Guardians -- Logs

After leaving the hotel, Lupis drives his cycle into downtown Phoenix, heading for a small club called 'Abyssal Fires'. Parking his cycle in the lot, he heads inside and greets the head of the band while they're on break. They chat for a bit, drinking beer. Then they have to get back up on stage, leaving Lupis to watch in the back at a table near the bar.

Lupis gets another beer and a shot of tequilla, and sits at his table, watching. He keeps his guitar case close by, leaning on the chair beside him so he'll notice if some punk tries to nab it. He doesn't take his sunglasses off at all, wanting them to hide the glow of his unhuman eyes. Still, in a place like this, such eccentricities usually go unnoticed. There's always someone at a hard rock gig wearing their shades inside, in a darkened room...

Lupis watches the gig, listening intently to the music, analysing the cascades of mingled sounds, feeling their comingling energies. He tries to feel the energy coming from the crowd, from the band, wishing he was up on stage with them to feed the crowds frenzy, and in turn feed his demon blood off the energy the crowd throws back. I'm lucky though....the Taint has been quiet recently... He relaxes, the alcohol seeping into his system. Normally, he's quite resistant to the potent brews, but every now and then, the stuff hits him good, just like any normal human. He smiles as a pleasant buzz invades his senses.

The band, called Nyte Krawlers, segues into a more mellow tune for them; they usually do hard rock. The ducet tunes are quite soothing...and right then, a woman comes into Lupis's field of vision. She is, by most people's standards, a knockout. Her head is crowned with a mass of curly red locks, her skin an appealing bronze, her figures curved in all the right places. She wears a dress that's so sheer that she might as well not be wearing anything at all, the flimsy silver fabric slit at mid thigh, and cut low to expose a creamy expanse of cleavage. She smiles at Lupis, her gaze locking with his. Her eyes twinkle as she sways closer. "What are you doing all by yourself back there..." she drawls.

Lupis looks the woman over, slowly, making sure to study those curves enough to appreciate them, but he's cut short when she catches his gaze, his eyes locked on hers. He notes her swaying, dully annoyed at the back of his brain that his eyes aren't moving to appreciate it properly, but her smile and the spark in her eyes has his gaze captivated. It takes him a few seconds to reply to her, then he finally leans back slightly in his chair, the cigarette held between his fingers totally forgotten. Lupis says smoothly, bringing his accent to full force for better effect, "Just taking in the tunes. This is the best place to watch from."

The woman smiles, offering a mouth of glittering white teeth. "I see. The band. So that's my competition." She shakes back her hair a little, and walks close enough to offer a hand to Lupis. "Well, why don't we make a compromise, and you can come with me out onto the dance floor."

Lupis returns her smile finally, and replies, "Well, if I was up by the stage I would not have been lucky enough to see you, hey?" He admires the extended hand a moment, then reaches his own up, brushing his long black hair back over a shoulder, then taking her hand in his. He leans forward to kiss it politely as he stands up. "I make it a rule not to dance with strangers. You have a name?"

The woman smiles as he kisses her hand and she drags him in the direction of centerstage, pulling him into a tight embrace. Her body seems to be laced with a fragrance that is as intoxicating as the tequila Lupis has already slugged down....it seems strangely familiar. The woman smiles at Lupis's question. "Trisha. Now dance, stud."

Lupis slides an arm around her, moving his hips against hers, swaying to the slower rythyms in the back of the song. "Trisha... That does not sound pretty enough for a woman like you..." He inhales deeply, taking in her scent.

Trisha laughs richly, her left hand carressing at his side....curving down against his rear. "Flattery will get you exactly where you want to go." she murmurs, her voice and eyes a promise of satin sheets as she sways to the music with Lupis.

Lupis follows the lovely womans order, and dances with her, caressing her back, brushing the fingers of his other hand against her gorgeous red hair. He moves to the rythyms of the music, sometimes grinding provocatively against her. "Where is it you think I want to go?" he asks playfully.

Trisha presses back against Lupis's body eagerly as he gets faintly naughty as they step arouns with the other couples. "Direct, aren't you? Well, so am I, Lupis...." Lupis chuckles throatily. "There are times for games, and times to be upfront, no?" The woman just smiles and leans close...and then fiercely bites his ear. Lupis hisses in a breath when she does. He loves it when women do that...

Trisha kisses him then, and Lupis seems to lose himself in a haze...gliding around with her on the dance floor as one slow song becomes two....time seems to lose all meaning. At some point, Lupis is aware that Trisha has dragged him out of the club, and he's taking her somewhere...it'd be hard not to notice the rush of the wind as he charges along on his cycle....

Lupis finally is able to refocus a long while later...he finds himself sitting in an opulent living room, on a plush couch. He appears to have a glass of something in his hand. After a moment, he realizes that he has no idea how long he's been here. A fire is roaring in the hearth, and the room is lit only by candlelight...a rich incense seems to fill the room, and a low, sensual instrumental can be heard over the crackling flames.

Lupis looks at the drink in his hand, to see what it is, then slowly looks around. The drink fizzes slightly....a sniff reveals it to be gin and tonic. There doesn't seem to be anyone around immediately, but his eyes do spot an open door at the far end of the living room....and there are the sounds of movement within. Lupis stands up looking for a place to set the gin and tonic down. He slowly walks towards the door on the other side. He decides discretion is called for, since he has no idea where he is, and walks as quietly as he can. As an afterthought, he looks at his watch, and then his eyes widen. It's been three hours since we started dancing... shit, I'm late! The Nyte Krawlers are probably wondering where the hell I am by now!

Dropping his wrist, his eyes fall back on the door and the sounds beyond. He continues to sneak towards the door, listening, trying to figure out what the sounds of movement mean as he approaches it. But the floor he is standing on creaks at Lupis's approach, and Trisha's voice comes from within. "Don't pace, lover. Just wait and have your drink. I promise it'll be worth it...."

Lupis pauses, then says, "Yeah, sure.... " Okay, now I know where I am...Trish's place. He looks around to see if his guitar case is in the living room somewhere, and spots it standing in a corner. then decides he'd better look in the next room anyway. He takes the last few steps to the doorway, and peeks through it...

Lupis pauses, then says, "Yeah, sure.... " He thinks for a moment, then adds, "Trish." He looks around to see if his guitar case is in the living room somewhere, then decides he'd better look in the next room anyway. He takes the last few steps to the doorway, and peeks through it. This time, Lupis makes no noise as he approaches. Peeking in the room, he sees Trisha, in....well, it can hardly even be considered clothing. It's diaphanous. It's layered, which only masks her figure by an infantesimal degree. She appears to be looking at something in her closet, so Trisha doesn't seem to see Lupis peeking at her.

Lupis continues to watch her, trying to get a look at what she's looking at in the closet. A scent tickles at Lupis's nose...it's that perfume again. And this time, he recognizes it. It's jasmine. Jasmine. That's Tryxi's scent. I'd better pay attention. That might not be a coincidence. How did I get here?

Lupis thinks hard, and in doing so, he realizes he can't remember how he got here. He remembers being on the bike, but he never remembers arriving anywhere, or going into the house. It was just his bike, and then living room. He frowns. That's not a normal transition from point A to point B. What's with my head? I didn't drink that much. Did I? This is too suspicious. He looks for a mirror, to check the reflection. There does not appear to be any mirrors that would reflect into the closet, so he can use them to see what she's up to. She closes the closet then, making as if about to turn around.

Lupis makes a brief decision about whether to dodge back out of sight or not. Remembering the creaky floor boards behind him, he settles on a different tactic. He leans up against the door frame and watches her, waiting for her to turn around. She does turn and backs up, startled. She holds a hand to her chest, drawing attention to her lush, heaving bosom...and says. "Lupis, you naughty boy...don't be sneaking up on a girl like that..."

Lupis asks casually "What are you doing?" Trisha smiles richly, spreading her arms and posing in such a way that her whole body is revealed in its entirity. The light in the bedroom seems to glint off several rings on her fingers...five on each hand, to be precise. The outfit seems to be designed it such a way to cover the body, but slit in such away to allow complete access without taking anything off. Trisha gives him a look, running her tongue across her lower lip. "I was just getting ready, lover. Do I meet with your approval?"

Lupis says, "Getting ready? I thought you were ready after we danced." He strokes his chin, looking her over, then raising his gaze back up to her. He looks at her throat instead of her eyes, though she probably can't tell that, since he's wearing dark sunglasses.

Trisha laughs, coming close and placing her hands on Lupis's chest, tugging at the fabric, trying to get him into the room, towards's the bed. "Just showing off a little, stud. Can't fault a girl for wanting to set the mood..." she cooes. Lupis replies, "Oh, you look great, seniorita. But I wonder why you insist on hiding such a perfect body."

Trisha winks at Lupis. "This outfit doesn't hide much of anything, lover...and besides, if it gets in the way, it's easily dealt with..." Lupis says, "What's your rush, hey? You dance with me for hours, and now you're in a hurry? Slow down, seniorita...." He smiles coyly, and stops moving towards the bed. "Why don't you just.. take it off.." he says, his words thick with sexy spanish pronunciation. He wiggles an eyebrow suggestively, but his eyes are darting around suspiciously. He looks to see if there are any photos on the wall or nightstand. The bedroom itself seems to be sparce....no mirror, no nightstand....no furniture at all save for the bed, which is large and covered in white satin, completely made.

Trisha's eyes glint a little....there is need, there, certainly, but also seeming impatience. "Foreplay's over, Lupis. I'd rather you take it off..." she hisses, trying to pull him on top of her, back onto the bed....but Lupis keeps his weight planted, pulling her towards him instead. He licks his lips, a quick flick of his tongue, and coos, "We Spanish are known as great lovers. Not ten minute partners like Americans." Trisha gasps in startlement as he defies her intent, her strength enough only to rip the shirt as she falls back against the bed, clearly not expecting that outcome.

Lupis looks down at his shirt, then back up at her, "My you are excited!" Trisha tries to recover and smiles back coyly. "I wasn't expecting ten minutes, Lupis....with the plans I have for you, you won't be leaving this room for a long time.... Lupis purses his lips and frowns. "Oh, Trish, I can't stay forever...."

Trish's eyes seem to beg, her hands going to her body, carressing herself enticingly. "Please, Lupis....I can't stand it....I need you...come to me....lay with me..." Lupis watches her. He in fact likes to tease women, so he never has a problem with them begging. He likes it when they beg. On the other hand, begging is the exception rather than the rule, and he can't help but think that this sort of thing might just be to try and lull his mind back to sleep. "What if I would rather just watch you for now? Do you like dirty tricks? Maybe if I deny you a while longer, your fire will burn even hotter as I quench it..." After a moment, he adds nonchalantly, "If I decide to, of course..." He watches amusedly for her reaction.

Trish's face speaks of palpable frustration, but she even makes that look enticing. "Please, Lupis...I need it...I need you...don't let me lay here, simmering in my own sweat..." she moans, her carresses getting a quite a bit lewder, apparently taking your advice, and performing for your enjoyment....She gasps and mewls like a cat in heat, squirming on the satin sheets...

Lupis sighs. Okay, enough's enough. "Look, I'd hate to blow you off, Tryx, but I have to get going. I don't even remember the drive here, so in case I get lost on the way home, I might need a head start...." He holds his breath, waiting to find out if he just made a really dumb mistake.

Trisha blinks in utter shock. She abruptly folds her arms, the sex kitten act dissapearing. "Dammit." she says sourly. "What gave me away?" Lupis grins and laughs, but there's no real humor behind it. "You did, just now. But I've been suspicious of a few things in the past half hour." He takes a step back, as if to put space between her and him, and leans on the doorframe. "I guess I really shouldn't be surprised to run into you at the Abyssal Fires, taking in a Nyte Krawlers gig, hey Tryxillandra?"

The woman glares at Lupis, and her red locks slowly become a far more familiar purple...her eyes changing to match. "You are a singularly frustrating man, Namnaste." she growls, calling him by an old pet name she gave him from before. Lupis knows, in an OtherLanguage, that the name means 'Wolf of Flame'. Lupis always liked the name, if nothing else about their 'relationship'. His grin widens with her glare. "I try my best, Tryxie," he says. "What is it you want? What's with the charade? I've been on the road for days, and now I missed meeting some old friends."

Tryx stands up, smiling winningly at Lupis, as if trying to rebuild her seduction attempt from the ground up, undeterred. "What do I ever want, Lupis? I want you. I want you with me, like before. I tried to move on, you know. But you filled my days and nights with fire...and you are so much stronger now than you were...think of what we could do together..."

Lupis crosses his arms over his chest, to hide the big rip down the front of his shirt. "Aren't all days and nights filled with fire Down There anyway? I thought Hades was the Eternal Burning Pit." Tryx rolls her eyes. "You speak like a man that knows nothing about the Infernal realm, and I know you know better than that. This World is more than fire and flame, and not like the Hell that some ignorant people picture it to be."

Lupis waves a hand dismissively. "Whatever, Tryx; let's cut to the chase. You don't want me. You. Need. Me. For something...." She trots towards him. "And who says I don't want you, lover? Isn't it an old poet that once said that want and need can be one. For all your stubbornness, I do want you, Namnaste....." She comes close then, pressing her body against Lupis's, breathing hotly against his face.

Lupis says, "You have a funny way of showing it, Trixillandra. Everything I always dreamed of was just within my grasp. Until you came along. I never wanted to play with the Fortean Folk for control of the Infernal slums. I just wanted to rock, and get chicks, and money, and fast cars. So really, are you surprised that I'm a little bitter? Maybe chicks from Down Under don't know any more about men than the women up here in the mundane world do." He glares stubbornly back at her, not responding to her touch, and refusing to breathe in her heady scent.

Tryx growls, wrapping herself around Lupis, her actions speaking of feral lust. "But you can have so much more than mere mortal desires with me, Namnaste. What is money when you can weild the coin of power and fear? What are the women of your world when compared with me? I can be whatever you want: I can even be several women at once if you wish it. The Mortal Realm is nothing...and yet, if you wanted, I could even give you power there as well as here. All that matters is that you are with me. Is the Taint in your blood such a price to pay when you can have so much in return?"

Lupis snarls, pushing her away "Have what in return? All I ever wanted was to be a famous rock star. And I almost was, until you took it away from me! I didn't need you to give me power. I was about to break into the big time all on my own. I was rocketing up there, till you poisoned my fuel. Takeoff aborted. And you expect me to be thankful for that?"

Lupis takes a step back from her, and goes on a roll. "Look at tonight! There I was in the Abyssal Fire, when the bleeding sweet Nyte Krawlers are rocking the place out, I had my guitar all ready to go and jam with them, and you pull me away. Don't you ever think about what anybody other than Tryx wants?" Tryxillandra seems surprised as Lupis manages to wrestle out of her grip once more, but her startlement doesn't last long. Her eyes flash angrilly. "Dammit, Lupis! Why do you persist in such puny ambitions? I'm offering you a chance at true greatness, with me at your side, and you cast it away as if it were nothing!"

Lupis juts out his jaw, and says, "Maybe it means nothing to me! What the hell is true greatness anyway? I could have been immortalized in the annals of music. Now I'm just saddled with a demonic taint." He shakes his head, his long black hair shivering about his shoulders. "Look, don't get me wrong, as far as girlfriends go, you're right, I could never do better than you..." He turns his head and looks away from Tryx, seething with conflicting emotions and thoughts.

Tryx's anger fades, and she approaches him, this time attempting to be tender. "Namnaste, this Taint is not what you think...it is a gift, not a poison...and if you desire your music so much, then pursue it. I can teach you spells to hide the changes my dark blood has wrought on you...you can have what you desire, and so can I...would not that be a worthwhile outcome?"

Lupis only takes half a step back this time, her words having an obvious effect on him. He thinks hard, trying to clear his head, trying to hold strongly to his suspicions of her. He frowns, and says, "That is definitely an intriguing offer, love. But... just what is it that you desire, hey? And don't say 'me' again. I find it a little hard to swallow that my rockstar appeal and good looks could so deeply enthral a creature as powerful as you claim to be. So what is it you're after?" He takes his sunglasses off, and fixes her with his greenly glowing eyes. "My fucking soul?"

Tryxillandra growls. "Don't be stupid, Lupis. I'm not like most of the others, seeking to make contracts to steal souls....powerful commodity that they are. If that was all I wanted, I would take it, and be done. You know of the Power that runs through your body, through your mind, and you know that with my Blood, it has grown. You can use it for your own ends now, and I can see that you seek to do so even now...travelling with those others after some mortal foe...Is that what you desire most? The power to crush the petty evils that lurk the Earth? Namnaste, I can give you so much more than that...together, we can bring Infernal lords to their knees, creatures that would kill and destroy innocents by the score without a second thought!"

Lupis thinks about her tempting offer. Power to crush the evil Infernal lords... but he is wary enough to know such power can not come for free. He is determined to make sure he doesn't make any stupid mistakes by just giving in to her too easily. "How much more? I don't know what I desire most anymore. But yeah, crushing evil is a pretty sweet day job, you know? You keep offering me all this power, but you aren't saying what you get out of the deal. What are you after, Tricksy? What do you need me for so badly? You've never been honest with me. I don't trust you."

Tryxillandra seems to be at a loss for words...finally she folds her arms and breathes through her lips. "Fine. If you don't trust me, then there's nothing more to say." Her eyes flash angrily. "But this isn't over. Not by a long shot." Lupis smiles, just slightly, at this small victory. "Look, you haven't exactly given me any reasons to trust you, Tryx. But you've given me a whole pile of reasons not to, you being a demoness from the Infernal Realm aside." He uncrosses his arms from over his chest finally, taking a more relaxed stance. "If you know who I came here with and for what, then you've obviously been following me for a while. So you know, I got things I need to do." He takes in a slow breath and sighs. "People are trusting me to have their backs. I've made commitments. Can't just break 'em, you know?"

Tryx glares. "Go then. Enjoy your vigilante games, Lou Rodriguez. Just keep in mind: I'm not one you want to keep on your bad side for long." She waves a hand, and there's a bright flash of light....Lupis finds himself standing on the sidewalk just outside the nightclub. It's quite obviously morning, as the sun is rising high in the sky now. He looks at his watch, and his watch still seems to think it's around 2:30 in the morning.

Lupis says loudly, "Shit!" Lupis says, "I think I pissed her off..." He hears a satisfied chuckle faintly, in his head. Lupis spins around reflexively, before it hits him that he won't see anybody behind him. Sighing frustratedly, he heads around the side of the club looks around for his bike and his guitar. He squints and puts his sunglasses back on. The cycle seems to be in the empty parking lot, with the guitar leaning on it.

Lupis shakes his head and says, "I'll call you. Promise." He smirks, wondering if Tryx will believe that old line or not. He walks over to his bike, and works on strapping his guitar to the back of it. What the hell time is it, anyway? As the musician looks around, he sees a bank sign that marks the time as 10:30. As he recalls, the others were leaving at 9. He's missed them by over an hour.

Lupis says, "Shit!"

Lupis hops on his bike and starts it up. He revs it, then drives carefully out of the parking lot. He gets his cell phone out and punches the speed dial for for the Nyte Krawlers front man as he rides. Better leave a message...

Lupis does, in fact, only get a machine. After the beep, he says, "Hey, dude, it's Lou Rodriguez! Sorry I stood you up last night man.. Shit started happening. Hey, it wasn't a stand up, it was out of my hands. Look, if we can meet in private later, I'll tell you why I had to bail last night. I'll have to tell you why I quit the biz too, or it won't make any sense. Call me back, okay? You guys fucking ROCKED the Abyss last night!" He hits end, and shoves his phone back into his coat pocket. He decides returning to the hotel will take too long, so he eases into the traffic heading towards the highway southeast to Mesa. "Man, I better HAUL."

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Last modified: 2001-Oct-30 19:35:28

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