stagger Lee liked this place because it had the biggest choice of whiskeys in River Rock. The small venue was crowded as always. There was live music – something he greatly preferred to the horrible hip-hop, techno and dance floor they tortured their patrons with in many other places. The man with the Stetson hat made his way to the corner and sat down, motioning towards the waitress to make his order.
He’d order Louisiana Lightning today. The clear, unaged moonshine reminded him of the days of his youth, of the legacy of smuggling continued on by parts of his family. Nexus was the only place to get this specialty of his home state. People usually drank white whisky in cocktails. But Stag didn’t like cocktails, especially not those based on whiskey. Some things were to be enjoyed pure, not sugared and flavored and girlified. A whiskey that couldn’t stand on his own was like a man that couldn’t survive on his own, no matter if in the urban wasteland of the city, or outside in the wilderness. Only the strong survived.
In the end nature culled the weak. With a little help from Mister Stagger Lee…
He had been rather productive today. A trip to the Foucault Mansion to help dealing with the vampiric overpopulation of this city. Sadly these Lionelli creatures provided no nourishment to him, unlike their vampiric brethren elsewhere. But the thrill of the kill was just the same. It was not that he hated vampires. The two people he spend most time with – his friend Mini and the Countess – both were vampires, as was his boss at the Chicken Shack, Lyonel. It was just freaky to have so many of these undead in one place, way too many of them. And it was fun to make their blood dry up in their veins, and then pop their heads with a well aimed shot.
For a moment there was a hint of a smile on Stagger Lee’s otherwise so serious lips. It seemed the waitress has spotted him now, and he again called her over to make his order. It seemed to be a different girl there now than on his previous visits to the Nexus.
Nexus was such a place. Stagger Lee liked this place because it had the biggest choice of whiskeys in River Rock. The small venue was crowded as always. There was live music – something he greatly preferred to the horrible hip-hop, techno and dance floor they tortured their patrons with in many other places. The man with the Stetson hat made his way to the corner and sat down, motioning towards the waitress to make his order.
He’d order Louisiana Lightning today. The clear, unaged moonshine reminded him of the days of his youth, of the legacy of smuggling continued on by parts of his family. Nexus was the only place to get this specialty of his home state. People usually drank white whisky in cocktails. But Stag didn’t like cocktails, especially not those based on whiskey. Some things were to be enjoyed pure, not sugared and flavored and girlified. A whiskey that couldn’t stand on his own was like a man that couldn’t survive on his own, no matter if in the urban wasteland of the city, or outside in the wilderness. Only the strong survived.
In the end nature culled the weak. With a little help from Mister Stagger Lee…
He had been rather productive today. A trip to the Foucault Mansion to help dealing with the vampiric overpopulation of this city. Sadly these Lionelli creatures provided no nourishment to him, unlike their vampiric brethren elsewhere. But the thrill of the kill was just the same. It was not that he hated vampires. The two people he spend most time with – his friend Mini and the Countess – both were vampires, as was his boss at the Chicken Shack, Lyonel. It was just freaky to have so many of these undead in one place, way too many of them. And it was fun to make their blood dry up in their veins, and then pop their heads with a well aimed shot.
For a moment there was a hint of a smile on Stagger Lee’s otherwise so serious lips. It seemed the waitress has spotted him now, and he again called her over to make his order. It seemed to be a different girl there now than on his previous visits to the Nexus.
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Kaelyn
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Re: Blood and Whiskey
Kaelyn had taken her tub of dirty dishes back to the kitchen and made her way back out into the crowd. The place seemed extra busy tonight, probably due to the local singer up on stage. Of course on a night like this one of the normal waitresses had called out. Flu or something like that...some human disease. Luckily she didn’t have to deal with that sort of thing anymore. However, this left them short staffed. This being the case, while in the back Renee had asked her to fill in for the other girl’s job. Kaelyn was super happy about that. It gave her a chance to do something other than clean up after people. She was a bit nervous though, seeing as this would put her in a position where she would have to be social.
Barely out of the back and her first chance at this new job was already presenting itself. There was a man in some cowboy hat sitting in a corner booth. He was eyeing her as if to come take his order...this was her shot. A smile plastered on her face as the petite blonde girl made her way over to him. With an overly bubbly voice, she greeted him.
“Hi there! Welcome to Nexus.” She then continued on to ramble off the night’s specials. “What can I get you?” He was quick with is response. The man knew what he wanted, ordered as if this was the same thing he always got. “Yessir, I’ll be right back with your Louisiana Lightning.” Kaelyn pocketed the little notebook thing she had been given to take orders on. This one was easy enough she wouldn’t need it. Turning from the man, she made her way back to the bar to put the order in.
That hadn’t gone too poorly at all. In fact she thought she did a pretty darn good job. A few moments later, his drink was ready. Nabbing it off the counter and onto a tray, she made her way back through the crowd and over to him. Once again a smile was painted on her face.
“Here you go Sir. Can I get you anything else?” She set a menu on the table next to him and then stammered a little. “Um...I’ll give you a moment to look over that. I’ll be back to check on you shortly.” Crap...she should have given him the menu first earlier. Oh well, now he’d be able to go over it. She’d get the hang of this soon. One more quick smile and she moved on to the next table.
Barely out of the back and her first chance at this new job was already presenting itself. There was a man in some cowboy hat sitting in a corner booth. He was eyeing her as if to come take his order...this was her shot. A smile plastered on her face as the petite blonde girl made her way over to him. With an overly bubbly voice, she greeted him.
“Hi there! Welcome to Nexus.” She then continued on to ramble off the night’s specials. “What can I get you?” He was quick with is response. The man knew what he wanted, ordered as if this was the same thing he always got. “Yessir, I’ll be right back with your Louisiana Lightning.” Kaelyn pocketed the little notebook thing she had been given to take orders on. This one was easy enough she wouldn’t need it. Turning from the man, she made her way back to the bar to put the order in.
That hadn’t gone too poorly at all. In fact she thought she did a pretty darn good job. A few moments later, his drink was ready. Nabbing it off the counter and onto a tray, she made her way back through the crowd and over to him. Once again a smile was painted on her face.
“Here you go Sir. Can I get you anything else?” She set a menu on the table next to him and then stammered a little. “Um...I’ll give you a moment to look over that. I’ll be back to check on you shortly.” Crap...she should have given him the menu first earlier. Oh well, now he’d be able to go over it. She’d get the hang of this soon. One more quick smile and she moved on to the next table.
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Stagger Lee
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Re: Blood and Whiskey
The waitress seemed new. He watched the girl as she approached, a little smile on his face as she addressed him in an overly excited manner. He greeted her, then made his order. His dark brown eyes wandering around the place as she went to get his drink. There seemed to be nothing extraordinary going on among the crowd of guests. No fangers looking for easy prey to feed from, no blood thieves looking for buyers or sellers, not even one of the guys in black suits sneaking around. This was a bit unusual for a place like Harper Rock where monstrosities lurked around every corner. Almost suspicious. He decided not to drop his guard and stay vigilant. He always did.
The girl returned with the menu. She seemed a bit nervous. Inexperience? Or was there something else going on. His eyes studied the young woman for a moment. Then as she turned away and was about to move on, he calmly spoke “bring me one of the house special burgers. Double beef. No fries”. The fries here were supposed to be pretty good, but why eat potatoes when you can have meat?
The girl returned with the menu. She seemed a bit nervous. Inexperience? Or was there something else going on. His eyes studied the young woman for a moment. Then as she turned away and was about to move on, he calmly spoke “bring me one of the house special burgers. Double beef. No fries”. The fries here were supposed to be pretty good, but why eat potatoes when you can have meat?
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Kaelyn
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Re: Blood and Whiskey
Once again, the man needed no extra time to order. She spun back around on her heels to look at him as he spoke. One of her characteristic, overly happy smiles pulled at her lips as she nodded some. “Yessir, I’ll have that right out to you.” Kaelyn picked the menu right back up and headed off to put his order in.
Her side of the restaurant had seemed to die down a little bit. Most of the action focused on the stage area of the house. This left her with a few extra minutes while she waited for his order to finish up. Popping her earbuds back in, she used the app on her phone to a local music station on while she started cleaning up a bit again.Using this time to keep to herself completely, she cleared some empty tables, taking the dirty dishes to the back. Blonde head bobbed to her music as she moved along. She was off in her own little world, til she heard her name called a few times. She blinked a few times and glanced up, noticing the man’s food was ready to be taken to him. A blush fell over her cheeks and she couldn’t even make eye contact with the kitchen staff that had called her name. Mumbling a quick “Thanks,” Kaelyn grabbed the tray and carried it off towards the man’s corner booth.
The typical smile was still on her pale lips as she set his plate in front of him. “Careful it’s…” Her eyes at this moment had risen from her actions to lock with his. Something seemed to have washed over her...she felt different, but it felt good...right. The girl couldn’t help but watch him for a moment and she probably looked like an idiot. “It’s hot.” Front teeth tugged at her bottom lip a moment before she reached out a hand to the stranger. He was clearly a human...why was she doing this? Why was she interacting more than she needed? “I don’t believe I’ve introduced myself yet. My name is Kaelyn.” She had no idea who this man was, but at this moment, she felt that she needed to know him, needed to be here speaking with him.
Her side of the restaurant had seemed to die down a little bit. Most of the action focused on the stage area of the house. This left her with a few extra minutes while she waited for his order to finish up. Popping her earbuds back in, she used the app on her phone to a local music station on while she started cleaning up a bit again.Using this time to keep to herself completely, she cleared some empty tables, taking the dirty dishes to the back. Blonde head bobbed to her music as she moved along. She was off in her own little world, til she heard her name called a few times. She blinked a few times and glanced up, noticing the man’s food was ready to be taken to him. A blush fell over her cheeks and she couldn’t even make eye contact with the kitchen staff that had called her name. Mumbling a quick “Thanks,” Kaelyn grabbed the tray and carried it off towards the man’s corner booth.
The typical smile was still on her pale lips as she set his plate in front of him. “Careful it’s…” Her eyes at this moment had risen from her actions to lock with his. Something seemed to have washed over her...she felt different, but it felt good...right. The girl couldn’t help but watch him for a moment and she probably looked like an idiot. “It’s hot.” Front teeth tugged at her bottom lip a moment before she reached out a hand to the stranger. He was clearly a human...why was she doing this? Why was she interacting more than she needed? “I don’t believe I’ve introduced myself yet. My name is Kaelyn.” She had no idea who this man was, but at this moment, she felt that she needed to know him, needed to be here speaking with him.
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Stagger Lee
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Re: Blood and Whiskey
White whiskey, unaged and unrefined, didn’t offer the warmth and comfort of a traditionally aged bourbon, none of the richness, the slow pleasure of it. A distiller once told him, that they weren’t even allowed to sell moonshine as whiskey in Europe. But for Stagger Lee it was always a good start into the evening, it sharpened the senses. An aged bourbon had a quality that was like a warm hug. Moonshine didn’t have that. But right now he wasn’t in a mood for hugs at all.
Now he was hungry, his nose picking up the smell of the burger, the delicious grilled beef, the onions, the bread. He looked towards the kitchen, and saw his dinner sitting there on the counter. The girl who had taken his order was nearby, but seemingly distracted. It’s always frustrating when you are hungry, waiting for your meal, and you see it sitting there, ready for you to sink your teeth into it, feast upon the hot meat. And you can’t have it yet, because one damn waitress is too busy, lazy or distracted to serve it to you.
He was about to call her to attention, but then finally she picked up his meal and headed his way. “I am glad it still is”, he replied to her warning that the food was hot. He reached for the burger with both hands, when he noticed an outstretched hand in front of his face. Setting the burger down again, Stagger Lee sighed and looked up at the girl, who to his surprise was still standing there. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Kaelyn, but would you mind letting me have my dinner while it still is hot?”
The waitress was young and pretty in a girlish way, and for some reason seemed even more nervous than she was before. But Stagger Lee didn’t come to the Nexus to flirt. He wasn’t sure if he still believed in flirting at all. But he believed in eating a burger while it still was hot.
Now he was hungry, his nose picking up the smell of the burger, the delicious grilled beef, the onions, the bread. He looked towards the kitchen, and saw his dinner sitting there on the counter. The girl who had taken his order was nearby, but seemingly distracted. It’s always frustrating when you are hungry, waiting for your meal, and you see it sitting there, ready for you to sink your teeth into it, feast upon the hot meat. And you can’t have it yet, because one damn waitress is too busy, lazy or distracted to serve it to you.
He was about to call her to attention, but then finally she picked up his meal and headed his way. “I am glad it still is”, he replied to her warning that the food was hot. He reached for the burger with both hands, when he noticed an outstretched hand in front of his face. Setting the burger down again, Stagger Lee sighed and looked up at the girl, who to his surprise was still standing there. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Kaelyn, but would you mind letting me have my dinner while it still is hot?”
The waitress was young and pretty in a girlish way, and for some reason seemed even more nervous than she was before. But Stagger Lee didn’t come to the Nexus to flirt. He wasn’t sure if he still believed in flirting at all. But he believed in eating a burger while it still was hot.
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Kaelyn
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Re: Blood and Whiskey
Cheeks flushed a bright red. Her hand awkwardly dropped back to her side as she shifted back and forth on her feet a little. Kaelyn’s head dropped a little, teeth tugging at her bottom lip again. What the heck was she doing? Her job right now was to serve this man and leave him be to eat. And he was obviously annoyed with her.
“Yessir, my apologies. Enjoy your food and I’ll be back to check on you soon.”
The girl quickly hastened away, taking a glance over her shoulder as she made her way to a table that had recently been sat at. While taking the couple’s order, she couldn’t help but glancing up at the man over in the booth every few moments. He hadn’t given her his name. Still, she knew nothing about him, yet for some reason she was heavily fascinated by him.
His drink seemed to be getting low. This gave her the opportunity to go back to the table. Shaking off her nerves, she smiled sweetly towards him. “How’s your burger? Can I get you another drink Mister...I didn’t catch your name.” She rested her hand atop the table and leaned in a bit as she spoke to him. Kaelyn wasn’t one for revealing clothing, so she just had on a plain black tshirt with a few rhinestones on it and a simple black skirt. So plain, but work apparel didn’t give her much flexibility in dress.
“Yessir, my apologies. Enjoy your food and I’ll be back to check on you soon.”
The girl quickly hastened away, taking a glance over her shoulder as she made her way to a table that had recently been sat at. While taking the couple’s order, she couldn’t help but glancing up at the man over in the booth every few moments. He hadn’t given her his name. Still, she knew nothing about him, yet for some reason she was heavily fascinated by him.
His drink seemed to be getting low. This gave her the opportunity to go back to the table. Shaking off her nerves, she smiled sweetly towards him. “How’s your burger? Can I get you another drink Mister...I didn’t catch your name.” She rested her hand atop the table and leaned in a bit as she spoke to him. Kaelyn wasn’t one for revealing clothing, so she just had on a plain black tshirt with a few rhinestones on it and a simple black skirt. So plain, but work apparel didn’t give her much flexibility in dress.
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Stagger Lee
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Re: Blood and Whiskey
Now he was getting suspicious. Even though he was occupied with his burger, he noticed the glances the waitress was casting towards him. So far he had considered her odd behaviour due to the nervousness of a young girl new at her job. But this was odd. He checked the room for any other suspicious behaviour but noticed nothing unusual. It seemed it was just her.
Was this girl a cop? Or an agent of the government? A vampire looking for prey? One of those other beasts roaming in the city? Or was she just some naive young girl from the countryside, pulled to Harper Rock by its reputation for supernatural phenomena. Just like the Countess once was, before she became a vampire and his thrall.
Before he could muse for too long on that issue she returned to him. He took his time, slowly finishing the bite he had just took, before his mouth was no longer full and he finally turned his attention to her. “It is very good, as always. And yes you may. One more of the same.” His dark brown eyes looked straight and unflinchingly into her blue ones as he spoke. He was testing the strength of her will to see how much of a possible threat this young woman might be. “Mister Stagger Lee.” He finally introduced himself.
Was this girl a cop? Or an agent of the government? A vampire looking for prey? One of those other beasts roaming in the city? Or was she just some naive young girl from the countryside, pulled to Harper Rock by its reputation for supernatural phenomena. Just like the Countess once was, before she became a vampire and his thrall.
Before he could muse for too long on that issue she returned to him. He took his time, slowly finishing the bite he had just took, before his mouth was no longer full and he finally turned his attention to her. “It is very good, as always. And yes you may. One more of the same.” His dark brown eyes looked straight and unflinchingly into her blue ones as he spoke. He was testing the strength of her will to see how much of a possible threat this young woman might be. “Mister Stagger Lee.” He finally introduced himself.
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Kaelyn
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Re: Blood and Whiskey
Stagger...Stagger Lee. That was an interesting name. Her lips pulled into the cutest of grins, her eyes locked on his. Normally she would have shied away, but she felt connected to this man. Like she had known him all her life...yet she had just learned his name seconds before. After a few more moments, allowed her fingertips to brush over the back of his hand as she moved to clear his table. “It’s wonderful to meet you Stagger. Let me get right back to you with a refill.” She gathered up his used dishes and wandered her way back to the kitchen to set them down and put his order in at the bar.
While waiting for the bartender to pour him another, Kaelyn leaned back against the bartop, watching the man at his booth. What was this lure she had towards him...this pull that kept making her want to just go sit across from him and talk to him for hours? His drink was ready and she grabbed it up, carrying it over to his table. Ignoring the other tables she should be waiting on, she set the glass down and stood there, leaning against the table once more. “You don’t look like you’re from around here. Where are you from, Mister Stagger Lee.?”
While waiting for the bartender to pour him another, Kaelyn leaned back against the bartop, watching the man at his booth. What was this lure she had towards him...this pull that kept making her want to just go sit across from him and talk to him for hours? His drink was ready and she grabbed it up, carrying it over to his table. Ignoring the other tables she should be waiting on, she set the glass down and stood there, leaning against the table once more. “You don’t look like you’re from around here. Where are you from, Mister Stagger Lee.?”
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Stagger Lee
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Re: Blood and Whiskey
Even looking deeply into her eyes he could not find the answer to his questions, his suspicions about her. He noticed that she was now ignoring all the other guests due to her attentions to him. She was behaving to obviously suspicious to be some kind of cop or agent. Was she under a spell? He knew there were many ways to supernaturally control someone, manipulate their mind and behaviour. These actions seemed to be quite frequent in this city as he had discovered when he still was able to hack into the secret network of the vampires and was able to read their discussions.
But if this was the case with her who was controlling her and what were their intentions? Or was it in fact himself? Using a supernatural power he wasn’t even aware of to draw her towards him? Or maybe he was getting paranoid, and she just had figured him out as the guy most likely to give her an especially large tip. Stagger Lee was curious to find out.
“I feel very flattered by the attentions of such a beautiful young woman like you” Stagger Lee remarked as she brought his drink and asked her question, “and you observed well, I am not from around here at all. I am from the other side of town. Honeymead.” That was all he was willing to give away for now. “How about you? You’re from around here?”
But if this was the case with her who was controlling her and what were their intentions? Or was it in fact himself? Using a supernatural power he wasn’t even aware of to draw her towards him? Or maybe he was getting paranoid, and she just had figured him out as the guy most likely to give her an especially large tip. Stagger Lee was curious to find out.
“I feel very flattered by the attentions of such a beautiful young woman like you” Stagger Lee remarked as she brought his drink and asked her question, “and you observed well, I am not from around here at all. I am from the other side of town. Honeymead.” That was all he was willing to give away for now. “How about you? You’re from around here?”