The Sinners Nest. ~ Geezerville

[Razsminion]

"If you desire to see more of it later your more than welcome too, I think we'll be ready to open in the next day or two, so perhaps you'll get the full run of things while they're actually active." Raz walked over to Leko and pulled her into a passionate, hot french kiss that lasted a few moments before she pulled away. "I might not tell Ayami about this place, or I may just tell her you've been here... but only if your a bad, bad girl Leko. Come and join me for some drinks sometime, alright? Have a good night everyone."  

[Lilith Amaranth]

I'm a sinner....will I'll be able to rest in the nest?  

[Faerie KatrinaZ]

Moving thread to Geezerville RP subforum shortly!
4laugh

 

[Exor Omega]

/watches and waits for Sinners' Nest to open so that he might partake of the arena and a particular Blackjack dealer......

Open, dammit, open...!  

[Exor Omega]

The Sinners' Nest had only been open a few days...

A man cloaked in black wandered through the darker side of the central district. Nothing of any note caught his eye as he continued down the dimly lit streets of the rougher side of town. He sighed to himself as he walked along. There's little point to this, he thought, it seems as if this neck of the woods is only for the hunted, and not the hunter... how uninspiring...

He prepared to leave, turning a corner that would lead him out of town once more, when something at last did gain his attention: A pair of golden statues held their crimson gaze upon the street below. He nodded as his eyes followed the glance colossi down to the ground. There stood an attractive woman with a perturbed look on her flawless visage. "Not bad lookin'," he said as he neared her.

The woman's attention snapped from her thoughts onto the man before her. He smiled and pointed upward. "Hm? You like it?"

"I do..." His gaze never broke from hers.

The pale vixen's expression darkened. "We're not talking about the architecture, are we..." He slowly shook his head, sly smile still in place. "What do you want, anyway," she snapped.

The man in black smirked. ”Me? I'm just passin' through... What's on your mind...?”

Her alluring violet eyes narrowed, ”What do you care?” She turned to face him, arms still crossed over her chest.

”Because you might say helping people is what I do... You looked like you were pretty engrossed in something when I walked up...”

The woman cocked her head ever so slightly. She opened her mouth to say something, but the incredulous situation unfolding before her gave her pause. She sighed and put her hands on her shapely hips, the warmth of the lights on either side of the door accenting her perfect silhouette, ”We're supposed to be holding our grand opening, and no one has heard from the Mistress. We don't have any sort of event or spectacle planned, and she's the one calling the shots. So what do we do, wait on her to show up, or go on as planned without any sort of publicity stunt?”

He crossed his arms beneath his cloak and nodded at the establishment's plight. ”Hmmm... Seems as if you're stuck...” He gave the colossi another glance before meeting her piercing gaze once again. ”What is this place, anyway...?”

The woman flipped her long, dark hair back and stood straight. ”Welcome to the Sinners' Nest, bringing you the very best so that you may indulge yourself in the most sinful pleasures.” She gave a slight bow before standing straight and running her hands through her silky locks again.

The man in black began to grin. ”Is that so......?”

...and he'd already become something of a celebrity within its darkened doors...

The bouncers had all begun to converge on the stranger when the lovely woman snapped her fingers. ”He's with me,” is all she had to say for them to stand down. Her guest slowly lowered his fighting stance and continued to follow his hostess.

”This is the ground floor, the most tame environment here. It's just your local bar, complete with live jazz band, but with our own personal take. This IS the Sinners' Nest, after all... Needless to say,” she motioned to the devilish beauty behind the bar, ”if you ask for something, you can get it, if not for yourself, then for someone else – for the right price. You've already met security. They're just a bunch of peaches,” she said with a sarcastic grin. ”You can order dinner here, but the real feasts lie ahead...”

The man in black followed her as she lead him downward, noting how well her halter top accented her features and how her pants so perfectly fit to her every enticing contour. ”This is where we expect to find many of the men that come in here. This second level is not unlike a harem of sorts...” She abruptly turned on her heel and looked at him. ”Obviously, the law is checked at the door, because it only gets more interesting from here...” Something in her eyes piqued his interest before she turned and left the stairway. He followed her and looked upon the mostly empty room full of sheer and soft things. ”There's a small bar down here, and there's stronger, if more subtle security on this floor. It's rather quiet now, but when we open, there will be women and men here to fulfill the carnal desires of all of our patrons...” She looked at her guest from the corner of her eye, yet he didn't seem overly interested in this area. She turned once again to face him, the man almost colliding with her as she did so, ”Is something here out of sorts?”

He recovered his balance and shook his head, ”Can you quit with that stopping on a dime stuff?” She crossed her arms, waiting for an answer to her question. He sighed, ”I guess it's just empty, that's all.” He gave the room the once over a second time. ”This sort of thing has never been the most appealing to me in particular, that's all.”

”Aaaahh,” she said as her expression changed, "you're more for whips and chains and the like...?”

He raised a hand and shook his head, ”No, no, I wouldn't say that, either.” He enjoyed the look she was giving him, trying to figure him out, but running into a roadblock. She seemed as if she was used to getting what she wanted, when she wanted it – and he could see why. He decided to humor her for the moment. ”Suffice to say, I'm not overly interested in staring at women in nothing or next to it... I'd prefer to spend my time with something I appreciate more...”

”Something you appreciate more,” she echoed.

He nodded. ”That, or someone...” His expression gained a roguish tendency. The woman narrowed her eyes slightly and turned on her heel once more, continuing the tour.

”As I had mentioned before, the real feast lies ahead: only the finest dining is to be had on the next floor.” She looked back at her guest as she continued down the stairs, ”It goes without saying that one would do well to keep from upsetting the cook and wait staff here, lest something unsavory happen to one's meal, or to oneself...” She ended her comment with a smile, then motioned to the ornate setup of the dining floor. ”It is expected that this will prove to be the vice of many... I think it'll at least make out well as a banquet center,” she said with a shrug.

As they continued downward, the lighting changed. In fact, the entire air of the place had shifted. ”This might be the biggest money maker in the entire complex, and the place I spend most of my time. Welcome to the Sinners' Nest very own casino,” she waved to those in similar uniforms, men and women of various races that were congregated around a roulette table. The enticing woman pointed across the room, ”I'm a blackjack dealer over there. I trust you'll be able to find me,” she said in a bubbly voice. Her guest cocked his head at her. ”Oh, come on, now. You know the house never plays fair,” she said with a wink. ”I know you've seen the finer points of my uniform,” she purred as her hands caressed her tempting curves. She looked over her shoulder at him as he started to say something, but opted for a knowing nod. She grinned as she showed him to the various machines and tables and the two bars for the patrons' convenience.

”And, like every good casino, Sinners' Nest has its own attached hotel.” They left the gambling level and arrived at a brightly lit array of hall lined with doors. ”And, like every good casino hotel, the quality of your room depends on the quantity of money you spend to secure that room. It's amazing what people will spend, once they get going,” she mused with a bit of a sardonic smile.

The pair descended a somewhat longer stairway to the next level. The place was almost pitch black, lighting only present along the walkways. The pale vixen sighed. ”How am I supposed to give a tour of this place if it's completely dark in here,” she cried. The echo of her voice resounded in several areas out of sight, leading the man in black to wonder what the purpose of this level was. Suddenly, bright arena lighting flashed on overhead. They both shielded their eyes with a curse as they became more accustomed to the light. ”These are the arenas... Bloodsport arenas, that is.”

Her guest made his way to the end of the aisle. He put his hands on the railing and looked down into the empty arena below. ”Is that so,” he mused as she joined him there.

”I might have guessed by your sword that you would take a liking to this floor...” She leaned on the railing as her sharp mind worked quickly.

”Would I be able to bring it into the fray with me?”

”You could if you wanted to... Just know that your opponents also have that option if you choose to fight in the free arena. There's a basic arena format for man-to-man fights, as well. A little something for everybody, you might say.” She stood away from the arena wall's edge and motioned to the ample seating around them. ”Needless to say, a good fight could fill this stadium...” She turned to him and ran her hand down his shoulder, ”Do you think you could accomplish that...?”

His attention shifted to her, and he smiled at the diabolical intent apparent in her eyes. ”It depends, I suppose... What's in it for me...?”

...for in the Arena, he was unstoppable...

The two surveyed each other for a moment. The battle had been deadlocked, and each fighter tried to see some end to bring them to victory. They both broke for each other, halberd and sword ready to strike. The weapons met in the middle, and the soldier's halberd hooked over the mercenary's giant sword. He grinned as he pulled with all of his strength, aiming to disarm and subdue his opponent. The mercenary, on the other hand, had other plans.

At the same moment, he switched his grip on the sword and pushed towards the enemy. The blade tore through the soldier, another thrust for good measure causing him to drop his halberd. The massive crowd went wild as the mercenary lifted one finger into the air. Everyone in attendance cheered as he turned around and threw the impaled man over his shoulder and onto the ground, head first.

The victor dislodged his weapon and raised an open hand to the audience above. Those closest to the arena's walls threw Sinners' Nest towels with a black X on them to the warrior below. He snatched one out of the air and wiped the gore and dirt from one side of his rune-inscribed weapon. Tossing that one aside, he took another towel from the air and did the same with the other, using a third to wipe away whatever excess was left. He raised the massive sword into the air, one finger pointing up from his hold on the weapon as the spectators praised his victory. The loudspeakers blared with the announcer's voice, ”Your winner, undefeated and reigning champion of the Free Arena, Exor! Ohhhh! Mega!”

He turned to leave as the healers came onto the field to save the fallen soldier, but the announcer came over the speakers once more. ”Hold on one minute there, Exor! How would you like to try your hand at a little double-or-nothing?”

The man in black stopped and turned around. ”I'm listening...”

”This time, you'll face two opponents! Should you win, you'll get FIVE TIMES the reward! Ladies and gentlemen, this will be an open match, meaning you can change your bet as many times as you need to throughout the match up until the last minute, with only a 10% service fee!”

Exor furrowed his brow, weighing his options. ”Do I get to know who I'm facing,” he asked the announcer.

”Not this time, Ex,” echoed the response from the massive speakers overhead, ”but that's all part of what makes it exciting! What does the reigning champion say? Are you in?”

The mercenary chuckled to himself. ”They're trying to kill me, no doubt, but hey, it should be one HELL of a party!” He leaned over and took the halberd from the healers as they exited with the wounded soldier. After putting Glam in its place at his back, he raised the halberd into the air, one finger pointing straight up from his hold, and once more, the crowd went wild.

...and he had earned the establishment much more than any of the stakeholders could have anticipated...

The loudspeakers blared above the din of the spectators, ”Ladies and gentlemen, place your bets! The champion of the Free Arena, Exor! Ohhhh! Mega! Faces off against the infamous assassin duo of Sin! And! Spite!”

Exor grit his teeth, ”Damn it all, they ARE trying to kill me...!” He grimaced as the pair took the field.

”I'm a little intimidated, Sin,” the lean woman said to her masked counterpart.

”Don't worry about him, Spite. Just do like we said, and he'll fall just as fast as anyone else.” His cold eyes were fixed on the opponent.

Both sides stood by, sizing up the enemy. The announcer then broke the silence, and the tension, on the field, ”Place your bets, because this battle is now underway!” They all remained motionless for a moment longer, but then the assassins moved on the mercenary.

Spite moved like lightning, causing Exor to easily lose track of her, and the massive Sin was upon him in a moment regardless. The man in black drew his sword to face the larger assassin's wicked spear and swung wide with both weapons to buy himself a little breathing room. He continued his motion with a spin, Glam deflecting Spite's back attack in the process. Exor swept high with Glam in an attempt to take her out of the fight, but he only managed a superficial wound to her calf with the hook of the halberd. The crowd cheered, and many changed their bets.

Spite flipped back to Sin's side across the arena. ”Are you hurt,” her partner asked.

”No, Sin, I'm fine... He's faster than I thought he'd be...”

”Mm. I'll occupy him. You take any opportunity you can.” Spite spun her dual-bladed katars in agreement, and they both closed on Exor again. Spite dodged behind Sin as he assaulted the enemy with his four-pointed spear. Exor sidestepped the first lunge and deflected the second, ducking out of Spite's attack range and sending a swipe of the halberd her way. Sin redoubled his efforts and knocked the shaft of the mercenary's weapon back, landing a solid blow with his own weapon.

Exor's immediate counterattack interrupted the larger assassin's assault, forcing him to stop Glam from cleaving his arm from his shoulder. As Sin parried the mercenary's strike, Spite landed a double strike in his back. Exor grunted as he brought Glam back over his shoulder in an attempt to wound Spite, but she was gone before he could even react. Once more, the stands got to their feet, many of them switching their bets or their amounts.

He backed himself against a wall and watched his two enemies. Damn... I'm getting too cocky these days... Shouldn't be doing this without my armor... I'll have to remember that, he thought as he shifted his weight back onto his feet. The assassins were on either side of him now, and he took a few steps away from the wall to give himself all the reach he would need. ”It's time to quit playing...” He stood straight and brought each weapon down at his side. He looked from Sin to Spite and spoke in a serious tone, ”Let's begin.”

Exor dropped the halberd and took a two-handed grip on his sword, much to the excitement of the audience. He faced Sin and dashed forward with a crushing aerial slash. The assassin blocked the attack and countered with one of his own, their weapons continually clashing together. As Exor battled, he waited for Spite's sneak attack.

She came at him all of a sudden from the right. He felt her approach and jumped towards her, eliminating her effective strike distance. Her right arm passed over his shoulder, and he grabbed her wrist with his free hand, smashing her forearm with Glam's hilt as hard as he could. The woman cried out and the fans' excitement heightened as he crushed her bones, rendering her hand useless.

”Spite!” Sin rushed towards them, and Exor threw his partner into him. The distraction was enough to allow the mercenary to roll behind the larger man, slicing through the back of his knees as he came out of it with another roar of the audience. Sin fell forward and Spite regained herself, tears beginning to streak the black coloring on her face. ”Spite! Watch him,” Sin yelled to her as he pushed himself up with his arms.

”Watch yourself next time, fool,” Exor chided as he stood back to his full height. As he was counting Sin out of the match, the other assassin buried her remaining weapon into the mercenary's side. Exor cried out as he swung for Spite, but she was already across the arena. The onlookers cheered as he cursed and held his bleeding side. ”Damn it, Ex! Pay attention!” He then focused his attention on Spite. ”Let's see how well you hit and run with one arm, honey,” he called with a dark smile. More and more money changed hands as the mercenary began to stalk the slender assassin.

The battle became a stalemate as she lead him about the arena. Damn it, I'll bleed out at this rate... It's time for some innovation... He walked over to the halberd and lifted it from where it lay in the sand. ”Alright, cat and mouse time is over. It's time to end this.” The crowd went wild as he charged at Spite, the woman opting to run to her left to evade her assailant's attack. Exor threw the halberd into her path, forcing her to jump over the polearm that had become embedded in the wall. The mercenary quickly launched Glam at the airborne woman, and although she was able to block it, the giant sword forced her weapon from her hand. As she landed, Exor pulled the halberd from the wall and again sent it sailing towards her. Spite managed to stop the weapon from killing her, but at the cost of her other arm. The audience's cries drowned out her own as she freed the weapon from her forearm, and another burst of screams erupted as the flat side of Glam smashed into her, sending the woman sprawling. Exor was upon her before she could get her breath, and a well-placed stomp broke her ankle, putting an end to her running. The din of the fans rose to a deafening roar as he stood above his foe in victory. The mercenary looked up to the seats with a smile, but he quickly looked back down to see Sin's spear had pierced his chest.

Exor sucked air and coughed blood as he looked at the shining silver weapon dripping with his own blood. He tensed his body and turned around to see Sin on his knees with a triumphant smile on his face. ”You son of a,” his curse was overcome with a stream of blood.

”Watch yourself next time, fool,” Sin echoed as Exor faltered.

This isn't good... Got to end this now...! The mercenary summoned his remaining strength and trudged over to Sin as the stands grew even louder. He made what looked like an earnest swing for Sin's head, the target dropping to the ground to evade the attack. It shouldn't have come to this, Exor thought as he plunged Glam through his prone enemy, severing his spinal cord. Sin hissed as the sword pierced him and tried to reach for any part of his enemy he could reach, but he was pinned to the floor.

Exor turned and glared at Spite, who had forced herself to her feet and could only have been formulating a strike. The woman absently put weight on her broken ankle and immediately fell to the ground. Exor took a careful breath and held up a fist with one finger up. The crowd erupted once again as his sight began to blur. ”Ladies and gentlemen! We have our winner! Still undefeated, the champion of the Free Arena, Exor! Oh! Mega!”

The overwhelming clamor of everything around him dulled until it was just a whisper. He couldn't feel his legs, and he thought his hand was still in the air when the world disappeared.

...prompting them to offer the warrior their amenities...

 

[Exor Omega]

Back in the present...

Exor growled and began to stir. He opened his eyes to a darkened room that he hadn't seen before. "Did you enjoy your nap, Exor?"

He turned his head to see the vampiric blackjack dealer sitting across from the bed he occupied. "Lucy," he asked, but she spoke before he could even finish his question.

"Mm mm," she said as she shook her finger, "My real name is Ilaesu. You can call me Ilae, if you want. Just don't go spreading it around, alright?"

He managed to rub his head. "Uhm... so why go under a pseudonym, anyway, Ilae?" He looked around the room again. "And where am I and how did I get here?"

The vampiress smirked. "There's a lot of power in names, Exor." She stood and stretched with an airy sigh. "You're still here. You're in the hotel - your very own room, you lucky dog you," she teased.

Exor furrowed his brow, "Come on, Luc-er, Ilae, give me a break... How long have I been out?"

She sat on the side of his bed as he forced himself to sit up himself. "A day or two. I'm surprised you're not dead, to be honest. Not many mortal men can handle that kind of punishment and remain on this side. It goes without saying, but you're more than just a normal man..."

Their eyes remained locked for a moment before Exor looked away. "So... Uhm... Why are you here, I guess...?" He noted the look she had given him. He knew that he hadn't proven himself to her yet, and he knew that she had something in mind.

"I just got off shift, and I figured I'd check on you. It's sort of my fault you got so messed up to begin with, Ex..."

He cocked his head. "Oh...?"

She nodded, "...Oh. If not for me, you wouldn't have given this place a second thought," she said with a grin.

The mercenary laughed. "We've been over this before, hon. The architecture and those big, shiny, golden statues out front got my attention. Then I noticed you."

"Yeah, you stick to that story, maybe it'll come true some day, mister." She smirked as she stood up. "I'm gonna go get into something a little more comfortable. I want you to rest up, Exor. It goes without saying, but you're going to need your strength if you want to get paid..."

He smiled as he sprawled out on the plush mattress, "Yes, dear. I won't strain myself. I might get a bite to eat, though, 'cause I'm about to starve to death here."

Ilae pointed to the side table, "There's a phone there, and a directory and a menu for roomservice. I know it's late, but I've got you taken care of. Igor will make sure you get what you need." She opened the door and leaned on the doorframe for a moment with a look of contentment about her. "I'll be by to check on you later. Rest up, Mister Hero..." The alluring woman smiled and shut the door.

"Bye hon..." Something about this encounter with her left him with questions. He rested his head on the pillow and decided not to bother with it for now. "Der Tod schwingt mit, in deinen Hüften... Heh... Komm süßer Tod," he finished with a grin. He grabbed the phone and ordered something to eat. He slept through the night afterwards.  

[Exor Omega]

The mercenary dragged himself out of bed and into the shower around noon the next day. After having 'cooked himself' to relieve some of his muscle aches, Exor dressed and went up to the casino on his way to the banquet hall.

He said his hellos as he made his way over to the blackjack tables and took a seat next to some other men at the temptress' table. She looked up at him with a Barbie grin, "Hey there, handsome," she said in her bubbly tone, "care to play a hand or two?" He thought the look in her eyes said something else, though.

Exor smiled and shook his head. "You know, I wanted to, but when I sat down, I realized that I left my chips back in my room..." He stood and nodded politely to the alluring woman and laughed to himself that the other men had hardly noticed that he was even there. "Heh, I guess I'll just have to come back after I get some lunch then, Lucy..." He held her gaze for a moment. "I guess it goes without saying," he said, borrowing her words, "but you look as breathtaking as ever, my dear..." The vampire's smile shifted slightly in response to his words. "Until later, then," he finished with a wave.

"Do come back again, sir." Lucy shuffled the cards and gracefully bridged them in the air in front of her dangerously open-necked blouse, "Alright, gentlemen, who's in for this hand?"

Exor opted for the elevator this time, and he was soon standing in the grand banquet hall. He smiled and nodded to himself, glad to see that the place was getting good business.

The mercenary walked up to the chef's counter and waited for somebody to notice him. After a minute or two, one of the rush cooks walked up to him. "I'm sorry sir, but we're a little busy right now. If you could give your order to the wait staff, we'd be happy to get you whatever you like."

Exor smiled and looked over his shades at the man, "Hey, Jeff, it's me, Ex."

The rush cook laughed, "Oh, jeeze, I'm sorry, man. We've just been so slammed the past hour that I've just been blowin' everybody off. What's up?"

"Not much, man," he said as he leaned against the counter again. "Listen, is Igor in?"

Jeff shook his head, "Took a personal day today. Something about his wife, I think."

Exor nodded. "Ah. I do hope everything is alright. Hell, she probably wanted breakfast in bed or something," he laughed.

The cook smiled, "Yeah, probably! So anyway, can I get ya anything, Ex?"

"Yeah, yeah, I should probably eat me somethin here, huh? Could you guys whip me up a reuben, no kraut, and a side of fries?"

Jeff nodded, "Yes sir, we'll have that right up for you sir. Would you like that on your tab?"

Exor smirked, "Oh, yes, please, if you would be so kind. I appreciate it. I'll be right over here, if you need me," he said, playing the part of just another patron.

"Splendid, sir. Your order will be right up." Jeff went back into the kitchen and started on the mercenary's order as Exor took a seat at one of the long tables.

Before long, a picturesque sandwich and fresh and perfect french fries was set on the table before him. "Compliments of the chef," the waitress said as she put the plate down.

Exor smirked, "Heh, he would... Could I trouble you for a water, too, hon?"

She nodded, "Of course, sir. Is there anything else I can get for you?"

The mercenary smiled, "No thanks, dear. That water would be fine." The waitress left and returned with his glass. "Thank you, hon. Take this for your trouble." He handed her a generous tip, as usual for him. She thanked him kindly and went about her way.

After finishing his meal, Exor left some money for the table busser and headed back to his room.  

[bandaidd]

*shakes Exor's shoulder and looks around dramatically*

pssst. Ex. It's me, bandy. I can help you get out of here. Here's some scrubs. Hurry and get dressed. I think I remember the way out.

*shakes harder and whispers really loudly*

Ex! Ehhhhhhhhhhcks!!!!

*walks into bathroom and gets a cup of cold water and splashes it onto Exor's face*  

[Exor Omega]

"GAHHOYAH! Who? What? Where? What in the hell!?" He awoke with a start, frantically looking around for the fire. His attention then fixed on the woman before him.

His jaw dropped.

"B... Bandy...?" His jaw popped painfully out of place, causing him to flinch and rub the side of his whiskered face. "Uhm... where's the fire...?"

She handed him a pair of scrubs. "I can help get you out of here. But those on."

"Wait, get me out of here? Whatever for?"

"Don't you know where you are," she asked incrediously.

"Yeeeeaaaaahhhh," he drawled. "I'm under the Sinners' Nest, down in my room. Speaking of which, how did you get in here, anyway? Better question: What are you doing here," he asked.

"I'm here to get you out of here, aren't you listening," she said as she patted his wet hair.

Exor shook his head, trying to get some of the water off. "But... I... kinda... like it... here," he managed. Bandaidd's look would have been a Kodak moment. "I mean, I make good money, I have friends, I get to fight... Uhm... I mean, it's not that bad, really, ya know? I think the whole 'Deadly Sins' thing is just a gimmick, ya know? Except maybe basement one," he said with a sideways look away from Bandaidd, "But really, it's like... I dunno... Fun?" He gave her that charming smile. Then he tried to wring out his hair into his shirt and get the extra water off of himself before tossing the drenched garment aside. "Gah! I hate being wet..."  

[bandaidd]

Fun? Fun?!?

*bandy sees right through his faked smile and thinks furiously while averting her eyes and running to the bathroom for a towel*

He hates being wet. Make a mental note. Keep Exor dry. And... house of horrors...fun... house. of. horrors.... torture! He's all scraped and bruised and looks awful. He's been brainwashed. That's it. My poor poor dear sweet Exor. Think of something, think of something. We have to get out of here!

Here's a towel. I'll just tidy your room so it'll be nice when you get back, okay? Making up your bed... put on the scrubs and get your weapons! You'll need them. Because ummm there was something big and black and creepy chasing me and I think it wants to do bad stuff! My heart was pounding! There were people laughing and saying awful things and I had to close my eyes and sneak and run and I got lost looking for you but I made it and now I'm really hungry. So if you can just walk me home I guess I'll put your clothes in the drier and I'm so sorry I woke you up. I'll just give you something for your bruises and uhhh... scratches. When was your last tetanus shot? Should I make you some coffee or tea first?

*bandaidd gets more and more nervous as time passes and Exor is not saying anything, just hiding one side as he mechanically puts the scrubs on and looks right through her*  

[Exor Omega]

He paused for a moment as he listened to her speak. I'm not aware of anything big and black and mean that would be chasing her, he thought. ...UNLESS she managed to raise the ire of the bouncers... ...I could see how they might get the wrong idea... He sighed as he dried off. "Well, I guess I could use some fresh air, and it wouldn't kill me to get some of my effects down here... Hm..." The merc put on the scrubs as Bandaidd continued her nervous rant.

"Oh, and don't worry about the room. They've got people for that, deary," he said as he put on his shoes. He walked over to her and put his arm around her shoulders, "You said you're hungry? Well, you're in luck - we've got some of the best cullinary talent in town up a few floors. I'll get you something, my treat," he said with a smile. "I can show you around, and you can meet my friends! Haha, you can meet Lucy - she's a piece of work...!" Exor trailed off on that last sentence, as if wondering something to himself. He then snapped back to the moment, "Oh, and I'll give whatever big black scary thing a talking to for you, though I don't think I can do much about the patrons, if they were bothering you, too." He picked up Glam and strapped the giant blade onto his back. "Oh, geeze, almost forgot!" Exor reached over to the nightstand and put on his trademark sunglasses. "Right this way, madame," he said as he stepped out into the hall, ensuring there was not in fact some shadowy fiend that was trying to consume his friend.  

[bandaidd]

Are you sure?

*she smoothed the sheets for the fourth time, resisting the urge to bounce a dime on them and lets Exor pull her away*

Just leave it like this? What will people think?

*forgetting what people will think, she snuggles into his shoulder and leaves the room and feels perfectly safe from the big black creepy somethings and laughing people and any number of houses of horror and just gazes up at his strong battered face adoringly*  

[Exor Omega]

"Seems alright so far, right? I mean, the hotel is just a hotel, more or less. It's just underground, right," Exor said as they made their way to the stairs. "No boogie man so far, Bandy," he said with a smile.

"Have you seen the casino, hon? It's quite lively up here," he said as he motioned to all of the lights and people and general commotion of the crowded floor. "A lot of my friends work up here. Let's see, what time is it? I think Lucy will be getting off shift here soon, if she hasn't already. If we hurry, we might still catch her." He waved to the people he knew, telling Bandaidd their names and what they did and a little bit about them as they made their way across the floor, not taking into account the sideways looks he was getting from them as he walked around in scrubs.

They soon made it to the blackjack tables, and Exor could tell that the dealer at Lucy's table was just getting warmed up. "Hey, Mitch! Where'd Luce get off to," he called over the players at the table.

"Huh? Oh, Ex! She just got off shift a few minutes ago - I was runnin' late tonight. Big date, ya know?"

The mercenary nodded with a smile, "Ladykiller. I told ya so, didn't I? So where'd Lucy go?"

"I think she was heading over to check on you, actually." The dealer's tone changed as he continued shuffling the decks, "You gotta be careful messing around with that one, Ex. She's - "

"She's what," the tempting vampiress asked from over Exor's shoulder.

The mercenary turned to grin at her as Mitchell finished his thought, "She's trouble," he said with a smile.

"Don't I know it," Exor agreed, still grinning widely. "Good evening, lovely. Can I borrow you for a sec, Lucy?" She cocked her head in response, noticably looking Bandaidd up and down. "Come now, Luce. I wanted to introduce you to my friend Bandaidd! I'm gonna go get her something to eat; wanna come with?" He gestured to remind her that she was still expected to be in her persona.

"Oh sure! I'd love to! Hi, Bandaidd! I'm Lucy! I'm a blackjack dealer here at Sinners' Nest," she said in her flawlessly vibrant tone. She shot Exor a somewhat sharper sideways glance before she followed them into the elevator. There, she dropped her charade. "What in the hells are you wearing, Exor Omega," she asked in her normal voice.

The mercenary shrugged, "Scrubs."

"Why are you wearing scrubs...?"

Exor cocked his head slightly, not sure if this encounter was going to go well. "Because my other clothes are dirty right now, and it's not like I have a whole wardrobe to choose from here. What does it matter, anyway?"

The dealer crossed her arms. "You look rediculous in that outfit, Exor..." Her voice had softened somewhat for a moment, but returned to a harsher tone as she continued, "And who is this woman," she asked as the elevator doors opened.

"Geeze, Lucy, you're acting like a jealous girlfriend or something." He grinned as she glared at him for a moment before cooling down. "This is my friend Bandy. We go way back. We used to see a more of each other over at the Most Wanted bar, but I haven't been there in ages." He smiled as they sat down in a more private booth, the vampiress opting to sit across from the others. "We were coming over to see you, but I guess you went to see me at about the same time and we missed each other. I'm glad you doubled back to find me, though, hon. And you don't have to worry about her, Luce," he said, eliciting another scowl from the woman. "Such interesting responses you give sometimes, lovely," he finished with a smile.

Exor then turned his attention back to Bandaidd. "Order anything that looks good, Bandy, and pay no mind to the price. I'll get it since you were nice enough to stop by and say hello."  

[bandaidd]

*rolls eyes*

"It wasn't a boogey man! It was, it was something more oh I can't explain it."

*bandaidd shivered a little and hung onto Exor a little tighter*

Just that movement was enough to feel him gasp a little and favor his side, just enough for her to know he was seriously wounded and didn't want her knowing it. that worried her more than anything. Exor generally didn't tell people when he was hurting, but she was a nurse. More than that, She was sort of... his nurse. He told her before anyone else. She thought. She kept walking and listening to his explanations that didn't matter. Paying attention and not paying attention. It didn't matter. What mattered was that they both got out of here. Wherever here was.

Nothing looked familiar yet. It was easier somehow to open her eyes when she was with him. Easier to be brave in all this.

Now he was talking to them. Like they were friends. Looking for Luce. And Luce appears, sneaking up on them like high blood pressure and saying Hiiiiii with her thousand megawatt smile that put the "whore" in horrifying.... and she thinks I can't see through that? Puh-lease. I've been a cheerleader. I invented fake.

*holds out a limp hand and a cuter-than-you-smile*

"Hi Luce! --Exor!"

*fakes irritation with a pouty lip*

"...Why didn't you tell me about all your friends? Of course we'll all have to have dinner together and get to be besties won't we? But can't we go somewhere else? There's no pictures on this menu at all. You know how I like to see what I'm ordering Exiepoo. Come on, guys, let's go look for someplace else. You aren't working now are you Luce dear?"  

[Exor Omega]

I've BEEN telling you about my friends, thought Exor as he looked at Bandaidd. "Well, this is Lucy. She's the day shift blackjack dealer on that table we were at. She's the first person I met here, and she gave me the grand tour before we opened to the public. Uhm... She's quite attractive, and she's got a great personality with a pretty wicked edge on it. We play well together, I think, anyway," he finished with a smile to the vampiress. "She's a peach when you get to know her."

The alluring vampiress gave the other woman a skeptical glance as she asked to go somewhere else. "Lack of pictures on the menu," she murmured to herself. She raised a perfect eyebrow in response to the last thing Bandaidd had said. "No, I just got off shift... I suppose we could go somewhere else, if that is what you want. I want to go change, in that case." Her tone changed ever so slightly, "Ex, you want to walk me to my room? I've got something for you, anyway." She looked at the warrior expectantly.

Uhhh, what am I gonna say, no? he thought quickly. "Of course, Lucy," he said with a smile.

"Good," she said with an off-center smile as she got to her feet.

Exor stood and offered his hand to Bandaidd, "Let's go, then we can head to whatever restaurant you two want." He smiled, but he was still somewhat tired, not that there was time for that now.

They followed the shapely dealer back down to her room on the hotel floor, Lucy closing the door behind them. "Alright, I'm going to get changed," she said as she stepped into the next room. "Oh, and Exor," she said as she poked her head in after a moment, "can you come here for a moment?" The playful look in her eyes left him feeling somewhat uneasy.

"Sure thing. What's up," the merc asked as he followed the vampiress into the next room.

Once more, she shut the door behind them, then pinned Exor against the wall. He grimaced as she spoke. "What is going on here," she hissed in a hushed voice.

Exor tried to untighten his features, obviously in some discomfort, "What's wrong with you," he replied in a low tone, "I mean it, Ilae, what the hell are you doing?"

"What is that woman doing here? She obviously doesn't belong here!"

The mercenary hung his head. "You ask me as if I'd know, Ilae... I have no idea. She just showed up. And what of it," he protested as defiant hazel stared into smoldering lavender, "I haven't seen her, one of my friends, in a good while. What, are you gonna tell me who I can and can't see now, Ilae? When the hell did I become your underling?"

She released her hold on him and slapped him across the face. Exor fell to the floor and remained there for a moment. "How dare you," she began, her tone indignant and no longer hushed.

"How dare you," the man interjected as he glared up at her, his voice rising to match hers, "I don't give a damn what the hell you think this is, and I don't give a damn who you think you are! You do not control me, vampire! You might get whatever you want from anyone else, but I am not your plaything!" He stood and looked her in the eye, daring her to so much as say anything.

"...You think you can stand up to me," she said after a long moment.

"Honey, I know I can."

She smiled sweetly a moment before lunging at him. The experienced arena fighter anticipated this and redirected her momentum into the dresser, and before she could turn around to face him, the warrior's sword was pressed against her throat. "H-h-how," she stammered after a moment.

"Because I am the undefeated champion of the free arenas. There's a reason for that, Ilaesu." His face was cold, eyes focused and uncaring. "Did you really think you could take me...?"

The vampiress narrowed her eyes. "You wouldn't stand a chance, human..." She spat the last word.

"Then you can take it up with me in the Arena," he answered as he forced her onto her back to escape the edge of his sword. He replaced his weapon, but kept a sharp watch on the seductress.

Her eyes narrowed for a long moment, but finally softened at length. She looked over her position on the floor, and then back up to the man that had put her there. "Help me up," Ilae neither order or pleaded. Judging the threat to have passed, he offered the dealer his hand. She pulled herself up and ended up leaning against his chest, staring up into his eyes with an expression that Exor found most puzzling. "Hmm," she cooed, "I guess I had better give you something, lest your little friend get the wrong idea..." Ilae parted her lips and reached for the warrior's, but stopped and walked over to her closet.

She looked over her shoulder as she unzipped the low back of her haltertop, casually throwing it aside before she opened the door to her wardrobe. She reached in and produced a black suit with a deep red shirt and a silk vest, holding the garments over her chest with one arm with a mischievious smile. As she stepped closer to Exor, he noticed her skirt fall to the floor where the alluring woman let it lay. This is especially for you, Exor Omega," she purred into his ear. "I want you to have it..." She pressed her perfect body against the mercenary's, leaning closer to his lips.

Exor smirked as he pushed her away. "You're gonna get them wrinkled..." He took the suit from her startled grasp and held it off to the side, apparently looking the clothing over, but observing her from the corner of his eye. "That's really sweet of you, Ilae," he said as he turned his attention back to the half-naked beauty before him, and it was all he could do to keep from openly gawking at her pulchritudinous form.

Her expression changed to a content smile as she crossed her arms over her smooth black bra. "I'm glad you like it," she said with an intriguing look in her eyes.

Exor put his arms around the vampiress once again. "I do," he whispered before he kissed her on the cheek. "I should get back out there," he mused as he broke from the embrace, again smiling at the impossibly attractive woman as if she were conservatively dressed.

She breathed a sigh. "Yeah, you should... I'll be out in a minute, Ex," she finished with a smile as he opened the door to the other room.

"Alright, but hurry up, we haven't got all night," he said with a playful tone as he closed the door behind himself, not allowing his friend to see around the corner and into the dealer's bedroom. "Look at what she went and did for me. See, I told you she's sweet once you get to know her," Exor said to Bandaidd as he showed her his gift. "Heh, and look at that... There's a Sinners' Nest logo on the lapel... And the runes on Glam in gold on the back of the vest... Huh... How elaborate," he said with a heartfelt smile.

Slight edit: clarify voice levels in Lucy's room, random spicing.