Venantium Tavern (Closed and complete. Part 2 is live!)

[stillnohero]

With the depression in the shifting of fall towards winter, the Cambion found himself identical to the notion. He was so happy, so proud to have his boy. Though the forcing of this child's birth cost him dearly. He greedily and selfishly ruined is proclaimed Love, for the price of generating what was sure to be his heir. The brisk wind played with his wavy chin length black hair, just as it caressed his over coat and cloak tails. The tails billowing in wake of his stride against the winds prowess. The door to Venantium flew open, ushering the birth of a cold blast that cut through the warm veil the fireplace had conjured in the room. Once inside, the cold was forced back out, the door shutting before the sound of heavy boots as a casual pace brought a familiar being to the bar rather absent mindedly, or so it seemed.

The somber weather complimented his mostly black attire. The fabrics akin to the black of his hair. His small ivory horns were barely contrasted from the same hue as his porcelain skin. And those emerald green eyes, they weren't wide and filled with life as usual, they were narrowed, and showed only despair. Today, his demonic side seemed to be the best side of him, for his human side was in a moment of giving up. There was a storm brewing inside of him, and there was no telling how bad that storm would grow, or how long it would take to pass. Hartia The Black, there was no mistaking it now. This was his current, truest title. Once again had he been proven, that the only one he could ever fully trust was his beloved twin brother. For even at least one of his children had even sworn to kill him one day.

His essence screamed in torment, his aura reeking of sadist and vengeful intent, though his heart maintained compassion. A wrench in his otherwise well oiled and ready to roll machine. He loved that woman, and he hated her. The first wave of darkness in his life, back when he was cursed, was triggered by her. And now yet again as he climbs the power food chain too fast for his own good, she has decided to cut him deeper than any blade could ever hope to. She left him and his boy, and she swore to kill them if they crossed paths ever again. He'd be lying if he said he didn't see it coming. But even if part of him knew it was coming, he sure didn't know how to cope with it before he knew how it'd effect him.

"..."

Silently he came to sit at the bar. His sight in front of him, but pretty devoid of recognizing just about anything. He simply sat with his grey cloud over his head, and sulked in his own putrid thoughts. His forearms came to rest on the counter as he slouched forth, as if practicing how to sit comfortably once he entered a drunken stupor. The only question he couldn't figure out was why...Why he had to harness these feeling so harshly right now, when he felt prepared for this day for months? Why did she have to feel so adverse to their spawn, and why did she despise him, loving and knowing what he was before hand? Why was he seemingly cursed to lose those he brings closest to himself?

Rose Scented

[Rose Scented]

The door opened with a creak and blast of chilling wind, the various scents inside the bar swirling around in chaos to Scarlett’s sensitive nose. Surprised that someone had found their way to the quiet establishment after the silence that had taken it, she nudged the book closed with her thumb wedged in the spine and peered over the back of her chair. Her eyebrows pushed up as she watched a deadpan Hartia move inside and take a seat without so much as a look around.

Curiosity pulled her features into a frown as she replaced her thumb with a sliver of paper, and closed the book. The thick bound story was placed to the side, her wine lifted tenderly into her hand and she flipped her rusty curls over her shoulder as she paced over behind the bar. The wine was placed down on a round cocktail napkin, and her hands placed on the counter at shoulder width apart.

“Monsieur Harta…?” Scarlett said softly, her chin lowered so she could look into his face. A pale hand was extended out and she gently cupped his cheek, her fingers sliding his skin to rest under his chin, lifting his gaze to hers. “Darling, you look awful, what’s wrong?"


Peccaminous Peregrine

[lizardman ((mummyman3))]

Grotham walked the streets of Durem the cold air and chilly wind keeping him grounded, he walked back to the Venantium from the market, his arms full of bags. Food, cleaners, dishes, just about everything needed to keep the place clean. He stopped noticing two scents, both headed for the Venantium. He could not place the scents, so he kept walking hoping to find customers, he had tried to keep his end of the bargain to the owner. That was to take care of customers and do his job, but it had been so long since anyone had come to the Venantium. Upon approach he set the bags down at the door and opened it up, picking the bags up he made his way inside, sneezing as he shut the door. He hated the cold seasons, but there was nothing he could do about it. Walking into the bar area he took note of two people, neither of them he remembered so he moved back into the kitchen to put the stuff he had away.

[stillnohero]

Her initial touch cause him to melt just a bit, a blast of warmth through his every pore. His eyes shut softly for a brief moment as he experienced one brief moment of ecstasy. Though as her hand cupped his chin and lifted his face gently, he couldn't help but imagine that this was possibly how his mother's touch and affection would have soothed him. Those eyes that spoke of a broken soul, they were his, as was his burden. As was his sin.

"Oh Scarlett dearest, It's no big deal...You know what they say, history repeats itself."

His mind suddenly became lost flitting through the memories of the first time this woman denied him her love. Luna, she was happy once. With a husband and two kids. Upon joining her pack, he was instantly smitten, it was love at first sight. But try as he might, he was shot down. followed by two more women in the same pack, that would deny him the love he so desired. Perhaps it was not truest love, though it was his need to not feel alone. If he couldn't have her, he needed somebody. Even his brother had somebody. That was when the greatest accident of his life happened, that was when he had become possessed by the demon Shin-Su. And his next return to the pack lead by one of his eldest comrades, he lay waste to all those loving couples and families, as if to calm the storm deep seeded in the darkest annals of his mind.

But then the flash back skips ahead to show how his curse was lifted, by the hands of Luna, tearing him to shreds at the Chartres Cathedral. Through divine intervention, he was saved, brought back to life for a second chance, except, his curse had been lifted. That day the two confessed their love for one another, and they were happy for a while. But then came the cheating and swinging, Hartia having kids with multiple partners because she denied him. And finally, after giving in and barring him a son, she now resents him. For their child is a true abomination that most would say don't deserve a chance to live. However, in the thought of royals and a perfect heir. This was perfect. None the less, she brought him his boy, and then delivered the final threat of life. If they ever crossed paths again, she would kill him and their boy.

"You don't have anything stronger than alcohol here do you?"

She denied him her love, and for it he burned into an awesome light of darkness, chaos, and destruction. And now, now she has done again what she had before, while Hartia was in the middle of coming into use of dark arts. Perhaps he would revert to his old ways to some degree, and go Jack The Ripper on any poor place he lands upon. Or was it really just because of the possession? For the demonic aura that controlled him in the past was fed from his own deepest, and darkest desires. Right now he was fine accepting it, but it wouldn't be longer than a couple weeks before he felt like he had to make a change. This would please the Lich King.

Rose Scented

[Rose Scented]

Peccaminous Peregrine

Oh Scarlett dearest, It's no big deal...You know what they say, history repeats itself.

Scarlett had no idea what he was talking about, but his depraved tone and the absolute broken man that she saw reflected in his eyes made her heart ache for him.

Or, as much as a demon’s heart could ache.

They had known each other for a long time, Hartia and Scarlett, and she had seen him go through some ups and downs that would make lesser men crumble and fall. Yet she had never quite seen him like this and it was surely a change from the time previous, when he had been elated by the birth of his child.

With a wrinkle of her nose and uncertainty in her eyes, she released his chin and lowered her hands back to the bar top, leaning into her palms and rolling the tension from her neck with a soft sigh. “History only repeats itself if you don’t learn from your past mistakes, monsieur.” Scarlett uttered softly, her gaze adverted, for she knew exactly what he meant. Her thoughts fleetingly turned to Sydney and his whereabouts, and her nose wrinkled briefly at the thoughts.

She hadn’t seen her husband for what felt to be years. Wasn’t even sure if he was alive.

This is the way the world ends,
Not with a bang but a whimper.

And a single drop of tear to smudge black ink. Frozen winds. Swirling ice.

Forbidden love.

Scarlett lifted a hand to her weathered face and gently pressured her fingertips against her temple, massaging the tension headache that was blooming beneath her flesh. Time ticked by in a silence that wasn’t necessarily companionable, with Hartia reflecting on his inner demons and Scarlett just trying to keep her goddamn s**t together.

You don't have anything stronger than alcohol here do you?

Scarlett chuckled softly and dropped her chin, studying the counter for a brief moment before she righted herself and fixed him with a warm stare. “That would depend on what your flavor of choice was,” she replied in a sultry purr. A devilish wink of one green eye was cast, and though the action itself was as seductive and alluring as could possibly be, the conviction behind it was sorely lacking.

Scarlett was just so very tired.


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[lizardman ((mummyman3))]

Gotham started with the cans putting them in the pantry closet, and organizing them according to their type. It took a few minutes but he got it done, next were the refrigerated items, then the freezer items. It only took a short while to do the things he had to in the kitchen before moving to the sink to wash dishes. It usually gave him time to think, and as he scrubbed the plate in his hand the window in front of him shattered like nothing, allowing entrance to a dragon bone tipped crossbow bolt. As the bolt impacted his shoulder driving itself deep into his flesh, he hissed in pain the sheer burning of the bolt hurt like he'll. As he grabbed his shoulder another struck him in the right shoulder causing him to hiss further. He stared out the window searching for the shooter, but he could not see her or him. It was like hide and seek as he backed up a ways, only to allow passage of another oddly flying bolt that impaled itself in his leg. He no longer hissed he groaned loudly in pain and hit the floor, he wrapped his wings around himself and went to work removing the bolts. Except there was a problem, the tips, they were green in hue, "poison..I'm being hunted, but why?" He said to himself as he began to fade in and out of consciousness, he shook his head and stood up, grabbing the door handle the massive beast made his way out into the bar area, then he went to go upstairs. As he ascended the steps one at a time he could feel the poison coursing through him, his heart slowed as he started to trip over himself, soon he was slowly laying on the floor of the steps curled up and shivering wishing he knew what was going on. "Why am I being hunted if I am being hunted?" He asked that question to himself as he closed his eyes drifting out into a black void of unconscious.

[stillnohero]

That was why he didn't seek comfort for his feelings or wish to delve into detail aloud. Deep down inside, he knew. He knew it was his fault that that things happened the way they did. Granted he didn't see it ending as bad as it did. It was her leaving him, it was the promise she made when leaving him. He went into his own silent moment of reflection, not lasting long before she provided him some vague option of variety.

"Something that brings about a nice calm of euphoria in the mind...Though not something that will depress or retard me...Something, stimulating."

Her cute flirty mannerisms, even when watered down, was still a sight to see. Tired or not, a predator was still a predator. At the end of the day, she would eventually figure out what she needed to do to survive, even if her mind told her she was tired of even living in such a way.

"I don't particularly care if it's hallucinogenic or not, in case that matters."

Finally, he took a moment to peek around nonchalantly as he felt the great aether. He was basically taking notice of who was here, for the his choice might have to be enjoyed elsewhere lest he want to instigate any others.

Rose Scented

[Rose Scented]

Peccaminous Peregrine

Something that brings about a nice calm of euphoria in the mind...Though not something that will depress or retard me...Something, stimulating.

Ah. Well then. Scarlett only knew of two things in her current possession that could do anything even remotely close to that, and both were rather easily accessible.

A single finger was held up to patiently ask him to wait and once the courtesy was passed she maneuvered her way around the bar, and made her way upstairs. She had claimed a room of her own without permission, and from within it she delved into the black, abysmal orb that acted as an all encompassing luggage set. Pocket dimensions ( commonly referred to as ‘hammer space’ ) had previously held much more commanding roles in other more worldly peoples possessions, but Scarlett had a vast wardrobe, and nothing lesser would do. It took a moment of digging through the extensive space within the orb, but after a moment she came back with a silver dart case.

On the upward facing plate of metallic silver was engraved an intricate design of roses, flanked and enhanced with curling vines and immaculate leaves. She clicked it open, checked the contents, and squeezed it closed once more.

The pocket dimension, a swirling, gleaming sphere of black and purple, was replaced onto her dresser where it seemed to solidify into a novelty crystal ball. Scarlett straightened her skirt, checked her appearance in the mirror and groaned at the tired lines and blackish bruises of exhaustion that peeked through beneath the mask of her makeup.

With nothing to do about it she pinched some color into her cheeks, adjusted her already perfect curls and headed back down the stairs, only to be stopped by a hulking figure collapsed on them. Her eyebrows pushed up and for a moment she just stood there, unsure of who the man was, or why he was snoozing in the hallway. She glanced around to see if anyone was going to claim him, and when no one stepped forward she snapped her fingers and a whirlwind of green smoke enveloped him and moved him to the couch in the main room instead.

She flattened her skirt once more, shook her head and continued on her way.

Scarlett stepped up behind Hartia and rested one of her small, dainty hands on his shoulder. Her other arm wrapped around to open the dart case in front of him and her head was canted so her lips were near his ear. “Unfortunately, this is all I have.” The white lie rolled easily off her tongue, ushered along by the infusing of her pheromones through the fabric of his shirt and the waft of roses throughout the immediate area.

Laying side by side in the confines of the dart case were four marijuana joints.
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[stillnohero]

"It's quite fine dear, I didn't come expecting anything."

It just meant he had to make yet another stop on the way home. He barely hesitated to withdraw a single joint from the case. Placing it betwixt his lips, he took a reassuring drag. Just like his 'magic' cigarettes, it lit on it's own into the perfect cherry. Perhaps that was a clue that the magic was never in the cigarettes. Though he allowed people to think whatever they wished too. Inhaling deeply, it was like the ganja itself was something more all along. The sensations of the pheromones entering his body. He knew the feeling. He was half of what she was, and he could use this same little trick. Though in this case, he didn't wish or need to use it. Somebody was tired, and somebody was....well Hartia wasn't sure what he was right now, but he wasn't in a good place.

"Thanks Scarlett, it's nice to know I have a few friends hidden in this plane of filth."

His eyes shut as he took another drag, inhaling deeply and holding the smoke in as he offered to pass her the 'l'. Despite knowing what she was up to, he made not obvious reaction too it. He simply knew that if he suspected correctly, his pain and suffering would at least cease for a short while. Still, he'd need some harder drugs. He'd have to go see Kai...Which is where he had to remember, he owed her a favor.

Rose Scented

[Tiny_rel]

Tatianna "Anna" Eve

A strong wind blew past the inn and the wind ruffled the shudders, then everything was silent and paused. A hooded figure slowly opened the door, shutting it behind her before she shook the cloak off. The young witch and her daughter had been gone for a bit, as they had been sick and Anna had to go to her grandmothers to get a particular herb. She coughed softly as Shilo ran upstairs to their room and Anna came up to the bar to get a drink.

Looking around she saw some new faces, but nothing that really off set her. Anna didn't see anyone currently at the bar, so she went back into the kitchen to set a kettle on the stove. Shilo and herself would need some warm drinks, a soft frost was setting in. Tea and cocoa would be very welcomed.

((So sorry that I've been gone guys. I'm home early from work today, so in between laundry and what not, I'll be posting here.))

[HaJoeKen]

((OOC: Hey guys! Didn't think this thread was alive again until now, and also got back from my two week vacation ^^;; Anyway, can someone catch me up on what's going on?? I'm a little confused about what's happening at the moment >_<;; ))

[stillnohero]

HaJoeKen

((OOC: Hey guys! Didn't think this thread was alive again until now, and also got back from my two week vacation ^^;; Anyway, can someone catch me up on what's going on?? I'm a little confused about what's happening at the moment >_<;; ))

OOC: Um, nothing is going on? Thread was dead for a short while and we decided to perform CPR. So, here we are. The last page or two is all that is going on. Grotham is being a dragon. Not sure what relly rel's character is doing. Scarlett, and Hartia are at the bar talking. Just burst in the door with a hadouken style blast while screaming HAJOEKEN!!!!

[HaJoeKen]

Peccaminous Peregrine

HaJoeKen

((OOC: Hey guys! Didn't think this thread was alive again until now, and also got back from my two week vacation ^^;; Anyway, can someone catch me up on what's going on?? I'm a little confused about what's happening at the moment >_<;; ))

OOC: Um, nothing is going on? Thread was dead for a short while and we decided to perform CPR. So, here we are. The last page or two is all that is going on. Grotham is being a dragon. Not sure what relly rel's character is doing. Scarlett, and Hartia are at the bar talking. Just burst in the door with a hadouken style blast while screaming HAJOEKEN!!!!

((OOC: Haha oh I so would, and Ronin just might do something like that randomly if I belt like it, but he's already in the bar. Well, since I'm not sure about the others whom Ronin was interacting with previously, and have been out of the loop for quite some time, I was thinking of probably just having him step out of the bar for a moment and have him do his thing for now and possibly introduce a new character, just to get things going. Any objections? >o>;; ))

[Tiny_rel]

HaJoeKen

Peccaminous Peregrine

HaJoeKen

((OOC: Hey guys! Didn't think this thread was alive again until now, and also got back from my two week vacation ^^;; Anyway, can someone catch me up on what's going on?? I'm a little confused about what's happening at the moment >_<;; ))

OOC: Um, nothing is going on? Thread was dead for a short while and we decided to perform CPR. So, here we are. The last page or two is all that is going on. Grotham is being a dragon. Not sure what relly rel's character is doing. Scarlett, and Hartia are at the bar talking. Just burst in the door with a hadouken style blast while screaming HAJOEKEN!!!!

((OOC: Haha oh I so would, and Ronin just might do something like that randomly if I belt like it, but he's already in the bar. Well, since I'm not sure about the others whom Ronin was interacting with previously, and have been out of the loop for quite some time, I was thinking of probably just having him step out of the bar for a moment and have him do his thing for now and possibly introduce a new character, just to get things going. Any objections? >o>;; ))

((OOC, I don't think you'll have any arguments. Go where ever your creative process takes you XP ))

[Tiny_rel]

Tatianna "Anna" Eve

The tea kettle bubbled and started to sing, Anna pulled an oven mitt out for the kettle to sit on as she stirred the pot that the milk was in for cocoa. While the milk was still warming she took the kettle out to the bar. She would make a spot in her usual resting place, well...what was once her resting place at the old bar. No one was around. She assumed Talon was off with Tommy and that Nova was resting so she would man the bar for now. Going back to her pot of milk the poured the steeping milk through a colander and then into a thermos so that it would stay warm. With a canister of powder and marshmallows in hand, Anna brought everything out to the bar.

With the warm beverage stand all set up at the far end of the bar, Anna went over to a corner and turned on some holiday lights she and Shilo had set up a few days ago. It also lit up the Christmas tree, of which she took a candy cane. Walking back to the bar, after admiring her handy work, she poured herself an nice warm glass of cocoa, put marshmallows on top and stuck the candy cane in. Sipping happily, Anna floated up and opened up her book to her book mark and began reading once a more.