Mayhem & Merlot

There was a difference between the explosion of a firework and the explosion that her ears had picked up on. The explosions in the air were happening, yes, but as a person that had grown up around such weapons since she was young, she knew all too well what a smoke grenade sounded like. The sizzling of Mathieu’s skin was almost immediate, and Kaden could only look on in horror for the first few stunning moments.

He wasn’t the only one screaming in pain, and she could hear other yells and noises of shock throughout the area. She glanced around quickly, looking for some source of the poison, but judging by the people around them, there were multiple sources–too many to just run away from. “Now, you need to go now,” they were obviously words that Mathieu knew himself, but she couldn’t help but speak them all the same. “Inside, out of the air, now.”

Mathieu felt like he was being set on fire. Through squinted eyes he looked at his arms, already covered in bright red patches, some starting to fizzle. He heard Kaden’s voice but didn’t really register until another cloud of smoke billowed towards them way to quickly and he jerked in pain. 

Without stopping to think he grabbed Kaden and sped towards the first door he could find, and kicked the door in. After that he immediately fell to the floor and let out another yell. “Close the door”, he yelled at Kaden even though of course she was already in the process of doing so. “Why would someone release vervain. What in the bloody hell is going on,” his words came broken between gasps of air as he could feel the last bits on the vervain on his skin seeping in, and his body slowly beginning the process of damage control. 

“They’re my pack in an instinctual sense but that doesn’t mean I like most of them.”

“And why’s that?”

“It’s just a feeling,” Meg shrugged. Once he mentioned the other supernatural bar, Meg knew for sure that the feeling had been right. Or rather she knew, at least, that Kyle didn’t like him. She assumed it was mutual. “Oh yeah? Well, pleasure to meet you. I’m Meg Roberts, Kyle’s second in command,” she replied, adding her title even though she normally wouldn’t. She often tried to make friends, or at least allies, out of people Kyle didn’t get along with– there was no use in making enemies, after all. 

Mathieu grinned, the title was a nice touch. “I’m Mathieu Leon. Vampire. First in command of myself.” He wasn’t sure if this girl had immediately decided she was against him, she didn’t seem like the type from their conversation so far, but he was on his guard now proceeding. 

“You’re as good a person to talk to as any.”

“Well that’s nice of you I suppose.” Mathieu said with a grin but he was barely able to finish his sentence before the explosions started. At first, he along with everyone else thought they were fireworks, but when the clouds of smoke gathered far too quickly around the crowd, he knew it was something else. “Kade-” Mathieu said instinctively turning towards her before he felt his throat close and a burning sensation flash across his skin. 

Vervain. He covered his face and let out a guttural yell. He knew he had to move but he was temporarily stuck. Luckily for him, it would take longer for the vervain to cause extreme damage but he could tell from the screams around him that other people weren’t fairing as well.

“Oh, I do know him– he’s my friend. I’ve got a strange feeling that you don’t really like him, though.”

“Small world indeed.”

“My people are throwing the party. Although not sure if i’d really consider them mine.”

“And why’s that? I thought it was one for all, all for one with you lot?”

“To each their own, I guess.”

“Yeah? Who was the first? I mean, Canada’s a big place, but who knows, I might know them.”

“His name is Kyle. Kyle Davidson.”

“Now it just sounds like you’re fishing for a compliment.”

“Well I always appreciate compliments, if they’re sincere.”

“Ha.Ha, clever. And yes, I did. Worth every penny.”

“Well then, cheers again.”

“That’s me. It’s a pleasure to see you again.”

“Likewise. Did you get your blood money?” he said winking.

“Yeah, that sounds like a pretty accurate description, or at least I’ll take it.”

“I hope I’m not keeping you from friends, or, more interesting company.”

“Exactly. Your name was Mathieu, right?”

“Yes that’s right.”

“If it all goes to hell? Somehow miraculously fix the situation completely and utterly singlehandedly… You know me.”

“That’s Kaden, martyr, superhero, and lover of worrying. Or so I hear.”

“Oh you know it’s a sad day when I’m chipper one. I’m just taking advantage of the free booze is all.”

“A girl after my own heart. Whenever the booze are free is when you should drink the most.”

“Yeah, cool cool..I don’t think so, I’ve just heard about it from other customers saying how its the new place to be.”

“Oh very good then.”

“But isn’t enjoying it around all of this half the point?”

“I was up in Canada.”

“I’m not sure sure of that. I’d rather enjoy it in a quiet place with friends. Or by myself even so I don’t have to share.”

“Not yet, but it’s not even completely dark yet. We’ll see what happens then… I’m hoping if I talk about it enough that I’ll jinx it and nothing will actually happen.”

“Well you never know. And I don’t know what else we could talk about.”