Complete avoidance [open]

[Tigeress]

The feline's awkwardness was out of place in the bar, the thick, muscled male being a particularily intimidating opponent for even the most manly of drunks. What was he even doing here? Some kind of last resort to get away from the unusual guilt at knowing what he'd done to his brother. Wimpy little bitch... if he doesn't come out it's his own damn fault... He thought to himself, the bitterness of his own voice resounding in his head. But what if the feline did honestly die? Why did hid mind always wince whenever that thought placed itself comfrtably on the velvet cushion of his mind like a pompous persian housecat? It was too avoidable, that thought, one that should have made him laugh.

He didn't feel much like laughing lately. His body ached everywhere, he'd done nothing but train since he'd gotten back from the edge of the woods. The weights around his arms and legs had gotten larger, he'd started to getting customizable outer shells of weight to sit upon the origional which was still unattachable. This was the third shell he'd added on top this month, and the weight was draining, but the pain was... comfortable. It gave him something to set his mind on. The bar was a place for bipedals to drink, but he wasn't afraid of the embarassment of lapping from a cup. He'd never had any alcohol before, but he heard it was good for... escaping.

"Bartender, give me something strong." His voice had matured into a smooth, husky rumble that seemed unusually sophisticated for one with the appearance of a criminal or outlaw. A lot of things about Rindal were just generally out of place, though, it never bothered him any. At least he was strong. Very strong. Stronger than anyone else, especially that pathetic brother... damn. He had to stop thinking until the alcohol arrived, that was how it worked or so he'd heard. He didn't know the names of any alcohol, he just knew the stronger it was, the faster it worked. Or something like that.

[Lauryn de Vampyre]

After having to spend the weekend listening to her Mother drone on about the dealings of Court and how she was supposed to have more privilege than what had been granted and enduring the indifferent silence of her Father, Lariel had headed straight for the bar. Her parents always brought out the worst in her. It was the reason she had been so eager to leave the Range behind her as soon as possible. Her parents had been pleased when she was born an Eight, but made her feel a failure for not having raised in rank yet.

Lariel pushed at the open door to the bar and was thankful to see it wasn't packed. There was now less of a chance of someone coming up to her, pissing her off, her starting a fight and getting kicked out. It wasn't something she wanted to go through tonight. She wound her way around all the Bipeds and made her way slowly to the bar. A well placed jump landed her gracefully on the empty bar stool, and again the feline was grateful the bar had opted out of getting the swivel seats.

It was hard not to notice the black and green feline sitting next to her, the chains rattling over and down the seat. His voice was deep and slightly raspy. In other words, utterly male. Lariel looked him over once, as politely as possible, then decided to speak up.

"If you're looking for something strong, I suggest the Mind Eraser."

[Tigeress]

The feline glanced up once, sighing heavily before letting out a low chuckle. She certainly didn't look like the type that should know how to drink herself into oblivion. Whatever could be wrong in the life of a girl with her rank, her looks? No court life to bite her in the ass, no problems finding companionship probably. He realized in that moment he'd been feeling fairly alone ever since Seki had dissapeared, probably because he'd decided not to return to his home with Varuna. He'd just not wanted to spend anytime with anyone, while realizing his loneliness at the same time. But he wouldn't let that show, it was a sign of weakness.

"And what would make a girl like you have the need to go searching for strong booze?" He asked, his voice only slightly mocking. Which was a bit better than normal, since she was a female he didn't find the need to grandstand as much, typical macho trait that very few seemed to understand. His testosterone was just always five times greater than that of the average, lazy male. Which meant, a little extra aggression here and there, a little typical chauvenistic male behaviour, and a little extra irritability at life. Well, that last quality was more uniquely him than anything else. One might argue it was the start to all of this.

"I suppose, seeing as you seem to give a damn about my being here, I should introduce myself." He commented, taking a gulp of whatever it was that had been placed in front of him and giving a shiver than ran head to tail before making a face. Geeze, it would just figure that this stuff would taste like hell, the punishment, the cost for escaping to somewhere else.

"Rindal." He said simply, not asking her for her name, figuring a smart thing like her would know how to introduce herself. Braun and few brains was Rindal's signature card, he wasn't stupid, but he wasn't exceptionally intelligent either. He'd anticipated that early on in life and had adjusted himself accordingly. He had to excell at something... and he'd made sure to keep on that promise to himself.

[Lauryn de Vampyre]

((He is so pretty!!! Green and black are my favorite colors. <3))

Lariel heard his chuckle and couldn't figure out how to take it. Letting it go, she repositioned herself so the chain on her bracelet would hang the piece of her homeland over the edge of the seat. It wasn't like the chains this feline wore, and the bobcat couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to be bound from birth. She was familiar with why it was done, and couldn't help but wonder if it had any effect.

Lariel snorted, raising one eyebrow at his mocking tone. "A girl like me? What kind of girl do you think I am, exactly?" Rolling her eyes at his assumption, she caught the attention of the bartender and ordered a Jack and Coke, no ice, as well as a Red-Headed Slut. Strangely enough the feline wasn't trying to get blitzed, but the night was starting to waste away. Might as well get caught up. After downing the shot, she lapped at the Jack and Coke. She watched him milk the Mind Eraser and smiled. That drink was certainly going to live up to it's name.

"There you go assuming again. As to whether or not I give a damn about you being here...well, you seem grudgingly interesting so I guess I do. Don't let it go to your head though." She couldn't help but smile ever so slightly as she bent to lap another drink. Rindal. A good, solid name.

"I haven't known you long enough to say it's been a pleasure, but it's good to meet you, Rindal. My name is Lariel," she introduced, extending one forepaw out. Obviously shaking was out of the question, but hopefully he'd figure something out.

[Tigeress]

((Hehe yeah, he's my favourite smexy boy glad you like him!))

The snappy tone made him raise an eye but he ignored it. Women were probably used to being prey at a place like this, and she probably meant he had been trying to call her a slut or somesuch. Typical female behaviour, always taking a compliment and twisting it into an insult. Varuna was often found doing that as well, but her venomous tongue kept him in check nonetheless. They'd gone a few rounds of not so pretty name calling before, he almost missed it. He should have contacted her somehow, but... he would eventually. After he figured out whether or not to go after that thrice damned sibling of his...

A low growl escaped his throat but he shook it off, forgetting for the moment that there was someone beside him trying to engage him in conversation. Oh, right. Perhaps he should explain himself before she decked him with a purse or something girlish like that.

"Good rank, good looks. But I guess all that doesn't really matter sometimes. The strangest things can get you in a mood for escaping." The feline shrugged, knowing she probably wouldn't understand his reference to his own personal plight, and not exactly caring. He didn't even know what the big deal really was, he didn't feel that guilty for what he'd done. Oh who in the hell was he kidding? He'd been harassing Seki to the point of starvation his whole life, what was one more terrible deed on top of the stack? But still, the idea of anyone Else hurting what was His... well, partly his, by blood and all... it didn't sit well.

"If you didn't give even the slightest damn, you wouldn't have said anything at all." He commented simply, it had made sense to him. As assumptions went, that was a fairly accurate and reasonable one, and it seemed to continue in the fact that she hadn't stalked off because of his sour attitude. Hopefully the obvious tension in his tightly muscled frame went unnoticed, Rindal had a tendency for violence and it would probably have made the girl uncomfortable to notice just how tense he really was. He tried his best not to hurt random people, but given a time and a place, he'd been known to get a little... out of control.

Too many one night stands gone wrong lately, in that some people didn't know how to appreciate a little... fun. But apparently forcible sex wasn't fun for everyone. At least he got a kick out of it.

"Ah... good to meet you too, Lariel." This socializing thing was a rough spot for him, it'd been a while since his 'how do you do' days. Lately he was just bitter and angry and full of raging testosterone. Maybe he should lay off working his body to the bone during all of his spare time... Ha, as if. At the outstreached paw, he blinked twice before swiping at it casually, kind of a high-five in human terms if you would. He honestly didn't know how to receive that, he'd never seen it done before.

[Lauryn de Vampyre]

((Yeah, Lariel wants to sex him up good. XD))

The bobcat heard his growl and turned to look at him inquisitively. The sound stopped abruptly when he looked over at her, so Lariel figured it was in regards to some inner monologue. He definitely wasn't the only Card to have conversations with themselves in their head. One eyebrow raised at the compliments. They were given in such a way that there was no mistaking how he meant them. It was....refreshing.

"Well, thank you," she replied, placated. "Escape. The only true escape from life's eccentricities is death, and I'm not ready for that yet or anytime soon." She paused to lap at her drink. "I could have spoken up about the drink to get you hammered enough you would pass out. Then it would be as if you weren't there. As it stands though, I will grant you that was not the case. So far you are good company," she admitted grudgingly.

Lariel noticed his rigged and strained form, though she thought of it in a different manner. Though she wouldn't admit so in open public, her tastes ran slightly extreme. Perhaps these two felines were more alike that either cared to admit, and probably wouldn't.

The bobcat smiled when he slapped her paw. Not many Cards without their human form would have understood the gesture. "You mentioned escape. What are you escaping from?

[Tigeress]

((Poor girl may not know what she's getting into ;D))

He noted her look with somewhat of an awkward cough. Well, she hadn't decked him or run off, so perhaps if she could stand his sour mood then he should put more effort into making it worth her time. Ah, but she'd been polite enough so far, he'd probably go and do something stupid like feel guilty for fucking her up physically or emotionally during sex if he could convince her into it. He just had this feeling that he needed to unload, and as he had nothing else he wanted to rip apart (he'd seriously regretted destroying the only piece of woodworking he'd taken with him), he had to find some other release. Poor damsel. Wrong bar on the wrong night, he supposed.

He couldn't help but look her up and down. She'd be a pretty thing to hurt, probably scream like a banshee too. He was getting really bad lately, what with unleashing his anger and bitterness onto random people in the manner he had been. There was a canine out there somewhere with quite the interesting set of scars on his face, and Rindal imagined there were probably several plots on his life forming. What life? It didn't matter at this point, he existed in limbo.

"Well I guess I'm right there with you." He had only grunted at her thanks, not knowing how else to respond to the whole compliment system. Normally he didn't bother with the pick-up, but apparently guilt was making him softer. In public, anyway. She seemed to have a good head on her shoulders with that advice, but it made him wonder just how she knew so much about the need to escape and the reality that that need would probably forever go unsatisfied.

"Yeah? Hmmm, I think I'm starting to figure this all out. You're probably crazy." He gave a toothy grin at this that looked quite a bit like a dangerous sneer... because that was pretty much the only expression other than 'apathetic' that he knew how to display. At her next question, he let out a mental sigh, he didn't want to get into this, but his face visibly darkened nonetheless.

"Guilt. Family issues. Chased my brother off in to the Tulgey Woods, and who knows who has him now or what they're doing to him. But if that litle bitch can't fight them off, he deserves it." His face told that maybe he was starting to rethink that opinion, but he'd never ever admit to it out loud. His brother needed to toughen up, show some balls or something.

"What about you?"

[Lauryn de Vampyre]

((Oh trust me, she would have a pretty good idea. She likes it rough. As long as she isn't maimed or dead, she could possibly enjoy it and give it.))

Lariel watched with a raised eyebrow as he took his time looking her over. It wasn't that she didn't mind, it was more the fact that it had been awhile for her. Returning the favor, she quickly looked over his nicely colored black and green coat with approval. Not to mention those muscles and the potential of what they could do...

The bobcat couldn't help but laugh at the crazy comment. It was true she was...different than most other Cards, but they rarely got close enough for her to let down the walls she kept most of her personality hidden behind. Most of the Cards she met thought her abruptness the height of rudeness, and didn't under stand her sometimes witty sarcasm.
"We're all go a little crazy sometimes," she remarked cryptically. "I bet you've had your moments."

At the mention of his brother, Lariel wondered at the change of expression. She didn't peg this feline as a family man, and was just then proven right by his opinion on how to 'toughen up'. Seeing the look on his face, Lariel dismissed the story and stopped to glare at a Biped Rat making suggestive motions towards her. Ignorant drunks.

The feline had been expecting the return of her question, but realized she didn't have a solid answer. "I'm trying to escape the monotony of life, I suppose. There is nothing to take my breath away and make me feel alive. I like what I do for a living, but that can only take up so much of my day. Alcohol helps me to get through the night and pass out that much quicker."

[Tigeress]

((Perhaps we'll see about that ;D))

When she looked him over in return he blinked a bit in surprise, narrowing his eyes with a smirk that could mean everything or nothing at all. She really didn't know what she was getting into, making herself so obvious, admiring him like that. The girl seemed fond of his physique, and it sent an electric rush down his skin. This was why he worked himself to the bone, the power... it was exhilarating. Who needed magic when he knew he could just pick her up, throw her down and...

"Oh I have indeed." His grin only widened, slitting his eyes to dangerous slices of golden light which seemed to gleam ever brighter with the thoughts going through his head. The alcohol was circulating in his system, and not being used to it, he was getting bold and buzzed. Just the recipe for disaster, and a really damn good night in the process. That is, if she gave in... she seemed the, ah, adventurous type, but with the way she was ignoring that rat behind her, it was going to take a bit more than a crude suggestion and some body language to get her excited. And that tended to be his forte, unfortunately.

"Oh really? I'm not sure if this is the sort of place to take your breath away and make you feel alive. Why would you want the night to end so soon? I find that those breath-taking experiences often come in the later hours." He was doing a poor job of being casual, neutral even, but somehow he figured she didn't mind that. This girl was looking for excitement, and with the state she was in, he had a good mind to think she was getting desperate enough to stop caring what it took to truly make her feel alive.

[Lauryn de Vampyre]

((Perhaps we shall. XD ))

Lariel watched his grin grow wider, and with it more maniacle. Lariel should have been worried, if she knew what was good for her, but the twinge of adrenaline coursing through her veins made her anxious instead. Her blue and white tail swished idly behind her, brushing up against the bar stool's seat. She couldn't tell what the gleam in his eyes meant. It could be anything from the Mind Eraser finally taking effect and living up to it's name, or it could be the promise of things to come for either ill or good.

If judging by the smile the feline now sported was any indication, his idea of a good time was....different than most were probably used to; maybe even her. She was walking down a tight wire and could fall off at any moment. This,...made her feel alive. She wasn't suicidal, and wondered why she was being attracted more and more to this potentially dangerous male. If she was smart, she'd drink up and just saunter home as usual. Curiosity, it seems, would get the best of her again.

Lariel looked over the bar and into the room, deciding she agreed with the feline's assessment. The bar was humdrum at best at the moment. Music was filtering through the air from some unseen force and the air was thick with the musty smell of dirty Cards. Alcohol and smoke; she'd gotten so used to it lately. Lariel definitely wasn't looking for excitement in a place like this. This establishment was the means to provide her with a quick release into unconsciousness.

"During the later hours. I can imagine some exciting things do happen then. However, since I'm not looking to murder or be murdered, fight or be faught, I have yet to find something to interest me." At this she gazed him straight in the eyes. "Do you have any suggestions?