Path of the Vampire forum

<Caligrace> “I’m not sure she’ll like this,” she said into the receiver as she tucked the phone between her shoulder and chin. She had been pacing out front of the robotics store for over an hour, and she was more than certain that the workers inside had noticed. If it weren’t for her small five foot three frame, they probably thought she was casing the joint. As it was, she didn’t appear threatening at all - just a nervous wreck. “Go in there, Caligrace. It’s Frey, she loves anything you give her,” her thrall responded a second before ending the call. She only stared at the phone for a minute before tucking the device into her purse stepping inside the store.

<Mayhem> The person to look up at the woman was the thrall, Dante, who had been standing in front of the hall to the entrance of the master's office; and, the cashier in the front. Before the cashier could say anything, the thrall offered a stoic faced greeting, "Hello, may we help you with anything? If none of the models on display are to your liking, the shop owner can make custom models. Should you wish for such, I will drag him out to talk."

<Caligrace> She only had a moment to hesitate, before a deep voice broke through her thoughts, causing her wide amber gaze to snap to the man. Raising a brow, she briefly scanned him over, and some of the anxiety fled from her gaze. She hadn’t known what she had expected, but a man as attractive as him hadn’t been it. Tossing her hair over her shoulder, she made her way towards him, heels clicking against the floor. “You definitely can help me with something,” she smiled, her eyes brightening as she leaned against the counter. Despite the flirtatious tone, it was clear that she was harmless. With a quiet laugh, she waved her hand to the store behind her. “I’m looking for something specific for my… friend, but I’m not seeing anything."

<Mayhem> The thrall eyed the woman quizzically at the change in demeanor to flirtation. Yet, he handled it all in stride; as if he were made of the very same wires and metal as these models, "In that case, please wait a moment." The thrall disappeared into the hall and passed the door; only to return, dragging a scrawny looking male by the ear. Jayd whined, clutching at the tool in his hand and the part he had been working on, "Yer gonna tear my ear off, dammit!" The thrall rolled his eyes, "Speak correctly, would you? It's an embarrassment." He was referring to the drawl with which the word *you're* was spoken. Jayd huffed and blinked at the female customer, "Hiya."

<Caligrace> The impassive gleam in the man’s eyes didn’t phase the woman, and she merely gave him another of her killer smiles. “Of course, sweetheart,” she chuckled as she rested further against the counter, her orange painted nails tapping across the surface. Though it didn’t take long for him to re-appear, this time with a rather reluctant male in tow, she took the brief reprieve to once again scan the shop. It was… odd… to say the least. She couldn’t suppress the chill that gripped the back of her neck as she stared at a rather large robot off to the side. “I swear, it feels like these things are watching me,” she muttered, before turning her attention back to the pair. “... You’re the owner?”

<Mayhem> Nodded and gave her a dopey grin. Truth be told, despite the fact the thrall was younger, he looked and acted older, making it easy for most people to confuse him as the owner and Jayd as the assistant -not that Jayd minded, he liked getting to hermit and leave the social stuff to Dante. "Ah, they aren't, not yet at least. They aren't turned on yet. I activate them before they leave the shop. After that, yeah, they have visual, auditory, and touch sensories that keep notice of everything around them to learn."

<Caligrace> She wasn’t sure why she was surprised that the man in front of her was the owner. She knew, personally, that age meant nothing. She was barely in her twenties, had yet to finish her degree, and owned four lucrative businesses. “I’m sorry, it’s just that I expected either someone old and bored, or some frail little boy with acne and and glasses.” Her laughter was genuine and carefree, the sound alone showing she was far from malicious with her statement. “You, however, are even more handsome than your partner.” Shaking her head, then, she turned back towards the robots and crinkled up her nose. “So, they’re basically alive? Do they make good pets?” She knew how strange the question sounded, but in this plac

<Mayhem> Blinked and blinked again. Handsome? More so than Dante? If he could blush, his face would be bright red. His dorky grin widened, a crooked, puppy grin. He Straightened himself up and handing the things he was holding to Dante before holding his hand out for a shake, "They're great pets! The sensories and artificial Intelligence allows them to learn about their owner and develop a personality based on their relationship with their owner."

<Caligrace> Unlike his companion, the man before her seemed far more affected by her casual flirtation. When his face seemed to light up, she gave a quiet laugh and ran her fingers through her hair, pleased that for at least a moment - she had made someone feel good about themselves. Curling her fingers around his hand, she bit into her lower lip as she eyed the robotics warily. She had heard wonderful things about his work, but she had never asked too many questions. Could she handle a metal creature that learned from Freyja, of all people? Chuckling to herself, she finally nodded and looked back to him. “I was told you did special orders. Is that true?”

<Mayhem> Grinned, lighting up like a small child at the questions about his machines. He nodded, eagerly, "It is indeed! Wanna see a custom one I made for myself? It's really cute, you'll love it -though, if you don't watch movies, you may not get the reference."

<Caligrace> Surprise flickered in her eyes as he morphed in front of her. Gone was the businessman, and it his place was someone akin to a child that took pride in their work. Her appreciation for the business was beginning to increase, and with a laugh, she gave a nod of her head. “Of course! That’d be wonderful, doll. I’m very peculiar about what I give to my friend. I owe her everything, and I want to make sure that I get something that fits her worth.” Smiling warmly, then, she straightened up from the counter and dusted off her skirt, before raising a brow. “It depends on the movie. Let’s see what you’ve got,” she chuckled.

<Mayhem> He ran back to the office and came back out with something covered in his red plaid button up shirt. The shirt that had been concealed underneath it earlier? A Superman muscle shirt. He grinned and sat the shirt on the ground before pulling it off. And that was when the little Mogwai named Gizmo looked around. Instantly upon seeing a woman, the little creature lightened up and hummed its little song to impress her, "Gizmo here is different from any other machine I've made. The others are made to develop their personalities based on how they interact with their owner. Gizmo was made with preset personality to mimic the personality it has in the movie."

<Caligrace> Raising a brow as he came back out, she took in his muscle shirt - before focusing on the bundle in his hands. Uncertain of what was about to emerge from the fabric, she took a step back, her red curls bouncing around her shoulders as she narrowed her eyes on the small creature. “Is that from Gremlins?” The question came quickly, and her face softened as she began to laugh. “Oh, he is just adorable! I was terrified of that movie, but look at him!” She began to reach out as he started to hum, but before she touched him, she yanked her hand back and turned her gaze back to the man. “He’s not going to bite me, is he?”

<Caligrace> "I'm pretty sure you're right. Good looks will only get someone so far. They need personality to go with it," she teased the other man, before winking at him. "You, however, don't seem to have an issue," she said to the owner, before turning to lift the creature into her hands. She cradled him gently as she brought him to eye-level and smiled. "Do you think you could make a large rabbit? Not gigantic, but larger than normal? If you could, and make it a light blue, that would be amazing. I'm willing to pay whatever it takes."

<Mayhem> The ladies love the rabbits, woo! Jayden gave Dante another glance, grinning at the thrall that ignored them in order to go over files. He rubbed the back of his neck, flustered at her appraisal. He nodded at her request, "Like a Flemish Giant or bigger? Would you mind following me to the back office and I can pull up a system for simulation so we can get a look for what you want and size?"

<Caligrace> Bringing the gremlin to her shoulder, she allowed him to do what he pleased while she adjusted her hold on her bag. "That would be perfect, actually. I thought about just getting her a real rabbit, but there are some... circumstances... and I'm not entirely sure it'd be safe." She kept her explanation vague as she stepped around the counter and smiled. "Of course, doll. Just lead the way. By the way, I'm Caligrace."

<Mayhem> Chuckled as the Mogwai cuddled up on the woman's shoulder, perfectly capable of keeping itself from falling without being held. He raised a hand above his head for the index finger to move toward the door, "Follow along then, yeah? Oh! Sorry! I'm Jayden; or, Jayd as most people call me." He opened the door and held it open for her.

<Caligrace> Reaching up, she gently gave the creature a pat before stepping after him. "Jayden," she hummed, before thinking if she had ever heard it before. Coming up blank, she smiled. "It's nice to meet you, Jayd." With that, she stepped through the door and waited for him to make the next move.

<Mayhem> Followed in after her; and, for the sake of making her feel at ease left the door open. He moved over to sit at his desk and pulled up a system on his computer. He brought up a 3d, yet white, model of a rabbit, "About how big do you want it? 1-3 feet tall?"

<Caligrace> Relaxing when the door remained open, she slid into a seat and crossed her legs, her fingers carefully smoothing out her plaid skirt. "Maybe two feet? I'm not sure how tall actual flemish rabbits are," she laughed. "I know they're pretty long, though, right? I thought one was a bear the first time I encountered one."

<Mayhem> Jayd opened his browser and pulled up pictures of people holding Flemish Giants for her to look at, "Have you seen a Sheltie dog? They can get that big."

<Caligrace> Adjusting her position so she could eye the screen easier, she chuckled. "I have," she responded, though she leaned forward to study each picture presented. "I think I like it about that size. The size of a Sheltie. It would fit her, and it would freak out her roommate."

<Mayhem> He grinned and nodded, going back to the simulator and enlarging the 3D model on the screen. He began to put forth to make it take life in the form of being more than just a white model. He transitioned it from an outlandish blue to more of a Russian Blue cat's Grey Blue coloring, "What would you like for the blue? Something more outlandish like we started, or something more natural like this?"

<Caligrace> Easing back in her seat, she brought the tiny robot from her shoulder and into her lap as she watched the man work. She was intelligent - though she hid it well - and yet, she had never been able to pull something like this off. Shaking her head in wonder, she watched as the colors changed, before smiling. "That one, something more natural. She loves neon colors, but I think if it looked more realistic, she'd enjoy it more."

<Mayhem> Jayd smiled at the woman; and, tweaked the eyes until they suddenly were a brilliant array of rainbow transition, "Shall we give it a little flare in the eyes to match it's owner then?"

<Caligrace> Laughing quietly, she leaned forward once again as the color began to shift. "That is perfect," she smiled, her fingers tucking through her loose curls before she suddenly clapped her hands together. "'I am so glad Elin talked me into coming here, I had no idea this would be the result!"

<Mayhem> Smiled, quite pleased with how content the woman was. His playful nature shined through, showing his age just a bit more compared to the drab image you'd have of someone running such a business, "Madam!" He gave faux horror in his face and tone, "Please, you insult me! I take my work very seriously, you'll get nothing but the best animatronic companions. After all, a guy who'd probably forget to feed a real animal, Gizmo here is the best I can get as far as pets go." He grinned, dorkily, "But yeah, I'll make special eyes that the iris all around the pupil transition from one color to the next in a nice little orb-rainbow like a little color wheel. Due to the size of the animatronic, it may take me a little bit, but I'll work on it as quickly as I can and have Dante call you to discuss if you want to pick it up or have it delivered. Any other details you'd like to add to it or any date you absolutely need it by?"

<Caligrace> Widening her eyes at his sudden change, she stared at him for a single second before shifting her expression into something akin to embarrassment. “Oh, of course not, sir. I never meant to insult your intelligence or your craft! You seem to take it very seriously - as long as it doesn’t require food or water, of course.” Her last statement was delivered with a grin, and her mock shame vanished in flash, being replaced with her usual carefree smile. Resting back in her seat, she listened as he spoke, before nodding her head. “No, no rush. I want the best money can buy - and trust me, money is of no issue. I can give you my number, and you can call me when it’s ready and I can come pick it up, if that’s alright?”

<Mayhem> Nodded and dug out his phone, bringing it up to add New Contact and held it out to the woman, "After, I'll send you a text so you can save my number so you don't think some weirdo is callin' ya." He winks. He chuckled a bit and patted over the area his unbeating heart laid, "Always the best, scout's honour. I don't toy around with these guys. Look." He took Gizmo and sat the Mogwai on the ground before grabbing the water bottle off his desk and dumping the contents on the animatronic, "They're made water resistant. And now... Ask Giz to do something very specific."

<Caligrace> Pulling the phone from his grasp, she quickly typed in her own information before handing it over. Dipping her hand into her purse, she pulled out her own phone and flipped open the case to reveal the glass screen as she waited for his text. "You wouldn't be the first, doll," she laughed, before staring at the creature. "What-- Oh, thank God." She placed her hand to her chest and shakes her head. "Uhm. Giz, hop ten times."

<Mayhem> Jayden sent the woman a text. As he was doing so, the animatronic began doing what she requested. Though, it was obvious that it was having trouble counting out how many and before it actually gets to ten, it falls on it's butt and looks around making a sound you could swear was 'oooh nooo'. As for the text? it was a simple ';]' face.

<Caligrace> Opening the message that came through, she saved his name into her contacts, though her gaze never wavered from the creature. "That's alright, Gizmo. You did it," she laughed, unable to tell the adorable little thing that it had messed up. "So, they take after their owners? I almost fear what this rabbit will turn into with Freyja at the helm. She's wild," she teased.

<Mayhem> Chuckled and shook his head, "Sorta, but not quite. It's like... A real pet. You know how when you raise something from a baby, it takes after you in personality? It's essentially the same for these guys. But the way you interact with it will also cause effects in the way it's personality develops. This isn't quite the same, because Giz already has a personality, but... Kinda like this: Oi, C'mere, ya little tart." At the rude order, Gizmo reacted in kind, making a face at Jayd and turning away, crossing its arms. Jayd grinned, "See? They'll never become dangerous because they have a safety on their drives, but if you abuse them, they'll become ornery right back. They develop their own personality based on how they're raised."

<Caligrace> "I have a feeling the rabbit is going to either be pampered - or ornery." She admitted while she watched Gizmo, chuckling quietly to herself. He was adorable, and she honestly couldn't wait to see what Jayden made for Freyja. She knew it was strange, to depend on a robot for a pet, but she knew that it was something the woman would appreciate. At least, she hoped as much. Stretching out, she dusted off her skirt and smiled. "How did you come into something like this, anyways?"

<Mayhem> Gave a sheepish shrug of his shoulders, "I've just always loved tinkering with stuff. And, yanno, total nerd? But most people don't want X-men Style sentry fifty foot robots roaming around. So pets was a nice alternative. Business friendly; and, I still getta do something I love."

<Caligrace> A thought occurred to her while he was speaking, and she raised a brow with a teasing smile. "You don't have a robotic girlfriend hiding around, do you? If you've ever seen Big Bang Theory, you'll know just how bad that turns out," she grinned, before shaking her head. "It's good to do what you love. Not many people get to."

<Mayhem> Jayd blinked and snickered. He shook his head, "Nah. No girlfriend, robotic or otherwise. Girls want to hug me, coddle me, feed me, take care of me, but date me? Fuggedabout it." He mimicked an accent with that last little sentence.

<Caligrace> Surprise caused her eyes to gleam for a second before she shook her head and chuckled. "I'm fairly certain that you are lying to me, Jayden. A businessman, cute as can be, and funny - single? Impossible that you don't have admirers, especially in this city," she grinned.

<Mayhem> Grinned, sheepishly, "Very single; and the only admirer that I am aware of is a bit....ahah..." He rubbed the back of his neck, awkwardly and gave the woman a friendly, silly smile, "It's def. the businesses, they're jealous wives, yanno? Gotta take all my time."

<Caligrace> Trailing her fingers through her hair, she gave him a quiet, warm smile. "A little on the insane side?" She, of course, hadn't a clue whether her observation was accurate or not - but he had the look of someone who had fallen victim to a psychotic partner. Her best friend wore that look often. "That's usually how it goes, and you seem to be doing fine with it."

<Mayhem> Nodded a bit. He gave a grin, "Apparently 'I want to be friends' still means, 'yes! I will be your house husband!'." He gave a small shrug and grinned more at her latter words, "Three businesses and a fourth in the making; but, I'm not unhappy. It's pretty fun and liberating." His eyes trailed to Gizmo.

<Caligrace> Crinkling her nose up, she gave a rather irritated sound before shaking her head. "I can't stand people like that, men or women. Take the hint and move on." With a quiet release of useless air, she relaxed her expression back into something more inviting and serene. "I understand. I own four myself, but I've done the best I can to keep my life and my work balanced. You still have to have fun, you know."

<Mayhem> Blinked and chuckled at how normal and calming the woman seemed. He grinned, brightly and gave her a playful wink, "Promise you aren't a psycho; and, maybe we can be friends. I'll even let ya play video games with me if you've got the skill."

<Caligrace> She nearly choked on her laugh at his request, and quickly shook her head. "I don't like to start new friendships off on lies, doll," she teased, shrugging her shoulders, "however, I can promise that I'm a great psycho to have around. There are two different types, afterall."

<Mayhem> Laughed, giving a nod of his head. He could accept that answer. Most of his family was 'psycho'... Check that, ALL of his family was. He grinned and held out a hand to her, "Well, Cali --is that alright to call you?--- Once again, I'm Jayd; and, it was hella fun to meet ya lady. You're pretty adorable."

<Caligrace> Moving fluidly to her feet, she held out her hand and once again took it with a grin. "You can call me anything you want, doll," she teased. "I aim to please, darling. It was great to meet you as well, and I can't wait to see what you come up with the rabbit."

<Mayhem> "I'll get right to work on it and I'll give ya a text or call once I finish it. Any time of day particularly good for you to get a call or text?" He could be up during the day... But closer to night would be preferable, not that he could say that.

<Caligrace> The excuse was already primed on her tongue, and she gave him another smile. "Evening, please? Owning nightclubs is hell ona person. I've grown to hate the sun."

<Mayhem> Thank goodness. He grins like a dork, "Sounds great. I'm a bit of a night owl, I do my best work with a more twinkling light." He joked and pointed up to the ceiling, meaning stars outside.

<Caligrace> She easily followed the direction of his fingers, without thinking twice about the fact they were inside. "I get what you mean. The night in this city is beautiful. I get a lot of hype around Myth and Thrive," she smiled.

<Mayhem> "Myth, eh? I'm more of a science person; though, I think that's obvious, eh?" He chuckled before moving over to the door and making a show of courteously beckoning her out, "I'll stop taking up your time then, Miss. You'll have your giant rabbit ASAP."

<Caligrace> Slipping the strap of her bag over her shoulder, she bent down to gently give Gizmo a pat before stepping around the man. "I hope so," she said with another demure smile. With a wave to the rest of the employees - and a mock blown kiss to the stoic Dante - she slipped out the door.