18+ Private Time After Time

[CamusVaric]

A surprise for sure had been that wonderful email about the game coming back. To be back in that wonderful realm and not have to worry about what waited for him *here*. The brunette stared at his phone as he leaned back in the leather chair he happened to be sitting in. Why the fuck did he need to be here? Right. Fucking client. A client that was late as all hell. The place they were meeting was in some rich ass hotel. Yes, meet in a public place with people rushing about to and from. Those red-brown eyes watching them, a clicking sound came from his as he clicked his tongue upon the top off the top of his mouth. This was already annoying. "Any longer and I turn into a fuckin mushroom" he muttered to himself. He wore that same black and red collar from before and a leather jacket upon a white shirt, some black faded jeans and combat boots. He was being eyed by one of the security offices patrolling the area.

"Why don't you just leave if you hate it here so much? They are looking at you. Watching you. If you don't leave now... they might capture you. Drag you back. You wouldn't want that, now would you?" That annoying voice that was now always there, never leaving. It toyed and tempted him to do things , and currently the only reason that THIS was what he could do. Everything else he had done ended up in pure and utter failure. He had ended up in the police station more times then he could count. Thankfully no charges were ever pressed against him. He didn't need a paper trail. If he had a paper trail... he was doom. He couldn't go back there. He couldn't go back there. He couldn't go back there. No. No. He half jumped as someone touched his shoulder. Those red-brown eyes looking into some woman.

She had a kind face, probably a bit older than he was-- if that. "Are you okay... I couldn't help but noticed that you keeping looking around. You're not in trouble are you?" How did he even fucking answer that? He parted his lips to speak. "I.. well I..." he got out his voice was shaking. The woman went to kneel in front of him and so softly place her hands upon his cheeks. "Shush, shush. It will all be okay. Why don't you come with me and we can talk a little. Alright. No one is going to come after you. That is what it is. Is it not?" She was kind, but he didn't like her touching. She was too close. Too close. "Yes, go with her. Then END her. She is only going to be a threat to ya.." He didn't need to listen to that voice. It told him to do bad things.

Yet he was already being led by his hand and into the elevator by the woman. "Quite the act, champ" the woman said as the doors closed them off from the lobby. Act? She thought it was an act? "Though next time shouldn't you be a bit less... obvious." This was the fucking client. You had to be fucking kidding him. He clicked his tongue "well if someone met me at the agreed time-- then I wouldn't have been bloody sitting and drawing bloody attention. So really this is your fault." The doors opened upon the fourteenth floor and he was dragged and pushed against the wall. "I could care less about your profile. You better be worth it with such a mouth on you." The fuck was happening. This was HIS client right? This was.... then it was like his consciousness faded away from him. It was upon that day that he realized that he might need a little bit of help. Cause the last thing he remembered was being pushed against that textured wall. the woman smelt of smoke and a jasmine perfume-- it was oddly complimenting to one another. Neither too overpowering. The next he was on the subway.

What the fuck had just happened. He hurried himself out of the subway once the doors opened. "So where are ya going? Not afraid that HE might be around the corner?" He hissed "shut up. Shut up. Shut up." He looked crazed and perhaps he probably was. "Mommy, that man is talking to himself." A child pointed at him and the woman quickly rushed her little boy away as his eyes even looked in her general location. It was by some sheer miracle no one had gotten him committed honestly. Perhaps he did belong in a crazy house. He continued to see Rudger in every dark alley. He heard multiple voices now. He had blackouts. He knew none of these things were normal, but he wouldn't allow himself to be put away. Terra was his release.... it made things better. He had it now.

He bit his lip so hard it bled, he needed a fucking drink. A drink. He couldn't help but remember that day he met the red head. For the first time in four years, he went to pull out his cell phone. It was honestly stupid to do did. He doubted she would answer. He didn't even know why he was doing it. Maybe it was to stop people from staring at him like he was going to go on some rampage at any moment. He pressed the number and held it up to his ear when the screen showed the dialing screen. He continued to walk along the path. He really should go home, but well he couldn't bring himself to just hurry up to his apartment. It honestly was shitty here. Terra wasn't-- but with the attack having him remember that day he met her... he couldn't help but call her. To call Bre. Would she answer though? Would she even remember him?

@Lorelei Varic

 

[Lorelei Varic]

Light filtering in from the age-worn curtain on the single window of her apartment bedroom danced across Ahmbreh's face, bringing her eyes to begin to flutter open, twin pools of oceanic-blue staring at the ceiling above her. Groaning, softly, she pushed herself into a sitting position on the bed, slowly, moving one hand up to gingerly rest against her temple. Her head was killing her, and her body didn't feel much better. She moved her hands, slowly, checking her arms and legs, her hips and shoulders. Everything ached, for sure. It was a small price to pay to keep the roof over her head though, however shoddy the tiny place might be. She had been working the night before in the club to pay for the small apartment she was renting, as well as her college courses. She never minded tending bar, but dancing took it's toll on her for sure, but she was at the very least, dedicated to her cause; the building of a life of her own and a chance to see more of the world. This was her life, of current, however. Day times were spent running errands and keeping herself busy as much as possible, including the second job she had taken at the Dreamland Diner. She had come to be at least content with her life in the real world, however much she still wished it was more like her life had been in Terrasphere.

Terrasphere. She hadn't thought to the game in a while, now. At least not until just last night, well, early this morning, when she'd come home from her shift at the club to find an email awaiting her. The contents of the message stated simply that players were being called back to Terrasphere. It had contained a QR code to scan in order to access the app for the game. Much like she had originally been introduced to the game, just over four years prior, she had found a bit of nostalgia in the message. She had pondered logging on for a few moments, but exhaustion had led to her simply scanning the code and allowing the app to download. Sleep had been a must. Today was her day off, however, and she was more than curious to find out just what the world of Terrasphere might hold now, after four years of being locked out. Four years of having no contact with anyone she had considered a friend. Her life back then had been such a shit show. Not that it was infinitely better now, but there had been changes, at least, good ones.

"Well, lazing around and reminiscing won't get the day started, Ahmbreh." She mumbled to herself as she stood from the queen bed, one of the few luxuries she afforded herself with her tight financial situation. Making her way over to the bathroom located across the room, she pulled the door open, stepping through and closing it behind her. It took her about twenty minutes to prepare and complete her shower. Stepping from the tub she dried off with a towel laying nearby, before stepping out of the bathroom and over to her dresser to gather her clothing. Pulling open drawers one at a time, she gathered the needed garments and began dressing. She grumbled a bit as the pinkie of her left handt became wrapped in the folds of her chosen pale green sweater dress. Untangling the digit she pulled the article of clothing on with no further problems, and adjusted the hem around her thighs. Running her fingers through the tangles in her long, red locks before stooping to pull on a pair of black tights followed by socks and black, wide heeled ankle boots, she stood to check her appearance in the mirror on the wall.

"As good as anything else, I suppose." She wasn't really certain why she put forth the effort to even try to look decent on days like today. It wasn't like she was actually going to go anywhere or see anyone. Hell, she wouldn't bother with work most days, if it weren't for the fact that she had to have her apartment. She really didn't care much for people and socialization. Well, there was one girl who had been becoming a bit more of a fixture in her life, but at the moment Ahmbreh would consider her a solid acquaintance, at best, if she were being honest. The one other friend she'd ever really had, the one who had known some of her past; lived through some of it with her …Well, he'd disappeared around the same time as the lock out from the game He had also been why she had taken the job at the diner. As it was where he was working when they met, it held a bit of nostalgia for her, even if it had taken her over a year to be able to go back to the place.

Making her way to the kitchen, she remained lost in thought for the time being, her mind reeling with thoughts of her ex-boss Pete, and how he had become her ex-boss. That night was still a vivid nightmare for her, much like the memories she had of her father. Close to three years worth of therapy had done little to erase the taint she still felt on herself, but it had helped her to find the strength to control some aspects of her trauma better. She knew she would never truly get over her past, but she could learn to accept it and move forward with her life. Of course, her therapist didn't know the full extent of her past, either. The woman had been a help, though, and so she stuck with her monthly meetings, in hopes of possibly, one day, finding a way to rid herself completely of her problems.

"Can't get rid of me, Princess, you really would be lonely, then." She snorted at the voice in her head, not bothering to tell it to shut up, as she knew it's jabs would go no further without reason for her to lose her grip on her control. Her thoughts of the past brought it around often, but quelling the little devil was much easier now-a-days, and surprisingly, it seemed to almost be polite and agreeable when it was around. Though, that could have just been due to the lack of stimulation for the thing. She lived a dull, lonely life, for a reason, if she were being honest. She shook her thoughts away as she realized she'd basically zombied her way through making a bowl of cereal, not remembering the process as she'd been lost in thought.

Carrying the bowl to the living room, she settled into her desk chair, preparing to eat her breakfast. Taking a bite and chewing it down, slowly, she pondered for a few moments over what she might find when she did log onto the game. She couldn't help but wonder just what changes had been made and what new adventures she might find. It didn't take long for her to finish her cereal, returning her bowl to kitchen and placing it and her spoon into the sink, she ran water over them before returning to the living room. Washing the few dishes could wait, for the time being. She had no problem with that. Reaching for her VR headset, she huffed, slightly, as she heard the familiar ring of her cellphone. Leaving the VR headset on the shelf for the time being she made her way back to her room to grab her phone.

Oceanic-blue hues narrowed as she looked at the number that popped up on her phone. No information was attached to it, simply the number labeled 'unknown'. She pondered for only a moment over answering it, before putting her cellphone to her ear. "Hello, you have reached Ahmbreh De Rosa. How might I help you?" She inquired, her expression one of curiosity as she waited to see what answer she would get from the other end of the line. She wanted to check out the game, but she saw no need to be rude and ignore whomever had called her. Who could it be, anyway? Not many people had her number.

 

[CamusVaric]

He wondered would she answer. The dial tone. Well if shit came down to it, he could just hold the phone to his ear anyway and talk as if on the phone. Then no one would say shit about it. Okay , perhaps they still would. Did he really care? "No this is just ya excuse to call her." The little demon might just be right, this time. Maybe he just wanted to talk to her, to hear her voice. Too much reminded him of those moments and he couldn't help but have made the call without thinking about it. What happened though if she didn't answer. Was she just looking at her phone trying to figure out who the hell was calling her? That is probably what he would be doing. Though then again a lot of random ass numbers now called him. A lot of which were numbers that weren't traceable. Yes, he did some shady shit, it wasn't like he was proud of it or anything. It was the only job he could do and not get looked like he was crazy then let go. Regardless if he liked working or not-- he needed a job to make money to survive.

Okay, so he could live off stealing and mooching and shit like that-- though it didn't mean he wanted to become some criminal that would be chased to the ends of the Earth. He already had to worry about Rudger, he didn't need any more of those problems. Finally the phone was picked up and her voice came on the other side of the phone. He continued to walk as he held the phone to his ear. Oh so professional sounding. Maybe-- no he couldn't just continue without saying anything. He had made this call and damn would he just hang up after hearing her voice. He was beyond that. Just talk to her like normal. He almost spoke like Camus and he couldn't do that. Camus was his in game life, he was not him. Though okay a lot of shit would be easier if he was. Maybe he was more like that character than he originally belived. He didn't bat an eye about killing people now, maybe his game character had made him go hard to those type of things?

Biting his lip a little more, he cleared his throat and finally spoke. "Bre... I'm sorry it took so long to call. Things just eh... um came up and what not. Though... I.. " okay how to come about saying this without sounding like some creepy stalker or something. "No ya have dug ya own grave. Time to live with it, school boy." He half hissed out loud at his inner demon. He hated that stupid little voice in his head. It drove him insane and now there were more then one of them. He hated it so much. Why did he have to have this as his shit life? "Okay... I am gonna start again. Hi, it's Damien. I know its been a while... but I couldn't help but call. I know it has been so long and you probably don't even know who the bloody hell I am anymore. Probably are busy and I am being a problem."

Despite how long he had lived in America now, his English accent stayed and it got thicker when he rambled like he was doing now. He hadn't spoken to her in so long and he had called her out of the blue. Though if he had given her his number, would she had continued to call him? Would she had tried anything to contact him after he left that one night and never returned again. They were having fun , that little game of who they were in game. Though shit did change. He wondered what had happened after all of that. "She probably cried. I mean if ya so worried bout it--- ask her." He pushed the little demon out of his head and kept walking finally reaching his apartment complex. He went up into the elevator pressing floor six. It really was shitty, though at least it wasn't one of the top ones and was shitty. No he had a feeling the top ones were nice and belonged to people who had more money then he did.

He kept chewing his lip and he could taste his own blood. He really needed to stop this habit or he would end up hurting himself from it all. Though his heart was pounding fast. No this wasn't some anxiety attack or panic attack. "So uh um how have you been?" Probably a lot better off then him. He wondered if she was still in Virginia Beach or if she was elsewhere by now. If she was elsewhere... maybe he could go see her. Yeah... because that would go so well. What would she said if she found out about all the shit he was in now? He wasn't exactly the most idea type of guy here. He opened his door to the shitty apartment and put his keys by the door and shrugged off his jacket.

 

[Lorelei Varic]

Ahmbreh raised a brow as the other end of the line remained silent after she answered. She could hear the faint din of background noise. Whomever had called was either in public or definitely with a crowd. She waited a few seconds before she started to hang up, having no desire to be part of some kid's prank or whatever might be going on. She lowered the phone from her ear and started to hit the icon to end the call, but the slightest of sounds from the speaker of her cellular device stopped her. The voice was too far from her ears for her to clearly hear, but they were speaking. The realization had her pulling her phone back to her ear, brow raising once more in curiosity, as she listened to the male voice on the line.

She had placed the phone back to her ear at just the right time to hear 'sorry it took so long to call...' The voice wasn't something she had expected to hear; she'd not thought at all of it being a possibility. Her ocean-blue eyes widened as her chest seemed to expand, her lungs feeling as if they didn't want to exhale as she let herself just sort of drop to a seated position on her bed. Her heart pounded so hard against her chest that for a moment it drowned out the sounds of his voice. '...gonna start again. Hi, it's Damien...' For a moment she wondered if she might be dreaming, but, no. No …This was real. The realization hit her pretty hard, but it was unmistakable. There was no denying the heavily accented words she heard, nor the babbling way he spoke.

For a moment she remained silent. For a moments, she dared not even breathe, afraid that she might wake up and find it to be all a dream, still. When she did speak, her voice was soft, but clear. A few heavy breaths to prepare herself to speak had helped, not by much, but enough to ensure she would get through the call. "Damien?" She said as she shifted on her bed to prop against her pillows. "Of course I remember you? How are you?" Her mind seemed to have gone into autopilot of a sorts, the shock she felt addling her brain for a moment. She shook her head to clear it, however, and waited for him to finish his rambling, before she said anything more.

"I'm not busy, and you're fine." She said, heaving a heavy sigh as she pondered how to answer his other question. "I...I've been okay, I guess." She answered, knowing that the answer likely wouldn't pacify his interest. "Wow. I mean …It's been so long. 4 years … You just disappeared ..." She took a deep breath to calm herself, and shook her head, slightly, she was starting to ramble. "How are you? Where are you?" She figured, at this point, she likely seemed rude. She hoped not, but she didn't know, really how to act. In an attempt to ease the tension she felt, she pushed herself up from the bed, pacing, slowly, as she waited for him to respond. She was in shock and at a loss for words in the moment.

@CamusVaric

 

[CamusVaric]

Great, it was such a good start. No wonder why there was no answer on the other end of the line. She probably didn't remember him and this was some creepy phone call. Just great, what did he do if that was the case. His heart was beating fast now as he waited and waited for something to come off the other end of the phone. He could hear a heavy breath on the other end of the phone, it was hard to not hear. " She is probably about to go off on ya, maybe scream. She could be so repulsed.." He shook his head as if to respond to the slight different voice in his head. It was bad... he was starting to hear little differences amongst his demons in his head. He didn't like it... why were there so many in his head now? Not that he was the picture of sanity before, but still. Then finally she spoke.

He let out a sigh he didn't realize he was holding when she said he was remembered. He went to plop down in the chair and lean back. "I know... I'm sorry. I just... a lot ... happened and I ... well I" he started and he gulped slightly when she asked where he was. He slightly dug his nails into the palm of his hand. No, it was a logical question. Both of them were logical. They hadn't spoken in four years. He needed to calm down some. Probably a good thing that she couldn't see him as he clawed at himself slightly. What did he do? What did he do? "This is all on ya, school boy. Ya was the bright one who called. Just ask her to hook up and be done with it already." He shook his head quickly , no he couldn't do that. Sure Bre was attractive and all, she made his heart beat so rapidly-- though she deserved better than him. He was no knight or prince charming. Sure he had saved her back then, he had done so by using his name and probably brought a target on to her.

What if Rudger would use her to figure out where he was. He gulped . No she wouldn't do something like that. She had endured... she was stronger than that and he doubted that Rudger even remotely remembered some girl. If he had contacted her-- it was most likely long ago and he no longer was in contact with her. If the other had a job at Dreamland Café, she most likely ended up seeing Rudger from time to time. Of course he had no clue about anything unless she spoke of it. He didn't even know if she still worked at that bar or anything else. Did he ask about that stuff? No, he didn't need to be creep at all. No , he couldn't just not say anything either. He had done this, the little demon was right there, he had to continue this regardless.

"I... uh... I yeah I am fine I guess. It's been alright. I'm sorry for disappearing.. things just happened and I uh.. yeah I had to leave. I... dunno if it is ... safe to say where I am" he chewed his lip more and more as he spoke and he could taste the blood. He was having an attack and it wouldn't stop. Though it wasn't Bre's fault-- no Damien probably couldn't be fixed. He had too much hitting him. Though would she head back if she asked him to. "So are you are um ,, back in Virginia Beach still? Ya probably had more adventure than staying there and all. Nothing happened or anything. No one came looking or anything... right... you're safe... you weren't hurt or anything. I would feel bad if you were hurt. It was my fault if it ... if it happened. My fault. My fault." He was starting to breathe heavier and it was clear he was having an attack of sorts . He was rocking back and forth in the chair , blood coming from his lip and the palm of his hand. He was a mess and needed so much mental help.

 

[Lorelei Varic]

Bre grew silent as she listened to Damien speak. His explanation ...Well, it wasn't really one. She could hear a note of fear in the shaky and nervous-seeming tones of his voice, however. She found herself wondering if it was fear of how she would react to hearing from him after so long or something more. ---I dunno if it is safe to say where I am--- That small revelation had her mind reeling as he continued to speak. Her thoughts filled with times of the past. The way he always seemed to be looking over his shoulder as if expecting someone to pop out from every shadow had been something she hadn't questioned back then. She recalled a few different occasions in which he referenced different aspects of his life having not been necessarily safe for her. She had felt, back then, that he might have been in some sort of trouble, but time and whatever he was obviously running from had taken him away before she'd had a chance to find out just what sort of trouble he might have been in.

His voice cut through her thoughts. He was asking if she was still in Virginia Beach. "Yes, actu..." She started to answer him, only to cut herself short as she heard his words continue. ---No one came looking or anything, right? You're safe? You weren't hurt or anything?--- His words brought her thoughts around to something else; a new possibility that she should have likely thought of sooner. Something that she never could or would forget. Those years ago, she had found herself in a situation that to this day haunted her dreams, though, thankfully, not as often as it had a few years before. The night her sleeze-bag of a boss had tried to force himself on her. That night was burned into her core memory in a way that, for a while, had only aided in the problems she did have following Damien's disappearance.

The incident had occurred in the alley behind the club she worked in. Her boss, Pete, had caught her on her way out from work. Cornered and terrified, it had been the first time she had blacked out. When she had come to, Pete was dead. Bludgeoned with a broken piece of brick from the building itself. To this day she had no recollection of anything that had happened from the moment the man had pinned her in the alley and she had blacked out. When she came to and realized the situation she was in, she had panicked and ran; ran straight to Dreamland Cafe. There she had found Damien. He had comforted her, told her he would take care of her problem. She assumed he either had or no one had cared enough about Pete the Creep ...But had it been even a part of the cause for Damien's disappearance? "Most likely." She shoved the intrusive voice away, not caring for the way her hackles raised as it butted into her thoughts.

She pushed herself off of the bed as she focused back on his words. She had heard every word, even with her thoughts running as they were, and so far the conversation was doing little to alleviate her worries. She could hear the rapid, heavy intake of his breaths, and his voice dripped with a negativity that she knew, quite well, herself, as he repeated himself ---My fault. My fault.--- The fear and anxiety in his voice stirred other memories for her; thoughts of days after he had left. For a time after he had left, she had found herself in quite a state. She had gone into a depression that even this day she still battled. Her blackouts had started coming more frequently. She hadn't found herself in any situation quite as bad as with Pete, but she couldn't say she hadn't done some things she wasn't proud of. Drinking and drugs were only the tip of the iceberg for her. She had lost herself in the darkness of her mind, for a while, and it had taken someone else to remind her that she wouldn't ever have a chance of finding Damien again, if she let herself fade away the way things were happening.

Those were thoughts for a different time, however, and she pushed them aside, as she made her way back to the small living room. Taking a seat at her desk, she flipped her computer monitor on as she pulled her phone from her ear and pushed the icon to turn on the speaker. "I'm fine, Damien. ...Right now I need you to breathe, please? Just take a deep, slow breath for me." She could hear his breathing becoming more erratic, and she was starting to worry. "I'm right here. No one's hurt me. There's nothing for you to be worried about, with me. It's okay." She responded, her voice clear, gentle, as she tried to reassure him. She could tell he was in need of comfort or help of some sort, and she wanted to reassure him that she would do all she could, even if it was just to talk to him, for the time being. "I am still in Virginia Beach, yes. I'm working on my masters now. So, I've stayed close to the school, even though I do my work mostly online. It makes it more convenient when I have to go in for a test or lab." She held her tone in that gentle manner as she spoke, listening for any change to his own voice or breathing. Meanwhile, on her computer she had opened her browser and navigated to a website that allowed one to track the location of a phone number. It wouldn't give her an exact location, but possibly the state and city, if there were any records to be found for his number, even if it were just the area code. She entered the number shown on her phone's screen as she spoke, hitting the button to search, and waiting for the results to pop up.

"I had to take on a second job. I'm still working at the club at nights, but at the diner you used to work at, too." She took in a slow, deep breath, before she continued, her eyes glued to the swirling circle of the search engine. The tone of her voice held a note of reassurance as she glanced back at the screen of her phone, listening to see if he would respond or if the anxiety attack she could hear him going through was only going to become worse. "Hey. So, I just got an email not long ago that took me a little by surprise. Apparently Terrasphere is back. I haven't been online, yet. So, I don't know what's changed or not." She was basically rambling at this point, though she was doing all she could to keep her voice level as she spoke, intent on helping to calm him some, as she watched the browser page refresh, the information she had been looking for showing on the screen. Well, sort of, anyway. She had gotten the city and state, at least. Chicago, Illinois ...Her brow furrowed as she thought of what she knew of the place, a plan forming in the back of her mind, as she turned her attention back to her phone, her voice holding a slight pitch of excitement and more than a little worry. "I've missed you, Damien. I honestly have. I would have stayed in contact, if I'd had a way. Hey, here's a thought. Would you like to play ...Together?" She hadn't forgotten of the their game within the game so long ago, and right at the moment, it seemed like a viable option to change the subject for him. "I mean, if you'd like to ...Sometime." She said, trailing off once more to see if he might respond.

@CamusVaric

 

[CamusVaric]

She was trying to calm him down, but he kept rocking back and forth in his chair. He chewed his lip more as he did so. No one had hurt her-- that is what she said. Though what if she was lying and she had been hurt. It would be his fault. He only got out little gaspy sounding breaths as she continued to speak to him. He couldn't even reply at all to the other, so the conversation was sort of one sided right now. It wasn't his fault that he was like this. She was still in Virginia Beach still. Then that doomed look only appeared more in red-brown eyes as she continued to talk to her. 'I had to take on a second job. I'm still working at the club at nights, but at the diner you used to work at, too.' Those weren't words that calmed him at all.

Sure, she was babbling now . She was trying to help him-- but he was spiraling right now with those last words. "You can't work there!!" He half screamed into the phone and it would be clear from the squeaking of his chair that he was rocking back and forth almost aggressively. "No... no... no... no... no.... no... can't. Can't. Not that place." Would Bre do something stupid with the knowledge of how he was reacting about her second job? He didn't even reply to Terrasphere. No he was too much in the depths of a black hole. His finger nails going deeper into the palm of his hand. It went down from there and to his wrist and his forearm . He started to claw at the flesh and making it bleed. Oh it was best that he wasn't in public doing this-- well best in some sense-- in others -- it might just had helped him if he had done this in public. The next best thing was he was doing this attack on the phone with Bre.

"No... no... should be away. Lions den... not safe...... no. .... no... I said too much. No. No. No. No." He was rapidly turning his head as if someone would burst through the apartments door at any second. He was in hysterics now and he was gasping even worse for breathes. He had not done what she wanted of him and now he was in a full blown attack. He couldn't breathe because of it. He began to claw at the collar around his neck. "No...no... no... no. Must not... no... no." Even the little demon was quiet right now, perhaps planning to try to take over the other's body when he was in such a state. Though Damien couldn't help that he was in such a state right now. Bre would have no idea just how much mental strain he was in. She was trying to be a good friend to him, but right now she could only do so much when they were on the phone.

She might actually need to find a way to go to Chicago to drag is ass back with her. Yet how well would that go anyways? Virginia Beach was one place he didn't need to go at all. He had fled it for a reason--- though why was it? Now he couldn't even speak, it was just gasps. He clawed at his neck more-- almost like trying to get the collar off. Though he would never allow anyone to remove... he was that afraid of it all. He probably didn't belong with normal people anymore, he needed serious psychological help right now. So what would Bre do now? Virginia Beach wasn't next door to Chicago exactly? He whined now as he gasped for breath. "Make it all stop... fault ... all mine. Missed... but dangerous. Why... why so danger?" He was trying to speak more, but it was clear it was full blown attack now.

That was when it wasn't so quiet anymore. "Yes, all yours. Why is she in danger? All cause of you, champ." He whined because of the little demon that now had to have something to say as well. "Shut up... shut up... shut up. I don't need you right now" he half screamed at the voice. Still he held the phone-- but as he spoke those words he let his phone drop to the desk and he went to grip either side of his head. He rocked more "no... no... stay away. Stay away." Who knew what Bre might think of all of this. Damien hadn't been the sanest person before-- but compared to now... he really was. He was having a fight with himself, one that was very much internal. That all coming on top of the poor guy having an anxiety attack. He didn't need to be tracked. What if Rudger found him?

He needed to stop scratching at himself, if he continued -- well he might end up really hurting himself. He needed something positive in his life. Bre had been positive for him and thus a good thing. Yet he might be response for someone hurting her-- and he couldn't have that. She worked at his old work-- meaning Rudger might be involved and... and ... and if something happened to her. He wouldn't be able to live with himself at all. Chicago was meant to be better for him. Yet he had called her and now was breaking down fully on her.

 

[Lorelei Varic]

Ahmbreh listened as Damien's breathing became more ragged. She could hear the short gasps of his breath, as opposed the calming breaths she had tried to talk him into taking. It was clear her trying to calm him wasn't working. Had something she said triggered the seeming onset of more intense panic it seemed was hitting him? She didn't have to wait long for his nearly screamed words to answer her question. ---You can't work there--- Not for a second did she feel he was actually yelling at her. No, it wasn't anger that came through his tone ...It was fear. The panic in his voice would have been enough to cause her concern, without the raised decibels of his tone, but the background noise she could hear ...That squeaking ...He was in the throws of complete panic. There wasn't much more she could do, from this distance, than to listen and try and vocally comfort ...Would it be enough, though?

---No can't … Can't … Not that place.--- She heard him continue, his words were becoming more incoherent by the moment as the throws of panic gripped into him. ---Lions den … Not safe … I said too much ... Make it stop … Dangerous--- She had stopped really hearing his words, only some breaking through her own thoughts as she tried to think of some way to help calm him; some way to help break him out of his spiral. It was no good, really. The distance between them wasn't helping at all. Phone on speaker, her fingers danced across the keys of her keyboard as she spoke. She was formulating a plan, but it was one she could really only hope would work, with situations what they currently were. "Damien, Honey. I swear, I'm okay. You're okay." She wasn't certain what exactly was going on, but with the way he had screamed about her not working at the diner, she was fairly certain it was something he was afraid for her, for.

The whining tones of his voice, the rapid and labored breathing she could hear; they combined with the squeaking sound she assumed was him rocking in his chair, as she pushed one final button on her keyboard and stood from her desk, turning off the computer and picking up her phone. Aside from noises of his attack, he was silent for the moment, and that fact bothered her more than anything he had said or screamed at this point. "Oh, this is lovely. Just what are you planning to do, Princess? Or is it Knight, now? I'm confused." She growled, audibly, at the intrusion of the voice in her head. Sure, she still carried the little devil. Still dealt with it popping up from time to time, but this wasn't one of the times she was willing to do so. She shoved it to the back of her mind, a silent 'shut up' her only response as she made her way back to her room. She had a plan, but would it work?

"Damien" She spoke, slowly, calmly, despite the panic she now felt, herself. "Deep breath, Honey, please." As she spoke she was moving about her room. She grabbed a duffle bag from her closet, before making her way to her dresser. Into the bag went the first two outfits she found, before she made her way to her small bathroom, tossing in small necessities from that room. Making her way back to the living room, almost on a whim, it would seem, she grabbed her VR headset, shoving it into the duffle bag as well. "Damien ...I need you to focus on my voice … Can you do that?" Her voice remained calm as she spoke, duffle bag zipped and slung over her shoulder as she grabbed her keys and purse and took a moment to make sure things in the apartment were shut down and turned off.

---Shut up. I don't need you right now--- Again, that panicked screaming of his words. She knew he wasn't talking to her, though. She could tell from his lack of actual reaction to anything she had said, thus far, that he was lost to the sound of her voice. The more she heard from his end of the call, the more she was convinced. He was fighting an inner war that she knew well, though likely for different reasons, as she didn't know all the details of his own life. ---No. Stay away--- She had heard the clatter of his phone being dropped, and so she didn't respond to his words as she pulled open the door to her old chevy truck and climbed in, tossing the duffle bag onto the passenger seat and placing her phone in the holder on her dash.

The flight she had booked left in 43 minutes. It was a 15 minute drive to Norfolk International. She'd make it in 10. She could do this. She was doing this. She wasn't certain if he had focused to retrieve his phone or not, but she'd stay on the line as long as she was able and hope he could at least hear her speak. "Damien, I'm coming. Two hours. Just give me two hours." She spoke at the phone as she sped her way towards the airport. She could only hope that he'd be able to calm himself enough for her to not have to scope the entirety of Chicago to find him, though she would damned well do so, if that's what it came to.

@CamusVaric

 

[CamusVaric]

Damien wasn't in enough control of his actions to truly listen to her. Though it didn't mean the little demon hadn't been listening. "Oh look who became a damsel , champ. Someone is coming for ya." He kept rocking back and forth in his chair. What would Bre do should she find him? More so how would she end up finding him? Chicago was a vast city and some people could care less about talking to others. The cops-- sure he had worked with some of them in his time as a bounty hunter. Though more or less, he was more a taboo type of person. He had been in their office more times than one could count. It wasn't for good reasons either. So if Bre strolled up to ask them for help-- how would the cops react to her? He whined out loud, it echoing over the phone. "No... no..." he whimpered about.

What type of state would he end up in anyways? Bre was two hours away from him-- and a lot could happen in two hours. A lot especially when one of the parties had a little demon in his head. The other wouldn't be able to keep her phone on during the flight. Thus would have to go radio silent during the flight. What happened if Damien didn't answer the phone when she called back? He had worked himself into quite a good breakdown after all. He kept gasping, clawing more at his arm. Then a laughter started to bubble up from him. "I've done it now. Yep. I've done it. How could anyone want to deal with me?" Rather or not she was still on the phone was a fact he didn't know, and clearly didn't truly care. His red-brown eyes almost looked crazed as he laughed.

His phone still was on the desk, and that is where it was gonna remain, more than likely. "How can anyone want to deal with me?" He repeated his words. "I'm nothing, nothing at all. Just scum-- everyone was right about it. So much better--- and I think it would ever work out." The little demon had truly made Damien crazed , well that and all the abuse ,both mental and physical, he had endured. He had dealt with a lot, more than anyone should ever have to deal with. It wasn't fair to him. "I can never go back anyways. So it is all okay! Yes all okay now! Peachy. Peachy." He rocked back into his chair. He leaned back a bit too much and... CRASH. He ended up on his ass on the ground and that just seemed like the funniest thing to him at that time.

This going back and forth was going to be what happened for the duration of Bre's trip to get there. Though what happened in the end though? Would she try to use any clues to track him? Surely if she asked anyone about the guy who spoke to himself--- that could bring up many different type of characters in Chicago. It was a big city, and crime was all over the place here. He didn't live in the best neighborhood either, and it was a shitty damn apartment he lived in. He might actually be able to afford something better-- but why would he dare try to make himself stand out.. in a money sense of way. His money was dirty after all. He had tried an honest living and it wasn't for him. Rudger had ruined him. Well actually his father had ruined him first then Rudger had ruined him more. He laughed though , his phone still on the desk.

 

[Lorelei Varic]

---No... no...I've done it now. Yep. I've done it. How could anyone want to deal with me?--- The last words she had heard actually come through the speaker of her phone echoed through Ahmbreh's head. She'd made it to the airport without incident. Her truck parked and lot fee paid for it to remain in the parking garage until her return, she had found herself through the customs checks and at her terminal just in time to board her flight with three minutes to spare. She honestly felt like she was pushing fate at this point, but she didn't really care. She had no intentions of losing her battle to reach Damien. She only hoped she would be able to find him in time.

She had been forced to hang up the call upon reaching the airport. Now on the plane, she wasn't able to try and call back, and wouldn't be able to answer, if he were to. She desperately wished she could be there in person to comfort him, and she worried for what might happen if he tried to call back and she didn't answer, so she had taken the time to change the voicemail on her phone. "I'm coming." Two words, that was all she had left as her message. Sure, it would seem strange to people who might call, but it wasn't like anyone ever did. She could only hope he would understand, if he did call back and got her voice mail. Two hours was going to seem like days at the rate her mind was running. but she had to get there before ...No, she couldn't let herself think that way. She pushed away the thoughts of what could be happening to him in those two hours, taking a deep breath as she turned her head to stare out of the window beside her.

"Wouldn't that be just grand? We make this trip on your heartache-fueled whim, only to find that he's dead. Dead. That's the word you don't want to think about, isn't it?" Ocean-blue hues rolled, visibly, at the sound of the little devil in her head. There really couldn't be a more inopportune time for the damned thing to start speaking up again, and of course, it was going to be a sarcastic little shit. The spark of anger towards the voice and it's intrusive ideas was enough to calm her racing thoughts from the possibilities, however. So, she supposed she could be grateful for it, this once. It was in this state of worry and frustration that she spent the entirety of her flight.

When the plane landed, Ahmbreh grabbed her duffel bag from beneath her seat and exited as soon as the flow of passengers allowed her to. She wasted no time procuring a rental car and preparing to leave the airport. She didn't really have a plan, per say, and she knew her quest was going to be hard to complete without any concrete evidence of Damien's whereabouts. It would have done her no good to have tried calling him back while taking care of the necessities she had, as she wouldn't have been able to focus on the call, if he did answer. So, after settling herself into the driver's seat of her rental car, duffel bag tossed into the back, she pulled her phone from her pocket, finally.

Taking a deep breath to steady her thoughts and the worried pounding of her heart, she unlocked her phone screen, navigating to her recent call list and pressing the icon to call back the number he had called her from. ---Riiiiiiing Riiiiiiiiing Riiiiiiiiiing---- The sound filled her ears, bringing her to hold her breath as she listened to the sound, hope filling her that he might answer and at least be okay to speak. If not, she was going to have a hell of time on her hands, and she knew it already. "Come on, Damien, please...Pick up..." She spoke out loud,biting against her bottom lip as she listened to the ringing of the phone line. Laying her head against the seat behind her, she closed her eyes, waiting to see if he would answer or if she was going to have to pretend she knew a damned thing about detective work.

@CamusVaric

 

[CamusVaric]

The phone call had finally ended, not like Damien would realize it or not in the state he was in. The phone still on his desk and he, well he was still on the floor. The chair pushed back all the way now and he was just sort of lying there. He had laughed and laughed as if it was the funniest thing in the world. He might just have a screw loose, or a few too many screws loose really. He had endured hell, for him to not have something wrong with him-- well it would be just wrong for him to not to. Two hours was going to be a hell of a long time for him. He laughed for awhile, who knew how long before the laughter all but stopped suddenly. He was having a degree of different break downs. So what type of state was Bre going to end up finding him in.

Red-brown eyes seemed sharper when they opened. Had he passed out from laughter some how? He sat up from the floor. "I thought he would never shut down." He snorted as he stood up and looked at the phone. He pocketed it. "Oh she won't be coming to rescue ya. No one will want ya after all." The other spoke to himself, but something was actually off. He sat down , stretching his arm above his head. Now the question was how long would the other be out? No need to have another attack or something. To stay here in the shitty apartment or stretch his legs. He had actually taken over like this twice before now. Really they were experimental and Damien called them his black out moments. He couldn't remember a thing when this happened, and this time -- well it would be no different.

He hummed as he did a little research. The only sign would be the search history, but sometimes he wondered if the boy was even that smart to think to check that. Really Damien was a genius , but he didn't use said gift for a lot of good. Eventually the phone in his pocket began to ring and he hummed staring at the number marked-- Bre. "Oh look the princess is coming to save her supposed prince. Sweet, but sort of dumb too. Not like she is going to be welcomed with a red carpet. Where would the fun in that be?~" He did click the phone on. "No.... no... no. You can't do that!!! Please no." He cried out and then did his best to scream out like bloody murder and then made sure the phone clicked off. He couldn't help the rather dark laughter. If the princess wished to come play with him, he would play.

This would be their first official meeting really, come to thing of it. Damien wouldn't take his advice and so he would have his fun with the princess. Who needed some weaker persona, he could have all the fun. He put the phone on the desk by him. She would surely call him again and again. This time he wouldn't answer. Call it a little game to pass the time. He got to see how long Damien could stay out and how long it would take Bre to find him. She didn't really hit him as some detective really. So it would be interesting to see how things would turn out. He had sensed something so long ago , and he of course wanted to play with the girl himself. Something was off about her , perhaps she too had an inner demon. Wouldn't that be fun? He couldn't help the smirk as he got all excited.

The little demon wouldn't be leaving for the time being. Though the question would be could Bre get here in time? "I'll give her an hour and if she hasn't found me then. We go searching for her. After all it would be rude of me not to, after she came all the way here to see me~" He went back to his research on the computer. Though the real question would be how long would this last. Would Damien break through again? Or was the poor guy really passed out from his dual attacks? That was the way he had gotten to take the reins, so to say, and here they were. He wished to become even stronger and take over the weaker persona completely.

 

[Lorelei Varic]

Her head popped up from the seat's rest as she heard the line connect, only for an almost ear-splitting scream to fill the small space between the phone and her ear, before the line went dead, all before she had a chance to speak. She nearly dropped the phone, ocean-blue hues widening as her heart beat sped up more than a few paces. There was something off in the way he had sounded, and she wasn't certain if she should find it more or less concerning. His voice, even with the shrillness of his scream, had sounded oddly calm compared to what she'd heard before she had boarded her plane. What it meant for him, she wasn't certain, but she knew she couldn't wait around and just hope she'd magically figure out where he was, nor did she feel that calling again would do her any good, at least not at this point.

"So what's the plan, Princess?" The voice of the little devil in her head broke into her thoughts, clear, and for once welcomed, as it gave her something to focus on as she worked to steady her quickened heartbeat and her own breathing. "I'm open to ideas, honestly." She responded, vocally. Inside the confines of the car's interior, there was no one to see her talking to herself anyway, right. "We need to eat ..." It was a rare sentiment from the other one in her mind to care about such things, but she simply nodded, as the statement gave her an idea. Reaching to push the key into the ignition and crank the car, she busied herself a moment looking up places to eat in the area, specifically small diners in the seedier parts of the town. Locating one that simply stood out to her, both due to it's cheap side location and it's name Eggy's Diner, she put the car in gear and set her phone's gps to guide her to the place.

The ride to the diner took almost 30 minutes, and by the time she put the car in park and opened the door to stepped out, she was more than a little aggravated at the loss of time she had already incurred. At this point it had been over four hours since he had first called her. Her level of worry was more than excessive. "Breathe, Princess. You're not going to be any help to yourself or him, if you let yourself panic." Sadly she couldn't argue with the devil in this case, so she simply took a deep breath as she closed and locked the rental car doors behind herself. "I hate when you call me that, you know?" She sighed out, quietly, with the released breath. "That aside, maybe you should take the lead for this one. I'm not sure I'm the best option at this time." She muttered, as she turned to make her way into the diner.

The bell above the diner door chimed loudly as it was pushed open, ocean-blue hues shifting across the room as it was entered. She had to hand it to Bre. The place was an almost exact replica of the diner the Princess worked at back home. Rather Damien it was definitely the kind of place one would start if they were looking for information on someone, but not wanting to seem like they knew of any sort of bad dealings, criminal or otherwise. Snorting, softly, as she made her way across the room and settled onto one of the booths furthest from the door, she picked up the menu propped on the table, brushing her long, red locks from her face as she skimmed the front cover and opened the laminated, single folded booklet, preparing to choose something to fill the void in her gut.

Her perusal of the menu was short-lived as a blonde waitress made her way up to the table. Ocean-blue hues lifted to take in the girl, offering a small smirk of a grin as she asked if she could get her anything to drink. "Just a coffee and how about a basket of fries with a side of honey?" She replied, nodding as the girl smiled and said she'd be right back, before she basically bounced away from the table. It took only a few moments for her to return, placing a hot cup of coffee on the table along with a small pitcher of cream. Sugar being in a container already on the table. "Fries will be up soon." The waitress chimed, her voice overly cheery. "Is there anything else I can do for you, while you wait?"

She simply turned her gaze back up to the other woman and smiled, the gesture almost genuine, except that it didn't quite reach her eyes, if one were paying attention. "This is fine. Thank you. I'm just visiting, so don't really know the place. I like the atmosphere here, though. Reminds me of home. This one server I knew there, funny guy, shaggy dark hair, kinda skinny, always wore a collar, was sweet, though, kind of like you..." She let her voice trail off as she turned her attention to her coffee, seemingly lost in thought, though facts were, she figured she'd said enough to get a reaction or something, were the image she painted to possibly pique a memory or anything for the server.

@CamusVaric

 

[CamusVaric]

To her, well she believed the other woman to be truly genuine in her smile. She listened as she spoke, so she was just visiting the area. She had opened her mouth to speak, but the woman continued of a place much like this one. It was clear the blond was left in thoughts-- exactly what the other wished of her. "Seeing as you are new to the city, I can always recommend other places to go. Especially if you don't have a place to go. Are you looking for someone , sweetie? Or did you come for a job or something? No no -- I'm being too pushy and up front." Though what she didn't say anything about was what Bre wanted of her to. She couldn't help, but remember quite a few people who always wore a collar.

Though she excused herself to go take other people's orders. Soon enough she was coming back with her basket of fries and her side of honey. "Are you perhaps looking for this guy? I can't help but think you might be trying to follow him. I well... know plenty of people with collars. Though you don't look like that type of girl-- but the heart wants what it wants. That is what I'm always hearing and seeing. Look, I get off in about thirty. If you wanna talk more-- we can then. I'm actually sort of interested to hear about this guy of yours." Though did she know anything about Damien?

Time ticked on and the little demon hummed. The phone didn't ring and the clock clicked on by. He finished off his search and closed the window down. Didn't need anyone looking into his shit , should anyone happened to come visit. "Well it looks like the princess hasn't showed up to find her prince charming. Looks like it is time to go do some hunting." Those words.. they didn't sound good especially seeing as it was the little demon saying them. Not like anyone saying the words hunting in such a context would be good at all. This wasn't hunting for an item or hunting an animal such as a deer-- no he was going people hunting. To be more specific he was going to hunt Bre.

Picking up the keys, he once more left the apartment. He had been looking up various stuff, but he was actually searching any type of suspicious activity. He was drawn to it-- one could say. Now he didn't have to wait for Damien , he could do his own things. Though first and foremost he would have to go find the little red head. She had come all the way just for him-- thus he needed to pay her a visit. It was the only kind thing to do. He hummed as he headed out of the apartment and out towards the park. If he was some woman who had come all the way just because her so called 'friend' was having a breakdown--- where would he go first?

Bre had no information to go off.. she was in the dark about his whereabouts. So where would she start? What did she know about him? Well know about Damien? They hadn't gotten too close-- he had tried-- but Damien wouldn't sleep with her before, he really was spineless and had no balls. No wonder he had been a virgin for such a long time. He had made sure to fix that shit though. Damien could thank him later really. He pulled out the phone , but he didn't call Bre. "Hey Siri -- give me shady places in Chicago." He sort of frowned when he was given dangerous neighborhoods. Not what he was aiming for.

"Hey Siri, give me the top clubs in Chicago." He smirked and got an address and pulled up the contact for Bre. He sent a quick message with the address-- except he wouldn't do it in a fashion where she knew it was from Damien's phone. The text message wouldn't be traceable. No it wouldn't even seem like it came from a number who had her number. The address was to a night club-- The Bassment. He had chosen this one for a reason. The message was made to seem like someone might have hacked and sent it off a nearby phone. The little demon was smart-- hell Damien was smart.. and that made the little demon a force. He would wait for her at the club, he would let his prey come to him. Oh how delicious this meeting would be with his princess. This game was going to get a lot more interesting. Bre would come--- he would dangle the bait for the princess to want to come. She had after all come all the way for sweet little Damien. She would come to play with him. He just had to wait and she would find her way to him. He made his way to the club-- he would set the scene for his princess to come into. Would it perhaps bring back some memories~

@Lorelei Varic

 

[Lorelei Varic]

Ocean-blue hues lifted back to the server's face as she spoke. A wide smile spreading her lips as she shook her head, gently. "No need to apologize. You can't get answers, if you don't ask questions." She chuckled, softly, as she reached to lift her coffee cup to her lips, taking a sip of the still black, bitter liquid inside, before continuing. "But, no, I'm not looking for anyone. The vibe just put me in mind of them and simpler times, I suppose." She said, before taking another sip of her coffee and watching as the woman wandered off once more, only to return, shortly, with her order.

"Thank you." She said as the fries were set onto the table before her; left hand reaching to pluck one from the bunch, before dipping it in the honey and pushing it past her lips and into her mouth to chew. Her attention on the server as she spoke up again about rather Bre might be looking for someone, she nearly choked on her fry, taking a quick sip of coffee to cover the fact as she heard the waitress' comment about her not looking like 'that type of girl'. She hadn't expected things to take such a turn, honestly. Collars were common everywhere, and for many reasons, including simple fashion. It took a lot for her to not laugh out loud at the woman's seeming innocence.

The thought to do so fled her mind as the other woman spoke of her shift ending and offered to speak more to her. She pondered for a moment over telling her there was no need, but, that was before her phone chimed, well, Bre's phone, but that was neither here nor there at the moment. Apologizing to the woman, she pulled the phone from her pocket and glanced over the message received. She didn't recognize the number and the message itself was odd, just an address. She googled the place, a small smirk forming on her lips as she glanced over the description. It was a club, oddly enough only about eight minutes from her current location.

She pushed the phone back into her pocket, turning her attention back to the waitress. There were multiple reasons she should probably ignore the text. No one knew Bre had even left Virginia Beach, other than Damien, and no one outside of doctors and work and such had her number, except for him and one other person. She didn't know necessarily how he had pulled off this little stunt, but the information currently running through her thoughts along with the way he had sounded the last time Bre had called, were enough to have her on alert. For whatever reason, it seemed he was toying with them. The Devil, as Bre liked to call her, didn't care much for that idea, even though it was logical in her senses. Even she wouldn't have thought Damien to be 'that sort' however ...So she couldn't help but wonder if something else might be going on.

The spark of mischief in her eyes as they made contact with the waitress' once more was more than enough to spring a bit of life into her gaze and bring her reply to the woman to come out much more cheerfully than their previous conversation has been. "You know, I'm not so certain I'd want to keep talking about home when I'm on a trip away, but if you have the free time and might want to accompany me, there is a club not far from here I've been thinking of checking out. It's called The Bassment?" For anyone listening, the server included, it would seem she was just excited to possibly have someone to accompany her. The woman could take the offer however she wanted to. This trip was proving already to be a bumpy ride, but The Devil was in the driver's seat for this ride, and she had a plan.

"I know the place, and I don't see what it could hurt. You seem like a nice enough girl." How about I meet you back here in say ...Two hours?" Bre's head nodded in agreement to the woman, before she watched her wander off to her work once more. She took the time to finish her fries as she pulled the phone back from her pocket, doing a little more research into the club. She could see from the photos alone that it was a night club, though it seemed to have been converted from an old speak easy. There was no mention of strippers or dancers or anything of that sort, though 'live entertainment' in the form of music was often on the agenda. She couldn't help but wonder as she perused the photos if there had been a reason for him choosing this particular club. It wasn't a place like Bre would have normally visited. She was used to more ...Carnal places.

She pushed the thoughts aside as she pocketed the phone once more and finished her food. Standing from the table, she made sure to leave enough money on it's surface to cover her order and for the waitress to have a very decent tip, before she made her way out of the diner and back to the rental car. Unlocking the door and pulling it open, she slid into the driver's seat and closed the door, cranking the car, before she pulled the phone from her pocket once more. Setting the GPS, she pulled out of the parking lot and onto the main road, making her way to a shop she had found in her searches at the diner table.

The shop took her ten minutes to get to, the clothing items she chose took another fifteen; violet dress split from thigh to ankle decorated with beaded vines of blue across the bodice, though for the price they were obviously rhinestones the dress was definitely an eye catcher, violet heels and gloves with black thigh high stockings and garters completed the outfit. With that taken care of she took the time to find a small hotel in the area and procure a room. Thirty minutes to get herself cleaned and dressed, another twenty to do her make up, and she was back out the door and into the rental car once more. "What are we up to?" Bre's voice in her head brought a small smile to her lips. "Getting the information we both want. Go back to sleep, Princess. I've got this." She answered her, vocally, as she pulled out of the parking lot of the hotel and made her way back to the diner.

The waitress showed just a bit early and after a quick discussion and decision to take the rental car, they locked up the other woman's, whom she had learned was named Victory from her name tag, earlier, but she apparently went by Vik. The blonde was rather stunning in the attire she'd chosen for the night. A little black dress, form-fitting and accentuation her every decent quality and just wide enough for a dance floor heels . This would do nicely. She thought to herself, as they made the drive to the club and found a place to park. She opened the door for the other woman after letting herself out of the car, and offered her right arm. "Shall we?" She asked her waiting for her response, before she would head into the building, ocean-blue hues sparkling with excitement and mischief. It was time to find out just what was going on in Chicago.

@CamusVaric

 

[CamusVaric]

He expected no reply at all, and he didn't get one at all. Though the question would be if the princess would show. Now he could have done some more research and scouted out the areas. He could have found a raunchy type club, one that was more of a stripper or dance show. Though this place would do just fine really. The place was on the fancy side, very much not raunchy at all. He spent some time researching as he got himself ready. Quick research was fine, but he needed to know every aspect if this would pull off. Bre hadn't known all about him, but see now that he was running the show-- he would truly play with the princess in a way little innocent Damien could never have done before.

Poor little Damien was wanting to stay hidden, but he really did a shit job at it. If the big bad boss wanted him hunted down-- honestly it would happen. Of course the lovely little job he did would only most likely put him back under that man's thumb. See he had his own objectives. Which made one wonder how Damien had come to be a bounty hunter to begin with. Just what was the little demon planning? Just what game was he playing with Damien? With Bre? There was so much more going on. He hummed as he got ready for his date. Yes he considered this a date, and he would make it like such. After all before all he wished was for the two to just stop being so damn innocent.

He decided on a black long sleeve top this time and a tan and brown vest complete with a red tie. The look seemed to bring out the more red tones in his eyes. Really Damien did clean up nice , he even included the handkerchief and the black and red like arm bands. He made sure it was all handled, and so what if his location happened to be noticed by some not so nice people. It was almost like he was flipping the other off after four years. Trauma had been what created him and well he had his own agenda to go forth. Bre just happened to be the princess in this plan. So lucky for the red head to be the princess in the story.

Reservations had been made and he went to the line giving the name -- naturally using his actual name rather than some fake name. This place had to be into some underground shit, it just screamed it from the name to the pricy shit. Naturally he was going there to cause a little hell. A plus one wouldn't bother his plan at all-- in fact it might just be as if Bre was bringing him a sacrifice on a platter. "You know you don't have to wait here as well, sir." The bouncer spoke to him and he smiled , it was such a sickly sweet one. "But where would the fun be if I didn't have my guest on my arm. You see we were meant to meet and she must have gotten lost. You know how girls can be-- gotta get all dolled up just right." Oh and how right he was. That smile only seemed to get more excited.

The stone faced bouncer actually couldn't help but look. "Which one is yours?" Damien chuckled "the red head. The blond seems to be a friend who tagged along. Hope that isn't a problem on my reservation card~" The bouncer was hearing that the red head was off limits but the blond--- well the blond was someone that might be someone who could be picked up. Damien had a naturally charm about him-- or rather the little demon at the moment did. A naturally sort of charisma that seemed to bring people to him, Damien had the nice guy card but the little demon.. .well he was a little more.

"Oh you brought a friend. Though it won't be a problem at all." The belt was lifted up to allow the two woman to enter and he went to offer his hand. "I believe it is about time to talk. Perhaps have a drink or two." He was doing a lot while he was here, but nothing was lined out perfectly for anyone to see. "You did come here to visit , did you not?" He smiled at her. What would he learn when Bre's little devil was out in the driver's seat? He smiled at the girl "oh.... this must... you must be the friend she came to see. C...cute." The blond was innocent as anything. He chuckled "oh you think I'm cute? Though yes, I'm the friend. Not sure what she has said about me." The blond was staring hard "well that you were nice and..." her thoughts seemed to drift. "Let's go inside to the real party, ladies~"

@Lorelei Varic

 

[Lorelei Varic]

Bre's smile spread wide, left hand lifting to push the waves of her red hair from out of her eyes as she and her friend made their way towards the doors. Ocean-blue hues sparkled with the smile as they locked onto Damien's darker gaze. Her ears had perked to his conversation with the bouncer, having made it close enough just in time to hear the tail end of said conversation. She gave no indication of her thoughts, however, as she reached her left hand to lift Vik's hand from her arm and passing it into Damien's hand as he offered it, her eyes glittering mischievously as she stepped past the lifted barrier and shifted her gaze to the bouncer's. Her voice almost a purr as she spoke and her right hand slipping into a hidden pocket on her dress to pull free a card she then slipped into his hand. The name on the card would be bold enough for Damien's eye to catch -Mikael Mazza- though no other info would be. "He is clearly remembering some facts wrong." She chuckled, lightly, giving Damien a wink, before turning back to the bouncer.

The bouncer would know the name -The man having his hand in many things to do with clubs and such like the one they were at, among ...Others. Specifically pertaining to entertainment-, even if Damien did not. Yes, in her time getting ready, the little devil had done a little work of her own. This particular part was just step one. She truly didn't care for the feeling of being toyed with, what with the panic he had been in causing Bre to make this trip compared to the way he was acting now. Something was definitely off. "I have a gig in about thirty minutes, and if I feel up to it afterwards, I may grace the gentleman with my presence." She said to the bouncer, before turning back to Damien and the blonde she had handed off to him.

"Do be a dear and treat her well, Sir?" She said, giving Damien a pointed look, as if to say 'there will be consequences if you fuck up', though her smile never wavered as she blew him a kiss and turned to make her way through the club and to the area behind the stage. She hadn't been lying in her little endeavor, but she had made things look as if she either didn't know Damien or that this was simply a business arrangement. She hadn't bothered to respond to the blonde's conversation with him, since she seemed pretty enamored with him, as it were. Inwardly she chuckled to herself -Check-. Oh, yes, He may have started this little game, but she'd sure as hell prove to give him a challenge. She let her thoughts trail off, however, as she found the people and things she needed to, and prepared to take her place on stage. What Damien and the blonde did for the next 30 or so minutes was of no concern to her. What would matter was her performance.

The lights dimmed stage dark as she walked onto it, nothing but her silhouette showing in the low, perfectly set lighting as the band began to play, their tune slow, gentle. As the levels of the music picked up, ever so slowly, The Little Devil's voice filled the club, speaking, ever so softly and with the beat of the music -I've posed for pictures with Ivory soap … I've petted stray dogs, and shied clear of dope- The small rhythmic speak would end in short order as the tempo picked up once more, and her voice rose to begin to actually sing the words to the song she had chosen -Like something that seeks it's level … I want to go to the Devil- The spot light hit her as the music crescendoed. Her body moved with the rhythm of the song, each wave and bounce of her hips accentuating words that were enunciated almost explosively in the lyrics she sang. Spotlight followed her as she walked down the steps of the stage, moving through the crowd, microphone in hand.

Her ocean-blue hues spanned the room, flirting with every gaze it caught as her body played out the almost pleading declaration behind the lyrics. A small touch here, the slide of a hand there, the flip of a random gentleman's hat, before setting herself upon his lap as she crooned the lyrics of the song into his ear, before pushing him away and standing to continue on her path. A path that ended at Damien, her left hand reaching to grip against his tie, pulling him towards her as she leaned in towards him, just enough that he would have to raise slightly from his seat as the last notes trailed off from her lips, just inches from his own, before she released his tie, fingers gently nudging him back to his seat as she turned away, almost haughtily and made her way back to the stage, turning to give the room a nod and a quick over-exaggerated blown kiss, before making her way back into the set up area.

Moving around the back for a few moments, she smirked to herself as she busied herself looking like she was taking care of wardrobe issues or make up. She didn't want to return to the main room of the bar too soon, after all. She hoped Damien had enjoyed her little show. Served him right, really, playing with Bre the way he seemed to be. She always had felt something 'off' about him. Perhaps tonight would be night she found out what it was. Who knew, regardless of the outcome she intended to have fun getting to it. She chuckled, softly to herself as she made her way back out to the club's main room, waving at a few whistles and compliments along the way to find a seat at Damien's table. Saying nothing, as she turned to flag down one of the waitstaff and put in a drink order.

@CamusVaric

 

[CamusVaric]

As she took his hand, or so he thought, the woman did something unexpected. Her hand reaching into a pocket that one might not have seen without inspection -- not that he cared. Though what he did seem interest in was the small card that was given to the bouncer. A single name in bold -Mikael Mazza-. Oh this woman... this clever and tricky little woman--- stating how he had facts wrong. Though he made motion that he had been surprised by the card. No, more so amused by the little tricky nature of the other. Something was different about her, clearly not the same woman that he had observed through Damien's eyes before. "I perhaps was~" He didn't know the name, nor did he really care. It was a name on a card, a business cards by the looks. They were at a club and she was handing it to the bouncer-- meaning she was either claiming to be some entertainment or perhaps she actually was. Did he care? No. It just meant a more entertaining night for him really.

"No more like ya will. We both know I'll get lucky tonight~ One way or another that is." He had the blond who seemed to only flush at that. "Oh what a charmer. I couldn't possibly get in the way" she spoke. He chuckled and then those words and that pointed look. "Oh I'll be quite the gentleman to her~" He gave his own smile to her. If she wanted to play, well he could play her game too. Either way he would be getting something tonight, it mattered not if it was Bre or if it was this delicious blond that she had seemed to have found somewhere. She seemed quite taken by his charm, he did have that effect on a lot of woman. Damien wasn't bad to look at, a bit awkward looking sometimes-- but some woman did dig the collar he seemed to not be able to take off. So naturally he let it stay on, and let it help get some action. He had only been able to take the wheel, so to speak, a few times now. Though it was entertaining enough and poor little Damien never knew a thing about just what he went off to do.

He led the girl to the table. He cared not for her chatter box like nature. Really some women didn't need to talk, they should have their mouths permeantly sewn shut. Though he kept a smile on his face as he chatted with her and they placed drink orders. Bre had stated that she had a show in thirty minutes. Now what type of show would he be getting to watch. Soon it was time and the lights on the stage dimmed down and that spot light lit up the woman. Her red hair seeming to sparkle in the light. He didn't know the song, nor did he care until... those lines. Oh she was playing such a dangerous game~ He liked it! Red- brown eyes watched her , he would have her. "I didn't know she .. so that is why she was really in Chicago" the girl seemed to speak more to herself. He could care less right now-- he was watching the red head and her movements.

The path ended at him, left hand reached to grip his tie and pull him closer. He had to raise a slight bit as she pulled on the tie and oh he purred. That excited look in his face and eyes-- if she wanted to play, she would get quite the game. She might be like him, and well that just made this game more interesting. "You little tease~" He purred as he was seated back down and took a drink of his whiskey. Yes, for now he was drinking just straight whiskey instead of one of the fancy mixes. So they looked good, sounded good-- but if he was gonna drink, he would drink the real stuff. He finished the amber liquid letting it warm his throat. He flagged the waitress for another. He did care not if he got a certain person's attention. Why not just have fun all the way around tonight?~

"And so the little star returns" he purred when she had sat down at the table. She said nothing at all. "That was quite the show. Really~ Though if ya gonna do something, do it correctly" he went to pull her into a kiss. It was a short one, but still a teasing one. "Want more from the devil~ Then how bout we have ourselves a little contest. I can't say that we have gotten to truly have this opportunity~" His eyes shined with such a mischievous glint in them. "Shall we?" Vic swallowed "uh... I really shouldn't. Though if you two want to. I wouldn't want to be a third." Damien smiled at her "no no ya should stay. The fun is just beginning . Ya don't have to drink with us unless ya want, but the company is rather nice.~" Oh he was quite a charmer, unlike the shy and awkward Damien that Bre had met before. Clearly not the Damien who had been having the breakdown on the phone to make Bre come here in the first place.

@Lorelei Varic

 

[Lorelei Varic]

"Sazerac, straight." Her voice was low, still holding the sultry tone of the song she had chosen for her number, as she gave her drink order. She'd heard the purr and the comment from Damien as she'd pulled him into her little display, and with the thought of toying a bit more with him, she started to turn, intentions to face him, as she heard the purring tones of his voice once more. Definitely not the same boy that's Bre's been so worried over. So narcissistic. She thought to herself as his backhanded compliment, before those thoughts were cut short as was her intention to face him; the reason? He was pulling her backwards and into him.

Oh, he was good at the game they were playing, though ...Maybe not as good as he might think he was. He'd snapped up the bait she'd laid out and ran with it, after all. So predictable. The kiss, itself was short, but she'd give him credit for the wallop of hormones and adrenaline he managed to fill it with; sentiments she returned by biting his bottom lip and giving it a little tug, as he pulled away to speak. The mischievous glint in his reddish-brown gaze brought a chuckle to her lips as she shifted herself to sit back up, turned to be able to face him as she nodded to the hand that appeared to stretch over her shoulder, placing her drink on the table. "Darling, don't mistake the choice of song. Why would The Devil want more of Herself?" She near purred out at him, as she lifted her glass to take a deep swig from the reddish-amber liquor.

Setting the empty glass back on the table, fingers lifting to signal the server to keep the drinks coming to their table, she gave Damien a wink. "You just worry about keeping up." She said, her lips spreading with an almost Cheshire-like grin, before shifting to something softer, more caring, in a way, as her ocean-blue hues shifted to the other woman, and she shook her head, gently. "You don't have to do anything you don't want to, Honey. As a matter of fact, you came here to have fun. I'm fairly certain you could find yourself some one interesting to bide your time, while we catch up, here. Go have fun." She said, her voice gentle, but holding an undertone that spoke volumes to the fact that her words weren't a suggestion. She might not know what, exactly was going on with the man in their midst, but she was one-hundred percent certain that she knew she wasn't imagining the sense of wicked that she felt rolling off of him. It was hard to miss, when one lived with it themselves, after all, and she'd not brought the girl to have her hurt, in any fashion.

Vic, taking the hint not so subtly given to her simply nodded, standing from the table and turning to make herself scarce. "Maybe I'll go see about that bouncer. He was cute." She muttered to herself as she stood. Bre's ocean-blue hues shifted back to Damien's reddish-brown gaze as the other woman took her leave. "One thing you should know, Sugar, is that I don't share." She said, giving him that same, wide, almost Cheshire-like grin as their drinks were refreshed and she reached for hers, sipping from it, this time, as she intended to speak with him, rather than simply blasting back drinks like a college flunkie, at least for a time.

"So, you chose this little meeting place ...What's on your mind?" She asked him, leaning forward, her right elbow on the table, glass in hand, as her chin rested on the fingers of her left hand; head tilted to look at him as her tongue ran across her lips to clean the taste of the liquor still on them. Your move. She thought, silently chuckling to herself, as she blinked, slowly, waiting for his answer and pondering over his seeming complete change of personality. Being who she was, she could only think of one reason, really, that he would be so drastically different, especially in just a few hours time, but she would play his chosen game a bit longer, before making any ...Special moves.

@CamusVaric

 

[CamusVaric]

The key to any good game was to be predictable in some aspects and allow the other party to think they were the one's winning. They would show their hand and than afterwards one would hit them with the full checkmate. He couldn't help the chuckle that left him, the almost dark undertones yet still oddly nice to the ear all the same. "Oh and you believe the devil to be a her. Interesting." He took a long swig of his own drink. Seemed they had a little game now of their own. Though which party would end up winning in the long run? It did seem from just what he had observed that the woman was good. It would truly be an interesting game-- one that wouldn't allow for a single hint of boredom.

"As for keeping up-- I doubt that is going to be a problem at all, love." The single word was purred. The other little play toy that was brought was being released to have fun. Aww shame, though if he did get bored of this one-- he might just take in the virgin sacrifice that had been brought to him. Unlike Damien, the little demon well enjoyed games and playing with people-- in all forms. Toying with their mind, toying with their bodies. How could he not enjoy the game and the chase even. Red-brown eyes watched as the girl stood and took her leave. He snorted "oh you don't share? Are we implying you see something you wish to share?" He had his own grin that played along his lips, a sip of his own drink. Seemed she was wishing to talk and drink rather than doing a brash blasting of drinks. Fine with him either way-- he could hold his liquor either way, and this way-- one might just loose one's self in the talk.

Then she was boldly opening with that question. "What's on my mind" he spoke the question himself , but as a statement. She was testing him. It was the first rule of the game, she wanted him to run into her trap. His eyes watched her lips as she went to run her tongue along her lips. "I simply thought you might enjoy the nicer things in life, darling. Here you seemed to easily be able to pull out little surprises of your own~" This was about someone who had no knowledge of the other-- no sometimes observing allowed one to gain more information than participating. So the little demon really had all he needed to pull memories from the brief time the two had spent together. It wouldn't be hard to continue this game really.

He took another sip of his drink. "Are you telling me that you do not enjoy the atmosphere? Would you wish for it to be more like where we met perhaps? I did think of certain areas , but honestly I thought a little more class of a place wouldn't be too bad. After all you came all this way... I do apologize for worrying you. Though I won't deny that.. well I do enjoy that you came to me." Not that he would be going back to Virginia Beach-- or rather not that Damien as Damien would be going back. To him, well he cared not. He thought it would be truly fun to go against the main boss that Damien was scared shitless over. Thus rather Rudger came here or if he went there-- he had no means of hiding he was here. He offered her a smile "do tell the reason for bringing fair sweet and innocent little Vic with you. Hmm. Was you afraid of seeing me alone?"
@Lorelei Varic