bike parts, bike parts everywhere

[runningred]

{from here.}

Jay's room is something of a mess. There are designs and schematics all over the place. The table is covered with electronic components and prototypes. He's been tinkering a lot lately.

Jay laughs and sheds his jacket, kicking off his boots. "Sorry for the mess. I've been kinda busy lately."

Comments

[runningred]

"Then I don't visit again. Easy. I can't be a risk to you if I'm never seen. Let me become that scruffy one night stand that never gets mentioned again." Jay waves it away, falling back to the bed. "Besides, as nice as your club was, sad little goth kids are not my scene."

[onceaviking]

"Pam will do as she is told," Eric says, flatly. "And she knows that. It is impossible for her to disobey me."

He sighs.

"But I agree. They are annoying. Luckily, there is little I have to do, apart from sitting there. "

[runningred]

"Still, better not to give her cause to make her worry that I'm a threat."

"It's a pity really. Groupies on tap like that, you could be living large. I'm sure there are some who do. Or is that against the law for you guys?"

[onceaviking]

"It's vital that we are not seen as a threat to humans," Eric replies. "Everything has to be safe and consensual. Or in keeping with the Eleventh Commandment. Not in my district though. If people go behind my back, they will be found out and they will regret it."

He sounds smug.

[runningred]

"So you have to be seen to be drinking the bottled shit so none of the sad little children can get grumpy and claim you didn't ask first." He nods, seeing the sense in that. "No wonder you turn up here so hungry."

"So is that why you throw the guy off the stage?"

[onceaviking]

"No, we just make sure that it's consensual," Eric says, demonstrating a rather unorthodox understanding of that particular concept.

Glam outing someone into submission isn't exactly what most people would call consensual.

"No. He was talking back. A newcomer who'd been lax in reporting his arrival as he is required to do under vampire law. You have to be firm from that getgo."

[runningred]

"But none of the mascara brigade do it for you?"

Jay chuckles warmly. "You certainly made a show of it. He won't forget that in a hurry. Nor will anyone who saw it."

[onceaviking]

Eric shrugs. "Occasionally I'll pick one. Or Pam will pick one for me. She knows what I like. And you're right. Everybody else's impression was just as important. If they fear you, they stay in line. Mostly anyway."

He stretches. Slowly.

"I am one of the oldest vampires around in that area. They won't try anything."

[runningred]

"But you make sure they know they're nothing but a snack? Seems like the best way to keep them from getting involved in your business." Jay muses, stretching out as well.

"Over a thousand years, I guess you must be. I'm guessing not all the vampires of the old world found America quite as appealing."

[onceaviking]

"It has happened that one or two got ideas, but that gets dissuaded fairly quickly."

Or glamoured away.

"Not everyone did, no. And the rest of us have spread out. My maker is in Dallas. There are others. We don't get in each other's way. "

He seems relaxed. And willing to talk. A contrast to the snarling predator previously.

[runningred]

"Haven't found anyone worth keeping around yet? I'm surprised, handsome guy like you." Teasing much.

"Makes sense, each of you looking after their own territories. Do you get to see much of each other?"

[onceaviking]

"I don't keep humans, Jay," Eric replies, looking up at the ceiling. "It doesn't hold my interest."

Though this business with William Compton and the waitress does pique his interest. For purely strategic reasons of course.

"We are not really social creatures. But I'll know if he wants me. To come by. "

[runningred]

"Is probably a good thing." Jay chuckles, sitting up. He knows he won't make a very good pet. Not for long anyway. "Besides, we're suckfully fragile creatures."

"Yet you and Pam so tight. Or is she still too young to be out on her own? I noticed she was a little rough in her feeding when she had a go with me."

[onceaviking]

"That you are," Eric agrees.
"And, as I said, Pam is lazy. She isn't going to make an effort unless she has to. At least not for you. "

He looks over at Jay.
" There are no set rules for when it is time to move on. Some never do. "

[runningred]

Jay chuckles and rubs his neck, remembering the burn of her fangs. "I guess she sees no reason to be gentle with a blood bag. I have to admit it makes me appreciate your effects all the more."

"Pam might be lazy but she seems to manage the bar well. Gives you time to do what you need to do."

[onceaviking]

"She does," Eric says, not addressing whether or not - and certainly not why - he is making effort.

"She bitches a lot but she's good at what she does. And some things do have to be handled by me. It leaves me time to do that. "

[runningred]

Jay chuckles as he stretches again. "It's a pity me being around is a liability. You could do with an extra bouncer."

[onceaviking]

Eric lifts an eyebrow.

"You have experience? "

[runningred]

"I spotted those local boys, didn't I?" Jay cocks an eyebrow. "I've been taking bar gigs between for the last four years. Mostly bouncing but a bit of bar work." Granted, he was underage for most of that time but good fake ids cover that. And Jay's always looked older than he is.

[onceaviking]

"You did," Eric concedes. "So bouncing, blowing diamond mines up, working for people who stab you instead of handing you a pink slip - interesting career, Jay."

[runningred]

Jay laughs and gets up, holding a hand out to Eric. "You don't know the half of it. Shower?"

[onceaviking]

"Ignorance may be bliss, Jay," Eric says and gets up.
His hand is already cool again.

He can always take a shower.

"Separate worlds mean I don't have to care. "

[runningred]

"You make a good point." And lets face it, he doesn't have a mechanic's scars. In general, mechanics don't have bullet scars, or burns, or that many knife and claw marks. "But if you ever want to know, ask."

He runs the shower, enjoying the many jets.

[onceaviking]

Eric humms appreciatively as the water is turned on.

He is quiet, then he asks, "So, mines. Small ones for booby trapping. What do you know about those?"

[runningred]

"Depends," Jay answers after a considered moment. "How small are you looking at? Small enough to put someone off looking again or enough to get rid of the nosy individual?"