♪ Mid-week Blowout ♪ (Stryge)

[Skylar]

Okay. So things are kinda back to normal-ish. That's why I'm here on a Wednesday night. Ellie has no issue with me - or anyone else really - commandeering the stage for a bit. It's win-win really for him when I take the stage. I mean I'm good and I know it. Actually scratch that. Good. Pfft. I'm ******* amazing. I was great before I died. Now I'm phenomenal. And yeah. I know how I sound but when it comes to music I know I'm talented, so why be modest. Right? The crowd's pretty good tonight too. Not bad considering the day of the week. And when I play, people listen. Well humans do at least. People have always listened to me but since I turned, I really seem to draw a crowd. I don't know what's up with that and honestly I don't much care to find out, since - ya know - it kinda works to my advantage. Must just be another one of my superpowers.
I wrap up my mini-set with American Boys by Halestorm. Since you know, kinda fitting since I married one and all. Obviously, I used the electric when I played that. I came here to rock-out so I actually came prepared for once. I brought the guitar Ellie gave me xmas last to play. Sure. There's always instruments here to borrow, but that didn't work out so well for me last time. Funny really. This is the exact spot I died and yet I love it here.
While I have the attention of the crowd, I tell them to grab a drink, slip from the stage and go to help behind the bar. I tend to find people listen when I make that kind of suggestion. I mean yeah you don't need to tell a drunk to drink or anything, but while I have their attention it can't help to remind them to go to the bar and tip the staff and stuff. Of course I tell them to have a good night too. You know. Enjoy themselves. You gotta enjoy yourself. You only get one life and all that. Unless you get lucky like me.
I walk behind the bar and grab myself a JD and coke before I help the staff out. I kinda need a drink when I'm done on stage. Not that I need an excuse to drink or anything. I'm just justifying why I'm not drinking it neat. Not that I gotta do that either. And well, Ricky don't like me getting off my face. Not without him around to keep an eye on me anyways. My boy’s always looking out for me like that. I'm happy to curb my habits if it keep him happy. Well, most nights. Doesn't mean I've stopped getting shitfaced with the guys when I feel like it; though now it's like once, maybe twice, a week, rather than every night. Maybe Ric was right. Maybe Dillon was a bad influence on me. I smile at the memory of Dillon as I hand a guy his change. Yeah he probably thinks I'm smiling at him but it don't matter. I mean I smile at people all the time. It don’t mean anything. It's who I am.
One of the girls spills a drink on the bar and I jump back in time to stop my jeans from being splashed. I'm in a typical me outfit. Jeans, punky t-shirt, high heels. Open toes, not great for working a bar but what do I care, this ain’t my job. I do what I want, when I want. It’s the east I can do considering I don’t pay for my drinks. Yeah I got lucky. Not only does my sire own this place – with the missus of course – but he’s a musician too. He doesn’t share my style but he’s got his own, and like me, he’s damn good at what he does.

[Stryge (DELETED 7204)]

It was time to go. Stryge had just finished packing his belongings, such as they were, back into his army surplus duffel. It seemed odd. When he had first arrived at Harper Rock, he had never imagined this moment. He had fully expected to die here, not to end up instead having to pack everything up again. It was something he had had to come to terms with. The small room at Bunk Backpackers was meant to be his tomb. And now he was literally going to walk out of it, risen from the dead. Hard not to get a Jesus complex thinking like that. But he could be humble, since he deserved to take zero credit for any of it. Pi d'Artois, his very own sacred madonna, had saved him from himself, from the curse of his obsession with his own death. She had forced him back into life, this unlife, so that he could have a second chance. Stryge could never truly repay her for that, but now he at least had an eternity to try.

As Stryge folded the last of his meager belongings into the duffel bag and tied it closed, he could hear the music coming from downstairs; from Lancasters Pub. He realized he would actually miss that sound when he got where he was headed. Though it had made it damn hard to sleep sometimes, hearing the notes of various live bands filter through the walls and floor into his little cell was now something he would always associate with his time spent at Bunk Backpackers. There were nights when he had spent hours allowing himself to simply stare, sometimes at the wallpaper, sometimes into space, and let the notes flit around on his brain, flowing over it like a playful stream. He could tell when Lancaster himself took the stage; the music was muted and soulful. This was something different, more aggressive, with a kind of Southern rock flair. He decided for the hell of it to check out the band. He didn't imagine there were live musical acts playing every night in Pi's Sanctuary, so why not? For old times sake, he thought. It hadn't been that long since he had arrived to Harper Rock, but it felt like a lifetime ago.

Stryge left his duffel on the bed and headed down the stairs into the pub. It was a decent crowd in the place tonight. He noticed how many of them seemed almost transfixed by what was happening on stage. Stryge walked up to the bar and ran a hand over the rich mahogany. Gotta give it to Elliot, he thought. The man has classy tastes. Stryge on the other hand wasn't much to look at tonight. He had on the outfit he had been wearing when he first wandered into Harper Rock: black leather jacket (though the hood was uncharacteristically down for once), jeans, and Chuck Taylors. He had come to appreciate the fact that though Lancasters had a certain air of class about it, it wasn't such a pretentious joint that Stryge felt he couldn't fit right in with the yuppies, the hipsters, the bikers, etc. who tended to populate the place on any given night.

The performer on stage was just finishing her set. She was a fresh-faced blonde girl, and she seemed to have a real passion for the songs she was singing. Obviously it was infectious. The crowd seemed to hang on every word. Even Stryge found himself nodding a little in time to this last song she was playing. And then it was done, and she left the stage to a smattering of applause after giving a spiel about how everyone should tip their servers. Stryge thought she looked familiar, and his suspicions were confirmed when instead of joining the crowd, she slipped behind the bar and started serving them drinks. As he watched her dodge some drunks spilled cocktail, he decided he would have some practice at being a gentleman, instead of the selfish asshole he had been for the past, well, most of his life. Pi had saved him in more ways than one. She had taught him to appreciate his existence. This in turn had caused him to appreciate the existence of others in a new way. He was especially protective of his new family. Pi had made him a d'Artois by blood, and his move out of Bunk's had been facilitated by his acceptance into the Canidae. This newfound loyalty and protectiveness he felt now extended to the girl behind the bar as well. Since the place was owned by Lancaster, in his mind he viewed the staff as an extension of that family, even if it wasn't strictly speaking by blood.

"You toss me a towel, I can help you clean that up, Stryge intoned to the blonde woman cordially. "By the by, greatly enjoyed what you were doing up on stage there with that strat." Stryge smiled at the young woman, that disarming, "aw shucks" smile he had that said in not so many words, "I don't bite." Not that that was true anymore, strictly speaking...

[Skylar]

I hear the guy at the bar all too easily and without even thinking I pick up the nearest rag and throw it in his direction. I kinda expected the barmaid handling the customer to wipe it up but if someone else wants to pitch in and help her out I'm not gonna say no. It's not until after I throw the cloth that I actually look the guy over and realise I've seen him before. I've seen him in the depot so I know he's family. Oddly I'm kinda good at spotting vampires, so I know he's not a thrall or anything. I just don't know who he belongs to or was adopted by, as not everyone in d'Artois is blood related. I'm not sure if he knows what I am or not. I'm a little more difficult to pick out in a crowd what with the fact I have a healthier than average complexion for one of our kind. I wasn't always that way. Not at the start anyways. That kinda happened a few weeks in. I half wonder if I managed that by force of will cos I didn't want to be paler than I'd been in life. I mean I managed to keep my tatts, so why shouldn't I keep my looks too.
"Thanks. For the compliment and for the help."
I clarify. I'm nothing if not polite. Most of the time.
"Did you want a drink hun?"
I'm still serving someone else but that doesn't mean I can't work on the next order too and since he's family and offered to help and everything it only seems right he skip the queue a little. Hell. I don't even queue, I just help myself. I never was all that good at waiting.
I kinda wanna ask him who he is and what favour he is and stuff. You know. All the usual questions. I am the curious sort and I never can pass up the chance to talk to another of our kind. I'm still kinda fascinated by what we are. I love learning about new superpowers and all that. I probably have driven a few people nuts with the questions I ask. Ric probably most of all. But he's used to me being me now.
Is there a good way to ask a guy to hang around for a chat without giving him the come on? Usually I wouldn't much care but first impressions and all that. I mean it's not like he's just some random bar fly. I probably need to try and think before I speak with this one.
I know. I don't like my chances of that either.
I'm way too open with my thoughts. It's like my filter's broken or something. Hell. The first time I met Aliyah I was telling her about the hot guy I ended up in the shower with. Only to find out much too late - as in weeks later - that the guys I'd been telling her about was her brother. Like actual blood relation. Not that I much care, but she coulda told me. I mean surely she didn't want me banging on about how hot her brother was naked and stuff. I'd definitely be telling any broad my brother was with that that was TMI if that were me. Hell. I'd have my fingers in my ears singing a chorus of 'la la la's' like a five year old if I ever found myself in that situation.
I smirk as that all flashes through my mind.
"Stick around why don't ya. I think you and I should talk when things calm down."
Well ****. I probably could have phrased that a little better. I guess I best hope he's noted the gold band on the all-important digit of my left hand.

[Stryge (DELETED 7204)]

Stryge caught the towel that was flung at him and started mopping up the soaking wet bar. As he did so, he heard the pretty blonde woman ask him if wanted a drink. He knew Pi kept a special stock on hand for customers like himself, but he didn't know the young woman well enough to feel comfortable asking her for a glass of blood, so he was about to answer in the negative when she posed a new suggestion that caused Stryge to raise a quizzical eyebrow.

"Stick around why don't ya. I think you and I should talk when things calm down."

Stryge looked at the girl and nodded a silent response to her request.

Back when Stryge was named Stuart Ryan Giger and was living in Houston, he had been part of one of the most prominent families in his neighborhood of Monticello. Giger and Associates was one of the top law firms in the city, and his father, Ransom Giger, regularly hosted dinner parties attended by politicians, doctors, celebrities, etc. As such, it had been necessary for young Stuart to learn his fair share of social graces growing up. Knowing which fork was which, for example. Another of these was looking for the ring, so that one could address a woman properly in social situations. Thus, Stryge had known the blonde behind the bar was married the minute he had asked her if she wanted help. It added an extra layer curiousity as he pondered why she might have such a keen interest in wanting to talk to him. He hadn't been planning on staying too long. He was anxious to begin his trek across the city to Sanctuary. However, his interest was now sufficiently piqued.

As soon as he was done mopping up the spill, he settled into an empty seat at the bar and waited to see what it was this young woman had to say.

[Skylar]

I keep an eye on the guy while I continue serving those at the bar. It don't take too much brain power to do this kinda job. Well certainly not as a vamp anyways. I don't even have to worry about missing what people say if the place is jumping thanks to my heightened senses. Though that's a bit of a downer when things get messy.
Finally finished, I wash my hands. I grab myself a JD and coke and walk around the bar to meet one my newest relatives. Ellie pretends at times that we're not a family but I don't know what else you'd call it. I mean it’s not like I signed up to join or anything. And as they say, you don't get to choose your family. I certainly didn't choose to be related to the witch.
"So..."
I don't sit down but I do take a sip of my drink and then I set it on the bar top.
"Do ya recognise me?"
I don't give him long to answer, I mean he might do, he might not. He only really caught a quick glimpse at me the other day. It was kinda like a drive-by hello. I didn't even get the guy's name. I just know he was in the depot, meaning he's family.
"I kinda introduced myself the other night but I didn't actually stick around to catch your name. I don't hang out as much in the depot these days like I used to. I'm Skylar. In case you don't remember."
I offer the guy my hand. I'd hug him but I'm not sure if he's the hugging type. I don't get the vibe off him either way at this point so I decide to keep my paws to myself just to be sure he don't feel like I'm mauling him or some ****.

[Stryge (DELETED 7204)]

I'm Skylar. In case you don't remember.

Stryge took the proffered hand and shook it politely. Well this oughtta be interesting, he thought. I wonder if she remembers me?

"Name's Stryge. It's nice to meet you. I believe you introduced yourself to me on the CrowNet. I'm sorry I didn't make the connection before now. And now that you mention it, I do believe I remember you from the Den. "

Stryge was slightly embarrassed that he didn't recognize Skylar right away as a vampire (and family to boot), but instead had assumed she was one of Lancaster's hired humans. No matter. It would be good to meet another d'Artois face to face, and, if necessary, clear the air a little bit.

Sanctuary would just have to wait a little bit longer.

[Skylar]

The guy introduces himself and I have to school my features cos all I can think is, 'Ah ****, this is the guy that snubbed me'. I'm not known for being paranoid or anything but seriously, the dude completely ignored me and made a point of greeting everyone else. This dick is part of the reason I hate my family. Of course I don't say that. And I don't really hate my family. I just don't think they like me much. Not that I've done **** to deserve being disliked or anything. If I had, I'd totally own it. Ain't nothing wrong with loving my guy and that seems to be the main issue most have with me. Guess I best play nice. For all I know the witch told him to freeze me out. Now that's paranoia. Right?
I take a moment to sip my drink. Hopefully it will keep me from putting my foot in my mouth.
"Cool. So how you feeling about this whole new life of yours? I kinda think it rocks personally. I mean you don't gotta tell me how it all came about or anything. No details necessary if you feel it's too personal. Me. I didn't choose this. But given my time over again, I might just do it. Ellie kinda ******* rocks."
I'm not joking neither. I love my Papa Bear - most of the time. Don't matter if we fuss and fight, we're family. He ain't getting rid of me that easily. No matter what he or Ric want. Ain't gonna happen. No way. Nu-uh. No how. Not unless it's my decision. I just don't see it happening- certainly no time soon.
I wanna ask what flavour he is. And I will. But I'm trying not to let my mouth run away with itself. It will. It's inevitable. But I can try and keep it under control. Maybe. yeah right. I know. Who am I kidding?
I tell myself not to judge the guy. Ain't his fault he was sired by the witch. Maybe. And even if it was, he likely didn't know better. I mean you gotta be a bit of a masochist to choose that woman as your sire. Ellie. Yep. He's definitely a masochist.
I focus on Stryge. Nicely so. I'm not staring at him like a loon or anything. But my senses are on him. I can kinda control my ability to sense what others are feeling these days. Even in a place like this. But I kinda need to focus. With strangers that is. If Ric or someone else that I feel connected to was here, I'd be picking up on their emotions without even trying. Familiarity creates bonds or something. Not that I'm gonna complain. I think that's natural. I mean you feel connected to those that are important to you. That's a good thing. Generally.

[Stryge (DELETED 7204)]

Stryge could tell she was uncomfortable. She did a good job hiding it, but he had seen her stiffen slightly when he told her his name. Well, he wasn't too pleased with their little encounter on the CrowNet either, but he noted a second later that she was moving on and not bringing it up. He decided if she could brush it off, he would as well. Might as well call it water under the bridge for now. Besides, she was family. And regardless of their differences, family stuck by each other. Or so he was told. He really wished at that moment that he was still able to drink.

As she asked about his own turning, she mentioned that she had been turned against her will. Seems to go with the territory, he thought. Though I still bet your story won't beat mine. He wondered how much of his turning he wanted to tell Skylar. He settled on saying simply, "I didn't choose to be sired either. But I gotta admit, being a vampire kinda agrees with me. 'Nother words, yeah, I guess it ******* rocks." Stryge chuckled. He had to admit she had a point there.

"So Elliot's your sire, eh? I like Lancaster. He's got a good head on his shoulders. It's nice to start meeting more of the family. I couldn't have asked for a better clan to be sired into. My sire is Pi, though I guess you already know that." He paused, thinking about what to say next. He knew his sire/childe relationship with Pi was creating some tension between himself and Elliot. Stryge had no way of knowing that the intense feelings he had towards his sire were not the norm. For that matter, Skylar's enthusiasm about her own sire was doing nothing to convince him otherwise. Still, something didn't feel quite right about it. He had been a broken man when Pi had sired him, and he felt like some of those mental issues had affected his transformation, warped it in some way, turning his natural sire bond into an obsession. Still, the heart wanted what it wants, even, apparently, when it was no longer beating. Stryge worshiped his sire as a goddess, and even his own rationality couldn't convince him to do otherwise.

"By the by, I never thanked you for offering to hook me up with a decent blade. I think I've got all the weapons I need right now thanks to Pi, but it was still decent of you. You mind if I ask you something? What you said about Elliot beating the **** out of your fella. How is it you two are still square after something like that?" Stryge smiled at the blonde vampire as he regarded her with eyes that were dark and deep.

[Skylar]

"Wow. Skipping the pleasantries eh?"
I laugh.
I don't much care, really. I'm the sort to say what I think. The only thing is, that the guy doesn't realise what he's just done. I was gonna be good. I was. I was gonna try and ration my words and not babble, but asking a question like that I know there's no way that's gonna happen now. I turn my body a little more in his direction and smile.
"Ain't nothing to square away that's how. You can't rightly be pissed at the lion for biting your hand off, if you were stupid enough to go putting your hand in its mouth now can ya?"
I take a quick sip of my drink knowing that I'm gonna need to explain what I just said.
"See. There ain't never been any love between my guy and Ellie. As soon as Ellie found out who Ric hangs with, he kinda decided not to like him. I put them in the same virtual space hoping that maybe they'd get to know one another and like, get over their issues with one another, but that didn't happen. I'm not gonna blame one over the other. They were a right pair of wankers. And well... My guy... He's a complete arsehole at the best of times. It's one of his finer features actually."
I say that without a hit of sarcasm and actually smile as I say the words. I love my boy and there ain't nothing about him I'd change. Well... nothing fundamental anyways. I don't care if he's an arse, it's one of his most attractive qualities. He's got a sweet side too. Most people don't it. But I do.
"And he likes to fight."
I add quickly, continuing my account.
"So of course when they got narky with one another, things quickly spiralled out of control and they arranged to meet up and duke it out. As I said. They're a pair of wankers. I told them to cut it out but did they listen to me? The **** they did. They snuck off to kick each other's arses and that's when everything went to hell in a handbasket."
I pick up my glass and gesture towards Stryge with it.
"I'll admit. When i found out Ellie had turned my husband into a walking vegetable I was pissed. Pissed enough to actually consider breaking in here..."
I gesture to the bar, drink still in hand.
"And burn the place to the ground. The **** kinda hit the fan before I got drunk enough to actually to do anything though. Ric went missing. I went a bit mental. Well... A lot mental. Then next thing I know, Ellie's dead. I kinda lost my desire for revenge after that. I didn't want Ellie dead. I'd never want him dead. I mean I know we come back and that and it's really no big deal in the scheme of things but still. Sucks, right?"
I finally take a sip from my drink before setting the glass back on the bar.
"So yeah. Ain't nothing to square away in my books. They both got what they deserved for being stupid. Despite it all, Ellie's still a great sire. Ain't no-one I'd want more. But you know what really gets me...?"
I turn a fraction more in Stryge's direction.
"I don't see why they can't just get along. Ric and Ellie, that is. I mean Ellie and I are so alike in some ways it's scary. So how can I love them both and get on with them and stuff, and yet they can't get on with one another?"
I pull my glass into my lap and frown down at the drown liquid. i really don't know why they don't get along. Ric likes me but not Ellie. It's strange when I think about it. I half wonder how that's possible. Not that Ric started the grudge match between them. That was kinda all Ellie and his prejudices. Still. I hate being stuck in the middle.

[Stryge (DELETED 7204)]

Stryge smiled. He appreciated the straight forward way in which Skylar had tackled his question, took it in stride even. One thing Stryge had always hated about growing up in the south, especially among privilege, was that god awful southern gentility which caused folks to always have to pretend to be "nice," even as they spat daggers at you behind your back. Stryge had come to appreciate those who knew where they stood and said what they meant. He was getting the impression Skylar might be one of them.

"That's not an easy spot for anyone to be in. Stuck between two people you care about, but who can't get along with each other." He suddenly thought of the times he had been in that same position growing up, playing referee between his parents. That was while his mother was still alive. "It's not my place to say, but I reckon if I loved someone enough, I'd let bygones be bygones. Not pick a fight with someone else who I knew she cared about." He suspected he was already saying more than he should on the topic, and decided to switch gears.

"I'm glad we're getting to know each other Skylar, us being kin and all now. So now it's your turn," he chuckled. "I asked you a pretty tough question. Now you get to ask me anything you like."