killing loneliness. [open!]

[FLY[leaf]]

The music throbbed to the beat of his slow pulse, but it was fast enough to keep him awake from all of his alcohol consumption. It made his head hurt. It made his mood swing a full one-eighty until he felt angry at the world. Anger blinded him as he ordered another shot and drank it without even feeling the burning sensation wind down his throat. A deadly smirk played upon his lips, revealing teeth that many would associate with a vampire. No vampire here, just a changeling lynx wanting something more than deadbeat music, swaying bodies, and alcohol. He wanted a victim tonight and though something inside told him good luck he felt inclined to make it happen.

No one interested him at the moment. There were few people seated beside him at the bar, but now he turned his back on them and watched the dancing. It gave him a headache. The strobing lights, the loud music, the chatter, the laughter, the false happiness. Vale rolled his eyes sadistically and staggered to his feet, taking a moment to wipe his mouth that dripped of a depressant on the sleeve of his black coat. Black again. All black. Not in the gothic sense, however. It made him look mysterious, slimmer, and like some sort of crazy artist that had no other means of self expression. He wore a black beanie and black pants. Alcohol always made him feel warm at first, but many times, it made him feel cold. He used it like most anything else or anyone else.

His vision blurred and he felt himself stagger into another body, colliding ungracefully but recovering himself with cat-like reflexes. Lips were pulled back and he hissed at them, before bursting into a bubbling laugh that reeked of alcohol. "Now dearie," he began dramatically, "excuse me." He patted them on the shoulder and looked at them through dizzy eyes.

ooc: anyone's welcome to join in. :3 he's drunk obviously. we can make this exciting. fights, whatever. >D [/color]

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[bg=6b0000] He really, really disliked it here. The music was an affront to anything with even a grain of talent, the lights hurt his eyes after a while, he could barely hear anyone, it reeked of sin and recklessness, and words couldn't even begin to describe the mix of embarrassment, pity, and shame he felt for the girls, and few men, who were just in back. It didn't even matter if a wall separated them; he still felt uncomfortably close to all the less than reputable activities. So why was he even here? Well... for a little booze. A drink or two was needed sometimes, and he wasn't one who would smuggle alcohol into a church. That just wasn't right.... Not to mention that the underground was rather empty right now, and there was nothing sadder than tipping the glass back when no one else was around. At least in the night club, he could pay better attention to how much was going into his system, instead of one drink turning to two, turning to four, turning to eight, turning to... something. It also didn't hurt to dip into the city's hotspots just in case something or someone of interest came up. Banez began to make his way toward the bar, not exactly proud of himself or any the people around him at the moment. It seemed that fate wasn't proud of him either and was telling him to quit early, because it threw someone into his way. The human tripped but managed to regain his footing, turning to the young man in black, only to skitter back a couple of steps when he was hissed at. Oh lord, he could smell the alcohol on the other... no doubt he was drunk. ...Dearie? That's when Banez caught sight of the other man's canines, long and pointy, and he did make a face, wrinkling his nose and narrowing his eyes slightly. And not to be colorist, but black wasn't exactly the most reputable color. "It's.. ah... alright," he said, expression blanking when he was patted on the shoulder and quickly sweeping the other man's hand away with his own. Urf.... "...Do you need help getting outside?"

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character sheet - record

It comforts me
to think that the stars in the sky are other worlds
Even if we can't speak to each other

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[FLY[leaf]]

As intoxicated as he was, Vale never even noticed the off putting expression of the individual he bumped into. No, that bumped into him. He stared at this strange man for a few seconds before coming to the conclusion that something about him just didn't fit the atmosphere. Maybe it was because Vale nearly expected a brawl, but the face looked to innocent that he stared at. Drunk or not, even Vale could tell that. The changeling could hold his own alcohol, but tonight he exceeded his limit. Some things could never be blurred though.

He didn't bother acting offended when his hand was swept away. Most people in the club enjoyed having someone else's company. Apparently this man did not. To each their own, but not even Vale thought that clearly right now. The alcohol pacified him to an extent, though that wasn't to say he would be scouring for a fight any time soon.

"Help getting outside?" he repeated, as if it were an atrocious suggestion. Vale had already forgotten why he had gotten up. Was he about to leave? Now he changed his mind. Why leave? The part was just beginning to start. "I just got here not too long ago! Why in the world would I leave?" He paused for a moment. "You need to lighten up. You don't even belong here."

Vale turned to look back at the bar. It kept moving and he began seeing doubles. When he didn't see doubles, it appeared as if the bar itself was swaying. Turning to the man, he noticed that he did the same. Vale had to steady himself. Luckily, he had catlike balance and managed to stay standing. "Lighten up. We should go have another drink. Especially you."

"I'm Vale," he introduced, giving a mocking bow that only sent him nearly toppling over. But he didn't care how ridiculous he looked.

ooc: yay, thanks for replying! :3[/color]

[prismaticpulse]

( =3 *thumbs up* )

[bg=6b0000] Well, he had tried. It wasn't as if he'd try to force the other man out if he didn't want to, even assuming that Banez was stronger than him. And he didn't belong here? Ouch.... Well, it was kind of true, but still, ouch! He frowned, weighing the decision of leaving. It was pretty tempting to do so now before anything else happened, that was for sure. It didn't look like that reasoning stuck well with this Vale, though. "You don't think you've had enough?" Banez asked, sounding more surprised than anything. He himself didn't drink himself silly on a regular basis, but he liked to think that he at least knew his own limits. "I'm Banez. It's.. nice to meet you." He supposed. When Vale looked like he was about to fall over, the brunette reached down to grab a fistful of his coat and haul him back up. Jeez, this guy wasn't holding up so well.... Banez felt that the least he could do was stick around and let least control the other's intake, even if he wasn't particularly welcome. "Let's go sit down." More like: let's get you sitting down. Taking Vale by the elbow, he led the other man back to the bar stools.

[/left][/color]

character sheet - record

It comforts me
to think that the stars in the sky are other worlds
Even if we can't speak to each other

[/size][/font]
[/center][/td][/tr][/table][/center]

[FLY[leaf]]

Vale looked at the man as if something were terribly wrong with him. And to think, Vale should be the one with impaired judgement! "No," he responded as soberly as a drunkard could. He would never have enough. What a silly question. "Mhm, Banez. How polite. Same I suppose." Vale would have to take his time to decide whether or not he liked the company of this one. The lynx said nothing more and didn't even bother to thank him when Banez helped him from falling flat on his face.

"Sure." Vale put up no objection, probably because he didn't catch the implication. "You need to relax," he laughed, attempting to take his arm from Banez. "Get yourself a drink." Vale sat surprisingly obediently down on the bar stool. It helped that he managed to balance with the help of the actual bar. For such a drunk lynx, he could at least hold some sort of conversation. Though most of Vale's conversations always had him badly influencing someone else.

It did occur to him that no one here cared about anyone else. Not really. For such a shallow character, even Vale noticed that. But now was not the time for a deep thought. No, he came here for the purpose of enjoying himself. And now he felt as if Banez was ruining what fun he could have on the dance floor. Now if only he could stand up without feeling incredibly dizzy.

As he paused to scan around the room, Vale saw a woman walk to the table she had sat her purse at with some sort of man sitting there. Vale watched the scene go down with unusual interest and uncontrollable humor. From his pocket he slid out the wallet he assumed the woman was looking for. "See, you have to be smooth," he stated, as if giving tips to Banez.

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(Clearly these two need to rent an apartment together and get into all sorts of shenanigans.)

[bg=6b0000] Oh, what had he done to get that sort of look now? At Vale's answer, Banez furrowed his brows in annoyance. Of course Vale hadn't had enough! How stupid of the human to ask. He supposed he'd just have to wait it out until Vale was vomiting. At least the beanie would keep his hair back. Or else he could make sure Vale got home alright and let him have his hangover. Well, farther into the chaos he went. Banez let go of Vale's arm when they got to the bar, taking a seat next to the other. "I'm relaxed..." he protested. He might not be fully enjoying himself, but he was perfectly relaxed! ...Might as well get something... it wasn't as though one would do anything him. The least he could do for his new acquaintance was not seem like a complete buzz kill. But then Vale started acting very strangely. What in the world was he so amused about? Banez' gaze followed Vale's to the woman who seemed to have lost something. Poor girl, although he had no idea what the man in black thought was so funny about the whole thing. blinked at the wallet before quirking a brow. Smooth, what? What was that supposed to-- oh no, Vale did not! A brief pause and blank expression ensued as Banez went over his options in his head. Then his hand flew to cuff Vale on the back of the head, although the beanie would cushion a little of the blow. Stupid beanie. "That better not be what I think it is!" he said, in a hushed voice, although his disapproval was hard not to hear, as though he was scolding a child. "You go back over there and give that back! And apologize!" So much for not being a complete buzz kill.

[/left][/color]

character sheet - record

It comforts me
to think that the stars in the sky are other worlds
Even if we can't speak to each other

[/size][/font]
[/center][/td][/tr][/table][/center]

[FLY[leaf]]

Vale stared at Banez. "Okay," he responded sarcastically, not believing that he was relaxed at all. Maybe compared to the atmosphere he just looked uptight. Maybe it was just because Vale didn't picture this Banez as a type to fit in with this sort of crowd. With a nonchalant shrug of his shoulders, he looked back at the bar, at all of the bottles containing alcohol. He had already blown all of what money he owned here, so the wallet that he happened to stumble upon was most welcome.

If Vale weren't already wasted, he might have had more reaction time to the hand that he never saw coming at the back of his head. But he sure felt it. With the throbbing headache that crept up on him before Banez showed up, the sudden impact sent him shooting the meanest drunk glare he could at this man. Vale snarled, having to hold back the instinct of hissing and growling like a cat. No, he was not a cat right now, and he really tried to remember it. "It is," he replied, proud of the accomplishment. "Now why on earth would I do that? I have no money left! Have a little fun. Relax a little bit. You're acting like a mother," he hissed.

A day just couldn't pass by without Vale feeling stronger than he was. He always thirsted to start trouble, and now he had it lying at his feet. Unfortunately, he didn't exactly want trouble right now. Yet he found it. "Besides," he remarked, "you can't make me give that back." He paused. "But if I do... You know, she would definitely like me more than you. In her eyes, I found her wallet and was a good citizen to return it to her. And you'd be here, alone." Options, options. "So would you rather look like a loser or do you want to enjoy the money?"

ooc: XD that would not end well for the apartment.

[prismaticpulse]

( XD )

[bg=6b0000] Banez didn't look regretful in the least when Vale snarled. In fact, the human puffed his chest up a little, exercising any sort of size advantage he had over the other. At the mother comment, Banez' adamant expression faltered with annoyance. "Apparently I need to, since yours didn't teach you right," he retorted. He wondered if Vale's mother even knew about what her son was doing as he was hanging around unsavory places, but it wasn't as if Banez was going to run to her and tell on Vale, so he supposed it didn't matter much. And Banez couldn't make him? Banez couldn't make him? But as Vale continued on about the woman's hypothetical opinion after the fact, Banez appeared more confused than angry. "Why would I care about something like that?" Sure, being alone again would suck, but as far as he was concerned, that was back to square one rather than actually losing anything of significance. Really, he considered it Vale's loss, until he lost his stomach contents, then it'd be like a double loss. "And if I really wanted to, I could take the wallet back, and then give it to her. But that wouldn't teach you anything, so I'm not." Suddenly and without remorse, Banez grabbed Vale's arm, less gently this time, and tugged the other in the woman's direction. "You'd better come with me. Starting a scene would be more trouble than it's worth." He would drag Vale if he had to!

[/left][/color]

character sheet - record

It comforts me
to think that the stars in the sky are other worlds
Even if we can't speak to each other

[/size][/font]
[/center][/td][/tr][/table][/center]

[FLY[leaf]]

Vale rolled his eyes. "You need to learn to enjoy yourself and stop taking everything so seriously," he grumbled. No one cared here. Just look at the lot of them. Vale took his time to look around and realized they were all like him. Sure, it was just his luck to run into some guy like this who had to spoil the fun and actually act like an adult. Vale was just as old if not older than this Banez anyway. He slumped over when the luck turned out sour. Great.

"Well people like you wouldn't. I guess. You're not normal."

Vale smirked at Banez's conclusion. If he wouldn't, then Vale wouldn't have to, and that made him extremely pleased. "Sounds fine with me." Just as he was about to take the money, Vale found himself pulled in one direction. He slid off of his barstool without any grace and had to quickly regain his footing, otherwise his face would have been down on the floor. "What the hell," he griped.

Before he could protest any more, he found himself in front of the woman and the man who both glared at him and this newly found annoying, saintly, companion. "My friend here," he began, grabbing his arm back, "tried to steal your wallet. I apologize, miss. Here you go. Nothing should be missing. Right, Banez?"

Vale felt no remorse for his lie. In fact, he rather enjoyed it. He gave Banez a highly disapproving look, just for show. "Anyway, I ought to be going," he added charmingly. "If there's anything missing, just ask this . . . gentleman."

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[prismaticpulse]

[bg=6b0000] "Theft is serious! And I'm perfectly normal," Banez said indignantly. "I just don't care what other people think when I know I'm doing the right thing." If Vale cared about other people's opinions of him, he probably wouldn't be pumping himself full of alcohol or stealing wallets, so it wasn't as if they were totally unalike. Even as Vale whined, Banez wasn't about to let him off the hook. It must be terrible luck to run into an ex-guardian that still valued justice and the law. Oh, he knew that he wouldn't be able to clean up this forsaken building, but he'd sooner bite his own fingers off before he did absolutely nothing when he noticed a crime. They both reached the woman's table, and when Vale opened his mouth to speak, Banez smiled, feeling quite pleased with himself. Wait, what. Banez' expression hardened again, but he just resigned to giving Vale a long side-glance. That miserable liar! The human might have just been glad that the wallet returned to its rightful owner, but that just tore it! "I'm sorry. My friend has a terrible memory... It was all a momentary lapse in judgement, I'm sure." Leaving? Not so fast, swarthy man! "I better go with him to make sure he actually gets home this time."

[/left][/color]

character sheet - record

It comforts me
to think that the stars in the sky are other worlds
Even if we can't speak to each other

[/size][/font]
[/center][/td][/tr][/table][/center]

[FLY[leaf]]

As Vale swiftly walked away--back to the bar, of course--he smirked to himself. How brilliant he had been! The poor guy must have expected him, the trickster, to be honest for once. Look what that got him. "Nothing but a naieve son of a--" he paused and took a look back. Where did Banez go to? Vale suddenly had the feeling that he was being followed. There was no getting this guy to go away, was there? He managed to ignore the loud music and his eyesight got better, slowly. Then again, Vale had a good tolerance. Alcohol always wore off quicker on him than most. The curse of being a changeling lynx. That didn't mean he still wasn't stumbling around on occasion, but thanks to his cat-like reflexes, it was almost graceful this time.

He looked back at the scene that he had just left. He couldn't quite tell if the woman looked mad, frustrated, or just relieved that she had her possession back. "And that was meant for me to buy more," he muttered. Such a sad loss. Curse Banez.

Vale no longer tried to avoid Banez. He was going to catch up anyway. "Have fun explaining to the woman why you stole her wallet?" he questioned, not bothering to turn around right away. Could he stand to look in the face of the person who ruined fun? Whatever fueled this guy's sense of justice should be banned, in Vales oh so humble opinion. "You need at least one drink before you make me get out of here." And with that, the lynx looked curiously at Banez. Vale could disappear if he wanted to. He chose not to at the moment. It caused too much attention usually, unwanted attention.

[prismaticpulse]

[bg=6b0000] Banez stalked Vale back to the bar. The bar! The reason this whole thing started in the first place! Now he had another reason not to come: alcohol made people evil. The human's blood pounded to the beat of the music as the back of Vale's head got closer and closer. He wanted to just grab it and slam it onto the table. Maybe repeatedly. But he didn't want a scene, and he didn't think Vale wanted one either. And it wasn't the mature thing to do and all that... "If you're trying to make me regret doing the right thing, it's not working," Banez answered with resolve, even though his ego felt a little bruised at this point. That lying drunkard... And Vale wanted him to have alcohol?? Granted, it was the reason he came into Mysteree in the first place, but now he wasn't sure if he wanted it anymore. By the time Vale finally ended up looking back, Banez had simply a frown on his face. And what was that look that Vale was giving him now? "....Fine," he let out an exasperated breath. Just one! And then he can get out of here and then drag Vale around by the ear some more and maybe talk some sense into him. Banez sat down, waving the bartender over and ordering some brandy. "...Why are you even here, anyway?" he asked Vale. "I don't think you came here just to steal women's wallets."

[/left][/color]

character sheet - record

It comforts me
to think that the stars in the sky are other worlds
Even if we can't speak to each other

[/size][/font]
[/center][/td][/tr][/table][/center]

[FLY[leaf]]

"Oh it's not?" Vale inquired. "I sure seem to be bothering you." He grinned at the sense of accomplishment he felt, even though he still felt a little sore about Banez making him return the wallet. Making him, ha! Vale cursed his lack of physical attributes. Banez just had size on him, and he hated that.

For some reason, he found himself genuinely surprised that Banez actually agreed. No doubt, this guy needed to relax. Vale was only trying to help. In the back of his mind, he praised himself for being such a good influence. He was surprised he had the ability to influence such a party-pooper. Vale didn't question it and smirked to himself as Banez ordered his brandy.

"No, I don't need the money," Vale bragged. Sure he had money hidden away. He usually didn't tell that to people because normally getting into real conversations didn't happen when he felt this relaxed from the serious amounts of depressants he just drank. "To have a good time, why else would I come?" The tone near the end sounded a tad bit defensive. Vale didn't enjoy getting into deeper conversations now. He waved it off. "The real question is, why is someone like you here?" All around this place were people who just didn't care. Morales were not something anyone found in this place. This is why Vale liked it so much. But then a guy like Banez waltzed in who acted completely off the mark. It made no sense to Vale. And it captured his curiosity.

"This doesn't seem like your type of hang out, if I may be so bold to speak," Vale added with a sense of mockery. Poor Banez. He would have to put up with Vale's jabs.

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[bg=6b0000] "Annoyance and regret aren't completely mutually exclusive," Banez replied, wishing that Vale would wipe that smug grin from his face. He hadn't won anything other than what Banez had came here planning to do from the very beginning! All minor waffling aside... but still! When the glass of brandy came, he took a slow pull. Maybe it would help, maybe it wouldn't, but at least it was tasty. Bah, of course Vale didn't need money when he was stealing it. "Drinking excessively is having a good time?" Banez asked, half in curiosity and half in sarcasm. Now that he said it, though, Vale seemed to be less out of it when not even half an hour ago he was tripping over himself. Huh.... It begged the question of what he was. Could vampires drink? That didn't quite add up, though. When Vale asked the question back, Banez took a longer drink of the brandy to buy some time. Well, he had a few reasons as to why he was here, but explaining that he hung out in a church would cause any sort of rep he had left to plummet. He set the brandy down. "Drinking alone at home isn't exactly enjoyable for me. But this whole outing..." he gestured around, mostly to Vale, "is what I get for leaving it, I suppose."

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character sheet - record

It comforts me
to think that the stars in the sky are other worlds
Even if we can't speak to each other

[/size][/font]
[/center][/td][/tr][/table][/center]

[FLY[leaf]]

Vale rolled his eyes. "Philosophic," he muttered. People who thought too much were annoying. People who were logical were annoying. Vale believed in either going all out or none at all. "Well, yes," Vale replied. "Why would I be here if I weren't having a good time?" he retorted.

"I assume you drink alone often." The words came out too fast for Vale to think about what he said. Then again, if he thought about it, he still would have said it. Without any regret, he shrugged. "What, you're saying you're being punished for coming here? Come on. You know you've had a good time. You stole a wallet... People think you're a rotten thief... You're finally having a drink. Today must have been a lot of firsts. I'd say it's been a good day for you." Vale clapped the man on the shoulder, as if congratulating him. "You're such a pessimistic person. Lighten up a little and enjoy yourself."

He turned around on the barstool and leaned against the bar itself. It wasn't too comfortable with the wood digging into his back, but sitting up straight wasn't an option. While the affect of alcohol was wearing off, sadly thanks to being a changeling lynx and years of tolerance, standing straight or any physical activity for a lengthened period of time would test his luck.

"So what do you do, Banez?" Vale asked curiously. Even a woozy cat could tell that Banez looked more . . . clean perhaps than the rest.

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