Apathy Kills

Jan strolled past the bouncer at the underground entrance and paused to take a look around. Same old place, The HoP, a few new faces perhaps, but the vibe was certainly the same.

He smiled, or something very close to it, and made his way towards important item number one. Asking for a red wine, the Tacharan turned and leaned against the bar and glanced around the place looking for important item number two.

Entertainment, good, bad, legal or illegal. Jan wasn't feeling very picky.

Thug 15 years ago
Joseph glared up at the kid drinking his drink but then sighed in resignation. Sliding slowly off the bar, he knew that he was going to be seriously sore tomorrow. He'd have to make up a suitable story to impress the ladies and keep his friends from giving him too much hell. Luckily very few of them were likely to be hanging about in this place.

He gave Summer an appraising look before answering the kid's question.


"No, but perhaps I should."

Reaching around her waist, he pulled the blonde woman up hard against him. Joseph smiled down his approval before giving her a quick fierce kiss, a mere suggestion of more to come.

"If you "Gentlemen" don't mind, I think I've paid too much for tonight's entertainment."

With that he pushed past the others at the bar and led Summer away.
Stranger 15 years ago
Hafwen watched the Oriental man release Joseph and then turned to watch him get up from the bar. She merely shrugged at the comment of being a peacemaker. It wasn't about peace; it was about what was her's. In her own way, she could be protective.

Joseph was looking at her differently and Hafwen kind of liked what she saw. She definitely enjoyed the tight territorial hold she found herself in.

Hafwen simply stared at him a few moments after he kissed her before her eyes drifted meekly downwards. She followed after Joseph, a small satisfied smile spreading across her downturned features.

Perhaps this turn of events hadn't been so bad after all.


((OOC: Joseph and Hafwen out))
Jan 15 years ago
Jan watched the pair in open amusement. What an odd couple; however it took all kinds. The world would be a boring place otherwise and he hated to be bored.

Hopping gracefully down from the bar, Jan pulled out a few large bills, that had once belonged to the leather clad man, and generously laid them on the counter. It should be more than enough to pay for any damage and distress that might have been caused by their little amusement.

Asking the bartender for another wine, Jan then turned towards his new ally.


"Ain't love grand?" Picking up the glass that he received, Jan raised it in salute to the man. "Thanks for the assistance."
Ichiro Taiji 15 years ago
Tai watched the man pick himself up from the bar and did his best to ignore the ensuing PDA. Locating his drink down the bar a bit, satisfied to find it relatively unscathed, he nodded at the young man and deadpanned, "Oh yes. They're obviously head over heels. I'm sure it'll last."

He sipped his drink, and smiled dryly. "At least until next weekend."

When his impromptu tag-team partner raised his glass Tai followed suit. "Any time," he said, "though you really didn't seem to need the help."

Sure it might have gotten hairy there for him, Tai supposed, but the man had carried himself remarkably well. If nothing else he had confidence, but that was apparent in his actions to begin with. He scanned the area around them once more, looking for anyone who might resemble Ellis. If he didn't see her tonight, well, the hell with her. He'd only wait for so long. If she wanted him to be her lackey after this, she could wait for him to do so on his own damned time.
Jan 15 years ago
Jan gazed at the retreating couple and mused over their relationship. The stranger was probably right and they were doomed to a quick and horrible ending but it wouldn't be the strangest relationship he'd ever seen.

Like a couple of vampires from different clans that are as close to war as they could get without destroying cities or the leaders of his own clan who managed to love and hate each other with a burning passion that was likely going to consume one, or maybe even both of them. He really hoped they didn't manage to take Tacharan down with them because he was comfortable with his immortal family.


"Hmm maybe." Jan shrugged and then turned away from the entrance and towards his new companion.

"The name is Jan. So do you always lend a helping hand to strangers or was this a special case of boy scouthood?"

Most people would have picked up their glass and moved quickly away from an altercation so he was curious what brought about the generosity. Not that he wasn't grateful for it; it was quite timely.
Ichiro Taiji 15 years ago
Tai offered a reserved smile to the young man who intriduced himself as Jan. "Ichiro Taiji," he said with a small bow. "Mostly Tai."

The question made him laugh dryly. "I think I came in here looking for a fight," he said. "I'm grateful one came my way instead."

Surprisingly, the minor scuffle had relieved some of his irritation. He supposed in another time or another world he might be concerned that Ellis hadn't shown her face in weeks, but his unnatural attachment to her had very little to do with genuine feeling.

"Too bad it ended so soon."

He'd just been warming up, really.
Jan 15 years ago
Jan noted the name and the addition of the nickname; when was the last time he actually told someone his full name? Johannes was probably last used in the 1800's; it wasn't even on his driver's license any longer.

The admission of coming to the club looking for a fight made Jan laugh out loud. He decided then that he liked Tai. Assessing his inner state briefly, Jan could tell that his mood had been considerably lifted by the unexpected brawl; perhaps he needed a fight as well.


"Yeah, I feel much better now." He looked around the room with an expert eye. "I'm sure there is some more mischief around here that we could get into."

Turning his light green gaze back to the Japanese man, Jan said.

"How much trouble are you looking for?"
Ichiro Taiji 15 years ago
Tai assessed Jan with his steady tawny gaze and found his reserved smile growing a little wider. Perhaps they had more than just a little in common.

He bounced on his toes once or twice, shook his hands at the wrists, and tilted his neck both ways, cracking it with some satisfaction. Then he gave Jan a nod.

"As much as we can find."

Screw Ellis. Ever since coming to Nachton he'd been doing what others wanted him to. First his Clan father had ordered an assassination. Then Ellis had stumbled on him and he'd become her lackey. He'd done errand after errand for her; some killings, some warnings, some middle-manning.

For the first time since childhood Tai was free of the Yakuza and now he was freeing himself from Ellis, if just a little. He was going to make the most of it.

"Since you seem to be the expert, I'll follow your lead."

His smile broke into a wicked, mischievous grin as he nodded again at Jan.
Jan 15 years ago
Jan gave Tai a parting mischievous smirk as he moved past the man and into the crowd. As much as they could find the man said. He was pretty certain he could find more than enough.

Scanning the crowd, Jan spotted a likely target. The man was huge,much bigger than the leather clad assailant they had just faced. This one looked as though he ate a small pony every morning for breakfast.

Now he supposed they shouldn't pick on ever muscle bound moron in the place but there were certain types of people more likely to step up to a good brawl. Let's face it, scrawny greasy headed little emo kids weren't likely to put up a fight even if he sauntered over and took their money AND their one female friend. So yeah, he was being a bit judgemental about Schwarzenegger's fan boy here but he could live with that.

Jan crossed the dance floor and came close enough to be heard by the target and his girlfriend.

Looking back at Tai, he spoke loudly.


"Look if you want to know then you go ask him. I'm certainly not going to ask that guy if steroids has made his penis pencil sized. He looks like he could crush my face with one hand."

Smiling at the girlfriend, he said.

"Perhaps you should ask the lady if she's satisfied. I bet she knows the answer to your question."

Crossing his arms with a satisfied grin, Jan waited for all hell to break loose.

((OOC: If others wish to join in this lovely brawl then by all means go ahead.))
Thug 15 years ago
You just couldn't relax over a good drink anymore, Rock sighed. ushing his chair back slightly from the table he shared with his leggy redheaded companion, he eyeballed the mouthy kid.

"Are you trying to start something?" The question was simple curiosity. Rock had heard pretty much every "muscleheaded steroid-user" joke in the book. No one believed in a hard night's workout anymore. If this narrow little emo-boy wanted a fight though, Rock would be happy to knock him down a few times.

"Easy Red," he said to his companion. The redhead bristled, a true firecracker, easier to ignite than Rock was. They made a good couple, true to their names, steadfast, solid Rock and spunky Red. Getting Red to hold off was the problem.

Rock craned his neck, looking over the kid's shoulder to whoever his friend was. If he wasn't mistaken, it was the oriental man leaning against the bar pinching the bridge of his nose in his fingers. Rock sympathized. The gambit was pretty see-through, after all. Either way he wasn't opposed to a good brawl. He just wanted to make sure they had the terms straight; he was opposed to smashing an innocent, mouthy little punk kid in the face for no reason.

Propriety flew out the window, however, as a telltale deep voice spoke up from across the table, followed quickly by a flash of red. Or Red. Whichever.

Rock sighed and rumbled to his feet. He shrugged philosophically. When you were over six feet tall and built like a bull, you had to be prepared for a certain amount of alpha-dog behavior from smaller men. No one bothered to ask if you held a PhD. They just assumed you were a complete idiot. He grinned. He could play that part, too.
Stranger 15 years ago
Red watched the kid cross the room, after having glanced their way a couple times. It figured he'd try to stir up trouble with them. That's what you got for dating a guy like Rock, after all. Red was all set to ignore the comment about steroids, until Red was brought into it.

Ignoring Rock's suggestion, Red stood, chair falling back with the suddenness of the motion. Heedless of the effect the move might have on his clothing, Red growled at the boy in a low tone, "He can crush your face with one testicle, pal."

Who was this little fuck, anyway? Red's temper was rising. Rock was the cool one; it was Red whose fuse was short. Shoving past the table, Red closed on the punk and thrust his face close.

"But why should he need to, when I can do it for him? He's way out of your league, baby boy."

Red punctuated his words by poking one well-manicured fingernail into the kid's chest and pushing, with far more strength than any woman should have. It would be fun to see if the little guy went sailing.

"Why don't you come back when you've got some hair on your chest? We'll talk then."
Ichiro Taiji 15 years ago
Tai pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to supporess his laughter. Jan's idea of stirring up trouble was about as smooth as a sixteen-year-old's first pickup line. Effective though, he noted, as the redheaded woman next to the muscleman shoved her face in Jan's.

Oh... his bad. That was no woman. Unless she was the one on steroids. The big man, the one in the jeans and the tight-fitting tee, was standing now as well although Tai wasn't sure if his intent was to pull his boyfriend away from Jan, or try to end the disagreement physically.

Either way Tai figured that was his cue, as the redhead made a move toward Jan.
Jan 15 years ago
Jan watched the redhead begin to bristle with anger at his comments and considered the trouble making a success. It didn't matter to him which one of them took the bait so long as it was taken.

When the lovely redhead displayed a deeper voice than his own would ever naturally be, Jan nearly bubbled with suppressed mirth. The self righteous, but well manicured, finger in his chest threatened to tip the lid on his barely contained amusement.

Jan obligingly swayed with each well made poke and did his best to pay proper attention to the lesson he was supposed to be learning. Probably something important about stereotypes, he was certain.

Biting his lip so hard it almost bled, Jan managed to master his inner good humour and respond to the tirade directed in his direction.


"Out of my league?" Jan cocked his head sideways and took a look at the large man at the table. "I don't see it."

He was about to explain when the 'woman' continued her verbal assault. Ooooh, now that was an interesting proposition.

Jan looked up at the glaring flame haired vixen in front of him with large green lash shrouded eyes and smiled sweetly.


"And what would happen then?"

He gave her a flirty wink and prepared to duck.
Miya 15 years ago
It was later that night that Miya had entered the club alone without Delilah. There had been a text that she would be a few minutes late. Remembering the advice about the sewers, Miya dressed in skintight leather pants, her to die for mid calf leather boots and a sparkly red tshirt that shimmered under the light and brought out the red in her hair. She'd rubbed gllitter lotion over her exposed skin, and she fairly shone as she moved. She'd left her hair down, pulling it a bit back from her face in a small bun speared with a metal hook from which ribbons with small jewels and chimes hung. It was an unusual hair ornament. She didn't wear any bracelets, and she'd checked her leather jacket at the door.

She had wandered, just her cell phone, keys and wallet on her, making small bulges in her leather pants. She was waiting for Delilah to page her, then she'd stumbled across these two men and another couple tussling. Somehow when Delilah had called it House of Pain, Miya thought that it meant something different, and watching the woman's submissive mannerisms, again a half memory stirred. Had she done that? It seemed so familiar. She found her hand reaching up to touch her neck as if checking for something that should be there but wasn't. Miya's perfectly manicured red nails scratched the hollow of her throat as the two men moved off. She was about to give up and had moved towards the bar for a fruity rum girly drink when she heard the one guy mockingly say something insulting way too loudly. She spun on one foot, and waited, her blue eyes eager. Even if Delilah was late, this was wickedly good entertainment.

((OOC: hi guys! ))
Thug 15 years ago
Well, obviously the answer to his initial question was "yes," Rock reasoned. The skinny boy here was trying to start something. That, or he was the moron in this equation. Either way, Rock didn't particularly want his familiar bruised too badly tonight.

The boy was pushing, so Rock decided to step in. "What would happen then, is my fist meets your face."

It was a verbal feint, and Rock wasn't sure the kid would fall for it. But as he began to swing with his right hand, there were only a few directions in which it made sense for the punk to duck or dodge, and Rock's other hand was ready and waiting to snatch him by the shirt and shake him to within an inch of his puny life. Rock had tolerance, but this brat was pushing his limits.
Stranger 15 years ago
Red could hardly restrain a girlish squeal of delight when Rock decided to join in the fun. There was nothing like a good barroom brawl to get the heart pounding, and things like this inevitably led to more fun later that night.

The boy's wink was met with a blown kiss and flirtatious wave of Red's long nails as Rock stepped in between them and took over.

All Red had to do was watch as the pummeling began. Maybe he'd jump in, just to get a few lumps of his own on the boy, but he wasn't really dressed for it. His temper was somewhat abated, the anger the little bastard had provoked calmed by Rock's intervention. Still, a little bit remained and Red decided to offer his flirtatious smile to the Asian man who was with the punk.

"Did you want a piece of this too, honey?"
Ichiro Taiji 15 years ago
Tai wasn't sure if Jan saw the larger man getting up from his chair. There was a fluidity to the big man's movements that rang a bell for Tai. He had some training, he imagined.

Obviously chat time was over, and they'd moved onto action time. Tai ignored the redhead, who was doing his best to distract him, and slid into place just behind jan before the bigger man's fist could connect. Catching it in his solid grip, Tai noted the man's other hand was already reaching for Jan.

With a smile and a shake of his head, Tai said to the man, "I didn't touch yours, you don't touch mine."

With another quick grin flashed at Jan, Tai took the bigger man's hand and shoved, heaving him back into the table he'd risen from, breaking it in two.

To the side, the redhead screamed in anger, but instead of running to his lover's side, he came straight for Jan and Tai.
Valentine 15 years ago
God fucking damned it! This was just pathetic, you finally find a delicious looking guy spend a good amount of time bumping and grinding and were getting down to the good part when the dumb bastard got distracted.

Now ordinarily Val would have been happy to just watch the brawl get a good bite in on her blond hunk and go on her merry way. But blondy was apparently more interested in the big dude as he stalked over to the Jap. OK the big dude was out, and occupied but the girly man was fair game.

Val slithered to her feet and approached the other red head from behind. Thank god, she had on super tall fuck me stilettos, at least she didn’t look like a cute little doll. She tapped him on the shoulder and was a bit shocked he took his eyes off the target. Sloppy, very sloppy. It took a second for Red to find her too, even with the heels he had to look down.


“Oh but I want a piece of it ducky.”

She purred in a throaty sexy voice just before jamming her knee into his groin. He looked more than a little shocked and doubled over in pain. Fighting fair was over rated and this bastard had interrupted her snack so she was pissed off.

Smiling demurely, she looked to the dark haired pretty boy.


“Sorry about that, he bothered me. Did you want him back?”

Far be it from her to deny anyone else their fun.
Jan 15 years ago
Jan saw the big guy get out of his seat. Being a street rat had taught him to look for added equations that could spell disaster or offer opportunity. So He smiled and twisted his torso to miss the large guy's fist.

Tai had come up behind him and pushed away the second hand coming for him; it was probably a good thing too because knowing something was coming and blocking it were two different things.

It was his turn to look at the redhead; he smiled sweetly and gave 'her' another finger wave.

And she headed straight for them...only to be interrupted by some other little redhead. What the hell? Was a brawl not sacred anymore? He tried to see where the new addition fell into the mix and drew a blank.

Shrugging mentally, Jan figured more chaos the better.

He shook his head in answer and he replied to the newcomer.


"That's quite alright. You seem to need to let off steam a little more than me."

Having a free moment in a fight was a rare thing, Jan took that moment to consider Tai's words.

"His"? Jan chuckled to himself.
Thug 15 years ago
The smaller Asian man seemed to have appeared from nowhere, cleverly using the young one's smallish frame to conceal himself. Rock hadn't expected that, and he certainly hadn't expected the man's grip to be that solid. The things you think while you're flying head over heels into a table, he mused, flying head over heels into a table.

Shaking his head, he rolled quickly to the balls of his feet. Poising himself for action, he crouched and faced the Asian again. Rock wore a genuine grin. If he was going to fight someone tonight, at least that someone might actually know what he was doing.

Red's howl nearby only fueled him on. No one touched Rock's property. especially not in that manner. Apparently the little redhead needed to be taught a lesson too.

First things first. Rock took two steps forward, engaging the smaller Asian in a flurry of blows meant to throw him off balance. His feet flew across the floor, nimbly sidestepping shards of broken glasses and splinters from the table.