when cam asked griffin to tag along while she explored he had no problem saying yes. he’d much rather be out exploring the outerworld than sitting inside of the hideout waiting for something to happen. besides, he offered protection for cam, he was able to feel better about her exploration knowing that he would be there in case she ran into trouble. after some time passed she finally spoke to him, her words intriguing him. “now i’m very curious as to what it is. if it’s big enough to change everything then it’s gotta be something special.”

The hideout was okay, it was safe, which was important, but it was boring. She was rather proud of herself for finding this place but also having the vision one needed to create a lab from a run down barn. That’s exactly what she did, and she put her hands out to show Griffin the large barn structure that was still off in the distance. “The commander gave me special permissions for this place.” He would see soon enough what it was, but she wanted to build it up to what it really was. It was a chance for humans to finally regain some kind of traction in this war. “I’m going to find out exactly what makes them so powerful. Something, anything we can use for ourselves to even the odds.” She spoke on it like bright hope, and not experimenting on possible innocents, but to her, there was no distinction. Finally closing the distance to the barn, she pushed open the door to reveal some of the work she, and her assistant had already done. “What do you think?”

Eloise looked up to recognize her helper as one of the scientists at the hideout. Smiling at the woman, she continued to shove everything back into her own hands. “To be fair, I knew I needed a lot, but not this much.” Shrugging, she accepted the help. “Yeah, that’d be great. It’s quite the trek back and I don’t want to spend it picking up shit every five steps.” Looking around to make sure they weren’t being followed to the secret location, Eloise started moving forward. “You traveled all the way out here for a single toothbrush?” Eloise questioned as she looked at the scientists hands. 

closed starter: @camxdrarcher​

location: the dragon’s eye

Human. A lost bewildered look in her eyes as she took everything in. There was fascination there. The look that most humans had when they came into a place where supernaturals of all kinds were able to exist with minimal confrontation. Humans intrigued him. The way that they existed in a world full of predators. Some even beating the odds and making the predators their prey. He wondered which one she was. Henry knew not to underestimate humanity. They were capable of wonder and destruction all the same as he was. Except there was one thing that demons did better. Living out the sin they were created for.

As he saw her wander off to the bar still with that look in her eyes, he knew he had to do something. Henry was at her side in a puff of smoke. “Alright I need you to do me a favor. Drop any sense of reserve you have for yourself right now and shake it out. Jump up and down, wiggle, do something. I’m not sure whether you’re scared or excited but if you’re going to be here alone we’re going to make this an eventful night for you.” The smile on his face was warm and inviting. That’s who he was when he wasn’t out hunting for souls. Even then he wasn’t a dick. Those days were behind him.

Curious blue hues insufficiently protected by thin lenses were obvious to anyone that paid attention to her. She was human, she was amazed- she shouldn’t be here. The Dragon’s eye was the most human friendly bars in Neutral territory, but she was far from being out of danger. That much was obvious when the smoke bore a (for lack of a better term) beautiful man who seemed nice as he was attractive. "Excuse me? I’m not your pet that will dance for you.” Her disgust of his presumptions of her showed through clearly. An eventful night- one could only imagine what this beast of a man had in store for her. Any reluctance shadowed by curiosity about the man that appeared to her and even learning about his species. “What is it you had in mind?” 

Open to: griffin blake

Where: close to her makeshift unofficial lab 

@twistcdones​

She often asked Griffin to go along with her when she explored. Her curiosity sometimes landed her into trouble and being a friend, the scout was willing to go with her. Any supernatural in the hideout was forbidden, including the ones Camden had no intention of releasing once she was finished her work. That meant, she had to have a place that she could do her experiments and not put the other humans at risk. She was taking Griffin to that exact place now. In a normal world, they would appear to just be two friends having a stroll. As it is, she knew Griffin would be on guard enough for the both of them. While she walked, her focus was mainly on the small pad clutched in tight fingers. “I want to show you something. Something that will change everything for us.” Us indicated humans as a whole, but she spoke specifically to Griffin. 

Kace, in his mind, was just going to gather intel. He felt like he didn’t know nearly enough about vampires that he should, especially since he was a beta. He was hoping that since there was a recent attack on the vampires, that it would be easier to get in and out of their territory. When he was a human, he had always avoided the territory, knowing that he could easily get caught in something he didn’t want. But walking into the Bite Club made him realize that humans, at least some of them, seemed to be there willingly. Kace could not fathom it. He glanced around the room, eyes narrowing at the feeding booths. Kace quickly opened the curtain and slid into one. He frowned when he saw the human sitting there. “Hate to burst your little bubble but I’m not a fucking blood sucker.” He shook his head back and forth. “Why on earth would you willingly come in here and do this?” 

Camden kept her vices close to the chest for this very reason. What kind of human would put themselves in danger like this for a temporary thrill? She wasn’t even sure about it herself, so she surely wasn’t about to be judged by this male. “Excuse me? First of all, how dare you intrude on me this way, clearly with the curtain drawn, I assume privacy. Secondly, don’t presume to know what my intentions are in being here. Thirdly, keep your voice down. I don’t think either of us are looking for extra attention, in the case that you aren’t a vampire, correct?" Nimble fingers pushed her glasses into the same spot, taking the time to compose herself. “What are you doing here, if you don’t want to be here?”

Demitri could tell what kind of species the woman was before he even laid eyes on her. Human. He could smell it. Her blood practically calling to him. He ran his tongue over his slightly pointed teeth as he smirked. “The bar over there doesn’t have what I’m looking for.” He informed her as his eyes flickered to watch her closely. “So what brings someone like you, here?”

The rapid heartbeat pounding in her chest was enough to give her away even if she did try to suppress it. Camden was smart enough to hear the danger lurking in the creature’s voice and realize she had caught his attention. Still, the small scientist had a temper and she didn’t appreciate Demitri’s last comment. “Someone like me? Human, you mean?” She didn’t hide her species, even if that meant putting herself in danger. Her hands found her hips in a huff, but it mostly just made her look cuter and more out of place in the fight club. She had no intentions of stepping into or near the cage. The carnal violence and draw of supernaturals often destroying each other was fascinating to her. “I’m a scientist. I’m here for research.” 

( melissa benoist, 31, cis female, she/her, human, scientist ) It’s been a while since we’ve seen DR CAMDEN ARCHER. I hear they're HUMAN and they reside in THE HIDEOUT. Some may say they act SKITTISH & CYNICAL, while other’s claim they are BRILLIANT & PIONEERING. With that being said, their soul will always remain a little crooked. 

Tryx knew the woman knew what the demon was doing, but that didn’t stop her. Still offering a glistening smile, Tryx leaned in a little closer to the woman. “Thank you. I was hoping I could find some good company tonight.” Her power continued to seep over the woman, not nearly to the full extent, but enough that it should keep the woman sat next to her. 

Her brows furrowed the slightest bit, “You seem like something’s bothering you, I’m known to be a good person to vent to if you need?” It was a total lie. Tryx did not care for human problems in the slightest, but, she’d gotten extremely good at playing the part. 

Even without touch, the woman’s thrall still held the young genius in her place. “I’m honored you’d consider me good company. Camden’s thoughts briefly shifted to her most recent scientific blunder. The failure meant having to start her hypothesis over with a different source variable. She was back to the proverbial drawing board. Still, she wasn’t under enough spell to spill her secrets so easily. Her eyes fell to the grain of the bar top. “Thank you, that’s okay. Tough day at work is all.” The demon’s allure was too tempting to not push the envelope. That very curiosity would be the death of her one day, but she was eager to learn about the succubi species. Camden offered a small but capable hand to the woman in a greeting as proper as she could muster. “I’m Camden. Doctor, actually..”

It feels like Jessie spends the majority of her time within the walls of the Club and that the familiar faces are the same kind of comfort as the flute she’s carrying as she saunters across the floor. It’s noted that because she spends so much time here; has so many years on the mass of bodies that surround her, unknown faces stick out like red on yellow. The woman the Diplomat watches shroud herself behind a curtain, one of those few. 

And if the Davenport doesn’t know them, then she suddenly wants to. They’re something more interesting than another recognisable body within Bite Club; another human that’s not owned by the walls of the building; yet not a regular partaker in the iconic bar that the Darklands is formidable for. A notch up from The Bank on the East side of the Faction. So there’s little hesitation when the redhead crosses the distance to the private booths to catch more than a glimpse of the red that stands out against the dead. 

Don’t be red in the walls of the Club if you don’t intend to stay; if there’s a fear of death. 

Gives eaten alive a whole other meaning. 

Slender fingers trap the edge of the curtain the stranger had vanished behind, tugs it back enough that’s not entire exposure to the rest of the undead who might not be far behind Jessie, but with intention that shows Jess is not there to partake in the same things that perhaps most would be. Green eyes, darkened some by the lowlights of BC meet the new face, rake in the features that Jessie doesn’t know; truly an enigma; Jess likes to think she knows everyone who is someone. 

And to not be someone, that’s even more dangerous than the woman knows.

Words escape the stranger whilst the Diplomat scours the mortal, listens to the worried thrum of nerves that match a fluctuating heartbeat with a growing smile; amusement to the revelation. Though, had she needed to guess, it certainly would have matched up. “Oh, it shows,” the Davenport replies, it’s matter-of-fact; a lost human looking for a monster to bury teeth; hasn’t even wandered without knowing intention. Because it’s clear she does. The Club owner’s fingers release the curtain, stands as a barricade between those at her rear and the woman in the booth as if she’s the reason the mortal gets to live a little longer. And Jessie is already wondering how the woman got even this far without injury. “You’re not the typical type,” she adds eventually, carefully deducts the wording chosen. Like this. “Not a place for beginners, mortale, and mine,” implies her personal patrons, “are not all that kind in their ways,” 

And Jack springs to mind; his interest in woman that aren’t easy and have an innocence that mean they’re unpractised. “You should leave,” That’s a kindness, take it whilst you can girl.  

While most would shy away from the sheer power the other, and for good reason, but Camden Archer was not most. Her wicked curiosity had her wanting the alluring woman to stay. She didn’t know who the vampire was or that she owned the establishment she currently occupied. Still, her heartbeat gave away her excitement over the entire thing. There was a danger in being human, still so fragile despite her advancements and her best efforts but ultimate failures. She couldn’t seem to break herself of the dangerous habit, now she was hooked. As a scientist hellbent on making the humans the superior species, she was damned to despise the very thing that often made her feel alive. 

The redhead identified ownership of the club which only fueled the human to push her limits. “I’m not sure what you mean by the typical type.” Suspecting the words were chosen with intentions of possibly saving the curious genius’ life, she pressed ahead. If the gorgeous woman meant her harm, there was little she could do to fight her off, anyway. “Is that a suggestion or an order? Either way, I appreciate the sentiment, thank you.” She made no effort to get up or leave in the slightest. 

open starter: @crookedsoulsstarters​

location: outside the beserkers bar

Five fights. One bloodstained shirt. Javi wasn’t sure whether the blood on his clothing was his or from the fuckers who decided to get too close. They didn’t know he thrived on this. It was a high close to the one he felt when he was feeding. Beserkers Bar is where he went when he wanted to get challenged by both human and supernatural. He’d feed on the undesirables who couldn’t hold their liquor. The ones dumb enough to punch a random stranger knowing damn well they could possibly be a creature that would happily snap their fragile little necks without a thought.

He stepped out into the night. There was only so much freedom he allowed himself. Javi was alone for a few minutes before he saw someone approach him out of the corner of his eye. Great. “If you’re looking for a fight there are plenty of willing participants inside. The crowd is rowdier than usual.” he said, not bothering to make eye contact with them. Right now he wasn’t in the mood for another fight. He wanted to enjoy the night before going back to The Darklands.

Camden’s inclination for being bitten and the occasional kidnapping of an unsuspecting creature had her in the “wrong neighborhood” pretty often. She’d been sure to keep a low profile on her previous trips so as to not draw attention to herself. Her little act included feigning innocence when there was none. "A appreciate the advice, but I think I’d prefer to stay outside if that’s the case.” Fighting with present company would be ill advised, judging by the blood on his clothing. “Are you alright?” Showing concern was the best way to put them at ease, whether that was to protect herself or give them a false sense of security. In this case, it was the former. She had no idea what this man was capable of, even if the curiosity threatened to get the best of her with this one. 

Faction: The Haven | Neutral Location: The Boneyard Open to: All. 

It’s eerie; there’s a howl in the distance, something a little louder than the wind and it’s easily picked up by the vampire’s ears. Tombs litter the rotted expanse of the Boneyard, a stench that lingers a little too uncomfortably for even Jack to ignore; it permeates the air; hangs there like an unwanted lover that refuses to leave even after being done with them. The Davenport can forgive it, knows that death has a scent that the undead are a little too familiar with. He’s standing in a graveyard and long after flesh has decayed under his feet and ivory bones stained with frozen droplets are swallowed by the hardened soil; Jakoris stays leaned up against a broken tombstone, cracked by some blunt force that leaves the stone jagged at its edges. The sound of a metal scratching on steel rings throughout the empty space; the flick of a Zippo’s lid that he’s thumbing up and down absently cutting through the silence. There’s a smoke trapped between his lips, cherry glowing bright every time the vampire takes a drag.

He’s waiting for someone; something really, there’s a shovel embedded in the dried ground beside him and for the first time in a while, Jessie’s asked him to partake in something relevant to his position in the hierarchy, to be expected really, he considers the lack of a matriarch hovering above his maker; the overlord of the vampire mutilated publicly is something of a statement. Jack knows it can’t go ignored and he’s chasing the so-called Khaos that swept into the Haven like a ghost, the one that played games with them all and then vanishes again as though their world is a mere Monopoly board that he owns all the parts for. Truly, he’s thankful it was only the Overlord. Had it been Jessie strung from chains; burned alive before him, then there’d have been something a little more than a patient man hanging around the Boneyard like a manifestation of its own. Oh there would be so much more blood. 

But he’s not foolish enough to think that now that there’s no new vampire fighting for the position that his maker doesn’t has a newfound target on her head and if Khaos and his band of fucks return to continue knocking apart the factions for kicks, he dreads the idea that she’ll be next.

Smoke erupts from his lips when his free hand pulls the cigarette away and for a second it covers his vision with white; obscures the fog that’s already gathered around him; it’s always damn foggy in the Boneyard. His eyes glimpse the end of the cig and whilst that repetitive sound of metal comes in doses, he flicks the finished stub into the distance, catches movement in his peripheries; immediately senses it’s not who he’s waiting for and addresses the fact he’s discarded the butt in their direction. “Only trying to gift the dead with that, my bad – didn’t intend to try set you alight and add your ashes to the soil, scouts honour,” There’s a smirk that ticks up at the corner of his lips when he makes his jibe and it’s enough to probably note that there’s a sharpness of teeth visible behind lips. A hunger hidden behind hues that matches.

The finished cancer-stick’s glow dissipates and there’s a moment of silence – Jakoris ceases thumbing at the lighter, curls fingers around the square to hone his attention on the newcomer; stays vigilant to their intentions. There’s a lot of dead around him, afterall; always room for move, he’s even got a shovel at the ready if they’re anything other than friendly. 

What a hardfound descriptor in the world of Crooked. 

Of Camden’s many vices, cigarettes were never one of them. Unfortunately, the dedication to her work did make stalking around the boneyard a regular occurrence. Smoke in the distance had drawn her closer to the male, but his jovial menacing and haphazard excuse for launching the butt her way. Cautious steps carried her into full view of the male. “Regardless of the validity of your scout status, it’s a horrid habit. Smoking and littering.” The matter of fact tone couldn’t be helped. 

Open to: vampires mainly, but could be anyone

Where: private booth

@crookedsoulsstarters​

Camden fidgeted with the frames that perched on her nose. She’d only been to Bite Club a few times but never had she actually booked a feeding booth with herself as the menu. Sure, she’s been there before, but she would weave through the club crowd and come upon a vampire she might fancy for a fang and fuck. Was she truly this desperate? The answer to the question she never wanted to ask herself was undeniably, yes. The movement of the curtain signaled her hungry visitor’s ingress, and her nerves forced her eyes downward. She spoke, completely unaware who she was speaking to. “I’m sorry, I’ve never done this before. Well, this way.” 

Where: The Haven

Location: The Slaughter Ring

Who: Open to all @crookedsoulsstarters​

It wasn’t Demitri’s first time at the Slaughter Ring. In fact, the last time he had been there he had been in the ring. Today, though, he had chosen to go just to watch. Unless someone wanted to actually challenge him, that was. He leaned against the railing on the top row, watching two supernaturals fight until one gave up or died. He was hoping to watch the latter. “Do you think they have drinks here?” He asked someone that was near him. “This entertainment is making me quite partched.” 

Camden was a regular at The Slaughter Ring. Scoping out strong specimens, was the lie she told. She kept a low profile, sticking to the walls, away from anyone who might recognize her to frequent the establishment. She’s not entirely certain which to be horrified by more: the menacing voice so close to her ear or the shiver that straightened her spine when it happened. Instead, she pushed both sensations deep into the depths of her stomach and plastered on a composed exterior. “I’m sure you’ll find something you like at the bar through there.”

open thread | tryxryna x anyone @crookedsoulsstarters​ location: any bar your muse would be in

Tryx needed some fun. Sure, the circus had provided some, but even then, that was borderline too much chaos for her. And that was saying a lot. So, she found herself at some bar, she didn’t care to remember the names or locations anymore, looking for someone to toy with. 

Approaching someone she’d decided was her victim for the night, she sat down next to them, letting her power envelop them in a warm embrace. “Well hi stranger,” she practically purred in a low tone, her fingers tracing the veins in their hand. “Care to keep me company?” 

After a particularly costly failure in the lab, the scientist sat at the Dragon’s eye. She tried drowning her defeat, but the wine she clutched with white knuckles just wasn’t doing the trick. While regularly experimenting on the supernatural that were unlucky enough to find themselves strapped to her table, she had a perverse fascination with them socially. 

The stress of her failure faded while the vise grip on her glass loosened. It all happened so quickly, Camden had no time to offer any resistance. The draw she felt overwhelmed her functions and she could only nod. She was under this creature’s spell and she knew it. She summoned all of her wits not clouded by sexual energy and cleared her throat. Her hand slid from under the succubus’ touch to straighten her already even glasses. “You are welcome to join me.” She was aware, not dead. The woman was gorgeous!

open thread | eloise x anyone @crookedsoulsstarters​ location: market

Eloise needed more supplies for the med bay and god forbid she ask anyone to do it for her. Anytime someone went out to get stuff for her, they always forgot something or picked up the wrong things. So, now she preferred to go herself. Walking through the market, she tried to take in as much of her surroundings as she could. All the different species intermingling, it was something that had always kept her curious. Also, she hoped one of these days she’d run into her sister again, but that was a dream she kept on the back burner of her mind. 

Her hands were full with supplies in addition to the bag she’d brought along. After the Circus nightmare, she needed a restock on everything and she was too stubborn to make more than one trip. However, that didn’t stop her from literally tripping over the uneven ground and launching some of the supplies out of her hands. Bandages, gauze, ointments, everything went flying all over the dirt path. Groaning loudly, she bent down to start picking it up, cursing to herself the whole time. Looking up, she noticed someone walking by and didn’t care whether or not they were human, she needed help. “Hey!” she called out, “can you grab that roll of bandages by your foot?”

Camden had been doing her damnedest to advance humanity for as long as she could remember. Her mad science hadn’t yielded much success in returning the human race to its former glory but she had developed other useful weaponry and medicines to help the fragile creatures from being wiped out completely. A former child prodigy turned youthful genius, Cam was still most comfortable in her lab. She could be charming, but most of the time she came off awkward and socially unaware. Still, there she was being sucked into an interaction with a fellow human she knew she’s seen before seeing as she sometimes needed medical during her experiments. 

Reluctantly, she stopped the rolling bandage with her Chuck Taylor classic and bent to retrieve the fugitive supply. “I’m sure you’re aware they have baskets for this very situation?” The rhetorical question was meant to be a helpful offering but as usual, came off as more condescending. The scientist stepped a tiny bit closer to hand off the bandage but then decided to help her colleague. “I can give you a hand, if you like? I just have this one thing.” A lonely toothbrush clutched in a small fist.