“Matthias.” Giving little to no welcomeness in her voice when she greeted him back. Crossing her arms in annoyance when he took the glass from her, if there was anyone who knew what human blood smelled like it was her. “Don’t.” Cutting him short after the princess comment, to let him know none of his flattery was working tonight, ex husband or not. “I’m not worked up, I’m annoyed by your staffs incompetence. How hard is it to get blood right?” Digging her heels into floor, she narrowed her gaze. “How exactly do you plan to fix this?”
The frigidness in her greeting amused Matthias. They were hardly friends, but Seren had been a presence in his life for quite some time and Matty liked to believe that he knew her well enough. “Do I detect an edge of judgment in your tone, princess?” She hadn’t been happy when he’d used the term the first term and he imagined that she wouldn’t like it’s use a second time, but Matty enjoyed playing with fire. He waved a hand to get the attention of one of his waiters. Ensuring that Seren had a glass of animal blood in her hand would be no issue. “I’ll fire the person responsible. Will that make you happy?”
“Presumptuous or just a good time-saver?” Hayden shrugged. She knew she was blunt but it did save her a lot of time in most situations. “I would have saved your time and mine if you were here for the latter by being up front about it. So, you’re welcome,” she chuckled. “What are you doing here anyways? This bar doesn’t really seem like it’s your scene,” she remarked, thinking about how he looked like he would be more at ease someplace like Neon Nights or The Sinner.
“They’re one in the same, you could argue,” Matthias countered. He rested his fingers against the countertop. “And if I was here for the latter, where would we be?” The question was accompanied with a slight wink. She was attractive enough, in a purely hypothetic way, and the line of questioning was entertaining to say the least. “Research,” he answered, raising one finger to signal for another trip. “Call it scoping out the competition.” Matthias’s nose wrinkled as he glanced around. “Even if the competition doesn’t stand a chance.”
Zane turned amused recognizing the voice before he saw who it belonged too. He rolled his eyes at the nickname, Matty had settled on it after he picked up the position on the council. Stepping up to the counter he makes his order and nods in appreciation to his friend. “I appreciate it though its not big deal. We need someone looking out for our well being with Ophelia gone.”
“To be honest, there’s not as many constituents as you might think. Most of the species are all spread out or just not really open about the fact that they exist. But I’m trying to spread the word best I can.”
There were few people more qualified for the role of representing all the forgotten members of the supernatural community than Zane Cho. He was an idealistic who truly believed that the people he represented deserved a seat at the table. “You deserve it,” he reassured. Matthias couldn’t say that he knew very many people who truly cared like Zane did.
“Looks like someone has his hands full,” Matthias replied as he picked up the coffee he’d ordered just seconds earlier. “Time to start recruiting for the dark side.”
Seren knew from the moment she has handed the knew glass that the blood inside of it was human, she scrunched her nose up at it. Rather than bugging the wait staff more Seren went directly to the source, Matthias. Walking over to his table and she sat the glass in front of him before placing her hand on her hip. “Is there some kind of shortage? Because last I checked you had more than just human blood on the menu.” Narrowing her eyes at her drink. “You know getting the wrong blood is asking for a ripper incident. Which considering I just got off trial for a ripper incident I didn’t do, I don’t want to be back on trial for actually committing one.”
Matthias had been in the middle of a conversation when the complaint had come. His head snapped up, gaze coming to rest on the vampire in front of him. “Ren,” he greeted with a nod of his head before reaching over to take the glass from her. He could tell that she was correct. Someone had made a mistake and had delivered the wrong blood. “Okay, princess,” he answered, downing the drink in one go. “No need to get worked up. Nothing that can’t be fixed.”
There were no words for how relieved Hayden was that she hadn’t had to deal with any law-breaking supernaturals lately. With this hot summer, she’d been spending most of her time at the station ready to head out to the next fire that had to be put out. She was only at a bar tonight because her chief told her to take a night off. She didn’t look up from her glass as she heard someone sit next to her at the bar, too tired to bother looking. “I’ve had a really rough week so if you’re here to hit on me, just don’t. If you’re not, then thanks for the company.”
Matthias could be sitting in his own office at The Sinner, drinking top quality rum. Instead, he was seated at a dingy hole in the wall that tried to pass their watered down concoctions off as alcohol. The sacrifices he made for business, he thought with a roll of his eyes. He’d made a habit out of scoping other establishments, critiquing their business models, figuring out how he could implement things that worked at The Sinner. Even if that sometimes meant subjecting himself to an assault of the senses.
“Well isn’t that simply presumptuous of you?” He turned to address the speaker with a grin. “Do you generally go about treating everyone as if they’re either a friend or fuck?”
Zane couldn’t help but be lost in thought. It had been nearly two months since he’d taken over the council spot for Island of the Lost and it seemed he’d take a lot on his plate. The species of the Island, were somewhat forgotten or set aside and he was intent on changing that. That seemed to be a herculean task, by nature they hardly voiced what they were much less risked joining in groups.
His mind busy, it took him a moment to hear the voice trying to catch his attention. Blinking faintly before shaking the thoughts from his head he offered the person a smile. “Sorry, zoned out there, feel free to go ahead of me since I made you wait”
“Penny for your thoughts, Senator.” Matthias had noticed Zane from the moment he’d walked into the shop, but the man had yet to acknowledge him. With all that had occurred recently, Matthias wasn’t quite surprised. “Coffee, black,” he outlined for the barista, “and whatever he settles on. Once he finally decides.” Matthias threw a glance over his shoulder at the newly minted leader. “A celebratory drink as congratulations on your promotion. Until we can have a proper drink.”
“I’m surprised you’re out and about. I thought it’d be at least a few more weeks until those new constituents of yours let you out of their sight.”
Matthias purchased his house decades ago. On paper, Adelina’s family has legally owned the NYC house Matthias uses as his base of operations whenever he is in the city. They live there and manage the upkeep in the house; in exchange, Matthias ensures their protection and sees that they are provided for. It is critical that a human’s name be on the lease of the house as this ensures that other vampires cannot enter without being invited in.
Matthias’s human family are a blur. He still wears a ring given to him by his wife, Sarah, in his memory, but outside of that -- he hardly remembers her. He no longer remembers his mother or father’s names, and if asked, he will insist that he no longer remembers his given name. Both of his children -- Owen (biological) and Yasmin (adopted) -- have been turned. This is the greatest tragedy of his life, though he’s grateful to still have them. They are his ties to his humanity. Currently, though, he has more of a stable relationship with Yasmin as Owen blames Matthias for Sarah’s tragic death.
The other family members of note in Matthias’s life are his sire, Sonya, and Gideon, who has been referred to as his husband over the decades. Sonya turned Matthias following a naval attack (here). Gideon was the third in the group. Together, the triad wreaked havoc. Matthias recognizes that his relationship with both vampires is toxic, especially since Gideon is responsible for the death of his wife, and the vampiric birth of both of his children, but Matty is tied to them inextricably. Matthias has loved many throughout the years -- humans, banshees, witches, werewolves alike -- but no one will ever compare to Sonya and Gideon.
Yasmin’s head lifted at his words and she couldn’t help the soft smile that graced her lips. Over two centuries had past since he found her on that boat. Time had changed them both, for better or for worse but he was still that man who protected her, who took her in. They shared no blood but he would always be her father. Leaning up she kissed his cheek softly, a gentle gesture of gratitude to the man he is. “I know, and I promise I will be” She continues with a bit of humor though her tone still serious. “Besides I have an arsenals. And I’m almost always carrying a knife. Which reminds me I’ll have to show you the prototypes you missed on the Hasting’s birthday. Gorgeous pair of heels that double as a weapon.”
Him. He didn’t have to speak the man’s name. She knew who he meant. She shook her head faintly. “Don’t. I know you feel guilty over what he did to Ma and Owen. But it was my choice to go after him. I was blinded by revenge. Even after years once I finally found him, I couldn’t let it go. It was my choice that led me to attack, my choice that led me to be turned. That is not your fault. You couldn’t have known I would go after him or what he would do.” She smiles softly and continues. “You are here and I am thankful atleast for the chance to see my Pops again. and if comes to war, I know we have eachother’s backs.”
It was as simple as that then, wasn’t it? Regardless of what happened or who was involved, Matthias and Yasmin would always have one another. Matty knew that he’d go to war, destroy anyone, if it meant keeping her safe. Even if that person was Gideon.
Guilt churned in his stomach. He’d failed her then. He would not fail her now. “One can hope it doesn’t come to that,” he answered plainly though he was hardly convinced. He’d served in many wars, at the behest of many leaders, and the world always had a certain feeling to it -- tense, on edge, bloodshed hovering just over the horizon. He could sense that feeling now. It permeated the air, and sat in the pit of his stomach. War was coming. If not this decade, then the next. War was an inevitability of existence. Thankfully, Matthias had protocols in place to protect those in his care -- the humans in particular.
“Do you ever think about her,” he asked. “Sarah.” Matthias’s gaze came to rest on the wall, remaining steadfast as he spoke. “Do you remember her?”
“And I’m the one who thinks highly of myself?” She let out a low whistle and a roll of her eyes at the thought. “ ‘My kind’? You mean human? You know, that thing you used to be once upon a time or have you forgotten?” She offered up, flashing him a tight smile and a poignant look of her own, before spinning around on the balls of her feet.
His reaction wasn’t unexpected. He wasn’t the first supernatural to judge her at first glance and he sure as hell wasn’t going to be the last. Her own father lunging at her was proof enough of that alone. But, that it wasn’t to say his words weren’t a painful reminder of why Gisele had skipped town and temporarily distanced herself from the hunters to begin with. Maybe it would have been better she had never come back, the words the head hunter would never dear mutter out loud crept into the back of her head as she took another step forwards. She had made it half way towards the door when he called out to her to stay. Her feet dragging to a halt as a faint sigh broke from her lips.” No you’re not,” She mumbled quietly under her breath as she slowly turned around to face him. Her lips pressing together as she gave him a small shrug in return. “But, why would you be? You don’t even know me.”
“No, I’m not,” Matthias replied. He’d opted to ignore the jab about his time as a human. It had been an important time in his existence, of course, but in the grand scheme it had been negligible. Matthias had been born in obscurity: the son of an English sailor and a Chinese prostitute. Though he’d followed in his father’s footsteps and become a seaman himself, his life, had he remained a human, would have ended as it had begun -- in obscurity. Matthias had fallen in love, of course, and had had the pleasure of being a father which was more than most could say, but ultimately the decades as a vampire had far outweighed those he’d spent as a human. Outside of the important defining moments, he’d forgotten the majority of it.
“Then tell me, Hunter. Win me over.” He raised a finger and signaled the bartender. “Whatever she wants,” he said, tipping his head in Giselle’s direction. He brought his own glass to his lips, tipping it back, before setting it back down on the countertop. “Here is my sympathetic ear.”
DATE: July 4th, 2021
TIME: 02:34 PM
LOCATION: The Boardwalk
“So I gotta hit all the blue cups for the teddy bear? Got it.” Eliot confirms with the owner, the toy rifle in his hands. He breathes in and out, then with a sharp glint in his eyes he takes the shots. One, two, three… and four blue targets fall one by one. Lowering the gun, he grins at the owner whose jaw dropped with the shock. “Forgot to warn ya– I spent a summer working at a carnival once and burned most of my paycheck on games like these so…” Instead of keeping the giant stuffed teddy bear, however, he hands it over to the kid that was crying about losing the game. “Here, you can have him. Merry, uh… Christmas? That’s a thing, y’know, Christmas in July.” The child and their parent thank him before going off to get some ice cream. Eliot, content that he made that kid’s day, turns his attention back to the game. “Still got it,” he picks back up the gun. “Alright, what next? Any prize you want?”
This was not Matthias’s scene. In fact, he would’ve skipped it, as he did every other community event, had Yasmin not requested his presence. “Impressive,” me commented as the targets fell one by one. “Though I’m not quite sure if that counts as prior knowledge or cheating.” There was a hint of amusement in his voice as a smile played on his lips. It felt good to stand in the sun. For as long as he lived, Matthias would never take that miracle for granted. “That was noble,” he remarked, chinning pointing in the child’s direction. “Surprisingly so.”
Arthur looked up to the host of the occasion from their seat at the bar and gave him a smile, nodding and tilting their glass his direction in solidarity. “Of course. Cheers to that.” Yet, Arthur set the glass down and didn’t touch it, not feeling thirsty just yet. Arthur faced Matthias and had their back turned to the rest of the party as they tried to avoid any possible eye contact with a particular other vampire. Hell, Arthur wasn’t even sure if Leo had arrived yet but they weren’t going to make Orpheus’ mistake. “I don’t mean to sound like a buzzkill, but what’s the occasion for tonight? Just a full moon?” That was new. Matthias was a good man yet Arthur couldn’t help but be a tad paranoid, a part of them expecting some catch with tonight’ festivities. These were tense times after all. “I’m sorry, it’s all just so sudden. Really caught me by surprise.”
It was valid criticism, Matthias couldn’t deny that. The event had been hastily thrown together though one could hardly tell from looking. The Sinner was, as always, well decorated -- a classy place that more resembled a jazz club than a secret vampire blood den. Matthias had ensured that his guests would be well cared for: those who preferred blood bags would receive them in style, and those who preferred to drink from the source would do so from the best looking he had to offer. Dinner and a show, he supposed. “Just a full moon, I’m afraid,” he replied, with a slight shrug of his shoulder. “Hunters are occupied. Wolves and mermaids are falling victim to their curses. So, why shouldn’t we enjoy ourselves.” He flashed a grin and winked at Arthur. “Nothing nefarious this time. I’m almost offended that you’d think I had some sort of ulterior motive.”
Serena sighed at his words before giving him a knowing look. “They could if they were anyone but you.” She replied back coldly. When he asked if she had done her will and last testament Serena huffed, reached over to try and throw a pillow at Matthias. The pillow didn’t event make it near him though and fell on the floor between them. “There’s no will.” She replied finally with a begrudgingly mumble. Sinking further into the pillow, she crossed her arms over her chest. “Max and Gina get everything and I asked for Yasmin to take over the company and look after them both. That’s basically my last will and requests. Let me guess you have some thoughts about that?”
“You flatter me,” Matthias grinned. He enjoyed tormenting Serena. He knew that Yasmin and Gina both worried about the her plight, but he felt differently. If he’d believed there to be any weight to the anxiety surrounding her fate, Matthias would’ve been kinder. After all, kindness in the face of death was something that he coveted for himself, but Matthias strongly believed that this would all blow over sooner or later. Surely, if a guilty verdict was in the works, the Council would’ve moved sooner. “Unfortunate. Are you sure you don’t have a long lost descendent who’ll magically appear in time to claim all your worldly possessions?” He continued with his relentless teasing for a bit more before finally sobering. “As a matter of fact...” There were a few seconds of silence as he considered his words, sincerity overtaking his features. “I’m just here to ensure that my child doesn’t get caught in the middle of a mad war between sisters. She’s capable but she doesn’t deserve to be anyone’s eternal caregiver. Wouldn’t you agree?”
Yaz chuckled softly at his summation and tucked her feet under her shifting toward him. She was amused the way he always seemed to settle. There was something so stoic about it, something she’d always attributed to him. She’d always held him in high esteem, it was hard not to after he found her and gave her a home. For years she’d worn a locket with a drawing of him and Sarah inside, keeping them close to her heart. Even when the chain broke she tucked it away for safe keeping.
She smiles up to him, reveling in the playfulness of his tone. “Of course not, but I’m sure you do.” She took a drink at his reply, trying to hide the smile that faded into a weary expression. She attempted to offer him a reassuring smile though she wasn’t quite sure she could manage it. He had a way of seeing through her mask. “I’m safe..atleast as safe as any of us can be right now with everyone on edge. They are all waiting for Serena to get thrown to the gallows and I’m not so sure she’s responsible here. But if they don’t..I mean the lot of them rioted over a cancelled bbq. If they can riot over something so trivial I don’t see this going over well no matter what the verdict is”
Matthias watched the emotions flit across her face. She’d always been relatively easy for him to read. Over the centuries, she’d changed in little ways, but for the most part, she was still the little stowaway who’d become a treasured member of his family. “Good,” he muttered, the word interjected unceremoniously, before he settled back down intent to allow her to explain the circumstances. It was a few minutes before Matthias spoke again. “I can’t bring myself to care about anyone else,” he admitted, voice even. There was no hint of emotion in his voice, though the statement itself had clearly been derived from a place of emotion. “The world may burn. I’ll stand and watch it do so. As long as you’re safe.”
It felt like a moot point to argue. She’d survived this long, had survived so many tragedies. Clearly, she could ensure her own safety. But whenever Matthias looked at her, he saw this woman -- a survivor: capable, and poised -- superimposed unto the image of that little girl on the beach. It was a difficult reality to reconcile, but everything in him wanted to ensure that his daughter continued to survive. “I know I wasn’t there to protect you from him.” Gideon. Though he’d never said the name out loud. Never made mention of the man who had changed both of their lives in fundamentally different ways. “But I’m here now and I will not sit idly back and watch you become a casualty to someone else’s war.”
“Wow. So much for being a welcoming establishment,” Gisele rolled her eyes over at the man before her. Of course, nothing could just be easy for once, could it? She couldn’t even have a drink without being judged by some asshole. “And no, actually it doesn’t, because I don’t go around shoving biased judgements onto strangers unlike someone. And for the record, our whole Hunter ethos is to uphold the accords. You know like keeping the peace and trying to prevent your ungrateful ass from getting murdered. But, you know what? You’re right. It’s completely unrespectful. How dare I?” She posed. Her words coated in a heavy layer of sarcasm as she started to slide her coat back over her shoulders as if getting up to leave.
“What led you to believe that this was a welcoming establishment,” Matthias asked, head cocked, a grin spreading across his face. He was being rude, he was well aware, but she was a hunter, and on principle, that required a certain level of uncivility. “Your kind really do think quite highly of yourself, don’t you?” Matthias angled his body towards the other. He lifted one finger, a silent indication that he needed a refill on the glass currently situated in front of him. After a few seconds, he regarded the woman again. “I’m sorry if I caused offense,” he apologized, clearly unabashed and unrepentant, but determined to set his own bias aside for a bit. “I’ll buy you that drink now. Stay.”
who: open to vampires
when: june 24th, night of the full moon
where: the sinner
After the lull in activity of the last few days, throwing a full moon event had seemed like the only logical thing. The hunters were occupied, wolves and mermaids were consumed by their own suffering, and the banshees were hardly a threat. It seemed as good a night as any to attempt to increase foot traffic at The Sinner again. Still, celebration seemed to be a far fetched hope given the events of the passed few weeks and the way in which members of the supernatural world were still collectively holding their breaths. But that was hardly any reason to put a pause on living, Matthias decided. “First one’s on the house,” he announced, securing his own glass. “Then I expect all of you leeches to pay up.”
yousharknotpass
stormborns
origamiaround
