Though she felt calm, and thought she looked calm, there was still a little fluttery feeling in the pit of her stomach. It was her naivete that kept Shay from being a quivering mass of nerves. Tonight was special, but on most levels Shay saw it as meeting her lover's boss. That the boss was a vampire, was a bit quirky...but Shay's experience with 'real' vampires, so far, had been Mathias, and Paul. And both men had treated her better than some of the 'human' men she'd called friends.
So her thoughts weren't clouded with fear...just a little apprehension.
And having Mathias next to her, holding her hand...giving her occasional squeezes of reassurance, only helped make her feel more at ease. No one had really told her she should expect the evening to be more than a formality.
The dress she wore was short, but aside from the ladder down into the sewer, she had nothing to worry about. She'd worn dresses this short before. She wanted to look good for Mathias, and presentable to his boss...yet this was the House of Pain they were visiting...so she had to fit in with that scheme as well. She could see it had the desired effect on Mathias, when she'd slipped it on back home. That too, had helped allay most of her nervousness.
As they walked into the club, Shay was aware of the manner in which people around reacted to Mathias. She chalked it up to his imposing presence, no more. He was quite the striking figure as he moved along...more adroitly than most men of his size. When they approached the booth, she remained quiet, but took a deep breath, and smiled at him. She then mouthed...'I love you', and turned back towards the guard.
Meeting the boss(Private - Attention Shay and Ellis)
The trip to the House of Pain was quiet - both Shay and Mathias were lost in thought about tonight. the familiar-master relationship was a serious commitment on both parts,moreso because neither Mathias or Shay intended for it to be anything less than an equal partnership. Ellis needn't know this however,and the less said the better.
"Well,let's to this then,love of my life" He said after they parked and headed over to the manhole cover over the HoP's sewer entrance. Mathias went down first,making sure nothing more predatory than a rat awaited them.
As Shay descended,a large smile crept over Mathias' face. Memories of the lovely flesh trapped behind that fabric caused him to blush profusely. Once Shay had successfully stepped down he asked. "Any chance of us getting some ladders,or at least tall stairs?" His voice was light and his grin from ear to ear,belying the nervousness he felt. He quickly tamped that down however. The HoP was no place to go in less than 110 percent focused.
His game face on, gaining entrance was of no consequence,the bouncers not even looking up as Mathias led Shay inside. The crowd parted for them,filling in as they moved - recognizing he was predator and they were all prey. He squeezed Shay's hand,letting her know everything would be alright.
Mathias stopped at the clan's private booth, looking at the massive guard in front.
"I have business with Ellis" was all he said.
Shay
18 years ago
Ellis Duban
18 years ago
Ellis recrossed her legs as she sat in the private Tacharan booth in the House of Pain. She was meeting Mathis and his little pet in a few minutes. She checked her watch and then lit a cigarette. Inhaling deeply she sat, quite bored, waiting.
She hated waiting. She was early, but that wasn't the point. Although she preferred to meet all the familiars, she wondered lately if maybe she shouldn't pass the responsibility off to Carol. She was so organized, what would she do without her? Such a good familiar.
Ellis flicked her cigarette and sighed.
She hated waiting. She was early, but that wasn't the point. Although she preferred to meet all the familiars, she wondered lately if maybe she shouldn't pass the responsibility off to Carol. She was so organized, what would she do without her? Such a good familiar.
Ellis flicked her cigarette and sighed.
Mathias
18 years ago
Mathias turned to Shay before the guard let them in.
"No matter what is said, I love you and you can trust me. Ellis can be...intense...at times and so I might have to act and treat you slightlydifferent than normal. None of it is real."
Ellis would look at Shay as a pet,and so Mathias may have to act similar. He found the idea repugnant,and the opposite of he and Shay's relationship. However,it might be their best hope to be in and out quickly with a minimum of drama.He made a note to make it up to Shay later.
They were let into the private area and saw Ellis sitting there - almost vibrating from the potential violence in her. She always reminded Mathias of a snake,not untrustworthy,but coiled and ready to strike at any moment.She looked bored and Mathias could only hope this would be quick
He strode over to Ellis,Shay in tow. He bowed before the Tacharan leader and presented Shay,lightly touching her back so she understood to move forward.
"Ellis,this is Shay. Shay,say hello to Ellis"
"No matter what is said, I love you and you can trust me. Ellis can be...intense...at times and so I might have to act and treat you slightlydifferent than normal. None of it is real."
Ellis would look at Shay as a pet,and so Mathias may have to act similar. He found the idea repugnant,and the opposite of he and Shay's relationship. However,it might be their best hope to be in and out quickly with a minimum of drama.He made a note to make it up to Shay later.
They were let into the private area and saw Ellis sitting there - almost vibrating from the potential violence in her. She always reminded Mathias of a snake,not untrustworthy,but coiled and ready to strike at any moment.She looked bored and Mathias could only hope this would be quick
He strode over to Ellis,Shay in tow. He bowed before the Tacharan leader and presented Shay,lightly touching her back so she understood to move forward.
"Ellis,this is Shay. Shay,say hello to Ellis"
Shay
18 years ago
She did trust him...without question, and she followed along, playing the game.
For surely it was a game, of sorts.
As she approached Ellis, Shay felt the air around her change...as if it were charged by the woman's presence. She held out her hand to the woman, and greeted her.
"Hello, Ellis...thank you for taking the time to meet with us tonight."
Mathias had dropped her hand, to bow to Ellis, and Shay now missed the comfort it had been giving her. But she'd make do, by trying to remain as quiet and unobtrusive as possible.
She moved to stand beside Mathias.
For surely it was a game, of sorts.
As she approached Ellis, Shay felt the air around her change...as if it were charged by the woman's presence. She held out her hand to the woman, and greeted her.
"Hello, Ellis...thank you for taking the time to meet with us tonight."
Mathias had dropped her hand, to bow to Ellis, and Shay now missed the comfort it had been giving her. But she'd make do, by trying to remain as quiet and unobtrusive as possible.
She moved to stand beside Mathias.
Ellis Duban
18 years ago
Ellis blinked. She really hated doing this. She tried desperately to look interested but the human looked like a deer in the headlights. She didn't know Mathias well, but she'd give him the courtesy of trying to be polite. It was difficult but it wouldn't kill her.
Ellis gave the pair a smile. 'So what are you two crazy kids up to tonight?' She waved them into the booth and took another drag of of cigarette.
Ellis gave the pair a smile. 'So what are you two crazy kids up to tonight?' She waved them into the booth and took another drag of of cigarette.
Shay
18 years ago
Shay was pleased that her first impression of Ellis seemed unduly harsh. She smiled as she moved to sit down, and took Mathias' hand, to pull him next to her. Ellis seemed as nice as could be.
She hoped she could get a drink though...her throat seemed a little dry. And yet even with a dry throat the cigarette Ellis smoked looked yummy. It had been weeks since Shay had smoked one.
"Celebrating, of sorts. Mathias and I met here."
She smiled at Mathias, and squeezed his hand. This wasn't so bad, at all.
"And meeting you...of course."
And another smile was cast towards Ellis.
"Ellis...I hope you don't think me rude or impertinent...but might I bum one of your cigarettes? The smell is just driving me crazy...I've been cutting back but, I haven't had one in a couple weeks now."
A look of honest friendly expectation beamed from her eyes.
She hoped she could get a drink though...her throat seemed a little dry. And yet even with a dry throat the cigarette Ellis smoked looked yummy. It had been weeks since Shay had smoked one.
"Celebrating, of sorts. Mathias and I met here."
She smiled at Mathias, and squeezed his hand. This wasn't so bad, at all.
"And meeting you...of course."
And another smile was cast towards Ellis.
"Ellis...I hope you don't think me rude or impertinent...but might I bum one of your cigarettes? The smell is just driving me crazy...I've been cutting back but, I haven't had one in a couple weeks now."
A look of honest friendly expectation beamed from her eyes.
Ellis Duban
18 years ago
Ellis snarled inwardly. Her cigarettes. Wow, that took moxy. Her smile turned cold, but nonethless reached into her pocket and pulled out her pack. She shook one out and lit it with her other cigarette's flame. She inhaled on the second stick but grudgingly gave it up.
She held it out but did not lean across the table. 'Sure thing,' she purred. The cigarette would be just out of the human's reach. Ellis grinned and waited.
She held it out but did not lean across the table. 'Sure thing,' she purred. The cigarette would be just out of the human's reach. Ellis grinned and waited.
Shay
18 years ago
"Oh my god, thank you!"
Shay happily reached across the table to take the stick. She didn't know if Mathias minded her smoking, but it wasn't like it was to become a regular habit...one cigarette every few weeks shouldn't amount to anything to be concerned about.
Once she leaned forward she felt the top of her dress slip a bit, but as she took the cigarette she quickly sat back up and put the filter to her lips, and the dress fell back into place. When she inhaled it burned a little, having been so long, but the burn felt good, and Shay inhaled deeply. As she exhaled she made sure to turn away from Mathias.
"It's disgusting...I know...but such a nice little vice when not abused. And I guess you're lucky...you don't need to worry about cancer or anything."
So, maybe being a vampire had a few perks.
Shay remembered that Ellis was Mathias' boss, and decided it was time for her to sit back and let the two of them talk. She'd enjoy her cigarette, and just listen...a difficult task, but she was pretty sure she was up to it.
Shay happily reached across the table to take the stick. She didn't know if Mathias minded her smoking, but it wasn't like it was to become a regular habit...one cigarette every few weeks shouldn't amount to anything to be concerned about.
Once she leaned forward she felt the top of her dress slip a bit, but as she took the cigarette she quickly sat back up and put the filter to her lips, and the dress fell back into place. When she inhaled it burned a little, having been so long, but the burn felt good, and Shay inhaled deeply. As she exhaled she made sure to turn away from Mathias.
"It's disgusting...I know...but such a nice little vice when not abused. And I guess you're lucky...you don't need to worry about cancer or anything."
So, maybe being a vampire had a few perks.
Shay remembered that Ellis was Mathias' boss, and decided it was time for her to sit back and let the two of them talk. She'd enjoy her cigarette, and just listen...a difficult task, but she was pretty sure she was up to it.
Mathias
18 years ago
This was going well - and that made Mathias nervous. He wasn't intimately familiar with Ellis or her emotions,but from what he had seen she wasn't a woman to just do something for no reason.
His voice was calm and even as Mathias addressed Ellis. "I seek your permission to make Shay my familiar. What would you ask of me to do so?"
The sooner he jumped through whatever hoops she asked, the better.
His voice was calm and even as Mathias addressed Ellis. "I seek your permission to make Shay my familiar. What would you ask of me to do so?"
The sooner he jumped through whatever hoops she asked, the better.
Shay
18 years ago
At the mention of becoming his familiar, Shay gripped his hand a little tighter, under the table.
She wasn't afraid of the act itself. On the contrary...it had been more than 'pleasent'. However, even though she trusted him, and really didn't think he would abuse her, a tiny niggling bit of unease had settled on her. She would lose her ability to remain independent in thought and action, should he request anything of her... And for one who had been brought up to be a strong, and autarchic woman, she couldn't help but feel otherwise.
She watched Ellis as Mathias spoke, but turned to him and smiled, as they awaited his bosses response.
She wasn't afraid of the act itself. On the contrary...it had been more than 'pleasent'. However, even though she trusted him, and really didn't think he would abuse her, a tiny niggling bit of unease had settled on her. She would lose her ability to remain independent in thought and action, should he request anything of her... And for one who had been brought up to be a strong, and autarchic woman, she couldn't help but feel otherwise.
She watched Ellis as Mathias spoke, but turned to him and smiled, as they awaited his bosses response.
Ellis Duban
18 years ago
'Well,' she started, picking a piece of tabacco off her tongue, 'it's not like there's a program or anything. Basically, she's your responsibility. Her actions are a reflection on you.' She pointed at Mathias, emphasizing her point. 'She has access to the Domicile, but only under your escort. If she's found wandering, I won't bother to ask you why. If she's found discussing the clan or the nature of our existence, again,' she lowered her voice and said slowly, 'I won't ask why.'
She flicked her cigarette ashes not onto the ashtray on the table, but on the floor. 'Of course with the rules come the privileges. She is your property.' This was routine now and she sighed, listing the points in a monotone voice. 'She is protected by the clan, meaning if another vampire partakes in the delight that we'll call Shay from here on out, then it must be reported to me.' She pointed a red nail towards her chest. 'Of course, if she is willingly with another vampire...well, direct violation of the vampire and familiar agreement on the human's part results in immediate death.' Ellis chuckled now, 'And no, there are no provisions for filing a grievance.'
'Bottom line is, her maintenance is up to you and your funds. You are responsible for her. Fucking up isn't an option.' She batted her eyelashes. 'Any questions?'
She flicked her cigarette ashes not onto the ashtray on the table, but on the floor. 'Of course with the rules come the privileges. She is your property.' This was routine now and she sighed, listing the points in a monotone voice. 'She is protected by the clan, meaning if another vampire partakes in the delight that we'll call Shay from here on out, then it must be reported to me.' She pointed a red nail towards her chest. 'Of course, if she is willingly with another vampire...well, direct violation of the vampire and familiar agreement on the human's part results in immediate death.' Ellis chuckled now, 'And no, there are no provisions for filing a grievance.'
'Bottom line is, her maintenance is up to you and your funds. You are responsible for her. Fucking up isn't an option.' She batted her eyelashes. 'Any questions?'
Shay
18 years ago
Again she did not speak...but this time it was because had she opened her mouth even the tiniest bit, she was sure she'd get herself...and Mathias...into deep trouble.
Her original estimation of Ellis being a harsh...cold...malevolent presence was rapidly reinstated. This woman wasn't just head of Mathias' clan...she truly believed herself to be omnipotent. Shay couldn't understand how a group of people...vampires or not...could allow themselves to be treated as such...this was the twenty first century after all...who went around dictating such edicts?
However, even though Shay regarded Ellis, without batting an eye, she did refrain from commenting. Mathias would not be so lucky, once they were out of ear shot.
Shay released Mathias' hand, for the moment, afraid the tension in her body would be transmitted through the fingernails on her hand. She put out her cigarette, only half smoked, in the ashtray, and gathered herself together. She assumed after Mathias made the requisite response, they would be leaving. This was obviously NOT a social evening.
Her original estimation of Ellis being a harsh...cold...malevolent presence was rapidly reinstated. This woman wasn't just head of Mathias' clan...she truly believed herself to be omnipotent. Shay couldn't understand how a group of people...vampires or not...could allow themselves to be treated as such...this was the twenty first century after all...who went around dictating such edicts?
However, even though Shay regarded Ellis, without batting an eye, she did refrain from commenting. Mathias would not be so lucky, once they were out of ear shot.
Shay released Mathias' hand, for the moment, afraid the tension in her body would be transmitted through the fingernails on her hand. She put out her cigarette, only half smoked, in the ashtray, and gathered herself together. She assumed after Mathias made the requisite response, they would be leaving. This was obviously NOT a social evening.
Ellis Duban
18 years ago
Ellis sadly watch the human put out the half smoked cigarette. What a waste. On a happier note, the human probably did it out of anger, thus, cheering her up significantly. They never like the speech, but then she didn't give it to make friends.
Mathias
18 years ago
All Mathias could do was nod - what else was there? He and Shay knew the responsibilities of her becoming a familiar.
"Of course Ellis. As you say,'fucking up' is not an option. Or a consideration for that matter." He knew that his testimonial mattered little,if at all,to Ellis. She had made her pronouncement and that was that.
He didn't need Shay's hand in his to feel her tension - it radiated off of her in palatable waves. He loved her,but Shay was a product of the twentieth century,where individuals were more important than the whole. Both Ellis and Mathias were far older,where one's obedience was more important than your feeling of 'self worth' This shaped both their perspectives Ellis did not debate,she commanded and expected it to be followed. Mathias was loyal to Ellis,but in no way did he believe it was reciprocated. She may like him,but Tacharan was her focus above all Mathias understood and respected that - it was something he understood.
Sensing it was time to go,Mathias stood,taking Shay's hand in his.
"Well we appreciate you taking the time Ellis. We will take our leave of you, if that is all."
Honestly he wanted to be out of here and home with Shay,although he did not look forward to the conversation sure to happen there.
"Of course Ellis. As you say,'fucking up' is not an option. Or a consideration for that matter." He knew that his testimonial mattered little,if at all,to Ellis. She had made her pronouncement and that was that.
He didn't need Shay's hand in his to feel her tension - it radiated off of her in palatable waves. He loved her,but Shay was a product of the twentieth century,where individuals were more important than the whole. Both Ellis and Mathias were far older,where one's obedience was more important than your feeling of 'self worth' This shaped both their perspectives Ellis did not debate,she commanded and expected it to be followed. Mathias was loyal to Ellis,but in no way did he believe it was reciprocated. She may like him,but Tacharan was her focus above all Mathias understood and respected that - it was something he understood.
Sensing it was time to go,Mathias stood,taking Shay's hand in his.
"Well we appreciate you taking the time Ellis. We will take our leave of you, if that is all."
Honestly he wanted to be out of here and home with Shay,although he did not look forward to the conversation sure to happen there.
Ellis Duban
18 years ago
'Speak to Carol about her access to the Domicile with you. She needs to be cataloged in the database.' Ellis grinned, hoping her choice of words would not go over well with the human. Not that Ellis wasn't for human rights, but honestly the lengths humans went these days, especially the women, for self validation just seemed to be a waste of time. She never saw the value of lobbying for someone to recognize you.
You had to make them.
'Ta ta now.'
((Ellis Out))
You had to make them.
'Ta ta now.'
((Ellis Out))
Shay
18 years ago
It was fairly obvious to Shay, Ellis was power hungry, and probably used every opportunity to laud it over anyone she could. It was also true, she scared Shay, but not just for what she could do to Shay, but also what she could do to Mathias. Shay did her best to hide her fear, but then didn't much care if Ellis picked it up or not...it wouldn't change things either way. Mathias and Shay were under this woman's protection...or that of the clan rather...but ultimately, it was the same. However, they were also under her threat, and Shay didn't think the trade was to their benefit.
She gave Mathias' hand a gentle squeeze, and discreetly nudged him with her hip. The sooner they were out of there...
She gave Mathias' hand a gentle squeeze, and discreetly nudged him with her hip. The sooner they were out of there...
Mathias
18 years ago
"...Ta ta Ellis"
With that,Mathias gave Ellis a nod and took Shay's hand,exiting the booth. He wanted to be as far away as possible before the inevitable discussion began.
((ooc - Mathias and Shay out,lock please))
With that,Mathias gave Ellis a nod and took Shay's hand,exiting the booth. He wanted to be as far away as possible before the inevitable discussion began.
((ooc - Mathias and Shay out,lock please))