Hanging at Shades' (Open)

Ysabel sat at a table in the corner of the club, the same one she'd sat at a few nights ago when she'd first come here. This would be the second time this week she would get to see Ambrose play. He didn't much like live gigs, by his own admission, but he had some friends in the business (everyone has friends in the business!). They were a band called the Moochers, and Ambrose had told her he often filled in for them if their guitarist wasn't able to play. That individual been sick all week, so Ambrose was covering.

Although still dubious about rock in general, Ysabel had definitely taken to jazz and blues. Moreso the first time she had come here. The club was named Shades', after its owner. When they'd entered a few days back, Ysabel had at first been put out by the slightly smoky air but the darkness of the club, brightened here and there by a few dim blue lights, appealed to her sensitive eyes. Tables were set fairly close together without being crowded, around a moderately sized dance floor. Against the far wall, just behind the dance floor, was a slightly raised stage. On the left as you entered was the bar, and behind that a set of doors Ysabel assumed led to a kitchen, for the club provided snack-like foods... nothing substantial really, but appetizers and things to nibble on while listening to your favorite local band.

Shades himself might have intimidated Ysabel if she hadn't had so much experience in dealing with people. Even as a man in his apparent 60's, Shades was an imposing figure. He was at least 6'5", muscular in spite of his age, and he moved with a spring and an energy that belied his tightly-curled, greying hair. He was of African-American descent but anyone would have been hard-pressed to know exactly where he came from. His voice held no discernable accent. He was never seen without his trademark sunglasses, and it was no secret among the vampire community that Shades was one of them - although no one seemed to know when he'd been turned or who had turned him. The club's name was not just a reference to its owner, but a small tribute to their race as well.

Shades, Ambrose had told her, almost never forgot a face or a name. Ysabel found that to be true. When she'd entered the club for the second time, without Ambrose who'd gone around the back to meet the Moochers there, Shades had greeted her himself and brought her to the same table she'd been at before. He treated her like a good friend and Ysabel couldn't help but imagine that if she'd been in a bad mood when she'd walked in, Shades' attitude would have dispelled it immediately.

The quiet popularity of the club was a tribute to its owner. Ysabel liked it here. She had heard Shades play last time she was here, and although she couldn't have said before that she was particularly fond of the saxophone, she was willing to rethink her position on the subject. She was hoping to hear him play again tonight, perhaps between sets.

She sat quietly, as she had done before. The waitress seemed nervous; perhaps she was new. Ysabel politely ordered a glass of white wine, doing her best to put the poor girl at ease. She probably had no clue that she was standing in the middle of a vampire-run club, but in truth there couldn't have been any safer place. Shades' rules on the subject were clear: humans on the premises were off-limits, whether working or patronizing. The club may be dimly-lit and smoky, but the discreet bouncers missed nothing, and kept a sharp eye out for any sort of trouble.

((ooc: Ambrose's views with permission.))

Ysabel 17 years ago
Ysabel, still mortified at her lack of foresight, burned slightly redder at Dawn's teasing. She bore it well, she thought, and simply shook her head at Ambrose. Squeezing his hand as he kissed it then released it, she continued to sip at her wine, offering up a smile and a little wave to Katrina as well.

Turning back to Dawn, Ysabel's smile grew. It was hard not to get caught up in her exuberance.

"You had your audience well-fooled before now," she observed, "but somehow I think the cat might just be out of the bag. For what it's worth I think you've done an admirable job. I never would have recognized you if you hadn't come over and said hello."
Dawn Ratana 17 years ago
Smiling, Dawn nodded, straightened up a bit and taking a ladylike sip. Time to mesh with the environment again.

"Well thank you. I am sure that Mr. Ko will appreciate the positive feedback for the experiment, and I thank you for your praise. It is not every day that I am asked to be so vanilla."

Not wondering in the least how much she should or shouldn't pry into other people's affairs, Dawn switched gears seamlessly. Call it a talent.

"So how long have you known your gunslinger? And is he any good in the sack?"

Taking another dainty sip, Dawn cocked her head slightly to the side to indicate her polite interest in the subject.
Ysabel 17 years ago
Being vanilla... that was an interesting way to put it, Ysabel mused. What flavor did Dawn usually consider herself? She didn't get a chance to ask. Her clanmate was already proceeding to the next topic, and her next question made ysabel very glad indeed to have her wineglass at her lips.

She was hard-pressed to maintain her equilibrium, but she did manage not to choke on her wine. So, how to politely answer that question? Ysabel gave herself a few moments of affected thought as she ticked off the weeks on her fingers.

"We've known each other for... a few months now," she said. "Ambrose is actually one of the first people I've met since moving to Nachton with my sister."

As for the other question she returned Dawn's curious expression. She decided Dawn must be quite young indeed. Her manners were... blunt, to say the least, but Ysabel had raised children, understood sometimes that they didn't always know how to ask about the things they wanted information on. So when it came to sorting dawn out in her little mental file cabinet, Ysabel decided she was more a child than a fullgrown clanswoman, still getting her feet wet as the expression went. That colored her response a bit, but she was at least able to give a straightforward answer.

"Well, although that wasn't exactly a major factor of consideration," she began somewhat primly, "I haven't had any cause to complain."

Ysabel paused. "Well. The furniture has suitable cause I suppose," she amended, her brow slightly furrowed. "But furniture can be replaced." She offered Dawn a small smile. "Ambrose cannot."

Determined to move their conversation back to a more suitable topic, Ysabel rewound to Dawn's first question. "Have you known him very long yourself?" She knew both Dawn and Ambrose were relatively new to Nachton, as she was, but dawn seemed familiar with him. Maybe they'd met before. "Where did you come here from?"
Dawn Ratana 17 years ago
A few months? That means right around the time they'd all pulled into town. Quick work, that! And significant furniture damage?! It sure sounded like there were some stories to tell THERE! Best to wait until they could both share in the telling, though. Filing it away for later, Dawn focused on the other topic at hand - her. Remembering to keep in character, she stated

"No, we met the night I came to town. I came from a smaller internal area of the greater Los Angeles region, where I was recruited and trained. And where are you out from? And where's your sister? I've not had the pleasure, yet."

Politeness and following proper form was supposed to be important, but Dawn didn't understand the value of carefully probing questions. She was more an all or nothing type.
Ysabel 17 years ago
Ysabel swirled her wine around in its glass as she said, "Dayle, my sister, works for Simon Huntington." Dawn had been there while Simon was around. She was no doubt familiar with the Orphans. "No accounting for taste," she said with a slight chuckle. "But if that's where she feels she belongs, then that is where she should be."

She set her glass down, eyes flickering to the stage as the Moochers started their first set, and said, "I'm sure you'll meet her sometime. We go out often enough."

Looking back to Dawn, happy to be on much firmer footing with the girl, she said, "Have you discovered anything else of interest in Nachton?" She was fairly certain the opera and the art museum wouldn't interest Dawn too much, but maybe there was something else? "I haven't had as much time as I'd like for just wandering."
Dawn Ratana 17 years ago
Shaking her head slightly, Dawn said

"I found a nice garden with an interesting fountain, and there are some lovely stretches of open road, but not too much that calls to me. Some of the clubs were interesting, but nothing out of the ordinary thus far. Admittedly, I've not been around town as much as I would have liked with all of the assignments that I've had, but I've got all the time in the world. Have you found any special spots?"
Ysabel 17 years ago
"Oh, I think I know the garden and fountain," she said. "That's where Ambrose and I met for dinner." She smiled at her own little inside joke for a moment.

"That's close to the condo I share with my sister. Also a lovely little place. And there's the house, where the horses are."

She stopped for a moment. "Well, I guess I've done less wandering than I thought. I've seen a lot, but noplace I would call particularly special. I think it'll take some time for that."

Looking around, Ysabel changed her mind suddenly. "Unless you count right here. I think this place is special. At the very least I've seen Ambrose play twice here now, and I almost feel," she searched around for the right description, "at home here, I suppose."
Dawn Ratana 17 years ago
Dawn looked around, considering. It wasn't really her scene, but just about everyone here seemed to be a regular or with a regular. Very little chance wandering. One of those local places that the locals do, but don't extend out to the out of towners. Like the not-a-50's-diner, or a used vinyl store...it had the feel of people comfortable with their surroundings.

"If it isn't special to you yet, it seems like the kind of place that'll grow on you hanging around much. It reminds me of that show Cheers, kind of. Where everyone knows everyone else. Like those two were talking to that group earlier, but have moved from group to group three times already, just saying hello. I mean, how many people did you two know here tonight? You don't get that just anywhere...people with similar interests just showing up out of the blue. Some places bring that out, I guess."

But only in certain kinds of people. Dawn hoped to be one of them, someday...someone who belonged, but she wondered if she'd be stuck in her awkward teen age and mentality forever. It wouldn't be all bad if she were...it'd keep her from getting stuffy like some old folks. Well...she'd find out one way or another.
Danielle 17 years ago
Dani led the way on the return trip from the ladies room, navigating to the table with ease now that the crowd had settled a little more to listen to the music. Upon approaching the table she observed that Ambrose had apparently taken his leave to perform; she wasn’t certain if she was disappointed or not. On the one hand, she would get to hear his playing – on the other, it meant missing Pak throw things at him.

Unless her clanmate intended to throw things at him on stage…

Deciding it would be best to just cross that bridge if and when they came to it, she made it to the table, where Dawn and Ysabel were engaged in discussion. At the next available break, she spoke up, though, explaining.


“Yuu had to head home. And wow, those bathrooms are –crowded-!” She finished with a slight wink at Pak and picked up her drink, which had been delivered in her absence.
Pakpao 17 years ago
Neatly following Dani back Pak also noted Gimpy had run off, er left to perform. Sitting back down she paused to light another clove and debated throwing things on stage or maybe ‘helping’ with his guitar playing. She snickered to herself and quickly busied herself with retrieving the ash tray she’d left earlier.

“You’d think someone would learn how to build a proper ladies room so the ladies aren’t trapped in it all night.”

She agreed with Dani, but much preferring her clan mate’s solution to the problem.
Ysabel 17 years ago
Ysabel nodded at Dawn's astute observation. "I think Shades himself is a big part of that ambiance," she added. "Ambrose tells me he never forgets a name or a face. That's got to help when it comes to attracting repeat clientele."

As Dani and Pakpao made their way back, sans Yuu, Ysabel smiled at them both. "Shame Yuu had to miss the show," she said, nodding to the stage. Ysabel was only just learning about jazz and blues since meeting Ambrose, but she'd studied enough music to recognize the fact that he, and his friends on stage, were quite good. It was too bad he was only filling in.

She chuckled at the comments on the ladies' room, shaking her head. "I've never had the pleasure," she said, gesturing at her elaborate outfit. It would take her far too long than she cared to dwell upon to actually be able to use the facilities. Hoop skirts, corsets, and stays were not meant for modern restrooms.

"I think, however, that might be for the best. It's a jungle out there." She offered another slightly wan smile; she had lived through centuries of waiting on lines for use of the facilities. Through the ages, the history of women could be written down by what lines in what mansions at what balls they waited on to use whose facilities. If only Dani and Pak realized they were partaking in the age-old tradition of getting all dressed up just to go wait on line to relieve yourself somewhere... the idea made Ysabel laugh a little, to herself.

They always left that out of the history texts.
Dawn Ratana 17 years ago
Dawn nodded at Ysabel's comment.

"Eidetic memory is a useful trait in most businesses, but in interpersonal interaction it must be especially potent. Doubly in a place where reputation counts for so much."

She nodded briefly to the returning parties before turning her attention to the music.
Danielle 17 years ago
Dani grinned at Pak’s remark and added:

“Though I suppose if they built a ladies room of sufficient size, there would be no club at all and we’d –still- be in a bathroom all night!”

Both of Dani’s eyebrows went up when Ysabel explained her avoidance of public restrooms, though she simply nodded and smiled in understanding after that initial reaction. So she dressed like that all the time...this wasn’t a costume for a night out. And knowing what she knew of Ambrose, she didn’t think it was all that much of a leap to gather that humans were outnumbered at this table.

“I suppose it’s worth it, though – that –is- a lovely dress.”

Hmm. Dawn?

Ambrose and Ysabel pointed toward Anantya. Ambrose clearly knew Dawn. Anantya wasn’t all that keen on ‘mixing with the food’, she’d heard, but ultimately she concluded that she couldn’t be sure. It wasn’t, in any case, as though she needed to know – to Dani that sort of thing mattered about as much as where a given person was born. Interesting information but what was really important was the person.

She was, in fact, more curious about how Ambrose and Ysabel met…did they know each other on sight or had they, perhaps, come together in the same way Ambrose had encountered Pak, with vastly different results? Dani thought that would make for a funny story to tell…well, new vampires perhaps. Ysabel, though, did not look like the sort who fell in with cads, which Ambrose had clearly been at one point – perhaps his encounter with Pak had taught him a lesson.

She thought of Pak’s temptation to throw things and wondered if some lessons didn’t need reinforcements. After all, Ysabel seemed like such a nice lady, it would be a shame if he had a relapse.

Craning her neck a little to look at the man in question as the music flooded through the club, she ultimately decided that reeducation could wait for a time when he –wasn’t- playing. Thinking out loud, she turned her attention back to the table, hoping to explain her long quiet spell with the most obvious explanation.


“He really is quite good – all of the music here is, I can’t believe I waited this long to come here.”

Edit, /ooc - Sorry this was so long in coming :.
Pakpao 17 years ago
“But with the right music, ambiance, less of a line and an attentive server I wouldn’t mind being in the bathroom all night.”

Pak grinned as she quipped back at Dani and lit a new clove. She’d also taken to absently toying with sugar packets. They really weren’t aerodynamically sound. Olives would work much better, but she didn’t have any. She should have ordered a martini, but who knew.

That and she wasn’t sure how much Ysabel and Dawn would mind. It seemed she might be slightly out numbered here.


“I’m not even sure how you manage a dress like that, it seems a bit… … complicated.”

Out dated, unnecessary and difficult as well, but pretty. Pak, however, was too practical to see that the pretty out weighed the other. Of course as long as Ysabel was comfortable it didn’t really matter, it certainly didn’t hurt any one.

“I didn’t know you liked the blues Dani, or I would have suggested it sooner.”

It was a good way to kill an evening, sometimes you could even find dinner.
Ysabel 17 years ago
Ysabel laughed at the idea of the ladies' room comprising an entire club. It was such a silly concept, but the reasoning behind it was valid, in an odd way.

She smiled at Dani on the topic of her dress. "I've learned to drink sparingly," she said with a wry smile at both Pak and Dani. "And eat even less."

Ysabel made several concessions to the present when dressing herself; for one, she didn't kill herself trying to obtain a waist small enough for a man to span his hands around. She was trim and slender, and her waist looked fine, thank you, without trying to suffocate herself. For another, she had long since replaced some of her undergarments with slightly more modern ones, just for the purpose of avoiding the scenario she had joked about. It wouldn't be easy by any stretch of the imagination, but at least it was possible.

"You get used to it after a little while," she said by way of explanation, adding, "I work for the Historical Society, giving tours through the old houses. They prefer us to dress like this. 'Vintage,' I believe they described it. It helps set the mood and I have to agree. I do feel delightfully old-fashioned."

She sipped again at her wine, beaming quietly and nodding when Dani praised Ambrose's playing. She didn't want to brag. It was obvious that Ambrose was in another league though, even among his friends in the band. She supposed that was what made him a successful professional, though. Ysabel wished, just a little, that she had that sort of passion, but her own music would likely always be restrained. Technically excellent, but without heart.


((ooc: /bonk Dani))
Dawn Ratana 17 years ago
She wasn't certain what it was, but something was grating on her. Perhaps it was the lack of physical motion this evening. Smiling, she stood.

"Someone seems too shy to get my attention appropriately. Excuse me."

Walking through the crowd, she headed toward the shy looking gentleman who had given her the eye on the way in this evening. Asking for a dance was easy - his response, though flustered, was affirmative. She kept in mind to keep things proper - have to stay in character...but the motion was soothing. At least she was moving, even if it wasn't HER kind of dance.

Ambrose really was a skilled player - she'd have to remind him so at some point. Keeping half an eye on Ysabel and the pair as she danced with Lo, she danced out some of her tension.

((ooc: Dawn out of earshot - sorry - since nothing was directed to me I wasn't under the impression it was my go ))
Danielle 17 years ago
Dani smiled a little at the laugh she got out of her bathroom club joke, though she had to agree with Pak – there had been plenty of occasions where, for whatever reason, she –had- stayed in the ladies room all night. If only they had servers in there!

The conversation turned to Ysabel’s dress, and Dani found herself interested in how she managed. Rather well, it seemed – wonderful that she could find a job that fit her so well.


“That sounds lovely – I keep meaning to do one of those tours but with so much to do in Nachton and work…” She shrugged in a ‘what can you do?’ gesture. “Really it sounds like a great job, you must meet a lot of people.”

Pak had lit another clove and the steady stream of fragrant smoke swirled up from the ashtray. She wondered if –she- would smoke if she were turned and came to the quick conclusion that she probably wouldn’t. Of course, most people would like to believe that of themselves, she reflected – that even if they didn’t suffer any consequences for an action, they still wouldn’t do it if they considered it against their nature. People really –could- change, though, and with an eternity to live through, perhaps sometimes they even did.

She took another sip of her drink, thinking that the intellectually stimulating qualities of music were only serving to make her mind wander, and shot Pak a grin.


“Oh, I like all kinds. I pretty much always find live music enjoyable.”

Dawn got up from the table after a succinct but apparently quite accurate explanation, and Dani thought that she rather liked that girl’s style. A lot of girls would have been oblivious to more subtle attention and even more would have been too stuck up to throw the poor guy a bone and approach him for a dance. Either that or their hang ups would get in the way – ‘is he really looking at me? No, he’s looking behind me. Do I have something on my clothes?’. Dawn had seemed so polite that Dani had initially mistaken her for being shy but it seemed she was a gamey lass after all.

“Have fun….”
Pakpao 17 years ago
Skirting around the corners of her mind was a distressing feeling of being unbalanced, and Pak was just trying to keep a handle on that. It was Gimpy’s presence, of course, but knowing why didn’t help; the cloves helped the dark (and increasingly warm beer) helped. Pak just concentrated on keeping that imbalance from her companions, although she was unable to resist completely and with a little concentration had one of the other guitar players hitting a wrong not or two. It would have been too blatant to mess with the Gimp, especially as she wasn’t sure what he and Ysabel were to each other. But it was no less satisfying to see him turn to the other musician obviously irritated.

She determined to believe the historical society thing, for now any way, but doubted he would be that friendly with a snack or even a meal.


“Delightful and old fashioned, not two words I’d use in the same sentence but I can see where it would create atmosphere. But it must be a pain for the society, having to have all those costumes created. I’m surprised they let you wear it out.”

There, that was the flaw in the logic that had been bothering her. Finding it made Pak feel a little better and she inhaled deeply taking care not to exhale in anyone’s face. As she did so she offered s mile and half wave to Dawn as she left them temporarily.

“Live music is always better, it doesn’t help some genres much but…” She shrugged, there was no explaining some forms of music. “I ought to look at a concert schedule, I stay locked up too much.”

That made Pak almost smile, she did tend to be rather reclusive and there wasn’t a good reason, but she was good at it.
Ysabel 17 years ago
Ysabel nodded happily at Dani's observation. "It is a wonderful job. I suppose my only complaint is that the people I give tours to are as new to the city as I am myself; there's not much I can learn from them in return, and I am only reciting my script. I'd like to get a bit more information about Nachton, so perhaps I can add my own flavor to my tours. You should come along on one sometime. If you can get away from work."

She tilted her head at the stage as one of the musicians hit an off note and Ambrose glared. She hid a smile; they all had their snobbish moments. Ambrose was professional enough to practice and know his part, and expected his fellow mucisions to do the same. Mistakes happened, but he was something of a perfectionist when performing.

Pak's words brought her attention back to the conversation at hand and Ysabel furrowed her brow slightly.

Looking down at her attire and then back up at the other woman, she said, "I don't recall claiming my clothing was paid for by my job." She gave a little shrug of her shoulders. Ysabel had dressed in her own style long enough to not feel the need to make excuses for it. "They do appreciate the fact that my wardrobe is as authentic as present-day textiles allow, however."

Ysabel smiled and nodded at Dawn as she made her way to her admirer, and easily stayed with the thread of conversation as it moved on to the venue at Shades'. She smiled at Pakpao and said, "I also tend not to get out as much as I'd like. I have Ambrose to thank for introducing me to this music. I'm learning to like it very much."
Danielle 17 years ago
Dani grinned at the invitation to join a tour and finished off her cranberry juice before answering.

“I’m sure I could…actually I’m meant to be down in that district sometime next week.” She gave a little laugh before continuing. “You know, I just realized – I’ve lived here six years and still don’t know half as much about the city as I would like.” She waved her hand and set her glass aside where the waitress might observe its emptiness. “So when should I come? I’m making my own schedule pretty much, just house hunting a little for my boss.” Though they seemed pretty sure of what they wanted Dani thought it wouldn’t hurt to look around. Now it sounded like an even better trip, as trips always were when educational tours were included.

There was kind of a tense moment in the continued discussion of Ysabel’s dress and Dani took the time out to make eye contact with their waitress so they might have a chance of getting refills. Well, except Ysabel. In any case the weirdness was fleeting and soon they were going on as though nothing had happened.


“Okay, you have a point there – there isn’t much to be done for this ‘screamo’ trend.” She rolled her eyes, but kept her smile, being more amused by the latest musical fad than truly annoyed. “It seems like I’m –always- out and around, but there’s something to be said for going out to slow life down rather than pick it up, I think.”

She thought to propose they get together and do this again but wondered if there might be a tactful way to leave Ambrose behind, considering Pak’s low opinion of him. Hmm, probably not…though Pak seemed to be enjoying herself well enough now. And she wasn’t even throwing anything!