Anita Blake Archive 6

[Lvciferi]

Monday July 8th 11:56 pm - The Streets of Seattle - Lee

Lee entered the large shell of the building without any traces of a smile on his face. Maybe it was just narcissism, but the fact that the messy haired little twerp thought that he'd get a chance to fight Ian after he was done with him pissed him off. The kid thought he must of been somebody, he was nobody, he must of not had watched fight club hard enough. We are the all singing, all dancing crap of the world. We are not special. Concepts these dumb lycanthropes couldn't seem to get into their alpha male captain of the football team egocentric brains. Maybe that was just Him being a dick. Silently Lee walked towards Marshal and the group that was congregating around him. It was easier to navigate the way while using his hearing in conjunction with his eyesight. Why they didn't just put a lightbulb he couldn't begin to fathom. Seriously though what does a lightbulb cost? Fifty cents? They were strange thoughts to have before he tore the world appart, but they were his thoughts none the less.

"Let's start" Lee said almost a little too eagerly, it was obvious his head was elsewhere at the moment. Faster than most people would be able to watch he unbuttoned the red leather jacket he wore and tossed it into the corner, he didn't know about anyone else but this was primal for him, this was him supposedly fighting himself. So he waited to see what Ian took off, he'd fight in what Ian fought in. It was an eerie sensation, standing there in the dark with a bunch of lycanthropes and a couple of vampires, he couldn't help but wonder about all the destruction that could be caused if the fur bags and coffin stuffers actually could come together to do more than just smash each others skulls into cement pillars every now and then.

Outside the makeshift tomb Big Casey was probably striking out at some baseball park right when the game was on the line and it was all up to him, some where else some kid was probably striking out on some girl he'd been trying to seduce all night long, and in other places still some pissed off girlfriend was probably striking her former boyfriend's name and number out of her address book. But Lee wasn't going to strike out, Lee was ready for the curve ball that was coming a little to the outside left, he was ready to score with that hot chick, he was going to make up with his girlfriend. He gritted his teeth as he waited for Ian, thinking to himself that he really had the oddest thoughts before a fight.

[Maxx]

Monday July 8th 11:55 pm - The Streets of Seattle - Ian

Ian tossed his gym bag off into a corner.  It contained a spare change of clothing, since in all likelihood, what he was wearing already was going to get trashed. He rolled his head left and right to loosen his neck and then looked at the vampire that had chosen to face him.  "I guess I'll have to hold back," he said with a feral grin.  "Come on, dead man.  Looks like it's just going to be fists for you.  Let me warn you, if you fucking bite me, I'll tear your fangs out with my bare hands."  He chuckled, rolling his head again.  "Or maybe I'll use pliers."

Technically, no holds were bared at the Tooth and Claw but some didn't like the vampires biting them.  Ian was one of them.

[Maxx]

Monday July 8th, 11:56 p.m.  - -  Jakarta  - -  Miguel

"A pleasure, Contessa,"  Miguel said.  "Shall we go?  The hour of the witch approaches and I think perhaps it would be wise if we found ourselves indoors before the final stroke of twelve fades away.  Once we are inside, perhaps we can discuss exactly what Seattle will hold for us."  He smiled again, that maddening smile that seemed to say he knew things that she didn't.  He offered her his arm.  "Shall we go?"

[Maxx]

Monday July 8th, 11:36 a.m.  - -  The Park  - -  Ryan

Ryan shook his head.  "I need to be there,"  he said.  "Pack politics.  It's not like you can't be included.  Our meetings are open to all pack members and yes, you are a member, with or without my sponsorship.  I'd scrap it up with Lobo if he said any differently."

"I heard that."

Ryan stiffened at the sound of Lobo's voice.  "Lobo-" he began but the Ulfric cut him off.

"Peace, Loki.  I feel your connection to each other.  Hell, a blind man could see it.  I wish the two of you luck.  May we all find such a perfect match for ourselves."

"Amen,"  said Tiny Tim, in a voice that seemed to come from somewhere in his shoes.

[Maxx]

Monday, June 8th - 11:46 pm - the streets of Seattle - Jules Xavier Chalice

The limo pulled into the curb lane and paced the twins for a few seconds before the window rolled down.  The pleasing scent of an expensive cologne wafted out into the night air.  Beneath it was the faint smell of fox.  A manicured hand appeared,  followed by a finely shaped face.

"Excuse me, but might I be able to speak with the pair of you?  I won't take but a moment of your time and I think perhaps you might find what I have to discuss will be to your advantage."  His voice was cultured but definitely American.   His expression was open but his eyes showed that he was a predator in his own way.  Human to be sure, but equally surely a predator nonetheless. 

[Lvciferi]

Monday July 8th 11:55 pm - The Streets of Seattle - Lee

"Afraid of a little love nip are we?" smirked Lee as he cracked his knuckles. The lycanthrope didn't seem to be making any effort in preparing for the fight, so that meant Lee would be fighting in the expensive button up shirt he wore, it was a pity since it was a really nice shirt. Lee rolled his shoulders back once and then reached into his jeans, it turned out the lump in his jeans was actually a switch blade. "Give me a second will you? I need to tidy up real quick". Right there on the spot Lee started to cut his hair, grabbing fistfuls of it and cutting off the long locks as close to the scalp as he could. A minute later where a long wild haired man stood now stood one with hair as close as any buzzer could cut it, just with more patches of longer and shorter hair that either looked cool or ridiculous depending on the type of person. He tossed the knife to the side then looked back to Ian.

"There we go, all done. Sorry about the wait beautiful but trust me it will be well worth it" said Lee with a little flash of fang. "Ready when you are sunshine" he said as he brought his right fist up in a ball in front of his face with his left fist a few inches ahead of it.

[Sami]

Monday, June 8th - 11:47 pm - the streets of Seattle - Altair and Keid

For all anyone only watching could have been able to tell, neither of the girls noticed the limo while it was pacing them. They strolled along in perfect step with each other, and neither was watching the same thing. The girl on the right, Keid, had her head up and her eyes were roving up the street ahead of them. The girl on the left, Altair, wasn't watching where they were going so much as the people they were passing. For a moment, her eyes lingered on a young man passing them who was laughing with a group of friends and walking on crutches.

Her attention was diverted by the sound of the window rolling down, and she turned her head. Her nostrils flared slightly as she took in the scents wafting out to her. They turned together, stopping, and for all the world, every last thread of their attention was trained on the man in the limo. They were suddenly too perfectly in synch, standing straight together, with both of their heads canted just slightly to the side, with just the smallest hint of a smile tugging at the corners of their lips.

The silent conversation that passed between them was so fast and so completely wordless that even a skilled psychic might not have caught it or understood most of it. They both saw the preditor in the man. It intrigued Altair, but made Keid want to shy away. They were new in town. But Keid had been looking for fun.

They came to an agreement between blinks of their eyes, and their smiles both grew slightly. Together, too perfectly in synch to be natural, they asked, "What can we do for you?"

[Maxx]

Monday July 8th 11:57 pm - The Streets of Seattle - Ian

"I'm just not interested in letting you fuel up in the middle of the fight,"  Ian replied.  "Nice hair."  He waited until the switch blade had been tossed aside, not because he was afraid of it but because he was being polite.  Then he launched himself forward in a blur of motion that no human could ever match or hope to counter.

He was no martial artist but he was willing to do whatever it took to win the fight.  Several of the spectators began trying to predict the outcome, not so much who would win but rather how badly Ian would have to maul Lee to get him to submit.

[Maxx]

Monday, June 8th - 11:48 pm - the streets of Seattle - Jules Xavier Chalice

The man smiled.  It was a polite smile, coming nowhere close to being considered a leer.  "Normally I do not conduct business on the street," he said.  "Might I offer you a drink?  There is an establishment just up the street that would do nicely.  It is quiet enough to discuss business yet not so quiet as to be boring.  It is called, oddly enough, 'Manhattans'."  He paused, canting his head slightly, as if listening to a voice the girls couldn't hear.  "Or if you prefer, you can take a ride with a total stranger, against the advice of any good parent but well within the realm of possibility, given the frequency with which people disobey their parents."  The smile changed slightly, drifting towards a mischievous grin.

[Lvciferi]

Monday July 8th 11:57 pm - The Streets of Seattle - Lee

"Who said I won't" muttered Lee as he clenched both his fists as tight as he could. His brow furrowed as his darted from Ian's legs, to his arms, then to his neck in one quick upward swoop. The lycanthrope didn't seem to have any physical weaknesses, but that was ok with Lee, because Lee was just as happy to exploit his mental ones. Lee stopped moving, standing as completely still as a statue as the lycanthrope launched himself at him.

Without a single noise Lee suddenly came to life, his only movement was a devastating roundhouse kick that would of sent a car skidding down the block. Hopefully the kick would of connected with the lycanthrope and sent him flying off to the side. That was the lucky thing about being a vampire, no one knew what you were going to do until you did it.

[Maxx]

Monday July 8th 11:58 pm - Tooth & Claw - Ian

The kick sent Ian sprawling.  He rolled back onto his feet before he connected with the wall but several of the spectators were forced to make a mad scramble out of his path.  He looked at Lee and smiled ferally.  "Nice," he said, before he began a much more methodical approach.  He had learned respect for the vampire's kicking ability but if it turned into a kicking contest, his height gave him the advantage of additional range.

When he came in the second time it was with less speed and more focus.  He snapped a kick towards Lee, twisting at the last moment to change his target from Lee's midrift to Lee's knee.

[Lvciferi]

Monday July 8th 11:58 pm - Tooth & Claw - Lee

Lee moved back to his opening position, becoming a statue again as his eye followed Ian. The lycanthrope's demeanor seemed to have changed. He seemed more methodical now, Lee got the impression that he wouldn't just charge him again like last time.

Lee didn't move, he let the attack come in and gritted his teeth with the pain of getting his knee shoved backwards, had he not been a vampire a kick that vicious may off popped the kneecap clean out of place. Lee struck right away, his good leg kicking out the one Ian wasn't using in his strike while simultaneously lashing out with a left hook aimed for the side of Ian's head.

[Maxx]

Monday July 8th 11:58 pm - Tooth & Claw - Ian

His height proved to be the advantage Ian was hoping for, as Lee's toe grazed past his leg, barely catching the cloth.  He stepped forward, taking the hook to the jaw and spinning with it.  He dropped low and used the same leg to try and sweep Lee's feet out from under him.

The fight was like watching a martial arts film on fast forward, with each combatant moving at speeds no mortal master could ever match.  Only gravity worked at the same speed.

[Sami]

Monday, June 8th - 11:50 pm - the streets of Seattle - Keid and Altair

The two smiled, and they suddenly weren't quite so identical. Keid's smile was sharp, showing teeth in a way that only seemed to look friendly. Altair's was more open, as though when she smiled, she couldn't possibly be anything but happy. "Now, now," they sing-songed together.

"Naughty," Altair said, sounding rather like a child scolding an adult. "Encouraging little girls to ignore their mother." She shook her head, clicking her tongue.

"We will meet you at Manhattans, though," Keid said. "How far up the street?"

[Lvciferi]

Monday July 8th 11:58 pm - Tooth & Claw - Lee

Lee hated when things didn't work out as he planned. He felt his fist collide with the lycanthrope's jaw, another failure as he had been aiming for the temple. When the sweep came Lee didn't even fight it, he fell onto his back, tucking his chin and gritting his teeth as he hit the cement floor of the abandoned building. Instantly after the momentary daze wore off he wrapped his legs around Ian's in a scissor lock in the hopes of dragging Ian onto the ground with him. What had been a rather cinematic fight was quickly degenerating into a all out brawl on the cold hard floor.

[Tinker]

July 8th - 11:41 - Tom's Car - Troy

Troy felt the first twinges of relaxation start to unknot the tangle of nerves at the base of her skull as she belted up in Tom's Jimmy. Now that she was in a confined proximity with the man, the scent of wolf finally radiated off him in comforting waves. Her maroon eyes studied his chiseled features and occasionally flicked down to the steering wheel to appreciate his well manicured hands as he brought her up to speed on his position within the pack. She nodded in acknowledgement as she listened with a feverant interest, more than slightly impressed with the man's straight forward honesty. Her face seemed to transform with a certain maturity, the well constructed guise of her overgrown kid slipping as she began to speak of the matter at hand.

"I got the distinct impression that Lobo wasn't exactly the one that was brimming with enthusiasm in our little proposition of unifying the West Coast? Our Ulfric in California is more of an . . hmm. . Give me a second whilst I try to be diplomatic here", She furrowed her arched brows in mock concentration, "Gabriel is more of a doer than a thinker, a man of few words but grand actions. That's why I'm here. I can articulate our request in such a way as to not offend every living were the world over. We had a particular tough time in Oregon, Gabriel decided that he would try and put the proposition forward himself, that was a , ahem, colourful day. I was rushed in the next day to try and patch together what little allegiance we had with the Oregon wolves. Luckily, I can sweet talk the undies off of a nun and have her thank me for the revelation and we now have the full support of our Oregon brethren."

Her smile was soft around the edges, a luminosity of sincerity settled about her broad, wholesome features, "What we really want to do is just get some kind of autonomy amongst all the packs along the West Coast. We're not trying to merge into some kind of mutant super pack. Never mind the bloodshed and dominance issues, the sheer logistics of that concept would be enough to induce a werewolf civil war. We just thought it was about time to start looking out for each other on a more national level, hell, maybe even one day on a global level."

A subtle glowing blush ruddied her sunkissed cheeks, "Damn, didn't mean to get all evangelical on you there."

[Tinker]

Monday July 8th 11:21 pm -  Seattle Streets- Sailor

Sailor watched the cracks in Tyler's impeccably crafted cocky facade glisten in the sickly sulphur glow of the streetlights with a guilty weight pressing almost claustrophobically on her slight frame. She said nothing as she allowed him to guide her away from the filth of the drainage ditch, the thoughts racing through his head were practically audible to her. She slid her fist into his large, cool hand, her fingers unfolding like a lotus flower in his wide palm.

She watched his pale face desperately trying to conceal his thoughts as she lead him silently to the back lot of La Cirque. The time for overt flirting and smartass comments now left behind in the clanking and clattering of the drain. She dug in the pocket of the battered skirt for her keys, hooking the the shiny metal out by the gaudy piece of plastic formed into the large headed figure of Sanrio's most famous figurehead cat. She slipped from Tyler's grasp and whispered to the door of the hulking, golden muscle car. She opened the passenger door for him, flicking her wrist in a brief flourish, before skipping back to the driver's side to allow herself in. She sensuously sank into the leather seat, pulling the belt across herself in one fluid motion. The machine purred throatily under her touch,  one pink clad foot hammering down on the accelerator, jettisoning them from the lot. Her hand shot out as the hoarse bark of Henry Rollins erupted from the tape deck, leaving them only with the sound of the feline engine.

Her liquid copper eyes held the road in their impervious gaze, her hand draped lazily on the gear stick, fingertips stretched out to brush against the denim housing Tyler's knee. If it weren't for his enhanced sense of hearing, Tyler would have been oblivious to the soft sigh that billowed from Sailors full lips before she spoke, "I have no idea where I'm taking us or when I'll stop the car", her metallic eyes scanned his smooth features in the staccato of the passing streetlights, "So you might as well, start asking the questions that are burning on your lips. I owe you that at the very least."

[Maxx]

Monday, June 8th - 11:49 pm - the streets of Seattle - Jules Xavier Chalice

The man smiled.  "I did not suggest you disobey your mother, I offered it as a possibility for you to accept or refuse.  You will find Manhattans after a four block walk.  Ask for Mr Chalice's table.  I'll be waiting."  He paused, as if listening again.  "I take it you would prefer to order your own drinks, rather than accept those I will have waiting for you?"

[Maxx]

July 8th - 11:41 - Tom's Jimmy - Tom

"I can think of a few people who might be interested in meeting that nun,"  Tom said with a dry chuckle.  "You'd be surprised how many people have fantasies about religious figures."  It was an obvious attempt at keeping the conversation light.  Politics of this level needed to be delicately handle, not decided in an SUV hurtling down the street and certainly not without Lobo present.  "Out of curiousity, what did you do with the nun once she was... free from oppression?"

[Maxx]

Monday July 8th 11:58 pm - Tooth & Claw - Ian

Ian let out a cry of surprised outrage when Lee wrapped his legs around him.  He didn't resist being taken down to the floor, in fact he went with it.  He used the opportunity to drive his elbow into the groin Lee had so kindly provided.

Ian fought dirty.  Lee was finding out exactly how dirty.

[Lvciferi]

Monday July 8th 11:58 pm - Tooth & Claw - Lee

Lee didn't have time to try to put together how the tall lycanthrope had managed to elbow his groin when it was pressed to the man's leg as he held him in a scissor lock. He only had a brief moment before the pain would well up into his stomach, and though he was a hundred year old vampire who hadn't been using his balls pretty much since he died they still had that bad habit of hurting him when struck. Lee let out a feral hiss and drove his thumbs home into the lycanthropes eyes, not restraining how far they pushed in at all. If the lycanthrope wanted to play dirty Lee would show him he wasn't the only one who could get in a cheap shot. Lee panted hard and squeezed the lycanthrope tightly between his legs, trying to battle down the sensation of fiery pain in his stomach and groin.

[Tinker]

July 8th - 11:41 - Tom's Jimmy - Troy


A chuckle as filthy as as a flasher's overcoat bubbled from the very depths of Troy's chest, her burnt sienna eyes twinkling mischievously in the summer sunshine glinting through the windshield, "Now that's a whole different story. Good, old Sister Mary Black and Decker", A thoroughly unladylike like snort erupted from her cinnamon sprinkled nose, "Last thing I heard, after her liberation she was living it up on Haight and Ashbury, turning tricks for the lord. Proclaiming that her body was a vessel of god."

Troy's infectious grin was plastered like badly applied spackle across her broad features. "So what do you do for shits and giggles in this fair city?"

[Sami]

Monday, June 8th - 11:50 pm - the streets of Seattle - Keid and Altair

"Encouragement rarely requires anything so obvious as a suggestion," Altair pointed out. Her smile was still nothing but open and friendly. She was the kind of girl who didn't mind leaving her drink behind with her date, and who didn't understand why exactly you shouldn't take candy from strangers.

Keid wasn't quite so trusting. Altair knew they had come against terrible dangers and survived. They were strong and fast and merciless. Keid knew those terrible dangers could have killed them. Even they couldn't always come out on top. And there were nasty things unscrupulous sorts could drop into drinks that would slow down even lycanthropes. Things that could give even slow, weak humans the advantage. Her smile was still friendly, and she inclined her head. "We will meet you in four blocks, then," she said. "And we would appreciate ordering our own drinks."

"Afterall," Altair said, sounding as though she was continuing her twin's thought, "you need to get a know a girl before you can order for her."

[Maxx]

Monday July 8th 11:58 pm - Tooth & Claw - Ian

There was no hesitation, no time wasted on protests of wails of pain.  Eye gouging was one of Ian's favourite tactics and he laughed when Lee turned it against him.  In the space of a few seconds, the fight had gone from relatively civilized to brutally barbaric.  He could feel the blood flowing down his cheeks and the pressure against his eyes was beginning to grow to dangerous levels.  He began thrashing, trying to shake Lee's hands loose and bring his teeth close enough to something that he could bite.

Ian's phenotype was hyena and his jaws were crushingly powerful in any form.

[Maxx]

Monday, June 8th - 11:50 pm - the streets of Seattle - Jules Xavier Chalice

"As you say,"  the man said.  "I look forward to getting to know the pair of you well enough to order for you."  There was a very slight hesitation before the word pair came out of his mouth, as if he had chosen it only at the last moment.  The twins didn't have time to consider what it might have meant because the driver pulled away from the curb.

They could see the place where the limo stopped.  The driver didn't get out to open the rear door.  He didn't have to.  A doorman in livery opened the door for him.  Manhattans, it seemed was an up scale establishment.  It took money to open such doors and it was clear that Mr Chalice had it in abundance.

When Kied and Altair arrived at the building, they found it to be surprisingly unobtrusive, given the fact that it had a doorman.  There was plenty of old red brick and a large polished brass plaque that proclaimed in finely etched letters that it was the

MANHATTAN CLUB

ESTABLISHED 1853 A.D.

It was the only sign of any kind on the building.  The doorman must have been watching the street using a hidden camera and likely had been warned of the girl's approach.  He appeared before they had even set foot on the second of six steps and was holding the heavy oaken door open for them.

"The steward will direct you as needed," the man said, in a carefully neutral tone.  He smelled slighty of sweat, mixed with a faint hint of growing arousal that didn't show in his manner or his face.  His eyes remained fixed on first Altair's then Kied's face as he ushered them into a world of rich walnut, velvet and polished marble.