Swirling lights, xD

[Richter]

The lights inside made him blink for a moment. After walking for a few hours outside, mostly in darkness, the sudden change of lightning stunned him for a moment. He smiled, though. The blood rushing through his dead body was fresh, young. He felt alive, eager. Those people inside were not numerous, but some were interesting. He casually dismissed his lonesome nature, and a longing to go back to the shadows, and paced around. He gave a hard look at some ignorant vampire who attempted to lure a young woman into her own death, but he let that pass. It was not his place to slaughter a vampire at the moment.

He had almost been drawn to this place. Perhaps the presence of young mortals caught his attention - and hunger. He was quite content with the people around here. He walked mindlessly, gently brushing a few people, taking in their scent. He was fascinated by the sweet perfume of women. He smiled at and smalltalked a few of them, taking a few numbers and such. Since he did look a bit young, he found it easy to attract attention to himself. He was genuinely pleased at that. By now, he had almost decided to buy a place to stay here. Living in a hotel had some disadvantages, after all. A more permantent place to live would definitely open up much more possibilities for him. A more serious affair indeed would be profitable in the long run.

After a few dozen minutes, he decided to sit at the bar. He was finished starting conversations. He decided instead to merely watch.

"What can I get you, friend?" said the friendly bartender that... eh... tended the bar. Nikolaus looked at him with certain curiosity. Friend? Had this fool actually called him friend? Mortals, he thought. Nonetheless, he grinned, and looked around. He was not that familiar with drinks. Sure, he had filled his cup a few times through the years, but he never really had the intention of learning the varied names. His eyes found a woman drinking, smiling, laughing...

"I'll have what she's having... friend" answered the vampire.

The bartender nodded, and proceeded to serve his drink. Nikolaus turned around, and watched the varied humans having a considerably good time. He sighed.

[Façade]

Alene leaned back on a wooden chair, her feet propped on the table in front of her, wobbling slightly as she took yet another shot of vodka. Her thick black hair fell in loose curls down her back, the hair contrasting greatly with her marble white skin that was almost luminous in the shadows that veiled her. Her face was twisted into a predatory grin as she took up another shot glass, swishing the strong liquid for a moment, before downing it, like a torrent of fire racing down her throat.

Her slim body was dressed in a too-small tank top that hugged her curves, with loose camouflage patterned pants tucked underneath large combat boots. Her eyes a cold blue surveyed the room in a drunken haze, not exactly seeing the people around her. She licked her lips, the smeared red around them giving her a messy look- an appearance she did not care about in her current state. She tapped long nails against the wall behind her, the solid wood that was the only thing keeping her up on the chair that shook precariously on its two legs. Chuckling to herself she twisted her head towards the general direction of the bartender, calling out incoherent nonsense that clearly showed how loose her tongue was tonight.

Falling forward so that all legs of the chair were on the ground, she stood up with the help of the table, the whole room whirling madly as she moved. Stumbling towards the bar, she placed herself unceremoniously on a stool, calling for another shot. Her cheeks were flushed and she tilted back before catching herself and regaining slight composure. Straddling the stool, she spun herself around and grabbed the shoulder of someone sitting next to her, saying, “A gre-at night to-day ish huh? I lorve this city.”

She laughed loudly, and grabbed the shot the bartender handed her, spilling most of it on her shirt than in her mouth. She flashed a grin before falling off her chair, lying on the floor in a pathetic heap, giggling hysterically.

[Richter]

The curious young woman caught his interest, to say the least. Granted, she was not human, but still. There was something about her that made her stand out. Perhaps the fact that she appeared to be so drunk... that definitely came into play. She seemed quite happy with her drink. Nikolaus laughed quietly, just as the bartender served his drink. He looked at it, and took a sip. Not bad, thought the vampire.

The bartender apparently found it funny, since he laughed. Nikolaus was a bit offended by that, and stared at the bartender. With a slight smile, he drained the glass. He let out a content sigh, and asked for another. He turned to his contemplation of the woman, and noticed she was coming this way.

He smiled. Somehow, this non-human amused him. Whatever she was trying to say, clearly was not understood. When she finally sat in the stool, it seemed to Nikolaus that it was not for the better. Perhaps he should ask for what she was drinking? It would surely make this a fun night. He laughed, and watched.

Her slurring voice was surprising, and her fall hilarious. The fact that she appeared to be laughing at herself brought a broad grin to the vampire's face. He thought about kneeling beside her, but he figured it would give a sort of wrong impression. Sitting in his... er... seat, he took a drink from his newly served glass.

"It'll be a bit hard to drink that way, wouldn't it?" he asked.

[Façade]

Alene looked up at the owner of the voice. Tilting her head to one side, she replied with a grin, "I man-age. Alwaaays dos."

Pushing herself up, she leaned against the bar, feeling sick. Taking deep breaths through her nose, she couldn't stop the bubble of laughter that formed in her throat. Giggling once more, she pushed back her hair and gave the bartender a flirty glance, "Could I get'nother?"

He shook his head with a smile and Alene sighed, pressing her face against the cool table. She knew she had enough, even if she was under so much influence that she could barely tell which way was up.

The young Were turned her head towards the man who had spoken to her only a few minutes before and asked, "Have'nt seens you 'round he-re befo', you new?"

Certainly, she was curious. She'd been to this bar many times and knew many of the regulars. But, this man, she'd never seen before. Then again, usually when she came here, she would drink enough so that she would collapse and black out before the night's end. By the next morning, she would remember very little of her drunken rampage. Usually the bartender would fill her in on what she did, after he would drag her off the street outside the bar and take her home.

Alene sighed, her body feeling warm and fuzzy. She chuckled and fell forward, knocking into the man and grabbing his arm to keep herself from falling on the floor again. She knew she had to go. She could already feel the darkness coming, but she couldn't faint here. Again.

[Richter]

Nikolaus grinned back. "I would assume you do." he said.

Surely, this woman was tireless. She kept on drinking, even though she really was in no state to go on. Yet, she was not human. Maybe she had much more resilience than the mortals? Perhaps... He took another gulp from his glass. He licked his fangs lightly, not showing them to those who surrounded him. He looked at the woman, probing her essence. A shifter? he thought. How come he had not sensed it before? Odd.

"Ah, yes. I'm new. Arrived just a few nights ago," he replied, evasively. "Just looking for a good place to have a good time. Guess I found it." he smiled, and yet again took a drink. This was indeed a good place. Not too fancy, and yet likable to his tastes. He'd have to search around, of course, for some other place soon. A felixble hunter always lives longer.

His thoughts were pushed out of his mind, as he was a bit startled when she knocked into him. He laughed, though. "You know? I think you should start thinking about drinking a bit less. At least until morning. Would be a shame to forget about this night, eh?" he said, smiling.

[Enelya]

Sitting unnoticed in the far corner of the tavern, the elf rested. Her hooded cloak over her head, hiding her pale, angled faced.

"More brandy Miss?" A waiter asked her, but she dismissed him with a wave of her hand. "More of this crap? I think not. God, two mugs of this and Arminix wouldn't remember his own name..." She whispered, taking a sip of the bitter liquid from the mug. She swallowed, wrinkling her nose at the bitter taste. "Now, I could show them true drinks..." She said, pushing
the half emptied mug across from her.

With a heavy sigh, she flopped her head down onto the table, earth colored streams of hair falling around. "I should put this stuff back sometimes..." She told herself, running her long fingers through it. "Eh..." She attempted to tuck it back behind her pointed ears, but that did no good, it just fell back into place. The elf-girl smiled. "He'll be here soon..." She whispered, her emerald eyes glittering. She sat up straight and fidgeted with her forest colored corset. "Almost no one wears these anymore. One look at my style and they know who I am..." She sighed regretfully.

A moment of sitting dully, watching the mortals make fools of themselves, a man approached the table. "Beeeeeeerrrr!!!" He gargled, snatching the elf's mug and drinking what was left. "Hey pretty lady...ya wants to...um" He stopped, letting out a huge hiccup. "Come with me!" He demanded, pulling her from the chair, her hood falling back. "My my, you IS a pretty lady...!" He exclaimed, grabbing her wrist and attempting to take her outside. "Let go." She growled, a low warning. He turned and grinned. "Nope." "I said...Let go." "Neeeever!" He shouted, grabbing a handful of her hair. "Fine." Viorith tore away from him and pulled her sword from it's sheath all in one movement, the blade shimmering and glowing with it's aura.

"Get out, go home, and sober up you inwisened one." She told him as the man's friends advanced towards her. "Oh, don't be like that." She spun about, and slashed three men behind her, making them fall down. "It'll heal. Just a mere-" She was cut off as the drunken man grabbed her and tightned a hand around her neck. "Heh. Now, come with me." He growled in her ear. With a sigh, Viorith kicked him, and in shock he let her go. "Yeah. Go home!" She yelled, parriying and swinging her sword at his arm, making a gash. He stared, wided eyed at it, then glared at the Elf and walked out the door.

She merely returned to her seat, hoping she didn't cause too much of a problem.

[Richter]

Needless to say, the small display of violence tore Nikolaus' attention away from the current situation. That was before he was overwhelmed by the presence of that aged being. He felt terribly young in comparison. He scoffed, as a way of preserving his dignity. She looked so young...!

He stood in partial awe at the young woman, with certain concern in his face. Those were actions that would only bring scrutiny by the humans... He sighed. Granted, he was rarely in a similar situation, but still. A sword? In the middle of a human bar? He shuddered. Hopefully, these humans were too drunk to notice. If not.... he might have to take action. After all, these were all potential victims. He would not like having them killed by accident.

Though the sweet scent of blood filled his nostrils, he was repulsed by the tint of whetever that filled the drunkard's veins. Beer, perhaps? The man appeared to be quite keen to it. Nikolaus himself never did like beer; there was something so disgusting about it that drained the desire to feed from him.

More importantly, the creature filled his mind with vague ideas. What could she be? Not a vampire, obviously. A shifter? He turned his gaze to the drunk shifter before him. No... there was a certain something that accompanied their race. Not being able to resist, he sent a light touch into her mind, hoping to catch a glimpse at her origins.

[Façade]

“Stop? But, the night is still young-”

Alene stopped with surprise as she looked blearily at the commotion. A sword? Alene blinked, staring at the weapon. Rubbing her eyes, she shook her head, interest sparked immediately by the foreign object. Eyes shifting towards the owner of the weapon, Alene concentrated on the woman‘s face which seemed to be multiplying by the second. Trying to sharpen her senses with a bit of ice that was left in her cup, Alene studied the woman. Certainly, she didn’t seem to fit at such a place. There was also a certain air about the stranger that Alene couldn’t identify. Then again, the same air of oldness, to say in the least, surrounded the man she bumped into.

Curious, Alene glanced at the man and then back at the woman. Both were not regulars, far as she could remember. Then again, Dreizhenstadt was a strange city, with very strange people. She wouldn’t be surprised if they were creatures like her. Scrutinizing the two, she sighed with disappointment. They didn’t have the same scent as Shifters. However, they didn’t have the scent of mortals either. Ready to start questioning the intriguing man beside her, she stopped once more, turning her head back towards the fight.
Well she can use a sword, thought Alene, impressed. About ready to start asking her questions also, Alene paled as the blade touched flesh.

She sniffed and the raw scent of b.lood registered immediately in her mind. Wrinkling her nose, she lurched up, her body suddenly stiff and her face alarmed. She covered her mouth with a hand, and stifled a growl as her eyes began to grow feral and her body shuddered as a pelt began to form. She couldn’t stay here now, it wouldn't be safe. She couldn’t have him awaken. No amount of drink could stop him once he stirs. Shaking violently, she stumbled out of the bar.

It‘s always like this, she thought bitterly, breaking into a brisk jog once she reached the street. There were many reasons for her running away to Dreizhenstadt and they were all because of him. Feeling the pull of the Shift forcing her to the ground, she growled with anger. She would kill him, the man who refused to free her.

[Enelya]

'Oh how strangely absurd I must seem...In some modern town, scaring off others with a sword..." The elf muttered, shaking her head.

After that moment, and once she had some decent ale in her mug, something hit her, it was unknown, yet in the room. Her eyes darting madly about, she came down to three people. One she knew was a shapeshifter, like her brother, another was a mortal, who she could tell had magical potential, but he was busy chatting with friends. Another...Was he a slayer? No...his aura wasn't that tainted...Oh she knew it, she had seen somthing of him before...Nieta..."Oh!" She said in realization that he was a vamp.

Here? Of all places...Well...It's just as strange as me being here, beating others with a sword... She thought to herself. Maybe it was, probably since he would've caught sight of the battle. Viorith looked at him, and sent the mind touch back, wondering his purpose.

The smell of the wounded, drunken mortals filled the bar. "See what I've done? Well...At least Arminix wasn't in my place. He could've blown this whole place up..." The elf said, smiling at the thought. "Where is he anyways. I bet he and Ellensar got into another fight...Cousins aren't supposed to fight!" She mumbled to herself.

[Richter]

He once again turned his attention towards the shifter.
"I know. The night's young, and so are you, yet - "

Nikolaus grinned at his own recklessness, as he felt his not-so-subtle probe sent back. How could he had possibly thought his unwanted mind would not have been felt by the elder creature? Looking at her, he withdrew his mind, and thought about what to do next. Obviously, a confrontation would not be in the best interests of his reputation here. And then there was the fact that she was indeed much older, which would probably mean that Nikolaus was simply no match for her. Then again, he could try to -


He hissed, and looked sharply at the shifter beside him.

"Come on, don't do that here...! he whispered harshly. As she struggled with the change, he stood up, and took a step back. If she turned, he would have to fight her. Not out of hatred, but of necessity. There was the slight chance that she would be able to stop it. After all, aren't shifters capable of hiding their selves? Yet when she began shaking, he knew she had no choice.

For a moment there, once she began stumbling out, he was relieved that she was leaving. Yet, he also pitied the poor girl. No, not pitied... the little time he had seen her had made him laugh. He felt some sort of commitment to help her, and perhaps get drunk with her some other day. He rolled his eyes, and decided to follow her. Perhaps he would not be able to do anything, but still...

Then a thought came to him. He turned his gaze towards the elder one, and motioned her to follow. You might be needed... he muttered. Perhaps she knew how to help a shifter. The only way he could help was by crushing the shifter. And that might not be very good at all. He glared at the elder, hoping that she might oblige. After a few seconds, he ran after the shifter.

[Enelya]

Noticing the shifter leaving, and the vampire still staring, the elf, out of curiousity, followed when beckoned to. A sick shifter? Oh, how it reminded her of her brother, that fool, Beregost.

Slowly standing from her seat, and walking gracefully to the tender and paying for the drink, and the commotion she had caused, she headed for the door, reciving glares from those she had cut.

"Don't hate me. I'm protecting myself." She told them with a smile, making one man stand up in anger. "Yeah?! Well I'll show you!!" He lunged, staggering about, missing her by several feet and crashing over a stool.

Hiding a giggle, the elf handed the mortal a dark green herb, with voilet tips. "Eat this, and sober up." She commanded, forcing him back to his seat.

Taking a bite of the unknown substance, the man coughed, despising the taste. "What is this crap?!" He demanded, ignoring the tingling feeling his body recived.

"Ancient leaves of the Wisened Tree." Viorith replied simply, walking out the door, hearing the man shout apology for what he had done before. "It works every time." She whispered under her breath, stepping outside into the night.

"So...what've we got here?" She wondered, gazing at the shifter. "Did you eat something rancid? Poisoning? Blood?" She asked, searching her bag for the right medicines, or spell scrolls. "Perhaps fire?" She mused, making her index finger aglow with green flame.

[Richter]

Nikolaus smiled. So, the other did follow. That was nice of her.

When he approached the shifter, he was a bit unsure of what to do. His instincts told him to kill her while he had the upper hand. But somehow, he did not feel it would be a smart thing to do. After all, he had gone out of his plan to follow this shifter. It should have not concerned him, and yet he had done so. He glared at the changing girl, holding back his murderous thoughts.

To make it easier on him, he turned to see the older one. There was some familiar air around her, something he had felt before. He reached back into his memories, trying to recall previous meetings with odd creatures. It was a curious meeting in the forest that brought some insight to the vampire. Ah, yes, he thought. That girl from the forest, back in Aristopolis... What was her name?... Briar, I think. Yes... This one feels just like her. He mused. He liked to do that.

Reeling back to this present time, he shrugged at the elder's question.
"I don't think she'll answer... She's a shifter, you see. She.. uh... shifts. I think she's shifting right now." said he.

He then grinned. "But what do I know? I'm not one of them."

Smooth, Nikolaus. Real smooth.

[Façade]

Alene shook her head wildly, sensing the two follow her. Painfully she whispered through a shifting jaw, "You need to go. It isn't safe. I can't control him. . ."

A sudden convulsing movement flung her to her side and a brownish red pelt covered her body. Her half-shifted body laughed hysterically, her golden eyes flashing with a malice red. Her face was changed, physically and emotionally. No longer was there a human, but a killer. No longer was there a drunken, fun-loving teen, but now a vicious killer who’s been deprived for too long. Twisting a lithe body towards the two, her voice was deeper, rougher as she said, “You should have listened to that stupid child. I’m out for flesh tonight.”

Muscles twisting and dragging her to all fours, claws raking the concrete like nails on a chalkboard, Alene crouched close towards the ground. Her face was dark and shadowed, a mad grin twisting her face, revealing sharp fangs. Sniffing, her eyes narrowed, “Neither of you are human. That is of no use to me.”

The form of a beast flashed away in an instant. The atmosphere of a killer whispering behind the pounding of her footfalls. Fire racing through her body, she giggled from the heady air of freedom, racing unknowingly down towards the outskirts of Dreizhenstadt.

[Enelya]

"Just because you lack the knowledge to heal her, doesn't mean that you should kill." The elf said, soon realizing that, the change had completed, and it was...different, too menacing to be that drunken mortal from before.

"Well, I did listen. I heard very clearly what she said. I didn't take the chance to do it." The elf stated clearly. But the sound of the claws on the sidewalk. Painstaking...The elf flinched slightly, and tried not to cover her tingling ears. Don't do it...don't let them know... Her mind demanded.

Watching as the beast ran off, Viorith couldn't help but smile, but the air she left behind filled the elf with doubt. "Freedom to run...Ah..running. That does sound fun now...Almost midnight...all is quiet, yet the presence of danger lurking in the air. I love it!" The elf said all too happily, clapping her hands together in delight.

Turning to the Vampire, she shook her head. "Well...shows what you know. But I assume she wasn't sick, excluding her being drunk...More-so possesed. Shifters don't change like that. It's to seem natural. That was all but free-willed." She said, looking out into the darkness of the street.

Was he there? Walking silently in the dark, coming to pounce on the suspecting elf at any given moment? No, Viorith doubted that. "I guess he is with Ellensar...he's probably boasting about how much better at swordsmanship he is...I could beat them both, only problem is girls aren't allowed to compete in the tournaments ever since Merenwen won..." Viorith said, letting out a chuckle at the memory of her younger sister beating the Drows, Druids, and other elves that had come to compete.

[Richter]

Nikolaus smirked, amused by the somewhat odd remarks from the elder woman. "You know, when the purpose of your existence lies on the murder of others, you don't really want to heal someone. It'd be only a hassle to the future.", he said, in a offhand way. He shrugged, and looked at the sky, hands behind his head. "It's what I am. I'm not going to go about fighting it after years of going along"

This was not really turning out as he expected. He had assumed the shifter would attack them - or at least, him -, and the other would be forced to defend herself, thus revealing what she was. Whether she lived or not was not of his concern. Nikolaus would've then killed the shifter, and leave the body. Pretty normal course of events.

But they had spiralled out of control. The shifter ran away, blindingly fast. Nikolaus regretted not having focused on speed as he was growing in power. He sighed, and let his gaze fall again on the unknown creature. He was tired of all this.

"Alright. I don't know about you, old one, but I don't really care about the peculiarities of the shifters. They're all brutes, and their mindless change is a danger to all. And they stink. But that's not the point. This one is no expception. I find it interesting that you love the sense of danger, but the creature is about to harm my future plans. And if what you say is true, her not being in control, then more the reason to stop her. The only way I know how. " he grinned, wickedly. "You're welcome to join me, if you'd like, or you could stay here, remembering your past. "

He then started behind the shifter, licking his fangs in anticipation. His 'blood' pumped with desire to kill, and his hands itched to tear flesh apart.

He would not be able to catch up, of course, but as long as he had her scent, he would follow. He thought about clawing his way up to the rooftops, but he disregarded the idea. Heights made him dizzy sometimes.