Anita Blake Chapter 15: The 3 F's: Feasting, Fighting and Fun?!

[Grimoire]

Sunday, May 17th 11:25PM - Archangel Tower - Feast Hall - Saphyre Draust

Saphyre had spent a little time with the folks setting up, bumping playfully into Josie, but not for long. Both of them were working and that was something that was important to both of them, its why they worked so well together. He needed some specific things for his performance that night and the fact he was Ulfric’s orders to not enter the cage things had had to be altered slightly. But not too much. Everything was where it should have been and as it should have been. Everything had worked in the brief dry run so – fingers crossed that these last minute changes didn’t bite him in the ass.

When guests had started to arrive Saphyre had begun circulating, mingling and speaking amongst the early birds until Nigel vaulted the fence-like cage and addressed the room at large. The second night of the feast was upon them.

Darien and Arianna took to the stage and Saphyre paused to watch. They were playing into each other so beautifully, it seemed almost intimate like something he should look away from, and yet he couldn’t. As she yanked Darien’s jacket away he was glad he’d been watching. It was like she had ripped away his inhibition with that garment, he pushed himself so fully and completely into the music he was giving over. Coaxing from the instrument like they were one in the same.

Saphyre bit absently at the inside of his cheek as his beast took eager notice of the shift in him. Arianna’s voice still brought goose bumps to his skin but his gaze couldn’t help but return to Darien.

He realized he’d been thinking about the man on and off since he’d sunk his teeth into him the night before.

That’s the boss, the vampire boss. Don’t be doing that. That’s not smart and it’s not a good look… Saphyre mentally chastised himself. Even if he is a good look.

He grinned and applauded as Darien dipped Arianna before their final bow, fighting back the thin edge of a crush with enthusiasm for the performance. Arianna looked stunning, they worked brilliantly together. Saphyre gave out a playful “Owh-Owwh!” with his hands around his mouth.

They’d done a very good job conveying what they had wanted to show, desire and darkness and all the beautiful complicated things that happened when the lights were off for better or for worse. Saphyre was reacting to that. Besides it was a rookie donor’s mistake to get all wound up in the person who put their teeth into your skin, it was an intimate action that required trust and closeness and vampires were glamoured to be appealing and attractive so they could do those things. It had been a while since he had donated but Saphyre was no rookie and he had to remember that.

[LadyJallyn]

This has been a Wyn,Krystal, Grimoire and LadyJ copost


Sunday, May 17th 11-11:25 PM - Archangel Tower- Feast Hall

Cupcake? really cupcake jesus what an absurd thing to call someone. maybe its a thing where he's from Josie mused as she fought the urge to look over her shoulder. She knew her back was against a wall but the feeling she was getting of being circled was undeniable. Her face turned to the men on the bleachers gave them a small smile and a polite nod returning their acknowledgement.

"Curiosity may of killed the cat but one can't help fight how it effects every beast. If i recall you are Mr. Lee."Her gaze returning to the cage area briefly before returning to him. "Looking for redemption in the cage tonight? Enquiring minds would like to know." Her eyes carefully scanned the room in between passively looking for her pack mates maybe to sneak a peak at Ethan in this evenings attire.

"Cortez got lucky Sheila. I got distracted. During the full moons he knows his place and its under me. As for the ring who knows? The boss is selecting the players for that drama. Might get lucky might not. Just curious bout the out of townahs are ya? Likely fitter than the pups you got here am I rite luv?" Lee said looking her up and down, "Ya fighting tonight?"

The corner of her mouth curled. The tone in Lee's voice made her ever so want to get in the cage but it was against the rules. Instead she fainted demureness with thick sarcasm raising a delicate hand to her chest."Oh little ol me Sir. Heavens no its not easy to get this put together."She lowered her hand and lowered in a flourish showing herself off like a prize on the price is right. "Though fit comes in many forms I must say the amount of muscles displayed in from you gentlemen is a buffet for the senses." she let out a small laugh.

Lee sniffed at the air. "Ya trying to put one on me I felt your she wolf. Ya ain't a delicate flower but ya already know that." he said with a wolfish grin. "How bout ya let me take you to Brekky luv when the night is done. My treat."

Damn it she was hoping her full strength wasn't coming across she had made a point of trying to hold back a little. Maybe she didn't do a well enough job of that. Tom would be disappointed. She offered a shrug. "Oh the way you say Brekky is adorable. However I am afraid from my understanding you boys are on a short leash."She poked a little playfully "Or rather let me rephrase. Excursions such as those are not always so easily given."She eyed the male wolf up and down slowly taking him and his presence in. She sucked in the air across her teeth shakily tasting too many emotions it was a tad discombobulating to hold her footing as they crashed into her. She showed none of her internal struggle just offered a smile.

"Ah listen Luv we are all working it is true, but the boss won't mind if I nip of to the cafeteria in here to grab a little tucker with you." He said flashing her a wide grin his eyes intense but full of mischief.

The performance through Saphyre had cast his eyes around the room and saw Josie amongst a minor grouping of Volkov's wolves. She always had the kind of presence and charisma that drew people to her, or the ability to just walk up and step right into a wasps nest. He wasn't sure which one she was experiencing at the moment so he made his way around to her, watching her body language for any sign she might be in trouble. So far so good if not a little overwhelmed.

"Making friends?" he asked her in a bright and cheery manner as he approached. His beast friendly, not there to cause a fight or growl over his packmate. Honestly she was more than capable of snarling at them so they'd feel it if she wanted to.

"Evening gentlemen, I hope Seattle's been treating you well so far," he smiled.

"Haven't seen much of it." Shasta replied as he crossed his arms over his chest looking at the new comer. It was the first thing he had said since entering the feast hall.

Josie grinned widely as Saphyre came by.  "Well look at you . Haaaaaandsome" she winked turning her attention back to the Alaskan wolves looking for any bit of hostility. "As for "Brekky""she spoke trying to do her best Australian accent. "I tend to eat like a bird in the morning. However I will not object to a coffee." She smiled eyes shifting to the man with his arms crossed. He seemed closed off and cautious but was that for his benefit or hers was yet to be seen.

"Don't mind Shasta he styles himself a standover man. Pay him no attention luv. A cuppa joe sounds beauty." Lee said.

If Saphyre was amused by the fact that Josie had now apparently booked 2 dates with 2 Alaskan werewolves it didn't  show on his face. Though if he was honest the way Lee regarded her like something to chew didn't leave him with a good taste in his mouth, maybe he'd invite himself along to that. They could bring Dani, make it a thing.

"That's a shame, it's a beautiful city. I know you're all here for a while, it would be good if we could call you guys out show you around our backyard. We do have the best coffee out of anywhere, and that's an unbiased opinion held universally," he teased putting himself forward and backwards on the balls of his feet, feeling out the low boots that went with his costume that evening.

"Might be a bit of alright mate. We fixing for some downtime. Trying to fix a spot to go off at. Heard of Niteshades? Simmons was beaking off about it saying maybe we try that boozer den if its up to snuff. Ya got a name piker?" Lee said his eyes on Saphy.

"Nightshades is a great joint, it's actually owned by Mr Walker who just got off of Piano," he explained and named off the nights of interest and specials that would be going on while the Alaskan pack was still in town. Joys of running Social Media.

"Ah so you met the anklebiter did ya? Bastard try to get your number did he?" Lee said. When Saphy spoke he looked him up and down. "Sapphire. A bit of a Sheilas name. Your oldies didn't love ya much or were they feral?"

Saphyre laughed. "Oh, that ain't even half of it. If you heard the whole damn mouthful, you'd weep for my childhood. But now I can walk in heels and do a cut crease to kill a man so I guess it all evens out in some cosmic way or another."

Lee didn't look convinced as he cocked his head looking at the male wolf. "If ya say so mate. Who am I to say otherwise. If ya guys say Nightshades is Ace we will check on it."

Josie's manicured hands moved to her mouth as she tried her best to stifle a snicker. Simmons didn't need to TRY and get her number after their pleasant conversation she very easily handed it to him. Stirring the pot was one thing adding fuel was another. "Indeed I have also meet Mr. Simmons he helped me earlier today."

Dani sidled up on Josie's other side, wrapping an arm around the other she-wolf. "What's this about walking in heels?' she asked poking fun at Saphy.

"Feckin' boy scout." Lee laughed. "Well I look forward to the morn. Ya got some digits you can give me luv or we just walking out and meeting up after the venue?" His eyes turned to see another She wolf step into the standing group and with the wolves sitting on the bleacher style high rise benches. "Look at ya locals coming out of the woodwork..."

"He thinks my name is feminine," Saphyre explained to Dani with a smile. There was no trace of insult to be found.

"If we're doing it after this thing we should all go, there's a great place not far from here that's open all night."

"Can't leave the building without the Ulfric's permission luv." Lee said with a sigh as he gave the women a cheeky wink. "Gotta follow orders like a good soldier."

"Ooo, they also have killer pie...and that's the name of the pie not how it tastes." Dani said with a grin at Saphy.

Dani turned her eyes towards Lee and looked him up and down as she spoke. "Pity that, by the way the name's Dani."

"Lee, luv. Nice to meet ya." He said taking Dani's hand giving it a shake.

Josie leaned into Dani's shoulder. Her beast rubbing up against hers happily. "OH I know that place um um um shit whats its name again. Frans! I digress yes we should all go It'll be fun."she pouted  at Lees statement "oh yes true about that but i'm sure we can all hit the cafeteria then. Shale has mentioned how good it is here." she was relieved that Saphy stepped in as he did. Lee seemed like he was on best behaviour but alone who knows. "I don't know how long wrap up will take though. You know me I get a tad hyper focused at these events." She raised a hand to the back of her head and rubbed it without messing up her hair.

Dani laughed a bit at Josie's dramatic portrayal of how she got. "A little hyper focused, I remember the last Halloween party you hosted. Took us a month to get it all set up to your drill sergeant's specifications."

"What was it she said? Next year we'll just have to start in September?" Saphyre laughed delightedly at the memory.

"There are folks to tear down Josie, you're in a management roll not a micromanagement role. I'm here until you're done anyways and these lads are all staying here right? You don't mind a late cup of coffee do you? It's not like a shifter metabolism is going to get keyed up on a cup," Saphyre carried on.

"Likely won't be free till the boss carks it in the morning." Lee said with a shrug. "Gimme your number luv and that way I can text if bossman says no to the meet up."

Dani lifted a brow at how pushy Lee sounded when he was asking Josie for her number. She promised herself she wasn't going to go pack mom when it came to the other two, but this was pushing the envelope just a bit.

A hand slipped down the front of her dress casually and fished around in the top of her corset. Out came her business card that Lee seemed so intently on getting. However if he planned to hold this over Simmons head later Simmons still wins for Josie gave him her personal number as well something Lee would not get the privilege of receiving. She handed him the card. It had her number, facebook, insta. twitch and patreon addresses.

"Hopefully coffee can be drank and enjoyed by all."she said with a smile. If Saphyre and Dani werent already busy with other things they would most definitely have moderator status on her socials.

"Not my place to say no to a outting its a cuppa joe, not taking ya to the prom or a wedding night right luv?  I ain't one to write tickets about myself ya know? Can't be everyone's bowl of rice, but ya never know unless ya try." He said giving Josie a wink as her card disappeared into his jacket. "Was a wee bit curious bout how yas all carry on down here.

Josie listened to the words out of his mouth her face showing no indication of her internal monolog What the fuck does that even meeeeeeeeeeeean

"We have a few of the local hotspots that we like to go to. Lots of strip clubs, what with the Navy shipyard not to far from here. Got to keep the sailor boys happy. If any of you are heavy gamers I know a few of the company's give daytime tours."
Dani gave Josie a bit of a hug, she didn't have to know what the other wolf was thinking, to know that she needed a bit of a 'you got this girl'.

"Rippahs aren't my cuppa luv but thanks for the mention." Lee said but paused as there was a sudden movement on the stage and Miguel came out on the stage with a vampire tied to a wheelie chair. "Looks like the shows going on."

"So it does," Saphyre said. "We should probably be circulating but it was a pleasure getting acquainted lads and I hope we can all get together for that cup of coffee at the end of the night."

Josie nodded "True. Well we shouldn't keep you gentlemen occupied after all you have a job to do and so do we. Til the marrow" She gave a small bow to the wolves

"Aye She'll be right." Lee said as he waved a hand and the wolves rose moving to benches closer to the entertainment. "Have a good one ladies. We want front row seats for this Ekka. Later."

"Ciao," Dani said with a little dip of her head.

[LadyJallyn]

Sunday, May 17th 11:25 -11:45pm - Archangel Tower- Feast Hall- Miguel and Lee

Miguel strode out from behind the curtain, pushing a heavy wooden chair, with a frightened looking vampire strapped to it.  He placed it before the table of honour.  He touched a control at the bottom of the chair and it began slowly rotating, spinning the vampire so half the time he was facing the spectators and half the time he was facing away.  "Since the beginning of time, mankind has been at a disadvantage," he said.  "No teeth to speak of.  No claws.  They were forced to rely on rocks and sticks to give them any chance at survival.  They discovered that rocks with sharp edges and sticks with sharp points worked best.  Thus were the first knives born."

He shed his cloak to reveal a bandolier of knives.  He pulled several from their sheaths, and began circling the vampire strapped to the chair.  While one knife danced across the fingers of his left hand, he began flipping two others with his right hand.  "Soon those knives were being made of metal, at first soft ones like copper and then before long bronze and steel.  Now, to permanently injure a lycanthrope or a vampire, I would require a silver knife.  Fortunately for my unwilling volunteer,  I will not be using any silver on him tonight."

He looked at the audience.  "I could give you a show of juggling or knife throwing but I suspect neither would truly entertain or impress you.  I suspect that you would be more interested in something where the chances of me getting injured was equal or greater than that chance of my 'assistant' being injured.  To that end, I have a request for our guest of honour.  Master Volkov, might I be permitted to make use of your best knife thrower?  I'm sure that from such a fine collection of skilled soldiers there might be one who stands out?"

Grigori looked to his wolves. "Lee would you be so kind as to assist in this showing?"

The werewolf known as Lee stood forward and nodded "Of course sir." He said with a wide grin. The six foot tall well muscled gingered Aussie hopped into the ring where the demonstration was being held. He sported a cropped goatee and his brown eyes looked Miguel up and down. "What we playing at little man?" He asked curiously.  His knives were in sheathes that covered his chest and both of his legs had harnessed sheathes with extra knives on them.

"We will be playing catch, Mr Lee," Miguel said, slipping his knives one at a time back into their sheaths.  "Seeing as how you have a number of knives of your own, we with take turns adding  a knife every fifteen seconds, until all of our knives are in the air, one of us misses or our unwilling assistant.. intercepts.. a knife.  With luck you will put on a better showing than you did last night."

John Breeman let out a little noise as his eyes widened. He was trapped in the chair. A vampire of three years he figured not having a permanent stain on his record for a minor mishap that was caught on the company cameras was a good thing. He was told all would be forgiven if he was willing to volunteer at the feast that evening. When he had arrived things seemed fine until he was asked by Miguel and the Contessa to join them back stage.  He was secured into the chair and was unable to escape it. Well being in a chair all night wouldn't be too bad he had thought. However now that he was the center of attention and the demonstration was being explained by the Spaniard to the Australian werewolf. Mr Breeman was having second thoughts. "I don't like this game. Can I change my mind and just take the strike to my personnel file?" He pleaded.

Several amused laughs came from the crowd and someone shouted "Gag the baby."

Lee ignored the pleading vampire and looked thoughtful. "It sounds like a fun time. You sure you can handle them all? I'd hate for you to get stuck and have ya go crying back to ya night sheila and then be told our behaviors iffy at best, No drama mate. "

Miguel shrugged.  "I realize I may be at a slight disadvantage.  As we increase the number of knives, the time to react decreases.  There will be a finite number of knives that we can feasibly keep in the air, based on distance and reaction time.  I will of course be backing up as things get more complex, which will make each throw harder.  As a werewolf, your strength and speed are, no doubt, superior to mine.  But then how am I to get better, if I do not challenge myself?  I must rely on superior skill to see myself through.  Mr Breeman, I apologize in advance if I hit you.  Mr Lee, shall we make a few practice throws, to get the range and timing down?"

"Sure. Good on ya for doing a practice run. Wouldn't want to put an eye out on your Hoon there.  Not sure what he done and got 'imself into trouble wise. But I think this might be right educational for him." Lee said as he stepped back several paces and drew one of his throwing knives. "They're wicked sharp just did em up this morn.  Careful or they will gut ya fingers ." He stood at ten feet away and slowly threw a knife at the man. No need in resorting to preternatural speeds, most of the folks present would have a hard time trying to track the knives if this was a life or death situation.

"As I would expect,"  Miguel said, nodding.  "Do not concern yourself with my fingers. If I happen to lose one, I have more on the other hand."  The knife Lee threw was larger than the ones Miguel was using and it was wickedly sharp.  Propelled by lycanthropic muscles. it would travel a significant distance and do a considerable amount of damage.  "An impressive weapon.  It does you credit, Mr Lee.  Now, one of mine.  It is lighter than yours, so with your superior strength it will have a flatter trajectory but a shorter range.  This is going to be interesting.  Shall we begin?  Mr Breeman, do stop blubbering.  There is almost no chance that you will be injured in this."

Lee shrugged and caught the knife it was close to half the weight of one of his less length to the blade and not as wide. Still the blade was well maintained and cared for. He chuckled and tossed it back. "Feels like I'm at the local pub tossing some darts with me cobbers we're just missing a six pack of tinnies."  His eyes flicked over to the vampire. "Mate I reckon I won't hit ya unless its dictated by the fair folk of this event or by the good graces of the men sitting over that way." He said jerking his thumb at Nigel, Waylon, Grigori and Noah. "Close yer eyes if ya think you might drop a biscuit in ya shorts. Besides it ain't silver mate. You will be fine even if ya get stuck once or twice. Be right as rain come next evening so hush up, we got work to do."

Breeman shook his head. Clearly he was in it for the long haul and there was no getting out of it.  Sitting confined to a chair while a werewolf and a human played catch with knives but the werewolf was correct. It would hurt if they missed but it wouldn't kill him. It just might be really uncomfortable depending on where they hit him. John steeled his resolve and tried to stay silent and still in the chair as the two began their game of catch.

It was a gleaming example of skill.  The two started with four knives and, as Waylon called out the quarter minute, a new knife was added.  After a minute, there were eight knives in the air.  After a second minute, twelve and after a third minute, there were sixteen flashing missiles in the air and the hands of both knife throwers were nothing short of a blur.  Miguel broke when the seventeenth knife was added; one of his throws imbedded itself in the back of the chair. The eighteenth knife joined it.

Suddenly all of his throws were finding their way into the wood of the chair.  When the last of the knives found a home, Miguel moved forward and stopped the spinning chair.  On the back of the chair, formed from the eighteen knives was a clock showing the time to be 11:45.  "And that, ladies and gentlemen, is all the time I have," he said with a bow.  "Please show your appreciation to the impressive Mr Lee and our unwilling assistant, Mr Breeman."

Lee nodded impressed with the show and shook the Spaniards hand. "Good on ya fair dinkum." He said as he listened the audience and their applause before fetching his knives and returning them to their homes. "Ya got more skill than I expected for a Hummie. Good on ya."

"You are quite skilled yourself, Mr Lee,"  Miguel replied.  "I must apologize for the reference to your defeat last evening.  Perhaps if time permits, I could buy you that beer.  Don't worry about getting up, Mr Breeman.  You are not yet finished for the evening.  I pass you from my tender keeping into that of someone I believe you know as the Schoolmaster?"

"Wh-Wha-What?!" Breeman cried out confused. "But the shows done. I didn't agree to do anything with the SchoolMaster!"

Lee nodded. "I won't turn down a free drink. " The werewolf said with a nod as he ignored the blonde haired vampire strapped to the chair. "Shall we leg it out of here mate? Sounds to me like this hoons about to get schooled." he said with a hearty chuckle as he stepped out of the ring and shook the humans hand one more time. "Look me up when this is all over with and a cold one or we will have or two or three Frosties if we get on well enough..."

[Wyn]

Sunday, May 17th 11:45 - Archangel Tower- Feast Hall- Arianna

Arianna had slipped out to the green room after hers and Darien's performance so that she could get into the dress she was supposed to wear for the rest of the feast. The attendants in the green room had worked fast so that she didn't miss much of Miguel's show of dexterity with the knives.

She'd settled in her seat next to Cortez as Miguel and Lee started to toss the knives to one another. She watched in fascination as the two passed the blades back and forth and clapped with the rest of the audience when the end of the performance came about.

She leaned in close to Cortez so that she could speak to him without being overheard by those around them. "So how did you like the kick off for tonight?" She wasn't fishing for a compliment she wanted to know his honest opinion of the show. "And Miguel has always intrigued me, him being a human and winning the Countessa's favor, but that showing proves that he's more than just throwing a few fisticuffs in the bear pit."

[LadyJallyn]

Sunday, May 17th 11pm -11:50pm - Archangel Tower- Feast Hall- Katherine

Katherine settled down at the table of honor between Nigel and Maria and listened as Nigel made his opening remarks and went to setting the feast on its merry way.

She noticed a scarred woman with an asian on a leash and a woman who looked like she was the love child of He-Man sauntered up to the table and sat down casually beside Noah. Kat watched with curiosity their conversation not entirely caught as Darien and Arianna were on the stage now getting ready to preform.

As Nigel made his way back to the table Noah's hand reached for the Were-rat queen and she shoved it off and Noah cried out softly. "no-no-nononono!"   The scarred woman told Nigel  as he returned to the table and said she wanted to be signed up as she gave, was it Nigel? Waylon, Grigori? She wasn't sure maybe all of them? The stink eye.

"Well she's a pleasant one." Kat said very softly to Maria. "And a bit scary."

Maria nodded. "That is Astrid the rat queen. You don't win that rank in a poker game."

Kat let out a soft intake of breath "Yay. How bout them BlueJays?" She said with a chuckle as she poured herself a goblet of wine.

"Don't you mean those Mariniers?" Maria chuckled. "Local sports team reference.  We have seasons tickets."

"Oh is that what they're called? Nah I meant BlueJays I'm from Ontario so... if you got tickets if they Play the Jay's we should go sometime. A bit of sun. Kock back a few wieners." Kat said sounding happier.

"You will be expected to pay for the hotdogs when not if the Blue Jays lose." Maria said.

Kat laughed. "Deal but if they do win what do I get? Free Wieners?"

"I pick up the tab for the hotdogs." Maria said.

"Seems a fair deal." Kat answered back as Darien sat down and began to play.

All interest in Noah or the Rat Queen vanished for the time being about two minutes into Darien's performance. She felt herself bouncing her leg to the beat of the songs enjoying the piped music mixed with the live piano and Arianna's voice.

The bass from the music thumped in her chest and she found herself leaning forward in her chair as the music beat in her chest and she bopped along to the show.  When it eventually wound down Kat felt like she had just stepped off a rollercoaster ride. She felt energized eager and alive. It was a weird combo she mused as she realized  she was literally on the edge of her seat. She sat back a smile on her face. "Wow that was good." Kat mused  as clapped heartily after the applause and cat calls died down, she reached for her wine and took a sip before returning it.

She noticed Nigel lean over as Grigori and him shared some private conversation as she watched the floor crew wheel the piano away. So far the night felt more like it was on steroids or cocaine. The mood felt charged and she couldn't believe she was eagerly awaiting Miguel's knife throwing demo.  She had stumbled upon an axe throwing club when she had lived down in BC and knew the sport of throwing sharp shit to be more exciting and fun that it probably did sound to those that heard about it as an event.

"This is going to be awesome." Kat softly squeed.

"I didn't know you were a fan." Nigel said surprised.

Kat blushed. "I suppose there is a lot that we don't know about each other but yes. I used to be part of an axe throwing club when BC was my stomping grounds. Axewood events was awesome. So how good is this guy? How long has he been at it?"

"You would have to ask the Contessa and she would know better than I." Nigel explained.

Kat nodded "Fair enough."

"One would hope that if he is presenting himself as entertainment for the evening the answer is most likely VERY." Nigel said. "However we may also get to watch a trainwreck. Time will tell."

Kat laughed. "Time will tell. But Im saying right now I bet it will slap!"

"Slap?" Nigel asked the question clear in his voice. "I am not familiar with the term."

"Oh you know like it will be super awesome and kick much ass or if something tastes good it slaps. Like you snatch it up and just devour it cause its so fucking good." She explained.

"Its a food reference?" he asked.

"Yes but it can pertain to stuff or content that you love and want more of too. You are just really into it." Kat said.

"I suppose we shal indeed see if the demo does indeed Slap."  Nigel said having digested Kats sagely knowledge on obscure slang,

The show started and Kat felt herself grab both Nigel and Maria's Knees under the table Miguel wheeled out a vampire bound to a chair.  They felt her grip twitch as Lee joined the Spaniard on the stage and the two began looking each others gear over.

His introduction and speech had stirred up feelings. Feelings that were totally true if you had ever had the joy of throwing sharps. She had never been able to put it into words but it was Primal.  It like called to the part of her that through mitochondrial dna or something never forgot just how integral knives and axes were for human kind.

She was on the edge of her seat as Waylon called out for more knives to be tossed and Kat could feel her cat inside her react to her excitement her eyes tracking the knives flicking back and forth at the maelstrom of daggers in the air and then they fell. Kat let out a breath she had been holding for over forty seconds seemingly having hit the peak of her adrenaline rush. As Miguel called an end to the show he spun the chair around and it made 11:45 on the back. Wither her preternatural speed she pulled her phone out fast to double check and sure enough it was that time on the dot. She jammed it in her bra and rose to clap. And then paused putting two fingers in her mouth gave a whistle of appreciation.  She sat down looking like she just gotten back from a techno rave at a catnip club. Her eyes were wide darting from person to person and back to the stage area .

Nigel watched Katherine with amusement it was pleasing and surprising change in the werecat when compared to the previous night.

Katherine watched and took another sip of her wine. Miguel before walking off stage told the man he got to deal with the school master now. Brandy's boyfriend Klaus was on the stage and was moving the vampire over to the other chair. She looked down the table to see Brandy wrapping her wrist with a red linen napkin as Grigori passed her a goblet of wine. She hadn't noticed yet.

"I suspect it might have slapped given our reaction." Nigel said.

Kat nodded her eyes transfixed on the stage he watched as Katherine grew still. That stillness that came before a cat pounced on something it wanted to hunt.

Interesting... Nigel thought to himself. "You may find this one disturbing. " He warned her. "Der Schulmeister has some what of a reputation amongst our kind. "

"Brandy's boyfriend? The sex dungeon guy?" Kat whispered softly tearing her eyes off the scene before her.

"Correct. Lets just say he is not someone you would want to stay after school with." Nigel explained.

Kats nose twitched and crinkled as her head swiveled back to the stage to watch. "Oh no he's gonna spank his balls and make him write lines..." Kat said sounding distant and distracted.

"I expect he will wish that is all that will happen." Nigel said.

"I think...." She said licking her lips as she listened to the vampire try pleading to Nigel to cancel the thing he would take the write up. "Be seeing a thing in a second." her voice tight and held a slight edge to it. "definitely a thing..."

[LadyJallyn]

Sunday, May 17th 11:45 - Archangel Tower- Feast Hall- Cortez



Cortez rose when Arianna found him sitting in the bleachers.  He sat down once she did. "Miguel...He is a mysterious man, but he and my brother put on a good show as well. I'd expect nothing less from Lee he's dedicated a decade to his craft and he loves to put on a good show. Should see him when we go Keggers in the summer up in Alaska when Master Volkov leaves you to do security for the resort while he takes the tots down here.  Those keggers are something else." He said with a chuckle.

He smiled it was warm and made its way into his brown eyes. "Your set It was really good Senora. A masterful mashup if you will." he said his dark eyes were a light with energy and appreciation as he reached out and kissed the knuckles of her hand. "Perhaps you would like a taste to see how much your music stirred my soul?" He asked a trace of a smile tugged on the corners of his lips.

[Maxx]

Sunday, May 17th 11:30- Archangel Tower- Feast Hall - Woodstock

Bleary eyes slowly focused on Lorne.  "It goes,"  he said.  "It's a fast fast.  Only two nights.  If I can't beat back the Hunger for that long, I've got a problem."  He chuckled.  "I'm good, Swan Man.  Go.  have fun.  It's a party.  Enjoy all the pleasures that this feast has to offer.  I can smell some amazing food.  Try the borscht.  It's a funny name, borscht.  But it tastes good.  Rich and hearty.  Made with a lot of root vegetables, so you can have it year round.  Kept a lot of people alive.  Not all of them though.  Even with the borscht, a lot of people died."

Woostock looked maudlin for a moment, then brightened.  "But here we are, talking about them.  so some little bit of them lives on."

[Darkflame]

Sunday, May 17th 11:45- Archangel Tower- Feast Hall - Darien

As the knife throwing exposition was ending, Darien slid from his seat.  He had caught sight of Saphyre and remembered that he wanted to warn the colorful wolf about the coming.. performance.  He had suggested to Klaus that he have a taste of the dynamic performer, and he was concerned that such a thing might prove difficult if Saphyre saw what was to come.  Lucy was firmly attached to his lapel as he slid up to the wolf that was dressed this eve in finery more befitting a man.

Saphyre sensed Darien's presence just a moment before he turned towards him. The room thrummed with the excited energy of the impressive knife throwing display but he noted the familiar mix of his cologne and Lucy and looked his way with a grin.

"Hello Lucy," he greeted the fruit bat first, he stroked a finger over her back before lifting his gaze up and moving to let the full hand stroke down Darien's arm. It was something trying to be a joke to acknowledge Lucy first and not at all an attempt to recalibrate the excited little jump of his pulse. Tail wagging was not the most professional of greetings.

"And hello Darien, you were something else on stage tonight,"

"Thank you, It makes me happy to hear that you enjoyed it."  And as he said it, he realized that it was true.  That was something that he was going to have to think on at a later date. For the moment, he had a mission, and didn't want to be deterred from it.  "Saphyre,” He said, leaning in so that he could speak softly into the other man's ear, his lips nearly touching the soft curve of the flesh.  "You may want to... take a break... during the next performance.  It will not be so... pleasant."

Saphyre allowed him easily into his space, the world would have been upside down indeed if he hadn't. He was just a little extra aware of how the breath of his words touched his skin where his lips did not.
What he said though took a moment to register, he rolled it over and over and kept coming up confused. Unpleasant? He moved back just a little to take in Darien's face. It was a lovely face - now he searched that lovely face for some sign of the joke he was not getting.
 
"Mr Adler's set you mean?"

Darien nodded.  "The punishment for this evening is not the same type as last eve.  Perhaps you would like to take Lucy to the green room and see if she would like some fruit?"  As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he could hear the unwilling volunteer behind them begin to panic as he learned his part in the entertainment was not over.  There was a wash of terror that made Darien pause, then a faint shiver dance up his spine in a way that was all too pleasant.

Green had been standing behind Darien dutifully carrying the vampire’s case of sheet music. His neck craned to look at what was going on stage wise. Someone didn't want to see the school master apparently. He could scent a twinge of fear and panic from the vampire. It tugged on his stomach, his wolfs ears perked up as the protests as he felt his pulse speed up a few beats. He remained silent as Saphy and Darien spoke only giving the colorful young man a nod.

Saphyre's head tipped ever so slightly, like a puppy hearing a new sound. Curiosity coloured his gaze as he watched Darien still just a little bit. The smell of fear had long ago caught the interest of his beast but the pitch of the plea came through and he started to put it together. His smile eased open again, spreading like water colour. The softest note of a laugh left him.

Oh god, he thought he was squeamish.

"Oh, Darien," Saphyre began when he caught sight of the other wolf behind him, the bits and pieces of this interaction so strange he started to laugh again, offering the other wolf a small wave.

"I promise I'm not the fainting sort," he assured.

Green nodded and listened politely clearly the vampire wanted to spare the young colorful wolf. He critically eyed the young man's bright makeup and sighed inwardly. It was so bold and brave. He tentatively reached out with his wolf and booped his snoot against Saphy as a polite hello and withdrew.
The two men were intriguing to watch. Most of his pack mates had a preference for the fairer sex and such closeness displayed between a wolf and a vampire was usually a bit of a joke to most of them. He clutched the music case a bit tighter as he listened to the exchange unfold curious to see how it would end and hoping his greeting didn't put the wolf off.

"My dear,” Darien said, his head turning a bit as if drawn by an invisible thread behind him.  "You mistake me.  You see, I suggested to Mr Adler that he might want to request a taste, as he was quite taken by your performance, and I fear that seeing what he does this evening may sway your decision to share your bounty.  If my suggestion seems insulting to you, you have my deepest apologies."  He told Saphyre, turning his gaze back to the wolf, reaching out a hand to take one of Saphyres and bring it to his lips.  "Of course, I would happily make much better apologies later, in a private setting, if you would prefer."

Saphyre was briefly distracted by Green's wolf coming close to his in a curious little greeting. That was good to know - he'd even reached out first! So, Simmons was a bit of an oddity amongst them. There were so many more plates spinning than the previous night.

His wolf bumped back up against Green's to show that the introduction was not unwelcome though he focused back on Darien.

"Ahhh," Saphyre sighed with an air of understanding. "You didn't want your recommendation to go to waste. Never fear I'll be happy to accommodate Mr Adler on your good word alone no matter what he gets up to on that stage. I have to say you've really got me interested now," he teased with his usual playful nature. He would have anyways, being a donor at this event but it was sweet that Darien had been concerned for him.

Saphyre smiled as Darien's lips brushed his fingers. "Promises, promises."

"A promise gladly kept."  Darien said, the faintest smirk playing at the edge of his lips.  His head once more began to turn, like a snake following a flute.  "I think.. The performance is about to start."  He said distractedly, and tip of his tongue appeared briefly upon his lips, almost as if he had tasted something delightful.

Saphyre's eyes briefly wandered him while he was distracted by the bound man, the anticipation that put a smell in the air that was almost acidic, it zinged against his senses like a freshly opened orange. It was an interesting little glimpse of Darien, almost like his top button had been undone.

"Best get your seat then, darling," Saphyre mused and leaned in to kiss his cheek, squeezing his fingers before he let them slip apart. Brushed past him shoulder to shoulder so he could speak to Green before they left.

"A couple of us were speaking with some of yours about getting some coffee in the caffeteria when the night is through. I hope you'll join us, Mr - ?"

"Green." the wolf said. "Who’s is going? Who all is coming?" he asked curiously his accent unmistakably south Bronx.

Darien blinked, and looked back at Saphyre, momentarily brought from his distraction.  He smiled then, giving a little nod as he moved to head back to his seat.  Grigori's wolf was almost through with his time, and Darien wouldn’t keep him.

"Mr Walker your sheet music case sir!" Green called out holding the case up.

"Some of mine, some of yours, we'll go over the details later. I'm easy to find," Saphyre chuckled waving him off towards Darien as he called after him.

"Hunt me down. If Mr. T says its good, we are good." Green called out as he went after Darien to return the vampires sheet music.

[Maxx]

Sunday, May 17th 11:50 pm to Monday May 18th 12:20 am Archangel Tower- Feast Hall - Klaus Adler aka Der Schulmeister

Klaus freed Breeman from the wooden chair and took him by the arm.  He led the unhappy vampire to what looked like a dentist's chair designed to hold struggling patients.  Breeman resisted.  "I've changed my mind.  I've decided to take the strike on my permanent record."

Fear was coming off the vampire in waves as the Schoolmaster pushed him down onto the seat. Cohen, who had brought the chair out into the open, assisted the Schoolmaster in securing him with thick, wide leather straps.  Once the straps had been tightened at Breeman's thighs and shins, the werewolf moved to secure the upper arms and forearm straps.  He was looking more at Schoolmaster than he was at Breeman.  The Schoolmaster could have been a statue, holding Breeman down with one arm, until well after he was unable to escape.

When Cohen return to his seat, a little faster than he normally moved, the Schoolmaster added additional restraints, this time at Breeman's wrists, elbow, ankles and knees.  They were stainless steel, rather than leather and completely enclosed the joint.  All the while, John Breeman was begging to be released.

The chair was turned so that it faced away from the audience and towards a white screen that had dropped from the ceiling.  The lights dimmed and Breeman was forced to watch a five minute video on workplace violence.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtmpuTZ3MKs

It was followed by a second shorter video, one that was clearly the product of an elevator security camera.

In the video, a man and a woman who's faces were unidentified blurs were riding the elevator.  The doors opened and third person who was quite clearly John Breeman entered the elevator.  Almost immediately he stepped up into the personal space of the other man.  When he reached out to grab the other man and shove him back, the woman stepped forward to intervene only to be shoved as well.  Breeman returned his attention to the other man and punched him squarely in the face.  Then the video started again from the beginning.  The lights came back up.

The Schoolmaster, who had vanished while the videos played, now stood beside the chair but he had changed.  He was wearing a see-through raincoat and had a clear visor covering his face.  "Mr Breeman, are we clear as to what you did wrong?"  His voice was flat, emotionless.

"Yes.  Very clear on what I did wrong.  There is no need to go any further.  Punching somebody in an elevator is a bad thing.  It will never happen again."

"Let's make sure you remember that lesson, shall we? Just to be on the safe side."  The Schoolmaster raised a drill that he'd been holding by his side.  The bit was almost a foot long.  The video of the elevator attack was replaced with the feed from a remote camera somewhere in the rigging.  It followed the drill as it moved towards Breeman.

Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor began playing softly. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho9rZjlsyYY

Breeman began screaming when the drill first bit into the flesh of his wrist, thrashing helplessly as the metal had its way with his flesh.  The Schoolmaster had a dark sense of humour it seemed; he was controlling the speed of the drill to keep in time with the music.

The small holes in the metal restraints helped guide bit as it plunged through flesh, bone and sinew, boring a hole through the joint.  By the time he finished, the see-through raincoat had been rendered opaque with blood and Bach's famous organ piece had come to an end, to be replaced by the Diva's Aria. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7Dh5QoXv2c


Into those holes, the Schoolmaster slowly and carefully threaded eyebolts, so that when he was finished, there was a metal circle on either side on Breeman's wrists, elbows, knees and ankles.  The completion of this work coincided with the ending the Diva's Aria.

When Duel of the Fates began playing, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTg6hg1miFg a T-frame lowered from the rigging above.  From various points, fine cables hung, each one ending in a clip.  The Schoolmaster connected the cables to each of the loops and, after making sure he was secure, John Breeman was lifted to hang six feet off the floor.  He didn't stop screaming until the Schoolmaster forced a ball gag into his mouth and even then all it did was mute the sound, when he was raised up into the rigging, twelve feet off the floor.

The music ended and the frame stopped moving at the same time.  The Schoolmaster bowed to the audience and left the stage, uncaring whether he was lauded by stunned and horrified silence or thunderous applause.  His task was complete.

[Krystal]

Sunday, May 17th 11:25 pm to Monday May 18th 12:20 am Archangel Tower- Feast Hall - Josie

Josie had once again began to circulate with near the back of the room. She glanced over the faces and the range of emotions taken from everyone around her. Fear, excitement, lust mixed with blood was a heady mix. Her eyes darted to the stage now once awhile to the knife throwing with the egar Mr. Lee.

"Danger meter increase" she took mental note. Her eyes slid over the crowds seeing Mr. walker with Saphyre she couldnt help but crack a smile. Saphyre was her best friend she could read the subtleties in his behavior when others couldnt just like he could with her. Their interaction made her look around the room for Simmons again but she couldnt see him.

She stood still her eyes closed head tilting towards the stage as Mr.Adlers performance began. The tip of her tongue  slowly slid over her top lip. She opened her eyes more focused and continued to moved around the room as emotions began to heightened.Before she knew it she was as close to the stage as she could get without ruining view for anyone else. Her body shuttered in both horror and pleasure. Her wolf was excited much as if it were seeing a video game but in real life. She struggled for a moment to beat her beast back down to show who was in control and it was her not it.She turned away from the stage as the performance was wrapping up as if nothing had phased her. No sign of the conflict of her human brain vs her wolf showing.

[Krystal]

Sunday, May 17th 9 pm to Monday May 18th 12:20 am Archangel Tower- Feast Hall - Malaki

Malaki had been enjoying himself with Marius's company. The night was shaping up to be bloodier then the previous. As long as he wasnt on the receiving end of those punishments it mattered not to him. He was familiar with torture both natural causes and not. He had remembered how Marius reacted during the wolves fight the night before and used the opportunity to distract him. There was something about the blonde haired man that was intriguing. Considering little did this for Malaki anymore he wanted to explore this rabbit hole to see just how far down it went.

[LadyJallyn]

Sunday, May 17th 11:50pm to Monday May 18th 12:21 am Archangel Tower- Feast Hall -Brandy

During Miguel's knife throwing demo Grigori had taken her left wrist and bit into her to sample her blood for the night.  The feeding had been slow but he had finished just as the demo had finished.  Withdrawing from the bite site he announced she was pretty much ready for the night to be enjoyed. He had licked his lips and refilled her wine glass. Brandy tried her best to stanch the wound and with a bit of effort and concentration she successfully managed to tie the linen napkin around her wrist as she accepted the glass of wine from him and took another sip.

She felt the vampire gently massage her left shoulder through her dress as she rubbed her nose realizing it felt numb.  A sure fire indicator that she was indeed past straddling the line from sober to intoxication. If needs be she was still able to converse walk and talk just fine, but her body tingled from the combined effects of the ginger massage oil and the wine. She closed her eyes dimly aware of the fact that it was still too warm for her liking so she carefully slid her silk slippers off under the table to enjoy the air on her stockinged feet.

The sound of a man protesting snapped her back to reality as she slowly opened her green eyes and looked to the stage.  Her body tensed as she leaned forward her heart rate going up a touch as she saw Klaus on stage with Mr. Breeman.  The lights dimmed once Breeman was strapped to a new chair and she watched the workplace video along with everyone else. The vampires fear was palpable in the air she could smell it but it didn't deter her she found it pleasant and heady, exciting even. 

The second video was shown and Brandy slightly coughed on her mouthful of wine as she instantly realized that this was the guy Kat had yeeted out of the elevator after he had come after Liam. She drained her glass and couldn't help but smile.  A delightful surprise. Despite Klaus showing a bit of unease with her and her potential reaction to the night a head, so far it was fine. Clearly the vampire was an uncontrolled asshole so an object lesson was in order. It would likely be one that would not be forgotten. 

Klaus had walked off the stage while the videos were playing and the were leopardess was curious about what would come next as she mused about Breeman's fuck up.
Assaulting 2 employees in an elevator on camera. If it had been anywhere else in the city that this had taken place. Anywhere other than Archangel Industries that footage would have been turned over to the police and John Breeman would be receiving a stake to the chest and likely a beheading. He had to be young to be making so much noise over not wanting to take his licks and not realizing how fortunate he was in receiving this as a form of punishment. She shook her head sadly at the man's ignorance at the gravity of the situation.

That was just how it worked. In the preternatural world you rarely got a sit down and a reprimand. Fuck ups were dealt with in a less humane manner.  Blood and flesh and pain, were payment rather than docked pays or verbal reprimands. Pain and a show of force by a superior stronger being was what greeted you if messed up. If you were lucky and a fast learner you would only need to experience a handful of times before you towed the line.

When the lights turned back on Klaus stepped out onto the stage once more she felt Grigori tap her shoulder and whisper. "Your school boy looks like he's ready to put on a show. Let me fill your glass Kiska. I think you might get to see a side of him that might surprise you. A drink might be needed to prepare you for what is to come."

She nodded and gave the Alaskan vampire a couple words of thanks but her attention was on the stage. It should have been on Grigori as he was the guest of honor and this night was all about making sure he was enjoying himself and having a good time, but the drink from previously had loosened some of her self restraint.  The amusement in the older vampires voice lead her to believe that perhaps he knew more than she did.

Klaus was wearing a see-through raincoat and had a clear visor covering his face.  "Mr Breeman, are we clear as to what you did wrong?"  His voice was flat, emotionless.

He was so still and impassive as he looked down at the strapped in vampire. Brandy held her breath.  She had been on the play end of some interrogations at his dungeon at his home, but this wasn't play. Despite that something low in Brandy still tensed and tightened in her belly as she waited to see what the vampire would say to Klaus.

"Yes.  Very clear on what I did wrong.  There is no need to go any further.  Punching somebody in an elevator is a bad thing.  It will never happen again." Breeman said his voice a choked sob.

Brandy couldn't help but smirk.  You have no idea pal. No idea...

"Let's make sure you remember that lesson, shall we? Just to be on the safe side."  She heard Klaus say as he raised a drill that he'd been holding by his side.  The bit was almost a foot long.  The video of the elevator attack was replaced with the feed from a remote camera somewhere in the rigging.  It followed the drill as it moved towards Breeman.

Brandy's smirk wilted off her face and she shook her head as the feed from the drill came on the screen. Think of it like its Hostel or one of Kyles gorey movies. That is what you told it would be like for you when you were talking to him.  It is nothing. Just an art installation that's a bit dark and macabre it's all performance art...

When the drill bit into the mans flesh and the blood began to flow Brandy bit the inside of her cheek until she could taste blood.  The pain was distracting and the taste of her own blood helped distract her from what was going on 30 feet in front of her on the stage.

Her inner beast was excitedly pacing hearing the screams of pain and terror. It was a good sound. Prey was nearby and clearly wounded.  She closed her eyes for a moment the feed on the drill was giving her mixed emotions.  Her human brain was telling her it was fucked up and terrible. That what was happening up on stage was wrong and immoral and that it shouldn't be happening as Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor gently played in the background Breeman's screams of agony accenting the piece and the shrill noise of the drill as it tore through skin and muscle.  She could hear the sounds of the drill bit over the music with her shifter ears as she listened to the motor and bit pulse to the music. Part of her brain screamed at her that is your boyfriend up there doing this. There is no reason for him to be playing with the man. Brandy shook her head and opened her eyes. She needed another drink...

Grigori watched with mild interest at Klaus's performance a small smile on his lips but his eyes flicked back to watch his pomme for the night as she hurriedly tossed back her glass of wine looking a little flushed and bothered by the scene.

Brandy watched the show the scent of the blood up on the stage now was overpowering. Klaus was covered with blood he only slowed down to wipe the blood away from the camera before another and another and another hole was drilled. After the fourth one she began to count. It took by her accounts about a minute to do a joint. She stared at him covered in the dark vampire blood  of Breeman and felt an ache and intense desire to know what Breeman tasted like. What the feel of his flesh between her teeth would feel like. What noises would he make if she was allowed to chew and feed on him.

She shivered as the less animalistic side of her tried to focus on the good times she and Klaus had had in their nine months together. The dates and lovemaking the shared moments but her leopard brain pushed back wanting her to imagine what it would be like to be up on that stage to lap at the drill blade and to lick that slick sticky crimson mess off of his rain poncho before taking him right then and there... Her shoulders ripped and twitched with anticipation . She was no stranger to being excited around blood and what her shifter brain thought was fun or hot, but tonight was a bit different than most she knew the man on stage that was inflicting the agony.  She felt Grigori suddenly lift her from her chair and into his lap. 

"Too much for you kiska? Or are you enjoying the show?" He whispered against her neck.

The breath from his spoken words tickled the hairs on her neck. "Truth? It is a mixed bag." She answered "But then again I am guessing you already knew that. I take it you wish to sample."

"Very much so. Enjoy the show pet. " He said as he began kissing the side of her neck.  Brandy failed to suppress the shudder that ran through her body as the goosebumps formed on her arms as she clenched her teeth. Volkov's attention was adding to the already mixed emotions she was struggling with this was just heightening the more carnal nature of her beast as she gently squirmed on the vampires lap.

"Breathe kiska, remember your lesson I taught you tonight. " He whispered in her ear before running his tongue along her neck to savor the dancing pulse under the flesh. He could taste the sweetness of her skin and the ginger that hinted her skin.  It was as if she was his own personal pryaniki cookie.

Bach's piece came to an end as she watched Klaus stand to clean and set aside his drill his rain poncho a wash of crimson as she tried to focus on her breathing as Grigori nibbled and sucked on her neck teasing but not biting. She watched as Klaus began to pick up eyebolts to slide into the drilled joints on the vampire.  Her brain clicked as she realized that was what he had been doing sitting on her couch on her way out. Selecting the right tools for the job.  She shivered and let out a gasp as she felt Grigori sink his large fangs into the side of her neck her body trembled as she let out a soft cat like growl and she felt his arm encircle her waist to keep her steady and still.

The music playing was very familiar as she listened to the operatic piece and relaxed against Grigori. The wine she had drank earlier began to spread  a hot wave that radiated out from her belly into her extremities. As she felt Grigori slide his large teeth out of the wound and begin to lap and suck at the bite site and she tried to follow Klaus's show.

He worked with deliberate care but it was so smooth to watch.  His deep sky blue eyes were focused on the task at hand his face a blank slate. Brandy watched but there was a disconnect. The vampire on the stage did look like Klaus but at the same time didn't. It was hard to explain she thought to herself as she blinked her eyes her eyelids feeling mildly heavy as the wine coursed through her veins. If she had to try and explain it it was almost as if part of Klaus was missing. A silly notion or was it? She often would think about more pleasing things when she had to donate or was doing escort work with a customer she wasn't fully vibing with. It wasn't until almost the end of the song that Brandy realized it was from a sci fi movie that Kyle had a love of. She wasn't sure if Fifth Element would be the same again as the song finished as so had Klaus's handy work.

The next song that began marked the entrance of a slow lowering T frame as Duel of the Fates began. She sighed another song wrecked for life. Kyle and his bloody Star Wars. She was likely going to hear it again at some point when she went back up to the farm.  She watched the Frame lowered and Klaus began to hitch the vampire up and her booze addled brain made the connection with the eyelet bolts was crystal clear. Would they talk about this when the night was done? Was there really anything to say? They both wore many hats when he was called to do work for the Master of the city it wasn't like he could say no, now could he?

She watched as Mr. Yeet was raised off the floor. He had not stopped screaming through the entire performance as soon as Klaus's attention with the DeWalt power drill had started. She watched as Klaus put a ball gag in the vampires mouth thankfully silencing those intoxicating screams of pain, despair and terror. Now they were but soft muffled whimpers that the music almost completely drowned out. She watched as Klaus hoisted the frame up off the floor so the man hung suspended 12 feet in the air for all to see.

A clear and concise lesson in why it was important to follow the rules before he turned and walked off the stage after taking a bow but he didn't tarry for a reaction from the crowd.

Grigori finished feeding and pressed a napkin to Brandy's neck taking her hand to place it over it. "Classic." Grigori chuckled his glacial blue eyes sparkled with delight as he inhaled deeply savoring the fear in the air as he sampled it as the leopardess' blood coursed in his veins the wine mixed with it warming and filling him with some giddiness. "Your school boy is a classic Gepetto. He made a lovely little puppet for us. Back in my early days this was sometimes done, but with no power tools. Very clean and precise. His talent in torture is growing it would seem. Good for him."

Brandy held her neck the bite throbbed as she replied "Yes. Good fer him." her words slightly slurred as she watched the vampire pass her the goblet of wine refilled once more.

[LadyJallyn]

Sunday, May 17th 11:50 pm to Monday May 18th 12:21 am Archangel Tower- Feast Hall -Katherine

Her eyes never left the stage as she sat at the table beside Nigel and Maria. Something about this performance felt different. She could smell it in the air as the man struggled and Brandy;s boyfriend strapped him in the chair.

She could smell his fear she breathed it in deep it was audible to the pair she was sandwiched between.  It was a sudden surprise as she paused her eyes widened as she realized she knew that scent. She had only smelled it once before. The look of shock and surprise rapidly shifted to something different as her eyes narrowed and she left out a soft cat like growl from the back of her throat as she sat further forward.  She was just only perched on the edge of her seat her eyes not leaving the vampire that was protesting. It was the jack ass that had punched Liam in the face. Why she hadn't recognized him in Miguel's performance might have been due to the excitement and the fact that the entire event had happened so fast she hadn't committed his face to memory. But the scent of him she couldn't forget the sharp intake of the feast halls air was enough to bring it all back to her as clear as day.

Nigel out a hand on her shoulder. "Easy Katherine." He said. "Let's not get too excited."

She turned to look at him. "You brought Mr. Yeet to the feast? What the fuck?" She softly hissed back sounding irritated and excited.

"He needed to be punished and we needed entertainment." Nigel simply said.

Kat closed her eyes and forced herself to settle back on the chair a touch. "I thought you said you guys took care of the issue. Like you know a reprimand and having to go over the policies like I had to. Its looking like Brandy's daddy dom is going to... I have no clue. Do you know what he is planning to do? But buddy is freaking out I can smell it. It's....a scent... that is for sure." her voice was low and thick as she had turned her attention back to the stage. It was so hard to concentrate on anything but the panicky vampire.

"This is taking care of the issue. As far as what exactly Der Schulmeister has planned I was not made privy to that. He sets his own curriculum." Nigel said.

"You know you guys have a pretty messed up idea on fixing things. Also I don't understand why you call him whatever that is.  Although Dungeon Daddy likely doesn't sound too scary."  Kat mused her storm cloud colored eyes watched as a screen lowered down, the lights dimmed and a workplace video began to play.

"It means the school master. Klaus Adler is responsible for educating those ignorant of policy procedure or protocol. Some of the younger vampires see him as something of a boogeyman. Mr. Breeman now is learning if the tales are true." Nigel said.

Kat sighed. "So like...this isn't going to be some slap and tickle then? He is going to get fucked up? On a scale of like one to ten how intense is it likely going to be for me?"

Maria leaned over to whisper in her ear. "Speaking as someone far more human than Nigel is, I'd hazard a guess that it is likely to be in the top ten."

Kat mused for a minute after thinking and quickly started rhyming off her list to Maria."Okay so top ten weirdest most messed up things I have seen... Ugh... umm... I watched a guy at a party get drunk and try to fuck the owners cat...  In College I watched a kid in my school once staple his ball sack to his leg for a pack of smokes... I also watched a dude eat a Oh Henry bar out of someones ass and then proceed to puke it up and eat it again.   One time before I was infected I found a human skull while I was out hiking the redwood forests in Bc and a bunch of sacrificed animals...
I once had a man try to sell me his two kids for five hundred bucks cause he was tired of parenting and wanted the money to get messed up...Obviously I said no... I once drove past an accident on the highway where a motorcyclist was decapitated but his passenger wasn't and they were just walking around with the head all in shock...  I once saw a crack head down in Cali accidentally set himself on fire after drinking moonshine and lighting a cigarette he went woof the sounds he made man. No stop drop or roll... he threw himself off the pier. He lived though so that was good.  Then there was this time I once found a young teenager wandering down the road naked in shackles in Arizona he said he had been kidnapped by hillbillies and used as a sex toy for four days before he broke the headboard and escaped.  Hmmm....then there was that Las vegas shifter Orgy party....  I also once saw to a guy get hit by a train he was all drunk and thought he could make the crossing but the train was faster than he was. So yeah thats my top ten."

Maria didn't bat an eye. "Which one are you going to replace?"

"Likely the ballsack smoke thing I wager." Kat said.

"Probably your chocolate bar story." Maria said.

Kat nervously laughed. "Yeah I know its all pretty pedestrian shit in comparison to the things you or Nigel have lived through. Sorry it isn't an impressive list." She watched as the elevator video came on and Klaus began asking Breeman questions. It didn't go on for very long and Katherines need to ask anything else faded as the music started and Klaus busted out a drill she stood up leaning forward her hands braced on the table as the man started to scream. Her eyes widened as she smelled the blood but she found herself unable to look away.

A sudden shift on Kat's face happened the shock and horror was replaced with a tight lipped expression of interest and concentration. She cocked her head in a cat like manner as her pupils dilated and she leaned forward further across the table,  her shoulders tense as her heart raced and she listened to the vampires frantic and desperate shrieks. She wanted to get closer to the noise and blood the the desire to do so was so intense she felt her body tremble with anticipation.

Nigel reached out to touch Katherines back and she started looking at him with some difficulty.  She she blinked to try and refocus. "Would you like to get closer?" He asked. She slowly nodded.

Noah was busily trying to wrangle several of his entourage out of the room; he had hoisted Michel bodily under one arm was dragging Karina along behind him as he headed for the Green Room.  He offered a quick apology to Maria, saying that the two wolves needed a break.  Thando had a struggling Jasmine by one hand and was pushing Charity with the other.  Both women were hungrily staring at the stage.  Rufus, obviously unaffected, was following behind, making sure nobody escaped.

"No further than the cage,"  Nigel said.  "No further.  Can you do that?"

Kat nodded.

"Then you can go closer."

Katherine kicked off her shoes.  Without warning, she leapt across the table, landing on all fours.  Astrid's harsh laugh didn't even register in her ears.  "Hey Salvatore, looks like I'm not the only one that brought a pet.  I just keep mine on a leash."

Nigel ignored the taunt.  He was too focused on Katherine and making sure the Beast inside her didn't break free.

Kat hit the floor and her nose in overdrive as the scents flooded her nostrils the excitement all the smells of the different types of shifters in the room, but she was brain locked on the scent of blood it drove her as she scrabbled across the floor not caring that she was on her hands knees as she tried to get closer to the cage but already many shifters and vampires had risen from their bleacher seats to gather around the bars to get a closer look at the night's current entertainment.

A wall of wolves blocked her path she bumped up against one of them and the man snarled at her giving her a growl. Katherines eyes narrowed the grey of  her eyes began to bleed into a pale yellowish green as she opened her mouth to yell at him to get out of her way but a loud hiss escaped her lips instead.

Lawrence Talbot turned around to hear one of his men snarl and looked down to see Nigel's pomme on the floor looking mildly feral. He put his hand on the wolfs arm and whispered something.

Katherine didn't stick around as she moved around the men towards one of the corners of the cage as she sniffed at the air. Too many bodys, too many..." She dimly thought not being able to see anything.

Talbot was walking away from the cage with four of his wolves back towards the bleachers. The men looked agitated and intently back at the cage but he didn't show any form of panic.  Not all of his men were Alpha's it would be best to pull these ones back to wrap them in his beasts Power. He let some of it pour out around himself and the men to shield them from the urge to try and get more involved in the festivities and to stop any potential shifts. The feel of his beast seemed to take the edge off and by the time they had hit the bleachers, nothing seemed amiss though if any of the local Seattle wolves were close by they would be able to feel the lupine strength coming off the Forty year old man.

Kat scrabbled around not finding anyone willing to yield a spot or make way for her. She let out a soft growl of frustration but eventually saw an opening.  She surged forward towards the Black and silver mass that smelled faintly of wolf and crawled between the legs as she pressed her face up against the bars the sound of the vampires screams clear and crisp in her ears the scent of his blood intoxicating.


Maria took one of Nigel's hands in hers "Oh my. I've lost her in the crowd."

"I haven't." said Nigel.

"This is definitely a new side of Katherine hardly seems like the young woman we took with us the the feast last night." She mused trusting that Nigel had things under control.

"Indeed." He replied his focus on Katherines beast.

Kat watched intently as the tall blonde dead one as he drilled into the man's joints the music reverberated in her chest as her hands reached out to grip the cages bars as she watched the blood fly.  As the music changed she watched as the tall one put bits of metal into the other dead ones flesh. He still screamed and thrashed as the chair held him in place. She let out a soft growl wanting to go up over the bars but somewhere distantly in her mind she knew that she should try to not jump up and go over. Still the desire to do so was so hard to resist. The blood was so close the screaming dead thing would be easy to rend with teeth and claws. Helpless and unable to fight back...

Satan had the wheel and front row seats to the greatest show on earth.... But the time the show came to a end the wounded dead thing was hanging in the air like a slab of meat on display in a butchers shop. She huffed at the air as scattered applause broke out around her the sound of the music had ceased. She blinked rapidly as she dimly realized she was between someones legs and not at the feast table as her ability to think logically was coming back to her slowly.

Kat peered up at Saphyre with pale yellow green eyes the pupils of her eyes no longer round but slitted and almond shape like a cats as she shifted her position on the ground getting off all fours and from between his legs to stay crouched on the floor.  She closed her eyes. "Sorry about that. That was uh... crazy right?"

[LadyJallyn]

Sunday, May 17th11:50pm to Monday May 18th 12:21 am Archangel Tower- Feast Hall- Noah & Friends

The next act was up and chat between Astrid and he had been enlightening. Astrid was definitely coming across as a woman of action and a very up front even if she was rough around the edges.

He watched as Klaus Adler took the stage and began securing the vampire to a chair. A work and safety video came on and Noah did his best to ignore the secured vampires cries and pleas keeping his face neutral and unreadable as he put an arm around each of his wolves.

he silently reflected on his time spent with Adler. While intense he had luckily it would seem managed to avoid being strapped down and pumped or prodded for information. Sometimes honesty and co-operation really were the best answer.

When the drill came out and the blood began to fly and the screams started a wailing crescendo that mixed with Bach's piece he could feel Michel and Karina stiffen.
Nigel's Pomme, Katherine had risen her body tense as she leaned over the table looking hungrily at the stage.

By the second drilled joint Michel was up and trembling his breathing coming fast as he stood beside him his hand digging into Noah's shoulder. Karina was pale her eyes flicking from the stage and back to him her jaw tight. He felt Michel try to lunge over the table and he rose sweeping Michel off his feet and tucked him under his arm as he looked over his shoulder and saw that Tasi, Charity and Jasmine were also struggling. Thando locked eyes with Noah and saw him mouth 'Get them out of here!' and he was on it. Taking the women from the bleachers and trying to get them to the green room. Rufus rose as Thando rounded the ladies up.

"My apologies Miss Aguilar.  While the entertainment tonight is top notch and Nigel's done wonders to make sure tonight is packed full of adrenaline and delights for the attendees, I fear I must break for a bit." Noah said his words were spoken quickly with Michel starting to softly growl and squirm under his arm. "We need to sit a spell in the break room."

He was up and made his way down off the Guest of honor tables, platform and down the stairs dragging Michel and Karina towards the room.

Noah could still hear the vampires screams as he and Thando and Rufus guided and dragged the submissive shifters of his entourage into the green room and closed the doors. The music was muffled the air lighter the scent of blood and screams a distant distraction as he watched Rufus stand by the door but a soft woof escaped his lips as his eyes fell on Liam who was sitting on the couch with a few shifters.

Noah looked to Rufus and his eyes followed the gaze as he set the wolves down on the floor and frowned at the dark haired man on the couch. "Apologies for the mass exodus into here. We need a bit of a break. Shows a bit intense."

"Perhaps I should move to the next room," said a voice from the depths of the Green Room.  Liam was adding his own colour of green to the room that was named for a colour that wasn't even present.  "Things are a little tense in here already and I'd rather not send one of you up onto that stage."  He began moving towards the door, skirting the edges of the room, trying to keep as far from the male shapeshifters as possible.  His fey glamour, with several of the shapeshifters already close to the edge, was something he wanted removed from the situation.

He'd almost reached the door when it swung open.  "Does anybody mind if I come and stay in here for a while?" asked the slow voice of Woodstock.  "That is really making me hungry."

"Not at all good fellow take a seat." Noah said flashing the old looking vampire a stressed smile. He nodded to the Irish man with his lilty voice as he suspiciously edged around the room. "You don't have to go on our account but if you feel it best...It likely is. Trust your gut lad."

Tassi flopped down on the couch as she watched the lovely Irish man "Now I feel bad. You don't need to go sir. You can sit down here with me and Jasmine and Charity." She said patting the couch.

Noah sighed. "Tassi... he is trying to leave. Let him be."

Thando put himself between the women and Liam keeping his eyes on the handsome Irishman as he sniffed the air trying to figure out the man's angle. He smelled of the ocean and seal. "He should leave he smells like prey." Thando agreed.

"We can't run everyone out of a room because they smell yummy." Charity protested.

"Ah in this situation my dear," Noah explained. "It is likely the best course of action not to be rude to anyone here but you are all on the edge of shifting and I do no want there to be any mishaps. Or we might be additional entertainment for Mr. Adler to tinker with and for the guests to watch." He turned his head Rufus was softly woofing his lips closed almost as if he was trying to cough but the cough noise was replaced with soft barks. "Rufus are you okay?"

Rufus shook his head a little confused as he tried to respond. "Yes..'woof'. Uhhh 'woof' no? I don't 'woof' know man." His eyes fixated on Liam.

"I'm afraid that is my fault," Liam said, as he shrugged apologetically.  "You must be a weredog.  All dogs bark at me.  All men dislike me and, well, women enjoy my company.  It's best that I leave.  Sorry, ladies.  Normally I'd be eager to make your acquaintances but that boy on stage has more than enough to focus on."

"You're the fey from the fourth floor,"  Woodstock said, looking at Liam.  "They told me to avoid you because you'd harsh my mellow."

Michel was still being held by Noah his touch and close proximity helping keep Michel from doing anything reckless. "I don't know what you are sir, but you definitely seem to have a way about you that stirs up a room for better and worse." Noah said to Liam. "Thank you for your kind consideration and not attempting to fan the embers here."

"If I fanned the embers, I'd be the one who ended up getting burned,"  Liam said, trying to maneuver around Woodstock, who was, for some reason blocking the door.  The normally placid vampire actually snapped his teeth at Liam as he passed, then laughed as the selkie stumbled a little heading down the hall towards the secondary green room.

The vampire chuckled and closed the door.  "I like him.  He's funny."  He looked at the shifters in the room and then his eyes found Noah.  They widened in recognition.  "Oh hey!  I remember you!  How are you enjoying your stay in Seattle?"  Behind him, outside the Green Room door, Breeman let out another howl of torment.  "Probably not so much right now, right?"

"Good evening Mr Woodstock." Noah said looking amused as Liam left the room Woodstocks mild manners and chill vibe might have been more of a mask it would seem as he snapped at Liam as he left and laughed. Still Woodstocks words of liking Liam rang true to him which was odd.. "It so far is treating us fairly. We aren't part of the entertainment and find ourselves at the the table of honor despite mild protest about it really not being a big enough deal to have us up there. But what can one do am I right?" He said as he selected a couch and sat down with Michel and Karina letting a touch of his power seep out to leak into the room to settle the shifters inside it. "How is everyone holding up?'

Charity sighed. "Vampire feasts are disturbing. Alaska was bad with all the wolves but this show going on right now." She shook her head "Are they trying to get everyone to go apeshit?"

Noah shook his head "Yes and no? I mean if shifters change it can be amusing but if they are tied to a vampire and you lose control that reflects poorly on the vampire whos entourage you belong to. It is a clear and present sign to everyone that watches that the vampire is weak and unable to exercise control."

Rufus stopped barking as soon as the door shut and Liam was gone. He cleared his throat. "We managed to get out of there just in time."

Jasmine looked upset her eyes down cast staring at the floor. "I am sorry we made you lose face Noah."

Noah sighed. "It is okay Jasmine. I am not a very strong Master vampire. We didn't end up entirely with egg on our faces. At best the vampires out there might have been amused by the exit and talking about it but, its not as likely as you think. Most eyes were focused on the show. We just have to sit tight in here until the show is over and the next act comes out. With luck they will even clear up some of the blood out there before the next performance. I hear its a dance act. That lady vampire from the night before is on next. The one with the snake. What was her name... Morgan? "

"Miss Sailor Morgan." Thando replied with a sagely nod.

"Yes her. I am sure her show will be much tamer and less enticing for your beasts." Noah said. "So how has Seattle and the feast been treating you Mr. Woodstock?"

"I like Seattle.  The rain helps things grow,"  Woodstock replied.  "I'm not enjoying the feast.  I'm abstaining as a tribute to all the Russian peasants who starved so the nobles could feast.  But this-" he gestured towards the door "-it's hard to stay properly Zen when they're throwing that kind of temptation around."  He sank down onto the couch beside Michel and put his arm around the jittery wolf.  "You look like you've had too much coffee," he said. He leaned closer.  "Do you want a little something to help mellow you out?"  Woodstock reached inside his peasant smock and pulled out an surprisingly intact brownie.

Michel looked at the white haired vampire. "I don't know Monsieur." his french accent apparent his voice shaky.

Karina nodded. "We got in trouble the last time we touched the weed. It might be bad yes? Being high can make control hard for us if it is too much. We do not wish for Noah to get in trouble. It would be bad time for all." her Polish accent heavy as she nodded giving Woodstock an apologetic look.

Noah smiled. "I appreciate the offer Woodstock. And a valiant effort on abstaining from the feast. I do not think of pot as a terrible drug to be avoided, I know that Karina and Michel don't classify it as a hard drug either. it was after all legal for many years in America and europe before it was banned.  Like all things moderation is key. However Michel is a recovering addict it might be best to avoid temptation tonight. Perhaps another time however?"

MIchel nodded. "I might be up for a rolling if you are hungry Noah? I could use a quiet place to go to."

Woodstock's bleary eyes focused for a moment on Michel's face.  "Whoa, man, I'm sorry.  I didn't mean to offer to put the monkey back on your back, man.  That shit can be brutal.  Janis, man, she never could get off the horse once she got started.  It killed her, man.  Good for you for getting straight."

He looked at Michel for a long moment, then sighed.  "I was fasting to honour the dead but the living need help more than the dead need honour."  He paused, frowning.  "But you're not on anything and I really like feeding from people who are high.  So why don't we split the difference and I roll you but don't take anything.  Would that be good?"

"Ah it was opiates Monsieur. That was my drug of choice. Pot is how you say, not the siren that calls me to her arms. That choice to roll me would be between you and Noah. Each vampire apparently rolls differently. I have only felt Noah's and Master Volkov's I was not a fan of his. I felt like I was at sea taken down by a large wave." Michel said sounding hesitant.

A slow smile spread across Woodstock's face.  "My rolling can be anything you want.  It can make the walls melt.  It can be like floating down a lazy stream in a canoe.  It can be lying in the grass, looking up at the sky soaking in the sun and watching the clouds go by.  You tell me what you're looking for and I will deliver."

Michel looked surprised. "So many options." he mused.

Noah looked to Woodstock "Do I have your word it will be a light roll and that you will release him from it when I ask?"

Woodstock's eyebrows rose in shock.  "Like, man, why would you even ask that?  He asked for help, not for me to put a leash on him."

"Forgive me Woodstock. Offense was not intended we travel a lot and you meet many different walks of vampire. Some wear masks others do not. Alaska was not kind to us. Master Volkov was not kind to my friends. I am sure if you had close mortal friends you would do everything to make sure that the people they were partying with were safe and there for a good time no harsh intentions or bad vibes yes?" Noah asked as he slipped his horn rimmed glasses off and cleaned them on his feast costume jacket.

"No worries, brother,"  Woodstock replied.  "The world is full of all sorts of people.  Some are users.  Some are helpers.  Some don't know what they are, so they float around trying to figure it out.  As long as you leave the world a better place than when you found it, you've done all that anyone can ask of you."

"I believe that too. The leaving a place for the better when you leave it, that was why I had the young girl with me when we came to Seattle. I think when I leave Seattle, the place will be better than I left it for that reason as well as others that will come to light in upcoming days." he said sliding his glasses back up on his nose.

"Deitra."  Woodstock nodded.  "That was some major karma, man."  He smiled.  "You rescued a princess."

"It hasn't come without some bad karma though. Volkov has me in his sights and while I assumed he might be sore about it for a decade. Mr. Salvatore says I should be adding at least another Zero to that number." Noah chuckled softly. "I will leave this up to you and Michel if not I do not mind rolling him. I would hate to tempt you with sustenance, but we are in the green room far from prying eyes. I wouldn't tell a soul should you wish to break character and have a small sip from anyone here that was willing to donate. You were kind to us when we first came to the city. You could have stirred up the waters and made things much worse for us. So for that you have my thanks sir."

"If it had been easy and cost you nothing, it wouldn't have meant anything."  Woodstock said.  "This cost you, man.  That is where the karma comes from.  Bad karma never comes from good deeds.  Volkov hating on you isn't bad karma.  It's the price of the good karma.  He's the one who is getting bad karma.  He just gets less when he does good stuff, more when he does good stuff to try and cover bad stuff.  The universe will make him pay in the end.  The scales will balance."

He paused, considering Noah's offer.  "No, man.  Like I said, doing good isn't always easy.   So, like, wolf man. What's your name?"

"Michel, Monsieur Woodstock." he replied as he listened to the two vampires chat and deliberate terms. "As you said a ride down a lazy river on a sunny day does sound tres tentant. I am how you say intrigued."

"Tres tenant," Woodstock echoed, as if he were rolling the words around in his mouth.  "I don't know what that means.  I mean I speak some Spanish a little Hindi and a bit of Swahili but I don't understand French.  That is French, right?"

Michel nodded. "English is not my first language. Certain words fail me. Yes it is French."

Noah nodded. "He was saying he is very tempted by your offer Woodstock."

"I can resist anything except temptation," Woodstock said with a chuckle.  "Everybody thinks Mae West said that but it was Oscar Wilde.  And if I tempt you, so much the better.  Look into my eyes and tell me what you see."

Michel complied with a shy nervous smile.  He looked into the vampires blue eyes and tried to speak but a softy muttered 'Ah'  was all that escaped his lips as he sunk against Noah. He has slipped softly onto a river and was floating in the warm rays of the suns light the heat dancing on his skin as the boat gently rocked against the lazy current as he closed his eyes to enjoy the heat on his skin.

As Noah surveyed the room looking at his entourage as they sat leaning on each other in the room. Most had gone for food that had been left out. All of them that had gone for food were snacking on meats.  He watched as Karina rose to help herself to a bowl of garlic free borscht.  Rufus and Thando leaned near the entrance and exit of the green room doors keeping watch to make sure all was well.

Noah turned to Woodstock as he saw the relaxed expression on Michel's face  as the wolf sunk against himself and Noah kissed the top of the wolfs head. "Thank you for that. It has been a bit of a challenging spot." He said hearing the muffled sounds of the vampire still screaming as the operatic piece of music was coming to a close. "I am sure Michel appreciates the break." he replied .

"We all do what we can, man,"  Woodstock said.  "Hey!  How's the borscht?"

Karina was in chew mode. Her beast happy to have something to chew on. Her mouth was full, but she gave Woodstock a thumbs up as she contentedly chewed a large piece of stewing beef.

[Grimoire]

Sunday, May 17th 11:50pm - Monday May 18th 12:20 am Archangel Tower - Lorne Swan

Lorne had watched the knife display with mild fascination if not concern for the man in the chair. It was all apart of the act though, the not so willing assistant. It was amazing work of skill and agility Miguel was displaying, especially when working up against a shifter.

However when that display came to an end it became very clear that something very bad was going to happen to the vampire strapped to the chair. Lorne shifted to stand, disquieted and feeling the edge of adrenaline tingle in his fingers. It felt like ripples in the water, a sense of danger beneath the surface.

“I’m going to go try that borscht,” he said to Woodstock as he excused himself.

The room was caught, hooked on the tension and terror of the man in the chair and so Lorne made it to the Green Room without incident.

With the door shut he nodded to Liam as a small greeting and though he did not get any of the pinkish stew he did pour himself a goblet of ice water. The space felt small and safe, quiet compared to the feast hall. The murmur of music reached them though. As did the muffled screams of terror and then pain. The pitch changed, the sound gurgled, choked at the back of the throat and Lorne closed his eyes, wishing himself somewhere else. The ice was not the reason Lorne felt himself go cold.

Nothing was merely black and white, there was nuance to this, reasons behind it, but still it just felt like brutality. Horror. And in the same breath he knew that the more he fell apart the more likely things could go badly that night. His genuine distress was a rare seasoning on an already tempting dish. Lorne closed his eyes and thought over the ingredients for his rosemary sourdough. The measurements he knew by heart and by feel.

And then the door swung open again, bringing in more shifters riled on the show and trying to keep some semblance of their composure. For their sake and his own he took the other door, the one that lead out to the elevators, the moment they came in. He didn’t want to add strife to their situation, he didn’t want them adding any to his. It was mutually beneficial for him to leave.

Lorne rode the elevator to the lobby, stepping out into the modern world still dressed like he was coming the out of the old world. The silver white silk of his coat heavy with gold embroidery, goblet in hand. He made a strange picture in the marble lobby by the large grand windows of ArchAngel Industries. Outside he could see in the street lamps the rain was falling again. Out here he could hear nothing of what was going on below, only the patter of rain on glass and pavement. It was not heavy, but enough that those who walked by were shadowed under umbrellas. The cars that past hissed through the slick on the roads.

Lorne sipped at his water, trying to steady the way his hand trembled slightly. Is this what it meant to belong to a vampire?

Would there come a time where he would not leave the room? Where his hand would not shake?

Is that something that he wanted?

Lorne looked around the lobby, he was feet from the place he’d sat and waited for Leda, for this opportunity. He had been prepared to move heaven and earth to make this happen for himself, to get to claim that feeling of belonging he had when he first stepped onto the roof. If asked right in that moment if it was worth it…

Lorne looked back at the rain, his own reflection visible in the glass. A swan prince if ever there was one, dressed in silver and gold and sipping from a goblet.

He would not hesitate to say that it was worth it. Just because things were unsure or frightening or grim did not mean they always were, it did not take away the good this place offered him amongst the other swans. Things were not only black and white.

Just because he was afraid did not mean was scared off. And that was going to be a very important thing to remember if he was going to have any hand in saving the children.

[Grimoire]

Sunday, May 17th11:50pm to Monday May 18th 12:21 am Archangel Tower- Feast Hall- Saphyre Draust

Saphyre kept his place by the cage as Darien and Mr Green left his presence. As intriguing as it would be to watch the vampire’s reaction to the performance, the distraction written so clearly in his movements, Saphyre was here for business and not feeding bad habits. The room was full of excitement and anticipation, notes of anxiety and then of course the swirling eye of the storm, the radiant fear of Mr Breeman.

Saphyre had meant to continue circulating, a good show meant hungry guests but Mr Adler’s presence beckoned his attention. It was mixture of things, morbid human curiosity for what Darien had thought would turn his stomach so, anticipation heightened on every pleading breath of the bound vampire, the sudden closeness of the room like everyone had just leaned in a little.

The short film and the elevator footage set the scene. The clear rain coat and face shied told everyone things were about to get messy. His theatrics were impeccable, he was controlled, he held the power not only over Mr Breeman’s fate but he held a spell over everyone in that room. Even the very old and very jaded were not unaffected by the dark magic of the drill biting into a joint. The sound a dower reminder that the stuff that made everyone up was not so different, no less fallible than wood. Maybe it took a lot to kill them, but still very little to hurt them.

The experience of his human mind was something like standing with toes at the very edge of a great precipice. Every cell of his being said move back, look away – and yet something deeper still whispered ‘Jump’. Nothing good would result from it, but in some sick way the fall would be fun. Emphasis on sick. He kept his feet where they were.

His beast on the other hand was delighted, the room smelled of fear and of blood. Prey was foolishly screaming out its location. Calling out that it was trapped, and hurt, and trapped, and dying. Every muscle he had tensed to run it down in the dark of the woods, to feel the victory blood in his teeth and to silence the symphony of screams.

Saphyre blinked as Mr Adler shoved a ball gag into the vampire’s mouth. Muffling the music – no wait – there was other music. All this time classical music had played and swelled and taken them all on this journey from the safety of their seats. 

Saphyre was a little surprised to find Nigel’s Pomme crawl her way between his legs to get to the bars and push her face to them.

“Hello there darling,” he laughed but no one was home but bloodlust.

That was alright, she wasn’t hurting anyone right there.

Saphyre watched the T frame ascend and hummed thoughtfully as he watched it settle 12 ft from the floor, some two feet above the cage. That was going to make things interesting later.

The world began to come back to the werecat between his feet, she pulled herself away from him and apologized.

“No worries, it ain’t a party until someone’s on all fours right?” he teased with a grin on blue painted lips. He didn't touch her, letting her sort herself out, the last thing he wanted was for a cat to take great exception to a wolf sniffing around and take a swipe. A fight was one thing but he had to dance later.

“Do you want an escort back to your table?”

[LadyJallyn]

This has been a Grimoire and LJ co post

Monday May 18th 12:21-12:24 am Archangel Tower- Feast Hall- Katherine & Saphyre

Katherine blinked as the werewolf asked her if she wanted an escort. Seemingly unphased by her behavior. She blinked her eyes  again the light levels seemed all wrong too bright, as she stayed still crouched on the floor. The rubanesque brunet were-cat tried to think. Why was it so hard to think?!  "It was something... I think. Party wise I have never been to anything like this. I thought last night was bananas, this takes the cake. Miss Aguilar is right I lost one of my top ten most messed up thing I have ever witnessed spots. Tonight definitely replaces the stapled ballsack for the pack of smokes." She answered finding her voice but she still stayed low on the ground. It felt safer for some reason hunkered down at waist level.

She could feel the desire to change, to shed her human skin but it was like she had hit a brick wall. There was all this tension coursing through her body but it had nowhere to go.  She was very aware of the cat under her skin, as it bristled and twitched as it gently bumped around in her. It was strange to feel it so close just like last night but more intensely this evening. There was the realization of not being at the table and the embarrassment of realizing she had lost herself during the performance. Satan had brought her here. Fucking asshat can't you just not be an asshole for one night. This is why you only get to come out on the full moons you murderhobo. She swore silently chiding the animal within.

"You have really nice hair." She said her voice still shaky realizing as far as openers for conversations went, it was a bit lame as she looked up at the male werewolf. "An escort back to the table might be a good idea. Mr. Salvatore is likely wondering where I wandered off to. Do you have a name rainbow?"

Saphyre watched her, keeping her mostly shielded from the prying gaze of the guests though he could only do so much. Still it gave his beast something to focus on besides the blood dripping from the suspended vampire. They were protecting the kitty. He wondered if she was a sub and that's why she was having so much trouble, it seemed a little rude to ask.

He laughed gently at her description of the event as knocking one of her top ten most messed up things out of the list.

"If it didn't I'd be a little worried about you honestly," Saphyre teased gently.

He smiled, working in the field he did he was used to poor conversation starters. "Thank you, I like your eyes, kitten." he praised. "My name's Saphyre, can I offer you a hand up or would you like to get up on your own?"

"My eyes?" Kat blinked looking up at him as she twitched as she looked up at the hanging vampire and gave her head a shake, before flicking her eyes back to the werewolf. "Saphyre. That's an awesome name. I'm Katherine Martin. Most my friends call me Kat though." She said offering him a hand. It was the polite thing to do when you introduced yourself she thought, as she forced herself to try and be more human and less animal.

"You're rocking some very feline green eyes Miss Katherine Martin," Saphyre explained.

He took her hand, giving it a shake. He kept her hand in his, an anchor to help get her up off the ground but he wasn't going to pull her up. "Shall we get you back on two feet?"

"Please. Thanks." She said as the werewolf effortlessly pulled he to her feet. "Shit I lost my shoes. Damn it. " She sighed. "My eyes are grey though not green."

"Far be it from me to tell you what colour your eyes are, Kat, but I'm lookin at a very yellow green. Almond shaped pupils," Saphyre said doing a cursory glance around for any missing shoes.

"You won't be the first girl who took her shoes off at the party. Maybe they're still at your seat. At least the skirt is long enough that no one can tell. You look killer in that blue by the way," he said offering her his arm to lead her back to the head table.

Her eyes widened a touch of horror spread out on her face. "Aww shit." She closed them breaking off eye contact looking scared and embarrassed . "Hey I'm really sorry about this. It... It hasn't happened to me before." She sniffed the heat of embarrassment was crawling up her neck and making it's way to her cheeks.  Distraction was good just keep talking Kat she told herself. "I'm glad you like the dress. Hey... aren't you the dancer from last night? Like if you were you were on fire! Literally! So good. I've never seen anything so cool as that dance number."

Saphyre was a little baffled by the woman in front of him. Her eyes showed a clear partial shift which was generally an alpha trait, and yet she was so affected and unsteadied by Mr Adler's set making her seem more like a sub. Maybe it was different for cats? But at the same time.... He couldn't narrow down what kind of cat she was either. It takes all sorts, he supposed and he was far from the epicenter of knowledge on what was normal or not. He lowered his arm, maybe now was not the best time to return to the head table.

He grinned when she brought up his performance. "I am the dancer from last night! I will also be the dancing tonight, I hope I can live up to the previous one. Though really it's the garments that sell it. I'm a hack without the clothes I take off," he said with a playful grin.

"You do a disservice to yourself by saying that. I wish I could dance like that. Not exactly two left feet but yeah.  Maybe I can look for my shoes on the way back. No one will think anything of a barefooted shifter nose to the floor looking for footwear as I make my way back to Mr. Salvatore." Kat said as she put one foot slowly in front of the other scanning the floor. "So how long have you been dancing?"

"Ah that's a fallacy, what you need for dancing isn't feet it's hips. Two left feet are no problem if you can keep a beat with your hips." Saphyre laughed and walked along with her, also keeping an eye for her shoes.

"On and off from middle school on wards. Ballet and Hip Hop mostly, kind of a hobbyist until I started stripping at eighteen. Well mostly it was Go Go Cage Dancing at eighteen but that's splitting hairs," Saphyre explained, it felt strange to talk about that young boy, he felt so far removed from him even if he'd brought him to this moment for better or for worse.

"How long have you been working with Mr Salvatore?" he inquired.

"Ah well since May. But I had a six month stint here like five years ago." Kat said with "I'm part of the sanitation staff but don't tell anyone or they won't think Mr. Salvtore pomme selection is well... I don't know classy.  He rehired me because I took such good care of his cats and the litter stuff. " She confided looking thoughtful. "That is good you have stuck with a hobby for that long. Me? I can't stick with anything for more than a few years before I'm off to doing something new."

"Diversity is the spice of life. I mean really you can't call what I do now ballet. You wear a lot of hats Kat it's not a flaw, it's a strength," Saphyre pointed out with a smile.

"And I don't know how anyone could see you in that dress and think you aren't classy. A little wild maybe, no shoes at the party, down on all fours - but also classy. Get you a pomme who can do both am I right? That's what everyone wants in the end. When you're a one trick pony its easier to turn you into glue," Saphyre  said as they made their way around the large cage still looking for her shoes.

"Maybe. I don't know a lot of pressure to make sure I don't mess up tonight or last night. Its a lot." She sounded doubtful. "For better or worse I came back to Seattle I missed my friends. So I said to hell with it and signed on here for a year to make some money. After that though I likely should head back up to Canada and see my dad. He worries about me. The whole shifter things hard for him to wrap his head around but he says he wants me to be happy." She said looking up at him the slits in her eyes had vanished replaced with normal human pupils, though the eye color had not changed.  The were close to the guest of honor table. The shoes were nowhere in sight. "You are a really nice guy. Thanks for putting up with my crazy ass."

"Hey it's been a delight to put up with your crazy ass, no thanks necessary. You're a really cool gal Kat, even if you are Canadian," he said his tone and his smile telling her that he meant absolutely nothing by it. He could talk parents and the intricacies of what they did and did not get for hours, but he was supposed to be playing juice box.

"I get it, you're sitting at the big table. It's a lot. But so far as I can tell you're more than half way there and still crushin' it. If the pressure gets too much just crawl between my legs again. I'm certainly around," Saphyre offered.

"Hahaha. You are a delight." She told him. "I am dual citizen so you can either half love me or half hate me at your leisure.  I'm glad I got all up in between your legs tonight. Most action I've had in years with a guy." She said flashing him a lopsided smile feeling less worried.

"Most action I've had with a girl since middle school," Saphyre returned holding out his hand for hers, he bent to kiss her knuckles instead of shaking her hand.
"And I assure you, you blew Becky Hafstader out of the water."

"Wooooooooooooooooooo!" Kat said with a laugh. "Take that Becky. Again thanks. Not sure you are local or ever free but if you are maybe we can meet again sometime. I like your vibe. You march to your own tune. That is legit cool." She said as she took his hand and shook it again. "But I should sneak back up there before the next set starts. "

Saphyre produced a business care from the inside of his jacket, handing it over to Kat.
"I'm busier than Satan at Christmas but I like your vibe too Miss Martin. But go, go, go. I gotta be opening veins for these fine people anyways," he laughed waving her off to  her table.

"Okay thank you again." She looked at the card "Mr. Draust." Flashing him her lopsided smile as she tucked the card into her bodice and gave him a wave. "Don't let em take too much!" And with that she was ran around the platform that the guest of honor table sat a top and the were-cat was gone, only to pop back up in between Nigel and Maria. She waved at Saphy and produced a pair of blue silken slippers waving them in the air. "Found em!"

Saphyre grinned "I always knew you would!" he called back to her.

[Darkflame]

Sunday, May 17th 11:50pm to Monday May 18th 12:21 am Archangel Tower- Feast Hall - Darien

Darien returned to his seat on autopilot, his eyes locked on the stage and Grigori's wolf hurrying behind him to return his sheet music before being 'off the clock'.  Thier unwilling participant was terrified, the young vampire visibly panicked by his predicament.  Fear happened, more than most people generally liked to admit.  Vampire's noses weren't as sensitive as shifters' , but close enough and it could be detected if one was looking for it.  And then there were those like Darien.  It had been long enough since the last time he had felt the sensation, that it took him a while to recognize it.

He was transfixed, curious, as the videos played, and when the lights came up, he leaned foreward ever so slightly, as if afraid he might miss something, some minor note of sound.  His head tilted as the first scream came to him, a shiver sliding up his spine that caused him to close his eyes.  Those screams, the sound of the drill, mixing into the music like some macabre masterpiece, accompanied by the waves of panic and terror coming from the stage... it was all so... delicious.

The thought made him freeze.  Delicious?

He was suddenly hyper aware of himself.  True, he had supped twice this eve, once on his human donor before leaving his home, and once upon the wolf Grigori had lent him for a time- it was bad form to refuse a gift- but here, now, there was a feeling of satisfaction that had not been there previously.  There was only one explanation, and he did not like it, not one bit.  Because, if that was back- if he could once more gain sustenance on the fear of another, then what else might follow?

His lips were set in a grim line as he leaned back in his seat, his fingers playing over the tiny warm body of the bat clinging to his lapel.  It seemed like his bad luck was indeed holding.

[LadyJallyn]

Monday, May 18th 12:22-12:25 am Archangel Tower- Sub basement Bathroom - Brandy

The the next show was about to start but after a bottle of wine up at Grigori's room and the wine she had been drinking during the feast she excused herself from the table.

She slipped her shoes on and made her way to the bathroom walking quicker than normal pace her bladder protesting.

The bathroom was cool and quiet.  Brandy took that time to collect herself as she pondered how the rest of the night was going to play out. She wasn't entirely sure what the plan was but she had heard through her favorite gossiping Master vampire, that plans were in the works for big changes involving the wolves and the vampires of the city. Plans that might make Grigori butt hurt. The whispered news seemed to have Waylon absolutely delighted. Then again vampires did enjoy seeing other vampires with egg on their faces often...

She had seen the Wolves from Tom's wolf pack at the feast and had heard that Grigori was likely going to be unhappy.  Plus there had been hanging out with Noah's friends. Jasmine had been very accommodating with the fact that Noah had set up a meeting with the local Ulfric and Nigel. An agreement to play ball with each other had been arranged.It wasn't hard to do the math on it. If she had to guess the vampires had come up with some sort of official allyship. however she wasn't privy to the details, she would have to fill Morvan in on it after the feast had concluded.

Not wanting to act like anything was up she had been working hard this evening to try and make sure the old Alaskan vampire was entertained and in good spirits, even if that meant drinking what he was pushing her way. Her head was throbbing though and she wanted to be out of the finery she wore to just wander naked in her apartment. The heat was getting to her and the ginger and heated spiced wine she was consuming were not helping.

With a flush of the toilet she made her way to the mirror and inspected the bite marks she had in the mirror they had congealed but they stood out like garnets on her pale freckled skin. She wrinkled her nose at the sight, but remembered Grigoris words and her features softened. A good servant showed off marks a sign they were appetizing to othr vampires. A good servant anticpated the needs of those they served...

The walk back to the feast hall was pretty uneventful even if the her balance felt just mildly off as if the floor was slightly sloped. She wondered if she would see Klaus circulating at the feast and her mind went back to his performance. She still had some mixed feelings about everything but did her best to tuck those away.  There would be time to digest and go over that once all this feast craziness was out of the way.

By the time she returned the lights were stating to dim Sailor Morgan was up next with a dance number. Grigori pulled her into his lap upon her return and passed her another goblet of wine to drink. He seemed in a good mood as he chatted with Nigel and she watched as Katherine returned to the table to triumphantly announce she had found her shoes. She had seen Kat jump across the table during Klaus's performance earlier to go take a closer look at the show, It seemed Kat was doing just fine she had been worried that the woman might have shifted during the performance as in the past her control had not been so great. She looked over at Nigel and wondered if the CEO had any hand in making sure there had been no accidents., Kat and her  were going to have to sit down after the feast and spill some tea and trade notes about the night.

[LadyJallyn]

Monday, May 18th 12:25-12:30 am Archangel Tower-  Sailor Morgan and her snakey snake


Sailor made her way out onto the stage and performed an erotic and tasteful burlesque number with her albino snake.  It was as if she was lost in the music and dancing for the sheer joy of it rather than out of obligation or to please anyone. The snake twisted and coiled around her body as the two writhed to the primal music.  Soon it was over the lights that were dimmed were turned on once again and the vampiress took a bow and left the stage.

(Place holder post for When our PC can post)

[LadyJallyn]

This has been a Maxx, Krystal, Grimoire, Darkflame and LadyJ copost collab


Monday May 18th 12:35-1:05 am Archangel Tower- Feast Hall

After the pale vampire and her snake left the stage, Waylon took her place.  Above him, the vampire still moaned.  "You are, no doubt wondering why there is a cage this evening.  Last night was a bear pit, anchored by Misters  Mallory and San Miguel and  won by Misters Singh and Achebe.  I hope I'm not butchering that.  Tonight we have something more open concept in mind.  Anyone who wants to join the festivities, may do so, provided that you are inside this cage before things begin.  This will be a Battle Royal.  The last man standing, excuse me, my apologies Astrid, the last person standing will win not only great renown and great esteem but also this small gift basket."  He pointed to Odet, who was doing her best impression of a game show model, showing of a wicker basket the size of a softball.

"Don't let its size fool you.  It contains the keys to a car, a very expensive watch and a roll of cash thick enough to choke a werewolf.  I'd considered using these to stuff Mr Breeman and turn him into a pinata but thought better of it.  That doesn't mean you don't get to whack him with a stick as you enter the ring."

Above the ring Breeman let out a muffled protest as he squirmed on the rigging the School Master had put him on. Looks like the hard knocks kept a coming for Breeman. He would not forget this lesson.

Brandy had just finished her glass of wine that had been given to her during Sailors performance she stood up.

Grigori looked at her his pale glacial eyes studying her quizzically . "And where do you think you are going kiska?"

"To fight. It will be a free for all and fun." Brandy said as she set the goblet down on the table looking a bit flushed from drink.

"My dear, you can't go in there. A fight ring is not a proper place for a lady."

Brandy let out a scoffing laugh and pointed to Astrid and the large female body builder that had come to the ring and took the baseball bat that Waylon had produced from under the ring ."They are going to be fighting so that point is moot do you not think Master Volkov?"  The wine had made her less hesitant to speak her mind.

"Those my dear, are not ladies. You are. Now remember your place. You are my pomme tonight and I wish to dine during this fight so sit down and drink up." He said his tone firm as he poured her another glass of wine. Perhaps the wine was also getting to Grigori as this was the first time in the night he has spoken in such a manner.

Brandy pouted but sat down on the stool looking disappointed as she took the wine glass and downed the entire goblet.

Astrid had removed the collar from around the neck of the wererat at her side and left it hanging on her chair.  She'd been joined by the buff wererat, who had finally gotten bored of matching poses with Kowalski.  "Crosby.  I got three rats.  Where do we sign up?"

Waylon chuckled.  "No sign up required.  Of course by entering, you absolve Archangel of an responsibility should you suffer grievous bodily harm, because I suspect there will be a lot of harm done."

Astrid nodded, taking the bat.  "Especially to the star of Elevator Action."  It didn't look like she'd put any effort in it the jump but she launched herself easily eight feet into the air.  The bat landed between Breeman's legs.  It was only the facts that Astrid had no leverage and Breeman was suspended that kept her from breaking a bone.

Breeman let out a squeal of pain as he thrashed on his T frame mindlessly trying to cup the area with his hands but they did not more more than the inch of give that the wire permitted. He began to weep and sob anew. though the ball gag muffled most of it.

Darien pursed his lips thoughtfully as he considered  the possibility of joining.

Klaus had returned after showering.  He'd missed the entire burlesque performance.  He'd wanted to see it but figured standing around in his gore covered raincoat might have proved to be too much temptation for some of the shapeshifters.  Setting aside the jacket of his costume, he too made his way through the cage and into the ring.  He nodded to Astrid, gave Waylon a heel click bow and ignored the other two.  He waved off the bat that Waylon offered him.  If Breeman hadn't learned by now, hitting him with a bat wouldn't do much to solidify the lesson.

Darien grunted, his eyebrow raising. He hadn't expected Klaus to enter. Well then, if that was the case, he might as well join after all. He slid off his jacket as he stood, Lucy climbing from the garment to his shirt. He made his way from his seat towards the cage, lifting her from his shirt as he went and sending her off to find a safe perch, then rolling up his sleeves. He gave Waylon a nod, and another to Astrid as he entered the cage.

Grigori stood up and scanned the room before he began pointing at some of his men randomly as he spun about in spot his eyes landing on some of the werewolves from his entourage and bellowed out names. "Achebe . Kondo, Chadwick, Leota, Sigala, Cohen, Kowalski, Patel. Tekin, DuBois, and......" His icy blue eyes settled on a wolf sitting behind Talbot. "and you Stiles. Front and center men."

The wolves were on their feet and bounded across the room with shifter speed to stand at attention at the feast halls Table of honor.

"Go in there And give them hell boys! You let them know that your Alaskan pack, is nothing to fuck with."  Grigori Volkov said a gleeful feral smile bled across his face as he looked at the mixed batch of wolves and let out a chuckle.

The men nodded and were off each lined up to enter the ring. Each man took the bat that Waylon offered and paid the entrance fee of one whack to Breeman most went for the legs.. Stiles was the last to enter and looked at Breeman thoughtfully with the bat slung over his shoulder as he rubbed his chin, then suddenly he was in the air and the bat came up like a flash and struck Breemans face. John's two front teeth flew out of his mouth with such force they flew across the ring and miraculously landed on the table between Brandy and Nigel. Stiles gave Waylon a nod and handed him the bat and joined his men.

William Brown nudged the black vampire standing beside him.  "Not going to let a bar maid make us look bad are we?" he asked.  His accent screamed Bristol, even after more than thirty years away from the land of his birth, death and resurrection as a vampire.

Thomas looked down at his friend.  He was a Vietnam veteran who seemed destined never to become a Master.  William was former British Navy, a firecracker of a man who loved a good fight because in his words 'I have to make up for not being able to have a pint'.  He grinned.

"Okay, Willy.  Let's do it.  Can't let Darien and Klaus get chewed up too badly, without lending a hand."

Brandy picked up the one tooth and licked it savoring the blood before the tooth disappeared into her clutch on the table.

Nigel chuckled.  "Your man has good aim," he said.  "Good thing he didn't knock out any fangs."

Grigori let out a laugh and clapped his hands. "Now this is going to be entertaining and why thank you. I don't pick them because they are pretty!"

Ian watched the werewolves enter.  He grinned and set aside his jacket.  Then he peeled off his shirt.  "Want to join me again, Miguel?  I'd invite the swan but he seems to have run off."

"Sadly, I must decline,"  Miguel replied.  "I know my limits and what I am seeing is well beyond them."

"Suit yourself.  Looks like I'm going to have to see if I can get the rats to watch my back."  He approached the ring and caught Achebe watching him.  Rather than go in through the gap in the cage, he darted towards the head table and vaulted off it, clearing the top of the cage and forcing the growing crowd in the cage to scatter.  He got to his feet, facing Achebe and practically bumping chests with him.

"Bitch please,"  Achebe said in a thick Nigerian accent.

Ian grinned and held his hand out for the bat.

Darien side stepped as Ian jumped the cage, giving Klaus a look of questioning. He could see their poker partners heading for the cage as well. This would prove to be interesting. That would make it, what, 4 vampires, and the rest shifters. It was getting crowded.

"Anyone else?"  Waylon asked.  "Anyone?  Beuller?  Beuller?"  He slipped out of the cage and approached the head table.  "With your permission?" he asked Nigel.  "It would seem that the Schoolmaster is becoming a greater boogeyman than your Huntsman.  May I correct that?"

Nigel nodded.  "Of course.  Seeing what you can do might remind them of why you hold the position you have."

Waylon nodded and stripped off his jacket.  He winked at Brandy, kissed Maria's hand, smiled at Katherine and, as he returned to the cage, gave Odet a quick side hug.

"Last chance to take a poke at Nigel's right hand," he called out.  "Anybody wanting in needs to be in here now.  If you get thrown out of the cage, you don't get to come back in.  If you only get tossed out of the ring, you can get back in.  Try to have some fun and if we review the footage and it looks like you deliberately tried to kill somebody, there will be hell to pay, especially if it is me and I didn't notice.  Any questions?  No, Ian, give me that bat.  You don't get to keep it.  No weapons."

The combatants started entering the cage, it was interesting to see how many in the room would tag themselves in for a free for all but had abstained from the bear pit. From what he had heard it had only been Volkov's wolves going up against Miguel and Ian the previous night. Maybe they'd been hedging their bets for a second night - maybe the room was just riled on the show Mr Adler had put on.

Saphyre was intrigued to see what thrills the fight was going to bring them when a flapping of wings caught his attention and then tiny feet caught the front of his jacket. "Hello Lucy," Saphyre greeted thoughtlessly, putting a hand over the tiny creature. He was a little bemused.

"What are you doing away from - " his thought trailed off as he looked up towards the cage. Sure enough, there was her master inside it. "- Darien."

Well, this would be interesting.

"Ooooooh we get to see Waylon fight!"  Brandy said looking delighted her mood improving as the wine spread through her belly making her head and brain feel warm and relaxed.

Grigori laughed. "You think he stands a chance against my wolves?"

"He isn't Nigels second for nothing. Your wolves are going to be paste hahaha!" She said laughing for likely a touch too long for it not to be anything short of insolent.

Josie starred intently biting her lower lip. If it was forbidden she may of went in for fun. Part of herself really enjoyed watching big burly men lose against a female.

"Oh my." Darien said softly. Make that 5 vampires. They were still outnumbered by the shifters, especially as not all of them were Masters in their own rights.

"Hey yeah, I got a question,"  Willy said.

"Are you a wizard, Harry?" asked one of Grigori's wolves, mocking his Bristol accent.

"Only with my fists,"  the former Royal navy gunner replied.  "How many of these boys are Alphas?"

"Fight us and find out." Stiles said with his posh London accent flashing the vampire a look as he wagged his eyebrows at him.

Willy laughed.  "One of the Queen's own, are you?  Alright, I'll save you for last."

"Sadly, I think you will be vacating the ring before the halfway point my boy." Stiles said with a grin. "Time will tell."

"Writing checks already are we Willy?" Darien asked with a smirk.

"You with him? I'll try to watch the face no promises though, last chance to leave before you leave the cage looking like Breeman up there." Stiles said with a chuckle.

"just to let you know, the accent only makes you sound smarter. It doesn't make it true." Darien replied, looking bored. The faintest hint of his natural accent started to peak through.

"Lippy. We will see if the talk is cheap." Stiles said "I hope you stick around for a while so we can dance."

"Oh, those are fighting words,"  Willy said gleefully.  "That was a dumb thing to do, getting his Irish up."

"Irish are pigheaded and what was the term. Ah yes pussies. They only think they can fight and even then they only stand on their two feet for any period of time due to the copious amounts of cheap alcohol they like to imbibe. I am not impressed." he said with a delighted laugh as he eyed Walker noting the fact he had the man in reach weight and height. "You're going to be slower than me, say hi to your boss when I toss you over that cage and onto his table."

"I retract my previous statement. Even the accent doesn't make that sound intelligent." Darien said, a dark eyebrow raised.

"My aren't we the cutest bunch of shit-talkers," Waylon announced gleefully, clapping his hands and jumping up and down.  He seemed energized at the prospect of a free for all.

Darien placed a hand over his heart and gave Waylon a little bow.

Noah looked at Maria "So sorry my dear and to you Master Salvatore, I think we need to have another break. Again I cannot apologize enough. I fear this is going to get messy and I do not want any of my entourage deciding to join in once the fight starts due to, the entertainment being too high octane." He gave them a bow.

"Your entourage is weak." Grigori laughed soaking in the fear he felt off Noah as well as Breeman who hung like a macabre pinata above the ring.

"It is good to know when you are beat and outmatched. I have no issue with admitting that none of are as strong as you or your mightiest of wolves Master Volkov." Noah said taking his hat off and bowing his head.

Nigel chuckled.  "A wise man knows his limits," he said.  "Also wise not to put any of your shifters into the fight, although I think it might have been interesting to see your lion showing his pride."

"Thank you for understanding. Perhaps another time." Noah said offering him an apologetic smile before he motioned for his shifter friends to rise and head to the green room before joining them.

Nigel looked over at Grigori.  "Are we ready to begin?" he asked.  "If you would be so kind as to start things off?"

Grigori jumped down from the table and walked over to the bars.  "Opponents remember combatants are still in play unless you throw them out of the cage.  May the best man win. Let the bodies hit the floor! Gentlemen have at it! FIGHT!" He bellowed his voice ringing across the Feast Hall for all to hear. The lights in the seating area began to dim and the ring was suddenly a light from the overhead rigged lights that hung ten feet above Breeman casting a demented wriggling shadow of the vampire on the ring mat.

Grigori returned to the table as the chaos broke out and poured Brandy another cup of wine looking jovial and then pulled her onto his lap. "Drink kiska so that I may too."

Music suddenly cut out across the speakers in the hall. 'Let the bodies hit the floor. Let the bodies hit the floor...." As drowning pool began to play.

Josie who had been somewhat calm heard the music found herself hurrying towards the cage at the sound of the hype music

She was intercepted by Odet.  "If you'd wanted in, you should have been in before they closed the cage," she said apologetically.  "Any reason why none of the donor wolves decided not to step up?  Running a little low to be certain of  putting up a proper showing?"

The ring was a buzz of sound, of action, voices snapping at each other until teeth could follow. Saphyre let his gaze wander the group, trying to sort out what would happen before it did but there were so many unknown variables.

Grigori's booming voice called them into action, and action erupted. Saphyre took his hands off of Lucy so that his fingers would not clasp over her as the heavy thrum of guitar and bass started. The word pandemonium came to mind. His grin was a baring of teeth.

"Fuck em up!" he called, not sure who he was rooting for it covered his bases.

Brandy let out a holler of encouragement to Waylon and Klaus  as she drank her wine a tiny bit sloshing out over the edge as the feasts fight started and fists began to fly. She let out a cry of surprise as Grigori's teeth were suddenly in her neck, rougher and with no warning. When in Rome she thought numbly hoping the rest of the wine might help dull the pain. She raised the wine goblet to her mouth and drained the contents as the Alaskan vampire fed from her.

Shifter and vampire alike began to rise from their bleacher seats once they saw Josie head for the edge of the cage for a closer look.  They took that as a cue to begin lining up around the caged fence for front row seats. There wasn't room for all but a third of the folks attending would have a choice view.

There was some flexing growling jostling and flashing of fangs but the spots filled with incredible speed.

The energy and excitement was tangible as the fight broke out filling the room with a life of it's own. This was something more feral and primal than the night before. The music thrumming could be felt reverberating in everyone's chests as the fighters danced around the ring.

Josie looked to Odet with a smile " Oh no no just wanna get a good view of the show."she said crossing her arms in a few x like motions in front of her choosing to decline to comment on the fact why none of her or her pack were in the ring.

"My bad." Odet said with a smile "Sometimes it is hard to tell when everyone is so excited. Just don't get too close to the bars. Interacting with the fighters and trying to grab or distract them can and will result in repercussions you would not like."

"Understood" Josie gave a firm nod in acknowledgement as her gaze turned to the cage once more a low growl escaping deep in her throat as someone pushed her.

Pandemonium
Mayhem
Chaos
Bedlam
It was all of them and more.

Willy was driving fists that had won three championships in the navy into anything that came within range.  All the while he was keeping an eye out for Stiles.  Just because he intended to throw him out of the ring last didn't mean he wasn't going to lay a beating on him before then.

Thomas locked up the first arm that swung at him and began delivering knee strikes to any body part that seemed attached to that arm.

Jen and Kowalski found each other and, while she had a gleeful grin, he had only a tiny smirk as the two squared off and began trading blows.

With a cry that should never have come from a human throat, Danny, the smallest person in the ring, leapt onto the nearest wolf and wrapped his legs around their chest, trapping one of their arms.  While one arm rained blows down on the wolf's head, the other snaked around his neck in an strangle hold while his teeth snapped at an exposed ear.

Cohen found himself facing Klaus.  The vampire knew he was likely slightly weakened by his feeding earlier in the evening.  That didn't mean that he wouldn't put up one hell of a fight.  "So you really do have something against Jews."

"No," Klaus replied.  "I just know you're down a pint."

"Cheating bastard!"

Achebe tapped Kondo on the shoulder.  "Come on.  Let's get you your stripes."  He nodded towards Ian, who was heading straight for the Nigerian.  "We'll take him out."

Patel let out a howl as somebody grabbed him by the balls from behind.  With a heave and a twist of her razor sharp claws, Astrid launched him over the top of the cage.  He landed in a heap.  She tossed aside the bloody hunk of flesh that had remained in her hands.  She'd wanted to eat the man's testicles but figured it would draw too much attention.

She ended up ass over tea kettle as Leota swept her legs.

Sigala gave Darien a nod as he approached the vampire, keeping a respectful distance and trying to gauge the vampire's reaction.

Tekin chose Waylon as his opponent.  The Russian was cautious.  He'd seen what Grigori could do and he knew little about Nigel's right hand, other than the fact that he preferred men and thought himself important.  Perhaps he could take him down a notch or two.  "Pokhozhe, eto ty i ya."  -Looks like it's you and me-

"Ne dolgo," Waylon replied.  "Not for long."  He moved faster than Tekin could follow and before he knew what he was happening, Tekin was launched across the ring, bouncing off the ropes with the wind knocked out of him.

There was an obvious shift in Darien's demeanor. The man that eyed Sigala's approach didn't look at all like the charismatic nightclub owner. While the trademark smirk of his still played across his lips, there was a look in his eyes that said he would have been at home doing much messier things. "Come-on then." He said, waving his opponent on as he side stepped the last person Willy had punched, and danced closer. For being over six foot tall he seemed rather light on his feet.

[LadyJallyn]

Part Two of Copost Grande

Monday May 18th 12:45-1:05 am Archangel Tower- Feast Hall

Willy had managed to land some solid punches but this wasn't a boxing ring, something he discovered when strong arms seized him from behind and he felt himself launched over the top of the cage.  Stiles was mildly annoyed that he hadn't manage to either eliminate the Bristol vampire of do so in a manner that landed him on the head table but he would take what he could get.

DuBois tried throwing himself back to dislodge the tiny ferocious thing that was trying to gnaw on his ear but as soon as his balance shifted, Danny was gone, launching himself at Leota in order to protect his queen.  Leota'd swept her feet but she'd kipped up before he could catitalize on his advantage and with Danny attacking from behind it was Leota who was suddenly at the disadvantage. DuBois rolled onto all fours and launched himself at the nearest set of knees that were wearing something he didn't recognize.  He caught Thomas mid kick, forcing him to release Chadwick.  Against the two wolves, the vampire was seriously outmatched but he wasn't going down without a fight.

Ian was pretty much ignoring Kondo, despite the fact that the werewolf was hammering blows into his back.  The hyena, grinning like a fiend, was focusing his entire attention on Achebe.  The Nigerian werewolf was returning the attention.  There was no attempt to throw each other out of the ring.  They both wanted to just beat the hell of out each other.

Cohen was fast; Klaus had to give him that.  He knew how to fight and he knew how to inflict pain.  There was one thing he couldn't do, however, and that was feed on the growing arousal of the crowd.  Klaus used their blood induced lust as fuel and it wasn't longer before Cohen found himself bouncing off the top of the cage and out of the ring.

Brandy watched as the fight progressed the blood shed and prowess was enticing as Grigori supped from her neck. She felt herself growing more heady the room grew warmer and as the blood was leaving her body, the wine in her stomach had less blood volume to travel to.  She leaned against Grigori somewhere dimly her brain whispered to her that if not for being a pomme and at this feast, in a different time and era that Grigori would likely not have stopped drinking until she was as dead as a doornail. The room started to spin slightly.

She felt Grigoris hands on her body as he stroked and massaged her, the touch adding further arousal as she watched Klaus and the others fight.  She shuddered her eyes open taking in the sheer chaos as the men and women vied for dominance. Who would win was anyone's guess but so far her two favorite boys were still in the ring as she couldn't help but to begin writing on the vampires lap as the blood perfumed the air as the music played and she could hear the growls and snarls of the competitors. "This is shum fight amiright?" Brandy drunkenly slurred as the vampire sucked her wound.

A muffled laugh and a Mmmmhmmm was the response she received from Volkov who was enjoying the leopards blood that was ripe with drink.  He hadn't informed her that the wine she was drinking wasn't 12% watered down piss, but 22% alcohol content more popular in Europe. Or the fact that the wine being delivered to his table had also been fortified with a touch of Alcool and sweetened with honey and spices to hide its true potency. Then again she hadn't asked... She was at the perfect level now. He could feel the heat of every bit of ginger and spirits mingled in her blood and had to admit it was a potent and heady mix.  Still he would have to pace himself if he wanted more.  As tempting as it was to drink it all at once he did have a piano recital to perform  later.

[LadyJallyn]

Part 3 of co-post Grande

Monday May 18th 12:50-1:05 am Archangel Tower- Feast Hall

Jen and Kowalski had given up on punching each other; now they were locked in a Greco-Roman knuckle lock.  Her grin widened when she saw Kowalski flinch.  "Say Auntie and I'll let you jump out without breaking your wrists," she said cheerfully.  "Say it. Auntie.  Say it..."

Tekin recovered his wind quickly.  He came out of the corner swinging.  Laughing, Waylon dodged them all.  For the second time, he shoved Tekin into the corner, only this time Waylon followed him, locking one leg over the roped to pin Tekin in the corner and driving his fists int the werwolf's torso until there was a loud crack.  It wasn't clear if it was one of the werewolf's ribs or a bone in the vampire's hand.

Astrid and Danny teamed up to throw Leota out of the ring but he managed to catch Danny by the arm and, instead of flying over the top of the cage, he only flew out of the ring, taking Danny with him.  Astrid  shook her head, watching them go.  Rather than follow, she kicked Chadwick in the side of the knee, on her way to join Jen against Kowalski.

Chadwick and DuBois had Thomas off the ground when Astrid kicked Chadwick.  He swore and dropped his half of the prize.  That didn't prevent DuBois from finishing the job they'd started.  Thomas sailed over the top of the cage, followed shortly by DuBois.  Klaus had arrived too late to save his friend but certainly was able to avenge him, choosing the uninjured werewolf over the damaged DuBois.

Stiles wasn't impressed.  He didn't want to go one for one with this crowd.  The vampires, fighting with the wererats and the hyena rather than against  them put the werewolves on the defensive.  He needed to even up the odds.

As a powerful Alpha, second only to the Ulfric, he was able to execute a partial shape change.  The scarred rat bitch had already broken that seal; he would only be doing what had already been done.  He popped his claws and  raked them down Ian's ribs.

Tekin let out a feral snarl and suddenly shifted the scalding hot liquid splashed out across the ring. Waylon was suddenly dealing a 300lb  snapping wolf that lunged and sunk his jaw into Waylon's shoulder. Teken tasting blood and feeling the give of the vampires the collar bone  as it broke under his powerful jaws.  A low growl escaped his lips he shook his head furiously trying to tear flesh from bone.

Kowalski grunted as he pushed back against Jen. "Call me Daddy and I'll go easy on you. I am not done yet. Far from it." He said though grit teeth.

Grigori let out a howl of frustration pulling away from Brandy's neck. "Come on boys!" He bellowed as three of his wolves had now been ousted from the ring.  His shouts seemed to bolster the men as he watched Stiles go after the Hyena. Kowalski still hadn't ousted the rat bitch from the ring. Dubois was out but Chadwick was still in but up against the School boy. The blood in his veins had him feeling rowdy and excited. He looked at the leopard on his lap and smiled. "It's turning out to be one hell of a show kiska." He breathed into her ear as he began to nibble on her neck. "How about you be a good girl and make it better. A good servant after all aims to please. I will be sure to tell Nigel when I leave how accommodating you are."

Brandy blinked at the request trying to process it. She was drunk on the violence drink and energy as she watched one of Volkov's wolves shift and tear into Waylon.  She felt the vampire slide her off his lap. "Show me how much you are enjoying the show kiska." He whispered his voice was warm and smooth like heated honey and was filled with need. Normally she would have refused but it felt like a less unreasonable request than normal.

She felt him push her gently under the table, all eyes were on the stage as she listened to the fight going on unable to see but hear the guttural cries and snarls as the fight raged on.

It became clear quickly that Sigala was a grappler. He was trying to get a good grip on Darien, but luckily the tall vampire had been in this kind of situation before.  Still, Sigala managed to get a good lock on Darien's wrist, and twisted his arm in a way that probably would at least have dislocated an human's elbow.  Following the motion, he tried stomping Darien's knee to get him to drop to the floor and gain the advantage.  Darien managed to move his leg out of the way just in time though, and in short order it looked almost like the men were dancing as they tried to trip each other up. Darien could feel a fresh wash of fear from Mr. Breeman in his vantage point overhead as one of the wolves shifted violently and the fight got extra bloody.  He used that rush to pull himself around and land an elbow in Sigala's face. He could feel the joints in his grappled arm screaming at the move, but swung again.

Katherine sat beside Nigel her fingers dug into his leg as she trembled with excitement and the desire to want to join in. It was against the rules but she was trying to do her best to remain seated. The smell of the blood and the fight was exciting and at the same time had her cat feeling mildly anxious as a wolf shifted. So many strong and powerful Alpha predator types were about and Satan felt mildly exposed.

Josie felt a hot mix of blood and shifter fluids splash across her face. She shuttered with excitement as she bounced beside the cage. "Come on Ian!!!! Kick his ass Waylon!!! Yaaaaasss Queen!!!!" She felt someone shove at her releasing an animalistic snarl deep from the back of her throat.

Sigala took the punch tasting blood and returned in kind with a lightning like backwards yank of the vampires arm. He felt the elbow give and then bend back way beyond its normal range of motion as he added a head butt to the vampires face so that the man's nose took as much damage as his face had as he spat his mouthful of blood out into Darien's face looking enraged.

The music changed a jonty techno mix. You make me happy
Everyday
You make me happy
Everyway
You are the best thing I have found
I love having you around

Kat let out a little noise as Darien took a head butt and closed her still yellow green eyes as more blood sprayed into the air. Her cat wasn't entirely excited and wanted to perch somewhere higher or find cover. She edged nervously to the end of her seat feeling anxious as she let go of Nigels leg and gripped the sides of her chair.

The grin fell off Jen's face, replaced by a rage that was terrible to behold.  "My Daddy raped me when I was seven," she snarled and applied the fresh anger to bending Kowalski's wrists back far enough to break them.  "Ooo, bad move," Astrid said as she wrapped her clawed hands around Kowalski's face and began ripping.

Ian cried out in pain and threw a savage fist at Stiles' throat.  Seizing the opportunity, Kondo grabbed Ian's groin two handed, and with a heave, tossed him upwards and backwards.  Achebe turned to thank Stiles but he was already moving away.

Waylon let out a cry of anger rather than pain and latched his hands around the werewolf's jaws.  "I said trying to kill people was against the rules," he said in a tone a child would use to chastise a pet.  He could feel the werewolf's teeth entering his flesh; he pushed until they touched bone.  With astonishing ease, he pried open those terrible jaws.  "I'm afraid I'm going to have to hurt you."

It was possible that the werewolf's face would survive unbroken when Waylon used it to throw the werewolf out of the ring but it wasn't likely.  It was more likely to survive the impact with the head table or to survive when Nigel seized it by the scruff and threw it across the room, where it landed on several unfortunate spectators.

Vampires in the bleachers let out a shriek and began to scatter as there was a wolf in their midst and it wanted blood. One unfortunate youngster was slower than the others and a vampire beside him lifted him and threw him at the wolf while the others fled in terror.

Well, that arm was going to be useless until Darien could get his elbow back where it was supposed to be, and his face had seen much better days. His nose was broken to be sure, but hell, this wasn't the worst off he'd ever been.  His head rocked back with the blow and he felt blood on his face, not just his own. He saw the rage in his opponent's face and grinned wickedly, ignoring the fierce pain in his arm to grab Sigala by his shirt front and yank him in for a headbutt of his own.

Kowalski let out a scream as his wrists snapped and Astrid tore his cheeks to ribbons.  before he knew it Jen had him on his back and he was sailing through the air and crashed hard against the fence in a crumbled heat. He law on the ground trying to push himself up but his hands couldn't hold the pressure. Well shit he thought. How was I supposed to know her dad played pokey pokey with her?
Sigala let out a low throaty growl as the vampires face smashed into his again Splitting the skin above his left eye socket as the blood rained down into his left eye. He lashed out with a kick aiming for Darien's long leg aiming for the knee cap to bring the man down low. He kick missed but hit the femur, and Darien felt the leg bone fracture but not shatter. "You fight dirty." he spat as more blood flew from his mouth

Klaus was a practical man.  He had no issues taking advantage of a situation.  That is why he'd chosen not to throw Chadwick out of the ring,  He had to give the werewolf credit; he was trying to pivot on one leg to keep facing the vampire, trying to protect his injured leg.  It wasn't going to help.  His foot lashed out just when Chadwick's leg had all his weight on it, making it bend in ways it wasn't supposed to.  It wasn't hard after that to add Chadwick to the growing list of those who had learned, however temporarily, to fly.

Stiles had crept up on Klaus as he took one of Chadwick's leg out and helped him over the ring'. He lashed out with all his strength and aimed for the back of Klaus's right knees. "Fair play chum." He said with a grunt as Klaus buckled going down on one knee. He picked the tall blonde School Master up and lobbed him out of the ring over his head like the German vampire was a keg. He went over the fence and hit the ground outside the ring hard. Stiles chuckled.

Saphyre had stayed back, letting the excited crowd get into the splash zone. He saw Josie amongst them and grinned. He was fine with his vantage point where he was. There was a lot to behold it was a little difficult to look at any one piece when they were all a swirling mass of teeth and action more jigsaw than puzzle.

A wolf was thrown from the cage transformed and causing havoc amongst the bleachers. The sound of breaking bone and landing hits cries of pain and victory and general shit talking fed the sound track beneath the techno music. The room smelled like blood and fear and adrenaline and it felt like a line of cocaine.

Saphyre tried not to look for Darien, tried not to worry about what might befall him, but his eyes found him anyways. A grin like the devil and his face streaming blood. Well, that didn't help things.

"He's hanging in there, Lucy," he said for the sake of the bat and not at all his own interest.  "Bite his ear off!" he added to contribute.

Grigori leaned back in his chair a smug and content smile on his face even if his wolves we're leaving they hadn't rid the ring of Kowalski Stiles or Sigala he still had horses in the race he thought as the wine in Brandy's head sent a small wave a warmth though his extremities as he finished unlacing his britches under the table.

Outside the ring, Kowalski was trying to avoid getting trampled by the battle between Danny and Leota.  The small wererat was bouncing back and forth between the cage and the ring, trying to find an angle that the Samoan couldn't cover.  Leota was trying to get his hands on the agile rat but he was just too fast.  He needed the rat to make a mistake, be overconfident or angry enough to make a mistake.  Leota didn't want to hurt him.  He just wanted to strangle him.

Kowalski forced himself forward when Danny had his back turn and snapped at him his teeth landing into the were rats calf. He doubled down and locked his jaw hoping this would buy his pack mate an opportunity.

Danny turned and focused all the fury in his body against Kowalski but it wasn't enough to free him before Leota managed to get his hands on the wererat.  He heaved him, hard.  Danny actually bounced off the T frame hold up Mr Breeman.  It set the frame and the vampire beneath it bouncing dangerously.

Breeman screamed in pain as the wire and eyelets smashed against his drilled joints and bone as he swung to and fro. He was terrified as he squeezed his eyes shut. He was glad that he wasn't mortal or he would be puking right now as his stomach lurched to and fro swinging and the pain.

"I'm Irish." Darien half laughed, half growled, his accent thick as he felt his leg already healing. His hand still clenched in Sigala's shirt front, a fresh rush of terror tingling through him, he lifted the wolf , and himself, from the floor.

Achebe and Kondo looked to each other. "We take out the big rat. No show nothing pretty. Fast and dirty. These rats are tough. The vampires will be easier to take out."
Kondo nodded. "Yes sir." He said as he started towards Jen and Astrid.

"Oh no you don't Tinkerbell," Stiles snarled as he seized Darien by the ankles and yanked  down hard.  His claws dug deep into the vampire's calves.  Even if he was strong enough to lift one, he might not be strong enough to lift two.  If he was, Stiles would be going for a ride and the vampire would need new landing gear.

Kondo looked up as he ran "They freaking fly sir?!" He said in confusion as Astrid stepped in with more speed than Kondo had and grabbed the wolf by the waistband of his pants heaving him up and over the ring.

It gave Achebe the time he needed as Jen watched her Queen as he tackled her off her feet and threw her as hard as he could. The impressively muscled female were rat flew over the cage and hit the table where Nigel sat and the table let out a thunders crack as the thick oak wood table collapsed in on itself.

Nigel had pulled Kat and Maria back well before the wererat landed.  When he turned to survey the damage, he was annoyed to see Brandy crawling out from under the table, while Grigori was lacing up his britches.  "I don't know which of you to offer a hand to," he said to the two women.

"I'm good," Jen said, missing the tension,  "Sorry about the table."

Astrid caught Achebe by the arm.  When he turned to swing, she wasn't there.  He flet her hand against his ass and then he was flying.  She didn't wait to see where he landed, she just slithered under the ropes.  She dropped into a crouch, facing Leota.  "You hurt my Danny," she said stalking him as if she was the wolf.  She wasn't a cornered rat but she was still dangerous.

Kowalski swore "Gówno!" His mouth full of were rat blood he looked down to his ruined wrists but saw that his middle finger and index fingers were twitching as he started to heal from the damage. He just needed another minute and he might be able to grab the rat queen by the ankle .

Leota looked torn, between trying to get back in the ring where he had more room or protecting Kowalski.  Astrid snorted.  "You look like shit," she said, looking down at the Pole..  "Want me to play nice and just toss you out?  Or let your buddy do it, if you don't trust me not to do to your ass what I did to your face?"

"You guys fucked up my wrists and hands. I didn't know about her father. Im sorry....Maam." Kowalski said laying broken and bleeding still on the floor. What he was saying was the truth he was not lying, but there was the small kernel of hope that maybe his pack mate could have a chance as he sacrificed himself. He wasn't going to be getting that minute to heal. "Just please be gentle  I won't ever joke about that again."

Astrid smirked.  "Better let your friend do it.  I've been known to be less than gentle to pricks who make incest jokes.  Or rape jokes.  Or pretty much any joke that objectifies women."

"So you don't believe a guy can change huh?" he said looking at her as she stood near him just out of arms reach.

Astrid might have given Kowalski a straight answer but Leota, hoping Kowalski had her distracted, made his move.  As fast as he was, as strong as he was, Astrid was faster.  Astrid was stronger.  Leota when flying back, caught the top of the cage and went spinning past it.  "Care to try again?" Astrid asked, looking back at Kowalski.

Kowalski's eyes widened "I had nothing to do with that! " He protested as he wriggled backwards with the speed of a possessed inchworm trying to roll to the ring and buy himself time.

Darien snarled as pain shot up his legs an she got yanked down. "If you wanted your girlfriend back so bad you could've just asked." Darien half sneered as he twisted his body and let gravity and his strength slam Sigala into Stiles from above.

Stiles let his claws rip lose from Darien's calves creating a cloud of crimson as he felt them slide out over bone, Sigala smashed into him as he staggered back retracting his claws and helped steady Sigala on his feet as the vampire sailed out of reach. "

"That's what they all say."  Astrid caught Kowalski by the leg and heaved him upwards.... Right into Darien.

Kowalski flew through the air and screamed as he plowed into the ascending vampire sending them both spinning. He didn't clear the ring but came crashing down on the stairs that led into the ring. He felt his shoulder bone shatter on impact and let out a blood curdling scream.

Waylon laughed and clapped his hands in delight.  The terrible wound inflicted by the werewolf was gone.  "Oh wow, that sounded like it hurt."

"Shit," said Astrid as she climbed into the ring.  "That wasn't supposed to happen but sometimes you get lucky.  You doing okay, Crosby?"

"Well enough," Waylon repled, rolling his shoulder under his completely destroyed shirt.  "Had a small issue with a puppy."

Brandy had crawled out from under the table grateful to have that mans giant palm off the back of her head. When the table broke she had started smashing her head on the table as the goblets and pitchers of wine rained down off the table and onto the floor in a crimson flood. She drunkenly scrabbled out from under the table and but took deliberate overcare to sit down on the stool as the room spun. She noticed the floor hands scramble someone hissed to get another table and there was a minor flurry of activity in the darkened seating area.

Brandy exhaled gently trying to control the minor spins and mild nausea she had. She refused to throw up at this feast and she was not touching another glass of anything that was alcoholic. She knew she was past the point of no return and hoped the worst of the ride was over.

Darien flew to a corner of the ring.  He looked down at Kowalski.  "Astrid, you left one of your toys here.  Did you want it back?"

The wererat Queen snorted.  "I threw that out for a reason.  Would you mind tossing it out for me?"  She wasn't looking at Darien, she was looking at Sigala and Stiles, who had gone back to back.

"My pleasure." Darien said flashing a cheeky smile as he flew to the edge of the ring stairs and picked up Kowalski "We can do this the easy or the hard way. Choose" he said giving the wolf a feral grin.

"Easy." The polish man  gasped still clinging his damaged shoulder.

Darien flew closer out of the ring towards the fence and tossed the the werewolf out so he landed a few feet from the broken table. The wolf tried to catch himself but the hands broke as he instinctively reached out to brace. Kowalski let out another howl of pain he lay on the cool floor and closed his eyes trying to focus just on healing.

[LadyJallyn]

This is part 4 of the mega post
Monday May 18th 12:55-1:05 am Archangel Tower- Feast Hall


"Thoughts?" Sigala asked, his back to Stiles.  He was trying to keep his eyes on Darien, Astrid and Waylon.


"Can you take out Batman in a flying tackle?  It will take you out of the cage too but I think I can handle a poncy vampire and a rat on her monthly."


Sigala chuckled.  "I can do that."  He watched Darien circling, noting when he was closest to the cage.  "Follow me.  We'll get both vampires and you'll just need to deal with the rat."


When Darien was where Sigala needed him, he spun away from Stiles and charged towards Waylon.  At the last second, he changed direction and with, two step to build momentum, leapt for the ring corner post.  If he'd missed it, it would have been a spectacular disaster but the toe of his foot came down on the top of the post and Sigala's powerful legs drove him into the air.  One arm snagged Darien's thigh and the momentum carried them both upwards, outwards, over and out of the cage.


Stiles had followed and when Sigala changed direction, he continued forward.  Both hands, fully clawed, had their way with Waylon's flesh, burying themselves in his stomach.  He'd intended to slash outwards but Waylon caught his wrists, holding them in an iron grip.  Rather than pull them free, he dragged them deeper.  "Don't you get it, you silly boy?"Waylon asked, his eyes practically glowing.  I feed on this shit.  Not just my pain.  Everyones.  Yours. Darien's.   All of it.  Let me tell you, I feel WONDERFUL!.  Astrid, would you like to  pet the puppy, while I hold him still?"


"Sure," Astrid replied, a smirk on her face.  "I'll pet the puppy so he feels it."


Stiles put up a fight and never once surrendered or gave in to fear.  He was strong, an Ulfric contender but the rat was fresh and while the vampire didn't seem to feel pain, he was certainly feeding on it.  Astrid raked him repeatedly and any wound Stiles inflicted on Waylon seemed to instantly heal, except for the two horrible wounds that trapped Stiles' hands.


As the wolf flew into the bleachers Malaki hurried to his feet pulling Marius up with him. he backed them up against the wall as he lowered his body steadying his self if the wolf turned to them.


"What-?" was all Marius managed to get out of his mouth as Malaki grabbed him.  "Aren't there rules against that?"


Darien could have put some effort into slowing thier fall as they arced over the cage and out of bounds, but decided on having one last bit of revenge as he twisted so that he landed on the wolf that had forced him from the ring. He wasn't disappointed at all really. He had held out rather well considering his bad luck. His arm screamed in pain at the impact and he gritted his teeth.


Malaki laughed with child like glee but kept his eyes trained on the wolf and the others scrambling "indeed but its typical collateral"


Sigala had the air rush out of him and lay there coughing weakly under the vampire. It had been a good but intense fight.


"thanks for breaking my fall." Darien managed a half chuckle and rolled over. "Fuck! Someone give me a hand popping my elbow back in."


Stiles cracked a smile as Astrid went for his back trying to shred it so he would let go of Nigel's lapdog.  The British werewolf dug his claws in deeper as Walon watched one of the gashes that ran atop his shoulder though his ruined shirt. It began to heal with the speed of an older vampire.  The ones on his back started to heal as well. He found a piece of intestine and thrust his hand in deeper twisting with strong fingers and claws.


So the huntsmen of Seattle fed on pain. Fancy that. It was the first he had heard of that, but who in the nine the hells knew how many vampire lines there were? They were all terribly nightmarish in their own ways, the Elders. "If you are trying to take me out, you will have to do better Crosby. I'm not a pup and this certainly isn't a play pen. If I am leaving its with a souvenir." Stiles breathed into Waylon's face.


Brandy opened her eyes hearing some of the vampires behind her cry of Waylon's name as they screamed encouragement everyone drunk on the violence and bloodshed. She looked as the ring and visibly winced as she saw  Volkov's wolf forearms deep inside Waylon's guts. "No." She softly breathed her face concerned.


Volkov laughed boisterously putting an arm around her and taking her wrist with his free hand. "He will heal kiska." He said the excitement of the last three men ejected from the ring had stirred his hunger. His fangs sunk into the leopards inner arm as she watched the show over his shoulder.


The chaos of the room hadn't really dwindled much, things were coming to their hectic climax, now that it was down to three. All Saphyre wanted to do was help people back to their feet and get them out of the way of the fevered crowd, all his beast wanted to do was sink its teeth into something that would bleed. Cross purposes.


The knowledge that everyone was going to be healed and whole eventually took the edge off of the concern. It certainly was a blood sport. Saphyre picked his way around to where Darien landed.


"Do you just need someone to hold it while you hit it?" he asked as the vampire requested help putting his elbow back in place.


The wolf running rampant in the crowd found a table that had marked as a refill station for the food and alcohol being served for the night to the guests.. It paused to eat a rare roast settling under the table to enjoy its prize.


"Then it looks like we're at an impasse,"  Waylon said,  squeezing harder on Stiles' forearms.  Stiles must have nicked his diaphragm.  It was getting hard to talk.  "But to quote a certain movie,  "You fell prey to one of the classic blunders.  Never go up against a dead Sicillian.  Or something like that.  Astrid, a boost if you don't mind.  I don't need a car and I'm giving away the watch and the cash.  No point in me winning them.  On three?" And, with his hands buried deep in Waylon's guts, Stiles found himself flying.  "Do let go before we land,"  Waylon said.  "It would be rude otherwise."


Darien looked up at Saphy. He had blood all over his face, his nose was slightly crooked, and his calves looked like a bloody mess.   Still, he grinned a bit as Lucy glided down to him. " Well hello there." He said, both to the petite bat and the sparkly wolf.  His face turned serious. "More involved than that I'm afraid. Don't worry, I'll walk you through it. It's a bunch of twisting and bending it. It's going to hurt a lot."


The werewolf let out a cry of frustration as he feet went off the floor his hands still in Waylon's guts. His hands tensed around a piece of the gut he had managed to cut into and he clamped on. He went sailing through the air and there was a sharp tug as suddenly trailing behind Stiles was a long chunk of intestine from the Huntsman traveling with him.


Grigori let out a scream Brandys blood spraying from his mouth drunk on blood lust, his meal momentarily forgotten as he watched Stiles go sailing with Waylon's guts in tow. Stiles careened over the fence on the way out and the chunk of intestine snagged on the top of the fence and broke off.


Stiles lay stunned for two seconds before he began to roll to his feet.   There was a two foot chunk of intestine in his hand and he slapping it down on the broken table in front of Grigori.  Grigori clapped him on the shoulder. "Well done, Stiles."


Stiles gave a bow and returned to his pack mates he was sore, and tired. It was a great training exercise and he had learned much intel from being in the ring with the multiple shifters and vampires. His back was a ruin of hamburger but he could feel the itch as the edges of the rend marks were sealing.


"You did that on purpose!" Waylon screamed as he looked at the ropey intestine that was hung up on the top of the cage.  "Somebody get me a fucking ladder!  Get that out of your mouth you animal!  Those are my guts!  You can't have them!"

[LadyJallyn]

This is part 5 of the mega post staring Grim, Maxx, Krystal, Darkflame, Goosekat and LadyJ

Monday May 18th 12:55-1:05 am Archangel Tower- Feast
Brandy sat there her mouth a gape she didn't even flinch as Grigori rebit her as she watched the intestines of Waylon's guts hang on the fence and he cried out shrilly yelling at one of the wererat stage hands. They had dropped the table to replace Nigel's broken one and scurried off to give Waylon's dangling intestine a lick, the table momentarily forgotten.


"I follow instruction well," Saphyre said with a small smile. He was so very much not the Darien he was used to. The reserved, polished man who seemed to flirt with the world at arms length. Something had happened to him besides the bloodied nose and the events of the feast. But it wasn't his place to pry.


Also it was hard to focus on much of anything with Waylon Crosby's guts in about three different places they shouldn't be while Waylon was screeching to get them back. His eyes widened a little. Distantly he wondered if that too replaced one of Katherines top 10 most fucked up things.


"Yes - show me what I'm doing so I can think about something other than that." Saphyre said gesturing Darien back into the bleachers.


Katherine gasped as Stiles went over and slammed the intestinal chunk down on the caved in table as it slid to the floor. A feral growl left her throat and Nigel felt her tense but shoot up from the chair, seemingly ready to go after the rat, her yellow green eyes staring intently at the snacking rat.


"Danny!  Unhook that, will you?"  Astrid called from inside the ring and the little wererat that could started climbing the cage like a gecko.  The Rat Queen smiled.  She'd definitely strengthened her ties with the city's vampires and given Grigori's wolves something to think about.  How many of them lay outside the cage, bloody and broken, while she stood alone in the ring, the victor.


Her brow furrowed when she saw the wererat that was chewing on Waylon's missing section of intestines.  "You!  Yes, you!  Spit that out!  You don't know where it's been!"


Darien was glad he had plenty to feed on for the night. He sat up and studied his calves with a whistle. "Well that could have been worse. "He mused, then went about talking Saphy through  fixing his elbow. It most absolutely hurt just as bad as he said, but then so did a lot.


"Peace, Katherine,"  Nigel said.  "I doubt Waylon has much use for it now.  Leave it be.  See?  His Queen is already chastising him and there is nothing you could do that would compare to that.  The ire of one's leader can be frighteningly powerful as a deterrent."


He stood, surveying the damage.  "I think we can all agree that Astrid has, fittingly, won the Battle Royal," he called out in a loud voice.  I shall quote Russell Crowe here and ask, 'Are you not entertained?'"  The crowd responded with a roar that carried on for almost a minute.  "So who cleans up the mess?"  Maria asked.


"That is why we have staff, my Dear,"  Nigel replied.  "Katherine?  Feel like donating?  I suspect you would taste divine right now."


Katherine backed down slowly as Nigel announced the winner and with a struggle with Satan sat down as the cat paced inside her saddened it could not pounce on the rat. But Nigel's words had compelled them to back down. Her body shook with adrenaline and tension. There as so much blood and not a drop to taste. She squeezed her eyes shut and nodded trying to regain focus.
The Stage hands raced to take away the broken table and the new one was brought in. Grigori stopped feeding on Brandy and haphazardly tossed her a linen napkin to put on the feeding site and staunch the flow of blood.


He rose and clapped enthusiastically as the hall was awash with howls of delight, applause and wolf whistles.  After a minute and a half the clapping and raucous noise died down as the lights came back on and the stage area was dimmed.


He sat down beside Nigel clapping him on the back. His eyes were a lit; the chaos and violence had been entertaining. "I knew you were holding back last night, old friend. Exxxcellent show. I am indeed entertained." He said laughing heartily.


"Wow your wolvesssssssss." Brandy said with a slight slur. "What a fight. But I told you Waylon was going to mess them up." She said as she folded the linen  napkin and held it to the crook of her arm. She shivered as she felt the sweat from her cleavage trickle down lower into her corset. Her heart was beating quickly.  The adrenaline and chaos had her blood a pumping.


"We do what we can to be entertaining,"  Nigel answered.  "Yesterday was more musical.  Today was more physical.  And, from what I understand, whatever Waylon has planned will both tickle your funny bone and appeal to your sense of schadenfreude.  Assuming he is well enough to present it."


"Astrid, my dear, well done," Nigel said, rising as Odet brought the wererat queen to him.  Danny, having freed the end of Waylon's intestine from the top of the cage, was once more on his leash.  Jen was at her back.


"Didn't know your best was that much of a sausage hound," Astrid said, looking at Grigori.  "Poor loser, though.  Not sure where he picked that up.  You might want to work on that."  The movement caught her eye and she followed the trickle of sweat as it ran down  Brandy's cleavage.  After a moment, she tore her gaze away.  "You're boy Crosby is a feisty one," she said to Nigel.  "He took one hell of a fisting in there.  I'd fight beside him again if I had to."


She accepted the small basket from Odet and reached inside, pulling out a set of keys on a ring that was made of four circles.  "Audi," Astrid said.  "Nice."  Next she pulled out the watch.  "Ooo, Rolex.  Crosby wasn't kidding around."  She slipped the watch onto her wrist, admiring it.  Finally she pulled out a roll of twenty dollar bills that was, as Waylon had stated, large enough to choke a werewolf.


Astrid chuckled.  "You thought that fight was nasty?  Watch this one. "  She snapped the elastic band around the money and heaved the roll up against the ceiling where it burst apart, scattering bills everywhere.  "SCRAMBLE!" she yelled, as $4000 in twenties rained down on the crowd.


"Meat is meat. You take your pound of flesh when and where you can my dear." Grigori replied. "You got yours from my boy, so quit your moaning." He replied as the crowd behind them and the younger vampires scrambled for the cash. Not every vampire in Seattle had the funds to live off investments. You took what scraps you could. Last nights bounty of shifter blood and then tonight money being tossed about, it was a good night once more.

Darien had Saphy help him up as the money came raining down. "Oh hell." He grumbled. "Would you mind escorting me to the bathroom? I'd like to wash up and.." he made a face. "Fix my nose. I am almost certain it is crooked."

"That kinda party is it?" Saphyre laughed glancing up at the rain of twenties. He'd experienced the phenomenon with much smaller bills, still when one floated close he grabbed it up with reflexes he usually reserved for keeping balance on heels in tight turns. The excitement that rose in the room was still palpable but he reached out for Darien taking his uninjured arm pointing them both in the direction of the bathrooms.


"Some say crooked, some say character feature," Saphyre mused, he looked a little bit closer through the smear of blood. "We'll fix it up." he assured.


Darien laughed. "You should see the other guys face."


"I did see it, the word 'concaved' comes to mind," Saphyre laughed. "I told you to bite off his ear - you didn't listen."

"Amazingly he didn't bite mine off either. " It was a tad slow going as Darien was still healing the wreck his calves had been turned into. Now that his elbow was back in the joint properly, it was painful but also usable.

"The Van Gogh look is kind of out right now so for the best really," Saphyre teased. He took as much of the weight as Darien would lean on him. He could have carried him but didn't think Darien would have gone for that. Eventually they made it to the surreal space that was a modern bathroom, clean white tile and buzzing fluorescent lights made it seem like they could have been anywhere in the world. It made the feast behind them seem that much more implausible and fantastical.

Darien set to washing up. He was a bit tired after all that. "It's good you kept your distance. I am looking forward to seeing your performance." He said, looking at Saphy in the mirror. "And thank you for keeping Lucy safe.


Waylon, with his intestines mostly stuffed back inside, stuck his head into the Green Room.  "Good evening," he said.  "Would you mind terribly if I borrowed Thando for a moment, if he is willing to donate again.  It seems I've had something of an accident...."


Brandy turned to watch the chaos of the vampires behind her as they lunged after the money twenties were being snatched from the air and floor with preternatural speed. It kind of reminded her of feeding time when she had to feed her six childhood goldfish everyday, but on a large scale. The idea made her giggle to herself as she swayed slightly on the stool, happily ignored by Grigori for the time being. She was trying to ride out the drink from earlier but the Vampire kept hitting her up for blood. She wasn't making much headway if anything she felt like she might be back sliding. Dimly she tried to recall how much she drank. 4 goblets in a bottle. She had four up in Volkovs room and four down here or was it more than four. It couldn't have been eight though... could it have?

"Mr. Crosby you look worse for wear." Noah said sliding his glasses up the perch of his nose as he studied the long dark haired vampire. "Yes you may so long as you return him shortly."


Thando stood and made his way over to Waylon. "How can I be of assistance tonight Mr. Crosby?" he asked as if the wounded vampire wasn't enticing to his beast.


"I've taken less wear on other, more festive evenings,"  Waylon admitted.  "I don't even think it was this bad when I broke up with my last lover.  I will certainly return him shortly, mostly intact.  Fully, by the veterinary definition.  Sadly, I am in no condition to take advantage of that.  A cry of 'put it into my intestines' might have things poking out of places they weren't meant to poke out of.  Could we retire to one of the other rooms?"


"Of course." Thando and Noah said at the same time as the were lion headed to the door to open the room into the sub basement hallway.


As they stepped out and led him to the green room the Contessa appeared from further down the hall and followed them. "Mr. Crosby there are four tiny men sitting in the V room lounge area waiting to see you as well as a few wererats.They are here on your behalf they say because you hired them tonight, but being mortals they do not have clearance down here."


Thando raised his eyebrows and looked to Waylon. "Not enough party favors you had to do take out?"


"Hardly take out, when it's being delivered,"  Waylon replied.  " Can this wait a moment, Contessa?  I'm dealing with a small bout of intestinal distress currently.  I promise you will have my full attention shortly."


The contessa's eyes drifted down to Waylon's midsection and she nodded. "So I see. At your leisure Master Crosby." She said giving him a smile of amusement.


"Thank you, Contessa.  Take them to room nine and have them get ready in there.  The little ones.  The wererats will likely need to eat after they change.  There is food waiting for them in room eight."  He looked at Thando.  "I'd drag you into a shower but it would not be wise to get that much water on this.  I'd end up with a water retention issue so bad that I'd be sloshing."  For a man who was holding his intestines in with one hand, he certain seemed to have retained his sense of humour... and his vanity.


"Right away Master Crosby." Elisabetta said with a formal bow as she headed down the hall to make the arrangements.


"Fortune smiled upon you it would seem. You certainly live an interesting life Waylon, may I address you by first name?" Thando said as he opened one of the other sitting rooms and gestured for Nigel's second to enter the room.

"Only if you tell me whether Thando is your first name or last," Waylon replied.


Nigel watched as the bills fell from above.  "Generous as always,"  he said.  "I'd offer you a cup of wine but it seems my table has had something of an accident.  I do believe a wolf fell on it."


Astrid laughed.  "I'll take something stronger, if you've got it.  Maybe some of what she's having," she said, nodding at Brandy.  "She smells like ginger snaps."


Brandy looked over as Astrid made her way to the table as she chatted to Nigel. Brandy offered her a small smile, her green eyes feeling heavy, she now focused on the the Queen of the wererats, as the bills had now officially been snatched. "Did you want a taste?" She asked softly.

"Alas my dear Astrid our wine all fell during that fight." Grigori said. "What is your preferred drink and I will get a servant to fetch you it."


"If you were sober, I'd be all over that,"  Astrid said.  "But since you're not..."  the wererat Queen took Brandy's hand and brushed it with her lips.  "I'm just going to make sure you get home safe," she said.


Brandy let out a little giggle. "Wow so gentile!" She explained her cheeks becoming flushed as Astrid kissed her hand.


"First time anybody has ever called you that," Jen said.


Astrid smiled.  "Has anybody ever called you 'gentile', Volkov?  Doesn't seem like something that would apply to you, especially with a set of chompers like those."


Grigori laughed ignoring the rats barb "The better to eat you with my dear.  You want to donate?" He asked.


"No," Astrid replied.  "I doubt you'd even know where to find it.  I'll make you a deal though.  I pull out those saber tooth fangs of yours and once they grow back, I'll let you ask me again."


"Go find yourself a glass of wine and some cheese woman." Grigori sighed sounding bored. "Play times over, thanks for the show though. You fight well for a girl."


"I'm hearing the whine and looking at the cheese," Astrid replied with a laugh.  "You'll also find I run like a girl, throw like a girl and feed pretentious fucks who don't know how to treat women their testicles like a girl.  You're clearly too inebriated from sucking on your Brandy to take seriously, otherwise I might be convinced to consider maybe thinking about the possibility of taking you seriously."


"It's all a bit of good fun no need to get your tail in a knot." Grigori soothed as he waved his hands in the air waving signaling one of the floor servants towards the table. "Please bring over a bottle of the cherry wine and for this combative minx a triple of Jack on the rocks. It strikes me as a suitable drink for Rat Queen, hard and cold with a good bite to chase it. "


"Triple Jack neat,"  Astrid corrected.  "I like the way you lose, Volkov.  You might want to teach that to Stiles."  She winked at Brandy.  "We need to connect later.  Not hook up, connect.  Got a few things I want to talk to you about."


"Yes Ma'am." Brandy said giving the wererat a slow curt nod. "You can get my contact details from Master Salvatore should he permit it."


Astrid made a noise.  "Don't forget, I'm making sure you get home in one piece tonight, so I'ma know where you live.  But, if you'll excuse me, I need to hit the little rat's room."


Nigel took the moment while everyone was engaged to turn to Kat to feed for the night.  Katherine leaned forward her wide yellow green cat like eyes stared into Nigel eyes, he watched the slits of her pupils dilate. She sunk against him, nuzzling her chin on his shoulder, her face against his neck. Katherine let out a soft noise as his teeth broke through flesh and Nigel got to taste what the night had done to the werecat.


Her blood was spiced with adrenaline, the excitement was warm on the tip of his tongue.  There was no bitterness of fear to the blood this evening and he could barely catch the wine that Kat had drank that evening. It seemed Katherine was doing much better at pacing herself than Brandy had been.  Under the warmth was a sweet earthiness. It reminded him of crisp autumn mornings where the hoarfrost had touched the greenery of the woods. The sweetness that came with fallen leaves at harvest and of sugarbushes. Intermingled with the musky sharpness that came from all felines, also sugar cookies?


He was enjoying the meal pleased this time Satan had not lashed out but he felt the metaphysical push of the animal as it tried to slam up against its flesh prison as he tried to calm the beast inside the brunet.


He felt it fight back trying to resist and Katherine's teeth were in the side of his throat as he felt her break skin. However, she froze at the taste of his blood pausing for a moment as she realized the dead one tasted a bit like they did but also strangely the blood was comforting and tasted of other things. Not just blood, but of home and family.


Nigel felt Katherine's tongue gently lap at the site she had bit.  The teeth no longer there and the push from the inner feline was still for the moment.


Nigel made a sound of surprise when Katherine's teeth punctured his flesh.  He held the wound open for a moment, allowing her to taste his blood.  It didn't seem like she was feeding on him, or rather it did but not in the way he expected Satan to feed on him.  No, this was more like nursing.


"Ladies and gentlemen, we are having a short recess," Maria announced.  "This is your chance to get something to eat, either from the various donors who will be circulating or from one of the food trays.  We did have a nice rare roast beef available but I do believe that one of the werewolves found it first.  If he hasn't finished it, I'd advise you not to try to find out if he is willing to share.  Mr Crosby has arranged our next entertainment, in half an hour.  One hopes he will be recovered enough to present it."


Brandy rose. "Master Volkov I am sorry but I need to step out for a bit to use the powder room." She announced she rose to her feet and made her way to the stairs. Her hand gripped the banister and she used it to steady herself as she carefully made her way down the stairs and towards the bathrooms.


Josie had stayed almost in a trance near the cage until people began to clear out. She stood composing herself to the demure presence she had been giving off once again back in character. She wiped at the the drying fluids on her face with the back of her hand before surveying the damage to her outfit. It was ruined not nearly as bad as those fighting but it would definitely need dry cleaning if it was to ever be worn again. She hadn't anticipated needing a wardrobe change. that was sloppy calculations. With an internal sigh she lingered briefly in case  someone wanted a bite before she would make her way to wash her face.