Wicked Games

Atlas was wrapped up into the phone call, helping the person on the other end, that he didn’t look up when the bells went off above the front door signalling a new customer. All he did was hold up a finger in that direction to show he would be right with them. Like in a small town, especially a small town with humans in it, meant that business could at times be slow enough for just one person to be working. Which was fine by Atlas, since he had more time to study during slow times. Finally finishing his call, he set the phone down and called out to whoever had entered, sliding off from his stool and moving from behind the counter. “Welcome to Quirks and Oddities.”

Those fucking brothers of his just had to break his best Steuben glasses while he was working. Not to mention ones that were rare and hard to come across. Now he was finding himself walking to the very place he refused to go into. Fuck, he hated them so much, wondering if they did this shit on purpose. Taking a deep breath and sighing it out, he stepped inside as he saw Atlas talking on the phone. He saw the finger, respected it, and moved to the display window that had the glasses he was looking for. “Are these glasses for sale?” He asked, once Atlas greeted him after the phone call.

Darrin wore glasses because he liked them, not because he needed them. They made him look smart, approachable, he had long ago decided. Either way, they were now fogging up from the air conditioning as he leaned over the counter in Verbatim Comics. For a while, he had been flipping through some graphic novel with a Nosferatu-looking vampire on the front, menacing a pair of teenagers in a dark, winding forest. “Don’t you think this is completely unrealistic?” He asked at last, turning it over to show a page to whoever happened to be perusing his wares. “Like, he can’t cross running water, but they spent a whole chapter on him riding a boat over to New York from…some nondescript European country. It just feels like a plot hole. Like, does he take baths? Can he get into the tub if the faucet is on?” He trailed off, furrowing his brow. “I’m sorry. Can I help you find something today?” @mysticstart​

Raine was just looking around, trying to occupy his time until he had to open his bar. So, why not walk around a comic book shop that had some interesting things in it. Though, as he heard someone speaking, Raine looked over with a raised brow and snickered. “Most pop culture is wrong about a lot of things, so I’m not surprised that they made this mistake.” Laughing softly, he picked it up gently with his hands and flipped a page of the comic book. Hearing the man’s question, he shook his head with a smirk at him. “Oh, no. I was just looking around. My bar’s not that far away and I figured I’d pass time by looking at what you’ve got here. I’m always looking for something to give as gifts to my brothers as a bribe so they’ll shut the fuck up for five fucking seconds.”

vampireroxy​:

We protect each other || Roxanne, Helena and Raine

@helena-theriot @bringthedemonout

At first, when Roxy got her VIP pass, she really felt like a big badass vampire. Who doesn’t like being a VIP, right? She wouldn’t mind getting  spoiled every once in a while. She figured she would find some really good stuff there and she really found it. Her eyes shone with excitement as she entered the room. Besides the amount of alcohol and some other good stuff, there were also some blood bags there, waiting for her. Whoever had that VIP idea really wanted to help her. Or any vampire with a pass. The brunette was sure of one thing: That room was made for supernatural beings only, otherwise they wouldn’t just put those blood bags on trays, right? Not only blood, but other supernatural stuff.

She had invited P.D. to explore the room and he was there with her, but he soon left when they heard a strange noise. She told him she would be fine and it was okay for him to check where that noise was coming from, probably someone who was drunk and trying to cause some trouble, she thought. She turned around, facing the table with those drinks and decided to get some bloody booze. She was pouring some blood into the glass when she heard the door open. She didn’t bother turning to whoever was walking into the room. Nah, it certainly was another supernatural visiting the room. The vampire only hoped it wasn’t another vampire, otherwise she’d have to steal just some of those bags. She then could smell some fresh blood in the air, as if someone had cut themselves near her. She could feel her veins protuberating around her eyes as they got red, giving her natural vampire look. She didn’t have much time to react, though.

At first, it was like something had punched her into her arm. But she really felt the pain. She barely had time to realize what’s going on before falling down. Someone had just attacked her with a silver stake. “You!” She heard a male voice and she painfully tried to turn around to face whoever did that, but didn’t succeed.  The stake was thick and it  had crossed her arm. “Me?” Roxy mumbled, her eyes shut as she still felt the pain. Uh-oh, Roxanne. Your nightmare became real. Run before he kills or hurt you. But wait… What if he wasn’t alone? What if that room was a trap and she fell right into it? Think faster, Roxy, please! She could still smell the blood. She finally opened her eyes and faced the strange man, his hand dirty with blood, holding another thick silver stake. A hunter… “Please! I’m innocent, please! I didn’t do anyt… Aaaaaah!” Another stake. “Please, don’t!” She cried out, surely aware that she would be dead if she didn’t get those stakes out of her in time. If he had another one hidden and he decided to stick it through her chest, it was over.

So maybe she was a little determined to get into this so called VIP room and had lifted a pass off of someone else. Conversing with other prominent supernaturals was only going to work in her favour. It took her a moment or two to actually find the room. The place the ball was being held in was such a large place could anyone blame her for getting lost? Helena expected to walk in to see a bunch of supernaturals talking and drinking and potentially ignoring her existence. What she was instead was blood. There was blood on the floor. Her eyes darted around the room to take in the scene. 

There was a woman on the floor, bleeding, silver stakes protruding from bleeding wounds. Vampire. So that meant… The man in the room had to be a hunter. Reaching she threw her magic out, letting it catch against the hunter before throwing him across the room. She just needed time. She didn’t know if she could fix this herself but she could at least give the woman some time. Helena crossed the room, not caring about the blood and grabbed the silver stakes and yanked them out. More blood splattered for a moment before it looked like the vampires physiology took over. So she moved onto the second. Her hand had barely touched it when she was charged into.

Helena fell, the heavy form of the hunter falling onto her, his hands trying to wrap around her neck. She struggled, her hand reaching for the stake she had just removed from the vampire. Clearly she wasn’t being allowed some fancy death. Plain old strangulation for her. Once the stake was in her hand she brought it down onto his back. Unfortunately nowhere lethal but it was enough to get him off her. She scrambled up and crawled over the the hunter, forcing him down, her knee on his chest. Her hand was raised ready to cast another spell when the door opened.

It was the fact that Seir was busy bothering Belvar that he had a moment to himself. He didn’t say where he was going, only to make sure no one bothered him. The VIP room that was specifically for those of the occult had him feeling some sort of relief. A cigarette was at his lips, he remembered how he took out the smoke alarm in the damned room the last time he was in there and he was sure someone put it back in. It’s not like he was going to set anything on fire, especially since people he actually gave a shit about were in the damned Bloodmoon. A small brush of his hand over his hair to keep it in place, he ignored the fact that he was feeling some heartache thanks to his ex not even paying attention to him. “Fucking prick.”

Getting to the door to his mental escape, he heard something on the other side of the door which had him growling. Who was fighting? He was tired of that shit these days. Well, somewhat. He did enjoy a good rumble with his brothers. So, opening the door and seeing Helena and Roxy fighting some jackass, he noticed the silver stake and closed the door behind him with a gentle click. “Well, well, well...what do we have here?” He inquired rhetorically, using his abilities to lock the room and shut the curtains over the windows. Reaching down, he pulled out the stake from the man’s back and tossed it up and down like someone with a baseball.

Noticing the blood on both of them and even the injuries on Roxy, he tsked lightly and gently placed a hand on Helena’s shoulder to get her to let go. “I’ve got this, dear. Don’t worry.” Slowly squatting down as he handed the stake to Helena, he grabbed the man by the hair to yank his head upward and gave a fiendish smirk as his eyes turned fully onyx. His teeth revealed their fully-fanged form as his smile turned to pure evil. Long and lethally sharp horns shot out of his head, watching the man’s face turn to complete and utter terror. “Y-You’re a...a...” The Hunter uttered, the fear coating his words which only fueled Raine’s ego.

CANON: Horror Show - Details of Raine’s Alibi

This is a detailed timeline of the accounts of Raine’s whereabouts during the Ball. Viewer Discretion is advised...

“I never would have gotten away with wearing something like this back home. My family were very of the notion that modesty is the best policy and while I’m not exactly showing anything I’m baring my shoulders. Gods forbid. I never understood it. They want you to cover up until they want you naked for a ritual.” She rolled her eyes smoothing the material of the dress down. She took the glass she was offered and nodded her head slightly in thanks. 

“I haven’t had a run in with the church yet. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. I have bumped into someone from the church of light. Honestly he gave off a weirder vibe than I would have thought for someone who’s suppose to be all light and shit.” Helena sipped at her drink, looking around. “If it’s expensive i’ll let you keep it. At least until I get myself sorted. I might have splurged on my dress tonight but that’s the only big purchase I can make till I get myself settled here.”

Hearing about the modesty her family put her through, Raine gave a soft chuckle and a pitiful smile. “Oh, Helena. You and I both know that it’s not because of modesty and virtue as it is about controlling women and using them as a scapegoat for their own lack of self-control. It’s why ‘dress codes’ are all bullshit in my opinion. But, honestly, you look ravishing. You deserve to feel like a god damned queen in your dress without reprimand or memories of your family’s belittlement.” Sipping his drink once more, he placed it down and smiled to her. “Look, if you ever want, we can go shopping together? I love scaring the Hell out of the shop owners when I look better in a dress than their mannequins.”

When she mentioned someone she ran into, he furrowed his brows a bit while thinking of this Light Witch who gave her uneasy vibes. “That’ll be Gabriel, and you should be on edge around him. He’s a damned politician from what I can gather. I don’t trust any white man in any form of power.” Raine told her, looking over and in the direction of Gabriel. “He knows who I am, in every aspect, but he won’t do anything. I know he’s frightened of me.” Letting his gaze go back to her, he smiled faintly to show he was being sincere. “I know you don’t need my protection, Helena. But, if you feel he’s too much, we can take him together, hm? He’s a bit of a fool and won’t try to egg me on. He seems like the type to get a rise out of women and not in the sexy, fun way I can.”

“I don’t drink. I wouldn’t know.” Gabriel replied shortly, cocking his head to one side to regard him with a furrowed brow. He had not necessarily meant to approach the Demon, but all evening, the witch had been making his way from table to table, greeting the proper people, asking how children were doing, the types of vain social graces done for the sake of themselves. It was evidently dampening his mood, however, to have found Raine sitting along his path. He cleared his throat and managed a small smile, largely so the partygoers around them would not pick up anything awry. And when he spoke up, it was more with terse annoyance than the antagonism that colored their prior encounter. “But it is a lovely evening, yes. Everyone certainly seems to be having a good time, and it’s lovely to be among neighbors. Friends, I mean.” He narrowed his eyes, shifting his gaze to the ice-filled glass. “I’d have thought you’d be used to a little heat.” 

SELF-PARAGRAPH: When Worlds Collide - Raine’s Alibi

“Alright, boy, it’s about time you told us what you know and why you were seen near that room at the time of the murder.” The officer said, causing him to groan as Raine sat cuffed in an interrogation room. He didn’t say anything, and the cop was getting pissed since this bar owner wasn’t giving them what they wanted. Raine could only smirk fiendishly, knowing he honestly didn’t do it but why not drag out this whole thing to the point of murderous rage from the cops. They were all fucking worthless anyway.

“Not exactly the vibe I was going for but I’ll take it.” It seemed she was going to continue running into the demon. “Figured I’d need an outfit that didn’t make me stand out while surrounded by outfits that were worn to try and stand out.” She liked her dress, she just wished it hadn’t cost her so much to get hold of. Having only settled in town a week or so prior she was running off limited funds and staying in a motel. Getting ready for this kind of event in a motel is not ideal. 

“I’m starting to see that you fit right in among the people here. I think there are a total of two or three that haven gone over the top.” She looked him up and down before smirking. “You will have to tell me where you got that lipstick shade though. I might not wear colour in my clothes but I still like to play around with makeup.” 

“I did say ‘hello’ but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to compliment someone on their fashion taste.” He said, sipping his drink again while listening to her. “You do stand out, though, in your own way since it’s far different than other gowns. I like it, though. The black is subtle but the design is completely unique. I could never pull off something like that. I’m not shapely enough.” He said, gesturing to his slim hips he wished were slightly thicker. Sure, he was in a thin bodied vessel, but he liked being slightly thicker in some parts. He finished off his glass and picked up a couple from a tray moving by. So much champagne; he was in heaven!

“I do fit in, but that’s the point. I don’t want to ruin my reputation as being a bit of a fashion icon amongst those in the Church of the Night.” Handing her one of the glasses, he took a sip from the one he hadn’t handed to her while thinking of how she liked his lip color. “Oh, do you? I’d gladly give it to you after we all check out of the ball. I finished off my last tube of it and I have a fresh one in my bag just in case. It’s expensive, but I’m not one to hoard my make up if someone likes what they see.”

“Thanks for letting me know.” He showed Raine his biggest shit eating grin. Of course his own blood would try and ruin his fun. He could care less about Raine’s disapproval tonight.  He was going to have fun and look good doing so. Belvar wasn’t going to entirely ignore his brother. “I don’t plan on going that hard tonight. I’m just trying to loosen up.” He winked at Raine. “Just trying to have some fun and relax. Just like old times.” Belvar stared back at his brother. A giggle tickled in his throat, sipping his glass. The demon had his vessel blush, just to sell the drunk human act even more. “Oh, yeah. I don’t usually drink. But I can’t do the hard stuff, so these are doing just enough for me.” Belvar looked his brother over, noticing his attire. “But look at you. Looking like a spicy…” Words were slipping away from him already. “A spicy candle.” 

That grin only bothered him since it was showing that he was acting like this on purpose. “You’re welcome, though keep in mind that they can cut you off whenever they think you’ve had enough.” He said, still watching his mannerisms and how he was standing. Then he mentioned ‘old times’ and that had him letting out a groan of irritation. “Don’t get that loose, okay? Old times can be a real give away. Sinclair’s already found something to do which is sit in a corner and look grumpy in his wrinkled suit. What are you going to do with your night besides get shit-faced on champagne?” Raine wasn’t up for shenanigans at the moment, seeing as how he was actually enjoying himself tonight. Belvar’s comment did have him shaking his head with a pitied smile on his face. “Oh, sweetheart, is that all you got when it comes to how I’m dressed? At least I don’t look like the Mayor of Emerald City. You know, if he was younger and a little more cracked out in the facial features.” Nipping his bottom lip, he looked over to the bar and slipped Belvar a could hundreds. “Use that to start a hefty tab, though, yeah? Find those who have a weakness for alcohol and buy them as many drinks.”

“Yeah, ages ago. You need to step it up a bit, Raine. You’re getting boring. And a little, what is it…? Oh yeah, basic. Ya basic,” he smirked, laughing aloud again at his own joke. At least there could be some entertainment for him here, even if it was harassing his own brothers. “Not really, no. Just brushed it and tied it back. Don’t tell me you spent hours on all that,” he said, reaching out with his free hand to try to touch Raine’s hair. He highly doubted he’d be able to do it, though. The First Prince put a lot of stock into his appearances. Too much in Sinclair’s opinion, but what could he do? Even powerful demons were bound to have their own eccentricities. 

Leaving his empty glasses on a nearby flat surface despite the tray being passed around, he would take the new glass his brother passed over to him. Any comment he would have made about Belvar’s clothing choices were promptly forgotten when he heard Raine’s comparison. Loud laughter erupted from Sinclair, shaking his head as he clutched to his glass and not caring if he was drawing any attention over to him because of his volume. “Oh, Emerald City. That’s too good,” he said finally, his laughter calming down though he was still shaking his head and grinning over it all. “We can’t let our guards down, you say, as you keep drinking and drinking,” he pointed out, rolling his eyes as he took a drink out of his own glass. “We’ve been doing this same dance for our whole lives, Raine. We know how to have fun and look after ourselves.”

“You know what’s boring? You. Mister ‘I sit in my bookstore and become a glutton of knowledge’.” He teased, laughing at his own joke even if no one else finding it funny. Seir and Belvar seemed to be behaving despite themselves. Raine wasn’t about to ruin their fun, but he was going to keep a hard eye on them since he didn’t want any ruckus. Rolling his eyes at Seir’s comment, he gestured to his hair and stepped back far enough from his brother so he wouldn’t touch his hair. “Yes, I got it done at a salon in town while also making sure my outfit was tailored to fit only me. So, I’d love it if you didn’t touch anything on me.” Sure, Raine was incredibly vain, but he loved being so. It made sure he was able to look human in a world that was increasingly aware of the supernatural. He may not care if hunters know what or who he is, but he cared enough about his brothers to keep up his own appearances.

Seir’s laugh erupted in the Blood Room, causing Raine to laugh as well. Sure, people were looking at them, but no one could tell they were related. The only possibility of any sort of relation to one another would be acquaintances and fellow business owners. “I’m glad you find my joke amusing. It’s the absolute fucking truth since he looks like something that got shat out by a geologist reading D.C. comics.” Adjusting his cape a bit since it was slipping to one side. he finished off his glass and patted his lips with his handkerchief. The last thing he wanted was to mess up his makeup by getting wasted. “I’m older, wiser. I can drink you under the table, so don’t insult my drinking habits.” He said, picking up a couple more glasses as a tray went by filled with freshly poured flutes. Raine handed one to Seir, sipping his fresh glass without waiting. “You say that while there are hunters and Light Witches abound. If you feel you can handle yourself, we can find some tonight and have a bit of fun?”