Dancing and drinking away the emptiness. (OPEN)

[arielle]

Arielle flipped her hair back and smiled at the young man who had his arms around her. He was good looking enough, but she just wanted to dance. The music was booming all around her. The club was perfect. The only light that was provided was numerous strobe lights and random neon lights aligned in a random order. Even the bars was barely lit.

She had forced herself to call her grandfather and tell him everything. He had told her that she was on the brink of a nervous break down and to come home to Georgia for a while. She had come here instead. Kaden was selling his house and land. Why would he stay? He had taken what he wanted from her. She retreated here instead. She had always loved New York. Maybe she would go down to Georgia before returning to London, but not anytime soon.

The young man had his mouth pressed against her ear. Even though she could not hear exactly what he was saying she could tell that he was implying something rather naughty. This made her laugh. She pulled away from him, threw him an impish grin and walked to a bar. She had been away from America for so long. It felt wonderful to be home again. She glanced at her reflection in one of many tall mirrors around the club. She wore a royal blue strapless mini dress that flowed off of her body and tall black pumps. There was a rather large black belt with a green buckle around her middle. She thought she looked rather pretty and the young man following her around agreed. His name was Brett. He worked for a super bike racing team called Ducati. He was on the pit crew. They were here for a week for a race and this was their only night out...blah blah blah...She was starting to grow bored with his endless talk. She Wanted to dance, wanted to drink. She didn't want to humor a boy who wanted alittle late night harrumph. She turned to the bartender.

"Can I have a Jack and Coke, love? Oh and darlin'...make it stiff please."

She took her drink and winked at the bartender, then while sipping on it she silently wished for anyone to come and save her form the horny Ducati pit crew worker.

[gabie]

Julian's Outfit

Julian had been taken a small trip to New York and was now walking, seemed more like floating or grazing, amongst these mortals. Their affections had been disgusting to say the very very least -- it wasn't the dancing that was bothering him, oh no....it was the false promises and utterings of desire. He had quite had enough and was heading to the bar when a voice of what seemed to be almost angelic caught his attention.

"Can I have a Jack and Coke, love? Oh and darlin'...make it stiff please."

Grinning suddenly, Julian recognized the voice dialect to be from England or the voice was good at mimicking them. The strobe and neon lights continued to paint the room with its splendor as Julian sat a few seats away from Arielle. "I'll take a Cabaret, ol' chum..." he stated, grinning briefly at the statement, realizing he was almost in the breaking point of singing that song from the musical.

As he received his drink, Julian took a drink, acting as if he was enjoying it --he was partially, but it did taste rather disgusting, but it was better than nothing he believed. Looking around the room, Julian refocused back on Arielle and then pulled himself out of the seat. Moving one seat back to where she was, he noticed the overly excited individual who was practically on a leash that he had attached himself to. "Saturday night on her settee -- Oh what a time there's going to be -- I haven't told her, she hasn't told me... Hello...I am Julian."

[arielle]

Arielle smiled, thrilled that there was obviously another out-of-towner so to speak in her midst. She lifted an eyebrow and eyed his drink.

"Caberet..old chum? Seems like an odd choice for a party like this, love."

She laughed, she was only playfully teasing him. She hoped that he would not take offense. There was something strangely familiar about this man. He made her slightly uneasy, but at the same time she was very drawn to him. The uneasiness was melting away almost as fast as it had crept up.

He reminded her of Kaden, and of Dakhan. Kaden, she had at first been terrified of, but her curiosity had gotten the better of her and by the time their second meeting had come around she was more intrigued than anything. Then she had fallen in love. Now that, too, was quickly over. Dakhan had been the young man that she had helped out of the rain. Odd as it was her attraction to him had come and gone and then before she knew it, it was there again but a sour feeling in her gut accompanied that attraction. She thought of how quickly all of the emotions and feelings had just disappeared when she had dropped him off and was out of sight. She thought it was all foolishness. But this man was very intriguing. It was almost comforting to have him around. She felt silly thinking that. He did happen to come by right as she had desperately needed someone to rescue her. She turned to Brett.

"Okay darling, you can leave now."

He looked confused and angry but slowly got up, casting Julian a nasty look before disappearing into the crowd.

"Its a pleasure Julian. My name is Arielle."

[anne]

Antoinette had escaped her parents' grasps. Wandering from her sheltered manor just outside Paris to the wild and crazy world of New York City. The sights were what amused her most, she was quite disappointed by the rough Yankee accent uttering from most the mouths around her. But, nonetheless, she pushed her way through a crowd of people at a dance club and made quick eye contact with several boys.

She was one of the most flirty girls she knew, of course, she hadn't been outside France since she was ten and the atmosphere here was different. Bogged down with life and unromaticized language. She thought to herself, the line running through her brain made her smile.

Her dress was just to her knees, a bright pink, that ruffled slowly up her legs and ended in an almost slit to three inches from her hip on the right leg. She had her blonde hair pulled up in a messy bun, to show off the halter top of the dress. As she walked through the club, her pink stilletos made an uproaringly amount of clatter.

"A rum, s'il vous plaît , monsieur." Her eyes looked at the dark club, she could hardly see others now, but she could feel them. Brushing against her, now and then she could have sworn someone tried to touch her...but she shook it off and took a drink. These Americans are odd creatures. She thought to herself.

[arielle]

She smiled at Julian again and nodded toward the pretty blonde that had just sat by them.

"Sounds like she is from your neck of the woods friend.'

Arielle was tired of cutting herself off from the world. She finally realized that it would not bring her brother back. She pulled Julian around with her and walked up to the girl. She placed a few twenties on the bar and grinned at the bartender. She could tell that he liked having her around. She was a very generous tipper.

"I'll pay for that rum love, and add two more shots for Julian and myself. Keep the change"

She smiled at the girl.

"I'm Arielle and this is Julian. We're from across the pond as well."

She motioned to the drinks.

"I hope you don't mind."

She picked up the small glass and quickly downed it. Then she took away Julian's almost empty cabaret and sat it down, replacing in his hand the shot glass. She laughed. And turned to Antoinette. She wondered if she was here for the same reasons as Arielle. Maybe not exact situation, but for the same goal. Air, a chance to breathe and do something on her own for herself for once.

[gabriel]

On the other side of the dance club, where the light is dim, Gabriel rested his legs upon the one of the tables, his back leaned onto the wall, the hat he wore covers his all face nearly. Even though he looked as if he is sleeping, he was aware of everything. Just could not find a perfect match for himself tonight at the club. Snorting a little sometimes to make sure the people's attention distracted and be focused on him. However, Gabriel did not show the interest to whom tried to get near him anyway.

He had no idea why he had come here in the first place. Okay he was richer but he knew the value of money even though he was bad-tempered and punk man in the appearence. Surely, he remembered why because he was bored of all of his environment, from the one nightclub to another. London was not impressed him at all no more. He came to New York in purpose of seeking a real entertainment, for real girls who knows how to dance, strip, touch where you needed most at the right time. SInce he was 19 now, he had such little experience with girls. To tell the truth, even little experience cannot be counted as something he did on purpose. It was a luck night just.

As Gabriel interrogated him in himself, he glanced at the two people in front of bar, did not keep his eyes from the motion of those two. They seemed weird to his eyes but incredibly funny and entertaining. He sat up as he watched them till they are passing through the crowd. He decided to follow them and befriend with them if possible.

[kaden]

Kaden, only being back in New York for a few hours had walked into his flat to find it a wreck. Hailey had thrown a party that looked like it had lasted his entire duration of being in London. Already furious with the fact that he had went to see Arielle just to discover that she had left, coming home to the mess was just the cherry on top of the spoiled cake. He had told Hailey that when he returned in the morning that his flat better be spotless.

He walked the streets. When he came to the block where a variety of clubs stood side by side he was stunned to walk by the door of one and catch the same aroma that had put him in a trance from the very beginning of this whole mess. He ignored the bouncer and the lines and walked straight in. One man tried to stop him, but it only took one glare for the man to back down. Kaden made his way through the crowd. Pushing past people, the need to find the source of honey and rose, a scent that had lingered with him for months now. Then he spotted her. His heart sank. He felt a rush of anger and despair.

Arielle was dancing. He never thought she had looked so beautiful. He felt sorry for the poor smuck that desperately hung onto her. She was barley even aware of his existence. This, at least made Kaden relax a little. He watched her go to the bar and order. Her new pet followed. Then someone else caught his eye. A man made his way to Arielle. He was not just a man, he was a vampire. Kaden stiffened and thought about making his way across the club to them, but something held him back. He watched her dismiss the boy and talk to her new companion. Then the two of them walked over to another young woman. Arielle bought their drinks. He watched her laugh and interact with her new friends. A wave of longing and jealousy filled his body. Someone else caught his eye. He was a young man, but Kaden could tell just by looking at him that he was trouble. He began to follow the boy. He moved fast, but Kaden was more graceful and even quicker. It took no time to catch up with him. He reached out and grabbed his arms. He pulled the boy closer to him and growled into his ear.

"I noticed you were walking over to my friend. See the pretty brunette in the blue dress? She is mine boy. It would do you best to leave her alone or the next time we meet I will give you more than a verbal warning."

he released him and disappeared into the crowd. He walked further and further away, so the boy could not notice him and so Arielle would not recognize him. He had hoped when he first smelled her that maybe she was here looking for him, but it was obvious that was not the case. She didn't even know that he lived here. She was here doing exactly what Kaden had told her too, forget him. He ached all over. His fists balled and unballed in his anger. He would stay a while to watch them. No one was going to hurt her. Not another vampire and certainly not an arrogant little boy.

[arielle]

An overwhelming feeling came over her and she threw her gaze into the crowds of people. She had the oddest felling, almost like someone was watching her and yet not looking at her, but more like through her. She hesitantly thought of Kadens piercing blue eyes and the way she had awoke from her terrible nightmare and retreated to her window. He had been there, at first she thought that he was stalking her or worse, playing with his prey. But she had been wrong. He was merely worried about her and just wanted to watch out for her. That was so long ago it seemed. She was suddenly frustrated with thinking of him again and she abandoned her aimless search for nothing. Before she retreated back to her new acquaintances she caught the eyes of a dark headed young man. He looked as if death itself had just whispered in his ear, but she smiled warmly at him. She thought he was attractive. Turning back to Julian and the pretty blonde she ordered another round.

[anne]

Antoinette had been rummaging through her purse, looking through the Euros stuffed in it for a few dollars. She hadn't even been paying attention, until a voice sounded nearby.

I'll pay for that rum love, and add two more shots for Julian and myself. Keep the change. I'm Arielle and this is Julian. We're from across the pond as well."

She looked up at this generous stranger. "Merci, I'm Antoinette." She said, liking the sound of European accents again. The harsh Yankee one was beginning to annoy her. "I'm from Paris." She offered, taking the shot of rum and downing it.

Looking at the man with Arielle, she gave a small smile. "Bonjour!" She greeted, her lively spirits beginning to show. "And where are you from? Monsieur Julian?" She asked, unsure if it were the right name, but it didn't really matter at this point. Grabbing the next shot, she downed it too, intent on getting drunk and having one "hell of a time".

[gabriel]

(I suppose I am the man whom Kaden talked or am I not *confused*)

As Gabriel got up his desk, made his way towards those two weird looking people who just went into the crowd and got lost in his sight. Gabriel followed, he pushed past people who got in his way but stoppped uneasy, pulled back reversly in his direction by a hand. He was forced to move back. And suddenly, when he was about to try to understand who had touched him and pulled back, he heard a voice whispered into his ear said outrageously and in a very higher tone, in a tone Gabriel could not understand it carefully. And whispered in such a way like the vibrations of voice burned his ear as went further, passed through the eyedrum. It even gave a slight pain to his eye drum. As the words echoed in his mind again numerous times. Finally the voice had been vanquished, Gabriel turned his face around, glancing at anyone around who could do such a weird thing. However, he gave up later on because people were weird in here.

Gabriel did not give any meaning to all of these. As he came back to normal again, he barely noticed that people pushed past him. One pushed him, and another. So he found himself on the floor under all dancing feet.

[arielle]

Arielle followed behind Antoinette and took the shot. She smiled. The alcohol was starting to take its affect. She look to wards the crowd and saw the handsome stranger fall. She started off his way and yelled back behind her shoulder.

"I'll be right back"

She pushed through the people and finally found her dark stranger. She knelt down and smiled at him.

"rough fall there love? Don't worry, I'm here to save your life."
She helped him up and placing her arm around his waste, started to lead him to the bar and to Julian and Antoinette. She looked at him briefly for a moment and then glanced to wards the bar.

"I'm Arielle, I'm going to get you over here to the bar alright?"
He had a small cut on his forehead. She lead him to her seat and sat him down. She grinned impishly at him and asked the bartender for one more shot, club soda, and a thick towel.

In a few minutes the light bleeding had stopped. She cleaned it off with the towel and after giving it all back to the bartender she leaned over and kissed his head.

"There now love, all better."

She motioned to her other companions.

"This handsome old gentleman here is Julian and this gorgeous blonde to my left is Antoinette."
She placed her hands on his. Then turned to her friends.

"this poor boy got trampled on by the crowd...."

She smiled at him.

"...But I fixed him all up. Now then dear..."

She placed the new shot in his hand.

"Drink up."

[gabie]

Julian had been paying attention rather silently as the groupling of two quickly became a party of five. Everyone was around him now mainly due from Arielle dragging everyone towards them. He nodded his head with each ladies coming their way, but soon felt the presence of another vampire here. Was he always to be around them? He had very little or no interest in sucking someone dry at this moment. His drink was taking care of that. At least Arielle was willing to pay for their drinks and he appreciated that at least -- she certainly had an ideal of what comradery could mean.

"And where are you from? Monsieur Julian?"

Julian stared at Antoinette as he took another drink and placed the beverage down. "Me, my dear? I currently reside in England of course, but you must recognize that my accent is not from there. I was born in San Sebastián, Spain a long time ago. You all look young as springtime while I look old as dirt," Julian remarked as he began to laugh momentarily.

Looking at Gabriel as he entered the presence, Julian nodded his head. "Ahh yes. A gentleman for an elder like me. Pleasure's all mine. You've heard my name, but of course...Julian is but only my first name. The full name is Julian Nicolae Santiago and I am at your service," he chirped, sounding like a servant. Winking at Gabriel, Julian felt rather at ease with these humans. They were interesting -- perhaps they wouldn't mind asking him more questions. *"El amor abre todas las puertas; el rencor las cierra..." Julian suddenly said and then waited almost too eagerly for the response.


* = Love opens all the doors; the resentment closes them.

[arielle]

Arielle laughed at Julian and hugged him.

"Oh Julian, if you were to be dirt you would be divine dirt!"

She uttered a childlike giggle. She was uncommonly comfortable around this man. To her it seemed that she could ask him any question in the world and he would have an answer. Even though she only knew him for a very short time, she felt that she could say or tell him anything. She felt closer to this man than any other person in the world. She did not understand why, though.

El amor abre todas las puertas; el rencor las cierra...

She smiled and without thinking or pause she sputtered out the meaning.

"Love opens all the doors; the resentment closes them. Beautiful Julian."


She thought that he must have been able to read her mind. Maybe he knew about Kaden, maybe he could read it off of her. It made her resent Kaden even more. She smiled at Julian then dug out a one hundred dollar bill. She slid it across the bar to the bartender who was loving the fact that this group had chosen to sit in front of him verses the others. He grinned at her and took it slowly. Waiting for her instructions.

"You keep ahold of that darlin', and anything my new friends here want you see they get it. If I owe you any more before nights end you let me know."

She slid another bill his way, it was folded so that no one could see, but the look on the bartenders face gave way that it was generous. She winked at him.

"Thats for you, doll."

She ordered another round, this time only it was Jack Daniels. She handed one out to Julian, Antoinette, and the young man who had yet to reveal himslef...She took one herself. She held it up and grinned at Julian.

"To love, and the new doors that open everyday"

[kaden]

Kaden raised his own beverage in the air to Arielle's toast. From his plush table on the upper level of the club he could see there little group perfectly. He brought his drink to his lips and took a leisurely sip. He could hear them clear as day as well. He blocked out the terrible noise of the club and focused in on the new little gang of Euroes. He watched them carefully. He studied them, mostly the boy. He likely fell into the crowd on purpose just to get Arielle's attention. Cocky little bastard kaden thought to himself. He summoned for the waitress. He ordered another scotch. She was aggressively coming on to him. He barely noticed. She was a beautiful woman and she smelled lovely as well. But the type of connection she wanted from him he was not interested in. When she brought his drink she winked and licked her lips at him. He was appalled. Wrapped around his drink was a black lacy piece of material-it was supposed to be her underwear, but he was sure that it didn't leave much for the imagination. her number was scribbled on a napkin along with her name.
Candy

He rolled his eyes. It figured. He got up from the chair, leaving his untouched drink and headed down to the lower part of the club.

[anne]

Antoinette kept drinking as Arielle had wandered away. She looked around, but couldn't see past a few feet away in the gloom and settled on looking at Julian and her drink.

"Me, my dear? I currently reside in England of course, but you must recognize that my accent is not from there. I was born in San Sebastián, Spain a long time ago. You all look young as springtime while I look old as dirt."

She shook her head, some strands falling out of her messy bun. "Non, you are not so old, and a gentleman." She said, enjoying the different accents around her now, English, Spanish, and of course her endless French. "I have never been to Spain, but my father has and he says it is very beautiful."

This handsome old gentleman here is Julian and this gorgeous blonde to my left is Antoinette. This poor boy got trampled on by the crowd.... But I fixed him all up. Now then dear... Drink up."

Antoinette gave a nod of her head to recognize the new comer. Looking around again she faintly heard the whispering of Spanish and could pick out similiar sounding words, it had to do with love, she knew that. "Bravo, monsieur. But what does it-?" She was cut off by Arielle's repeating. "Oh how magnificent!" She exclaimed, resisting the urge to hug either of the speakers.

Arielle ordered Jack Daniels and Antoinette hesitantly reached for her glass, unsure what it was. "What is this?" She asked Arielle quietly, hoping not to draw attention to her stupidity of American drinks.